The Perfect Rainbow

 As I drove onto the Eastside Catholic campus this rainbow took my breath away. Isn't it just PERFECT!? I might have stopped traffic to take a picture. It's possible.

Halloween Peanut Butter and Toffee Candy Bark

I was flipping through the October issue of Bon Appetit from last year and came across "Halloween Peanut Butter and Toffee Candy Bark." My my my...I knew I HAD to make it this month, but when? For who? We definitely don't need a bowl of candy bark laying around our apartment, so when my alarm reminded me to make a dessert for the cheer team I knew what I was making. The fact that it has all of Giselle's favorite candy is just a plus. I am always intimidated by recipes in gourmet magazines, so this was my first experience following through with it. I'm a fan. It was easy, and candy bark can't look bad. I only had a problem getting the white chocolate melted just right. Because of this, my white chocolate is in dollops and Bon Appetit's is drizzled beautifully.

This is how mine turned out. 

This is Bon Appetit's.

If you are interested in this fantastic recipe you can find it online. http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/quick-recipes/2010/10/halloween_peanut_butter_and_toffee_candy_bark

Panther Vests

My job surprises me sometimes. I "nanny" for two girls (15 & 16). Mostly, I am an extension of the family. I do my best to help things run smoothly. Well, this last week that meant making panther vests for Gabby (16) and her boyfriend for Homecoming. Eastside Catholic doesn't have a formal Homecoming...the theme this year was "Into the Wild." Gabby made patterns for me using a t-shirt for hers and a hospital gown (leftover from spirit week) for her boyfriend. Here they are. 

 Inside out before I cut the front open.

 Only complaint- huge mess cutting fur is.

The end result. 

I did not make the ears or tails. Let's get serious.

Six Soup Day

Whitney had this great idea to have a soup day where we just make a ton of soup to freeze for the winter. Just like a squirrel buries nuts for winter. Genius. I was up for the challenge.  

Crazy amazing Chicken Noodle. Whit's recipe.

 The end result. We seriously each have a months worth of soup.

 The beginning of homemade noodles for the chicken noodle soup.

 There they are...tougher than you would think.

 Our purple black beans for Spicy Black Bean soup from my FRIENDS cookbook.

 Tons and tons of squash. All kinds.

 Whit & the magic Vita-mix. One day I will have one. You can make ANYTHING.

Taste tester Quinn. He liked the pumpkin, acorn, and butternut.

Can you believe this only took 3.5 hours? I couldn't believe it. 

Next is Mason Jar Pie day.

The Roomies at Oktoberfest

How did you celebrate October 1st? Let me tell you, if you haven't been to Oktoberfest then you should...it was the best way to spend the first day of the lovely fall month. My roommates and I went. Melissa Buchanan and Meg Voeller, I love you. They are all over the place, but this one was in Leavenworth, a Bavarian village. People were in crazy costumes...we are planning for next year. Anyway, we had a great time. Good beer, fresh air, free samples of fudge, & the chicken dance. Splendid! We wrapped it all up by singing at the top of our lungs to the radio. All-in-all it was the perfect way to welcome October and have a good time with the ladies I live with.

Just a fun fact- I am the tallest of my roommates. It is terrible. NO ONE can reach the top shelf.

 Just a glimpse of the costumes...oh and hats. I forgot to mention the hats.

Recent Simple Pleasures

I don't know about you, but I can find myself in a funk for no particular reason. This is why I am documenting some simple pleasure: things to be grateful for that I easily overlook.

Simple Pleasure 1- spending a few hours learning about new curriculum with Whitney Krietlow & Cherie Robbins followed by an impromptu trip to Greenlake.

Simple Pleasure 2- being apart of friends' families. What a gift it is to spend time with families, even when they aren't my own. TV time, story time, & bon fires are just a few things I'm grateful for.

Simple Pleasure 3- celebrating Cassie's, my oldest friend, 26th birthday with her & her family.

Simple Pleasure 4- unexpectedly spending an afternoon with Jenica. Good (discounted thanks to Pirq) coffee, antiquing in Seattle, my first trip to Ivar's, and singing Happy Birthday. Thanks for letting me spend your special day with you!

Simple Pleasure 5- trying out a new recipe. The best part was the chance to sit down with my nanny girls for quality time. Them liking it was just a bonus. Who knew onion soup would be a hit.

Simple Pleasure 6- watching Giselle open her permit. I remember being 15...I felt invincible. I hope she doesn't.

Simple Pleasure 7- living in walking distance from Lake Washington.

First Fall Day Pictures

So, for some reason my pictures posted blurry. These should be better. Thanks!