it's my girls' world

From time to time, I link up with Andrea for Show and Tell Tuesday. This prompt about what  makes you, you, your nicknames, your phobias, quirks has to be one of the cooler ones. Buckle up kids, I've got lots to share!

My nicknames are few and far between.  My grandma (who has a nickname for each of her grandkids) and Uncle call me Sweetie. Grandma also calls me Queen Victoria--- no idea why? Maybe I loved to play dress up as a kid?! And D used to call me Scrappy--- as in Scrappy Doo because when we started dating I would talk his ear off. Oh and he calls me Sarits too.

I am so scared of cats. Like terrified. It was worse when I was younger but I'm still not a fan. I think they look at you weird. 

Big toads also freak me out. 

I'm scared of wearing stilettos again, since I kind of blame them for my broken collarbone

I have a four letter "f" word I can't stand-- and it's not the one you're thinking of-- although I don't care for that one too. I don't like the f word associated with passing gas--- I really, really don't. It's my f word.

I can't handle chipped nail polish at all!!! Especially dark colours.

I don't like washing dishes. I mean, I do it every.single.day but I don't care for it. I can cook up a storm, I pack a mean dishwasher and I can tidy up everywhere after but dishes I could pass on. I wear gloves most of the times when I do. I  think it's because I want my manicure to last longer or my hands not to get 'old'-- I dunno.

I am a girl mom and so proud of it. I've wanted it for my entire life. It irks me when people want me to 'try for the boy.' Like seriously irks me. I always say something.

I always have appies and wine in my house in case someone pops by for an unexpected visit.

I must make my bed every morning. You know what they say-- the state of your bed is the state of your head. I mean the rest of the house could be a total mess but my bed?! No way!!! Apparently it's a good thing that I do.

I don't say 'when I used to work' even when I was totally a SAHM. I instead say 'when I was in the corporate world". I think mamas work SO hard.

I rarely wear sweats even at home or pajamas all day to lounge around in. I feel so much better when I'm ready for the day-- even if it's in leggings and a simple tunic. Even as babies, I used to dress up my kids in something other than sleepers lots of the time. My logic was that I'm not in my pajamas all day, why should my kids be?

Yep, that's quite a few quirks, huh? What about you?  Are you as weird as I am? :-)

I just love weekending in the fall after a busy summer. It's such a mix of family, friends, food and fun... all with a little hibernating.

This fine October weekend:

+  we finally closed our pool-- bring on the cooler temps. There is no turning back!

+ our friends and their kids (our kids' friends) came over for take out Lebanese, hot sauce making and watching the Jays game.

+ I sneaked out on Saturday morning to run a few errands

+ D and I went to a German restaurant for an amazing dinner--- they make lots of their stuff in house- even  flavoured sodas, butter and condiments! I tried fried green tomatoes and it was so delicious!

+ we topped of the evening with a McD ice cream cone #dessertofchamps

+ I started Downton Abbey while spending Sunday in the kitchen and just.cant.quit.

+ My little seven year old socialite, C had two playdates.

+ A began to run a fever so it looks like school may be out for her tomorrow.  

+ I cooked up a storm including two of my kids' favourites- butternut squash soup and pumpkin chocolate chip muffins/loaf.

+ We had family dinner and playtime and ended the evening watching a show together. 

A wonderful weekend and though we wish our weekends were longer, now we are ready for Monday!

 

Linking up with   Biana

Happy Friday!! Here are just a few things that brought me a bit of happy this week. 

The magic eraser wins again. Check out my menu board when I used a chalk marker on it. Nothing I did was taking out the stain.

A little magic eraser.... and awesomeness!!

I use them on my kids shoes, our walls, counter tops and anything that needs some extra shining and regular detergent doesn't seem to get rid off. What are your favourite uses for your magic eraser?

We went to Oktoberfest the other day with some friends and I totally failed to take pictures of all the food, dancing and German garb. However here are just a few of these cuties. 

Three dollar giant pickle lunch? She dropped the first one midway and was so, so sad so I treated her to another. 

Lots of games for the kids

This little one fell asleep midway through the festivities and very loud music. 

3- My mom gifted me a few treats from Trader Joe's when she visited last. Healthy and yummy combined.

4- Up until very recently, A called her ankle a 'toe pom-pom'. You know, as it sticks out like pom-pom. #randomkidlogic

5- I'm finishing last season of Scandal on Netflix. When we moved, I couldn't seem to get caught up until now. I must admit, it is a bit too dark and twisty for me and I really abhor Rowan! Anyways, here are just a few Scandal smiles for this Friday

When D calls midday to find out if I did some random errand.

Looking at my visa bill after the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

My annual girls' night -- everyone walks with a bottle! 

When I've tucked my kids in, I go in an hour later and they have their dolls on their bed having a tea party at almost ten o'clock.

Have a wonderful weekend, loves!

Linking up with 

Andrea, Erika and Narci for Favourites on Friday

Amy for Hey Friday

  and Amanda for Friday Favourites

When we were on our 21 day fix(recap painstaking detailed here), I all but broke the internet trying to switch up our meal plan a bit. This has to be one of my very favourite recipes that I found on the Beachbody blog and amended to add even more veggies and make my own. (maybe, just making, they didn't make a parm/breadcrumb topping) Butternut squash is always a favourite in our house and this recipe was a hit all around!

Ingredients:
1 lb. dry whole grain pasta (I use Catelli Smart-- tastes like white)
1 tsp. olive oil
1 medium onion

2 celery stalks
2 medium bell peppers

1 carrot
3 cups cubed butternut squash

pinch of nutmeg

1 1/2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 1/2 cup  milk (I used 2%)

1 tbsp of mustard
2 Tbsp plain Greek yogurt
2 cups of shredded cheese
Salt and black pepper to taste

Topping (optional)

1 tsp of olive oil

2 tbsp of breadcrumbs

2 tbsp of grated parmesan cheese

Method:

1- Boil pasta according to package directions.

2- Finely chop the onion, celery, bell peppers and carrots. I used my mini-chopper.

3- Heat oil in a non-stick pan and added chopped veggies. 

4- After 2 minutes, add butternut squash (I steamed my squash for a bit in the microwave to soften before I cubed). Cook for 5 minutes.

5- Add milk, nutmeg, salt and vegetable stock and let simmer until squash is tender to the touch (softens with a spoon). Mine took about 15 minutes.

6- Put mixture into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

7- Return to pan (but with heat off), add cheese, yogurt and mustard. 

8- Place mixture into a greased/sprayed 13  x 9 pan.

 

9- Mix the olive oil, breadcrumbs and parmesan until just combined and sprinkle to the top of the pasta. 

10- Bake at 375 for 20 minutes covered (with foil), 10 minutes uncovered. 

My kids went crazy over it and there were requests for lunch the next day! 

Words can't describe the ooey gooey goodness of this pasta. First off it was a bright beautiful colour (that totally looked like KD dinners) It was so delicious, flavourful and chockful of veggies (about 8 cups in the pan). 

This one will be on repeat in our house!

Linking up with Amanda.