Fridays Fav Finds

A few things I have found this month that I would love to share with you:

1. Emily at Jones Design Company has released another super cute FREE printable to download for the winter season. Her blog has been one of my favorites for printables, simple diy projects, and home decorating. She has a great sense of style.

2. Still looking for a Christmas gift for one of the women on your list? Be Free Revolution is a company that "empowers young men and women with trades for sustainability and couple that trade with feeding, education, and counseling programs" in schools and orphanages in Nairobi, Kenya. One way you can help is by purchasing a (very stylish) product from their store. Here's one of the products I've had my eye on:

3. Having a party soon? Snapfish is offering FREE vintage party printables here.  I've downloaded the "joy" piece, and there's also gift tags, banners, and kid's party prints. 

4. Looking for new Christmas activities and traditions to begin with your family? Our church, Bellevue Baptist, has meaningful options at their Home Point Center or you can see them online here. I'm looking forward to having a "Happy Birthday Jesus" party with our little guy. Psst! There are also free printables for a Happy Birthday Jesus party here. 

InstaFriday: November

My two favorite days of November are the annual Spiller Family Bonfire and Thanksgiving!

A little swingin' by the bonfire with my man.

Liam is wearing the exact pair of boots that his dad wore at his age. 

Grumps, Mimi, and their grandkids.

The boys in their matching overalls from Nanny & Papa.

We also loved all of the time spent with Grammie B (my mom) and family in Oakland and Knoxville.

We enjoyed our time with family (wish I had taken more pics) but were very sad when the bad weather forced us to leave a couple of days early.

Aunt Shirley, Uncle Mark, & Elizabeth hosted Thanksgiving this year for Will's family. 

Aren't her table decorations the cutest?!

Playing piano with Mimi and cousin Jonathan.

I love watching these two boys grow up together!

We also had family Thanksgiving at my mom's house, but unfortunately I didn't get many pics there either. I obviously need to step up my game for Christmas.

What is your favorite thing about the Thanksgiving holiday? 

Linking up with:

November's Soundtrack

The following song has actually been around for several months in our house. If you ask Liam if he would like to sing with you, he will reply "Dooooo!" in a high-pitched voice. "Do" is what he has named the song, and you'll see it frequently in the lyrics.


My God Is So Big

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty
There's nothing my God cannot do.
My God is so big, so strong and so mighty
There's nothing my God cannot do.

The mountains are His, the rivers are His
The stars are His handiwork too
My God is so big, so strong and so mighty
There's nothing my God cannot do. 

My God is so great, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do.

My God is so great, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do.

The mountains are His, the rivers are His

The stars are His handiwork too

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do.

There's nothing, nothing, nothing,

He can't DOOOOOO!

{Singing in the car}

InstaFriday: October

Oh, October, you're my favorite!

Nanny & Papa grew pumpkins this year and we picked out a few to take home. 

Red Robin was Liam's choice for birthday lunch.

Cooler weather brings cardigans!

He LOVES "punps."

And I love this little punkin.

Aren't the white ones so pretty? This one came home with me.

Will & I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. 

I'm so thankful for my husband.

We took L to 5 Guys & his 1st movie in the theater (Despicable Me 2)!

New Mickey pj's from Grammy B are his favorite.

First time to eat cereal with milk.

Not sure why I haven't given it to him before?!

Will officiated Rex & Kinsey's wedding.

Probably the most festive and fun atmosphere of any wedding I've attended.

Cousin Jonathan celebrated his 3rd birthday! 

We love our sweet family.

Pink Palace Crafts Fair

Nine years. That's how long Will has been talking about the Pink Palace Crafts Fair and how long I've waited to go. Each year we've had something in our schedules to keep us from going, but this year we did not! Will loved going as a kid and has great memories. Ones that we now get to start with our little guy. The weather was perfect, the company refreshing, and the atmosphere of the fair splendid. Welcome new yearly tradition. 

Our purchases? Home-made donuts, soap, and a leather turtle fan pull (L loves it). 

The soap is from Buckeye Hollow and we will definitely be ordering bars in the future of the Mother Earth, Harmony, & Peppermint Zing.

Two Year Update

October is one of my favorite months of the year, and I haven't been blogging because I've been enjoying this great month! One of the first items on our calendar for October was Liam's two year old check-up. I still can't believe my baby is a toddler now! The 18 month check-up and shots were quite the horror story for poor L. Lots of crying, flailing of limbs, mean looks at me and the doctor. So I was preparing myself for the worst this time as well, but the little guy surprised me. He endured two finger pricks without flinching or crying and was sweet to the doctor this time. Of course a few tears from the shots, but hey, even some adults cry. Thank you, Lord, for a healthy and growing little boy!

The doctor gave him a coupon for free ice cream, but he preferred grilled chicken instead. 

Nice choice, little guy. Can't say I would've turned down dessert.

Liam,  your favorite food these days is mexican: taco meat, salsa, cheese dip, and chips.

You sleep really well, a 2-3 hour nap a day and 11 hours at night. 

Building "too tall" towers with anything you can find (blocks, cups, peanut butter jars) is one of your favorite ways to play.

Thursdays are the most fun days because we get to see cousin Addie. 

You two have the best time!

When I give you a choice of what to wear, you often choose the "shirt like daddy's." 

And MY favorite part of this season of "two" is how affectionate you are. 

Always holding my hand, giving me hugs, sitting in my lap, and giving me sweet kisses. 

Mommy and Daddy are soaking up every moment and we love you sweet man!

two

Baby boy, you are growing up...and it is happening all too fast.

Every day you are learning something new and changing right before my eyes.

My heart melts every time you reach for my hand and say "hold, hold." 

And the times that you crawl up in my lap and give me sweet hugs and kisses. 

Each night the 3 of us rock, sing, pray, and giggle until we are red in the face.

Daddy and I love your tender little heart and big personality. 

God has knit you and made you to be an incredible little boy. 

I am in awe each and every day that I am your mama; that you are my son. 

So today we celebrate you and two!

{But know that Daddy & I celebrate everyday with you.}

This year we decided to keep things low-key, and we had birthday breakfast with just the grandparents at our house. Liam was too excited and soaked up every minute of his grandparent time! One of his favorite characters right now is Curious George - sometimes he reminds me of a curious little monkey - hence the party theme. I'll never forget his face when he woke up Saturday morning, walked in the kitchen, saw the decorations, and said "WOW!" as he threw his arms in the air. It was a delightful celebration.

{Party decor from Party City online and thank you Pinterest for the free printables.}

{Donuts and breakfast goodies from Jody's Bakery on Germantown Road.}

Skillet Cookies

6 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened

1/3 cup packed dark-brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup peanut butter chips (Heath chips, chocolate chips, nuts, or whatever your heart desires) 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
• In a large bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar with a wooden spoon. Stir in egg and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in chips. Transfer to two 4-inch cast-iron skillets. (Or if you have one 10-inch skillet then bake for 18-20 minutes). 
• Bake until cookie is golden around the edges (we like ours gooey in the middle), about 10-12 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes. Serve a-la-mode! 
  
  

Peanut Butter Filled Cookies

Ingredients:

2 Cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup Reese's chips

Creamy peanut butter

Directions: In large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture; beat until combined.  Fold in Reese's chips.

Grease regular sized muffin pan. Place spoonful of dough into bottom of muffin pan (flattened to about half an inch). Spoon a teaspoon full of creamy peanut butter into center of dough. Place an equal amount of dough on top of first layer and peanut butter. Press edges together gently. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until cookies are slightly golden around edges. 

 Cool on wire rack for a few minutes. Then enjoy!