Pumpkin shopping

We were finally in town for a weekend in October. And I had 2 goals - to buy some outdoor Fall decorations and get closer to a decision on our living room furniture (I'll update you on that later.). We did find some pumpkins and gourds for outside. It was a little rushed, but we were able to get a couple pictures of little man. I know, he needed to be wearing shoes. It was 50 degrees. But like I said we were quick. Also in the rush, I forgot the camera. Actually it was in my hand until I went searching in my purse for something and set the camera on the table. Oops. Thanks to the iPhone we got a good one.





And an outtake.

Pinterest Inspires Again

Pinterest helped me with one of my monthly goals this week.  (Oh what I didn't post my October monthly goals?!  Oops, my bad.  I had every intention.  Well, actually I had every intention to post a lot of things this month and it just didn't happen.  November is a new month right?!?)  Meal planning this week was easy thanks to all the pins on my "Let's Eat" board. 

Monday night I made chili.  I think the recipe was pretty good.  Nice subtle heat on the back.  One change I would make in the future - I wouldn't use any sugar and I'd probably use a beer instead of the wine.  But overall, I could use the recipe again.

Source: myrecipes.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Wednesday night we planned to have tuna and sauteed spinach.  I thought we needed a little something to go with it.  I found this recipe by Pioneer Woman.  I modified a little but it was still great.  Only thing to change for the future is more chili for heat.  (My modification was to use garlic chili paste, but I guess I didn't use enough.)

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Last night we tried two recipes.  Balsamic Flank Steak and Jalapeno Mac and Cheese.  Both were very yummy!  The flank steak had a nice flavor.  I did not modify the recipe at all.  However, in the future I would probably not use the brown sugar (what is it with the sugar being added to these recipes) and might add some olive oil.  The Mac and Cheese was great!!  I only had one jalapeno so I added a serrano chili.  Um, yeah, lots of heat.  But it was good.  Modification in the future, maybe a little less flour. 

Source: None via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: food.com via Jessica on Pinterest

And last week I tried this salad for lunch.  It was really good.  I changed the dressing ratio, but otherwise made it as is.  I've had it twice.  Nice alternative to a traditional green salad.

Source: espressoandcream.com via Jessica on Pinterest

So tell me.....any recipe pins out there I need to repin? 

Real quick

I know I haven't posted in almost two weeks, but I have a favor to ask. My mom is having surgery today. Nothing too major, but a few extra prayers wouldn't hurt.

Thanks loves!!

I'll be back soon. Been traveling crazy for the last two weeks. Back to semi normal next week.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Thanks Pinterest, Again

Source: fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Another recipe to pass on from my Pinterest Let's Eat board.

I love Kung Pao chicken from the Chinese restaurant, but have wanted to try it at home.  I know there is stuff in there I don't know about and I'm sure it's not good for me.  So I tried this recipe.  Pretty good.  I added some steamed veggies to it.  I love getting a good dose of veggies in my chinese food (I even order my Kung Pao with extra veggies).  Next time though, I would definitely use more red pepper.  I like it to have a big kick and following the recipe was just so, so.  But to be fair, she said to modify based on taste.  I just didn't modify enough.  Served this over some Basmati rice and it was great meal.  Fairly easy, too.

Thanks Pinterest.  You're making meal planning easier!!!

Here are two more recipes (Chinese and Thai) I want to try.

Source: letsdishrecipes.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: skinnytaste.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Happy Friday and Have a wonderful weekend!!

Salted Caramel

Am I missing something here??  Seems everywhere I look someone is talking about salted caramel.  There are numerous recipes on Pinterest, multiple recipes in blog land (Brown Eyed Baker started posting recipes a year ago - these brownies look awesome, maybe I'll have to try them soon), and Starbucks even has a Salted Caramel Mocha this Fall.  Is this a trend in baking/drinking/food eating?  Or is salted caramel around to stay?  Should I get on the wagon and try some of these recipes?

**Oh and its a good thing we're just typing here and not talking.  I'm sure we all have a different way of saying that seven letter word.  Some of you shared that in the accent vlog that was going around about a month ago.  I didn't participate, so just for the record, I don't say the second "a".

So I ask again.....Am I missing out???

Helping Mommy Cook

Used to look like this



But now look more like this




He is getting more and more mobile. He is army crawling and pulling up. I think he would be crawling if it weren't for the hardwood floors. Something tells me walking is in our near future as his desire to get around increases. Looks like we'll be baby proofing soon!

Any must have baby proofing tools?

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wordless Wednesday

Oh no....it's starting!!  Guess who pulled up to his knees!!

Lifesaver

via

 

 

 

I'm not sure if he's just feeling better, its a phase, crying it out has helped or what.  But, we started using this sound machine in JW's room last week and we've been sleeping through the night.  We also started letting him cry to sleep at night (which he hasn't done the last couple nights) and the couple times he did wake up we let him work it out on his own.  He's sleeping from 8:30 PM until 6:30 or 7:30 AM.  This makes for a much happier Mommy and Daddy!  If you don't have one yet - go get one.  And if you're working on a registry - put it on there.  You might not think you will use - but you will.  (We actually got this as a shower gift before JW was born.  But we also had the little lamb.  So we used that for the longest time (9 months) before trying this.  Wish we had tried it sooner.  The lamb worked, but it turns off after 40 minutes and we can set this to run all night long!!)