A Fall Day in Lake Tahoe

The kids and I and our good friends have been enjoying the week up in Lake Tahoe. It has been gorgeous up here and we are loving the fall colors....I will have more photos and fun from our trip to share next week! It has been a nice calm before the storm of Halloween soon arriving!

Fire, fire!

This is an image from our beautiful shopping mall that was set on fire last week by a twenty three year old gunmen. They are still doing an investigation as to exactly how the fire started, whether it was from an explosive or not, but it is just so sad! Some stores are expected to re-open this week, but some that had a lot of fire damage, may not open for at least a year...so sad, not just for the fact that we can't shop, but for all the people that have temporarily lost their jobs. It was shocking to see this image from the Whole Foods across the street from the mall and so scary that something like that would happen so close to home....

Kale Chips

I was sick once again with the flu this week...ugh! I think I am finally cured and am getting back into the swing of things....

Anyways, I wanted to share a fabulous, easy and healthy recipe with you...

Kale Chips
1 bunch of Kale washed and dried (stems removed)
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
Lay Kale individually out on a cookie sheet. Brush or spritz with a bit of olive oil. Sprinkle salt and pepper on each Kale leaf and bake in oven at 350 for about 30 minutes. Let cool and enjoy!!!

My kids didn't like them too much, but at least they gave it a try!
Have a wonderful weekend....it is officially fall here....finally!
Now it's back to working on my Halloween costume (it's a good one)....just wait!!!

The Launch

I showcased some of my photography last weekend at a local salon in town. It was a group of four women, (me included) who are all trying to get their businesses up and going. We did a wine and cheese party at the salon with music and raffles...it was a blast!!! I am so blessed that so many of my friends and of course my mom and dad were able to make it! It was a great turnout!!! Did you know I have a website? I bet you didn't. It is still under a bit of construction, but for now, you can get the idea!

Another pumpkin recipe....

I have another pumpkin recipe to share with you...this is one of my favorites and has been in my family for a long time....it is so scrumptious, especially with a Soy Pumpkin Latte or a glass of cold milk!!!

Harvest Loaf Muffins
Mix together:
1 3/4 cups sifted flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cloves
Beat together:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
Then, mix dry ingredients with wet ingredients, plus add:
3/4 cup pumpkin
3/4 cup chocolate chips
Grease pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or you can bake in a loaf pan for 65-70 minutes.

Enjoy!!!!
Have a happy Fall Weekend.....Here in Northern, Cali, it is not quite fall yet, we still have temperatures in the high 80's...hopefully by next week it will feel like fall around here!!!!

The Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday, my mom and I took the kids to the pumpkin patch for an afternoon of fun! It was rather warm, but we had fun finding the perfect pumpkin and enjoying all of the other activities there were to do. It was a great change, as I have not been feeling very well. Apparently there is a virus going around that gives you an achy body, a hoarse voice and no energy to do anything...luckily I am starting to feel better except for a little bit of the body aching left. Hopefully I can kick it soon!!!See that pumpkin there on the right hand side? Yes, that is the one we chose...you should have seen my mom and I trying to roll it into the wagon, that deserved a picture....

Savanna found the perfect pumpkin!!!
A hug from sister on the train!!!

The pumpkin smoothie

Well, here it is, the first full week of October, so I thought I would share a pumpkin recipe with you. Everyone in line around me at Whole Foods seriously thought I was crazy when I was buying 8 cans of pumpkin. They asked me if I was worried they would run out...I said no, but honestly, yes, I am a little bit scared. You see, when the leaves start changing colors and the air gets crisp, I can't resist anything with pumpkin and let alone baking with it. I know by December, I will be disgusted by it, but for now, I am enjoying the stacks of canned pumpkin in my pantry. For this week, I am sharing a pumpkin smoothie recipe with you...so delicious and the kids gulped it up!!

Pumpkin Fruit Smoothie
1 cup frozen strawberries
2 frozen bananas
3/4 can of pumpkin
1/2 cup rice milk
Blend it up and enjoy!!!

34 years

My parents just celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary this last Saturday. They got married when my dad was 19 and my mom was 17 and they are still so happily married. I feel so blessed to have such amazing role models and parents. I love you Mom and Dad