October | 2015 | Believe in the Magic Traci Diary

Weekly Ramblings – Halloween 2015 – Write 31 Wrap Up

Posted on October 31, 2015 by traci

Today is the last day of the Write 31 challenge. I can’t believe it’s over. During the challenge, I have cooked a lot of meals and desserts in the crockpot. It’s been a fun experience. In fact, as I am typing there is chicken and hamburger meat cooking for later meals.

I’m going to continue cooking dinners in the crock pot. During the month, it’s been a much easier way to get dinner on the table which is much less stress on my part. One thing I would love to do is more freezer kits and share them with you.

My 31 day post is going to be attached to a page later this week so you can still refer to it later. I’m also going to provide printable recipes. I’ve already put some of the recipes on my Google drive. Once I get done with that, I’ll provide you with a link to all of the recipes. 🙂

Here is a list of some of my new and some old blogs that feature crock pot meals. I’ve shared a few of them on my menu plan Monday blog posts.

Here are 23 of the recipes I’ve shared over the course of the last 31 days.

Bramble Beans

Tomato Soup

Applesauce

Stuffed Pepper Soup

Skyline Chili

Pinto Beans and Ham

Taco Meat

Cherry Crisp

Balsamic Roast

Queso Dip

Caramel Apple Crisp

Whipped Cream

Crockpot Ravioli

Baked Potatoes

Easy Pulled Pork

“Oniony” Pork Chops

Pumpkin Chili

Cranberry Relish

Parmesan Chicken

Potato Soup

Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes

Green beans, ham, and potatoes

Taco Soup

I hope you enjoyed the recipes I’ve shared.

Chicken Parmesan (Day 30)

Posted on October 30, 2015 by traci

I’ve signed up for a 31 day writing challenge. Everyday in October, I am posting a new slow cooker recipe, a link to a previous posted slow cooker recipe, or a link to a recipe from another blog.

Tomorrow is the last day of the writing challenge. I’m getting ready for my next two series. They won’t be as intense as the 31 writing challenge.

The first series is a countdown to Thanksgiving series. I have some crockpot meals for sides and even a turkey recipe for the crockpot. My plan is to have a printable Thanksgiving menu the week before Thanksgiving.

The second series is a countdown to Christmas. I already have recipes of the I’m Hungry cooking blog. We are going to revisit some of our favorite Christmas cookies and treats. The Imaginative One loves this time of the year because he loves taste testing the goodies.

I’ve already tasted two of the recipes for the countdown to Christmas. Both the Wee One and the Imaginative One LOVED the first one. Only the Wee One has tried the other one. He kept going back for me so I think that is a sign that he LOVED the other treat.

As I have said in other blog posts, we eat Sunday night dinner with my mother-in-law. Twice during the month of October, we also invited another member of our church to our Sunday night dinner. On the 11th, I decided to cook chicken Parmesan in the slow cooker. Chicken Parmesan is one of my mother-in-law’s favorite meals. Everyone raved on the deliciousness of the meal.

About a half an hour before the dinner, I took the chicken out of the crock. I placed the chicken pieces in a casserole dish and then sprinkled Parmesan cheese over the chicken. Then I put it in the oven for a few minutes to allow the cheese to melt.

Taco Soup (Day 29)

Posted on October 29, 2015 by traci

I’ve signed up for a 31 day writing challenge. Everyday in October, I am posting a new slow cooker recipe, a link to a previous posted slow cooker recipe, or a link to a recipe from another blog.

Yes, I know this is another soup recipe.

We had lots of rain on Tuesday and Wednesday so it was a good thing I had the taco soup on the menu for Tuesday. There is something about soup on a dreary day. It helps brighten your soul.

The Wee One loves tacos so I thought he would like this soup. He probably would have liked it better if I served it with tortilla chips.

Hubby and I loved the soup. It’s easy to put together in the morning. The soup uses ingredients that most people have in the pantry.

The boys decided they wanted me to take a picture of them. I was trying to get a picture of the soup.

This is the Wee One taste testing the soup. I have no clue while he is holding his head.

