Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Roasted Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas


If you are like me you may have seen this recipe floating around the blogasphere and thought,  dang I need to make that!  The original recipe comes from Marina's gorgeous blog Yummy Mummy- a must read if you don't already check out her recipes.  Marina makes healthy delicious meals all accompanied by beautiful photographs and she is coming out with a cookbook soon!   I originally saved this recipe from Marina's blog then saw my girl Natasha gave it raving reviews so I knew I needed to try it.  I made a few adaptions to the recipe to make it spicier because we love some flavor in the Mason Household.  I adored this meal, like seriously I am dreaming about leftovers.  Best part is this is such a healthy meal packed with flavor.  The sauce on it is made with Greek Yogurt not sour cream and it is filled with veggies.    Please make this dish you will not be disappointed!!





{Roasted Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas}
Adapted from Yummy Mummy Kitchen ( I denoted my changes in pink)
Serves 4

2 1/2 cups 1/2-inch cubed butternut squash (12-ounces, or about 1 small-medium peeled, seeded squash) - I used the pre diced kind saves so much time and arm strength!

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1-2 teaspoons chili powder

15 ounces cooked or canned black beans, drained and rinsed

1/4 cup chopped yellow onion

2 jalapenos seeded and diced

Tabasco Green Sauce

1 1/2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, plus more cilantro for garnish

12 ounces jarred or fresh mild green salsa

1/4 cup 2% plain Greek yogurt (such as Chobani)

1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend

Queso Fresco Crumbled

8 corn tortillas (I used Flour Tortillas)

1 large ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced

1 cup low fat sour cream


Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place cubed butternut squash on a large baking pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper and Chili Powder. Toss to coat. Roast for 20 minutes or until tender. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, stir together roasted butternut squash, beans, chopped onion, jalapeno, and cilantro. In another medium bowl, stir together salsa and yogurt and several dashes Tabasco green sauce


Pour a thin layer of the salsa sauce over the bottom of 10" x 7" casserole dish. The 10x7-inch dish is perfect for corn tortillas, but an 8-inch square baking dish would work as well. Place 1/3 cup of the squash and bean mixture into each tortilla. Top with 1 tablespoon of cheese and roll up. Place seam-side-down in the baking dish. Continue until all the squash mixture is used up. Pour the remaining salsa sauce over the top of enchiladas. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until cheese has melted and starting to brown in places, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and serve with sour cream and avocado.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Sterling's Big Boy Room Reveal

Instead of my normal Obsessions Post today I thought I would switch gears and go ahead and show you Sterling's Big Boy Room.  I have hyped it up so much now you are all probably sick of hearing about it.  I knew I wanted to create a space that was not babyish and had no theme (ugh I hate themed rooms).  I wanted it to be a space he grow into for many years.

I am pretty darn proud of the space and how I transformed it.  I had more fun designing this space than his nursery.  Best part is I really didn't spend too much money on anything.  I worked with alot of pieces we already had and just moved things around in our house.  One thing that is still not complete is the overhead light.  I am saving to get a Sputnik and when I do I will post pictures (so just use your imagination its gonna look fab) but it may be awhile what with the holidays right around the corner, mama needs to be saving for gifts. 

  Photographing a small room is hard as heck.  It was impossible to get good angles, but here we go!


The bed was Matt's grandparents and worked perfect because it was low to the ground. I was originally going to paint it decided I loved all the dark wood for a little boy room and he can totally grow into it and use this furniture for years. The frog was a gift from my mom before Sterling was born and he insists on sleeping with it everynight!


The ottoman was my parents and I just had the top recovered.  It is awesome because the top comes off and I can store toys inside.  Sterling also uses it as kind of a step stool to climb into his bed!


This is the view directly across from Sterling's bed.  His room is super small but the space works perfect for him.


The wood cabinet was a piece that was in our guest room.  I decided to move it because I liked the wood paired with his bed.




I have come to realize that bookcases are impossible to arrange or maybe I just suck at it.  I will never be totally happy with how these look but for now this works.




Sterling is still not potty trained so I decided to leave his changing table in his room for now.  I removed the top pad and just change him on the bed now but I still use the inside for diaper and health care storage. I moved the snakeskin mirror from our foyer because I loved the idea of it in a little boys room.   Eventually I would like a small Campaign dresser for this space or a Lucite desk that he could use as he gets older and has homework.



So there you have it, a masculine yet playful room that hopefully Sterling can grow into for years to come! 

SOURCES:
Paint Color:  Benjamin Moore:  Toasted Walnut
Rug: HomeGoods (Similar Here)
Bed: Antique
Whale Sheets: Pottery Barn Kids (no longer available)
White Coverlet and Shams: Homegoods
Monogrammed Pillow: Monogram done at O'Connor Monogramming
Ottoman: Hand me Down
Abstract Art:  Sally King Benedict
Animal Art Prints:  Estate Sale Score, Frames from Micheals
White Lamp:  Homegoods
3 Sprouts Elephant Storage Bin:  Sugar Snap Pea or Diapers.com
Eames Rocker: Consignment
Love You Pillow: Purchased in Pawleys Island at store called Breathe
Bookcase: My dad made
Changing Table: My dad made
3 Sprouts Seal Diaper Caddy: Sugar Snap Pea or Diapers.com

Monday, October 22, 2012

Scenes From Our Weekend

I met my Mom Thursday in Columbia so she could take Sterling for the weekend.  Let me tell you it was a long weekend without my little nugget and I missed him like crazy.  Mom and I did a little shopping in Columbia because that is what we do best.  I found this great silver pumpkin for our front porch.  Nothing wrong with a fake pumpkin:)


I made the Compost Cookies featured on Glitter Guide last week.  Wowza, they were good.  I loved the potato chips in them but next time I may leave out the caramel rice cakes I didn't like the consistency they made the cookies.  But I loved the salty sweet combo.


