Holiday: All Hallows' Eve

Happy Halloween!!

 

 

We have always loved Halloween. Apparently we love dressing up as cheerleaders & bunnies too, (see photos above). This blog is to share some of our favorite things to do on Halloween. Here are some fun ways to celebrate:
  Carve Pumpkins
This year I (Jenn) did something completely different a Princess J Pumpkin with drilled holes that light up. Using a drill to carve is so easy you just drill & wipe. Be sure to clean the drill after because it will get dirty from pumpkin pulp.

Visit a Haunted House
This year I (Connie) went to a haunted house. I went with a few friends last year and almost didn't go again this year because I was so scared to go back, but I did it! And I'm glad I did!

A friend invited me to go with her to a haunted house nearby: The Bradley's Haunted House in Sheridan. It's basically a family that puts it together in a old barn on their property. They do it every year on Oct. 30 & 31st only. The line was longer this year, but it's worth the wait. One of my favorite parts was where they had a bed set up with a scary clown coming out from underneath the bed and you had to climb over the bed to get to the other side!

They also had zombies in the outdoor part that would follow you around. The best part is that there is no charge to go in! They do accept donations and have a snack shack set up to buy hot chocolate, apple cider, water and treats. I def recommend going!

Take Your Children/Niece & Nephews Trick-or-Treating
We did this last year and we are taking the kids around this year again. Bonus for us we get to see all the cute little children dressed up & excited and of course, eat candy.

Pass Out Candy at Home
This is another great way to see a bunch of costumes. I always like to play scary music or watch a scary movie while passing out candy. Any Hocus Pocus lovers out there like us?

Visit a Pumpkin Patch
It's usually best to go to the pumpkin patch in the beginning of October before Halloween to get the best choice of pumpkins. This is a Cinderella pumpkin I picked up at the Pumpkin Patch. I liked it because it was in the shape of a heart. Can you see the heart?

I (Jenn) had a great day at the pumpkin patch with my boyfriends family (My San Diego family). We went through the corn maze, shot corn out of the corn cannon, saw a bunch of animals, enjoyed snow cones (it was a HOT day), and picked out the perfect pumpkins and holiday décor.

Until we blog again, A Haunting XoXo <3, Connie & Jenn

Craft: Goal List

Do you wish you had a quick & easy way to see all your daily, weekly or monthly goals? Well, I have just the thing for you. A quick & easy re-usable goal list.

Materials you will need:
1 permanent marker
1 pack regular sized Post-it notes
1 pack small Post-it notes
1 sheet construction paper
tape, clip or a way to hang your chart.

This can be made in 5 - 10 minutes! As you complete your goals for the week just pull off the post-it note.

 

Until we blog again, XoXo, Connie & Jenn

Party: Halloween Costume Party

Halloween has always been a fun time of year for us since we were little girls. We love to dress up! The best way to celebrate Halloween is to throw a party with a haunting atmosphere, eerie eats and drinks and of course the perfect costumes. We threw a Halloween party at Connie's house. Below are a few things you could do as well to create a memorable Halloween party. Instead of normal drinks create festive names for everyone to enjoy like, "Bloody Rum Punch" & "Wormy Jell-O Shooters" (which we used),  "Candy-Corn Cocktail" and "Monster Mimosa". The key is to be creative. If you serve the drinks in a punch bowl your party guests will be able to drink at their leisure. For treats there are many, many options. We have a “wormy Jell-o” to share with you.

Bloody Rum Punch

It is very simple to make the "Bloody Punch" all you do is combine all ingredients into a large punch bowl and place in the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving.

Ingredients:

• 1-750ml bottle dark or light rum
• 1/2 bottle red wine
• 6 oz triple sec liqueur
• 6 oz lime juice
• 6 oz simple syrup
• 2 limes sliced thin
• 2 blood red oranges sliced thin

A spooky addition to this drink is to buy plastic eyeballs to add to the punch as seen below. Beware, this drink is very strong and your party guests may get very intoxicated form multiple drinks.

Wormy Jell-O Shooters

This is very similar to the ingredients on the box.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz Jell-O or other gelatin (any flavor)
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1/2 cup Vodka
• 1/2 cup cold water

What to Do:

1. Pour gelatin into a medium sized bowl.
2. Add boiling water, stirring until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
3. Stir in chilled liquor and water mix.
4. Pour into plastic cup molds, or shot glasses.
5. Refrigerate until the jell-o hardens. (At least 2 hours, but overnight refrigeration is recommended)
6. Serve cold

 

Even your pets can be a part of the Halloween fun!

 

 

Another fun idea for your party is to create a Halloween Photo Booth. We hung up an orange plastic table cloth with a Trick or Treat banner and added pumpkins and candles all around. Some other ideas are to have scarecrows, skeletons, ghosts and/or witch statues, cob webs and spiders, basically anything that goes along with the Halloween theme.  

