Hello, hello! Happy Friday to some of my favorite people! I hope your week was a good one. My parents left before dawn this morning and while I wish their trip could’ve been longer, I’m so glad we were able to cram in a ton of fun in the two-and-a-half days I had with them this week. We filled their time in Charlotte with trips to The Raptor Center and Duck Donuts and Chase was in heaven with Mae and Pop in town! (My mom is now officially “Mae” to Chase. He could never say “Grammy” and began calling her “Mae” several months ago instead. It stuck and we all love it!)
Today is going to be a typical Friday around here: Soccer for Chase, nap time working for me and hopefully a relaxing night at home for our family this evening. We’re also hoping to make it out to a local pumpkin patch this weekend and will be attending a chili cook off party on Saturday evening as well. I signed up to bring cornbread to the party and there is going to be a prize for the best chili and the best cornbread, so if you have a GREAT cornbread recipe you love, please let me know! As of right now, I’ve got nothin’, so I need some ideas!
And now, before the weekend officially begins, it’s time for my usual Things I’m Loving Friday blog post! Below you will find a short roundup of some things I am loving this week and, as always, I’d love to hear a little bit about something that is making you smile as well.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- The Smell of Pumpkin Granola
Since Chase is such a huge fan of “helping” me cook and bake in the kitchen, I find myself regularly looking for new recipes to try with him. Yesterday afternoon we whipped up several batches of pumpkin granola for our family and Chase’s preschool teachers and it made the entire house smell fantastic for hours! I loosely followed Pinch of Yum’s recipe that I bookmarked earlier this fall and it was wonderful. A must-try if you love a slightly sweet and salty granola with lots of flavor and texture! An added bonus? It’s made with real pumpkin which, if you do a quick Google search for pumpkin spice granola recipes, you’ll realize isn’t actually all that common.
I’m sharing this one here for any local friends! My mom, dad and I took Chase to the Carolina Raptor Center yesterday morning and he absolutely loved it! Ryan and I visited with him once before so I had a feeling it would be a hit again. The Carolina Raptor Center is located at the front of the Latta Plantation Nature Preserve and is home to more than 30 species of birds. The whole park is shaded (perfect for hot and sunny days) and the soft trails are wonderful for a rambunctious toddler. Chase ran all over the place and had a great time pointing at owls, eagles, hawks, vultures and more. Keep this one on your list if you have an animal lover on your hands and want to do something fun outside together.
- Autumn-Scented Candles
Earlier this week when I decorated our house for the fall, I unpacked all of my autumn-scented candles and love the smell of pumpkin, nutmeg, apple cider and cloves that fills the air whenever I light one and watch the beautiful flame flicker. Holiday-scented candles are my favorite and I’m already anxiously anticipating a winter marked by warm pine-scented candles and cinnamon. So cozy!
- The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
A couple of you guys and my mom recommended The Woman in Cabin 10 to me so I began reading it earlier this week. I’ve been looking forward to reading it before bed every night and it’s really picking up steam! There’s plenty of intrigue and it moves quickly and I’m very interested to see how it turns out. The book follows travel journalist Lo Blacklock as she boards a small luxury cruise on assignment from her magazine, only a couple of days after her apartment was burgled with her inside. Once aboard the ship, Lo witnesses a woman being thrown overboard and blood smeared on the glass pane diving the veranda of her cabin from the one next door. When she reports the incident to the head of security, the supposedly empty cabin next door is investigated and everything is clean and tidy and the blood is gone. Every passenger and crew member on the ship is accounted for but Lo is certain there was one passenger on the ship whose whereabouts no one can seem to explain.
- FlipCam “Phone”
Chase found our old FlipCam in our junk drawer a couple of weeks ago and even though it wasn’t charged and didn’t turn on, he immediately loved it and now refers to it as “Chase Phone.” It actually looks a lot like an iPhone so I can see the connection and he’ll “call” people on it and take pretend pictures (“peek-tures”) of Sadie which makes my heart swell. It’s adorable and I just had to share this little discovery here in case any of you out there happen to have an old FlipCam on hand that might make a great toy for your toddler!
