Fall Decorating

I love fall and it is my favorite season!  This past weekend I made pumpkin donuts and chocolate chip pumpkin bread,  which reminded me of this pin.  In between baking I dug out my fall decor just in time for October!

My new tiered server for the buffet.  This will be fun to fill for all seasons.

And a new rug! I had been wanting one in the dining room and when I saw this one on sale weeks ago I snagged it and I am so happy!   I love the visual interest and it is an indoor/outdoor which is perfect for this clan.

The fall quote for the week, ok,  let's be honest, the month!

A little mum for the front porch.  I can't wait to enjoy hot drinks on cool evenings here. 

Adjusting

 So I told you that I started working.  I love/loathe working full time. I was a full time stay at home mommy for seven years and now I am working out of the home 180 days a year for 8 hours a day. This has been a big change for the whole family!  

The pros:  I love feeling productive, and have been so active that I lost the stubborn ten pounds gained when I stopped nursing Luke four years ago, and additional funds are always a plus! 

The cons: I feel too busy to really do much other than get ready for the next day,  let alone deep clean, decorate, or blog. Note that I said "feel".  I do have free time, but it does not feel like a large enough chunk to get too much accomplished. Matt has really stepped up with laundry and dishes and that has helped tremendously! I never cook on Friday and that really gets my weekend off to a good start.  We have had time to squeeze in little projects here and there, mostly because my sweetie husband gets them done on his days off while we are at school.  

Here are some shots of the kids and I a couple of weeks ago. These kids are growing up fast and I have noticed that I am not taking as many pictures as I used too.  And yes, I noticed all the new wrinkles on my face.

Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins

Every time we go to Meijer my daughter begs for these muffins that are displayed near the milk.  I do by processed foods, ones that I can not make, such as potato chips, cold cereal, and Velveeta (I know...), but muffins are totally doable.  I found this recipe from Eat at Home via Pinterest and it was a winner!  I used my mixer to cream the butter and sugar, added the wet ingredients, and then the dry.  I used a mini muffin pan for a cute variation of the original.  Quick, easy, yummy, without all of the junk!