Katherine and Nathaniel's wedding

I was honored to be included in Katherine and Nathaniel's wedding on October 11. I have known Katherine and Caroline since elementary school when her family moved here. We could certainly call our friendship hand me down. 

This wedding was my third this fall (parts 1 and 2; shower here), and the whole weekend was so enjoyable.  

Katherine and her family are talented in the kitchen, and her mom treated us girls to a lovely brunch. I need this quiche recipe; it was the best I've ever had. 

We had a sweet time over brunch and gifts. I am looking forward to using my new tea kettle, and I've already tried the delicious pumpkin tea Katherine gave me at her shower. 

She's a beautiful bride, even with her tacky bouquet! I have had to explain this tradition several times lately, so I'll spell it out here. At a bridal shower (or more than one), someone collects the ribbons and bows from the presents to turn them into a bouquet. A bridesmaid, friend, mother's friend, etc. holds onto the bows for the rehearsal. Typically, we put them on a paper plate base, and we tape, staple, or punch holes and tie to attach the ribbons to the plate then make some kind of handle on the back. The bouquet goes to the rehearsal, where the bride uses it as a stand in for her wedding bouquet. 

I was expecting a reunion of old church friends, but instead, this wedding was a bit of a college reunion. Katherine and I lived together our sophomore year in college, and we were in a Bible study with other girls in our dorm. Two of the ladies above led our Bible study that year and the next. 

I enjoyed seeing Lacy, who braved Asia (1,2,3) with me over a year ago. 

My dress is Ann Taylor, pearls were a gift from my parents, and shoes are Nina, from Lindsay's wedding. 

I got to bring this handsome man as my date. 

fall garden transition

A few weeks ago, I transitioned my garden for fall weather. 

I pulled up my Hillbilly tomato vine (that never produced fruit) and cucumber vines. After a few weeks of high yield in August, the cucumbers dwindled. 

I pulled weeds, tilled the soil, and made rows for seeds. 

The snow peas are already sprouting, and spinach should be next. 

I kept okra and Better Boy tomatoes at least for a few more weeks, rosemary, and thyme.

What should I plant next for the winter months? 

sunset flights and fall foliage

My dad and I took these photos on a Sunday afternoon a month or so ago, and I can't believe I forgot to post them! I thought it was prime time for viewing fall foliage, but surprisingly, most everything looked green from up in the air. Maybe that was the collards. 

We hopped over to Wayne Executive Jetport in Goldsboro and got fuel. The airport manager is absolutely the nicest man in aviation, and I recommend stopping by if you fly. 

I hate that these photos are on a delay, but what better time to post them than the 110th anniversary of the first flight? 

Harris tweed fall

Moon & Lola acrylic Hartford block monogram earrings // Ralph Lauren button down // Lilly Pulitzer sweater // Moon & Lola medium metal script monogram necklace // HMD Harris Tweed coat from Mom // HMD Gucci bag from Mom // Joe's jeans // Frye pull on Billy boot

Homecoming 2013

This weekend is homecoming, so yesterday I headed back "home" for a quick stop with my pal Aubree.  First, we caught up with some of our sorority sisters at the house.  It was great to see everyone I know and to meet the younger girls in my "family"!

We could not believe how spacious our old room seems now that only three people live in it!  The house looked great, and I enjoyed seeing how the girls have their rooms decorated.  It was such a unique experience to live in a sorority house, and I'm so glad I did it!  I would absolutely recommend living in-house. There's a limited time when you can live with forty other girls in a multimillion dollar house with a chef downstairs for less money than anywhere else in your college town.  Most importantly, living in-house was a character building experience that taught me about living with people who have many different backgrounds and personalities.

Ray Ban Original Wayfarer Classic // Moon & Lola acrylic Stanford monogram stud earrings // HMD Ralph Lauren sweater from Mom // Polo Ralph Lauren shirt // Essie Bahama Mama // Joe's jeans // Frye pull on Billy boot

We strolled around town and took it all in.  It was nice to relive our college days a little bit, and I am so thankful for the precious time I lived there and the lasting friendships I have gained in my sorority sisters.  

five spice pumpkin muffins

Last year, my friend Kim brought these amazingly delicious pumpkin muffins that her mom baked to our friend's bachelorette weekend.  I asked her for the recipe and enjoyed making them last fall.  When another friend's bachelorette weekend (this past weekend) was approaching, along with the first day of fall, I had to make these muffins and share them.  Thank you to Kim's mom for a fantastic hand me down recipe!  

FIVE SPICE PUMPKIN MUFFINS

2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar (white)
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1- 16oz can of pumpkin
3/4 cup Canola oil
3/4 cup water
3 eggs
3/4 tsp each: cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, ginger

Grease and flour loaf pans or use cupcake papers to line pans for muffins.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour for a loaf; 20-30 minutes for regular muffins; 10-15 minutes for mini muffins.

Note: Although not the traditional technique for quick breads, I have had most success by mixing the sugars and oil, then adding the rest of the wet ingredients, and next adding the dry ingredients in this recipe.  I have used a whisk to break up most of the lumps before filling the muffin cups nearly full.