Halloween Time

I'm loving the Halloween photos coming up on Pinterest. I just wish that this Southern California weather would let up a bit so it would actually feel like Fall and I would be in the mood to decorate! Until then, I've posted some inspiration pics! Enjoy.

Happy Birthday Month, to Everybody!

September is a big month for Birthdays in my family. My Mom turns 48 on the 25th. Wes turns 31 on the 16th, while I will only be turning 27! (yep, we have the same Birthdays!) And my sweet little puppy turned 4 yesterday! 

Because I didn't get labor day off we celebrated on Saturday instead. When I say celebrated I'm not kidding. Roxie had presents and we feasted on hot dogs and German beer in her honor. Rox even had a Happy Birthday Doggie Cupcake that I made at home! 

Before, I'd always gone to 3 Dog Bakery to get her little somethin' somethin's every year but this time I looked up recipes online and was surprised to see that they were not only easy but really inexpensive too! For those of you who think I'm crazy for making my dog cupcakes and having a party, I get it. But I'll take any excuse to bake and drink, and to me, turning four is a pretty big deal. 

For those of you who like to throw parties for your dogs birthday, I have a step by step recipe for yummy pup-cakes.

Here is what you need:

Cake:

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil 

• 1 cup shredded carrots 

• 1 tsp vanilla 
1/3 cup honey 

• 1 egg
• 1 cup white or whole wheat flour 

• 1 tsp baking soda 

• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• Dog biscuits for decoration
• Optional: Banana, more peanut butter

Frosting:

• 18oz low fat cream cheese such as Philadelphia
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• Dog Biscuits for decoration

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)

Mix together flour and baking soda

add remaining ingredients 

and mix well. 

Place into muffin cups. Or if your dog is big, a small cake pan.

Bake 20 minutes if cupcakes and 40, if cake.

voila!

While cake is cooling, combine the cream cheese (at room temperature), honey and yogurt until smooth. I started in a regular bowl but decided it would be easier in my mixer. 

I also added a little bit of food coloring to my mix for fun.

I checked online to see if sprinkles were safe for dogs. They seemed to be, so I added those too.

You can't even tell those are't regular cupcakes! I tried a little bit here and there while making them, and while they weren't bad. They weren't real good either.

For dinner, we made hot dogs. I saw this cool tutorial on Pinterest for spiraling your hotdog and tried it. I like them way better spiral cooked than regular now! When you put condiments on them like ketchup and relish, they get in the spiral crevices creating extra yummy goodness. No more dog sliding out of the bun this way!

(Photo Cred: Wes.) He insisted he get credit for taking this picture. 

After dinner and presents, we got out the cake. We didn't sing 'Happy Birthday'- I'm not that big of  a freak, but I did light a candle for the camera.

As you can see. Roxie really enjoyed her birthday cake.

Once it got cooler outside, we went to the park to play some ball.

This pic is my favorite!

It was a good day. Hard to believe another birthday has come and gone! Hope everyone else had a great holiday weekend as well! 

100 Reasons Why I Am Ready For Fall

I Freakin love Fall. And I am so excited that it is literally just around the corner! Because I am starting to see the light at the end of this god forsaken heat tunnel I decided to make a fun post listing all the reasons I love Autumn. And strange enough, it wasn't hard for me to come up with 100 reasons at all!

1. The weather won't be 95 degrees any more. I am seriously tired of the heat.

2. Back to school. I'm not going back to school but I loved this time of year when I was.

3. All my favorite shows come back on.

4. Apple Cider.

5. I can wear flannels again. I love those.

6. I can also wear Uggs. I love those too.

7. Spiced Cider candles from Walmart. They. Are. Amazing. And super inexpensive.

8. Snuggling becomes much easier in cooler weather.

9. My birthday! Technically My birthday is in the summer but it's when school starts so I associate it with Fall.

10. Pumpkins! I love them.

11. Carving Pumpkins.

12. Pumpkin Pie.

13. The colors of the leaves change. Not in OC but in Seattle and Putnam, Connecticut they do.

14. Fall colors. I look best in Plums, dark greens and chocolate browns.

15. Halloween.

16. Finding a costume.

17. Halloween Candy.

18. The autumn smell in craft stores.

19. Traditional Halloween Movies.

20. My Grandma's Birthday. When I was little we used to do so many fun fall things for her birthday. Now I usually give her a fall themed gift.

