Fall has arrived! Whooo - hooo!!!
Storms rolled through here on Friday evening & left us with some crisp, fall, cool weather. Making me so happy. I know it'll really make our leaves start to change really soon.
I'm anxious to get through this week because we have a coworker on vacation & I'll be covering for part of her job which will make my week zoom by faster... plus, we're on vacation next week so I really WANT this week to zoom right on by.
Here's just a little look back over the weekend....
Friday
I cooked... on a Friday. That never really happens. By the end of the week, I jsut want to get some take out & do nothing but relax. I dont know what made me want to just cook.
I cut up some zuchhini & yellow squash & onions. Mixed in some taco seasoning, black beans & let it simmer in enchilada sauce. It turned out DELICIOUS. It got thicker the longer it simmered. I put it in some tortilla's with some shredded cheese on it - look at me! I was super proud of myself.
I ended up taking my leftover to mom's & hung out with her for awhile.
Came home & finished watching the Curious Creations of Christine McConnell.
What a weird show. It's corny & strange but it was just one of those shows I could put on & just zone out. There's a weird back story to the episodes with some cheesy "monsters" that Christine houses - but she makes the most incredible cakes & desserts & even little crafts. Some of them -my goodness - they ae so detailed & ambitious - but they are gorgeous. I want to do the Halloween candle she made!
Saturday
I woke up around 6am... sigh.... But I just stayed in bed & relaxed catching up on some Real Housewives. I got some hot coffee & broke out my Pumpkin creamer. I'm weird about my pumpkin coffee. I dont want it to be too much. This is my favorite brand of creamer anyways & their pumpkin is delicious - not too much - just perfect.
I also grabbed an Apple Fritter & had the most Fall breakfast you could have.
I then started watching Season 3 of YOU. I am so excited about this. It's so warped... but I cant wait to see how Love & Joe settle into the married life as parents.
I didnt get too deep into it - just one episode - because I was heading out to meet a friend for lunch.
We went to my favorite Chicken place - which shocked my friend Kelly because chicken place? Yep - they have some vegan chicken that I love. They have this kale salad with the vegan chicken on it & it is so good. Its so big too - I can make 2 meals out of this! Plus, they have outside seating & you know me - I'm still not going into restaurants.
But it was just so lovely to see my sweet friend & catch up on all the latest. We try to get together every few months to just chat away & get all the latest. She always makes me smile & brings me so much joy.
I ended up stopping at Starbucks & picked up a Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew because I had on the shirt & was feeling all the fall vibes... plus, I was picking up some food for Hubby & I knew the line would be long at Culvers. I'll sip in pumpkin peace thankyouverymuch.
I spent the rest of Saturday sitting outside & reading & playing with the dogs & then went in to watch a few more YOU episodes. I'm trying to not binge it all at once.
I was trying to soothe my face the whole night too. I had tried a new Neutrogena face cream because I gotta do something for this aging skin... & I have not been great at using moisturizer. I go for the best - I got some with retinol. I've been using it for about 2 weeks now & my skin has gotten so smooth & I feel like I can see a difference. Except starting a few days previously, I could feel some burning in spots on my face. By Saturday, my face was on FIRE. It was blotchy & hurt so bad all over. Total Retinol burn! I didnt even know that was a thing because I dont ever use face cream. OHHHH - I know about it now. I wont be using this any longer & tossing what I have remaining.
Sunday
We woke up & it was so chilly in the house. We checked the temp & it was in the 30's! Break out those cardigans & comfy sweaters.
I made some breakfast & then did s ome work on my planners. I am really enjoying working in my Passion Journal where I have been using it as a Faith Journal. I've been doing the She Reads Truth studies & it works so nice for me.... (Side note - you can get these journals today for 40% - my affiliate link is at the top of the blog)
I put on my sweater & headed out in the sunshine & finished reading the book I was into. I just really enjoyed this so much.
I went out into the woods with Hubby to see more of his hard work he's been doing clearing out the trees & making some paths for us to walk.
I started a new challenge I'm doing for myself. I found this cookbook while I've been clearing out my book shelves. I love a cookbook that doesnt have a ton of ingredients. & I probably got this a long time ago because there's not a lot of vegetarian recipes in it. What I do like about this cookbook is its broken out into seasons (Fall/winter/summer/spring) - I looked through the desserts & some of them sound delicious & with only 5 ingredients - not hard to do. So what's the challenge? I'm going to try & make a new dessert every weekend. Why not? Try to see what I can learn - & the Hubby loves him some sugar so I know he'll try everything I make.
I tried the Peanut Butter Bars for the first challenge......
mmmm.... welllllll.......
I dont think it turned out very well. I'm not sure what I've done wrong. I dont think it set up like it should. Its not like a "bar" at all. It's still sweet & yummy - I mean, its got 2 sticks of butter in it & 2 cups of powdered sugar & a cup & a half of peanut butter - how can it NOT taste good? It just doesnt hold good - & then the butterscotch topping is strange. You put it in the fridge to set up & maybe you dont LEAVE it in the fridge after? I dont know.... at least I tried.
I went over to take my mom to the store & then just started relaxing to get ready for the big week ahead.
A weekend well done.
Do you like pumpkin flavoring for coffee?
Have you ever had a retinol burn on your skin?
Do you like trying new baking recipes?
