food glorious food

Dinner was fabulous tonight. 

I have been meal planning for about two weeks now and am realizing how much fun it actually is.  I had this meal planned for tomorrow evening, but we had a friend who was needing a meal tonight and I didn't think my mexi melts would be a good 'make for a friend' meal.  I use Eating Well as my resource for most recipes and am so thankful for the magazine and the great ideas it's filled with!

The meal started with pumpkin cornbread.  I found the recipe online the other night and LOVE LOVE LOVE it!  The texture is fabulous!  Check out the recipe: http://www.recipegirl.com/2008/10/01/pumpkin-cornbread/  It's really easy to make and so far everyone in our house loves them.

After the cornbread I began making Creamy Fettuccine with Brussels Sprouts and Mushrooms.  It turned out delightful!

Here's the recipe from my Eating Well magazine.

12 ounces whole-wheat fettuccine
  1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  4 cups sliced mixed mushrooms, such as cremini, oyster, and/or shiitake
  4 cups thinly sliced Brussels sprouts
  1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 cup dry sherry or 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
  2 cups low-fat milk
  2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  2 tablespoons olive oil
  1 cup finely shredded Asiago cheese, plus more for garnish

1. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water until tender, 8 to 10 minutes.  Drain, return to the pot and set aside.

2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add mushrooms and Brussels sprouts and cook, stirring often, until the mushrooms release their liquid, 8 to 10 minutes.  Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.  Add sherry, scraping up any brown bits; bring to a boil and cook, stirring, until almost evaporated.

3. Whisk milk and flour in a bowl; add to the skillet with salt and pepper.  Cook, stirring, until the sauce bubbles and thickens, about 2 minutes.  Stir in asiago cheese until melted.  Add sauce to the pasta; gently toss.  Serve with more cheese, if desired.

Makes 6 servings, about 1 1/3 cup each.  385 calories per serving; 10G fat; 22mg Cholesterold; 56G carbohydrate; 19G protein; 10G fiber; 438mg sodium; 467mg potassium.

I made a yummy salad to go with the fettuccine and WAHLA!  Faboulous dinner for 5 with leftovers to boot.  Enjoy if you decide to whip this recipe up!

praise the lord for fall!

praise Jesus for this season.  i'm in love; head over heels in love with fall! 

the smells, the crunch of leaves, the chill in the air, the colors (breathtaking), the friendly feeling that seems to be in the air all around, fall goodies; i could bake each and everyday.  no season compares to this one.  it's pure love!

the box of fall decor came out and my heart swelled.  it must be love!

nash was delighted to find stacking pumpkins that he was actually allowed to play with.  he enjoys clanking them together, throwing them and putting them inside one another.  he too is finding joy this season.

it's a beautiful fall thursday.  enjoy your day and those around you.  maybe take the time to make some cider and pumpkin muffins, sit down with a great book or just have a conversation with those you love.  drink it in...

happy fall!

ode to grandma

it's grandma's birthday so we decided in order to honor her we would attempt nash's first canvas painting.  his mama can often be ambitious, forgetting he's only 10 1/2 months.  the painting...well...was a fun idea, not too ideal in the end, but grandma will receive one fine piece of art!  nash didn't really enjoy the gooey mess on his hands, was a bit confused why he was not receiving food to eat in his 'food eating' chair and did not like the taste of the paint at all!  here is a small glimpse of our effort in order to honor grandma.

happy birthday to you

happy birthday to you

happy birthday dear grandma

happy birthday to you!

we love you ----------------------------------------------THIS much!

ya ya apple picking fun

what a day was had this past saturday in my humble opinion.  we joined eric's family for a day at the ya ya orchard in longmont, colorado.  there was eye rolling from some and lack of enthusiasm, but i was super excited for this day.  each adventure we're able to take nash on excites me.  i too had never been to an orchard to pick apples and was excited about going. 

the orchard was beautiful.  there were horses, donkeys, hay rides, apples, honey, the BEST tasting apple cider donuts best if dipped in their cider, chickens, long walks and beauty everywhere you looked.  it is nestled off the highway and is just perfect.  someday i hope to find ourselves living in such a place. 

the day was fabulous.  nash loved the apples, the picking of the apples, the animals and especially his first taste of the most delicious sugary donut!  we had a great time watching the kids get excited about picking the apples. 

