What a GORGEOUS fall weekend!

I love the fall. What more can you ask for: weather in the low 70's, cloudy skies, windows open and fun times with friends and family. This weekend was just awesome, I sure hope this fall weather sticks around for a long time.

This is the lovely view out of my dining room windows and off the back deck. The trees are just starting to change colors, which makes these views even better!

I started my weekend off running my first 5K with my friend Courtney. Our time wasn't too bad, and we didn't finish last (which was the ultimate goal), but I was a little disappointed in the amount of walking I needed to do. I thought for sure I would be able to run a lot longer stretches than I was able to. Oh well, I guess that means I just need to keep trying.

Amost done with the first mile.

Getting ready to cross the finish line.

The boys got a basketball goal this weekend from a friend who didn't need theirs anymore. They have been anxiously awaiting their chance to get out and test it out, once it warmed up a little on Sunday they were out the door.

Here are a couple of hints as to what the next project on my list is. I can't wait to get this one done and show you all the finished product.

Here's to gorgeous weather that gets you up and moving with your friends and family!

Wednesday Pinterest Top 5

On to this week's top 5. I am already noticing that a lot of recipes are going into these lists, I will try to keep a good balance between food and other items. I am also noticing that in doing these posts I am finding pins that don't have good links, so it is helping me clean up some of my boards. I will try my best to post links to the items that are in my top 5, and if it's something I really like and the link is no good I will let you know.

Now on to the list:



Chicken Enchilada Soup - I have been waiting and waiting for the weather to cool off so I can start testing out my new soup recipes (watch for more in the upcoming weeks!). This soup was really good and we topped ours with shredded cheese, sour cream and crushed tortilla chips.




Chocolate Dipped Granola Bars - I saw these on a recent episode of "Pioneer Woman" and think they look super tasty. I especially like that recipe does not use peanut butter, which so many granola bar recipes do. We are a peanut-free house and this would be perfect for us.



Easy DIY Ottoman - Unfortunately this pin is one of those with a link that is not helpful. The description on the pin is for a DIY ottoman. It says " Easy to make ottoman with plywood, double layer of foam, wood legs from Home Depot and your favorite fabric!". The link is to a store's website selling the ottoman pictured for $319! I'm pretty sure I can make one just like it for quite a bit less, I already have the wood so I am already ahead on the cost, I will post the finished product on here when I get it done.



Jayhawk-O-Lantern Stencil - We are going to have the coolest pumpkins on our street, need I say more?!




Pilgrim Hat Cookies - While I am thinking about the cool fall weather, I am pretty sure these will be making an appearance this Thanksgiving. I think this will be a good one to make with the boys.

Here's wishing you a happy (and cooler!!) fall!

Not Impressed...again

Ahhh yes, Saturday night. It's the weekend and it's time to be getting ready to go out and do something exciting, right?

Ok, how about, I have been doing laundry all day, and now I have put off folding and putting it away long enough. Enter another moment of Odie showing how not impressed he is. He appears to not be overly concerned with that towering stack of laundry that is intruding on his napping space. I think he stayed in that same spot the entire time I folded all that laundry too, can't risk losing the warm spot on the bed.

Here's wishing you a fantastic Saturday night!

Wednesday Pinterest Top 5

Here is the great idea I had in my mind that I mentioned on Monday. I am going to do a weekly post on Wednesdays listing my Top 5 Pinterest ideas of the week. These will just be things that I found interesting or that I would like to do. I will post my own pictures of the things I created that came from Pinterest ideas and will let you know how some of the cooking experiments come out. I am sure it will evolve as time goes, but here is my initial plan.

Here is what I plan for this Top 5 list to be:
*Recipes that I found that I am excited to make
*Recipes that I made and what I thought of them
*Crafty ideas that I hope I find the time to make
*Finshed products of Pinterest inspired projects
*Neat things that I will never make, but like nonetheless
*Cool tips or home organizing ideas
*Anything I want


And now on to this week's Top 5:

Carmelitas- I made these this week for a friends birthday. Not only were they pretty easy to make, they were super yummy!! I will definitely be making these again.

Carmelitas

Front Porch Welcome Sign- I think this would be great next to the front door. I would make a few different signs to change out with the holidays.

Front Porch Welcome Sign

Chicken Fried Rice- This is the easiest chicken fried rice ever! I keep pre-cooked, shredded chicken in the freezer, so I just have to toss everything in the pan and dinner is ready in a matter of minutes. We keep coming back to this one for a quick and easy dinner.

Chicken Fried Rice

Personalized Name Art-I found this website and already have started working on picking the letters to make our own name art. There are hundreds and hundreds of choices, which make it even more fun (and difficult) to create the perfect masterpiece.

Name Art

Single Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie-I have not yet made this one, but it looks awesome. I think this would also be a fun dessert to make with the boys. What could be better than a nice warm cookie all to myself on a chilly evening? (Maybe having with a big scoop of ice cream?!)

Single Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie

 

 

Here's wishing you time to find new ways to get your creative juices going.

Slacker

 

Yeah, yeah, I know. I have been a complete slacker with this blog here the last couple of weeks. I mean to do posts and then I get sidetracked, or I am not sure what to write about.

The boys have been back in school for a month now. They are both really enjoying it, are learning a lot and are making new friends. Julian is working on reading his second chapter book already, and Kaleb is mastering writing his name and can read all of his classmates names (first and last) off of the class roster.

We again have season tickets to KU football this year. So our Saturdays are spent tailgating with friends and trying to will our Jayhawks to a win. We are also attempting to attend as many PLHS football games as possible to watch cousin Trevor out on the field.

Here are a few pics of what we  have been up to lately:

Getting high 5's from Big Jay

 What better to cool off on a warm game day than with a GIANT sno-cone!

 

Catching up with friends at the first talgate of the season

I'll be posting more regularly here soon, I promise (well, hopefully). I am working on creating a regular weekly post to go along with the more random update type posts, we'll see how that goes, it looks like a really great idea in my mind!

Here's wishing you time to slack off and enjoy your family and friends!!