mmmmmmmmm....

I really love candles...actually obsessed would be a
more accurate way to describe it. During the fall and
winter months, I can't stay away from the candle aisle
in whatever store I happen to be in and I have a rediculous collection of half burned, various pie and spice scented boutique candles stashed in the hall closet. I would say that pumpkin candles have always been my favorite...that is until I found Fireside at Bath and Body Works a few days ago. It is UNBELIEVABLE. I could not stop smelling it. Seriously, I walked around the store with it held under my nose and did the same thing when I got home and ripped open the box. I couldn't get enough of it.

It is hard to describe but it smells like the nice part of wood burning...you know the slightly sweet, warm smell before the smoke takes over...mixed with a splash of men's cologne. It reminds me a lot of my husband actually. It smells like man...rustic, sweet and comforting. It really is intoxicating and quite addictive.

Sorry pumpkin, but it looks like we are going to have to take a break, I have a new man in my life ;)

i have a date!!!

In exactly one month from now... okay, give or take a few days...I have a date!
With my husband!!!!!!
This year is finally going to be over. It seems almost surreal that in less than 5 weeks, I get to wake up and see Brandon's face instead of waking up tangled around the huge body pillow taking his place. The anxiety has already set in of course. I am not allowing myself to actually count the days down yet because that would be torture but one month. ONE MONTH!! I feel like a little kid waiting to go on that long awaited trip to Disneyworld, laying awake at night imagining exactly what it will be like to see Mickey up close and to really step foot into Cinderella's castle, except Mickey is my husband and the castle is, well I guess our life together picking up where we left off...that may have gotten a little off point but you get what I am saying. This is going to be the longest month ever. I am trying to keep myself busy over the next few weeks so the anticipation doesn't completely take over.... so everyone I know will probably be getting homemade gifts for Christmas this year, or I may just bake myself into bigger jeans. I am trying to avoid buying a new wardrobe so maybe Maddox and I will take a trip to Hobby Lobby today. Holiday fleece is on sale!

maddox's first halloween!!

Maddox was the most adorable puppy I have ever laid eyes on! He enjoyed some of the Halloween festivities but I think

he liked chasing a neighbors cat most of all.

Aunt Debbie had lots of treats waiting for us! I think I gained 10 pounds after this holiday...but I couldn't bear to waste all of the yummy chocolates and Maddox can't acquire a taste for sugary sugar coated sugar just yet...what is a mom supposed to do???

Ok so this isn't a Halloween picture but it was just so cute of

Maddox, I couldn't resist sneaking it in!!

pumpkin patch

It finally stopped raining long enough for us to make a quick trip to a local pumpkin patch. We didn't get to actually go out in the 'patch' and pick one out because the fields were so muddy due to almost a month of non-stop rain, but Maddox didn't know the difference. He just wanted to make sure he touched every single pumpkin...and I'm pretty sure he did.

He would touch one, stick out his tongue, squat down beside it, then move on to another and do this again. He was too cute!
And the tongue is out again! There were actually only like 2 or 3 pictures that his tongue wasn't poking out...I guess that is going to be his new thing for the week.

deep fried therapy

MMMmmmmmmmmm...

These are sooo good...or I guess I should say, WERE good.

I try not to visit this place often, for obvious health reasons, but occasionally, after an especially difficult day (or night), I convince myself that I deserve it. We can all use a little deep-fried, sugar induced euphoria sometimes!

to the market, to the market

I.
Love.
Grocery.
Shopping.
Just making a list of produce, canned goods, and other items currently missing from my fridge makes me giddy. I just love being surrounded by the rows and rows of everything from fresh fruits and veggies to imported dried pastas and loaves of crusty bread. I could spend hours walking up and down each aisle comparing ingredients of jarred sauces, organic kettle chips, and cake mixes.
Maddox is at the age now where he will sit patiently in the cart while I roam aimlessly through the store but I do worry that as he gets older he will cease to be fascinated by the bright lights and unfamiliar faces. I guess I will savor my last few months of peaceful shopping...or maybe dad will have to babysit while mommy has alone time at the market :)