Have You Heard?

Have you heard? There is a recipe for a Pumpkin Cake that only has 2 ingredients. I made a pumpkin spice pound cake in This Post that was delish, but this recipe tastes almost the same and only takes about half the time. Of course, the one I made a few weeks ago is a little more homemade but this one works just as well....I feel like everyone and their Mother has made it but if you haven't caught on yet here in the recipe. Super easy and super yummy! I just put in a loaf to bring some fall cheer to work tomorrow! Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 (18.25 ounce) package spice cake mix
• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the spice cake mix and canned pumpkin until well blended. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool and serve, or store in the refrigerator. This tastes even better the next day.

I Won!

Ok, I am a little excited because a friend on mine hosted her first Giveaway.... And I WON my first Giveaway! Remember my Shutterfly post here?

I won 25 free Christmas cards. Yay! I can't wait to order them! I will share soon!

I never win anything! HA, cant you tell I am a little excited? Yippee!

Hobby Lobby Love

What girl doesn't LOVE Hobby Lobby? I mean for real! HA... I went the other day and had to snap a few pictures (with my phone so they aren't great) at a few things I found that I liked because they had a lot of really neat things.

Neat metal drawers

They have a lot of this blue chippy wood pieces. All different shapes and colors. I thought about getting some but didn't.

I loved this metal rusted lantern.

Wire "egg baskets"

Neat wire organizer.

And I came home with these 2 pieces.

$12 (1/2 off of course) Don't you love it? Maybe hold magazines or toilet paper or something?

Also $12 (half off). I have seen these ALL over blog land. I hope that I can find a place for him, if not I will have to take him back... I thought it would be cute with my nest in it. Guess we will play around and see!

Well Owl Be Darned

 We went to a local store that buys and sells books, movies and CD's and such. It was filled with some, hmmm... interesting folks. Anyways, they have a few bins outside that people can put free books in. Well, I figured I would look and possible find some old sheet music.

And, to my surprise, I found exactly what I was looking for! I could not believe it and I was so excited. Is the perfect "aged" look, brown and torn... perfect for my Christmas ornament project. I can not wait to start it!

I also found 2 owls, I have been on the prowl for quite a few weeks.... Here they are....

Look how furry he is! He's cute is he not? I haven't names him yet and sometimes when I glace at my window sill I think I see a furry rodent, HA, he has scared me a few times... but I will get used to it. He's cute! $5 at Ace Hardware... which BTW, they have a lot of their Christmas stuff out and quite a few Christmas trees that I am loving, including burlap ribbon in natural and red... yes please! The have a Christmas open house coming up and I plan on attending for sure!

This is my other owl friend. He is brown glass. I got his at TJ Maxx for $5. I thought he was pretty cute too.

While I was at TJ Maxx I also picked up some more of my Christmas dishes. Last year I got a set of 12 dessert plates and 12 mugs but NO dinner plates. Unfortunately, they only had 3 but I am sure I will find more.

I really like the traditional transferware look. I was a little hesitant at first because the dishes are a pinky-red. But they really grew on me. Plus the dinner plates were only $4 a piece.

I'm a sucker for all things Christmas. I can't believe we only have one more week until November! Crazy!

Saturday

Well, my pumpkin topiary got a face-lift. He was a little too plain looking....

So I put out initial on him and put the bow to the pot... cute huh?

The Mr. and I went on a short (2.2 miles), nice hike this morning at a park near our house.  I had to take a few pictures even if they were with my phone. It was gorgeous seeing all the colorful leaves sparkle in the sun and the reflection of the lake.

Wow... so pretty!

Also, we had to start using our quilt with out comforter last night... here is the new look for my bed.... ha!

I like it... don't you?

I'm off to cook some Taco Soup and get ready for some Tennessee Football!

More Fall Decor

The weather has been gorgeous today, sunny and cool. This week was crazy, 85 and warm to the VERY next day a high of 50-something and very windy! I prefer the weather we will be having this weekend, sunny and in the high 70's.

I decided I wanted some fall fun on the back deck since our summer flowers had just about had enough...

So, I spray painted the pot black, plopped the pumpkin right down on it and tied a black with white polka-dot ribbon on top. Cute huh? I am thinking I need to add some white polka-dots to the pot though, just to add a little more....

I finally picked up a bright yellow mum today for the front porch! I decided to get one that had a few blooms on it but still had some more to go....

I love this!

The sun was so bright when I was taking these pictures, so bear with me, but here is out lovely front porch, complete with the GINORMOUS fern! Shes still hangin in there.... oh and excuse all the chippy paint on the front rails, (that is on out to-do-list, which we need to get to, but have put off because we know that will be NO fun! ha)

And the good news is... Supper is all ready! Roast, potatoes and onions in the crock-pot... yummy! It smells so good in our whole house. Now all I need to do is light my fall candles and we are good to go!

Have a great weekend! I am off and can not wait to enjoy it, and watch the Tennessee Alabama game!

I'm Dreaming of....

Christmas of course!!! HA!

I picked up the "Farmers Market" candle from Yankee. It smells very yummy!

I have been peeking at Christmas cards the past month (at least... HA!) I love everything about Christmas and I can't wait to order our Christmas cards. Here are a few designs I found today.

All of the cards are from Shutterfly where I will most likely order them from but I am still searching...

