10/28 Week(s) in Review

It's been a minute since I did a week in review so there's a lot here. :)

Cooler weather (to me) means one thing.   SOUP!!

This week I had a massive craving for Chili and cornbread.  My chili is packed full of veggies (as you can see in the picture) and is super filling.  The cornbread needed a little dressing-up so I mixed in some rosemary and black pepper.  The Owl is dried rosemary (I used a cookie cutter for the shape) and the branch is a sprig of boxwood basil.  So good. 

Cooler Weather also means NESTING.  

My bedroom has been a work in progress all summer.  I have been trying to re-do the theme and make it more beachy.  Not beachy in the 'sea life and fish everywhere' sort of way.  I prefer more muted blues, greens, and grays with natural accents.  I have a massive barnacle and a jar full of shells sitting around.  My bed, however, has just been 'meh'.  I have been searching for a quilt that doesn't completely offend my eyes but to no avail.  I did however find that striped (and SUPER FUZZY) blanket at Home Goods for $16.   It's Cynthia Rowley and looks fantastic.  The lighter blue ruffled blanket is from Meijer (Katie Brown Workshop line) a year or two ago.  I think it came together quite nicely.  What you can't see is the other layers of blankets and my electric blanket hiding on there.  It's actually QUITE warm and snuggly now.  EXCELLENT!

I have been trying to make the most of my 'harvest' and produce.  The 'fall harvest' picture is all the goodies I snatched off my balcony before the frost got them.   We have:: green tomatoes (they were fab in my chili), mint, and boxwood basil.   The jars are my very first attempt at sauerkraut coming along nicely.  :)  I get to test that tomorrow!

I have also been crafting and trying to make bath and beauty items "on the cheap".  Here are the bath salts and lip balm I made this week.  The bath salts are eucalyptus-mint scented with dried mint and lavender buds.  It will make for a fabulous bath when my sinuses start acting up.  The punk really enjoyed her bath in them too.  She was very amused that they turn the water a light turquoise shade. :)   The lip balm doesn't smell great but HOLY COW!  It moisturizes like whoa!  It is beeswax, coconut oil and olive oil.  I added a splash of peppermint and was afraid of overdoing it -- it doesn't even smell at all.  Oops!

My sisters, nieces and I all had a fantastic time the past two weekends soaking up all the fall activities.  We went to a haunted greenhouse and also a farm that has all manner of fall activities.  I think their favorite was the massive corn box.  (like a sand box, but full of feed corn)  It was kiddie paradise. 

My Mom, Punk, Arianne and Myself all went to a Pumpkin farm and got pumpkins to carve.  I must say they look fabulous.  Punk did the top right and bottom middle.  She also decided to carve her pinkie and ring fingers as well.  (No worries -- she is healing nicely and a lesson was learned -- Don't give the Punk a real knife, give her the pumpkin saw)  My bad!

Here is my Pumpkin carved with the help of my Hello Kitty pumpkin carving kit.  I freaking love it!

He had some birthday this week:::

Punk turned 8.

Bella turned 9 (or 10)

Nygel turned 8 (or 9)

Punk with her Birthday Starbucks.

(Shaken, Sweetened Passion Tea)

We had a Ppppp-Party at my house for her.  We had Pizza, Popcorn, Pudding, Pumpkin Cheesecake and Potter (Harry Potter) -- the next morning we had Pancakes with Pecan syrup.  :)

She has been ALL ABOUT Harry Potter recently.  She is reading the books and PLOWING through them -- about one a week.  I happen to have all the movies, so the game plan is:::  she finishes the book and we watch the move that weekend.  She likes to talk through it and tell me what's different.   

Whatevs. 

We then had a SURPRISE! party for her at her Mom's.  I was 'in' on the surprise and kept her occupied until her arrival.  She had NO IDEA!  It was fantastic.   MY present to her?  That purple guitar you see above (my mom and I bought it for her).  I also got her fish and glow in the dark pebbles for her aquarium.  She also got a notebook to write her songs in, her favorite chocolate bars, and some awesome knee high socks because I'm the best freaking aunt ever.   

