Roasted Fall Goodness

It seems that Autumn is here in all of its splendour! With that cool, crisp air came thoughts of home and hearth. Everyone snuggled in, routines to a science and all the organized fun that comes with the new "school year." I swear, I am such a teacher! I am way more excited for the start of a new school year than a new year and I don't even have a kid in school. Actually I guess I do as we are hosting a student from Germany for the year.


Things have been so busy getting our Carla all settled and into school that the first week flew by. Now into the weekend and awaiting the arrival of my biggest news of the year. My BF is moving to my town. This is quite a feat considering that she is a highly intelligent and educated world traveller. But somehow I have happened into a stroke of luck that will see her dwelling in my basement suite by this time tomorrow!


I thought I would share a recipe this evening. I am having a lot of fun in the kitchen right now. Carla is a vegetarian which happens to be my cooking area of expertise. As a vegetarian during my formative cooking years I can whip up some amazing veggie recipes. And I get the ingredients, I know them. I still don't know meat very well so let us give a collective sigh for my hard done by meat eating husband!


The books that I get the majority of my inspiration from are:




I use the Rebar Cookbook ALL THE TIME! If there is a recipe to love it is in this cookbook. Seriously I love it. The Purity Cookbook has all those great classics that I often call my Mom looking for. In fact, she bought this for me and Post-it noted the favorites I most often ask about. Ham Glaze, Dumplings and so on and so forth. The two Vegetarian Cookbooks give me lots of ideas but I usually take it my own way from there. And well, what can I say about "Deceptively Delicious?" I have always been a food hider; my husband can spot a grated, green cooked down, microscopic piece of Zucchini from a hundred paces. I never thought I would go there, I was adamant that River would each veggies so no Jessica Seinfeld needed thanks. Then I met River...**smooch** **smooch** Mrs Jerry Seinfeld!

Oddly enough....this came from the internet but whatevs.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

**I made this soup in nearly no time....around dinner hour with not one, but two toddlers chomping at my heels**

• Roast one 2lb Butternut Squash at 350' for about an hour
• Mince one onion and three carrots (I use a food processor)
• Saute (in the bottom of your soup pot) in 1 tbsp of butter with 1/2 tsp of cinnamon until soft
• set aside
• When the Squash has cooled enough to work with remove skin and throw chunks of squash into pot
• Add enough Vegetable Broth to cover, bring to a boil
• Simmer for 20 mins
• Then Food Process in batches or use an immersion blender to puree (add 1 nice chunk of peeled ginger before pureeing)
• Put back on heat to stay warm. At this point you may want to cook longer and puree again to reach a desired consistency. This is a matter of preference
• Before serving add one cup of whole milk, heavy or light cream. Soy or Rice Milk will work for a Vegan option
• Do not boil after milk is added
• Ladle up and sprinkle with minced ginger, fresh sage and or Pumpkin Seeds.

This is also great in Risotto or over brown rice.Enjoy! We paired it with fresh baked veggie focaccia sandwiches. Delish!

Fashion Plate

My guy chose his own clothes for the first time! Big day for me people. Absolutely NO DRAMA getting this kid dressed this morning. Yee-Haw!

Book Reviews

I was unable to finish "The Vampire Diaries" trilogy of books that I have. After the first one I just couldn't do the second one. Somewhere along the line I saw an ad for the TV show and even though it seems to stray greatly from the book; it still had enough info that I just didn't have any zest for the reading. So keeping that in mind, I review waht I have read since returning to actual "literature.". However, it is very possible that I have been deceived and poisoned by my previous trash books. I am pretty sure that an Archie comic would have seemed substantial. With that, I will introduce two of them. The third book that I have read was "The Secret Lives of Saints: Child Brides and Lost Boys in Canada's Polygamous Sect." I had planned to write my seething review of it with these two books however a literary pal of mine passed along three more books of the same subject. I figure once I finish them I will prepare to go a few rounds with the Fundamentalist Mormons.

Little Bee by Chris Cleave

I have to say that of all the three books this was my least favorite. It is not a bad book but the story seemed so implausible to me that I had a hard time "getting" it. The story itself hinges around this catastrophic event that sends the lives of the characters hurling in different directions and then finally together. I guess I just didn't see the catastrophic even in the same way that the author did. It was a tragedy obviously, life altering and heart breaking but I did not see it as a big "secret" needing to be protected. I also found some of the characters useless and the story ended a little abruptly for my taste. Speaking of abrupt endings....I gave James Frey a chance in his post-Oprah spanking, first fiction venture with "Bright Shiny Morning." What a load of s#*t and every book with an abrupt ending will now be held to this POS's standard. I digress....I actually would have enjoyed this book more if they had kept it in the detention facility that opened the book. There was a lot of potential story to be created within those four characters and I would have gladly read on. All in all, didn't mind it but I didn't have any "post book depression" that I often have when saying good-bye to well loved characters that I will never know again. So read it or don't read it....either way your life will be no different than it was before.

This is where I leave you by Jonathan Tropper

Now this book on the other hand was fantastic! I loved it! I loved it so much that I found myself fascinating about the movie it would make...then realized that it would,in fact, make a superior stage play. The characters were flawless, honest, unapologetic. The author created within them both strengths and weaknesses and used both soundly. There were surprise reveals, obvious "surprise" reveals and some predictability which made this a really even story. There were ups and there were downs. It really did a great job of illustrating how dirty family dynamics can really get. At least how I know families. It felt really honest to me while evoking feelings of sadness, compassion and joy. I really felt as though I was along for the ride with this family for better or for worse. I think that anyone can see themselves within the text and likely their own family members,too! I read this book in an entire day while driving from Saskatoon back to the Koots. I could not put it down and leave it for long. It was just so engaging. I honestly laughed aloud at times. This is by far one of the best books that I have read in quite some time. You know a story is good when you find yourself reminiscing about the characters as though they are actual people you just haven't seen in a while! Read it! I am just not lending you my copy because I don't want to lose mine!

Friendship in the time of Facebook

So....when I was at work last night I found myself composing the blog that I have meaning to get to for a week. Subject:books. I have read three good ones, one of them was particularly great! One of the other ones was about Polygamy so, needless to say, I have A LOT of material.

Then I saw a new friend walking up the hill by my work. We just happened to have dinner plans for this week and was just firming up our plans. She came over to chat and asked if this was where I work.....We talked about a few other things, finished planning dinner and off she went. It struck me later in the evening what I found interesting about that particular question and it came to me.....Facebook! Even though we have only met a couple times and have yet to hang out formally there is already a familiarity that you can only have with a near stranger in this day and age. It amazed me that you can know so much and so little about someone just by being friends on facebook. It goes the other way as well....how many of us have run into someone who we are "friends" with on facebook only to fine the interaction awkward and uncomfortable.....

I liken it to "dating" or "courting" new friendships. You meet somewhere..... your interest in each other is piqued. You ask the million dollar question "do you facebook?" Perhaps you actually remember their name when you get home (I very rarely do) and "friend request" them. Again, I liken that to being asked out on the first date... the casual "are you interested?" The once friendship has been confirmed you get to look around their page (snoop.) Pictures, videos. comments, groups, blogs.... then comes the commenting. And the reciprocal commenting until you are chatting back and forth like you grew up together.

Then comes the next step. Actually meeting and hanging out. This to me is the interesting part because there is already such familiarity...you have seen the pictures of them taken minutes after giving birth and if you are really lucky they have posted the video. Where do you go over coffee from there? "Well, uh....I just wanted you to know that from the looks of it they really did a great job piecing your episiotomy together."

I jest....but only a little. However you can have all the familiarity in the world and it will mean nothing without it. Chemistry. It is that "zip" that makes a relationship tick. It doesn't matter how much time you spend bantering with someone in the cyber world. It doesn't matter what you have in common or how much fun the person looks like they are from the pictures they post....there has to be some kind of friendly magic that brings these new relationships from being screen to being seen. I am always excited at this prospect. New relationships of any kind are fun. The getting to know you part....except....you kinda skipped because you got to know each other on facebook. Damn....did I just discredit my entire this entire post?

I feel the need to go back and proof read.... I must be going crazy or something. I think I might actually spell check this one just for fun!

You're reading WHAT!?!?

It is time to blog about that little visited and oft remembered pastime of old. And by old I mean pre-parenting of course. What is it you say? While I am sure that many of us Moms have pastimes that have gone to, say, pasture the one I am referring to is reading. I mean true reading and not the following because they do NOT count!

• instructions of any type even if the manual (carseat for example) is thick enough to count as a book
• parenting books. while I will not slag their usefulness that is schooly reading and I say it does not count! although I really rely on my "Roots of Empathy:changing the world one child at a time" by Mary Gordon
• kids books. why yes, they can be engaging but....no.
• anything legal or bill like
• the packages you get from your health professionals
• food labels. there are some foods that would make you think you are reading a really wordy dictionary though!
• anything that has a cover with a photo of Miley Cyrus, Kate Gosselin, Brangelina or the like (I LOVE LOVE LOVE trash mags!)

