Jonesing: For a Holiday + Thanksgiving Recipes

Hi there. We are so looking forward to this Thanksgiving weekend.  Then we'll trudge through to next weekend when our house will be on the Pendleton Heights Holiday Homes Tour. After that we will really kick back and enjoy Christmas break. A break, a holiday, some true relaxation is just what we need. I've had this severe sinus toothache that makes my teeth throb. Today I warned and then apologized several times to the children for my impatience. Phew. When mama is throbbin' ain't no body better get on her nerves. Michael came home with some antibiotics from the doc. Sweet relief, please come my way before I dig to the back of the medicine cabinet for my codeine pills from surgery. 

Hensley, you had a tummy bug that seems to be clearing up, but the laundry aftermath is still going. Poor girl. You've been acting normal this whole time. It's odd, but we're glad it totally didn't wipe you out. 

Tegegne, you love school. Some days spent at home, like today, get really long, especially when I don't give you ideas of what to do. We will be glad to have dad around. He's finished sanding, mudding, and painting, so he's all ours! You had a Thanksgiving Feast at school yesterday and did a little program on the stage. You shouted out, "The Mayflower," when Mrs. Donna asked the name of the Pilgrims boat. We love your preschool. Your teacher has become a good friend of yours, since this is your third year with her!

Fields, you slept all night. Yay!  I put you to bed at 6:30, woke you at 11pm for a late night feeding (I'll usually do this right before I go to bed, normally between 9 and 10.), then you slept until 6:30am. Following that you took a long morning nap. Love you little sleeper!

We are hosting Thanksgiving and are in charge of the turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, rolls, and cranberry sauce. Yum. Michael will do the turkey again via Cooks Illustrated Herbed Turkey. I'll do Ina Gardners' sweet potatoes and this year I'm going to try Pioneer Woman's stuffing.  The rolls will be from our Artisan Bread book and the cranberry sauce will go in the crock pot. 

Cooks Illustrated Herbed Turkey - From this book
Ina Garten's Sweet Potatoes
Pioneer Woman's Stuffing
Artisan Rolls - From this book
Heather's Cranberry Sauce: Crockpot

With lovin' from our oven,

Kristyn

(photo.)

A Little Treat: Pumpkin + Cinnamon

I hope to make these little delicious treats this afternoon. Will you send my kids a telegram to tell them to be good while I'm baking? Or maybe I'll get real patient and let them help. Either way, Hensley, you'll cry a little (a lot maybe) because when I mention food you are looking for the immediate result and you circle the kitchen island chanting the food of your preference. You're 20 months and I love you at this age, but when I'm in the kitchen and you're crying I long for the day that you can successfully crack the eggs. 

Happy fall and food of pumpkinny goodness.

(Recipe and photo from Glory at Glorious Treats.)

Pumpkin Doughnut Hole Muffins

Pumpkin, cinnamon and sugar make a delicious combo in these cute mini muffins.

Yield: 24 mini muffins

ingredients:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (freshly grated if possible)
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoon cloves

1/3 cup oil (vegetable, olive, etc)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 cup milk

For the coating-
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon

directions:

Preheat oven to 350*F.
Spray a mini muffin pan generously with cooking spray.

Pull out two large bowls.
In one bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and spices.

In another bowl, whisk the oil, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, pumpkin and milk. Mix until smooth and well combined.

Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and mix until just combined (do not over mix).

Divide the batter evenly among the 24 muffin cups (using a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop).

Bake 10-12 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

While the muffins bake, prepare the final coating.

Melt butter in one bowl and combine granulated sugar and cinnamon in another bowl.

Remove muffins from oven and cool for 2 minutes, or until just cool enough to handle. Dip each muffin in melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar to coat. You will likely not use all of the butter, or cinnamon/sugar but this amount makes them easy to dip.

Trick: Or Treat

Hey Sweet Little Dino and Super Hero Spiderman (and Sleeping Lumberjack Baby Fields)! We had a good Halloween, huh? Our neighborhood goes all out and we love it. The big pretty houses are decorated, the homeowners dress up, there are bounce houses, and a train ride! Isn't that dog dressed as a cheetah awesome? We had lots of fun with our pink owl buddies, Jay and Liv, trick or treating. As for all of that candy, you get to pick a piece a day at 3:00 snack, but I don't know where all those suckers and not-nice-to-your-teeth candy went. 

