Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!

The Last Weekend of October

Well - the last weekend of October has come and gone and there are only 9 weekends between now and the end of 2018. I can't even wrap my head around that, so we'll move on to other things!

Friday was a chilly, drizzly day and the office closed up early. I headed home and did some reading to pass about an hour...although I struggled to stay awake, being so cozy and warm in the chair! My Mom and I decided that the perfect thing for dinner would be some warm and cozy chicken pot pie, so we made our way to one of our favorite spots - Nana's Irish Pub - for some truly delicious dinner.

We started the meal with Celtic Chips - covered with bacon, corned beef and cheese - they were absolutely divine! I chose to have the Chicken Pie for dinner and with the perfect flaky crush, creamy sauce and tasty vegetables make it one of the most wonderful meals to have - it's one of my favorites. We finished the meal sharing a bit of Bannoffee Pie; a dessert I've never had before, but there was something about the delicious crust that made up the bottom of the pie - it was extremely addictive. 

We made a Target run in the downpour of rain and then headed home to watch Escape to the Continent, a spin off of Escape to the Country. I went to bed earlier than I planned but I do love to sleep, so no sadness from me, ha-ha!

Saturday morning after coffee and waffles for breakfast, I got myself put together and headed out to Twisted Salon to get my hair done. I caught up with my sweet friend Melissa and also got my hair back to it's dark and daring state - which made me feel much more like myself. Once my hair was all set, I made my way up the mountainside to my friend Katie's house, where we caught up, ate some divine chicken pot pie soup, snuggled her sweet little boy Orion and watched Hocus Pocus. 

I passed the evening having burgers with my family, watching a little bit of football (Mississippi State won!) and I also watched some AHS: Hotel, because I figure it's the season for all things spooky and that's right up my alley. I didn't stay up too late again on Saturday night because I guess I'm just an old lady, ha-ha! I just love my sleep y'all - so I will happily lay around in the bed and read any old time!

Sunday morning after church, we had lunch at Mission BBQ and then I got roped into helping my Dad put a pergola up on the deck as the afternoon wore on. Watson wasn't really very amused by all the construction - and he made his feelings known... What he was amused by was his "to go" box that we brought him from our lunch, ha-ha!

Once he'd finished his construction project, we headed over to the Arboretum to check out the Gingko trees - they are starting to turn but aren't quite the brilliant yellow we are used to - yet.

We also drove over to Long Branch Plantation to see if any gorgeous Autumn colors had started to appear there - and while there is color popping up here and there - nothing is quite as extravagant as I'd thought we'd be seeing this year. Maybe in a week or two? I still took some lovely pictures though!

I passed the rest of the evening with some supper, a bubble bath and the weekly watching (for now at least) of Poldark before getting into bed and tossing and turning... oh well - perhaps I'll sleep better tonight? I can't believe the last weekend of October is in the books!

Five on Friday

Friday! Yahoo! Another week that feels like it has flown by! This week hasn't seemed long at all - I feel like I blinked and here we are at Friday. I feel like I've been all over the place this week and I feel like this post is all over the place too, ha-ha! Oh well - at least it's Friday!

One. I'm a Xennial - Do you know the "generation" that you fall into? I'd read a lot of things that said I was a Millennial and honestly; I just feel like Millennials are labeled as the worst by well...everyone and everything! I stumbled on this description of a Xennial and it definitely describes me. I thought it was interesting and I thought I'd share! What generation are you? 

Two. Little Lunch Dates - My Mom and I met up with our friend Jen at Panera yesterday for lunch and her two girls are always full of personality and provide plenty of entertainment! From Amelia's "no pictures please" attitude to Evelyn's alternatively cuddling and escaping back across the seat, it was a good lunch. Even if I did find chocolate chip cookie stuck to the bottom of my sweater later in the day, ha-ha!

Three. Scottish Mindset - This was a suggested pin for me on Pintrest and it cracked me up! I don't do keeping calm very well...perhaps it's my Scottish genes shining through? Ha!

