It's Pie Time

Despite the fact that it's still a fairly constant 80 degrees outside, inside I like to pretend its fall. Fall is my favorite season, probably because it never lasts long enough for me to get sick of it. (Unlike Alabama summers.)

Finally, all of my favorite pies are in season. Pumpkin, pecan, chocolate, sweet potato... now all socially acceptable to eat since we're getting close to Thanksgiving. (53 days, people!)

To start the season off right, I made a chocolate pie.

It smelled delicious, but I don't know how it tasted since I gave this one away to a little friend about to take the OAT. We'll see if he thinks it made the cut!

Try it for yourself, here's the recipe.

Happy Fall, Y'all!

It's Fall Y'all

In the words of Jon Acuff via twitter "the weather today felt like it was ordered from an L.L. Bean catalog."

I volunteered at the Reading is Fundamental 5K/10K this morning and this was my view from my station. Not too shabby even if I was up at 5am and it was 39 degrees outside.

I made this pumpkin cake. She calls them pumpkin bars, but cake was a more apt term.

And apple crisps. I put wayyyy too much sugar on these bad boys and neglected to spray the foil with cooking spray first, so maybe the next time around.

I hope fall sticks around.

My not-so-obligatory-yet-still-important "what I learned sophomore year: part one" list

I was going to wait until May to post this, but I learned a whole lot in one semester, so why wait?

1. You know that saying, "Revenge is a dish best served cold?" Oh no, it should be more like, "Revenge is dish that should be served as a corndog." Not quite as catchy, but wayyyy more true.

2. If you're going to whip your hair back and forth, just be careful not to shatter a glass.

3. Check the boxes before taking multiple cold medicines in one night.

4. Just say no to glitter. In any way, shape, or form.

5. Vienna waits for you.

6. True friends are the ones who will pee in their pants from laughter in front of you. And admit it.

7. Always grab your tiger card on the way out for a fire drill. And a bra.

8. Aerosols should always be sprayed outside.

9. "I was afraid it was going to rain" is not a legit excuse for taking jeep doors up the elevator in front of the RA.

10. Always keep a plunger in the guest bathroom.

11. Find the most private bathrooms. And keep them a secret.

12. You're never too old to watch childhood movies. And maybe even cry just a little bit.

13. Lygers DO exist.

14. It's okay to want your life to turn out just like Kathleen Kelly's.

15. Life's too short to eat bad steak.

16. Sometimes it's socially acceptable to make mildly inappropriate comments in class.

17. Never tweet negatively about Paula Deen.

18. Stalking members of the men's swim team is no big deal, as long as you feel good about it.

19. Having a name that fits perfectly on scantrons will never get old.

20. Mentally hashtagging life is a sign that you tweet too much. #totesoutofcontrol

21. Any word worth having in your vocabulary is one that can easily be abbreved.

22. If you're going to shower, at least jazz it up with some bath crayons.

23. Asian night in Tiger Zone will beat you. Every single time.

24. Outdoor concerts are the best kinds of concerts.

25. Live on the sassy side of life.

26. Maple doughnuts are only for people like Buddy the elf.

27. Sometimes you just have to throw away a trash can.

28. Don't eat waffles if you're allergic to them. Or go to a Waffle House.

29. Three turns should do it, I think.

30. Don't be a Connie.

31. 5 hour energy shots taste like chalk. Chase it down with some chocolate milk or something.

32. If you're going to faint at the doctor's office, best go to Urgent Care on South College.

33. Sometimes you just have to cry on your way to class. Life happens.

34. You can't sweet talk your way into the hay field parking the night before a big game. No matter how cute you are.

35. Life's weird.

fuzzy forest critters

I dig autumn...even if it feels like winter instead. As much as I'm not an outdoorsy, granola girl, I do like to appreciate the inspiration little woodland creatures contribute to design this time of year.

one two three four five six seven eight nine

so american

I fully embrace the fact that I am a grandma in a 19-year-old's body. Writing papers and baking Martha's apple pie was my kind of autumn Saturday.

hoodrat stuff

I have the greatest friends ever.

Tonight was easily one of the greatest nights of my life.

I got a brand new little!!

Isn't she presh!? We go together better than pandas and bamboo.

So we all took our littles out and committed a minor felony. It's not grand theft auto if you don't take the whole car right? (Regardless, the doors were returned to our friend. So all is well.)

now i lay me down to study

One of my favorite shows of all time (Pushing Daisies, too bad it was cancelled after only two seasons) best describes how I feel about hugs:

It's like an emotional Heimlich. Someone puts their arms around you and they give you a squeeze and all of your fear and anxiety come shooting out of your mouth in a big wet wad and you can breath again.

(go to 1:25)

In the midst of midterms, I find it so easy to lose sight of what's important and throw myself thoroughly and wholly into school. Yes, that's why I'm in Auburn, but I can make myself absolutely sick just dwelling on tests. So I've finally figured out some of the best ways to combat test anxiety:

1. Prayer. Giving it all to the Lord is the best way to go, but that doesn't excuse a lack of sufficiently preparing.

2. A hug. For real, I thrive on hugs. REAL hugs. Not wimpy side hugs.

3. Taking a walk. Auburn is seriously the best place on earth to take a walk. Either a brisk walk to get the blood flowing or a leisurely stroll. However, it's not usually relaxing unless with a friend.

4. Taking a drive with the windows down. I was never a believer in this until Abby showed me how it was done.

5. A cup of mint tea (sans caffeine). There's just a relaxing property to mint like nothing else.

a room with a view

I'm starting to get settled in my new dorm room, and it's looking pretty cozy already. Here is the progress I've made thus far:

a new season

Well, rush was... something.

It was stressful. (See my skin for evidence.)

It was long. (I was up way past my bedtime.)

It was disease carrying. (Bacterial infection? Check.)

And rash causing. (I was allergic to my pref dress fabric.)

But it was so worth it. The bonds between us all became stronger and we got the most precious, ballin' new baby pandas. (My pledge class was extremely reluctant to give up that title.) And if I didn't already know for sure that I'm in the right place, I sure as heck am now. The list of inside jokes made was at least a mile long.

And I have to best roommates ever.

I'm so glad to be back. For realz. We tight like a sheaf of wheat.

Now it's time to start school. I forget that's why I'm here.