Five on Friday

I am currently on my way to VA and I could not be more excited! This weekend is my friend Megan's 30th birthday celebration and I get to have a reunion with some of my favorite people that I haven't seen since March! I also get to spend time with my parents, which means full control over the menu. I have already put in requests for an apple pie, Megan's chicken (a cream cheese chicken recipe my mom makes, and my favorite growing up) and my dad's homemade cinnamon rolls. The baby and I are going to PIG OUT!

I decided to link up for Five on Friday and share some things from this past week:

1. The Body Shop is having a "buy 3, get 3 free" deal on some of my favorite scents. I love the cocoa butter scent (it has been my go to pregnant belly lotion) and the Vitamin E line of face products are great! Sale ends October 28th!

Really great gentle cream cleanser

Hands down BEST body scrub

2. I made the mistake of reading this article on BabyCenter about what happens to your body after you give birth. I have read What to Expect When You're Expecting and had all the sex ed stuff in health class, but until I read this article I didn't really know what to expect to happen to MY BODY after delivery. I know this is the miracle of life, it's going to be hard, it is so rewarding, etc. But man, if you want some FREE birth control, read that article!

3. The last couple of weeks my energy has totally surged. I mean like higher energy levels than before I was pregnant. I have used this time to prioritize walking and getting in exercise. And Kyle has started walking with me. Just between you and me, he has gained some sympathy weight. So I have been encouraging him to join me. I wonder what the chances are of me getting him to do the prenatal yoga DVD?

Saturday's hour long excursion.

 



4. I made chocolate chip cookies last night. They are so delicious. Sometimes you just have to return to the basics and make a classic like the chocolate chip cookie. I will make sure to pack some of them in my carry on for the flight!

5. Bouncing around on some blogs this week I saw a recipe for homemade fruit and veggie gummy snacks. I def want to try these out!

Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal

After I made these cookies I had some leftover pumpkin. I decided to make baked pumpkin oatmeal. I used this recipe.

• 3 cups quick cooking oats
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¾ cup canned pumpkin
• ¼ cup brown sugar (for the top)

In a large bowl mix together all ingredients except the ¼ cup brown sugar for the top.
Spread into a greased 9×13 pan.
Sprinkle remaining ¼ cup brown sugar on top.
Bake at 350 for 20 minutes

It turned out DELICIOUS. I actually cut the recipe in half, and then what we didn't eat Sunday morning went in the fridge and I reheated it for breakfast Monday. I highly recommend this for a delicious fall breakfast treat; quick, easy and tasty!

Pumkin Caramel Kiss cookies

So I was looking for a fall cookie recipe for the tailgate last Saturday and stumbled across these, Pumpkin Caramel Kiss Cookies. They turned out really well (don't you love when Pinterest recipes work like that!) The cookie part was more cakey, but still delicious. I think that is the case with any recipe that uses pumpkin.

 

Five on Friday!

So happy this week is coming to a close, mostly because it is UGA v. LSU weekend here in Athens! I have been looking forward to this game ever since we beat South Carolina. College Game Day is on campus and there is just an excited atmosphere all around. I am happy it is Friday, but I will be even more happy when it is Saturday in Athens!
I'm linking up for Five on Friday!

1. First, my Hokies beat GA Tech last night. So proud! Wish I could have been in Atlanta to cheer them on!

2. This morning I am starting with some UGA spirit though. I didn't have a full length mirror, and the belly is getting in the way. Don't you love the carpet in my office?!





jeans Target, shirt Old Navy, shoes Jack Rogers

3. Kyle and I are checking out a daycare center today. The Today Show is doing a series on being born in America and posted this article. I have been thinking a lot about my maternity leave and already making plans at work about how my responsibilities will be covered while I am gone. I am the type of person that checks their work email while on vacation. I know some people think that is ridiculous, but honestly I love working and being busy. I will have enough time saved up by February to take 10 weeks off. I have a SUPER supportive office environment and supervisor that have no problem with being away that long, but I have a problem with it. February, March and April are three of the biggest recruiting months for our field both for graduate students and professional staff. I was looking forward to coordinating these processes and traveling to conferences. But I know now that is just not possible. I really hope the worker bee in me calms down after Baby D is here so that I can adjust to my new role as momma.

4. I am still trying to figure out what to bring to our tailgate this Saturday. I swear football is the ONLY reason I will wake up at 6am on a Saturday. I was thinking of baking these:

via

 

or these:

via

5. I got my birthday present from my parents early this week: a flight to VA in October to see these ladies! Can't wait!!!!

 

 

 

Sunday Supper

Have I ever mentioned how great it is to have a husband that loves to cook?! Kyle decided he wanted to make shrimp and grits on Sunday. And it was DELICIOUS!

 



This is the recipe he used. It is the same one mom my used when we were in DC over Labor Day.

 

The little kitchen helper: