This Week Around Our House

I’ve been at home sick most of this week while the kids and Bill have had a busy week. As most of us know, life doesn't stop just because Momma gets sick. Actually, it’s been somewhat of a blessing because I’ve enjoyed my “down time” at home, trying out new recipes and catching up on my readings. I should make more time for lazy days at home, even when I’m not sick. 

So, big news, Sienna lost her other front tooth last night and I think she looks so cute with those holes in her smile. I asked her why she keeps losing teeth, expecting her to say it’s because she’s growing up, instead she said she wants her money from the tooth fairy. Then I asked her to make the “th” sound and she started giggling. Yep, still the heart of a kid with the brains of an adult. 

It’s “School Spirit” week at Sienna’s school - they are having “spirit” assemblies, rallies and parades all week long - and today the school was encouraging the kids to wear their favorite college team’s jersey. Can you guess what initials Sienna was sporting to school today? I’ll give you a hint…starts with U, ends with an SC.

It was also picture day at school for Grant. Aren’t they just too cute (even when I have them facing the sun and they're making their squinty faces)?!

In other news, for a couple of years we’ve been talking about creating a mission statement for our family and the topic has come up again lately. Bill’s favorite word right now is “deliberate.” In the past, I’ve been discouraged because Sargento already took the motto I wanted to pick.

I haven’t figured out our exact mission statement yet but I know it’ll go something along these lines: Follow God’s will for our lives, have a servant heart towards others, and eat a lot of cheese and chocolate. I can’t think of what else is missing?!  

In all honesty, I want my mission statement to capture some of the thoughts and feelings conveyed here. Obviously a more eloquent writer than myself (maybe one day?!), she brought me to tears and nailed exactly how I feel about our life, my kiddos and our relationship. 

My question to you is, have you created a mission statement for yourself or your family?

Fallin' For Pumpkins

It’s officially the first day of fall. Which is good news because I’m already in full fall mode. Pumpkin and scarecrow decorations are out. I’ve stocked up on my canned pumpkin puree. And everything from breakfast to hand soap is inspired by pumpkin scents and flavors.

If you’re in the market, here are my top five favorite pumpkin treats:

1)    Pumpkin Caramel Latte antibacterial hand soap from Bath and Body Works (pair with #2)

2)    World Market Pumpkin Spice hand lotion from Cost Plus World Market (try to resist the temptation to lick your hands after you put this lotion on…yes, it smells that good.)

3)    Stinky Fingers Bakeries Pumpkin Spice scone mix (I make mine with chocolate chips, of course)

4)    World Market Pumpkin Spice coffee (pair with #5)

5)    Coffee-mate Pumpkin Spice coffee creamer

Geesh, I should be getting paid for these endorsements! ;) 

Speaking of endorsements, did I mention that the Scentsy Scent of the Month is Pumpkin Marshmallow? Yum! 

And recipes, recipes, recipes!  There are so many delicious pumpkin-inspired recipes but these are my two favorites. I dust these recipes off every October and get cookin’.  Give ‘em a try and let me know what you think.

Pasta with Creamy Pumpkin Sauce

(Kraftrecipes.com)

Ingredients

1 pkg. (16 oz.) penne pasta

1 pkg.  (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, cubed

1/2 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

1/2 cup  (1 stick) butter or margarine

1/2 cup milk

1 cup  canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling)

1/2 tsp. ground red pepper (cayenne)

 Ground nutmeg to taste

COOK pasta as directed on package. Meanwhile, cook cream cheese, Parmesan, butter and milk in large saucepan on low heat until cream cheese is melted, stirring frequently. Add pumpkin and seasonings; stir. Cook until heated through, stirring occasionally.

Drain pasta; place in large bowl. Add cream cheese sauce; toss to coat.

** Can also add 2 cups sliced zucchini to the boiling water the last 3 min. of the pasta cooking time.  I always do.

****Click here for Rachael Ray’s version. I always mean to try this recipe but then I kinda fall into the comfort of a recipe I already know. Maybe this year. And, speaking of RR, I’d also recommend picking up her magazine this month, there are lots of fun ideas for Halloween. She loves fall, too!

Pumpkin Dip

(This was posted on Facebook by a friend a few years ago…thanks, Melanie B.)

Ingredients

15 oz. canned pumpkin

8 oz. cream cheese

3 oz. box of vanilla pudding

8 oz. Cool Whip

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

MIX the above. You’re done! Yep, that easy!

Eat dip using graham crackers, gingerbread cookies (my personal favorite..tee hee), bananas, marshmallows, strawberries, Nilla wafers, apple slices, etc. This makes a ton, so it’s best to make for a group (unless you’re a piggy like me).

Happy Harvest! 

Super Six

This week Sienna turns six years old! Six doesn’t seem to convey her independence, smarts, and spirit. She must be six going on sixteen, or beyond. Not surprising, she’s hitting new milestones weekly. Last week she went to her first school dance (a fundraiser event held during school hours) and her recap was, “it was really loud and there was a rock star named Michael Jackson.” (My goodness, he's alive! But, keep him away from the children!) This past weekend she lost her fifth tooth, leaving her smile with a big hole in the front. I have a feeling she’ll be singing “All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth” by December. As cute as she is, she’s – still – equally stubborn. And she's very, very cute. It’s fun to watch the “battle of the wills” between Bill and Sienna. I don’t even try, I already know she can out “will” me with her stubbornness. Mostly, I try to reason with her…and even more likely, I rely heavily on bribing her. If I had to pick one word to describe her, it would be “strong.” (Just like her Daddy) 

One step closer to taking over the world.

I know six will usher in a new set of challenges, milestones and wonderful memories. I can’t wait! I enjoy watching her spread her wings and fly, still, there is a part of my that can't help but to think of these lyrics with some sadness and longing for how quickly the time goes. Every day is a fresh vow to cherish every minute. And a reminder to pick my battles. 

“Slipping through my fingers all the time
I try to capture every minute
The feeling in it
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Do I really see whats in her mind
Each time I think I'm close to knowing
She keeps on growing
Slipping through my fingers all the time”

- ABBA “Slipping Through My Fingers”

 Happy 6th Birthday Sienna!

30 Years Ago Today

You've come a long way, baby....