21. Using the fireplace.

22. Blankets. Lots and lots of blankets.

23. My energy bills will be significantly lower!

24. Rainy days in.

25. Roxie can finally go on normal walks and park runs.

26. Comfort Foods. Pot roast, pork roast, beef stew. Yum!

27. I can hide my relationship gut with sweaters.

28. I can wear scarves and mittens.

29. Thanksgiving.

30. And the food that comes with it.

31. Being with Family. This year I'll be in Connecticut with Wes!

32. Fall decorations.

33. Dark nail polish.

34. Fall crafts.

35. Crisp air.

36. Turning the heat on in the car.

37. Knotts Scary Farm.

38. Hay rides.

39. Corn mazes.

40. Fresh corn on the cob.

41. Halloween Decorations.

42. Caramel Apples.

43. Caramel wrapper races.

44. Sunflowers.

45. Mums.

46. Squash.

47. Toasted pumpkin seeds.

48. Antique shopping. For whatever reason that reminds me of fall. Maybe because the town I grew up in is the antique capital of the NW.

49. Hot Tea.

50. Ginger snaps.

51. Starbucks fall flavors.

52. Thick socks.

53. Sweaters.

54. Warm hats.

56. Mumford and Sons. Their music always reminds me of Fall.

57. So does Fleet Foxes.

58. It's full of family holidays.

59. Pumpkin beer.

60. Red wine seems to be best around autumn.

61. Warm jackets.

62. Pea Coats.

63. Apples.

64. Cinnamon.

65. Football. I don't care much for watching it. But it reminds me of home.

66. Snohomish Highschool Serpentine.

67. Homecoming. Back when I was still in school...

68. Pumpkin milkshakes.

69. Candied Apples

70. Acorns. I think they're cute for decorating.

71. Scarecrows.

72. Taco Soup. Its more like chili, and soo good on a fall day.

73. Using the hot tub instead of the pool.

74. Stormy clouds in the sky.

75. Starting to think about Christmas gifts.

76. Watering my house plants (all 4 of them) less.

78. Cozy Pajamas

79. I can wear my moccasin slippers!

80.  Fat Pine cones.

81. The night sky seems clearer.

82. Puzzles. Fall is the best season to work on them.

83. Yams.

84. Hot chocolate.

85. Christmas decorations starting to pop up in craft stores.

86. The thanksgiving day parade!

87. Christmas tree lightings! Those usually happen the day after thanksgiving.

88. Apple turkeys

89. Our friend Andy and Alana's wedding is happening this October.

90. My Mama's Birthday is just a week after mine.

91. Rain boots

92. Homemade bread.

93. Pumpkin pancakes... I really like pumpkin.

94. Using the crock pot.

95. Book reading weather.

96. Leaves on the ground.

97. I'm thankful every day but around this time of year I am reminded to be more thankful.

98. Harvest happens.

99. Camping season comes to an end. Thank god. Not that I go. 

100. I look forward to this season every year  and that makes it important to me!

Thankful.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Fall is absolutely my favorite time of the year! Once Halloween hits, all the best holidays are just around the corner, like this one. Aside from all the delicious food, (My little turkey will be in the oven shortly.) It's always nice to be reminded how lucky we are to have amazing friends and family to share such a special day with. On that note, I would like to share a few things that I am thankful for!

1. I am thankful for my wonderful family and friends. They put up with me on a daily basis, and still want to be in my life. They are my support group when I need a shoulder to cry on and my celebration cheerleaders when something anything exciting happens. I love them, and I am thankful to have them in my life. 

2. New acquaintance. I am a firm believer in things happening for a reason and that goes along with the new people that come into my life as well as old friends that get reconnected. Each person plays a role that I think helps make me who I am and also who it is that I am going to be.

3. My education, which again relays back to my family. I have two degrees that were not cheap and my parents were kind enough to not only help pay for my schooling but also stand behind my decision to go back to school for my Interior Design Degree. Without my education I would not be able to pursue my dreams. So thank you.

4. My new job. Although it started off a bit rocky. Read about my first days experience here. I am thankful that my new boss had the faith to give me a second chance and also believe in me to hold so much responsibility. I have only been at it for a couple of days but am excited to wake up and do something that I truly love to do. It makes the neck deep student loans that I have to pay seem worth it.

5. My new apartment. We finally got the TV mounted on the wall last night and have a few little details to add before it will be a complete bachelorette pad. Housewarming party to come soon! I love coming home to it, and I love waking up in my pretty room. It seriously helps to love where you live!

7. California. Silly as it may seem, I really am thankful for it. Sunny days make me happy, plus it doesn't hurt to walk outside and see palm trees. EVERYWHERE! California holds a special place in my heart. I have grown up here, all my dearest friends are here and whenever I am flying back here from a trip, I am always glad that it is my home.

