My Butternut Squash Recipe and Animal Fever

My favorite way to cook butternut squash.. This is my own personal recipe.

All you need is..

-1 Large Butternut Squash cut in half (not peeled- the skin is healthy and keeps it together)

-Butter/Margarine

-Brown Sugar

-Marshmallows

-Cinnamon sugar

-Silvered almonds (not pictured/optional)

Large baking pan

Foil

- Cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds (Not necessary to peel)

- Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees

- Cover the pan with foil to keep the mess in

- Put Butternut Squash in pan face up

- Add a little bit of water to the bottom of the pan (This helps to keep moisture in and keep the squash from sticking down to the foil when it bakes.)

- Put butter or margarine all over the squash halves.

- Cover with foil and make sure it is tight around the pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 1 hour. (uncover and check in on it at intervals) poke with a knife or fork to see if its tender. (mine always takes the 45 minutes to full hour)

-once it is tender, add in the other toppings (almonds, cinnamon-sugar, brown sugar, marshmallows) and place back in oven and set to broil for a few mins.  You can see in the picture below I like my almonds pretty toasted ;) It adds flavor and crunch.

Enjoy! Let me know what you think. Tweak it to your own liking! it is soo delicious with a steak and beans.

On another note, Today I have been looking at places for us to move into and it is soo overwhelming sometimes. The way to do it is to only map out a few at a time and just go driving around til you find the right thing!

The thing is-- right now I have kitty/puppy fever and I cannot choose an animal before I choose a correct living arrangement. So I'll be prepping!

I use to tell myself that I would be comfortable JUST having a fish, or a small pet...but it is just not the same and I am ready for something with more responsibility. I think its time I make that step. The reward is having the bond and love that grows from taking care of another living thing. Any tips for puppies/animals in general would be greatly appreciated.

 

 So! In other news.. I seriously I use to moan all the time about wanting to go to shows and never being able to go. If anyone knows of upcoming shows, please let me know.

I finally bought some tickets for this summer in MAY! Its the Flux Pavilion and Doctor P. show and I wish it were sooner but at least I wont be at home crying like the picture below for this one....

Music reminds me why I have ears again. I must go to a show. Since the summer is on its way, I am sure more venues will be opening up to amazing shows.

I hope everyone had a great weekend and around the corner is Valentines day. I'm sure that we'll go out to dinner but seriously this weekend could have been our Valentines day in itself, because we don't have to have a special day to confess our love.. But for those of you who have kids and whatnot, it reminds everyone that Valentines day is a good day to have a date night for the adults with busy schedules.

 ^ Just a little friendly advice from Vinny. lol.

SO many dreams, all in one person.

lately, I have been loving avocados. It is weird how when you eat one food too much, then forget about it for a while.. then randomly rediscover it. I hadn't had a firm, ripe avocado in a long time!

We had avocado fries this weekend. Those were really amazing. and then I bought some at the store just to eat with enchiladas and by itself for a snack.

Ever have an OBSESSION for a food and then get tired of it...only to rediscover it again later?

 

we had sangria this weekend and it was de-lish too.

I notice as of lately, my standards are pretty high..

I dream big, and try to make it happen. What I need to realize is that I can do it all, just not all at once.

I think high hopes are great... But we also have to be somewhat realistic.

My theme, in everything in life right now, is enjoying the process, and slowing it down. I don't want to live so fast, or even out of my means. Each one of our decades has some purpose/learning stage/ or meaning in some way.

Right now I am in my 20's and I should do what a  mature 20-something would. :)

For some reason though, I had been daydreaming about a lot of things happening before I should do it. I want a new car. I look at my money, and I shouldnt really go and do that right now. Having a bigger car payment, means having to cramp my living style a little bit, and I dont want to do that. So im going to change my car up, to update it and make it feel like I have a new car. Tint, inside acessories, new steering wheel, that sort of thing. Small changes, but probably could make a big difference.

So, I'm taking small steps for save for that.

Eye on the prize, thats the whole idea.

I've seen too many people jump into that lifestyle only to have it quickly crumble because they moved too fast.

MUST NOT GET SUCKED INTO IT! :P

but small changes over periods of time - not just a dream come true all at once- otherwise we would go broke.

I think its good to have long term and short term goals. They have their own jars is all.

and also, don't forget to jump on something when the time is right.

Its funny because I also think you should be the optimist, pessimist and the realist all rolled into one. That's what life is about right? Lets not be black and white.

lol heres an old photo.. had to put up one that was goofy..

Still haven't been able to find any of these cute leggings that are thick sweater-like material. 

 

I bought some at TJ maxx that dont fit right so I have to take those back :(

It is so hard to find good leggings. I only have one pair that I am totally satisfied with. Does anyone know where the best place is to buy these? Ive tried a lot of places.

 

 

Hair-! Help!

Here I am now. My hair is layered and needs some discipline. No more shampooing everyday. I had a problem with wanting that ultra clean feeling everyday.. Stripping my scalp of its oils and making it painfully dry.. I mean I was literally uncomfortable. My scalp even hurt. So now I am trying to do it THREE times a week without washing. I don't know if any of you find this difficult to do this (or in this case, NOT do)

I have totally been abusing it. (I do use a heat protectant BUT)

I was blow drying everyday. 

Straightening everyday.

Shampooing and conditioning everyday.

But I felt like it didn't look good if it wasn't processed. But then I remember in highschool how I never was so bad to my hair and I went without styling it quite a bit, and it looked nice naturally.

 

Above photo- that is my hair right now. Just, out of my way lol. Sorta dorky, but I like it.

I am so sick of worrying about my hair. I have decided to almost "let it go" as in ....cut it.. but, I have decided to first try doing messier, out of my way types of styles first. Right now I have it tied back and it feels like I'm in my "writing mode". It just feels more productive when its not all on your face. It will get cut once or twice a month to help with split ends.

Its funny how the littlest changes make the biggest difference.

This weekend it was sooooo cold that it made me want to buy out a sweater store. I couldn't have been more layered up.

 

I love fall and winter clothes but I love the simplicity of just laying in the sun...

 

I am loving this little map bathing suit, it is too cute. I cant wait til summer is here!

Until then, it is outfits like the one below.

Isn't that a cute outfit? Sooo my style!

Until it gets warm though :/ Sweaters, Layers, and lots of it.

 For now I will reside in outfits like the one below.. that is for sure my style. love it.

The three pictures below are how I feel: cozy 

P.S. This whole post was inspired by a conversation with Chris today. He really helps me to live my life to where I can enjoy it. He is wise beyond his years.