Weekend Happenings...

This Easter I had an entourage...

Only kidding, 

but they were hanging around. We did a little fishing. And while putting this post together I realized that this is just about the only photo I got of Rhett, because I don't think he was still the whole time we were fishing. He was to busy running back and forth checking everyones line. LOL!

{Rhett and his Papa, my dad}

{Jude and Granny}

I hope you all had a blessed Easter. I realize now that it's time for us to get out the sunscreen. Rhett's little nose is all red today. 

Homemade Gifts...

I LOVE homemade gifts. And would be tickled pink to receive one of these embellished journal. {hint hint} So many possibilities with this too. You could do the recipients name or a simple monogram. I have a pretty paper fetish. Isn't this a cute idea?

Would you like the how-to? You can find it here.

Something I am doing this year is family photos. Although I am not framing them. But if I were, I think these are so pretty. They are mounted on a lovely textured fabric. And again the possibilities are endless.

Find the how-to here.

I hope your checking things off your holiday shopping list. I have a gift card or two left to get and then I am finished.  YAY!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway. Today is the last day to enter!

Yum, Pumpkin...

Do you need a good dessert for your upcoming Thanksgiving meal? Do you like pumpkin? This recipe is fantastic. I made it last week just to test it out. It was a big thumbs up. It was gone in a day, between Josh, myself and the kids. Hope you enjoy it too. {Found at Southern Living}

Pumpkin Pie Spectacular:

• 1/2  (15-oz.) package refrigerated piecrusts
• 2  cups  crushed gingersnaps (about 40 gingersnaps)
• 1  cup  pecans, finely chopped
• 1/2  cup  powdered sugar
• 1/4  cup  butter, melted
• 1  (15-oz.) can pumpkin
• 1  (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
• 2  large eggs, beaten
• 1/2  cup  sour cream
• 1  teaspoon  ground cinnamon
• 1/2  teaspoon  vanilla extract
• 1/4  teaspoon  ground ginger
• Pecan Streusel
• 7  thin ginger cookies, halved
• Ginger-Spice Topping, ground cinnamon

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Fit piecrust into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate according to package directions; fold edges under, and crimp.

2. Stir together crushed gingersnaps and next 3 ingredients. Press mixture on bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of piecrust.

3. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack (about 30 minutes).

4. Stir together pumpkin and next 6 ingredients until well blended. Pour into prepared crust. Place pie on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet.

5. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Sprinkle Pecan Streusel around edge of crust. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until set, shielding edges with aluminum foil during last 25 to 30 minutes of baking, if necessary. Insert ginger cookies around edge of crust. Let cool completely on a wire rack (about 1 hour). Dollop with Ginger-Spice Topping; dust with cinnamon.

Pecan Streusel

Ingredients

• 1/4  cup  all-purpose flour
• 1/4  cup  firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 2  tablespoons  butter, melted
• 3/4  cup  pecans, coarsely chopped

Preparation

Stir together flour, brown sugar, melted butter, and chopped pecans.

Ginger-Spice Topping:

Ingredients

• 1  (8-oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1/4  teaspoon  ground cinnamon
• 1/4  teaspoon  ground ginger

Preparation

Stir together thawed whipped topping, cinnamon, and ginger.

A Gift or Two...

Have you started your Christmas shopping? I have. Here are so subtle hints I will be dropping to my husband via Etsy. I love this ipod holder. They have so many different patterns to choose from.

{Shop}

I have wanted one of these stamps for some time now. I keep holding off in hopes of moving to a different house, but I am thinking I will just get a new one when I do move.

{Shop}

I LOVE this necklace!

{Shop}

You might need a pretty Christmas card to two. This shop has so many beautiful options. 

{Shop}

How do you address your gifts? I think these gift tags are too sweet!

{Shop}

                  

Happy Shopping!

Apple Bobbing Punch...

This sounds so yummy!

Ingredients

• 1  (32-ounce) bottle apple cider
• 1  (32-ounce) bottle cranberry juice drink
• 1  (16-ounce) jar whole crabapples, undrained
• 1  (6-ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
• 1  (6-ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
• 1  (1-liter) bottle ginger ale or lemon-lime soft drink, chilled

Preparation

Stir together first 5 ingredients. Chill. Stir in ginger ale just before serving. Serve over ice.

{southern living}

Fabulous Pumpkin Idea...

I had to share this fun pumpkin Karen at Strictly Simple Style created. Click here to see the complete post! Fabulous isn't it!?!

Christmas?...

Are you thinking about Christmas yet?

{photo via Bakerella}

I think this would make such a cute gift. 

Hoping...

You had a wonderful long weekend!

AAAHHH Thanksgiving...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. My grandma came into town. It was so nice to see her, she lives 5 hours away and with 3 kids it is hard to get over there. We certainly enjoyed her company! The kids just gushed over her and she was even able to come to church with us on Sat. evening. I think she might have thought she was at a concert though. The music part of the service is a bit...well...very loud!

(mom, gram, me, sis morgan, sis kate)

Among other things we got to see our sweet little nephew, Cannon. Whom we don't get to see often enough! Hint, hint there sister if your reading. Thanksgiving evening we went to Utica Square to see the annual lights on. Where they turn on Christmas lights to the many trees around the open air mall. It is so beautiful! Canon

Jude and Blair

And since I was going to be off work for several days in a row I thought what better time to try and get Jude off the binki! No he didn't run around with it all day long. But he did have it at bed time every night. And yes he is a little over 2 years old. He has been binki free for 4 nights now. It does come with a price though. Around 12 or 1 a.m. he comes crying into my bedroom and I walk him back in to bed and stand there the few minutes it takes him to fall back asleep. He then proceeds to wake up again around 5:30 and not be able to fall back asleep as well. So he generally stays in with us til time to get up. What a trade off. I am not real sure it is worth it. I guess the thought of permanently messed up teeth or spending some time to baby him around bed time speaks for itself.

Then there was dancing with daddy. Here Blair is feeling the beat, eyes closed and all. While daddy sings!

And of course wrestling! It isn't the Peak house hold without wrestling. Did I mention my husband wrestled in college.

The Wrap Up...

So speaking of the upcoming Christmas season, I recently picked up a copy of Ty Pennington At Home. It had some cute ideas for wrapping paper. Don't you know I had to put my lil twist on this idea. Since I am not going to make my own wrapping paper (this year), I thought I might take this sweet idea and make it mine. First wrap the gift in a glossy red foil paper like this found at the Container Store. Next add a band of paper around the package leaving the red ends exposed. I love the black and white. Finally end with a ribbon. Simple, yet chic! I always go for a paper wrapping theme. That I can at least have some control over. The tree is a totally different story. With twins that are 2 years old I may have a table top tree this year and call it good. We will see. Happy wrapping!

Thinking Ahead...

Or trying to any way! I have said since last year that I am going to send out Christmas cards this year. I have been all over the place Shutterfly, Kodak, Tiny Prints, Paper Shouts and the winner is. Kodak! They have a cute selection that won't break the bank. I have to say Tiny Prints has some BEAUTIFUL things. So if you have a larger budget then I would spring for those! So here are some of my contenders.

Holidays...

With the holidays fast approaching these pictures came to mind. Since I did not do anything last year, I am going to have to get on the ball this year! Just thought I would share.

Rhett Blair Jude (Yes he still acts this way)

I'm Ready For Pumpkins...

• I have been itching to put out pumpkins, and this twist on the carved pumpkin hasn't helped matters any. Too cute, a monogrammed pumpkin! I think it will be a must do! I have a few other ideas for pumpkin decorating with the kids! Pictures to come!
  
  Picture provided by bhg.com
  

Mother's Day

Today was such a nice day. Just put me with my kids and husband and I am the happiest girl on the planet. No plans, no where to be. Just together!