Sneek Peek!

Here's a picture of the front of the house we're moving into!




There are alot of trees over the kitchen window, which is nice for privacy, but we can see out of it pretty well. The old tennant is moving out on the first, so as soon as we can, I'll snap pictures and put them up.
Also, to add to another thing that broke in our current house, the water heater went last week, we've been driving across the street to Matt's Nana's to shower every morning... at least we are only working Saturday and Sunday and then MILLERS CLOSES!!

We've already started packing up the bathrooms (since we can't shower there), our bedroom and the spare rooms. We have alot of boxes sitting around waiting for the first chance we have to start putting stuff in the new place.
Offical Move In Day is the 15th, but we can start moving stuff as soon as it's empty. I can't wait. I'm over the hardwood floors and between them and dusting everything before packing it is getting WAY too much junk in the air... my allergies are killing me...
I really want some panera... but sadly, we live no where near anything good... so I'm just gonna pretend...



Mmmm... broccoli cheddar soup and a ceaser salad.......

For The First Time, I Feel, Wicked!

A Little Bit Wicked by: Kristen Chenoweth



Before I go and talk about this book, if you don't know who Kristin is.... you have to find out. She was in Pushing Daisies, a few episodes of Glee and The West Wing, she was the lead in Wicked and You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, she has like 3 CD's and she's won an Emmy. She's kind of the most amazing person ever.
Watch this and then we'll continue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBJn4BHtqqY

It's ok. I'll wait...


Did you watch it? Is she not a freaking power house for such a tiny lady?!

Ok, so this book. I feel like I just sat down with her and she just talked to me girl to girl about her life. The style is so easy to read and so friendly. I loved reading it. She adds her faith in the Lord and life lessons all into an amazing hilarious tumble through Oklahoma, Broadway and Hollywood and everywhere in between. I recommend it to anyone who loves show biz, Kristin, laughing or learning (or all of them like me!). This was so inspirational and fun to read, I'm so glad I read it.

Would I recommend this book: If you love Kristin, absolutely. If you love Broadway, southern girls or believing that there's good in everyone most definitely. If you want something spunky and easy to read, for sure. Do it.

I also made some muffins!!!

Banana Nut Muffins, a classic.




Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 bananas, mashed
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 10 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.
In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.
Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

They turned out really well! Nice and soft and a perfect crumbly topping. I added about a cup and a half of walnuts even though it didn't call for them, and it almost doubled the amount of muffins it called for, which is a good thing!

Reading and Baking. Always makes for a productive, yet relaxing afternoon.

The Pie Maker!

After doing laundry yesterday, I decided to make an Apple Crisp (one of Matt's favorite desserts)or otherwise known as:

Dutch Apple Pie


1 ready made grahm cracker pie crust
1 egg yolk beaten
5 1/2 cups cooking apples peeled, sliced
1 Tbls lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 Tbls flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Topping (in recipe)

Preheat oven to 375, brush bottom of crust evenly with egg yolk; bake on baking sheet until light brown, about 5 minutes. Combine remaining ingredients, mix well and spoon into crust.
Topping:
3/4 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup butter.
Combine with fork until crumbly. Sprinkle topping over apples. Bake on baking sheet until topping is golden and filling is bubbling.
Prep: 30 min Baking 55 minutes

And as I'm typing this, I realize that I only cooked my pie for 30 minutes (I guess I was reading the prep minutes and not the bake time...) but it was still great and my family went back for seconds! So you can't really mess this up...

And my final bottle to complete my 10/10!!

Gallo White Zin!
Ok, this is by far the best. It is so very sweet and delicious. I can only imagine if this was all you drank at a party all night- the hangover would be horrible, but this would be a great girls night wine because it's so easy to drink (also because it's pink).

We are waiting to hear about a townhouse we might move into. I'll post about it should we be moving into it. We should know by the end of the day.

I never did give myself that pedicure... I believe I will finish this wine, eat some pie, and do just that while I wait for the house call.

Thankful Thursday

Make it a habit to tell people thank you.
To express your appreciation,
sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return.
Truly appreciate those around you,
and you'll soon find many others around you.
Truly appreciate life, and you'll find that you have more of it.
Ralph Marston

I am thankful for my H today because he made me breakfast.



I am thankful for one door closing and another door opening. We want to move out of the house we have now, to a smaller place. We've been looking and almost had a condo until yesterday it went to someone else instead. Later at dinner, I was telling this to my friends who then remembered that the townhouse her parents (who we LOVE) own is available next month!! Its 99.9% a sure thing that we'll be the ones to move in.

[pictures and more info to come when we are 100%]

So then I am thankful for my wonderful friends who know when something is wrong and then fix it!



I am thankful for days off! I plan on doing my laundry, finish one of the 6 books I am reading curently, and giving myself a pedicure. Ah relaxing.

Things I Love About Fall

Fall Colors!!



I'm not a big fan of orange, except in October, there's no excaping it and it really puts everyone in the fall mood!

Soups!!



Nothing like delicious soup and bread to warm you up in the breezy fall afternoons.

Thanksgiving! (Duh)



Let's all eat a rediculous amount of cheese and butter covered carbs until we pop. Yes please!

Miller's CLOSES!!



Which means sleeping in past 6:30! Love it.

Pumpkin Spice Lattes...



'Nuff said.

Baking Pies!!



I love baking in general, but I love the fall because I bake PIES! Everyone loves pies... and they are so pretty and delicious.


Fireplaces!



I love cuddling and reading by the fire. So warm and peacful.


So let's review: food and relaxing are my favorite parts about fall!