Fall Bucket List- Almost Done!

I don't have very much time left to finish my fall bucket list! I got a few things crossed off this weekend, but I have to get cracka-lackin'!  Fall is almost over!

This past weekend, we went on a nature walk.  Well really it was just a walk, but it was along the river, and there were a lot of pretty surroundings!  I also had some hot choclate yesterday!

Elyse's Fall Bucket List 2012

1. Go on a nature walk (take the camera!)

2. Bake apple dumplings.

3. Eat caramel apples.

4. Bake yummy pies.

5. Drink hot chocolate.

6. Go to a football game.

7. Go to a soccer game. (My family is definitely a soccer family)

8. Make chocolate chip pumpkin bread.

9. Paint and decorate pumpkins.

10. Have a bonfire with s'mores.

11. Go to the Fall Festival. (That's a big one here).

12. Have friends over for chili.

13. Drink apple cider. Maybe spiked? Hehe

14. Try a new fall recipe from Pinterest.

15. Make a fall wreath.

16. Wear a fall scarf.

17. Get out and wear fall boots.

18. Count my blessings and give thanks.

When we began our walk by the river, it was cloudy and very windy.  Then the sun poked through the clouds so then it was sunny and very windy!  I love going for walks along here. Although I have only done it 3 times since this trail has been constructed.  It is about 5 miles long so it takes some time! 

 

I also had some hot chocolate yesterday.  It was so yummy!  And especially nice because it warmed my freezing hands!

 

I have tried several new recipes from Pinterest, so I will share a one of my favs with you!

 

Jalapeno Cornbread Poppers

 

12 Med/Large Jalapenos

1 Box of Cornbread Mix (I used Jiffy)

1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (1 cup for the batter and 1/2 cup for sprinkling)

1 cup of corn (fresh or canned, I used frozen)

 

Slice each pepper down the center and remove all seeds and veins.  I soaked them in water to take a little bit of the spice out.

 

 

Mix up the cornbread batter according to the box instructions, add the corn and the cheese.

 

 

 

FIll each pepper half with the cornbread mixture.  Be careful not to over-stuff them!

 

 

 

Sprinkle the tops with remaining cheese. 

 

Place on baking rack and sheet pan.  Bake 350 for 15-20 minutes or until the cornbread is cooked through.

 

We dipped them in ranch and they were so yummy!  Not very spicy either!  I think soaking them in water really helped!

 

 

Please excuse my paper plate.  Sometimes a girl doesn't feel like doing dishes!

 

Also sorry there is no link to this.  I went back to Pinterest to get the link, and it was broken!

 

Just a few things left to cross off my list!

 

 

5 for Five

Last week I didn't do very well.  Let's hope I did better at meeting my goals for this week!  I really did make a considersable effort.  So let's link up again with Jessica @ Fantastically Average and Jenn @ Party of One

 

 

 Here were my goals for last week:

 

1.  Finish at least one crafty thing.  Although I did not make any tangible crafts, I worked on a photobook for Christmas presents from about 4:00 Saturday afternoon until about 1:00 that night.  I'm counting it because I was still making something!

 

2.  Keep track of how many calories I eat using the Lose It! app on my phone.  This was my second try on this one, and I still didn't get it done.  I am having a really hard time making time to do it while I'm at school.   I'll put my breakfast in and after that...nothing.  I AM going to do it this week!

 

3.  Workout for at least an hour 6 out of 7 days.  I actually only made it 5 days, but I am counting it because some of the days I worked out for 1.5-2 hours.  So it's still the same amonut of time.

 

4.  Finish my lesson plans for next week before Friday.  I am planned until December! And I didn't have to go into school yesterday!

 

5.  Schedule 3 blog posts at least the night before, if not earlier.  I hope to get some posts done tonight, but it didn't happen last week.

 

Here are my goals for this week:

 

1.  Finish the photobooks I have been working on before Tuesday.

 

2.  Keep track of how many calories I eat using the Lose It! app on my phone.  I HAVE to take time to do this.

 

3.  Finish at least one crafty project.  I have some Christmas gifts that I need to start working on!

 

4.  Schedule 3 blog posts at least the night before, if not earlier. 

 

5. Be able to set my alarm for 5:00 am 3 out of 5 mornings.  

 

Here's to hoping!

 

Have a great week!

Sunday Social- Thanksgiving

I LOVE Thanksgiving...not as much as I love Christmas, but it's definitely a close second.  You have the yummy food and great company, but without all of the hussle and bustle of gift buying, gift giving, and money spending.  Much more chill.  This week I'm linking up with Neely and Ashley for Sunday Social to talk about Thanksgiving! 

