unexpected break

Hi friends. Well, my computer is dead. The verdict is that I probably killed it with static from my own finger tips! Yikes. Who knew? Computer murdered by excessive winter dryness. File this one under "things that only happen to Ruthie."

So the good news is that I just ordered a very very awesome computer that I have lusted after for forever. The bad news is that it will take a week to get here. The good news is that I can still post from my phone or iPad. The bad news is that I can't use any real pictures. The good news is that this will give me extra time to prepare for Christmas. The bad news is that my advent wreath tutorial is stuck in my camera until AFTER advent begins.

So hang in there with me. My postings will be sporadic and probably lacking in pictures.

As a consolation prize, please enjoy a couple pictures of our friend's French Bulldog, Gigi. She's been spending Thanksgiving break with us. She leaves us tuesday and the littles will be so sad. I think I'll be ready, though!

technical difficulty

My trusty computer decided to cease being trusty this morning. So the whole tutorial I had planned for today will have to be postponed. So stay tuned. It may be a while, but I'll get up instructions for this gold advent wreath! It is easy and pretty, and would work on making a regular wreath to hang if you don't celebrate advent.

the busy before the storm

We had a pretty busy weekend.  Brian's unit had a party last Friday to raise money for the ball.  The littles had fun running around with other littles, Brian had fun throwing a pie in his commander's face, and I got to meet a few more of the families.  I was asked to bring a dish to share for lunch, and so I made a big pan of baked ziti.  Unknowingly, I placed the pan on a table designated for dishes being judged for a prize.  I should have known when the soldier behind the table handed me a card to fill out about the dish.  And it won 3rd place!  If only I had known it was a competition, I would have put forth some 1st place effort, ha!

Also, I entered a custom portrait into the silent auction for the fundraiser.  If you read last Friday, you would know I was nervous no one would bid on it.  So I put the starting bid at $10, just in case.  Luckily it got bid up to $60, so I don't have to feel like such a loser.  And I've heard that the winning bidder wants a portrait of her dog, so that should be fun!

If you follow me on instagram, you've seen this, but here is the portrait of Rowan I made to use as an example.

And my trophy, of course! 

Brian worked hard to get the yard winterized, putting away hoses, raking leaves, letting the littles jump into the leaves.  And I worked hard getting the house ready for Thanksgiving this week.  Can you believe it's Thanksgiving week??  Oh my, do I have a busy week ahead of me.

Are you hosting Thanksgiving, my American friends?  Or do you get to relax at someone else's home?

the ten.6

1.  This week I had my very first parent/teacher meeting!  Many more to come, I know.  Fletcher is doing so so great, especially considering he is the youngest in his class by far.  I am so proud of everything the teacher said about him.  He's smart, and that makes me proud.  But it's his kindness and compassion that slays me.  Proud mama, here.

2. I stayed up late last night cooking for some good ol' forced family fun today, Army style!  I also stayed up finishing a portrait of Rowan for a fundraising auction.  I'm not actually auctioning off the picture of Rowan, but using it as an example for a portrait of their choice.  I'm just going to say it.  I'm pretty nervous that no one bids on it.  I guess if that happens, I still have a baby portrait of Rowan?
3. I haven't gotten even one Christmas present yet.  My blood pressure just jumped when I typed that.
4. I'm hosting my in-laws for Thanksgiving.  My blood pressure just jumped when I typed that. 
5. How long will this last?  She's wearing her Halloween costume every. single. day.  I have to talk her out of the wings when we go into public.  Have I ever mentioned I have the most stubborn 2 year old in the world? 

6. Kris's hats are pretty much perfect, and I think we should all urge her to start selling them.  (Ha!  As if a homeschooling mama of 4 needs one more thing on her plate)
7. We have an Army ball coming up next month, and I think this dress would be perfect for a December ball.  But I'll probably just wear something I already own.  Boo.
8. I have 13 of those big Rubbermaid tubs full of Christmas decorations.  That is all.
9.  This.

10. I know my postings haven't been as regular lately, and I'm sorry about that.  I usually work on pictures the night before, and write up my post in the morning before the littles are up.  Well, daylight savings really put a kink in that one!  I'm just too much of a night owl to wake up even earlier.  Also?   I put a lot of energy and time in this here blog, and sometimes it feels nice to pull back and invest that time and energy in other places. 

spicy butternut squash pasta

I love squash.  I love that there is a squash for every season, too!  One of my favorites is butternut squash.  So sweet, and such a great texture.  Ah, Fall.  Wish you would stick around a lot longer.  What is tasty about this recipe is the spice of the crushed red pepper mixed with the sweetness of the squash.  If you like that sort of thing.  And I do, I do!  If you do, too, you'll need the following.

1 large butternut squash

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme

1 teaspoon thinly sliced fresh sage

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary

1 pound pasta

1 cup fresh ricotta cheese

grated Parmesan cheese

serves 6

 

Cut your butternut squash in half lengthwise.  Drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Place cut side down on a lipped pan and bake at 400 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes.  Let cool for 10 to 20 minutes.

While squash is cooling, saute the garlic in olive oil until just slightly browned.  Also cook your pasta.  Add the herbs and red pepper, and stir.  Scoop out the meat of the squash, and add to your pan.  Cook with remaining olive oil.  At this point I added a bit more of red pepper after I tasted, because I love a spicy dish.  So taste and adjust for your taste!  Take the squash off the heat, and fold in the ricotta.

Serve over your pasta.  Sprinkle with grated Parmesan, and you're finished!  It's an easy recipe, you just need the hour or so to bake the squash.

We only used half the sauce, and I froze the other half to make toasted raviolis for an easy Thanksgiving appetizer next week!  Hope you enjoy!

hoosier weekend

We spent the long weekend with good friends, Marcus and Kelly, and their little boy, Alex, in Indianapolis.  The highlight of the weekend for me was going shopping and having lunch with Kelly while the Dads watched all the littles.  Kelly took me to Midland Market, a massive antique store.  It was amazing, and if I had room in our car, I would have stuffed it full of furniture.  I did find a few treasures that would fit, though.  The highlight for Brian was probably going out for Ethiopian food and drinks.  It was different!  I love trying new foods, and everything I tasted was pretty good.  But then I was sticking to the vegetarian menu, and not eating the *raw* meat. My husband is the adventurous eater.  I'm all for trying something new, but not at the peril of my stomach lining.   And the highlight for the littles was the Indianapolis Children's Museum.  It was amazing.  And they are still talking about it, which means it was a hit! 

Thanks so much to Kelly and Marcus for their incredible hospitality.  Kelly makes the best homemade doughnuts ever, and Marcus makes the most delicious pasta Arrabiata we've ever had!