PUMPKIN HUNTING & SEEDS ROASTING

My two favorite loves + good food + some creative time = recipe of a perfect time together.  Several weeks ago we went to Ruibal’s at the Downtown Dallas Farmers Market and picked up a few pumpkins to hack away on.  Oh boy was that fun!  We picked out a large, medium, and small pumpkin; different ones to represent each of us.  When checking out, we grabbed a pumpkin carving kit to aid us in our adventure.  The key to carving a phenomenal pumpkin is the pumpkin carving kit.  Truly, it worked like a dream! 

It was so nice to be outside soaking up the nice weather and fall colors.  After picking out the perfect pumpkins we had a nice dinner on a patio while the sun slipped away to slumber.  Once our tummies were singing from being nourished, we headed to my condo to start de-gutting our pumpkins.  Sounds morbid, but it was so much fun!  After clearing out the insides, I separated the seeds and roasted them in the oven, like this:

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

What you need: 

Fresh pumpkin seeds

Olive oil or coconut oil (I used a little of each)

Sea Salt

Pepper

Cumin

Thyme

Rosemary
Garlic and Herb mix (salt free) from Sprouts

What to do:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Place the pumpkin seeds on a foiled cookie sheet.  Coat them with olive oil and/or coconut oil, mixing them together to distribute the oil evenly.  Then sprinkle on the above herbs/spices to your taste.  Some of you might like more of certain spices and less of others.  Gauge it by what you know you like best.  OR, you can just do small pinches of each one.  Mix them all up together to distribute the seasonings evenly then place them in the oven for about 40 minutes.  If you want them toastier just keep them in a little longer and keep an eye on them. 

They are uber yummy, so enjoy!

Our pumpkins turned out uber fantastical too!! :O)

Sending you lots of Light & Laughter!

~Cassie

FROSTY FROLICKING FAVES

Aside from the obvious joy of celebrating Jesus being born to rock this world in all future history for time in this life and after...here are a few things that tantalize my senses once Texas changes from a melting pot to an ice rink: 


warm coffee shops; holiday tunes; cinnamon apple scents; movie cuddles with Nickelbug; smiles; fresh baked goodies; putting up the Christmas decor; eggnog w/whiskey; holiday gatherings; vanilla chai tea (decaf, of course); tapping into my creative noggin to make gifts that peeps may not even use (its the thought that counts though, right?);  A Christmas Carol put on by Dallas Theater Center; a good read in front of my fireplace(I have one now!); hoodies; deviled eggs; being iced in and can't drive to work; loads of laughter; nights in with pinot noir and the bestie; my sage green heating blanket; cinnamon tea; yoga hot room; fluffy snow (if we're lucky); watching Nickelbug open her presents; new years resolution dreams; getting cozier for NYE; twinkling white lights; window shopping; buttery knuckles; The Rat Pack Christmas show at Majestic Theater; special soiree's; etcetera,  etcetera, etcetera...


The list goes on and as the seasons are beginning to alter I can't help but become googly-eyed & giddy thinking on these!  Always the simple things in life that can take your heart to the next level :O)


If you're low on energy today, think on moments you enjoy when seasons begin to change in your life.  We can learn so much from each season and know that when you cover it all with gratitude: you will see, the best is right in front of you!

 Uber big hugs to you all from Nickelbug and I :O)

Sending lots of love and light!

~Cassie