Gobble Gobble

Here are this week's Thanksgiving ideas:

I prefer to decorate with things found in nature, fruit, vegetables, flowers, etc.  I think this table from Midwest Living is just perfect for autum and Thanksgiving.

Midwest Living via Pinterest

Here is another great way to documents the things you are thankful for, and a great craft to get the children involved with: 

Parents via Pinterest

The cookies look so cute and Country Living provides a couple of ways to use them in crafts rather than just eating them!

Country Living

Kind Over Matter has collected a number of free Thanksgiving printables to check out!

Kind Over Matter

What's for dinner?

Here is what we are having for dinner next year...

Sunday - Meatballs with Garlic Bread

Monday - Orecchiette with Cauliflower

Tuesday - Dinner Out

Wednesday - Lentil and Swiss Chard Soup

Thursday - Roasted Acorn Squash with Sage Sausage - a family recipe.  For recipe see below:

Friday - French Onion Soup

Saturday - Risotto with Butternut Squash, Leeks and Basil


Roasted Acorn Squash and Sage Sausage

It will be posted soon, I need to get the recipe from Grandma!

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday this month I intend to highlight opportunities to volunteer your time and organizations that need your help. 

USO.org

You can help out USO by writing letters to service men and woman.  USO sends care packages and likes to put personal notes of support in the boxes. 

You can get your children involved by drawing pictures to include in the letters.

USO.org

To find out more please click here.


USO also has a book drive for the service men and woman to send to their families.  Donated books are sent to the troops, they then make a dvd of them reading the book and the dvd and book are sent to their family members. 

I think this is such a touching thing to do and will certainly be picking up a number of books to send.  To find out more on this opportunity please click here. 

USO.org

*Please note that I am not a spokesperson for these organizations, nor do I have any affiliation with them.

Yummy Bread Week 5

I found this recipe from the November 2011 edition of Martha Stewart Living.  I have adapted it to try to make it even more healthy!

Parsnip-Rosemary Muffins - Adapted from Martha Stewart
Makes 14

Ingredients

Vegetable oil cooking spray
1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup plain, low-fat yogurt
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 large eggs, plus 2 large egg whites
1 cup grated parsnips (about 2 parsnips)
3/4 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
Course sea salt

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line muffin tin with cupcake liners.  Lightly coat each with cooking spray.

2.  Whisk together flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.

3.  Whisk together yogurt, oil, eggs, and egg whites in a medium bowl.  Fold yogurt mixture into flour mixture, then gently fold in parsnips and rosemary until combined. 

4.  Spoon batter into muffin tins until each is 3/4ths full.  Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of each comes out clean (about 25 minutes).  Transfer pans to wire racks and let cool for 10 minutes.  Turn out muffins onto racks and let cook completely.

Happy November!

I am so excited it is November.  I love this month, the weather is generally nice and crisp, the trees are still full of color and most importantly at the end of the month is Thanksgiving!

I will be posting some fun Thanksgiving ideas every week...here are this week's.

I have already collected my limbs for a thankful tree to go on our kitchen island.  I think rather than using circles, I am going to use cut-out leaves and each of us in the family will have to write something we are thankful for every day.

Flickr via Pinterest

I love decorating with pumpkins and love having them all over.  This a great idea from Heather Bullard. 

Heather Bullard via Pinterest

These hand print turkeys are so fun, and would make great Thanksgiving Day cards to send to loved ones who won't be with you during the holiday.

Floortje's Blog via Pinterest

Continuing on with the turkey theme, these Turkey Pops are so cute, and I have seen some using the light Oreos and also the darker ones. 

 My Creative Life via Pinterest

Fright Night

Happy Halloween Everyone! 

If you haven't gotten any Halloween items around and want some last minute, easy ideas check these out!

Try monogramming some pumpkins with black pushpins:

Dollar Store Crafts via Pinterest

If you buy a box of Keebler Fudge stripe cookies, some orange icing, and Hershey Kisses you can have a witch's hat cookie in no time!

