Fall has Fallen (and some recipes!)

Hello hello!!

Fall has fallen here in East Lansing, MI! I assume that's the autumn equivalent of Spring has Sprung? Anyway, cooler weather and changing colors make me happy as well as crave apple cider.

Things are going rather well here. Dr. Bugs has a cold right now, but otherwise we are content. The church here is fantastic--we had a couple, Doug and Crista, over as our first guests last night, and I learned to play hearts. Yes, I'm slow at life and didn't know how to play. We both really like our jobs--Dr. Bugs was frustrated at his GIS stuff for awhile, but I think he's got the hang of it now. My job is really great--a little stressful at times when I realize I don't have access to everything I need yet, or don't know how to use things once I DO get access, but everyone at the College of Ag and Natural Resources (CANR) is really helpful. I'm the only advisor in my department, so there really isn't anyone there to help me.

I've been riding,and really like the barn. I'd like to lease, but it's really expensive. I'm looking at leasing a private boarders horse (versus a barn-owned one), which is a little less expensive. I'm not sure if we will get along or not, but we'll see. The barn is CLOSE to, only 5 minutes away!

So otherwise, not much to report. I can't wait to go apple picking and for more leaves to change! And for the weather to stabilize out, even if it's cold--it was only in the 50s on Friday and Saturday, 60s today through Tuesday, but back into the 70s by Wednesday.

So as I mentioned earlier, we had company over last night, and since my recipe blog has fallen by the wayside, and instead of having 2 blogs (if you want back-entries, it's http://roubosrubies.blogspot.com), I'll put some of them here! Last night I roasted a chicken, and made homemade au gratin potatoes in the crockpot. Dessert was homemade chocolate cream tartlets (okay, so only the filling was homemade). So, here at the recipes!

Crockpot Au Gratin Potatoes

4-6 Russet Potatoes (washed, peeled or unpeeled)
1/2-1 sweet onion, chopped fine
3 Tbsp butter or margarine
3 Tbsp flour
2 cups milk
8oz shredded cheddar cheese

1. Slice the potatoes into 1/4inch slices.
2. Spray crockpot with cooking spray. Layer half the potato slices in the crockpot, top with onion, then add the rest of the potatoes.
3. Melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour, stir for 1 minute.
4. Add some of the milk, whisk until combined with flour and butter. Add the rest of the milk.
5. Stir and heat over medium until thickened. (*If you used skim milk, it won't thicken much).
6. Add all the cheese at once, stir until melted. Pour over potatoes in crockpot.
7. Cook on low 6 hours, or high 3 hours.
*If the sauce is too thin, make a slurry of 2 Tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 Tbsp water, add and stir until thickened*

Chocolate Cream Pie (or tarts)
This is the recipe for the whole pie--I halved it except the chocolate, which I kept at 2oz. I poured it in pre-made individual tart/pie shells (Kelber, $1.50 at Meijer), and topped with CoolWhip. If you make your own crust, make sure to pre-bake!

4 egg yolks
1 1/2 c sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/3c cornstarch
3 cups milk (This will work with skim milk)
2oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped (I used Bakers, which comes in individually wrapped 1oz squares)
1 tsp vanilla

1. in a medium bowl, beat the egg yolks. Set aside.
2. Combine sugar, salt, and cornstarch in a saucepan. Gradually add milk, stirring to combine. Add chocolate.
3. Heat over medium, stirring constantly, until it thickens and boils. Boil 1 minute more.
4. Immediately pour at least half (but not all) the mixture into the beaten eggs, stir. (*This is called tempering the eggs, and will keep them from turning into scrambled eggs if you pour them into all of the hot liquid at once*)
5. Pour the egg mixture back into the pot, boil for 1 minute, stirring.
6. Remove from heat. Add vanilla and stir.
7. Pour into crusts. Place a layer of plastic wrap over the dessert, pressing it to the top of the filling so a tough skin doesn't form. Chill at least 2 hours. Top with whipped cream.