Before the first snowfall

I try and get outside, every day! Now with the cooler weather we are usually bundling up. Brr!

Yesterday we had the perfect afternoon outside, sans coats and hats.

I was able to snap a few photos of the Sugar, which I might add is getting harder and harder. She moves so much, doesn't want to "look at MAMA!" and would rather click the buttons on the camera, than smile for  it.

 

 

Mommy's helper

 

 

 

 a squirrel came to say "hello"

 

I am not even considered an amateur photographer...just trying to learn how to focus...anyone wanna help me learn a fixed lens?

 

Saving the best for a last......

 

soup for Fall

I think soup has become the main staple in our household this fall. I have one to two cooking every week and am loving all the new recipes I find.

 

If you need an easy, delicious recipe this is for you.

You can omit, add or mix this recipe up with many veggies  & types of meat.

 

Cook up spicy chicken sausage in large stock pot.

 

sauté onions and garlic in pan ( slice onions very thin & let garlic sit for 5 minutes after mincing before adding to the onions)

 

add chopped celery & carrots

 

combine all ingredients into large stock pot with stock and diced squash

 

simmer for 30-40 mins or until squash is tender, add kale half way through

 

A little helper is always a must....

 

 

 

I add pepitas, and sometimes goat cheese to my soup.

 

 

 I had lots of squash left  over, I froze it for my next soup!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

let the celebrating begin

This month has flown.

We have already celebrated so much this month: Parker turned one, friends babies were born and many more little moments of celebration.

 

November 3rd we mark one year in our home, and from then on out until May we have multiple things to  celebrate and honor.

 

 

 

 

We started our book on Jim Elliot and we are hoping to read about Hudson Taylor, as well this month.

I got a great book from my favorite author Jeannette Walls- A Silver Star

We are enjoying the leaves, cooler weather and lots of snuggle time. I think a fire is in our near future.

 

 

1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

coffee, anyone?

I am sure some of you have seen the DIY pumpkin spice coffee.

 

I was a bit apprehensive.  I love coffee but don't like all the unnatural flavors they use to make it so scrumptious it with. I

 

When I found this simple recipe I was thrilled and tried it right away.

 

You will need:

~over cup drip filter- mine if from Starbucks, find similar here.

~filter

~cute, large mug

~nutmeg

~cinnamon

~cloves

~ginger

~boiling water or milk for a creamer coffee

For one large cup:

I added 3 tablespoons of ground, flavor free, coffee.

1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon, cloves, allspice and ginger and 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg. I love nutmeg and so I added more.

Boil water and pour into your filter. Add ice or drink hot.

 

Voila, a cheap, no fake, GMO filled flavorings.

I sweetened with honey and almond milk.  You can also use other seasonings, a pumpkin spice blend, vanilla and if you're wanting a real treat, whipped cream.

the sweetest season

Fall came upon us so quickly; the leaves are bright yellow and shades of reds and oranges. I cannot believe it is October.

I love fall for many reasons; the decorations, the cozy sweaters I can finally wear, laying in bed with a crisp breeze blowing in through the window (yes we leave them open), toffee nut mocha's and fires in the fireplace. Life seems to slow down. Knowing I have to put a coat on to run an errand usually deters me, I just want to stay warm.

As I drove home from Boulder yesterday I realized that this season, Fall, is a great season to prepare for the Winter season. Prepare with my heart. Many holidays are coming and I am wondering how I can be more heart and mind ready to enter into those days of celebration. I usually get so overwhelmed with the to-do's, I have to actively choose to rest and enjoy.

A great book I have is called Celebrating the Christian Year. This book has given me such great insight into holidays, the history behind them and ways to celebrate what may be known as a "cultural holiday", in a way that brings deeper awareness of Jesus, his kingdom and turning our focus away from the commercialized day.

We have decided to celebrate Halloween! Elaina will be Madeline (the sweet Parisian girl) for Halloween this year. After praying and thinking about this holiday we feel that its our job to help our children bring light into a holiday that many believe to be dark: souls of the dead revisiting their family. Although the pagan roots of Halloween are to celebrate the dead (and more) we feel that as a family we can celebrate those who have passed, whether that's family members or men and women of the faith who were martyred. We are going to get a book about Jim Elliot this week and read the book over the coming weeks. We want to enjoy the fun of dressing up & decorating our home with gourds, pumpkins and everything Fall. Making pumpkin bread is also a must. We feel a great opportunity is available in sharing with our children about the light, Jesus has given us and giving them a chance to hear about those who have given their life for Him.

Our thoughts are this: how do we bring light into the dark world, whether on Halloween or any other ordinary day.  We could choose not to celebrate Halloween but we may be missing a great opportunity to connect with our neighbors, greater community and having a chance to give our kids a perspective that builds their spiritual foundation.

These coming months will become more special as we create memories and instill the true meaning of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentines Day & Easter  in our children's hearts.

We hope to focus on Jesus, family, giving to those in needs.

Halloween Activities:

Read story about Jim Elliot

Decorate our home

Visit a pumpkin patch

Make pumpkin bread

Deliver one meal to a family in need

Ill write posts for each holiday and what we as a family are doing to create traditions and heart connections in our family.

Right now I am working to simplify, wind down and in this moment,

find some warmer socks, its freezing!!!

 

Here are a few pictures from our family trip to  Cottonwood Pumpkin Patch