8. Roxie. She stresses me out regularly, and is always a constant thought in the back of my mind. But she really does light up my life. She is my little shadow that I can't escape from a true companion, and although difficult, she is my baby and I love her.

I thought you might also enjoy some beautiful fallish pictures that I found via Pinterest, and was saving for the right fall day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Le Sigh.

I have mentioned here a few times on this little ol' blog that I was moving or have just moved. Well friends, it looks like the North winds are calling and it's time to put mine and Roxie's little red capes on and go again. (If you haven't seen Chocolat, then you have no idea what I'm talking about. And also, Shame on you.) Here is a little photo from the movie for your viewing pleasure:

YOWZA!

Where was I? Oh, yes. So I'm moving again. I haven't even been in this new place (Ahem. SEABROOK APARTMENTS (at Bear Brand) cough*) for two months, and I have had Sooo many problems they actually decided to break my lease! Here's just a few of the issues I've dealt with whilst living here:

• Fleas (not from us)
• Termites
• Mildew smells in my closet
• Cracked sink pipe- Also causing mold & mildew
• Sprinklers broken, soaking our front porch
• Broken cabinet hinges
• Clogged tub drains

And for the big doozy a water heater explosion causing mold inside the walls!

I bet you're thinking I live in squalor, and it sounds like I do, but the scary thing is that these apartments look really nice and clean... Until you move in! 

However, there is a silver lining on every cloud because me and my good friend Kelsey are moving in together and now we get to find a place that suits the two of us! YAY!

So, once I move in to this new place, wherever it may be, and once I get all moved in, I really will be posting pictures of what is going to be a VERY cute apartment!

It's right around the corner!

And I couldn't be more excited for Halloween to get here!

Happy Friday ya'll!

Delicious Homemade Pumpkin Pie!

As promised, today I am posting my favorite pumpkin pie recipe Ever! Of all pies, pumpkin is my favorite. And I happen to be quite the little cook, if I do say so myself! View exhibit A.

Exhibit A:

This was Thanksgiving a couple years ago. I wish my hair looked like that now!

So here is what you need to make everything for a delicious homemade pumpkin pie, filling, crust AND  

whipped cream.

Filling:

• 11/2 cups sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
• 4 large eggs
• 1 can 29oz. Libby's 100% pure pumpkin 
• 2 cans 12oz each Carnation evaporated milk

Mix sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves in a small bowl.

Beat eggs in large bowl.

Stir in pumpkin....

And spice mixture.

Gradually stir in evaporated milk.

This is what the filling will look like! Set aside.

Pie Crust:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 3/4 cups Crisco

5 tbs. ice water (fill a cup with ice water and use this)

I was naughty and forgot to take pictures for the mixing portion of the pie crust, so I'll just give you the instructions. I am positive any Diary Reader who tries this will be able to do it on her own! :)

Whisk together flour and salt. Add Crisco and blend with pastry blender until crumbs become pea size. Add ice water one tablespoon at a time. This is important! Make sure to blend water one TBS. at a time or there is a chance the dough will become sticky and un-usable. Blend with a fork after each tablespoon. Form into dough ball.

Roll out on to floured surface. Like so:

Place pie dough into pie pan and pat down to fit. Poke fork holes all around for air.

Cut edge of crust around pan.

Now for the fun part!

To make a braided crust, use a pizza roller and make three thin strips. squish end together and braid normally!

Pretty! Note: you may have to braid a few small sections. and put them together on the pie. Mine took four separate braids. 

To get the braids to stick to the pie crust shell, wet your finger with water and run it across the shell crust, then place the braids on the edge. The water will make the dough stick. 

For a decorative center piece I used a pumpkin cookie cuter and carved a Jack o' Lantern! Set Jack aside to bake after the pie.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and place the pie carefully at the center of the rack. Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake 40-50 more minutes. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. (if you like your pie cold like I do refrigerate for at least 2 more hours.

To bake Jack, place him on a cookie sheet and cook for 5-10 minutes or until golden brown. check frequently so you don't burn him!

And the finished product will look like this! Isn't it cute?!

Now for the whipped cream!

Whipped Cream:

• 1 pint heavy whipping cream
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 2 tbs. sugar

Using an electric mixer, mix whipping cream, sugar and vanilla at low speed and the change to medium. (Notice my beautiful Raspberry Ice KitchenAid mixer!)

Once the cream starts to thicken, turn to high speed.

Mix until your cream becomes soft and foamy. (look for a peak. Like a soft serve cone top.) If you go for too long it will start to separate and eventually become butter!

I mixed my cream for just a tad too long...

But it was still delicious anyways!

Hope you enjoyed cooking with Kate! Until next time!