Family Pictures

Last Saturday we had professional photos taken. The photographer ( Josh Spicer) was so calm with Taylor... She was beyond difficult to work with. We will get the rest of the proofs next week but he posted a sample on Facebook. What do you guys think?

( I look like I need to eat something.. but what do you do? This is what I look like)

( I love the blue eyes with this background)

( good family pic)

( This is my favorite so far)

( trouble maker)

So yummy

Last night I made Bacon and White Bean Soup. I got the reciepe from " For the Love of Cooking" It was wonderful, easy and sooo cozy.

Bean and Bacon Soup:

Recipe and photos by For the Love of Cooking.net

Adapted from Real Simple

• 4 strips of lean bacon
• 3 large carrot, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 15 1/2-ounce cans white beans, drained
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

In a large Dutch oven, fry the bacon until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels. Let cool, chop, and set aside.

Over medium heat, add the carrot, celery and onion to the pan drippings in the Dutch oven and sauté for 7 minutes; add the garlic and sauté for an additional 60 seconds, stirring constantly. Season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste.

Add 2 cans of beans, bay leaf and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to low. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the carrots and celery are soft.

Uncover and remove the bay leaf. Using a potato masher or an immersion blender, partially mash the bean mixture until it thickens slightly. Stir in the last can of beans, parsley and bacon. Taste and re-season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, if needed. Enjoy.

Family Pumpkin Carving

We had a wonderful time carving our family pumpkin this year, and I'm just giddy thinking about Halloween. How cute is Taylor? Darling

lovin' the guts.

all clean!

Drawing a spooky face

Cutting

Drawing my own face

Scary

Dunaway Weekly Plan

I have had a few people reach out to me regarding my weekly schedule. I am notorious for lists and planning so I thought I would share my process.

I have 4 things that I print on Sundays and keep handy throughout the week. I used to keep these in my office but I now have them on my refrigerator ( easier access and my husband can see what we are up to)

The first is my shopping list. I leave this up all week so as I think of ideas for next weeks meals, as well as for those odd little things that come up through the week... like pickles and double A batteries. I only grocery shop on Mondays. This cuts down on food expenditures and I loath going to the grocery store with a toddler. Again, I have a lot of people who think it's funny that I plan a week worth of meals. "What if you decide that you want something else? or have a craving for Fried Chicken" I don't change my mind. period. If I want Fried Chicken I put it on the schedule for next week.

Second: My Mommy to do List. This is self explanatory. I always find myself thinking of little bitties that need to be accomplished and I need a place to jot them down. This is a great way to see how productive you have been through the week.... and it doesn't hurt that my husband sees it too. Sometimes he thinks I nap all day and watch Day's of our Lives { let me clarify, I watch Days ( I have since I was 12, and I love it thank you very much)... it's just on in the background while I'm scrubbing the toilets.}

Third and Forth the current Month Schedule and Next Month Schedule.

Through the week:

Monday: Dunaway Day. This is the day that I try to get the majority of the house work done and our schedule set up for a successful week.

Tuesday: Free Day. Taylor and I are open almost all day ( after I clean the bathrooms) I usually plan a morning adventure to the San Diego Zoo or Botanical Gardens for story time. I also schedule all of Taylor's appointment, doctor, hair cut etc for Tuesday afternoons.

Wednesday: I work on The Pickled Bean for 8 to 3: Kathie our wonderful nanny is here to help me from 8 until noon.

Thursday: Taylor's Gym Class in the am and mommy group in the pm

Friday: I work on The Pickled Bean for 8 to 3, our wonderful nanny is here to help me from 8 until noon.

{ Each individual day is planned out as well. I have constant meal and nap time}

Ok, I'm a little over the top but you asked.... If you would like a copy of my Grocery List and Mommy to Do { I keep these on a great spread sheet} Just shoot me an email. ashleyedunaway@thepickledbean.com

This week for dinner

{Last Tuesday: Whole roasted chicken with root vegetables and a side salad}

{Last Wednesday: Crab stuffed salmon rounds, buttered rice and broccoli}

{ Last Thursday: Shredded Beef Enchiladas and Heirloom tomato and roasted corn salad}

Sunday: Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, with steamed carrots

Monday: Bean and Bacon Soup with Green Salad and Rosemary rolls

Tuesday: Steamed Mediterranean Halibut, Roasted Fingering Potatoes and Peas

Wednesday: Chicken Cordon Blue, Rice and Steamed Broccoli

Thursday: Slow cooker Pork Chops over egg noodles and vegetable medley

Friday: Homemade Pizza

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

( What is this peanut looking at?)

New office/ Closet

I moved out of my wonderful office ( in our old home) to a nook in my walk in closet. It's tight but I have to keep my nick-naks away from Taylor's curious hands. Here is a snap shot of my work space. It gets a little tight but it will do for now.