My mom got her some nice boots from DSW.  My sisters got her some games (two of which were Harry Potter -- she may have squealed), a really pretty quilled butterfly, earbuds, press-on nails, a One Direction movie, and a Monster High Barbie.

I'd say the little Punk made out quite nicely. :)

She was convinced we weren't having a party at all... so when I was stalling before her big surprise, I asked if she had enjoyed her birthday weekend.  Her answer?  "Yes! I like my fish and my boots, but what I liked most of all was spending time with everyone"

*heart melted*

Bella's birthday was more low-key.  She got mutt meatballs, a sweater I crocheted for her, and lots of snuggles.  (I'm convinced the meatballs were a bigger hit than the snuggles)

Mean dogs. 

:)

S&S,

Shannon

10/14 Week in Review

Good Morning!

This week has been kind of crazy.  There's been a lot going on within my family, so I've been very busy with them.  In my 'down time' at home I've been canning and cooking up a storm.  Here is a picture of just SOME of my canning efforts.  I am sure there will be more to come.  

My mother, my niece and I went apple picking last weekend and I have about 30 lbs of apples to use up. However, in my tiny little apartment space is ever at a prime.  30 lbs of apples must be stored SOMEHOW. So, I have two large bowls overflowing with apples.  One is on my counter for grabbing and snacking.  One is in my fridge for long term storage.  Also, BOTH of my crisper drawers are STUFFED with apples.  

**Hi Nygel**

I also discovered a new food that I absolutely adore.  Delicata Squash.  It's super easy to prepare and you can even eat the skin!  If you like acorn squash and other fall/winter squash varieties... give Delicata a try.  

Roasted Delicata and Potatoes

I simply roasted one delicata squash with 4 red potatoes in a baking dish.  I tossed them with coconut oil, salt, pepper, and rosemary.  I baked at 375 degrees until tender (about 30 minutes).  So good. 

Eggs in Purgatory

To go with my roasted veggies, I made Eggs in Purgatory.  Dump one bottle of tomato sauce into an oven-safe skillet.  (I used my homemade spaghetti sauce and my cast-iron skillet)  Create little wells in the sauce, crack eggs into the wells and bake along with the veggies.  Keep an eye on the eggs and cook to your desired doneness. 

Such a delicious and filling meal

Here is my finished meal.  Super easy and SO GOOD!

I have also been a Pinterest fiend lately.  I found a pin that was way too easy NOT to try.  Essentially it was a low-fuss way to make homemade caramel.  All you need is a crock pot and a can of sweetened condensed milk.  

Can in Water Bath

Here is my can of sweetened condensed milk all covered with water and ready to go.  Turn your crock pot on low, put the lid on, and leave it for 8 hours.  (I did this overnight and it was in for about 10 hours -- it still worked wonderfully) After it's been cooked -- pull it out and refrigerate for AT LEAST 2 hours. 

Caramel

Here is the end result. A dippable, creamy, Dulche de Leche that is PERFECT for dipping apples. 

This was dinner one night.  Apples, Caramel dip, and cheddar cheese.  Again, so easy but SO GOOD!

Saturday Morning I got up early to go get a haircut.  (Don't judge me, this was 7:30 on a Saturday morning -- I normally don't see anything before 9am on saturdays)  ;)  I ended up not being able to get a haircut because of a scheduling issue.  The salon's customer service was ON IT.  I drove across the street to console myself with some starbucks and retail-therapy (Target style) and before I'd even parked my car they had called offering me a free haircut for my inconvenience.  Holla!

Retail Therapy in action.  That right there is Happiness in my cart.   Starburst Candy Corn, Hello Kitty Carving Kit, and a Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte.  HEAVEN!

(PS - I'm 28 and love Hello Kitty.  You're going to have to accept that)

I also picked up this fabulous Cynthia Rowley blanket from Home Goods this weekend.  It is super soft and fuzzy.  It mixes well with the colors in my bedroom (neutrals, whites, and beachy colors -- sea glass hues, and muted blues/greys)  Bella Approves.  

