Happy Halloween!

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Today I thought it would be fun to share some of my FAVORITE costumes from over the years!  Honestly, I just wanted an excuse to get all nostalgic and is there anything cuter than a costume? NO!

For Luke's first Halloween he was a "Halloweenie" and I remember this VIVIDLY!!!

What's Up Wednesday

  Today I'm linking up with  Shay and  Sheaffer to talk a little bit about what's been going on around here!

We literally can't stop eating the zucchini bread I posted about last week.  I've made it twice since I posted it and will probably make it again this weekend.

Waco for State

Sunday night Mason and I headed down to Waco so we could watch the XC team compete at State on Monday morning.  We left a little later than we thought and had to abandon ship on our plans to grab pizza at a little place in Waco and instead stopped in at a random Popeyes off the highway - hahaha

Back Tomorrow

 I didn't plan this out well - Mason and I spent the night in Waco last night so we could watch Luke run in the State XC meet this morning.  I had planned on finishing up my blog post at the AirBNB tonight BUT we're sharing a house with friends and I should have known we'd be up late talking ;) 

All that to say - see you back here tomorrow! ;) 

Friday Favorites

 Erika and I are so excited that lots of y'all are linking up with us every week.  Make sure that you're grabbing our graphic, linking back to us and sharing your own Friday Favorites post ;)

Happy Friday, friends! Well - here we are again ;) I SWEAR it was JUST Friday!

These pics of G with all the pups are my new FAVES!!!

Brown Paper Packages

 I shared this last year - but it was mid-December and it was too late to really jump on the brown paper package train so this year I'm sharing extra early so you can start gathering supplies in case this is up your alley. 

The past few years I've mixed and matched several different wrapping papers to coordinate with a super pretty nutcracker giftwrap I found online.  This year I stumbled upon  this floral velvet ribbon and it was love at first sight so I decided to work around it and I'm so glad I did!

Carrot, Apple, Zucchini Bread

 

We had a quick taste of fall weather last week but we're back to summer over here but I'm TRYING to get myself in a Fall mood by doing some baking.  Monday night I whipped up this recipe and we're alreadhy down a loaf.  The original recipe called for a cream cheese icing BUT we loved it so much plain that I never made it.  I like a slice a little bit warm with some butter but it's delicious as is as well.  

What You'll Need

1 cup unsalted butter, melted

2 cups granulated sugar

3 eggs room temperature

¼ cup fresh orange juice

1 tbsp vanilla extract

3¼ cups all-purpose flour

½ tsp salt

2½ tsp baking powder

¾ tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

pinch of ground cloves

pinch of ground nutmeg

2 cups shredded carrots

1 cup shredded zucchini

1 cup diced peeled apple

½ cup pecans chopped

What You'll Do...

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2) Spray two loaf pans with Baker's Joy.

3) Place zucchini in a large kitchen towel. Bring up the four corners and twist. Squeeze the towel to extract all the liquid from the zucchini, or as much as you can. Set aside.

4) In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg together. Set aside.

5) In a separate large bowl, whisk together the butter and sugar.  Add eggs, orange juice, and vanilla and whisk until combined.

6) Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients along with the shredded carrots, shredded zucchini, apples, and pecans.

7) Pour into prepared pans.  Bake until golden brown, 55 to 60 minutes, or until loaves spring back when gently pressed with fingers.

If you don't already have this grater it's an absolute must.  I upgraded from a smaller one I had and I'm so happy I did - the barrel is huge and nothing gets jammed up in there and it makes shredding veggies (and cheese!) so quick and easy.

Also - I know the step about squeezing the water out of the zucchini is strange... essentially I just use a clean dish towel, throw the zucchini in there and squeeze it over my sink until I can't get anymore water out.  

I'm guessing these would make great muffins as well - I'd do 375 for 15-16 minutes and check them and adjust as necessary.  

If you make this I'd love to know what you think!

HAPPY Fall, y'all!

Halloween Touches 2024

 So my Halloween bins have been sitting in my dining room since the end of September.  Like... at least 4 weeks.  I have had approximately zero time or motivation to get it done, but after a crazy busy week last week I had some time this weekend and decided that it was now or never.  I'm SO GLAD I ended up putting things out becuase I really do love making the house feel festive and Halloween decor is my official gateway into the holiday decorating season and I'm PUMPED!

So without further adieu here are the Halloween touches I put up around our house this year!

Weekend Recap - Homecoming Edition

 What a whirlwind of a weekend!

Friday morning started off with a pep rally...

