All Things Pumpkin

Being Halloween, I decided it was time to equip you with all things pumpkin. There is something heavenly about a pumpkin candle burning, sipping a pumpkin latte, or munching delicious pumpkin muffins. Or pancakes. Or cheesecake...you get the point. And since Thanksgiving is less than a month away, I figure we need to enjoy these warm flavors before St. Nick comes a' calling. So here goes, a few fun and delightful (and slightly indulgent!) recipes to get you into the spirit of fall. Treat yourself today!

Silver Dollar Pumpkin Pancakes (thank you, Pioneer Woman!!)

3 cups Cake Flour

1 teaspoon Salt

2 Tablespoons Baking Powder

3 Tablespoons Sugar

2 cups Canned Pumpkin Puree

2 whole Eggs

3 teaspoons Vanilla

2-1/2 cups Milk

1/4 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice

Butter, For Serving

Maple Syrup, Warmed, For Serving

Finely Chopped Pecans, For Serving

Caramel Sauce, For Drizzling (optional)

Mix first nine ingredients and drop tablespoons of batter onto hot griddle. Flip after about a minute and let cook until golden brown. Toppings optional but what good is a pancake without all the accoutrements?? Enjoy!!


adapted from http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/10/silver-dollar-pumpkin-pancakes/

Here are a few more ways to use canned pumpkin (15 oz. can):
Easy Pumpkin Pie- Combine one can pumpkin puree with one block softened cream cheese, one cup sugar and half tub Cool Whip. Pour into prepared graham cracker pie shell and top with the remaining Cool Whip. Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve!
Pumpkin Brownies- Combine one can pumpkin puree with one box brownie mix and bake according to box directions. That's it. Seriously!!
Pumpkin Spice Latte-  Are you sooo over paying $4+ for a cup of Jo?? Me too!! Prepare your own coffee (one cup) to taste with sugar and milk, then add 2-3 tablespoons pureed pumpkin and about 1 teaspoon cinnamon, to taste. Simmer over low heat until pumpkin has dissolved.
There are endless ways to use this year's bounty of pumpkins so get crackin'!! What will you make?? Happy Halloween! Be safe!

Getting My Groove Back...Slowly

Recently, I've felt more tired than ever. It's like four-and-a-half years of being a stay-home mommy have finally caught up to me. The sleepless nights with a two-year-old in my bed, running after toddlers and caring for a home, planning meals and potty training have all got me feeling like a train wreck. Oh, and I gave up caffeine. And after a short bought of the stomach flu, I finally feel like I'm getting back on my feet. It's taken a couple weeks, but I'm slowly pulling things together. I decided I needed to ditch the excuses and get back in the game. So what did I do?? First, I started walking again. It was easy to get off track while I was sick and all the pathetic justifications to myself piled up...as did a few pounds!! It's amazing what a difference a daily dose of exercise makes!! And I'm getting outside, taking the kids for walks, doing projects and just keeping busy. So I'm getting there one day at a time. Whatever is going on in our lives, it's so important to find a way through the mess and take time for ourselves. "Mommy" is the best and hardest job I've ever had but I'm doing it and surviving!! How do you beat a case of the "blahs"??

My Menu

Today I did my grocery shopping and spent a little more than usual. A couple snacks/some candy for Halloween parties..etc. and I racked up $70.00! Normally, my total is anywhere from $50-$60 and people have asked how I do it?!? Well, by the end of the week we are scraping by and eating peanut butter and jelly for lunch, I don't buy any drinks except for milk and sometimes mixes from the 99 Cent Store and I plan inexpensive, but healthy meals ahead of time and save by keeping things simple. Oh, and the "dinner out" night is usually something we have coupons for like Del Taco, Subway or an In-N-Out splurge!! Here's how this week looks:

Saturday: Hash brown casserole with cinnamon rolls (hubby's request!)
Sunday: Shepherd's pie
Monday: Rigatoni with meat sauce/salad/garlic bread
Tuesday: Hot dogs/organic oven fries
Wednesday: Halloween!! Grilled cheese and turkey "batwiches"/carrots and broccoli
Thursday: Tuna casserole
Friday: Out!!
What are you eating this week??

The Tooth Fairy Debacle

Yesterday, my daughter's first tooth finally fell out after being loose for months. Of course that meant Daddy and I had some work to do. Some Lalaloopsy stickers, a couple gold coins and a little fairy dust and we were good to go! Or so I thought. After placing the treats under her pillow carefully and leaving a sweet but urgent note from the tooth fairy, (be a good girl!! Obey Mommy and Daddy and no hitting your brother!!) she awoke excited and surprised. But then something unexpected happened. Jovie wanted to look online at all the Lalaloopsy girls so I obliged. After perusing the different dolls,  there was one that looked a little...creepy. At least to a four-and-a-half year old. So the meltdown began and for the next hour, she sobbed, wailed and cried. I tried to distract her, refocus her attention on books, play-doh..etc. to no avail. Finally, finally after her brother and I were almost done with a princess puzzle, she came around to help. This left me wondering why I even bother. No, I can't always foresee what will set my kids off but I guess I just need to be a little more discerning in the future. So the Tooth Fairy tried. She did her best and hopefully by this afternoon my little lady will forget all about the horror of the Lalaloopsy doll. Sometimes you win some and sometimes you lose, but I guess that goes with the territory of being a parent.

