isn't it amazing?

I find it truly amazing that at a time when I should be panicking, feeling alarmed, sad, worried, etc. I am actually excited, hopeful and struck with anticipation. I may be heading for a rude awakening, but it's almost like I don't even care. Something woke up inside. Right before my baby turned one. Something, or possibly someone, tapped me on the shoulder and said "you are doing a great job and even if you are struggling to keep your head above water it won't phase you. You have come too far and your future is bright." It is bright. My daughter is truly amazing and I have a wonderful family. I know come December life will be difficult, but it will be worth it. I will feel relief even though I will be stressed. I will just keep thinking about days like these.......

Almost better than paper dolls...

Little Goodies

So, I asked my friends for their top ten favorite things about fall and guess what......they responded. Here are some of my favorites (not in any particular order):

• making an autumn wreath
• even though it's only every four years, the excitement of Election Day.
• Soup!
• Get to rock your hoodies! (confession: I'm a 30 year old who loves hoodies more than any 16 year old)
• cool mornings and breezy afternoons.

Ok, so I remember telling someone recently that I don't own any hoodies, but after seeing Tiff's hoodie confession, I remembered....I do have a couple. Not sure if they would still fit this post-baby body I'm sporting now, but I will give it a shot soon. Cool weather is not far off. I can tell, it's coming and I have hot chocolate waiting.......

This makes me want candy corn even more!

Thanks for reminding me of 10 other great reasons to love fall! Reasons I (read: Erin's best friend) love the fall 1. Opening the windows in my home and turning off the a/c. 2. Cool weather camping and actually needing the campfire at night. 3. No more mosquitos. 4. Going for walks after dinner and not sweating. 5. Wearing my favorite sweatshirt for the first time. 6. Pumpkin bread with chocolate chips. 7. Knowing that everyone up North is starting to freeze and we're not. 8. Even though it's only every four years, the excitement of Election Day. 9. Handing out treats instead of candy on Halloween and seeing how excited kids get. 10. Monkey #1's birthday.

In the spirit of autumn........

I give the you BEST pumpkin bread recipe I have ever found.......YUM......try it out as soon as humanly possible! PS--if you also LOVE chocolate as much as I do, do yourself a favor and add some miniature dark chocolate chips! You will not regret it! INGREDIENTS 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree 4 eggs 1 cup vegetable oil 2/3 cup water 3 cups white sugar 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 7x3 inch loaf pans. In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans. Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.