Pumpkin Bread - your new favorite thing

Usually I am not one to post recipes and things on here, because I think it's a very typical "bloggy" type thing to do.

But Oh. My. Gosh.

This pumpkin bread is a recipe I found last year, as I began my exploration of the blogosphere. I was looking for something to make that wasn't a cupcake (because Ben thinks they are too fattening those take a long time to decorate), and I found this delicious recipe. It says to add either chocolate chips or walnuts, but I choose to add both, and I always sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top to make it smell even more wonderful. Usually I get 3 loaves out of the recipe, which is awesome, because then I can mail it out! This year, so far, The Bells and The Soltoffs have gotten bread mailed to them, and I am definitely planning on mailing out more :)

Basically, it's the first thing I baked that made me feel not guilty about eating it like fall. Plus it was something I could bake and Ben would also eat it.

Here is the recipe. Enjoy!!!

~A

P.S. Happy footballing todayyyyyyyyyyyyy

P.P.S. Tony Romo is wearing Kevlar armor in tomorrow's game to protect his (repaired) punctured lung and his crushed rib. He is wearing stuff police wear for riots. And my mother-in-law has him for her QB in fantasy football. Ridiculous? Yes.

The Fall

Friends, it's OFFICIALLY FALL!

That means it is now ok to get super excited about these things:

Leaves turning gorgeous colors, tailgating, apple cider, football, all things pumpkin, sweaters, burning leaves, Halloween, hay rides, jeans and boots, chili, scarves, scarecrows, and watching feel good movies while snuggled under a warm blanket, sipping hot cocoa with a loved one.

This picture makes me think of Anne of Green Gables. Which makes me think of fall :)

I love fall.

~A

Tic Tac's Toes

Today is this guy's Sweet Sixteenth birthday

Oops...wrong guy. Still. Tic Tac is JUST as intense as Will Muschamp, if not more.

This little guy WISHES he could be as awesome as Tic Tac (look how tiny he was...awwwww)

I love this old man so much! His smelly little toes, how he so solid, how he makes a "wuFF" sound when you pick him up, and his soft eyes. 

I'm pretty sure my family is super glad I was obsessed with getting a dog when I was in 4th grade. And that I said he looked like a "little white Tic Tac" when we got him, because his name is so great. 

Happy Birthday old man! Live it uppppppp!!!!!

International EMERGENCYYYYYY

It's International Chocolate Day.

My heart just stopped because I didn't find out until now.

I only have 4 hours and 2 minutes left to gorge on as much chocolate and chocolate products as I can physically take.

That's all I have to say.

Except.

I hope I look like this:

And afterwards , I hope I don't end up like this:

Fun link:

Candy Holidays Throughout The Year OOOOO

~A

Whoa Whoa WHAT

Seriously. What.

Before I voice my LARGE complaint, let me share a bit about how life has been. Penn State lost tremendously to Alabama, and JoPa looked sad the whole time because he had to stay in the box.

JMU WONNNNNNN!

The Steelers lost. Actually what I think they said on the radio was "they got spanked." It's true. I mean, there isn't much else to say after 7 turnovers. Shall I share why the Steelers lost? Because the Ravens defense was so good. And do you know who picked the Ravens defense for their fantasy team? NO NOT ME.

Mr. Soltoff. Picked. Against. Me. And if that weren't bad enough, he took Joe Flacco (from DelaNOWHere) as well. I actually fell asleep in the middle of the third quarter because my body couldn't take anymore horribleness.

The Jets defense was good though.

BUT. But but but. HERE IS MY COMPLAINT!!!!!

I got my security deposit back from my old apartment complex today. Guess what I was charged for? "Excessive Debris - $25" "Debris Left Behind - $10" "Laundry Room Wall Damage - $5" "Hall Light Dome Missing - 10" I LIVED THERE FOR A GRAND TOTAL OF HALF A YEAR!!??!?!!?!

My main problem here is that this apartment (prior to moi) was largely inhabited by college-age males. Who do things like damage laundry room walls. Do you know how long this apartment went before being turned over? 10 FREAKING YEARS!!! Of COURSE there's going to be debris. There were probably plates left from before my sister was born (9+ years ago, in case you wanted to know)

What really gets me is that the old gang of 23B were (sort of) together a few months ago, at a friend's wedding. They took a picture. Yes, WITHOUT ME. What they should have done was pool their money to pay for the excessive debris they left at their old stomping ground.

Now, the only thing I can be sure of is that I know specifically who destroyed the "Hall Light" because I am fairly sure I was present when that happened. And, a former resident of 23B currently, and forevermore, lives with me. (Hint: it's not me)

I am planning his demise anxiously awaiting his return home.

23B, if something happens, and Ben is accidentally missing in action, I'm coming after you.

~A

P.S. This is seriously stressing me out on the unfairness level. I'm supposed to be exercising, and instead I'm eating cookies.

P.P.S. Here's the picture I got left out of. Who votes I photoshop myself in?

P.P.P.S. Three of those men are married now. And they are letting a girl cover their "debris" fees left over from their wild days? Psh. Ridiculous.

The Perfect Afternoon

Yup, second blog post in one day. It's because I wanted to let you all know what I'm watching.

Plus, added bonus, it's raining outside. But not a thunderstorm. Soft rain. 

Yes, I'm getting ready to make my second cup of tea.

These afternoons are so wonderful. 

~A

Monday Monday

Whew it's been a busy week or so since I've blogged! I'm hoping that once I get into the school routine, I can blog more often, since so many hilarious things happen, and I def def want to share them.

Soltoff Life (lately)

1.) I cut all my hair off and donated it. Yes, it is still longer than Ben's.

2.) Since I don't really have friends up here, I have convinced myself that learning all I can about the Star Trek universe will somehow make me cooler (uh, what?). Like, I found out there is this huge convention called Dragon*Con, and WIL WHEATON is speaking at it (Wesley "Awesome" Crusher if you didn't know)!!!!! What I really want to know though is what the "*" stands for in Dragon*Con. Is it a secret that you only learn if you actually go? I feel like if I actually ever went to something like that, I'd be laughing literally the entire time.

3.) Star Trek (2009) is about 2059729846 times more cool than TNG. Because it has Zachery Quinto.

4.) Also. They're making a sequel. With Zachery Quinto.

5.) IT'S FOOTBALL TIME AGAINNNNNNNNN!!! Ben and I spent our entire Saturday watching football (and eating ice cream). I got burned on my neck and on my shins from the PSU game. Random.

6.) Last night we had a fantasy football draft with our friends ooooooo. None of us know what we're doing, but I, of course, spent the entire day reading about fantasy football strategies, and they all said to make a plan and stick to it. I made a plan, I stuck to it, and then abandoned it in the second round. As a result, I lost the Steelers defense. UGHHHHHHHHHH. Heartbreak.

7.) Right now Ben is still in his pjs and has a cute cowlick.

8.) During the draft Ben and I ate chili and played epic "draft" music. We were prepared to be in the draft for multiple hours, and I think it took 28 minutes.

9.) We are pretty dang awesome though. Reason: yesterday we went to a park and threw a football around while there was epic lightning and thunder happening. Then I realized we were in the middle of an open field, and suggested we postpone the game.

10.) My fantasy football team name is Star Trek Kitties, and everyone should cheer for them because they're going to win!


End.

~A

P.S. I feel like I can't do a post without some kind of other media involved. Cutes There you go.