adios colors of fall.

when the weather was still nice, miley and i went walking and snapped some pics of the last remaining signs of fall.

it's too bad that winter has to show up and ruin all of this.
just another reason why i totally dislike winter.

today...

i am thankful for everything GOD has provided for us.

HAPPY  THANKSGIVING!

gobble, gobble.

random randomness.

its always exciting to see happy mail on the front porch.

it was from another blogger that i did a halloween swap with.

it was loaded!

 her 3 yr old made homemade doggy treats for miley and sent her a festive collar.

she gave both a "paws up"

this is what i sent her.

*******************

i decided it was time to update my profile pic.

i wore my 31 bits jewelry from meg's party

.COLOR LOVE.

****************

found this at dollar tree.

it didn't lie...it is awesome.

***********************

miss marley has stayed here a couple of times over the last couple weeks.

one morning i rolled over to find her next to me in bed.

of course i didn't have the heart to kick her out.

so it will be my fault if she tries it at home.

***********************

not so happy mail.

really?  again??  ugh???

************************

my 7 yr old cat finally purred for the first time.

she sounded like she had know idea what she was doing.

****************************

the weather has been just weird enough that,  i turn the heated seat on while the sunroof is open.

**********************

proof that football and home decor can co-exist.

**********************

my husband has won TWO umbrellas in the last couple of weeks.

one from the local news, and one at a golf tourney.

if he wins another, i'm sending him out to buy a lottery ticket.

**********************

i couldn't take our disgusting shower any longer, so i spent one whole day

digging out the old dingy caulking and rehabbing  the whole thing...door and all.

it involved a paint scraper, sawhorses, and toxic cleaners.

for realz.

********************

i found some cute fall sweaters at the thrift store.

***********************

years ago i sold a cabinet a our garage sale and have regretted it ever since.

i missed it dearly.

i found it sitting in our local antique store this week and bought it back.

it missed me too.

and i may have squealed like a girl when i saw it.

*********************

the cat's new sleeping spot.

**********************

i always eat chinese food with chop sticks.

always.

********************

before long,we will be wading through leaves to get to the garage.

this is 5 minutes after i swept the driveway.

***************

we leave in a week for someplace that's fabulous...

and requires a passport.

:)

tootles.

all tucked in for winter.

since it started raining leaves around here.

i decided it was time to tuck in the fish for the fall and winter.
it consists of putting huge, unsightly nets over the pond to keep the leaves out.

too many leaves and it can kill the fish...not to mention make it an even bigger pain in the spring to clean out.

this year i made a frame to support the net out of corey & amy's old trampoline.
i was trying to be green and do my part to save the planet....  cause i'm down with that. :)

the fish are still eating, so i throw the food through a hole the squirrels made, so they can still get a drink.
they are the most demanding little squirrels i tell ya.

after picking up what seemed to be a trillion sticks in the yard, i burned them in this all day.
there's nothing like working in the yard and listening to a roaring fire...it was so relaxing.

when i came in for the night, i made a cute halloween bunting with the leftover tablecloth from target that
i made the pillows out of and another tablecloth i also got at target.

it literally took me 15 minutes...so don't look very close.

then i paid all those demanding companies who's service i use every month and expect to be paid for it.. 
water
cable
internet
electricity
phone
yada
yada
no fun.

then i finished the night and into the morning watching the tv show parenthood....
(with a nice hot bag of microwave popcorn)
it has become one of my favorite shows.
it makes me laugh, cry and cringe all at once.

that's it...
later peeps.

thank you rachael ray.

don't these look delish?  caramel apple cupcakes.
they are a ooey, gooey must have treat for fall.
they taste just like a caramel apple, but better!

it was in my rachael ray everyday magazine.
and i have a boat load of apples from my dad's apple tree that needed a worthy recipe.

you should make these...you will love them.  PROMISE!

here's the goodies list to make a dozen.
you probably already guessed i made 2 dozen.
just call me miss doubley doubler.

1 1/4 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs at room temp.  mine weren't and it turned out just fine!
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c granulated sugar
1/2 c vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
2-3 apples, peeled & shredded (about 1 pound)
bag of caramels
1 tsp heavy cream.

yes, i realize there are four eggs in this picture and only 2 apples and no brown sugar...deal.

preheat oven to 350*
whisk together flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.

in a med bowl whisk the eggs, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.

it should look like this.

then whisk in the vegetable oil and vanilla.
add this bowl to the flour mixture and combine.

peel, core & slice up your apples.

it says to then use a grater to shred your apples.
i did it this way...

because i can :)

turbo shred 5000.  aka kitchen-aid awesome attachment.
add the apples to the batter.

stir them all in and then grab a small spoon and taste test  the batter (optional) but YUMMY!
grab some cupcake liners and line your pan.

spoon in your batter...not quite to the top.

bake 25-30 minutes or until golden.

check it with a toothpick if you have A.D.D.
while they are cooling on a rack start unwrapping the caramels.

add the heavy cream to caramels and melt in 30 sec intervals in the microwave.

til it looks like this.

now, the recipe calls for you to spread the caramel like frosting on the tops of each one.
and yes...they are really pretty this way.

but let me tell you...it is a royal mess and frankly way too much caramel for me..and i love caramel.
plus when it completely cools down and you bite into one...
you end up with the entire top stuck to the roof of your mouth.

so my plan B was to drizzle it on the top of each one.

this worked much better.

but wait!  i alas have a plan C for next time.
i plan on sticking one caramel into each cupcake right before i bake it.
instead of making it a topping i plan to bake it right in.
who knows if it would work, but i am going to try it.
and i will let you know how it comes out.

hopefully it's genius!

now go bake some yummy fall goodness for your family.
and don't forget the wet wipes...