Fall on the Farm - 2016

It's nearly 90 degrees here in Sweet Home Alabama and we haven't had rain in months! We're experiencing pretty severe drought conditions and there are burn bans statewide. Brett has been on more brush fire calls than I can count! Unfortunately, no bonfires or sweater weather for us just yet this season, but the leaves are still changing and the farmhouse is adorned for Autumn! We patiently await the transition to crisp, cool air and warm mugs full of goodness. Until then, we'll crank up the AC and pretend we're not sweating to death. :) 

Every season I like to document and share our holiday farmhouse. It's fun to look back and see the decor from years passed and also see how the farmhouse has changed as we continue to restore it. It's sort of our way of virtually opening our doors to you and welcoming you into our home! This year I chose to go with a  pretty traditional scheme incorporating whites, neutrals and some pops of greenery because our temps have remained so mild. I still had lots of summer plants going strong and it would be wasteful not to keep them out!

Fall Exterior

Interior Touches

I typically keep our interior decor pretty simple because clutter stresses me out! We have an informal living room that welcomes guests as they enter the farmhouse through the front door. It's the perfect room to deck out each season! This year has been SO fun because Baker is totally into all the decor and asks me all the time if we can put more "magic" into each room. It makes my heart just beam!

You can find my DIY Chalk Lettering Tutorial HERE!

You can find my DIY Pinecone Garland tutorial HERE!

Baker added these little mini punkins to my sugar mold all on his own! I couldn't bring myself to move them!

Baker's first vignette! LOL!

Baker also helped me decorate a few pumpkins! We used Mod Podge to make this cute kitchen pumpkin with a copy of one of my Gramma's old recipe cards..

My sweet friend Loren Miller (IG @loren_miller) sent me this adorable garland from Target! I set it up just in time for my family to visit! Makes the dining room feel perfectly festive!

Nursery Magic

Baker's room got BOOed this year, too! He kept asking me over and over again when we were going to put "magic" in his room. So we got creative and used some gauze, twine and construction paper to make this fun mummy garland and his bat family.

Consequently, he also named every single bat Boo... 

So, meet Boo, BooTwo, BooBoo, BooThang, HoneyBooBoo, BabyBoo, and BootyBoo. #boys

And despite the hot weather, we've still had our share of warm drinks and yummy treats! You can find the recipe for these fun Candy Corn Rice Krispie Pops HERE! 

We also got the opportunity to head to Nashville for our third shopping trip with my sweet insta-friends! Brett's parents came along this time and we had a fabulous time shopping the Nashville Flea Market, exploring Franklin and just having a blast laughing, eating and having fellowship with our dear friends. Hop over to my friend Stephanie's blog to read more about our trip! I so badly want her to write a book! She has such a way with words and I loved her post about social media friendships and the evolution of our relationships. It's a good one..

My Flea Market Haul! All for about $100!

And last but certainly not least..

I can't give a family update without mentioning my honey's big news!

Brett was recently named Assistant Fire Chief for the City of Columbiana and we are so, so proud of him! He is so passionate about his career and sets such a wonderful example for our little boy. His work ethic and dedication are unmatched and the awesome crew at Columbiana are like family. I know he will do a great job! Congratulations, Brett!

We had so much fun at the 2016 Fire Prevention Parade! Every firetruck loving kid's dream!  We are so proud of you, Chief Ashworth!

Ashworth Family Reunion - Palisades Park - October 2016

Best Wishes for a Bountiful Season,

-Lauren

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A Sweet Fall Treat

I am super blessed to nanny for an incredible family a few days a week. The sweet momma I work for is always creating the most adorable treats with the kids and this year they made these Candy Corn Rice Krispie Treats for their Fall classroom parties. They are just to.die.for and I HAD to borrow her idea and make some this weekend! Aren't they festive?! And better yet - Easy!

Official Taste-Tester

You'll Need:

1-2 Sticks Butter

Two Packages Mini Marshmallows

1 Large Box Rice Krispies Cereal

Food Coloring

Non-Stick Cooking Spray

Shallow, Round Cake Pan or Pie Dish

PREP

Spray your dish with non-stick cooking spray. (I used an 8" round cake pan.)

**Tip: I spread a piece of wax paper across the counter and sprayed the entire sheet with cooking spray so that I could pour the rice krispie mixture onto it and then spoon it into the pan. If you do not spray and adequate amount of non-stick spray, you will end up with a STICKY MESS! Trust me. This will turn into a Pinterest-Fail very quickly. Non-stick spray is your friend! Also, have a large spoon handy to press the mixture into the pan. Spray the spoon, as well! Front and back.**

COOK

Yellow Ring: Melt about 3-tbs butter in a saucepan. Once melted, add about 5 cups of mini marshmallows and stir until melted. Add yellow food coloring until you reach desired color. Last, add about 4-5 cups of rice krispie cereal and stir until all the cereal is coated in the marshmallow mixture. 

You can either pour your mixture directly into your greased pan, OR you can pour it onto a greased counter top or sheet of paper and then spoon it into your pan. You want to press it into the outside rim of the pan, creating your outermost "ring". This is where your greased spoon will come in handy. 

Once your first ring is complete, repeat steps for the orange and white layers. As you work your way inwards, you will use less ingredient amounts. 

I estimate 2.5 tbs butter/3.5 cups marshmallows/3.5 cups rice krispies for the ORANGE ring and 2 tbs butter/2.5 cups marshmallows/2.5 cups rice krispies for the WHITE center. (You will NOT need any food coloring for the white center!)

Once you've finished putting together all three layers, let the entire pan cool completely. I let mine set in the fridge overnight, but if you do put your pan in the fridge, make sure to let it warm to room temp before trying to extract the form. Once cooled, flip your pan over. The round form should pop right out if you've used enough non-stick spray.

Cut the round form into wedges to create your adorable Candy Corn shaped treats! I used lollipop sticks to create my "Candy Corn Pops"...

VOILA!!! (Link to all ingredients are at the bottom of the post!)

Baker certainly enjoyed these! Nothing wrong with a little sugar and butter for dinner.. (with a side of dirt - he kept dropping it on the ground!) ;)

We had a Chili & S'mores fall party at the farm this weekend and these were a big hit with everyone! (Thanks, Sarah! Two Thumbs Up!) I'm sure they will continue to be a dessert staple around here and we'll probably make another batch for the kids at Thanksgiving. Hope you enjoy the recipe as much as we did!

xo - Lauren

Want to recreate this fun project? Here's what you'll need!
(affiliate links)

Wilton 6-Inch Cookie Sticks Mega Pack, 60-Count

Rice Krispies Toasted Rice Cereal, 18-Ounce

AmeriColor Beginner Soft Gel Paste Food Color 4 Pack Kit

Cuisinart AMB-9RCK 9-Inch Chef's Classic Nonstick Bakeware Round Cake Pan, Silver

Pam Original Cooking Spray, 6 oz