Railroad Park

Birmingham has opened a new park across from B&A Warehouse.  Last Sunday Tim and I decided to check it out.  We were so impressed.  It is, aside from Central Park, probably the nicest park I have visited.  I am sure the photos will not do it justice.  I was also happy to see the number of people there!  Birmingham has needed something to draw people downtown for so long. We only walked around the trail.  I am looking forward to going back with a blanket and hanging out for an afternoon. They offer so many attractions. They even had vendors and food stations. Sunday there was a jazz concert and we also saw a list of dates and times for yoga and other classes!

Starbucks Recipe!

Starbucks' Caramel Apple Cider Recipe

Serves/Makes:   1

Ingredients:
Cinnamon syrup- a couple of squirts (sold in the store)
Treetop premium apple juice
Whipped cream
Carmel syrup drizzled on top

Directions:

Blend cinnamon syrup with apple juice. Top with whipped cream and carmel syrup. Enjoy!




After posting yesterday on things I am loving, I found this recipe!  You can now make this delicious, perfectly Fall drink in the comfort of your own home.  And you will not have to pay $5 a glass to enjoy it!

Things I am Loving Right Now

This seems to be a popular post in the blogger world so I will list a couple of things I have been enjoying this fall!

Brach's Caramel Apple Candy Corn

These are addictive!!  They also come in caramel.  If you are a peanut fan, I have a tip for you.  Mix your candy corn with dry roasted  peanuts for a yummy fall snack.  Hey with the peanuts at least you are getting some protein, right?



Bath and Body works candle in "Autumn scent"

  I cannot say how much I love this scent, also "Leaves" .  They just make me happy.  If you are not a candle fan, they also come in the wallflowers. I am down to the very last bit of candle and I am trying to hold off for a buy 2 for $20 sale  but it better come soon!

I found these heels at Target and fell in love!  They are perfect for fall, neutral, but with an extra sparkle.  Theses could go with everything and they are $19.99!  Holy cow you can not beat that!

Starbucks Caramel Apple Cider

I have been trying to stay away from Starbucks and all of its yummy, ridiculously priced drinks but this is exactly what fall ordered!

Do not laugh!  I saw these on another blog and they work!  They look like the real thing and stayed on for 5 days!  Maybe not for everyday but if you have hands/ nails like mine, this is a great idea for special occasions.   And even better they are $6!

OPI My Private Jet

When I had a two and a half hour layover in DFW, I had no idea how I was going to spend the time.  Then I saw heaven  the spa and my questions were answered.  I opted for a manicure ( see post above) since my nails always look horrible.  I selected this fun, fall shade.  It was a metallic grey that I immediately loved.  I think due to the sparkle it would be even better on toes.  So if you are looking for a new fantastic fall shade, this is your answer!

Tailgating Recipes

One of our absolute favorite Fall activities is tailgating.  When the weather is cooler, there is just nothing better than spending a Saturday afternoon with good friends, great food and of course, the Auburn Tigers!  So in honor of our 8-0 Tigers, I thought I would share a few of our tried and true tailgate recipes!

Avocado-Feta Salsa Make this salsa shortly before serving for best results. Avoid refrigerating it--the texture of the tomatoes will soften. 4 plum tomatoes, chopped 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 (4-ounce) package crumbled feta cheese 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 avocados, chopped Assorted tortilla chips Stir together first 9 ingredients. Gently stir in avocado just before serving. Serve with assorted tortilla chips.   Vidalia Onion Dip 1 8oz Cream Cheese, room temperature 1 Tbl sp Mayonnaise 1 Vidalia Onion Chopped ¾ C Parmesan Cheese Sautee the onion until translucent or carmelized (your preference) .  Mix cream cheese, mayonnaise and onion then add parmesan cheese.  Pour into greased dish and bake @ 350 for 20 minutes.   Mary Dodd’s Olive Dip 1 C Green Olives (sliced and drained) 1 C Black Olives (sliced and drained) 1 C Mayonnaise 1 C Grated Sharp  Cheddar 1 C Grated Monterey Jack Cheese Dashes of Tabasco Mix and chill @ least 1 hour before serving.  Serve with favorite crackers or tortilla chips. Redneck Caviar 2 cans bush's field peas with snaps, drained and rinsed 2 cans white shoe peg corn, drained 2 cans rotel, drained 1 can diced tomatoes, drained 1 bottle zesty italian dressing Add scallions for color.  Mix all and refrigerate overnight.  Be sure not to use Fat Free, light Italian or Wal mart's brand of Italian as they will be too sweet. Phillip’s Crackers Two sleeves of saltine crackers 1 cup of vegetable oil  2 tsps of crushed red pepper 2 tsps of garlic powder 2 tsps of dill 1 package of Ranch Dressing (dry)    Put everything but the crackers in a bowl and mix.  I used about half of the oil.  the first time I made it they were somewhat too greasy. Let it stand about an hour. Put the soda crackers (the cheaper the better) and the mixture in a zip lock bag. Carefully turn the bag over for about 24 hours. Hope you enjoy some of these recipes and WAR EAGLE!!!

