HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Halloween is typically a big event in our house. This year, we were a little preoccupied with our new arrival so our decorations are minimal. Here are a few pictures of our festive attempt ... Have a frightfully fun evening trick-or-treating!

My tiger who insists on ROARING like a lion

Our tiger-inspired pumpkin

A Halloween wreath

A friendly spider -- this week's craft project

RECIPE: GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

This recipe from the Sprout Right cookbook is my go-to recipe for chocolate chip cookies for Monkey. The cookies are gluten-free, sugar-free (aside from the yummy chocolate chips) and have protein, iron and potassium in each cookie. You could also add cranberries or raisins -- whatever suits your taste buds.

Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1/4 cup plus 2 1/2 tbsp agave syrup
1 1/2 cups brown rice flour (I've used white rice flour when I can't find brown rice flour)
1/4 cup potato starch
1/4 cup tapioca starch
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp xanthan gum
Chocolate chips, dark chocolate (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325°F. Beat butter, vanilla and egg in a mixer. Add agave syrup and beat.

Add the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Mix in the chocolate chips (if using). If possible, let batter stand 10 minutes at room temperature.

Drop spoonfuls of dough onto parchment-lined baking tray and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown around the edges. 

Enjoy!

CURRENTLY LOVING: THESE BOOTS

I am coveting these boots. A little bit of combat and a little bit of flash with the red zipper make for a perfect combination. This might just be my very first purchase once the post-baby ankle bloat disappears ... boots, please wait for me!

MY TWO KIDDOS

 

Our little girl is here! She took us by surprise coming a bit early, but we're over-the-moon with happiness and joy. She is beautiful and has already found her own special place in my heart.

Monkey's reaction to his sister's arrival was interesting to witness. He eagerly shared the news with his friends and, during hospital visits, he was curious and very affectionate, wanting to hold, hug and kiss "his baby sister." Then, the baby came home. His first words when he spotted her in the bassinet were "Who's that?" Thankfully, after only a few days he's back to doling out big hugs and kisses.

And now we're a family of four.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

This little kid makes me smile each and every day. This Thanksgiving I'm so thankful for our small, and growing, family.

I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

DESIGN INSPIRATION: VINTAGE BAR CART

My husband's grand plan is to have a bar in our basement. He envisions friends coming over, pulling out a stool, propping up their elbows and grabbing a beer. And I'm sure, a hockey or football game factor in too. Unfortunately, our small basement is not conducive to making his dream a reality as play spaces and toy storage become a priority.

Instead, I'm trying to convince him that a vintage bar cart in our dining room is the solution. He can become a mixologist, serving our friends after-dinner cocktails all while having a cool piece of furniture that also functions as storage -- how practical is that?

Here are just a few images that are inspiring me to search out a vintage bar cart of our own at the flea market ...  

  

(Image 1 / Image 2 / Image 3 / Image 4 / Image 5)

RECIPE: TURKEY VEGETABLE BARLEY SOUP

Cooler temperatures are prevailing, which means for the next two seasons I can devour hearty soups that warm and comfort your soul. As much as I love soup, it just doesn't appeal to me in the heat of summer. This recipe for hearty turkey vegetable barley soup comes from the Looneyspoons cookbook and is a staple in our house. Add a fresh baguette with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping and you have one of my favourite meals.

Ingredients:
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 pound boneless, skinless turkey or chicken breasts, cut into cubes
1 1/2 cups celery, chopped
1 1/2 cups carrots, chopped
1 cup onion, chopped
4 cups chicken broth
1 can (28 oz) whole tomatoes
1/3 cup pearl barley
3/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
1/2 teaspoon ground sage
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped for serving

(Makes approximately 6 servings)

Directions:
Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add turkey cubes and cook until no longer pink.

Add all remaining ingredients. Mix well (I use my big wooden spoon to chop up the whole tomatoes). Bring soup to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes until turkey and barley are tender.

Enjoy!

CURRENTLY LOVING: AN OVERSIZED CLUTCH

The Sartorialist

I adore the simplicity of the oversized clutch. It can store your necessities without being as cumbersome as your everyday tote. This navy fold-over clutch by Clare Vivier has definitely landed on my Fall covet list. Although not practical for mommy-duty when space and a hands-free approach is a must, it would be perfect for solo missions to run errands or meet up with friends.

Here are a few street style photos that capture the oversized clutch in action ...

The Sartorialist

The Sartorialist

Stockholm Streetstyle

The Locals

BOOK CLUB: THEN WE CAME TO THE END

Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris is my most recent book club read. I was reading it at the doctor's office not too long ago and the nurse took one look at the title and told me it sounded depressing. She was right -- sort of. 

Set in an office environment, it is a black comedy that depicts the life of the average office worker from office gossip and lunchtime routines to coveting the best chair and desperately seeking a promotion. The writing was interesting and I was intrigued with the use of the collective 'we' for the narrator. I usually adore endings that neatly wrap up the story, but for once I was disappointed. For better or for worse, the use of the collective 'we' illustrated how employees become one when working for a company, and to close the loop on the main characters five years later seemed to conflict with the very premise of the story -- at least to me.