Acorn Squash with Quinoa

He has a tree nut allergy.

I am Celiac.

So...I often make up recipes {grin}

Here is one of my favs...


Brush halved squash with a mixture of 1 tbs of melted butter and 2 tbs brown sugar. Sprinkle liberally with cinnamon. Arrange cut side down on a baking sheet and bake for 30 mins at 350.
{I usually add an extra 10 mins face up at the end and sometimes skip the butter/sugar mixture all together and just add cinnamon.}
 
Take casing off two links of the apple chicken sausage {purchased at Sprouts meat counter} and cook in skillet much like ground beef. When cooked, set aside to drain on paper towel.
 
Sautee spinach {as much as you like} and garlic {maybe two cloves} in a little olive oil.
 
Boil one cup of water, one cup of orange juice, and one cup quinoa together. Once this comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until quinoa is cooked. Season cooked quinoa with salt and pepper if you like. Stir in the veggies and sausage. {I often add dried cranberries to the mixture as well}
 
Stuff each squash halve with the quinoa mixture and enjoy! :)


Did you know... 
  • Quinoa is recognized as a good source of complete protein .
  • Acorn Squash are relatives of both the melon and the cucumber families.
  • Acorn squash are rich in phytonutrients, which help the body get rid of toxins and may help prevent cancer.


Weekend Recap


We enjoyed a pretty quiet three day weekend. It was awfully gloomy and C.O.L.D!


Thursday we visited our sweet neighbors and their ever expanding *petting zoo.

{*So there are really only a few animals to actually pet but you know what I mean ;)}

Andrew enjoyed being pulled behind Reagan's new scooter and playing in their ice sculpture  frozen water fountain.




{Andrew thought it was hilarious that this lion looked like he had a snotty nose!}



{Please note the pink and purple accessories ;) We really should invest in Winter attire but it's hard to justify when it is "snowy" once a year! The gloves and helmet (for the scooter ride) are borrowed from sweet Reagan.}


Saturday's grim weather didn't damper Andrew's day!
We headed to Gatti Town with Jake and Mrs. Lori, what a treat! He sure seemed to enjoy the bumper cars! ;)

{Waiting in line for Bumper Cars!}

                                                                      Bumper Cars! {Pardon the poor quality pics!}

Beating Jake at Air Hockey ;)


Can you tell he had a blast??

Monday was a school holiday so we picked up Raygan (a little girl I watch occasionally) and headed off to visit our dear friends The Orton's. Here's their new babe Elijah

lounging around :)

We ended the day with dinner at The Wilson's.

Weekends like this remind me of how truly blessed we are! :)


Yesterday looked like this...




Today was just plain cold and not as pretty but that didn't stop Andrew from having a little fun!



After school Andrew spotted a rather large icicle hanging from our house. 



He decided there was only one thing to do!



Why, knock it down with a hockey stick of course!

{Notcie my front door WIDE open!}

Boy's will be boys! ;)

An attempt

As we all know I am the world's WORST blogger but due to many requests from far away friends and family I will do my best ::cough cough:: to keep you all in the know on the happenings and humorous proclamations and narratives of The Andrew Mitchell.
An Andrew epigram:
Me: "Bubbah your eyes are looking a bit red."
Andrew: "I know, my head is already asleep."
HAHA
And BOY does this boy love his sleep! :)



What's in a name...


"HE looks great!" The words echoed about the room as I listened to a strong heartbeat on the monitor.

A boy.

A baby boy.

What will he look like?

How big will he be?

What kind of personality will he have?

What will I name him?!?!

A name is important.
Often the first thing you learn about someone.
An important and BIG task.

Nickolas. Ryan. Adain. Caleb.

Names swirled about my thoughts.

I'd decided on Caleb Andrew {or so I thought}

Caleb means faith...devotion...I loved the name.

Andrew after a dear friend who impacted my life in a major way...who'd recently passed away.

And then HE came swiftly into this world...and HE wasn't a "Caleb"...the name didn't fit him and so I was back to square one!

I loved the name Andrew. It suited him well.

Andrew
A Strong Man. Brave. Courageous. Manly. Warrior.

He still needed a middle name.

I heard the name Mitchell while in still in recovery...it sounded strong and slightly uncommon.

Mitchell
One Who is Like God.

December 10th 2002, mid-morning Andrew Mitchell came quickly into this world. Beautiful. Healthy. A sweet sweet blessing.