One of the things that I like the most about myself as I get older is the ability to have a great big laugh at myself. I do it so often and it really eases those stressful feelings of not fitting in. I always feel like I stick out like an oddish sore thumb. To quote my Mother "she's not as high strung as the other one (my sister.) She's just weirder." It doesn't bother me nearly as much as it used to. Some of my particular quirks are my love of really bad music and teenage TV shows. Often when I am belting out the lyrics to some strange 80's power ballad my husband will look at me, shake his head and declare that he is "embarrassed" for me. This will usually lead me into a "live life to the fullest" rant about how people should listen to what brings them joy. Read what makes them happy....just READ! Watch what helps you escape! Just be who you are and be honest about it.

My name is Amy and I read trashy books in the Summer. Seriously. Really really bad books and I LOVE it! The stories suck, the writing sucks but the stories suck me in. For a while. I am usually good for a couple over the Summer. And I get really into them. Like up until two or three with the doors open and the sweet breeze keeping me cool. Two summers ago, while newly pregnant with River and hoping that the pregnancy would stick; I escaped into the Twilight Saga. I am by no means a "Twi-hard" but I read them. Enjoyed them for what they were worth. They didn't change my life, I am not clamouring for more but I did enjoy them. I have seen the movies and I have to say that I was shockingly disappointed even though I was not expecting much. The last two installments were abominations in my POV. The stories ended a bit to perfectly and I am staunchly Team Jacob. Edward reminds me in looks and personality disorder personality of a really moody dude (that I adored) from my youth and I watch the movies wanting to slap RPat silly!

Last summer I revisited a favorite of my youth. VC Andrews. I was remembering my teenage years when a new VC Andrews book was a MUCH anticipated event met with exile into my bedroom until the book was finished in one sitting. I would then talk the story out with my bestie and anxiously await the next. My love of pre-completed series began then when there were already three complete five or six volume stories that I devoured in no time. I wondered what it would be like to go back to that time. It all seemed so innocent. The stories themselves so horrific. And fantastical. There are always riches, a horrible matriarch to overcome, a lover who often turns out to be your relative an unexpected pregnancy and every other mountain that could be thrown in the way of our scrappy young Heroine's happiness. . Then the fifth book in the series is always told from the POV of the "horrible matriarch." Formula writing at its best, um, worst... I can still hear my Mom's voice in the back of my head "Those books are sick!" or my Dad's "If you want a real book read this (hands over a well worn copy of 'The Hobbit')"

So, I dove head first into this crazy series about a Mom whose son dies so she makes the daughter parade as the son her whole life. Then the daughter/son has a kid with the neighbour but the Mom says it is hers and they all go crazy. Or something like that.....I read the series. I wouldn't, like, recommend it or anything but if that interests you I'll give it to you. It is taking up space in my bookshelf. Again, my husband thinks I should hide them.

And without further adieu....this Summer's trashy choice is..... "The Vampire Diaries." It meets all the necessary criteria. Bad writing. Check. Crazy unbelievable story. Check. More than one in the series. Check. (another guide to bad Summer books is that there must be a couple of them.) I have been unable to put it down. Something about the sheer indulgence of it. Call me crazy but the main character just became a Vampire and I need to finish this blog ASAP! The books are the basis for the TV show of the same name which I will not be watching. That "Degrassi TNG" girl makes me want to deafen myself."

It has also been lazy Summer nights when I discovered some of my favorite trashy TV shows. Roswell. One Tree Hill. CSI. Last Summer it was "Supernatural." I find something satisfying in being able to tear through a series or a TV show that is already completed (or many seasons in.) My husband always makes fun but he gets into it and those are some of my favorite memories of our time together. Staying up on hot nights watching "just one more episode."

I love this quirky, honesty in my friends as well. I truly revel in it. One of my best friends loves teeny-bopper movies. Another loves trashy romance novels. Another's thing is 80's tunes. I LOVE these things about them. Comment about the "odd things" that you love and embrace about yourself!

And I guess that is about it for tonight. Remember Mommies to make some time to read. I like to read a novel and then something smart and then a novel and so on and so forth. Feel free to recommend your faves to me. And remember that it doesn't matter what you are reading as long as you are reading.....and enjoying it!

I have INSOMNIA!! (aka "Long time no blog"

With best intentions I started my blog. Goals in mind, one step forward. A whole bunch of steps back! Little did I know that on the very day I started this little blog, six months ago, that my life was about to change forever! On that day, my son's first birthday, life as I knew it ended. My sweet, sweet busy boy stood himself up on his tiny, beautiful feet and walked across my livingroom. It feels like he started running the very next day and I don't think I have stopped since. That child has a zest for life!