 

 

Connie & I were Inspired by The Great Gatsby so we dressed up as flappers.

 

 

Until we blog again, XoXo Connie & Jenn

Food: Connie's Kale Salad

It's official, I'm in love with Kale! Kale is oh so versatile and also healthy. It's adds a nutritious boost to smoothies, a great addition to pasta dishes and then there's kale chips, so delish! But my favorite way to eat Kale is in a salad. I could eat Kale salad all day everyday, it's that good!

Connie's Kale Salad

Ingredients:

• (1) Bunch of Kale
• 1/2 Cup dried Cranberries or Raisins (we like an assortment of raisins - raisin melody)
• 1/4 Cup Nuts (Slivered Almonds, Peanuts, Pine, Sunflower, whatever you want - I think almonds or peanuts are best)
• 1 or 2 Apples, chopped
• 1/2 tsp. salt or garlic salt
• 1/4 cup chopped Red Onion (optional - forgot this last time and it was still very good)
• Crumbled Goat Cheese - 1 small container
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil or other oil such as Avocado Oil (my new fav!) 
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Honey
• Pepper
• Grilled & cut chicken breast (optional, usually add if having as main dish)

Rinse kale, pat dry, and tear bite size pieces off stems into large salad bowl (do not use stems - they have a icky dirt flavor, in my opinion, anyway) 


Sprinkle with salt or garlic salt and massage into kale until it turns dark green and tender.

 (You will also notice it will shrink to about half) 

To make dressing in smaller bowl or measuring cup mix olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey and pepper--- or just add on top, this is what I usually do, then mix it all up - just a little bit of each... I also like to add a little rosemary or other seasoning I'm in the mood for.


(<---- Apple Cider Vinegar from Apple Hill)

Toss dressing into salad. At this point you can cover and keep refrigerated until ready to eat (It tastes better cold! Usually just 20 min is fine, but I've refrigerated overnight as well).

Top with nuts, dried cranberry/raisins, chopped apple, red onion, goat cheese and enjoy!

Sooooo good!!

- Connie

Food: Crock Pot Beef Stew

The weather is starting to cool down and winter is right around the corner, making it the perfect time to start making stews and soups!

Beef Stew is one of our favorites and perfect for this time of year.

Crock Pot Beef Stew

Ingredients:

• beef - seasoned with seasoning salt and cut into approx. 2" pieces
• flour
• olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, diced
• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 cups dry red wine
• 3 potatoes cut, or mini potatoes
• bag baby carrots
• beef broth (1 box)
• sliced mushrooms
• Kale
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp all spice
• 1 tsp each salt & pepper

First coat the seasoned beef in flour (using a zip lock bag is helpful).
Heat olive oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meat, careful not to overcook, then place browned heat into crockpot.
Add the garlic and one of the onions, chopped, to the pan, cooking until just tender. Add to crockpot.
Pour the wine into crockpot, along with the beef broth, carrots, 2nd sliced onion, couple leafs of kale (torn off main stem in pieces) and mushrooms.
Season with thyme, chili powder, salt & pepper.
Cook on low heat about 8 hrs.

UPDATE: Made this again recently with pre-sliced stew beef from the grocery store. Just seasoned meat then added it and all other ingredients straight into the crockpot on low for 8-9 hrs. and it was great! Much easier too!

Enjoy!

Until we blog again,
XoXo <3 Connie & Jenn

Food: Shrimp & Andouille Sausage Gumbo, Nawlins' Style

My boyfriend & I love to travel to New Orleans, his parents just got back from a trip so I was inspired to do this blog on a Traditional Southern favorite, Shrimp & Andouille Sausage Gumbo. We had Matt's parents over (Photo to right: Halloween dinner decorations) & I created a crowd pleasing gumbo. Only thing people wanted to change was to add a little tabasco, which is a normal request!

To make about 8 - 10 servings of the Shrimp & Andouille Sausage Gumbo you will need:
* 1 lb Seafood
* 1 lb Andouille Sausage
* Cajun Gumbo Mix
* 8 cups chicken broth or water
* 1/2 large chopped onion
* 4 garlic cloves
* 1 bunch green onions sliced
* 1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley (dried parsley will work)
* Old Bay or Creole seasoning

Take your pre-cooked Andouille sausage or cook in a skillet on medium heat for about 5 minutes or until browned, drain on paper towels. Once drained cut into 1/2 inch small slices. Clean up shrimp, if needed, place on plate as shown below.

 

In a 4 quart pot combine 2 quarts of chicken broth/stock or water (I used water) and Gumbo Mix. Stir constantly well and bring to a boil.

Once boiling add 1lb pre-cooked sausage and 1lb shrimp, add in garlic, onion, chopped green onion, parsley and creole seasoning. Cover then bring to a 2nd boil. Reduce heat to medium/low and simmer for 15 minutes. Serve over Tomato Herbed Rice.