Friday Favorites

Erika and I are so excited that lots of y'all are linking up with us every week.  Make sure that you're grabbing our graphic, linking back to us and sharing your own Friday Favorites post ;)

Happy Friday, friends! Well - here we are again ;) I SWEAR it was JUST Friday!

First up on my list of favorites is this last-minute art project I took on for G ;) Painting a pair of spirit jeans for her was the exact "therapy" I needed during a super busy week.  THIS IS MY HAPPY PLACE!!!

;)

 

It's Homecoming week at school and that means #allthethings.  From sign painting to mum pickups and 6 am cheer practices and spirit jean painting it's A LOT - and that doesn't include my actual job ;). 

All that to say... I'm phoning it in tonight because I have to track down a sheet that can double as two togas and get a second coat of white on some spirit jeans.  

Back tomorrow with Friday Faves!

Chili

 In honor/celebration of the fact that we're ACTUALLY getting some Fall weather here today I thought I'd share my chili recipe!

Chili is one of our family favorites during the Fall/Winter - I love that it's one pot and that my kids will take it in their thermos for lunch.  This is the recipe that my mom always made while I was growing up so it's a total comfort for me and I try to keep the necessary ingredients on hand because sometimes you just NEED a pot of chili.  I had planned on sharing this recipe next week, but with Super Bowl this weekend I thought I'd share since a big pot of this with cheese and fritos would be an awesome game-watching meal.

Halloween Books

Our day of picture books have come and gone but I'd be remiss to not share the books that my kids have loved over the years - because I feel like seasonal picture books (and crafts!) are the best ways to make things feel 

Check these out and add a few new ones to your collection or to your library wishlist!

Halloween in the Orchard is in the same series as the gorgeous "Thanksgiving in the Woods" book and it's just everything.

Weekend Recap

Whew! What a weekend!  We kicked things off on Friday with a friends afternoon for G...

Friday Favorites

Erika and I are so excited that lots of y'all are linking up with us every week.  Make sure that you're grabbing our graphic, linking back to us and sharing your own Friday Favorites post ;)

Happy Friday, friends! Another whirlwind of a week over here!  I keep trying to get things to slow down, but so far I haven't had much luck ;)

First up on my list of favorites is XC season...

Pumpkin Bars

I made these pumpkin bars last weekend and they have been a HUGE hit with my family.  The flavors were super similar to my mini pumpkin cream pies with WAY less effort.  They were really quick to put together and they're suuuuuuper delish!

Halloween-spiration

    HAPPY Wednesday!  Today I thought I'd share some fun and festive ideas that I've blogged over the years in case you want to get your thinking caps on and mark your calendars with some a special dinner or craft idea this month.

You can check out our pre-trick-or-treating dinner from a few years ago  HERE...

ThursDAY in the Life

Last Thursday I snapped pics of our day since it was kind of a "nothing" day - with minimal activities, extras, etc. 

Homecoming is coming up next week and the middle school cheer girls have a few early-morning practices with varsity to get ready for the pep rally which means G was out the door by about 5:45 to make it to school at 6:00.  GOD BLESS DAVE who took her ;) 

Amazon Lately

One of my friends at school was talking about this book and so I ordered a copy for Luke.  I'll keep you posted but it seems great and has incredible reviews.

Friday Favorites

  Erika and I are so excited that lots of y'all are linking up with us every week.  Make sure that you're grabbing our graphic, linking back to us and sharing your own Friday Favorites post ;)

Happy Friday, friends! I had a teacher work day on Monday and this week has FLOWN by!  First up on my list of FAVORITES is this pic of Mason I found on my phone...

Zucchini Muffins

It's still a bit too hot for allllll the Fall baking BUT I did bake up some zucchini muffins over the weekend and they were too good not to share ;) 

WIWW

It's no secret that I have a "type" when it comes to my clothing choices.  I love a flowy maxi/midi dress with unique details that I can wear in all seasons.  Alone in the summer, with a jacket/cardi over it in the Fall/Winter and with flats, sneakers or sandals.  I don't mind paying for something that I know I'll wear it year after year and get a ton of wear our of it throughout the year.  I'm not sharing a bunch of pics of myself today since a lot of the things I wear are years old, so instead I'm doing a little roundup of items that I am currently wearing and some that I'm loving.

Before I get started please enjoy this text exchange from the summer when Luke and I went to host Bingo at a local assisted living residence...

... so if you're down for having a lovely elderly woman appreciate your mumu than THIS is the post for you ;) hahaha

Happy October 1st!

HAPPY October 1st, friends!  In honor of this festive date I thought I'd share a fun little snacky lunch I put together this weekend using this set of BOO plates/platters.