My Birthday Wish list

Happy 30th Birthday to Me by work-it-mommy 

Old Navy infinity scarf // Essie nail polish //Cookbook // Slippers

I'm the kind of person who forgets what I want when asked, so making a wish list is my way of remembering (it's pretty sad it's come down to writing e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g down or else it's lost forever. I blame mom brain.)

Since I don't need anything these are just some fun things I would enjoy unwrapping come November 2nd. But I would never turn down gift cards or any type of food :)  

Linking up with Annie and Natalie and Vanessa.

   

   

Where I'm at Wednesday: Fallalujah

On the Blog//

We've been chipping away at our Fall Fun list!

Celebrate Anniversary//Caramel apples//The Farm//Halloween Touches//Leaf Art

Eating//

I've been all about my Crock Pot, funny, since I haven't used it in basically 7 years when we received it as a wedding gift.  This Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie is a great big hug in a bowl. 

Reading//

I've slowed down a bit this month on the book reading, the Holidays kinds seep in and take over, anyone else feel like that?  I'm not complaining, just stating :)  I read The Light Between Oceans by M.L Stedmen (so beautifully written!!!), Zoo by James Patterson and am in the middle of JoJo Moyes, The Ship of Brides.  Find me on Goodreads!

Watching//

I had high hopes for Heroes Reborn and I gotta tell ya, it has me feeling torn.  Maybe once I get a figure on what the heck is going on, I'll like more, but for now I just feel meh.

source

Wearing//

The weather has been faking us out here in Central California, the morning starts off cool and crisp and then burns right off into summer sunshine around 11am.  Since I can't wear scarves at the moment at least I can wear my boots.  A small victory.

This Weekend//

We are celebrating Halloween!!!  We finally pinned down Kinsey's costume (spoiler, she's actually wearing 2 different ones!) and we will have two fun celebrations to attend.  And this lil cutie will be able to enjoy the festivities too!

Next Month//

November is like my favorite month 1) its my Birth month and 2) Thanksgiving.  Though I must state pumpkin everything is ruining my waistline (but that's not stopping me, sigh.)

Linking up with Shay, Sheaffer and Mel.

   

   

Collaboreads: October

I first learned about #Collaboreads from Kristin's blog and the bookworm in me rejoiced.

Finding new books to read is a never-ending quest for me so this link up is pure gold.  Here is the criteria:

A theme for the month is chosen

Pick your book

Read.  You get a whole month!

Review your book and link up with Amber and Rachel

October's book theme was "horror or thriller published before 2010" and I chose Zoo by James Patterson.

Goodreads Synopsis:

"All over the world, brutal attacks are crippling entire cities. Jackson Oz, a young biologist, watches the escalating events with an increasing sense of dread. When he witnesses a coordinated lion ambush in Africa, the enormity of the impending violence becomes terrifyingly clear.

With the help of ecologist Chloe Tousignant, Oz races to warn world leaders before it's too late. The attacks are growing in ferocity, cunning, and planning, and soon there will be no place left for humans to hide."

Riveting:

This novel was definitely plot-driven, so it was a fast read.  The characters weren't fully developed and it made me wonder why only one guy who dropped out of school was the only one to pick up on the animal phenomenon known as HAC.  There was a random 5 year gap in the middle that left out some information about the characters that would have been good to know. I also had a problem with how it ended (and so did my mom) but overall it was entertaining.

Elements:

I wish there was more information given about these characters.  I liked Oz, he had a good sense of humor but other than that we were just supposed to take it that he was a genius but there wasn't anything supporting this.  And Chloe was supposed to be brilliant and beautiful but again, there was such skimming over the surface that it left much to be desired.

The plot twists were good but there wasn't much of a resolution at the end and I like tidy endings (maybe that's my character flaw? ;) 

Associate:

The fast-paced style reminded me of a Dan Brown novel, but I enjoy his writing, so maybe this isn't the best association?

Designs:

This book was made up of short chapters which I like because it made me feel like I was reading it faster and it gave me better stopping points when I had to go back to parenting (haha.)  

Stars:

2 out of 5.

I like books that are character rich and have lots of detail and imagery.  This was pretty much the exact opposite of all those things but I was entertained and wanted to find out how this ended (and then was disappointed, sigh.)  I haven't seen the miniseries, anyone watch it yet?

Linking up with Amber and Rachel.

   

   

Fall Fun at the Pumpkin Patch

The visit to the Big Patch finally happened on Sunday!  Be prepared for a photo dump. We got up early (for us) and arrived at the patch around opening time and beat out the crowds. Kinsey and Brielana hitched a ride in the wagon!

   We picked out our pumpkins,

took some family pictures, 

Last year's picture for a fun comparison.  Them babies sure have grown!

Uncle, David, Papa and Daddy

 and sister pictures:

and got lost in the corn maze.  

Half way through our visit the sun emerged in all her glory and I was freaking d-y-y-y-i-n-g, dressed in my fall finest, haha. Just goes to show you can look cute but feel like poop. 

When we got back to the In Laws house, we got down to carving. I am the seed roasting queen and make sure they are reserved for snacking purposes. I've pretty much given up on Kinsey carving a pumpkin because she doesn't like "the mess" so Auntie Hailey set her up with some markers and she went to town. 

And when one is doing something, the other follows :)

I wanted to do a kitty but my original idea fell through so I improvised with this:

It's pathetic but I had so fun so I call it a win ;)  #wherestheears?

And then this happened:

Brielana was not having any of it.  I'm pretty sure it would have been a different story if she had either 1) had a nap or 2) had a snack.  But we forged on.  Let's look back on Kinsey's pumpkin photos from over the years:

I'll make sure we (I mean, Brielana) are aptly prepared for this next year!

Easiest snack in the world: washed pumpkin seeds + baking sheet + seasoning, into a 400F oven for 30 minutes, mixing halfway.  I use a combo of garlic salt, pepper and lemon pepper but there are endless possibilities.  We end up snacking on these babies while watching TV and they hit the spot.

Congratulations, you've made it to the end!

Linking up with Amanda, Courtney, Elizabeth and Nina.