happy thanksgiving!

we had a wonderful thanksgiving last weekend in cabo. 

(aside from passing on a bug to every member of my family. so, so sorry.) 

we had the best time, and ivy was in. heaven.

she loves playing with staples and esther and being their mini teacher. 

it's the best watching them together. 

they're the cutest, smartest, funniest, sweetest little girls! ever. 

the weather was beautiful, and the weekend was relaxing and perfect.

(except for the sick bit. sorry again.)

these times are so dear to me, as we're far away and our family is ever growing! 

i'm so thankful for such a beautiful place to spend some time with them. 

thank you mom & dad! 

{olive, staples, eli, ivy and esther. minus baby truett}

the only picture of the whole weekend. i officially am the worst.

pleeeeeease do better over christmas, chaiss!!  

hope y'all had a very happy thanksgiving! 

bacon minestrone

this was dinner last night and it was easy and good. 

super duper healthy, and the kids ate it.

winner in my book!

i got it from this blog, with a few adjustments. 

6 slices of bacon

1 small onion

4 garlic cloves, minced

1-2 cups of chopped kale

handful of baby carrots, sliced

squeeze of tomato paste

1 cup of pumpkin puree

1 TB fresh thyme

2 TB fresh oregano

1 bay leaf

1/2 cup of small pasta (I used elbow)

1 can of white beans 

handful of grated parmesan cheese

 + a small piece--about an inch--of Parmesan cheese rind (optional)

4 cups chicken broth

2 cups of water

(it may seem like a lot of liquid, but the pasta absorbs some)

salt and pepper to taste

Cook bacon in your soup pot until crispy, remove from pan.

Add onions, kale, and carrots to the bacon drippings and sauté until they begin to soften.

Add garlic and sauté for a few minutes more. Season with salt and pepper.

Stir in fresh herbs, bay leaf, tomato paste, and pumpkin puree.

Add chicken broth, water, beans, parm rind and pasta. Bring to a boil and cook 5 minutes. 

Reduce heat and simmer until you're ready to serve, or turn it off and then heat it up again when you're ready.

Remove the Parmesan rind.

Ladle into bowls, and top with crumbled bacon and sprinkle with cheese.  

Serve with toasted sourdough.

enjoy :)  

mini pumpkin muffins

i usually use cindy's recipe for pumpkin bread, 

but i wanted to make a small batch today 

and my mom brain couldn't half the recipe. 

i saw this one  (basically the same thing) that just makes 1 loaf. 

i made a few adjustments -no sour cream please- and they were sooo yum. 

too bad ivy brings everything we make to the neighbors!

the powdered sugar put them over the top.

ivy loved doing that part :)

do y'all have any good pumpkin/fall recipes!? 

please share!! 

1 cup pumpkin puree 
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup vegetable oil 
1 2/3 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 cup  mini chocolate chips
powdered sugar, for dusting

preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

spray mini muffin tin, or loaf pan. 
in a medium bowl, whisk together pumpkin, eggs, oil and vanilla until smooth.

in a large bowl stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. pour in the wet pumpkin mixture. stir together with wooden spoon  until smooth, but don't over-mix. fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips.

fill your muffin tin to the top and bake for about 15-20 minutes. 

dust (drown) with powdered sugar and enjoy! 

ketchup

 

trip home to texas. john newton's wedding in san antonio. great weekend at the ranch with my family and uncle craig. ivy and gus re-unite. eli hopped on too. staples rode big red, who isn't red. estie cheered them on. tiny cowboy boots. it was freezing.  homemade pizzas. random princess dresses.  sweet playing. kevin flew back to california, we went to houston. LOTS of great gramma, papa, and cousin time. chick fil a. kacki. children's museum. dora. aunt gen's house. rattling bones. mama's boy. huge swing. night lights. pink play dough. pappasitas. baby truett. funny staples. sweet ollie. happy 2nd birthday esther! sprinkle party. cutest birthday girl. lacy and mrs. mason. bye ivy. flight back to CA with eli. tired. hello husband. really nice night at half moon bay. room service. thanks palantir. hi ivy + nana! back to CA routine. fall back + time change -- what time is it?! preschool. ballet. park. suzie cakes. library. date night. turkey placemats and crazy headbands. bye nana. weekend! pumpkin spice chocolate chip cookies. naps. already monday. and that brings us to today. time for preschool pick up.

and that was leaving out a LOT. :)