Too bad we don’t have a Christmas tree this year 🙁 I’m slightly regretting the decision. Perhaps I should just find a wreath somewhere!?
I spent the afternoon making some videos with Jonathan, a videographer sent by Open Sky to get some professional product videos into my store. I’m sorry I didn’t take any photos! It was fun!! I probably said a few too many "ums" but the shoot went well. I’m excited to see them edited together in the coming weeks!
I was quite ready for a snack when we wrapped up around 4:30. I knew exactly what I wanted too:
Pumpkin Pie with Warm Cinnamon Kashi Heart 2 Heart and some Bob’s Red Mill Crunchy Coconut granola. MMMMM!
Unfortunately not 20 minutes later Matt came down from a nap and proclaimed he was ready for dinner! I wish I hadn’t eaten the snack or we could have just had an early dinner. We ended up doing an "eat what you want" night.
He made a giant sandwich. Obviously.
I put together a plate of deliciousness –
Acorn squash slices ready for baking…
A POM + club soda cocktail ready for drinking
As dinner cooked, I sipped my drink and put Love Actually into the DVD player.
A huge exciting thank you to Heather for sending it to me!! She had two copies and heard me say on Twitter that I love the movie!!! I actually – heh heh – didn’t like the movie and was pretty disappointed in it when I first saw it, but this was my 3-4th time and it’s definitely one of my very favorite Christmas movies now!! I think it’s just hard to keep track of the characters at first, but now I love the themes and connections.
Thanks so much Heather!!
She even included some Operation Beautiful notes!
I cozied up in my Davidson LAX sweatpants #26!!! (I didn’t play lacrosse but just got these because my friend Whizzle did and I requested #26. They are the best sweatpants ever! And BTW, this is a self-photographed upsidedown photo that I rotated 180*!)
Candle coze
While I watched, dinner baked.
Mama Pea‘s Pumpkin Spiced Chickpeas!!
Squash ready for eating (~40 minutes at 400* after being tossed in maple, canola and salt and pepper)
Plus some steamed green beans + butter
I mixed about 1/2 a cup (plus pan nibbles!) of garbanzos with some wheatberries I cooked earlier today
Love acorn squash! I still haven’t had kabocha yet though…
I eat the skins of squash now. The taste is neutral and it’s fun to eat, but it does worry me a bit with all the fiber in my GI tract….
Simple beans for greens
Had a small bite of chocolate for dessert.
Going up to find a new book to read!
~KAY
Hillary @ Nutrition Nut on the Run says
That raw, sliced squash is beautiful!!
I really disliked Love Actually the first time I saw it too – I was pretty young – but I think it’s a super cute holiday chick flick now.
I can’t go without a wreath during December. I suggest you get one to add some festiveness to your front door : )
Food Makes Fun Fuel says
Your squash looks so artfully cut
I swear chickpeas are addicting. I meant to have half a can with my dinner tonight. It might have emptied itself out into my bowl right after dinner
Kath says
I thought you typed “awfully” and was about to get all sad!
monicaonthego.com says
Boy you were able to cut that squash beautifully. I have one downstairs waiting to be cooked. You’ve inspired me to cook it tomorrow, but I usually throw mine in the crock pot.
Heather @ The Joyful Kitchen says
Love Actually is by far one of my favorite movies! Although the porn people can be a little awkward to watch in groups…either way, it’s a fantastic movie. You should DEFINITELY try kabocha, it’s super creamy and sweet, great roasted with salt and olive oil! Beautiful pictures Kath 🙂
Meg @ be fit be full says
My acorn squash never has those hump things on it (that make it look like a flower or something). Wonder why? Love Actually is on the agenda again tomorrow night. Supposed to get some winter weather!
Christy says
That’s how I feel when I eat the skins of squash, too! Like it’s pushin’ it a little bit to far haha 🙂
Wendy says
I’m sooooo bad about nibbling off the pan when I roast anything! I always end up eating twice as much.
Random question…where do you get your books? I’m jealous that you always seem to have a new one at your fingertips…I LOVE to read!!
Kath says
Me too 😳
I have a stack of books that I just haven’t gotten around to reading in ages that I’m considering. Otherwise, the library!
Alyssa says
Your post title made me smile, now all I can picture is Bill Nighy and…well yeah 🙂
Megan (The Runner's Kitchen) says
I love tasting plates for dinner! And the nutzo that I got from your Open Sky is almost gone (received it Monday!).
