Pumpkins

This morning Mike and I went to get pumpkins at a local nursery. They had TONS so it was hard to pick the perfect one. Mike found a nice 40 pounder and I found some I liked as well. It was a perfect fall morning that we started off with pumpkin lattes and pumpkin loaf from Starbucks. I know some of you are thinking pumpkin overkill but I got to get it all in before its gone. Unfortunately they do not allow dogs so Louie had to stay at home but we got him to sit with the pumpkins when we got home. We will be carving my pumpkin later with the neighbors. I won't be as creative as mikes PSU pumpkins. I am thinking the standard triangle facial features. We shall see.

So now off to finish a few more chores before football Sunday. I will be trying a new recipe tonight so hopefully it goes well. I will take some pics to share. Hope you all have a great Sunday.

Nalls resident animals. I love Mr. Kitty sunbathing

How cute is Louie!! He was so patient while I took a bunch of pictures.

I wanted this one but it would have broke the bank!!

Going to School

I signed up for a photography class and I can't wait to be a student again. I bought a new camera this winter and I am still lost when it comes to using all the features it has. The pictures I have taken are pretty amazing, especially viewing them on my 27" mac monitor. I love photography and so I am excited to learn what my camera can do and hopefully find my "style" of photography. I would love to quit my job and take pictures all day....maybe some day. A girl can dream right. So until then I will learn everything I can to become the most amazing picture taker ever! haha. Maybe one day I will have another horse of my own to take pictures of....ok sorry I was still dreaming.

Ok time for school. I will keep you updated on my studies.

Happy October!

Can you believe it is October 1st!! Where has this year gone? I swear just yesterday it was Easter. I am embracing the fall and can't wait to wear my PSU hoodie this weekend. We have a tailgate planned for Saturday at our house so it will be a fun day. The weather looks perfect ' Mostly Sunny with a high of 69' Great tailgate weather. I can't wait for the leaves to start changing as well. Fall is so beautiful. Wouldn't it be nice to wake up to this everyday and sip your warm drink in your slippers and sweats.

And of course tribute to the Nittany Lion. PSU campus is so pretty in the fall, I miss it.

Have a wonderful fall filled weekend!

I'm going back to Cali

Ok so I went back to Cali and it was a blast. Mike and I and Mom & Dad took a trip back to Sacramento to visit the Ochipinti clan. We stayed with John and Sheri on their boat for the weekend. We (John) drove the boat from Sacrament to Sausalito, which is right around the corner from San Francisco. I have been to San Fran before but it was a lot of fun to be there with family and on an amazing boat.

We spent the weekend catching up, telling stories, eating, drinking wine, and of course sight seeing. I was able to walk across the golden gate..which was pretty cool and uber touristy. I had no idea the bridge was so long but we walked the 3.4 miles across and back. I am glad that I did it. We also went into San Fran for the day and of course spent some time at Pier 39. We spent some time walking around the cute town of Sausalito and had dinner on the water one night.

It was great to spend time with the family since we don't make it out to CA that often. Mike is now convinced that he wants to live there.....stay tuned :)

Here are some pics from the trip. I think I would need about 5 blog posts to share them all so enjoy.

View from our little boat ride

I loved the seals

Dinner destination one night

Super weird boat that was right by us

San Fran for the day

The walk across the Golden Gate

Me and my favorite cousin!

Mikey on Lady O

LA FAMILIA

Officially Fall...in my book anyway

Well its techinally not official until the 22nd but in my book it is FALL. All the stores have their fun and festive fall decorations (which of course I had to get some). And the best thing is all the pumpkin food, drinks, and flavors all around. I started the weekend off right with a pumpkin spiced latte and that really got me into the mood for more pumpkin. So I decide to do some baking since it has been a while. What to make was the big debate. I wanted something pretty quick and easy. So I visited my favorite food blog and found a recipe for pumpkin cupcakes that was quick and easy. Plus from my shopping adventures I had some super cute cupcake tins that I had to use. It was the perfect saturday afternoon recipe. The house smelled absolutely amazing!! I couldn't wait to dig into these delicious treats.

The best fall spices

My cute cupcake tins

Yumminess

I think next on my list is making a trip to total wine to load up on pumpkin beers. Of course I will have to hit up one of the great american restaurants to get a growler of their pumpkin beer. I am totally obsessed with pumpkin and fall. The weather has been very comfortable all week. We have actually had our air off which has been really nice. It is great to go outside and not sweat to death.

After getting some pumpkin beers I will have Mike take me somewhere to pick out our personal pumpkins. Last year we were so busy with the new house and traveling that we did not get pumpkins. So I am excited to get some this year. Not sure Mike will be able to top his carving job from 2 years ago. They were pretty awesome! I guess Louie will also need a new halloween shirt.

PSU Pumpkins

Louie in his pumpkin shirt

What is your favorite thing about fall?? Or am I the only crazy one that loves and craves pumpkin anything.All this pumpkin talk I think I need another cupcake!!! Have a good week.

See Ya Summer!

eah for Friday! Ciao Summer! Welcome Fall and Happy Friday! I can't believe it is September all ready, but as you all know I am ready for fall. So I am ok with summer being "over". Granted it is not officially fall until September 22...... I always think fall begins after labor day. So bring on the cooler weather and PUMPKIN anything. (I love pumpkin but I will save that for another post). I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend. Any big plans out there? I will be headed to the boat for one last hurrah. I am sad for boat season to be over but we have a bunch of fun events coming up this month. One notable event this month was our 3 year anniversary! I can not believe it has been three years! Time really flys by. It has been a great three years and could not have asked for anything more.

Any who...happy Friday and have a great weekend!

Telluride

So the first week in August I made my first trek to Colorado. I have heard great things about this state from its beautiful scenery, great skiing, cool people, outdoor activities, so I have always wanted to visit. Let me say that this trip did not disappoint. Although it was a very quick trip it was a lot of fun. I flew out to Telluride, CO on Tuesday am and stayed till Friday. I flew into Montrose airport which was only about an hour drive to Telluride. The Bertino’s and Mark picked me up at the airport and then we headed on our way to Telluride.

When we arrived we got settled into our hotel and headed out to the actual town of Telluride. It was awesome because there was a gondola at our hotel that would take us to the top of the mountain and then into the “city” of Telluride. I loved it bc there were dogs everywhere as they were allowed on the gondolas. We walked around and took in all the sights and then headed back for some grilling on our patio. The next day we took our bikes into Telluride and rode on the trails along the mountain. We all had a blast (minus my fall) and stopped for some beers and headed back to the top of the actual mountain to ride some of the trails there. The trails down the mountain were challenging but fun (even in the rain). That night we grilled again on our patio. Our hotel had a full kitchen so we took full advantage of it.The next day it was raining majority of the morning which really put a damper on things. So when it started to clear I took my camera and headed out to Telluride to take some pictures. I got some great ones so I was really happy. That night we went to All Reds (a bar at the top of the mountain) for some drinks. A quick rain storm came by which cleared way for an amazing rainbow. A great ending to a good day.

And just like that my trip was over. The next morning I had to go back home. Needless to say it was a blast and I want to go back ASAP. Mike wasn’t able to come with me so next time he must be there. We are thinking of going to ski there this winter. Here are a few of the MANY pictures that I took.

The gang outside our hotel

Sunset on our first evening in town

Kori & I on our ride up the mountain

Awesome rainbow at All Reds...not a bad bar view

View after getting off the gondola