Recipe Reshare | Dinner In A Pumpkin

This is one of my favorite things to make every Fall.

I actually just made it this past weekend and it was delicious as always!

Dinner in a Pumpkin Recipe

Ingredients:

Either 1 medium size pumpkin, or 4 small individual pumpkins

1 ½ lbs. lean ground beef

1/3 cup chopped green pepper

¾ cup chopped celery

¾ cup chopped onion

1 teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

¼ cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 – 4 ounce can of mushrooms

1 can of cream of chicken soup

2 cups cooked rice

If you want to make the faces on the pumpkins you will also need the following:

Black whole olives for the eyes

Steamed carrot (or several small carrots) used for the nose

Whole cloves for the mouth

Fresh parsley used to stick out from under the lid for hair

Toothpicks

Directions:

Using a sharp knife, cut the lid from the pumpkin(s) and scoop out the pumpkin seeds and excess membrane with a spoon or scraping tool.

In a large skillet, combine ground beef, chopped green pepper, chopped celery, and chopped onion and cook over medium heat until ground beef is browned.

Add the next 7 ingredients into the skillet and mix well. (salt, pepper, soy sauce, brown sugar, mushrooms, soup, rice)

Place the mixture into the pumpkin cavity, making sure pumpkins are sitting on a foil-lined casserole dish or baking sheet so they fit well without much room to move.

Place lid on the pumpkins and bake at 350 degrees for 1 ½ hours.

Just before serving, embellish the pumpkins by placing the black olives for eyes, carrot for nose, whole cloves for mouth, and parsley for hair. Hold the “face” in place with toothpicks.

To serve, place each individual pumpkin on a plate. If using one larger pumpkin, scoop out part of the baked pumpkin along with the mixture and serve on a plate.

Warning! The mixture and the pumpkins will be VERY hot! Eat and handle with caution!

You and your family won't be disappointed!

**When removing the inside of the pumpkin, mainly remove the seeds and leave the rest of the pumpkin goodness.

You will thank me for this tip when eating your delicious meal :)

XOXO ~ Vanessa

Our Home Renovation | Fall Decor

So technically this post isn't about our home renovation, but it is still home related ;)

Today I'm sharing some super cute items I've found that I would love to decorate with for Fall.

But first, if you missed any of my home renovation posts you can check them out below.
Let The Remodeling Begin
Update #1
X's Bedroom
X's Bathroom
Laundry/Mudroom
Pantry
Update #2
Master Bedroom

I don't typically decorate for Fall, but once we are back in our house I am sure I will be adding some fun seasonal pieces.

I pretty much love anything black and white.
These pillow covers are a great way to add some seasonal decor without breaking the bank.
This set of 4 is just under $20 and prime eligible :)

I love a good pop of color as well, and I think these leaf pillow covers would be perfect.
They just under $14 for a set of 4!

Honestly, I think I want these wood slice coasters for year round use!
They are perfect since I live in the woods.
But no matter where you live, I think these would be a great addition during the Fall and Winter months.

This 6" LED Light-up pumpkin would be great on a mantle or buffet table.

I do love all things Fall, but I am most looking forward to decorating for one of my favorite holidays....Halloween!
It is seriously just behind Christmas for me!
My brother's birthday is super close to Halloween, so he had quite a few Halloween themed parties when he was younger and I loved every one of them.

I have a feeling there is at least one Halloween party at my house in my future!
But it doesn't all have to be spiders, cobwebs, and creepy things.

This glittery candle holder is a great piece for your dining table or kitchen island.

This Jack O' Lantern one would be super fun too!

If I'm hosting a party, I will be serving some adult beverages #justsaying
Love these fun wine glasses that are currently on sale for under $13!

And when those cooler temps finally happen, you can chill under one of these blankets that scream FALL!

They are under $25 each and prime eligible!
They have Christmas colors as well :)


Do you decorate for Fall or Halloween?
What type of decor do you use?
Do you go all out or just a few subtle pieces?


Wishing you all a wonderful Thursday!


XOXO ~ Vanessa

fabfitfun Fall Box

I headed north this past weekend and picked up the latest fabfitfun box from my mom.

She once again she swore to me she didn't need or want anything from the box :/

(She is too good to me!)

So I brought the entire thing home with me :)

Here is what was inside the Fall box we received...

Amika Strand Perfect Ceramic Styler $80

I currently have a Hot Tools straightener, but I am looking forward to testing this one out.

Kut From The Kloth Slim Striped Wallet $60

LOVE!!

This is one of the items I had my mom pick for me!

So my style!

BAUBLEBAR Farah Ear Crawlers $34

I was really looking forward to these earrings as well!

Super cute!

Trestique Mini Eye Essentials (Set of 4) $48

This set features the perfect neutral tones for any skin/eye color.

Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Roller Ball $29

I DO NOT fall asleep easy at night, so I am looking forward to giving this relaxing oil thing a try ;)

Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair $30

Due to working from home this summer, I haven't heat styled my hair as much as I normally when I am going to work each day.
But I'm back to the grind, and that means drying, curling, straightening, etc.

I am looking forward to using this soon! 

Harper + Ari Exfoliating Sugar Cubes in Juice Cleanse $16

I love a good body exfoliator!

These bad boys will be added to my shower routine this week!

Human + Kind Body Souffle $18

Once I exfoliate, I will use this lotion to keep me moisturized ;)

Product value $315

Plus a few fun Hallmark cards, and coupons for HelloFresh and Bright Cellars!