 

To make Tomato Herbed Rice you will need:
* 2 cups brown rice
* 4 cups water
* 1 14.5oz can diced tomatoes
* 2 cloves garlic
* garlic salt / spices

In a 2nd medium sized pot bring 2 cups of brown rice and 4 cups water to a boil. Add in 1 can of diced tomatoes and garlic. Turn heat down and let simmer for 45 - 50 minutes. I like to add garlic salt and Old Bay Seasoning as well. (Below is a photo of everything simmering)

 

To make Dark Cherry Date Flatbread you will need:

* Pitted Dates

* Flatbread or Sourdough baguette

* Light cream cheese or goat cheese

* Dark Black Cherry Balsamic Vinegar

 

This is a very simple and delicious appetizer to make. Just spread cheese onto bread, add dates, bake for 5min. pour a little drop of the dark black cherry balsamic vinegar and serve to your guests.

Here is a photo of Matt & I enjoying New Orleans last year, September 2012 at one of our favorite spots, the dueling piano bar of Pat O'Brien's!

Until we blog again, XoXo Sister Cooks Connie & Jenn

Event: National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Since October is the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, us sisters did a Hot Pink Fun Run 5k in Roseville, California this month for the cause. We had a great time running along the trail around Old Roseville and listening to music. We 💗'd seeing everyone in pink outfits and even costumes to celebrate boobs and women.

"The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) is a collaboration of national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies working together to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease, and provide greater access to services." - NBCAM.org

We were happy to put just a little bit of our time and money into such a great cause.

Until we blog again, XoXo, Connie & Jenn

Food: Connie's Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Cauliflower Pizza Crust
 

Makes 1 large or 4 smaller crusts (I just made one large rectangle)

 

Ingredients:

2 cup cooked, riced cauliflower (one small cauliflower head) - steam cauliflower until slightly soft, drain, cool, then grate with cheese grater, food processor, or chop fine.
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
2 eggs
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp garlic salt

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, spray with non-stick spray.

In a medium bowl, combine riced cauliflower, oregano, basil, eggs and mozzarella. Press evenly on the parchment paper. The thinner the better.

Bake the crusts at 450 degrees for 15 minutes.

 

Remove the cookie sheet from the oven. Top with sauce and favorite toppings. Then heat in oven until cheese is melted. Enjoy :)

 

 I also made a deep dish Cauliflower Pizza (Chicago style) in a pie pan. It turned out amazing, I just cooked the crust 5minutes longer than normal (or until golden brown), added toppings and cooked for another 15min. My boyfriend loved it so much he ate some before I got a chance to take a photo.
 

 

Until we blog again, XOXO Connie & Jenn

Food and Travel: Apple Hill in Camino, CA

 

Our family loves going up to Apple Hill in Camino, CA every Fall to visit the Apple Orchards, Wineries and Bake Shops. It takes about an hour and a half from Roseville up the 50 to get to the little area of Placer County. It is a nice environment to spend quality time with family. We start off in the morning by grabbing an Apple Cider Donut and Coffee and Rainbow Orchards. They also offer wine tasting at Rainbow Orchards but usually we are there too early to want to drink wine.

 

 

I like to stop every year to look at ornaments from Boa Vista Orchards. I can't wait to start my own family and get an ornament every year like Connie does. At Boa Vista they also have a huge variety of Apples to choose from. They also have a little wine stand in the back where they offer wine tasting. They have good Apple Wine here.

 

Then we wander down the road to Jack Russell Farm Brewery & Winery. This area is cool, there is a lawn with picnic tables and vendors in booths along the out skirts. They have a cave for you to wine taste or try hard cider in and then a "log cabin" where you do your beer sampling. Connie has a beer growler that she likes to fill up every time we are in the area.

 

 

Around lunch our favorite spot for a picnic (partnered with a glass of wine) is Lava Cap winery. The view overlooking the vineyard is beautiful and so peaceful.

 

 

One awesome place that is often very crowded is High Hand Ranch. There is an outdoor trout pond where you are allowed to fish (with the proper license), a large shopping area, fresh baked goods, chocolate fudge shop, pony rides, hay rides, a little pumpkin patch and our favorite Apple Cider Milk Shakes from the Cider Shack.

 

 

Below are some past memories in Apple Hill. One year we went to Apple Hill and it started raining on us, it was really cool because it wasn't crowded at all!!

 

One of our favorite spots for coffee & apple donuts in the morning.

 

 Checking out pumpkins @ High Hand Ranch (circa 2010)

 

Mom & Dad enjoying a moment in Apple Hill.

 

We also love to go wine tasting in Apple Hill. There are a lot of nice little wineries in the area. This photo was taken on my 28th birthday (circa 2012).

 

Until we blog again, XOXO, The Sisters Connie & Jenn