It’s Finally Here!

Today was one of those days that never seemed to end. Work started early and kept me incredibly busy until I finally walked away at about 5:30 pm. Too bad it wasn’t fun, stimulating work.

It was mind numbingly frustrating, and I just wanted to scream. Luckily I have a work friend that is willing to let me just vent all I want and not care that I was nearly yelling at him, not because of him, he had actually nothing to do with my frustration. But he lets me vent, just like I let him vent. No questions, no offense, just a “get it all out on the table and I promise you’ll feel better” kind of venting. There are days I just love that man.

But in other news, Fall finally showed up! (Now, here’s hoping it sticks around)

I’m wearing a sweater, yoga pants, and socks…drinking Vanilla Chai Tea and Dark Chocolate Kisses. It’s kind of perfect.

I also had to run a few errands after work and was able to use a $10 gift card to Kohl’s on lovely fall inspired items.

Pumpkin Spice K-Cups

adorable bird Christmas ornament and a really pretty flutter, infinity, olive green scarf.

I’m also still enjoying the cinnamon pinecones I bought last year. Although I want to pick up another bag just to freshen the scent.

DIY – How To Use a Hurricane Candle Holder for Kitchen Utensils

A few years back I picked up a really beautiful Hurricane Candle Holder at West Elm. Ever since, I’ve been using it to hold utensils in the kitchen. It’s worked great and easily matches any decor. Hurricanes are a really great multi-use decor item, but are often overlooked. I have several throughout my house, they hold utensils, toilet paper, act as trash cans, etc. They aren’t just for candles anymore.

The only problems I have with the piece is that the bottom is detached from the body of the hurricane. This is perfect if your using it for candles, but not for top heavy spoons and spatulas. It tips off the base constantly, it’s a surprise it hasn’t crashed into a million pieces yet.

As a quick fix, I decided to adhere the bottom to the hurricane body with a little tacky glue.

I tipped the pieces over and piped glue along the bottom of the hurricane body, as well as the base.

A little glue seeped out of the bottom, but it was easy to quickly wipe it clean.

I let it sit for a while upside down to dry.

Then I flipped it over and let it sit for a while longer to ensure everything was dry.

It worked like a charm, and whole project was FREE since I already owned the Hurricane and the glue.

Sometimes it’s the easiest projects/fixes that make the biggest difference. I can’t tell you how nice it has been to not worry about breaking the hurricane when grabbing for a spoon.

10K Training Update – Hitting My Stride

It has been a long 6 weeks of training, with a lot of ups and downs. There were some weeks where I just rocked it, and others where I did pretty much nothing at all. It crossed my mind several times to just quit, or try to transfer my entry to the 5K, but I’m sticking with it.

Source: runforthethrill.tumblr.com via Selena on Pinterest

This past week was the 6th week of training and I am thrilled with the progress, I finally hit my stride. I’m still worried about cutting it close on the course time limit, but I’ll just have to move my ass that day. Based on last week’s progress and the start to this week, I’m actually starting to feel confident again. I’ve increased my mileage to about 10 miles per week.

Source: rippedandfit.tumblr.com via Addison on Pinterest

This past week has been a sigh of relief in terms of training. When I began this training program I couldn’t run at all, hell, I could barely walk very far. Then after a few weeks I started jogging for a minute at a time. Now, 6 weeks later, I’m jogging 4-5 minutes at a time. It may not seem like much to better runners, but it’s a major accomplishment for me.

The first day that I ran for 5 minutes at a time, I jumped off the treadmill and did a little dance. Oh Yes I DID!

I still have 3 weeks of training ahead of me, but I feel good.

And on a somewhat unrelated note, I picked up a new ‘toy’ that has been an amazing asset to training lately. This is Hippo…

He’s not just a cute little stuffed toy, he’s also a heating pad! His belly is filled with lavender scented seeds that can be warmed. You just stick little Hippo in the Microwave for about a minute and comes out piping hot. Every so often I get a stiff neck and he has been so nice to cuddle with. I expect he’ll also be a nice little ‘hot water bottle’ for when the temperatures drop near freezing in the coming months.

The only problem with Hippo…my dog desperately wants to eat him.

