Roasted Cauliflower

There's been quite a cooking lull around here, but don't worry we're back in the game! I'm working on a few new recipes to share and a few fall theme weeks too. Think warm and cozy meals.

This yummy recipe comes from Nourish Me and it's a de-lish way to kick up your cauliflower. I wouldn't really call it a "kid friendly" recipe, but the hubby and I really like it. It was a nice change to our usual roasted, or steamed veggies.

Ingredients

Olive oil

Cauliflower 

Sea salt and pepper

1 onion, finely chopped

1-15 oz can of chopped tomatoes (I only had a can of crushed tomatoes and they tasted great)

Glug of red wine vinegar

Glug of balsamic vinegar

2 or 3 teaspoons of sugar

3 fat cloves of garlic, finely chopped

Good pinch  of chilli powder

Preheat the oven to 400 F.  Core, trim and break the cauliflower into florets of even-ish size. Arrange in a single layer in a baking dish. Toss with 2 tablespoons of oil, 1 teaspoon of salt and loads of pepper and roast, turning twice, for 30 minutes.

Fry the onion in a little oil until soft. Add the tomatoes, juice and all, followed by a glug of each vinegar, the sugar and some salt. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10-15 minutes, until reduced to about a cup. Puree if you like, but I wouldn't bother.

5 minutes before the cauliflower is ready, heat a splash of oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the garlic, and cook for a minute or two - don't let it burn. Pour in the tomato sauce and cook, stirring often, for a few minutes. Add the chilli powder to taste and, when ready, tip the cauliflower florets into the pan. Toss over and over, making sure they are well coated in the sauce. Eat hot.

Make Over Your Monday

Happy Monday everyone! Yet another week has flown by. I seriously can't believe that we are well into September. We've been super busy around here with crafty projects, homework, all our activities and our newest adventure-Daisy Scouts. It's never a quiet moment around here!

For those of you new to Hanging On By A Thread welcome. I'm so happy that you stopped by. Today is Make Over Your Monday. Every Monday I pose a challenge. The hope is that it helps clear the Monday blues and put you in the right frame of mind to take on the week. Next week we all share our experiences with the challenge.

Last week's challenge was to bring back your childhood. How did it go? I decided to write a letter to my second grade teacher. Since Lo has started school I've been thinking about her. She was such a wonderful and caring teacher. I've kept in touch with her over the years and I wanted her to know how much I appreciate what an amazing teacher she was.

This week's challenge is a fun, crafty challenge: Make something Fall-ish for your home.

Maybe you need a new wreath or centerpiece. Is your fireplace begging for autumn garland? Grab your hot-glue gun, sewing machine and Jo Ann's coupon and get crafting!!! Need some inspiration? Head on over to Pinerest and search "fall" and you'll find all the help you need. I can't wait to see what fun things you come up with. Make sure you email me your photos so I can post them next week!

Have a fab-u-lus week and thanks for stopping by!

Another Reason I LOVE Fall!

I feel like a girl on Christmas Eve. I'm so giddy with excitement I can't stand it!!! BIG things start happening next week.

THE NEW TV SEASON STARTS!!!! YAY!!!

We all know about my love for Diet Coke, wine, Goodwill and Jo Ann Fabrics, but I've been holding back on all of you. I think for every mile I run I watch a different show on TV, no joke, I watch A LOT of TV. We have 3 DVR's in our house and during the regular TV season they are constantly running.

In no particular order, here are my favs:
Dramas
1. CSI

One of my all time favs! You can find re-runs on Spike TV and I could watch them over and over. I bawled like a baby when Warrick died, cried again when Sara left Grissom the video she was leaving and was at a near panic when Nicky was buried alive. I really thought the show wouldn't be as good once William Petersen left, but it's still so good. Ted Danson joins the cast this season and I have to say it's got me intrigued, I can't wait to see where it goes next!

2 & 3 CSI - New York and Miami

I was so sad when they moved New York to Fridays. Fridays is where shows go to die. Surprisingly they are back for another season. I have to admit that Miami is my least favorite of the three, but that might be because I started watching it in the past few years and I'm trying to catch up on the back stories.

5. The Mentalist

Hands down the BEST season finale last year. It had you on the edge of your seat wondering what would come next and then it ended and you were yelling at the TV begging for more! Can't wait to see where they go with the story lines this season.

5. Criminal Minds

Quite possibly the most terrifying show on TV. I can't watch this if I'm home alone. It'll give you nightmares for weeks. There was an episode last year about a serial killer who went to cities where there were rolling blackouts and then attacked people in their homes. The very next night our power went out and I was completely freaked out. That's how good it is-it feels real!

6. The Good Wife

I was a huge ER fan so Julianna Margulies is what drew me to this show initially, but the writing is what keeps me coming back.

7. House

I  ♥  Hugh Laurie!

8. Gray's Anatomy

I'm hoping for better things this season. I feel like last season they really got away from the medicine and focused too much on all the character drama and I lost interest. Fingers crossed for a better season.

