first day of fall

happy first day of fall y'all! fall starts my favorite time of the year. from football, homecoming, halloween, my birthday, thanksgiving, christmas and new years, the last quarter of the year is always the best.

i am spending my first day of fall at home this weekend. i was in much need of a change of scenery from knoxville and this quick trip home was perfect. i came home friday afternoon to my beautiful house that i am so thankful for and it felt like i had never left. my mom knows me well because she made sure there was a bowl full of fruit and sweet tea in the refrigerator. she also had a flu shot waiting on me as well (oh the perks of being a pediatrician's daughter). nonetheless, this weekend has been a relaxing weekend. mom hosted a baby shower for one of her partners so i helped with that and besides that, we spent the weekend at home just catching up (and watching some painful UT football). i did go to mawsie's for supper last night because she made my favorite vegetable soup and cornbread. unlike many college students my age, i love coming home. the five hours total in the car are worth the 48 hours at home with my parents. i feel like my weekend trips home reenergize me and get me back on track. 

for the baby shower, mom made her strawberry cake. if i didn't get IveyCake cupcakes for my birthday, this would be the cake i would request. its definitely not a healthy cake, but you have to treat yourself every once in a while. there was some cake leftover from the baby shower so some of it made its way back to knoxville. 

strawberry cake

1 box duncan hines white cake mix

1 box strawberry jello (dissolved in 1/2 cup hot water)

4 eggs

1 cup canola oil

1/2 cup crushed strawberries

1. mix all ingredients together and bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. let cool before icing. 

strawberry cake icing

3 cups powdered sugar

1 stick margarine

1/2 cup crushed strawberries

1 cup pecans

1 small can coconut (optional, we usually leave out) 

1. melt butter, add sugar, then add remaining ingredients. 
2. pour over cooled cake. 
3. store in refrigerator. 

this cake is a family favorite and i always go back for more when we make it! i have a hard time practicing self-control with this cake. its a great cake for spring and summer because of the fresh berries.

this upcoming week is a busy one, but i have much to look forward to. between school and other activities, i may not be able to post much this week but i will try my hardest! i hope everyone has had as wonderful a weekend as i have (thanks to my amazing parents). happy fall! 

xoxo, 

clp 

weekend recap: murfreesboro adventures and a recipe

i love weekends like this weekend. staying in murfreesboro all weekend really makes me appreciate what it has to offer.

saturday started off with the weekly trip to the murfreesboro saturday farmer's market on the square to get fresh, local fruits and vegetables with my mom. we love going to the market each week not only because the products are amazing, but it is also a social outing! i have yet to go to the market and not see someone i know! this week we loaded up on green beans, crowder peas, corn, peaches, blueberries, zucchini, watermelon, cantaloupe and bell peppers!

my mom, dad and i also toured Mayday Brewery on saturday! it was a really cool, laid-back local brewery with four different beers with names like boro blonde and angry redhead (my favorite for obvious reasons). the brewery also has live music at night and a deck and a food truck that makes it a fun place to hang out!

the "angry redhead" herself... 

inside the brewery...

saturday night was a favorite in our house: tamale night! mom buys authentic tamales from a lady who makes them for a church fundraiser and they are beyond good! between my homemade guacamole, salsa from la siesta, and chicken tamales, its safe to say we ate well! 

today i have deemed "birthday sunday" to celebrate my mom's birthday even though it isn't for another two weeks. i won't be home on her actual birthday but i still wanted to do something special. today will consist of some of her favorite things: her "cruise ship" breakfast (salmon, capers and cream cheese), laying by the pool, my homemade pimento cheese for lunch (recipe below), tomato gnocchi and salmon (chicken for me, the non-seafood lover) with salad for dinner and her strawberry cake for dessert! 

healthier pimento cheese

1/2 cup non-fat plain greek yogurt

1 4 oz jar diced pimentos, drained

1 tsp finely grated onion

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp ground red pepper 

1 8 oz block Cabot Extra Light White Cheddar cheese, finely shredded

1/2 8 oz block Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar cheese, finely shredded

stir together ingredients and serve.

(adapted from Southern Living's Classic Pimento Cheese) 

tomorrow starts my last week at home before heading back to school! i do really miss my friends and sisters in knoxville and can't wait to see them, but i am really going to miss being home too. this week will be spent getting everything ready to go backs to school- from hair appointments to getting my emissions checked. i can already tell my clothes are going to be a real problem when it comes to packing. in addition to packing, i am going to cram every last minute fun thing i wanted to do this summer into this week! wish me luck!

xoxo, 

clp 

p.s. its shark week y'all!