Taco Soup

Stars of the recipe:

1 lb. hamburger, browned or 2 c. already browned hamburger
1/2 small onion, diced
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
3 heaping Tbsp. homemade taco seasoning or 1 package store bought taco seasoning
1 1/2 c. water
2 (15 oz.) cans diced tomato
1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 c. frozen corn

Steps:

Place all ingredients in the slow cooker.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Top with your favorite toppings – cheese, sour cream, etc. . .
Enjoy!

If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on Facebook or Pinterest. Here is a link to my Facebook page and my Pinterest page.

To check out the rest of the recipes I’ve shared during this challenge, click on this link.

Oh and please check back during the first week of November. I’m planning a small giveaway. No, it is not a crock pot. More information will be forthcoming about the giveaway.

Happy eating,
Traci

Creamy Tomato Soup (Day 28)

Posted on October 28, 2015 by traci

I’ve signed up for a 31 day writing challenge. Everyday in October, I am posting a new slow cooker recipe, a link to a previous posted slow cooker recipe, or a link to a recipe from another blog.

On Friday, Wee One and I went to a bonfire. Since we were going to be eating yummy food there, I planned to have a light dinner so we were NOT too full. So I chose to make tomato soup and grilled cheese. Yum!

The Wee One and I had fun at the bonfire. I made some Boo Mix to share. It was a big hit with everyone who tried it.

The adults sat with the adults and chit chatted. The kids ran around caring people and going on hay rides. I did go on one of the hay rides and screamed during the whole ride even though it wasn’t really that scary. Read More

Cherry Crisp (Day 27)

Posted on October 27, 2015 by traci

I’ve signed up for a 31 day writing challenge. Everyday in October, I am posting a new slow cooker recipe, a link to a previous posted slow cooker recipe, or a link to a recipe from another blog.

Can you believe this is the 27th day of the writing challenge? I can’t believe it either.

Tonight I asked the family what they thought of the challenge so far. The Imaginative One told me that its as though everything is normal. The family is fed and happy so that is normal. I don’t have to worry about rushing home from work because I know that dinner is going to be ready. Those are both winners in my book.

My mother-in-law has also been happy about the challenge because she hasn’t not had to make an Sunday dinners in recent weeks. I’ve been making the dinners in order to test new recipes.

On Sunday I invited my mother-in-law and a member of our church over for the Sunday dinner. I cooked a pre-Thanksgiving dinner – turkey, green bean casserole, rolls, homemade applesauce, and dessert. I was in the mood for cherry crisp so I decided to try to cook it in the crock pot. The cherry crisp was delicious!

My mother-in-law and F. loved the crisp.

I had more on Monday and it was even better then on Sunday.

Cherry Crisp

Stars of the recipe:

1 (15 oz) can of cherry pie filling
2/3 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. old fashioned oats
1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1/4 chopped pecans
1/3 butter, softened, cut into small pieces

Steps:

Spray a 2 or 3 quart crock with cooking spray.
Pour the cherry pie filling in the crockpot.
In a small bowl, add the other ingredients (topping) except for butter. Mix.
Cut the butter into the topping ingredients using 2 knives, a pastry blender, or your hands until crumbly.
Drop the topping over the cherry pie filling.
Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours until bubbly.
Enjoy with ice cream or homemade whipped cream!

If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on Facebook or Pinterest. Here is a link to my Facebook page and my Pinterest page.

To check out the rest of the recipes I’ve shared during this challenge, click on this link.

Oh and please check back during the first week of November. I’m planning a small giveaway. No, it is not a crock pot. More information will be forthcoming about the giveaway.

Happy eating,
Traci

Menu Plan Monday – October 26, 2015 and Cranberry Relish

Posted on October 26, 2015 by traci

I’ve signed up for a 31 day writing challenge. Everyday in October, I am posting a new slow cooker recipe, a link to a previous posted slow cooker recipe, or a link to a recipe from another blog.

Tonight I’m extremely unmotivated. We had a three day weekend because of parent teacher conferences. I taught students all day and then had a 2 hour training. I’ve got to come up with a lesson plan for when I’ll be observed by my principal. My brain cells have been overextended.

