So here we are approaching November, and like everyone else, I'm all about the pumpkin.

I love the color, I love the smell and I even love them in their purest form. Pumpkin Spice Latte of course! (PSL for all you hardcore coffee drinkers.)

 

 

It's a cool, crisp and semi cloudy day here in Arkansas; the kind I like best.

And wouldn't you know, the baking bug has bit me hard!

Plus my hubby is working and I love having something warm and sweet for him when he gets home.

Trust me, your husband will love this too.

 

So rummaged thru my pantry and of course found a can of pumpkin.

Every time you visit the grocery store during this season, you should grab a can of pumpkin.

One never knows when they might need to whip up a pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread or drum roll please.........a Oatmeal Pumpkin Bundt Cake!

 

 

 

 

 

Naturally my cookbook of choice today was Pinterest. Anyone else run to Pinterest when they need a quick recipe?

I thought so :)

 

Oatmeal Pumpkin Bundt Cake

 

The recipe was large enough for a bundt pan AND a small loaf of bread. Well really more like a thick bar if you will.

Either way, it's moist and DELICOUS!

 

At the Jeter house we are flavor loving fools, so I doubled the recommended amount of spices she used in her recipe.

 

While the cake is baking for an hour, you can read a book, tackle all the dirty dishes piled up on the counter (yep, that was me), catch up on Gilmore Girls, or just park it in front of the oven and enjoy the bakery-esque smells.

 

Well, my percolator just finished brewing and I'm crossing my fingers that when I flip that bundt over, all the cake comes out. It's my first bundt experience! :)

 

I hope you are having a beautiful day!

Go on and bake something.

That Time I Went To Craft Weekend......

Hellooooooo!

 

It has been so very long since I've spent any time in this space. My blog has been neglected big time.

But in the meantime, I've been busy living. We have been doing a little of this and that, welcome a new dog named Eugene into our home, we moved, changed jobs, left old friends, made new friends and everything else in between it seems. How's that for catching up? Not enough? That's what I figured.

Let's get started ok?

 

Flip back the calendar pages to May if you will, specifically the last weekend in May.

And let's travel to Kansas via pictures.

 

A little background first so we're really on the same page ok?

 

Several years ago, I found Meg Duerksen's Blog . And somewhere along the way, she started Craft Weekend . To describe Craft Weekend in a nut shell doesn't really do it justice nor do the pictures I am about to show you, although it will have to do.

Basically imagine a crafty sleepover, ladies only. Where you get to stay up late, eat the most delicious food imaginable, shop for the best junky treasures at the coolest thrift stores- times that by a trillion and you have an idea of how amazing Craft Weekend is. Ok? Let's keep on.

 

When I got the email in early winter that I had been chosen to attend May Craft weekend, I was nearly beside myself. Ok, I was beside myself. I was so excited that when I called to tell my husband about it, he may have said things "calm down", "just breathe", "slow down". It was THAT exciting!

Keep in mind I had been on the wait list for almost 2 years! That's right, 2 years! The first time I was chosen, we already had a family vacation planned-boo.

 

So on a Friday morning, after much packing and praying and planning; I headed to Kansas. By myself. And for some reason, I wasn't even the least bit nervous that I would be spending a weekend in Kansas with 15 other strangers. Yeah, I know.

 

 

Below is a plethora of pics that will give you a sneak in to the craft house as well as the lovely ladies I was so blessed to spend the weekend with.

 

 

Miracle and I bonded right from the beginning. She is a super amazing gal from the East Coast that I am fortunate to still keep in touch with. In fact we are planning a little crafty weekend for next Spring sometime :)

 

 

There is color EVERYWHERE at the craft house. It is simply the best of everything good and creative.

 

 

 

These gals were too fun and kept me laughing all weekend:) I especially enjoyed mornings with coffee on the front porch with Cali and without Shea, I never would have finished my apron. I mean it!

 

 

 

My apron. It's a little wonky.

 

 

Part of the fun at Craft Weekend is the incredible swag you receive from sponsors.

 

 

Every meal was straight from heaven, prepared by the uber talented Kimberlee. I tried kidnapping her, but I figured her family might miss her.

 

Bedroom at the Craft House are decorated with such care and thoughtfulness, each as cute as the other. I mean who doesn't love hoop art?

 

 

That's Meg on the left of me and Kimberlee to the right. The hostesses with the mostesses. :)

 

 

 

One of the crafts we do is a wreath. I'm pretty sure I could make wreaths all.day.long. That's how much I loved it.

 

Each Craft Weekend has helpers, and these two were the best. Laura and Lauren. It was so fun getting to know them.

 

 

 

 

Another craft we did was using potato stamps that we carved ourselves. This is my new "go to" library/bible study bag. Such a creative craft.

 

These beauties were at the "Barn". Where really happy treasures are to be found.

