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Flashback Friday: Novembers Past + a recipe
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Flashback Friday: Novembers Past + a recipe

One of my favorite parts about blogging is going back and looking at what I was doing in years past. I know I can also do this on my phone with Timehop or Facebook Memories, but they aren’t as detailed as this little blog of mine. Through my blog, I can read how I was feeling, what was happening in my life and reminisce a little. It makes me wish I started blogging way before I did! Today I just want to take a blast to the past to remember what was going on in my life the past several Novembers! Each collage is from 2011-2014. (2011 top left, 2012 top right, 2013 bottom left, 2014 bottom right)

Football

November is football season after all! We are all about tailgating and attending Aggie football games! However, in 2011 we lived up in Pittsburgh so we weren’t tailgating quite so much. Instead we watch the Aggie games at home or at a sports bar to get out of the house. Instead we played football ourselves…flag football! It was such a blast and a great way for us to meet even more people in Pittsburgh. Our team was pretty good and we even got second place in our league! #practicallywinning

Travel

It’s not new news around here that JP and I love to travel. The past few Novembers have actually been pretty busy!

2011: I traveled home to Texas, but only pit stopped in Houston. My final destination was San Antonio where I ran the Rock ‘n Roll half marathon with Julie and Andrea! This was our 3rd year in a row to do the race together and the first year that all of us were living in different states. Race recap here!

2012: Back to San Antonio for my 4th SA RnR half! This time it was Julie, her cousin Jay and I that ran. Race recap here!

2013: JP and I took two trips together in November 2013. First (not pictured) JP had a business trip up in Calgary, so I hopped on a plane and joined him. On Friday, he still had to work, so I took the train into town to explore downtown sites and go shopping. I loved Calgary, but it was so so cold and snowy that I didn’t get to see everything. Second (pictured), we went up north again for another icy trip to New York City! We met up with Nicole and Cliff to help celebrate Nicole’s birthday which fell on Thanksgiving day that year.

2014: Another birthday celebration trip, but this time to the opposite side of the country. We went to Disneyland in Anaheim, CA for Alison’s 30th!

Thanksgiving

To me, family is the most important part of Thanksgiving. Every year we have to get a picture on the four Timmer kids together! {In 2011, JP and I were home for Thanksgiving, but we spent the week doing some house hunting for our current home in Houston! I know we took a picture, but I can’t seem to find it. Instead, here’s picture of my parents visiting us in Pittsburgh that fall.}

Tradition is something that is very important to my family, and by family I mean Emily and I. We’re the reason that we keep most of our traditions! Thanksgiving Day is always busy with my mom trying to cook and shoo us out of the kitchen, so we have something called the Timmer Games. My dad will either come up with weird random games/obstacles for us to complete and see who wins or we’ll play something like football or ultimate frisbee! It’s always a blast and perfect for our big, competitive family. Plus, mom gets some time to herself!

So there is a look back at the past several Novembers! It’s crazy to think that 4 years ago I lived up north, a year ago I found out I was pregnant and now I have my little baby girl with me! I’m excited to see how this year’s holidays are effected in the best ways possible just because of her!

And a recipe!

Now for a recipe. I’m going to share a Thanksgiving recipe every Friday this month! Now they’re not always the healthiest recipes, but healthier than many. Maybe you’ll want to try one of them this year, or maybe you already do in a different way! I love sharing recipes and trying new ones! Today’s is a classic. An oldie but a goodie and my personal favorite. Green Bean Casserole! I know that everyone probably has their own recipe, but just in case you don’t have one or are looking to make yours better, here is how I do it!

Green Bean Casserole

Ingredients

  • 3 cans of green beans. We use a few different types: one can of cut, one can of Italian and one can of whole. One can of beans can be a bigger can if you’re looking to make your casserole a little bigger.
  • 1 can of cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 – 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • 1 container of Crunchy Onions
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Open and drain all the cans of green beans then pour into large casserole dish.
  2. Open and scoop out all of the cream of mushroom soup into the beans. Add water to about 1/4 of the can and pour over beans and soup.
  3. Crunch several handfuls of crunchy onions and place into casserole dish.
  4. Add salt and pepper then mix beans, soup, onions and water carefully.
  5. Add 1/2-1 cup cheddar cheese and mix again so that cheese is all throughout the casserole.
  6. Bake for 30 minutes or until casserole is just a bit bubbly at 350. Remove from oven, add another 1/4-1/2 cup of cheese and another handful of crunchy onions on top of casserole.
  7. Place in oven for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is completely melted on top. Don’t let it stay in for too long because no one wants burnt cheese on their casserole!

I love Thanksgiving and don’t like to skip straight over it to Christmas even though I’m obsessed with Christmas as well. Don’t get me wrong, my decorations will probably go up the week of Thanksgiving since I help decorate my parents house the weekend after! I love how Thanksgiving brings families together and helps us remember how blessed we are! No gimmicks. No presents. Just lots of food. And even more love.

What are you favorite Thanksgiving recipes?
Any recipes you’re interested in giving a try this year? Maybe I have one for you!

Amy Signature

 

 

 

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