pumpkin roll

I know it is a little late in the season to be making pumpkin roll, but better late than never right? Pumpkin roll is one of E's favorite desserts, and last weekend I finally adventured out a made it. Something about the roll intimidated me, but it really was easy {other than one little mishap}.

A couple brief and easy instructions

Beat 3 eggs on high for five minutes.

Stir in 1 cup of sugar.

Fold in 2/3 cups of pumpkin {if you have a pup, you can feed the leftover to them, they will love it}

Add 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 3/4 cup of flower, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 2 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of nutmeg, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

Spread on well greased and waxed papered jelly roll pan. {This is where the mishap occurred. It's sort of embarrassing, but I will share so that you do not make the same mistake. Make sure you spray the oil on top of the waxed paper and not under it. In my first attempt I sprayed the pan, and then put down the paper. After baking, the pumpkin roll was completely stuck to the paper ... silly me. So repeat after me, wax paper and then spray!}


Bake on 11 X 15 pan at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. After baking, turn onto a towel.

Roll up and slightly cool.

For the cream cheese filling:
Beat 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 8oz package of cream cheese, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla, and 4 tablespoon of margarine together until smooth.

Spread on unrolled cake. Roll again. Refrigerate or freeze. Enjoy the yummyness!

Pom Poms

cute: check
affordable: check
easy: check
creative: check

check out the video tutorial here

the kreative award

This post is way overdue, but better late than never right? It seems like forever ago that Savannah over at Pitter Patter nominated me with this super sweet award! Thanks Savannah! With no shame, I will admit that I read every post she writes and think to myself ... we were totally meant to be friends!

here are the rules:
-thank the person who nominated me for the award

-copy the logo and place it on my blog

-link to the person who nominated me

-list 7 things people may not know about me

-nominate 7 creative bloggers

-post their links

-leave a comment on each

So here it goes ...
It is difficult to think of things that you all do not already know, but I will take a swing at it.

1.

I am terribly afraid of escalators. Yep I have a phobia of those things you ride up and down at the mall. I am not sure where the fear came from, I never had a traumatic event that triggered the fear. Being in the mental health field I know that the best way to address of fear is to expose yourself to it. So when I go to the mall, I do use the escalators, but my feet still hurt when I do it. Yeah, my feet hurt when I feel scared. Does that happen to anyone else other than me?

2.
I got married when I was 20 years old. When you know, you know right? A lot of people think that is crazy, but it has been amazing. When I got married my Grandmother who also married young and stayed married to my Grandfather for over 50 years until he passed, said to me "getting married is fun, you get to grow up together." This has been so true for E and I ... and I am so thankful for that!

3.
Since I was like 15, my best girlfriends have been getting together and celebrating Christmas together! We call it Girl's Christmas ... creative huh? Girl's Christmas is one of my absolute favorite parts of Christmas. I look forward to it every year. Last year we switched things up a little bit and add the stipulation that all of our gifts must be handmade. This had made Girl's Christmas even better than I could have ever imaged. So, this Saturday we will celebrate our annual Girl's Christmas party. I can't wait to see what all of my creative friends made this year.

4.
I have an 11 year old baby sister. This year I began my first year of graduate school and she began the 5th grade. My parents have been raising kids for practically forever. I love being a big sister. Next year she will be in middle school and I am not sure how I feel about that.

5.
E and I are planning on going to France this Fall to visit his best friend. Nothing is booked yet, but it is in the works. Ever been? Got any travel advice for us?

6.
I am married to a youth pastor. It is a unique thing being married to someone who works for a church. The work / life boundaries are different than any other job, and at times that can be a challenge. But ... most of the time it is a lot of fun! I get to serve alongside of him and lead a group of 11th grade girls. I love it! I am excited to be finished with school, so then I can dedicate more time to things like this! I mean ... who wouldn't rather hang upside down on a Velcro wall?

7.
I LOVE to read {especially a good memoir} ... but I have never jumped on the Harry Potter or Twilight bandwagon. I'm not opposed, I just haven't. Over Christmas break I am going to dive into the first book of the Twilight saga. Don't judge.

Hope I came up with at least one thing that you didn't already know. If not, I bet that was really boring ... sorry!

