Irish Pumpkin Hot Chocolate

  

 The feeling of Autumn has finally reached us here in North Carolina!

Which means... pumpkin spice, comfort food, cozy sweaters, boots, and Hot Chocolate! :)

We've been working on finishing a few projects around here lately..

(farmhouse dining room table, painting projects, and some built in shelves I need to post)

and while pumpkin / autumn seasonal beers are pretty awesome,

it's just not something that we want while we're working.

Which is probably a great thing for our projects! haha

So last night while we were working on our Farmhouse table project, 

I whipped us up some Irish Hot Chocolate with Pumpkin Spice!

It was just what us "big kids" needed to keep on going. 

I followed my standard hot chocolate recipe, 

but added some chocolate chips, bailey's and pumpkin spice. 

 

I combined all the ingredients into a medium sauce pan, 

over medium heat,

and whisked it until warm and frothy.

I used some vegan chocolate chips for my recipe, 

but any chocolate can be used.  Hersey's minis are perfect to pop into the pot, 

and I don't know about you, but I always have some chocolate stashed away somewhere.

It's not necessary for the recipe, but since I use almond milk, 

the chocolate really makes the drink more creamy and rich.

Also, I use maple syrup to sweeten my hot chocolate,

but sugar or another alternative sweetener works fine too. 

 

Enjoy!

PS- This coco is good to snuggle up with as well. 

I made it this morning without the Irish Cream and watched Frozen...

Do you wanna build a snowman? ;)

Seriously, just big kids! haha

Pergola | Part 3 & Garden | Part 2

Hooray for progress!!! :)

We are FINALLY starting to finish our projects! haha

It's not that we have been taking extended breaks, 

but instead that we have been working on MANY different projects at once. 

When the weather started heating up, I just couldn't take the heat in our backyard. 

It bakes back there and I have found that I get overheated quickly. 

So, that limits work to the Pergola and Patio to mornings and evenings...

but to make matters more complicated, that is when it likes to RAIN! :)

Being the busy body that I am, we started projects inside the house, 

and have been doing whatever the weather and our time allows!

Here is the [nearly] finished pergola and patio!

Only staining/weather proofing the wood is left.

We added 4 more end cap/scrolls, 2 to each corner,

 it give the pergola a more balanced look. 

We also added  a thin layer of sand between the pavers 

and then added Sakrete Gray Polymeric Sand to the top 1/2 inch.

The polymeric sand is fantastic so far! 

It doesn't wash out during rain storms.

Doesn't stick to your bare feet.

And it looks great too!

Pippa has been enjoying it as well.  

While it was unfinished she wasn't quite sure how to walk on pavers 

without stepping in the cracks or getting sandy. haha

The backyard sure is looking green!

[although the nice grass we were growing this spring is being invaded by crab grass]

Our garden has been taking off recently.  

It had a late start this season, 

but overall we are thrilled with our first attempt at organic gardening. 

We do need to figure out the squash bugs, vine borers, and cucumber beetles!

Those critters are keeping me busy... and I hate squishing them!! 

In late June, we put in this flower garden and it is such a delight! 

I frequently see hummingbirds and many different varieties of butterflies visiting.

That is what a garden is all about! 

Enjoying nature in your backyard and giving the animals and insects a habitat.

We have seen a significant increase in wildlife in our back garden since we've started landscaping. 

Another nice addition to our back garden are these lovely glass bird feeders.  

My parents started making them this summer 

and I'm lucky enough to have a few to brighten up the backyard.

This one is my favorite, but I've yet to hang it up.

Once we finish staining the pergola, I think we'll find a place for it. 

Next on the outdoor list:

- Stain the Pergola / Weather proof

- Add the canvas curtains to pergola

- Plant more trees ( this fall)

- Get some good grass planted

Liverpool FC in the USA

Soccer Fever has finally hopped across the Pond! 

Last weekend Liverpool FC played A.C. Milan in Charlotte, NC. 

There were so many chants, songs, shouts, and fevered pride that I thought we might not be in the US.

Here was a view from our seats:

It was amazing and so wonderful to be a part of the experience. 

Charlotte was a sea of red, where most people showed up in support of Liverpool!

This was right below us and really captures the spirit: