MUG LOVE EXCHANGE REVEAL

Can I get a big round of applause for all the lovely hosts that arranged the 2nd annual #MugLoveExchange? Whoop Whoop!! As we enter Fall and Winter, my tastebuds long for warm cups of goodness and come on, we all know there is major MUG LOVE going on in Blogland! So many cute mugs and they all make me smile.

And next, can I please brag on the sweetheart I was paired up with? Beth from Our Pretty Little Girls!!. This tall cup of awesomeness has my heart. I have been reading her fabulous blog and take on life for over 2 years now and she is as sweet as a pumpkin seed!! Yes, I say this because, my friends, I have found my pumpkin spice loving sista!! Not all my cohorts love the goodness, but Beth sure does!! But yet can I tell ya, how I also love her devotion to homeschooling her two incredible daughters, her devotion to our Lord and Savior, working out, baking and her love of all things retro, vintage, and fast...as in cars!!

This Girl has got my PUMPKIN number!!!! Just look at this goodness. Now how in the world did she know that I'd been searching high and low for Pumpkin Spice Granola Bars?

Sneak Peek of the package I sent BETH
One note of sadness, despite packing it soooo good, my mug to Beth arrived broken...this tugs at a gift givers heart big time and I felt sooo bad, thank goodness she loved everything else and the USPS got a peace of my mind #whatdotheythinkfragilemeans?

Make sure you get over to her BLOG if you haven't already to see the goods of Fall I sent her

If this mug Beth got me doesn't describe me to a Fall "T", I don't know what does!! MY PSL this morning is immediately getting poured into this MUG!!

Linking With: Totally Terrific Tuesday // Inspire Me Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday // Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party // Share It // Creative Monday's // Creative Muster Party // Wow Us Wednesdays // Wonderful Wednesday's Blog Hop // Feathered Nest Friday // Metamorphosis Monday // The Scoop 

xoxo

And so very thankful for Bloggy Friends!!

ALL DRESSED UP, WUW & TBB STYLE LINK-UP

Yep...all dressed up and nowhere to go. I got this Dress thinking there may be another fancy dinner, trip somewhere or wedding to attend but truth is, all our time is consumed with house stuff, being waaaay over budget that there should not be fancy dinners or trips going on. We're smart..two in college ya know. 

So this posing was just for fun but I do love this dress and the brand Chelsea28

So glad you're here for the fashion link-up and the twofer today with a month end What's Up Wednesday post

I really liked the sheerness of this dress, the 3/4 bell sleeves and the little ruffles at the neckline.

The Sam Edelman "Patti" strappy sandals are my favorites and not hard to walk in with the 3" heel. I love the patent leather!

DRESS HERE // SHOES HERE // CHOKER HERE

And while we're taking about Chelsea28 midi's, I LOVE this Velvet ONE!

BUY HERE

Now it's time to see what's up in the Nine neck of the woods

1. WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS WEEK: SOUPS!

                                          Ham Chowder Recipe HERE

White Chicken Chili HERE

2. WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT: I told you the baby had a birthday recently. Well, I was reminiscing about the first "Sports" cake I made him; I made several and found this cute picture. I forgot I even "made" the grass.

3. WHAT I’M LOVING: After days of 80's and 90's, tomorrow they are calling for 67 degrees and I couldn't be happier!

4. WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO: Heading over to the house every few days to check progress....siding and shake on back..next up shake and stone on front. View of the back from our woods....

5. WHAT I’M DREADING: Nada

6. WHAT I’M WORKING ON: Gathering decor for the new house. Love this clock I got at Hobby Lobby.

7. WHAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT: #MugLoveExchange, there reveal TOMORROW!

8. WHAT I’M WATCHING/READING: Fall TV is back baby!!! This week, these favorites premier:

 Cool tidbit here. Our oldest son was asked to be an extra on Chicago Fire but college conflicted. Education or Acting???? Mmmm, which would you pick, lol?

READING: WISH YOU WERE HERE by Renee Carlino

9. WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: Taylor Swift, The Script, Debbie Gibson...yes cause she is currently on DWTS, Thomas Rhett new song "Marry Me."

10. WHAT I’M WEARING: Pulling it out..the FALL WARDROBE makes me happy.

Similar Sweatshirt HERE and HERE

MY favorite Fall outfit from last year will be on repeat again..Similar Plaid Shirt HERE // Henley HERE

11. WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND: two words, two sons, two colleges: Indiana University, Purdue University....Yipee!!

12. WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH: ALL THINGS OCTOBER

13. WHAT ELSE IS NEW: come Monday, The Blended Blog ladies and I are at it again with one of our most popular link-up series called TBB ASKS. This month's theme is ALL THINGS FALL so get your minds in Fall gear, duh, I know most of yours are and join us then. Here are the questions:

BONUS: WHAT TV SHOW ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT THIS FALL? 