I haven't had a chance to test out the products yet, but I am already carrying that super cute striped wallet!

Do you use any of the products we received?

Do you get the fabfitfun box?

If you want to give it a try, shoot me an email at leota6@gmail.com  and I'll give the discount code for $15 off your first box!

XOXO ~ Vanessa

TBB Asks | October Fall 2.0

October is here!!!!

October is one of my favorite months of the year!

(December is still #1 for obvious reasons)

Today we are asking you about your Fall Favorites!

So grab the image below and post your answers on your blog (don't forget to link up with us!).

No blog? No problem!

Share this image on Instagram or Facebook with your answers and use #tbbasks

1. Favorite Fall Color?

This is tough!

Probably a mixture of red and orange.

Mic and I got married in the Fall (October 7th to be exact) and I had those colors in my wedding :)

2. Apple Cider: Hot or Cold?

Strange, but I am not a big fan of apple cider.

But I am a big fan of apple cider beers ;)

Actually I think I like every thing apple except cider - apples, apple donuts, pies, etc.

3. Caramel Apple: Yes or No?

I would take a bite of one, but that is a bit too much sweetness for me.

I do like the caramel apple pops!

I mentioned my wedding being in the Fall above...well the favor at each place setting was a caramel or candied apple :)

(You can see them in the bridal table picture in #1)

4. Pumpkin Doughnut or Apple Cider Doughnut?

Apple all the way!

There is an apple orchard right up the road from our house and they make the absolute best apple donuts!

5. Long or Short Cardigan?

Long because I can easily wear them with skinny jeans.

I grabbed this one during the NSale and I can't wait to wear it soon!

6. Favorite Football or Fall Party Food?

Living in Ohio you tend to tailgate in the cold,

so I would have to say a good bowl of chili with a mound of cheese on top!

Bonus points if it is Skyline Chili (Cincinnati Style) :)

7. Orange or White Pumpkins?

Orange all the way!

And super smooth, pretty much perfect pumpkins.

None of the bumps and such or odd colors.

They gross me out!

8. Hayride or Bonfire?

100% Bonfire!!!

I love the smell!

For years I have looked for perfume/body spray that smells like burnt firewood, but I can't find anything.

There was one back when I was in high school, but I can't remember the name or find anything like it :(

The best part of a bonfire is going to bed afterwards with your clothes and hair smelling like all of that goodness!

It's the only time I can stomach the smell of outside.

9. Favorite Fall Baked Good?

Apple Hill Donuts!

Close second....Mix and Match Mama's Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins!

10. Most Anticipated Fall Activity?

Oktoberfest followed closely by Trick-or-Treat!

We have a blast with our friends every year in Minster, Ohio!

And who couldn't like Trick-or-Treat/Halloween?

It's the one time of year you get to dress up as something your not!

Now I want to hear your answers!

Comment below or link up your post at TBB!

And don't forget to join us at The Blended Blog every Monday!

XOXO ~ Vanessa

What's Up October? + A Giveaway!

Linking up with Mel, Shay & Sheaffer for...

What we're eating this week...

Getting back on the healthy track this week after indulging all weekend in Nashville.

Think lots of salads, veggies, and such.

What I'm reminiscing about...

Is it too soon to say our weekend in Nashville?

It was so much fun!

More on it tomorrow :)

What I'm loving...

That the leaves are all changing colors on the trees.

Now I need to plan our family pics before they are all gone!

What we've been up to...

We went to our 3rd Oktoberfest with friends in Minster, Ohio,

finished up Fall soccer for X,

Mic and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary,

and I went with X to Wayne's for a field trip!

What I'm dreading...

Christmas shopping :(

Every year I have big plans to start my shopping early, but I never know what to get the people on my list so it gets put off.

I really do hope to have most of it done in November so I can just enjoy December!

What I'm working on...

Planning X's birthday party.

We just picked up some super simple Pokemon plates, napkins and such this week at Target so I believe we are set other than food.

December will be here before we know it!

What I'm excited about...

That I am sitting in 1st Place for the second week in a row in my fantasy football league!

That is HUGE considering I was in dead last the entire season last year!

What I'm watching/reading...

This Is Us, Dancing with the Stars, and lots and lots of football!

What I'm listening to...

At the moment....the Muzak that plays while I am on hold with our home office :(

Otherwise I have been listening to a lot of country.

What I'm wearing...

All my new jeans and tops :)

The weather is finally cool enough to start rockin' those jackets I picked up during the #NSale too!

What I'm doing this weekend...

I have X's school Harvest/Halloween party on Friday morning and then the rest of the weekend should be pretty low key.

What I'm looking forward to next month....

I am changing it up this year and hosting a Favorite Things Party!

I looking forward to a fun evening with some good friends!

What else is new...

X just lost another tooth this week!

And we have a field trip planned for Monday to Little Buckeye Museum with his Kindergarten class.

Bonus Question: What's your favorite Thanksgiving side dish?

Red skin mashed potatoes with the skins left on :)

#yum

Giveaway Time!!!

A young vampire girl, Vampirina (aka Vee), is the new kid in town after her family moves from Transylvania to Pennsylvania. 

In her unfamiliar surroundings, Vee first tries to adapt, change and blend in with her schoolmates but ultimately she learns to appreciate her unique individuality and her friends' too. 

Whether they’re making their own music videos, planning a party or throwing a sleepover, Vee and her friends always figure out how to have fang-tastic fun!

Enter to win the adorable new Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment release, VAMPIRINA! http://tinyurl.com/VAMPIRINAXV