Mini Pumpkin Pie Scones

There was a call for healthy fall dishes for a sorority event this month. I spent a lot of time looking for something but not surprisingly, dishes that are both healthy and dessert-y are hard to find. I finally stumbled onto this Starbucks knock off recipe. I figured it looked easy enough that it wouldn't take a ton of extra effort to double the recipe to make 48 scones. I'm really impressed with how they turned out! I didn't do the spiced glaze because I was feeling lazy but they were still really good. My one tip is get yourself a rolling pin. It was hard to make them even without it. Oh and a ruler. It will make cutting triangles easier. Unless you aren't OCD like me and then it doesn't matter. But if you want them all to be the same size, a ruler will make all the difference. You can find the original recipe from Bespangled Jewelry here.

Bonfire and Pumpkin Carving

Remember my autumn bucket list? I've been picking away at it slowly but steadily. These two events actually happened different days but the same weekend so I decided they could share a post. Sharing is caring. So anyways, the roommates and I carved our pumpkins and we had a blast. I just love the fall season for this reason. I mean when else do you haul nature in and decorate it just to add flammables and put it all on display... OK well I mean pumpkins are still fun. So the nerd in me has been dying to do a Tardis pumpkin and I found a great pattern here.

Courtney carving her Harry Potter pumpkin!

The tedious process of tracing the three part pattern.

Finished product in the light.

Finished product with a candle!

Then we had a bonfire over at Joe's Dad's house. We even got to toast marshmallows! It was extremely hot but so fun!

Avoiding getting too close!

Eating my s'more while Kate and Joe avoid the fire.

The fire was so hot, I could only toast the top of my marshmallow!

We're getting to the end of our autumn bucket list and this has been so so so fun! 

Zip Lining and Hay Ride

Another update on my autumn bucket list. Joe and I invited Robert along on our adventure to go zip lining/hay ride. I think it would have been really cool to do it a few weeks ago when all the leaves were still changing colors but it didn't work out and we still had a blast! This will definitely happen again next fall.

Friday Faves

Sometimes I wonder how differnt my lists would be if I didn't need to make a list to remind myself of the positives in life. Oh well... Here we go again!

1. Greek Family

We welcomed our new baby roses to the family on Friday night! I love my family!

2. Trick-Or-Treat Dessert Crawl

We didn't make it very far but I absolutley loved dressing up like the Tardis! And that's Rosie the Rivetor if you can't tell.

3. New Job

I started training at B&BW this week and it was so fun! I am going to love this new part of my life!

4. Grey's Anatomy

I've been rewatching old seasons and I forgot how much I absolutely love this show. I need to get caught up again!

5. My Roommates

I am so appreciative of them for helping me make some difficult choices this week. They really are the best!

Chicken Noodle Soup

Joe and I have tried to go zip lining a few times now. The first time it started raining while we were driving there. We walked around the farm a little hoping the rain would stop but it didn't. While we were walking around, I found some delicious looking Amish noodles and decided I wanted to try to make chicken noodle soup with Amish noodles. I forgot how much I love homemade chicken noodle soup. This recipe is what Joe and I came up with winging it. It was so warm and a lot chunkier than anything you'll get from a can.

Chicken Noodle Soup

• 2 48-oz. boxes of chicken broth
• 24 oz. water
• 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into pieces
• 1 lb. chicken breasts cut into cubes
• 2 tablespoons chicken seasoning
• 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
• 1 lb. Amish noodles or egg noodles
• 1 cup frozen peas

1. Bring the chicken broth and water to a boil in a large pot.
2. Season chicken breast pieces with the chicken seasoning and brown the meat on medium heat.
3. Add the carrots and the Italian seasoning to the broth/water and boil for 5-8 minutes.
4. Add the noodles to the broth/water and boil until the meat is done.
5. Add the meat and peas to the broth/water and boil for 5 minutes.
6. Enjoy!

A Corn Maze & Pumpkins

Well the fall season is only going to be around for a few more weeks and I'm finally getting around to finishing my fall bucket list. It has helped that I'm not working 30 hours a week on top of classes. But apple picking won't be crossed off this year. I didn't forget! Stupid spring freezes ruined the local apple crops. Anyways, I'm hoping to get the rest crossed off quickly.
A few weeks ago, Brandi asked me if Joe and I would like to go with her, Aaron, Jenica, and Courtney to pick pumpkins. I have been so pumped that it has worked out between everyone's crazy schedules that we got to spend the Sunday after GVSU Homecoming going to pick pumpkins. We also got to do a corn maze and pick raspberries! If you're in the Grand Rapids area, this is where we went. Just a fair warning, this will be a picture heavy post.

Before we got lost.

Brandi and Joe enjoying the corn.

Little question stops in the maze.

I know they made this maze for kids to get through but we failed.

Fresh raspberries!

Baby goat! :)

Finally picking pumpkins!!!

We have pumpkins!!!

All I have left from our list will hopefully be crossed off in the next two weeks or so. I had so so so much fun doing this and I can't wait for next autumn!!!

Apple Cherry Pie

Joe and I are finally getting around to checking things off our autumn bucket list. For our pie, we went with apples and dried cherries and it was fantastic! We adapted the recipe a bit from one I found online. Here's the link for the original recipe.

Our adaptations:

• We took the recommendations from the reviews online and changed the cook temperature and time a bit. We baked the pie at 425 degrees for 10 minutes and then we lowered the temperature to 350 degrees for 50 minutes.
• I chose to do a lattice top because I like the way it looks and it helps the liquid evaporate a little better. We also brushed the top with butter and sprinkled cinnamon sugar over the top. It made the top flavorful and it browned really well.

