Roasted Butternut Squash with Brown Sugar and Toasted Pecans

I was in the mood for a nice fall dinner tonight and loved how it turned out. However, it was absolute chaos while making and eating it... I think at one point all three kids were crying at the same time. The worst is when you work really hard getting dinner made and then it doesn't even turn out. So, even though it was pretty crazy tonight, I was still pleasantly surprised that I didn't destroy it during the many interruptions. 

I never did get to take a picture of the whole meal finished. I found this AMAZING recipe for a Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onion from Inspired Taste. I will be making it again, and this dinner would be great for a Fall dinner party. The pork tenderloin is rubbed with dijon mustard and fresh thyme, served over sautéed apples and onion. It is full of flavor, and the pork tenderloin is so tender and delicious! I served it over a colorful multigrain rice, I like to buy the frozen bags of rice at Trader Joe's. They take three minutes to cook in the microwave and I never have to clean an extra pot. 

Along side the pork tenderloin I made this roasted butternut squash. It added beautiful color to the plate and the toasted pecans on top added a great flavor and texture. A bit of brown sugar created a sweet glaze that coated the squash. You can find the recipe for the squash below and follow the link above for the pork tenderloin recipe, you won't be disappointed!

Roasted Butternut Squash with Brown Sugar and Toasted Pecans

Ingredients:

-1 butternut squash, cubed

-2 tablespoons olive oil

-2 tablespoons brown sugar

-Salt and Pepper

-1/4 cup pecans, toasted and chopped

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Peel your butternut squash and slice it lengthwise down the center. Scoop out the seeds and strings. Cut the squash into 1/2" to 1" cubes. Place in a baking dish and toss with the olive oil and brown sugar. Season with salt and pepper. Place in the over for 30-35 minutes. Meanwhile, place your pecans in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until lightly toasted. Remove from heat and chop. When the butternut squash is done remove from the oven and add pecans. Toss well to cover the squash and pecans with the glaze that was created from the brown sugar. Serve warm.

Halloween Decor

My boys get really excited for Halloween, so I have fun decorating the house with them. Hudson loves when we bring out the Halloween bin! Each year we add a few new items to it. I have found great Halloween decorations at the dollar store, Target, thrift stores, and some are homemade. You can find more details below.

I decorated the entry table with cobwebs, old books, white pumpkins, and some other Halloween decor we've collected over the the last year. The Happy Halloween banner I made with my sister using burlap, stencils, black paint, black ribbon, and a glue gun. 

Banana Muffins

My boys love to bake with me and this is a recipe that we make together quite a bit. They love to mash the bananas, crack the eggs, and line the muffin tins with muffin liners. Sometimes we will even put dark chocolate chips in them, which makes them more like dessert than a snack or breakfast! I top them with oats and walnuts or you can find a yummy mascarpone cream frosting recipe here. The recipe comes from one of my favorites, Giada De Laurentiis. 

Turkey and Orzo Stuffed Peppers

Now that the weather is starting to cool off a bit, I am enjoying making some Fall and Winter meals again. This is a great dinner to make ahead of time and keep in the fridge until ready to bake. It is also a dinner that I will often make for friends in need of a meal. Once it is prepped it is easy to transfer to bake. The recipe makes quite a bit, so if you won't be eating all of it in one night, I will often freeze the stuffing. When you are ready to use, let it thaw, stuff some peppers, and bake as directed below.

Organizing the Laundry Room on a Budget

I have been working to get different spaces of the our new house more organized this last month. We have plans to eventually add custom cabinets and a sink in the laundry room to the left of the washer and dryer, but for now I just needed to get the space functional. I spend way too much time in there for it to be a mess. I used some affordable organizers to help, you can find the details below. 

1. Wall Shelving: Creates a safe holding place for cleaning supplies, fabric softener, bleach, lint rollers, and more that is out of reach of little hands.

2. Mason Jar: Having a designated place for collecting items from pockets before going in the wash keeps those small items from piling up and cluttering the space. The jar can be emptied as it fills.

3. Iron Hanger: Keeping your ironing board in place and the iron and cord tucked away makes the space much tidier. 

4. Broom Holder: Holds mops, brooms, broom pans, and dusters in place. Keeps them from falling all over and also makes them much easier to grab when needed.

5. Glass Jars: I love the look of detergents stored in large glass jars. You can also get creative with creating a cute label for the jar. I used a vinyl chalkboard label. 

6. Small Basket or Tin: To hold fabric sheets.

7. Cabinet: Hidden storage is great for hiding away smaller items in the drawer and larger below. I store two laundry baskets stacked in the cabinet. Great for grabbing when I am unloading the dryer.

