Pumpkin Pie Crunch

Fall is definitely my favorite season - fresh, crisp air coupled with school spirit and the smell of pumpkin pie spices everywhere.  Really, if pumpkin could just be in season all year long, I would be in heaven!  If it has pumpkin in it, it is my favorite!!

So, when I saw the recipe for Pumpkin Pie Crunch over at Giving Up On Perfect, I immediately put it on my list to try...NOW!  Then, when I bought one of the Chex cereals, I found the same recipe on the back of the box along with a few other Chex Mix variations I think I will try soon.

But, on to the recipe:

PUMPKIN PIE CRUNCH

1/4  cup light brown sugar
1  tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4  cup butter
2  teaspoons vanilla
2  cups Cinnamon Chex
2  cups Honey Nut Chex
2 cups Golden Grahams
8  oz honey-roasted peanuts

Mix the brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice.

Melt the butter in a separate bowl and add the vanilla.

Stir the sugar mixture into the butter mixture.

Mix the cereals in a large microwaveable bowl.

Pour the sugar &  butter mixture over the cereal and stir it up to coat the cereal.

Add the peanuts and mix.

Microwave the mixture for 2 minutes and stir.  Repeat.

Spread on a cookie sheet or wax paper to cool.

Enjoy!!

Be warned: this stuff is addictive!  Make for a party so you don't eat the entire batch yourself!

My Top Ten - September 12, 2011

First, let's RECAP last week's TOP TEN:

Personal

• Run 30 minutes - {I am guessing about 35 minutes}
• Weigh-in for Biggest Loser - {done on Tuesday, 133.8}
• Drink no more than one coke per day - {good except on Saturday}

Family

• make baby food pears, squash, and green beans - {so yummy!}
• print and complete one preschool pack with Finley - {looked but didn't print}
• family movie and ice cream night on Friday - {didn't happen due to accepting dinner invitation from other family members...not going to preempt family night again :( }

Work

• outline next week's plan before leaving on Friday - {pretty close}

Home

• take "before" pictures of the kitchen half bathroom - {done!}
• make morning and afternoon/evening routine charts for kids - {this project is started but not done yet}
• eat at home together Monday, Tuesday, and Friday - {Monday and Tuesday done, but Friday was out with other family members}

And now on to this week's TOP TEN

PERSONAL

• Run 30 minutes
• Weigh in for Biggest Loser Challenge
• Two water only days on Monday and Thursday

FAMILY

• Celebrate Daddy's birthday on Friday night
• Two nights of walking partners with Finley
• Create a blessing bag

WORK

• Send 10 personal emails to students' parents
• Go through evaluation documents

HOME

• Get all picture albums updated
• Stick to weekly cleaning schedule

Willow Tree Nativity Gift

A few of the women at church are planning a wedding shower/reception for some friends who are getting married and joining two sweet, sweet families that both include children.  When deciding what to tell people they might like for gifts, we all individually reached the same conclusion - the Willow Tree Nativity set. 

  

Willow Tree Nativity Set 

When our Christian Educator took a new job in sunny Florida, she and her husband were given this same gift, and it was beautiful! 

  

Willow Tree The Three Wisemen 

I am looking forward to this wedding and shower, but I am also just giddy thinking about receiving this nativity in the mail soon and displaying it at the reception for the sweet new family of five to enjoy for years to come. 

 

Willow Tree Shepherd and Stable Animals 

I think this is just the perfect gift from their church family to bless their newly joined family.

Willow Tree Metal Star Backdrop, Nativity Set, 26007

Willow Tree Angel of Prayer, Susan Lordi 26012

Willow Tree Ox and Goat Nativity Figurine Set

I can't wait!!

My Top Top - September 5, 2011

OK - not the most productive week, but let's recap Last Week's Top Ten...

Personal

• Run 60 minutes. - more like 30, oh well...here's to next week!
• Drink no more than one coke per day. - definitely not...but, again, let's try next week!
• Plan and delegate wedding shower. - planned, but not delegated yet

Family

• Locate a copy of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe - still no, but closer!
• Eat at home together at least three nights - together, yes, but at home, I think only once.
• Friday movie and ice cream night - yay!  we watched Clash of the Titans per Finley's request, and she LOVED it!

Work

• Outline next week's lesson plans before leaving for the weekend. - not so much!
• Send in all evaluation materials. - DONE and on time!!

Home

• Fold and put away all the laundry - the mound is not yet gone, but at least it is all clean!
• Go to bed with an empty sink every night - most definitely not, but I'm working on it!

 

Now, let's move on to This Week's Top Ten

 

Personal

• Run 30 minutes
• Weigh-in for Biggest Loser
• Drink no more than one coke per day

Family

• make baby food pears, squash, and green beans
• print and complete one preschool pack with Finley
• family movie and ice cream night on Friday

Work

• outline next week's plan before leaving on Friday

Home

• take "before" pictures of the kitchen half bathroom
• make morning and afternoon/evening routine charts for kids
• eat at home together Monday, Tuesday, and Friday

My Top Ten - August 29, 2011

First, let's Recap Last Week's Top Ten:


Personal

• Run 60 minutes - I ran 40 minutes for sure, although it was probably closer to 60.
• Girls Night Out to watch The Help - crazy night of movie time changes, but we did it!
• Assist with the children at church on Wednesday - love watching my little ones interact with the other little ones!

Family 

• Begin reading The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe to Finley - maybe I should actually FIND the book this week!
• Make sweet potatoes and avacado baby food - made and in the freezer - he loves the sweet potatoes!
• Eat dinner at home together three nights - crazy week of tragedy and business...we were together but only at home I think once :(

Work

• Read Whale Talk - done and had book talk with 8th graders
• Outline next week's lessons for each grade - not so much...better luck next week!

Home

• One complete load of laundry each day - almost caught up washing...folding is another story!
• Go to bed with an empty sink each night - definitely not this week, unfortunately!

OK - now onto this week's TOP TEN

Personal

• Run 60 minutes.
• Drink no more than one coke per day.
• Plan and delegate wedding shower.

Family

• Locate a copy of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
• Eat at home together at least three nights
• Friday movie and ice cream night

Work

• Outline next week's lesson plans before leaving for the weekend.
• Send in all evaluation materials.

Home

• Fold and put away all the laundry
• Go to bed with an empty sink every night

My Top Ten - August 22, 2011

In an effort to be more accountable and actually get things accomplished, here are my ten goals for this week:

Personal

• Run 60 minutes
• Girls Night Out to watch The Help
• Assist with the children at church on Wednesday

Family 

• Begin reading The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe to Finley
• Make sweet potatoes and avacado baby food
• Eat dinner at home together three nights

Work

• Read Whale Talk
• Outline next week's lessons for each grade

Home

• One complete load of laundry each day
• Go to bed with an empty sink each night

Free Chips and Queso from Chili's

Sign up for Chili's email list and get free queso and chips.  We love Chili's!