Fall Open House

Come on in, ya'll! We're still awaiting the crispness of fall breezes, but that hasn't stopped me from celebrating my favorite time of year. I found this wreath at Ross a couple of weeks ago. I know that it can truly be hit-or-miss at Ross, but at $8.99 it was a hit!

As you come into my foyer and look up you will see my great grandmother's fall leaf quilt which she lovingly made by hand. I love pulling it out and feeling all sentimental-like.

There's just something about white pumpkins. I love this miniature one by the front door.

The tall bush on the right is about 5 feet tall. With a two story foyer, I need all the height I can get. I usually just have the sticks in the pot, but over the summer my bestie offered the orange stems and said, "I know you'll find something to do with them."

Hope she doesn't want them back! :)

I'm not sure what giant scissors have to do with fall, but I love them. I often admire the oversized forks, paintbrushes, spoons, etc.. that can be found gracing the pages of Pottery Barn. When I found the scissors at Hobby Lobby for $8 I almost squealed. It's the little-big things, right?
My hunter-husband was totally turned on by my request for some deer corn. All his hopes of quality time hunting together were dashed when he saw me pour it into an apothecary jar. Sorry, honey!

My beloved white pumpkin has a huge crack in it, but I just can't give it up. We haven't been to the pumpkin patch yet, so I don't have my real pumpkins yet, but I'm hoping to find a beauty!

What's your favorite fall decoration?

*I'm linking up with the fall parties at the Nesting Place and Hooked on Houses. Slide on over for some wonderful inspiration!

May I Suggest...

Think spa. It's like a massage for your sense of smell. And it's on sale right now!

My daughters and I had the privilege of attending a screening of this new Disney movie last week. It's a feel-good, make your momma cry kind of true story. Every horse lover should see it. Every mother of a horse lover (if you say that fast, it sounds like it should be a bad word) should see it. It premiers October 2nd.

I usually don't recommend outrageously expensive things on this blog. But this is an exception. This tea, which can only be found in Aveda salons and stores, is THE BEST hot tea in the world. I strongly hesitate to tell you the ingredients because I wouldn't buy it if someone told me. I'll risk it and hope that you will trust me. Licorice and peppermint. I know! Disgusting! But it's not. It is refreshing and soothing and smells as wonderful as it tastes.

I got my bestie hooked on it and now we are on a quest to find a cheaper version of this flavor. If you know of a great substitute, PLEASE let me know!

Need some new tunes for your exercise routine? This cd is rockin' its way to the top of my "favorites" chart. Michael Tait has joined up with the Australian phenomenon known as Newsboys and the result is amazing. I love to crank it up and drive fast.

Just kidding, dad. Sort of.

Crockpot Cobbler

I had a bowl of peaches sitting in my fridge looking more aged than Methuselah. Even with a few bad spots, I knew they were firm enough to be delish in a cobbler.

There's just something about using the crockpot in the fall. Since we've been having warmer-than-normal temps here in NC, I'm doing everything I can to encourage the feel of fall.
4-5 cups sliced peaches*

3/4 cup plus 1 Tbs. sugar, divided

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

3/4 cup plus 1Tbs. all purpose flour

2/3 cup old fashioned oats

6 Tbs. butter/marg. cut into pieces

Combine peaches, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 Tbs. flour and nutmeg. Pour into slow cooker that has been sprayed with cooking spray.

Topping: combine flour, 1 Tbs. sugar 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, and oats. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives. Sprinkle over peach mixture.

Cover. Cook on HIGH 2 hours. Serve with ice cream if desired

*or 32oz frozen peaches, thawed and drained

It was very soupy, probably because I used fresh peaches. That's okay, more juice to slurp!

The cobbler was such a success, I think apple crisp is my next crockpot experiment.

Have you ever made dessert in the crockpot? How did it go?

What's your favorite crockpot recipe?

I'm linking up with Tasty Tuesdays over at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam... come join the fun!