Pumpkin Cheesecake Cupcakes

8 oz. cream cheese, at room temp.
1/2 c. confetioners' sugar
2 large eggs, plus 5 large egg whites
2 t. pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 c. flour
2 t. pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 t. baking powder
3/4 t. salt
1 c. canned pumpkin puree
1 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 c. light brown sugar
Simmering water
3 sticks unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon size pieces and chilled

1. Place a rack in the lower 1/3 of the oven and preheat to 350°. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with liners. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and confectioners' sugar for 3 minutes. Beat in 1 egg white and 1/2 t. vanilla.
2. In a bowl, whisk the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and 1/2 t. salt. In another bowl, mix the pumpkin, 2 eggs, granulated sugar, oil, and 1 t. vanilla. Whisk in the flour mixture.

3. Layer each muffin cup with pumpkin, cream cheese, then pumpkin. Bake until springy to touch, about 25 minutes. Let cool.

Got so big the tops some were flattened by the oven rack!

4. Using the electric mixer, beat the brown sugar, remaining 4 egg whites aflattennd remaining 1/4 t. salt. Fill a medium saucepan with enough simmering water to reach a depth of 1 inch; place the mixing bowl on top. Whisk the mixture until it registers 160° on an instant-read thermometer.

4. Using the electric mixer, beat the brown sugar, remaining 4 egg whites and remaining 1/4 t. salt. Fill a medium saucepan with enough simmering water to reach a depth of 1 inch; place the mixing bowl on top. Whisk the mixture until it registers 160° on an instant-read thermometer.

5. Transfer the bowl back to the mixer an beat at high speed until fluffy; lower the speed and beat to room temperature, about 5 minutes. Add the butter, 1 T. at a time, then beat at high speed for 5 minutes. Beat in the remaining 1/2 t. vanilla.

6. Transfer to a pastry bag and pipe large rosettes on top of the cupcakes.

Obviously I am not going to win any prizes for my icing abilities but taste is what matters, right? I will be honest, these took a couple of hours to make!  But I am no baker so part of it could have been me and my slowness.  Also they were huge!  I am not a big sweets person so it was too much for to eat at one time.  So if I make again, I will make smaller cupcakes. I think having more will also make me feel better about spending all of that time making them.  But I will say they were VERY good, not your average cupcake!

Halloween Inspiration

If somehow you missed the memo, I am obsessed with all things Halloween. I always have loved dressing up, the decorations, parties, the festive food.  As far as I am concerned, what is not to like?  I have always enjoyed viewing Halloween ideas in magazines or online for inspiration.  This year I have found some great ideas:



Southern Living




I honestly cannot remember where I found this but will keep looking




Better Homes and Gardens





Better Homes and Gardens



 I absolutely love the idea of the house numbers on the pumpkin topiary above.



Better Homes and Gardens




Better Homes and Gardens




Better Homes and Gardens




Better Homes and Gardens




Paula Deen




Martha Stewart






Martha Stewart

  


Martha Stewart




Martha Stewart




Martha Stewart




Martha Stewart




Pottery Barn




Southern Living




Southern Living



 I must try these two ideas for a dip container and a cooler!  Love them!



Southern Living




Thrifty Decor




Thrifty Decor



Don't you love the black pumpkins and the window boxes? 



Thrifty Decor



The Decor Diary- Simple and elegant

 I so want to have a party its not funny :) Maybe next year I need to try to grow pumpkins so that I will have enough for all the decorating I want to do without breaking the bank!  Hope you found these ideas inspiring for your home too!

Fall Miscellaneous

This time of year seems to get so busy and this Fall has been no exception.  But maybe that is one of the reasons we love fall.  We go from the lazy days of summer to countless fall activities and if we are lucky, cooler weather to enjoy them!  This year John David decided to play flag football.  Big T was in Auburn a few weeks ago and was able to check out practice.  The boys were so excited he was there!  Below you can see that Spence was content to view practice from what appears to be a trailer!

Below are a couple of photos sent from my friend Kim.  While we were at the beach our friends Tim and Kim were kind enough to keep the Pomchildren.   I was so happy to see that Lola was not a nervous wreck!  She is actually relaxing!  But honestly, they love going to Camp Cano partly due to the fenced in yard and pampered treatment they receive but also due to spending time with their boyfriends, Mr. Al and Mr. Cal.

Tim is in the process of training for a half marathon in February.  So we have been taking advantage of the cooler weather and going on many walks to the school while he runs.

No one ever pays attention

This would be Lola trying to find Tim

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure was the first race in Tim's training program.  And what a great cause! Although a bit warmer than it has been, the day was beautiful!

Next month is a 10k!  We know he can do and are very proud of him!

WELCOME TO THE BIG D!!

Guns up!!

This past weekend John David was able to go on a very special trip including his first plane ride!  I think he was actually more impressed with the taxi than the plane, you never know with a 6 year old.  He and David flew to Dallas to see Texas Tech play Baylor at the Cotton Bowl.  And to make it even better the state fair was also at the Cotton bowl so he got to ride many scary rides!  The first picture is John David on the team bus arriving at the stadium. And the last picture was from the sidelines. I cannot imagine how much fun he had!  Tim and I watched the game and actually saw him on the side lines!