Every halloween, a neighbour of ours will hawl a huge pumpkin to display in the front of their yard. This year they actually carved it! I can’t imagine how long it took them, but here is Grace standing next to the giant pumpkin.
This pic of Gabby was taken last year. That’s A LOT of pumpkin pies!
Did I happen to mention my new found love of meal planning? I just finished 2 more weeks worth of recipes. I found a few new ones I can’t wait to try. Tonight I am making Pork Medallions with Cranberry Stuffing, but I am substituting the pork with chicken. Chicken seems to go better with cranberry stuffing…don’t you think??? M-mmm-mm…can you smell it???
If I had to pick my least favorite day of the week it would definitely HAVE to be Monday! What is it with this day? Everything seems to go wrong for me on this day. Reminds me of that Kim Stockwood song “I Feel Like I’m Twelve Years Old”. I find myself actually singing it when I am having a bad day. Here are some of the lyrics…
Cuz I feel like I’m 12 years old
And I feel like I’m in the cold
And I feel like I’m 12 years old
And I feel like I dont know where I am
And I feel like I’m left behind
and I feel like I’m last in line
And I feel like I’m 12 years old
And My dog just died
and my bike’s been stolen
I missed my ball
And I dropped my icecream again….
here’s looking forward to Tuesday!!!! Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
My brother and sister in law host an annual Halloween party every year for the kids. We look forward to it every year. Grace was up at 6:30 am for pete’s sake because she was so excited. I tried to get Grace to wear the tigger outfit I had brought for Braeden year’s ago. I have a piglet outfit I bought for Grace when she was young. I thought it would be cute for Grace and Gabby to go as piglet and tigger. Grace had it on long enough to get a few pics and then wanted to be a “princess” instead. After a severe meltdown, we let her go as a “princess”. She didn’t want to wear the tigger outfit because it was “disgusting”. Honestly, she can be so dramatic.  I think “drama queen” would have been a more suitable name for her costume. *wink!*
I was anxious to see what costumes my brother and sil would be wearing. They usually go all out. I could hardly contain myself when I first saw my brother. He was dressed up as “Hannah Montana” would you believe. It was hilarious. Gabby didn’t think so though. She screamed everytime he came near her. Looking at his pic, wouldn’t you? haha.
Hannah Montana….NOT!!!
Witchie-Poo, the hostess with the mostest!
Gabby having a meltdown after spoting my brother in costume
Later on that evening, they hosted another party for the adults. I think the kid’s party would have been enough to do me in. I’m sure there was at least 20 kids if not more at the party and all hopped up on sugar.  ( I asked her later and she said there were 25 kids…..Good lord!! Some one find me some advil! )
myself and hubby
I still have plenty of apples from apple picking at Arlington’s last weekend. I made an apple pie and was lucky enough to grab 1 piece before it was devoured. You’d think I never fed them or something! Anyhoo, I’m in the mood for something baked, so I started my online search for a delicious apple recipe. Here is what I found:
MAPLE APPLE OATMEAL MUFFINS
1-1/4 cups (300 mL) quick-cooking rolled oats
1-1/2 cups (375 mL) Milk
2 cups (500 mL) all-purpose flour
1 tbsp (15 mL) baking powder
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
1/3 cup (75 mL) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (125 mL)Â pure maple syrup
1 egg
1/4 cup (50 mL) butter, melted
1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla
2 cups (500 mL) finely diced apples (unpeeled or peeled)
Topping:
2 tbsp (30 mL)Â pure maple syrup
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly butter nonstick muffin pans or line with paper liners.
In bowl, combine oats and Milk; let stand for 5 min. In separate large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk sugar, maple syrup, egg, butter and vanilla into Milk mixture. Pour over dry ingredients and sprinkle with apples. Stir just until moistened.
Spoon into prepared muffin pan. Bake for about 25 min or until tops are firm to the touch. Let cool in pan for 10 min. Transfer to rack.
Topping: Brush warm muffin tops with maple syrup. Let cool completely.
yummmmm!!!! Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 
I’ve been doing a bit of baking this week and figured now would be a good time to stock up for Christmas baking. I bake for my staff and co-workers and a few close friends. Hubby picked up an 8 kg bag today, but I may pick up another one. My favorite Christmas recipes are mint oreo cookie truffles, chunky toblerone shortbread and biscotti. I always make a point to try one new recipe each year and this year’s newbie will be chocolate cookie bark…yummmm!! I’m hoping I can get started soon and freeze all my goodies. That way I won’t be so rushed come December. Happy baking everyone!
I’ve been doing well in my fitness challenge. I’ve made a commitment to try and exercise at least 20 minutes everyday if not every other day. I will not go 2 days in a row without doing some sort of physical activity. My biggest challenge is finding the time. Making a commit of 20 min per day is definitely doable and I know there is no greater feeling than fulfilling a goal. When I was in highschool, I was very athletic and I LOVED the rush I got from competing in sports. I really miss that feeling.
Today was the perfect day to go and pick apples. I’ve been meaning to go for the last few weekends, but something has always come up. I asked Braeden to come with us, but of course he said “no”. I guess he is at that age where it is “uncool” to hang out with your family.
The drive to the Arlington Orchard was spectacular. The leaves were absolutely beautiful. It was a little chilly, but not too bad. The girls really enjoyed themselves. Once we were done picking, we went for a hayride through the orchard.  Because it was just us girls, I had Grace take a couple of pics of me. She’s pretty good with the camera and will be very happy when she opens her gift from Santa this year.
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| Make a Smilebox photobook |
It all began with a show on Much Music entitled “Pussycat dolls presents…Girlicious”. The group was created by the Pussycat Dolls creater Robin Antin. I watched the show on Much Music and fell in love with them.  I don’t know if I am desperately trying to hang onto my youth, but I love all the new hip hop music and when I heard Girlicious was coming to Charlottetown, there was no way I was going to miss them. So two friends of mine and I decided to go. It’s funny because when we were buying the tickets, Sharon and I were discussing getting reserved seats or standing on the floor. We both agreed we needed seat tickets because we figured our backs would bother us if we stood for 2 hrs. The young girl at the ticket booth replied…”are these tickets for you?”. I guess she thought we were old too!
Before heading to the concert, we went out to eat at the Olde Dublin Pub.  I love Irish Pubs and anywhere I go, I remember the good ones. If you are ever in Kentville, N.S go to Paddy’s Pub. The food is excellent!
After a delicious meal or nachos, crispy chicken wraps and steak, we headed on over to the civic centre. I think we were amoung the oldest concert goers there. But that didn’t matter to me. Once the music began, we were down on the floor. I was only 3 or 4 rows back, so I got to see the girls up close. They were great and it was amazing to see them live. All in all, it was a great night and I’m glad I went. Now if I can just see Rihanna in concert, I will be one happy girlie!!
a friend of mine had her son’s pic taken with the girls.
I’m doing the 1 bag, 5 dinners the week of the 27th and a new low calorie chicken alfredo dish…yumm!
Smarter Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken
