Sunday, October 28, 2007

Tradition

Today Ryan, my family, and I had our annual apple-picking adventure. We look so forward to this every year. We've been going every fall since I was in high school, maybe even before that. We were lucky today; it was hailing as we drove to the orchard, and the sun came out just as we got out of the car. :) We always take tons of pictures and today was no different...


I thought I'd start with some pics from years prior...

2004, just days after we got married... awwwww























2005, I thought this one was funny
















2006, def my favorite pic from last year



















2007... (my bro took a bunch of these... kudos to him)

















We also celebrated my daddy's birthday today (it was yesterday)! I made white chicken chili and apple crisp.... major yum. Since I didn't participate in the blog recipe exchange when it was first suggested, I thought I'd post the recipes for BOTH to make up for my slacker-dom... the chili was especially good, it was more brothy and like soup than chili, but it was so freakin delicious.... seriously, I might go heat some more up now....


White Chicken Chili

serves 6 (I doubled it for my family of 7, and had to use my big crockpot)

Ingredients:

-1 48 oz can great northern beans, rinsed & drained
-2-3 C cooked chicken (I used 1 whole rotissere chicken, it made exactly 3 cups)
-1 C chopped onion
-2 garlic cloves, minced
-2 tsp ground cumin
-1/2 tsp dried oregano, crushed
-1/2 tsp salt
-3 raw carrots, sliced
-3 1/2 C chicken broth
optional
-shredded monterey jack cheese
-broken tortilla chips
-sour cream

1. In a 3 1/2 or 4 quart slow cooker, stir drained beans, chicken, onion, carrots, spices, and broth all together
2. Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours or on high 4-5 hours
3. Top with cheese, chips, and sour cream if desired.

IT WAS AMAZING! Seriously. So easy, too.


Check out the apple crisp recipe here... it was delish and all of the credit goes to Martha, hehe (too lazy to type the whole thing out when I can just link it)!


Such a fun day! Now how about re-heating that chili while we watch game 4...

15 comments:

  1. I lvoe those photos! I have really wanted to start this tradition, but I have yet to find a place to apple pick here.. So sad! You ahven't changed a bit!

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  2. I love the first picture of you and Ryan (from this year) gorgeous as always. Too bad you guys didnt have a huge dog the size of a horse at your apple farm! I bought carmel dip for my apples the other day and thought of you! Miss you

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  3. I love these pictures! Your hair looks sooo good! and I love that sweater too!

    As soon as my kitchen is done I am going to try that chili. It sounds so delicious!

    Are we workin out on Thurs.?

    Love you and miss you

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  4. Amazing pics! You are very beautiful and so is your family.

    Thanks for the recipe, I have been dying for some good Chili!

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  5. i LOVE the picture of ryan picking you up. so sweet. miss you girlie

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  6. What a great tradition. I took the kids one year when we were still in CA, but we haven't gone again. We need to though. I love the pictures!

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  7. Those are beautiful pictures! I'm going to have to try your recipes! They sound sooooo good! Glad you guys had a good time.

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  8. love your pictures. i really like your hair. did you recently cut it. it looks so cute! it makes me want to cut mine.

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  9. Hey! Thanks for the Halloween comment. I bought his outfit at Old Navy... me and a sewing machine don't really mix! lol...

    I am going to try out your recipe's tomorrow night! I am really excited. Thanks for sharing! :)

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  10. How much broth goes into the chili?

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  11. No worries! I'm glad I asked you, we were guessing 6 cups... way too much!

    I will! Thanks :)

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  12. Our dinner guests just left! The meal was a hit. The chili was really really good. Everyone loved the apple crisp as well.

    Keep those recipe's coming! :D

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  13. The pictures are all so good. MAN, I wish I was that photogenic!!!

    I am SO gonna make that chix'n chili

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  14. The new photos of you two are beautiful! and i love the paint job ;-) it kinda looks like the paint color we just did in our bedroom! great minds think a like teehee

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