Some Good Fall Finds

The weather has  been gorgeous the past few days. I am loving this breezy but warm fall weather. It makes me so happy to drive with the windows down and see all of the colorful leaves on the trees.

I went to 1 thrift store the other day and 3 today... this is all I came home with.

I got this little box that has 16 matching note cards and envelopes (minus the "bling" ha...) It had a TJMaxx price tag and wasn't missing anything for $5. I got it for $1. Not too shabby. I gave it as a little gifty to a wonderful, special friend!

I also got a box of glass ornaments for $1. I thin one was broken but not a bad price. I need to get a move-on on some of these Christmas projects.... I am so excited!

Maybe something like this? Yes, I think so...

I got this pot as well, for $.50 Which I am sure I will paint white.. ha!

This I love! Its a dried hydrangea petal wreath. I got it for $1. I think it will be pretty with a brown bow, maybe for fall or spring!

I picked up this ugly pillow because the insert is down feathers and very nice and clean for $4.

I really want a "sweater pillow" so I decided I would TRY to make one (we will see how that does)...

So, I got this mans sweater vest for $2. I want to add some buttons as well...I figure if it doesn't work out, I only lost $2 and got a really nice pillow insert at least.

I got this awesome chippy blue picture frame to add some color on my bathroom counter top. It was $8. Not really a steal or anything but I really liked the color and the chippy-ness of it, don't you?

I can't believe we are halfway through October! Yikes!

There's No Place Like Home

Today was very productive even though it was a rainy day, the perfect day to have off- slept in, no rush for anything. Spent most of the day in my Pj's and didn't "fix my hair". I did laundry, cleaned the bathrooms, went to the grocery store, cooked and made dessert for my managers birthday tomorrow. Plus went to TJ Maxx... ha!

Here is what I got....

Cute huh? it was $3. Its small but sweet.... I like him

I got this set for my manager for her birthday. Its a fun design and it smells delish! I hope she likes it, or I am keeping it... HA!

I spotted this guy at Publix and had he had to come home with me. 

The kitchen window is a perfect spot.

I made these to take to work tomorrow....

So quick and easy and very tasty! Here is the recipe

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, divided
• 1 (8 ounce) package PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
• 2 (8 ounce) packages BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, melted

Directions

1. Crush 9 of the cookies to fine crumbs in food processor; reserve for later use. (Cookies can also be finely crushed in a resealable plastic bag using a rolling pin.) Crush remaining 36 cookies to fine crumbs; place in medium bowl. Add cream cheese; mix until well blended. Roll cookie mixture into 42 balls, about 1-inch in diameter.
2. Dip balls in chocolate; place on wax paper-covered baking sheet. (Any leftover chocolate can be stored at room temperature for another use.) Sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs.
3. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Store leftover truffles, covered, in refrigerator.

Yummy Pumkin Spice

Before we get to the yummy part, I got a few things shopping with my SIL the other day...

New table runner from Home Goods $10

Christmas Tea Towel (to be combined with burlap of course) $5 from Home Goods

Marshalls $8. Cute isn't it?

Gosh I am such a sucker for boxwood! I got 2 of these 8inch boxwood balls for $12 each and I have a $5 off coupon... SCORE! Cant wait to find a place for these!

I am making this delicious-ness tomorrow night and for the GA/TN game. A friend of mine gave me the recipe last year and we made it together and it was delish, plus very quick and easy, give it a try!

Pumpkin Spice Pound Cake

3 cups Sugar

3 cups Flour

1 Tsp Salt

3 Eggs

1 can Pumpkin

1 cup Oil

1 tsp Allspice

1 tsp Cinnamon

2 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

Combine all ingredients, grease and flour a bundt pan. Cook for 30 minutes at 350, then continue baking at 300 for 35 minutes.

YUMMY!!!!

Early Bird

I am totally jumping way ahead of myself but I just cant help it. There is Christmas stuff everywhere I look and I am so excited. Plus, it is quite cold here in the evenings and in the morning, so needless to say, I have Christmas on my mind! On top of all that, I got my new Ballards magazine and I was so giddy to see Christmas stuff. Plus, I totally have a Christmas theme now....I cant even wait, I can't control myself.... BURLAP! ooooooo yes.....with greenery (boxwood, evergreen and maybe magnolias) with white accents. Be prepared for a lot of pictures

Is this not wonderful? This is what all of my gifts will look like on a burlap tree skirt

From Ballards- wrapping paper

from Ballards- burlap ribbon

Boxwood wreaths on the back of the chairs.

Love the boxwood garland... they used to sell this at Hobby Lobby but not anymore... dang it. If I EVER see it I am buying them out!

How cute are these?

adorable burlap pillow

burlap ribbon on an evergreen wreath

uh... hello! How stinkin cute... from Southern Living.

Another great idea.... definitely doing this!

This might be my favorite, also from Ballards, love the old grain sack inspired stockings.

I spotted these in the catalog too... what a cute gift!

Love this look too....

See what I mean? So much fun! Maybe I need to get to work.....

And I am in love with this also. A burlap table runner with a ruffle on the end... its a must have and its so cheap and easy! (cute for Fall as well....)

And last but not least, I had to take this picture with my phone (crappy I know) BUT, I love the front door and the way it is decorated.

Was that not ridiculous? I am so excited. Its pretty stinkin crazy that I am already planning christmas. I have already been looking at Christmas cards... I dont't think yall quite get it... I REALLY love Christmas, 81 days!