Girl Stuff

WARNING: This is a girlyfied re-post from 7/08. It's about woman stuff... just sayin.

Why, at the age of 30 mumblesomething years old, do I still get nervous about buying feminine hygiene products?

I usually only buy them at Target or Walmart because it is easier to hide them under layers of stuff and then wedge them discreetly between cereal boxes on the conveyor belt.

Heaven forbid I run into someone I know with a box of tampons sitting on the top of the cart!

Why do I break out into a cold sweat when I see a man running the cash register? Why can't I just walk up with my head held high and put those puppies down? I mean I've been buying them for 20 years!

Sometimes I wish I were brave enough to plunk them down on the counter and growl "whatchewlookinat?" Mr.T style. But no, not me. I cower. I strategically plan my shopping trips to avoid embarrassment.

Usually.

Except for days like today.

Today I was desperate.

I went to the drug store.

I was trying to shop as discreetly as possible, to avoid the loud, "What's that, Mommy?" questions from my children.

I was so out of my comfort zone, with no cart to shield my secret purchase.

As I stood in line, my hormones screamed for the king size Reeses Cups on sale.

I caved, naturally.

I realized what a hormonal dork I looked like as I casually tossed my jumbo sized box of tampons and my king size candy bar on the counter. Yeah, I may as well have bought estrogen pills and a douche for good measure.

And then I looked up.

A teenage boy.

Of course.

Poor guy. I'm sure he wanted to laugh as much as I wanted to run and hide in the racks of mascara. Bless his heart, he was trying to be friendly throughout the transaction.

But then he said it.

Do you want a bag for this?

Ummmm.... no, let me just put the jumbo box on the top of my head and parade myself through the parking lot while I wolf down my king size candy bar.

Sunday Rest

For I command you today

to love the Lord your God,

to walk in His ways,

and to keep His commands, decrees and laws;

then you will live and increase,

and the Lord your God will bless you

in the land you are entering to possess.

Deuteronomy 30:16

S'more Brownies = YUM!

Last week I posted a picture of these brownies and promised the recipe. Pull out your apron and turn up the music. These are so easy you'll be dancing around the kitchen.
Make SURE you get the family size brownies. (The back of the box usually calls for 2 eggs)

Mix the brownies according to the package. Pour 2/3 of the batter into a 10x7 dish.
Layer graham crackers over the batter. Then 6 full size Hersey bars (or a whole bunch of snack size when that's what is on sale). Then add a layer of marshmallows.
Spread the remaining batter over the marshmallows.
Is your mouth watering looking at that deliciousness? Me too! Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes. Any marshmallows that are not covered in batter will brown... but that's what makes it like a true campfire s'more!

Enjoy!

Tears for Today

On a typical day, this is a place of encouragement, hope and laughter. Today it cannot be so. My heart is heavy and my soul weeps. On Saturday a friend of mine received the most devastating news any wife can get. Her husband had given the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Afghanistan.

For you. For me. For the sake of FREEDOM.

I don't think you, or me, or freedom has crossed her mind today.

No, today she is consumed with a little 2 year old girl who still prays for her daddy to be safe at work.

Today she is filled with grief over the child in her womb who will never know his daddy.

Today she faces the unknowns of her high risk pregnancy that is 37 weeks along.

Today she wonders about their belongings still waiting for them in Germany where they had carved out a temporary home for the past two years.

Today she must face a new day. Alone.

I know you don't know her. But I do. She represents so many women and families in our country who have sacrificed so much more than I could ever imagine.

Her grief is raw. In the days ahead she will need a place to nestle in and be encouraged. She doesn't know I am asking this of you.

Please visit her blog and leave a word of encouragement. Click here to visit Susan's blog, then click on "comments" on her last post. The pictures are enough to melt your heart. Even if you have never left a comment here, I ask that just this once you leave one for her.

Today I grieve for her. Today I need you, my dear readers and friends.