Hi Everyone, Mother’s Day is almost here. With high school graduation parties this month I wanted to get a head start for a Mother’s Day dessert. I found the cake when I found this coconut cake recipe for Mother’s Day on Pinterest.
I love coconut and a homemade white cake sounded perfect for Mother’s Day. After the six months of holidays, I need a break from chocolate based desserts. A coconut cake sounds lighter; which means fewer calories, right?
There are two places I go to more between the months of November and December than any other months during the year. Any guesses? The mall and the movie theaters. Seriously, I have been to the mall three times in as many days. It’s the realization I can run to the mall because my days are no longer scheduled around tennis lessons and calculus tutors. #dontblink
So now more than ever I want to create new holiday traditions for our family.
Movies have become one of our new holiday traditions (as long as we can all agree on the movie). Over Thanksgiving, the entire family saw the movie, The Green Book. This is a great family movie and a fun holiday tradition for our family.
My husband and I saw Bohemian Rhapsody last night. My husband is a music nerd and could not wait to see this movie. I dragged my heels a bit and I am so so happy we saw it together! I love Queen’s music, but I never knew the story behind the lead singer Freddie Mercury. There are some familiar faces in the movie so I will save you a Google search; one of the main characters played Tom Branson on Downton Abbey.
I have multiple Queen songs on my running playlist. Yes, I have a playlist just for hills.
Another new family tradition is Christmas pajamas for the family! These were our pajamas last year. My kids drew the line on making this the Christmas card image for this year’s Christmas card.
Another new holiday tradition may include this from Pottery Barn.
I have a cranberry confession. I was never a fan of cranberry sauce. Until a few years ago I had never had fresh cranberries on the Thanksgiving table. Growing up, our cranberry side dishes came from a Del Monte can. But, my cranberry concept changed when I found this recipe in the Celebrity section of the holiday issue of People magazine. This cranberry sauce recipe is from the former New York Times food critic, Sam Sifton. This recipe changed my holiday menu.
I can’t believe the difference fresh cranberries makes to this popular holiday side dish. The ingredients are fresh and the taste is amazing. As my son would say, this cranberry sauce is “legit.”
Quick question: do you say fall or autumn? In a conversation I say fall, but when I write I prefer to use the word autumn.
It makes me sound smarter. I feel like I have not settled into the Thanksgiving season. Why? because I continue to buy pumpkins everytime I run into the store for milk or creamer. It’s ironic my kids’ favorite book was Too Many Pumpkins, written by Linda White. In my little world, there is no such thing as too many pumpkins. Oh, coincidentally the author, Linda White, lives in Colorado.
Too Many Pumpkins was my youngest son’s favorite book during fall… I mean Autumn.
I justify the costs of pumpkins because they are in season from September -Thanksgiving. Pumpkins get way more attention than the Easter Bunny who is precariously squeezed between St. Patrick’s Day and Memorial Weekend.
But with manic pumpkin purchase frenzy, there is one space that is the same year after year. The mantel in our family room. It is the seasonal anchor and sets the tone for the rest of the house.
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The family room mantel always offers a proper welcome. It’s the feature wall for the main level of our home. The mantel during Autumn is the one constant, year after year. It is familiar.
The Welcome Home sign is the year-round staple. It’s on the mantel for every season and holiday.
I ordered it online last year and it was love at first sight.
And the rest of the autumn mantel goes like this…
Lights, garland, faux pumpkins, wreath, lantern. Repeat. The last step is crucial because it bulks up the mantel with layers of pumpkins and lanterns and garland and more pumpkins.
May you all find that moment to capture the spirit of Thanksgiving. So before you carve up the turkey, try and carve out a little time for thanks.
With shorter days and cooler nights, the days feel busier. Do you feel it? The calendar is filling up and errands are the bookends to most of my days. This time of year there are more leaves on the ground than on the branches.
This time of year in Denver we can have a 60-degree day and wake up the next morning to snow.
After an early snow in Denver, we had both leaves and branches on our back porch. #ohsnap
But on the days I work from home I love to just look out onto our back patio. And, our bench; a basic bench that eventually found a home outside reminded me to slow down.
