Testing 1-2

This is going to be a bit of a multi-faceted post...but all about things I've been testing out lately!

A few weeks ago, G got me a Keurig for my birthday (thanks G!) and I have been trying out new flavors of the K Cups.  In the spirit of the fall season, I picked up some Green Mountain Pumpkin Spice while in Morristown.

I was planning on trying it with the Pumpkin Spice Coffeemate but alas, I was too excited and was a little premature getting to the grocery and had to settle for caramel.  It's great though!  If I can hunt down the Pumpkin Spice CM I think we'll have a great match.  I get really weird about pumpkin spiced things....I don't care for them when they are too "spice-y." This is just right Goldielocks!

Moving forward with my testers, I had pinned a pin a while back about making your own fabric softener sheets.  I was a tad skeptical but I decided to give it a whirl.  So far I like it!  You take a jug of liquid fabric softener, dump it in a container, add old washrags/dishrags/cut up old t-shirt and then when you're ready to dry your clothes.  Take a "sheet," wring it out and toss it in with your laundry.  Reusable and therefore cheaper than those blasted sheets that always seem to wind up throughout my apartment.  Check out my "pinspiration" for this project here

The last of my test subjects was something my friend/sorority sister/former roomie suggested.  Few people can really appreciate a good owl find like a Chi Omega since our mascot is the owl.  However, there are such things as "cute owls" and "creepy owls."  Creepy owls tend to be porcelain  and perched in an attack/stalking position.  Nonetheless, a Chi-O is not a Chi-O unless she's got some creepy owls hanging around in her room or closet.  But I digress, Katy had suggested spray painting the little creepers all one color.  Here are my before & after shots!  

Before

After

Sound off in the comments on your thoughts on Mr. Owl here.  Do you like his transformation or should I have let him be?

It's (Not Quite) Fall, Y'all!

Hello friends!  I tried to fight it, I really did.  But I am kind of getting ready for fall.  This is always such a tough time for me, a lover of summer, but it comes each and every year.  I get tired of the blazing hot sun and start getting ready to pull on my boots and scarves.  However it is quite tough to part with going on the boat, sundresses and not having to bundle up to fight the elements (I HATE the wintery chill!).

This awkward Summer-Fall transition does bring a lot of my very favorite things.  G's birthday.  My birthday.  The start of Football season.  Plus, with all of these Fall-inspired pins on Pinterest, I can't help but get a little excited!  That being said, we're going to look past the allergies and go on to my second favorite season's greatest attributes...Fall!

Boots
My parents met while working at a boot company.  My grandparents and my aunt & uncle met while working at the same boot company.  I am genetically engineered to love this footwear.  Cowboy, riding, rain...I love all varieties of boots!  Just look at these beauties.  Wouldn't they be great with some leggings or skinny jeans tucked in?

Seasonal Beverages/Scents

Pumpkin Spice, gingerbread, hazelnut, cider- it just warms my soul.  I caught myself in the candle section of Walmart the other day sniffing a Pumpkin Spice Candle.  I had to get a grip and keep moving.  However, when the weather cools down I believe I am going to give this a try.

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte via Pinterest

Hayrides and Pumpkins
You have to admit, in theory, the idea of a hayride is a little bizarre.  "There's nothing like gathering your closest friends/family and dragging them behind a truck/tractor seated upon livestock feed!"  But seriously, I do love getting snuggled under a blanket and taking a spin on a trailer of hay.  Our church has one every year and I have such wonderful memories of those.

I also love pumpkin picking, carving and pumpkin decor!

Soups
Now if the truth be told I can usually eat soup at any time of year.  In fact, I had soup last night for supper and I had been sweating earlier in the day.  But there's just something about soup and fall that just go together!  I can't wait to find some delicious goodies on Pinterest to try this season.

Football
Just 24 days until it's football time in Tennessee!!  I love the pageantry of college football.  The marching bands, the cheering, the tradition and of course...the tailgate food!  Saturdays down South are no joking matter.  Menus are planned well in advance, tailgating spots are decorated, some people go as far as hooking generators up to televisions to be as up-to-date on football coverage as possible.  

If you've never been to an NFL game, I'd highly recommend it!  You may be right on the field or hundreds of feet above but you're guaranteed a good time.  At least at Titans' games.  I think Titans fans are some of the most welcoming and friendly fans in the NFL....oh wait and the loudest :)

So what are you most excited about this fall? 

Cumberland Valley Coffee Company

As part of this blog, I plan on talking about different people/places/products/whatnot from the Great State of Tennessee. 

Ever since I had my first sip from my daddy's coffee cup I have enjoyed drinking coffee.  I am by no means an expert on coffee, but I do judge on the following scale: Tastes Good, Tastes Okay, Oh No.  For example, growing up I had two ideas of coffee, Folgers and Maxwell House and you had better believe I could tell the difference!  Sidenote: Folgers = Makes me happier than that riverdancing gal on their commercials, Maxwell House = Oh No.

In my wise old age I have made an attempt to branch out into the world of flavored coffees with mixed results.  So, when I came across a coffee roasting company out of Greenbrier, Tennessee I knew I had to give it a try.  Therefore my friends, I give you Cumberland Valley Coffee Company!

The store where I found these goodies only offered a handful of blends (is that the word coffee people use?) and being the indecisive creature that I am, I ended up buying two-- The Tennessee Blend and The Southern Pecan Flavored Coffee. 



Trial One- The Tennessee Blend

The instructions found on the back of the package said to add "One rounded tablespoon for every 8 ounces of water.  Adjust to fit your taste!"  Correct me if I am wrong but isn't 8 oz = 1 cup?  What cowboy came up with this recipe??  Not being one to question the people who designed this blend, I just went for it.  It was strong.  I mean walk-off-of-your-countertop, beat-you-in-an-arm-wrestling-match kind of strong.  But, I channeled my inner John Wayne and tried it anyway (PS did I mention that I was so excited to try this I did so at about 7 pm?  I slept weird and had crazy dreams).  It wasn't bad, just very stout.  I quickly decided that if I was going to give the CVC Co. a fair assessment that I should go the "adjust to your taste" route. 

Second time-much better!  It's got a little kick to it that took me a few sips to figure out, it has an almost smoked flavor to it that's different but interesting!  I threw in a little French Vanilla creamer and was good to go! 



Trial Two- Southern Pecan Flavored Coffee



To my delight, the selection I was offered included the Southern Pecan Flavored Coffee.  Butter Pecan is one of my very favorite flavors of anything.  After learning from my mistake on the first go-round with the Tennessee Blend, I eyeballed the normal amount of coffee I typically use, started the coffee maker and then waited as patiently as I could until it was an acceptable temperature to drink.  The verdict: Tastes Good!

It's not an overwhelming taste of pecan but that is probably a good thing.  I'm sure you can add some flavored creamer/sugar if you aren't into drinking it black and/or want a little more sweetness.  I give this a thumbs up!  Sidenote: I have had more caffeine in this one day than I typically drink in a week and I fear I will never sleep again.

After visiting the Cumberland Valley Coffee Company's website (here) I saw that I had just seen the tip of the coffee iceberg as far as their varieties.  They have several different "Blended Coffees" as well as "Single Origin Coffees" with beans from several South American and African countries.  CVC also offers 23 flavors of "Flavored Coffees" including seasonal roasts like Pumpkin Spice and Gingerbread as well traditional flavors like French Vanilla and Hazelnut.  I'm pretty intrigued by the Mountain Blueberry and Coconut Cake flavors.

If you are a coffee drinker be sure and check out Cumberland Valley Coffee Company and tell them I sent you....they will have no idea who you are talking about.