Wish we could do this in Texas...

I am reading all my posts from my relatives and friends who live in Michigan, and I am getting so jealous!  I have only been to one apple orchard in Michigan, but it was the best experience.  It was right in the middle of fall.  The leaves were brilliantly colored.  I remember walking through the orchard with my aunt, grandma and family kicking the leaves up with my feet.  There was an old, sticky building where we got to watch the apples been smooshed, and pressed, and juiced, coated with caramel, and whatever else they do.  Afterwards, we sat down in the cool air and munched on warm apple donuts and sipped apple cider.  Oh, what I would not give to be able to have that tradition down here in Texas.  (Sad face!)

I am definitely going to need to find a fall recipe this week to quench this need.

Feeling like fall yet?

It is September!  That means that is the season for fall, right?  Even though it is hovering in the upper 90s-last week it was in the 100s-, I am anxious for fall to be here.  If you weren't with me last season, you can check out some of my obsession here or here.

I haven't pulled out my stuff just yet, but if you need a little pick me up before fall weather actually hits or before you get a chance to drag out your stuff, here are some quick ideas:

1. Candle or new Scentsy scent

2.  New Dish Towel

I always get a new one of these from my sweet mommy at the beginning of each season.  In fact, I just got my new fall one tonight!

3.  Add a scarf to your outfit

Even in hot weather, you can pair a scarf with short-sleeved or sleeveless shirt or dress.

4.  Stop by Starbucks for a Pumpkin drink

5.  Or make something pumpkin of your own.  Check out the recipe link at the top of this page or for pumpkin waffles.

6.  I saw some pumpkins at the grocery store.  How fast would that be to go grab one to get you in the festive mood?!?

These quick fixes might help put you in the fall mood and might convince the weather to do likewise!

Peek-A-boo Soup

I love this soup.  It looks like a lot of steps; however, it really is just dumping one ingredient in after another.   Some of the ingredients look like it would make it spicy, but it is NOT SPICY at all.  If you know me, I have a very low tolerance for anything spicy, but it is very flavorful.  Yum!

Ingredients.  

You will need a large pot for this as there is a lot of ingredients.

I don't know what the original name for this is.  My family named it Peekaboo soup when we were younger because my sister, a picky eater, would always try to peek under the tortilla chips to make sure she wasn't eating an onion or a tomato.  We still laugh about it today!  Isn't it fun making memories around the kitchen table?

I hope this recipe works for you and helps create many memories for your family!

Sometimes the hardest part of DIY is doing it.

Well, I did something I found on Pinterest.  I actually make a lot of recipes I find and activities for school.  DIY projects take a lot more motivation for me.  We will blame it on the small space apartment we live in.  

I am linking up again today.  I met some really sweet bloggers last time I linked up and would love to repeat that.  My goal is to reach 20 followers before the week is out.  Will you help me out??

This is the picture I found.
http://pinterest.com/pin/180566266281193612/

I have several large vases from my wedding that have been sitting empty on the top of my counter.  My mom came the other day, and I put her to work.

I also happened to have several things of popcorn kernels (thanks Dawn and Alexa!).

I also had some large white candles from my wedding.  I had a ball of twine from Alexa that I haven't returned.  (You can have it back.  I didn't use much!)

Here is my finished product, and I love it!

The surrounding acorns I got from the thrift store for $2 total.  

It feels like fall!

*UPDATE: I forgot to post this a few weeks ago, but now that it is starting to feel like fall again, I decided I would let you in on my fall obsession.

 

As I have mentioned before, I love holiday decorations.  Love, love, love.  As you probably also know,  I love, love, love a sale.  This last week, we got a cold front, and I could no longer resist the urge to decorate.  Out comes the fall stuff:)))

 Outside my classroom:

 By my window, the leaves coordinate so well with my curtains.

 I also stopped by school on Saturday and realized that I have lots of decorations up there, too.  I get to decorate two places.  Be jealous!

Scarecrow in my fish water.  Hopefully nothing nasty happens.  On a side note, the fish are still alive, and the students love them!

Easy Peazy Crockpot meal

 Good Morning!  Anthony just left for his first golf lessons (more on that later) and my in-laws and I are having a lazy morning before we hit the stores later.  I wanted to share a super easy meal that we love.

Sometimes I get annoyed with crockpot recipes because there is a lot of prep involved in making the meal.  Not this recipe!

Ingredients:

• beef chuck roast
• yams
• 16 oz. jar of slasa

• 1 C chicken stock or water (Not pictured) 

Peel and cut yams.  Layer in the bottom of the crockpot.

Add meat and pour salsa over the meat and yams.

 I actually forgot to put the chicken broth in this time, and it turned out fine.  I think I cook it for four hours on High, checking on it periodically.  I usually cook it on the weekend and have it for leftovers during the week.



*I do not like anything that has a hint of spicy in it!  If you are like me, don't be afraid of putting the salsa on it and trying it.  It actually turns out like a sweet flavor.

Let me know if you try it! Perfect meal to start the fall season:)

Full Speed Ahead!

I am sitting by my open window in the living room, and the breeze from outside feels A-mazing!  I am so excited that fall has come.  I have even hung my fall decorations on the door.  Holiday decorations are one little thing in life that give me great joy. Especially since I buy them on sale!

I have been training preparing not to die in a 5k called the Jack-O-Latern Jog for a few weeks now.  I have just been running at the gym on the treadmill.  First, I was running 4 minutes, walking 1 minute.  But the other day, I tried to run a minute, walk 30 seconds and so on.  I went so much faster and so much longer.  Hopefully, it is all just building up my endurance, so I can do my best in the race.  I think that is important to remember and not compare myself to others.  Their journey is not the same as mine, and I shouldn't expect the same results.