Makena Goes Trick or Treating

I think these pictures pretty much say it all! Do they get any cuter than this?!!

P.S. Nesting is done (for now)

After three long days, our house is back together. Poor Doug spent 2 days trying to revive our slate floors. Today, he found the answer in a glossy sealant. Our floors have never looked better and we think we may even like them now:) Who wouldn't like a shiny, new looking floor?! As for the dogs, they are very happy to be sleeping inside again.

Staying Busy...

Today, I split my time between carving a pumpkin and making pecan bars. I've been craving these bars ever since I saw them on a Barefoot Contessa show. Unfortunately, the ones Ina makes may kill you, with 2 1/4 pounds (9 sticks!) of butter and 2 pounds of pecans (amongst other ingredients). So, I opted for a different recipe with a fair amount of butter, but not nearly the 2 1/4 pounds in Ina's recipe. Well, let me just say, these may be the BEST things I've ever tasted!! This is the recipe, which I highly recommend:

Chewy Pecan Diamonds Bon Appétit December 1999

Crust

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour

1/3 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Topping

1 1/4 cups (packed) golden brown sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

4 cups coarsely chopped pecans (about 14 1/2 ounces)

1/2 cup whipping cream2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 13x9x2-inch baking pan with foil, leaving 1-inch overhang on all sides. Butter foil. Blend flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch and salt in processor. Add butter and process until mixture begins to clump together. Press dough evenly onto bottom of foil-lined pan. Bake crust until set and light golden, about 25 minutes. Remove from oven. Let stand while preparing topping. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.

For topping:
Stir brown sugar, corn syrup and butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves and mixture boils; boil 1 minute. Add pecans and cream; boil until mixture thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Stir in vanilla. Pour hot topping over warm crust.
Bake nut-topped crust until caramel is darker and bubbles thickly, about 20 minutes. Transfer pan to rack. Cool completely in pan (topping will harden).
Lift foil out of pan onto cutting board. Using heavy sharp knife, cut crust with nut topping into 1 1/2x1-inch diamonds. (Can be made 1 week ahead. Store between sheets of waxed paper in airtight container at room temperature.)

Time really flies!

I was looking at our pictures today and realized how much we've all changed!! From our weddings (Val & Chasin's and mine & Doug's) to now with Val and I being pregnant:). Makena has changed so much from when she was first born until now...it seems like every second she is doing something new! Man, time flies!

Is this considered nesting?

So, today we decided to scrub our floors so that we can re-seal them tomorrow. This is how our house has been torn apart in the process. Would you consider this nesting?!

Family Shower

Today was my family shower. It was AWESOME!! The food and cake were delicious, the conversations were great, and the overwhelming generosity was amazing! We hit the jackpot. Thank you so much to everyone! I had such an amazing time and I am so appreciative of your continual kindness and support.

Makena was a HUGE hit and on her best behavior. Can you guess who is hiding behind the balloons?

**Sorry, I only managed to snap these few pics:(

From Trash to Treasure

Doug's latest project is done (just in time for the rain!). Our falling down old barn is now sparkly and new. I'm sure the neighbors are all rejoicing that the ugly old thing is gone!

On a side note, I'm now on maternity leave. It's a little early, but the stress of constantly exposing Logann and myself to the Swine Flu was really getting to me:( Please feel free to email, call, or visit (if you're NOT sick, of course)...I would love the company!

Big Belly!

Doug took this picture of me on Monday...boy has my tummy grown!! Can you believe that it has already been 31 weeks? WOW, only 9 weeks left. We are so excited:)