Getting to know Me, Giveaway, holiday

Ten Things I’m Thankful For {Fall Edition} Five Senses, and Surprises

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10 Things I’m Thankful For and Five Senses of Fall

Soooooo, yesterday I never posted the 10 Things I’m Thankful For post because of LIFE. I’ve been trying to stick to the Back To Blogging Challenge, but yesterday I fell off.  I started the post but never finished it…. does that mean I lost?  Well, I don’t give up, therefore this post is a combined post 10 Things I’m Thankful For and Five Senses of Fall… that’s right a twofer!

Fall Edition: 10 Things I'm Thankful For

10 Things

1) Family. I’m always, always, always thankful for my family.  Fall time for our family means plenty of family time doing various fall activities.  After Wednesday’s post, in which I sang the I-Miss-Fall-Time-In-Illinois-Blues, I’m hopeful we’ll find some fall fun here in South Carolina.

My Halloween {Family}

The Fab Five

2) Pumpkin everything!  I don’t care what the pumpkin haters say, I love pumpkin, I loved pumpkin before it was ‘cool’. I love pumpkin seeds, waffles, pancakes, soup, scones, muffins, and of course… Pumpkin Spice Lattes. The taste of pumpkin, in my opinion, is the official taste of fall 🙂

SharefestFall

My Favorite Pumpkin Patch

I know, I know, here comes the eye roll from the PSL haters, look, I know what’s not in a PSL and what is.  I’m a grown woman, who makes grown decisions, me drinking a PSL sporadically throughout fall is a treat. I think I deserve a treat every now and then, and FYI I’m the OG of the PSLGangstas 🙂 I have to drink a few PSLs this fall or else…. I’ll be drunk-out. As much as I like to eat and drink my pumpkins, I love to decorate with them.  I just love pumpkins.

Fun Fact: When starting my blog/Etsy Shop I was considering using pumpkin in the title.

PumpkinPatch

Thumbtack-Pumpkin2

Studded Pumpkin DIY

Pumpkins-photo-4

3) Cool crisp days, I love when the air is crisp for SO many reasons!  When there’s a nice chill in the air that first cup of coffee is the best, right?  Going for a jog in the fresh morning air is the best during the fall.  I love how the breeze fills my lungs, and the pavement keeps me wanting more.  Who doesn’t enjoy the feeling of the cool crisp fall morning and the sound of crunching leaves under their feet?  The change in the air means layering too.

Fall Pavement

4) Layering.  I love fall fashion. I am NOT much of a fashionista, I’m just a girl who enjoys pretty things, and has a far more stylish Pinterest closet than real life closet {womp womp}.  Leggings, sweaters, boots, scarves, and Halloween socks.  I have a growing collection of scarves and a crazy collection of Halloween socks.  Actually, I have quite a fun collection of colorful and seasonal socks, but I by far have more Halloween socks 🙂

The Furbaby & I {my writing companion}

SugarSkulls,Pumpkin,Socks,Scarves

5) This may be weird to be thankful for, but I am all about fall scented candles!  I love ’em!  I’m happy the shelves are overflowing with the scent of fall right now.  This winter when fall candles went on clearance, I went on a binge.  I don’t care about seasonal suggestions cinnamon, pumpkin, apples, and autumn leaves always smell good year round, to me 🙂

My son: “Mommy, you’re a candle lady.. huh?”  I think this boy is going places, he knows the way to his Mama’s heart, because after he said that he said, “get the candle.”  🙂

HALLOWEEN!!

6) HALLOWEEN!  I LOVE Halloween!  I love to decorate for Halloween, all the Halloween shows/cartoons, and of course Halloween allows me to get creative 🙂  I’m happy to make Halloween memories with my babies each year.

Fairy Tutu

Made that Baby PSY Halloween231Bones and dirt pretzels

7) Food.  Yes, that’s right fall food.  I love to get in the kitchen and make chili, try my hand at pumpkin recipes I spy on Pinterest, and my kids’ favorite slow cooker applesauce. The smell that permeates your home when you make applesauce using your slow cooker is the most glorious aroma!

