Roasted Butternut Squash and Red Pepper Soup

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, chopped
1 piece (2 inches) fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped in half
4 small sweet potatoes
2 butternut squash, prepared and cut into 3/4-inch chunks
Olive oil
3 cups water or vegetable stock (I used water)
2 teaspoons nutmeg
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
Sour cream (optional)

Directions:
Place chopped squash, sweet potatoes, and garlic on an aluminum foil-covered baking sheet. Place red pepper halves on top of the other vegetables. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle on salt and pepper. Bake in oven for 30 minutes at 400 F.

Sauté butter, onion and ginger on medium heat in a large saucepan until lightly browned. Add roasted vegetables and water. Boil for 5 minutes, add paprika, nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir to release steam.

Add in orange juice. Using an immersion blender, blend until pureed.

Serve hot with a small dollop of sour cream and a light sprinkle of nutmeg.

Recipe adapted from here.

The Baby Shower

{Classic Vanilla Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing & Gerber Daisies}

{Favors with scrap-booked tags and onesie charms}

{Uncle Jay making Baby Kayla smile}

{Baby talk time - so adorable!}

{Grandpa with his first grandchild}

{Pretty party roses}

Last weekend I hosted my niece's baby shower. It was a family affair, and for many of them it was the first time they were introduced to both Baby Kayla, as well as my new place. I had a lot of fun cooking and baking up a storm, prepping the apartment and putting together the details of the party.

Oh. And playing with the babies was good fun too.
Theyaresoadorable.

Simpleton

{Button up: Tommy Hilfiger, Jeans: Gap, Boots: Steve Madden}

There are times when you need to dress up and then there are times when you just need to relax and keep it simple. Today was in need of the latter.

The early part of my day was spent getting groceries for the week, including ingredients for some butternut squash later on this week. The rest of my day was spent indulging in re-reading the childhood favourite, Anne of Green Gables, and getting lost in the imaginations that go along with it.

Lazy Sundays are my favourite.

Park & Stroll

Last weekend I took a post-brunch stroll around the park, taking in the crisp autumn air, the beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows papering the trees, and the quirky Mr. Peacock that likes to spend his days in the park as well.

It was a lovely way to spend the long weekend's Sunday (aka fake Saturday?) afternoon.

Autumn's Arrival

{Sweater: Old Navy, Jeans: American Eagle, Peacoat: J.Crew, Scarf: Plenty, Boots: Steve Madden}

It looks like Mother Nature took a cue from Canadian Thanksgiving this past weekend, and the leaves decided to finally change into their gorgeous autumn selves.

I had a wonderful long weekend, a few friends from back home came over to visit their families for Thanksgiving - and how lucky am I that I got to see them as well. On Sunday, we had brunch and then drove through farm country and it was so lovely. For a short while I imagined I was in the South and loved every minute of it.

I went over my aunt's house on Monday for Thanksgiving dinner, and it was a great evening filled with talk of "the hippy days," football, and the neighbor's early Hallowe'en decorations. I then attempted to learn how to play chess. But let me tell you, I am no Bobby Fischer.

Let's Go Exploring

I had a friend come to visit last weekend and it was a great excuse to finally explore this little city I've moved to. We found some really neat little places, including a brunch place called Blue Fox. It was an hour to get it, but I can honestly say that the food was worth it. 

So worth it.

We wandered around Chinatown that was filled with these alleyways and found this beautiful secret garden. We then popped on over to the Legislative Buildings. My friend is obsessed with all things to do with the Canadian Government, so this was by far her highlight.

The next day we meandered around the park and came across a peacock. A peacock! Just chillin' out on the road.

I suppose I could get used to that.

Mr. Peacock bids you adieu.

Insurance and Martha

{Button-up: J.Crew Factory, Skirt: Jacob, Boots: Roberto Vianni, Tights: Hue, Belt: American Eagle}

Today, I referenced Mean Girls in the middle of a presentation and now I can't stop thinking about the hilarity of that movie. It also reminds me of this last year when all my friends would whisper that my hair was filled with secrets. I'm okay with that though, because that's the only way it can get any volume. These same friends then presented me with a Most Likely to Award. I was most likely to "insure my hair and become the next Martha Stewart." Only half of that statement makes me happy.

True story.