Roasted butternut squash

Hello Friends!

Welcome to another week!  I hope you all had a lovely weekend.  Here in New England fall has definitely arrived.  There is a chill in the air that we have been waiting for!
Yay for sweater weather!
And the trees are just starting to turn color.  We have a little ways to go, but it’s starting to look very pretty!  Everyday the colors get more and more vibrant!

Unfortunately,  I spent the better part of Saturday switching cell phone providers and buying a new phone.  I think I was at the place for 2 hours and then spent the next 2+ hours at home trying to set up my phone.  The biggest mistake I made was not having passwords written down!  UGH! I will never make that mistake again. Buying a new car would have been an easier and less painful process!  John was with me the whole time and was an absolute trooper for sticking it out.  Of course he made out in deal because he got my old phone. I got a third line free in my new plan, so lucky him!

I’m happy to say that I’m finally up and running  AND I got to keep my same phone number so thank goodness for that!  #gratful

Anywoo….. after all that phone stress on Saturday I needed some TLC on Sunday. I stayed in bed for 2 hours and watched another Hallmark movie. I know, I’m totally obsessed! 

This was a fall inspired one, which was pretty much just like the Christmas ones I love, except it’s fall.  Yes, I loved it! It was called Campfire Kiss.  Try to find it on Demand if you are looking for a cozy fall movie!  After that I made a big dinner for us and on the side I served roasted butternut squash.  I posted this picture on Instagram yesterday and a few of you asked me how I do it, so I thought I would do a quick post on it. 

It’s really easy!  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with foil. 

Cut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.

Place them face up and drizzle with olive oil. I season mine with salt & pepper and a sprinkle of garlic powder.

Now flip them over and drizzle the skin with a little more olive oil.  This will help keep the skin tender so it’s easier to scoop out the squash later : )

With the squash still facing down, cover the baking sheet with foil (tent style)

Roast for 1 hour.

Scoop the squash out of the skins and into a bowl.  I add butter and cinnamon to taste.  Blend it all together with an electric mixer until smooth.  

Enjoy! 

The best part about roasting squash is it smells so good!  Also, it’s a great excuse to put the oven on when it’s a bit chilly.  Your kitchen will be warm and cozy and smell like a holiday.  

How can you go wrong?!

I hope you all are getting off to a great start this week. 

Happy Monday!  

PS - please remember to keep a record of your passwords....just saying. Don't say I didn't warn you! xo 

She's smiling because she never had to deal with cell phone issues....:) 

Weekly wrap up

Hello Everyone! Happy Friday!  I'm so relieved we've made it to the end of another week.  I don't know about you, but I just couldn't catch up with myself this week.  It seemed like one big rush.  I'm looking forward to doing a whole lot of nothing this weekend.  Wait, I take that back.  I'm looking forward to watching a fall movie on the Hallmark channel, drinking pumpkin spice coffee, and hopefully taking a nice long nap.  I'm determined to get some rest and be more productive next week!  Hey, life happens and this is the way it is sometimes, right?

Anyhoo, here is a little peek into the past week.... 

 We attended a family wedding on Saturday in Portland, Maine. 

It was a gorgeous day! 

Before the ceremony we met family at the hotel they were staying at and had a drink in the lounge.  It overlooked the city. 

Nice view! 

I had a prosecco to celebrate the occasion! Cheers! 

The beautiful couple! Rob's cousin Laura and her new husband Dave!

Congratulations! ~ 

After the outdoor ceremony (here at that lighthouse) we boarded a trolley and headed to a restaurant for the reception.  

We had a great time! 

Rob and I really need to work on our selfie game.  

We are pretty bad at this! LOL 

This was my first time in Portland.  I instantly fell in love with its quaint charm. 

I would love to go back one day and spend more time exploring!  

Getting back to real life on Monday.  I needed a boost so I took myself out to lunch! 

(the flatbread pizza at Starbucks is delicious and only $5...just sayin'...) 

I currently loving this rosewater facial spray from Mario Badescu! I use it as a setting spray after I do my makeup.  I love the smell and it's so refreshing on my skin! 

#highlyrecommend 

This.  Just because it's amazing! 

John is in the throws of 6th grade math.  Lord. have. mercy. 

And the best part of my week was the realization that we'll be in Disney in 51 days!!  To say I'm excited would be an understatement. 

I'm literally busting! I cannot wait! : ) 

But before then I have a whole lot of fall to enjoy. 

I'm on leaf watch.... checking everyday to see more and more colors changing.  

And that about does it! 

Wishing you all a comfy and cozy weekend!

I love this time of year! 

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

Hi Everyone! 

This week I've really been trying to get back into the swing of a normal routine.  John's back to full school days and is super hungry when he gets home.  I've officially entered a comfort food phase, which means I'm craving hearty meals! 

I have a few recipes that I've had saved and have been waiting for the right time to try them. 

This fall & winter I'm looking to add some new meals to our rotation so if you have any favorites (preferably crock pot/comfort food) please let me know!

That being said, yesterday I tried a new recipe!

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs!

