Oct 4

Changes in Garbage

While I’m still a little new on making sure that our recyclables make their way to the bi-monthly drop offs, I have already noticed a BIG difference. Most weeks we only put one single bin of trash out for the weekly pick-up. Sadly, it used to be 2-3. I’m very proud of the changes that our family has made, and I want to do more. I’ve been busy researching composting. It would be a great way to further cut down on our garbage, and it would help out our garden next year too.

I’m also happy to report that my hubby has started recycling at his workplace. I think that is just too cool, and a great way to help out too! I wish that more local businesses would do the same. Maybe one day we’ll have curb-side recycling pick-up, a girl can dream…

Oct 3

Play-dates and Scarecrows

This week has been a lot of fun… Earlier in the week we were invited to our friend Shaunna’s house to help her decorate for Halloween. So he has an adorable little boy, and our kids get along so well. Thade was thrilled to go along and visit too. Shaunna has 2 horses and she said that Thade would get to feed them.

She hung cute Halloween lights and we made a super cute (non-scary) Scarecrow for her front porch. The kiddos had so much fun stuffing the Scarecrow with Hay. We ran to the store for Pumpkins, and I finally got my Mums for the front porch.

When it was time to go home, we all walked down to visit the horses, and Thade was brave enough to feed them.

We all had so much fun, and we have a few more play-dates planned too.

Today was the Sister Swap at MOPS, and it was a blast. It is a free Garage Sale where you bring items, and shop for free items. I came home with so many great finds, and plenty of Fall/Winter clothes for Dylan. I even picked up an awesome Art Desk for Thade, he was thrilled.The meeting was so much fun too.

I don’t think we have too much going on this weekend. I’m still playing catch-up around the house, but I did get the boy’s closet cleaned out, just in time for the swap.

I hope that everyone has a great weekend, and that you are enjoying the amazing Fall weather!

Oct 2

Let’s Make an Afternoon Snack

I bet you’ve seen the recipe for Five Minute Coffee Cup Chocolate Cake, it looks like a fun recipe to make for the kiddos afternoon snack. I thought that and Ice Cold Banana Smoothie would go great with the Chocolate Cake. Let’s see if I can time everything right for a tasty afternoon snack.

I took one look at my coffee cup, and thought I had better grab a bigger coffee cup. I don’t want to clean up a gigantic mess in the microwave, when I could be enjoying some Chocolate Cake…

I added in some Chocolate Chips. I think I would add the Chocolate Chips in with the dry ingredients to help coat them, instead of at the end. All of my chocolate chips sank to the bottom, but it was still pretty good.

The Banana Smoothies were fun and super fast. I added in a few Chocolate Chips too.

All finished, but will the kids eat it?

Well they both loved the Banana Smoothies, but Thade wasn’t a fan of the Chocolate Cake. I think he was missing the Chocolate Frosting that is usually on top of the Chocolate Cake. Dylan and I agree that the Chocolate Cake was pretty darn good.

Thade gives the Smoothies a “thumbs up”, and the cake a “thumbs down”… Oh well, maybe I’ll keep this recipe just for me as a late night snack.

Oct 1

Just a Little Decorating… so far

You’ll find a few Halloween touches around our house, so far. I’ve painted our Front Porch chair a bright Autumn Orange, and I love displaying my favorite Black Cat Pot Holder in the kitchen.

There is a “scary” pumkin hanging in the Foyer window. Thade and Dylan picked out Super-cute Pumpkin Pie Pumpkins to display in the Dining Room. I have a feeling we won’t be carving these for Jack-O-Lanterns…

Thade loves the “scary” spider on the front door, I just hope it doesn’t scare Dylan too much… I hope to decorate the outdoors too. My Mom picked us up a Halloween Outdoor Display, and we still need to get two large pumpkins for the front porch. I am also leaning towards purchasing a few Fall Mums too, maybe.

Have you been decorating your home for Halloween?

Sep 30

October Monthly Menu

Yay it is finally October!!!

October has to be one of my very favorite months! My hubby’s birthday is this month, and our anniversary too, and of course Halloween. October totally rocks! I’ve got a lot of tasty Fall meals planned, and a few special dinners to celebrate the extra special days in October. I might even throw in a new dessert or two… So here we go, Nico’s dinner menu plan for the month of October.

10/1/08: Spaghetti, Black Olives, Garlic Bread, and Chocolate Bundt Cake

10/2/08: Grilled Sausage, Rice & Lentils, and Hominy

10/3/08: Salmon Cakes, Corn, and Rice

10/4/08: Lasagna and Garlic Bread

10/5/08: Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, and Dinner Rolls

10/6/08: Angus Burgers and Fries, Grilled Cheese for the Kiddos

10/7/08: Turkey Leftovers and Tasty Sides, Apricot Bundt Cake

10/8/08: Chicken Chow Mien and Crab Rangoon

10/9/08: BBQ Ribs, Mashed Potatoes, and Corn Bread

10/10/08: Popcorn Shrimp, Fries, and Corn

10/11/08: Spaghetti, Pepperoni Chips, and Garlic Bread

10/12/08: Chili, Corn Bread, and Brownies

10/13/08: Bean & Cheese Quesadillas, Chips, Salsa, and Cheese Dip

10/14/08: Grilled Chicken, Chicken Noodles, and Corn

10/15/08: Turkey Sloppy Joe’s and Fries

10/16/08: Beef w/Rice-a-Roni, Green Beans, and Hominy

10/17/08: Lasagna and Garlic Bread

10/18/08: Chicken Nuggets, Fries, Macaroni & Cheese

10/19/08: Turkey Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, and Dinner Rolls

10/20/08: Angus Burgers and Fries, Grilled Cheese for the Kiddos

10/21/08: Grilled Chicken, Green Bean Casserole, and Dinner Rolls

10/22/08: Grilled Sausage, Rice & Lentils, and Hominy

10/23/08: Salmon Cakes, Corn, and Rice

10/24/08: Chicken Fajitas, Re-fried beans, Chips, and Cheese Dip

10/25/08: Beef Stew, Dinner Rolls, and Cherry Pie

10/26/08: BBQ Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, and Biscuits

10/27/08: Pot Roast with Potatoes, and Dinner Rolls

10/28/08: Pasta, Pepperoni Chips. and Garlic Bread

10/29/08: Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Dinner Rolls, and Chocolate Bundt Cake

10/30/08: Chicken Chow Mien and Crab Rangoon

10/31/08: Chili, Corn Bread, and Brownies

Whew! I had better get to cooking, October is one long month… I hope that everyone has a great October!