I am no cook. I mean, I try to be a good cook. I talk like I’m a good cook. Everyone at work probably thinks I am a world famous chef… I really talk myself up. But here’s the truth. I am no cook. So when I volunteered myself to host Thanksgiving dinner, I think that little ego of mine was saying, “oh yeah, we are just going to WOW everyone with your amazing skillz”. But then came the pressure, I panicked and divvied out all the hard stuff to the family. So thanks guys.

So here I am, two days before Thanksgiving, finally solidifying my menu. I wanted to share a few last minute recipes with you, just incase you feel like you need just one more dish. Best part, these are all pretty easy and doable in just a few hours. (I haven’t done it yet… so I guess we will see how long it really takes.) But I am assuming a few hours… I might laugh at that later. 

I have posted the links to everything but the pumpkin cinnamon rolls because those were a recipe shared by a good friend who SWEARS by them. She ALSO claims them to be “easy”. I don’t even know what “easy” means anymore. The recipe for the cinnamon rolls is below.

Cranberry Apple Spinach Salad

Tom’s Perfect Mashed Potatoes

Cranberry-Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip

Glazed Vegetables

What are you Thanksgiving go-to recipes? Any family faves?

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients:
1/4 cup warm water
1 (.25oz) package of active dry yeast
1 (5 oz) can of evap milk
3/4 c white sugar
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin
1 egg, beaten
3 tbsp olive oil
5 cups flour
1/4 cup melted butter
1 1/4 cups brown sugar packed
2 tbsp pumpkin spice spice
1/2 tsp vanilla

Warm h20 in bowl and sprinkle yeast over. Let stand 5-10 minutes until foamy. Stir in Evap milk, white sugar, pumpkin, olive oil and egg. Mix until thoroughly combined. Mix in 2 tsp of pumpkin pie spice, then add 5 cups flour to make stiff dough. Knead until smooth and elastic about 8 minutes. Dough will be sticky. Place ball in oiled bowl and cover with cloth, let rise in warm place for 45-1 hr.

Oven 350-Grease 9×13 baking pan

Punch down dough and roll it out into rectangular shape on floured surface until it measures 18 inches wide by 26 inches long. Brush dough with 1/4 cup melted butter.Use below filling recipe and sprinkle/spread over dough. Roll up dough the long way and pinch the seam. Cut dough into 12 equal sized pieces with sharp knife.

Bake 30-40 minutes

Filling: 1/2 Cup softened butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
4-5 tbsp ground cinnamon/or pumpkin pie spice
3/4 C chopped nuts.

Glaze:
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 (3oz) package Cream Cheese softened
2 tbsp butter
1 cup confectioners sugar
1/4 cup milk

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Life seems to be treating me pretty well lately. I don’t have one single complaint. I had my first REAL baby dream the other night… (the first few where I was giving birth to my little dog don’t count.) This dream was so vivid. He was MY baby. I remember just loving him sooo much and when I woke up, I was so sad that he wasn’t here yet! I am just now starting to get really excited for this whole adventure. I mean… I have been “excited”… but it was a different kind of excitement. It was more nervous excitement. This is like a Christmas morning excitement where you feel jittery and just can’t wait one more single moment! I’m gonna love this little guy… I just know it.

1 // His first Bear

2// I probably have the cutest nephew of all time. Seriously.

3 // An impromptu maternity photo shoot while at the beach.

4 // The nursery is coming right along…

I know there are a few new and expecting mommies out there… when did you start feeling your first REAL excitement?

Have a happy weekend!

XO

Some friends of some friends of mine are doing some really great things out there in this big ol’ world. They are Humble Hilo, an organization that brings together unique, handmade products from Guatemala to us in the states, while sharing a portion of all profits with those in need.

“Just like one ordinary strand of thread can make an extraordinary product; we believe ordinary people can do extraordinary things-you are living proof. We are a passionate group of individuals that mix fashion with philanthropy. With more than 8 years spent in Guatemala working with non-profit organizations, we want to do more than just sell products; we want to create a change. We’ve traveled back to bring fashion-forward items to market. These unique items mix ancient techniques with modern style that will set you apart from the rest. More importantly, we want you to take part in our philanthropic mission by selecting from one of our three amazing projects: Infant and Child Nutrition, Education, and Microfinance for Women. A portion of your purchase will go to support one of these projects and will not only change you, but change the future of someone in need.”

- Humble Hilo Website

Oh, they also sell the cuuuutest kids shoes and rompers.

Click their logo below to see what they are doing to make this world just a little bit better.

