Fall-licious...Again.

*I definitely just copied this post from my second post ever and added a few updates/improved the pictures. But in my defense I don't know that anyone was actually reading back then, so there you go. 

It just pretty much sums up Fall for me, I couldn't say it any better now than I did then, so I figured why reinvent the wheel, you know?*

So it's still about 99 degrees outside right now, but of course I'm thinking about my favorite season ever, FALL! Or Autumn, whichever you prefer.

I love absolutely everything about Fall. Not that we have much of a true Fall in Florida, but we can pretend, can't we? Besides, we do occasionally get some Fall color here! See, proof!

This is an actual tree here in Jax. 

Granted, it's from a few years ago and it was taken in December. Still, totally counts. 

A few of my favorite things about Fall:

1. "Cooler" weather- Yes, it does cool off in Florida somewhat. And after the sweltering heat of August, there is no better feeling than that first little bit of coolness in the air when you step outside! Of course, some years it takes longer than others to get here, but when it does arrive it is glorious!

2. Pumpkin everything- Pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cake, pumpkin butter...I once met someone who doesn't like Pumpkin. I don't get it.

3. FOOTBALL!!!- Specifically Florida Gators football, but really just football in general. I used to not really care about football, I would watch the Superbowl but that was about it. But then Adam and I started watching it together and I started understanding more about the game and I was hooked!

There's just something about it, the excitement, the team spirit, the athleticism, and the tradition. Our favorite is college ball, but we watch NFL too. Pretty much if football is on, I want to be watching it! We try to catch as many of the SEC games as we can, but we also enjoy watching teams from other conferences like Oklahoma State and Clemson.

4. The clothes- Even though I live in FL and we don't get very cold, I still LOVE all things cozy, like boots, sweaters, jackets, long sleeves...Sigh...

5. The Fair- We go with a group of friends every year to the cutest little country fair you ever did see. We look at all of the animals, watch the 4H competition, and admire all of the adorable displays set up by local elementary schools. Then we consume mass quantities of funnel cake, corn dogs, cotton candy, and BBQ and follow all that up with a ride that spins us in circles until we feel naseous. It. is. awesome.

6. The movies- I have a list of "fall" movies we have to watch every year- The Adventures of Ichabod Crane; Haunted Mansion (the cheesy but awesome Disney ride turned movie); It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown; Sleepy Hollow (I just have to close my eyes for the gross parts), and Mad Monster Party.

7. The food and drinks-Everything is just more cozy, including the food! Fall equals comfort food galore! Pies, cakes, all kinds of chili, chicken and dumplings, caramel corn, apple butter, apple cider, hot cocoa, ginger snaps, sweet potatoes, anything involving cinnamon...

I could go on and on, but those are the highlights! What's your favorite thing about Fall?

Our Gallery Wall

So I started seeing a lot of these things called "Gallery Walls" on the Pinterest a while ago, and I pretty much fell in love instantly. I loved the varied sizes and shapes, the really personal touches and funky pieces, and the eclectic feel.

The decor in our house I would describe as "classic eclectic" if that makes any sense. We have lots of dark wood, leather, and granite, a lot of classic pieces. But we also have some funky stuff, like vintage bakery signs, toys, and brightly colored details.

So I felt like a gallery wall with some pictures and some prints in different sizes, shapes, and colors (without going too crazy) would go well with the feel of our home.

I started gathering a few pieces we already had that I knew I wanted to feature, which was great because not only did I get to finally use some pictures that I had been wanting to hang for some time, it also cut down on the amount of money I had to spend, so a definite win-win!

For the prints and pictures that needed frames, I actually went to the dollar store and got everything I needed for less than $10! For the pictures that needed matting, I used scrapbooking paper I already had in different colors and patterns, and cut them to the size of the frames.

If you need to print some of your pictures, try Shutterfly. They are pretty reasonable, and they have special deals from time to time. They were running a special for a free calendar so I ordered the pictures I wanted in the calendar, cut them out of the calendar, and voila! Free prints. I just had to pay shipping!

