Happy Halloween & Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!!

How was your week?

Ours seemed to fly by, with Monday, I could have sworn, being just yesterday. But it’s Friday, which means only two days until Halloween!! Matt & Beau are here from New Orleans to spend Halloween with us (since we always talk about how big it is in our town) and we’re so excited to see them and Fox again. They got in late last night and we stayed up a little too late drinking wine and eating popcorn, so much so that when 6 o’clock came this morning, I texted my mom telling her I wouldn’t be able to make our morning walk. I was just too tired.

In other news, Allan got to wear his costume to school today and he looked so adorable. PJ did his hair in a Mohawk: super pointy and sticking straight up. His teacher sent me a photo of him at school today in his costume, posing for the camera with his hand on his hip and his leg turned sideways. The sass coming from that pose and that photo was overwhelming and I loved it.

I can’t wait to see all three of them in their costumes on Sunday. I’m mentally preparing myself now for the candy coma they might be in that night. Maybe they’ll just pass right out after the day’s festivities. There will be people stopping by and lots of chili and pizza to be eaten. I friggin love this time of year so much.

I hope you have a great one, and stay safe! Happy Halloween!!! xoxo

PS: Our next Weekender Newsletter goes out tonight!!! Click here to sign up and receive it!

Spicy Italian Sausage & Red Wine Rigatoni

I found PJ’s new favorite dinner!

PJ isn’t a big fan of red sauces these days. For some reason, sometime last year he started disliking spaghetti (which is crazy to me because I could literally eat it every night), so he asked me to stop making so many red pasta sauces for dinner (I used to make them quite often because they’re so damn easy).

But a few weeks back I was in a pinch and had to think of something to make for dinner rather quickly. I saw we had a package of sausage (randomly) in the freezer, so I Googled different pasta dishes to whip something up in time for dinner. I was craving a sort of red wine sauce, probably from all of the inspiration I’m getting from watching Stanley Tucci’s Italy food docuseries on HBO Max. I came across this recipe from Pinch of Yum and it sounded so good and checked all the boxes I was looking for.

And it turned out great! It’s a tasty, hearty pasta perfect for the colder days ahead. The red wine and balsamic vinaigrette give it a flavorful and lively kick. Full disclosure: I didn’t add carrots or celery like the recipe calls for because I have a weird food allergy to both of them that makes it feel like my throat is closing up every time I eat them, but it was still super yummy. We also used purple basil as a garnish on top (fresh from our garden at Ocoee Farm!), which is that black-looking stuff sprinkled on it.

Here’s what you’re going to need:

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 1–2 cloves garlic, minced

• half of a yellow onion, minced

• 2 stalks celery, minced

• 2 carrots, minced

• 12 ounces spicy Italian sausage (casings removed – just the ground meat)

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/2 cup red wine

• 1 28 ounce can San Marzano tomatoes, including their juices

• 1/4 cup balsamic or Italian dressing (optional – for some zing!)

• 10–12 ounces rigatoni

• butter, Parmesan, or basil for topping

Directions:

1. Heat the butter in a skillet over medium high heat. Add the garlic, onion, celery, and carrots – sauté for 10 minutes or so, until the vegetables are very soft.

2. Add the ground sausage, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. When the sausage is fully cooked, add the wine and let it sizzle out.

3. Add the tomatoes and optional dressing – simmer for 20-30 minutes so the sauce reduces a bit.

4. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Add the pasta to the sauce and stir gently to combine. It should be saucy but not runny. Transfer to a large serving dish and top with Parmesan and parsley or basil. Serve with more wine!

So, so good. Enjoy! x

Falling in Love All Over Again

Yesterday was another perfect fall day here in Tennessee and I have the photos to prove it.

Things are finally cooling off around here, meaning there are no more days scheduled to be in the 80’s for the foreseeable future! Living in the south, I dream of the days we are being able to wear sweaters outside without sweating the moment we walk out the door, and that day is here. We’re a little late to the fall game, per usual, but that’s okay. The colors of the leaves is always worth the wait.

The kids had fun hearing the leaves crunch beneath their feet. They love this season as much as we do (though some of that may be because we talk about how great it is nonstop).

Forever wishing I could freeze perfect moments like this in time.

I suppose that’s what this blog is for.

How Climate Change Impacts Refugees and Displaced Communities

Today we’re going to be sharing some information from USA for UNHCR about how climate change directly impacts the refugee community, and what we as citizens can do to help.

Climate change is affecting all of us in various ways, and seems to be only getting worse. However, the effects it has on refugees and displaced communities around the world is even more concerning. Climate change increases the risk of extreme weather like storms and floods and heatwaves, which can leave communities already in need of basic necessities (food, water, shelter, etc.) completely devastated.