Love, 

Mom

Dear Hensley: Thanks!

Hey Cutie! Thanks! (Thanks and Jesus are two words that you say adorably well.) Thanks for our breakfast date this morning. One large banana granola pancake, one egg, and one cup of coffee at a booth in Fairway's First Watch made for a good time with you. Fields sat in his car seat in the booth with us and didn't make a peep!)


I love this video of you at 19 months (2 days ago) which represents a bit of our days together when Tegegne is at school. 

P.S. Sorry people keep mistaking you as a boy lately. If you're not in pink clothing, people just assume. And you are a green dino for Halloween (but maybe a fairy with wings as well because your dad got a costume from a school parent too!), and your winter coat is brown, etc, etc. 

Fallish Things: And Fancy Woodwork

Have you indulged in the deliciousness of fall? Pumpkin pie and apple cider? Hot chocolate and smores? The pumpkin patch, hayrides, sweaters, knit socks, and snuggling up? 

Tomorrow afternoon we will get together with friends to dine and enjoy fallish things. The hosts are making the most delicious Moroccan autumn soup with many tasty spices. Served with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a baguette drizzled with honey. Yum.

We have stayed sorta close to home lately. Michael's Grandpa is not doing well, so we have been to and from the hospital. His Grandpa held Fields for the longest time two nights ago. It was precious. So glad Fields got to meet Great Grandpa Auringer, and have that special time with him. I've been sick, and trying to rest. Michael and the kiddos got out this morning to watch some kids from his class play soccer. Sweet sweet Baby Fields is officially 1 month old today! I must do a photo re-shoot tomorrow and post his one months. Hensley was way too involved in the photo shoot today. I cannot wait to get my A game back so I can be the busy mama of the house again. 

Michael is currently painting walls in our entryway getting ready for the homes tour. It is quite amazing what a difference smooth walls make. The woodwork looks divine in contrast with the beautiful milky white walls. We are going with white walls everywhere, especially after seeing this historic home renovation in Boise. 

With love and red leaves,

Kristyn

(pumpkin patch.)

The Many: Hairstyles of FBJ

Fieldsy, 

Your hair. Your hair is soft, and plentiful, and stylish! You are 3 weeks old today. One month will be here soon! Instead of letting the time fly by we are trying to cherish these early days.

Your dad writes, "It was cool last night. He (you) was getting all restless, and I got a little nervous thinking that he was going to explode. Then I remembered that you said he was settling in...about 5 minutes later he was sleeping...good work Krissy." 

Your dear 'ol dad, has been awake with you some at night, just choosing to hang out because you are wide awake. It is neat to get to know you, especially while feeling relaxed since we've done this baby thing before. I've remembered dear Mrs. Druckerman's suggestions of "The Pause" and after doing Babywise with Hensley, we've gotten you into a good eat/wake/sleep routine. 

I love your sweet baby sounds and the way you hold your little mouth in the shape of an "o" and look around. 

***

Tegegne,

You were in a movie today, which made a little money for your savings! You played the grandson, and held hands with a grandpa while walking through a park. An easy scene with no talking, but you were a natural!

***

Hensley,

Love you funny girl. You're so goofy. The way you dance around waving your arms. How loudly you say each word, and repeat the last word you hear. You love shoes. And eating. Definitely your mother's daughter.

And since I read this post, I'll be getting in a few more photos with you kids.

Love,

Mom 

Thursday: With Nana

Nana got to play all day wit our  us and we loved it! 

Highlights included:

A trip to one of our favorite parks at 66th Terrace and Main, while Mommy visited her friend Nancy for  a quick trim at Vincent Greer Salon.

Lunch on the back deck.

Finding "Peter" the grasshopper and feeding him grass all day. (Because Spiderman's real name is Peter, you know!)

Lots of quality book time with Nana including the "Where's Waldo" Bible story style!

Love you Nana!

9.13.12: Welcome Fields Benjamin

Hi Sweet Baby Fields,

Life is quite good. Your birthing adventure hit a peak and now we are resting in the valley. We did it. With lots of support. You're here. We're tired, but have peace. I've been spoiled with special deliveries of chai lattes and cranberry orange scones two days in a row. You're enjoying eating as well, every 2.5 to 3 hours for 20 to 30 minutes. Your check ups have been good, and we're snuggling quite a bit. Twice now, we've had the family of 5 together and your dad and I love it. 

