Pumpkin Season!

One of my favorite things about Fall is being able to make pumpkin EVERYTHING. Lattes, pancakes, cookies - if pumpkin can be added in one way or another, I will do it. Last weekend I was given the opportunity to make one of my most delicious pumpkin recipes - pumpkin spice layer cake with cream cheese icing. I stumbled upon this recipe last year after my good friend Keeney asked me to make her wedding cake (no pressure!!) They were getting married in October so she decided pumpkin was they way to go. This cake is super moist and the cream cheese icing isn't too sugary-sweet.

Here's Keen and Ron on their wedding day with my cake masterpiece! Ok, maybe not a masterpiece. It was made to be delicious, not a culinary work of art. 

 The lovebirds celebrated their first anniversary over the weekend - and everyone knows it's not a real first anniversary without wedding cake (technically, I think it's supposed to be year-old freezer cake, but we'll let this one slide.) I was excited to give this recipe another whirl (NO, not because it resulted in enough extra batter for one dozen cupcakes for myself....) and happy to be a part of their first anniversary. Happy one-year Keeney and Ron!!

So here is the recipe - don't be intimidated by all the ingredients. It's super easy and SO GOOD. Perfect for your next fall gathering!

Spiced Pumpkin Layer Cake

3 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp cardamom
1 (15 oz) can pureed pumpkin
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 1/4 c. vegetable oil
4 large eggs
1 T. grated orange peel

Frosting

1 block of sotened cream cheese
1 stick of softened butter
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 of a box of powdered sugar

Mix the first nine ingredients in a medium bowl with a whisk. In a large bowl, blend the pumpkin, sugar, and oil. Add eggs, then orange peel. Slowly mix in the flour mixture. Pour into two (greased and floured) 9-inch pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes at 350 - or until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely, and frost generously. (For frosting, mix butter, cream cheese, and vanilla until blended - slowly add powdered sugar)


Editors Note - If you haven't already, be sure to check out the link for Keeney's new blog!! She chronicles their messy, crazy adventures in marriage and home ownership. In case you missed it above, here's the link again: MessyCrazyWonderful

Happy Friday!

Three things I love: Princesses, Nicki Manaj, and this this little girl. Happy Friday everyone!!

Until Next Time....

I had to wait a day or so to blog about my big South Carolina trip because I didn't want my horrific trek back to influence my review of the weekend. It truly was an amazing, unforgettable weekend - and United Airlines (and whatever vendetta they have against me) made it their personal mission to ruin my life on Monday. But more on that later.

I arrived in Charleston just before midnight on Thursday. Vanessa scooped me and the adventure began. The initial plan was to go straight out but we were both so exhausted that we opted for a girls night in. We got back to her place, changed into sweats, and talked about everyone. we. know. We had so much gossiping catching-up to do - we were like 12 year-olds at a slumber party. It was so great to hear about all the awesome things going on her life.

We woke up Friday and immediately threw our plans out the window. We slept in late (glorious) ate an amazing breakfast at The Boulevard (delectable) and immediately went back home to our PJs. We finally mustered up the energy to get dressed and made our way downtown.

We window shopped and made our way into a few of the unique boutiques downtown Charleston has to offer. My goal was to find something for Johnny but I failed miserably. I did however pick up this adorable vintage Carolina tee for myself:

I'm thinking my next gameday outfit will look something like this (plus my sweet new tee):

No, I don't own the black onyx David Yurman ring.... but I would definitely wear it with this outfit if I did.

So anyways - after some light shopping we met up with Marialice at Fleet Landing for a few cocktails on the water. We had the best seat in the house and it was the perfect night to sit outside.

Flash Fail.

We made it an early night because the next day was GAMEDAY! After a quick stop at River Street Sweets for some of their world famous Pralines it was off to bed we went.

Saturday was such a blur (and I swear that has nothing to do with the Fireball) It was so great to be back in Columbia and I would be a liar if I said I didn't experience some serious nostalgia. The tailgating was just as amazing as I remembered, the PJ just as sweet, and cheering just as loud. Just as we were starting to feel like college kids again, some 19 year old girls in the bathroom line told us we "looked great for 25" (as if we were 50) and asked what kind of skincare regimen we use. FML.

So here is the four of us before we left for tailgate:

Our 50 yd line seats:

And Nessy and I at the game like old times.... Marialice should be in this picture but she bailed after the first quarter to TAKE A NAP. Ohhh Marialice.

Gameday came and went. It was a sad loss for the Gamecocks and I will swear on my deathbed that we still had 1 second left - enough time to attempt a game-tying field goal. But there is no going back.... onto Kentucky.

My last day in South Carolina was spent stuffing our faces. I was super excited for our dinner reservations Sunday night. Bon Apetiete Magazine had recently named Husk as the #1 best new restaurant in America and that's where we were headed. The meal was creative and modern, yet still authentically southern. I got the braised duck (I can't turn down duck anywhere - ever. Let's pray McD's doesn't come out with a McDuck or I'm screwed). They create their menu daily based on what's fresh and local at the time so you never know what you're gonna get. I got my fried green tomato fix (served with pimento cheese and thinly shaved Virginia ham) and everyone at the table was pleasantly stuffed. Given the chance, you should check this place out - definitely a keeper.

So after an amazing weekend of girl time, amazing food, and Carolina football, it was time to leave my former life behind and head home to the loves of my life. Ness dropped me off promptly at 5am for my 6am flight. They told me at check-in the flight was being delayed an hour. Well one hour turned to two, and two turned to three until I heard the man sitting behind me having a coronary over his phone conversation with United. Apparently the flight had been CANCELLED and they weren't planning on telling anyone. We had all sat there for three hours with hopes of boarding at any minute only to hear (from another passenger) we were all stranded. We had missed the next flight, connections to Charlotte were booked, and since my bag had already been sent to no-where land I had no choice but to wait for whatever next available flight they could find... which ended up being at TWO THIRTY. So I waited, and sat, and walked around (all 600 sq ft of the Charleston airport...) read 36 a few magazines and waited some more. Nine hours after my scheduled arrival I finally set foot back in good ol' VA. I was so excited to see Jack I could hardly breathe. I practically ran to the baggage carousel and waited some more... all for nothing. My bag was gone. At this point I was so past the point of caring. I dropped my name and contact information with customer service (who couldn't have cared less) and left to see my boys. My bag magically arrived on my doorstep 24 hours later.

I'm currently drafting a strongly worded letter to United.

Can't you just feel the Moonshine....

I am so excited, I am having trouble seeing straight. In a mere 11 hours I will be arriving in one of the greatest cities I've ever been to. (No, my latest trip to Milwaukee - "The Cheese Capital" - didn't quite make the cut...). I will be stepping off an airplane onto good old southern soil (ok... tarmac...) in Charleston, South Carolina. I'm taking my first trip back down to SC since Jack was born and I'm just bubbling over with excitement. Not only will I get to spend the next few days with some of the greatest friends I've ever known - I will finally be reunited with my GAMECOCKS! Nessy (my dear host, and bff) and I are trekking up to Columbia on Saturday to watch the Gamecocks take on the Auburn Tigers (or are they the War Eagles... I still haven't figured that one out...). This is a huge game for us and I can't believe I'm actually going to be back at Williams-Brice with 80,000 of my closest friends cheering on my Gamecocks. I've only been able to make it back for one other game since graduation and it was a for a disappointing loss to Vanderbilt (womp womp) - So needless to say I'm in serious need of a Gamecock victory!

Eat your hear out, ACC. This is what a real stadium looks like.

 

Nessy and I at the Georgia game back in '06. Picture of sobriety.

My Delta Loves.

Besides cheering on some ass-kicking chickens... there are a few other things on my to-do list:

- Find something adorable for Jack. I'm thinking a jersey or a Gamecock Polo.
- Eat at Zaxby's. You ever been to a Zaxby's? If so, you understand. If not, I'm sorry for you.
- Eat somewhere quintessentially Charleston. (Apparently we already have reservations at Husk. Recently awarded America's Best New Restaurant by Bon Appetite). This girl needs some fried green tomatoes in her life, stat.
- Troll King Street. Shopping, dining, people watching. All with a touch of Southern Charm.

Am I going to miss the incredible J's while I'm gone? Absolutely. I'll be a blubbering mess by the time I get my hands on my snotty little bundle of joy, Monday night. Am I going to have the unforgettable trip this Mamma deserves? Without a doubt.

Officially a Grown Up!

I'm not sure why this feels like such a monumental occasion, but for some reason as of today I feel like I have officially crossed over into the realm of responsible adults. Why you ask? No, not because I am a married homeowner with a child and a full-time job. Those things are for amateurs. Then what could it possibly be?? Refinance, baby! After running around like a crazy person for the last few days trying to gather all the proper documentation (yes, I realize as a "responsible adult" I should have my important financial paperwork neatly organized and filed away in a water tight safe somewhere. Get real folks. Baby steps.) I was finally able to seal off the package and drop it in the mail today. We still have to get through the appraisal and termite inspection, but I'm not too worried about either of those. I had no idea that refinancing was basically buying your house all over again! All the same paperwork, all the same legalities. Only you don't have to deal with the stress of "will we get it"??

So, fingers crossed that everything goes well! Pending the approval of our paperwork, we get to close on November 10th, skip two months of mortgage payments, and be $400 a month richer less poor! I'm so excited!

Next up on the "I'm-a-grown-up-now-so-I-have-to-do-this-even-though-I-really-really-REALLY-don't-want-to" list: buy a new car!! Maybe with all our new found cash..... [wheels turning....]....

This is actually confiscated Mexican drug money.... I just liked the look of all that CASH!

Happy Birthday, Dear Debbie

Today would be my mother's 52nd birthday. This is her ninth birthday since she passed away and it never gets easier. What does get easier however, is celebrating the 43 years she spent with us (well, she technically only spent 17 with me, but you know what I mean.) In those 43 years she became a sibling to five brothers (FIVE brothers. The woman deserved the medal of honor...) and one amazing sister. She became a wife to the luckiest man I know (maybe besides my own husband, of course). She became the biological mother to three [wonderful, intelligent, beautiful] children and a surrogate mom to our countless friends who loved and trusted her as we did. She became the best friend anyone could ask for to women who considered her a sister. Even through to the end, she became a positive voice over a devastating disease.

I could go on and on about the wonderful woman she was, but most of you reading this knew her and don't need the reminder. I won't pretend that all the wonderful things make up for the things she's missed - but I am certainly able to be at peace with her death knowing all she accomplished and all the lives she touched. All I can do now is be the best sister, wife, mother, and friend that she was. I love you mamma. Happy birthday to you.

This is my beautiful mother (right) on her wedding day along side her sister and maid of honor.

June 27th, 1981

Alongside my sister and maid of honor on my wedding day. Inside the locket around my neck is the picture above. 

October 16th, 2010

In honor of nine birthday gifts and nine homemade birthday cakes, please consider making a donation to  Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Help a sister, wife, mom, and friend celebrate another birthday.

Fall is Here!!

Well technically speaking, the first day of fall isn't until Friday the 23rd, but this crisp weather has got me ready to celebrate my favorite time of year. Don't get me wrong, I love Summer (and pine for it all winter long) but really nothing is better than those 8 weeks or so of perfect Autumn weather. The bite in the air, warm spiked cider, THANKSGIVING (definitely my favorite holiday.) The list goes on. We have a lot to look forward to this fall - I can't wait for things to get rolling! 

In honor of my favorite holiday I want to share my first fall craft. It was super easy and helps usher in this beautiful season. I was inspired by this picture: 

 Adorable, right? I wish my front door was black. Maybe I'll paint it. Anyways - I love this wreath and knew the second I saw it that I wanted to recreate a fall version. I couldn't get to the craft store fast enough. It was super easy and can be customized to any season or color scheme. It was so hard to make just one! I spent $27 on materials, not bad considering similar ones I found online retailed for over $60. I'm sure I could get the cost down even lower if I shopped around or had a coupon, but I didn't have time for any of that. I needed this wreath on my door asap.

Here is what you'll need: 1 grapevine wreath, bundle of your favorite silk flowers, wood address numbers (I opted for the bigger numbers, three little ones just didn't look right), hot glue gun, paint (to coordinate with flowers), and wire cutters. 

You need to cut the stems down to about three inches - just long enough to thread through the vines. If they are too long they will stick out the other side and the wreath won't lie flat on the door. 

Paint your wood numbers with whatever color you like to coordinate with the flowers you select. The plan was to paint them ivory and "antique" them, but once I got the bronze coat on I really liked it and thought they added a nice fall touch. I used acrylic paint and a sponge brush.

Once the flowers and numbers are prepped, it's time to get gluing! Thread the stems through the vines placing each stem pretty close together - you want them to be full. Fill the wreath about halfway around. Once you are happy with the placement, put a little glob of hot glue on the base of the flower stem to keep them in place. The numbers take a little while longer to get just right. I had to reposition my 6 a few times before it was just right. I use high-heat hot glue because it's much stronger than the regular low-heat kind.... but that means it's much harder to undo anything you don't like so be careful!

Here is my final product! I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out - I might even make another one with cute spring colors. 

Coincidence that my burgundy and gold mums are starting to bloom? I think not.