They Call Me the Fireman!

NOTE: I couldn't get Mr. Linky to cooperate with me this go around...so instead I found a fun Halloween Parade over at The Secret's in the Sauce to link up with!

After much deliberation and lots of changes of mind, BBC decided to go as a fireman for Halloween. This kid LOVES to play dress up. So we splurged a bit on the costume. We knew it would get its fair share of wear an tear. And true to form, he put it on this morning as soon as he got up and pretty much wore it the remainder of the day. I am not exaggerating when I say he has worn last year's pirate costume almost daily since last Halloween.

I say he's a fireman but the hat says chief and that is what he refers
to himself as - the chief. I should have taken a picture of the pants.
They are high-wasted and have red suspenders! Oh and he insists on
tucking the pants into the boots. That's the way the Fire Chief does it!

DH has been working lots of overtime and today was month-end for my
home business, so we decided to forgo traditional trick or treating for our
church Fall Festival. It was fun for BBC. He got to play lots of games!

He even won a prize at one of the booths
for getting the penny to land on the red dot!

And in another room, he pulled the lollipop with
the black tape and won a David and Goliath book!

He also scored a fair amount of loot, plenty for a 4-year-old!

Yum - the tasty reward of a busy evening!

Thanks for allowing us to share! Please leave a comment if you link up to the Halloween Parade!

Tastefully Spooky Home Decor

I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do this post this year. My friend, Chas, decks her home out in spooktacular style each year. Do you know how hard it is for two super busy women to find a common time to meet for pictures? Almost impossible, but we finally pulled it off today! So off we go on our tour...

A graveyard welcomes. I wish you could read all the headstones - she has wit!

The vultures totally crack me up. They picked those bones dry!

Here lies poor Ima!

Last year's front door decor was a witch's brew with smoke and sound effects. This year we were greeted by giant spiders! I love this but DH would totally freak out!

Take a closer look! Too cute!

I love this planter with the pumpkins tucked inside. She had another cute one
out back with cabbage and pumpkins but that picture didn't turn out. Drat!

Check out the greeting as you come through the door!

Dining room. She replaced her regular bulbs in the chandelier
with those flickery faux gas bulbs and the effect was perfect!

It's happy hour somewhere - check out that cheesy smile!

The witch's chamber stocked full of potions and spells.
Her body is scattered all throughout the house!

Like here - see her hands coming out of the trunk? Her legs were in the kitchen in another one! Don't you love how she (Chas, not the witch!) has styled this pass-through mantle? The spiders are a clever idea!

And here's the other side of the mantle. Gotta get some of those big jars!

So I can put these fun labels on them!

No room left unspooked - even the bathroom!

I'll have to repost some of these early in the season next year so we can implement these great ideas! And I know she'll have lots new ideas. Hopefully we can get together before she is ready to take it down next year! Don't forget to capture your cuties for the Halloween Party a little later on!

Another Day at the Park

Yes, today was just another day at the park! We love this time of year and try to spend as much time outside as possible. This is a small little park near our neighborhood. Our city has quite a few of these and it is fun to visit them all!

Check out my little poser. He was playing away and then I heard, "Hey, MOM! Come take a picture of me!" I couldn't resist. This was the particular pose he had in mind.

Then we had to capture him on the swings. I must admit he's getting a lot better at actually keeping himself going. He gets very high sometimes and that makes me a touch nervous.

And then I did my little trick to wear down some of that energy. "Hey, BBC! I bet you can run really fast to that sign way over there and back..." Yep - he did that at least 5 times and I guaranteed myself at least an hour of quiet time later in the day!!!

Hope you enjoyed our day at the park as much as we did! Tomorrow I'm going to figure out that Mr. Linky thing - I hope - and hopefully have a Halloween Costume Party for the little ones!

Another Home Tour

I'm having a blast with these home tours! It gives me an excuse to take pictures of homes and then I get to share home decor ideas with you! I like to look at several ideas and then meld those I like into my own style. I guess I'm a queen of copy but with my own little twist!

This is the home of a friend that I used to work with many moons ago. She has since become a hostess for me and has really helped me grow my business in her area. She lives about an hour away from me. She has a real knack for accessorizing as you will see. So let's take the tour!

Welcome!
Don't you LOVE the Jack's Lantern Company sign.

Another friendly greeter.

Foyer table. LOVE all the fruffiness!
(not a word, I know)

A lot of things to love about the fireplace such as the babies, the fluffy
spiders, the personalized fire screen, the beware banner and so on and so on...

Oh and don't forget this gal - she has style!

Beautiful vignette, beautiful family!

Simple centerpiece on a too cute runner.

Fun in the kitchen.

My most favorite - I really want one of these treat jars.

Couldn't have a home tour without a little Southern Living at HOME! I love how she is using the Market Trio above the window. Trust me when I say I showed a lot of restraint on the SLAH front - she's a fabulous hostess and gets lots of FREE products! Thanks, Amber, for letting us tour your home!

Chocolate Chip Cheeseball

Remember my Open House on Friday? Well I decided to make a yummy chocolate chip cheese ball. OK - so I forgot to take the camera. I always make a double batch. One to take to the party and one for DH. So this is my creative approach to share! DH was annoyed that I had to do this before he could partake - ha!
This has been a staple in our home for the past few years. Below is what the ball looks like. In this picture I used it as a boulder for a train themed birthday party a couple of years back. NOTE: It was a crafty party as it was our first on our SAHM budget...

