On My Mind- Pumpkins & Crafting

In case you couldn't tell...I love pumpkins. The color, shape, flavor, everything.

They are so cute!

Pumpkin: bread, cake, cupcakes, muffins, soup, candy, cookies, pie, etc.

So why is it the Pumpkin Spice Latte that everyone covets is only 'meh' for me? I tried it for the first time a few years ago and thought it was disgusting. I think mine got made wrong.

I usually love all the seasonal drinks and I like to at least try each one that sounds good to me. Last winter I had the caramel brulee latte: meh. A few weeks ago I had the salted caramel mocha: meh. It was Ok, just didn't taste like a true salted caramel flavor. So today I decided to give the PSL another try. I asked for an extra pump of flavoring. This helped, but sadly, I am still not a fan. It was ok. I guess I enjoyed it. Would I order it again? No. I don't know what's wrong with me. The specialty flavors never pan out. They always look and sound better than I think they taste. In theory, I like everything about the PSL...but in reality it's just not for me. There, I said it. I feel so much better getting that off my chest. Please don't hate me, everyone!

Moving on ... These are the amazing pumpkin cupcakes that my sister-in-law made with the best cream cheese frosting EVER!! She has made this in cake form many times and I always request it. It's my fave. The cupcakes were so good! Even better the next day after they spent the night in the fridge and the frosting was cold and hardened and delicious! She puts pumpkin pie spice in the icing! I know, right? GENIOUS!


Aren't they pretty?
I bought her this cute, pink carrying case from Amazon for her and my bro's anniversary. I knew she would use it a lot and when we got together for a crafting night it made its maiden voyage to my mom's house.


We had so much food! I didn't get pictures of everything. We had lots of little snacky things, dips, etc. Don't these pasties look good? I love them. Every winter I stock up.
Crispy green beans! These were very good too.

We had the supplies to make cards, scrap booking stuff, stickers...so much stuff. The entire dining room table was covered in paper and glue sticks! I decided to stick to bookmarks that night because I: 1) love to read 2) found myself devoid of cute bookmarks 3) can't find the latest ones I bought on my last vacation and 4) got sick of using the free ones the library gives out.

For some reason I'm in the middle of about 100 books right now, so I needed a lot. I spent a few bucks on paper, my mom had the ribbon, and there are always stickers around. In one night, I made all of these. They are something pretty and fun that make me smile. I did lots of different versions. My sister-in-law also brought over her laminating machine! I have never know anyone to have their own portable laminator, but it was awesome! I only laminated a select few and the rest are just paper. Loving these! Something simple to brighten my day... it's the little things!
Side note: When I went to put the cute, new bookmarks into my various books, I realized I had been using a scrap of wrapping paper as a place holder in one, and a square of toilet paper in another! I guess these were more necessary than I thought!