~Giveaway~

Hop on over to The Indigo Forest FB page to enter for a chance to win this lovely little set created by yours truly!

Kellie

This Moment

(This Moment) Is a Friday ritual inspired by SouleMama. A single image capturing a special moment from the week. A moment I want to pause, savor & remember.

(Okay, just a couple of words.... My oldest sister visiting after a few years and this is the morning she met R & C for the first time)

Creamy Smoked Gouda & Cheddar Pasta Salad

About 7 years ago or so, I was introduced the the Smoked Mozzarella & Penne Salad from Whole Foods and I have been in love ever since. It was always a rare treat for me to enjoy this pasta dish, as it is quite expensive, but a couple of years ago I struck gold! This recipe is as close as you can get to the real thing in my opinion. I usually make just a few changes to the recipe. I like to switch it up every now and then and use different cheeses, but I always like include some sort of smoked cheese. This time I used two : : smoked gouda & smoked cheddar! Mmmm..... I also ended up using fresh sweet peppers instead of the roasted red peppers, frozen chopped spinach instead of fresh baby spinach and I left out the parsley. Even with all of those changes it still is the best pasta dish ever - my favorite in the whole world!  Seriously, try this dish!

My Version
(Recipe is doubled)

~Creamy Dressing~
* 1/2 cup parmasan cheese
* 1 cup mayo
* 1/2 cup white wine vinegar
* 4 cloves of garlic, minced or grated on a zester
* salt & pepper to taste

Mix everything together in a big bowl and set to the side

~Pasta Salad & Veggies~
* 1lb of penne noodles (or whatever noodles you prefer)
* 1 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
* 3-4 mini sweet red peppers chopped julienne style
* 1lb cubed smoked natural cheese (I used smoked gouda & smoked cheddar)

Cook the noodles until al dente, drain and rinse under very cold water. Add the noodles and veggies to the creamy dressing. Stir and let sit in the fridge for at least an hour or until nice and chilled. Serve and enjoy!

~Gratitude Sunday~

Today for the first time I'm joining Taryn over at Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude*Sunday

In Taryn's words: :

G r a t i t u d e * S u n d a y

"{Sunday's heartfelt tradition. A time to slow down, to reflect, to be grateful. A list of gratitudes.}"

* My older sister, who I haven't seen in about 3 years is coming to visit tonight! (I can't tell you how grateful I am for that!

* To have my homemade elderberry syrup on hand during this bug we all have. 

* For yummy, yummy (did I mention yummy?) homemade cranberry-ginger bread!

(pictured above) 

* Being able to sleep in a little extra on the weekends

* Clean spaces! It feels so good when things are clean and organized

* Moments to myself. I had the opportunity to watch a most fascinating documentary on Redwood trees.

* Coffee!! 

* Awesome thrift store finds! I found the book Rediscovering Birth  by Sheila Kitzinger. It has the most lovely birth images! 

* As always, I am very grateful for having God in my life! 

~Kellie~

Making Cranberry-Ginger Bread In Pictures

This is a MUST try recipe! 

(I did make a few changes, but the original recipe can be found here)

This Moment

(This Moment) Is a Friday ritual inspired by SouleMama. A single image capturing a special moment from the week. A moment I want to pause, savor & remember.

Somewhere at an awesome birthday party...

So my little man turned 3 last week and he requested an Aquabats themed birthday. Oh how he loves The Aquabats. I didn't find out until yesterday that they now actually have some Aquabats themed birthday party supplies (that would have been nice to know about 2 weeks ago!) but the party, as simple as it was, still turned out great in my opinion. 

 We made each of our boys an Aquabats shirt to wear to the party

 We decided to to donuts instead of cake because The Aquabats actually have a song dedicated to eating donuts and it seemed to fit perfectly. (and who doesn't love donuts?!)

 Little "MC Bat Commanders" 

 Yes, even the littlest got in on the action (can you tell that he is in a hand-me-down bouncer from his female cousin??)

Time to make a wish!! 

We were going to make "tiny burgers" (another tribute to The Aquabats), but alas, we decided to go more simple and have "tiny hot dogs".

It was fun, Rowan had fun -which is what mattered most- it was a good day. 

Ice Cream

Sometimes Mama just needs some ice cream. Who's with me? 

~Gratitude Sunday~

Today for the first time I'm joining Taryn over at Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude*Sunday

In Taryn's words: :

G r a t i t u d e * S u n d a y

"{Sunday's heartfelt tradition. A time to slow down, to reflect, to be grateful. A list of gratitudes.}"

* Boys! My boys to be exact. They may be wild, but they are all mine! 

*For finally finding a little rhythm in our lives.

*For celebration! A certain young man of mine turned 3 years old!! (look for a new post on that soon!)

*Quiet moments....they are rare these days, but I cherish the moments I get where I can sit and gather my thoughts (or not think at all! lol) 

*The little bit of winter weather we got this weekend. It wasn't much, but it was about time that it looked like winter around these parts! 

*For my gnomes making the front page of Etsy yesterday! (I didn't notice until this morning that I had actually made the front page....remember, I was too busy partying with a three year old!)

*My family and friends! 

*Coffee! I am very grateful for coffee! lol Oh! and my Sleepy Boba Wrap! I don't know how I would get anything done during the day without those two things. Ha! 

*As always, I am very grateful for having God in my life. He is actually the reason I get through my days. 

Here's to a new week! Have a great one! 

~Kellie

3 years old

Tomorrow is this little man's birthday. His third birthday to be exact. I'm writing today because I'm sure I will have no time to write a little post for him tomorrow. Even though his birthday is tomorrow, we will not be celebrating it until this weekend and he has chosen to celebrate his birthday with an Aquabats themed party. (I cannot begin to describe how much he loves those guys!) I have a few ideas for the party and I'm really excited about it. I don't think he'll be disappointed. I love this little man more than anything, but I can safely say that he is also the most wild, daring, brave child I've ever met...and he's all mine! Happy (early) Birthday Rowan. I love you. 

~Mama