Fall Favorite Finds Blog Swap

A couple of weeks ago I participated the "Fall's Favorite Finds" Blog Swap hosted by Caroline, Molly & Mateya and I was paired up with Alison from Life and Times of Alison & Jason.  Alison is a Canadian as well and has just recently bought a house with her hubby Jason and their sweet Cruz.  She's so adorable and it was great getting to know her.

I definitely lucked out with THE best swap partner...here are some of the goodies I got from Alison.

Love everything here!  The scarf is absolutely perfect and I have gotten so many compliments on it already.

Seriously how sweet is Alison, she even thought of Cole with these cupcake liners and toppers, perfect for Halloween

gorgeous flower earrings

an adorable headband for our cold Canadian winters, practical and stylish!

This has to be the cutest decoration ever.  I am absolutely in love with this and have already been questioned as to where I got it.  And Alison, how did you know that I LOVE owls???

I am so happy that I joined the blog swap and that I was matched up with Alison as a partner.  I made a new friend, found a new blog and got some great goodies to boot.

Head on over to Alison's blog and read all about their new home, their sweet dog and to send her some love.

Thanks ladies for hosting the swap and to Alison for all the treats.

Healthy Recipes Link Up - Stuffed Zucchini

It's that time again, Pam from Our Love Nest is hosting her link up party for healthy recipes.  This week I am posting about a recipe we tried out last year after cleaning out our garden and finding several large zucchinis.  Ryan We did the big Fall clean up this weekend and again, we had some veggies to use up so we went pulled out this recipe from allrecipes.com.

STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Ingredients

• 4 medium zucchini
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup dried bread crumbs
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
• 1 cup water

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (175 degrees C). Grease or spray a 13x9 inch baking dish.
2. Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise. With a spoon, scoop out the seeds. Chop and reserve about 3/4 of the seeds for the stuffing. In a medium bowl, mix together the ground beef, sausage, chopped onion, bread crumbs, egg and the reserved zucchini seeds. Place the meat mixture equally into all of the zucchini halves; mixture should be piled up over the top. Place the filled zucchini halves into the prepared baking dish.
3. In a bowl, stir together the crushed tomatoes, tomato soup, and water. Spoon the tomato mixture over the filled zucchini, liberally. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 45 minutes. You may want to place foil or a cookie sheet underneath the baking dish because it tends to bubble over and splash.

* We also added some shredded cheese on top and then let bake until the cheese was golden brown.  Delicious!

*Photo and recipe from www.allrecipes.com.

Oh How Pinteresting

I am addicted to Pinterest.

There I said it.

I absolutely love finding new DIY projects, mouth-watering recipes, gorgeous fall outfits and inspiration for my house.  Because of Pinterest I have a longggg list of things to do around my house, gifts and crafts to make and recipes to test out.  This is one list that I am truly excited about.

There is so much inspiration out there and thankfully Pinterest gives you a place to keep track of it all.

Today I am linking up with Michelle at The Vintage Apple for her weekly installment of:

I'm not sure how to link these up or embed them (sorry!), a little help?

Do you pin?  If so, find me here and if not, let me know and I'll send you an invite.  It's a great way to get ideas for everything from meals, to home decor, fashion, birthday parties, gifts and much, much more!

Healthy Recipe Link Up - Turkey Chili Taco Soup

Pam from Our Love Nest is hosting a new link up party and it's for health recipes.  Most people are quite conscious about what they eat and I am definitely one of those people.  I am always looking for fun, new and healthy recipes to try, so you can bet that I'll be linking up every week.

I am in a fierce soup mood these days, partially to the Fall weather we are experiencing and due to it's ability to fill me up and keep the calories to a minimum.  Pam has read my mind with her amazing sounding recipe for Authentic Maryland Crab Soup.  I have already e-mailed this to my home address to try out very shortly and I know both of my boys will love it.

I haven't yet tried this recipe out, but I know it will not disappoint on our menu tonight.  Gina's recipes are ALWAYS amazing and skinny.

Without further adieu, here is what I'll be cooking tonight:

Turkey Chili Taco Soup
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 9 • Size: 1-1/4 cups • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 5 ptsCalories: 198.8 • Fat: 1.4 g • Carb: 29.7 g • Fiber: 7.0 g  • Protein: 19.5 g
 

·         1.3 lbs 99% lean ground turkey

·         1 medium onion, chopped

·         1 bell pepper, chopped

·         10 oz can rotel tomatoes with green chilies

·         15 oz canned or frozen corn, drained

·         15 oz kidney beans, drained

·         8 oz tomato sauce

·         16 oz fat free refried beans

·         1 packet taco seasoning (you can use 40% less sodium)

·         2 1/2 cups fat free low sodium chicken broth

In a large pot, brown turkey on medium heat, breaking up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. When cooked through, add onions and pepper and cook 2-3 minutes. Add tomatoes, corn, beans, tomato sauce, refried beans, taco seasoning and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and simmer about 10-15 minutes.

