My PB + J

pumpkin patch

This past Wednesday was the first organized “field trip” I organized for Payton’s class. Yeah, let’s back-up, Payton began preschool last month and I am her room coordinator. That post is coming soon, like the rest of our Summer I haven’t blogged. Life has happened and this little blog has been put on the back burner. So, for those who have asked if I started another blog, or for family that have asked if I would ever blog again here ya go! A post with actual pictures. yippee! 
Back to our trip to Bates Nut Farm. We’ve gone every year since Payton was an infant. This year was a little different because we shared our pumpkin patch going experience with three other families. We spent the morning on the damp, perfectly crisp patch. We explored, went on hayrides, had an exciting time navigating throughout the corn maze, picked out pumpkins and pushed the big macs around. Let’s just say it was a great morning and my first organized non-school event was a blast! 

Until next year, Bates. 

Chocolate Cherry Granola Bars

For awhile now I’ve had homemade granola bars on my to-make list. With the weather going from the low nineties to high sixties, the Fall baking bug has set in. The warm notes of toasty grains just sounded amazing on a chilly afternoon, plus they were a great snack to send a dear friend on the road with.

Dry Ingredients: 
2 cups old fashioned oats, 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds, 1 cup sliced raw almonds, 3/4 cup wheat germ, 1/2 cup flax seed meal 

Preheat the oven to 350º. Toast grains and seeds for 15 minutes. I set the timer in five minute increments and tossed around to avoid burning. The wheat germ will burn so watch closely. 

Wet Ingredients:
1/2 cup honey, 1/4 brown sugar, pinch of kosher salt, 3 TB butter, 2 tsp vanilla 
Combine ingredients, warm on low heat until brown sugar is dissolved. 

Chop 1/2 cup tart cherries and snack on a few while doing so. 

In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients. Add in 1/2 cup chocolate chips, the chocolate will melt coating the mixture. If you would prefer chunks of chocolate make sure your syrup is cooled before adding in cherries and chocolate. Not saying I made this mistake…

Grease a 9×9 pan with butter and pat the mixture in until distributed. Bake at 300º for 20 minutes. 

 You can also serve the granola crumbled over pumpkin greek yogurt with a nice cup of joe. It makes for a great start to any chilly morning.

bates nut farm 2012

Yesterday morning we took a drive to Bates Nut Farm with auntie Jinger, uncle Geoff and baby Bri. It wasn’t an ideal crisp Fall morning but we dealt with the 80º temps and crossed a few of our Fall bucket list items off our list! This year was slightly different from last year since I was twenty-eight days out from my official due date, little did we know our little pumpkin would arrive a week later. It was fun seeing all the kids interact, enjoy the hay ride and Payton was slightly scared of the few actual scary scarecrows. After three hours we called it a day, we made some great memories and look forward to next year when all the kids are walking!

woodland fall wreath {tutorial}

Woodland Inspired Fall Wreath 
If you’re anything like me you are getting all your Fall decorations up. I have been working over the past two weeks figuring out where to place all my decorations because it’s our first Fall season in the new house. I loved my Fall wreath at the old house but it has since found a new place indoors because we have double front doors. I wanted wreaths that could go through the entire season and stay up for Brayden’s birthday party which is also woodland themed. I settled on a design using fragile moss and grapevine wreaths that I found at Michael’s. The only problem I had was the price so after about five trips to Michael’s to take advantage of the 50% off coupon I had all the necessary items to make my wreaths. 
Here’s what you need for one wreath:
1 – moss & grapevine wreath 
($14.99 + 50% off coupon)
2 – Fall inspired sprigs
 ($1.99 each + 40% + an additional 15% off coupon) 
1 – Woodland mushroom sprig 
($3.99 + 50% off coupon) 
twine 
hot glue
scissors 
burlap 

You will want to work on a clean surface. This is a messy project because of the wreath and burlap threads. Take one of the fall sprigs and nestle it just about eight o’clock, you might need to bend or trim the stick. Next take the second sprig and nestle it right below the first. 

You will next take the mushroom sprig and gently nestle it into the wreath. I cut about two inches off of the stick. On my first wreath the cap of the mushroom fell and on the second the stick came out, if this happens just simple place some hot glue on the area. 

Find a piece of card stock and cut a small triangle. This will be your guide for your mini pennant banner. 

Place the paper triangle onto your burlap, lining them up right against one another. Cut out your triangles. I used four triangles. I originally was going to write FALL on the triangles but opted for simplicity. 

Next take your twine and line up your triangles. Simply place a line of hot glue on the twine and gently place the burlap triangle onto the twine. Repeat with remaining triangles. Leave enough twine at the ends to tie off and for some slack. 
Next take your burlap. Burlap is fairly easy to cut. About two inches in width find a string in the burlap and cut it. Loosen that string and begin to pull towards you. 

Pull the string until it comes completely out from the piece of burlap. 

You will now see a straight cut guide. 

Take your scissors and cut along the guide line. 

 For your pennant you will want to tie onto a twig that is sturdy. I tied mine at 11 and 2 o’clock. 

Wrap your long piece of burlap around the wreath tying a knot at the top and then tying another at the top so you can hang it on a hook disguising the hook. I tied mine at the top twice and cut the ends on an angle.

Hang on your door and admire all season long with a yummy pumpkin spice latte in hand!  

*Note – At select Michael’s stores they are carrying this wreath and matching owls, squirrels, mushrooms and birds. I had purchased an owl to place at 4 o’clock but it looked too busy. Mix and match and have fun with it! 


I am linking up with: