Eno River fall foliage

2 November 2011

Is there still fall foliage where you are? John and I took a lovely walk along the Eno River last weekend and enjoyed the pretty reds, oranges, and yellows.

Triangle-area locals, Eno River State Park in Durham is one of our favorite places to hike. (It’s also one of our favorite places to swim!) We like to park at the Fews Ford access for both swimming and hiking :) If you go, make sure you check out the suspension bridge!

101 in 1001: November 2011

1 November 2011

Happy November! At the beginning of every month, I write a short post covering what I accomplished in the previous month and what I hope to accomplish in the next one for my 101 in 1001 challenge. I’ll also introduce you to one of my 101 buddies (see them all in the sidebar!). Here we go!

October 1, 2011: 12/101 goals complete, 30/101 goals in progress

Did I begin…
No. 34. Camp at least once a year? Yes! Post here.
No. 47. Increase giving/tithing by 10% every year? Yes! Commitment Sunday at our church was this past Sunday :)
No. 56. Photograph and post 30 separate outfits for the world to see? Yes! See flickr set here.

Did I complete…
No. 19. Buy or install new shelving for books? Yes! See my new rainbow bookshelf here.
No. 71. Get Peach & Pearl a spiffy new look? Not yet, but we are very close! P&P’s new look will definitely be unveiled in November :)
No. 75. Switch blog platform from Blogger to WordPress? Same as above!


Abby Jiu

November 1, 2011: 14 goals complete/34 goals in progress

I plan to begin:
No. 55: Add one piece to the Willow Tree nativity each year

I plan to complete:
No. 3: Send a care package to someone I don’t know

Sweet and simple this month, because November is going to be cray-zay for our household!


Sanderson Images

November Spotlight:

Kelly of Hello Seester is our November Spotlight, and you can check out all of her goals right here! My five favorite goals of hers:

— No. 15: Join the Junior League (Considering this myself… thought?)
— No. 17: Start a retirement fund (YES.)
— No. 55: Make headboard for my apartment bedroom
— No. 73: Have a dinner by candlelight
— No. 77: Wear only dresses for two weeks (This one cracks me up! I’d totally do this.)

In the meantime, you can see the details on all of my goals right here. Here’s to a great month!

Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins

31 October 2011

One of my most favorite fall treats is these pumpkin chocolate chip muffins I discovered last year via Darby (the photo above is hers!). They’re not particularly impressive in the culinary department, but they are delicious and incredibly easy to make. Ready for the recipe? One Betty Crocker chocolate chip muffin pouch + 1/4 cup of pure pumpkin puree (I like Libby’s) + 1/2 cup of water – 4 Tbs. of water + a healthy dash of cinnamon. Mix together and bake in a 400 degree oven! (I do 12 minutes for the mini muffin size!)

See Darby’s original post here.

Steve Madden flats

28 October 2011

These two lovely pairs of shoes have been on my wishlist for months. I do already have a pair of leopard-print flats, and though they’re my favorites, they’re pretty tired (probably because they’re my favorites…). On the other hand, I don’t have any light neutral flats, and I think these would be a good addition to the wardrobe. But what do you think — is it silly to buy two pairs of the same style of shoes, even if they’re in different colors/patterns? Which one would you go for?

Leopards $89.95 // Natural $55.45