Grass Planter Progress

I have a much bigger post planned for later this month, but I just couldn’t help but give you a little sneak peak into the latest progress with the grass planters.

Remember when I shared how to grow grass on concrete?

At first, to get things growing, I was watering the grass like this. However, I was watering the wall more than anything else, so I needed a different option.

The next, albeit temporary, option was this. I was no longer watering the wall, but I was wasting a lot of water on the concrete.

So this past weekend, my dad came over and we installed sprinklers. Now I can water the grass with these.

It was super cheap, fast, and AWESOME. I’m putting together a more detailed post with all the details, but I couldn’t help but share my excitement. I also picked up the flowers which will be planted around the sprinkler heads, so everything will look a lot more finished.

Happy Monday!!

I’m Feeling Inspired…Hello Fall

In all honesty, it still doesn’t feel like fall around here. The temperatures have starting dropping, but we’re still in the 80’s and I won’t officially call it fall weather until I can justify a sweater. However, I have high hopes it will be here soon. These are a few things that are keeping my Autumn hopes alive these days.

Source: stephenopolis.tumblr.com via Addison on Pinterest

 

Hello to…

…Homemade Pumpkin Spice Syrup and all the other drool worthy Pumpkin recipes.

Source: savvyeat.com via Addison on Pinterest

 

Hello to…

…Simply Stunning Autumn Decorations

Source: google.com via Addison on Pinterest

 

Hello to…

…Amazing Natural Art like the changing of leaves

Source: bellacosas.tumblr.com via Addison on Pinterest

 

Hello to…

…Visiting the pumpkin patch. (Which I did here)

Source: google.com via Addison on Pinterest

 

Hello…

…to cold weather coats, hats, and gloves…

Source: weheartit.com via Addison on Pinterest

 

…scarves, boots, and tights…

Source: fallingstitches.blogspot.com via Addison on Pinterest

 

 

Hello to…

…cool nights curled up with hot cider by the blazing fireplace.

Source: countryliving.com via Julieann on Pinterest

WHOA…scratch all that!

Did you know about Apple Cider Floats? How I have never heard of this?

Source: passthesushi.com via Addison on Pinterest

 

I was going to ask some sort of deep question about autumn inspiration, but my brain is now preoccupied with the thoughts of Apple Cider Floats. Let’s just promise to get philosophical some other day.

Bates Pumpkin Patch

I have a confession. I don’t like Halloween…GASP!

Let me explain…

I HATE being scared. I’m slightly paranoid by nature, freak out when people intentionally startle me, and that Scream masks still gives me nightmares. I don’t mind Halloween at all, as long as no one tries to scare me. If you jump out at me or sneak up on me and try to scare me, my fight or flight response kicks in, and I may just punch you in the face.

It’s happened before. Consider yourself warned.

On the other hand, I like the holiday season which encompasses Halloween since Fall is my favorite time of year. I even like some of the cutesy Halloween decor, like this little guy.

See? Cute little mummy pumpkins are okay. Scary mummy pumpkin that might eat your face off while you sleep, not so much.

You get the point.

This year to get into the Autumn spirit (since the weather has not been cooperating) I visited a local pumpkin patch. Folks, this is the real deal, not one of those pop up patches that set up in your grocery store parking lot.

Welcome to Bate’s Nut Farm (aka the biggest pumpkin patch I’ve ever seen). This place is seriously huge with endless events, activities, and pumpkins!

This is only one of the several patches. Do not be fooled, those pumpkins could be used as a desk chair.

Don’t believe me?

They give you wheelbarrows to get them to your car. The pumpkin patch version of the shopping cart.

Heirloom Pumpkins. I really loved these and wish I had bought some, they were beautiful.

Of course you could buy pumpkins that have already been pulled from the patch, they had piles of them.

It was my first time to a real pumpkin patch and I walked away without even buying one. How anticlimactic. However, we had a great time wandering around and people watching for a bit. Watching the kids run through the patch was well worth the visit alone. It was so adorable to see their eyes light up at the sight of pumpkins that could double for Cinderella’s Coach.

White Cheddar Pesto Pizza

I can’t believe it’s taken be this long to make Pizza at home. I think I’ve always been a little afraid of making Pizza at home because I thought it wouldn’t be as good as my favorite pizza place. That’s right, I was afraid of disappointment from a pizza.

But I was wrong…

…Very Very Wrong.

Welcome to my new obsession, White Cheddar Pesto Pizza.

It’s simple, flavorful, crispy, chewy, cheesy, and just plain amazing. It was one of those recipes that turned into a happy accident. I was fully prepared for failure with this one, so I didn’t take  a lot of pictures of the process, sorry.

I used Pillsbury Thin Crust Pizza Dough, and it turned out great. However, now that I know what a successful homemade pizza tastes like, I hope to make pizza dough from scratch now on. Anyone have a good, easy pizza dough recipe?

I sprayed the pan with a little cooking spray and a sprinkle of cornmeal for texture. Then I laid out the pizza dough on a cookie sheet. Following the package instructions, I pre-baked the dough for several minutes.

Next I layered on a few spoonfuls of Buitoni Pesto Sauce, then topped it generously with Mozzarella and White Cheddar Cheese. On top of the cheese, I sprinkled some garlic powder, dried onion, and dried Italian herbs.

Then baked until bubbly and crispy, served with a side of garlic green beans.

This was faster (and much better) than delivery, sorry pizza dude.

SHOWING THE LOVE:

Linging To: Polly Want A Crafter, Between Naps on the Porch, Craft-O-Maniac, The Girl Creative, Making the World Cuter, Addicted 2 Decorating, Remodelaholic, Ginger Snap Crafts, Blue Cricket Design, Very Merry Vintage Style, Savvy Southern Style, The Shabby Creek Cottage, The ArtsyGirl Connection, The Crafty Nest, The Shabby Nest, French Country Cottage, Dear Creatives, Ohh Baby Designs, The Not So Functional Housewife

Candy Corn Vase & Holiday ‘Mantle’

I’ve been reading all about amazing holiday inspired mantles lately, and pinning them like crazy. There is some serious inspiration on the blogosphere this year. Unfortunately, I have not yet built my fireplace mantle, I’ve only repainted the fireplace screen so far. I have high hopes for a beautiful mantle in my future.

In the meantime I have to use a ledge.

However, before I show you my ledge (that sounds wrong), I want to show you how I repurposed two vases into one seriously cool piece of decor for less than $3.

Step 1:

Collect your supplies:

• 2 Vases; one vase should be small enough to fit inside the other vase
• Candy Corn
• Flowers

Step 2:

Place the smaller vase inside the larger vase.

Before I came up with this idea, I was going to donate the smaller vase. It’s something I’ve had with me for years and I love the bamboo design, I just didn’t have a place for it. I actually had set the smaller vase inside the larger vase in order to carry them both downstairs when genius struck!

Step 3:

Fill the space between the two vases with candy.

I chose Candy Corn for a couple of reasons. (1) I hate the stuff, seriously I can’t stand this candy and I know for a fact that I will not eat a single piece (2) It added color to the decor (3) It’s the quintessential Halloween Candy

What’s that you say? You don’t have a smaller vase and you don’t want to spend any extra cash?

No Problem!

Just use empty toilet paper rolls or a empty paper towel holder in place of the smaller vase. Of course this will only work if you plan on using fake flowers, but it’s a great option!

Step 4:

Insert the flowers of your choice. If you ended up using a small vase like I did, then feel free to add fresh flowers. For now, I have a fake flower in the vase, but I plan on picking up some fresh flowers on my next trip to the market.

I ended up using the vase to add just a bit more color to my holiday mantle ledge. I think it turned out quite nice for an unconventional mantle.

A little source list for the mantle:

Piggy Bank – Homegoods

All 4 Pillar Candle Holders – Homegoods

Wall Art – Homegoods

Skull – Homemade

Branch Pumpkin – Crate & Barrel Outlet

Mummy Pumpkin – Homemade

Candles – Pier One, Homegoods, Target

Candle Holder holding the Skull – Target

Candy Corn Vase Project Cost Breakdown:

Large & Small Vase (Already Owned) = $0

Candy Corn (Target) = $2.50

Fake Flower (Already Owned) = $0

Total Project Cost: $2.50

SHOWING THE LOVE:

Linging To: Polly Want A Crafter, Between Naps on the Porch, Craft-O-Maniac, The Girl Creative, Making the World Cuter

Weekly Eats Wednesday

Do you feel that? That cool breeze in the air? Yeah me neither! It was almost 90 degrees this past weekend, where did Fall go?