- Friday Flashbacks
Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins (Chase’s favorite fall muffins are officially back in our breakfast rotation. Our whole family loves them!)
Total Body Workout (A throwback workout from 2014!)
Questions of the Day
Any delicious cornbread recipes to share? Please send them my way!
What is one thing you are loving this week?
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Sounds like such fun weekend plans! I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend over here too. Something that was extra exciting this week was using/experimenting with some natural, chemical free makeup. I’ve wanted to switch over my products to more natural and healthier skin care products and last week, I finally took the plunge! After a week of wearing the new makeup. my skin feels healthier and I love how it looks. Win, win! Hope you have a wonderful couple of days!
A chili cookoff sounds so fun! I always use Sally’s Baking Addiction Recipes when it comes to baking anything. I think she has a cornbread recipe. And YES to all the Fall scents, they’re my favorite and I could have my house smell like Fall all year round!
I second Patricia’s comment about Sally’s Baking Addiction- I’ve tried her cornbread and it’s the beeeest! She has a recipe for cornbread jalapeño muffins as well and those are just as delicious… here’s a link: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2015/06/06/jalapeno-cornbread-muffins/
Hope you have a great weekend!
Yum! Thank you!
I love chili cook offs! Both my school and my Dad’s company had them every year when I was growing up, so they always remind me of being a kid 🙂 That is SO cute about Chase’s new “phone”!
Sounds like a fun weekend! I don’t have a cornbread recipe, but the hubs loves it, so if you find a good one, please share!
My three year old carries around an OLD (10 years!?) iPod calling it his phone! He calls and texts people and takes pictures.
Ha!! So sweet!!! Who knew these old gadgets would come in handy!?
Chili cook-offs are the best! We do one in my office every year before the holiday break and everyone always bring so much food. I’m a reigning chili champ, but I don’t have a recipe for cornbread. I do recommend putting cheddar and jalapeno in it, though!
Holiday candles are my favorite!! I go through them so quickly because I always have one burning 🙂 Have so much fun at the pumpkin patch this weekend! It’s on my list of things to do this month!
Thanks for sharing the Raptor Center! Do you think it is good for an almost walking one year old, or should we wait until he’s walking? Love that you share local things to do. I’m always looking for new ideas!
I love Pioneer Woman’s cornbread recipe! http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/skillet-cornbread/ <- Here's the link 🙂
Granola is so good, and I bet it's even better with pumpkin – love the fall twist!
Hi Julie!
First of all, happy to see you enjoyed your time in Vermont! I live in Burlington (and am an avid reader!) and it’s truly an incredible city. If you ever make your way up here again, I think Chase would LOVE Shelburne Farms!
I know you signed up for corn bread, but if you ever need an amazing (and healthy!) chili recipe, this one is incredible and so tasty! Enjoy!
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/229081/sweet-potato-chili/?internalSource=hub%20recipe&referringContentType=search%20results&clickId=cardslot%201
thank you!!! it’s so dreary here today and chili sounds amazing right now.
Mae? How modern and cute! I’d always joke with my mom that she may one day be “Grandmama….” Definitely cherish time spent with your parents while you can. I’m so happy you appreciate that, because after working in the hospital, I can’t say the same for everyone. Have a very happy Friday!
I don’t have a specific recipe, but I always find that my cornbread is super moist if I add pureed cauliflower. To jazz it up, I like to add kernels of corn, jalapenos, cheddar, and even bacon.
This recipe is beyond amazing. I’ve making it for years! http://www.edibleperspective.com/home/2011/9/22/cornbread.html
Ambitious Kitchen’s Honey Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins are amazing if you want something a little different! The pumpkin makes them so soft and delicious. They’re my go to recipe! Here’s the link if you want to check them out! https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/2014/09/honey-pumpkin-cornbread-muffins/
Have a fantastic weekend!
thank you! they sounds like autumn in a muffin cup!
