{maybe next year}

This year was Connor's first time to the pumpkin patch - we were very tired, sleep-deprived parents last year to take him.  I know, so mean of us.  Well, Connor had a good time at the patch and did his little heart wish he could go on the big kid rides!  Maybe next year, Connor boy, you will be old enough.  It was a hot, hot Autumn day here in California of 85 degrees!  Scorcha!  We were only able to enjoy the pumpkins and two rides for a little bit before we ran for some shade under a tent and played there for the remainder of the time.  Good thing the patch isn't too far from our home so we can use the rest of the ride tickets we never got to.

Have you visited the pumpkin patch yet??

{one}

Our little boy turned one in August and gosh has the time surely flown by way too quick.  It has been quite the adventurous year.  He was born a quiet happy baby.  Got his first pair of teeth at 4 months.  Loved every food introduced to him (and still LOVES all foods... food in general he loves... the apple does not fall far from the tree).  Crawled at 8 months.  Walked at 10 months.  And now, he has become a spunky happy (and, I won't lie, tantrum-ous) active toddler.  So spunky and active that he tires this hyper mama out.  And we love this boy the way he is.  We love him oh-so-much that his Daddy and I have a hard time imagining what it would be like to love another child.  Don't get us wrong, we have plans to add to this little family of ours but for now we are enjoying this little boy.  Continue reading to see the details of how we celebrated a great first year; his birthday party!

{we went with a Nautical theme.  in love with envelop liners and how they give a personalize pop.}

{Connor at every month & the sweets table}

{an amazingly talented local home baker made this gorgeous cake right out of her house kitchen.  i love supporting small businesses and will be ordering future cakes from her.}

{a close-up of her great work}

{blue jello as water, orange slices + paper sail as boats, and of course blue dotted wooden spoons taped on w. gold dotted washi tape.  oh, the details!}

{powdered donuts, gummy rings, and mint lifesavers as life savers} 

{red vines as sailor's ropes}

{gummy worms as live bait!}

{gold fish crackers + swedish fish as the catch of the day!}

{rice crispy treats as starfishes.  i used a star cookie cutter & added eyeballs with royal icing.}

{this was some-what of a disaster.  i thought i could cut a corner by using pillsbury's pre-made sugar cookie dough.  major fail.  the cookies didn't hold it's shape and expanded to an unrecognizable blobs.  next time i'll stick with making the dough from scratch.}

{chevron stripped goody bags + labels that say "thanks for sailing by" + lifesavers hanging from twine. paper boats. nautical bunting flag. an adorable photo of Connor.}

{more paper boats & more adorable Connor.  this photo totally depicts his happy demeanor.}

{smash cake!!}

{he pushed the cake away and cried.  totally not what we were expecting.}

{1 year smash cake photo shoot}

{the end}

Professional Photos: Photographed by the talented Shawnee.

{meat pasta sauce}

For the longest time the husband had requested I make pasta sauce from scratch (his Italian side was calling) and earlier this week I fulfilled his beloved dreams.  The recipe I used made a good amount where I was able divvy it up in smaller containers to freeze for later uses (fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 30 days).  Brilliant for those days where you just need to make something real quick.  I followed the recipe as is, however, you can make all the modifications you want; get crazy!  You can reduce the meat (which I plan on doing next time... maybe just sweet Italian sausage with no ground beef), add mushrooms, add eggplants, add KALE(??!!).  Keep reading for recipe.  

What's your favorite pasta sauce recipe?  

Ingredients:

1 pound sweet Italian sausage, sliced 3/4 pound lean ground beef 1/2 cup minced onion 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste 2 (6.5 ounce) cans tomato sauce

1/2 cup water 2 tablespoons white sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil 1/2 teaspoon fennel seed 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions: 

In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the sausage, beef, onion, and garlic until well browned; drain fat. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Mix in sugar and season with basil, fennel seed, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Recipe Source: allreceipes.com

{next journey}

i am absolutely sorry i haven't been the greatest at updating this blog.  with recent events, i will be able to post more frequently, and of course, this blog will focus on recipes, food, beauty, fashion, my family, crafts, DIY and everything else that makes my insides warm and fuzzy.  i welcome you to follow me as i embark on this new journey.  
Eekks!  

xo, jules