 

 

1. What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory?

 

I have so many Thanksgiving memories, I can't pick just one!  

 

My mom always makes a breakfast casserole that morning, and we watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.  I always thought it was weird that she makes breakfast on a day where all we do is eat, but that's what we do!

 

2. What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?

 

More like what is my least favorite.  I'm not a huge fan of the turkey.  It's what I eat the least of.  Other than that, I pretty much feast on everything.  Sweet Potato Casserole, Broccoli Casserole, Corn Pudding, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Rolls, Pecan Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Oatmeal Cake.  It's a casserole lovers heaven really.

 

3. What is a Thanksgiving tradition you and your family have?

 

I always make the stuffing.  And I always eat some before it is cooked.  Don't worry, it doesn't have any sort of parts or raw things in it.  It's just pure pre-thanksgiving deliciousness.  My brother always makes the pumpkin pie, ever since my grandma grew a little older and it got a little more burnt every year. :-)  My sister always helps cook too.  We all cook our tails off the night before Thanksgiving. 

 

We also always take our Christmas card picture on Thanksgiving morning before people come over to our house.  Here's last year's pictures:

 

 

 

4. Show us a favorite Thanksgiving picture(or 5) from years past.

Already ahead of the game.  See the previous answer. :-)
 

5. What are you most looking forward to about this Thanksgiving?

Hanging out with my family, eating lots of food, drinking bloody marys, and watching the parade!

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving this year!

Until next Sunday when we talk about what we are most thankful for!
 

Friday Letters

Happy Friday!!! I'm linking up with Ashley @ Adventures of Newlyweds for Friday letters!
 

Dear weekend, please don't go by too fast, I have LOTS to do!  Dear students, you are awesome.  Don't ever let me think any different.  Dear politics, I am over you and your stress.  Dear parents, I am jealous that you are in Florida with the warm sun and  I am here in the cold with the clouds.  Dear Christmas, OMG I can't believe it is already time to start thinking about you.  Dear car, change your own oil.  Dear readers, have a great weekend!

 

It's Ok Thursdays

 

 

It's Ok....

 

...that I have blogged this week because I just haven't really felt like it.  Sleep has sounded more important!  I didn't even blog yesterday on WILW!

 

...that I am in love with Hunter Hayes like I am 15 years old.  His voice....ahhhhhh.

 

 

 

...that I also have a school girl crush on Mackenzie Bourg on The Voice.

 

How can he not win!?

 

...that this is the first time that I have actually done this link up, even though I go through this in my head, to myself every Thursday.

 

...that I am still decorated for fall and THANKSGIVING even though everyone else seems to have forgotten that this holiday even exists.  Seriously, try to find a Thanksgiving centerpiece right now.  You can't.

 

...that I can't ever get my little groups that I teach all caught up with each other.  When there are four students and 1-2 of them are out every day, it makes it hard to move on.

 

...that I should be getting ready right now, but my pants are in the dryer.

 

Yep! It's Ok.

 

Happy Thursday!

 

5 for Five Fails

 

Well week one of setting some weekly goals for myself was a success!  I really tried to stick to them, and it made me feel a lot better about my week! So let's link up again with Jessica @ Fantastically Average and Jenn @ Party of One

Here are my goals for this week:

 

1.  Be in bed by 10:00 three out of five nights.  I did it!  I wasn't necessarily sleeping, but I was at least in bed!

 

2.  Finish at least one crafty thing.  I was out of a lot of supplies, which makes it kind of hard to finish!  I went to Joann Fabrics yesterday with my trusty coupons, and got all restocked, and now I'm ready to get some things accomplished!

 

3.  Keep track of how many calories I eat using the Lose It! app on my phone.  I kept track Monday and Tuesday, and part of Wednesday.  When I did keep track, I found that I ate less.  I just have to do it every day!

 

4.  Workout for at least an hour 6 out of 7 days.  I worked out 5 days, but I just couldn't make myself go yesterday!  I did walk around while shopping at them mall...Does that count?

 

5.  Finish my lesson plans for next week before Friday.  Well I did not get this done either.  I ended up re-doing my lesson plan template AGAIN ( I think this is the fourth time), so that set me back a little.  BUT I didn't go into school yesterday (which I am probably going to regret), so I guess this one was partially met. 

 

1 out of 5.  FAIL.