Monday – Leftover Turkey, Green Bean Casserole

Tuesday – Taco Soup

Wednesday – Beef and Noodles

Thursday – Sloppy Joes

Friday – Beenies Weenies

Printable Version of the menu

This post was originally posted in November 2011. (It’s been repinned on Pinterest over 300 times!)

On Sunday, my father-in-law informed us he was cooking a chicken for Thanksgiving. There was going to be only 6 of us for dinner and he didn’t want to deal with all the left-overs. The family convinced him that he needed to make a turkey. I wanted to help make the dinner so I decided what I was going to bring. One of them items was going to be homemade cranberry relish. Yesterday I stumbled on this recipe.

Earlier in the week I had created a list of things I needed from the store. One of the items was an orange for the relish. My husband went shopping but didn’t buy an orange. His reasoning was I had oranges at the house. I have grapefruit and clementines but no navel oranges. So I made a trip to Save-A-Lot to go get the oranges. Boy I’m glad I did. This recipe is easy and the end result was delicious.

Cranberry Relish

Click on picture for the original blog post

Stars of the recipe:

2 oranges
1 bag (12 ounces) cranberries, rinsed and picked over
1 cup sugar
pinch cinnamon or Chinese five spice
3 tablespoons water

Steps:

Zest the oranges.
Cut off the remaining outer peel and pith and discard.
Cut the peeled orange sections into small chunks and add to the slow cooker along with cranberries, sugar, cinnamon, and zest.
Add water.
Cover and cook on HIGH for about 2 hours. (I had to put it on low for about 1/2 hour after cooking it on high.)

Since my brain cells are overextended, I’m going to leave out the blog spotlight for the week.

If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on Facebook or Pinterest. Here is a link to my Facebook page and my Pinterest page.

To check out the rest of the recipes I’ve shared during this challenge, click on this link.

Oh and please check back during the first week of November. I’m planning a small giveaway. No, it is not a crock pot. More information will be forthcoming about the giveaway.

Happy eating,
Traci

Crockpot Homemade Applesauce

Posted on October 25, 2015 by traci

I’ve signed up for a 31 day writing challenge. Everyday in October, I am posting a new slow cooker recipe, a link to a previous posted slow cooker recipe, or a link to a recipe from another blog.

The Imaginative One LOVES apples. Actually that’s understatement, he adores apples and will eat all the way to the core and even around the seeds. He loves to pack them for lunch.

Since it’s fall, apples are plentiful so I decided I was going to try to make some applesauce in the crock pot. I’ve made it on the stove so I followed the same method but in the crock pot instead.

While the apples were cooking away, the boys and I went on an adventure. The Dayton area is where the Wright Brothers lived and tested out the airplane. I’m so fortunate that I live about 5 miles away from where they tested the airplane after the December 17, 1903 flight. We went to the Interpretive Center and then down to the Huffman Dam that was built after the Great Flood of 1913. After we were done with our walk, we drove through the local university because it has beautiful fall foliage especially in one area.

Click on the picture to see more pictures from our adventure.

Crockpot Homemade Applesauce

Stars of the recipe:

1 to 2 pounds of apples, cored and cut into cubes
2 cinnamon sticks
water

Steps:

Cut up apples.
Place in a 2 – 3 quart crockpot.
Add water to just below the top of apples.
Add the cinnamon sticks.
Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours until the apples are tender.
Pour out the majority of the water.
Blend in small batches in a blender. (Add sugar at this point if you want to.)
Enjoy!

If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on Facebook or Pinterest. Here is a link to my Facebook page and my Pinterest page.

To check out the rest of the recipes I’ve shared during this challenge, click on this link.

Oh and please check back during the first week of November. I’m planning a small giveaway. No, it is not a crock pot. More information will be forthcoming about the giveaway.

