Friday, November 18, 2011

Friday Mishmash

First, thank you all so much for the sweet comments on Wednesday's post.  I honestly don't think I could have been as successful with my weight loss had it not been for the blogging community - the support, advice and friendship has been amazing.  And speaking of comments, I would like to encourage those of you who don't link an email to your name to do so - I do respond via email to your comments, and there are some great stories that I'd love to hear more about, but can't make that connection without an email.  

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I got my baby fix on Monday morning!!!  My friend Michelle, who worked with me years ago, was in town for a quick drive-thru on her way back to Oklahoma, and while I hated to miss swimming, there was no way I was going to miss seeing her.  We got to spend a couple of hours together on Monday morning, where I met her sweet baby, Bruce, who was born on Max's birthday!  Bruce is not quite three months old and just so cute!  Ahhh...there is nothing like the feel of a baby in your arms.
 Me and my new little buddy!

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This was Jeff's Facebook status the other day:
"Max and I went to get ice cream at a small shop in Denton. "What's 'Hansel & Gretel'   taste like" he asks the guy. I'm thinking gingerbread, Max was thinking children.
Not sure how Max got his twisted sense of humor, but I like it!

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Pinterest Pin of the Week:
It's already starting for me - my lists have sublists.  Between the upcoming holidays, going out of town for the half marathon, the running club events, working a bit, my kids coming home - food, I need to actually get food in the house, I'm feeling a bit crazed and overwhelmed.  I'm sure it will all be fine, but at the moment the only thing that's keeping me sane are my lists.

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And now, it's time for Fashion Friday!  This outfit is all about the boots.  Boooooots!  I have a new pair of brown boots, thanks to my Mom.  They're Clarks Wish Excite, and they actually fit my large calves!  That is both a rarity and a miracle, I'm telling you.  So OK, it was 85 ridiculous degrees on Monday when I wore this to work, but I was determined to wear my new boots.   I'm sure you all understand that, right?
Boots!

Oh, you want to see the outfit, too?  Well fine:
 Thanks to Kristen, I no longer automatically dismiss sleeveless dresses - she showed me the way of layering a t-shirt under them, and I like the versatility that gives me.  This day I wore a short sleeved T, but I also have a long sleeved T in black and also one in brown, although that may be too much.  I also had this dress hemmed, as it was so long that it went down past the tops of the boots.  Even though I have rather hefty legs, I still think I look better with part of them showing. 

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chocolate-covered dried cranberries and jumbo Georgia pecans

My friends at Oh! Nuts recently sent me a couple of items to use in my holiday baking.  Hey, granola is baking, right?  Actually, I've been perfecting my pumpkin granola recipe, so I thought I'd share my latest version, and a couple of different ways to serve it.
Pumpkin Granola
3 C oats
1 C pumpkin
1 C coarsely chopped pecans
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp salt
2 T canola oil
1/3 C honey

Mix all dry ingredients, and then add pumpkin.  Heat oil and honey in pan on stovetop just until honey is melted; pour onto oat mixture.  Stir together - this will be really moist.  Pour mixture onto parchment-lined jelly roll pan and bake in a 300 degree oven for 15 minutes.  Stir, then bake again for 15 minutes.  Because this mixture is so wet (thanks to the pumpkin), it will take close to an hour to bake...after the first 30 minutes, I checked and stirred mine every 10 minutes to make sure it wasn't burning (the nuts will be your first sign that burning is imminent).  Once browned, remove pan - granola will crisp up as it cools.

Now here's the fun part - you can make this a dessert topping by mixing some chocolate-covered dried cranberries with the granola, or you can make it more of a breakfast topping by adding some plain dried cranberries.  Either way, the pumpkin, pecans and cranberries make for a great holiday flavor combo!
Breakfast version layered with Greek yogurt and dried cranberries
Dessert topping - vanilla ice cream, granola and chocolate-covered dried cranberries!

I think it's pretty clear that I am not a food-blogger photographer, but trust me, this was good.  Well, trust me on the breakfast granola.  Jeff took one for the team and ate the dessert topping since I'm still doing No Candy November.  He really liked it, though. This would make a nice gift, either packaged up in a mason jar, or even in a cellophane bag...and who knows, my neighbors might actually get something from me this Christmas! 

Have a great weekend!

(FTC disclosure:  I received a bag of nuts and a bag of chocolate-covered cranberries for free.  Recipe and opinions are all my own.)

18 comments:

  1. You know you couldn't make me happier with those boots :) the shoe addict as I am. I love the entire outfit,it looks fantastic on you.

    I live by my to do list, not only in busy times but the whole year round.

    I love Max's thought on the ice cream, made me laugh out loud.

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  2. you look fabulous!
    i need some coolio brown boots in my life!

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  3. Those boots are fabulous. I especially love that you didn't let summer temps stop you from your fall outfit. Also, I really like the t-shirt and dress combo - definitely helps out the frugal fashionista.

    Hope you are having a fabulous day!

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  4. That baby is adorable! The wanna be grandma in me went Siiiiiigh.

    Hurray for new boots. I need new boots. Think your mom would adopt me?

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  5. Ooh, boots! I have a pair with heels, and I WILL wear them at least once this winter, even if it kills me (which it might, as I topple off of them...)

    THAT's what's been missing in my life--pumpkin granola! I've been trying to 'eat down' the overflow of food in my cupboards and freezer and haven't made any for a while. Today might be the day!

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  6. Nice boots!!! Love them and the clever way to wear a sleeveless dress!

    Aw, what a cutie of a baby!!

    Have a great weekend! :)

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  7. I just bought some black boots, first pair I've ever owned. Aren't they fabulous? Don't you feel awesome wearing yours? You look great and I like the idea of a dress over tights with them...

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  8. Cute baby, funny Max, KILLER boots, great outfit, intriguing recipe. Could this be your best mishmah yet?! I think so!

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  9. Oh those boots! I am forever on the lookout for boots that fit, are comfortable, and look good. It's like my personal quest.

    Get the good food in the house. You know you are coming into a busy and hectic time, so don't fall into the quick junk eating trap.

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  10. Taking a break - I've been working non-stop since 7:30 this morning! Love the boots and the outfit - and I like how you layered the t-shirt under the dress.

    I will have to try your granola - when I tried to make pumpkin granola it never got crunchy, which is the best part!

    Happy Friday!!

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  11. LOVe the boots! Outfit is so cute!

    And hansel and gretel! LOL, I love that!

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  12. You look smashing in that outfit! I can't waittttt to fit into boots again! It will be great!

    Love the baby pic.. I could feel my ovaries humming ;)

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  13. Those boots are HOTTER THAN HOT! And that baby is CUTER THAN CUTE!!! (why am I capitalizing???)
    And Max's status? Hilarious. Happy Friday Shelley, have a great weekend.

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  14. Love the boots!
    And no candy - great idea!
    We don't need no stinkin' candy!

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  15. You look sooooooo good and I love your boots. I missed your weightlossiversary?!? I stopped by here today for some inspiration and it worked :)

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  16. First, Google Reader didn't pick up your post for me. BUT, I knew there had to be one, and here you are!

    Second, I love the boots! I would wear boots (at least in the winter) if I didn't have a darn bunion that rubs. If I was still in Texas, bet a boot maker would fix me up ;-)

    You are looking good!
    Jan

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  17. We're heading into summer here in Oz, so I envy you donning your boots and the outfit - with sleeveless dress and t-shirt underneath looks great!!!

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  18. Hi!!!visiting from India :) the boots looks fab! There sure is nothing better than holding a baby in your arms :)

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