Thankful Days 5, 6, & 7.......plus, my newest pumpkin patch album

Okay, so Saturday I was incredibly busy preparing for a mini photo album workshop I was hosting that night. Then Sunday, I was just beat and napped during the boy's nap time. All of which left no time for blogging since I spent very little time on the computer at all. So, this post will have to cover my thankfulness the last two days and today.
I have a special treat though. I'm also going to post pictures of the mini photo album that I taught at the workshop over the weekend. Yay! (Okay, so maybe I'm the only one excited about it but that's alright.)

Down to business........

Thankful Day 5:
I'm thankful for quiet moments with the ones I love. The moments where I'm overwhelmed to the point of feeling breathless by how much I love them, their love for me and how incredibly blessed I am to have them. I cherish those moments.

Day 6:
I'm thankful for the miracle of "two". My twins are going to be four in a few months and I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the awesomeness of "two". It's mind boggling for me to know God created them at the same time. In the same womb. Right next to each other. Just amazing!

Day 7:
Thankful for my amazing, loving husband. Our life together only gets better. Our adventures more action packed. Our love stronger and my adoration greater. Thank you, David, for asking me to spend my life with you!


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Super fun stuff.

I've been so excited about sharing pictures of this album with you. Some of you may remember the one I made last year, here. I really loved using the cardboard for this particular album. It gives it a nice rustic feel to it.
For the cover I chose to use some of the ever popular pendents that are all over the blog world. Felt pumpkins were great textural addition as well.

Alright, enough chatter from me. :o)

Front cover

Most of the patterned paper, with the exception of one from My Mind's Eye, are various lines from Basic Grey.

The front journal tab, along with the Halloween tabs in the back are from Elle's Studio. 

The green alphabet stickers are "Thickers" in daiquiri by American Crafts.

Thankful Day 4

Day 4:

Thankful for a home filled with laughter. The musical sound of my children's laughter brightens my world. How awesome it is to have happy children!

"Laughter is... Sunshine in the heart and wings on the soul" - unknown 

Thankful Day 3

Day 3:
Thankful for our health. This year we've had minimal trips to the doctor. A few colds and the flu once but all in all we have had our health. With two little people that's huge and I'm just so thankful we've been blessed to be well. What a great year!

Thankful Day 2

Day 2:

Thankful for support. As some of you know, we've been through a lot this year with the twins and their speech delays. Without support, our sometimes rough patches would have been much worse. It doesn't matter where the support comes from and there are cases where I have to look closer to see it but it's there. From the reassurance of a friend, to a stranger's comforting word, praise given from their therapists and encouragement from our families. Without this support, everything would be twice as hard. I'm thankful to those who don't withhold encouragement. It lifts the soul more than you know!

Thankful Day 1

For the next 23 days I'm going to post what I'm thankful for each day. I've been trying to work on this outside of just Thanksgiving but sometimes I get caught up in life and forget the reasons why I do what I do. The very essence of my being and why I continue on. If it wasn't for all the little things that really matter, there wouldn't be much to our lives.
I want to challenge you as well. As you go through your routine each day try to think, write down, say out loud something you're thankful for.
For me writing it down makes the biggest impact. But saying it out loud can change how I think about what I'm thankful for too. Whatever you do, document someway (FB, Twitter, blog) these things that matter the most to you.
Happy first of November!

Day 1:
Thankful for peace. Our lives get crazy busy and we are always on the go but there is peace. Peace that we're exactly where we're meant to be. Peace that our family wasn't an accident but a purposeful action of love. Peace that no matter what we face, we're in it together. There's a lot to be said for having peace and being able to see it in our daily lives is amazing.

Right now.........................

I have a pile of stuff all over the counter just waiting to be put away.

A new book selection made by the boys. Like father, like son. (It's one of David's books) Haha

There was a "game" being played here.

I really want to have one of these to drink but it's already 5 in the afternoon, so, I better pass.

I'm currently reading "The Help" as of yesterday. Only 54 pages in and I'm hooked. It's been a battle of wills today not to curl up with it all afternoon. :o)

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I do have a super yummy soup recipe to share with you though.

We had it for dinner a couple nights ago and it was a hit.

Not only is this soup delish it's also quick and easy to put together.

I kid you not, one pot and less than 30 minutes and our dinner was ready.

How awesome is that?!

Pasta Fagioli

Adapted from Family Circle

2 T. olive oil

1 onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano

29 oz. chicken broth

2 cups (about 8 oz.) small pasta shells

1/2 tsp. dried parsley

1/4 tsp. dried oregano

1/4 tsp. dried, chopped basil leaves

about 2 handfuls of frozen spinach, thawed

2 cans small white beans, drained and rinsed

1 T. tomato paste

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook about 1 minute.

Stir in tomatoes, broth and 3 cups water. Bring to a simmer over high heat. Add pasta, parsley, oregano, and basil. Cook, stirring, 5 minutes.

Stir in spinach, cook 5 minutes more. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in beans, tomato paste, salt and pepper. Heat through.

Ladle into bowls; garnish with Parmesan cheese.

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Next post I'll include the recipe for these.....

Irish Cre'me Delights

Mmmmmmm..........................

(No pumpkin was used in these cookies, just the coffee.) :o)

Pumpkin Bundt Cake

As promised, I'm posting the recipe for the pumpkin bundt cake I made on Sunday.

Interesting story:

It's only been recently that I've started eating pumpkin. I hated it growing up and even into my adult years. Then the fall that I was pregnant with the twins, I craved pumpkin. My mom made pumpkin bread and I know I ate quite a lot. Mmmm......
So, that's when I started eating pumpkin. Silly story but now you know! lol On to the recipe.........

Pumpkin Bundt Cake
(adapted from Family Circle)


Cake:
3 c. cake flour (not self-rising)
3 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground allspice
2 sticks butter, softened
1 3/4 c. sugar
1 1/4 c. pureed pumpkin
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. milk

Glaze:
1 c. powdered sugar
3 - 4 T. milk
1 T. lemon juice
1/4 tsp. vanilla

Cake. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 12-cup bundt pan.
In a medium bowl mix flour, baking powder, and next three ingredients.
Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the pumpkin, eggs, and vanilla.
Mix into the pumpkin mixture the flour mixture alternately with the milk. Beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Pour into the prepared pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 50- 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove cake from pan and cool completely on wire rack.

Glaze. Stir together powdered sugar, milk, lemon juice and vanilla. Add a few drops of milk if too thick and a little more powdered sugar if too runny.
Pour glaze over cooled cake, letting it drip down the sides. Have a slice or two! :o)