Pumpkin Patch

Today we went to a pumpkin patch . . . Amelia's first.  And despite the light rain, we all had a good time.  First, we had to find just the right pumpkin.

This one looks just right, but I'm not sure I can lift it.

I think I can lift this one, but it seems to be the wrong color. 

Amelia, is this the one you want?

No, I think I want these two . . . plus the little one in my hand.

Next up, pony rides - but $6 to ride around in a circle?  I think we'll just pat this one and call it good.

Then we find the free "pony" rides . . . and it was worth every penny :)

 Okay Amelia, look through the hole and smile.

 That was good, but this time, look up at Daddy. 

After choosing the perfect pumpkins, riding the "pony", eating fresh apple fritters, taste testing apple cider, looking at chickens, goats, and pigs, and photo ops behind apples, we headed home, happy and tired.

Amelia's Antics

• Ever since we watched General Conference, Amelia has started "leading" the music whenever she sees a choir sing or a chorister lead music.
• Amelia won't sit in a highchair anymore and will only sit in a "big" chair.  The problem - she also doesn't like to sit.  She stands repeatedly, despite me telling her to sit down, and despite the fact that she has fallen off said chair multiple times.  I'm hoping she'll eventually sit down while eating.
• And speaking of standing, Amelia has this odd fascination with standing on her toys, regardless of the size and shape.  Unlike her mother, she doesn't seem concerned about breaking the toys, and she continues to stand on them even if they make her fall.
• Amelia loves to brush her teeth, and has started "spitting" while brushing.  The problem - she's usually no where near a sink when she spits.
• Amelia is definitely her parent's child - she loves ice cream just like they do.  In my search for the elusive Blue Bunny Fudge Bars (still no luck after 4 stores), I ended up with Fred Meyer's Private Selection.  Instead of 100 calories per serving, Amelia and I are enjoying 240 calories per serving.  It's one of those ice creams that is hard to stop eating, and even Amelia puts up a fuss when we stop.  It's a good thing she's active enough to burn off all those calories . . . the same can not be said of her mother.

Disappointed . . .

 . . . that the Utah State Aggies lost yet another game in the 4th quarter.
. . .  that I haven't gone into labor prior to my due date (and yes, I realize I still have 1 1/2 weeks to go).
. . .  that I finally got around to buying ribbon for Amelia's Christmas stocking and then lost the ribbon in the store before I paid for it . . . and not realize I didn't have it until after I had left the store.
. . . that it took me 3 stores to find the Blue Bunny brand ice cream (recommended by Brenda) and then find that they don't have the recommended Big Fudge Bar :(
. . . that I don't have any energy/ momentum to work on the baby's quilt.  Maybe I'll get it done in time for Christmas.

Randomness

• I have been craving junk food so bad the last week or so, but when I'm in a store I can't make up my mind what I'm in the mood for, so I don't buy anything.  And then when I get home, I think of half a dozen things I would gladly eat.  Ken is grateful I haven't made him go out in the evening to get me a snack.
• Ken's co-workers threw me a baby shower, which I thought was so nice since I've only met  a few of them once or twice.  I decided it was really more a tribute to Ken, but it was more fun to have the pregnant lady at the shower rather than just her husband.
• Amelia usually just likes to play with her crayons (taking them in/out of the box) but lately she has gotten "creative" and started coloring things besides her coloring book - the stove front, the table top, the refrigerator.
• Today I got an e-mail from Parents.com titled "the right way to argue in front of baby".  Really?  I deleted it without reading it.
• I think women are trying to compliment me, but I'm really beginning to hate it when they say "you're so small, I can't believe you're due in just a few weeks."  It makes me feel like I can't complain about being so uncomfortable . . . and I love complaining about how uncomfortable I am :)
• The only exercise I can handle lately is walking around stores pushing a cart and chasing Amelia in the store (since she doesn't like to sit in it lately).  I wish I could do more, but walking around the blocks is totally uncomfortable.  Not that I used it much, but I miss the heated pool at our condo.
• Ken thinks I am OCD because I put the alphabet letters in order on our refrigerator.  In my defense, it's so that I can figure out which letters Amelia has lost under the refrigerator.
• I have no motivation to do anything and would order take-out every day if we could afford it.
• Our tomatoes are finally turning red . . . all at once.  Ken asked what I was going to do with all of them.  My verbal response "eat them and give them away".  In my mind "you should have thought about that before you planted 6 plants".  (If anyone reads this that lives close to me, you are more than welcome to come get all the tomatoes you want.)
• Amelia has started pretending to do things.  Her favorite pretend (that I can figure out) - washing her hands, and my hands - complete with putting on pretend soap.  Do you think she's OCD about cleanliness?
• Boy, I have a lot of randomness in my head today - thanks for reading.

Soup, Soup, Soup - Beef & Spinach Soup

I just realized I still hadn't gotten around to posting my 3rd favorite soup recipe.  Not that anyone else probably even noticed, but I try to do what I say I'm going to do.  This is a fairly new recipe that I've found, but we all love it at my house, so we make it quite often - but not too often to get sick of it ;)  So, without further rambling, here's my 3rd favorite soup . . . oh yeah, and another reason I love it, is because it is so easy AND it's a crock pot soup.  Enjoy!
Beef & Spinach Soup w/ Rice
Ingredients:
2 lb beef stew meat (or lamb), cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 C. carrots, cut into 1/2-inch slices
3 C. yellow squash, halved lengthwise, cut into 1/2-in slices
1 onion, chopped
2 Clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 1/2 tsp dried basil
9 C. beef broth
3 C. chopped fresh spinach
3/4 C. Rice
Instructions: In a large skillet, brown meat, half at a time, in hot oil. Drain off the fat.  In a large crock-pot, place carrots, squash, onion, garlic, thyme, and basil.  Add meat when browned.  Pour broth over all and mix.  Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours.
Stir in spinach and rice.  Cook for an additional 30 minutes or until rice is tender.

Ready, Set, Splash

Hey Amelia, are you ready to try out your new boots?

I'm ready Mom, let's go!

Here I come!

Look at this big puddle.  It's just waiting for me!

Insert cute video here of Amelia playing in the puddles . . . . you'll just have to use your imagination - I can't get it to work :(

Soup, Soup, Soup - Minestrone

Minestrone Soup is one of my favorites because it always reminds me of home and my mom's homemade bread.  Almost every time my mom made this soup, she also made bread.  Nothing is better than homemade soup and fresh bread.  Okay, actually, nothing is better than fresh, warm bread.  Ahh, I miss those days . . . but, at least I can still enjoy the soup.  My mom's recipe requires multiple hours - cooking and adding ingredients at various stages; I found that the recipe turns out just as yummy when done in the crock pot, which makes it super convenient.  I love crock pot recipes.  Hope you enjoy this one.


Minestrone Soup
Ingredients
1 lb hamburger or stew meat
1/2 onion, diced
4 Stalks of celery, diced
2 Cans stewed tomato, or equivalent of home-canned tomatoes
2 Cans water
1 cube or tsp beef bouillon
salt and pepper, to taste
1 tsp basil, dried
3-4 Large carrots, cut into pieces
2-3 potatoes, cubed
1/4 C. Rice
Brown hamburger; add onion and celery - saute.  In crock pot, add all ingredients - except for rice - cook on low 6-8 hours,  Add rice the last 30 minutes.
Serves: 4-6