Horray For Hunting Season

Isn't he a gorgeous moose? I abhor everything about hunting season, but when I spied these guys, I knew my hunt this Fall, was a complete success! Go get 'um everybody...

Chocolate Mousse Bars

will be a favorite go-to-treat for the holidays. Cookie exchange anyone?

Chocolate Mousse Bars

• 1 pkg. (8 squares) Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided
• 1/2 cup Sugar
• 1/4 cup Flour
• 1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk, divided
  
• 4 eggs
• 1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) Chocolate Instant Pudding
• 1-1/2 cups thawed Whipped Topping

HEAT oven to 325 degrees.

MELT 6 chocolate squares as directed on package. Mix with sugar, flour, 1/4 cup condensed milk and eggs until well blended. Pour into 9-inch square pan sprayed with cooking spray.

BAKE 25 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. (Do not overbake.) Cool completely.

BEAT dry pudding mix and remaining condensed milk with whisk 2 min. Stir in whipped topping; spread over dessert. Melt remaining chocolate squares; drizzle over pudding layer. Refrigerate until chocolate is firm.

Serve with love, all.

I’m sharing this post at these fabulous blogs:

{M} Between Naps on the Porch * Making The World Cuter * The Girl Creative * Sumo’s Sweet Stuff * The DIY Showoff * Skip To My Lou *It's So Very Creative * Keeping it Simple * Craftomatic Mondays {T} Today’s Creative Blog * All Thingz Related * Blessed With Grace * Sugar Bee * I’m Topsy Turvy * It's a Blog Party * Balancing Beauty and Bedlam * Toot Your Horn Tuesday * Tasty Tuesdays * Sweet Shot Tuesdays * Tuesdays Unwrapped {W} Blue Cricket Design * Me and my Bucket * Someday Crafts * My Backyard Eden * Trendy Treehouse * Sew Much Ado * Gettin’ Crafty on Hump Day {Th} House of Hepworths * Somewhat Simple * Fireflies and Jellybeans * Paisley Passions * Yesterday On Tuesdays * The Shabby Chic Cottage * Beyond The Picket Fence * Life as Lori {F} Just a Girl * Tidy Mom * Designs By Gollum * A Little Knick Knack * Chic on a Shoestring Decorating * Decor Mamma * Fingerprints on the Fridge * Fun to Craft * The Shabby Nest * The Inspired Room * A Few of My Favorite Things * My Romantic Home {S} La Bella Vita * A Vision to Remember * Funky Junk Interiors * A Little Lovely * Tatertots and Jello * Be Different Act Normal {S} I Heart Nap Time * Under the Table and Dreaming

Fall-ing For Black Beans

I went through this last Spring. It would be warmer weather the day I was planning our meals. So ready for lighter fare, I'd plan a summer salad. On the day I served it, the wind would howl and the flurries fly! Well, I'm right back at it again. As I planned my meals last week, the furnace was roaring.

Today it was downright balmy, sunny and summery, in the mid 80's, and I had a big pot of

Gege's Black Bean Soup

simmering away!

This soup is both nutritious and delicious. It goes together so quickly, and is a nice change from traditional chili. We really enjoy black beans and all the goodies packed in this soup. It's a favorite from my darling Mom, so it's comforting too, even when it's 85 degrees out!

Garnish with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and serve with a fresh tossed salad and a few tortilla chips. As always, serve with love and enjoy!

Gege's Black Bean Soup

• 1 lb. ground beef or turkey
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 package taco seasoning mix
• 1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (16 oz.) can tomato sauce
• 2 (15 oz.) cans black beans
• 2 (15 oz.) cans whole kernel corn
• 1 (4 oz.) can diced green chilies
• 1 can jumbo pitted olives
• shredded cheddar cheese
• sour cream

Brown the meat and drain the fat. Add garlic, onion, and taco mix and cook about 5 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, black beans, corn and green chilies, all with their liquid. Drain the olives, slice them and add them to the soup. Simmer on low for 2 hours to blend flavors. Garnish with cheddar cheese and sour cream.