However, last week we had perfect fall weather with rain and cooler temps. I was in heaven. I was also in love with the food from last week, so many good eats.

Classic Bisquik Coffee Cake

A favorite that my mom used to make when I was a kid.

Artichoke Crusted Chicken & Garlic Green Beans

Amazing recipe that I made twice this week.  I found it on Pinterest and have passed it along to every single person I meet. You can find the pin here. It has so much flavor and is very easy and quick to put together.

Soft Boiled Eggs & Toast

Another favorite from my childhood.

Crockpot Apple Butter

A little bit of heaven in a jar.

Chicken Noodle Soup & Blueberry Muffins

Mocha Chai

Drinking these on a rainy evening is so comforting.

Homemade Sausage ‘McMuffins‘

I can’t wait to start cooking more ‘warm’ foods like Chili, soups, baked pastas, and stews as the weather gets cooler.

An Organized Life – It’s all about Planning

I’ve been struggling a bit with lately with organization and time management. I find myself waking up late every morning, skipping breakfast, feeding my dog and running to my work computer where I will sit until 2pm before I even begin to think about lunch. Some people think that telecommuters would have a better work/life balance, and one hand I do agree. I’m able to take care of personal or blog issues during breaks at work, and that alone is awesome. However, it also means that I need to be more diligent about starting and stopping work. When you work from home, it’s always there and it can be VERY hard to separate the two.

So in an effort to begin finding a better work/life balance while working full-time from home, I going to be trying a new system this week.

Plan out a week of meals, and stick to it.

I usually plan out my dinners so that I can go grocery shopping once a week. However, I have a tendency to wing it on breakfast and lunch. I need to get back into a system of eating three main meals a day (along with several snacks) and it’s easier to eat healthy and ‘on schedule’ if I have a plan.

Stick to a regular bedtime

I need my beauty sleep to be the best me. When I’m tired, random naps happen, and they can suck the fun out of the day. For example, today I sat on the bed after work to play with my dog and woke up after the sun had gone down. I lost several hours because I haven’t been getting enough sleep at night. It’s amazing how much sleep can affect you all day long.

Baxter has the right idea!

 

Use a Planner

I am a fanatic about using my Outlook/Cellphone Calendar for work related meetings, functions, deadlines, etc. However, I try to use my memory for all my personal engagements. With the addition of the blog and more house/education/freelance projects, my brain is beyond full. I just can’t remember everything and I feel overwhelmed.

I don’t know about you, but being overwhelmed, feel to me like I’m suffocating.

For the next week, everything goes in the planner. Once I make it a habit, I can look at other options, such as electronic calendars (Outlook/Google Calendar). Although, I really love the act of writing my to do list down so I may stick with the old skool paper version.

To Do Lists

This next week is all about to do lists. However, the key to work/life balance is to have separate lists. One list/notebook for work, and one for personal. Meaning I can walk away from the work list at 5pm and call it a day. It creates a clear division between work and personal, which helps separate the two in my brain.

Source: organizing.yourway.net via David on Pinterest

Track the Day

Ok, this is going to seem a little odd to most, but I’ve done this before and it worked out as a great way to get me back on track. For the next few days I’ll keep a notepad with me and track everything I do each hour. It’s tedious, but so worth the effort. After a few days I have an idea of when I’m most productive, tired, lazy, busy, etc. With this information I’ll then take the next few days and schedule each hour of the day. Even the simple tasks are written down; such as…

7am-8am [Wake Up, Feed Bax, Wash Face, Brush Teeth]

8am-9am [Walk Baxter, Eat Breakfast]

9am-11am [Start Work, Check Email, Deal with Emergencies, Prep Next Call]

…and so on…

It’s not something I do everyday, but having a strict plan just for a few days is usually enough to get me back on track and my brain gets a chance to de-fog.

I’ll check in next week and provide an update. In the meantime…

How do you keep focused during the day? Any tricks?