50 Shades & a Noah Update

Latest book trend right now?? Fifty Shades Trilogy. And I must admit that I absolutely love it. Within the past week, I've read the trilogy TWICE. Yes, twice. My poor husband has been neglected for the past week since I've been so engulfed into my reading. And my sleep has suffered due to my latest obsession too!! This hasn't happened since I read the Twilight series! haha. It's not the erotic parts of the book that has me hooked, but the plot. Okay, so the book is actually poorly written, but I just got sooooo sucked in! Maybe it's the uncanny resemblance to Twilight, but whatever it is, I can't get enough of it. I mean what's not to love..... a love that was never meant to work out... forbidden love even. Yet, wadayaknow.... it does!! Romeo & Juliet anyone? Minus the tragedy at the end.

Noah is now EIGHT months old! Big boy's eating a number of solids and has TWO teeth!! He pulls himself up to a stand, sits back down, and also loves loves loves to climb up the stairs! He's been a joy to have around, although his teething has made him semi miserable this past week. Hopefully that'll pass soon. Thanksgiving was great and now onto CHRISTMAS!! So excited for Noah's 1st Christmas!!! Definitely the most wonderful time of the year!!

Crockpot recipes? OH YES.

More??? Yep more. I told you, I'm obsessed with my crock pot!

First is this shoyu chicken recipe.

Source: sweettreatsmore.com via Jackie on Pinterest

The chicken breast wasn't too dry tasting, so no need to use thighs. Even my mom liked it!! And again, easy peasy. Definitely making this again.

Next is pot roast... not as smooth sailing, but still ono.

Source: mariescookingadventures.blogspot.com via Jackie on Pinterest

I should mention that the ingredients listed are for a rather larger crock pot. Sadly, I only figured this out while putting everything in the pot. So if you have a small crock pot, half the recipe. And definitely leave it in more towards 10 hours than the 6. The tenderness of the meat is totally worth it! And since I ended up having to make two batches, the meat for batch #2 got a seasoned rub for 6 hours.... tasted better that way! It's also kind of a lot of veggies, so either up the meat or lessen the potatoes and/or carrots. I'll make this again sometime.... maybe when/if I get a bigger crockpot??

Wordless Wednesday: Halloween Edition!!

Tis the Season for Pumpkins!

Love pumpkin flavored goodies!!!!! Holiday season must almost be here!!!!

 

Last weekend, tried the Pumpkin Smash Jamba Juice. SERIOUSLY holiday in a cup!!

My uncle went on a trip the other week and brought back Ghiradelli squares. Tried this Pumpkin Spice chocolate and it was seriously DELICIOUS.

 This past weekend bought me the Philadelphia Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese. But now that I have a recipe to follow, I'll be making this year round!!!

And can't forget Noah.... (here he is at a pumpkin patch this past weekend)

... he loves pumpkins too!!!!

Speaking of my little guy, he turns 7 months old today!!!! The past week has been rather eventful, with him pulling himself up to a stand and has even begun CRAWLING!! (Note to self mama, babyproof the house ASAP!!) He hates being locked up in the baby jail I bought for him and looks at me with his sad eyes. Poor guy!! Been eating rice cereal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so will probably be introducing baby food to him really soon. Ahhh so much going on!!!!! :)

Crockpot Obsessed

Helloooooooooo October!!

Can I just say how much I LOVE October?? It seems to be the official kickoff to the holiday season!! First comes Halloween, then Thanksgiving, and then Christmas!! Love Christmas. Seriously. L.O.V.E.

October also marks the beginning of PUMPKIN recipes!!! Love baking pumpkin ANYTHING. Bread. Pie. Bars. Crunch. I'll try pumpkin anything. Gotta admit.... I just wiped drool from my face! :-P

So I'm completely obsessed with my crockpot now. Best kitchen invention ever. Minus the KitchenAid mixer. Whoever invented these things are geniuses!!! Made two crockpot meals within the past few days and I'll definitely be making them again.

Source: livinglaughingandloving.com via Jackie on Pinterest

First were these ranch pork chops. Delish. And only used 3 ingredients. No need to prep anything. Just mix and press a button!! Easy peasy. There looked like there was extra sauce, so I even threw in a couple of chicken breasts I had in the fridge, and those worked just fine too. Might want to butterfly them next time thought since it was a little dry in the middle. Minor though. Hubby loved this too!

Source: recipegirl.com via Jackie on Pinterest

Next were these pulled BBQ chicken sandwiches. A little more complicated than my first meal, but STILL super easy. Put the chicken in some sweet bread rolls and you've got a winner!!

I wish I was creative enough and had the time to make my own recipes, but those will come with time I guess... something I don't really have much of nowadays. Little dude turned 6 months last week! (Height and head circumference is in the 75th percentile and his weight is in the 5th.) Had 4 shots on Saturday... my poor guy! But took them like a trooper. Cried while getting them, but after I picked him up, he was all better. :) He's definitely proving to be a mama's boy! Lucky me..... :)

So excited for the holidays... Noah's first time for all this!! He's already been introduced to Christmas music... my iPod's been rocking it for at least a month already! Can't wait for it all. Seriously so excited! :)

Bread Pudding

Drool. Need I say more??? Used sweet bread and loved it!!

Before I made this, I could probably count on two hands how many times I've eaten bread pudding. Always thought it was super difficult to make, so I didn't even bother looking at a recipe. But now that I've made this twice, I'm in love!

Source: tastykitchen.com via Jackie on Pinterest

What Parents Say vs. Mean

Let Me Start By Saying has really got me looking forward to when Noah can talk...... NOT!!!

Source: letmestartbysayingblog.com via Jackie on Pinterest