Kristen says
We don’t have a tree either, but I put some white lights around the banister and now it feels nice and “warm”!
Amanda@thegrainsofparadise says
Wow! The squash is just beautiful! I wish they weren’t like a million bucks out here 🙁 Thanks for sharing though 🙂 Aloha
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
I love Love Actually!
amanda @ fake ginger says
Mmm, the chickpeas look so good.
I wasn’t a fan of Love Actually the first time I saw it. I guess I should give it another try.
Kristine says
Beans, squash and chocolate? Perfection!
Sam (Merit to the Carrot) says
Beautiful squash! I must make those chickpeas soon, i love everything about them!
Sorry about your tree situation :/
Happy Holidays!
Laurel says
Hi Kath,
How did you steam your green beans? I can’t recall if you use a stovetop steamer or the microwave. Thanks
Kath says
Microwave with a little water on the bottom for about 2 mins. Less to clean!
Lindsay says
I love Love Actually, definitely a favourite Christmas movie 🙂 Those chickpeas look awesome!
Emma says
We don’t have a real tree, but we have a nice little wooden painted tree with little woodern ornaments and little presents around it. You should find a nice little wooden tree I think!
🙂 Your squash does look so pretty! we don’t get ones like that in Australia.
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
That squash looks beautiful Kath! Seriously, I love how you cut it… reminds me of a flower. 😉 And I love the splash of color the green beans give the dish. PERFECT!
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
The acorn squash looks SO pretty like that! I’ve never eaten the skin of winter squash, seems so tough to me. 😕
Jenn
Erin says
Love Actually is one of my favorite Christmas movies, too. I love all the intertwining stories — my favorite is Colin Firth. He’s just adorable! 😀
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
I have one more of those pp yogurts left in the fridge! Almost forgot with so much other dairy to choose from (hehe). I secretly wasn’t in love with Love Actually when I watched it YEARS AGO but I think now that I’m older and more mature (uh huh), I’ll like it for sure. Don’t tell anyone though because it seems like the whole world loves that movie!
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
Love Actually is one of my faves of all time!
Erin says
Honey.
Get thyself some vodka in that pom soda. Stat.
😉
Carolyn says
Did you ever see The Holiday with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet? One of my favorites!!
Kath says
YES! That movie was surprisingly good!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
love “love actually!” i roasted my first kabocha the other night – it’s terrific.
Julie @savvyeats says
Roasted chickpeas are so addicting, aren’t they?
Mama Pea says
Thanks for the shoutout! Your make what you want dinner looks a lot like my make what I want dinner…and I make what I want every night! 🙂
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
Love the pic of those squash slices!
Jill says
Dinner looks great. I made your bean burgers tonight–turned out fantastic! Thanks for the great ideas!
Kath says
Glad to hear it!
Gabriela says
Hey. Kath!
I just wanted to say congratulations on your blog. I´m a huge fan!
I live in Brazil, but I simply LOVE your way of blogging. You make it easy, fun and interesting at the same time 🙂
So… Wish you a Merry Christmas! And a Happy New Year!
Keep on posting 😉
XOXO
G. a.k.a. Fro-Yo Lover
Kath says
WELCOME!
Amy says
Beautiful pics as always!
Costco had some gorgeous fluffy live wreaths for $15 here. I wanted one so bad…the smells were incredible!
Never had acorn squash…or chickpeas…or kabocha, lol – and I have tried and tried to get my stores to order the Pumpkin Pie yogurt and I can’t get it anywhere!! 🙁 🙁 ARGH!
Tay says
Try Kabocha!!! I’m never going back to any other squash ever. When I ate the skin of acorn squash, I had tummy troubles alllll night long. Kabocha seems to do better with me. And it tastes slightly nutty.
Katy @ These Beautiful Feet says
Adam and I do the “eat what you want” nights, especially when he wants to eat so much meat in a day and I really don’t mind NOT eating meat!! Your dinner looks delicious, I have never cooked up an acorn squash but I really should, especially because it’s an exceptionally pretty gourd. 🙂 Heather is super sweet, glad to know you like the movie now! I love that movie!!
Chelsea says
I had kabocha tonight-it was good 🙂 You dinner looks delicious!
Christina says
The squash looks beautiful!
