Before and After Living Quarters

This living room has undergone many changes in the past year and still has many changes yet to come (new rug, new window, etc).  Andy redid the floors himself and we temporarily touched up the paint on the window sills until we can afford new windows.  I'm still not crazy about the color of the living room (sand white), but it will have to suffice for now.  At least we can sit down in our living room.
    I had nightmares about the paper linoleum floor lining before the hardwood pine flooring was discovered underneath the tar and glue.  Any suggestions for a rug would be great!

  *Rig's has a little play area in the corner of our living room.  I can't wait until he outgrows it so I can still a tree there or something!

The 200 dollar Gourd/ Happy Thanksgiving!

It's true- I don't know what this is.  I mean, of course it's part of the squash family but is it a pumpkin? A gourd?  An alien dressed as a pumpkin? Are not pumpkins orange?  Are not gourds beige? I don't know what I'm supposed to do with this.  In 1850 this would probably be a meal for a family of 8 for an entire month.   But it's 2010 and I've really been relying on McD's and canned goods for too long now. 
     I haven't the slightest idea how to carve or bake this ginormous gourd.  And in our family, we don't exactly have the best track record with soups....just ask my hubby, he'll tell you about that time I made split pea soup without peas (long story). 
    I recently joined a vegetable co-op in CT to be cool.  I also thought it was the most green and organic thing to do after watching Food Inc.  It's green alright! I really thought I believed in supporting 'our local farmers' but I'm not so sure anymore. A green pumpkin? Can I cook that for dinner? 
     I'm supposed to get winter veggies to eat each week and all winter long-not a Martha Stewart Center Piece!  I prepaid.  So far I've received enough salad for an army (or my pet rabbitts-shhh) and enough apples for 5 apple pies a month.  I mean, I thought that in the long run, I was saving money on produce but I'm not so sure anymore.  I'll probably just call this the 200 dollar pumpkin.  At least it's gorgeous and matches my gorgeous table from Home Goods.  I know Martha would approve.  
     The thing is, now I'm reallllly going to receive the ridicule from Andrew after I assured him that joining this vegetable co-op from local farmers was the best produce bang for our buck.  Honestly, I'm reconsidering the whole movement that Food Inc. has started.  I like the idea of it, but it's just not practical to join a bunch of food co-ops and only go organic.  In theory, I like to think of myself as a practical gal.  If anyone knows of how I can make the most of this green gourd monster in a very practical way, let me know.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Lolli Pop Lolli Pop....oh Chocolate Lolli Pop!

When I was pregnant and crazy with hormones once, I swore on my life that I would never EVER give any spawn of ours sugar....my how times have changed.  Lets just be realistic- what child doesn't like lollipops?
     I realize now how cruel it is to say no to a lollipop when all the other kids are doing it.  I mean, come on.  This philosophy should really serve me well when trying to teach my kid not to do drugs later on in life, right?  Well, for now I'm making R. lollipops for his 2nd birthday.  I had to do a practice run 3 months in advance.  I've been practicing with these amazing molds from the craft store.
    These chocolate lollies not only look fabulous but they taste great too.  All you have to do is buy the little melting chocolates at a craft store (you color of choice) and put it in the microwave for a bit.  The key is not to overmelt the chocolate and to stick it in the freezer right after pouring.  I was surprised at how well they popped out of the mold!

Jack O Lantern Love

I can have anywhere from 5 kids on Halloween to 30 so this year we really decided to reel em' in with the obvious- Candy!  It's probably more carving than I really wanted, but at least I didn't have to have a scary pumpkin face contest with the neighbors.  When the 'C' pumpkin's candle burnt out, Andy was starting to think I was madly obsessed with him!  I mean, I am, but not enough to make this row of pumpkins just for him. :)