Crockpot Pumpkin Applesauce

(source) 

Last year I ran across a pin for crockpot pumpkin applesauce. I made it a few times that fall and it. was. so. good. After we went to the apple orchard a few weeks ago, I tried to pull up the pin that had the recipe and just couldn't find it. I searched and searched and eventually found that the blog has since been taken down! It wasn't that hard of a recipe, to be honest, so I just guessed and it turned out pretty good. 

Ingredients: 

10-15 apples (I used a combonation of Honey Crisp, Johnathan, and Golden Delicious)

1/2 C sugar

15 oz can of pumpkin puree 

Pumpkin pie spice to taste

Directions: 

* Peel and chop the apples 

*Put everything in the crockpot and stir so it's all well combined. 

*Turn on the crockpot to low and let cook for 5-6 hours or until the apples are soft. 

* If you like smooth applesauce, put the applesauce in a blender or food processer and blend until smooth. If you're like me and like chunky applesauce, take a potato masher and mash until it's the right consistency. 

That's it! I forgot to take a picture when I made it a few weeks ago and by the time I typed this up, it was all gone. Next time I make it, I'll add some picutres to this post. 

Enjoy! 

Cheesy Salsa Chicken Bake

I found the original recipe for this on Budget Bytes via Pinterest a few weeks ago. Since I'm lazy and can't seem to get my act together an hour before dinner, I decided to change it up a little fix it so it took less time. Most everything is the same except for a few changes. 

Ingredients: 

2-3 chicken breasts

1 can of black beans (or pinto, or whatever you want)

1 can of corn

1 16 oz bottle of salsa

White (or brown) Minute Rice

Salt and Pepper to taste

Olive Oil

1 Cup cheddar cheese

Directions: 

*Preheat oven to 350*

* Make enough Minute Rice for 4 servings (2 cups of water, 2 cups of rice in my case). You can up this if you want more rice, but it turned out just fine for me. 

* While the rice is cooking, cut up the chicken and put in to a medium pan with some olive oil, salt, and pepper and cook until done. When it's done, dump in the salsa with the chicken,

* When the rice is done put into baking dish (I used two dishes, a smaller one and a round bowl). 

*Drain the corn and the beans and put them in the dish(es) with the rice. 

*Do the same thing with the chicken and salsa mixture (make sure it's fully cooked before putting it in the dish). 

* Stir everything together until it's good and mixed. 

*Mix in half of the cheese with the rest of the mixutre. Use the rest of the cheese for the top right before you put it in the oven.   

* Slide it into the oven and let it bake for about 15 minutes or until the cheese is all bubbly. Since everything is already cooked, you're just heating it through and making everything all hot and gooey and yummy. 

I only put one of the two dishes in the oven for dinner and put the other one in the fridge instead. We'll eat it later in the week and I'll just pop it into the oven then! 

The finished product: 

                     

We're baaaaaaaaaaaack!

So much for my committment to be a better blogger. Whoops. But, it seems like when you move across the country, time and blogging just slips away from you. It's been a busy late summer/eary fall around our house and every time I sit at the computer I think to myself 'I really should update the blog' but...I just never do. So, here I am! Updating and stuff!

Highlights since August:

* After a lot of prayer and talking, we decided that a move to Michigan was in order. Utah was wonderful, but T and I felt it was going to be easier to be surrounded by support and family when the baby comes. And that support and family is in Michigan.

* We put our house on the market in early August

* We sold the house in 10 days. TEN DAYS PEOPLE. I was shocked and amazed and pleased and happy.

* We found out we're having a BOY!!!!! 

  

* Three days after I turned 25 (!!) we packed up the house with the help of my parents and started the four day drive from Utah to Michigan. Let me tell you that moving 2 dogs, 4 people, a moving truck, 2 cars (one on a trailer), and the entire contents of a house was an experience I never ever want to have ever again. 

* We moved into our new apartnemt. 

*T found a fantastic job within SIX days of getting here. Take THAT Michigan economy. 

* We celebrated our 2 year engagement-versary 

* We started working on our woodland themed nursery (which, omg, I am so excited about you have no idea) 

I can't even explain how good it feels to be back home, surrounded by family, and watching the leaves change. T is loving Michigan too and I am loving showing him around the place where I grew up. 

Here's what's up next for the Smith clan: 

* Our next ultrasound is on Monday. I can't wait to see my baby boy again. 

* I have a few recipes that are in the works for the blog: Pumpkin Applesause and Salsa Chicken Bake! 

* Nursery decoration and baby prep. 

* Lots and lots of family time. 

* More blogging. I promise!