Apple Crumb Bars

Remember when I made these awesome blueberry bars? Well, we made them with apples. Delicious! We made two alterations since the first time we tried it. We added cinnamon to both the apples and the dough and instead of mixing the apples with white sugar, we mixed them with the same amount of brown sugar. To compensate for the extra moisture in the brown sugar, I added a pinch more cornstarch. It turned out amazing! I'm kind of obsessed. It's extra yummy warmed up with vanilla ice cream.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

I was trying to find a clip of Marshall's pumpkin latte jokes from How I Met Your Mother but the internet has failed me.... One of my favorite parts of autumn is pumpkin flavored treats. Pumpkin pie pop tarts have been hanging out in my pantry. So a pumpkin spice was a must on my autumn bucket list. One day after class, I decided to just go ahead and knock this one off my list while studying some anatomy. When I went to pay, they said I had a free one on my loyalty card! Gotta love when it works out like that. Biggby also has a pumpkin pie brew, an apple spice brew, and a salted caramel brew for the season that I'd like to try at some point but at $10 a bag, it will have to wait. The pumpkin latte at Biggby is a little more spice than pumpkin but it's amazing. It's also not overly sweet. I'm looking forward to a hot apple cider as well as their new fall beverage, the s'more latte!

Crock Pot Chili

I meant to put this on my fall bucket list but I forgot. Anyways, Joe and I have been talking about making chili for a while so it was a nice way to kick off autumn. We made a small change because Joe and I don't care for large pieces of cooked tomatoes. It turned out really delicious. I can't wait to enjoy the leftovers and we are for sure making this again soon. Joe and I are a little obsessed with crock pots and hopefully, I'll have some beef stew to show off soon.

Crock Pot Chili (Adapted from this book)

• 2lbs Ground Hamburger
• 1/2 Large Onion, Chopped
• 2 16-oz Cans Kidney Beans, Drained
• 2 14-oz. Cans Diced Tomatoes
• 1 8-oz. Can Tomato Sauce
• 2 Garlic Cloves
• 1 Tbsp. Chili Powder
• 1 tsp. Cumin
• 1 tsp. Salt
• 1 tsp. Pepper

1. Brown the hamburger with half of the chopped onion.
2. Blend the diced tomatoes in a blender.
3. Add all the ingredients to the crock pot.
4. Cover. Cook on low 8-10 hours.
5. Serve with warm corn bread.

Fall TV Shows

I am so excited for fall. And that's partly because all the shows I love will be back with new seasons! I don't have a lot of time for TV and I work during prime time but here's what I'll be keeping up with this fall via Hulu and Joe. They aren't ranked because they are all so awesome.

The Big Bang Theory - September 27

I am so excited for the return of the nerd herd despite the slightly less dramatic cliffhanger season 5 finale. While it was less dramatic, it made up for it with like a dozen "AWWW" moments! Anyways, I really hope season 6 sees the addition of Bernadette and Amy to the opening credits. They are part of the regular cast but I still struggled to find a picture like this with the new leading ladies. Don't get me wrong, I have a giant tier 1 girl crush on Penny. I just love Amy and Bernadette too. And they should get some recognition considering it's been confirmed that Stuart will be promoted from a recurring guest to series regular. I am most looking forward to the progression of Penny's character as the creators have confirmed they have put an emphasis on growing her and progressing certain aspects of her life beyond her love life!

2. Community - October 19

I am insanely nervous for Community's return. With the creator, two producers, and two writers leaving the show, I'm not really sure what direction the show is going to go in. To be honest, this season could be absolutely terrible. Especially considering some of the slightly too crazy plot lines of season three.  Only time will tell...

3. Doctor Who - September 1

Finally! I feel like I've been waiting forever for some new Doctor Who but really it's been 8 months. I am so looking forward to some Dalek shenanigans and to see Moffat's brilliant mind at work once again. Will the Ponds die in some epic nonsense? If they do, I hope the Doctor takes them to the library to be uploaded with their daughter. If not, I hope we find out their lives don't go back to being slow, boring, and all in the right order. I expect their exit to be nothing less than epic. 

4. Grey's Anatomy - September 27

I sighed a huge sigh of relief when I read that Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey, Sandra Oh, Justin Chambers, Chandra Wilson, and James Pickens Jr. have all signed contracts for the next two seasons. With Eric Dane and Chyler Leigh leaving, it will be nice to know that the season premier won't kill off any  the last 6 original cast members. That being said, I don't think I'll be too sad if Arizona Robbins dies. Sure, it will be sad for her wife and baby. But I don't think Arizona is a particularly great character. I think she's sorta in there because they thought of all these great little dramas between her and Callie.

5. How I Met Your Mother - September 24

I'm going into this season of HIMYM holding my breath. This could be our last year with the gang! I can't decide if it would be worse if this was their last season or next year will be their last season. But anyways, I am so excited to see some fun with Marvin Wait-For-It Erikson! And I am looking forward to seeing how Barney gets from proposing to Quinn and marrying Robin. Should be a great year for the gang.

Fall Bucket List

I love the autumn! It's quite possibly my favorite time of the year. I could live on all things pumpkin and I love my hoodies and jeans. I decided to make a bucket list of activities for this year. I plan on taking pictures and blogging about all of it! I'm really excited to get started on this project and Joe is going to help me. Mostly because I have no idea how I'll accomplish this without him. Some other posts you can look forward from me this fall are: pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, apple cake, and what to wear for bid day!