Mac 'n Cheese

When we leave the boys with a babysitter their special treat is getting to eat mac 'n cheese. Though still not exactly "healthy," it's better than the box, right?!?! 

Baked Mac and Cheese
1 lb pasta (macaroni or shells)
5 T butter, divided
4 T flour
3 cups milk
2-3 inches Velveeta cheese, cubed
Parmesean cheese to taste
3/4 c shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 c plain fat-free yogurt
1/4 t black pepper
12 ritz crackers, crushed

Cook pasta as directed.
Cheese sauce: Melt 4 T butter over low heat in medium sauce pan. Add flour and whisk until smooth. Heat milk in microwave until warm and then add slowly to butter/flour mixture. Again, whisk until smooth. Add Velveeta and whisk continuously until melted through. Be sure not to heat to high!
Mix pasta and prepared cheese sauce together. Add 1/4 c cheddar cheese, yogurt, and pepper to mixture and pour into 9x13 pan.
Melt remaining 1 T butter and mix together with crackers.
Sprinkle remaining 1/2 c cheddar cheese on top of mac and cheese and then top with the crackers mixture.
Bake at 375 for 20 min. Allow to stand 5 min before serving so sauce can thicken.

Signs of Fall

A few weeks ago we went for a "fall leaf drive," a family tradition of mine growing up. We ended our drive at Grandma and Grandpa's for some farm fun! Oh how I love fall!

Some other signs of fall around our house:

- pumpkin bread, muffins, scones in the oven
- soup on the stove (several nights a week)
- pumpkins on the front porch and by the fireplace
- hat and mitten bin by the coats
- crunchy leaves in little boys' pockets
- slippers on big and little feet
- runny noses on two little brown faces
- snot smears on the couch (and way too many other places in our house)