Hump Day Nuggets: Shredding and Cooking and FALL-ing galore

After all the blaze and heat of last week, fall is finally here, and I believe it's here to stay. Re-convincing Ainsley that a coat is no longer an option is a new addition to our already lengthy get out the door routine, raking is a daily occurrence (when it's not raining), and baking has officially gotten out of control. I love this time of year. (Have I said that already?)

Nuggets::

With the cooler weather and longer hours indoors I find myself antsy to complete those around the house projects that were so easy to ignore while breezing in and out the door this summer. First on the list is Ainsley's bedroom re-do. We'd all but stripped it this summer due to some toddler antics before sleep-time and now that she's outgrown SOME of her wily ways I wanted to once again make her the room the preschooler haven I'd always intended it to be.

It all started innocently enough, and idea to make my first REAL quilt for my big growing girl. I wanted something she could grow into, cherish long after her toddler bed was extended to the full length. She never really took to the knitted blankets I made her and I so crave her being enveloped every night in a warmth I created. So there, innocent right?

Then it snowballed into painting of furniture, making new curtains, rearranging furniture and wall art. I'm loving where it's going and it's SO close. She loves it, which is really the whole point.

::quilt pieces waiting to be cut and ironed::

::I saw this color combo of bright peach and red and fell in love,

now it's EVERYWHERE in her room::

::new Ikea mirror and dress up area, naked windows awaiting one curtain to be lined::

::painted dresser and a big blank wall just itching to be adorned::

Nuggets::

I've finished 12 days of the 3o days shred and I can safely say that I have not worked out this consistently since training for my half marathon in college. I've always been a 4-5 day a week work out gal. Then with children came the sad realization that I really only had the time (and energy) for brisk stroller walks and VERY occasional runs now and again. I decided that I'd had enough and no matter HOW tired I was or how thin I felt myself being spread, I would make it a priority. I haven't regretted it for a moment. And just to put a plug in for the 30 day shred...20 minute HARDCORE workouts? perfect for us time crunched parents. I sweat, I'm sore, I'm already seeing muscles emerge in places I'd forgotten muscles could exist. It's amazing.

Nuggets::

I've been feeling overwhelmed with all that I want to get done before the holidays, namely all of the gifts that I'm setting out to make. I'm trying to keep in mind that half the point of making gifts is because I enjoy it, to not stress out too much and most of all to PRIORITIZE. Like Ainsley's Olivia inspired red ballgown...that is a MUST make.

Nuggets::

We made it to a real pumpkin patch this year, with a tractor ride to the field and all. We smartly bought only Ainsley's pumpkin there and I slipped a few much cheaper ones into our TJ's cart just this Monday to round out the collection. The girls loved crawling and climbing through the tall grasses. We enjoyed the fun activity as a family.

::a few of the last short sleeved park pictures of the season::

::sadly Louise is fitting perfectly into all of Ainsley's old REALLY good sandals right now...guess I'll have to do some shopping come Spring!::

Nuggets::

After months and months of not wanting much to do with our hot afternoon sun filled kitchen we are quickly rekindling our lusty love. I'm determined to keep the heat lower this winter, seeing as we don't have a fresh dumpling in the house. I ordered some good woolies for the girls (on a great REI sale) and with all the heat coming from our gas stove I don't forsee it being a problem to keep the thermostat low!

I'm already missing all the fresh easy produce as the market tapers off, but finding new ways to incorporate fall veggies into our daily meals is a challenge I've readily accepted. This week we tried a few new recipes.* Our favorite was a sweet potato swiss chard gratin from Smitten Kitchen. Even Ian took leftovers to work and the girls both indulged in seconds. It's hearty and healthy and YUMmy. Another goody was Smitten's baked spinach. Ian wasn't as much of a fan, but when I asked him what he would change he slyly replied (umm, maybe just add some indian spices and paneer?) Not ALL spinach comes in palak form Ian! I thought it was awesome. One more new favorite is this zucchini fritter recipe. I've taken to buying up loads of the last zucchini at the farmer's market, grating it and freezing in in 2 cup portions to pull out for such occasions, well fritters and chocolate zucchini cake of course! (this one is currently baking away in our oven as we speak). And lastly I made this potato leek soup (one of my favorites!) and this french bread recipe (we turned one loaf into some basil garlic bread to go with homemade spinach lasagna last night...nothing like the smell combo of fresh bread baking and lasagna bubbling in the evening). Soo, it's been a good cooking (and eating) week for us!

*I only include recipes and weekly menus because I know I always appreciate hearing about something new and successful and relatively healthy that people make for their families. I never write to boast about my cooking (well maybe, but only because a week like this RARELY happens). Just so you know where I'm coming from! (And PLEASE give me your cooking triumphs! I'm always looking for something new and good)

Nuggets::

The girls fall a little more in love every day. Last night when I put Ainsley to bed I was whispering sweet nothings to her, talking her down from an angry bedtime (and a bit of a trauma from earlier in the day...may fault, maybe more on that later) I told her how much we all loved her, how she lights up our lives and makes us all so happy. "Espeically Louise. Louise loves you more than anything in this world Ainsley girl." "Oh mama, can I go see YaWeez? I love her so much I wanna squeeze her and give her a big kiss." And sqeeze and kiss she does. Every morning when they wake up, every naptime arousal, and every single moment in between. They're really playing together now (yesterday I was able to unload 2 baskets of laundry UNINTERRUPTED while they happily played in Ainsley's room. It was amazing). I love my girls so much and am so glad they love each other just as much too.

:: immediately after I cleaned out our whole pantry Louise discovered the spice drawer, it's officially her new favorite place::

::oggling her Halloween sugar cookie,

there is not way of knowing how many of these she's eaten

since we made them yesterday afternoon::

::I love her post nap face::

::straws!::

I'm currently ending a long full day listening to Ainsley make up a bean bag throwing game while Ian "referee's" with the World Series on in the background. I'm thankful that even with our busy mornings, we have kept our slow easy afternoons. I love each snuggle and precious moment with my growing girls.

Happy Hump Day!