HomeGoods StyleScope - I'm an Elegant Classic

HomeGoods StyleScope - I'm an Elegant Classic

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THANKFULNESS: hair edition

It has taken me a LONG time to learn to enjoy my hair, and although we have a love-hate relationship... I've learned to be thankful for the hair that is mine!

I grew up with a mullet in elementary school, and got picked on A LOT for it... so when it comes to being thankful for a "NORMAL" hair style, I am your go-to-girl (most days!)

Tonight, I went to cut the hair I am so thankful for with this lady, Jennifer Nettles, (whom I think is lovely and adorable) as inspiration...

After chatting and having fun with John my hairdresser, I ended up with a similar style. But, as with all cuts, this one will soon grow on me in time enough for it to literally grow and eventually induce frusteration. But until then, I am thankful for the head of hair that I do have!

from jessie (poodle head/tree top/Q-tip/medusa/ice cream scoop head)... with love 

note: for those of you not in the know, those were some of the creative nicknames the cruel elementary school students came up with for my mullet-head

THANKFULNESS: home edition

home, home in VA, near the sea and the chesapeake bay!

Ahhhh yes, home. So much here I'm thankful for. So today's thankful run down has me reflecting on things found in my home:

• bed (enough said)
• dishwasher (you save me so much work)
• washer and dryer (how much more thankful I am now since I had to go without you in my home for so long!)
• craft room (this is the only corner in the home that I can claim as ALL MINE... it's my sanctuary and I love it) 
• books (ones I've enjoyed enough to keep them around to pass along)
• the "idea" that it's a space Scott and I have created together (awwwwww)

sure there is more... but these are the stand out players!

from jessie (home is where the heart is)... with love 

THANKFULNESS: internet edition

I realized after writing the last set of posts (on the amazing pumpkin) that having a TOPIC to write on is helping me create posts. So... thanks to this revelation, I am going to do a series of posts on THANKFULNESS... the "twist", so to speak, is that I'm going to list the things I'm thankful for in a certain category (and encourage you to do the same)! 

Without further adieu... Things I am thankful for when it comes to the internet:

• FACEBOOK (it keeps me connected with friends and allows me to peer welcomely into the lives of others)
• ETSY (handmade=ROCKIN AWESOME!)
• online resources like WIKIPEDIA and WEBSTER (I'd be stuck in the library without you)
• YouTube
• blogs (I like other people's thoughts)
• online tutorials (I have learned SO MUCH about sewing!)
• pandora (even though I get this on my blackberry, it began as an internet application and it keeps my ears ringing with tunes for hours!)

from jessie ( into the internet)... with love 

for the LOVE of PUMPKIN!

We've reached the end folks... and I hope all of you have been thoroughly enjoying the pumpkin posts!

I'm now calling on YOU! Is there a favorite "pumpkin" themed thing that I haven't posted about that you love? Do share... I'm always open for MORE PUMPKIN! 

from jessie (pumpkin out)... with love 

for the LOVE of PUMPKIN!

This post is not a recipe, but an ODE to a tradition I love so much... my family's annual FALL FESTIVAL!

This gathering normally takes place around Halloween up at the property my parents and aunt and uncle live on together. One of the few activites that truly defines our Fall Festival is the pumpkin carving! Every year, we gather around the two picnic tables and put our artistry in carving to work in an effort to create a beautiful group of glowing gourds!

Here are a few images captured this year during the pumpkin carving activites...

  

from jessie (pumpkin head)... with love 

for the LOVE of PUMPKIN!

Three pumpkin posts down... two (or three) to go!

Today's pumpkin inspired post is another recipe, this time one that my mom makes every christmas. The pumpkin roll has become a Barta tradition over the past 5 years (give or take), ever since mom found the recipe in her beloved Southern Living Magazine. She made a few that first year to give away as gifts. I'd venture to say that today, about ten rolls is the norm amount made around christmas. 

You just can't go wrong with the sweet cream cheese flavor popping off the spicy pumpkin! I found a recipe similar to what she makes here (minus the walnuts), but I myself will await my mother's "baking day" to devour some of my own!

from jessie (still a pumpkin head)... with love 

for the LOVE of PUMPKIN!

Continuing with the PUMPKIN theme, I'd like to speak for a moment on Pumpkin Pancakes. 

Now I have never had the pleasure of devouring these delicious sounding treats, but 

I haven't met a pumpkin dish yet that I haven't liked! I was perusing Facebook (as I often do) and a High School friend of mine, Brad B., spoke of having pumpkin pancakes for breakfast. YUMMM was the thought that came to my mind. 

So after a plea for a recipe, Brad pointed me to this recipe for pumpkin pancakes. I have yet to try it, but do join me in exploring the splendor that is pumpkin pancakes! And do share your thoughts if you've already had the pleasure of trying them yourself!

from jessie (pumpkin head)... with love 

for the LOVE of PUMPKIN!