This is super simple and not really a recipe, but if you love sweet cornbread like my family does I just get a cornbread mix from the store, add a can of creamed corn, make it into muffins and top with cheddar cheese!! So good!
I used to do my long runs at Latta, but never checked out the Raptor Center. I’ve heard great things!
So this isn’t exactly cornbread, but it is SO DELICIOUS. The texture is kind of a soft, moist, dense cake–I guess like a coffee cake. I make this every Thanksgiving and it gets eaten in a heartbeat! I use a cast iron skillet and cut the bread into cubes. My recommendation is to use a full 8 oz of sour cream, not sub for yogurt. My cooking time is longer too to give it a bit more firmness.
http://damndelicious.net/2015/11/24/sweet-corn-spoonbread/
Hi Julie! I hear you with the Fall candles! Currently have 3 lit 🙂 This recipe from the Ravinia Festival in Chicago is the EASIEST, MOST DELECTABLE cornbread recipe. It has won awards and people constantly ask for the recipe! Keep in mind it is a thick, sweet cornbread. Feel free to add in jalapenos, etc!
3 eggs
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 tsp salt
8 ounces sour cream or greek yogurt
8.5 ounces canned creamed corn
12 ounces jiffy cornbread mix
Combine all ingredients in large bowl and mix with mixer until well combined. Pour into 8×11 greased pan. Bake at 375 degrees until lightly browned on top! (30-45 min). Slather with butter and enjoy!
Yes! I also have a similar recipe that combines jiffy mix and creamed corn. Simple and delicious, especially for coming from a mix.
Sounds SO GOOD!!!! I want to make this tonight!
aw! i love when little kids come up with their own names for their grandparents. my cousins called their grandfather guppy cause they couldn’t say grampy.
SO adorable!! I love that name!
Haha, I love how you and Chase cook together. That must be funny! The pumpkin granola sounds incredible! You could sell that stuff!
This is my favorite cornbread recipe . . . I always turn to Sally’s Baking Addiction for new sweet recipes! They’re always simple but delicious, and she has a huge repertoire!
https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2016/06/20/honey-skillet-cornbread/
Her recipes are great! Thanks for sharing this one!
Yummm pumpkin granola! And your baby is precious! Cute photos
Kim
http://trendkeeper.me .. giveaway and flannels under $100!
Thanks so much, Kim!!
Sounds like such a fun weekend ahead! I don’t have a good cornbread recipe, but if you get one please do share. 🙂 Everyone in my family loves cornbread! I’m also loving autumn scented candles, currently we have been lighting spiced pumpkin from Yankee Candle every evening this week and it just smells so good! Holiday candles are my favorite, I can’t wait to Christmas scents too! Xoxo
This is the best cornbread I’ve ever had! Not too sweet, but incredibly flavorful – you have me craving it now!!
http://tutti-dolci.com/2014/11/brown-butter-maple-cornbread/
Sounds fantastic! Thank you for sharing!
Grandparents are the best! I’m glad you were able to spend a lot of time with them! I have an old flip camera and should totally bust it out! It would be fun to use again. I can’t imagine the footage my toddler would take.
We are loving all things fall at our house! I’ve made pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pancakes, put out fall candles, visited the pumpkin patch (which was a major fail and I ended up calling my kids jerks) and decorated the house with mini pumpkins!
Happy Friday!! Those pumpkin muffins look so good!
I just use the recipe on the side of the Quaker cornmeal container BUT two things I do to spruce it up and make it even better are substituting melted butter instead of vegetable oil and adding 1/2 cup of canned pumpkin! It makes it so moist!!
Love the idea of adding pumpkin! So festive for fall!
My husband is the master cornbread-maker in our house (we use his grandfather’s old family recipe – super simple). He swears that the key to good cornbread, no matter the recipe has to do with how and when you mix the liquid ingredients (eggs, milk). He has taught me to wait until you are ready to put it all in the oven (we always cook ours in a cast iron skillet). then, right before you do, whisk the liquid ingredients hard and fast until they are light and foamy. Then gently fold them into the dry ingredients, stirring as little as possible. Then just slide it in! Good luck!
