Monday, October 22, 2012

{Decorating} Fall Touches

Good Morning and Happy Monday to you ;-} Although I'm not super excited to be starting yet another work week, I am excited that we are in the midst of a beautiful fall season. A few weeks ago I did some fall decorating {simple of course} and thought I'd share.

First up...my mantle. It's rather small, but I'm happy to have one at all. I threw together a combo of twigs and berries, white pumkins, sparkly black spiders, and some other Halloween odds and ends. My favorite? The black crow my MIL bought for me a few years ago. I also love the framed Halloween art my friend Alyssa of Flourish Designs made for me a few years ago.



The old bookcase in my dining received some of the same treatment as my mantle with the twigs and berries.

I was all about pumpkins for my dining room buffet this fall season. Different colors, sizes, textures, etc. I also hung some sparkly black spiders {hard to see} from the different pumpkins. I purchased a pack of spiders {maybe 12 per pack or so} last fall season from Pottery Barn, and I love them. They give me just a touch of sparkle, which I always love, and are a perfect size and Halloween touch.

I couldn't forget about my front porch ;-} I took the outdoor pillows I had purchased for my bench this summer and covered them with inexpensive fabric from Joann's. I had planned on having my grandmom help me with this, but her sewing machine was on the fritz, so I had to handstitch them both myself. UGH -- much more time than I had wanted to devote to these little guys, but I am pleased with the final product.

What's fall without pumpkins? And mums? I love the hogpodge of shapes and sizes up there.

So, that's what fall looks like at my home. What about yours?

**36 weeks pregnant today AND feeling very ready to be finished work and do a little relaxing. Relaxing? What's that? ;-}

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

{Random} Babymoon to Baltimore

This past weekend my hubby and I escaped for a little getaway. Some call it a babymoon, others call it a mini-vaca. Whatever your preference, it was simply wonderful.

You see, we felt the need for this little break from reality because I'm 34 weeks pregnant with our second baby, and we have a feeling that life as we know it is basically going to end come November...just kidding ;-}


My ever-so-helpful in-laws picked up our little man on Saturday morning for some fall fun, and off his daddy and I went for a much needed date weekend. Baltimore, Maryland was our destination {which also happens to be one of our favorite cities and the place where we were engaged in May 2007}. Upon our arrival, we made a little pitstop in Fells Point for their fall festival.


Thankfully the weather was beautiful on Saturday, and our hotel was within walking distance to the festival. On our walk there, we stopped for lunch at an outside eatery and then proceeded to take in all the beautiful sites along cobble-stoned pathways through quaint little Fells.


Of course I had to snap a few pics of all the old, historic buildings that I just love and adore. Something else I just had to do? A little shopping...ahem.

My hubby sure knows how to treat a lady. He booked me a pre-natal massage at the Four Seasons, which was next door to our hotel. After two hours of pure bliss, I met him back at our room to get ready for dinner. The restaurant was just around the corner, so we walked and then wined and dined over the yummiest authentic Italian eats.

Can I just say that date nights ROCK!?! They are so taken for granted before children {at least they were by me}. It is only after the babes arrive that you realize how very special, important, and needed that time alone with your husband truely is! {Please excuse the awful lighting in this pic...taken with my iPhone and with the flash on...oops}.


The next morning we woke up early {it just sort of happens when your 2 year old has programmed you to rise and shine no later than 7am every day of the week ;-}, showered, packed up, and headed to breakfast at Miss Shirley's in The Inner Harbor. YUMMMMMM is all I can say about this breakfast joint. For real...best breakfast EVER. We shared an order of fried green tomatoes {had to have}. And then it was pumpkin pancakes with apple butter for me and lemon ricotta french toast with fresh raspberries and cream cheese icing for Bo...OMG.


Ahhh, LOVE my hubby and am very thankful for such a wonderful man as my partner in life.

With full bellies, we took off for home. Christiana Mall was on the way, so we stopped for an hour to make a few returns and start a little Christmas shopping. I know, I know...I am usually one that doesn't like to think about Christmas until Thanksgiving is over ***BUT*** I have a new babe arriving very shortly, so I'm feeling the need to get everything I can done before he/she makes an appearance!

**I had the day off yesterday to spend with my baby boy...thank you, Mr. Columbus. What a great weekend!
**Here's hoping you also had a wonderful weekend!
**My hubby had to leave for business in Vegas late Sunday afternoon and won't be arriving home until Thursday. Pretty bummed...Dean, Ginger, and I are all missing that man.
**5 weeks from TODAY, our family will be expanding. Ahhh -- very excited!

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

{Recipes} Meatball Sub Casserole


I recently made this yummy little game day meal when I had my parents over for dinner and to watch a Sunday football game. I'd pinned it on Pinterest a while ago but was saving it for a game night dinner.

It was pretty darn good and the absolute best part? Soooooo sooo easy. You know me...if it's not easy, I'm not making it ;-}

I paired my casserole with potato salad and a big green salad.

::Meatball Sub Casserole::

Ingredients:
- 1 package frozen meatballs, bite sized
- 1 package onion and bell pepper frozen stirfry mix, thawed and drained
- 1 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 French baguette, thinly sliced
- EVOO

Directions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Slice baguette and brush each piece with EVOO. Line baguette (oil side up) in the bottom and sides of your casserole dish (okay to overlap a little).
3. Bake bread for about 5-10 minutes or until golden brown.
4. In a separate bowl, mix meatballs, pepper and onion mix, and spaghetti sauce.
5. Remove bread from oven and spoon meatball mixture into dish and on top of bread.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until throughly heated through center.
7. At 25 minutes, pull casserole out and add mozzarella cheese and bake for another 5 minutes or so.
8. ENJOY!

**Check out my Game Day board on Pinterest for more food and party inspiration for your football Sundays this fall.
**LOVE the fall but it's already flying by. We have lots to accomplish on our Fall Bucket List & To Do List before baby #2 arrives mid-November ;-}