Slow Cooker Applesauce

8) Thanksgiving. Sometimes, I feel bad for Thanksgiving it’s sandwiched in between Halloween and Christmas, people are getting over their sugar high and stressing over Christmas.  Thanksgiving in my house is usually filled with my family all in the kitchen making a big dinner and pies, as well as making thankful leaves.  It’s warm, cozy, and yummy.  Last Thanksgiving we {my family and I} didn’t really get to celebrate a traditional Thanksgiving, we were moving.  We drove into South Carolina on Thanksgiving night, we ended up ordering in, we had Waffle House 😀

FallWreath

turkey-wreath1

9) Snuggles.  Fall is a snuggly season, don’t you think?  I like to snuggle on the couch with my family and enjoy fall television.

Snuggly Puggy

10)  Although I haven’t been happy with all the bad news coming from NFL lately, I’m a sucker for football.  Here at the AOK house, we like to make football snacks and watch the games as we track our Fantasy Football scores 🙂

Friday Night Lights

What are some of your fall favorites?  

I shared some of mine, but I want to really share some of mine with one of you.  Let’s play a fall game, shall we?  In celebration of my birthday and fall!

Win my fall favorites!

CandyCorn Guess

CandyCornWinner!

CandyCorn 309

Annnd the winner is……

shellycornsquare

Shelly from DIY Mama

Her guess: 313!!

Here are the rules:

This game will run until the October 8th

Open to the United States only… I’m sorry.

Leave your guess in the comments below, with your email address.

Whoever guesses correctly or the closest first will win.

I will email the winner.

What do you win?  Some of my favorite things… Scarf,  Socks, Candle, Starbucks Gift Card and maybe a little something extra.

49 thoughts on “Ten Things I’m Thankful For {Fall Edition} Five Senses, and Surprises

  1. Tia

    September 26, 2014 at 8:37 pm

    I LOVE your jeans in your pic with the pup, cute!!! Your family is beautiful and I enjoyed all the different pics in this post. My guess for the contest is 165. Crossing my fingers! thechicsahm@gmail.com

    1. MrsA0K2001

      September 27, 2014 at 8:32 am

      Thank you, my stylish friend 🙂
      I wasn’t sure if I went into picture overload, glad you enjoyed. And thanks for playing along 🙂
      XOXO

  2. Uplifting Families

    September 26, 2014 at 8:48 pm

    My guess is 345 pieces of candy. I love this post. I am like you I love the fall crisp mornings even though my body no longer likes cold weather. I love being able to sit outside in the afternoons while my youngest plays outside on the back porch.

    1. MrsA0K2001

      September 27, 2014 at 8:37 am

      Thank you Christy:) Crisp morning and afternoons are perfect, not too cold, not too hot, just right. I’m happy to be away from the too cold 🙂
      Thanks for playing along!
      XOXO

  3. Tamara

    September 27, 2014 at 12:43 am

    My guess is.. 225!
    You know I have a whole drawer of holiday socks! I have a ton of Halloween ones. Although looking down, today I’m wearing fall leaves socks.
    I love your list! I love treats, and yes, I know what’s in a pumpkin spice latte! Oops! Doesn’t stop me. I love their salted caramel mochas better, though.

    1. MrsA0K2001

      September 27, 2014 at 8:41 am

      See we were meant to “meet” I had to slim down my collection, some of my socks needed updating 😀
      I wore a pair of Halloween ones yesterday, which made my heart happy ♡
      Yum– salted caramel mocha latte sounds sooooooooo good right now! We should meet up for Starbucks and cookies, because apparently we have that in common too 🙂

      Thanks for playing along!
      XOXO

  4. Bev

    September 27, 2014 at 8:47 am

    Oh great list! I too really like PSL, but sadly since I can’t have dairy at the moment none for me (though I did make my own tasty dairy-free version at home!). And the pumpkins and costumes look GREAT! I really want to try to make or get a costume for Eve this year.

