Happy Halloween!

We had a fun Halloween this year, kicking it off by going to a fun Halloween party at my friend Kira's house last week, making up a trip up to Julian to get our pumpkins from the pumpkin patch, going to a haunted house on Seabright (around the block from us), carving pumpkins with the gang, and then spending Halloween night passing out candy, eating punkin burgers and lots of treats and watching scary movies!! Hope your Halloween was the perfect amount of spooky and fun!!

Fall treat!

For all you fall lovers like me--this is an exciting time of year! The air gets a little cooler, there are good smells and fun holiday decorations. This is my favorite time of year. Last week I was able to go back to Kentucky to visit, where we spent 4 years and it really got me in the fall spirit! Anyway, this morning I was in a baking mood and thought I would share one of my favorite Fall goody recipes. So easy to make and so delicious! Enjoy!


1 box spice cake mix
1 small can pumpkin (15 oz)
1/2-3/4 bag of chocolate chips

Mix all together and bake at 350 for 17-18 minutes. So yummy!!!

Happy Baking season!

 

Back after a long break....

It has been so long since I've blogged, I almost forgot how to log into my account. I don't have anything earth shattering to share for my first blog back after awhile. But I am reading a book right now that has touched me immensely. It is called Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielson http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heaven-is-here-stephanie-nielson/1104239810 It is a detailed true account of a loving wife and mother and her adventures in raising her family as well as how she copes with the aftermath of being in a horrific plane crash with her husband that almost took their lives and burned over 80% of her body. I can't relate very well to her tales of motherhood, since I don't have little ones of my own and haven't gotten to go down that path yet, however I have suffered some devasting disappointments in my life (althought not as severe as a plane crash) that have impacted my heart deeply and caused me to search for hope and joy in simple everyday things. Reading of her account of how she had something so unexpected happen to her and having her whole life ideals changed in the blink of an eye, and even more importantly how she regained her hope after the accident has inspired me. She has a blog called http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/
which she started before her accident and continues after. It has caused me to appreciate so much the life I have been given--hardships and all.  I am so lucky to have the life I do. My life is different than I planned it to be at 34 years old, but it is wonderful. I want to try to be more aware of this fact and when hard days come I want to remind myself of all the good I do have. Just wanted to share the thoughts I've had running through my head today as I've been engrossed in her book.

 

Another Year Older and Wiser....maybe just older.

Last month I celebrated my 34th birthday! I had a wonderful day and a fun week of birthday celebrating. Steve and I went whale watching out of the San Diego Harbor (and even saw a gray whale!..as well as lots of dolphins, sea otters and pelicans!) After whale watching Steve and my sister had planned a surprise birthday party at the beach for me with my family! It was so much fun. We just hung out and played at the beach all day. We roasted hot dogs, ate the yummiest snacks and then went to ride the rollar coaster at Belmont Park. (One of my favorite things do to with my family!) Then everyone came back to our house and we played games and ate the most decadent mint 'n chip ice cream pie ever made!!!  The next week I celebrated again with a birthday dinner at Fidel's with the girls! It was tons of fun and I love Mexican food! I appreciate all those who remembered me on my birthday. I felt truly loved! Here's to another year!