 

 Here are my goals for this week:

 

1.  Finish at least one crafty thing.  I am ready to do it this time.

 

2.  Keep track of how many calories I eat using the Lose It! app on my phone.  I just have to take the time to do it!  It's not even like it takes that long, I just have to slow down and make myself. 

 

3.  Workout for at least an hour 6 out of 7 days. 

 

4.  Finish my lesson plans for next week before Friday.  I really do not want to stay after school on Friday or go in on Sunday.  It would be so nice to start my weekend at 3:00!

 

5.  Schedule 3 blog posts at least the night before, if not earlier.  It would be so nice to sleep in until 5:00 am and not have to set my alarm for 4:15!

 

Hopefully I will do better this week.

 

Wish me luck!

 

Also I am covering for a 4th grade class all day again today, so wish me luck with that too.

 

Fourth grade is not my thing. 

 

And their lunch is at 12:00, an actual lunch time.  We usually eat at 10:30.  I think I might starve.

 

 

 

Friday Letters

I am trying something different today!  I'm linking up with Ashley @ Adventures of Newlyweds for my very first edition of Friday letters!
 

Dear Apartment, please clean yourself.  I can not keep up with all of your messes.  There is too much stuff.  I'm ready to live in a house.  Dear lesson plans, please do yourself.  I have worked on you all week and you're still not done.  Dear lesson plan format, I have changed you 4 times now.  Please be perfect this time like I want you to be.  Dear Luke Bryan, thank you for shaking it for me last night on the CMA's.  I can't wait for your concert in January!  Dear scale, please be nice to me.  I ate way too much candy this week.  Your numbers can just go down already.  Dear bank account, I am tired of worrying about you.  Will you ever have enough money?!?  Sometimes I wonder if you take my money without me knowing.  Where does it all go?  Dear Daylight Savings Time, aren't you supposed to SAVE the daylight?  Why does it have to be dark when I go to work, and dark when I get home at night?  Not a fan.  Dear followers, thanks for being so great!  I AM going to have a giveaway.  I just can't decide what I want to giveaway, that is why it is taking so long!  Dear Friday, thanks for getting here.  I love you so!

WILW and OHP- Happy Halloween!

Why is this week going by so sloooooooow?!  It's only Wednesday? Let's link up with  Jamie @ This Kind of Love and What I'm Loving Wednesday and Michelle @ The Vintage Apple and Oh How Pinteresting Wednesday! 

 

I am loving that I started counting calories again this week.  It makes me feel so much better about life!

 

I am loving that my bestie Megan is coming down this weekend for a girls weekend!  Hopefully my girl Jo will be able to make it too!

 

 3 peas in a pod I tell ya!  We look like little kids in this picture! (They would kill me if they new I put this on here)

 

I am loving my students!  I had to fill in for 4th grade yesterday, and it just made me so thankful for my 1st and 2nd graders! 

 

Oh and Happy Halloween!  I just now remembered what day it was!

 

I am also loving My Pet Ghost that I find at the grocery store!

 

 The kids are amazed by this thing!  And they will do anything to be allowed to push it!  You press the button and the little "ghost" inside lights up and talks.  What am I going to do when Halloween is over?!?

 

I am loving my Halloween finds on Pinterest!

 

Source: sandytoesandpopsicles.blogspot.com via Elyse on Pinterest

 

Source: elliesbitesdecoratedcookies.wordpress.com via Elyse on Pinterest

 

Source: etsy.com via Elyse on Pinterest

 My mom and dad tried to do this with me when I was a baby.  Didn't go over so well...

 

Source: lombardolagniappe.blogspot.com via Leslie on Pinterest

Source: ediblecrafts.craftgossip.com via Patricia on Pinterest

Source: the-girl-who-ate-everything.com via Elyse on Pinterest

 Halloween Bark with Oreos,, pretzels, and candy corn.  YUM!

 

 

 

Source: outfit-inspiration.tumblr.com via Elyse on Pinterest

 If I was dressing up, I would be a flamingo! 

 

But I am not...

 

What are you dressing up as on this Halloween day?

5 for Five

 

Well week one of setting some weekly goals for myself was a success!  I really tried to stick to them, and it made me feel a lot better about my week! So let's link up again with Jessica @ Fantastically Average and Jenn @ Party of One

 

1. Be in bed by 10 three out of five nights.  FAIL.  I wasn't in bed by 10 at all this week!  Kelly hurt his back last Sunday so there was a lot of getting situated and taking care of him before bed.   

2. Finish at least one crafty thing. Also a fail! :-/ I went to spray paint a picture frame yesterday just so I could say I did something, and I was out of the color I needed...so better luck next time!