I was recently invited to an intimate evening of fellowship and worship by my good friends the Bethany and Phil. At this lovely function, we shared food, because really... what gathering is complete until food is involved? One of the dishes I tasted (read: stuffed my face with) while there was a "Pumpkin Desert". Imagine the pumpkin version of "dump cake". SOOOOO yummy. Before we left, I declared that I HAD to have this recipe... and because the people we associate with are so lovely, my request was fulfilled. 

Although I have not yet made it for myself, I've experienced it and wanted to share this PUMPKIN DELIGHT with you! 

Dump Cake: Pumpkin Style

1 15oz can pumpkin

1 12oz can evaporated milk

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

3-4 tsp pumpkin spice or cinnamon

1 box yellow cake mix

3/4 cup of butter

Mix together the first 5 ingredients and pour into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the top. Melt the butter and pour over the top of cake mix. Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Consume and be happy!

from jessie (pumpkin head)... with love 

for the LOVE of PUMPKIN!

The Autumnal air brings thoughts to mind of a favored flavor of mine... PUMPKIN!

What's not to love about its delightful taste? It's infused in to just about any dish you can imagine in celebration of the fall. In this series of posts, I wanted to share some of my pumpkiny favorites as well as some related recipes I've accumulated (or experiences) over these past few weeks. 

A new "pumpkiny" favorite of mine is the Pumpkin Spice Latte from 7-11. In the past week, I've visited 7-11 six out of seven days to purchase a cup of this autumnal delight! I realize that Starbucks too has a similar drink, but when it comes to being friendly on the wallet, 7-11 is the way to go! It's fall in a cup! 

Get ready... there is more pumpkin goodness still to come! 

from jessie (pumpkin head)... with love 

757 experiences the great flood

So, four comments (five if you count Travis's comment on Facebook about it) is enough for me to keep this blog-o-mine going pretty strong! It's nice to know that my reader friends like to share in the experiences (good or bad) of my life! 

If you're not living in the 757, you probably aren't currently experiencing the Nor Easter that is upon us! The rain and wind are INSANE! And thanks to this weather phenomenon, I have no school today! The children might blow away if they step outside, so we must take caution!

So I'm taking this "free day" to do some fun activities that often get pushed to the wayside due to the fact that there are only 24 hours in  a day (most of which are already dedicated and planned). Unplanned interruptions can be good for this purpose! Today's rainy day may include all, or part, of the following activities:

• painting my nails (so girly)
• writing several new blog posts
• sewing (is that REALLY surprising?!)
• reading a book
• watching Year One and a few episodes of Spaced with Scott

That looks pretty good. Any other suggestions? What will (or do) you do on a rainy day?

from jessie (rained in)... with love 

keep going?

Alright readers... I'm wondering how dedicated I need to be to updating this blog. So here's the deal...

1. I REALLY WANNA KNOW IF ANYONE'S READING?! If no one is reading, then this works more as a thought dump, and doesn't need to be updated but when I feel the pressing urge.
2. HOW OFTEN IS OFTEN ENOUGH?! Daily? Weekly? Monthly? If you are reading, how often would YOU like to see me posting. I've got lots of ideas and thoughts up in this head of mine, it's a matter of prioritizing this blog for YOU.

So make your opinions known!

from jessie (do share)... with love 

pick me up

Here's a little song that's refreshing and fun and speaks to my feelings on this monday morning!

So there you go. Hope you enjoyed.

from jessie (wishing I was sleeping in)... with love 

another fun show...

This will be my second "show" appearance with my jessiemint items. I hesitate to call it a "craft show" because in reality, I'm pretty sure I'll be the only crafter there! I'll be in a sea of consultants for various wonderful companies (like ThirtyOne... love). I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that I won't be the "turd in the punchbowl" (anyone watch that episode of Toddlers in Tiaras?). 

Regardless, this event will be wonderful and certainly worth your time. It was organized to support the Food Closet for the upcoming holiday season. So if you wanna come, plan to bring a nonperishable food item and get some shopping done. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

from jessie (show me, show me, show me)... with love 

Dancing with the Stars...

Ahhh yes... I'm part of the mass that has become addicted to Dancing with the Stars. It's not yet to the point where I feel the need to vote, but thanks to Scott's 10pm arrival time home on Monday nights, it's my time to have "dance fever". 

Who has me hooked? Well, the obvious one is Kelly Osbourne. I've got some unprecidented facination with this girl (note: not obsessed... simply facinated). She's tough as nails, dresses the way she wants, and is just so DARN cute! I've loved her since The Osbourne's; she was the sister you loved to watch whine! So as soon as I found out she was on Dancing with the Stars, I said, "I'M THERE!"

And the person I LOVE to HATE to LOVE... Aaron Carter (little brother of BSB's Nick Carter). I can still really only picture this dude as the preteen my sis went to go see at the Norva who sang about candy and his mom and dad (weird). So.... yeah, I've kinda grown to like his dancing ability, but still can't get over his persona. hmmmm...

so yeah, Dancing with the Stars = cool in my book.

from jessie (star struck)... with love