What's Up Wednesday (September 2015)

Linking up with my favorite blogger Mel HERE

What We're Eating This Week....

Well...my first shot at Fall cooking this year was a success!

The Dr. Pepper Crock Pot Ribs were definitely the fave
Even though this was last week, I needed to share my family's enthusiasm

Check 'em out HERE

and

the Pumpkin Sausage Ravioli Bake....just incredible

That was a special meal...Ally and Aaron came over and we really did it up

During the week, our meals are more basic...we have grilled meat and salads, leftovers and quick things we can grab.

Over the last few weeks, I have been replacing some of my meals with homemade smoothies...and I will tell you, I feel GREAT!

My favorites so far are:

1. Kale (2 cups), Banana (1), PB2 (2 tbls), Almond Milk (1 cup), Ice (1 cup), Cinnamon (dash)

2. Spinach (2 cups), Banana (1), PB2 (2 tbls), Almond Milk (1 cup), Ice (1 cup)

3. Spinach (2 cups), Strawberries (1/2 cup), Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt (1/2 cup) Vanilla Almond Milk (1 cup), Ice (1 cup)

and a great meal replacement bar I have been enjoying

 

What I'm Reminiscing About?

Last Fall...Do you do that too?

We had so many fun times and when I look back, I see how much Eva has grown!  I also see Diana losing her baby fat :(

The smash hit "Dorito Pumpkin Cheese Ball" Can't wait to make it again this year!

What I'm Loving?

All of the awesome Fall and Halloween Ideas That I Get on Pinterest...Fall really is the best of time of year for that!

Recipes...Fashion....Decorations...Oh My!

What We've Been Up To

We just got back from the Newport Wine and Food Festival Sunday morning.  Although Rob and I were only gone 24 hours, it was an awesome time to reconnect....although Rob is not a fan of wine, he even enjoyed it.  The food was incredible and the backdrop of the Marble House and the ocean was my happy place.  We met some friends there and had a ball. 

and let me tell you how THRILLED I was to meet the J. Lohr rep Pamela!  She was AWESOME AND she is going to send me an apron...doing my happy dance!

 Saturday Night, we went to dinner at 41 North.  The food was just ok but the ambiance was elegant and the company, even better.  Couples shots!

and what else have we been up to?


Cheer....Cheer...Cheer

even leaving a game at halftime to change in a Dunkin Donuts bathroom to get to a family christening...dedication!

and our ECE clincs are AWESOME...just amazing really...so excited about our stunts

and LOTS of walking...even Eva a.ka. Pidge joined us this week ;)

Play date included a requested pie...famous in our town...we have an orchard called Apple Acres and they make amazing pies BUT their most famous one is their Apple Cream Pie...the girls LOVED it....it is so popular that the orchard stopped taking orders for Thanksgiving because they just could not keep up with the demand...so...if you wanna try it?  You have to get there by the end of October!

What I'm Dreading?

The end of cheer season...it has really helped me to me more active...it has given me an opportunity to spend more time with Diana AND I just love it...don't want to think about November right now

What I'm Working On?

Being prepared....with food and workouts...Scheduling them both!  Thanks once again to Alice!

What I'm Excited About?

The Upcoming Turf Fundraiser/Halloween Bash!

Always a great night out, with friends...can't wait to dance all night!

What I'm Watching/Reading?

Well...I am really sad to post this section.  This is my last blog post update about How I Met Your Mother.  We finished it on Friday night.  It was INCREDIBLE...we both LOVED the ending and found it to be perfect.  We cried-we laughed and we can't believe we can't watch it anymore.  We have enjoyed this for the last six months of our lives.  I remember even watching it when we were in Grand Cayman!  Rob said we will find something else but I will need some time to mourn these characters

and still making my way through Elin Hilderbrand's Beautiful Day...not as much time available right now for reading!

What I'm Listening To?

I actually have been doing my walks/jogs in silence...if you can believe it

So...the only thing I am listening to right now is Kiss 108 and Mix 104.1 in the car

AND lots of Kidz Bop of course ;)

What I'm Wearing?

Ohhhhh...you know I love me some Lilly....well this weekend I was finally able to wear my favorite "After Party Sale" purchase and my favorite purchase all year....you saw me in it above in "What We Did This Weekend".

and got to bring out another one of my "After Party Sale" purchases..the coral and navy sweater dress for the family christening a couple weeks ago...Exhibit A

This is what the full dress looks like

and Kendra Scott makes the perfect necklaces to accompany most outfits really...whether you toss on a Lilly or put together a really cute fall outfit....full of layers and such...her bright colors just make outfits POP!

and the shot above is actually me in one of my Stitch Fix Dresses...have you joined Stitch Fix yet? Check them out HERE

It is one of the greatest inventions, especially for working moms.  They will send you a shipment as often or as little as you like.  It costs $20/month and if you purchase any of the 5 pieces they send you, the $20 can be put towards your purchase BUT you don't have to buy anything if you don't like it.  What I like about it, is the convenience and the ideas my stylist provides me for putting outfits together!

and I love my arm candy....baubles galore

 
What I'm Doing This Weekend?

We have a family baby shower, an ECE Tumbling Clinic and an adults-only Fall Cocktail Party...it is what Rob wanted to do on his birthday...and it is a chance for us to catch up with some of his old work pals...but we will celebrate with the kiddos on Sunday...thinking Screeemfest at Canobie Lake Park perhaps?  Diana has yet another birthday party so we may have to put it off to the following weekend...we...shall...see

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month?

Cheer Comps!!

and a Fall Cocktail Party for Couples at a friend's house

a Murder Mystery Dinner at another friend's house

and an annual Harvest Fest at yet another friend's house....that is when the Dorito Pumpkin Cheese Ball will be making its return

What Else is Going On?

Loving What I Do...and Very Very Grateful!!!

Bonus Question For the Month?

What's Your Favorite Halloween Tradition?

Well....I am going to answer this two ways
My favorite tradition growing up was having a "light dinner" homemade by my Mama of course....her cheese souffle stands out in my mind....dressed in our costumes...my brother and I were eating it...at our family room table, in front of the bay window....it was turning dusk...we were soooo excited waiting for my Dad to come home to take us out trick-or-treating...the dinner...the anticipation...the tradition...amazing
This was our house in Stoneham

and this was a traditional plastic Halloween costume I would wear each year...Lemon Meringue was the choice one year- ha ha!

My favorite tradition, now, as an adult...is taking pictures of my kids dressed up....whether we are going out with family or spending the night with neighbors in our "hood"...Halloween is one of those times each year that I am grateful for...and will remember forever

 Diana's 1st Halloween as a fairy...people thought she was an eggplant ;)

Diana's 2nd Halloween as a Lady Bug

Diana's 3rd Halloween as an Angel

Diana's 4th Halloween as Tinkerbell

Diana's 5th Halloween as Ariel...we were blessed to be in Disney thanks to my parents

Diana's 6th Halloween as a "Pop Star"

Diana's 7th Halloween as Ana from Frozen AND...Eva's 1st Halloween as a Lobster!

I cannot to wait to read all of your favorite Halloween Traditions!