Barron the Builder's birthday bash

Just had to share one more cake.

Today is our beloved Barron's third birthday. 

I can't believe it. 

After I made his sister Andee's cake back in September, he asked if Uncle Taylor could make him a cake for his birthday. Well. Sorry, Barron. I hate to break it to you, but Uncle Taylor can't bake.

The little guy requested a red cake with tools and firefighters. But, I couldn't make it to the cake decorating shop in time to get the official cake topper dudes, so I decided to dream big and use "real" fake tools and little firefighters I picked up at the Dollar Tree.

Happy Birthday, Barron. We are so lucky to have lovable you in our lives.  

We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming

It just occurred to me the other day, I've been rambling now for weeks.

When I started this blog, it was to chronicle my adventures through life, not necessarily to write about books I'm reading or food I'm eating.

Though interesting (har-dee-har-har), I think it's about time I revert back to my old ways. To my original audience, a handful of friends and family wondering what I've  been up to. Now it's not just me, it's "we," but I think the same sentiment is true.

I'm back to work, and my plate is full yet again. I think I'm going to setup a password on this puppy, too. But, never fear. I know who you are if you read my ramblings, and I'll send you the code.

Here's to the next few weeks ahead, filled with food, family, and finding ways to share our feelings of thankfulness.

The ol' side project

Once upon a time, I met a nice customer while working at Trader Joe's.

She came through my check-out line frequently, and we got to talking. Imagine that.

We struck up a friendship.

She's a mom who's been through culinary instruction and is a serious businesswoman.

We kept in touch, and we reconnected recently.

Now, she's started a business with a partner, and she's letting me join in the fun to do what I love to do...eat and write!

I'm going to be contributing food writing and recipe development for The Heart's Kitchen.

Please! Read more about it!

Reading Challenge: November edition

I went to the local library and picked up three books that have to be returned in two weeks (they're called LUCKY DAY books--love that!).

Taylor doesn't think I can do it, but I'm trying to prove him wrong. It's a big challenge for me as I'm a terribly slowwwww reader, but I'm going to try my hardest to finish all three.

Currently, I'm reading Happier at Home, the sequel to Gretchen Rubin's book The Happiness Project. So far, it's been kind of similar to the first, so I'm anxious to see if there's something new and different. This author shares plenty of research and quotations, which I love, so I'm happy about that aspect.

Updates to follow. Fingers crossed I can do this.

THUN-DAH!

Super sporty weekend over in Benz-Bethell-land (and no, in case you're wondering, I'm not planning to hyphenate my name once we're married). 

We had the exciting pleasure of attending a Portland Winterhawks game (sing it with me...TNT! It's dy-no-mite!) with the Greenbergs Friday night and the OSU football game with Taylor's parents Saturday night. 

What's better than sporting events? Sporting events and food! And, we had a nice little happy hour before the hockey game and a delicious meal at a fun restaurant in Albany before the Beavs kicked off. Oh! And I have to mention Taylor's mom introduced me to Dippin' Dots for the first time, and they were just as good as I hoped. 

With my camera resting in peace, all I have is my phone, and photos of people don't seem to turn out that well...but photos of food do? Go figure. 

Blue Steel Kathleen and hubby Mike. 

I'm a big fan of all the songs that accompany the power plays and goals. We've gotta get Taylor's parents back up for a Winterhawks game as we didn't end up going the previous weekend. They're more fun when they're not in playoff mode...lots of fights and lots of action! 

Must-do fall festivities

A Susan Branch newsletter inspired me to cultivate a little list of fall must-do's (is it dos or do's?).

I've got the month of November to check off these bad boys. And, in no particular order...

• Visit a local farm for cider donuts
• Run the Wildwood trail while most of the yellow leaves are fresh on the ground and some still dangle from the massive trees above (can't believe I haven't done this one yet)
• Bake one of those frivolously decadent Thanksgiving desserts out of Southern Living magazine 
• Start a daily devotional 
• Finish. A. Book. Seriously! When did I fall off the reading-actual-books-bandwagon?
• Watch more old movies (thanks to Kelley, I've got a nice head start on this one!)

OK...this is just a start. I'll continue the list tomorrow as I'm sort of falling asleep as a type here, and my brain's just not clicking. I've added to this list mentally for more than a week now, and I know I'm forgetting several. Until then, goodbye October. It's been fun and festive! 

No such thing as pumpkin burnout

I don't know if it's the holiday (Happy Halloween, y'all), the rainy weather, or the fact that I have the time to do it...but I've been on a mission in the kitchen lately.

I busted out a banana bread, pumpkin and maple cookies, and a batch of blondies, all before 8:30 yesterday morning. Pumpkin pancakes were a must this morning, but with all that baking, I ran out of eggs, so I substituted a rotten banana instead (thanks for the tip, Mom). I wanted to make something autumn-y for dinner tonight, too, so I made a squash and black bean enchilada casserole recipe I ripped out of a newspaper ad a couple weeks ago.

See. I'm on a roll. I'm hoping my extra efforts now will translate once I'm working again. (You know, like a workout routine or something?) That's assuming I'll be working again soon. (Fingers crossed.) Otherwise, with said treats and said savories coupled with the rainy weather, I might not be on a roll but rather needing a roll...out the door of my house (ba-dum-ching!). 

These food posts are getting boring, I fear. But I have this sneaking suspicion we'll all wake up tomorrow and be bombarded by "the holidays." Plenty of blogging fodder. 

Gnocchi, sausage, and spinach soup...another great recipe from my friend Whitney's ladies luncheon group.

Cilantro lime chicken in the slow cooker...courtesy of Taylor's sister Whitney's Pinterest board. I don't have an account, but I sure love to look when I have endless time. Not the best photo, but this sure was tasty...and who doesn't love a lack of effort that creates such flavor?!

Tonight's squash and black bean enchilada casserole from New Seasons' weekly newspaper ad. I used butternut squash, and I also added a can of chicken. Isn't cutting up a squash the most irritatingly time-consuming thing ever?! I completely understand why the pre-cut kind is much more expensive.

Happy cooking, friends!