Will & Grace..in addition to the shows Mentioned above..the actors are just so darn good and funny

Now Let's Link-Up your fabulous style and head over to The Blended Blog and see what one of our beautiful ladies is styling and loving!

Linking up The Pleated Poppy // Oh Hey Girl // Trendy Wednesday // The Mummy Chronicles // Visible Monday //Style Me Wednesday // THT // Spotlight of the Week //Fashion Moda // WIWT// Thoughts for Thursday Fashion Friday // Lizzie in Lace // Shoe and Tell // Trend Spin // Fab Favorites //A Labour of Life // Confident Twosday //I will wear what I like //Let it Shine Monday // What I Wore Wednesday // Jersey Girl Texan Heart // Throwback Thursday //Jaymie Ashcraft // Fancy Friday  // Lipstick & Layers //Fashion Frenzy // #fakeituntilyoumakeit

xoxo

An InLinkz Link-up

THREE CHIP PUMPKIN COOKIES

Here we go! Recipe number two for the Pumpkin Palooza. A couple months ago, our local grocery store had Nestle baking chips for only 99 cents each, no limit. So you know I had to stock up for the Fall and holiday baking season! 
Yum  

The thing was my local store was out of the "good chips"....you know the milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate ones. However, on a bottom shelf, a bag caught my eye that said "Triple chip." Yeah, getting them for under a $1, I'll take several bags of those!! 

How excited was I to deliberate pumpkin cookie recipe ideas and decide to throw one together with these new triple chips!

What you'll need

TRIPLE CHIP PUMPKIN COOKIES
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

1/3 cup pumpkin purée 

3/4 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated white sugar

1 egg yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 (10 oz) bag Nestles Triple Chip Morsels 

DIRECTIONS

Please note this cookie dough does take two hours of chill time in the fridge. First, mix melted butter, pumpkin purée, brown sugar and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl and mix until combined. Continue mixing in the vanilla and egg yolk. Add the baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger and mix until combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Slowly  mix in the flour until a smooth dough forms. Stir in the chips. Preheat your oven to 350°. Place 2 tablespoons of cookie dough on your cookie sheets. Bake each sheet for 12 to 15 minutes until the tops are no longer shiny and the bottoms start to brown. Let them cool completely before removing. Store in airtight container. But they won't last long!!

I'm Still thinking about how GOOD these were!! I've got many more bags of triple chips...cookie time ON!!

Linking up with Creativity Unleashed // Two Cup Tuesday // The SITS Girls // Snickerdoodle Sunday // Dishing It & Digging It // Feathered Nest Friday // Weekend Potluck // Pretty Pintastic Party // Metamorphosis Monday // The Scoop // Flaunt It Friday // Best Friday Features // Try It Thursday // Let's Look

xoxo

3 THINGS...ANOTHER ROUND for SEPTEMBER

This little diddy is catching on like wildfire! I did a similar one this summer

And after seeing it on Rebecca Jo's and Sarah's and my BFF Laura's blogs, I was ready to join the fun! These prompts get you thinking and it's so fun to read other's thoughts. 

Three experiences I recommend 

~Swim with stingrays

~Being Baptized and Knowing our Lord and Savior
~Dining Al Fresco in Italy

Three pieces of advice for everyone

~Put down your phone 

~Let it Go...as in let go of petty grievances, things you can't control, little annoyances, etc.
~This from Oprah.......

Three things I'd give up in a second

~My Job

~Aging past 40....I wanted to stay 38 forever, my BEST year!

~Cellulite 

Three things that are always in my fridge

~Greek Yogurt

~Salsa

~Coffee Creamer: Pumpkin Spice or Cinnabon flavors

Three things that are always in my freezer

~Ground Turkey

~My homemade Monster Cookies

~My homemade meatballs RECIPE HERE

Three things that are always in my pantry

~Black beans

~Jif Reduced Fat Peanut Butter (we like the taste sooo much better than the regular, it's denser)

~Chocolate Chips

Three most often used makeup products

~NARS Blush in Orgasm

~Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation 3.0

~MAC Lipstick in Velvet Teddy

Three things I'll spend money on

~Gifts for my family and friends

~Healthy food

~Shoes and Clothes...but I do prefer them to be on sale

Three things I won't spend money on
~Pedicures

~Salon colored Hair

~Gym Membership...why, when I've got This?

HAPPY MONDAY DARLIN's!

Linking With: Biana // Totally Terrific Tuesday // Inspire Me Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday // Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party // Share It // Creative Monday's // Creative Muster Party // Wow Us Wednesdays // Wonderful Wednesday's Blog Hop // Feathered Nest Friday // Metamorphosis Monday // The Scoop 

xoxo