And what felt like a moment of buyer’s regret turned into a perfect little space outside on our patio.
I love benches because they are there to carry the weight of the day (literally and figuratively).
When we FINALLY updated our backyard last year we added a fire pit. This season I have a few ideas I found here to pull this space together and enjoy the patio (and the bench) for a few more weeks.
On my list to extend the season:
Yep, a basic bench reminded me to slow down and enjoy the season.
How do you extend the outdoor porch and patio when the temperatures dip?
The last week of October is packed with work commitments, social events, and school-related deadlines. With a few Halloween parties on the calendar, I pulled out this fun donut treat. Every year, I plan to find some over the top Halloween dessert. And, every year I decide it is not worth $40 + to attempt to make that will have a lifespan of four minutes. And, that’s where these fun donut treats remove the cost and pressure to create Halloween treats.
These Halloween donuts are fun and easy AND guaranteed to get a reaction from the crowd… even a crowd of teenage boys.
I made these last minute Halloween donuts for my sons and their friends.
The best part? All you need are donut holes and a tube of icing or icing gel.
If you buy the donut holes in the plastic containers in the bakery they are $3.49 or you can head towards the English muffins and buy the Hostess bag of cake donuts for $1.99. Halloween cupcake liners served as a plate/napkin for the donuts.
The liners kind of contained the powdered sugar, but the cupcake liners provide one brief layer of protection from sticky hands. I can not stand to have sticky fingers.
So easy. No cleanup. No sticky counters.
Happy Halloween! Hope these Halloween Donuts show up in your kitchen!
It was the best (my first) curbside find the day I asked an arborist to help me parallel park my car in Denver. I didn’t actually have him park my car. I just needed some eyes on the curb and hand signals. Once parked I asked the arborist about the stack of twigs and branches next to the curb. Before I could finish my offer to take some of the branches, his crew was loading the twigs and branches into the back of my car. The leaves and bugs were included.
He asked me what I was going to do with them.
I told him I didn’t have a clue…
but, I would figure it out.
Which is basically my motto in life.
With a car full of twigs and branches and bugs I was on a mission to get home and spend time on Pinterest.
Well, the other thing about me is I stink at crafts. I don’t have the patience or the discipline to follow the directions. I take shortcuts. And, with my vision of a twigs and branches centerpiece, I made shortcuts. Get it?
And, then I went with the circle theme and layered the branches on a round cardboard form to form a centerpiece.
It was a glue gun and layers of sliced branches.
My first plan was to layer berries and twigs, but then I remember the stash of preserved boxwood wreaths.
I love to use a small boxwood wreath to layer and stack candles during the holidays.
This twigs and branches centerpiece was taking shape. 
I added my favorite mini candle to pull the centerpiece together.
This upcycled centerpiece, made from Denver’s tree branches is ready for the holidays.
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Every year I try something a little different with what I call my stock pumpkins. You know the reusable pumpkins that act as filler around the house. I love my every growing collection of pumpkins and each year I try to add a little twist. This year I decided to play with leftover paint, tulle ribbon and faux fur from this project. And, with leftover scraps, I finally created girly pumpkins for mom.
The tulle ribbon was upcycled from gift wrap bows, stashed in a box in the basement. And, the faux fur scraps were on hold just waiting for a new purpose. I thought about making a Game of Thrones pumpkin dressed in a faux fur vest.
But instead, I upcycled the faux scraps and used them to add a little spunk to my pumpkins.
This one makes me smile every time I walk into my office. It’s cute and unexpected. I mean who puts
faux fur on a faux pumpkin? This mom!
I added paint, tulle and beaded wire for this pumpkin. They are perfect for my office which needs a little more spunk!
Here’s my most recent office update.
And, of course, I have to add a little (Hale) Navy in my house! Upcycle those craft supplies ladies (ande guys) you never know when a faux fur scrap will top off a pumpkin!
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Happy Weekend! I am actually not weekending with the Hallmark Channel. I am traveling to NYC with my son for our second annual mother son NYC trip. This year we have plans to stay in SoHo and spend time in Brooklyn. We also have tickets to see Dear Evan Hansen. Ironically, the play was in Denver last week.
So I may not be weekending with the Hallmark channel, but I have a few random questions and observations as we head into the holiday marathon schedule!
But first, did you catch this one last weekend?
Like, do the actresses wear wigs? Their hair is always perfect.
Where do you weigh in on the product placements?
And, how do I get the highlights like Annie in Autumn Dreams?
This series‘ main characters are the only main characters who are in close to my ages.
Here are a few story suggestions I would love to see on the Hallmark Channel:
Can we get a story with middle age moms who are close to an empty nest?
Where’s the story of the mom whose youngest child just left for college and now she needs to figure out her life?
Or what if a previously married couple, now divorced, rediscover each other on an online dating site? Coincidence? I think not.
Oh, side note: My husband and I play this game when we go out to dinner. We try and figure out what couples in the restaurant are on an online match date? I like to create their back story but really enjoy figuring out how the date is going. Try it, it’s a fun game!
Or, a grandmother finds love while babysitting her grandchildren next to a single grandpa who resembles the grandpa in the arthritis commercial?
Or an empty nest couple decides to sell their house in the suburbs and move to a new state. And, in the process, they renovate their house and themselves.
Or the cute single, perimenopausal woman who runs a shelter (I love the shelter/rescue stories) and she meets a guy who wants to rescue a dog after his wife’s death.
Or, how about this story idea? Three widowed moms set each other up with their single, fit, guy best friends from childhood.
The men are self employed, with flexible schedules so they can go apple picking or estate sale shopping.
Hallmark could take a hint from Grace & Frankie!
My new favorite show to binge watch while flying to NYC with my son!
Happy Weekending!
You know what I love most about fall? Besides pumpkins, sweaters and jeans? Candles. Not the battery operated ones; real candles with wax and wicks. Where, when lit, the candles share their scents of apples, pumpkins, cinnamon, sugar cookies, and vanilla. Fall is the season for candles. I think it’s why we have daylight savings? So we can celebrate candles.
I stock up my cabinets year round for the months following August. Candles are one of the must-have purchases at any home goods store (did you see what I just did)?
And, every suitcase can fit at least one candle. When I travel, I love to purchase (at least) one candle from a local gift store. And, does anyone get the candle sale emails from Bath & Body?
Where is your favorite place to buy candles?
I went a little overboard on their glass candles last year. But who can resist a candle called Flipping Awesome?
I shared an easy video on how to clean out glass candle jars here!
I love Anthropologie candles with their shimmery, mercury glass jars that add sparkle to every space. 
Doesn’t Anthropologie have an annual candle sale during the holidays? Did I dream this sale?
Candles are the perfect hostess or birthday gift during the fall season.
I like to tuck miscellaneous white candles in my new favorite fall decor.
And, when my new favorite lantern needs to be filled with fall; just fall. Assorted candles are a great way to mix old and new candles.
I can almost smell the pumpkin spice.
The dining room table is the center of attention in our house so the Pinterest pressure was on to create something pin worthy.
I know I am a little late to the fall tour parties, but I blame it on tennis balls. I just finished women’s USTA tennis and my son is in the middle of his senior year and co-captain of his Varsity tennis team. You may see a few tennis balls during the fall dining tour.
A week ago, the dining room looked more like the tableware aisles at Homegoods at the end of the weekend. But, today the table is ready to mingle. Please take a peek at my fall dining room tour (before tennis racquets and sweaty uniforms take over the chaise.
Thankfully, the fall season comforts me with its familiarity and cozy spirit. And, apple and pumpkin scented candles help too.
Our dining room table is a member of our family. I shared the table’s history here. It carries the load when some of us don’t have the energy to drop our keys or lunch bags on the kitchen counter- four feet away.
The dining room is the one room that feels complete. Well, unless I look at the rug or the lack of lighting along the hutch.
When I found this hutch last fall I felt like the room matured overnight. I found it at Pottery Barn and shared the details here.
