Fall fun

Lyndsay and I went to Burts Pumpkin Farm in Dawsonville, GA today with our friends, Jen and Ashley.  It was crowded but fun.  Lyndsay got a big pumpkin and some cute little pumpkins including a couple albinos.  haha.  I got a beautiful gourd.  I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Inspirational Pig

http://dlisted.com/node/39083

Thanks to my own inspirational pig, Katie, who sent this to me.  Some pig! 

-Alissa

Workouts for the week-Alissa

•Tuesday: volleyball for 4 hours.  I was sore!
•Wednesday: ran at Sims Park with Meg and Lyndsay.  We did 3 miles.
•Saturday: Strides for Strength 5K!  I improved my old time by over 2 minutes!  I was really proud of myself.

The Challenge-Cutthroat

The new Real World/Road Rules Challenge starts this Wednesday Oct 6 10pm.  The way some people feel about sports is the way I feel about the challenges!  Joe and I are so excited!  We have decided to root for the red team! 

Which is:
Brad Fiorenza*
Brandon Drake Nelson
Camila Nakagawa
Chet Cannon
Dunbar Flinn
Mandi Moyer*
Melinda Stolp*
Paula Meronek*
Tori Fiorenza*
Tyler Duckworth*
* means I like them

Who are you rooting for??  For the team lists go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Challenge:_Cutthroat

Remember to watch!
-Alissa

Foodie Friday (on Saturday)-Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

I made these last week and they turned out perfect!  They were really easy...I didn't even have to use a mixer.  I got the recipe from the Cupcakes and Cashmere website that I mentioned below on my love list.  I plan on making more of her desserts cause these were great.  Also, I used her picture because I thought it was cute!

Pumpkin Muffins
Letters, Gourmet, November 2006
Adapted from the American club, in Kohler, Wisconsin

1½ cups all-purpose flour (I used whole wheat)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice (instead I used 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp nutmeg)
1¼ cups (plus 1 tablespoon) sugar
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional...of course I used them though.  haha)

Preheat oven to 350°
Put liners in muffin cups.
Whisk together pumpkin, oil, eggs, pumpkin-pie spice, 1¼ cups sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl until smooth, then whisk in flour and baking powder until just combined.
Stir together cinnamon and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar in another bowl.
Divide batter among muffin cups (each should be about three-fourths full), then sprinkle tops with cinnamon-sugar mixture (I added some flaxseed to make it healthier). Bake until puffed and golden brown and wooden pick or skewer inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.
Cool in pan on a rack 5 minutes, then transfer muffins from pan to rack and cool to warm or room temperature.

Enjoy!

-Alissa

Thing we love-Alissa

1. Thunderstorms: It's been pretty rainy this last week and a half and I've really enjoyed it.  I looked out the window during work one day and the rain was coming down so hard that it looked like snow!  I wouldn't want it to rain all the time but I love rainy days where I don't have anything to do but curl up on the couch with a blanket and a book. 

2. http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/: My friend, Renee, who writes http://www.styleskinnyblog.com/blog/, told me I'd enjoy this website and she was right.  I love the dessert recipes and fashion advice.  I'm jealous of how well put together and stylish this girl is...and i love the blog name.  I recommend checking it out!

3. Joe: I was sick last week and I got into a car accident (minor and not my fault) this week.  Joe has been so sweet during everything.  Aw.  He really is the best husband <3.