{weekend notes}

Happy Monday.  Happy Thanksgiving week/short week!  Hope everyone had a great weekend.  Here’s a little peak at ours……

 

Intentions for the week:

• Friendsgiving x2
• Go to the damn gym (it’s been over a week)
• Enjoy time with family + friends
• Set a pretty table
• Christmas cards in the mail…Early AF, I know.  It’s how I roll.
• Make Monkey Bread + Turkey Pot Pie
• Dickens in the Valley Tickets
• Catch up with Stover
• Decorate the Christmas Tree
• Toss all the pumpkins
• Go through Christmas bins (shit you not, I’ve got 6 bins filled to the top)
• Hold my new nephew as much as possible
• Running of the Turkey’s
• To Black Friday or not?  Still deciding.

 

Highlights from the weekend…..

 

Baby love //

I got to give my new nephew lots of squeezes this weekend ♥

I could hold him forever and never get tired of it.  Until he cries, then I pass him to his mama 🙂

 

Spencer turned 1 //

We celebrated Spencer’s 1st birthday!

The cake smash.

Bay would have kept Spencer’s gift, had I let her.

I was over served.  And I can’t blame it on Martini Mama Liz this time.

 

Watched //

I rented The House.  For the second time.  The first time I paid like $16 and never watched the damn movie.  Redbox won that time.  So, I rented it again.  Do you ever just want to watch a funny movie?  This is it.  Dumb AF, but funny AF.  Just want I wanted/needed.  Will Ferrell + Amy Poehler play the part of parents.  Start an illegal casino in their neighbor’s house to make money to send their daughter to college.  They get busted.  Picture those two characters as parents?

 

Holiday Cards //

Stamped + ready for the mailbox.  The day after Thanksgiving?  Maybe?  Melika beat me!

 

Trader Joe’s //

I’m talking more about hosting + prepping tomorrow on the blog.  But, I always make a Trader Joe’s pit stop for fresh eucalyptus + Bogle chard.  Two key players in any dinner party.  Don’t you think?

 

Apple Hill //

Fall Bucket List √

Christmas Tree Hunting!

I know.  Not before Thanksgiving.  I say fuck it.  Do what you want…ha.

Not to mention that the weekend before Thanksgiving is the calm before the storm.  I may get my tree this weekend forever.  Have you been to Apple Hill on the weekend?  Then you know what I’m talking about.

We had no traffic.  No lines.  It was perfect.

We chose Harris Tree Farm this year.  Mainly because it’s one of the ONLY tree farms open before Thanksgiving..lol.

My Tree hunters!

We walked up and down the acres of tree hunting for the perfect tree.

We found it!  Gram found one too!

Adorable ornaments that come with the purchase of a tree.

Harris Tree Farm is the one stop Apple Hill shop!

Cut a Tree

Sit on Santa’s lap

Apple cider donuts

Full Bakery + Lunch options too

Lot’s of decorations for sale.  Ornaments + wreaths + reindeer.

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas…..

Joe: Go-Pro

Ben: Wresting action figure

Bay: MacBook Pro

1 dozen mini apple cider donuts for $5!  Wish I would have bought more.

Benny Bear helping load up the trees!

You have to stop at the Sportsman’s Hall for a burger + beer on your way home.  It’s a MUST!  Check out the wall of fame too.  All the peeps that have eaten the 40oz steak!

Beer me!

Apple Hill is so beautiful.  You can easily make a day of it.  And I highly recommend you do.  If you’re not familiar with Apple Hill, click on the link below and you can print the map.  The map lists all the Tree Farms in green.  Apple Orchards in red.  Wineries in purple.  Some of our favorites:

High Hill Ranch – Apples + Desserts + Hay rides + Fishing + Crafts + Pony Rides

Rainbow Orchards – Home of the Apple cider donuts!  They very best!

Hillside Tree Farm – We’ve had good luck cutting trees here!  You can print the $5 off coupon + ride the train too!

Jack Russel Farm Brewery – Perfect place for a pit stop + a cold beer

Apple Hill Map

 

 

Friendsgiving //

I’m hosting a friendsgiving tonight.  The turkey breast is ready for the oven.  I have a pretty table setting.  Wine in the fridge.  Now I just have to wait for 6pm.  Then my Hand + Foot girls will arrive.  Except we aren’t playing cards this time.

Monkey Bread //

When’s the last time you make monkey bread?  It’s been years for me.  I was searching recipes in my email folder and came across it.  Then I realized, some peeps don’t even know what Monkey Bread is.  And I can’t have that.

It’s the most simple sweet treat.  Or breakfast of champions for Bay + Ruby.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 cans Pillsbury Grands Flaky layers biscuits (16.3 oz each)
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 3/4 cup butter, melted

Here’s what you do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease bundt pan.

In a large ziplock bag add sugar + cinnamon.

Separate 16 biscuits and cut each into quarters.  Toss biscuit pieces into ziplock bag and shake to coat with cinnamon + sugar.

Place 1/2 of biscuit pieces into prepared bundt pan.  Sprinkle with 1/2 chopped walnuts.  Top with remaining biscuit pieces and then remaining walnuts.

In a bowl, mix brown sugar with melted butter.  Drizzle over biscuit pieces.

Bake for 35 minutes.  Monkey bread will become golden and bubbly.

Cool in bundt pan for 10 minutes.  Turn upside down onto serving plate.

Serve warm.

Pull apart + enjoy!

 

 

That’s it friends.  Hope you had a good one.

Come back tomorrow.  I’ll be sharing some tip on hosting a stress-free Holiday!

 

xoxo stacyb