Happy eating,
Traci

Weekly Ramblings and Bramble Beans (Day 24)

Posted on October 24, 2015 by traci

Next week is the last Saturday of the 31 day writing challenge. The family has enjoyed all the meals, desserts. and sides created in the slow cooker. It’s renewed my interest in cooking. The family never knows what I’m whipping up in the kitchen.

This week I’ve shared two of our favorite ways to cook meat.

Crockpot chicken
Crockpot BBQ ribs – Our favorite brand of barbecue sauce is Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce. You could also use my recipe for root beer barbecue sauce.

Homemade Whipped Cream

Posted on October 23, 2015 by traci

My family loves homemade whipped cream. We eat it on desserts such as the crockpot caramel apple crisp or put it on fancy coffee drinks such as pumpkin spice latte.

This is an easy recipe. Actually I usually start the whipped cream in the mixer while I’m finishing up other dishes. Don’t worry I still keep an eye on it.

I use my Kitchen Aid to make the whipped cream with the whisk attachment. You could make this with a hand mixer also.

Homemade Whipped Cream

Stars of the recipe:

1 c. heavy whipping cream
2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
1 to 2 Tbsp. vanilla extract

Steps:

Place all 3 ingredients in the mixing bowl.
Starting on the lowest speed, whip up the whipping cream.
After 2 minutes, increase to a higher speed.
Whip for approximately 3 more minutes until there are peaks and it holds its form.
Enjoy on your favorite dessert, fancy drink, or even it’s own.

Crockpot Caramel Apple Crisp (Day 23)

Posted on October 23, 2015 by traci

I’ve signed up for a 31 day writing challenge. Everyday in October, I am posting a new slow cooker recipe, a link to a previous posted slow cooker recipe, or a link to a recipe from another blog.

I’m over two-thirds of the way through the challenge. I’ve shared a dip, main dishes, and soups. This is the first time I’ve shared a dessert.

Last Saturday, Hubby and I were discussing how I’m planning to make most of our Thanksgiving dinner in the crock pot. He told me that I would probably make an apple crisp in the crock pot for our Thanksgiving dinner.

He didn’t know that I had already planned to make a crisp in the crock pot for our Sunday night dinner.

Every Sunday, we have dinner with my mother-in-law. Sometimes she cooks or we go out to eat. Recently I’ve been cooking the dinner. The majority of the meal was cooked in the crock pot. The whipped cream and veggies were the only parts of the meals not cooked in the crock pot.

This dessert was delicious. I put the caramel drizzle on the crisp. It really didn’t that drizzle. The crisp was sweet enough without it.

This crisp is especially delicious with whipped cream on top. I usually make my own whipped cream now. Homemade whipped cream is delicious and yummy!

Crock Pot Caramel Apple Crisp

adapted from Crockpot Ladies

Stars of the recipe:

1 (11 oz.) individually wrapped caramels
10 apples, diced (I used gala.)
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice or 1 tsp. ground cinnamon and 1/4 tsp. cloves
1/2 c. all-purpose flour

Topping

1/2 c. cold unsalted butter (1 stick) cut into small pieces
1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. old-fashioned oatmeal
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice or 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon and pinch of cloves

Caramel Drizzle

1 jar of caramel ice cream topping

Steps:

Spray a 6 quart crock pot or casserole crock pot with cooking spray.
Unwrap the caramels. Cut each caramel in half. Place in crockpot.
Add apples, spices, and flour to the caramels. Mix well.
In a small bowl, add the topping ingredients.
Using 2 butter knives or a pastry blender to cut the butter until it’s a nice crumbly mixture.
Spread the topping over the apples and caramels.
Cover. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
Enjoy with whipped cream and the caramel drizzle!

If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on Facebook or Pinterest. Here is a link to my Facebook page and my Pinterest page.

To check out the rest of the recipes I’ve shared during this challenge, click on this link.

Oh and please check back during the first week of November. I’m planning a small giveaway. No, it is not a crock pot. More information will be forthcoming about the giveaway.

Happy eating,
Traci

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Recipes, Travels, and Stories

Month: October 2015

Weekly Ramblings – Halloween 2015 – Write 31 Wrap Up

Chicken Parmesan (Day 30)