9. Parenthood

Such a great ensemble cast. The show is roughly based on the movie from the 80s, but tends to be more on the drama spectrum than comedy.

10. Blue Bloods

Tom Selleck, Tom Selleck's moustache and Donnie Wahlberg. Of course I had to watch!

11. Rizzoli and Isles

I was so happy to find this show on TNT. It's based on the books by Tess Gerritsen that I LOVE. They just wrapped up their summer season, but they'll be back in November with new episodes. YAY can't wait!

Comedies

1. How I Met Your Mother

Neil Patrick Harris is...wait for it...AWE-SOME!

2. The Big Bang Theory

When this show first came out I thought it was awful and couldn't figure out what all the hype was about. For some reason I kept watching and I am so glad I did. It's hilarious! So well written and the lines are delivered flawlessly. The addition of Mayim Bialik (you may know her as Blossom) as Amy Farrah Fowler was brilliant. She has stolen the show!

3. Modern Family

If you are not watching this show you are totally missing out! You cannot watch a show without laughing out loud the entire time!

4. Glee

There's music, it's funny and last season they really focused on some important topics. It's also a great show to watch while you're running on the treadmill-you have your music built in!

Reality TV
Biggest Loser

I blame my mom for this one. She came to visit and we watched the season finale together and I got hooked. My only complaint is that it's 2 hours long. They really could still have a great show in an hour. Regardless of it's long length I watch every week and EVERY week I find myself crying on my couch. I'm interested to see how this season goes without my girl Jillian. It just won't be the same without her!

New Show I'm Looking Forward To
1. 2 1/2 Men

I think this is a no-brainer. I'm not a regular watcher, but thanks to Charlie and his "winning" attitude and tiger blood, I can't wait to see how they get rid of his character and bring in Ashton's.

2. Up All Night

I saw the pilot a few nights ago and it looks promising.

3. The New Girl

I love Zooey Deschanel (If you haven't seen her 500 Days of Summer I highly recommend it). This just looks like a funny, quirky show and I can't wait to see what it's all about.

So if you need me this week I'll be camped out on my couch with a glass of wine catching up on all my "stories" while I blog, craft and run!

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday and thanks for stopping by!

Apples, Apples, Apples

Today we got to enjoy one of our favorite fall activities-APPLE PICKING!!! There is a wonderful orchard not too far from our house where we can pick our own apples, play around in the hay and enjoy some quality family time. This year's trip didn't disappoint. The girls were really into it...I have 21 pounds of apples to prove it!



We have big plans for this year's crop:

• homemade applesauce in the crock-pot (I've never make it like that before I'll keep you posted!)
• carmel apple bars
• apple crisp/crumble
• baked apples
• LOTS of apple snacks!

Feel free to throw more ideas my way...we've got A LOT of apples...

Even before I started blogging I've always taken tons of pictures of the girls. I think it's fun to look back on the previous years and see how much they've changed. Here a few pictures from 2009 and 2008 (we didn't pick apples last year). The look like such babies! So chubby and cute!

And from this year....my favorite picture of the day!

Since we went on a weekend this year daddy got to join us too! It's always nice to have someone with long arms to help reach the apples way at the top!

As you know we've moved around a bit in the past ten years. While I love each new place and the adventures it hold, there is always something that I miss: The perfect weather and beaches of California, the busy city life and delicious food of Boston. If we ever leave Indy I know I'll miss the beauty of the country and farms nearby. I love that they are never too far away.

These are my two favorite "scenic" shots of the day:

Have a wonderful weekend and thank you so much for checking in!!!

Lo's New Desk (another great Goodwill find!)

Check out this amazing desk I picked up for Lo awhile back at Goodwill.

It had been sitting there for weeks, priced at $30. Not bad for a desk, but you know me, I like my Goodwill finds CHEAP. Lucky for me it was still there on 50%-off Saturday and I picked it up for the sweet price of $15!!! YAY me!

It was pretty banged up but it always helps to look past all the scratches and dents.

I knew with a few (or many) coats of spray paint it could be beau-T-ful!

I have to admit, I was extremely nervous about taking the desk apart. I was clear it was put together many years ago and I was worried I wouldn't be able to get it back together. Surprisingly it was easy to take apart (and equally easy to put it back together...phew!).

I started by cleaning it really good with steel wool. No joke, I had to chisel off REALLY old gum (so gross!).

I covered the little feet with foil and the metal stripe with tape so they wouldn't get spray paint on them.

Then everything got a few coats of primer.

Lo picked out a pale yellow and pink. The whole desk got many, many, many thin coats of paint. I think I went through a can of each. Once everything was dry I covered the whole desk with a clear, shiny coat of lacquer. While I let everything cure I headed to the hardware store with my bag of old nuts, bolts and screws so that I could find new bright and shiny replacements.

I grabbed by electric drill and put everything back together.

LOVE IT!

No more scratches or worn off paint!

The perfect "new" desk for Lo's room...pretty, pink and girlie!

I can't wait to get it into her room so she can start using it!!!

Make sure you check back next week to see her "new" chair!

Have a fantastic Friday and thanks for stopping by!!!