Creamy Wild Rice and Turkey Casserole

6 Cups cooked Wild Rice ( I use 1/2 a bag, then you can use it twice and it is more saucy)
1 (about 10-oz.) can cream of mushroom soup
1 (8-oz.) sour cream
1 stick butter (I use real butter, but only 1/2 stick)
3 ribs celery, sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 lb. fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
3 cups cooked turkey, diced (I use chicken breasts, diced)

Prepare the wild rice (it takes about an hour or more to cook). Meanwhile, combine the soup with the sour cream, stirring to blend well. Melt the butter in a skillet and saute the celery, onion, and mushrooms just until vegetables are slightly limp. Stir in the salt and pepper, sour cream-soup mixture, wild rice and turkey or chicken. Spoon into a lightly greased, shallow 3 qt. casserole. Bake, covered at 350 degrees about 45 minutes, then uncover and bake another 15 minutes, to lightly brown top of casserole. (Everything is already cooked when you put it in the oven so I only cook it an additional 1/2 hour). I got this recipe from one of my co-workers.

I talked to Pat earlier and I was cooking my wild rice and she was talking about how much Woody likes wild rice, so I thought I would post this recipe. My family likes this a lot and it seems like something everybody else would enjoy also. And yes I even eat the mushrooms. I think that it was meant to be made after Thanksgiving with leftover turkey, but chicken works really well. Mine is in the oven and I'm very excited to eat it. We haven't had it for a while. Have a great weekend!!

Allie's 1st day of Kindergarten

Allie outside of daycare on the first day of school. She rides on a van from daycare to school and they pick her up after school also. She goes to school every day, but only half days. Her teacher's name is Mrs. Heil. She seems to enjoy school so far. She has been disappointed because they haven't gotten to play on the big playground yet and there is a climber that she wants to try out. Today they had a puppet show and Allie got to be one of the puppets, so she was very excited when she got home so she could tell us all about it. She also likes going to the library and the rain garden, which I think must be a greenhouse with flowers.

Allie outside of her classroom. I can't believe she is already in kindergarten. The time has gone by sooo fast.

In her room next to her cubby. It down poured the first day of school, so we couldn't take any pictures outside.

Enjoying chocolate cookies that mommy made while she was at her first day of school.

Daddy's Football Game

Allie enjoying a sucker during daddy's football game. We were lucky enough to be able to go to Jeremy's first football game of the season, since it was an early game. Most of the games are pretty late. His team lost this game, but they won their second game.

Jeremy carrying the ball.

The Huddle

Allie's 5th Birthday!!

Allie requested to go to House of Bounce for her 5th birthday, which was on August 18th. House of Bounce is basically a really large open building filled with inflatable slides, castles, and obstacle courses. She also requested to invite her whole daycare class. We invited 23 kids and had 13 show up for the party on August 29th. Everybody had a great time. It was a good place to let the kids burn off some energy. We had a party assistant that set up and decorated for the party and also cleaned everything up. It was wonderful!!

Allie just getting done going down the really tall slide.

Here is Allie at the top of the slide

Allie and Olivia climbing on the ladders and Kayla has her foot poking up from the middle of the ladders.

Evan holding Collin's hand as they went down the slide together.

Evan, Cadyn and Johny striking a pose for the camera

Allie hitting the red ball that is floating about the yellow cone.

Allie and her princess cake. She was a little indecisive about the cake. First she wanted iCarly and then she decided on the princess on. It turned out very cute and was quite tasty.

Our family Pic +1 extra

Too Cute:)

Enjoying some Birthday cake and ice cream

Opening presents

Opening her pillow pet, which she had been asking for for quite some time. She sleeps with it every night. She requests that Jeremy and I turn it into a cuddly animal before she goes to bed at night. There is a little strap underneath so it can be a pillow or an animal and you can tuck your pj's in the strap for slumber parties.

Allie in the inflatable money machine. She was supposed to grab as much money as she could while our party assistant timed her.

Here she is with all or her loot that she got to spend on prizes of her choice.

Tired and ready to go home with all of her presents and leftover cake.

A Weekend on the Lake

Allie & I swimming

All 3 of us swimming

Jeremy helping Allie wash the sand off her feet and get her sandals back on.

Jeremy & Allie Swimming

Allie floating in a noodle chair.

Uncle Jordan Driving the boat and Kayla along for the ride.

Every chance Allie got, she gave uncle Jordan a thumbs up to go faster. She loved riding on super mable. She never fell off. If she had, it might be a different story.

Abby, Allie and I taking a ride on Super Mable. It was a great weekend. We also had a picnic for Heather's Birthday. We had lots of fun. Hopefully next year we can get to Fergus more to spend some time on the lake.