All Things October

 "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers"

-L.M. Montgomery; Anne of Green Gables

Usually I hate Halloween. Buuutttt this year I am eating it up! (literally, so much candy) Maybe it's because I live in a house with five kids who, every morning wake up and say "only _ days til Halloween!" with a smile on their face (like it's christmas or something) or maybe it's because I live in a small town, nestled in the Utah mountains where everywhere I look the leaves are bright orange and red and yellow or maybe, just maybe I've had a change of heart! I've always loved Fall. It's the best time of the year, for sure. This year I'm actually getting into the spirit of Halloween as well.

So here's to celebrating Autumn with haunted houses, pumpkin picking & pumpkin carving, lots of homemade soups, fireplace crackling in the mornings, sweaters and boots every day, a Hocus Pocus movie night, bonfires and eating handfuls of caramel. It's the greatest season of all seasons

 

I never did get around to making/eating my mom's ghost sugar cookies. They're my fave. Just look at this batch from a couple years back and try to tell me your mouth doesn't water a little bit! I love baking, especially when it's chilly outside..I just feel like I have no time! Maybeee I can bribe my mom into making turkey cookies instead of ghost for Thanksgiving ? (that just sounds so wrong) Let's pray the snow doesn't stick and we can enjoy Fall for a little longer. I still have more items to cross off on my fall bucket list..so welcome November! 

xoxo,

Linds

It's October, therefore a pumpkin recipe is mandatory ?

Pumpkin flavored everything has seemed to take over!! {and I'm not complaining} If you're on pinterest, you've probably seen this recipe floating around but if not, I am about to make your day and share with you how to make the world's EASIEST pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. And for the record, my momma's been whipping up these bad boys wayyy before pinterest was even a thing. They have always been one of my favorite "October" cookies.

the recipe:

1 box of spice cake mix

1 can of Libby's pure pumpkin (15 oz.)

1 bag of semi-sweet mini chocolate chips (because miniature makes everything better, right?!)

^^you can also add anything else that sounds good..white chocolate chips like me, walnuts, crushed oreos etc. the possibilities are endless!^^

Mix ingredients all together and viola! You have yourself some cookie dough! The best part is that there are no raw eggs in it so you can eat all the dough you want! (not like raw egg has ever stopped me from ever eating cookie dough...oops #cookiedoughaddict)

These cookies do not flatten in the oven so pat them down with a cup or spoon for desired shape, pop them in for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees and then go ahead, devour 5 or 6 in a sitting. No judgement. 

If you're like me, you'll completely forget to take pictures of the whole "cookie making process" for the blog. I should've taken pictures of all the fingers in the mixing bowl sneaking some dough. That's what happens when you bake on a Sunday afternoon in a full house! And if you're reallyyyy like me, you won't be able to just toss the rest of the canned pumpkin so you'll attempt whip up yet another recipe..this time my Aunt Shirlene's. Her's are the lighter colored ones.

And what do you do when you end up with roughly 8 dozen cookies? Package them up cute {not pictured}, write a little letter and send them to your missionary friends! At least that's what I did. Not to mention, there were plentyyyy of people at my aunt & uncles house on Sunday that were more than willing to devour them.

^^also got to see my mom this weekend up in Idaho. Always great. Love that lady!^^ *helllooooo crappy quality picture. I really need to be better at lugging my camera around. When will I learn?

xoxo,

Linds

Back & tan..just in time for snow

8 people. 15 passenger seat van. Food poisoning {curse you husky burgers}. Poolside playing every morning. Beached it every afternoon. Surf lessons. Still figuring out what the fox says. Endless rounds of "telephone" and hand games. Movie nights. The best tacos I've ever put in my mouth from Chronic Tacos. Avoiding stepping on cracks. Daily fish feeding. Jelly belly's & twizzlers galore. Sharing a room with kicking//sleep talking little girls. Ruby's Diner. Indoor Trampoline place. San Diego Zoo--wildlife park. Cali was an adventure, to say the least! A fun one though!

 {andddd let the artsy wall photos begin..}

 One final picture to express how we all felt by the end of the trip. Total exhaustion..but had a blast! Love that sweet Lilly Bug.

xoxo,

Linds

california dreamin'

Brb. I'll be in SoCal for the next week and a half livin' the life. Leaving all forms of technology behind..well, except my phone--not tryin' to be Amish here. It's snowing outside right now so hasta la vista Utah! Be back soon.

xoxo,

Linds