weekend update.

This week has been out of the ordinary. It has been really busy, but a lot of things have gone wrong for no reason at all.  Have not been able to update because I have the unfortunate situation first penned by Carrie Bradshaw as the "Sad Mac."  I am afraid my computer is going out soon and my hard-drive also went out this month!  What is going on with my technology?!  Anyways this is my week(end) update and things I love this week all in one:

Sampson pic of the week: Sampson graduated from puppy classes this week!  Very proud moment.  I got some delicious produce at the farmer's market this weekend.  We have been eating so many delicious veggies.  Had a wonderful time at my great aunt Helen's 90th birthday party this weekend. Got to see wonderful extended family and cook together!  

Josh and I finished the Heroes series after a borderline obsessive few weeks of watching 4 seasons.  We are intrigued by superpowers and the hero's journey so it was heartbreaking to let this show go! We miss it (thankfully Glee filled the void).

I watched the movie Waitress recently, it is a must see.  So original!  Also reading, Committed, spurred on by the release of Eat, Pray, Love in theaters.  It almost lives up to the prequel, but that is a huge undertaking. 

Love this dessert table. Want to make this into a career somehow.

I will go ahead and warn that I will post most of the things I bake.  Made my friends and family pumpkin cupcakes with cinnamon maple butter-cream frosting.  Did I mention that I love seasonal themed baking?

Why can't I stop thinking about these Badgley Mishcka's? 

For now off to Tomatohead to lunch with Josh's parents and headed to Franklin for the weekend.  Sure to get some great pictures to post.

should I cut it?

Scratch those, these are my haircut ideas...yes, I do realize I will not look like these famous gals, but I was looking at celebrity cuts like way too many of us do.  Not sure if I should cut it this short!  I know, I know-long hair is in this year, but I need a change.


I have an appointment Tuesday, so I need ideas....

missing my family

the closer it gets to the holidays, the more i miss my family, especially my sissy.  a walk down memory lane for everyone to enjoy.

Can't wait till this weekend and next weekend to see my family! 

ushering in fall...

After an amazing and sizzling summer, we are finally ushering in one of my favorite seasons, Fall.  I love the warm fall colors and I feel so privileged to be in the Smoky Mountains when the leaves change.


Being a little obsessed with astronomy and nature, I am excited about witnessing something incredible tonight that comes with this change of season, a phenomenon known as the Super Harvest Moon.  It is an ultra-luminous version of the Harvest Moon and it aligns with Jupiter for the Autumnal Equinox.  It only happens once every 20 years! Check out this article about it.  They say that "the two sources of light will mix to create a summer autumn twilight glow."  Sounds awesome!

It is visible to everyone, because remember, we are all under the same sky!  I feel more connected to my sister who is far away when I remember that!  I don't know about you, but I will basking under the moonlight listening to Neil Young's "Harvest Moon" tonight.  Don't miss this.

some things I loved about this week:

1. cupcakes and cakeplates: Earlier this week, I made two ridiculous purchases in not so realistic hopes of starting my own dessert table design company, these two fun cake plates.  I saw them originally on Amy Atlas Designs.  My best friend, the adorable Emily, came up for the weekend and we put them to good use and made cupcakes. I spent way too much time photographing them (and more time eating them).

2. sampson: My boyfriend and mine's new Labrador Retriever, Sampson, has been sporting his UT spirit proudly...and by proudly I mean he tries to rip the bandana off all the time. He is a mess.  Meet Sampson!

3. farmer's market: We have had such a wonderful summer spending every Saturday morning at the Farmer's Market.  I can't get enough of it.  This week I got chard, daikon, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and green beans.  Sampson is a rockstar every time he goes.

4. recipe of the week: This week I have had time to cook fresh a lot, so I used an amazing recipe from Morgan's blog Little House of Veggies, a vegan blog with amazing food!  I bought radishes and made the Crispy Chick'n Wraps with Spicy Curry Cilantro Sauce.  Josh eats meat and even loved them.

5. premiere week: Tonight is a long-awaited night for us-Glee and Biggest Loser premiere!  Tune in.

More to come...