The announcement dress

This is the dress I made to announce my engagement at Thanksgiving to some extended family. It was my first Burda Style pattern (09/10 #109B), and it turned out great! Unfortunately, the September patterns aren't posted on the website, so I can't link to it. The only thing I changed from the pattern were two strips coming out the sides to tie in the back for shape/decoration.

It's a simple tunic look dress made from crepe-backed satin. I didn't actually use crepe-backed satin, I used a thicker regular satin and the reverse side of that fabric. And the best part of the fabric is that it has some stretch to it!

Yes, I do realize my face looks ridiculous in this picture, but I thought it was the best one of the dress.

The remainder of pumpkins

Remember those pumpkins from before? The ones I put in the freezer after making pumpkin butter, pumpkin chocolate chip bread, and pumpkin seeds? Well I pulled them out and made something AWESOME! 

Pumpkin and black bean stew (with chicken):
Olive oil to coat pan

1/2 diced onion

2 cloves garlic

1 small can V8 juice
3 cups chicken broth

2 hot chili de arbol peppers

 ~2 cups chopped pumpkin

5-6 chicken tenders

1 can rinsed black beans

1/2 cup greek yogurt 

Salt and pepper to taste