THE WORLD TODAY

It's been a few weeks since I blogged in part because so much has been happening in the world it's leaving me a little emotionally drained and uncertain of what to say but fairly certain I should say something.

Let's show each other more love, shall we? To humankind near and far. To people regardless of their religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, gender, hairstyle, shoe size... Let's all consciously make the effort to help others, serve others, give to others. Let's think less of our own comfort and safety and more of the comfort and safety of others.

Can we please just try to be better humans and show more love?

I recently read Matthew 11:12 which really inspired me.

And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now 

the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing..

We can all choose to wake up every day and forcefully advance the Kingdom of Heaven!

There isn't much else to say. I don't usually share thoughts like this on the blog but I've been so frustrated with the world lately.

To leave you with a picture, I framed my grandfather's library card this week and put it on the shelf with all my prized possessions, most of which are grandparent related. :)

AUTUMN SOUP

I made the most delicious soup a few weeks ago. As always it was a Pinterest recipe and it is my new favourite. I liked it so much I made a triple batch of it again this week to freeze.

Soups are one of my favourite things to make for a lot of reasons. They freeze so well, I really like the ease of one dish meals, they're warm and comforting, and they're usually a healthy meal (as long as it's not a creamed soup).

My mom asked me what was in this recipe and really...it has everything. Carrots, celery, parsnips, kale, squash (I used buttercup instead of butternut), plus roasted garlic (I don't think I'll ever go back to mincing garlic for a soup because yum - roasted garlic) and tomato paste (crushed tomatoes - never again). It also takes shredded chicken and gnocchi and parmesan at the end.

This is the recipe and I followed it exactly (except I substituted buttercup squash instead of butternut). If you like soup, enjoy. I predict we will be eating a lot of it this year.

HALLOWEEN 2015

You're probably not surprised to hear I love Halloween. Even though I'm a "grown up" with no kids I absolutely love picking out a family costume and dressing up to pass out candy. I grew up in the country and no one came trick or treating to our house. On November first I would always wake up and ask my parents how many kids stopped at our house and I was always so disappointed. Now that we live in a neighbourhood in the city we get between sixty five and ninety trick or treaters and it is just so exciting.

Last year's Inspector Gadget costume was fairly difficult to make so I wanted something simple this year. My boys are good sports when it comes to Halloween. They don't put up too much of a fight when I dress them up. I had to be a little creative to incorporate Leroy into the theme this year.

The moment we've all been waiting for... Halloween costumes 2015... Dirty Dancing!!

This is Leroy. He's a watermelon.

This is me and Leroy. "I carried a watermelon."

Have fun tonight! Leroy wants everyone to stay safe. :)

COSTUMES: FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF

You know it. You love it. I get it. It's a classic.

When I made this collage all I could imagine was the scene with Ferris dancing in the parade to Twist and Shout. Maybe it's just us but we quote this movie fairly regularly. Mostly, "Bueller.....Bueller....."

This might take some extra effort (unless you happen to already own a fringe suede/leather jacket, or a men's leather sweater vest). Otherwise they're fairly easy costumes. His: white tshirt, gray dress pants (preferrably with front crease), white shoes, Ray Ban Wayfarers. Hers: blue sweater, beige or grey skirt (she actually wore floppy dress shorts in the movie but um...yeah), and tall boots.

Well, friends, this was my last Halloween idea - other than our own costumes of course. And you don't get to see that until Halloween! Stay tuned.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

COSTUMES: SCOOBY DOO

Hopefully you didn't notice the premature posting from a couple of nights ago. When I make these polyvore collages sometimes things go a little wonky and they're posted immediately. So if you already saw this post, here it is again - with text!

Scooby Doo was definitely a favourite childhood show. My brother and I watched a lot of it. We had a Christmas special on VHS that holds a special place in my heart. :) Dressing up as Fred and Daphne would be so cute. And if you have a doggie like us they would obviously be Scooby or Scrappy Doo. I love when the doggies are involved.

I included some real boots for Daphne because don't you remember wearing your snowsuit under your Halloween costume?! That was the worst. The end of October is always freezing (like today!) and Mom always ruined my costume by making me wear fifteen layers of clothes to stay warm. The year I was around eleven or twelve I was the chubbiest vampire ever.

The more I look at this collage the more I like it. It is definitely on my list for next year. Stay tuned later this week for another costume idea!

Scooby Doo