8. Hamper: It is nice to have a place to toss dirty clothes and rags, instead of on the floor.

9. Light: Letting in some natural light by opening blinds can really make the space feel cleaner and brighter.

10. Inspirational Verses or Quotes: There is something to having a bible verse or favorite quote written out and in front of you to read on a daily basis. Especially when it is in a space where you spend a lot of time. Decorate your walls with something that will encourage and inspire you throughout your day!

For those of you who are interested, I thought I would include a before and after picture of the laundry room when we bought the house to now. 

Even though we haven't finished the space exactly how we want it to be...it has come a very long way! We completely demoed what was already in place, including some walls! Put up new drywall, flat textured walls, new paint, new windows, new lighting, and new flooring. 

Kids Command Center

Since moving into our new house, one of the things I knew I needed to create was a command center for the kids. My oldest thrives on a structured routine with lots of positive reinforcements. If I don't have a space to organize all of that it becomes much harder for me to create that kind of environment for him. We use this space for behavior charts, chores, a weekly calendar, other school calendars, the kids art work, and also a space for the boys to "cool off". The space it mostly used for Hudson, who is five, but as Max and Piper get older we can incorporate more for them as well. You can find more details about the space and how I created it below.

DIY Sign with Reclaimed Wood

I have been making quite a few Halloween crafts this week, and this one could be customized for any holiday or just as a year round sign to display in your home. My in-laws brought me a whole bunch of reclaimed wood that they found, and I love the white washed boards that I used for this project. I was actually able to make this sign using all items I already had at home. Here is what you'll need:

-A piece of reclaimed wood, size will depend on what you plan to put on it

-Paint, I used a Folk Art black acrylic paint

-Stencil or cut your own using silhouette machine and cardstock

-Sponge brush

-Tape

-Sandpaper

10 Fun Things to do with your Kids for Halloween!

Here are 10 fun activities and crafts that you can do with and for your kids to celebrate Halloween!

Homemade Liquid Water Color Paint for Kids

I don't know about all of you, but we tend to go through our markers really fast. Either they dry out from all the coloring or lids get left off. Usually they get thrown in the trash, but here is a way to recycle and reuse them for a fun new craft! 

My boys have been really into painting lately, so this was perfect free craft to do with them. There are also a couple different ways you can use the paints. 

7 Layer Dip

A classic recipe that always gets eaten up at parties, 7-Layer Dip! I made this for a 4th of July Party the other night and thought I would share the recipe. You can also find recipes below for the homemade guacamole and salsa that I used in the layer dip.

Summer Orzo Salad

Ingredients:
- 1 lb orzo pasta
- 4 carrots, grated
- 2 small cucumbers, chopped
- 1 can of garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 3.5 oz crumbled feta cheese
- 2 avocados, diced

Directions:
Cook the orzo according to the package directions. Drain and let cool. Toss the grated carrots, cucumbers, beans, onion, cilantro, and parsley in a large bowl with the orzo pasta. Pour the dressing over and toss. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours or overnight. Before serving toss the avocado and feta into the pasta salad. 

Dressing:
1/2 cup olive oil
3 lemons, juiced
1 lime, juiced
2 garlic cloves, diced
Salt and pepper 

Directions:
Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and whisk together.

Recipe slightly modified from My Colombian Recipes.

DIY Car Seat Cooler with FREE Pattern

I am not sure what we would do in the Arizona summers without the kid's car seat coolers! There would probably be a lot more whining and complaining when we got into the car. Instead they ooh and ahh over their nice cold car seats! I used to sell the pattern for these in my Etsy Shop, but I decided to post it here to share with all of you! It takes just a few supplies, basic sewing skills, and a sewing machine.

DIY Bath Toy Tub

 

My boys love playing with lots of small plastic toys in the bathtub, and lately they've had a lot of fun playing in their sinks. The toys are usually left all over the bathroom, and our growing collection no longer fits into the container I once had for them. So I thought I would make them a new home. I used a large plastic tub that was once filled with animal crackers from Costco, a rubber ducky, yellow spray paint, and some chalkboard vinyl. You can follow the steps below to make your own. 

You will need:

-Large plastic tub with lid

-Rubber Ducky or other toy to attach to the lid

-Glue

-Spray Paint

-Chalkboard Vinyl or chalkboard spray paint 

1. Glue the toy to the lid and let dry.

2. Spray paint the lid and the toy. You will probably need to do 2-3 coats to fully cover the toy.
3. While the lid and toy are drying drill a hole or a few holes in the bottom of the tub to help water drain.

4. Cut the chalkboard vinyl to cover the old label of the plastic tub. I cut two labels using my silhouette machine to cover an old label on the front and the back. You could also cut the vinyl with scissors. Or if you are using chalkboard spray paint, follow along here.

