Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from this little monster!

 



Let's play dress-up!

I love me some Halloween.  Not so much the goth and gore side of it, rather the costumes and candy.  Sadly though, I have not dressed up since college.  Well now with the little man here, I am ready to bring back Halloween!
 

We are hosting a costume party tomorrow night, and I am SO excited.  Some of our friends were a little hesitant about dressing up, but now it has turned into an all-out competition.  Rumor has it, people are bringing it.

So of course I want us to have the best costume.  I’m all about a cleverly themed costume.  We went back and forth.  My idea {which I still think is SO good} was to go as Pat the Bunny.

 

I read this to G all the time and thought it would be hysterical for B to go as Paul, me as Judy and G as the bunny.  Funny, right?  B did not think so.  He had to ask me what Pat the Bunny was {hello, do you read to our son?}.

So, his big idea?  Eastbound and Down.

He would go as Kenny Powers, I as April and G as Toby.  Somewhat funny, yes, but I was still not convinced.  Thankfully B came through and came up with an idea we both agreed upon!  I think it will be perfect except for one slight issue.  Since we waited so long to decide on our theme, I didn’t order G’s costume until Sunday.  Tracking says it won’t arrive until 8pm Wednesday!  Looks like G might be having a wardrobe change halfway through the party.  Here’s hoping it gets here in time!

 

Still not sure what you’re going as?  Check out these clever ideas. I just love them and love that they are totally doable from stuff you already own.  Don't you just love waiting to the last minute?

Scenes from the weekend...

This weekend was just what I needed.  I know we are all busy, but lately our little family has literally been going non-stop.  I was counting down to this weekend like it was Christmas.  This was the first weekend in a long time that we were in town, not working and no one visiting.  It was absolutely perfect.  I feel like I finally caught my breath!

 

Kicked things off Friday night hosting a fun and festive couples baby showering honoring our sweet friends and the upcoming arrival of Baby T {cakepopped for the occasion!}.  G was excited because that meant a slumber party with some of his best buds {let me tell you how much I love sharing sitters!}.  The party was amazing, but honestly, the highlight of my night?  Afterwards, sitting in my pajamas on my couch sipping on some wine and catching up with B.  It had been one of those weeks, and our late night veg was just what I so desperately craved.  Got some much needed sleep Saturday morning, and then it was off to the Artisan Fair in Edgehill Village.  Talk about some talent.  I had to keep my wallet zipped shut.  There was so much I wanted!  Met up at Taco Mamacita with some dear friends from Monroe in visiting, and that tortilla soup may have just been the highlight of my weekend.  Home for a quick nap {G and I both!} and then off to Trunk of Treat at the church.  B and I were on inflatables duty.  Wow those big kids can be crazy.  Decided to sleep in Sunday and be lazy {I live for a lazy Sunday!}.  Worked on cleaning up the house and last minute touches for our Halloween party Wednesday.  A quick run to Party City and our costume is complete.  We finally picked one! J  Stay tuned to find out…

 

 

 

 

 

Red rover, red rover...

Let absolute cuteness come over!

 

Oh my goodness, look what came in the mail yesterday.

 

 

Is that not the cutest shirt you have ever seen??

 

My little turkey is ready for Thanksgiving and will look simply precious thanks to

Red Rover Kids.

 

My fabulous and oh so talented friend Beth has been crafting, creating and sewing for years.  She’s one of those super talented people you just love to hate {you should see her house!}.  After making so many of her son’s outfits {and getting so many compliments!}, she and a friend decided to go into business.  And thus, Red Rover Kids was created.  I am so proud of Beth and beyond impressed with their creations {I already have them working on a custom shirt for G’s first birthday party}.  Check out some of their work and feel free to place an order here.

 

 

Also, rumor has it Christmas appliques are in the works. Oh I cannot wait!

 

Comfort Food

I love that it has reached 82 degrees twice this week, but really??  It’s almost November.  I’m ready for the cold {which I guess I better be since it’s getting down to 30 something this weekend}. 

So, I’m willing it here with some yummy cold weather, comfort food.  Check out these quick and easy {and super yummy!} recipes.

 Tomato Basil Soup with Cheesy Quinoa Bites

 

Tomato Basil Soup

·         32 ounces Trader Joe’s Organic Tomato &Roasted Red Pepper Soup

·         4 ounces mascarpone cheese

·         4 tablespoons pesto

 

 Heat soup and add cheese and pesto until melted.

 

Cheesy Quinoa Bites {as adapted from Iowa Girl Eats}

• 2 cups cooked quinoa (about 3/4 cup uncooked)
• 2 eggs
• 2 egg whites
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix to combine. Liberally spray a mini muffin tin with non-stick spray and spoon mixture to the top of each cup. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges of the cups are golden brown. Let cool for at least 5 minutes in the tin before eating.

M-I-Z-Z-O-U!

Forgive my absence!  After an incredible whirlwind trip to Missouri, we made it back with the flu bug.  It hit everyone that reunited in CoMo and went back to St. Louis and Nashville. L  B and I both were hit, but amazingly enough, G survived without getting it.  He was the only one!

 

So, finally I can share pics from our amazing weekend.  We ventured off to Missouri to introduce to G to all  my besties from Mizzou.  Lots of laughter, reminiscing and catching up!  Got in late Friday night and were up and bright and early Saturday morning to take in breakfast and strolling the campus.  So much has changed!  The J-School is completely different and proud to say of my alma mater, still remains the best of its kind.  I was so sentimental strolling the campus thinking of all the people who mentored me and taught me so much.  I am beyond grateful for my education. After picking up some MU swag at the Bookstore we dropped the babes off {G LOVED his new babysitters…thank you Miss Tina and Miss Mia!} and headed to tailgate {needed a few brews to prepare for the beating we were about to face}.  Luckily we made it into the game and were able to enjoy the kickoff, but not shortly after the rainstorm began {and did not quit!}.  Ponchos and all, we packed up and headed to our old stomping ground.  Although our Tigers got killed, it was still so fun to be back cheering on MU football {not a lot of that happening here in Nashville!}.  Oh the times they have a changed as we called it a night fairly early.  Had another big day ahead of us Sunday.  Ventured out to the Manda’s farm, and let me just say Builder and Whit have done an unbelievable job!  I want to move to their farm.  We packed all the kiddos up and went down the road for the Pumpkin Festival.  My kind of place!  Fried Oreos, pumpkin funnel cakes, tornado taters {G inhaled it!}.  I love a good festival!  Another rainstorm ensued, and we ran for the cars.  Back to the farm for some drying off, BBQ and more pumpkin treats, and then G and I had to hit the road.  B flew out that morning for a business trip to Miami {my kind of work}, so it was just the little man and me roadtripping for seven hours.  I was a little nervous, but he could not have been more perfect!  We sang and laughed together, and it really was sweet time, just the two of us.  Plus he napped quite a bit!  The little guy was worn out from playing so hard with all his new friends!  It brought me such joy to watch him so happy and getting to meet so many people that are so special to me.  Many thanks to the Manda clan for hosting us all and cannot wait to do it again soon!  Best. weekend. ever.

 

**Warning, picture overload {I just love all the expressions!}.