Quote of the Week

"You've always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself." 

The Wizard of Oz

image/prosecco&lemonade

Friday Fun

Looking forward to a cozy weekend cuddled up with my family - with a stroller walk or two in between.  Our nights might be sleepless here and there, but our hearts are happy.  Have a great weekend!

+ preserving the art of the handwritten thank you note 

+ loved this family's creativity - an Inside Out Halloween

+ a 4-ingredient flu season tonic that works

+ Norway's secrets to enjoying a long winter

+ wanting to try this recipe

+ perfect sign for a child's playroom

+ this Thanksgiving appetizer looks delectable!

+ ideas to mix up your wrapping paper game for the holidays

+ homemade focaccia, yes, please!

+ oxford's word of the year is...an emoji?

+ wouldn't mind noshing on this gourmet breakfast

image/maryruffle

Currently...

My little baby is 3 weeks old already!  We are spending our days cozied up in our warm house, snuggling under fleecy blankets, watching newborn stretches and startles.  It's wonderful.  In the meantime, here's a few links of what we've been up to...

+ binge watching these HGTV gems on Netflix

+ attempting to read this during feedings

+ devouring episodes of this podcast

+ eyeing these fall-ish recipes, yum, yum, and more yum

+ recording my gratitude in this new journal

+ excited to hear about this movie sequel coming next March

+ loving this cute snowy sweatshirt for my littles

image/maryruffle

Weekend Baking: Gingersnaps

It seems my sweet tooth has returned, taking a brief hiatus during my pregnancy, only to return with a vengeance post-partum.  These gingersnaps a la Smitten Kitchen made for the perfect cookie aroma filling the house on a misty, drizzly, rainy fall Sunday.  Amazing - as all her recipes are.  Enough said.

image/smittenkitchen

Quote of the Week

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed.  Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude."

~ Denis Waitley

image/bloom

It's a Boy!

It's a boy!

We welcomed Cooper Owen into the world!  He almost arrived on our fourth anniversary after a fairly quick labor, but ultimately decided he wanted his own special day!  Cooper weighed in at 9 pounds 7 ounces!  We are home now as a family of four, enjoying our newborn snuggles and cuddles, and so in love!

Dinner Last Night: Creamy Butternut Squash Alfredo

When I saw this recipe on Little Baby Garvin, my first reaction was YUM!! I need to make that this week!  I've never been a huge fan of fettuccine alfredo, it's a little too rich for my taste, but it's one of my husband's favorites.  Aside from the pasta and 1 cup of milk, this recipe is mostly vegetable based, so it's definitely on the lighter side as alfredos go.  I served with crumbled applewood smoked baked and pomegranate seeds - the perfect garnish of salty and sweet.  It was delicious!  Also, just a note, there was plenty of sauce to go around, I ended up freezing half for a later date.  Definitely a repeat recipe.

image/joyfulhealthyeats