5. Once your chalkboard label is on, fill the tub with toys and place on the lid!

Kitchen Inspiration

We have been in our house for over a month now and it has been nice to feel a little more settled. However, there are still so many projects that need to be finished and begun! When I am feeling overwhelmed by all that needs to be done still, I try and remember where we started! We've come a long way! You can see some before pictures HERE. I am excited to post some up to date pictures, but still want to get some projects finished up before that. So I thought I would post some pictures that have, and still are inspiring our kitchen remodel.

Photo Above:

1.White Open Shelving via Decor Pad

2. Industrial Style Kitchen Cart Via Pinterest

3. Milk Glass Pendant via Restoration Hardware

4. Farmhouse Sink via Ikea

5. Bare Bulb Pendant via Restoration Hardware 

6. Kid's Art Display with Ikea Curtain Wires via Pinterest

7. Brass Hardware Bin Label via Wayfair

8. White Carrera Marble Countertops

9. Chrome Latch Hardware via Restoration Hardware

10. White Shaker Cabinets with Grey Island via Pinterest

1. Elton Settee via West Elm

2. Concrete Top Kitchen Table via Restoration Hardware

3. Drum Light via West Elm

4. Metal Tub Chairs via World Market

5. Jasper Rug in Aqua via Crate and Barrel

Vegan Cashew Dill Dip

 

This is a great healthy alternative to a store bought dip. It is easy to throw together and is made with fresh healthy ingredients. One recipe makes about 1 to 1 1/2 cups so you can keep some on hand in the fridge to snack on. Great with fresh veggie or pita chips.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw unroasted, unsalted cashews
• grapeseed oil (about 1/4 cup or less)
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 small lemon, juiced
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh dill or 2 teaspoons dried dill weed
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup cold water

Pulse cashews in the food processor. While pulsing stream in the grapeseed oil. Pulse until smooth, about 1 minute. Next dissolve the sea salt in the warm water. Pour into the food processor and pulse to combine. Now add the rest of your ingredients to the food processor and pulse to combine. You can add more water to thin the dip. Place in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving. The dip will thicken more as it chills. Use within a couple weeks or freeze.

*Recipe modified from The Healthy Cooking Coach

Carley's Colorful Book Themed Baby Shower

This last weekend we celebrated my sister-in-law and baby Raelynn with this colorful book themed baby shower. Carley loves to read, and this is their first baby so a book theme seemed perfect. The colors that Carley chose for the nursery are very fun and colorful, so we were able to incorporate those with the shower as well. You can find more details about the shower below.

Diaper cake tutorial HERE.
Free chalkboard reading quote print HERE.

Free Jane Austen reading print HERE.

Felt balls were purchased on Etsy from Hand Made Only.

I then strung the 2cm sized balls onto twine using a large needle.

Fresh gerber daisy flowers were placed in jars on each table. We found gently used children's books at thrift stores to use as centerpieces. 

We used baby links as napkin rings, that were then gifted to the Mommy-to-be. 

B. Hug Links

The napkins and table runners were made with very fun fabrics. Simply cut to squares and large strips and the edges sewn with a serger. 3 yards made 3 table runners and 2 yards made about 24 napkins with some extra scraps leftover.

Fabric from Fabric Bubb. 

Make your own tissue poms to add some color to the shower!

Tutorial HERE.

Yogurt Parfaits served with fresh fruit and granola.

If you look closely there is a tiny baby frozen in that ice cube. Fun baby shower game... Freeze tiny babies (found at craft store) in ice cubes. Give each guest one as they arrive. The first guest that gets their baby out of the ice cube must yell "My water broke!" and wins the game. 

As prizes for the winners of each game we gave them each one of the Mommy-to-be's favorite books.

Each book was also wrapped with a colorful headband made of jersey knit fabric. Tutorial for headband HERE.

We served Chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate covered bacon as dessert for a morning brunch style shower.

We used striped paper straws, twine, and washi tape to make the pendant banner with baby Raelynn's name on it. 

We also used fun colored washi tape to create quick and easy straw flags that were labeled with each guest's name.

We put Rochelle to work doing all the writing! She has beautiful penmanship and we had her address all the invitations,  write on drink flags, food labels, and anything else that required pretty writing!

As guests arrived we took their picture with the Mommy-to-be to place in a photo album for her to remember the special day. 

Served orange juice, mimosas, and cucumber mint water.

Fabric garland using a variety of colors and prints looks so cute! Carley will also be using it as a decoration in baby Raelynn's nursery.  

Served several kinds of quiche and breakfasts braids.

Presented Carley with a letter written to her and baby Raelynn from Matt (Daddy-to-be). 

As party favors for each guest as they left we made bookmarks with a reading quote by Jane Austen, along with a tea bag.

Download the free bookmark files in different colors HERE and HERE.

It was a very special morning with lots of love for Carley and Baby Raelynn!