As a New Orleans native, cornbread is near and dear to my heart. The only way to cook it is in a cast iron skillet! If I’m cutting corners, which I oftentimes do, I use the boxed Jif cornbread mix. Mix up as directed, but add a tablespoon of sugar and mayonnaise. Sounds insane. Trust the process. Heat your cast iron in the oven for 10 minutes with some oil in the cast iron, take it out, sprinkle a bit of sugar before pouring the mix in and bake as directed. Usually about 15 minutes. The Trader Joe’s cornbread mix will also work this way. It is everything! No added corn kernels or creamed corn! Cornbread is SACRED! Godspeed.
I just made a batch of your pumpkin muffins last night and had 2 of them for breakfast! They’re so yummy and my 2 year-old daughter is a big fan of them too!
Fall candles are the best! It makes the house feel so cozy.
I swear by this recipe (church cookbooks are the best!)
https://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2016/11/best-sweet-cornbread.html
Happy weekend!!
thanks so much!!! and totally agree about church cookbooks!
every road trip (like last weekend) we look for a used book store (love the smell!) and I hit the church cookbook section … I also have some from my granny’s circa 1015 or so but “cook until done on a low fire” usually does not translate well 🙂
Chase is the SPITTING IMAGE OF YOUR DAD!!!!
Best cornbread ever: Jiffy – The stuff right out of the box!
I sometimes add freshly graded cheddar and pickled jalapenos and it is killer. I am from the south so we cook our cornbread in cast iron skillets! Coat skillet with some veggie oil before pouring in batter to make a delicious outside crust!
I make your pumpkin muffin recipe all the time and they always come out good! My little guy eats them too, which I love because they’re relatively healthy as muffins go. So thank you! Happy Friday!
I could really go for chili and cornbread right about now – it is so dreary in Philly today. Also YES to all the fall candles…I can’t get enough! Have a great weekend!
Ina Garten’s jalapeno cheddar cornbread – the best!
https://barefootcontessa.com/recipes/jalapeno-cheddar-cornbread
omg the woman in cabin 10 was SO good!! i read it this summer and couldn’t put it down. i miss having a book like that to read, actually…and i just bought my first round of autumn-scented candles and am obsessed!! i hope things cool down so that it really feels like fall soon 🙂 have a great weekend!
I’ve got a DELICIOUS cornbread recipe that tastes like cake! Be warned – it is not healthy! Haha 🙂
1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
8 oz sour cream
1 small can of creamed corn
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.
I’m just going to jump in to say that adding sour cream to baked goods is always ALWAYS a good idea!
Chase and your day look so much alike!! How cute are they?!? I have made a really good chili recipe from Brown Eyed Baker. It’s spicy but it is very flavorful! https://www.browneyedbaker.com/all-american-beef-chili/
I really enjoyed Women in Cabin 10 as well. I just finished her most recent book The Lying Game and while it wasn’t as much as a page turner as Woman in Cabin 10- I s enjoy it!
If you want a slightly different cornbread I’ve started making this delicious pumpkin cornbread recipe from The View from Great Island. Absolutely wonderful and something a little different from the usual cornbread!
I’ve heard great things about Ina Garten’s jalapeno cheddar cornbread 🙂 I haven’t tried the recipe myself, but thought I’d share! We’re big fans of eating this type of cornbread when other people make it, so I can attest to that piece of it 😉
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/jalapeno-cheddar-cornbread-recipe-1948386
My son could never call my mom by “Grandma”. He called her “Bah” for a long time and I thought it was adorable too. He did eventually switch to calling her Grandma, probably because that’s what the older cousins still called her.
Also, my favorite chili recipe: http://www.skinnytaste.com/2008/11/crock-pot-chicken-taco-chili-4-pts.html?m=1
Sorry it’s not cornbread! Am curious which cornbread you make!
I’m excited to read “The Girl in Cabin 10” it’s my book club’s book for November!