Now to the recipe. I am unsure of the exact origin. I researched several different recipes a few years back and edited to what I like through a series of trial and error. So without further ado...

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

8 oz bar of cream cheese (softened)
1 stick of butter (softened)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
2 tables spoons brown sugar
3/4 cup of powdered sugar
1 cup mini chocolate chips - divided
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

Mix together first five ingredients until fluffy. Fold in 3/4 cup of mini chocolate chips. Roll out onto parchment paper and form into ball. Place in rounded bowl to help retain ball shape and twist paper to seal. Chill at least one hour. Just before serving, combine remaining mini chocolate chips and pecans and roll ball in mixture to cover. Serve with your choice of grahams sticks.

Fun with Food - Fall Edition

Today we had a little extra fun with our food. I've been craving pumpkin bread but didn't want to go to the trouble to actually make it. I found this easy recipe on one of the sweetest blogs out there - Bloom Right Here! Ingredients as listed on her site - spice cake and pumpkin.

NOTE: I also added 1/4 cup of water to help mix a little easier. I have made the chocolate version of this - Devil's Food Cake mix, 1 can of pumpkin, and 1/4 cup of water This is a trusty Weight Watchers recipe and I believe the muffins end up being 2-3 points each. Not bad for a sweet treat!

BBC loves to help with anything. I try to take advantage as often as possible!

Saw this tip somewhere this week and I can't remember if it was on another blog or in the many magazines I perused while at my mother's salon. Put the batter in a large freezer bag and snip the corner. I will admit it was a bit of a pain getting the batter in the bag, but I do like how easy it was to fill the muffin cups AND how they turned out with the thick batter.
Put these puppies in the oven that's been preheated to 350 and about 15minutes later (mine took a little longer probably due to the added water) you have super moist pumpkin muffins! I think next time I will add a few nuts to the mix - yum! I was also tempted to whip up a glaze for some reason but I was able to control myself in the end. These really hit the spot for my craving and it was a healthier version!

Here's one more idea I saw somewhere this week. I'm sure it was in a magazine but I can't remember which one. I just remember seeing the picture. I made pigs in a blanket for lunch and decided to give the mummy dogs a try for BBC. I just snipped the crescent rolls into strips and wrapped away. After baking, just add a few touches of mustard for eyes and you've got mummy dogs! He loved them.
I have to make a dessert for an Open House tomorrow night. I don't know what I'm making, yet, but I will be sure to share! See you then!

Another Fall Home

BBC and I traveled to NW Arkansas on Monday for a party. BBC got to hang out in the country with Nanny and Pa (we are from the South, you know) while I worked the party. There were 23 gals there and it was a hoot of a party! The hostess got several of our gorgeous pottery pieces for FREE and half price! It is so fun to bless others with FREE products!

We got to spend the night with Granny which is always a hoot, too. I was hoping to post beautiful fall foliage from the Boston Mountains but the colors have just barely started and won't peak for a couple more weeks. Hopefully we can make it back that way in time - it is always gorgeous!

OK - back to the topic at hand. We stopped off on the way back home yesterday at a friend's home. Carey has a gorgeous older rock home and as soon as we pulled up I knew had to snap a few photos. She has a great sense of style and her home truly looks like the pages from Southern Living magazine! Don't you just love that rock work and brick accents? And she has it all dolled up for fall!

I love this pumpkin patch sign in the front yard. Her daughter got this for her
at a craft fair a year or so ago. I may have to borrow the idea for gifts soon!

I wish I could have snapped more photos. Every room was gorgeous. I
controlled myself and just snapped a couple. Simple mantle - love it.

And she has her home ready for a Southern Living at HOME open house. I love the way
she has styled the products. I'm excited about the Iron Filigree Candle Stand (it's the long
piece with fall garland and candles). I just got that a few days ago - for FREE - yippee!

I wish I had snapped a photo of the kitchen and the arrangement on the door. In the kitchen she had fresh flowers on the island. On the front door she had a coppery leaf form behind a dried wheat arrangement. Hope you enjoyed peeking into another Southern home!

I Heart Parties - This Time it's a Drive By!

Hello - welcome to my fall drive by! Melissa over at The Inspired Room is hosting a party and you all should know by now that I love a good party! I also love a good excuse to go on a drive and snap pictures of beautiful front porch decor! Check out my first run and confession here.

OK - now on to the other beautiful homes I found. There were lots more but these were by far my favorites. I LOVE this one. Simple and beautiful. I could totally see my front porch styled this way. The boo pumpkins - so simple and so cute!

This is another favorite house to check out throughout the year. Last year for
Christmas was OVER THE TOP! I can't wait to see what she does this year!

I agree with Melissa on spooky factors. This is
interesting but a little too spooky for my home.

The next two are the cutest by far - read - children in the picture! So here's
my friend Amy's home. I'm jealous of all the pumpkin and gourds.

And with her sweet Banana - isn't she a cutie?

The best fall accessory of all - a Razorback! Woooooo Pig Sooie!!!

And finally here's my front door with BBC. When we got home from the drive by, he wanted me to take a picture of him and the pose was his idea, too. He gets into mommy's projects and blog.

Well that's it - I hope you enjoyed our drive by as much as we did! Check out all the other postings at The Inspired Room. Let me know if you decide to participate so I can visit. I would also enjoy some comment love!

Finally - I'm going to attempt to host my own party for cute Halloween Costumes. I'd love to have you join the party! Check back soon!