Anyway, what a day this has been. Yesterday was my last day of work for 5 (yes, FIVE) whole days and I could not be happier. I mean, not that I don't like my job but, it has been over a year since I have taken an uninterrupted break from work for any amount of time. I guess the last time was our honeymoon....(oh, to be back in Hawaii!)
Isn't that a view to be thankful for?
But, for now, we'll just hang out here in good ol' KY! Back to my break from work. Lately, I've been super stressed out about work and things that have been happening. I'm not sure why I let things bug me so much but, I when I feel strongly about something I just can't let it go. So, I simmer over it! (flaw #52) On Friday afternoon, I met one of my Girl Scout leaders (I work for Girl Scouts, in case you didn't know) at her workplace and, I could tell it had been one of those days for her (because it had been one of those weeks for me!), she looked up at me from her desk and said, "When I leave here at 3 o'clock this afternoon, I'm pretending that I don't have a job until 8am on Monday morning" I thought this was a great philosophy! So, on Tuesday afternoon, when I left work I decided I would be pretending that my job did not exist until Monday morning. Not only did I not bring a single work related thing home with me, I even turned my email off on my phone. Mainly because I have no self control and I feel guilty for hearing the little sound go off and not checking my email...then, I check it and feel I have to reply instantly! So, for the second time in THREE years, I am on vacation and NOT checking my email! It is a great feeling :) Please don't get me wrong, I am super thankful to have a job that helps to provide for my family and allow us to do the things we like to do but, sometimes a girl just needs a break!
So, to celebrate my "pretend unemployment", my mom and I spent the day shopping and I managed to mark a few more things off of my Christmas list. My Christmas list is almost completely finished! Just a few more things to purchase and I'll be done! Mom and I usually shop on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving because 1) the stores almost always have great sales and 2) I'm not strong enough mentally to handle "BLACK FRIDAY"
When we returned home, I decided I should try to reconfigure my living room furniture so that on Saturday I can put up our Christmas tree (yes, I'm a firm believer in "the tree does not go up until AFTER Thanksgiving"...one holiday at a time!) I felt like I worked forever...but, I think it was only like an hour and a half. Hopefully, this arrangement will work. Guess we'll find out on Saturday!
After my furniture escapade, I decided I would begin baking some goodies to take to our family gatherings tomorrow. Until about 8 o'clock tonight, I actually had not given it the slightest thought, isn't that terrible?! So, I pulled out a few of my cookbooks and came up with "Pumpkin Muffins" and "Carmel Apple Tartlet" MMMMMM!
Now, typically I'm not a pumpkin person but this recipe seemed super simple and I was sure that someone, at some gathering would eat a couple. Let me share the simplicity of this with you: a box of spice cake mix, 8 ounces of pumpkin, 1 egg and 1/2 cup of water. mix together, divide into muffin cups and bake at 350 for 17-20 minutes! I decided to add cream cheese icing to the top and maybe a little pumpkin spice sprinkle too! Just for good measure :) These little muffins, soon to be cupcakes, smell divine! My house smells fabulous and I didn't even turn on my Scentsy tonight, HA! I thought I'd share some of the process with you:
The batter (yes, I tried it and it was good!)
Right out of the oven (excuse my terrible picture taking...i need some practice!)
So, for now, 3 dozen muffins are hanging out on cooling racks waiting to be transformed into cupcakes! Let's hope they survive Mr Carter's arrival and don't get eaten.
The Carmel Apple Tarlets are actually a recipe from Pampered Chef...also super simple! I prepared my little shells tonight and I'll just mix the apples and carmel tomorrow and drop a little in each shell and bake until golden. They are probably one of my favorite PC recipes EVER!
the shells with a piece of carmel in them, refrigerator ready.
Being in my kitchen for a few hours tonight was such a blessing to me. I have always really enjoyed cooking/baking and since Mr Carter and I work opposite shifts and I'm usually not at home until late, cooking has practically lost it's appeal. I'd much rather pop open a can of tomato soup and make a grilled cheese than spend time cooking and cleaning up the mess...not to mention, having the leftovers! It was almost relaxing and very soothing (yes, I know that sounds crazy to you) to be giving my kitchen a good workout. I did learn a few things though, a) I need a rolling pin & b)a bigger cutting board wouldn't hurt either! (Just in case you're looking for something to buy me for my birthday or Christmas, ha!)
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and spend it remembering ALL of the things, big or small, that you are thankful for.
And, in an effort to be better about keeping my blog up-to-date, tomorrow when the cupcakes are iced and the tartlets are golden, I'll snap a few pics and share with you!
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