    And I’m going to guess….127! bev@linkouture.com 🙂

    1. MrsA0K2001

      September 29, 2014 at 1:48 pm

      For the most part I’m dairy-free, I cheat on occasion, and because almond milk is not an option at my Starbucks, I have to add soy. Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Lattes still have milk 🙁 but all things in moderation 🙂 I’ve had to slow down….

      Thank you, I enjoy getting creative with the pumpkins and costumes. We’ve also made a Cookie Monster and Jack (from The Night Before Christmas) pumpkins I’m proud of.

      My eldest daughter and I made her a Lady Liberty costume one year, I purchased a aqua/silverish curtain, a flower sprinkler, and one of those foam tiaras, we got really crafty, and it came out great! You gotta love the power of spray paint.
      You’re SO creative, I’m sure you’ll come up with something super cute for Eve.

      Clearance sales and Goodwill are great places to find goodies for Halloween. My son’s Darth Vader costume pictured above would’ve been like $50 new, we bought it for around $10, my daughter’s Storm Trooper costume was purchased after Halloween 50% off and my eldest daughter’s Anikan costume came from my closet and a thrift store find, plus slicked back hair and a braid 😉
      I sure hope they’ll let me keep “helping” them with Halloween costumes 🙂

      Thanks for playing along!
      XOXO

  5. Joanna Clute

    September 27, 2014 at 11:01 am

    196:)
    I love fall! Fashion, family time, and pumpkin anything! Loved your post.
    Motherhoodandmerlot@gmail.com

    1. MrsA0K2001

      September 29, 2014 at 1:56 pm

      Thank you Joanna. I love your love for fall 😉
      And thank you for playing along!
      XOXO

  6. Christina Coker

    September 27, 2014 at 11:05 am

    519 & what a cute guessing game giveaway!

    1. MrsA0K2001

      September 29, 2014 at 1:59 pm

      I thought I would do something different, I’m glad everyone seems to be liking the guessing game 🙂
      Thanks for playing along!
      XOXO

  7. Charlotte

    September 27, 2014 at 12:03 pm

    My guess…. 403 🙂

    I love everything about fall, too, especially the PSL 🙂 And I think we can appreciate them more because we don’t get to indulge year-round. It’s a nice fall treat.

    Hope you are enjoying your weekend with your beautiful family. Stopping in today from SITS Sharefest!

    1. MrsA0K2001

      September 29, 2014 at 2:01 pm

      Hey Charlotte,
      It’s nice to “meet” another SITStah, thanks for stopping in and playing along <3
      I totally agree PSLs are a nice fall treat, I think we deserve it!
      XOXO

  8. Kristie Hill

    September 27, 2014 at 12:24 pm

    256. I have to say, this is the first guessing jar game I’ve played online!

    1. MrsA0K2001

      September 29, 2014 at 2:04 pm

      🙂 Happy to be your first! I just thought this would be fun and different, rather than the usual giveaway signups. I hope everyone has fun 😉
      Thanks for playing along.
      XOXO

  9. Chastity

    September 27, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    Pumpkin seeds are the bomb! They’re my favorite part about carving a pumpkin. I’m attempting to make part of Lulu’s costume this year. Hopefully I don’t make her look like a fool or like a drunk made it. Ooh, maybe I should make it after I’ve had a few drinks! I hope I’m as successful as you are in creating fall masterpieces.

    My guess is 219! xoxo

    1. MrsA0K2001

      September 29, 2014 at 10:04 pm

      YES!!–I love pumpkin seeds. I think you’ll do wonderful job on LuLu’s costume! I cannot wait to see what you come up with 🙂
      Thanks for playing, Chastity!
      XOXO

  10. Jessica @ Independent Travel Cats

    September 27, 2014 at 2:48 pm

    I am ready for Fall. Love pumpkin spice lattes as well and love that first photo of the tea cup.

