Roasted Red Pepper Alfrado

Recipe Source: Pinterest
Made: October 12, 2014

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces linguine
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 4 ounces crumbled goat cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish
• 1 (12-ounce) jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:

• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well.
• Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until onions have become translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in milk, heavy cream, goat cheese and Parmesan until cheeses has melted, about 1-2 minutes.
• Add red peppers and puree with an immersion blender. Stir in pasta and gently toss to combine; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Serve immediately, garnished with Parmesan, if desired.

Thoughts:  Pretty good.  I'm not a big fan of goat cheese so I thought the taste was a little strong, but Dakota loved it.  We will probably make this again.  It's super easy to make.

Pick Pumpkins

In 2011 it was the first year doing my 52 week project and the first year we went to the pumpkin patch.  Ok, not the first time ever, but the first time in a really long time.  I remember laughing as dad claimed he found the best looking pumpkin; the one that looked like it had exploded.  The weather was perfect and felt like fall had arrived.   We had so much fun goofing around that we decided we would do this each year.

In 2012 things were a little different.  Dad was recovering from his second bone morrow transplant and couldn’t go.  It was just me and mom.  We had fun, but we wished dad could go with us to because we know he secretly liked going last year.  It was a little bittersweet.  This time the weather was chilly and coats were definitely needed.

In 2013.  The cancer is coming back but things are still ‘normal’.  This year is was hot and humid.  We had a large storm come through in the morning and it left the farm a little muddy, but it didn’t stop us from picking pumpkins.  Just like last year dad found the best looking pumpkin.  This one looked like it had exploded, been turned inside out and baked in an over.  Dakota came with us and he found the three largest pumpkins on the farm.

This year, 2014, Dakota and I are engaged.  (Next year we will be a week away from getting married!)  Dad's still battling cancer and has a broken collar bone as a result of the cancer growing after not being on chemo for 6 months earlier this year.  However, he has recently started a new treatment plan and seems to be doing alright.  Mom has been dealing with asthma and was having some troubles breathing, but nothing too bad.  She was still very happy to come with us and keep the tradition going.  This year was also very, very cold.  You can't tell, but I have three layers of long sleeves on.  So very different from the year before.  

40 Recipes | Chicken Noodles Casserole

Recipe Source:Pinterest
Made: September 10, 2014

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups uncooked egg noodles
• 2 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 1 package {16oz.}  frozen peas, carrots, beans and corn
• 1 cup milk
• 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
• 1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 1/2 tsp. Salt
• 1/2 tsp. Pepper
• 1/2 cup Chopped onion
• 2 TBSP. Melted Butter
• 1/2 tsp. Garlic Salt
• 1/2 tsp. Italian Seasoning

INSTRUCTIONS

Cook noodles according to package directions.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients.

Drain noodles; add to chicken mixture.

Transfer to greased 8 inch cake pan (I used a pie plate).

Cover and bake remaining casserole at 350 for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 10-15 minutes longer until heated through.

Thoughts:  It was good. Probably needed a little extra time cooking.

Make Again?:  Probably.

Watch Sunrise/Get Engaged

A few weeks ago Dakota and I traveled to Glaveston, Texas for a family vacation with his parents, sisters, and their families.  I had two things I wanted to do on this trip, watch the sunrise on the beach and see the Point Bolivar Lighthouse. 

We arrived to Texas on Monday night and we discussed what we should do for the week.  When we checked the weather (all week long before) it said it would rain the entire trip.  Such a bummer...  Since we weren't sure what the weather would be like, Dakota and I decided to try the sunrise on Tuesday morning.  That way, if it was raining, we could catch it later in the week.

Tuesday came bright and early.  I was grumpy because I wasn't ready to get up and the weather said that rain would hit in any minute.  But Dakota still convinced me to get out of bed and hope that when we got to the beach, the clouds wouldn't be covering up the sky.

We walked across the street and down to the beach.  And since this was on my 101 list I had to get a photo of us with the sunrise.

I took one photo and loved it, but knew I wanted something a little more romantic.  Dakota is not a PDA person so I asked him to humor me and take a photo of us kissing.  He agreed, but knew he probably would because we were the only people on the beach. 

I checked the photo on my camera, loved it, and wanted to get another one, just in case.  I asked him to get closer and he said ok, but make sure my feet are still in the photo.  I said, don't worry, they are. I set the timer, clicked the shutter, ran over the Dakota....

...and he dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him. 

Of course, I said yes as he slid the ring on my finger and I shook with excitement. 

I checked my camera and found this amazing photo.  (I just took my own proposal photo and didn't even know it was happening!)  We sent it to my parents and closest friends and we walked a little longer on the beach.

This was the last photo I got of the sunrise.  The bugs were horrible and I got eaten alive.  We also wanted to get back home before the rain began. 

We got to the house and showed Dakota's family the photo I got to tell them the news that we are engaged.  (All of them knew Dakota was going to ask this week.)

After the excitement wore off a little (who am I kidding, I'm still excited and shocked!), Dakota's sister noticed this rainbow in the back yard.  I got engaged and God gave me a rainbow and rainbows are very significant to my family.  I think he is very happy!

Done : September 16, 2014

5 Local Restaurants

1.  Piatto 614 | January 25, 2013 | First date with Dakota.
2.  Bad Art Bistro | July 1, 2013 | Date with Dakota.
3.  Geneos Pizza | March 12, 2014 | Girl date with Ashto and Kenzie.
4.  Pappy's Grill and Pub | April 3, 2014 | Dinner with Dakota.
5.  Frederick Inn | August 14, 2014 | Dinner with Dakota's family.

Go for a Hike

While Dakota and I were in Minnesota earlier this month, we walked around Minnehaha Falls before our trek back home.  The weather was beautiful and it was just what we needed before making the drive back home.  It was an awesome morning.

Done: September 7, 2014

Inspirational Quote