Hello November

Good Monday morning friends. The last two weeks of October have me waving the white flag in November and looking forward to a quieter, gentler, less sugar-fueled month. 

As per usual I'm linking with Holly (Pink Lady Blog) and Sarah (Sunshine and Books) today to discuss our weekend shenanigans. 

Friday morning I had my hair appointment which lasts for hours but one does what one must. I like my stylist a lot. She's the same age as my girls and we're on the same page about a lot of things so always have a nice conversation. I read while I wait on the foil to 'cook' and then I'm in a good mood the rest of the day because fresh hair does that. 

I came home and made a pot of tortilla soup for dinner and then put together the treat bags for the dock or treat happening late afternoon. Kayakers paddle to the host docks for a sip and snack, and while it was a little brisk out there on Friday everyone had a good time. 

Most years we dress up and the kayakers usually wear costumes too. I didn't wear a costume this year because I honestly hadn't had time to think about it. Hubs did pull something out of the costume box in the attic and I wore my pumpkin t-shirt so we were festive enough. 

We gave everyone a sip of our homemade limoncello and I made savory thumbprints which were really good and definitely a keeper in terms of recipes I'll make again. (I used the recipe found here and it made two dozen so I'd double for a party). 

These thumbprints are a cheesy cookie with a dollop of pepper jelly in the center. I put them in cello bags along with some candy because it was Halloween after all. I've learned after doing this a couple of times putting the snack in a bag makes it much easier to pass to a kayaker. 

After they left hubs and I had soup and relaxed until the kids came by to show us their costumes. For the most part I don't post pics of their faces on my blog these days, but trust me they were awesome. They did a Monty Python theme with the boys as knights, my daughter as the witch, my son-in-law the coconut character, and little miss as the 'bunny'. She loved her costume. 

My Tennessee grands were completely adorable and had a great day. They even won the under-10 costume contest in their neighborhood. If you're a lover of children's literature you'll get it-

Saturday morning we watched college game day while I baked a coke cake. Yes. More dessert. I had signed up to bring something to a pastor appreciation luncheon we were attending on Sunday and my baking window was Saturday morning. 

This is an old recipe but also one that never-fails. That warm fudge icing is the best. I wanted something I could make the day before and easily transport and I remembered how much I used to love this when my momma made it. Still so good! 

Saturday afternoon we headed back to Daughter1's house for, guess what??? 

Yup. Another birthday party. 

Because Max's birthday lands just a couple of days before Halloween his parents had his party the day after. Thankfully the weather was perfect because they had a crowd. 

Also, that's a giant balloon. Spiderman didn't actually make an appearance. 

Hubs and I got Max soccer goals and most of the boys were happy playing soccer all afternoon. The party had a Superhero theme and my daughter had a few fun things they could do in addition to the ball game. There was a cardboard city she made that the kids could knock down wearing Hulk gloves, and they absolutely loved this. 

There was also a super hero frisbee toss, decorate your own mask, and capes for everyone. 

Pizza and cupcakes because what's a birthday party without food and candles on a cake? We got home just in time to watch the Vols play. Whew another brutal game and loss. 

Moving on...Sunday morning hubs got on the road to Tennessee to pick up his mom and bring her to the lake to spend the week with us. I went to church and then stayed for the lunch afterwards. 

I grocery shopped on the way home because we have someone coming to refinish our front door on Monday and I'll need to be home until the job is completed. Which may mean all day. Hubs and his mom will be home around lunchtime and then he'll manage the door project because that's his department. 

We have a few fun things planned with his mom, and she's excited to see the her Carolina great grands.  I'm getting a shot in my ankle and whoohoo! that will be a good time too. 

What kind of fun did you have this weekend? Hop over to our host blogs and tell us all about it.