We are... Penn State

Photo-  USAtoday.com

I haven't yet blogged about the Sandusky scandal because honestly, I didn't know what to say.


I have been a Penn State fan since birth. I was born at the hospital that overlooks Beaver Stadium. My dad has been employed by the University since before I was born and is proudly working his way toward retirement after more than 30 years. Thanks to opportunities that Penn State has given my dad, my mom was able to stay at home with us when my sister and I were children. I was able to graduate from Penn State in 2004 without any loans or debt, thanks to the generous employee discount my dad receives as part of his benefit package. 


I met my husband my first week of college and we have grown into Penn State proud alumni and settled down here in State College. We love it here because this is who we are. Our twins were born in the same hospital that I was born and I looked out my window at the stadium and imagined all of the tradition and history I would share with my beautiful babies. We bought them their first Penn State gear from the gift shop before we even left the hospital.


Then the report came out with the unimaginable allegations against Jerry Sandusky. I couldn't believe something this heinous was going on right in our back yard. Then the information came out showing that there was ample opportunity from those who had witnessed or had been informed about this abuse  to go to the proper authorities to STOP this from happening again and start an investigation. Unbelievable. It was a week of mixed emotions.


As I walked into the stadium Saturday, the energy was palpable. For the fist time that I know of in history, the team held hands and walked out on the field. The show of respect brought me to tears. Both Nebraska and Penn State (and many past PSU players) together knelt on the field and prayed. The 106,000 fans stood in complete silence as tears ran down many faces.


Sure, we lost the game but the healing had started. The focus shifted to the victims, where is obviously needs to be. We stood together and cheered, just as we always do because a handful of people who have made horrible decisions does reflect who WE are.


I ask you to join me in praying for victims. It's time that these young men get the attention and respect they deserve. Hopefully our prayers can ease some of the pain and help them have the strength they will need as the legal proceedings move forward.   
  

We Are... Penn State!

Apple chips, a big hit!

For a different snack this week I made delicious oven baked apple chips and they were a bit hit with everyone in the Knowles family! They were also really easy to make and my house smelled like apples and cinnamon the whole day.

Apple Chips

2 large apples, cored 

2 T. sugar (optional, I only used 1 T)

1 t. cinnamon

canola oil spray

Preheat oven to 200 degrees.

Thinly slice apples crosswise about 1/8-inch (2 mm) thick with a mandoline or sharp knife.  Arrange apple slices in a single layer on two parchment-lined rimmed baking sheets, and spray with canola oil cooking spray.

If using sugar, combine in a small bowl with cinnamon.  Put mixture into a sieve and sprinkle evenly over apple slices.

Bake in the top and bottom third of the oven until apples are dry and crisp, about 2 hours (most of mine were crisp at 2 hours, a few I flipped over and put back in for 15 more minutes).  Remove from oven and let chips cool completely before transferring to a sealed container for up to 3 days.  Makes about 2 cups of apple chips.


Recipe Adapted Slightly from Ontario Apple Growers, via Snack Girl


We love getting apples at Harner Farm, here in State College. The girls love apples and this was a new way for them to enjoy them. 

Rite Aid: 15 Free Greeting Cards AND 25 Free 4×6 Prints ($16 Value!)

Here is an amazing deal from Rite Aid. For a limited time, you can get 15 4×8 flat greeting cards AND 25 4×6 prints completely FREE. Rite Aid has a selection of Christmas and New Years cards so this is an easy way to make 15 cards and pay nothing out of pocket. 


I've already ordered my Christmas cards but  I can always use 25 more 4x6 prints!


Here's how it works-

* Head over to the Rite Aid Picture Center
* Create an account or log in to your existing account
* Click on Cards and choose the 4×8 Photo Cards category and pick your theme (baby, holidays, ect)
* Upload your images, add text and head to checkout
* Add 15 cards to your cart
* To order prints, go to Order Prints (top left)
* Upload your image(s) and add up to 25 4×6 prints to your cart
* Head to checkout and be sure to choose in-store pick-up (if you prefer to have the items ship to your home, your shipping costs will be $2.95)
* Enter the promo code FREECARDS
* Enter the promo code FREEPRINTS
* Final Cost $0 for 25 prints AND 15 cards



(Thanks, Hip to Save!)

