Halloween

Will is "Larry Boy" from Veggie Tales. He is a cucumber super hero with super suction plunger ears. If you don't know who Larry Boy is you should check it out on You Tube.

Fernwood

On Sunday we went to a beautiful little place called Fernwood, in east Layton. The leaves were perfect and there was a great view of the valley. They have tables for picnics and a trail up the mountain. We had so much fun that we ended up going back the next day for family night.

For the love of sweet potatoes

I have found some great recipes using sweet potatoes (yams). Every time I go to the grocery store I buy tons of them.

Sweet Potato Cornbread
(I make them as muffins)

Sweet Potato Pie (I found this recipe somewhere on the internet, but I just tried to find it and couldn't)
3 lbs. Yams

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 can evaporated milk

2 eggs

1 1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp vanilla

1 stick of butter

Dash of cinnamon

Pre-heat your oven to 400°F. Boil the yams with the skin on until a fork or butter knife causes the yams to easily break apart when inserted. Cool yams slightly. Then place in a collander and run cold water over them to assist you with removing the skins since the yams will still be pretty hot. Beat yams with mixer on medium speed, stopping frequently to remove strings from the beaters. Once the strings are removed, add butter and continue to mix. Then add remaining ingredients. You may need to adjust the nutmeg and sugar to your tastes. I like my pie sweet with a good amount of nutmeg! Continue mixing your batter until it has a nice smooth consistency. The batter should not be thin or runny, and it should not be too thick either. If too thick, try adding a little more evaporated milk (by the tablespoon) until the batter is smooth. Pour your batter into your favorite unbaked 9 or 10 inch pie shell, sprinkle a dash of cinnamon on the top and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour.(Tip: Brush the edges of your pie shell with ice water to prevent it from burning before the pie is actually done). Brown specs on the top of the pie are an indication that your pie is done. You can also insert a knife in the middle of the pie, and if it comes out clean it's done! Let cool for at least 1 hour before cutting and serving.

Two-Potato Salad
I love it warm.

Sweet Potato Fries
just peel and cut yams into thin slices (like you would for french fries); put in ziplock bag with a little oil, nutmeg, and cinnamon; shake; and bake at 375 until soft
Here is a spicier version:
http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2008/08/sweet-potato-shoestrings-fries-that-is.html

Rise and Shine

Both my kids woke up around 5:30 am this morning! What joy! After trying to get them back to sleep for half an hour I gave up and let come into our bed for a slumber party with no slumber.

just for phil

Look who's crawling!

He looks like a little caterpillar! He's actually been crawling for awhile now, but now he can really move well, and get from room to room.

Summer

We've had such a fun summer playing outside in the water, with chalk, and most importantly spending time with family.
I made 9 posts today so be sure to check them all out.