I feel like I have LOTS to talk about on this sunny, gorgeous Monday and am overwhelmed with putting together a mile long post, so I will just bullet everything!

* I made shepherd’s pie on Saturday night. So comforting and Fall to me. I used this recipe, but instead of the layer of mashed carrots {random} I sliced some baby carrots, diced red and orange peppers and onions and simmered in beef broth with thyme, salt & pepper before adding some frozen peas at the last minute. I then layered the beef, this veggie mixture and the mashed potatoes. YUM!

* I also made an apple crisp using this recipe. Used the granny smiths and Arkansas black apples from our apple picking adventure weeks back.

* Yesterday my long run was 7 miles. This is the longest I’ve gone…and it was LLLLOOOONNNNGGG. But 13.1 is longer so I will forge ahead! Next week I am shooting for 9…I’m not going to lie, this “race” in less than 3 weeks has me stressed. Along with Thanksgiving and preparing for the holidays, the last thing I want to think about is running 9 miles and then finishing 13.1 the weekend after the long Turkey Day weekend. But I am committed and will get through it. Running, walking or crawling…I will get through it! On a positive note, I am not very sore this morning and haven’t had to ice my knee for weeks now.

* I have a new quick craft that I am in love with. I love a craft that I can bust out and be done with. I’m not a fan of lingering projects hence why I haven’t started sanding and painting my little table! I like instant gratification in the craftiness/DIY department.

Check these out:

Glitter Clothespins

Adorable, huh?

Elmer’s glue, a foam brush, some clothespins and glitter.

Wham! Bam! You’re done!

This year I am going to use them to display our Christmas cards ~ I usually put them in my Santa basket and call it a day, but I think they will certainly add a festive touch around the house. I used a couple pictures from last year to see how they’d look clipped to the chicken wire doors of the secretary…

I love that something as simple and mundane as a wooden clothespin can instantly be turned into a fun, fancy, useful piece!

* This past weekend marked our 2 year anniversary back in So Cal. It’s unbelievable to me that 24 months ago the giant Allied Van Lines truck unloaded our belongings here in the SCV. We were greeted with the Sylmar fire the weekend we moved in which caused our refrigerator delivery to be postponed for a week! Ugh….eating every meal out for a week is TOO much.

But here we are 2 years later. Happy we made the move. Sad we left wonderful friends and family in Nor Cal.

* The kids watched Toy Story 3 like 4 times in a 24 hour period this weekend. Thanks Red Box!

I think that’s it.

Happy Monday!