Trick or Treat Brownies

Where we live, I'm guessing we won't be getting any trick-or-treaters. So I decided to treat my co-workers to some candy-corn brownies. They were super sweet but that's what treats are supposed to be like right?

Cheesy Beefy Pasta

Another dinner at home and WAY better than eating out! Isn't it awesome to have Safeway right downstairs? hehe

Ingredients: (4 servings)

1 lb ground beef
1 (16 oz) jar chunky salsa
1½ c water
2 c (7oz) elbow macaroni, uncooked
1¼ c shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Preparations:

1. Brown meat in large skillet; drain.
2. Add salsa and water; stir. Bring to boil. Stir in macaroni. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover. Simmer 15 minutes or until macaroni is tender.
3. Add 1 c of the cheese; cook until cheese is melted and mixture is heated through, stirring occasionally.
4. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 c cheese; cover. Let stand 1 minute or until cheese is melted.

Sloppy Joe Pie

This is officially the first dinner at our new place and I COOKED! Here's the picture and the recipe. Greg was VERY pleasantly surprised!

Ingredients: (6 servings)

1 lb lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 c)
1 can (15½ oz) original sloppy joe sauce
1 c shredded Cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
1 c Bisquick® mix
½ c milk
1 egg

Preparations:

1. Heat oven to 400ºF. Cook beef and onion in skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain. Stir in sloppy joe sauce.
2. Transfer to 10-inch pie dish. Sprinkle with cheese.
3. Stir remaining ingredients until blended. Pour over beef mixture.
4. Bake about 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Laguna Nigel (Biotech?)

This year, I was officially invited as Greg's "honored guest" during his company's annual Biotech Conference. Let's just say I had no complaints about the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Nigel. The weather was perfectly warm and you can't get any better than "all-expenses paid"!

Saturday night we had a western-themed dinner and I got to wear my pink cowgirl hat! I thought my outfit was the best until I saw Giovanni in his Indian head-dress. Oh well, maybe next year I'll get more creative too. (The Indian, the cowgirl and...the Mexican?)



Sunday night was the formal ball and here's the happy couple all dressed up! I can't WAIT until next year! (If I'm invited again...)