Explore.Dream.Discover.

Pop some pumpkins on pedestals or empty candle sticks and you have a decorative item for the house (that will also last until Thanksgiving!)

Better Homes and Gardens via Pinterest

I think a pig in a blanket has never been cuter!  It is a great last minute costume idea!

Real Simple via Pinterest

What is for dinner?

Here is what we are having for dinner next week...we have a lot of food in this house that needs eaten!

Sunday - Leftovers

Monday - Roasted Vegetables (we will roast butternut squash, leeks, potatoes, cauliflower)

Tuesday - Crispy Broccoli Rabe, Chickpea, and Fresh Ricotta Salad

Wednesday -Almond Chicken Soup with Sweet Potato, Collards, and Ginger

Thursday - Fall Vegetable Hash with Poached Eggs 

Friday - Bacon and Swiss Chard Pasta

Saturday - Braised Lamb Shanks with Swiss Chard

Day Off

So yesterday I was supposed to make the yummy bread for today's post...however after a week of no sleep (who knows why...my mind simply won't quiet) I decided to take a nap and to make the bread next week.  The nap was wonderful and I felt so much better.

Instead, today I bring you a beautiful picture of fall....I hope your leaves are pretty right now, ours have turned, and half have already dropped! 



Pinterest



Happy Diwali

Wishing all of my friends a Happy Diwali and a Prosperous New Year!

Tantalize.IN

Queen Jane

"People always live forever when there is an annuity to be paid them."{Sense and Sensibility - chapter 2}

October 30th marks the 200th anniversary of the publication of Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen.   Jane sold all 750 copies of the book in less than 2 years and earned 140 pounds for those original books (whose author was listed as 'By A Lady"). 

Amazon.com

I loved reading this book in high school and am making it this week's book to read.

Spooky Ideas

Only one week left until Halloween.  Here are some more great ideas for the holiday!

The Tip Junkie has highlighted four different websites for free Halloween printables!

Tip Junkie

I love the pumpkin decorating ideas from The Party Dress!  I think pumpkins falling out of your fireplace are a terrific way to decorate for Thanksgiving as well!  You can add some squashes in for fun.

The Party Dress via Pinterest

Candy corn sugar cookies are such a fun treat for the little ones!  Kathie Cooks has the recipe.

Katie Cooks via Pinterest

Real Simple has some great DIY costumes for kids.  I think it is Raining Cats and Dogs is terrific, and VERY easy to make.

Real Simple via Pinterest

What is for dinner?

Here is what we are having for dinner this week:

Sunday - Chicken Pot Pie

Monday - Swiss Chard and Poached Egg Salad

Tuesday - Indian Cashew Chicken

Wednesday - Leek and Swiss Chard Tart

Thursday - Roasted Eggplant and Chickpea Soup

Friday - Indian Take Out

Saturday - Lamb Keema with Potatoes and Peas

Yummy Bread - Week 4

Here is this week's yummy bread recipe.  I made mine with carrots and apples, but you can use whatever combination of fruits and vegetables that you like. 

Fruit, Vegetable, and Nut Bread - Adapted from How To Cook Everything by Mark Bittman
Makes 1 loaf

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons coconut oil
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup sugar
11/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup fruit juice, like orange or apple, or milk
1/2 cup applesauce
1 tablespoon minced or grated orange or lemon zest
1 egg
1 cup any raw fruit or vegetable: small berries left whole, anything else peeled and grated or chopped
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with butter.

2. Stir together the dry ingredients. Cut the coconut oil into bits, then use a fork, 2 knives, or your fingers to cut or rub it into the dry ingredients until there are no pieces bigger than a small pea. (You can use a food processor for this step, which makes it quite easy, but you should not use a food processor for the remaining steps or the bread will be tough.)

3. Beat together the juice, zest, and egg. Pour into the dry ingredients, mixing just enough to moisten; do not beat and do not mix until the batter is smooth. Fold in the fruit and the nuts, then pour and spoon the batter into the loaf pan (make sure to coat it with either non-stick spray or butter).