Lastly, my keativ blogger nominations go to : Courtney at The Nitz Family, Anne at Where Your Treasure Is, Adrianna at Dreams of Perfection, Hannah at Maple and Shade, Cory at Inexpressible and Glorious Joy, Carly at Nothing is Impossible, and Angie at Thirsty Hearts.

i have to admit it's getting better

Just a couple of the new things STELLA BELLA BOUTIQUE HAS TO OFFER!
If you like what you see & would love to see more ... click here.

it's a festivus miracle

It has begun. Our house is slowly beginning to take on the resemblance of a winter wonderland. Come along with me as I take you on a tour of some of my favorite Christmas decor inspirations.

Here we go...

I truly love everything monogrammed. Last night, E and I picked out our Christmas tree. They always cut the stray branches off the bottom, so this year I asked if I could keep them. I am thinking about using the branches to make this. It can't be too difficult right?
Lovely non traditional holiday greenery ... and who doesn't love a wood burning fireplace? I am a fan of the mossy green ... so unexpected, but so fitting.

A much cheaper alternative than buying a real wreath. Take a walk around your neighborhood and collect a couple stray cones, then put them to use making this super easy swag.

Isn't this a great way to coordinate red and green into unexpected places? Take the items you already have and add a couple of accents here and there.

If you're like me and not a huge fan of the poinsettia, then use the ever classic red rose to add a little holiday cheer.

Super classy huh?
Candy canes are not only for the tree. You can use them as an inexpensive addition to any room. Last year, I filled our creamer with canes to create an effect similar to this picture. It was amazing how it added a little sweetness to our kitchen table.

I am lovin' how this one broke out of the red and green box. E and I's bedroom is traditionally blue and yellow and I am still trying to think of a way to add a little festivity to the room. Any ideas?

Yet another use for those bottom branches I collected last night. Too bad I don't have the granite and farmhouse sink to go along.

I totally copied this simple and stylish way of handing a wreath. Can't wait to get all of my decorating finished so I can share pictures with you.

And last but not least, the non traditional advent calendar garland. I think it would be really fun to make this and write a scripture for each day. What a great way to prepare your heart for the season for the birth of the Son of God.

and the winner is ...

This week's giveaway goes to SOUTHERN BELLE! She is the lucky winner of the Keep Calm and Carry On Print! Congrats to you! Don't forget to stop by Blu Lima this holiday season ... and don't forget to stop back on Monday as there will be another giveaway lined up just for you :)

i'm dreaming of a pink christmas

r

tacky or glamorous ... you decide

a Christmas thumb

amaryllis planted ... check

a glimpse of things to come

FYI: This post is not thoughtful or creative. It's simply random thoughts in my head coming onto the screen.

This morning started out right with a little bit of this

What is it about the red cups that draws you in. I am not a marketing person, so I feel like I don't understand.
I do know that in the past couple of weeks, I dream about red cups filled with a creamy warm beverage.

Also, last night I stopped by the store and picked up these few things at the store {once I went in because they would not sell me allergy meds through the drivethru ... because they thought I was going to build a meth lab. No people , I just don't want to wake up in the middle of the night unable to breath ... please make it stop!

So anyways, I picked up this ... for my Accutane induced dry lips. Who doesn't love a new tube of chap stick?

I also picked up these two things with preemptive plans of spoiling myself tomorrow. Tomorrow at 7:00 ... after I am finished with the comps.

I have had to FORCE myself not to open the pages. I know if I start, then I will never get back to studying.


And this ... there is no level of stress that I glass of Riesling and a bubble bath cannot cure.

And only to add to my joy of almost being finished with school ... my amazing friend Angie went into labor THIS MORNING! I am absolutely TERRIFIED of having a baby and being in labor, but I cannot wait to meet sweet little baby Silas. I feel a little intimidated holding newborns. You could think I would feel comfortable seeing that my mom had my sister when I was 12 ... yep I have a sister in 5th grade. It is so much fun! None the less, I still feel nervous. Please be praying for Micah, Angie, and baby Silas. Pray for a safe and fast delivery :)

Also, not even close to as important, but I have to mention it ... please pray for my baby at home ... Stella. She hasn't been feeling well, and when we took her to the vet we found out she has Giardia. I thought you had to go out of the country and drink dirty water to get this, but no, she contracted it right here in the homeland.

Please also pray her recovery ... and don't forget to thank God for all of the daily blessings we take for granted like ... clean water, running water, sinks, dishwashers, washing machines, hot shower, indoor plumbing in general, and so much more.

Lastly, E asked me last night if there was anything special I want to do after I graduate. And my answer, get a tree, make cookies, and wrap Christmas gifts. I am a huge nerd, or just easy to please?