Wonderful Fall Recipe

I have always liked finding awesome recipes on people's blogs and totally appreciate it when people share the ones that they especially liked so I have decided to do this as well. Jer got me the October Cooking Light magazine a few weeks ago and I have just had a ball tagging all the new recipes I want to try. I have only tried a few so far but the one I made today for dinner has been my favorite!

Cider-Glazed Chicken with Browned Butter-Pecan Rice
Why I love this: It has a really great nutty flavor which reminds me of fall, its light and healthy but filling and it only took me 20 minutes!

1 bag (3.5 oz.) boil-in-bag brown rice (I just used a mixture of brown and white minute rice and it turned out great)
2 T butter, divided
1 pound chicken breast cutlets (about 4 cutlets)
3/4 t salt, divided
1/4 t freshly ground black pepper
1/2 c refrigerated apple cider
1 t Dijon mustard

1/4 c chopped pecans
Parsley (if desired)
1. Cook rice according to package directions in a small saucepan, omitting salt and fat; drain
2. While rice cooks, melt 1 tsp butter in large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 tsp salt and pepper. Add chicken to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until done. Remove from pan. Add cider and mustard to pan, scraping pan to loosen browned bits; cook 2-3 minutes or until syrupy. Add chicken to pan, turning to coat. Remove from heat; set aside.
3. Melt remaining 5 teaspoons butter in saucepan over medium-high heat; cook for 2 minutes or until browned and fragrant. Lower heat to medium; add pecans, and cook for 1 minute or until toasted, stirring frequently. Add rice and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; toss well to coat. Serve rice with chicken. Sprinkle with parsley.

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

Well I couldn't quite figure out how to rearrange my pictures but that's ok! I'm so happy that fall is finally here! I've been waiting and waiting, and yesterday as I was buying some Halloween candy, the rain storm came just in time. There is now the telltale bite of cold in the air and I'm breaking out all my delicious-smelling candles. I feel like I can now enjoy the football games even if our team isn't doing the best. :o/ The photo above is from a fun date we went on with Sally and Bryan right before school started. After a BBQ in Alpine, we went to this delicious snow cone shack where you could get ice-cream and cream in your snow cone! So good.

"Jerrmy." That's a new one!

I've truly been enjoying having my own little space to decorate! Its been kind of a challenge to stay within a budget and also use my creative instincts (sometimes I wonder if I was born with any of those) This is my little kitchen table arrangement. All purchased at Smith's grocery store.

Sorry the pictures are so out of order, but this was part of our FHE activity last night. I was seriously so excited about it for days. I found the cutest thing called, "You've just been BOO'd!" (Courtney, Eric already revealed that you know it was us so I figured I can post this on our blog :o)) But we put little treat bags together including homemade jam that Jer's mom Dianna and I made this weekend and doorbell ditched some of our friends. The idea is that if you get BOO'd you have to BOO two more people and put your paper up on your door so people know you've already been hit! We had a ball doing this.
My mom gave me a magazine with tons of cute Halloween decorating ideas, here's one I loved and did while it was still September. :o)
This is my coffee table decoration :o)
Jer and I went to Kaysville this past weekend to spend some time with his family and watch conference. We had such a blast! After the morning session on Sat. we headed to Layton to watch Cam play in his football game. He did such a good job and is so fast! His team won of course. That evening while Jer and Bryon were at the priesthood session, Carly Thornock came over and Dianna led us in a rigorous jam sesh! We made SIX batches of jam. Peach, strawberry, and a peach/strawberry mix. It was so fun to spend some time with just the girls (plus Cam, who was such a good helper.) The next morning we had yummy waffles with our fresh jam and fruit on top! Conference is always great and I learn so much from it.
I'm going to try and post more regularly. My next project is to get some wedding pictures posted. I think i'm a little intimidated by the thought of doing that but I'm sure I will buckle down and do it soon! Stay tuned!