Couple that with a seemingly endless Winter, a nasty case of the blues, some solo-parenting, a move, a new job, a vacation and whatever else came along to bring us to this point. July. Personally not much further ahead, not much further behind.

I guess now is a great time to post a few pics of what we have been up to before I gather up my thoughts and head forward with this little project of mine.

My husband and I

"curious, chatty and perfectly himself"

I decided today that I have spent a little too much time as of late focusing on the busy, the tired and the constant need for patience. Not enough time on the miracle. He really is a miracle. Curious, chatty and perfectly himself. He knows his mind, he know his rites. I am really lucky. He is sweet and social, happy and positive. I waited a long time to be his Mom!

But how do you become someone's Mom and not lose yourself along the way,? It seems like the divisions start early...someone's daughter, sister, cousin, friend, niece, granddaughter, wife, mother, grandmother.... How do you give to each of these relationships and still give to yourself. Why can I do whatever needs to be done for my son, my husband or a family member yet I can't haul my cookies up the hill twice a week for the Yoga I am DYING to go to? And not in the way I am "dying" to go to the gym (never.) Or "dying" to finish unpacking (whatever.) But, really truly longing to go and stretch and move and feel. To sit in silence with nothing but my breath to keep me company. I am going to find that balance. Probably just in time to get pregnant again, but I will get there.

I am beginning to feel the shock to my roots that was moving back here fade into the background of my memory. It was about that for a longtime. Lately, I have found some relationships worth tending and some that need to be gently let go. I have slowly started staking claim to my marriage again and waking out of my new parent phase. I am trying to keep my memories close but open myself up to new ones. I guess that would be the key term to where I have stagnated for the last long while....closed.

All in all...the goals are the same as they were but I think some of my perspectives have changed which is, I guess, the truest meaning of being "under construction."

**Did you like that? So cheesy but I have no shame."**

**I think now is a good time to remind readers that I don't proofread and I don't do grammar. I think it, write it and post it as it flows into my mind. And by readers I mean you Mom, and probably Lea."

Better late than never (on a variety of things)

**Somehow I wrote but never published this one.**

Almost one year ago today I became a Mom. I find it hard to even begin reflecting on how this has changed me...on the joy he has brought. But those feelings are so deep, so in my core that it is one of the few things that leaves me speechless.

I waited a long time for my baby. There were times that I thought I would never be able to carry a child full term and then suddenly....as the sun rose in the hills, (literally) on January 26, 2009 at 7:02, my perfect baby entered my life. And what an adventure this has been.

was one of those types of Moms. Or I thought I would be....you know the one. Only organic would touch my baby! Breastfed until I could reason with him to stop. No TV! No media! No sugar or box food! Family bed and babywearing. All my attention, all the time!

And then along he came! And along came reality..... he never breastfed. Although that was not for lack of trying. Spent most of his life in disposables. He eats mostly organic and has very little sugar. However, he has eaten chocolate, Nilla Wafers and Annie's Bunny Crackers. He watches "3rd and Bird" while I get ready for work. Play by himself while I blog and facebook. He does sleep with us everynight.....

It took me a while to realize that being militant does not make you a great parent. I believe that healthy parenting lies in the reality of life and in flexibility. I feel like a better parent letting him watch a little TV while I shower because otherwise he is screaming at the door. He also goes to playgroup, plays outside, plays with Mom.... he does a little of everything and GUESS WHAT!

He is OK! He is better than OK, he is great. I wouldn't have said this a year ago and I don't know why! What did I think? I guess I though parenting meant total control.....HA!

Anyhow....I can go on that topic forever but the important thing to note today are the Birthday Celebrations! I went for a Lemon Cake with Cream Cheese Icing. Both recipes as well as all of my cake paraphenalia can be found on the "Wilton" website. The cake batter seemed to thick and the icing a bit thin. The icing went very soft while piping and next time I will likely use a traditional Buttercream. Note the Brown Icing as I accidently added Black to it and managed to save it. Proud moment! This is a first for me as neither my Husband or I are "cake people." Seriously though, the cake batter was phenomenal.

Go ahead and try piping a cake! One of my BFF's makes cakes for everyone....she is my insipration in many ways. I kinda think she is superb in every way most especially parenting so I like to copy her whenever I can! Seriously...she can make cake sand out of crumbs and brown sugar. Who the heck does that! Check out some photos, laugh your ass of at my Funky Monkey and thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings!