Happy Halloween! ♥

Hello Spooky Friends! ♥

Just popping in to wish you a Happy Halloween! 

Filled with sweet treats and not too may tricks! 

With crunchy leaves and the smell of a burning bonfire in the air! 

And costumes galore....either funny or spooky....(I prefer funny myself! : ) 

Make memories to last a lifetime! 

(so when your littles ones are all grown you can think back to days like these..♥) 

Eat all the sweets and don't worry.  

because...

(there's not escape! : ) 

    Have a wonderful holiday friends!  

Enjoy and be safe! ♥

Boooooo! xoxo 

Friday Five: Store Bought Seasonal Goodies ♥

Hello Friends and Happy Friday! 

Are you as happy as I am that it's Friday?  I'm sure you are : ) 

It's been a cool and blustery day today and I am loving it.  After a week of rain and humidity the temps have dropped and it's finally feeling like Halloween time.  It's hard to believe October is almost over,  Next week is November and daylight savings time already.  I'm getting ready for cozy dark afternoons. Yay! 

Well, this week went by in a blink.  It was a very busy work week for me so my mind has been very occupied with that.  I work in finance and days leading up to the end of the month tend to be a bit crazy.  Next week I'll be able to breath again!  One bright spot for me this week was we converted a walk in closet to a little work office for me and I am loving it.  It really makes a difference (especially when you are working from home) to be comfortable in your space.  I was always a bit disorganized and cramped but now I have plenty of room to spread out and create a nice little area for myself.  I may even hang Christmas lights and do a little decorating.  

We'll see about that later. Stay tuned ♥

For this week's Friday Five I thought I would share with you some store bought seasonal treats that I've been enjoying this fall.  Starting with tonight's dessert. 

I did this last year and it was a hit.  All you need is an Entemann's Cake and some Milano Cookies.  

Viola!  Instant graveyard cake!  

Sprinkles are optional :) 

You could be fancy and decorate the cookies to say "RIP" but who's got that kind of time? Not me..lol 

I've already expressed to you my deep devotion to pumpkin spice.  If you're as obsessed as I am you must try this oatmeal.  So good on cold mornings or as a late afternoon snack.

 I wait for these pumpkin spice English muffins all year! The cranberry ones too. 

(They usually hit the shelves in November.  I can't wait.)  

Yummy! 

Umm...yeah...no words here... ♥

to.die.for

That is all.  

A few years ago my Instagram friend Lori sent me a bag of these caramels and I've been hooked ever since.  I don't see them too often so I have to stock up in October.  

They are delicious.  And addictive.  

Have you tried these Gingerbread cookies?  We are gingerbread people in this house.  They scream holiday season to me and make me happy when I eat them : ) 

I love dunking these into my afternoon tea or evening chia.  Sometimes I put them in John's lunch too.  They are divine! 

I hope to be doing a little sampling of all these goodies this weekend!  

Tomorrow I'm going to be up bright and early because I have a haircut at 9am sharp.  (I'm overdue so I'm very happy to be going to this appointment : ) Other than that we are going to carve pumpkins on Saturday and I'm planning on making a big pot of turkey chili on Sunday.  What's on your agenda? 

Whatever your plans I hope you have an enjoyable and restful weekend!  

Stay cozy!  On three more sleeps until Halloween! 

Boo! ♥

Wednesday Wisdom ♥

Hello my fellow FALL loving friends.  Happy Wednesday!

How are things in your part of the world?  We've had rain and fog for the last few days.  It's a little bit warmer than usual and I'm not loving it.  It makes me tired and have low energy, so I haven't been very productive this week.  To bring up my spirits I've been treating myself to tea time in the afternoon.  I usually have tea anyway, but if I call it "tea time" that's an excuse to use a teapot and a fancier cup.  It's all in the details!  The Hallmark Channel has started it's 24 hour countdown to Christmas movies, and that pairs perfectly with my "tea time".  Hallmark makes me happy. I've probably seen every Christmas movie ten times over, but I don't care.  I love them all.  If my life were ever made into a movie I would want it to be a Hallmark movie starring Lacy Chabert.  

Hope and dreams, my friends...hopes and dreams! ♥

(my favorite meme ever! : ) 

Anyhoo, I just finished prepping dinner for tonight which is chicken pot pie.  I've been craving it all week! It's one of my all time favorites!  I've cleaned everything up so all that's left is to pop it in the oven and let it bake (while I have tea time...lol). 

Do you like my cute pumpkin baking dish?  I picked it up at Home Goods last Fall.  I'm obsessed with it.  I don't always have things to "bake" in it but it will find it's way to our table anyway - with salad, rolls, cobbler, pretty much anything I can think of.  It's the little things that make our hearts happy, right?  I think so too ♥

Want to know what I've been thinking about lately?

Take a read of these words of wisdom.  Social media can be an ugly place sometimes, but every once in a while when I scrolling I find a little gem that speaks to me.  I save them to my camera roll so I can reflect on them later.  

♥

  I work on this daily ♥

 

This IS me. ♥

Yes! ♥

Amen ♥

I snapped this picture the other morning (early) after dropping John off at school.  The sun was reflecting the leaves so beautifully.  I had to stop and take it all in.  I always say I don't consider myself a morning person, but it's the mornings where I find the most beauty in things.  

It also reminds me that Fall is fleeting.  October is nearly over already.  This is when time really starts to speed up.  Let's take it down a notch, shall we? 

Wishing you all a wonderful, cozy week.  I'm off to pop my chicken pot pie in the oven.  

Can't wait for dinner tonight : ) 

Have a lovely day, my friends! I'll be around visiting your blogs soon! 

xoxox 

Friday Five: Pumpkin Treats! ♥

Hello Friends! ♥ 

Happy Friday! I hope this beautiful October day finds you well.  We've had beautiful seasonal weather this week, cool and crisp! I've seen some of my friends in blogland have had a dusting of snow already.  I don't want to say that I'm jealous....but I'm jealous!  It looks so pretty.  But I'll be there soon enough.  For now I'll enjoy the moment. 

We have a very Halloween-y weekend planned.  Tonight John is going to a Haunted House with some friends.  It's not just a cutesy haunted house, it's hard core scary. Last year someone with a chainsaw chased me in the parking lot.  It's all in good fun of course, but I think it took a few years off my life! Tomorrow night he's seeing the new Halloween movie.  I'm going to let him screen if first and let me know how scary it is before I see it.  He's my scare-o-meter : ) 

My plans for Sunday include making minestrone soup, cleaning the house, changing the bedding, and starting my Christmas lists.  I have some ideas that have been swirling around in my head and I want to organized them on paper.  Tis the season! 

For this week's Friday Five I have for you my 5 favorite Pumpkin Treats.  You know I'm all about the  pumpkin!  I love pumpkin anything and everything ALL YEAR long.  Although it's only socially acceptable to discuss it in October...haha : ) 

Here are some past blog posts with recipes for yummy pumpkin treats. 

Click the link for the recipe! ♥ 

Pumpkin Donuts 

Pumpkin Biscotti  (dipped in chocolate) 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Blondies 

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate   

(I'm making this tonight!) 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins 

Like it or not, this month we are living in a pumpkin spice world and I for one am embracing it! 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend planned.  Stay cozy and spooky!!

xoxo 

The Art of Being Cozy ♥

 I feel like I have mastered the art of being cozy. Every day I think about.  I strive for it.  And when I achieve it, I feel happiness. 

It's not hard.  It's very easy.  The best things in life are free ♥ 

Here's a day in life...how I keep cozy: 

Wake up early. 

Plug in twinkle lights around the kitchen window.

Light candles in the early morning when it's still dark.

Add a dash of sweetness to my coffee (right now it's pumpkin spice).

Dress in a cardigan, loose clothes, and cushy socks.  Slippers always. 

Take time to slowly wake up and start the day. 

Take a walk in nature if so inclined.  Stop and admire the trees as the leaves blow by. 

Listen to vintage music or audio books while I work the day away on my computer.

Stop at 3 for tea and cake. 

Make time to rest before dinner.  Read a chapter of my book or fall asleep for 30 minutes. 

Roast veggies, make soup, or a comfort meal like chicken pot pie or pot roast.

Wrap up in blankets on the couch for an evening of TV with family.  

Eat pumpkin bread while in cozy seasonal jammies and drink more tea.  

Try to stay off my phone before bed. 

Off to sleep I go.

It's all in a days work : ) 

See.  Easy Peasy! How do you keep cozy?

Have a wonderful day, Friends!  We are half way to Friday : ) 

xoxox 

Friday Five: favorite thrillers to read this spooky season! ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Friday! ♥ 

It's a rainy morning here in my world and I just got home from dropping John off at school.  I've poured myself another cup of hot coffee with pumpkin pie creamer and I'm giving myself a few minutes to enjoy it before starting work for the day. 

I'm so happy it's Friday.  It's been a week.  This weekend I'm hoping to get some well needed R&R in with a book and a bowl of Halloween candy (which I haven't bought yet but am going to get tomorrow!).  It's time to bring it in the house!

Tea and chocolate with a blanket and a spooky book.....sounds good to me! 

I am going to start a new tradition here on my blog and every week post my Friday Five.  Five favorites of something. Movies, recipes, clothing, scents, self care things, activities.....anything I can think of.  I thought it would be a nice way to end the week.  

For today I'm giving you my 5 favorite spooky thriller books to read this season.  

Books that gave me all the creepy vibes that we all want this time of year.  These books are all page turners that I could not put down.  I gave them all 5 stars on Goodreads and my only regret is that I wish I could read them all again for the first time.  

 I love thriller books and I could list so many more, but if I have to pick just 5...♥

 

If you've read any of these you'll know why I have them in my top 5. 

I've read other books by all of these authors and they are definitely my favorites in this category. So if you've read these ones, I suggest searching some of their other works too. You won't be disappointed...if you enjoy twisted psychological thrillers like I do...haha) 

I love reading this type of book in the fall.  I love the dark atmosphere and vibes they give off.  It makes me want to stay up all night reading.  I don't of course....but I wish I could! 

If you have any recommendations that are similar to these ones,  please send them my way ♥

I hope you all have a cozy weekend!  Shut off your phones and curl up with a book.  Escape the world for a few hours. Get a hot beverage and a KitKat bar and enjoy.  It's a lovely feeling. 

Happy Reading! ♥

xoxox 

24 Years! ♥

 October 11, 1998

♥

October 12, 1998 (honeymoon in Disney.....with matching fanny packs!)

♥

We celebrated our wedding anniversary on Tuesday.

It rained the day of our wedding.  People thought I would be upset.  The funny thing is I love rainy days more than anything.  They say rain on a wedding day is good luck and I believe that to be true : ) 

We celebrated at home with a home cooked dinner and leftover apple crisp for dessert.  We aren't fancy.  Besides, I'm holding out for something special on our 25th! ♥

xoxox

Cozy Autumn Tag ♥

Good morning friends and happy Monday! 

I hope you all enjoyed a lovely weekend.  We went apple picking on Saturday.  It was so much fun.  The experience has changed a bit now that John is older. Since we still go the same place I can't help but picture him as a little one running around through the apple trees making me laugh and getting so excited to see the animals. Such great memories! What makes me happy now is that he still loves it and looks forward to it as part of our Autumn traditions every year (yay!).  I hope that never never changes ♥

Anyway, we had the most perfect weather!  I came home with a loot of apples. On Sunday, while Rob watched football, I made a beef stew dinner with homemade bread. For dessert  I made Susan Branch's apple cranberry crisp (which was divine!).   It was a comfort meal for sure. We are full on FALL now and it's a beautiful thing : )  

My friend Carrie at Northwoods Scrapbook posted this autumn tag last week and I thought I would join in on the fun. I love reading everyone's responses! 

As if we needed any further Autumn inspiration, but here goes....♥

1.  What is your favorite thing about fall?

The cooler weather! After a long hot summer, the cooler crisp days and nights are so refreshing. I love putting my summer clothes away and bringing out my warm sweaters and cozy pajamas. 

2.  Do you get fall colors where you live?

Yes! Where I live in Massachusetts we usually get stunning foliage! Unfortunately it doesn't last long.  After the leaves fall, out come the rakes! 

3.  Favorite fall scent?  (wax melts, candles, anything)

Yankee Candle Spiced Pumpkin candle is my very favorite~ 

 

4.  Favorite fall food or drink?

There's so many! But I have to go with pumpkin spiced coffee!  So good! 

5.  Football . . . yay or nay?

Funny thing about football, I like it, but I don't necessarily watch the games.  Rob watches every Sunday while I putter around the kitchen and make football food, like chili or wings, or a soup.  I like the feeling of an autumn day, with football on the TV, and everyone home watching the game. Does that count? 

 

6.  Do you rake, jump in, or burn piles of leaves?

Rake. Or some members of my family rake.  I may or may not participate.  My main job is to make the hot chocolate for afterwards : ) 

 

7.  Haunted house or corn maze?

Haunted house.  But not too scary.  Medium scary is all I can handle. 

 

8.  Have you ever gone on a hayride?

Nope.  

9.  Cider or hot chocolate?

I love both.  There is nothing like a hot apple cider (with a cinnamon stick) on an chilly October afternoon.  But once November comes, it's gotta be hot chocolate for me! 

 

10. Carve a pumpkin or eat pumpkin pie?

We do both! One to carve and one to eat! 

11. Do you dress up for Halloween?

No. I haven't dressed up for Halloween in long time.  I love to see other peoples costumes though.

 

12. Candy corn . . . yay or nay?

Definitely YAY! I don't understand all the candy corn hate.  I love it! 

 

13. Favorite Halloween season movie?

It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown! 

14. Scariest movie?

I get scared pretty easily. I recently saw A Quiet Place and that really freaked me out! 

 

15. Halloween or Thanksgiving?

Both but if I have to choose I'll say Thanksgiving because of the food.  It's my favorite meal of the year.  

16. Do you watch the Macy's parade?

Yes, every year!  

17. Apple pie or pumpkin pie?

Apple! But pumpkin is a close second.  They are both delicious! 

 

18. White or dark meat?

I'm a white meal gal!

 

19. Jellied or real cranberry sauce?

Again, both!  I like a little of each.

20. Will you host or travel for Thanksgiving?

We will travel. I've never hosted Thanksgiving before but I hope to one day! 

(where did the time go??)

♥

Feel free to copy and paste these questions on your blog if you want to participate with the tag!

Have a great day friends! Stay cozy!! xoxo