Sunday, October 13, 2013

What I Wore Sunday

This Sunday I got to wear boots for the 1st time this season, hooray for Fall. 
This whole get up is Target 
except the boots: BP at Nordstorm 
Bag: Fossil
What are the ladies at Fine Linen and Purple wearing this Sunday?? Do yourself a favor and check it out HERE.
 Nails: OPI You don't know Jacques!
I kind of forgot about this color, I haven't worn it all year. I think it is the perfect neutral for Autumn.  
My sweet F.W. and I were color coordinated today. I feel like photos of me turn out SO much better if I have one of the boys with me. Being a parent to a teenager is a new challenge...the mood swings alone are crazy. I just keep thinking this to shall pass and try not to say something sarcastic that I will regret saying later. I am so thankful we go to Mass every Sunday together as a family.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Actors Anonymous

I won this book from GoodReads. I am not sure if I'm even hip enough to read it. I'm a little intimidated by it this book.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Fall Baking Pumpkin Bread

 Making the topping I just used my hands to mix it. 
Bread with crumble top before going in the oven.
Every time I go to Starbucks I am tempted by their little square of pumpkin bread. I love Starbucks' pumpkin bread because it has no nuts or chocolate chips. I  also like the little pumpkin seeds on top. Today I stopped myself from buying their pumpkin bread because when you think about it a can of pure pumpkin is cheaper than a slice of Starbucks pumpkin bread.
Pumpkin bread is awesome because if you have a can of pumpkin, you most likely have all the other ingredients in your cupboard. Nothing makes a house smell like Fall than pumpkin bread. I found the recipe I liked because it used brown sugar and vanilla.  

Pumpkin Bread:
¼ cup butter
¼ cup oil
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup pumpkin puree
⅓ cup water
½ tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1¾ cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
¾ tsp salt
 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice 
Topping:
1 Tbl flour
5 Tbl brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbl cold butter
Preheat oven to 350°. Spray 8″x4″ loaf pan (or three small loaf pans) with baking spray. Set aside. In large bowl with electric mixer, beat butter, oil, sugar, and brown sugar. Add pumpkin puree, water, and vanilla, mix until smooth. Add one egg at a time, mixing after each addition. In medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture, mix just until incorporated. Pour batter into prepared pan. Set aside.
Make topping, in small bowl combine flour, brown sugar and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter with pastry blender, until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. I used my hands to make the crumble. Sprinkle topping over batter.
Bake for 1 hour (35-40 minutes for small pans), or until pick inserted in center comes out clean. Topping will begin to darken but should not burn. Cool in pan, then on wire rack.
So easy and yummy!!

Monday, September 30, 2013

Fall Baking Triple-Chocolate Bread

 This weekend I baked a Triple-Chocolate Bread from Better Homes and Gardens Fall Baking magazine. This issue is full of lovely baking ideas! It is 10 bucks but I think well worth the money. The great thing about this the triple-choclate bread recipe is you most likely already have all the ingredients in your pantry.
 This bread is wonderful! It is really chocolaty. It was a nice change from cake. 
I recommend eating it warm with a scope of vanilla ice cream. Per my usual I forgot to take a picture until after everyone had finished dessert. 

Monday, September 23, 2013

13 candles


This weekend F.W. turned 13! Every birthday we take F.W. and his friend to the Corvette Diner.
2006
2013


 F.W. wanted a strawberry cake made from a box and store bought frosting! I was kind of bummed he didn't want a grander cake.
13 Candles

Monday, September 16, 2013

Someday, Someday, Maybe...I'll like this book


Someday, Someday, Maybe is Lauren Graham's (who played Lorelei Gilmore) first novel. If you like the TV show Gilmore Girls you will most likely enjoy Someday, Someday, Maybe. It is about a 20 something actress, Franny. It is 1995 in NYC Franny Banks is trying to make it into movies, Broadway, TV, commercials- really she'll take any acting job. I liked the quick witted dialogue. However this book gave me anxiety because of the main character's constant self doubt and her terrible audition dreams. I decided not to finish reading this because I found the energy of the book a little exhausting.

Monday, September 9, 2013

One last Summer Book: The Great Gatsby

Although the boys are back in school it doesn't feel like Fall yet. I keep hoping Autumn will arrive but the days are still long and hot. I thought since it still feels like July I should take advantage and read the quintessential summer book...The Great Gatsby. I also wanted to read it before I see the movie. I hadn't read The Great Gatsby since high school. I had forgotten how great this book is. So simple and elegant.
Endless Summer