                                                                        Pre-meltdown...

Every Night is Date Night

Ok, ladies..I don't know about you but I'm pretty sure when we become mommies, date night goes out the door. It's just a fact. Along with long, hot showers, pedicures, shopping in peace, and peeing with the door closed, date night goes bye-bye. Don't believe me?? Then you are a freak. And I envy you. Ok, there. I said it. So for the rest of us harried, wary, tired, cranky and just-barely-treading-water mommies, stay with me. Oh, and I have to confess. Date night has lost it's luster a bit in light of the fact that I'd much rather be in bed in my jammies at 9:00 than out on the town. Glad I got that off my chest. But with all that said, I actually do grasp the importance of it. And Mama's going to start embracing it. Yes, we are busy. We are tired and my hubby works a lot but you know what I've realized? It doesn't really matter how fancy, how unique or how long your date night lasts, it just matters that you have one once in a while. Last night, we went to the movies (Taken 2- really good, by the way..) and got dinner after and it was awesome. But if you can't get a sitter or don't have it in your budget to go out, pick a movie, a board game, a meal and go at it. Have some fun together, some time to talk and to really enjoy each other. When the kids are grown and it's just the two of us in the house, I want to still know my hubby, to still have things to say to him and for him to know that I'm still making an effort. Oh, and that I am still in love with him too. Yes, we are all trying to survive these crazy years with little ones and it's not always easy but it's so worth it. So pencil him in and get started! What will you do for date night???

Grocery Store Savings: My Menu

I went to the grocery store today instead of tomorrow, my regular shopping day, since I got some awesome coupons from Vons and additionally, they always have special deals on Fridays! For example, $5 for various bulk items such as toilet paper and snacks and $5 pizzas. So with coupons in hand, I spent the next forty-five minutes or so wrangling my kids and shopping cart and filled up on the great deals. The coupons from the mail (keep an eye out..they don't expire until Oct. 31st..) had $10 off $50 or more, a $5 rotisserie chicken and a FREE bagged salad, french loaf, and box of Rice-A-Roni!! Talk about saving money!! So I shopped wisely and spent a mere $41.30 on my groceries for the week. Now, as is my usual disclaimer, I will probably need a few odds and ends during the week (a cookie mix from the 99 Cent Store, perhaps??) but I am well below my weekly budget of $100!!! I try and use the grocery budget for other incidentals during the week as well like a contribution towards my bible study potluck or snacks for my daughter's play group. It all comes out of that $100. Here's how my menu looks:

Saturday: Rotisserie Chicken/Rice-A-Roni
Sunday: Date Night!!!
Monday: Spaghetti/Garlic Bread
Tuesday: BBQ Chicken Wraps/Organic Oven Fries
Wednesday: Chicken Salad (with leftover rotisserie chicken..) French Bread
Thursday: Chicken and White Cheddar Flautas
Friday: Out!!
I know there's a lot of chicken dishes but with my $5 chicken and organic chicken on sale, I couldn't pass it up!! What are you cooking this week???

Halloween Fun: DIY Style

The past couple of weeks, my kids and I have been ensconced in all that is Halloween. From crafts to goodies and everything in-between, our home has been transformed into a festive fall fest. There are sooo many things you can do with your kids. All they need is a blank canvas and their imaginations will go wild! Blank paper, wood frames or shapes, cupcakes and more can be turned into a wonderful afternoon project. On our agenda?? Painting frames and decorating cupcakes. All you need are a few supplies: paint, stickers, pom-poms, pipe cleaners and for the treats? Frosting and sprinkles! Kids are just begging to get their hands dirty and create something all their own! So get going and get into the spirit of all that is Halloween!
And speaking of the spirit of Halloween, there's no better DIY project than making your kids a one-of-a-kind costume! Here are some ideas:
- Bugs! Ladybugs, bees and butterflies are easy to make. A pair of wings, leggings and an antennae headband are simple to put together.
- Superheros can easily be made by creating a no-sew cape out of an old t-shirt (cut the sleeves off and leave the back and neck to slip over their head..) Add a mask and voila! Superhero!
- Turn your little one into a cowboy or girl by throwing them in jeans, a flannel shirt and a hat from a discount store.
- Recycle an old holiday dress and add a wand and tiara and you'll have a princess in no time!
Check out marthastewart.com and Pinterest for more fun ideas!!
What will your little one be??

                                                                      paint...

                                                                      more paint...

                                                                  Gobbling cupcakes!