I’m sharing this post at these fabulous blogs:

{M} Between Naps on the Porch * Making The World Cuter * The Girl Creative * Sumo’s Sweet Stuff * The DIY Showoff * Skip To My Lou *It's So Very Creative * Keeping it Simple * Craftomatic Mondays {T} Today’s Creative Blog * All Thingz Related * Blessed With Grace * Sugar Bee * I’m Topsy Turvy * It's a Blog Party * Balancing Beauty and Bedlam * Toot Your Horn Tuesday * Tasty Tuesdays * Sweet Shot Tuesdays * Tuesdays Unwrapped {W} Blue Cricket Design * Me and my Bucket * Someday Crafts * My Backyard Eden * Trendy Treehouse * Sew Much Ado * Gettin’ Crafty on Hump Day {Th} House of Hepworths * Somewhat Simple * Fireflies and Jellybeans * Paisley Passions * Yesterday On Tuesdays * The Shabby Chic Cottage * Beyond The Picket Fence * Life as Lori {F} Just a Girl * Tidy Mom * Designs By Gollum * A Little Knick Knack * Chic on a Shoestring Decorating * Decor Mamma * Fingerprints on the Fridge * Fun to Craft * The Shabby Nest * The Inspired Room * A Few of My Favorite Things * My Romantic Home {S} La Bella Vita * A Vision to Remember * Funky Junk Interiors * A Little Lovely * Tatertots and Jello * Be Different Act Normal {S} I Heart Nap Time * Under the Table and Dreaming

Touchdown!

The blue and orange turf at Boise State University is awesome!
Our spirited Broncos did not disappoint Saturday night.
3rd ranked BSU and 24th ranked OS were well matched.
Both teams have talent and are well coached...but in the end,
the final score,

Boise State 37, Oregon State 24...making Idaho proud!

"Winning isn't everything, wanting to is!"

So, I Scrambled to Turn Out a Playmaker for my Receiver.

My Pick,

Bronco Blueberry Cornmeal Pancakes

was a Snap to Tackle in a Rush...and yes, I Scored!!!

Kickoff by adding cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and kosher salt to a mixing bowl. You'll have a First Down! Whoo-whoo...

Carry your blueberries to the sink and give 'em a good Sweep under the faucet!

add buttermilk, eggs, oil. Give them a good whisk and then take a 20 minute Time Out.

Heat and oil your Gridiron. Turn Out batter and watch for bubbly Signals.
Add blueberries to the top of each pancake before your Turn Over.

In a Blitz, you'll have a 3-3 Stack!

Upon Completion,
Odds are you will achieve a Winning Percentage of oohs and ahhs...

Pile On hot pure maple syrup or Buttermilk Maple Syrup...
which in my Territory is the BOMB,

as you serve with love,
to your Cheering Crowd and take a Quick Count of Xs & Os!


For all of you Rookies, plan on serving 4-6 Players. Here's your Cheat Sheet.

Broncos Blueberry-Cornmeal Pancakes

• 1-1/2 cups medium-grind cornmeal (I used Bob's Red Mill)
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 cup fresh blueberries

Whisk first 6 ingredients in large bowl. Whisk buttermilk, egg and oil in blending well. Let stand for 20 minutes. Preheat griddle or heavy large skillet over medium heat, and oil. Ladle 1/4 cup fulls of batter onto griddle for each pancake. Sprinkle each with fresh blueberries. Cook until golden brown and just cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Serve with hot syrup.

Buttermilk Maple Syrup

• 1 stick butter
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 tsp. maple extract
• 1 tsp. soda

In a large saucepan, bring butter, buttermilk and sugar to a boil. Remove from heat. Add extract and soda, stirring well. It will foam up, so allow for extra room in your pan.

Thanks to all my FANS!
I won't Play-By-Play again...

