Pin It and Do it! October wrap up.

This month I joined in with Trish's Pin It and Do It Challenge. Some of my pins weren't worthy of an entire post devoted to them, and I failed to photograph many of them. Here are a few of them, with comments.

Source: allrecipes.com via Lisa on Pinterest

I made this Spaetzle the night I made the Pomegranate Pork loin from Dinner: A Love Story. One of the commenters suggested that you use a cheese grater and spatula to push the dough through  into the water and it worked perfectly. After boiling it, I put it in the fridge for a few minutes before sauteing it in butter. It was terrific. And the pork loin was seriously the best thing I've eaten in months, and that's saying a LOT. Mike and I both wanted to turn around and make it again the next day.

Source: sixsistersstuff.com via Lisa on Pinterest

This Honey Sesame chicken was a huge hit, but I ended up doing it on the stove top by browning the chicken pieces and then simmering it another 30 minutes or so instead of in the crock pot. I followed her recipe for the sauce and it was really great. Sweet, but not too strong of honey. (Which is good, cause I don't love honey.)

Source: fortheloveofcooking.net via Lisa on Pinterest

The kids and I made these crescent rolls one afternoon after school. They were good, but not as spectacular as you'd hope. I think that if I were to do it again I'd go with Nutella instead of peanut better and chocolate chips.

Source: thinfithot.tumblr.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Oh yes I did. Let me tell you, 300 jumping jacks is no easy feat.



Now that one is actually MY picture! This was an engagement gift for my cousin. I was unable to make it to her shower, so I sent this in my place. I used two other pins for my inspiration- this faux bois hoop, and this charming quilt. I considered wrapping the hoop in fabric or silk or something, but decided that the bare wood went with the tree theme.

The Hunger Games, The Gym, Mindless Eating

• Mike and I finally watched The Hunger Games. We both thought it was well done, and they did a pretty good job of showing the manipulation of the Capitol. I wish they'd shown a bit more of the parachutes and why they got them. I initially wasn't impressed by Peeta, but liked him by the end. I did not care for the yellow and blue tint to many of the scenes, but understand that it was part of being in the Capitol. Made me think of the green glasses in the Wizard of Oz.
• We have flies in the apartment. I can't kill them fast enough. I have no idea where they are coming from. It is MAKING ME CRAZY.
• School started on Wednesday and already this morning the Pirate was resisting. I think he'd be ok with school if he was a morning person. As it is, he hates waking up and leaving immediately, but we can't convince him to go to sleep earlier (go to bed, yes; go to sleep, no.)
• School drop off is at 7:50. The nursery at the gym opens at 8:30. They are two minutes apart. I can't figure out what to do with this gap of time that doesn't involve stopping somewhere for breakfast. This time a year I could pack a snack and go to a park, but I won't be able to do that in the winter. If I come home in between, I lose momentum as I hate to get back out once I'm home.

What I Read This Week:

• Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think by Brian Wansink. This was a reread, but it was just as interesting this time around. Lots of food info and interesting studies.
• In Honor by Jessi Kirby. I've only read a couple chapters, but the first one made me cry.
• Fantasy in Death by J. D. Robb. I downloaded this one from the library and read half of it in one sitting. It's not that these books are so great, but there just aren't any lulls to make you stop reading. The same thing happens when I read a Nora Roberts book.
• Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James. Yeah, I'm reading it. I enjoy it enough while I'm reading it, but when I put it down I feel no compulsion to go back to it.  I don't know that I'll read the next two. (I have the entire trilogy on the Nook, but it expires on the 28th. I don't see it happening.)
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. You'd think I'd be done with this one by now, but I'm not.