Pumpkin Tuesday!

PUMPKINS

Today Aydan made lots of pumpkin crafts with TEE-TEE ,then later that night the entire family carved a pumpkin even Grayson was having fun! that was until daddy sneezed and scared him! Aydan decided to draw his own pumpkin and he was so proud. He also loved the fact that he was allowed to get messy! Hopefully today we can roast the pumpkin seeds and save some for the spring to grow in our garden!

Gingerbread Monday!

GINGERBREAD DAY!

Since Aydan and I have not been getting out of the house much these days with Grayson we decided to have a fun theme day with a craft and snack! He loves this book so I went with the Gingerbread theme and it turned out great! I think the chocolate chips ended up in his mouth

more then on to the paper haha

Our Visitors from down south!

This past weekend Grayson had his first visitors from down south! Rebekah and Cat came to see the new baby and of course the rest of us! Aydan just loved Catherine aka "Cat" he played with her forever and was sad to see her go! It was great seeing them and we are looking forward to seeing them again soon!

As you can see Aydan was enjoying story time wth Catherine! It was SO cute seeing them together :)

My little Pumpkins!

My Little Pumpkins

This year I was extra excited to decorate! that is one of my favorite things to do ,usually I buy all my home decor at craft shows, consignment shops or yard sales. I love buying a beat up item and re-doing it into something great! It's fun and saves money. I was also really looking forward this year to having 2 little nuggets for my special photo shoots. We had a fun fall photo shoot several times and as you can see Grayson was starting to get sick of it! I just love seeing them dressed up it is too cute! Also a special Thank you to Roberta for the wonderful halloween shirt and handmade hat :)

Parmesean Coscous w/ Carmelized Onions

~Parmesan Couscous with Caramelized Onions~
This is a Family favorite in my household it's sweet and filling and gives you a chance to add tons of veggies to the side ,quite the healthy dish and it's vegetarian! Great for Meatless Mondays!

1 box of your favorite couscous( Parmesan flavor or garlic and olive oil flavor) prepared
1/2 cup pine nuts
1 tsp Olive Oil
1/2 Sweet Onion diced
3-5 garlic cloves minced
2 TB Shredded Parmesan cheese
1 TB Italian Parsley Chopped

Prepare couscous according to the package. Set Aside. In a dry skillet over med. heat add pine nuts cook 2 minutes until golden brown. Set Aside. In the same hot skillet turn the heat up and add olive oil let it get hot then add the onions, stir frequently until golden brown and fragrant. Add garlic and remove from heat. Toss pine nuts, onions,Parmesan cheese and parsley into couscous and serve as the main dish with 2 vegetable sides. Enjoy!

Vegan Sloppy Joes

~Vegan Sloppy Joe's~

2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
1 Onion Finely chopped
1 Red Pepper chopped
8 oz. soy ground meat alternative
1 Can Organic Kidney Beans drained and rinsed
1/2 Cup Organic Ketchup
1/2 Cup Chili Sauce
1 tbsp. Dijon Mustard
1 tbsp Distilled white vinegar
1 tsp granulated natural cane sugar
Salt

In large skillet heat oil over medium heat for 1 min. Add onion and red pepper and cook stirring for 6 minutes until both are soft. Add soy ground meat alternative and cook stirring for 3 minutes. Stir in Kidney beans and reduce heat to low. Cook stirring for 3 minutes until heated through all the way. In a small dish mix the ketchup, mustard, chili sauce , vinegar and sugar together. Add some salt to taste and pour over the sloppy Joe mixture , stir and serve open face on a warm whole grain roll. Enjoy!

Spiced Brown Sugar Salmon with Peach-Kiwi Salsa & Mixed Vegtables

~Spiced Brown sugar Salmon with Peach-Kiwi Salsa and mixed Vegetables~

Salmon Salsa
1 cup peaches chopped
1 kiwi peeled and chopped
2 TB Scallions sliced
2 TB chopped parsley
1 TB lime juice
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Salmon Glaze
1 & 1/2 lb Salmon fillet's

1/4 c. butter melted
1/4 c. brown sugar
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Combine all salsa ingredients and refrigerate for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 425 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil. Brush glaze over Salmon and bake for 6 minutes then remove salmon and brush on remaining glaze and bake until salmon flakes with a fork.( about 15 mins)

Mixed Vegetable Saute( side-dish)

2tsp olive oil
1 yellow squash diced
1 green squash diced
1/4 sweet yellow onion cut into chunks
2 cups fresh green beans ends removed and cut in half
1 handful of baby plum tomatoes
1 clove garlic minced
salt & pepper
2 TB Fresh Basil chopped
2 TB Low fat Feta Cheese

Heat oil in large skillet over med-high heat , add onions and green beans. Cook until softened then add yellow and green squash, garlic and tomatoes cook covered until soft. place in serving dish and top with feta cheese. Enjoy!