Serve with a few baked tortilla chips and your favorite toppings such as low fat sour cream, jalapeños, reduced fat cheese, chopped scallions,  onions, or chopped fresh cilantro. Freeze leftovers in individual portions for future meals.

Head on over to Pam's and link up to share your healthy recipes.

Teacher Appreciation

Cole and I went to meet his teacher and see his classroom one morning about a week before school started. While we waited in the hallway for everyone to get there, my little boy held my hand tight and I had tears in my eyes while thinking that the past 3.5 years had gone by much too quickly.

I kept reminding myself that he would be fine, he is a friendly little guy and he showed no signs of fear or anxiousness when it came to starting school.

Thankfully, we weren't kept waiting long and my mind was set at ease when the two teachers introduced themselves to us. They gave each student a little plastic bag with a note and some special items inside it.

As soon as I started to read this, I got tears in my eyes again (emotional much?). The note was so sweet and each item was a perfect addition to the little package. While Cole showed interest in all of the little items in the bag, I truly appreciated the note that came with it all. It is such a sweet gesture and it helps to reassure me that Cole is in great hands each and every day.

Sunday Smile

I'm sure these aren't new to everyone, but they made me smile.

 all {via}

Saturday Morning Scene

Good morning all and happy weekend!

My sweet (and silly) boy and I are up and at it early today.

We are heading to visit my parents for the night.

Yay to a weekend full of family fun.

What are your plans for today?

Linking up with Katie at Loves of Life for Saturday Morning Scene.

A Side of Love

I love to cook, but sometimes I find it difficult to come up with a different side dish.  Something other than the everyday potatoes or rice and plain old veggies.  I have searched high and low and am pleased to report that I have come across some delicious recipes.

 Baked Asparagus with Balsamic Butter Sauce (All Recipes)

Ingredients
1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed
cooking spray
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Arrange the asparagus on a baking sheet. Coat with cooking spray, and season with salt and pepper.
Bake asparagus 12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until tender.
While cooking asparagus, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until browned.
Remove from heat, and stir in soy sauce and balsamic vinegar.
Pour over the baked asparagus to serve.

Pesto Spaghetti Squash with Mozzarella (FabulousFoods.com)

Ingredients
1 spaghetti squash, cooked by your favorite method and separated into strands
1 tablespoon olive oil
3/4 cup pesto
4 ounces smoked or plain mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, add spaghetti squash.
Using a couple of forks to lift, mix in pesto.
Cook just long enough to heat through, mix in cheeses, heat until everything is well mixed and cheese is beginning to melt.
Serve immediately.

Baked Squash Casserole (Kraft)

 

Ingredients

3 cups chopped butternut squash

1 onion, chopped

2/3 cup Cheddar Shredded Cheese

15 Ritz Crackers, crushed (about 1/2 cup)

1 egg, beaten

2 Tbsp. Miracle Whip Dressing (yuck!)

2 Tbsp. Mayo

Directions

HEAT oven to 350°F.
COOK squash in boiling water in covered saucepan 15 min. or until tender. Rinse under cold water; drain.
MIX squash and remaining ingredients; spoon into 8-inch square baking dish.
BAKE 1 hour or until heated through.

Butternut Squash Fries (Weight Watchers)

Ingredients

3 spray(s) olive oil cooking spray    
1 pound(s) butternut squash, peeled, seeded, long “neck” cut into sixteen 3/4-inch-thick sticks*    
1 tsp table salt, or to taste    
1/2 tsp chili powder, or to taste (optional)    

Directions

Preheat oven to 450ºF. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
Arrange squash fries on prepared baking sheet and sprinkle with salt and chili powder; liberally coat with cooking spray.
Roast, turning once, until desired crispness, about 14 to 18 minutes. Yields 4 fries per serving.

These are just a few of my go to recipes to change it up a bit and keep supper interesting.  Of course, substitutions can be made to make them healthier and still keep the same great taste!

Do you have any great side-dish recipes to share?

Addiction

In my most recent blogging absence I have been busy with some new addictions.  Whenever people mention something on their blogs, I feel the need to try it out almost immediately.  From DIY projects to makeup to recipes and everything in between, I have been making a list of goodies I want to try.