Per USA for UNHCR’s website, they say, “Competition over depleted natural resources can spark conflict between communities or compound pre-existing vulnerabilities. Climate change does not itself lead to conflict, but it can magnify the impact of other factors that can spark conflict.

Imagine having no other option besides literally fighting for your life and the lives of your family. This is a reality for millions of people around the world.

Right now, climate changing is forcing some 23 million people from their homes every year, and without immediate action, by 2050, around 200 million people will be in need of humanitarian assistance due to the effects of climate change.

How can we help?

• You can click here to sign USA for UNHCR’s new petition to “demand governments urgently promote measures to combat climate change and prevent the increase in forced displacement and the growing vulnerabilities of those already forced to flee.”

• You can also click here to donate anything you can to help refugees combating climate change, as well as all those who are forcibly displaced.

• Educate yourselves and others. Click here to learn more about the climate crisis and please share whatever you can. Simply talking about it and raising awareness has power, too.

Thank you so much.

(Photo via Amel Dirar/USA for UNHCR)

A Breezy Fall Day & Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!

How was your week?

Ours was filled with a bunch of…sickness. By that, I mean Riah threw up a few times at 3a the other morning and, after taking care of him, we both decided we couldn’t go back to bed so we just stayed up for the day- bad choice. Also, PJ brought home Jet (as in, Jet Black), our brand new little black lamb (remember when Maud had triplets a few weeks back?) because he wasn’t getting the milk he needed from his mom, as the other two were hogging it all.

So, PJ brought him home and has been nursing him back to health! He was so frail and weak and PJ wasn’t sure if he was going to make it (he wasn’t eating or drinking anything PJ was giving him at first because, well, he truly didn’t know how to eat), but after a few days, and as of this morning, he is eating and drinking and running around the house baaaa-ing and it’s the cutest thing ever!! Way to go, PJ!!

In other news, today is the first official, OFFICIAL fall day of the year. I’m declaring it. It’s cool, crisp, breezy, and wonderfully beautiful out. We have had the doors and windows open all morning just letting the air in, which is something I look forward to doing every year. With all the animals and kids and just all the living things in our house, it always feels so good to open everything up and let the fresh air come in and breathe new life into our home. Do you know what I mean?

Meanwhile, there will be no Weekender Newsletter this week as we’re shooting two big campaigns over the next few days. There will, however, be a new YouTube vlog premiering Sunday all about our anniversary and this whole week in general. Speaking of, thank you so much to everyone who sent love and well wishes on our anniversary the other day!! So sweet. It’s been a wonderful 6 years of marriage, filled with ups and downs and so many firsts (even after all this time!) and many, many lessons learned. I am grateful for it all. Especially my husband’s love of animals, particularly farm animals. Hence all the photos with Jet Black that have been taken over the last few few days since he’s been staying with us. So stinkin’ cute.

Have a lovely weekend!!!

Looking for a New Hobby? Here Are 17 Great Ideas

After discussing our hobbies the other day, PJ and I determined I don’t have many that require anything physical of me (something I desperately want and need!). So, we talked about it for a while and we came up with something fun I could do every day that's would also get my heart-rate going: walking.

I started walking in the mornings with my mom two weeks ago, and while we’ve had to miss a few mornings due to appointments and scheduling, we are absolutely loving it. It’s quality time together, just the two of us, to catch up and talk about everything and nothing. We usually walk around two miles and the days I’ve done it, I’ve felt better, more confident and ready to tackle the day.

I am still looking for more hobbies (PJ’s list, we found out, included too many to count), so the other day on Instagram, I asked what hobbies you have! In an effort to inspire others, I’m sharing a few of them below. Maybe you’ll take up a new one of these. It’s never too late, is it?

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I did a sip and script class last night and learned how to do calligraphy! -Erik

Quilting, sewing, reading, DIY and about to take up bookbinding! -Jeffery

Karate. Both body and mind get something to do :) -Jan

I like to crochet! Nothing super complicated, but it’s fun and relaxing for me. -Josh

Taking my pup to the park after work every day. -Mike

Yoga. Jessica Richburg has an awesome Youtube channel with all levels. -MD

Writing, baking, I’m also now learning how to knit. I want to create things. -Sue

Researching my family on Ancestry.com -Patti

Tennis! -Samuel

Watercolor painting. It’s so cathartic to me. -Anonymous

Drawing! It helps me ease the COVID anxiety. I draw happy things like flowers with color!

Gardening, nothing too big. Flowers and vegetable. During the winter I plant starters inside. -Casey

Get to know your local birds and flowers! You’d be surprised how much you see once you know. -Austin

Hour-long walks each day. -Scott

Editing Family videos into cinematic short films. -McKay

I bake! Cakes, cupcakes, cookies, pies, etc. -Laurie

Writing. I love it. You would be amazed at how incredible and stimulating it is. -Javier

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Thank you so much to everyone who submitted!!