Four. Disney Seasons - I'm just full of random things on this Friday and this one is for sure the most interesting. I found these online the other day and thought there were just the cutest thing...but I especially love Merida as Autumn! I love all things Autumnal and she fits it perfectly!

Five. Weekend Plans - It's supposed to rain all weekend...or at least until Saturday evening. *sigh* I'm getting my hair done tomorrow (finally - yahoo!) and then planning to meet my friend Katie for a late lunch and movie watching/catching up! I don't know what I'll be up to on Sunday but I do plan to swing back around to the Arboretum to check on the trees - I don't want to miss the bright yellow leaves of the Gingko Biloba trees! 

Watson Wednesday

Just a little Autumn flashback for this Wednesday - which includes Watson being not quite as impressed with my leaf decor for him. He's a silly little goose, to be sure!

Lavish, Leaves & Lazy Afternoons

There is only one more weekend in October - I cannot even wrap my head around that! Honestly, I know I say this all the time but I feel like October just started and now it's almost over. Where in the world does the time go?!?

Friday after work, my parents and I grabbed a quick supper at Arby's and then my Mom and I headed back to my church (Abundant Life) for the Lavish Women's Conference. The speakers on Friday night were excellent and the worship music was great and it was a really good time...and when the night ended and the doors of the sanctuary opened, there were gentlemen with trays of Milano cookies, Lindor truffles, Ferrero Rocher truffles...all the good things, ha-ha! They know what women like! 

 Watson was unusually cuddly this weekend - I'm not sure what has made him suddenly feel the need to always curl up with me but I am definitely not complaining about it because he's the best little pup ever. I can't ever resist snapping a picture of him when he decides to be snuggly because it's just very out of character for him...

Saturday morning I ended up sleeping in until almost 9:00 - which I haven't done in weeks! I'm telling you, the past few weeks have been long and busy and even though I've been sleeping fine, I just haven't necessarily felt restful but I definitely did get plenty of sleep on Friday night! I sipped my coffee and watched a couple episodes of Lore before getting ready for the day. We headed to grab a late lunch at 50/50 Taphouse - a burger joint in Winchester that has 50 beers on tap and 50 burgers on the menu - I had the Green Bay (swiss cheese/cheddar cheese/beer cheese/drunken onions) and it did not disappoint!

I made a stop into Old Navy to pick up a couple pair of my favorite jeans - I quite literally wore one pair out last weekend and since I'm planning for jeans to be a big staple of the wardrobe I take to Italy in less than a month, I thought it would be best that they didn't have holes in them! We also grabbed the ingredients to make Brunswick Stew for supper and then headed home, where we essentially dropped off my Dad and picked up my pup and headed for the Arboretum for just a bit.

Saturday afternoon was absolutely gorgeous and the temperature was pretty perfect - cool with a gentle breeze - and so I knew Watson would love racing around the Arboretum in the sunshine and breeze - and I was not wrong! There were still some flowers in bloom and the main point of our trip was to check on the Gingko Biloba trees; they turn a brilliantly vivid shade of golden yellow every year but only for a few days and it's not to be missed. They haven't quite started turning yet, so we'll have to check back next week and see what they look like...

That didn't stop me from getting some pretty pictures - and one excellent snap of Watson. He hops up on every bench and rock wall he encounters to sniff, seek out and investigate every nook and cranny and in one such instance, I told him to look at me. Now - he hates having his picture taken (I guess I take it too often...oops) but for just a second he looked back at me and I managed to snap the perfect picture. And then he didn't pose for another picture again all day...ha-ha!

Once we got home, I made myself some hot tea and went outside to sit on the deck. The wind was starting to whip up and so I wrapped myself in a blanket...and tried to share with Watson. He wasn't sure about it but he did enjoy being outside...and I enjoyed being outside, being cozy and sipping my tea.

We had the most delicious Brunswick Stew for dinner - we have a restaurant near our house that makes the most flavorful stew and so we decided to hunt Pintrest for a recipe and give it a go. What do you know - the very first recipe we tried was a winner! And so - I'll share it here for you! It's perfect for the upcoming cold winter evenings, it's thick and filling, warm and delicious!