 

We had lunch alfresco at the barn. Kimberlee provided a spread fit for royalty. She made a spinach, prosciutto salad with cantaloupe, avocados and walnuts. Homemade dressing, you bet! We also had gourmet popcorn with flavors like dill pickle and jalapeno cheddar. Topped off with a homemade cookie and we ready to keep going!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of you may already know about Craft Weekend and for some of you this is your first time hearing about it. I encourage you to visit her blog and get on the waiting list. Even if you are not crafty, sign up. I'm not crafty and I can barely sew and it was the best weekend ever!

Try something new, go ahead. How big is your brave?

 

Until next time!

 

Friday's Scripture- She Reads Truth

For quite some time I have been following along with She Reads Truth .

If you are unfamiliar with this group of gals and their blog/app take a little journey here . 

They have a series of devotions that you can download from an app or you can follow along with their blog.

Wednesday was the beginning of lent for many of us and while I haven't always participated in the past, I am now. Growing up I used to think Lent was a "Catholic"  thing. Whatever that means. But as an adult, I see it more clearly as saying no to "me" in order to grow nearer to Him. One of the verses they referenced on Wednesday was Matthew 4:16.

 

" the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."

 

I mean, wow. 

At some point we have all been in darkness. Some of us may be there right now, some drifting in and out, some so immersed in the dark that we aren't even sure if light exists.

If that is you my dear friend, this season is for you. This time of building up to Easter, to the one of the greatest events displayed for all Christians past, present and future- is for you. God created in you a great light to be shown. Shown so bright that anyone stumbling around the darkness would climb mountains to be near it. I urge you to join this devotion, it's not too late. I also encourage you to give something up. Something you think you can't live without. Yes that. When you say no to your earthly desires and yes to God's heavenly desires, hold on. God is going to show up in really BIG ways. Things you've been struggling with and pondering how, are going to be revealed and yes, light will be revealed to the dark.

 

The main scripture we are discussing today is Psalm 130.

 

" Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord;

O Lord, hear my voice.

Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.

If you O Lord kept a record of sins, O Lord who could stand?

But with you there is forgiveness;

therefore you are feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and his word I put my hoe.

My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning.

O Israel, put your hope in the Lord,

for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.

He himself will redeem Israel

from all their sins."

 

Take note my friends, wait and hope in the Lord. He has sacrificed so much for us. He has out best interest at heart. Don't be afraid to literally cry out to Him and let it all out. He longs for that kind of relationship with you. He is the ultimate BFF.

 

I pray that you leave this little blog of mine today a little more light hearted in the hope and knowing that God is love. Whatever you imagine that to be, it's a squillion times better.

 

Have a wonderful weekend! :)

Wednesday

 

 

Well hey, hey there!

I just thought I'd pop in here to say hi, dust off this poor little neglected space and get back to blogging!

Nothing like a lot of time at the house with a 24 stomach bug to make you a little stir crazy.

So, feeling much better and ready to blog. Yay! :)

 

I've been summoning my creative juices lately- which means a LOT of time on Pinterest, and here are some of the things on my mind.

 

Let's talk hair for a moment shall we?

My hair is finally long enough to actually "do" something with it. I love that. The hubs love it, win, win. So instead of my everyday down or up do, I'm going to start actually having a hairdo!

I like this pic, it seems easy enough, and this girl has major how to videos on her blog. Check her out!

 

 

I have a few chairs that this little arrangement would be perfect for on my front porch or somewhere in the yard. Loving the bold colors. Come on Spring! :)

 

Have you heard all this Kombucha talk?? I'm very interested as it seems I'm always having some type of post gallbladder tummy trouble and this is supposed to help your healthy flora, loaded with probiotics and several other important something or anothers.

 Anyone else out there?

Kombucha is super pricey at the health food stores and only sold in smallish containers. But now according to Pinterest and half my IG feed, I can make it at home with the purchase of a Scoby! Say what? Yes, I'm interested too.

Healthy gut and butt. OK, moving on.....

 

 

We recently bought the Family Physician kit from DoTerra. It helps everything from headaches, nausea, muscle pain, arthritis, various skin conditions, cold and flu. Wow! We are new and still learning and Teddy isn't always thrilled with being "oiled" up, but in the long run I do believe we are for the better.

 

 

I've been making this no knead bread recipe for months now. It's pretty effortless. All you need is a dutch oven, flour, water, yeast and salt. Anyone can make this bread. As long as you follow the recipe, it turns out perfect. I mean really, is there anything more tasty than a hot slice of homemade bread with butter??? I think not! Try it and let me know what you think!

 

 

And for all you coffee lovers out there, I couldn't help but die laughing over this.

#frenchpressloversunite

I kind of want this print for my kitchen. Someone tell Teddy.

 

Well I suppose that's all for now. Charlie is softly snoring next to me, and it's way past my bedtime. When you nap all day, you stay up all night. Or something like that.

All of these pics are available on my Pinterest board. Kudos to all the people out their with these cool ideas who share them. None of them are original to me, sadly.