Fall Traditions

For day 3 of the November Blogathon, I am talking about my family's Fall traditions. I hope you enjoy this throwback photo of my older sister and I...(I am the devil...) *smiles*

Let's talk about September...technically it's kind of a summer month, but I consider it Fall...

One thing we try to do each Fall is go apple picking at our local apple orchard, Eckert's. This is something I have done for as long as I can remember. Usually our whole family tries to go together; parents, grandparents, kids, aunts, cousins, the whole group. We usually eat some apples while we are in the orchard and the cooks of our family make apple flavored treats with the apples we picked. 

My oldest sister's birthday is in September, so that is always a part of Fall for us. We usually go out to dinner, but this year was her big 30th birthday! My younger sister, my mom, and I all put together a surprise party for her, it was really fun and she was surprised!

My husband and I were married on September 1st. So, although this tradition is only two years old, my husband and I celebrate our anniversary each Fall!

Let's talk about October...

We have all kinds of Halloween traditions! The kids always dress up and go trick or treating. Each year we have a Halloween party at my parents' home. One thing that I have learned is "St. Louis specific" is the tradition of telling jokes. At each house, the child has to tell a joke in order to get candy. Weeks before Halloween kids (and adults) start sharing their jokes. Here's the joke my husband and I told this year:

What's a baby ghost's favorite food?

Booooooobies! 

Haha! It's more funny if you know that I am currently breastfeeding our 11 week old daughter. 

My "little" brother's birthday is October 1st, so we celebrate his birthday as well during Fall. Although he is not really my "little" brother anymore, he is 17 years old and 6 foot 1in. 

Let's finish off this post with November...

Ahh November! This is a very special month for be because this is the month that my son was born and the month when I first met my husband. My son's birthday is on the 23rd, so sometimes his birthday falls on Thanksgiving, (he was actually born on Thanksgiving!). Every year my son has 2 birthday parties, one for his friends and one with our family. Last year his friend party was playing paintball, they all had a blast! Some other places he has had his birthday are: Skyzone, YMCA, Roller Skating Rink, and the Bowling Alley. One year my husband and I lost our minds and took about 10 eleven year old boys to the Holiday Inn for an overnight swim party. They had sooo much fun, but it was a lot of work! 

My nephew Dominic's birthday is also in November, on the 28th. I was so happy that I got to be there for his birth! My sister lived in North Carolina at the time, and he was born while we were there for a visit. They have moved back to St. Louis now, so each Fall he has a big birthday party as well. 

Thanksgiving! All I have to say is "yum". Our Thanksgiving includes a ton of food. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, broccoli rice casserole, dinner rolls, green bean casserole, corn casserole, cranberries, and I'm sure there is more that I am forgetting! We all go over to my mom and dad's house for dinner. My mom gets out the good china (the only other time this happens is  Easter) and usually my little sister helps her set the table. Sometimes we get festive and go around saying what we all are thankful for, but it's more about having a big dinner with family and people that we love. 

I feel like Christmas traditions is a whole post within itself, so I will save that for another day! 

I'd love to hear about your Fall Traditions! Feel free to include a link to your Fall Traditions post in the comments. 

Favorite Fall Recipe: Noodle Casserole

As part of the November Blogathon I am sharing my favorite Fall recipe! I wasn't sure which recipe I was going to choose for this, then last night my mom made this casserole for my sister's boyfriend who is visiting from Holland. He really enjoyed this, and as always, the rest of the family did too!

Ingredients:

1-8 oz. package medium egg noodles
1 lb. ground beef
1 TBLS. butter
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
1 cup tomato puree
1 cup creamed cottage cheese
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup chopped green onions
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Cook noodles in boiling salted water. Rinse in cold water and drain.
Brown meat in butter, then add salt, pepper, garlic salt and tomato sauce.
Simmer for 5 minutes.
Combine cottage cheese, sour cream, chopped onions and noodles
Alternate (like lasagna) layers of noodles mixture and meat mixture and cheese in a two quart casserole, beginning with noodles and ending with meat.
Top with shredded cheese.
Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted and browned.
Serves 8

I hope you enjoy this! I think this recipe smells like my Nana's house. If you are participating in the November Blogathon (or even if you aren't) link up your favorite Fall recipes in the comments!

30 Days in November, 30 Facts about Michelle

I am trying to blog more, and what better way to do that then to participate in the November Blogathon sponsored by the Mrs. & the Momma! She has developed writing prompts for each day in November, how fun!

You can find the link to her November Blogathon post HERE.

The first blogging prompt is for Monday, November 3rd, and the prompt is:
There are 30 days in November, so share 30 facts about yourself.

30 Facts about Michelle

1, I have an incredible husband, Nathan

2. I have an amazing 13 year old son, Jasen

3. I have a precious 11 week old daughter, Marlene

4. I am 28 years old

5. I was born on St. Patrick's Day

6. I live in St. Louis, Missouri

7. I have 2 dogs, chiweenies, Mustang and Stella

8. I have 1 cat, Walter

9. I have a water frog, Bonnie (she ate all of the food and her mate Clyde died)

10. I have one older sister, Melissa

11. I have one younger sister, Megan

12. I have one younger brother, Mark

13. My parents are still married

14. I have been married for 2 years

15. I earned a bachelor's degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from UMSL in 2008

16. I minored in psychology

17. I originally went to school to be a doctor and was enrolled in the pre-med program

18. I changed my career path after my son's father passed away

19. I earned a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling in Spring of 2014

20. I am a stay at home mom now, and I love it!

21. I preformed at the Muny in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat" when I was 11

22. I love to watch QVC (it's on right now)

23. My favorite color is green

24. I used to do singing and dancing competitions when I was younger

25. I was a teenage mom (It has been challenging and awesome at the same time)

26. I met my husband online (on Okcupid.com)

27. I have one nephew, Dominic

28. I have one niece, Aubrie

29. I love my them like they are my own kids

30. I really love my life, it's not glamorous, but I feel so lucky each day! 

I hope you enjoyed learning a little bit more about me! If you are doing the November Blogathon, feel free to provide a link to your 30 Facts in the comments of this post. I would love to read about you!