My DayBook For October 31st, 2010

Outside my window...the leaves are just about gone now.  Temperatures really dropped today and I just know the white stuff is right around the corner. 

I'm thinking... that I really should be heading to bed soon.

I'm thankful for... Kit Kat's (it's Halloween okay, we all splurge now and then..right?)

From the kitchen... I'll be baking something yummy with some butternut squash I have to use up tomorrow.

I'm wearing... grey yoga's and a blue ls tee...and cute socks with coffee cup's on them!

I am creating... some wonderful Christmas gifts.  SHHH, it's a secret.

I'm reading... sewing blogs...constantly!

I am hoping... that I get the push I need to move on a few ideas I've got running thru my head.

Around the house... It's a complete mess.  I NEED A CRAFT ROOM!

One of my favorite things... taking naps, like today with the kids in my bed watching Halloween movies!

I am hearing... the sports news...can't reach the remote!

A few plans for the rest of the week... cleaning and de-cluttering & baking tomorrow, shopping and massage on Tues. (i will be so sad when my gift certificate is gone), Girl Scouts meeting.

Spaghetti Sofie & Officer Joe!  (and George the pumpkin!)

Picture thought... see picture...Happy Halloween!

Special thanks to Peggy, at The Simple Woman's Daybook, for hosting today's Daybook!  Pay a visit to her blog to read more Daybooks or join in and start your own!

Salad Bar!

Tomorrow's lunch....

Salad anyone??

Roasted Squash Seeds

Here is a great snack that my kids, and John and I, enjoy. They are really simple to prepare with only a few ingredients. You can use any seeds from squash or pumpkins.

Separate seeds from pulp. Place in a colander and rinse any remaining pulp off. Lay onto a paper towel or clean dishcloth and pat to dry. I usually leave them sitting out for a while until I get to them a while later. Then I know they are plenty dry enough to roast.

Place dry seeds in a bowl, drizzle with a small amount of olive oil. You only need enough to coat, don't overdo it, you can always add more if you need it. Too much will make them greasy.

Sprinkle with your favorite seasonings. I usually use sea salt, organic garlic powder, and organic onion powder. Crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper is great too! Play around with different flavors. If you've collected enough seeds you can make a few different types to appeal to your snackers!

"Slow and low" is always best when roasting seeds. Preheat oven to 275* and roast on a baking pan for about 40 minutes or until nicely browned.

Spaghetti Squash Bake

Ok, now THIS was amazing! I apologize for not having a photo of the actual meal, but all of my batteries were dead and I just could not wait to post this recipe!

Believe it or not this was my first time ever trying spaghetti squash! It will definitely not be my last! It was so delicious, and of course, being Italian, I just love me some pasta. I don't care how it's prepared, as long as it's pasta I can eat it everyday! This is a wonderful, healthier, alternative for baked ziti or lasagna without sacrificing the taste or texture.

Some nutrition facts can be found here.

I promise to post a picture next time I make this!

1 spaghetti squash

1 small onion, chopped

2 Tablespoons of chopped garlic

2 large tomatoes, diced

2 Tablespoons fresh basil

2 Tablespoons fresh parsley

1 Cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

1 Cup Parmesan cheese, shredded (reserve some for topping)

1 jar spaghetti sauce

black pepper

First, you have to bake your squash. I did this early in the morning so I didn't have to bother with it later on. Here is the method I use... Cut squash in half from stem to bottom. Scoop out seeds and pulp. (Reserve them for roasting later!) Grease baking sheet with olive oil, place skin side up onto pan, add a half inch of water. Bake in a preheated oven at 325* for about 40 minutes or until you can poke the skin with a fork easily. Remove from oven, cool.

Once cool to the touch, remove spaghetti like strands from skin with a fork. Place in a lasagna dish greased lightly with olive oil. Add all of the other ingredients, mix well. Top with additional Parmesan cheese. Bake in preheated over at 350* for 30-45 minutes until bubbly and cheese is melted. Enjoy!

South of France Spa Naturals Free Sample Kit

If you visit the South of France Spa Naturals site you can request a free Spa Naturals sample kit! Here is what your kit will contain:

-- 1.25 oz. Orange Ginger Facial Cleanser Bar

-- .25 oz. Citrus Mint Facial Scrub

-- .25 oz. Cucumber Aloe Facial Moisturizer

This looks like another great freebie! Hope it arrives soon!

Salmon Patties

I am so glad I decided to make my salmon fillets into these delicious patties tonight! They were so easy and SO tasty! The hubby loves crab cakes, so I've been wanting to make a salmon version.

Salmon is so good for you. Full of Omega-3's and much more! Here is a brief summary of the health benefits of this awesome fish.

My recipe made 10 nice size patties. We only ate 5 so we have plenty left for topping salads! I even have a recipe for Salmon & Corn Chowder that they would be delightful in! Maybe if I have all of the ingredients, I will whip some of that up tomorrow! Ummm, I can smell it now!

4 nice size salmon fillets (approx. 1lb.)
2 eggs
bread crumbs (enough to make your mixture stick together, I used about 1 cup)
pinch of sea salt
1/2 tsp. parsley

Flake salmon with a fork in your mixing bowl, add the remaining ingredients, mix thoroughly.
Drizzle olive oil in your frying pan and turn to medium heat. Once oil is ready, start forming your patties and dropping them into your pan. Fry about 5 minutes on each side until nicely browned. Remove from pan onto a paper towel lined plate to drain off excess oil. Then enjoy!

*Sorry for the terrible photo quality here! I snapped my picture right when I got them out of the pan and had to hurry to get the rest out before they burned!

Mom's Best Naturals Coupon

You can visit the Mom's Best Naturals site to sign-up and download a coupon for $.75 off of one of their cereal/oat products!

There is a store locator page on their site to find the nearest store carrying their products. If you are in the Scranton, PA area, Redner's Market stocks them.