Outfits by the Hour

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Thanksgiving is definitely all about the food, but as most girls do, I also think about what I'll be wearing for this very important holiday. Oldest sis Claire, her boyfriend, and I are running our first Turkey Trot. We are trying to start the day off on the right foot by squeezing in a little festive workout! This means layers of warm running clothes for a chilly early morning run. 
After changing out of my running gear it's time for the main event, the feast. Printed wool shorts, tights, booties and an oversized sweater are packed in my bag to take home for the holiday.  
Lastly, it's post-feast/pie and wine on the couch time. The mass amount of creamed corn, dressing and sweet potatoes that will be consumed means one thing, stretchy pants. I usually go for a sampler of all the pies we have so comfy clothes that allow room for a food baby are a must as the last outfit of the night. 
Turkey Trot: The North Face down vest/Nike thermal running tights/Nike Frees 4.0 running shoes
Feast: Zara turtleneck sweater/Zara printed shorts/Dolce Vita booties
Lounge: Zara hooded poncho/H&M jogging pants

Annie


Bites of My Life

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Short week, short week, short week!! Then home for Thanksgiving, then two weeks of school after that, then home again for Christmas break. I'm sorry fall semester where did you go? The reality of only having one semester left of college is more a reality than ever, and let me tell you I'm more
terrified than I thought I'd be.

Along with having an unplanned short week last week because of our snow day, I cooked a lot, celebrated a lot, watched a friend get engaged, had great almost last game day as a student and ended the week with my usual quinoa fried rice. This time I enjoyed it paired with a glass of wine catching up with a good friend. 
-Soft boiled eggs and gingersnap tea on my snow day! Soft boiled eggs=officially the hardest thing to peel. 
-Took a snow walk to the local grocery store/deli for for the lunch portion of my snow day! Half a rueben and gumbo.
-And to round out the snow day meals, a double batch of my Crock Pot Verde Turkey Chili for a hungry crowd of my best friends! 
-Y'all these Pecan Pie Bars from last week. You just have to make them. P.S. they would make a great better sub for pecan pie on your Thanksgiving table! Dad personally requested I make another batch and bring some home this week, I know what I'm doing today!
-Chicken with Grapes and Figs from Dash and Bella made for a more sophisticated Tuesday dinner than usual. 
-My Big Brothers Big Sisters 'little" and I have now been matched for more than a year so we've been able to make some traditions of our own. One of them is making those little turkey brownie bites decorated with Mike & Ike feathers and lots of chocolate frosting. 
-Brussels sprouts, kale, dried cranberries, walnuts and some park made for an easy fall-like lunch.
-Last girls night of the semester.
-Irish Coffee round 2 for an early/rainy game day in Norman. 
T-minus 3 days until Turkey day!
Annie

Where I Want to Be

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image via A Life Well Lived
I want to be on a patio overlooking a lake, as the sun is setting, eating an amazing dinner, with people I love.
image via Off Beat and Inspired
I want be tucked away in an orchard, eating scones, drinking hot coffee, soaking in the nature around me.

image via Lexington Company 
I want to be eating outside, drinking red wine, warmed under a blanket, and gabbing about how great life is.

image via Non Conspiracy Orchestra
I want to be snuggled in cabin, with a fire roaring, playing board games, thinking nothing could be better. 
Do you ever see pictures like these and imagine what your life would be if you were there? I love the inspiration that can come from one simple image. All of these photos make me warm and fuzzy inside when I envision what my life would be if I were in the picture. They all portray fall weather, family, good food, laughter, and happiness. With thanksgiving around the corner, I can't wait to be in a place like these. I'm anxious to be snuggled up at my parents house, with leftovers busting out of the fridge and having all the people I love around me. 
Annie

What I'm Listening To

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When I was 14 I was convinced I was going to marry Nick Jonas. I drew a picture of us, me in a wedding dress and nick in a suit and green tennis shoes (his favorite, only a true fan would know this), that hung proudly in my closet. I went to their concert with a broken arm and I'm pretty sure I teared up when they sung "Hello Beautiful."

On that note, I could easily tear up at Nick's new version of "Jealous" which he sings with a gospel choir. I'll be honest I'm not a huge fan of the original pop version, but with the help of a little soul, I'm now obsessed. 

Oops, I'm smitten with Nick Jonas all over again.

Annie

Lucky Bars

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May the countdown to Thanksgiving begin. These Pecan Pie Bars from Joy the Baker's new cookbook are the perfect pre-thanksgiving indulgence. I'm now the proud owner of Joy's second cookbook, Homemade Decadence, thanks to Blogging for Books. 

I've been a long time fan of Joy's blog and already own her first cookbook. When it was time to pick out my next book from the B4B archives, Joy's was a no brainer. This book blows her first cookbook out of the water. It's double the content and I can confidently say I want to make everything in it. 

It was a struggle having to decide what I would bake first, but because of the holiday season, Pecan Pie Bars had my tastebuds tingling. The shortbread crust, chocolate chips and addition of liquor helped too. 

Sunday looked like this, so it was a no-brainer that it had to be a baking day. 

After making the crust and getting it in the oven I started making the pecan mixture. Melted butter, brown sugar, corn syrupy goodness was all combined when it was time to add the eggs and BAM! A double yolk! I let out a slight squeal, quickly snap chatted it (I'm such a stereotype of my generation), and now I'm waiting to see what kind of luck it brings me. Joy may call them Pecan Pie bars, but these guys will now forever be "Lucky Bars."

Pecan Pie Bars
yields one 9 x 13 pan

Ingredients:

Shortbread Crust:
2 cups flour
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temp
1/2 tsp. salt

Filling:
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup light corn syrup
3 large eggs
2 Tbsp. bourbon or any liquor of choice (I used Kahlúa)
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups toasted pecan halves, chopped
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan, then also line it with parchment paper. Grease it again to ensure the pecan bars will come out easily!

For the crust:: combine flour, powdered sugar, butter and salt in an electric mixer with the paddle attachment. Beat until completely combined, about 4 minutes. Dump the mixture into the prepared pan and use your fingers to spread the crust out evenly. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Keep the oven on.

For the filling:: whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, eggs, liquor and salt in a medium bowl. Stir in the pecans and chocolate. Pour the mixture over the crust and spread evenly. 

Bake until set, about 25 to 30 minutes. You're supposed to let them cool completely before cutting into bars, but when you have the scent of pecan pie filling your house it's a little hard to wait. The bars will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 4 days. 

I have a weak spot for shortbread. The crust is so buttery and when paired with the sweet chocolate pecan topping, their just, just, just, so good. They are like pecan pie turned up a notch. 

Joy's cookbook is now a top favorite for me. On my bake list are her Lemon Bars, Classic Vanilla Cake, Roasted Balsamic Strawberry Grits, Dirty Chais and Breakfast Biscuit Cobbler. Read my full review of Homemade Decadence on Blogging for Books. 

BRB while I go cut tiny piece after tiny piece until I realize I just ate about two full sized squares... Once a grazer always a grazer. 

Annie

I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. If you are a also a blogger make sure to check out their site on how you too can start Blogging for Books!