Tourists in our own Town

I often forget how quaint and historic our little city by our town is.

A few weeks ago, we went into downtown on a weekday and it was a sweet reminder of why I love this area, and the memories of when I first walked down these cobblestone streets was fresh in my  mind once again.

The Cape Fear River

Even though my beloved One Tree Hill isnt filming here anymore, every store and shop you go into shows its love for OTH fans.

I love peering into windows of cute shops and getting ideas for DIY and decorations for our house.

Cotton Wreath... omg... 

My DIY wheels were spinning

Every shop, especially the coffee shops are just adorable.

Its a cute little southern small town feeling

New Things !!!

So we have some new things to report on since I last blogged. 

This post is coming to you while we are waiting out Hurricane/Tropical Storm Hermine.

We have a new address...

The house is officially done. Well, it was done at the beginning of July, and things have just been plain old crazytown since then. Our move 1 mile away was more trouble than our move 800 miles south last year.

We had contractors coming and going, the builder coming back time and time again, landscaping coming back and building proper drainage .. etc.. It was not seemless, but a good friend of mine said that she read somewhere that building a house is one of the most stressful things you do in your life, and holy moly, she was right!

We have a new 7 year old living with us. 

SEVEN... holy smokes.

This year she grew so much.. (like all years) but she had a trying school year, new state, new friends, new houses(2), and she had some difficulty, but we came through it all together and I am so proud of our girl.

She makes me smile every day, she still has her little baby face that she had when she was 4 months old.. and I hope it never goes away.

To ease the stress of moving, we spent a lot of time at the country club pool this summer where ANOTHER new thing happened... Samantha learned how to SWIM. In June when we first started going, she was clinging to the side of the 4 foot area, and/or embarassingly clinging to Mathew and I .. Then, all of the sudden, she went under water one day, and realized how to hold her breath, ... and now she's jumping in 8 feet, diving for toys, and has no fear... none. I couldnt be more proud of my self-taught little girl. In the ocean she has no fear either, which makes me nervous, but she has so much more fun now.. jumping INTO the 6 foot waves instead of being knocked down by them.. she has amazed me... and no one could teach her.. she had to be ready on her own... same as when she learned to walk, talk, go to school.. when she was ready, in her own time, she did it.

Exhausted. 

Keeping the kids busy, moving right when school ended.. 

I am tired.

We had our first NEW surprise visitor at our new house.

The kids were so happy. We kept it a secret, and grammy rang the doorbell and surprised the kids in July.

We spent many days swimming and swimming as our little fishies just love being in the water.

And we practiced schoolwork every day... well almost every day.

This little man loves learning and practicing his letters.

He is going to have a big year this year in school

We had a great but BUSY summer.

Back to school we went.

And we are easing into a schedule... and loving the season of Fall here on the coast.

Spring Break 2016

Copycat Whole Foods Granola Bars

If you live near a Whole Foods you know about the yummy temptations at the register when you check out. 

For a while I was hooked and would grab one EVERY time we were there. So good and good for you, but they were also almost $3 per small square bar. 

I found a great copycat recipe from A Spicy Perspective blog and she nailed it. The taste is perfect, and it makes a ton of bars. 

 

I throw one in my bag almost every week day morning when we leave. It keeps me full for a while along with a yogurt and piece of fruit. 

Make them !!!!

New Years Black Eyed Pea Dip!

It's been forever and ever since keeping up with my blog. So as 2016 arrived - along with many goals and resolutions, I am going to try to blog more! 

Yesterday - New Years Day, I made this dip and it was amazing. My husband interrupted me in the shower because he couldn't wait to tell me he loved it so much, ha! 

This recipe is NOT mine. I copied it from the chic site, (credit below) 

As Fall Arrives

Fall is here... as of tomorrow, officially.

It sure doesn't feel like the fall we're used to.. and that is FINE by us!

We've been enjoying the warm and sunshine and I have not stopped to say "Wow its Hot!" At all.. I remember where we came from.

Samantha had a half day last week, and this is how she wanted to spend the extra time, at the beach of course! Andrew is SOOOO happy when she is with us. When its just him and I, it isn't nearly as much fun as having big sister there too. They come up with all sorts of hilarious games, and they swim together ..Below I think they were jumping off a sand bar and they probably did this 40 times at least.

Even though its still 90 and sunny, I felt the urge to bake.

I used Trader Joe's pumpkin bread mix and turned them into cupcakes and mini pumpkins.

 

These two are already thinking about Halloween time.

Andrew keeps saying he wants to be a Bat or a Ghost.

Samantha wants to be some kind of Monster High girl. The name changes every day.

 

Running has never been more beautiful.

Living on a golf course and running past the open scenery just never gets old. The Carolina pine trees are so pretty and that distinct smell - one I remember the first time I flew here to meet Mathew.. I think of that every time I get a hint of the pine smell.

Pumpkin all things... all day.

 

I tried a new granola recipe and it was pretty good. Since it had the word PUMPKIN in it..thats what really motivated me to make it.. I'll be honest.

Ive come across the cutest beachy coastal thrift stores here, its the thrill of the hunt that draws me in. Ive found so many cute DIY project bases, cute decorations and vintage items on the cheap! And Andrew loves going too... he appreciates the need to browse and take our time

Sunday Funday last weekend at the beach.

It was so calm and relaxing ... and the water was so calm.

Today.... theres a hurricane heading our way, but last weekend it was gorgeous.

I went on baking up a storm in the air conditioning.

I made my FIRST ever pecan pie in mini mason jars

Omg. I had never had a pecan pie ever before this ... and it might be my new favorite pie and favorite way to eat pie. Theres only one more left and Im hoarding it in the fridge for an appropriate time.

 

I've falled up the house a little bit, and now tomorrow being October 1st - I feel like I need to incorporate a lot of Halloween into it

I couldn't resist this adorable garland



It doesnt really feel like fall outside yet... But inside we have the pumpkin and apple candles on rotation, and everything decorated for the harvest 

Vanilla Cake Truffles {No Bake}

I needed something sweet and chocolate. Bad.

Good ole Pinterest helped me out with this one.

 

Vanilla Cake Batter No Bake Truffles

Heaven.... I felt much better after I made these.

 

I found the recipe HERE.

 

5 Ingredients:

1 cup vanilla cake mix

1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk + 1 tbsp.

1/2 tbsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 - 2 cups semi sweet choc chips - or wafers or almond bark

 

Mix all but chocolate in bowl and combine

 



It will be kinda pasty - maybe a little dry.  - that's okay.

Make sure its the correct consistency to roll into balls.. either add more sc milk or cake mix ...

then pop into the freezer to firm ( @ 10 min) so you can roll into balls



I lined a 9x9 baking pan with parchment and rolled the pasty batter into dough balls about 1/2 inch

Then put them back in the freezer for a good 15 min.

 

Melt your chocolate of choice, and dip.

They turned out really good.

Thanks averie cooks for this super easy and amazing indulgence!



Since I made these I have pinned a few other variations, one being Cake Batter flavored - rolled in sprinkles. That may be my next trial.

This was the perfect pick-me-up-chocolate-sweet-tooth-attack yet.