The latest...meet Lindsey.  This girl introduced me (and I'm sure many, many others) to e.l.f. products and after reading several comments, reviews and her all out love for these products, I had to try them.  Funny enough, I was waiting in line to pay for something one day and there in front of me at the cash was a rack FULL of e.l.f. products.  I of course added them to my order and almost ran home to see what the fuss was all about. 

I have to say that I am seriously obsessed with the e.l.f. eye shadows.  They actually stay on all day long just like MAC products do for a FRACTION of the price.

I also tried the mascara which although I do like, although so far I haven't been able to find a mascara that I LOVE (open to suggestions).

Loving this eye shadow brush and the eyeliner.  Both products are great and the eyeliner lasts all day!

My e.l.f. addiction is just one of many (thanks Lindsay!) and thankfully it's affordable too.  Head on over to their website and take a look around, they are offering free shipping on orders over $25.00 right now.

What are you currently obsessed with?

Have blogger friends introduced you to anything new?

All of the opinions in this post are mine, I did not receive any compensation.

ABCs of ME!

I'm jumping on the bandwagon with Lena and Jen...

A. Age: 28

B. Bed size: Queen
C. Chore that you hate:  scrubbing the floors, ugh!

D. Dogs: None

E. Essential start to your day: shower and kisses from my sweet little guy
F. Favorite color: gray
G. Gold or Silver: Gold - white or yellow
H. Height: 5’7ish
I. Instruments you play: nothing, I used to take piano lessons when I was younger, but I don't think I'd remember a thing

J. Job title: Group and Marketing Assistant
K. Kids: Cole 3.5 and a sweet angel Lauryn
L. Live: Ontario, Canada
M. Mother’s name: Laurel
N. Nicknames: Ash, AJ, Flash
O. Overnight hospital stays: 5 nights when I had Cole
P. Pet peeves: rude people, when people clip their nails in public, dirty, long finger/toe nails (vomit!), slow drivers, long and drawn out talkers...I could go on.
Q. Quote from a movie: not from a movie, but a TV show...

I'm still mad at you. And I don't know if I trust you. I wanna trust you but I don't know if I do, so I'm just gonna try. I'm gonna try and trust you because I believe that we can be extraordinary together rather than ordinary apart.

R. Right or left handed: Righty

S. Siblings: 2 older sisters and 1 older brother
U. Underwear: I'm a bikini girl just so y'all know!
V. Vegetable you hate: Mushrooms
W. What makes you run late:  just me...I could say Cole but I was never on time before I had him!
X. X-Rays you’ve had: teeth, ankle, chest

Y. Yummy food that you make: homemade burgers and butternut squash fries
Z. Zoo animal: giraffes and baby monkeys

 

Join in the fun, everyone loves a little random information.

Big Boy School

My little boy is all grown up!  Last Tuesday, September 6th, Cole went to his first day at his new school.  It's so crazy to think that my little guy is actually going to school, even though he has been in day care 4 days a week for the past 2.5 years.   He used to go to the town daycare and it was very much like a school in the structure aspect, so realistically this change shouldn't be too difficult.  It wasn't difficult for Cole in the least.  He was excited to go to the big brown school (as he calls it) and meet his teachers and play with all the new toys and since his first day he hasn't had any complaints at all.

Of course Cole did well, but as for me...I may have shed a few tears.  I think I hid them well so thankfully it didn't upset Cole, but I couldn't help myself.  It felt like leaving him all over again at his first day of daycare so long ago.  If only I could keep him at home with me forever, I'd be one happy momma.

As mentioned above, Cole loves school, therefore, I can't complain.  My only concerns now are what he manages to eat out of his lunch (not a whole lot due to being too busy chatting...must get that from his father) and if he is playing well with others and making friends.  Every night when I ask him about what he did that day he says nothing, and then I ask him who he played with and he says no one.  I know for a fact that he is making friends and having fun, but of course I can't help but worrying about him.  I'm assuming this is normal, but it just breaks my heart thinking of him keeping to himself all day long, although I can't see that being the case as he is a very outgoing and chatty boy.

How was your little one's first day of school?

How do you get your child to share his or her stories of the day?

Bracelet Swag Swap

Warning...this post is a tad bit delayed...

After returning home from our summer vacation, I was sooooooooooo happy to see a package with my name on it from Michelle at Living a Life of Love.  I had been looking forward to receiving my bracelet from her and she did not disappoint one bit!  Michelle is one of the sweetest bloggers I have come across yet.  You can tell by her posts that she is a great person, so thoughtful, nice and genuine.  She has also recently started her own business, so head on over and show Michelle some love.