    My guess: 243

    1. MrsA0K2001

      September 29, 2014 at 10:06 pm

      Me too, I hope South Carolina provides at least a sliver of fall.
      Thanks for playing along!
      XOXO

  11. Paula Kiger

    September 27, 2014 at 6:31 pm

    What a fun post! And now I want mellocremes #thankyouverymuch. 🙂 I’ll enter my guess as 523. Also, since you’re big in the #PSL world, I want to encourage you and your fellow PSL lovers to pay it forward once this season in memory of Alyssa …. her story is on her site! http://ajoforever.com/

    1. MrsA0K2001

      September 29, 2014 at 10:36 pm

      Thank you for sharing Alyssa’s story, I will must certainly Pay It Forward. #AJO
      I will spread the word for sure.

      Thanks for sharing and thanks for playing the guessing game.
      All the best~
      OXOXO

  12. Dee

    September 28, 2014 at 3:21 am

    This is a great list! Pumpkins, candles, Halloween, football — you named everything I love about fall. If only it would stay cool here! 🙂

    1. MrsA0K2001

      September 29, 2014 at 10:59 pm

      It’s nice to have another fall-lover at the party 🙂
      I’m hoping fall will show up here.
      XOOX

  13. Akaleistar

    September 28, 2014 at 7:40 pm

    Love your collection of Halloween socks!

    1. MrsA0K2001

      September 29, 2014 at 11:00 pm

      Thank you, I just purchased a cute pair of pug socks I cannot wait to wear 🙂
      XOXO

  14. Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom

    September 28, 2014 at 9:15 pm

    I am going to guess 169 and my email is carrie at curlycraftymom dot com
    I LOVE this post… I really love scented candles, too… going to Bath & Body Works to select one is such a treat. I also laughed out lot when you said sorry to all the pumpkin haters… haha!!! lol! I love everything pumpkin too and this is such a fun time to do some baking and fall recipes.

    1. MrsA0K2001

      October 1, 2014 at 10:46 am

      Can you believe there are pumpkin haters!?!?! Yes, to Bath & Body Works 🙂 I need to make a visit soon, I’m due for a visit.
      Thanks for playing along, Carrie!
      XOXO

  15. Christie @ Practical Princess Diaries

    September 29, 2014 at 1:44 am

    Since moving from Florida to New England I have a new appreciation for fall and the leaves changing. I love all things pumpkin, and I agree the fall scents are by far the best. I do have to say I am ready for football season to be over, so we can have the boys (the big one & the little one) back. I came across your blog on the Mommy Monday Blog Hop. My guess is 103. I love the idea of the candy jar guessing game 🙂

    1. MrsA0K2001

      October 1, 2014 at 10:56 am

      Welcome Christie! It’s nice to “meet” you, glad to have you here and at Mommy Monday <3
      I'm sure Florida to New England was a drastic change, but fall has to be BEAUTIFUL there.
      I do love my football… {sips coffee from Dallas Cowboys coffee cup} However, I understand wanting to get your boys back 😉
      Thanks for playing along!
      XOXO

  16. Jessica Dimas

    September 29, 2014 at 3:13 am

    Dang it, I’m always so bad at these guessing games! I always guess like waaaay under, haha! I was going to say like 50 but then saw people were guessing way over 100. I’m gonna go with my lucky number 217.

    I am in love with all things fall. And I do not hate on you for being a pumpkin obsessed freak, I am too and like you said, long before it was “cool”. I just love that fall is so cozy and snuggly, and I can’t wait to bust out my candles too! It’s still warm here in Phoenix, we won’t get our fall weather until the end of October. Love that pic of you sitting with your dog, you are so pretty!

    1. MrsA0K2001

      October 1, 2014 at 11:10 am

      HA HA!! I’m the same way!! I tried to guess before I added all of the candies in the jar and I was WAAAAAAAY off 🙂

      Jessica, you’re SO sweet 🙂 are you buttering me up for the win? 😉
      I’m happy to blog-date another pumpkin obsessed freak. I’m not sure when fall starts here… but it has rained a TON lately, maybe that’s fall here?

      Thanks for playing along!
      XOXO

  17. karen

    September 29, 2014 at 10:24 am

    OMG slow cooker applesauce…how did I never think of that…so doing that now!!!!! LOVE fall, the colors and the smells….thansk for hosting the Mommy Blog link up…sorry I’ve been MIA lately.