I’m sharing this post at these fabulous blogs:

{M} Between Naps on the Porch * Making The World Cuter * The Girl Creative * Sumo’s Sweet Stuff * The DIY Showoff * Motivate Me Monday * Skip To My Lou *It's So Very Creative * Keeping it Simple * Craftomatic Mondays {T} Today’s Creative Blog * All Thingz Related * Sugar Bee * Tempt My Tummy Tuesday * I’m Topsy Turvy * It's a Blog Party * Balancing Beauty and Bedlam * Toot Your Horn Tuesday * Tasty Tuesdays * Sweet Shot Tuesdays * Tuesdays Unwrapped {W} Blue Cricket Design * Me and my Bucket * Someday Crafts * My Backyard Eden * Trendy Treehouse * Sew Much Ado * Gettin’ Crafty on Hump Day {Th} House of Hepworths * Somewhat Simple * Fireflies and Jellybeans * Paisley Passions * Yesterday On Tuesdays * The Shabby Chic Cottage * Beyond The Picket Fence * Life as Lori {F} Just a Girl * Tidy Mom * Designs By Gollum * A Little Knick Knack * Chic on a Shoestring Decorating * Decor Mamma * Fingerprints on the Fridge * Fun to Craft * The Shabby Nest * The Inspired Room * A Few of My Favorite Things * My Romantic Home {S} La Bella Vita * A Vision to Remember * Funky Junk Interiors * A Little Lovely * Tatertots and Jello * Be Different Act Normal {S} I Heart Nap Time * Under the Table and Dreaming

Soaring Sentiments

"In our individual circumstances, let us look for and cultivate the wonders of our opportunities. We can be overcome by a spirit of defeatism, or we can eagerly embrace opportunities to learn, to develop marvelous associations, and to build great loyalties."

President Gordon B. Hinckley

Five On Friday

(If you made this week's Top 5 Hits, please grab a button on the right)

#1

A most remarkable quilt isn't it? Titled, "Sunday Best" , Cherri @ Cherry House Quilts created it. Moda Bake Shop has the recipe and you can get it for free. Her tip for turning out triangles is tremendous. I also adored this petite pin cushion shared as an added bonus...kind of the "cherry on top!"

#2

In my travels this week, I landed on this outrageously ingenious idea I just had to pass along to all my gardening family and friends, especially Shane who has a huge garden! I don't have "pumpkin growing" space in mine, but Stacy does. She is a proud wife and mother to three little boys, @ Not Just a Housewife. She shares her secret, a different way to "carve" a pumpkin! You'll want to see it now and make a note in your gardening log for next Spring.

#3

Now here's a trick from smart Jodi @ Pleasant Home one of my very favorite daily fixes! For all of you quilters like me, look at how sassy her Quilt Binding unrolls; clean, off the floor, with no tangles. She has me hitting "High C" for COOL!

#4

I'm all about the "Happy" part of Halloween and this cute Halloween Candy Jar meets my criteria! Thanks to Mrs. Owen @ A Pumpkin and a Princess for a terrific idea.

#5

Classy Marla @ Always Nesting provides us with a real treat this week. Just for fun (and for me), go and find your smile at Two Hours of My Life I Will Never Get Back. I think Marla's provided me with a whole new storage bin to blog about! ;D Love it Marla...

I’m sharing this post at these fabulous blogs:

{M} Between Naps on the Porch * Making The World Cuter * The Girl Creative * Sumo’s Sweet Stuff * The DIY Showoff * Motivate Me Monday * Skip To My Lou *It's So Very Creative * Keeping it Simple * Craftomatic Mondays {T} Today’s Creative Blog * All Thingz Related * Sugar Bee * Tempt My Tummy Tuesday * I’m Topsy Turvy * It's a Blog Party * Balancing Beauty and Bedlam * Toot Your Horn Tuesday * Tasty Tuesdays * Sweet Shot Tuesdays * Tuesdays Unwrapped {W} Blue Cricket Design * Me and my Bucket * Someday Crafts * My Backyard Eden * Trendy Treehouse * Sew Much Ado * Gettin’ Crafty on Hump Day {Th} House of Hepworths * Somewhat Simple * Fireflies and Jellybeans * Paisley Passions * Yesterday On Tuesdays * The Shabby Chic Cottage * Beyond The Picket Fence * Life as Lori {F} Just a Girl * Tidy Mom * Designs By Gollum * A Little Knick Knack * Chic on a Shoestring Decorating * Decor Mamma * Fingerprints on the Fridge * Fun to Craft * The Shabby Nest * The Inspired Room * A Few of My Favorite Things * My Romantic Home {S} La Bella Vita * A Vision to Remember * Funky Junk Interiors * A Little Lovely * Tatertots and Jello * Be Different Act Normal {S} I Heart Nap Time * Under the Table and Dreaming