Sick...

...that's me. All week. Be back soon.

A little Christmas Spirit

I am on the email list for Better Homes and Gardens 100 Days of Holidays and I love to get the email each day to get inspired for the season. I wanted to share some inspiration I came across last week. I love a beautiful table setting, I think I come by it honestly. My mom is an amazing hostess and never leaves a detail undone. Not only is her holiday table beautiful the food displayed on it is fabulous as well. Oh to be like her. For those of us that need a little, er, a lot of help, check out these stunning rooms.

All photos are courtesy of bhg.com

Do you have any fabulous table decor ideas for your table? What is the one holiday decoration you cannot live without?

A road trip...or two.

Coco arrived back in town just in time to turn himself around and drive with me to Atlanta. Coco's dad, B, is having surgery today and we are in Atlanta spending time with him and Coco's mom at the hospital. Please keep B in your prayers that the surgery is successful and all goes well. We love you B and hope you are back at it soon!

We are in the ATL until Friday when Coco and I go our separate ways (again). Boo. I am headed (by way of car...yikes) to Florida with MC. She is having her Annual Trunk Show & Open House for monogramchick.com at our parent's house in Lakeland, Florida. It should be a fun and exhausting weekend!

It'll be a whirlwind few days between Atlanta and Florida. I am looking forward to it all and I promise to take many pictures and share them with you next week!

Pumpkin Spice Bread

Another great recipe that I made this weekend (so I guess I spent some time in the kitchen). This is super easy and not at all bad for you!

Pumpkin Spice Bread

1 box Spice Cake Mix

1-15oz. can pure Pumpkin

A few shakes of pumpkin pie spice

Mix all three ingredients together (I usually beat with a handmixer for a minute or two) and bake according to the cake mix directions. You can make lots of mini muffins, a bundt cake or a loaf with just one recipe.

It is delish. And only three ingredients, no eggs, butter or oil! Budget and waistline friendly. :) I like to make it Sunday afternoon and cut it up in sections to eat for breakfast all week. A cup of coffee and some Pumpkin Spice bread...yummy!

Catching Up

I know, I know. Long time, no blog. I think I have blogger's block. Does that exist? Or maybe life has been too boring to share lately. Or maybe I have been too busy. Whatever the reason, I apologize for my absence and I promise to be better. Blogging really is therapeutic and, for me, it is a great way to exercise the other side of my brain.

Coco is out of town for work until Wednesday night so I am home with Lucy. So for the next two days the TV will be permanently tuned to HGTV and Lucy will not move from her window perch for fear that she will miss Coco's arrival back home. Oh, and I won't cook. That I am looking forward to. Coco will be traveling most of the next two weeks and I really don't like it when he is gone. I like it too much when he is here. Oh well. This too shall pass.

I thought I would share an easy peasy dessert recipe I made over the weekend for some out of town friends. I have no idea where I got this recipe so if you recognize it, give the owner some cred!

Butterfinger Cake

1 box Devil's Food Cake Mix

1 bottle caramel topping

1 can condensed milk

1 large tub cool whip

2 butterfinger bars, crushed

Prepare cake according to package directions. Immediately after removing cake from oven, poke several holes all over the top with a fork. Mix sweetened condensed milk and caramel together, pour over hot cake and spread over entire cake. Chill well. After cake has chilled completely, spread cool whip over the top and sprinkle crushed Butterfinger on top of cool whip.

I forgot to get a picture before the feasting began. I promise this ooey gooey yumminess is a crowd pleaser!

November already?

I can't believe it is November. Where did October go? Or September for that matter? Time flies. I love this time of year so much I just wish I had a magic watch where I could suspend time. There are never enough hours to bake enough sweet treats, shop for that perfect gift, decorate my home, spend time with family and friends, and most importantly celebrate Jesus this season. Here's to making every effort to do all of these things and then some...and do them well. I guess I should start with a list...how do you start your holiday season preparation?