Weekend fun and Banana Bread

We had a really nice, relaxing weekend here at the Knowles house. The shopping trip with my mom and sister on Saturday was very productive and fun. Ryan got to have some great quality time with his girls, including a pizza party and The Muppet's movie :)

We also had a surprisingly smooth transition to the time change with Day Light Savings. We went out for a huge breakfast yesterday and then they napped at their normal time, went to the park in the afternoon and had dinner and bedtime as usual. The Steelers kept me up late and we lost in a heart breaker, but all in all it was a great weekend.

Recipe of the week: Banana Bread

I made this recipe this morning and it was seriously one of the easiest recipes I've ever made. It also has the house smelling absolutely glorious! This turned out really tasty and I will be making it again. 

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/banana_bread/

Ingredients

• 3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 cup sugar (can easily reduce to 3/4 cup)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

Method

No need for a mixer for this recipe. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.

Weekend shopping deals!

Tomorrow my mom, sister and I are going on a shopping trip and I'm super excited! Fiona and Caitlin are staying home with Ryan to have some serious daddy/daughter bonding time :)


I really need some new fall clothes. I haven't really bought much for myself since before the girls were born!  Shopping for them is much more enjoyable and much easier than shopping for myself. But tomorrow, it's time for me to update my wardrobe.


I was looking ahead online to see where I'd like to focus my shopping (I'm 'a planner') and found some great sales! I wanted to share some of these with you, in case your fall/winter wardrobe is looking as frumpy as mine or you're just ready to start some holiday shopping.


Macy's is having the Big November Sale, here is a coupon for an extra 20/15% off all sale and clearance! http://akimages.crossmediaservices.com/listingimages/Retailers/macys/Coupons/36460_102.pdf


Old Navy is having their Friends & Family event with an extra 30% off! http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/info.do?cid=34939


JC Penny has a great $10 off $25 purchase coupon!
http://f.jcpenneyem.com/i/2/95827765/main.html


Hallmark is offering a $5 off $10 purchase, you have to 'like' them on FB.  https://www.facebook.com/HALLMARK?sk=app_160552987369443


Yankee Candle has a buy 2, get 2 free on any large jar or tumbler, great to have some new scents for the holidays and for Christmas presents!
http://www.yankeecandle.com/assets/email/oct25_1/coupon_Q4B2G2.html

Baked Oatmeal

For my new recipe of the week I made Baked Oatmeal. I used this http://budgetbytes.blogspot.com/2011/07/baked-oatmeal-355-receipe-052-serving.html as my inspiration and made a few changes.

1.5 cups	milk
1 cup	plain yogurt
1 large	egg
1/2 cup	brown sugar
2 cups	old-fashioned oats
1/2 tsp	baking powder
1/4 tsp	baking soda
1/4 tsp	salt
1 tsp	ground ginger
1/4 tsp	cinnamon

STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 8x8 baking dish coated with non-stick spray.

STEP 2: In one bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients (milk, yogurt, egg, sugar). In a separate bowl, stir together the dry ingredients (oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon). Combine the two bowls and stir until evenly mixed. Pour the in the baking dish.

STEP 3: Cover the dish with foil (to keep the moisture in and steam the oats) and place in the preheated oven. Cook for 20 minutes. Remove the foil at 20 minutes and continue to bake until the top is golden brown (about 25 minutes more).

STEP 4: Serve warm with cold milk, fruit, whipped cream, vanilla yogurt or just plain!



I added another 1/4 cup of brown sugar in top and baked it an additional 10 minutes . I also added 2 tbs. of ground flaxseed to up the nutrition power! 

I'd give this recipe a 7/10.



Fiona's oatmeal this morning.



I was introduced to the idea of baked oatmeal while staying at this fantastic bed and breakfast, Mountain Hideaway in Port Matilda, PA http://mthideaway.com/ I would highly recommend a stay here if you are in the need of some R & R. We've been there twice and I can't wait to return soon.



Caitlin enjoying her breakfast this morning!





As suspescted, they're naturals...

at trick-or-treating! The girls were incredible last night! We still use the wagon or a stroller when we are out with the girls, if not in a confined space. We tried hand holding at a mall a few weeks ago and it was a huge fail, they did the famous twin trick of running off in opposite directions at precisely the the moment.

Last night though, was wonderful. We walked up and down our street, holding hands and they were great. We trick-or-treated at 10 houses and Ryan and I *ahem*  I mean the girls have tons of candy.

Coming tomorrow is my first review on my 'New Recipe of the Week', yay or nay... we shall see.