around the house on halloween

Happy Monday Bloggers! 

I know this post is a day late, but I guess that's my blogging style lately.

Better late than never though - right?

E and I had a really fun Halloween. We spent some good quality time together, around the house, and with the many animals. 

We I ate tons of candy that was bought for the trick or treaters. I swear I ate so much candy that I thought my mouth was going to be raw.

Made an "easy" pumpkin pie. I cheated with the mix, and it is delish. I love making things that only call for three ingredients. Three ingredients is easy on my budget.

We carved our pumpkin. In the past few years, we've done the fancy designs from a carving kit. This year we went with the quick and easy jack - o - lantern.

Pom Pom waited patiently for the trick-or-treaters

 Of course the girls were right by my side and other my feet. They're like my crazy shadows.

I also saved the pumpkin seeds and roasted them.

I tossed them in olive oil and them sprinkled salt on top ... then baked for 20 minutes.

 Next, I followed Darby's recipe and made a little pumpkin seed trail mix. 

Equal parts dried cranberries, chocolate chips (Darby used milk chocolate, but I substituted white), and roasted pumpkin seeds. 

It is so yummy.

Finished the night off a scary movie. Oh course I fell asleep about 20 minutes in. Does anymore have a suggestion for how to stay awake for an entire movie???

I am up for suggestions.

So without further ado - Happy Halloween - One day late!

I have lots of posts in mind. Hopefully I will get them out of my brain and into blogger. 

Also, check back soon for a special Stella Bella Boutique Anniversary Special!!

Also, just a random note - I will be 12 weeks preggo tomorrow! Time is going fast and slow at the same time. I know that probably doesn't make any sense, but that's how I feel. I am excited to almost be over the 1st trimester. I am excited for my little baby bump to grow. Ok, I won't say anymore. I'll save the preggo thoughts for another post. 

who dey

Who dey! Who dey! Who dey think gonna beat dem Bengals?

it's here

There's a chill in the air tonight ... I hope you get the opportunity to snuggle up with someone you love {or like a whole lot}.

I might also start bustin' out the sweaters, coats, and scarfs. I think Fall is here to stay ... and that my friends makes me happy! Goodnight to you all. I am off to soak in the glorious claw foot tub I mentioned earlier.

I might also eat a couple of the amazing orange filled oreos I picked up at the store tonight.
Can I say it again?? I love this time of year.

glitter

No, not the terrible Mariah Carey movie. In line with yesterday being the first day of Autumn, I thought I would share these lovely glitter pumpkins. These pumpkins are easy to make. Simply cover the pumpkin in Modge Podge (you can buy this at any craft store) & roll in glitter. Two easy steps and you have a beautiful Fall centerpiece. You can buy any type of glitter that you would like, but I would suggest sticking with Martha. She truly has the most gorgeous selection.

apple festival

Yesterday, E's parents came to Lexington for a visit. While they were in town we visited Evan's Orchard for their annual Apple Festival. At the festival we indulged in a few delicious Fall treats! We ate everything made of apple that you could imagine...fried apple pies, caramel apples, apple cider, and just plain apples. While I was there, I also picked up some local peaches, honey, and a bag of kettle corn. I did not purchase any of the squash. I'm not sure how to cook acorn or butternut squash. If you have a recipe - please share! I'm thinking I will pick up some squash when we return in October for the pumpkin picking.

Here are a couple snapshots from our day at the festival...

I love this last picture. Stella is totally smiling because she had such a fun day! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I hope you were able to get out and enjoy some of the sunshine.

Although I am totally exhausted from a long night of slip n slides, {yes, we created a HUGE slip n slide at church tonight} and would love to go to sleep, I am going to catch up on some of my homework for the week. Only three more months to go and I will be grad-u-ated!! It's not like I'm counting down or anything!

{Short tangent} After the orchard, I put Stella on her chain in the front yard bc the weather was so nice. While she was hanging out in the front yard, our four year old neighbor came over to play with her. While our neighbor was running in circles and Stella was running after her, our sweet little neighbor asked me a question. She said "Do you know why Stella likes me so much?" Then she said, "It's because I have so many dresses!" Adorable! Little girls are so sweet!

Alright, I really am going to do some homework this time. I am officially saying goodbye to the weekend & goodnight to you fellow bloggers!

fallin'

A prayer for you and I...

Philippians 4:7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I need a little bit of this peace in my life today. When my day of work and school is finished, I plan on finding me some :)
When I am in a place where I accept that God is who He says He is, I find that peace.

While reflecting on the truths of Philippians 4:7, I plan on sipping on a pumpkin spice latte & planting some mums! Maybe even some pansies too! Sometimes I feel guilty about spoiling myself, but the longer that I work in a helping profession, the more I realize this is a vital part of my job. You can call it spoiling...OR...you can call it self-care.

So this evening, I will enjoys these Fall treats and feel zero guilt.
Fall is my absolute favorite season! There is something about the Fall that I find peaceful...and like I said, I need that peace in my life. Here are a couple of reasons why I am excited for Fall:

1. Pumpkin spice lattes
2. Taking Stella to Evan's Orchard and picking pumpkins
3. Visiting the four Weimaraners that live at Evan's

{Tangent Warning} E, if you are reading this, Stella wants me to tell you that she would like a friend. Here is who she has picked:

{Ok back to the list}
4. Planting mums & pansies
5. I get to wear my new fun boots
6. It's almost Christmas
7. Thanksgiving Dinner
8. Candy Corn
9. Carving Pumpkins
10. Baking Pumpkin Seeds
11. Pumpkin Pie
12. Warm cozy sweaters
13. Cooking chili and soup
14. Filling vases with small pumpkins

What are some of the things you love about the Fall?