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)

weekend love

Good morning.

Welcome Monday.

The weekend went by quickly while we soaked up all the cool, beautiful weather outside. I don't know about you but when it's nice outside that's where I want to be. It doesn't matter what we do, I just want to be able to enjoy the cool, breezy air.

Also, Happy October!

I almost forgot we entered it a couple days ago. September sped by for me but then again it seems that way for every month. Like how did we get through this year so quickly?! You know?

Friday..................................................

Night. A friend of mine had a birthday. With a party. At a restaurant. Which means I got to wear something more grown up than my usual flip flops.

Not too high. These are about my speed right now. lol

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Saturday.................................................

I made this for lunch. It's Panera Bread's Fuji Apple salad that I absolutely love. We don't have a PB close to where we live so I was over the moon when I found the dressing at Target. Thank you, Target! You're the best!

The salad consists of:
Romaine lettuce
slices of red onion
tomato wedges
Gorgonzola cheese
crisp apple chips
toasted pecans

I couldn't find crisp apple chips, so I made my own.
Here's what I did:
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Cut a whole apple in thin slices. Lay in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour. Turn slices over and bake an additional 30-60 minutes. It takes some time for the apple slices to dry out. Cool and enjoy. Store leftover chips in an airtight container.

Late afternoon, we took the boys downtown for a walk and a run in front of the State Capitol building.

I love how this photo captures Favre running. It's beautiful to me.

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Sunday............................

The boys and I had a spontaneous picnic at the playground here at home.

Football was on our TV most of the day.

Way to go Saints! They won yesterday but don't ask me anything else about the game. I have no clue!

Sporting my new Saints shirt. Yeah, my husband is pretty happy about this.

 He has wanted me to get one for a while and now I have one.

He's funny and I love him.

I also made a pumpkin bundt cake. It's pretty yummy. I'll share the recipe with you tomorrow.

So, that was our weekend. I'd love to know what you did this weekend.

 Leave a comment and let me know.

Update & Weekend Lens

Wow! It's been a while since I typed a post here.
We've been super busy with our move and getting settled again so, I guess it's understandable.

I missed blogging in the midst of all that was going on. It feels good to be back.

Confession: I didn't pick up my camera for almost three weeks. Eek!!!
After picking it up again I feel so much better. I don't know that I can put into words what taking pictures does for my creative soul but let's just say it's like breathing for me.
Hmm......that sounds a little weird but it's true. Okay, enough of the sappy stuff. :o)

It's been almost a month now since we moved. That's hard to believe! I LOVE our new home though.
Pictures are coming soon!

For now here's one of some boxes at the old apartment. 

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Weekend Lens



Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Happy Monday!