So the moral of the story is that you don't have to spend a fortune to create a lovely and meaningful gallery wall.

Some tips I picked up:

1. Start out by deciding what look you are going for. Do you want a more eclectic feel with varied shapes, sizes, colors, and types of wall hangings? Or do you prefer a more uniform look?

2. Determine what you can use from what you already have around your home- pictures you've been wanting to hang, original artwork by you and/or your children, keepsakes and mementos, etc. There really is no "right" or "wrong" way to do it, it's whatever reflects your family and home best!

3. Supplement what you have with pieces you love, whether found online or in a store. There are tons of great free printables online, or you can find some varied and unique pieces in gift shops, antique shops, thrift stores, and more.

4. Don't be afraid to use frames you already have or buy cheap ones at the dollar store- typically in a  gallery wall the frames aren't the focus, so they don't have to be super expensive to get the job done.

5. DO NOT start hammering nails into the wall until you figure out the layout you want! Take pieces of paper cut to the size and shape of each piece and tape them on the wall (with painter's tape) in different arrangements until you get the one you like. This will save you a bunch of extra holes in the wall!

Have you ever done a gallery wall? Do you have any tips to share?

A Hot Southern Mess

Coffee Date Linkup/Friday Favorites Smash Up

So I'm doing things a weee bit different today because I wanted to join in on sharing my highlights of the week for the Coffee Date Link Up with Gold and Bloom today! Except highlights are pretty much the same things as favorites, so really it's not different at all and forget I said anything. Except don't forget about the Coffee Date Link Up cuz it's rad and you should join. Also link up with all of these other lovely ladies: Meet at the Barre, Momfessionals, September Farm, and xoxoRebecca.

Have I rambled enough? Ok!

First, a Friday dance, made all the more awesome by the fact that I get off work at noon today:

FUTURAMA #love

          Highlights of the Week 

      (AKA things that made me smile): 

This video:

Puppies howling. Your weekly dose of cute. You're welcome. 

This song (and Tom Hanks in the music video. I didn't think it was possible to love Tom Hanks any more, but I do): 

Is this song kind of obnoxious? Ok, yes. But it's also fun and catchy. Ergo I like it. Don't judge me. 

This show: 

It's ridiculous and awful and I love it. Plus Quinn from HIMYM. 

This cake: 

We had a baby shower for a coworker this week and I got to make the cake! So fun, I LOVE baby showers! 

These funnies: 

A dog owner's life: 

Ya think??

But really though: 

Humor for band geeks like me: 

Ok, lovelies, I'm off to frolic and adventure with my guy this weekend. There may be pictures of animals at the zoo and ridiculous yet delicious food involved. Peace! 

Blueberry Muffins with Cinnamon Streusel Topping

So I was excited to find out that my recipe for Caramel Latte Cake is being featured over at Delicious Dish Tuesday today! Check it out, along with all of the other wonderful recipes being featured!

There's just something about homemade blueberry muffins. The store-bought ones are great too, but there's nothing like making them from scratch, and they're so easy! I made these for Adam for Valentine's Day and they were a hit!

You will need:

For the muffins: 
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup white sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 egg

1/3 cup milk

1 cup fresh blueberries

For the topping: 

1/2 cup white sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup butter, cubed

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.

Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder.

Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup.

Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries gently. 

Make the topping: Mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon.

Cut in the 1/4 cup butter with a fork or pastry blender. 

Mixture should resemble coarse crumbs: 

Fill muffin cups right to the top, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until topping is browned and toothpick inserted comes out clean. 

Enjoy! 

Ingredients:

For the muffins: 

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup white sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 egg

1/3 cup milk

1 cup fresh blueberries

For the topping: 

1/2 cup white sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup butter, cubed

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.
2. Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder. Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups right to the top, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture.
3. To Make Crumb Topping: Mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup butter, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix with fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking.
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until topping is browned and toothpick inserted comes out clean.

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And don't forget!

Joey of Hodges Podges is having an awesome SALE on her ebook, Yeah, Maybe (click this link to go to the listing on Amazon!) this week! For this week only, February 23-28, get it for just $1.99! Check it out!