Spooktackular Gifts

So for Halloween treats

I decided to make little goodie bags

With a friend.

They were so cute and simple to make,

and will make gift giving

so much fun..

Just a few Martha Stewart punches

here and there..

and a some other fun stuff...

and tad-da..

Getting in the Season

So here I am getting in the Season..

I have decided to make many different pumpkin dishes

to see which fare best...

basically I am planning the traditions that are yet to become traditions.

Of course..

We cant have some nasty pumpkin dish

to become a fall tradition..

So here was the first..

Pumpkin Pasta..

I found the recipe in this months Parents Magazine..

(I used to read music magazines and now it is parents magazines,

dont worry music.. i am coming back.. im just prioritizing)

So first boil the Penne.. sorry no picture..

We have all seen boiling pasta!

Next heat oil on medium and cook up some shallots..

After about three minutes..

Whisk in broth, evaporated milk,

Pumpkin, spice, salt and pepper.

Bring to a boil; then reduce heat to low

and simmer, uncovered for 4 minutes

(don't forget to stir)

And then toss it in with some pasta

top with some parsley

And Ta-da

Result:

It was actually better than expected...

but it does need a little something..

I am still thinking about what..

A little fresh ground pepper on top

was wonderful though..

oh, and I cheated and used regular pasta

instead of whole wheat..

I have not crossed that bridge yet,

but plan to soon.

Not sure what's next on this pumpkin adventure..

But you will soon find out.

So here is the recipe:

1 12 oz whole wheat penne

1 Tbs. Olive oil

1 Shallot, finely chopped

1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1/2 cup fat-free evaporated milk

1 15 oz can pumpkin

1/2 tsp. Pumpkin-pie spice

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

Fresh Parsley

1 1/2 oz Parmesan grated

Three Months...

Today our little one turned three months old,

or as I like to say it,

three months years old.

He is as heavy as ever,

as busy as ever,

finally balding,

and possibly teething early (fun!).

He doesn't look like a baby anymore,

but like a tiny little boy.

Well, I had some more validation that I am a mom today,

Wait for it...

Spit up in my hair.

So lovely.

At least it was after I went to the store.

*Fall is here*

Fall has begun,

with pumpkins and tractors,

sunsets,

in corn mazes,

where little children run

to show us the way out,

making memories

in almost matching sunglasses,

a new start to our family,

a little pumpkin,

who makes everything glow a little more,

Our little pumpkin.

Baby Showers and Tropical Killer Spiders

This was a busy weekend..

well really it was a busy yesterday and a freakin tired today..

My little sisters baby shower..

It was very fun with a luau twist..

Some highlights:

Beach bear cupcakes

Bobbing for nipples (a word I can not say without whispering),

a candy bar

and bite sized mini corn dogs.

This weekend ended with the world's largest spider,

Okay there are larger spiders but this one was in our backyard,

so not cool.

And here it is in all its tropical killer spider glory:

I'm pretty sure this thing could have killed us all,

and wrapped us up for its dinner.

I really don't understand the need for spiders..

I would just rather have a million

venus fly trap things instead of

these scary monsters that i swear

are demons in disguise.

Yes, this is was a demon looks like in its earthly body,

now you know.

So last night at four a.m.

while I was feeding you,

we listened to the wind tearing

the house apart from the seams.

The wind was exciting though,

because with it came the promise

of fall, and then winter.

This year will be so amazing,

to spend the holidays with you.

Your very first Halloween,

Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

I am so excited about just

all the new smells for you to experience.

cinnamon, pumpkin, turkey,

and fresh Christmas Trees.

Our life's are more full with you here.

Payback...

So that hungry little caterpillar ate everything,

and got a stomach ache..

I know what will teach him..

if a hungry little boy gobbled him up..

and that's just what happened.