Saturday, October 27, 2012

This Week's Blog Post

Striped Agate Necklace
This huge teardrop is striped agate. It is black with blueish grey stripes. The strand is made up of onyx and manmade hemalyke.
So simple and beautiful! Available at Miss Val’s Creations.
Stuffed Butternut Squash
Jim and I made stuffed butternut squash. We baked 2 pre-cut and de-skinned butternut squash halves at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.
At the same time we cooked the following diced vegetables in the oven:
  • 1 zucchini
  • 1 summer squash
  • 3 parsnips (but agreed would have been better with turnips or carrots)
  • 1 package of pre-sliced mushrooms
We seasoned these veggies with curry, nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste. The veggies were done before the squash so we left that in a little longer.
We cooked 1 cup of quinoa and seasoned it with orange zest, dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, salt, pepper, spring onions and maple syrup to taste.
Once everything was cooked we put the quinoa in the squash cavities.
Then poured the veggies over it. I also had some leftover breadcrumbs in the freezer which we put on top (amazingly delicious addition). Then put it back in the oven at 350 for about 5 minutes so it is all hot and ready to eat! 
Not only is this delicious and filling, it is also vegan and gluten free so anyone can enjoy it! This was inspired by a local chef if you would like to see his video tutorial.
Around Town Part I
I live in a city called Methuen (I call it a town since it feels more town like to me). While it is not a picturesque town, it does have some amazing historical buildings which I have decided to check out. So over the next several weeks I will be showing some beautiful bits!
Starting off with Town Hall.
I remember going here when I moved to the town for my business certificate and thought “how grand is this?”
It was built in 1904 as the high school and later used as the town hall. Architecture has become so bland in recent years. New schools look nothing like this!
Thank you for stopping by! It sounds like Hurricane Sandy will be affecting my area at the beginning of the week. It has been such a devastating storm in the Carribean! 
My fear is always losing power. A couple of weeks after moving into my house 4 years ago in November we had a wicked ice storm and my neighborhood (as well as all the surrounding neighborhoods) were without power for 3 days. Not fun, especially when I was trying to settle into my new home and had to stay at my parents house for those days (not to mention worrying about pipes freezing)!!! Mother Nature really loves having her evil fun.
Last year Trick or Treating was rescheduled due to a massive snowstorm at the time. It may be rescheduled again this year! Happy Halloween everyone!~Val
 
 

23 comments:

  1. What a beautiful necklace, like a moonlit night.

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  2. Gorgeous necklace, Val!!
    That building is beautiful with an old world charm :)
    I heard from my brother, who lives in Virginia, that a big Halloween party was called off due to the approaching hurricane. My niece was looking forward to this :(
    Stay safe!!

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    1. Oh no! Halloween is such a fun holiday for the kids. Hopefully they are able to reschedule the party!

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  3. Beautiful new necklace!
    And yummy dinner!
    Stay safe during this storm!!!

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  4. Hi Val,
    Beautiful necklace! The dish looks very yummy, but I would have to have a piece of fish or chicken with mine. I love old architecture and that building is awesome. Please keep safe and go out and get plenty of supplies, fill lots of water bottles too.
    Therese

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  5. What a beauty of a necklace! That focal is stunning! such a pretty stone. I sure hope we don't lose power ... last year with the hurricane that came through our area (Sept) we lost power for over a week ... such a drag. Lost the entire frig of food (freezer and all). Stay dry my friend!

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    1. Good luck with this hurricane! It looks like you guys are going to get hit harder than we are in MA. Stay safe!

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  6. Your necklace is so pretty! Love it! And, of course, you have made me hungry again! LOL! Great pictures from around your town! Please be safe with the hurricane! We are getting hit from the storm on tuesday! I hope our power doesn't go done! Take Care!!!

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  7. That dish looks delicious. I really need to try it. I will post my sisters creation that I made last night. I hope to post it on Monday. :)

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  8. i've never seen that dish before! so interesting!

    the STYLE Fringe BLOG
    http://the-stylefringe.blogspot.com

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  9. I love butternut squash! It gives any dish that special taste.
    Stay safe!

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  10. Hi Val, loved the tour of your town. I have to say, I have never seen such a beautiful high school. You are right, they just don't make them like that anymore.

    Your teardrop necklace is so pretty.

    The hurrican fun is starting here in NY this morning too. Stay safe, hopefully it will pass quickly.

    ruth

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  11. You will be in my thoughts Miss Val, hoping you don't loose power!
    Stay dry!

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  12. This necklace is beautiful, Val!
    I am definitely going to try your squash recipe. I love butternut squash, but have never had it stuffed.
    I hope you are safe and doing okay.
    xo.

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  13. Stay safe in the storm Val, it's been pretty bad! Your so right about architecture these days, I love old buildings. Thanks for sharing your recipe for stuffed squash, it sounds tasty.
    Valerie
    Everyday Inspired

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  14. oh my gosh i can not describe how does that look like!! soo yummy!!!

    www.meryswardrobe.blogspot.com

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  15. That squash dish looks so very yummy!!! Butternut anything is an instant favorite of mine.
    I love the Plump Striped Agate Drop-what a beauty!
    Our town built a brand new high school a couple years ago that lacks any character at all...give me old architecture any day!

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  16. Happy Halloween! I love, love that necklace, it's so beautiful. I like quinoa as well, your recipe looks delicious. The town hall is great looking. I hope you are staying warm and safe.

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  17. Such a lovely necklace! Hope you came through the storm ok. I love the old architecture - The butternut squash recipe sounds so yummy! doing a little grocery shopping today - might have to add these items to my list!

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  18. I've never heard nor thought of a stuffed butternut squash, but I tell you, what you two have created looks amazing!

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Thank you for stopping by! I love reading visitor comments! ~Val