Video: Max's Escape!

Our dog, Max, taught himself how to open the gate to his kennel! LOL! Now we will have to put a padlock on it! Smart doggie!

Autumn Joy's 4th Birthday Pictures!

An Autumn Afternoon

Yesterday was such a sweet autumn day. Beautiful sunshine...warm, mild temperatures in the low 70's...slight breeze. I decided to take advantage of it and work in the back yard getting ready for the cool temperatures. I raked and bagged leaves and twigs from our big tree in the yard. There weren't many leaves to jump in but the girls tried to anyway! I spread out fertilizer on my garden for next spring. I pulled weeds around the yard. I cleaned out the fire pit and restacked the wood for our fires. It was hard work and I was sore...but it looked really nice!
It is fun to work on projects and then step back and see the fruit of your labor! :)

Video: Autumn Catches Her First Trout!

Yesterday, Autumn went with Daddy and Papa on an afternoon fishing excursion. Here is a video that he took of her.

Video: Is Your Home Like Ours? :)

This is a typical evening in the Tastet home! I just sat back on the loveseat...watching the girls...and thinking...what a crazy but wonderful life! LOL! Notice how Max just goes about his business... :)

Autumn Days...

Autumn Days...

My autumn days have been...

...home schooling with my girls.
...a date to Carson City and lunch at Chili's with my hubby.
...babysitting nights.
...enjoying my neighbor's beautiful trees with their yellow leaves.
...adoring the snow-capped mountains.
...savoring a hot cup of coffee with some fresh baked muffins in the mornings.
...raking the leaves in the backyard.
...crisp nights and mild afternoons.
...cute fall outfits with warm tights.
...potty training my now 2 yr. old...well, that is an iffy! :)
...hearing her say new words every day and talk my ear off!
...anticipating my mom's visit in 2 weeks from today!
...a good Psalm from my Bible.
...trying new fall recipes to enjoy for dinner with the family.
...pumpkins and scarecrows.
...loving the Lord and my family.

Video: Dancing Ballerinas!

Here is a video of Addie and Autumn dancing like ballerinas. Watch closely to Autumn...she dances specifically for the camera...then...hilarious!!!

Addie's 6 Yr. Birthday Pictures

Recipe: Texan Ranch Chicken Casserole

Texan Ranch Chicken Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium green pepper, finely chopped
• 1 medium sweet red pepper, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 3 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
• 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of celery soup, undiluted
• 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
• 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 12 corn tortillas (6 inches), cut into 1-inch strips
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, divided

Directions

• In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, saute the onion, celery and peppers in oil until crisp-tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the chicken, soups, tomatoes and chili powder.
• Line the bottom of a 3-qt. baking dish with half of the tortilla strips; top with half of the chicken mixture and 1 cup cheese. Repeat layers. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly. Yield: 8 servings.

Recipe: Spiced Pumpkin Doughnuts

My sister and I had a fall tradition...every year...we would go to the County Line Orchard. You can ride on the wagon and pick your own apples - we love the Gala apples! You can visit the little petting zoo area for the kids. Sample free apple cider...shop at the country store. We loved it! One of the best things about our visit was fresh pumpkin and apple doughnuts from the bakery! Mmm good!

Here is a recipe to try your own this fall at home. :)

PS...Rachel, if you are reading this...please bake me some doughnuts and mail them to me! :) Love you sis!

Spiced Pumpkin Doughnuts

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg or a Dash of ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/3 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• Vegetable oil for deep-fat frying
• Spiced Sugar

Directions

1. In a large bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high seed for 30 seconds. Add the 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, baking soda, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in pumpkin, buttermilk, egg, egg yolk and vanilla until combined. Using a wooden spoon, stir in flour until well combined. Cover and chill 3 hours.

2. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 1/2-inch thickness. Cut with floured 2-1/2-inch doughnut cutter, dipping cutter into flour between cuts. Reroll as necessary.

3. Fry doughnuts, 2 or 3 at a time, in deep, hot fat (365 degrees F) about 2-1/2 minutes or until golden, turning once. Using a slotted spoon, removed doughnuts from oil and drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining doughnuts and doughnut holes. Coat warm doughnuts in Spiced Sugar. Serve warm or at room temperature. Makes about 12 doughnuts plus holes.

Spiced Sugar: In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg or 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg.

A few autumn pictures to enjoy...

An autumn path...

Pumpkins and mums...

Candy corn...a cute display...

A beautiful fall entrance...

A fun way to display carved pumpkins...

Why carve...just add light!

Happy October!

I am enjoying the cool nights...warm, sun-filled afternoons...my lit-up jack-o-lantern on my entertainment center...my fall mums in my planters...baking special treats that warm up my kitchen and send yummy smells throughout the house...flickering candles.

What are you enjoying today?