This morning, the temperature FINALLY dipped into the 60's, and it felt SO GOOD! I would bet we haven't seen the 60's since May. It got me thinking about fall and how it is right around the corner (okay, so maybe it's still 3 1/2 weeks away :) ), so today's Friday Favorites will be my most favorite things about the fall. Here are my top 8:

8. Decorating for Christmas!
Since Christmas day is 3 days after the winter solstice, we must prepare for it during the fall. I once put up a Christmas tree at the end of September; that's how crazy I am about Christmas. That's been a few years back, and now I appreciate the festivities of fall as they're happening instead of skipping ahead to Christmas like Hobby Lobby does.

7. Thanksgiving
In the past year, I've learned to perfect meringue and I've tried my hand at making different pies. So I am pumped about helping my mom and grandma out with Thanksgiving dinner this year! I am all about the sweets when it comes to Thanksgiving (well actually, when it comes to anything), although dad's famous flavor-injected fried turkey is a close second. I think I'll tell mom I've got all the desserts covered this year, except her YUMMY pumpkin pie, so she can focus on that awesome cheesy potato casserole. Thanksgiving in general is one of the greatest holidays: family, food & football; can it get any better?

6. Festivals & Fairs (but mostly the funnel cakes :) )
I LOVE walking around craft fairs and looking at all the home-made trinkets and tasting the home-made salsas & dips. I also love spending $3 or more on a funnel cake that the wind will just blow the powdered sugar off of; and the giant corn dogs are great too! Then there's the carnivals and fairs where we can ride all of the fun rides! Oh, and the haunted houses too! Fun!

5. My Birthday~
My birthday is Sept. 28, and the weather is always perfect. My dad's birthday is 4 days after mine so we have always had a joint celebration. Every time someone asks me what I want for my birthday, I can usually name one or two (or three or four...) things, but if you ask my dad, all he says is "a hug from my two girls is all I want." Isn't that sweet?! He does the same thing at Christmas too. I always try to put icing on the cake by at least making him some chocolate chip cookies. :)

4 & 3. Apples & Pumpkins
Oh. My. Goodness. Absolutely nothing can beat the scent of a pumpkin spice candle from Bath & Body Works on a crisp fall day. A fresh apple pie scented candle is wonderful, too. OR, you could just whip up some easy apple dumplings and fill your home with the actual smell of apples & cinnamon. When it comes to pumpkins, I love to carve, smell & eat them. It's one of my favorite fall ingredients. Since I will have a brand new kitchen this fall, I'm going to go all kinds of pumpkin crazy. Last year I ran across these AMAZING pumpkin cookies w/ white chocolate chips in them. You can bet I will be making them this year and you'll be able to find the recipe over on my ~Recipes~ page. Not too long ago, I found an apple dessert pizza recipe that looks like it's to die for too. It'll be lucky to make it out of the oven before I dive into it :)

2. Football
Love love love football and all that comes along with it! The tailgating in rain/sleet/snow/100-degree temps. and grilling hot dogs; hanging out with friends & fam; all the tradition that comes along with being an avid SOONER fan; it simply cannot be beat. This year, we'll be broke and won't be able to go to the football games :( but I have a feeling there will be neighborhood watch parties & cook-outs instead, which may turn out to be just as fun~

1. The Weather
Who doesn't love the perfect temperatures that come along with the changing of seasons? I think we appreciate it most here in Oklahoma b/c our summers (especially this summer!) are usually scorchers and our winters are entirely too cold with not much pretty snow to show for it. With the weather comes new attitudes and outlooks as well. Moods change and everyone seems all-around happier. I can't wait to curl up in a blanket on our back patio with a good book, some hot chocolate & the scent of a pumpkin spice candle. Heaven on earth. My car especially cannot wait for the fall weather. She is ready to ride around topless! Haha! She's still a little upset because when winter was over, there was only about a week's worth of nice weather before the 100-degree temps hit and her top hasn't been off much since. ;) Oh, and the leaves changing is also one of my most favorite things! The maple trees are the prettiest when they turn that bright red; I hope to have a couple in our yard one day. Driving down Talimena Drive in SE Oklahoma in late October is something we HAVE to do this year. And camping too! So much to do in the wonderful season of Fall!


Yesterday, the built-in fridge panels were painted & glazed to match the rest of the cabinets and we could not be happier with the way they turned out. I have had SO much fun watching this kitchen come to what it is now. It is the inspiration behind every decision we have made in that house, from color schemes to fixtures to flooring. As you know, I am pretty much obsessed with and so proud of it. So, here is a collage of pictures from our FINALLY-complete kitchen:   Enjoy~