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I purchased the mirrors this past spring here; one at a time over the course of a few weeks.
Cash flow was one reason, but I also wanted to make sure I liked them before I ordered a 2nd.
I love these mirrors. Homegoods has a great selection of mirrors too. But, if you see one, it’s best to snag it.
After spending a few weeks pinning fall tablescapes and front porches I could no longer remember what I owned.
I love white pumpkins against the wood grain table. Oh and concrete.
And, is it just me or did Homegoods have a ton of fun pumpkins this season? Just when I didn’t think I needed (wanted) more pumpkins, Homegoods brings in shades of large green pumpkins and raffia pumpkins?
You all know what pumpkins I am talking about, right?
It’s scary that I remember the price of the large, solid shades of green pumpkins ($24.99), but I can’t remember the book title I am reading.
When in doubt; add a candle. Candles make everything look better when the lights are dimmed.
And simple fall stems mixed with branches are a great way to add a little vertical next to the large windows that overlook the backyard.
I loved this look so much I duplicated this look a few times around the house. When my accessories are all the same height this is a good way to take the eye up.
And, guess where I grabbed these dried grasses? Found them in the line to check out at Homegoods.
I wrapped a glass vase (from my own version of a Homegoods stock room) with twinkle lights.
Are they called twinkle or fairy lights?
Anyway, I wrapped a strand around the glass vase to add a little lighting to the dining room hutch.
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Delightsome Life
My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies
If you have children you might agree there are little monsters in the bathroom-everyday. I have messy monsters who leave towels and empty toilet paper rolls on the floor. I shared my boys’ bathroom status here. Apparently, my guys don’t have the energy in the morning to pick up a .02 ounce piece of cardboard. But with fall in the air why should the bathroom be left out of the Halloween fun? That’s what I decided when I was looking for cute ways to make my kids smile in the early, pre-dawn school day mornings. I mean, how could you not smile when you see this monster in the bathroom? Good morning to my monsters!
I don’t remember what I was searching on Etsy when I stumbled upon monster bathroom toilet decals, but I had to order one!
Here is a similar monster decal. And, the added bonus is it costs less than a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte.
I mean how cute is this little monster in the bathroom. I might need to add one for the bathtub.
Here’s the scary thing; this little monster has been in the bathroom year round for a few years! At this point, this monster is a part of the family.
I might need to grab one for the master bath or the powder bathroom!
This would be a fun idea for a college care package.
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Do you know what I love most about the Hallmark movies? They make every season the star of the movie. With seasonal porches and aerial views of the town, the season is the main character. The cast becomes the backdrop to the setting and season. This time of year, at least one Hallmark storyline takes place in an apple orchard.
Because fall is all about the apple harvest.
Source: Stemilt
With a crispness in the air and the first sightings of sweaters, the apple harvest has officially begun. On a (daily) run to Kroger, I noticed their apple bins were loaded with apples, with shades of reds, yellows, and greens from the Northwest and central Washington orchards.
Source: Stemilt
I think I want to start my own apple orchard. Maybe Hallmark could write a movie about an empty nester couple who decide to quit their city jobs and move to the Northwest and take over retired couples apple orchard. I bet this apple orchard would let Hallmark film a movie.
In this movie in my head, I would play the lady who owns the bakery next to the orchard.
Or, maybe I will just buy a few pounds of SweeTango® apples.
These apples are the successor to the popular Honey Crisp apple variety. I did not know apples had successors.
With hints of fall spices, the SweeTango® apples smell like a pot of simmering apple cider. Kind of like the cider references in every Hallmark Autumn movie. Does anyone bake while watching Hallmark movies? I will inevitably gain five pounds during Hallmark’s fall premiere movie schedule.
Source: Stemilt
But, SweeTango® apples are sweet enough, with a little cinnamon, they could be a low cal substitute for the urge to bake during the Hallmark Saturday movie marathons.
SweeTango® apples have beautiful shades of blush, deep reds and a soft yellow backdrop on every apple.