Naomi (onefitfoodie) says
I never knew squash could look like that, so beautiful 🙂 it looks delicious!!!
that movie is AWSOME another great one is ‘the holiday’ with kate winslet and cameron diaz. Just an all around great chick flick! 🙂
Emma says
LOVE THAT MOVIE!!! Such a feel-good, christmassy one. Must watch it this season. Your din dins look great too- I’m thinking something similar tonight but with butternut as that’s what I’ve got in.
xox
Mom says
I love the beautifully scalloped edges on the squash! Fruits and vegetables truly are amazing.
christie @ honoring health says
This reminds me, the other night, I asked my husband if he would make me a mocktail and he was like “wth is a mocktail”. I told him obviously he doesn’t read Kath Eats 🙂
Kath says
LOL 🙂
Ally says
Why no tree? You should go get something Christmas-y stat! So it’s a lot of work, its worth it!!
Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life says
The squash looks so pretty!
Krissy (Single Serving) says
That squash looks lovely all cut up like that! I have a tiny artificial tree and a real wreath on my aparmartment door – just enough for this small space! The tree is just big enough to string some lights on.
You know – I should buy Love Actually. I love that movie.
Grace says
What’s wrong with the fiber?
Kath says
Too much can give you gas and make you feel like there’s a live animal moving through!
Tammy says
I just could not watch Love Actually….the porn part is absolutely unnecessary and I was so mad that I paid full price at the theater. I guess I’m in the minority!
Cait (Cait's Plate) says
Oh my gosh – that dinner looks heavenly. I’m always so intimidated by squash but I really have to start integrating it more…
emptynutjar says
Wow, looks great great great. I need to bake my buttercup squash…I think I have to cut it in half (looks like that is gonna be hard job) and put the two halves on a baking sheet….open side up ?….I will figure it out somehow…yum eats 🙂
Can you get a charlie brown tree?
Sarena says
I felt the same way about “Love Actually”, but love it now! Your dinner looks delicious! Sounds like a nice evening.
skinnyrunner says
your squash pictures are so pretty how you cut them up!
Katie says
Hey there!
Those chickpeas look great.
I love LOVE ACTUALLY but I always want that dude that loves Kiera to end up with someone, it’s slightly a bummmmer!
Happy Friday,
Katie
Caroline says
Something I love that my parents do is hang big ball shaped ornaments on ribbon from their chandelier. You could also buy some garlands perhaps and put them on stair banisters or around a table? Or make a seasonal centerpiece and put a small amount around that 🙂
Amy says
I LOVE that spoon in your yogurt!!!! 🙂 Any ideas where I could find one like that?
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Kath says
World Market
Red Head, Yellow Dog says
you can get a rosemary plant that’s shaped like a little christmas tree (I saw them at home depot!) they smell good PLUS you can continue to use it after the holiday is over 🙂 we got one last year. It was fun!
Kristen @ Change of Pace says
Isn’t acorn squash so pretty! Just keep thinking how much of a pain a Christmas tree is… All the needles on your floor, you have to water it all the time, the fear of it catching on fire…. See who wants a tree anyways!
Alison says
I love the shape of those squash slices! What a pretty meal..
aaaaaannnd, If you’d like some more winter, Iowa has plenty to send your way. 🙂
heather says
Hooray! I was so excited to see your package arrived a day early- it originally told me it would be there friday 🙂
And caitlin posted the Operation Beautiful notes on the perfect day, too. Blog-matching-awesomeness 😉
Xoxo
Freya says
You MUST try kabocha, it’s delicious! I’ve only ever had butternut squash and kabocha though (they don’t stock them well in england), but I’ve got an acorn squash I discovered sitting in my fridge ready to be baked – this has just inspired me more lol!! 😀
Gena says
Oh, yum. Grounding, earthy, delicious dinner!
Anne P says
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeee that movie 🙂
Susan says
Acorn squash gets so pretty when you slice it up! I always want to buy it for that reason alone, but my love for butternut is just too deep. Wonderful looking dinner 🙂 Oh, and besides Home Alone, Love Actually is my favourite holiday movie 😀
Heather Baedke says
Do you have the recipe for the Pumpkin Chickpeas ~ they look yummy. I can not get the recipe from the other website???? I must not be doing something right.
Thank you~
Heather
Kath says
Heather, I linked to the recipe in the post!
K