Weekend Recap

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Wow! What a weekend!

Friday consisted of me cooking, chopping, mixing, and baking. Woo!
We had a house warming party on Saturday, and this was my first real get together at the new house.
We had a great turn out, and way more food than we needed!
Of course I had to be little Suzy homemaker and make everything from scratch.
The party started at 1 and by 1:30 I was still putting the finishing touches on everything.. But I got everything done and everyone had a good time and plenty to eat.
I made brownies, pumpkin cookies, a black bean and corn dip, chili, and I set out some chips and dip, chips and salsa, and a veggie tray.

The brownies and pumpkin cookies and the delicious icing that went with the cookies

Chili- Like the kind at Wendy's! Yum!

I served spaghetti, cheese and sour cream to go with the chili

I didn't make the sandwiches, someone else made them and gifted me the platters, a different platter for each holiday, thanks Kelly! You're the best!

Most of the food got ate but we have a ton left, and those cookies are dangerously good!!!

Here are some pictures that my uncle took


ha.. I guess I was talking or laughing??

and again.. talking about something.. and eating a sandwich.



Sunday after church consisted of watching movies on ABC Family, doing all of our laundry and watching the once upon a time season premiere!!

I hope y'all had a great weekend!

Link ups: Sami's Shenanigans, The Diary of a Real housewife, Peacoats and Plaid

Friday Favorites!

It's that time again! I get to tell you about all my favorite things this week!

 

I know I am not alone when I say that I love all things pumpkin spice! Here are a few of my favorite pumpkin spice recipes!

 

Pumpkin Pancakes!

Via

 

Pumpkin Spice Latte!

 Via

 

Pumpkin Cookies!

Via

 

Pumpkin Cinnamon rolls!

Via

 

Pumpkin Cupcakes!

Via

 

Are you hungry yet?

I know I am!

 

Happy Friday Y'all! Have a great weekend!

 

link ups:North Carolina Charm, The Diary of a Real Housewife, Lauren Elizabeth

 



Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

Let me start off by saying I LOVE Starbucks pumpkin spice lattes, but I really hate paying $4 for one cup of coffee.

 

I found this recipe for a homemade pumpkin spice latte! I was so excited!

 

 

 

The recipe was great except for the fact that it was a little to strong for me

Here is her recipe but with my changes:

1/2 cup whole milk

1 tablespoon unsweetened canned pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon packed light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup hot brewed, strong coffee
3 tablespoons half & half cream
3 teaspoon granulated white sugar, or more to taste
 

Directions:

1. In a glass measuring cup or microwave-safe bowl, whisk together milk, pumpkin, brown sugar, spice and vanilla. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes- watch closely and remove it from the microwave when the milk is hot and frothy.

2. Pour the pumpkin milk into a tall mug or glass. Add hot coffee. Pour in the cream. Add a teaspoon of sugar. Stir, and taste. Add more sugar, if desired.

 

 

The bottom of the latte was kind of gross because some of the pumpkin sunk to the bottom.. I am not sure how to fix that though. Maybe try with less pumpkin puree?

Let me know if you make it! Have you tried another recipe? How was yours?

 

Hello Fall!

Hello Fall! I welcome you with open arms!

I was so excited to wear my boots, sweaters and scarves this week!

I was lucky enough to have two cute outfits to post this week, but I didn't feel like doing my hair, lets not push it.. One step at a time! I am just happy I put real clothes on 2 days in a row haha!

 

 

Check out my new chevron scarf!

Love it!

Here is the breakdown

Shirt- American Eagle

Sweater- Old Navy

Jeans- American Eagle

Scarf- Wal-Mart!!! Can you believe it???

Boots- Belk

 

This was a no makeup messy bun kind of days.. I'm sorry you have to see my naked face.

 

Would you be impressed if I told you a five year old took these pictures? Yup.. And I think he is a better photographer than the hubs.. At least he doesn't make fun of me while taking the pictures.

 

Shirt- Target

Sweater- Old Navy

Jeans- American Eagle

Chucks (Converse)- TJ Maxx

 

At one point I had a goal to have Chucks in every color.. I do have quite a few!

Did you have nice fall weather this week? Did you break out your fall attire?

 

link ups

The Pleated Poppy

Fitness Blondie

Because Shanna Said So

 

 



Wedding Flash Mob Dance

Hey Y'all!

My dad made this video of his friends wedding, they did a flash mob then walked over to a nearby stage and had their ceremony!

Here is the video, watch it and like it!

 

 

So fun! Have you ever seen a flash mob first hand or been part of one?

Weekend Recap and a giveaway!!!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

 

On Saturday I went to the pork fest with my grandma, her friend Bonnie and Bonnie's husband Larry.

My grandma and Larry mostly just sat, followed us around and ate.

Bonnie and I shopped through all the craft and vendor booths.

I have never seen so many craft vendors in my life!

It was so fun looking around at everything.

When grandma and Larry went to eat we kept going! We had limited time and a lot of shopping to do!

 

 

Here is all the stuff I bought!

Cute towels to hang on the stove, and they won't fall off!



 

 Sign to hang over our bed, hello toe haha

 

Yummy smelling handmade fall candles

 Handmade microwave heating pad

 

 

Handmade sign for the bathroom

 

When I got home I told Jason to get dressed because I'm taking him to dinner.

