Hi all,
Just got back into town last night from a wonderful trip with my Mom and my Aunt to Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. We had such a good time and beautiful weather in the low 60's...really put me in the mood for Fall. But I quickly remembered that Fall in Texas doesn't begin here until sometimes Christmas when I stepped off the airplane at 10:00 last night and it was 92 degrees! That really snapped me out of my vacation haze very quickly. Massachusetts is a beautiful part of the country. I have always wanted to go there and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity. I love seafood and we had lots of it while we were there. Martha's Vineyard was already decorated for Autumn. I am so jealous. They actually have seasons other than Winter and Summer there! You could find pumpkins everywhere and the crisp air revived me from a sweltering summer here in Texas. There were only two hiccups to our trip. A storm and a plane. A very very very small plane. We flew to Martha's vineyard on an eight passenger plane. I get air sick, very very very easily. I can't even ride the carousel with my kids at the mall. So, the very idea of getting on that plane terrified me. I took my Dramamine that morning, got a shot of caffeine, and we were off to the little Nantucket airport. First shock was checking in when the agent asked me what I weighed!!! For a moment I hesitated. Much from the shock of having to tell another human what I currently weigh, but also in shock that my safety literally could hang in every passenger truthfully acknowledging what we weighed. I wasn't sure which should scare me more. Then, they call our flight and there is no security, not even a wand over our bodies. In my mind I was recalling DFW airport tossing my brand new bottle of flat iron spray in the trash two days prior because it was more than the allotted 4 ounces. There I stood waiting to board a plane full of people who most likely knocked a good 20 pounds off their weight acknowledgement and now could be wearing bombs in their shoes and no one would even know it! This was a very trusting airport. I guess with only 8 passengers on board, they weren't worried. When we boarded the plane, the pilot, who looked younger than me, turns around to say hello and gives us safety instructions. You see, when you are on a plane that small, they don't bother with a P.A. They just turn around and give you a hug they are that close! The part that was most confusing is when I noticed the pilot check his laminated "cheat" sheet 3 times before we took off to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything. I was not sure to be concerned that he felt the need for a reminder/cheat sheet or to be relieved that he was so safety conscious that he just needed to continue to make sure everything had been done. I decided to go with safety conscious. I was seated basically next to the pilot so the only thing in front of me was the windshield and the controls for the co-pilot if there had been one. I was incredibly surprised...Not only did I NOT get sick, I enjoyed it so much. The landing was the smoothest I had ever experienced. The ride back to Nantucket was equally enjoyable :) Towards the end of our stay we were notified that storms were headed our way. The storms that hit New York City and Brooklyn hit us head on at 3 am. I have never felt a house MOVE in a storm due to wind until that night. The rain and wind that went on for 3 hours was unlike any storm I have ever witnessed. The next morning we went to the chamber of commerce to see if that had been a "normal" storm for an island. I told my Mom I was going to feel ridiculous if that was a normal thing for them and it had scared us to death. It would quickly dissolve any fantasy of living on a island one day for me. But to our delight, we weren't crazy. They told us that the hurricane the week before was nothing to the storm we all survived. It is truly amazing what mother nature can provide for her entertainment:) But to make a long story shorter, I had an amazing time. I loved being with my Mom and my Aunt, being able to sleep in and smell the salty ocean air. Reflect on who I was and where I hoped I would grow to be. It was a fabulous week in more ways than I can describe. But I was so excited to see my kiddos and husband. As grateful as I was that they had a good week, I do have to admit that when my husband told me his week was "relaxing" I was a little wounded. I mean, I am glad that our children were "angels" for him all week and that he enjoyed the time with them, but I kind of wish that even if just for one afternoon they had given him some of the reality of some of my days! I also know deep down that a week of "angel" behavior means the next week when I am home I am getting the opposite! I will accept any and all prayers! :) Well the trip and beautiful weather put me in the mood for "Football" food so here are a couple of our favorites. I will warn you they are not healthy as not good game food should be. But they are delicious! With Mississippi Mud Peanut Butter Brownies and Mexican Casserole, you will welcome Fall right on into your kitchen!
Mississippi Mud, Peanut Butter Brownies
* This favorite is more a method than a recipe since I use convenient ready almost made for almost all of it...there are several steps but it is very simple and easy.
1 box of your favorite brownie mix, made and baked in a 9/13 glass pan.
When they are done, as soon as you take them out of the oven, pour 1 bag of mini marshmallows over the top and cover immediately with foil. The heat of the brownies will melt the marshmallows perfectly. Leave covered for 1 hour. After one hour, spread 1 cup of creamy peanut butter over the marshmallow layer. The spread your favorite chocolate icing over than. Slice and serve! YUM YUM
One variation is to spread raspberry jelly or jam over the marshmallows instead of the peanut butter.
Mexican Casserole
4 cups crushed tortilla chips
1 jar Frito lay queso (the one in the jar in the chip aisle)
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion minced
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 can drained pinto beans
4 green onions chopped
1/2 cup chopped black olives
2 cups shredded cheese of your choice
Brown the meat and the onion and when done add 3/4 cup of water and your taco seasoning packet. Simmer and stir for five minutes. Then add the drained beans and mix in with the meat. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9/13 baking dish and pour the crushed chips in the bottom. Then layer the meat mixture on top of the chips. Then pour and spread the queso over the meat. Then sprinkle the chopped green onions and black olives. Then sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top and bake for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and it warm throughout. I serve this with salsa and sour cream.