I should know these colors because I photographed a crate of apples to practice my photography skills. Unlike my Bernese mountain dog, apples don’t get in my face when trying to photograph them; Photography is therapy and a hobby wrapped up into an hour when the house is still on a Saturday. Last weekend, I had my own apple harvest in my kitchen.
With cooler temps in the Denver forecast, I plan to make an Apple Crisp. Or maybe I’ll check out There’s an Apple for That for fun SweeTango® apple recipe ideas. And, after I bake an apple crisp I will search how to buy my own apple orchard and create my own version of a Hallmark movie.
disclosure: Product was provided to me by Stemilt’s SweeTango® in exchange for this post.
All opinions are my own. Please see my disclosure page for more information.
It’s the weekend! Thoughts and prayers are with residents and first responders in North and South Carolina. We were in Charleston last spring for a college tour. It is a beautiful part of the country.
So let’s lighten the mood with a few thoughts and finds around the internet. This week-ending is all about the fall television season. Yes, I am taking a short break from pumpkins to talk about the fall television season- the fifth season in the year.
Here’s the list of all the new television shows debuting this fall.
CBS shared their fall preview here.
I have my eye on this NBC show by Amy Poehler.
Here is an interview with one of the cast members. You may recognize him from other shows. Fun fact: at one point he was married to Rory Gilmore’s best friend, Paris.
Another Gilmore Girls’ alum has his show renewed for a second season. Here is the fall television schedule for ABC.
Speaking of the Gilmore Girls…is there talk of another season? My daughter and I binged watched the most recent one over Thanksgiving two years ago. I loved Lorelai’s coat in the winter season.
Oh, and then I found this fun article of filming mistakes that may want you to rewatch it one more time.
Source: Dayton.com
First, what new shows do you have your eye on this fall? Please share in the comments so we can all binge on the fall television shows.
ps. What do we all get with the new television season? Commercials! Here’s a fun Subaru commercial series my sister texted me about earlier this week.
Happy Labor Day! Do you have big plans for the weekend? My weekending on the first weekend in September will include time to haul out the pumpkins and gourds. Anyone bingeing on Netflix this weekend. We are excited for Better Call Saul and Ozarks to return.
Does anyone listen to Hoda Kotb on her Sirius radio show?
She has a Southern girl on her show. She has a two syllable last name and she loves to entertain. Does anyone know who I am talking about?
In other news, I found this list of the best pumpkin patch farms around the country. Do you have pumpkins in September? It’s a little early here in Colorado.
If you want to take your snickerdoodle cookies up a notch check out this recipe.
Need some help getting your house ready for fall? Try these suggestions.
Here’s a fun twist on a quesadilla.
Craving apples check out this roundup of apple recipes!
I found a cute pumpkin printable here.
Here are a few of my favorite fall projects. My favorite is my son’s Halloween costume made from one box.
And, I snapped this photo on my mother-son trip to NYC last fall.
And, here’s a very easy idea for Halloween donuts.
Weekending in the last days of August means earlier sunsets creep over the horizon and cooler temps in the early mornings. I am fighting the force to pull out my fall decor until September 1st. One of my favorite things to do is rediscover purchases I bought on sale the end of last year’s season. You know those great buys that we stash in the closet and forget about it until the following year.
We are in the early weeks of high school tennis. My son is a senior so there are so many “lasts” this year and I just want to hold onto every week of school, matches, dinners and his school packed lunches. And, Calculus.
So here are a few things on my mind and favorite finds in the last days of August.
What are you watching on Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Showtime? We are waiting for Ozarks to return the end of this month. My husband and I went and saw Crazy Rich Asians last weekend. After a difficult week, I needed a laugh. Did you see it?
On my list to do is to clean up my Pinterest boards. Any suggestions. Here’s a few fun August finds to get ready for fall.
Here is a fun fall craft.
Want to find the best pumpkin patches, check out this list.
I love the Bath & Body candles and daily emails mean 1/2 price candles every week. And, soaps!
I am obsessed with fonts. Here is a list of free fonts to download.
Fall is all about leaves. Check out these decor and craft ideas with leaves. Love it!
Donna shared a DIY apple crate.
