Dreams

Last night I had some wild dreams! Amazing, but wild! In my dream I fast-forwarded to February, and I dreamt that I was in the hospital having this baby. I got to see what our baby will look like, and our baby was beautiful!! It was a really exciting dream, a happy dream, especially because I didn't feel the pain from the c-section I'll have! If only that were true! My husband had interesting dreams too, but they were more shoot-em up/fighting dreams, probably because we watched Con Air last night.

Great for Fall

This is one of our favorites:

Pork Chops with Apple Chutney

4 boneless pork chops
Steak Seasoning
1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
1 c. Chopped Apple
1 c. Chopped Yellow Onion
1/2 c. dried cranberries(crasins)
2 Tbsp. Butter

Rub the pork chops with the steak seasoning. Melt 1 tbsp of butter in frying pan, put seasoned chops in pan and sear on both sides approx 4 minutes or until cooked through. Remove Chops from pan and set aside on a warming plate in oven. Melt remaining butter in pan, saute onions in the butter. Once onions are soft add vinegar and brown sugar and apples. Stir cranberries into the mixture and let simmer approx 4 minutes. Remove chops from the oven, put in serving dish and top with chutney. Serve with Mashed potatoes, and green beans.

Mac-N-Cheese

So this morning I really didn't want to make dinner. Why should I be thinking about dinner when I still have breakfast and lunch to think about? Boxed Macaroni and Cheese, that's what I am doing...it's easy won't require any thought or effort, it's perfect! A few hours go by....I think "hey, I'll just add the left over ham slices from the corn chowder I made the other day...then it won't seem so half-assed, Cool!" a half hour goes by....hmmm...more thinking...."boxed macaroni and cheese really isn't that healthy, I should probably add some peas too!" Around 3:30 an epiphany occurs..."I'll make homemade macaroni and cheese with whole wheat pasta, ham slices, peas and a buttery crumble crust! Oh it will be so good, and easy!" At 4:40 the Macaroni and Cheese CASSEROLE comes out of the oven bubbly and smelling scrumtious! My husband ate half, my son had his first macaroni and cheese experience and I am thrilled that it wasn't from a box.

Macaroni and Cheese Casserole

2 c.raw whole wheat penne pasta

2 c. 1% milk 2 c. sharp shredded cheddar cheese

1 c. frozen peas

1/2 c. sliced or cubed ham

1 Tbsp. flour 4 Tbsp. butter

6-10 butter crackers(Ritz or any store brand will do)

salt and pepper to taste

Spray casserole dish with non stick spray. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Melt butter in large saucepan, add flour to melted butter and whisk. Slowly add milk while whisking. Whisk until slightly thick and add 1 c. shredded cheddar cheese. Add pinch of salt and pepper. Meanwhile boil water and cook pasta until chewy. Strain water from pasta and put pasta in casserole dish. Top with peas, ham and cheese sauce. Mix thoroughly, add remaining cheese to top of pasta mix. Put crackers in a plastic bag and mash until crumbly, add crumbly mixture to top of casserole. Put in oven for 20-30 minutes. Take out of oven and let sit for 10 minutes to settle.