Carving Pumpkins

The girls loved carving pumpkins this year. It became a two day event as emptying out Isla's pumpkin took us forever (we're naturally slow as it is!) but was highly successful when we were finished. I let each girl take a marker and draw the "face" they wanted to cut out. Isla just smiled for hers and I copied her darling face onto a pumpkin. Those five teeth get me every time. Lucy's was easily the hardest to cut out as she just drew crazy lines all over her pumpkin but somehow ended up with one tiny star that turned out to be the cutest detail. Sophia's looked like an artistic ghost and I loved the simplicity of it. She had a much more elaborate detail of what everything was (like a stack of cups?!) but ghost worked for me when it was all said and done. I love the way these girls make even the simplest holiday activities so exciting. If I'd let Isla, she would have left her hand inside the pumpkin to eat the guts all day long. Let the orange lights glow on!

Pumpkin Baby

I don't know about you but there's something about a baby in a pumpkin that I can't resist. I've done this with each of my girls and perhaps it's because I know that by the next year they will be too big to fit inside. The constant theme of my life these days is "time is a thief" and unfortunately that won't be changing any time soon. Babies are wonderful but so are my big girls. I love how they learn and problem solve. I love how needed I am, even though frustrating at times. In the eyes of a child, a mother is a superhero. The person in their life who can do anything and fix anything with a simple kiss. I hope these girls never outgrow my kisses, always think I have the right answer (even though I usually don't) and that someday they will let me put their babies in a pumpkin too.

Our Halloween Party

We love celebrating holidays and we love celebrating them with friends even more. The biggest perk to being back in Calgary (aside from universal health care) is our friend group that has grown over the years. I love creating memories with so many other amazing Mama's going through the same fun, tantrum-filled, wild stage of life that we're in. Today we embraced pure chaos, celebrating Halloween with costumes, treats, music, a mini parade, games and story time. I realized for the first time in my Mom life, I hosted a planned playdate at my own house. It was great!

On the decoration front, I can't say enough about Meri Meri Party supplies. I found plates from her collection at Homesense (my replacement for Target) and my party planning took off from there. I can't even handle the string hair on the witch. So cute. I would also like to say I wish paper bats were a standard home decoration because I am loving them all over my house. Thank you Dollar Store for all the tacky but sort of awesome Halloween decor.

The girls shared in the same happiness I felt having friends all around them. I kept finding Sophia running off to her bedroom to hide with her friends and me, chasing behind her saying "keep the door open" and "come back downstairs." Dreading the teenage years already. Lucy played with everyone and when she wasn't playing she was changing her dress multiple times or had her hand in the bowl of cheetos. Classic Lu. Isla took part in the unicorn club and then promptly cuddled into another Mom, hinting that she was ready for a nap. I have no idea how she did it but she slept through a good majority of the party. As for me, I really liked all the hugs, catching up, playing with my friends littles and making sure they felt happy in our home. We've been calling this house our happy red house since we got here and that it is. Here's to trying to make all the littles love me and more happy days ahead!

Thai Butternut Squash Soup

Soup season is among us. The time of year where you just want all the warm cosy meals that take minimal effort. Soup is also near impossible to mess up, making it a staple during the cold months. I love the bright, vibrant colors of this recipe and the taste even more. Send any soup recipes our way. We would love to try something new!

Thai Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients

1.5 tbs of olive oil

3/4 cup of shallots (onions)

1 tbs minced or grated ginger

1 clove of chopped garlic

9 cups of peeled, cubed butternut squash 

(approximately one large squash)

3 cups of chicken broth

1/2 tsp of salt

1 tsp red curry paste

3/4 cup light coconut milk

juice of one lime

Directions

In a medium pot, warm the olive oil and cook shallots until soft. Toss in garlic and ginger and let cook for one minute until fragrant but not brown. Add the squash, broth and salt then increase the heat to bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low heat to maintain a simmer, cover and cook until squash is soft (about 20 minutes). Let cool slightly. Toss in a blender and puree until smooth. Pour back into pot. 

Combine curry paste and coconut milk and mix until well blended. Add curry paste mixture into pureed soup and stir together. Add desired amount of lime juice to enhance flavor. Top with cream or plain greek yogurt for an added creaminess. Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Williams-Sonoma "Eat Well" by Charity Ferreira (Oxmoor House, 2008)

All the thoughts

I've got so many things racing through my head right now. Thoughts I want to write down but I am far too slow these days to grab a pen. Anyone else try to be the fastest note taker when they were growing up? I have neat writing when I want to and felt like I'd accomplished big things when I could be the first one done writing down what the teacher said. That's super irrelevant to anything in my head but a memory that came as I began typing.

I am known to call my Mom every day. I like keeping up with what's going on in her life but also just the company when I am driving somewhere. We chat like she's right next to me, filling each other in on everything under the sun. I made a comment about how busy life has become since moving and she reminded me to simply slow down. Without it sounding negative, I feel like I haven't stopped since we got here and my mind is moving faster than light speed. Always something I want to accomplish or need to do. Whenever I think I'm ahead, I realize I am three steps behind.

