{learning a new language}

Claire and Meredith are currently in the process of creating their own language.  I find it pretty amusing when I hear them making statements to each other.  Most of the time they have to discuss their choice of words because one of them can't remember what half of the words mean.

I haven't paid too much attention to their created words, but they did inform me tonight that "Mom" is now "Model".  Flattering.  Thank you. :)  ...especially compared to "Dad" which is now "Oodoh".

They obviously know who cooks the meals around here.

{creamy butternut squash soup}

It's been a while since I posted a recipe around here.  I've been thinking that I need to get back to doing that every now and then.  

I'm trying to stretch my family a bit on veggies these days.  We seem to eat the same ones over and over and over again.  Well, 'tis the season for squash of all sorts, so we're eating squash this week!

Most of my kiddos will eat sweet potatoes pretty well, so I thought I'd try mashed squash with a little butter and brown sugar, as well as this creamy butternut squash soup.  It's got a little kick to it, but the cream cheese gives it a nice balance.  Josh, Olivia, and I all ate it last night, and it was very tasty!  

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

1 butternut squash {you'll need about 5 cups cooked}

1/4 c. butter or margarine

1 small onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

3 c. chicken broth

1/2 t. marjoram

1/4 t. black pepper

dash of cayenne pepper {optional}

8 oz. cream cheese

1.  Cut squash in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds and slime.  Place skin side down in a casserole dish {you may need 2 depending on the size of your squash}.  Put about an inch of water in each dish.  Place squash in 350 degree oven {uncovered}.  Bake for 30 minutes.  Flip squash so that the skin side is down, cover with foil, and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes or until squash is soft enough to scoop out with a spoon.  

2.  In a large saucepan, saute onions and garlic in butter or margarine until softened.  Add cooked squash, chicken broth, and spices.  Stir until combined.

3.  Ladle 1/2 of soup mixture into a blender with 1/2 of cream cheese.  Blend until smooth.  Repeat with remaining soup mixture and cream cheese.  Combine blended soup and enjoy.

Notes:

-This could be a bit on the spicy side for kiddos.  Leave out the cayenne pepper if you are looking to cut back on the spiciness.  

-I made this with an entire bar of cream cheese.  I think even half the amount of cream cheese would do the trick {and be healthier!}.  

-I'm guessing that this would freeze beautifully.  My suggestion would be to add the cream cheese when you're ready to reheat it!

{amelia's first hunt}

Amelia finally got to go on her very first hunt.  Daddy woke her up bright and early and dressed her in some camo.

To say that she was excited would be an understatement...a huge understatement.

Of course, I had to take plenty of photos.

I'm in love with this one {ignore Josh's "grandpa" truck in the background}.  {I know, honey, that cap serves lots of great purposes...not one of them has anything to do with style...purely practical.}

About 15 minutes after they left, I heard a few shots.  I was hoping that meant success.  And 30 minutes later, they came back with their bounty.  

Again, she could not have been more excited.

 

Josh told the funniest story after their hunt.  He said that after he shot the first squirrel, Amelia covered her mouth as they walked to pick it up.  Being that this was the first animal that she had seen shot and killed, he wasn't sure if she was upset about the squirrel dying.  When he looked to see if she was crying, she was actually giggling and doing her best to contain her excitement! :)

{these two}

These two.  

-very headstrong

-want their own way

-want to sit next to each other at meals

-aren't allowed to sit next to each other at meals

-can't stop touching

-can't stop bossing the other

-want to always play with the toy that the other has

Next summer?  Only time will tell.

They obviously love each other a bunch.  Really, they do. :)

{b.i.f. fifteen}

Olivia can now climb up onto our bar chairs and then up onto the kitchen counter. Overall, I find this a bit scary. Thankfully, I have 3 little pairs of eyes that help me watch for the climbing. Today, after Amelia informed me that Olivia was on the counter, I heard her say, "Livi! You can't be up there...you might fall off and break yourself!"

{menu plan: october 2012}

I love the seasonal change when it comes to menu planning.  Because we grill 12 months out of the year in this house, my favorite change is from summer planning to fall!  I'm kind of a sucker for soups and casseroles.

October 1-6
1: deer and noodles
2: deer steaks
3: homemade crunch wrap supremes {new}
4: almond chicken and rice
5: baked potato soup: slow cooker style {new}
6: no cooking

October 7-13
7: chicken patty sandwiches
8: beef stew: slow cooker
9: leftovers
10: spaghetti
11: no cooking
12: baked french toast
13: no cooking

October 14-20
14: no cooking
15: pancakes, eggs, bacon
16: stroganoff: slow cooker
17: homemade pizza
18: cheesy chicken and rice: slow cooker {new}
19: homemade chicken nuggets {new}
20: ham steaks

October 21-27
21: frozen pizza
22: stir fry
23: ground beef and tomato manicotti {new-double/freeze}
24: janet's chicken and noodles
25: leftovers
26: chili
27: pork loin

October 28-31
28: leftovers
29: corn and potato chowder: slow cooker {new}
30: creamy chicken and wild rice soup
31: candy, of course

Hmmmm.  I see that I just listed two soups in a row during that last week.  I might have to rethink that one!  I'm guessing that I'll have something to sub in there for one of them.  We'll see!

Happy cooking!