Busy

{ Brayden Lucas Kotera}

I've been busy getting things together to start the holiday card season as well as starting my girlfriends birth announcements. This darling little man was 3 1/2 weeks early! I had put the construction of the announcements in my schedule for the 2 week of November, but this little guy was eager to meet the world. (I'm sure so he could watch football games with his parents). I am thrilled to get the process started...Can't wait to show you this finished product.

Yummy. Taco Soup

My girlfriend made this for us for our pumpkin carving party. It was very yummy and after the first bite I thought... WOW, my mom would love this. So here you go Mom, enjoy!

2 pounds ground beef

2 cups diced onions

2 (15 1/2 oz) can pinto beans

1 (151/2 oz) can kidney beans

1 (15 1/4 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained

1 (14 1/2 0z) can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes

1 (14 1/2oz) can diced tomatoes

1 (14 1/2 oz) can tomatoes with chiles

2 (4 1/2 oz) can diced green chiles

1 (4.6 oz) can black olive sliced, drained - optional

1/2 cup green olives, sliced, optional

1 (1 1/43 oz) package taco seasoning mix

1 ( 1 oz) package ranch salad dressing mix

Corn chips, for serving

Sour cream, for garnish

Grated cheese, for garnish

Chopped green onions, for garnish

Pickled jalapenos, for garnish

Brown the ground beef and onions in a large skillet : drain the excess fat, then transfer the browned beef and onions

to a large slow cooker. Add the next 11 ingredients and cook in a slow cooker on low for 6 to 8 hours or simmer over

low heat for about 1 hour in a pot on the stove. To serve corn chips, top with sour cream, cheese, green onions and jalapenos.

Enjoy.

Lady Bug

It was a little bit tricker getting pictures of Taylor this year. It was lovely when she sat where I asked her to sit. Don't you love this little outfit? Thank you Allie!

This week for dinner

{ Taylor's first strawberry, 12 monthsish}

Sorry about missing this post last week. I know it's a viewer favorite, not quite sure where my time went. I had a crazy few days , but I'm back into the swing of things today and ready to start this lovely week .

Sunday: Left overs: Not typical for us but we had so many leftovers from the weekend. It would have been heartbreaking to see them go to waist.

Monday: Grilled Scallops over herb and mushroom risotto and peas

Tuesday: Whole roasted chicken with root vegetables and a side salad

Wednesday: Crab stuffed salmon rounds, buttered rice and broccoli

Thursday: Shredded beef enchiladas, roasted corn and heirloom tomato salad

Friday: Left overs, family movie night!

My how you've grown!

Pumpkin Patch> Elephant 2008

Pumpkin Patch> Lady Bug 2009

{ more lady bug pictures to come}

One more step toward becoming a domestic goddess

Look who came today!!!!! I have so many plans, outfits, decorations, bitties for Pickled Bean, the list goes on and on.

First order of business... Taylor's first Corn-hole bags. Personalized and 1/3 the size of a regulation bag. So, she can get some practice in before any big tourney's. Please note the Indiana/Utah color scheme.

77 Kids

Did you know that American Eagle has a toddler collection? I found these little lovelies yesterday. Taylor is a size two, just in case you want to buy her something frilly.

Best Brussel Sprouts

People often tell me they don't {like} brussel sprouts. No wonder, they had them boiled and tasteless as a kid. I have turned many a brussel hater into a lover with these little bitties. Try them, they are easy, super yummy and a toddler favorite. Go ahead naysayers... I dare you.

cut off a small part of the root and cut in half.

in a bowl, drizzle olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Spread onto a foil lined cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Half way through the cooking process stir the sprouts so they brown evenly. The are done when fork tender.

I serve these with meatloaf and mashed potatoes.

xoxo... this blog

New blog love... Chez Larsson.

Lovely Benedicte Monsen turned me onto this little bitty. First the organization tips are humbling and Second the photo's/art are a constant inspiration.

A little about Benedicte. First, just bought these earrings from her etsy site.

....and she is very crafty. look at this little bitty. oooooh I love the fabric she choose.

Pumpkin Patch

This weekend we went to the Pumpkin Patch twice. It was wonderful and we had the most amazing time.

at the petting zoo ( first time seeing chickens) how funny

getting lost in the hay maze with Daddy

riding the pony

playing in the pumpkins

going down the bouncy slide, without help. Her favorite!

riding on the carousel

Dear Aunt Allie & Aunt Tina

Look what I got....

my first pair for ruby slippers!

Random little pictures

going through my pictures... this one is darling

Cheese

Getting a little close to Ocho Cinco. She knows not to touch, so she tried to give him a little kiss.

xoxo Shabby Apple

Darling little shop. I have these two little bitties on order. Darling for my peanut.