Friday I worked on cleaning and organizing Sterling's Room.  And I finally took pictures so I will reveal his big boy room this week:)  It is much easier to photgraph a room without a two year old throwing toys everywhere!  Here is one more teaser- how adorable are the whale sheets from PB?


Friday Night we went to the best Halloween Party at my girl Caycee's house. We had so much fun. I went as a Hippie and Matt went as a Hot Dog.  My dress was true vintage,  it was my mom's from when she was in college, I love that I have so many of her old clothes.



 Here are a few shots from the party....





We had such a fun time, Caycee always throws the best parties.  Saturday we slept in and enjoyed a leisure kid free lunch.  We tried out a new spot on James Island called the Sloppy Cow.  I loved my Black Bean burger, but Matt had mixed feelings about his stuffed Spicy Burger.  I would still eat there again.


After lunch Matt and I went a long boat ride for the rest of the afternoon.  It was the perfect weather for a boat ride and since we had no baby with us we could take our time and enjoy ourselves.  I caught up on a stack of magazines I had been wanting to read and enjoyed some delicious vino!



Sunday I was thrilled to be reunited with my little man.  It was crazy how much I missed that sweet face!


Happy Monday Dolls!
xoxo

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Blog Sale Time!

Ladies I am knee deep cleaning out our closets while my little man is away.  Here are a few pieces for sale.  I may add more so be on the lookout!  Shipping is $5 and I will combine if you buy more than one item.  Email me with questions or if you want to buy: nataliemason24@yahoo.com

J CREW TIPPI HEARTS SWEATER
SIZE= SMALL
RETAILED FOR $89.50
NEW WITHOUT TAGS
$40
(SOLD)


REBECCA TAYLOR SNAKESKIN/FLORAL BLOUSE
SIZE=0 (PLEASE NOTE THIS RUNS BIG I WOULD SAY IT IS CLOSER TO A SIZE 2/4)
RETAILED FOR $295
$85


REBECCA TAYLOR HEARTS BLOUSE
SIZE=4
RETAILED FOR $325
$85
(SOLD)



REBECCA TAYLOR SEQUINED BLOUSE
SIZE=4
RETAILED FOR $350
$100
I OWN THIS BLOUSE IN THE WHITE VERSION AND IT IS FABULOUS!! PERFECT FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
(SOLD)



AMANDA UPRICHARD DRESS
SIZE= SMALL
RETAILED FOR $198
$65


PEARS AND BEARS GREEN JON-JON
SIZE 24 MONTHS
$20
(SOLD)


STRASBURG BEAR JON-JON
SIZE=18 MONTHS (RUNS ON THE LARGE SIDE MORE LIKE 24 MONTHS/2T)
$18



COLLECTION BEBE SMOCKED FIRETRUCK LONG JON
SIZE= 24 MONTHS
$25
(SOLD)




Friday, October 19, 2012

Thoughts For Friday

First all I loved each and every response I got from my post yesterday.  You girls rock, so glad I am not the only freak.  I loved it so much I am already working on Confession Part 2 so stayed tuned!

Here is one more confession.  My parents took Sterling for the entire weekend so Matt and I could have some alone time and hit up my girl Caycee's Halloween Party.  I was sad the minute I dropped him off and I keep missing him.  Our house is so quiet without him.  I know I should enjoy the alone time but I miss my little man like crazy.  However come Saturday morning when Matt and I are both hungover I know I will be glad to have some alone time!

Lets chat about Emily and Jef.  I saw this coming from a mile away.  Not shocked at all.  Not sure if it was her being a gold digger or him being shady, we shall see.   Side comment and this is going to be rude but poor Anne Hathway in her wedding dress.  What the heck is up with that head piece?  She does look really happy though.


I was so excited to see a feature on Josh Bowman in the new Instyle (November Issue).  I have a major crush on him since I started watching Revenge.  What does Emily VanCamp have on me - well besides the fact that she is not married and has no kids??  I love me some Josh.


It is like the universe is telling me to shop this week. Now it is the Friends and Family event at Saks with 20% everything.  If you missed out on Shopbop its not too late at Saks!  Use Code AFF12 to get the discount.


Here are my top picks from Saks!
 We are celebrating my sister-in-laws Birthday this Sunday and I am making these Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing.  Thanks to Martha this is a tried and true favorite.  They are so easy to make and amazing,  You can get the recipe HERE.


I know I have a closet full of blouses but this was one I could not resist.  I love the Hunter Green color and tunic style.  I can't wait to wear mine with leggings and booties.  Such a steal only $27.


 I came across this quote last night and it made me bust out laughing.
  So true!

I am including this for Matt, this morning he showed me this picture and said Gwyneth looked a grandma.  Those are fighting words around here.  She always looks great to me.


 A little Friday Inspiration.  I will be back Monday with some crazy pictures from our kid free weekend:)