Good morning and Happy Halloween week! I hope your Monday is off to a good start… And if it’s not, you should probably make some of this Pumpkin Spice Puppy Chow.
It’s a guaranteed mood-booster. It’s on my must-make list this week!
But now let’s chat about the weekend, shall we?
Saturday
Saturday was mostly spent in the car as I made the drive back to Charlotte from Jacksonville. Saturday morning was lovely though and began with an 8 a.m. Jazzercise class that I took with my mom and sister.
By the time we were done, my sister’s husband was already hard at work in the kitchen. He was so sweet and made a big Saturday morning brunch for our family and his mother and sister who were also in town for the women’s retreat all the ladies attended together last week.
Sadie was in heaven all weekend thanks to all of the extra attention from my family. She whimpered like crazy when she saw them again and followed them everywhere like their little puppy shadow all week.
After brunch, I packed up my car and made the six-hour drive back to North Carolina and arrived just in time to take Sadie on a walk with Ryan before sunset. Once we were done with our walk, it was time for pizza and a lazy Saturday night. I fell asleep the instant my head hit the pillow and slept like a baby. It was wonderful!
Sunday
Our Sunday was the perfect mix of errands, outdoor activities and lounging.
We took Sadie on a three-mile walk in the morning and couldn’t get over how gorgeous it was outside. I am loving autumn in Charlotte!
I also spent a little time in the kitchen on Sunday making the most wonderfully fragrant loaf of maple walnut pumpkin spice bread.
It was simple to throw together and tasted amazing. I’ll be sure to share the recipe this week!
Hope you had a great weekend!
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I’ve been waiting for a reason to make puppy chow!! Thanks for the pumpkin spin on it! I’ve been totally embracing the pumpkin craze this fall, and I too made pumpkin bread, except I think I improvised too much with the adding of more pumpkin puree to make it moist and then it cooked up a little too undone in the middle, darn it!
Hope you love it!! 🙂
Totally need to see that recipe 😉
Great minds think alike 🙂 I made 2 batches of pumpkin spice puppy chow this weekend. My recipe was a little different than yours (http://www.lakeshorerunner.com/2014/10/27/pumpkins-pumpkins-engagement/) but yours looks delicious as well. I don’t know if my waistline can handle it but I might need to try yours next!
Excited for the bread recipe! The only thing better than bread tasting good is having it make your entire house smelly yummy 🙂
Puppy chow is the best!! Glad you had a fun weekend. 🙂
That picture of you and Sadie and the fallen leaves – SWOON. Living in NC now means you guys are going to have a million gorgeous options for Christmas card pics this year!
St. Louis fall weather has been gorgeous, too! I went on lots of walks and did some baking, as well!
I’m sure it’s been nice having fall after being in FL the last several years. I know when I moved back to IL from SoCal, I LOVED having season changes again. Fall is my absolute favorite!
I love how loving Sadie is!
What a fun weekend!
The weather in Austin has been amazing. We also had a date night on Saturday to see Gone Girl. Glad you enjoyed the retreat!
mmmm deff gotta try that puppy chow! 🙂
Glad you had a great weekend with your family. That puppy chow – mmm!
Don’t you just feel TOTALLY refreshed after spending time with your family? I’m with my parents in Southwest Florida right now and am loving it. But of course, I’m back on a plane tomorrow morning to head back to San Francisco. I’ll leave with a tan, a full belly and a full heart!
I’ve seen that Pumpkin Spice Puppy Chow floating around Pinterest lately, and it’s definitely a must make for me too! Just looking at the photo makes me happy. Yum!
Glad you guys had a wonderful weekend!
Looks like a beautiful place to explore!
that bread sounds amazing- can’t wait to hear the recipe!
What an awesome weekend!! 🙂 Love family time and hiking…and that puppy chow looks perfect for Halloween!
Hey Julie! You mentioned you were interested in my chicken noodle-less soup recipe. It’s on the blog today if you want to check it out. It would be perfect with some of your pumpkin walnut bread! http://skinnyfitalicious.com/chicken-noodle-less-soup-a-modern-twist-on-a-traditional-favorite/
Fall is the best! I love every season for different reasons, but right now I’m pretty fond of everything fall’s offering. I especially love the baking it lends itself to. That maple walnut pumpkin bread looks delicious. I love maple flavors in the cooler months!
Sadie is adorable – such a big baby! I am jealous of the beautiful walks you have been going on as a family – it is getting so cold here!
How sweet of Ryan to make brunch!! and a lovely weekend!
Hi Julie!! Have you see these kcups yet http://www.target.com/p/starbucks-cinnamon-dolce-k-cup-16-ct/-/A-15255008? I need to get my hands on a box.
Hi Julie-
This is somewhat unrelated, but I just found out about an app called “Walk for a Dog” that is free, and everytime you log in and take your dog on a walk they will donate money to a local animal shelter of your choosing. I know you and your husband walk Sadie all the time, so I thought I would let you know about it. I just downloaded it and am so excited to take my Vizsla Brooklyn on a walk tonight! Just thought you might be interested.
Thanks,
Lindsay
Will the doggie be dressing up for halloween too? 🙂
I love that you got to see your family! Isn’t it the best?? I can’t wait to see the recipe! 🙂
Maple walnut pumpkin spice?! I am already droolingggg 🙂 and that Puppy Chow is seriously the death of me! haha. So glad you had a great weekend with family and are loving fall in NC! : )
Pumpkin spice puppy chow?! I didn’t even know this was a “thing”!
Mmmm that puppy chow!!
Looks like a fun weekend! 🙂
That bread sounds amazing!
p.s. Where are you leggings from that you wore hiking? So cute!
Fabletics!
That bread looks delicious – I’ll be watching for the recipe! 🙂
Jax loves this time of year!! I am sure Sadie will love the cooler weather too.