Joy, joy, joy deep down in my heart, deep down in my heart to stay!

Love, 

Mom 

Test Results: Indeterminite

Hello, hello from Level Two, where the nurses are nice and all the sofas are blue. Had a few deciding tests today. An ultrasound determined that I do still have placenta previa, so we must do a c-section to get fellow out. The other test was an amniocentesis to determine Field's development, which will decide how soon he comes. That was an exciting really long needle into my belly, in which Fields had to steer clear of. There were two options for the test results. First the labs went to St. Lukes where they could say "good to go," "not quite yet," or "we have no idea" aka "indeterminite." Good to go would have meant he'd come Saturday or Sunday. Indeterminite from St. Lukes means the labs go to Mayo Clinic where they have no "indeterminite" option. They are en route now and we will get results...hmmm...tomorrow I hope.  

On another note, I showered and shaved this afternoon, and feel like a new woman. Grandma Debby is trying not to be worn out by my children, and I'm in the hospital on bed rest, monitors, and meds until further instruction.

That's all folks. Enjoy the cool weekend.

Kristyn

(cartoon.)

Thinking Of: All Things Fall

Fall is a sweet, sweet season that comes and goes too quickly. I mean, it couldn't get here soon enough in my book, but it sure doesn't stay long enough. Here are some key ingredients for fall that I'm looking forward to.

Love hoods. Love scarves.  This crocheted combo is the perfect match.

Apple pie or peach cobbler, a la mode of course.

Fingerless gloves + arm warmers...



Hot chocolate, of course...(do you prefer it with milk or water? We go all dairy around here. The creamier the better.)

 A bon fire. I love how mesmerizing the flames are. A good excuse to stay outside a little longer and cozy up with your honey.

And the most key ingredient for a fabulous fall...a coffee mug sweater, no doubt. Give that mug a little hug. 

Here's to a long and lovely fall!

Love,

Kristyn

(hooded scarf, apple pie, hot chocolate, bon fire, mug sweater + gloves)

Fashion: For the Mama

 

I'm ready to cozy up in this outfit for fall. And drink chai lattes, and sit out back with my family (and possibly some friends) with our fire pit, and snuggle up with my bebe.

Bag, Zara. Sweatshirt, Madewell. Skirt and Kick Butt Sneaks, Humanoid...out of price range, humpf. Linked here.

Fall: On Your Feet!

Hey Kids,

I'm just thinkin' ahead here.  We may have some prospects for your feet this fall. What do you think?

Tegegne, some sweet kicks to go with your movin' feet:

$19.99

Hensley (you get 2 since you love shoes already):

$15.99

$19.99

Fields, something teeny tiny and soft:

$21.50

(Sneakers, Moccasins, Shiny Shoes, Teeny Moccasins)

Thankful: Our Family Feast

What a wonderful Thanksgiving was had by the Joneses this year. Seriously fantastic. 

Thanksgiving: Cousin Love

A Party: Girlfriends, Food...Clothes!

Shoulda taken photo after the romantic candles were lit!

Can you see these ladies getting down to business in this last photo? One highlight of November was my girls party, with soups and cider and a clothing swap. Yes, we all brought a few bags of clothes from our I-never-wear-this-or-that-doesn't-fit-quite-right pile and we swapped. One room was set up as a dressing room, the other for shopping, the music was loud, and we giggled the night away. It was seriously fun. Our house is big enough for parties and I love hosting them! I'll definitely be having a spring party just like this one! 


(Note: Here are a few tips for a successful "clothing swap". Make it big. Have many friends bring lots of clothes and there will be a range of sizes. Have displays and clothes racks ready. I prefer to have no rules on who shops when or what you can take. Set up a dressing room with full length mirror. Parties in a home are always more fun. Make it a true party with good food and drinks. Don't be afraid to turn the music up in case people feel like dancin'! Whatever is not swapped will be donated to charity at the end of the night.) 


The soups were mexican chili and autumn gold soup with Michael's cranberry sourdough and vanilla butter (new fav). 


Mexican Chili


1 lb ground turkey, browned
1 jar salsa, I prefer a chunky salsa
1 cup water
1 bag frozen corn
2 cans black beans, undrained
1 package Taco seasoning


Combine all ingredients in crockpot on low for 8 hrs (or high for 4ish hrs) OR whip up in a pot on stovetop and let simmer on low for 30 minutes. Enjoy with your favorite chili toppings.