School has started, cooler weather, and lots more!  Today became FALL DAY!  I couldn't help myself...my favorite season needed to be celebrated.  Here are just a few ideas so that you too, can have a FALL DAY with the kids! 

Books:  SEASONS, Fancy Nancy's Halloween or Bust, Book on Thanks

Theme was ALL about Fall!

Lunch:  PB&J sandwich, cheese and yogurt

Craft:  Tree of Many Colors.

Snack:  Cranberry and White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies




For Lunch was some yummy PB&J but I used the Pampered Chef (click on the link for my pampered chef lady, if you don't have one) small cookie cutter set, to carve out some lovely "fall" like shapes for the kids to eat.  Today, I just so happened to be in the mood for pumpkins.

From Target!  All you need is 1 egg, water, and a good bit of butter...or I use yogurt based margarine. I used this as a great opportunity to let the kids help.  Each of them had 2 ingredients and we just mixed in the bowl.  I gave them each a spoon and let them spoon the contents on the pan.

Here I just took construction paper and made a tree and cut out some dots for leaves.  We talked about how the leaves change color and how they fall (which is why my daughter put them all over the tree).

This post is dedicated to a friend of mine who is an excellent gardner and excellent cook.  She made this for me when I came over to visit her daughter, and it bursted with yummy fresh flavor!  I recently tried the recipe for myself with some fresh veggies and herbs from my own garden, and I am thrilled to be sharing it with you!  It is a great summer/fall dish, rich with flavor and color!  And...as always under 30 minutes from start to the table. 

I like to make this recipe for myself and then make another to share with a neighbor or friend.  Mostly because it is so easy to make 2!

Groceries:

4 -6 Large Tomatoes (fresh from the garden or organic give better flavor)
2 pkg. of Italian 6 blend cheese (Sargento is good)
4 long stalks of basil leaves from the garden. 
Your Choice:  Orzo Pasta, White Rice, or Whole Grain Rice

You are going to layer these like you would a lasanga.  Start with the tomatos and layer a 9x13 pan with cut tomatoes.  Then layer with basil leaves (take off the stalk), then layer with cheese.  Repeat.  Bake in oven on 350 until cheese is slighly brown (approx. 15-20min.).  Try not to bake too much or you will stew your tomatoes. 

While the pie is in the oven, cook your pasta or rice.  On a plate, place your pasta or rice, take your pie out of the oven and serve your pie over your pasta or rice!  That is it! 

Thanks Leta for the yummy recipe!  Glad I can share!