I've never had a chicken meatball before and I thought it sounded interesting.  I love meatballs and I love chicken parm, so why not have the best of both worlds? 

I'm glad I have these a try.  They were delicious! 

I got the recipe from one of my favorite blogs: Shutterbean.com

Tracy has so many yummy recipes! If you haven't visited her blog, you really should!

That being said, here is the link for these meatballs in case you want to give them a try! 

She gives step by step instructions with photos, which I love : ) 

I added some extra sauce, garlic bread, and a salad on the side.  Comfort meal accomplished! 

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you who are in the path of Hurricane Florence. I pray that you are all safe and sound! 

It's been rainy and gray here this past week, but I'm not complaining.  I'll keep my candles lit and our bellies full ~ 

Happy Thursday dear ones! 

xoxo 

Weekly wrap up ♥

 

Hello Friends!  It's Sunday night and guess what? I have a sweater on ;)

 

It was cool & gray today and I didn't mind one bit.  Fall has arrived ♥

 

This week was certainly a busy one, with John starting school on Wednesday.  I can't believe I am the mom to a 6th grader!  I'm happy to report that his first week as a success! He likes his teacher and two of his best friends are in his class.  I was so happy for him!  Let's pray the good times last through week 2!

 

It's been a week of adjustments.  Getting up early, going to bed early, and getting back into the swing of things.  The cool temperatures have helped.  I have to set my alarm a half hour earlier now so I can wake John for school.  It's still dark out when I wake.  Rob makes the coffee before he leaves for work so it's all ready for me. I love taking my first cup of coffee back to bed with me.  I watch an episode of I Love Lucy on the Hallmark channel while I slowly sip it and come alive.  It's a ritual that I do every morning, but somehow it's more cozy this time of year.  I also got a new comforter for my bed which is so soft I don't want to get out of it.....but more on that later...: )

 

 

This week was an endless parade of filling out emergency forms and covering books.  I'm back to making lunches and packing snacks.  Summer seems so far in the past (even though it was only 2 weeks ago I was at the beach! ).

 

 

 The canned pumpkin in my  pantry had been calling me for a solid week.  I finally answered and baked a quick batch of pumpkin chocolate chip muffins! Oh my, they are so good!!

One is going in John's lunch box tomorrow.  Mine too! ♥

 

 

 

 

 

The recipe I used can be found here. 

 I shared the recipe in a blog post last year : )

 

 

 

 

 

Here is my new bedding set I told you about.  I have been needing a new comforter for ages.  I finally took the plunge and treated myself to this one from Khols.  I went with ivory because it will go with anything.  My sheets and quilt are blue and I thought I could bring in color with extra pillows if I want.  I'm over the moon for this set because the top side is like a velour (super soft) and the underside is Sherpa fleece! It's so warm & cozy!!

  

Lying in bed under a cozy blanket, reading a book or watching a movie is wonderful this time of year.  I was thinking of some other things that I look forward to doing in the fall.  Most of them are little moments, nothing fancy, just what I love...

 

♥

 

take a drive to look at leaves

drink hot apple cider

make Halloween treats

watch a fall movie (on Hallmark : )

make chili

do a fall craft (thinking of making a wreath this year)

go apple picking

carve pumpkins (and roast the seeds)

get a new cardigan and pair of boots

 

I'm hoping to do at least two of these thing this week!  What are some things you love to do this time of year?

 

Wishing you all a happy new week! Let's make it a good great one! ♥

 

 

xoox

 

  

Welcome September ♥

Hello Friends! It's September! 

And although it doesn't exactly feel like September outside yet, it's certainly beginning to look like September in my house.  This weekend I put all my summer decorations away and started to bring out my fall things.  I felt a little guilty about it considering we were having a hot spell and it was 90 degrees out, but once I caught my first whiff of pumpkin spice all that guilt went out the window.  

Bring it on! 

The first thing I did was hang this bittersweet wreath on the wall.  It's very old and is starting to show it's age in spots, but I still love it : ) 

I put fall runners on my coffee table and kitchen table.  

The fall scented candles are my favorite! This one is salted caramel apple! (happy, happy!)

For my kitchen table this hurricane lamp. 

I love the colors and crackled glass. 

On my hutch pumpkins and pine cones!

 

Two of my favorite things ♥

Little bits of orange, red, and yellow everywhere. 

I still have a long way to go, but just these bits of color warm the room and tell me its Fall!

(well, not technically, but close enough : ) 

Too soon?  

Naaaahhhh....! 

Not for me! 

No fall season is complete without Peanuts! (at least not in my book : ) 

Welcome Great Pumpkin! 

It will be here before we know it! 

Although my rule is to never buy Halloween candy early.  I don't have to tell you why... :) 

I hope you enjoyed this little peek inside my home. 

As the temperatures cool down and the days become more crisp I will bring out more things.

I think I may have to do a Target run because the last time I was there I saw some really cute stuff!

I also have my pantry stocked with this!!!!  

 

Hmmm, what will I make??? 

Stay tuned! 

 

♥

 

Happy September, my friends!

 

 I hope it's off to a beautiful start! I can't wait unit the leaves start to turn!