Special Olylmpics Poinsettia & Coffee Sale

It's that time of year again. I have to say these poinsettias were some of the most beautiful ones I've ever seen. My friend Margie came up to me this summer exclaiming how beautiful her poinsettia still was, six months later! If anyone is interested in ordering this year, get your money to me by November 7th so I have time to get the money and orders in to Special Olympics.

Special Olympics Michigan

POINSETTIA & COFFEE SALE

Livingston County Area 27

Poinsettia Colors(do not come with bows):

• Red
• White
• Pink
  

Coffee Flavors: *Pre-Order Only* *Donations Welcome*

• Colombian (decaf)
• Dark Capital Blend Wreath Bow Colors
• French Vanilla Red or Burgundy
• Nutcracker Sweet
• (A Blend of Brown Sugar, Caramel and Nut)

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Area 27 Special Olympics Fundraiser: Poinsettia Sale Order Form

Name: ________________________ Checks Payable To:

EMAIL _______________________ SOMI Area 27 Phone: (___) ___________________

Description	Cost	Quantity	Color of Flower/ Bow Color for wreath	Total
10 inch Poinsettia	$40.00
7.5 inch Poinsettia	$20.00
6 inch Poinsettia	$12.00
4 inch Poinsettia	$8.00
Wreath 24 inch	$26.00
Wreath 36 inch	$42.00
Wreath 60 inch	$100.00
Garland 25 ft	$30.00
Coffee 12 oz	$10.00

Danny Visiting with Gretchen

Danny getting his "Gretchen fix". He randomly asks, "Can I call Gretchen? I haven't talked to her for so long!" He really misses his big sister since she moved away. Actually we all do! Can't wait until she comes visit!

Baked Oatmeal

I'm hooked on this breakfast. It's from our family cookbook, Sara's recipe. I make a half of recipe for a 9 x 9 pan. Then I warm up a piece for breakfast every morning and add a couple handfuls of frozen wild blueberries. Yum!!

Baked Oatmeal

1 cup olive oil (can use melted butter or applesauce) (I use half olive oil and half melted butter.)
1 1/2 cup sugar (can reduce, I didn't)
4 eggs
6 cups oatmeal (I used Old Fashioned)
4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups milk

Combine all ingredients. Pour into greased 9 x 13-inch pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve with fresh fruit.

Can refrigerate overnight before baking. Recipe can be halved.

Earthquake Cake

Hold those diets......This cake is to die for. I got this recipe via face book from my Dad's sister Ellen Y. I've made it twice at work. I have yet to make it at home. Danny says he wants Earthquake Cake for his birthday. He's never had it but he's heard me talk about it.

EARTHQUAKE CAKE RECIPE (auntie Ellen Y)

1 chocolate (fudge) cake mix

1 cup nuts, chopped

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

½ cup butter, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

¾ cups chocolate chips, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla

Put nuts in bottom of greased 9 x 13 pan. Mix cake mix according to box directions and pour over nuts. Mix cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar and vanilla. Drop by spoonfuls all over cake. Drizzle the chocolate chips over cream cheese layer. Bake at 350˚ for 45 minutes.

FROSTING:

1 small box of instant chocolate pudding

1 cup milk

1 8-ounce cool whip

Beat with spoon the pudding and milk until thickened. Fold in cool whip. Spread on cooled cake. Store in refrigerator.

The High Schooler

See Amanda, I'm blogging every day right? Almost.

Tuesday night I went to Danny's open house. I have been a little apprehensive about him entering high school. All the other ninth graders attend the freshman campus but his CI (cognitive impaired) classes are at the high school. Well, most of my fears have been put to rest. I was rather impressed with all of his teachers and I feel like he'll have a great year. His computer and Life Skills teacher is also his case worker who will be involved in his IEP's. So he has her for three hours as Life Skills is a two hour block. I really like her and felt like she really enjoys Danny. She said, "Danny loves to visit and I love visiting with Danny. He has so many interesting things to talk about." I feel pretty confident that his education will continue to be as positive as it has been in the past. I'm very thankful for that!

Chicken Parmigiana (Pioneer Woman)

I've been thinking I really have to start eating healthier and maybe shed a few pounds so what do I do? I go on Pioneer Woman's site and just printed some "low fat" recipes like, "Muffins That Taste Like Donuts" and "Creme Brulee". I did make the following recipe from her site last week. It was very good and the leftovers even better. I think next time I will cut the chicken in bite size pieces before I flour and brown them.

Chicken Parmigiana

Ingredients

• 4 whole (up To 6) Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, Trimmed And Pounded Flat
• ½ cups All-purpose Flour
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• ½ cups Olive Oil
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 1 whole Medium Onion, Chopped
• 4 cloves Garlic, Minced
• ¾ cups Wine (white Or Red Is Fine)(I used chicken broth)
  
• 3 cans (14.5 Oz.) Crushed Tomatoes
• 2 Tablespoons Sugar
• ¼ cubes Chopped Fresh Parsley
• 1 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 pound Thin Linguine

Preparation Instructions

Mix flour, salt, and pepper together on a large plate.
Dredge flattened chicken breasts in flour mixture. Set aside.

At this time, you can start a pot of water for your pasta. Cook linguine until al dente.

Heat olive oil and butter together in a large skillet over medium heat. When butter is melted and oil/butter mixture is hot, fry chicken breasts until nice and golden brown on each side, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
Remove chicken breasts from the skillet and keep warm.

Without cleaning skillet, add onions and garlic and gently stir for 2 minutes. Pour in wine and scrape the bottom of the pan, getting all the flavorful bits off the bottom. Allow wine to cook down until reduced by half, about 2 minutes.
Pour in crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Add sugar and more salt and pepper to taste. Allow to cook for 30 minutes. Toward the end of cooking time, add chopped parsley and give sauce a final stir.

Carefully lay chicken breasts on top of the sauce and completely cover them in grated Parmesan. Place lid on skillet and reduce heat to low. Allow to simmer until cheese is melted and chicken is thoroughly heated. Add more cheese to taste.

Place cooked noodles on a plate and cover with sauce. Place chicken breast on top and sprinkle with more parsley. Serve immediately.