We FINALLY made it to Julian!!! And let me tell you… it was such a cute little town in the middle of rolling hills and apple orchards, (even some grapefruit orchards scattered in there… it was so beautiful). Here is one piece of advice I will give to future Julian goers. Go on a weekday. I could not believe this madness! Traffic like nobody’s business and lines in the convenient store that were comparable to Disneyland during Spring Break. I guess I wasn’t the only one who needed to live their fall fantasy. And it seems that Julian is the only place in Southern California to do that. Looking beyond the chaos, we had such a fun time wandering around main street and strolling through the craft fair. We had a picnic at Calico Orchards where we picked up the yummiest apple pie. (Close second to Grandma Stubbs apple pie.)  All in all, I think our fall fantasy trip was a success. Now excuse me, while I go dish myself another piece of apple pie. :)

HAPPY FALL DAYS!

Today is the day my husband was born… 27 years ago. Must have been a good day for the world because he is pretty great. There are so many reasons why I love this guy, but to sum it up for you, I have created the “sort of” top 10. (There are more serious, and important reasons why I love you Clayton, of course, but these are up there.)

10 reasons why I love Clay:

1. I can’t remember the last time I did the dishes. He does them just because he knows how much I hate soggy hands.
2. He loves Reggie and Bear I think more than I do. If that is possible.
3. He is thoughtful and texts me “how’s it going over there” every morning at around 10.
4. He constantly tells me how beautiful he thinks I am, he always says “I’m obsessed with you…” which would be really creepy if he weren’t my loving husband.
5. He is a California surfer guy, and as much as I try to deny it, that IS one reason I went on a first date with him.
6. He is goofy and has really great dance moves that he practices in the mirror.
7. He always thinks of others first.
8. He loves his Mom and calls her Mama
9. He is a “clean freak”, and most times he is cleaning up after me. But will never tell me that I am messy.
10. He loves romantic comedies and pop music.

Now is the time that you play the song “Close to you” by The Carpenters as you scroll through Memory Lane of why Clayton is so great.

That time Clay and I celebrated an anniversary when we were first dating. Don’t even remember which one. 3 month? 6 month?

That time we went to Times Square and took this photo.

That time we went to Sushi. Clay hates sushi, and he also hated this vest.

That time Clay humored me by making Christmas cookies and listening to Christmas music in early November.

That time Clay got mad at me in Park City because I couldn’t stop shopping.

That time we took the bus to the airport on the way to Puerto Rico.

That time we graduated on the same day.

That time he surprised me with a trip to Niagra Falls… and then didn’t propose.

That time we met Mrs. Claus at Macy’s in NYC… Santa was too busy.

That time Clay proposed to me at Rockefeller Center in NYC.

That time we got married.

That time we went to Thailand on our honeymoon… last minute.

That time in January we decided we needed to move to California.

That day when Clay got two job offers for companies in California.

That time Reggie got hurt on the escalator and he finally became a puppy daddy.

That time we went to the beach for the first time after moving to California and decided it was a really good idea.

Happy Birthday Clayton! I love you like craaaaaaazy. Thanks for all the adventures and making me a very happy girl.

I think I have read the BFG about 100 times. Maybe 200. For those of you who are not Roald Dahl fanatics, the BFG stands for the Big Friendly Giant. I think I did every elementary school book report on this book. You get the gist, I love R.D.  That quote by him… ^ up there… makes me so happy. And it could not be more true. Have good thoughts and they’ll shine out of your face. Sounds pretty reasonable to me. So on this Tuesday, (I think Tuesdays are the worst days. Way worse than Wednesdays), think happy thought and stay positive! Because I’m tryin’ really hard over here to be excited for the rest of this work week and so you should too.

What is your favorite “be happy” quote?

1 // PaperChat

2 // DaisyBelleDesignCo.

3 // SweetPetula

4 // DanceOfTheSoul

5 // MyraMelinda

So I have been planning on going to Julian, CA this weekend to satisfy my need for fall festivities. I have never been there, but heard this is THE place for pumpkin patching, apple picking,  and cider sipping in a quaint one street town. Sounds perfect for me! I planned to wear flannel, boots, and a beanie… but alas, just looked up the weather, and it is supposed to be 72 and sunnier than ever. Not fallish enough for me. So I am reconsidering our trip. I may push it back a few weeks.

So on my agenda this weekend: beaching, lunching, napping, & flipping through the new Martha Stewart mag, (funny how lately I prefer Better Home and Gardens & Martha Stewart over Vogue and Marie Claire. Never thought I’d see that day). Yep, I’m pretty exciting.

Wanted to share a few etsy shops I have been going gaga over lately.

<<< enjoy your weekend everyone! >>>

1 // Probably the best idea I have ever had. Pickles, cheese and a hot bath after a long day.

2 // Children’s books at the CUTEST baby store I stumbled upon in Solana Beach design district

3 // This was NOT supposed to happen. Was only going for a ride in the car with Clay, needed to stop at the store, didn’t have shoes in the car, found these under my seat, Clay talked me into coming in with him because “he didn’t know which ice cream I wanted.” So I did it, for the ice cream. These HOHO pants have really had too much time outside the home.

4 // Last night’s sunset at Steps Beach. I take living so close to the ocean for granted most days.

5 // Someone PLEASE buy me all of these rugs! I love them all!