it's worth the time if you find yourself near longmont.  check them out.  it's a great saturday morning activity!  http://www.yayafarmandorchard.com/

filth

So the adventure begins.  I have a little boy so naturally that means there will be dirt involved.  He's such a sweet boy so his mama is always making sure he's fairly clean.  Daddy insisted that he play in the garage while he got his fishing gear packed for his fishing trip. Nash was elated!  He had toys to play with while he scooted on our VERY filthy garage floor babbling and simply having a great time.  Eric worked on getting his poles ready while I sat back thinking to myself, 'how am I going to get this little boy inside without getting filthy myself?'  A bath was first on our agenda upon reentering the house. 

I'll eventually get used to the dirt and join in on occasion I'm sure.

a rockin' chair!

after a camping trip this summer eric, nash and i were driving home through walden, colorado and happened upon the cutest store EVER!  i drove by the store, saw some chairs out front that caught my eye, so we turned around to go inside.  the chairs outside were fabulous, but the treasures inside were endless! (www.facebook.com/hooplaboutique)  i fell in love with all of it!  thankfully there are limits in life and i had to exercise them that day.  i came home with a bright yellow lawn chair, an old wooden basket, a gas can and an absolutely amazing blue chair. 

the sweet blue chair will be in my garage for years to come i'm certain.  if you feel the need to come check it out in person, let me know.  it makes for some sweet shots!

scrumptious

What can I say?  I'm hopelessly in love with this boy we call Nash.  He is delightful in all ways and absolutely makes my life so much richer!  I never imagined that I would find him so scrumptious!  His never-ending giggle, his clapping and singing, his smiles, the lovey eyes he gives, the hugs and kisses, his tinkering and discovering...the list goes on and on. 

Daily my heart melts as I watch him take in the world around him.  I find him irresistible!

Watching this wonder of delight choose to mimic his daddy and I brings me to a lot of constant reflection in my own life.  Am I modeling what I need to be for him?  Am I choosing to love those around me deeply and genuinely?  Does he know that I'm totally and completely in love with him?  Are my words and actions something I desire him repeating someday?  The thoughts are never ending in this realm.  Being a mama is a big job! 

Choosing to be who Christ has called me to be, in someways is easier now that Nash is in our lives.  It's amazing how a small infant can change your perception on life in so many ways.  I am so thankful that God chose Nash for our family and us for him!  I know full well that there will be challenges in the midst of raising him, but I also know that this is where I will grow and develop even more towards the character God desires in me. 

He is a priceless gift -- one that I'm eternally grateful for!

embracing our summer memories

In the midst of my desire to blog more i'm going to do just that. 

Our summer has been absolutely fantastic.  One special little boy has definitely had his share of incredible moments!  His mama and daddy were delighted to sit back and watch as he soaked in life. 



Summer beckoned us to Denver and we of course had to stop and visit Sarah and Selah while there.  We were very thankful to have multiple trips this summer to see them!  Nash and Selah enjoyed our visit to the Children's Musuem.  It's hard to believe that the picture above was just taken in June.  Nash has grown SO much since then!

At the end of June our family headed to Albuquerque to see family and celebrate Grandpa Nash's life.  We were able to connect with Eric's cousin and meet his sweet son Ben and Ben's mama Pam.  It was a wonderful weekend celebrating and embracing the family we are surrounded with.



lovin' from gma cyndy

 This summer was filled with moments of book reading, blowing bubbles, visiting parks with friends, camping, South America and simply enjoyment.  We tried to take in everything we possibly could to the FULL.  Our days were busy but filled with bliss. 

nash enjoyed his very first boat ride on the 4th of July and took his buddy Gus along

tuckered out from camp

reading his book

nash has been busy growing teeth all summer

enjoying the dog show at the county fair

lovin' the animals at county fair

we joined andrew and nichole for our county fair fun

alac visited and nash enjoyed him so much!

loved his camping adventures and the johnny jump up!

bubbles were one of nash's new favorites this summer

park days with friends = delight!

he figured out crawling

and standing...

how he loves his tonka truck

soakin' in the sun in his pool

oh how he was loved in Ecuador!

enjoyed the beach with his buddy nathan

1st Rockies Game

Our summer in a nutshell...we had a BLAST!