Finally Fall!!!

FALL...... The leaves fall, the wind blows, and the farm country slowly changes from the summer cottons into its winter wools.

  My favorite time of the year is finally here.  The cool air blowing around all day, to football games on Saturdays.  Where there is bonfires on those nights with some warm pumkin spice lattes and so much more.
I look forward to this time of the year and when it is finally here I truly don't want it to change. 

     The season has pretty much started off right with my Clemson Tigers winning all of the first five games.  Making ACC and School history by beating three Top 25 teams in a row.  We are 5-0, 2-0 in the ACC and rated number 8 in the AP Coach's Poll at the start of the 6th week of football season and coming home to host Boston College this coming Saturday in the most ever so beautiful Death Valley at 3:30.  It makes me nervous to know my Tigers will be stepping out on the field undefeated with BC coming into town.  (Just a little remember of one of the reason why all of this is so happy and good for me is we beat Auburn and Carolina lost last night to them)  Goooo Tigers!!!

     I am trying to come up with some little cute ideas for making the house look more like fall.  I am hoping to get some orange and leaves stuff for my front door.  Then of course when it gets closer to Halloween I am hoping to fix a pumpkin up for the front step at the house. 

    Then I am trying to come up with a cheap weekend getaway for me and Jess before our big trip to Columbia at the end of November (Going to watch some Clemson Carolina game for our big 2 year Anny).  I would love to take a trip to the mountains but everything is so costly right now and I know Jesse most likely would not go for it.  So I am looking for something fun to do.

     I was hoping to get the house done better Christmas but I don't know how close that will be.  Still have a lot of things going on and can't get everything right now.  Between going back to school and everything there is just no time in the day.

     I am thinking about getting my mama to write up the receipe for her chicken and dressing in a crock pot, and hopefully some of her could ole cooking you know for the fall weather so hopefully I can cook some good dinner one night. 

     Since I love the fall and the fall weather plus food I am going to try and blog almost everyday posting something with the fall season...
          I found this easy homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte.  Hopefuly it is good I am hoping to try it out one night this week.

Pumpkin Spice Latte (Vegan, Gluten Free)

1. Make coffee (a pot, a cup, in whatever fashion and however you prefer making your coffee.   The stronger the better)

2. Make Pumpkin Milk

1 c milk (I used almond milk but use any kind you want from half and half to rice milk)

1/4 heaping cup pumpkin puree (more if you really love pumpkin)

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice blend, or to taste

1 tsp cinnamon, or to taste

1 tsp vanilla extract

sweetener of choice, to taste (I suggest 2 tbsp agave or 2 tbsp brown sugar or a pinch of stevia to taste; or try honey, maple syrup, etc. to taste)

Optional: pinch of ground nutmeg, ginger, garam masala, cardamom, or other warming spices to taste

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk well by hand or blend all ingredients using a Vita or blender

Optional: Warm the finished pumpkin milk mixture in the microwave or on the stovetop (I do a quick nuke of about 1 minute)

3. Pour 1 c of brewed coffee into a mug and pour half the pumpkin milk mixture over the top of the coffee and enjoy.  (Optional: Finish by garnishing with real whipped cream/whipped topping such as CoolWhip or TruWhip; and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice/cinnamon on top)

The other half of the pumpkin milk mixture is for the refill you know you will want.  If you truly don’t want a refill, refrigerate it for up to a few days and use for your next latte, in a smoothie, or drink it as is.  As long as you’re dirtying dishes, I always make a little extra for refills or for later.

Notes:

The spices will not “blend” or entirely dissolve.  This is to be expected and normal.  If this bothers you, this may not the recipe for you and you may want to experiment with other recipes or techniques.

All spices and seasonings are to taste; in this case, mine.  If you want to reduce the spices (or increase them), obviously adjust everything according to your own taste preferences.  Some people may find the amounts I used a bit strong, but I like robust flavors.

I have some pics finally from mine and Jesse beach trip to Mrytle Beach!!!



Hopes and Dream Photography...
Jesse and McKenzie 2011



Hopes and Dreams Photography...

Hopes and Dreams Photography...
This one is my favorite out of all of them!!!

 

Hopes and Dreams Photography...
Jesse and the only two people who will ever love him more than anything!!!

 

 

 

Hopes and Dreams Photography...
This is truly how we are most of the time

 

 

Hopes and Dreams Photography...
Love this pic of me

 

What we did on the main strip Downtown Myrtle Beach...
(Watch Carolina play Georgia outside the Landshark Bar and Grill)

 

The TV!!!

 

Watching the game...

 

 

The Sky Wheel

 

Our Classroom and work for the week...

 

 

If this was just every morning

 

Feeding the fish at The Bass Pro Shop

 

 

The chair Jesse thinks he is going to have in our living room one day!!!
(Yea well he can think twice about that one)

 

Playing Putt Putt

 

 

Myrtle Beach 2011

 

The shark someone fishing in...
(I got to touch it and then it turned my head to my toes and I went running)

 

 

 

Yep normal....

 

 

My future Mother-In-Law and Aunt
Plus My great photographers (Hopes and Dreams Photography)...
(They are taking appts. if you want your pics done let me know

 

 

Jesse's Hot Now Sign and Hat....
Joy, Missie, and I had to get him to even take us there!!!