We went to this cute little diner right down the street.

I loved the whole atmosphere, it was so cute!

 

 

 

Our food was delicious, I had a cheeseburger with onions and peppers on it.

 

 

Half way through our meal our waitress came up and told us our bill was taken care of, that the man sitting across the room had paid our bill, I was floored!

I always here stories of this happening but it has never happened to me.

We were already going to get a dessert to share but since our meal was paid for we decided to each get our own.

I got a hot fudge sundae and Jason had an orange-sicle shake

Having to only pay for our desserts our bill came to $7.50, our meal would have been about $15 (with out tip) so we decided to make up the difference and leave a $7.50 tip.

I am so thankful to that mystery man for paying our bill and allowing us to bless our waitress with a nice tip.

Have you ever received a blessing like this? A free meal or something from a kind mystery person?

On Sunday I went to my grandmas church.

After service they had a potluck, when I say they have a lot of food, well that is an understatement.

They always have enough food at their potlucks to feed an army, or two.

And the food is delicious!

Alright now for the giveaway!

I am taking part in a contest with Maegen @ The Modern Tulip and some other bloggers so go on over to her page to enter!!

 

Hope you had a great weekend!

Link Ups
Peacoats and Plaid
Sami's Shenanigans
 

 

Friday Favorites!

 Doesn't everyone love Friday?
I know I do!
So what is better than linking up with another blogger to talk about our favorite things!
Here are a few of my favorite things this week.
 

 Favorite Outfits
 

I LOVE these fall outfits!



Via

 

Via

 

 Favorite DIY

 

This site has a ton of DIY projects for everyday items like chapstick, cleaning products, laundry soap and more!!

Via

 

 Favorite Recipe

 

Not to toot my own horn or anything but these veggie quasadillas are the bomb, seriously.

If you have not made these

 

 

 

 

Guest *Weight Loss* Post!

Hey Y'all!

I wanted to integrate a little more fitness into my blog and I decided I would interview someone who has lost a lot of weight, that brings me to Jessica.

Our parents were childhood friends and we met when they had a reunion a few years.

Jessica posts some of the funniest things on Facebook, I always know I will get a good laugh when she shows up on my newsfeed.

Jessica lost over 100 pounds the RIGHT way!

She has made some major changes in the last year, and before I spoil anything here is what she had to say.

 

How much weight did you lose?
From my heaviest til now I've lost 112 pounds. From the day I started working out daily I've lost 72 pounds.

When did you realize that you needed to lose weight?
I knew I needed to lose weight when I was in middle school. Some of my family members called me "pie face" and "fatty." In middle school I was picked on because I was one of the largest kids in my grade, maybe even the school. When my doctor told me that I needed to lose weight because I could develop chlorestrol and/or heart problems. She told me that my bad chlorestrol is fine but my good was low and that I needed to lose weight and eat right if I don't want to develop serious health problems.

 

How long did it take you to lose the weight?
I had tried six times to lose weight before September 2012. Each time I started I was depriving myself of the foods I really like (sweets and coke). I tried my junior year of high school to lose weight. That lasted for two months and I put all the weight back on after I gave up. So far I've kept it off for five months from the moment I reached goal weight.

How did you do it?
I counted calories. When I first started I didn't go over 1,200 calories a day. I ate and still eat a high protein diet and I drink a lot of water. As I began working out harder I upped my calorie intake. In mid-November I upped it to 1,500 calories and in February to 1,700. Currently I'm at 2,200-2,500 calories. I only ate sweets on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I would have one sweet a day. Either a coke, candy bar, cookie or icecream. I didn't go over my caloric intake though. I just treated myself a little to help me stay on track and feel like I wasn't depriving myself.

What was the hardest part of losing weight?
Outside of working out the hardest thing was people began to change the way they look at me. I lost weight to become healthier. Some people liked me better heavy and unhealthy rather than a normal weight and healthy. People began viewing me as "stuck up" because I decided to do something for myself. I lost a few friends but it allowed me to see who my true friends really are.

What has been the hardest part of keeping the weight off?
Peer pressure. My family and close family friends think since I'm at goal weight that I can pig out and endulge in food all I want. Resisting temptation and not listening to others tell me I can eat whatever I want, when I want and not work out is hard. It gets in my head and I sometimes wonder if I can do that even though I know I can't.

Do you have any tips or advice you would give to readers trying to lose weight?
Losing weight is something that is done for yourself. Don't rely on a workout partner to go to the gym or walk/run with you. You have to be self motivated to change or it won't happen. There may be people that will try to fill you with doubt. That's because you're doing something that a lot of people talk about doing but may never do. Always drink a lot of water because it helps cleanse your system, helps you lose weight and naturally boost your metabolism. Stay away from deep fried foods and pasta. If you absolutely need pasta or deep friend foods have it once or twice a week. Moderation is the key.

Is there any thing else you would like to add?
You can do anything you set your mind to. Don't let others stand in your way and don't failure or self doubt stop you. Results don't happen overnight. They take time.

Thanks Jessica!

 

Hope this was as motivating for y'all as it was for me!