S&S, 

Shannon

9/30 Week in Review

I feel like this week I have been in major 'nesting' mode.  Not for any particular reason, but I do find that Fall is a season where I am focused on making my home as inviting and cozy as possible.  As a recent Game of Thrones fanatic, I find the 'Winter is Coming' line very comical.  I keep reciting it in my head.   Perhaps I'm a descendant of the Starks.  No, strike that, they drop like flies.  I'd rather be a Kahleesi, but I digress. 

I've been very crafty the past week. Punk and I sat down (and with some help from Pinterest) decided what to make in the coming weeks::

- Homemade Vanilla Extract

- A Homemade Candle

- Homemade Soap

- Homemade Bath Salts

What else?  I'm drawing a blank.  Perhaps a book?  A warm snuggly blanket?

Here are two of the items.  The candle is a soy based candle, scented with lavender and vanilla and with a wood wick -- FANCY!  The soap is a shea butter base with orange, lavender, and rosemary added. 

I have also been very focused on creating inviting spaces that call to each of my animals.  My dogs are lazy little lap dogs, so I decided to make them dog beds.   I found some AMAZING (and cheap!) sweaters at a local thrift store and busted out my Singer.  Here is a picture of Bella in her sweater bed.   Nygel's sweater is a tighter weave so I can't just use a plastic needle and yarn to pull it all together - plus, I need more stuffing.  He is waiting patiently for his. :)  

She thinks her bed is DELICIOUSLY warm. (Note the tongue)

Myrrh is 100% kitten.  He's also 300% scaredy cat.  (Which I love him for) so I created a space for him to hide and play.  I wanted to get him a cat tree but honestly, $100+ wasn't going to happen.  I was on Pinterest looking for a DIY cat furniture post and found a picture (NO INSTRUCTIONS -- DANG YOU PINTEREST!!!) of a ladder turned into a cat tree. I posted on Facebook asking for an old ladder - because I'm cheap.  My grandmother had one in her basement.  He enjoys watching the birds and squirrels from my window so I placed it in front of the sliding glass door to the balcony. 

As you can see, I added a crate with a homemade cushion and blanket for him to 'nest' in.  I also used (no joke) 10 skeins of yarn woven in a figure 8 fashion to create a little hammock for him to lay in as well.   Next up: painting the ladder.   (I kind of like it as-is though).  I also intend to tie some toys to it and devise a way to hang a mason jar with some cat grass/cat nip growing in it.   Thoughts?

Also -- I live to torture my animals.  Really though, he was tearing me up with his claws.  I was told (through much uproar on my Facebook page) that my plan to have him declawed was inhumane.  As a vegetarian, I am a HUGE animals rights supporter.  However, it's been so long since I've had a kitten, I had NO IDEA!  My last cat died recently at the much-loved age of 16. So, I was 12 when I got/found her and I saved money from my first job to spay and declaw her.  I didn't know!

Anyway.... those yellow things on his paws?  They're nail caps that protect my legs (the dogs, my furniture, my walls, my face, my legs - again) from his 'playing'.

Speaking of Nails -- did you know that KISS makes an ombre nail kit?  Super easy! (If  I can do it - ANYONE can!)  It looks really pretty too.  This is the Film Noir color. 

**Please ignore my dry cuticles!**

Also - yay FORD!

Just last night the Punk and I painted pumpkins.  We went to a local farm market for their local Fall Festival.  There were super cute painted pumpkins for sale there (which of course the Punk wanted to buy) but they were kind of pricey -- at $7-$10 a piece.  These little pumpkins cost me $3 for the pair and I have a basket full of acrylic paints already.  So -- we have totally unique (and might I say, AWESOME!) painted pumpkins for $3.

**Side note:  when YOUR Punk chooses a pumpkin, have them carry it by the base, NOT the stem.  Otherwise, you'll find yourself arguing with a pre-tween about whether or not the stem will just "stick back on".  And yes, I caved and tried to glue it on with Epoxy.  It was still wet and non-stuck this morning.  We're holding out hope**

And Lastly, This Quote is one that I found this past week that really resonated with me.  I hope it does you as well.  

S&S,

Shannon