{card from Michelle - with an adorable cupcake on the back}

{adorable}

{my bracelet - adorable pink wooden beads with some fun fabric, love it!}

{sporting my new love}

Thanks so much for letting me partake in your bracelet blog swap Michelle (even though it was open to US residents only...hehehe).  I love my new bracelet, you nailed my style perfectly and I have gotten many compliments on it so far!

xo

Summer Vacation

Hope everyone is loving the crazy heat wave that we are experiencing (I am for sure!)

We are officially on vacation and I am loving every second of it.

We are heading to a cottage tomorrow for a week and then we will be spending the entire August long weekend (Civic holiday) with my family away at a camp.  So far the weather is looking fantastic (knock on wood) and nothing makes me happier than my family, sunshine and time away from the every day routine.

I'll be back in August, hopefully with loads of pictures, fun stories and more to blog about.

Until then, enjoy the sunshine!

The Things He Says...

Last night at supper we had little potatoes.  Cole fought tooth and nail about not wanting to eat them and I finally convinced him to try one.  He popped it in his mouth and after chewing and swallowing it, I heard something that just about made me choke on my own food.

At the table, in front of myself and my in laws, Cole said...

"Oh Jesus that's hot."

I wasn't sure how to respond, thankfully my father-in-law said "oh no buddy, we say gee-whiz that's hot".

Cole said gee-whiz once and then decided he liked Oh Jesus better.

I tried "my goodness that's hot", again, no luck.

Thankfully his mind wandered on to something else shortly after.  My mother-in-law and I started wondering where he could have picked that up.  I say a lot of things that shouldn't be repeated by my 3 year old, but that isn't one of those things. 

Ryan came home from work shortly after and put our wonder at ease...apparently he has been known to say this...lovely.

FYI, the potatoes weren't hot in the least.

Please don't comment on how taking the Lord's name in vain is terrible, this is not a common occurrence in our house.

Facing The Truth

I'm 28 years old young and I am having some skin issues.  Growing up breakouts were few and far between.  Don't get me wrong, I definitely had pimples on picture day or when there would be a dance, but for the most part my skin was pretty good. 

Besides being sick as a dog when I was pregnant with Cole, the only other negative part of pregnancy was the acne.  My face and back were covered and it was beyond frustrating, but I assumed it wouldn't last.

The morning sickness passed, I've shed majority of the weight and I've come to terms with the fact that my hips will never go back to 'normal', but the acne is lingering.  While it's not horrible, it's frequent and always in the same spot...my chin.

I eat fairly healthy and drink a lot of water (3-4 litres a day).

I use St. Ives Apricot Scrub and Clean & Clear Foaming Cleanser (I know...lame)

 

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Since the interwebz is sooooooooo amazing and chalked full of smart ladies like yourselves, I am turning to you for advice.

Do you have any face products that you would recommend?  I'm talking morning to night...cleansers, scrubs, lotions, etc.  Anything that will help with the breakouts, blackheads (ewwww, I know) and my aging skin.

Wow...I feel old and pathetic.

Advice needed and while you are at it, please send help.

Oh Chelsea...

{via}

I just finished reading Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me, a book full of stories written by those who are closest to Chelsea.

This book was H.I.L.A.R.I.O.U.S. plain and simple, it did not disappoint.  I honestly laughed out loud several times and I was wishing it wouldn't end.  It made me want to be friends with Chelsea Handler and be one of the poor buggers that she is constantly tormenting.  Her endless shenanigans range from lies to tricks to peeing on someone, yet these people are still friends with her.

 I definitely recommend reading this book for a good laugh, it is beyond entertaining.

Dreaming of Dresses

I have a trip to New York with my sister-in-law booked for fall and although these dresses are a little too 'summerish', I can't help but want to add them all to my wardrobe for our trip.

Silk-Blend Button Front Dress

Floral and Scroll Print Dress

One-Should Rose Ruffle Dress

Classic Woven Dress

Paisley Summer Dress

Tropical Surplice Dress

Delicate Florals Dress

Tropical Tube Dress

{all dresses from Forever 21}

A girl can dream right?!

Conversation with Cole

This morning as I buckled Cole up in to his car seat we had the following conversation...

Cole "Mommy when will you have a baby in your belly"

Me "I don't know, why Cole?"

Cole "I'd like a baby sister...or a puppy"

after a few seconds...

Cole "Mommy, you could go to the store and get a baby, put it in your mouth so it will go to your belly and then you'd have a baby in your belly, right?!"

I ♥ this kid!!