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!