My Little Pumpkin

Abby dressed up as a pumpkin for a little party we went to.  I think she looks pretty dang cute.

Happy weekend!

Progress

I've been sewing!  Remember that quilt I told you about?  The one I am determined to do all by myself?  I know, I mentioned it quite a while ago, but I'm finally getting some things done on it.  I actually have the quilt top all sewn together and pressed!  It is definitely not perfect, so don't look too close when I post the finished product.  But I think I did well for my first time.  I have already learned many things I can do better in the future, including using a different foot that is ideal for patching (and that actually came with my machine, I don't have to buy it!).

My next step is basting and quilting.  I have only tied quilts before but for this one I want to machine quilt it.  I've been doing some research because I honestly know just about nothing.  I'm thinking of doing "stitch in the ditch."  I've read that it is good for beginners and since this quilt is bright and has bold patterns, I don't think elaborate quilting is necessary.  I am open to suggestions, though, so feel free to give me any advice you might have!

#12: Make Baby Food

I have accomplished one thing from my list of 50 things!  One down, 49 to go.  Making homemade baby food was a lot of fun and very easy.  I learned a lot on how I can improve the process in the future.  I made mine with peaches and here's how I did it.

Cut the peaches in half and leave the pits in.

  

Place a baking sheet on your oven rack and use a pitcher or glass to to pour about 1 inch of water into it.  Trust me on this one.  I put the water in the pan before and when I tried to put it in the oven... I spilled all over the place.  Then arrange the peach halves cut side down.

I ate one of the halves... oops!  It was too tempting.

Bake in the oven at 350 degrees until the peaches are nice and tender and the skin starts to pucker, about 10-15 minutes.  When they are done, please DO NOT pick up the pan.  The water will be hot.  Use a baster to remove the water and then take them out of the oven.  Save some of the water in a bowl in case you need to thin your puree.

Remove the pits.

And then remove the skins.  They come off very easily.

Then dice 'em up!

Throw them in your food processor (or blender) and process until smooth.

 

If the mixture seems too thick, add some of your peach water.  My texture was perfect with the juice that accumulated on the cutting board.

Use a tablespoon to distribute into ice cube trays.  It fits perfectly and that way you know exactly how much your baby is eating.  I got 4 trays out of 5 1/2 peaches.

  Wrap the trays in plastic wrap and label what it is and when you made it.  Remove one or two cubes as needed.  They will stay good in the freezer for 3 months.  I can't wait to try more foods! 

500 Days of Refinement

Have you ever heard of "101 things in 1001 days?"  I'm not really sure where it came from, but I first heard about it a while back from one of my dear clients.  Basically, you just make a list of 101 things you want to accomplish in the next 1001 days.  When she told me, I thought it sounded fun, so I started making a list.  However, coming up with 101 things was just too many and 1001 days was just way too far out for me.  I wasn't motivated to really do anything because the deadline was more than 2 and a half years away.  Therefore, I have come up with my own plan.

500 Days of Refinement

I have made a list of 50 things I want to accomplish in the next 500 days.  This just seems way more doable to me.  Today is my official start day and that will have me end on my birthday in 2012.  Basically, my list includes projects, health things, spiritual things, books to read, and then just fun and random things.  Some tasks are large and will take a lot of time, while others will be very easy to accomplish.  But all of them are"refining," at least to me.  I think they will help me to utilize and refine my talents as well as help me be a better wife and mother.   I will share some of my experiences with you as I complete them.

My husband helped me prepare my list in a fun way that I will print out and hang up (below).   I think it is a lot of fun.  Thank goodness for a husband who has mad computer skills.

   

Ravioli with Apples and Walnuts

The past few days have been absolutely beautiful fall days.  Sunny and about 70 degrees.  Eating this meal is a perfect complement for a day like this.  Here is the recipe.

Ravioli with Apples and Walnuts

1 lb. cheese ravioli
1 Gala apple, sliced thin
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
2 Tbs. olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp dried parsely
1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Cook the ravioli according to the package instructions.  Pour oil in a bowl and add the basil, parsley, salt, and pepper.  Toss the cooked ravioli in the oil to coat.  Add the apple slices, parmesan cheese, and most of the chopped walnuts and toss again.  Garnish with a little more cheese and walnuts.  Serve and enjoy!

Balboa Park

While in San Diego, we walked around Balboa Park.  I had been there before but could hardly remember what it was like.  It is beautiful.  What really stands out is the architecture of the buildings.  Here is just a couple of photos I took while we were there.

I loved the lanterns

Black & White

Part of the organ pavilion

If you ever go to San Diego, definitely check out Balboa Park!

Halloween Costumes: "Rrr-eady."

Ever since I started dating my husband, Halloween has been even more fun.  We have been dressing up together and it is a blast.  Here are some of our costumes.

Devil and Angel

It made for a great silhouette.

The next year I was Angela from The Office dressed up as a cat for Halloween.  Landon was Dwight dressed as a sith lord.  Unfortunately, I don't have pictures from that one because I had lost my battery charger.

Last year we were Tom and Summer from "500 Days of Summer."  We came up with it on Halloween and pulled it together in a couple of hours.  We were pretty proud of ourselves.

I have a feeling dressing up with our daughter is going to be even more fun.  We are all set and now we just need a party or something to go to so we can show off our costumes.  There is a clue in the title of our post as to what we are dressing up as.  If you can guess correctly, I will be very impressed.