What You Need

• 2 cans chicken; shredded
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 lb. shredded pork
• 3/4 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups peeled & chopped potatoes
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen lima beans
• 1 (12 ounce) package frozen whole kernel corn
• 1 (12 ounce) package frozen white shoepeg corn
• 1 cup mirepoix (diced celery, carrot & onion; sauteed in butter)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 2 quarts chicken broth

What You Need to Do

• Saute the mirepoix in butter for about 2-3 minutes until mixture is becoming translucent
• Add in all ingredients and stir together; bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour or until the stew reaches the desired thickness.
• Remove and discard bay leaf - serve & enjoy!

It was delicious y'all - so freaking delicious! It's extremely filling though, I am big on soups and stews but after just a bowl and a bit extra, I was absolutely stuffed! And this recipe makes a ton of stew - so maybe invite over some friends for dinner!

Sunday after church we headed to Zaxby's to get our free chicken (seriously - we ate lunch for free) and then headed home to chill a bit and change before heading to the theater. I saw A Star is Born on my birthday but my Mom has been dying to see it and asked if I'd see it again with her (of course!) and so we went to see all that Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga goodness. It was just as good the second time! As we left the theater my Mom exclaimed "who knew Lady Gaga could act?!?" Ha!

Sunday evening was filled with football (the Saints won!) and my ritual Sunday night bubble bath before watching Poldark. I was pretty excited to crawl into my toasty bed on a brisk (it was 31 last night) Sunday evening and I'm excited to see what this week has in store!

Five on Friday

Y'all - I think the theme of this month is going to be that the weeks are going to be long, ha-ha! I'm so glad to finally see Friday again...but I suppose that's not a new development...I think most people are always happy to see Friday arrive and the weekend begin!

Five things I'm thinking about this Friday...let's go!

One. Jack Frost has Arrived - This morning when I peered out the window, all the houses were covered with sparkling white frost! The weather has turned cool remarkably quickly - in just the past two weeks it's gone from being 75-80 during the day to not getting warmer than 55 during the day - and I love it! I'm so glad it finally feels like fall and I couldn't resist snapping a picture of the frost covered leaf.

Two. Perfectly Posh Splurge - The October Splurge arrived yesterday on the Perfectly Posh website and this month there are two things to love instead of just one! Poshy Mellow Hand Creme is made with apricot kernel oil to soothe and moisturize hands and has a delicious sugarcane and marshmallow scent! The More Spawesome Chunk is made with peppermint, eucalyptus and camphor to provide a soothing shower scent - especially during the cooler Autumn and Winter months! If you'd like to try one of these pampering items, check them out at http://NatalieSummerlin.po.sh 

Three. Lavish Conference - Tonight and tomorrow morning is the women's conference that my church, Abundant Life hosts each Autumn and my Mom and I are both going to attend. My Mom has actually attended the conference before I moved to Virginia...but this will be my first time going! I'm looking forward to hearing the speakers, singing some praise and worship music and just having a good time!

Four. Haunted Places - In the spirit of all things October and Halloween, I've been listening to a podcast called Haunted Placed. It's just creepy enough to offer a little shiver down your spine and while none of the stories really tend to stay with me after I listen to them...I certainly wouldn't be listening to them after dark, ha-ha! 

Five. Weekend Plans - I honestly don't know what else I have planned for the weekend but I'm sure I'll get up to something! The Lavish Conference ends on Saturday at 1:00 and that leaves a whole afternoon, evening and all day Sunday to get into some kind of adventure! The weekend looks like it's going to be nice...even if Sunday will be a bit chilly with a high of just 40 degrees! 

That's all I've got for this Friday - I'll be back soon! Y'all have a good weekend!

Watson Wednesday

A throwback today to Watson frolicking in the gorgeous yellow Gingko leaves at the VA State Arboretum! I am hopeful we can time it just right this year to catch the leaves in all their brilliant golden glory again!

One Month!

ONE MONTH TO ITALY!

ONE MONTH TO ITALY!

ONE MONTH TO ITALY!

I'M JUST A WEE BIT EXCITED!