a fall open house

 today and tomorrow i'm hosting an open house in my gift shoppe.

the shoppe connects to my dining room making a perfect spot for snacks for incoming visitors.

i'm giving away a basket of goodies including some things from the pampered chef! my sister-in-law is hosting a little party here on saturday. she'll be making up even more tasty treats!

i made mini pumpkin pies and cream wafer cookies.

and hot apple cider too! of course.

if you are around tomorrow, bundle up (yeah - it's supposed to be 44 degrees here with a chance of snow!) and stop on by!

there's lots of goodies for all! and some great shopping too!

i wish i could sing

if i could have one super hero strength it would be an amazing singing voice. seriously. i have no need to fly. i don't need super human strength. i just want to be able to belt out a note like no other.

when i saw this video today i was reminded of my super hero wish. so after listening to this cover of adele's  - someone like you over thirty times today i figured it was only appropriate to share it with you.



i'm typically disappointed with most youtube covers. while some folks can really sing, they often miss the emotion or meaning behind the song. not this time. i love this duo's take on the song and i can totally feel the emotion. in fact, i still have goosebumps.

what do you think?

i made pie

it's true ... i've never made a pie before. 

until last thursday.

inspired by this pin via pinterest,

i decided to attempt my first pie, pumpkin and fearless.

using store bought pie crust. i know, baby steps. i crafted this beautiful crust.

it was easier than it looked. and totally worth it.

i used canned pumpkin, which she once told me was ok, and her word is gold.

i followed the recipe on the back of the can with minor changes to the spices used.

it turned out better than expected. beautiful and delicious. really delicious. and really beautiful.

i did it. i made pie!

an extended weekend

enjoyed with beautiful sunsets...

new friends and amazing food...

and the best family ever.

more details coming soon!
how was your weekend?

friday randomness: ornaments and a sink

typically i'm not particularly excited for fridays to come. as an innkeeper/small business owner, the weekends are as busy, if not busier, than the actual week. but today is different. i've been waiting for this friday to come for a while. why? well, i'll give you a hint ... remember that really cool thing i did last year? i may just be going to another one! yep! but, don't worry i'll share all the details next week.

in the meantime, i wanted to tell you about two other things (if you didn't already know). the lovely and super amazing alicia of poise gets cozy has just released her new ornament kits for this year!

beautiful, right? i've always been such a big fan of these kits, but never ordered one. i guess they always seemed 'out of my league.' so maybe i'm feeling more confident in my abilities .... and i think it would be a wonderful collection to have, so i decided to order the first two kits. this one has always been a favorite of mine.

i probably would have ordered all four kits (as i'm the biggest impulse buyer [my brain seems to go on vacation when i shop - not good!]) but at $30 each i really couldn't. so i'm banking on the fact more of the kits will be available next year. fingers crossed.

in other news... have you seen jen's new bathroom sinks!?

ah-freakin-mazing!! right? she cut a table in half and turned it into two bathroom sinks! if this wasn't a 'pee in my pants' moment, then i don't know what is. and maybe i'm getting overly excited, as i do sometimes, but i just love this. jen definitely has a creative mind and a talented hand (have you see her signs) and i just love folks like that. i just wish she didn't live halfway across the country, because i think we could be good friends.

anyway, head on over to her blog and check out her entire bathroom remodel. simple gorgeous!

hope you all have an amazing weekend! did you know that today is the first day of fall!? another reason to celebrate this friday!

blogging over at FOLK today!

hey everyone! just wanted to thank you all for your amazing comments as of late. it's wonderful to be blogging again. i'm humbled that i inspire you, and in return, your words inspire me!

today i have the privilege to be positing over at the lovely blog from FOLK magazine. i whipped up a fall inspired recipe for whole wheat apple muffins with a walnut streusel.

yes, they taste as good as they sound! head on over and check it out.

oh, i would really appreciate any and all comments over there too. (i'm hoping i'll be able to do another post with FOLK in the future!) and be sure to follow the blog as well so you don't miss out on anything!

FOLK has arrived!

i'm so happy to announce that the greatly anticipated FOLK magazine has debuted and is finally in my hands! 

the magazine is a tribute and showcase of the term 'all american living'. that sentiment can be seen through its pages and stories.

you'll also notice some familiar faces like the uber talented donna of funky junk interiors!

and new faces (at least to me) like deb kennedy, owner and designer of Retreat (and fellow blogger). i just love her sweater pumpkin tutorial! i have a bunch of old plaid shirts that make work nicely too!

and what lifestyle magazine would be complete without some mouth watering recipes? as an innkeeper i love me a good granola recipe! this one is from the amazing photographer kimberly taylor of kimberly taylor images.

FOLK's premiere issue has me excited to see what this group of talented writers, chefs, photographers, stylists and designers will come up with next!

if you'd like more information about FOLK you can visit the website, find FOLK on tumblr, follow the FOLK blog (where i'll be guest posting tomorrow!) and 'like' FOLK on Facebook!

did you treat yourself to a subscription of FOLK? i'd love to hear your thoughts on the magazine!

also, i have about twenty copies of this issue available in the gift shoppe! stop in soon, as i'm sure they'll go quickly!

a colorful fall in our shoppe

the change of seasons is always a welcomed and fun time for my little gift shoppe! it's always nice rearrange things, unpack new treasures and see 'a vision' come to life. so for those of you who can't visit the shop in person, i thought i'd offer a little photo tour! enjoy!

hope you enjoyed my little photo tour! what'd ya think? do you have any favorites? i'd love to know!