The girls had ballet pictures this weekend and my mind was in a far off state of thought as I drove them to the studio. I went from thought to thought when I suddenly felt punched with a realization about motherhood. Growing up it felt like my Mom had all the time in the world to devote to me. Whenever I needed a ride, she was there. Whenever I needed a meal, she was there. When I needed help, she was there. Whatever I needed, my Mom was there. She has always made me feel like I am more important to her than anything else and that she had nothing else she needed to do. Little did I realize, she had lots she probably wanted to do and chose to spend her time with me to help me grow into the person I am today. I experienced my own taste of such sacrifice today as I put aside my to-do list to take my girls to their picture day. Sure, we could have skipped it and been fine but I want to give them all the experiences I possibly can. I want to be the great Mom that I have been raised by, even if it means my kids think I have absolutely nothing to do ;)

I had another realization yesterday, this one regarding perspective. I went to switch our registration back to Alberta license plates when I was informed I needed an out of province vehicle inspection first. I was less than impressed by the unenthusiastic employee who told me this and left the registry office feeling grumpy. From there I took the car to get the inspection done, only to find out not only did I have to pay $200 for the inspection but my car needed the windshield replaced and the rear brakes replaced before they could give it a pass. My bill quadrupled and all I could say was here, take all my money. I went home feeling a little on edge when the thought came to my mind that money aside, I am so grateful I needed this inspection done. I've been putting off the windshield for ages and it definitely needs to be replaced. Brakes are obviously important and without being forced to have that inspection I'm not sure how soon the car would have made it in to be checked. My grumpy mindset was quickly overcome by a feeling of gratitude for how directly blessed I was with such an experience, especially where we are planning a little road trip in the next few weeks. It is amazing how a shift in perspective changes everything.

Last thing for today is this quote that came to mind from Jeffrey R. Holland. He said "some blessings come soon, some come late and some don't come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come." I am feeling and seeing the blessings all around me lately. It is no coincidence as I strive to create a stronger spirit in my every day life and the way I interact with others that I am reaping the rewards. If you are feeling discouraged, look for the blessings big and small. They are there and they will bring joy. Tell the people you love that you love them and keep moving forward. Life is too beautiful to sit idle and miss out on what it has to offer. Happy Saturday!

The Calgary Corn Maze

It wouldn't be fall in Calgary without a trip to the corn maze. I felt worried when we got to Alberta we wouldn't make it here because of the snow but a beautiful, warm weather streak has found us and we're taking advantage of it. It was a fun, family night that only could have been made better by remembering to bring coats for when the sun went down (still a rookie Mom four years in..) We let the girls call the shots, taking us from slide to slide, to animals and pumpkins, on the train and finally by request they let us go into the corn field. They loved everything except for when it was time to leave and how cold their fingers were. It was a heat-full-blast kind of drive home, followed by bed time hot chocolate for all. 

The cool crisp air reminds me of being a little girl, the smell of a fire taking me back to running down the street and smelling a fire in a nearby chimney. I can remember raking leaves for my neighbors, charging two dollars a yard and staying outside until I could hear my Mom calling my name from the back step. How grateful I am to be making fall memories with my own little girls, traditions they will hopefully carry throughout their lives. When you embrace each season you come to appreciate all that is has to offer, cold fingers and all. 

Bows: @brayarosebows on instagram (Canadian-made and shipped at the best price you'll find!)
Isla's cardigan: Bumbelou
Lucy's dress: Zara Kids
Sophia's dress: Old Navy (similar) 

Gratitude on a Tuesday

Not sure I should really be typing this list because I feel like every time I admit things are going good, something goes wrong but I am a big believer of expressing gratitude as it comes. Why is it that so many people are afraid to speak up when they are grateful or to compliment someone? I am constantly trying to teach my girls to say thank you loud enough for the person they are thanking to hear. You know, not the quiet "thanks" people often mutter as someone holds the door open for you but a true thank you like that was the nicest thing that's ever happened.

Maybe I take this a little too far sometimes. I ran into a girl I recognized from high school when I was waiting for Sophia at dance class. I couldn't figure out where I knew her from so I struck up a conversation to figure it out. Once we made the connection she commented oh you don't want to remember me from high school. I knew what she meant and quickly replied "all I remember is always thinking you were so pretty and wanting to be as pretty as you." Days later I still can't decide if that was awkward to say to someone I don't really know but no harm in kind words aaaand she's stuck seeing me for the next two months ha ha!

On the topic of gratitude, here's ten things I am feeling grateful for tonight:

1. The water dispenser on the fridge having a light that turns on when you are filling your cup
(so handy when you are thirsty in the night)

2. Sweet sleeping babies

3. Eating dinner together as a family almost every night since we moved

4. Finally unpacking my clothes and feeling pretty settled

5. Matching jammies x3

6. A window in our closet. Any tiny bit of extra light feels so good

7. Warmer temperatures and sunny days

8. My kids eating dinner and enjoying foods they usually won't touch (thank you Hello Fresh!)

9. Friends and family checking in on us. It feels good to be thought of!

10. Fresh starts. Grateful life is full of them

The Pumpkin Patch

It was a lay low kind of weekend around here, hopefully one we can look back on and say we were resting up for a fun week ahead. Is anyone else a frequent weather checker like me? The cold that blew through this weekend had me making sure the warm temperatures predicted for this week were still coming. I'm excited to enjoy some Calgary fall and pick out pumpkins for our door step.

We went to The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island before leaving the Portland area, a must-do in the fall because it's free! You pay for the pumpkins and treats but the hay ride, animals, kids hay maze and corn maze are all free. It was a fun cousin day, one last hurrah before the kids grow way too much before seeing each other again. Isla wanted to eat all the things, Lucy tripped over everything and Sophia was all giggles, wrapped up in every moment. You know, it's funny that I love the pumpkin patch so much because orange is one of my least favorite colors. I could care less for the color but when it comes to a pumpkin, I want them allllllll. October, you are such a dream!