Spur of the Moment Circus

This little project just sort of came out of nowhere. E wanted to make a circus or something. I don't quite remember. The next thing we were doing was running downstairs to the craft cupboard. I was pulling out ribbons, tape, scissors, sparkle felt squares and different kinds of paper. I pulled Dinotopia off the shelf and talked to E about using some of the lovely pictures from this book as inspiration for decorating his prehistoric mammals and dinosaurs. I just hang onto little times like this because they are what I love to do. They keep me inspired for days to come. I have a bin of recycled packaging items that we pull from, to make "whatever" we need. Having a child like E, helps me take care of my creative side.

Creative Halloween Legacy

I made these fun "boo" bingo boards for E's Kindergarten class party this week. Pick a card and then put your piece of candy corn on the matching square. Yell "Boo" when you have 4 in a row.

E was Paul Bunyan this year. I made this treat bag to accompany his lumberjack costume. Jan carved an ax out of pink insulation (more later on this ...)

For as busy as all of us were this week, we sure kicked out a lot of crafts! I attribute my dedication to home made items to my mother, who always made my sister and me hand made costumes. We challenged her too. Here are just a few of my costumes; strawberry, tomato, head of lettuce, witch, vampire, ghost, bunch of grapes ... I cannot remember what my sister was.

Brussels, Minnesota

Sautee onions, green & bell peppers in olive oil. Steam brussels sprouts. Stir sprouts in at end. Toss together well. By the way, I love my new Calaphon pan. It's unbelievable. I feel like I need my own cooking show every time I use it. The veggies were flipped in the air several times - and yes they landed back in the pan.

I served these veggies up with some of that left over macaroni & cheese and a side of spinach feta chicken sausages for our Sunday lunch. All veggies are from our organic garden.

In the Jungle

From our organic garden today! Ninety day plus maturation time. 

Brussels sprouts now ready. Delicious, nutritious .. and for dinner. 

Fall Break

E's been out of school for the last two days. It seems so long ago that he started kindergarten, yet it's only been six weeks. Quickly enough I was reminded what it felt like to be at home all day with my son. A nice relaxing feeling followed by bursts of energy that are needed all day long to care for an active young mind and body. Yesterday, his "girlfriend" J came over. Of course, J didn't like my homemade mac-n-cheese because it wasn't "orange". E, however, loves it! I relished making it for the kids too. They built a house outside with sticks, yarn, tape and screws and then came inside for some warm food. E will be heading back to school on Weds, two more days at home. 

Lost in the Corn Maze

We had such a fun time with Grammy at Minnetonka Orchards. This is my favorite apple orchard around. We are going again tomorrow.

Gale Woods Farm Fall Day

If you are a five-year old, jumping across the hay bale maze is the best. I considered it, but felt that I would injure myself! E has done this for his third year in-a-row. I remember when I had to hold his hand and make sure he wouldn't plunge to the ground 5-feet below. Now he flies!

I have totally fallen in love with Jasper the calf. He is the most sweet docile creature. I could have stayed with him all day. His head was actually resting on my arm and it was heavy.

The sheep dog trials were totally relaxing. Next year we want to bring a pot of coffee and some lawn chairs. This is really fun to watch. The dog has 20 minutes to drive the sheep through the hilly course.

We all got to pick out our own pumpkin.

The turkeys are growing up quickly. Last time I saw them they were about half this size.

Turning 40

happy birthday to my dear friend!

"A friend is a person who knows what you are saying, even if you're not talking." 

~ Sarah Bennett

Fall Soup

Veggie broth, basil, parsley and oregano, celery, carrots, leeks, red cabbage, red & green peppers, kale, tomatoes, potatoes, green beans topped with freshly grated parmesean cheese. All veggies* & herbs were grown in our garden or by our local CSA farm. I made two gallons of this! I started throwing things in my large stock pot and before I knew it I had enough for a very long time. I've already frozen several bags. (*except for navy beans)

Fall Freedom

A fall night at the beach. We'll enjoy the beach until the road leading to it becomes so covered with snow that we can no longer make it. Nothing keeps us away. 

29-Day Giving Challenge, Day 3

This morning I hadn't even thought of what to give and voila, it landed right in front of me. Something from E's school library inviting me to donate a book of topic choice in someone's name. All I had to do was write out a check and fill in some information. Read more about this awesome gift and what it gave to me and the elementary school library. Changing lives one gift at a time

29-Day Giving Challenge, Day 2

Sharing is hard for me sometimes! I am embarrassed to admit it, but it's so true and I am in the process of learning to feel good about what I can share. On this day I have promised to share outgrown kid's clothing instead of selling it. Read my blog entry for Day 2 at 29-Day Giving Challenge and commit to your own giving challenge.

Fall Granola

My friend swears by my granola recipe and I do too, although I actually couldn't find my copy ... so I improvised. Here is my world's best granola topped with my own garden fresh raspberries and poured with plain soy milk. Yep, they're still a comin'. I love this stuff! This week I've rotated eating big bowls filled with it for lunch, breakfast and dinner. Perfect nutrition. Sensational taste.

World's Best SAS Fall Granola Recipe

4 cups oatmeal

1 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup brown flax seeds

1/2 cup coconut flakes*

*(unsweetened or sweetened)

1/8 cup honey

1/8 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup almond oil

vanilla to taste

cinnamon to taste

freshly ground nutmeg to taste

I like fresh raspberries, pears or bananas on the Fall Granola. Any berries are good!

Mix all ingredients together. Divide in half and spread evenly onto 2-cookies sheets and rotate them in oven, over a 10 minute-plus period, at 350 degrees. Using a metal scraper, turn oat mixture every few minutes. Allow to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Power of 7

I have designed my own eating plan. My intention, invite more of the good food and the bad foods won't show up in the old craving chain anymore. It's working. It's simple. Weight loss? I think so. My jeans are really loose. I'm not sure where the scale is right now either and I don't care. I feel great.

Here's the secret. I write "7" in my daily planner. Then every time I eat a 1/2 cup serving of fruits or veggies I leave a tick mark. Once I get to "7" I consciously check-in with myself and say how thankful I am for this nutritious and mostly local and organic food. I leave it at that.

The results are happening, in progress, real. My body feels good. No aches and pains. Fewer wheat cravings. Desiring less salt. I am younger by the pound. I'm not needing much dairy and to hell with caffeine these days!

29-Day Giving Challenge

Day 1. It was a total surprise to be invited into this ning network activity. I didn't even know it existed. It feels like it came at the right time too. How I needed something to remove "myself" as the ever-churning predominant thought. Me. me. me. It's just been a little like that lately. Sometimes it's okay ... but too much? Ugh. Read about my first day of giving and sign yourself up!