 

3. Workout 6 out of 7 days. I actually got this done!  I didn't feel like going yesterday, but I did just so I could say I met one of my goals!

4. Drink 5 bottles of water a day. I kind of lost track, but I think I got this one done too.  I have really been trying to drink more water at school!

 

Funny side note:

 

I have been keeping a bottle of water on my cart that I take to my other room for reading groups (long story short, I have to go to a different room to teach for two periods a day.  I have a cart that I take that acts as a traveling desk).  I took a drink of my bottle of water on Thursday, and it tasted like drinking fountain water.  I thought that was weird because I NEVER fill my water bottle up at the drinking fountain.  I thought that maaaaybe it was someone else's, but then whose water bottle could it be besides mine!?  The next day I had a new bottle sitting on my cart.  When I brought my kids back to the room, one of the girls said, "Ooooh that's where I left my water bottle!"  BLEH!!!!

5. Finish my lesson plans through November.  I didn't do this, but I actually decided early on that I don't want to work that far ahead.  I planned for the whole month of October, and I was constantly changing the dates around on my plans.  So, I decided that I will do my plans a couple weeks ahead of time, but not an entire month.

 

2 out of 5.  Not so good.

 

Here are my goals for this week:

 

1.  Be in bed by 10:00 three out of five nights.  Since I didn't meet it last week, I'm going to try again this week.

 

2.  Finish at least one crafty thing.  Same for this one.

 

3.  Keep track of how many calories I eat using the Lose It! app on my phone.  I have gotten a little too lenient with my eating lately, and it's time to crack down again. 

 

4.  Workout for at least an hour 6 out of 7 days.  I met my work out goal last week, but a couple of my workouts weren't very good.  So I'm putting a time limit on it!

 

5.  Finish my lesson plans for next week before Friday.  If I get this done, then I can leave right after school on Friday and not come in on Sunday!

 

Wish me luck!

 

 

 

 

Sunday Social- Halloween Edition!

This surprisingly beautiful weekend is coming to a close! So let's link up on this week of Halloween with Neely and Ashley for Sunday Social! 

 

 

1. What was your favorite Halloween costume as a kid? (pictures??)

 

I wish I had pictures for this one!  All the pics are at my parents house where I am not.  I was a clown, a bumblebee, an indian...but my favorite would probably have to be the cheerleader!  I was a Memorial High School cheerleader...and then I graduated from Memorial!  If I can find some pictures, I may post them on Wednesday!

 

2. If you could go back and dress up as something what would it be?

 

 I'm going with as a kid for this because my adult life isn't over yet!

 

Source: afewofmyfavorites.com via Elyse on Pinterest

Source: pearls-curlsandasoutherngirl.tumblr.com via Elyse on Pinterest

Source: joannagoddard.blogspot.com via Erin on Pinterest

Source: littlebgcg.com via Kayla on Pinterest

I think this^^^ is definitely the winner!

3. Favorite costume as an adult? (pictures)

 

I have had a few (good?) ones...Snow White.

 

(that's me on the far right)

 

Firefighter

 

 

Nemo from Finding Nemo (that one was kind of weird ha)

 

But my FAVORITE is this...

 

And Kelly was mustard...

 

 

And we did this...

 

And this...

 And it was the best costume ever!

 

So we haven't dressed up since then (2010)!

 

4. What is your favorite Halloween candy?

 

CANDY CORN!  It's a MUST this time of year!

 

5. What is your favorite Halloween memory?

When I was in the eighth grade all of my friends and I dressed up as Barbies.  I was Hollywood Barbie (I looked and looked for a pic but I couldn't find one).  We were trick or treating, and there was this huge grim reaper statue at one of the houses.  Well I thought it was a statue.  I walked up to it, and it jumped out at me!  There was a person in there!  I fell backward onto the sidewalk.  The straps on my dress broke, and I had to hold my dress up with two hands for the remainder of the night!  It was a little embarassing then, but I look back on it now and laugh!
 

6. What's your favorite scary movie?

 

Can anyone really have a favorite scary movie?  They all kind of lack in the plot department.  I would have to go with something more along the lines of a thriller like Silence of the Lambs.

If I was dressing up this year, I would dress up like one of these:
 

Source: farm7.static.flickr.com via Elyse on Pinterest

Source: outfit-inspiration.tumblr.com via Elyse on Pinterest

Source: mentalfloss.com via Elyse on Pinterest

Source: creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com via Elyse on Pinterest

Source: costume-works.com via Elyse on Pinterest

But I'm not!  Maybe next year....

Happy Halloween!