I said I would hop back on with some fall recipes and here I am! Pumpkin it is today!

Tonight I made a great soup. I have to admit that it took a little bravery to try. Not that anything is super unusual about it but I have a hard time mixing savory with sweet. The recipe comes from Edie over at Life In Grace. I came across Edie’s blog a while back when her gorgeous home burned down and the blog community was jumping in to support her and bless her socks off as she rebuilt her families home.  If you have time you should check out more of her blog. I enjoy her blog and she often has great recipes so when I saw her recipe for Chipotle Pumpkin Barley Soup with chicken I knew I had to try it. We love chipotle peppers in adobo so I knew that was a plus and I have been wanting to use barley. I have eaten it but never cooked with it. Although I am not into the fad diets as I mentioned yesterday I am interested in cooking with grains and things that are good for us. So, 2 points for the soup. The drawbacks for me were the cinnamon, nutmeg and honey. I know from making butternut squash soup that it works but for some reason I fight it every time. I can’t wrap my baking brain around those spices being for a savory soup. But, I went with it and it was delicious. It had a nice smokiness from the peppers and I even thought it was yummy enough before I added the cream. Speaking of cream, I substituted half and half but  again I think you can eat it before adding anything at the end!  And the best part, the boys ate it and enjoyed it! Packed with veggies and spice! Click on her blog link above if you want to give it a try!  I served it with a salad and some crusty bread. I tried looking back to confirm but I am pretty sure Edie made up this recipe. Impressive! Sorry, I forgot to take pictures of it but she has a picture that will entice you!  And for you ladies around the world, if you can’t find canned pumpkin but you have access to smaller pumpkin just cut it in half down the middle, roast until soft, scoop out and then puree in a food processor or blender. Then just substitute it for the same amount as the can.

With the leftover pumpkin I made a batch of pumpkin chocolate chip muffins for the boys to have for an after school snack. They were a hit! This is the recipe I used from The Joy of Baking blog! They turned out great and were quick to make. They can also be made into a loaf.

So, every week begins about the same. Owen and I drop Jackson off at school and we head to the gym. Since we joined about 6 weeks ago we are making it there about 3-4 times a week which seems like a success when you consider our other busyness.  I have been pushing myself extra hard to get back into shape. Pushing hard and not really seeing many results. Yes I feel heathier, but more tired and a little lot disappointed that my work doesn’t seem to be paying off like I had hoped. I don’t plan on getting close to my high school, pre-marriage or even pre-baby weight…I just want my clothes to fit and to be healthy.

While being overseas I was aware of lots of fad diets going on stateside but it wasn’t until we came back that I am stopped in my tracks and I am completely confused. On any given day I have a friend or fellow blogger adding this or giving up that. Low Fat Dairy is great for you one day and the next poison. Same with wheat, salt……you name it, it’s likely been discarded and then re-embraced.  I don’t know how many people I know that are doing some special plan. I’m not saying they are bad I am just saying that if you are like me and you are trying to research the best method you can find yourself spinning as they all contradict each other.

I have always had to be careful with my weight. I can remember in high school I got a spot in show choir and it became my goal to look like all of those other girls. I was a terrible dancer darn it but I would look good if I could. And I did. I dropped down to my lowest weight ever just in time for my senior prom.  My hard work had paid off for once in my life. I had eaten really carefully and had faithfully run each evening.

After having had two ginormous baby boys children and adding some years it has become harder and harder for me to lose extra pounds. Positive thinking and the desire to be like my skinny friends just isn’t enough for my body to lose.

There has to be more to this story. In Switzerland, and most places we went to in Europe the people are not overweight. They eat seasonally and enjoy themselves. In the winter their dishes focus mainly on potatoes, carrots, beets, and apples…and fondue! In the Spring it was asparagus, strawberries, leeks, etc.  Summer was full of lots of greens, fruits, etc. But back here potatoes are the enemy and good grief things get serious if you aren’t drinking skim, fat free, la, la, la. Make that ORGANIC. Oddly, Americans seem really unhealthy and spending tons of time and money trying to fix themselves.

So, I am resolving to just be healthy. Watching portions and exercising regularly. I plan to savor the seasonal stuff and I am hoping and praying that I can resist this epidemic of being preoccupied with all things food and fitness. My next post will be on fall foods on our menu line up just so you are reassured that we are still enjoying the goodness!

Saturday morning we got an early start to head out to meet some friends and spend the day at the fair. It was a crisp sunny day, perfect for being outside!  We spent most of the day making our way through the fair. It was full of free activities for the kids and entertainment as well as yummy fair food. We finished the day at our friends house, tired and happy and well fed with a big spread of bbq, sides, s’mores and apple pie (made from apples from the trees we ate under). It was a sweet day!

“baby barn”….nice gesture for nursing moms, except for the wind

some of our gang joined in the clogging demonstration…

The remembering of 9/11 would have likely been enough to cause some anxiety in me this year. I decided last week to talk to Jackson about 9/11 knowing that he would likely hear things at school. It was an interesting conversation and I think he had some good questions. Although there aren’t many good answers. Coming stateside has brought a great deal of relief from the anxiety of being in countries that don’t love Americans but the thought of Seth being down in the heart of our capital has for sure reignited some fears.   Last week was a big one for the Foreign Service family. Like any family it has it’s quirkiness but again like any family tragedy brings us together and makes us all analyze the parts we play in the family story. I vividly remember the warnings in Bogota, the blockbuster blowing up down the road from us, kidnapping threats and paying for my maid to take a taxi the 30 plus miles home one afternoon when there were 7 bus bombs going off throughout our city. In general we were very safe, but often there were risks. Our time in Switzerland felt safe but it still wasn’t home.  And now, when I expected to feel much safer being home I am aware that Seth is often at risk even stateside.

Last week I found myself fearful as we watched the news and we made contact with multiple friends around the world. Some evacuating, some staying put during scary times and others like us in “safe” places looking on and hoping for peace around the world. Losing an Ambassador and other fellow diplomats is a sad thing for our community.  Schools burning, walls being jumped and just general hatred is unsettling.

And no matter how much anxiety I feel or how much sleep I lose ultimately I know that God is in control.  And as my grandmother wrote in an email recently “I am sure that any place we are in God’s will we are safe. Just don’t always know what ‘safe’ means to God!“. I agree. My idea of safe may be far from where God wants me.

This week I am trying to walk by faith knowing that we can control very little. I will make every effort to live a healthy, productive, influential life that is hopefully a blessing to others, but I have no control over my days. Only God knows the hours and moments that remain.  My prayer is for peace and safety for friends and family worldwide, and for our little family here.

On a completely different note we had a really fun weekend with family and friends here in VA. I will try to hop on here later to share some pictures of our day at the fair on Saturday!