4.  Bake for about an hour, or until the bread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a rack for 15 minutes before removing from the pan.

Carving Tips

This weekend we are going to be carving our pumpkins.  HGTV has some wonderful tips for carving pumpkins.  Here are a few highlights:

HGTV

• It is easier to cut your hole in the bottom of the pumpkin.  It will be easy to replace your light source and creates a flat surface for your pumpkin.

Martha Stewart

• To prevent mold growth in your pumpkin spread it with a thin layer of petroleum jelly in the inside. 

Martha Stewart

• Check your local stores for battery-powered pumpkin candles.  They are much safer than candles. 

Red Stamp

I have just discovered a really fun app called Red Stamp.  It is a free service that allows you to send quick notes, invites, greetings to friends on electronic stationary.  You can add your own photos to some cards, and other cards can be purchased for $0.99.  If you wanted to send a real card via the mail you can do that too for a small fee. 

The notes are so chic and great little pick me ups for you and your friends and family.  Who wouldn't want to get such a cute note on their email.

Red Stamp

Red Stamp

Goblins Abound

This week I have some wonderful Halloween ideas, and you have plenty of time to decorate, bake or make a costume for your little goblin!

I love this pumpkin display from Dress Design Decor.  All you need are a few cans of spray paint, and some stickers or tape to make a design on your pumpkin!

Dress Design Decor

These owl cupcakes are so cute!  Split open an Oreo, grab a bag of Reece's Pieces to use as eyes and a beak and you are set!

a little sussy from nicole hill



This is a terrific costume idea for your little one - or you can even make it for yourself if you need a costume!  Coolest-Homemade-Costumes provides all of the directions.

Coolest-Homemade-Costumes

Good Housekeeping has a fun way to decorate your pumpkins.  To get the templates for the felt masks click here.   

Good Housekeeping

THANK YOU!

Pinterest

I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to all of you who voted for me in the Circle of Mom's Top 25 Household Mgmt poll.  I am so touched that so many of you supported me and allowed me to be in the top 10! 

I am delighted that Circle of Mom's found me and thought this site was worthy enough to even be considered.  This opportunity has give my little ol' blog some wonderful exposure!  And hopefully I have picked up a few more readers too!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and again, thank you very much!

What is for dinner?

Dad is traveling again this week...so I'll be eating a lot of soup again!

Sunday - Roasted Salmon with Parsnips and Ginger

Monday - Kale and White Bean Soup

Tuesday - Leftovers

Wednesday - Sweet Potato Soup with Curried Cheese Crisps

Thursday - Classic Tomato Soup

Friday - Dinner Out

Saturday - Dinner Out

Yummy Bread - Week 3

Here is this week's yummy, HEALTHY bread recipe.  This is a favorite around this house, my little one loves this bread!

Healthy Zucchini & Pumpkin Spice Bread - Adapted from Martha Stewart




Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1 large zucchini (you could even do half zucchini and half carrot)
• 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup pureed pumpkin
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan with cooking spray, and set aside. Grate zucchini on the large holes of a box grater (to yield 1 3/4 cups); set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together sugars, oil, pumpkin, vanilla, and eggs.

2.  Into a small bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt. Add flour mixture to egg mixture, and stir to combine well. Stir in grated zucchini.

3.  Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean, 45 to 55 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes; invert onto a wire rack, then reinvert, top side up. Cool completely before slicing

Please pass the broccoli

After spending too much time on Pinterest (totally worth it thought!)  I have seen a number of recipes that have been claimed as the Best Ever!  This is a huge honor to bestow on anything.  So, I decided to take it on as a challenge and see if they really are the best.  Last week's challenge was pancakes...which I am still searching for, so please send me your favorite pancake recipe!