    Love the pics, what a cute family

    1. MrsA0K2001

      October 1, 2014 at 11:31 am

      Hey Karen!! I’m so happy to see your sweet face here 🙂
      You’re going to love slow cooker applesauce it’s super yummy! The best part about it is, you know what’s going in and how much.

      XOXO

  18. Tricia the Good Mama

    September 29, 2014 at 10:54 am

    Fall is just my favorite. I can’t get enough of the cool-crisp days outside. I also LOVE pumpkins and apples. We just went apple picking the other day and it was so much fun.

    1. MrsA0K2001

      October 1, 2014 at 11:35 am

      :::SIGH::: Apple picking, I do not believe I will get that here… 🙁
      We absolutely love honey crisp apples here.
      I’m hoping for some cool-crisp fall days here, today’s temps will reach the 80’s
      XOXO

  19. Sonya

    September 29, 2014 at 1:18 pm

    My guess is 342. I LOVE eating pumpkin seeds. I also like pumpkin, but sweet potatoes and butternut squash beat pumpkin for me. I love the cool fall air, the changing colors, and the quiet days of fall. I started my post and never finished it and decided it would be a good starter for a Thanksgiving post 🙂

    1. MrsA0K2001

      October 1, 2014 at 11:48 am

      Ohhh… I do enjoy butternut squash but acorn squash trumps it in my opinion. Well, I cannot wait to read what you will share around Thanksgiving 🙂
      Thanks for playing along!
      XOXO

  20. Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom

    October 1, 2014 at 10:29 pm

    Oh my goodness! I just adore all the fall goodies you’ve shared here! Fall is hands-down my favourite season… there’s so much awesomeness about it. From soups to stews, from to boots to sweaters, to pumpkin and squash!

    Thanks for sharing.
    xoxo

    1. MrsA0K2001

      October 2, 2014 at 1:37 pm

      Oh Jennifer, you’re a woman after my own heart ❤
      I love it all!
      XOXO

  21. Shelly

    October 4, 2014 at 10:10 am

    I’m loving all of your favorite things and enjoying looking at your family pics :)<3

    P.S. A friend and I are trying out a writer's link-up soon, and I used the same stock photo as the one you used for this post =/ I swear I didn't steal! lol

    1. MrsA0K2001

      October 6, 2014 at 11:50 am

      Glad you enjoyed!
      I hope you don’t mind, I will be using it as well for my new thankful series… great minds.
      XOXO

  22. Tanya

    October 4, 2014 at 10:39 am

    Guessing 333 🙂
    Thanks for offering the giveaway!

    1. MrsA0K2001

      October 6, 2014 at 11:51 am

      You’re welcome! Thanks for playing along!
      XOXO

  23. Tiffany

    October 4, 2014 at 7:36 pm

    So Fun! I love most of your faves since we share a few and that photo of you is a great shot. I think it is so cool that you DIY your costumes…my wallet would love that but not so sure my Kiddies would feel the same…LOL

    My Guess: 78

    1. MrsA0K2001

      October 6, 2014 at 11:52 am

      I think there’s an inner crafter in you! You can do it!
      Thanks for playing along!
      XOXO

  24. Shelly

    October 6, 2014 at 12:00 am

    !!! I found it! 😉 I feel silly 😀 loved this post! Loved your pic with your doggy! Beautiful girl <3 I'm guessing 313 (not just 13)! Shelly.bergman13 [@] gmail.com

    1. MrsA0K2001

      October 6, 2014 at 10:08 pm

      Yay!! I’m glad you found it 🙂 Don’t feel silly, I guess I wasn’t too descriptive, my bad.
      Thanks for playing along <3
      XOXO

  25. Shelly

    October 14, 2014 at 11:12 pm

    I’m beyond excited about winning this!! Thank you so much for doing a give-away! I’m really excited about my goodies! Especially the socks now that it’s getting cold here in IL! 😉 xoxo

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