This week's recipe is a roasted broccoli dish from Amateur Gourmet.  I thought this would be a great challenge since we had a beautiful head of broccoli from our garden just waiting to be eaten.  Dad can't stand broccoli, so if this passes his test then I know for sure it is truly the best. 

I am happy to report that not only did Dad love this recipe, another friend's husband also adores this dish!

What best evers are you looking for?  I am happy to try out recipes for you!

Paint Inspiration

I have been wanting to redo my laundry room for ages.  Sherwin Williams has introduced a great app for your phones (iPhone, blackberry, or android) that you can use to find your favorite colors.  All you have to do is take a picture of a color that you like, and the app will find the closest color match of Sherwin William's color options. 

You can also create a custom color palette.  This app will be so useful as I start collecting ideas for what color the laundry room should be!

Sherwin Williams

Sherwin Williams

Sherwin Williams

Trick or Treat?

This week's Halloween ideas come courtesy of Martha Stewart and amazing, easy ideas I found on Pinterest.

This marshmallow topped, chocolate ghost cake is such a great easy way to get into the spirit!

Martha Stewart

I think I might get some white paint and try this with my little one.  Wouldn't it make a great inside for a Halloween card to Grandma and Grandpa?

Pinterest

If you have a child who isn't big enough to trick or treat on their own this is a terrific idea!  Especially for the second child that wants to go out with an older sibling.

Pinterest

This is a really easy, unique way to decorate your pumpkins!  I think the black pumpkin is such a great addition to a collection of pumpkins!

Pinterest

What's for dinner?

Here is what we are having for dinner next week...

Sunday - Butternut Squash Salad with Hazelnuts and Blue Cheese

Monday - Spicy Coriander Chicken with Udon Noodles

Tuesday - Eggplant Pachadi

Wednesday - Pumpkin and Couscous Salad

Friday -  Pasta with Roasted Vegetables and Bacon

Saturday - Dinner Out

Missing A Post?

If you are a regular reader of this blog you might have noticed that I am missing this week's yummy bread post.  I am so sorry, but this week has been busier than I anticipated and I just haven't been able to get around to making the next recipe.  I promise to bring you another great recipe next week.

Until then, I need to get back to cleaning after a very messy week at this house!

Pinterest

Best Pancake Ever?

This week's challenge "BEST OF" recipe was pancakes.  I make pancakes a lot for my family and we are very partial to buttermilk.  Generally I use Betty Crocker's recipe and it generally turns out pretty good.  I had found the "Last Pancake Recipe You'll Ever Need" pin on Pinterest and we tried it out last weekend.  I am sorry to say, it got a thumbs down from my family.

So, I am in search for the perfect pancake recipe.  Until then we are going to be doing a lot of taste testing of pancakes on the weekends!

Pinterest

If you have a favorite pancake recipe please email it to me at breakfastatmoms!@gmail.com

 

Leaf Learning

We are working on learning our colors right now...so far everything is red!  To help with our process I found this fun idea from Little Giraffes.  I think it is a very fun, easy game to play outside!  The only change I would make is to color coordinate the labels to help a toddler just learning colors a little bit.



Little Giraffes

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Booo!!!!

Each week I plan on bringing you some fun Halloween ideas that I have found online.  Here are this week's treats:

The cutest candy corn dress for a little girl!  If I lived in a warm weather local (ahem, N.O. pal!) I would dress my little one in this!

Pinterest

I saw this idea in Martha Stewart Living, and Thrifty Decor Chick has implemented the idea of mice in the house!

Thrifty Decor Chick


I love the idea of hosting a Great Pumpkin Party - I have made my husband watch the Peanuts show with me every year (and last year the little one got to watch!)  A Merrier World has a great tutorial on how to make a Great Pumpkin cake!

A Merrier World

How elegant do these pumpkins look from none other than Martha Stewart!  If you don't have the black chair then head to your local thrift store to pick up a chair and spray paint it black. 

Martha Stewart

Check back next week for more great HAUNTING ideas!

Saturday Statement

Here's to looking harder on those challenging days!

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