We drove back to Charlotte from Banner Elk on Friday morning amid lots of rain and fog and spent most of the weekend close to home. The rest of our trip to the mountains was a good one and included some hiking, sweet treats from Stick Boy Bread Company (a must-try if you’re ever in Boone), a visit to an alpaca farm, cozy nights by the fire and s’mores!
(Sweater: American Eagle Cloudspun Sweater / Pants: Moto Ankle Leggings)
Ryan and I crashed hard on Friday night after our week away from home but woke up ready for some fun with friends on Saturday.
Saturday
We kicked off our weekend with a workout at the gym and I followed my Everything One Minute Upper Body Workout. It felt good to work up a sweat after almost a week away. (I did manage to squeeze in one 20-minute bodyweight workout while we were in the mountains and almost forgot how much I love that 10-to-1 workout!)
Once we scooped the boys up from childcare, we popped into the grocery store to grab everything we needed to make a double batch of cornbread to bring to my friend Carrie’s parents’ annual chili cook-off. Ryder and Chase’s afternoon naps synced up on Saturday which gave us time to finish unpacking and tackle a few household chores while my cornbread baked away.
The boys were both up in the early afternoon and after a little bit of downtime at home, we headed out to Chase’s preschool’s Trunk or Treat event.
(And that’s what a family photo looks like when you don’t want to disturb the baby. Ha! Sweet little Ryder!)
Teachers from Chase’s school and other members of the community decorated the trunks of their cars and passed out candy and treats to the kids in the school’s parking lot. Chase was 10,000 times more interested in the bouncy houses and playing with his friend Claire than the candy but still managed to walk away with his fair share of sweet treats.
Thankfully he was willing to share with Mom and I grabbed a few of my Halloween favorites — KitKats and Reese’s!
(Shoes: Banana Republic Demi Slide Flats / Sweater: Can’t find it online anywhere other than Zulily where I bought but it’s still available if you search “Rust Tie-Front Tunic”/ Diaper Bag: Fawn Design Mini / Jeans: Joe’s Jeans (loving the high-waist fit — great for postpartum!) / Hat: Wool Panama Hat)
Oh and if you’re wondering what Chase is supposed to be for Halloween this year, he said he’s a Dragon T-Rex. Yep, both of them! One of my friends actually gave Chase her son’s old Halloween costume months ago and he loved it so much that he wanted to wear it for Halloween this year which made things pretty easy for us on the costume front. I’m still not exactly sure what his costume is really supposed to be (maybe a dinosaur or a lizard?) but it worked well for the dino-dragon hybrid creature Chase thought up in his mind!
We spent the rest of our Saturday at the chili cook-off which was a blast as always!
I brought the same cornbread that claimed first prize in the cornbread competition last year and walked away with second place this time around! My friend Carrie’s dad (one of the hosts of the party) got second place last year and we flip-flopped this year so next year it is ON! I may actually venture out and try my hand at chili next year, too. The party is always so much fun and there’s never a shortage of good eats, that’s for sure!
Sunday
Today has been a rather low-key day. We made our way to the early morning church service before popping into Target and heading home. Before church, I prepped a big batch of chili for us for lunch (clearly Saturday’s cook-off inspired me) and also managed to snap some photos to share on the blog because it’s a recipe we’re absolutely loving in our house lately.
I hope to have the recipe up to share with you guys soon!
And now, before I sign off for the day, I must leave you with this picture I just snapped of Sadie who decided to keep me company as I typed up this blog post in Ryder’s bouncy seat.
She cracks me up! I swear she believes she’s part-human and I’m beginning to wonder if she might be right.
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, my friends!!
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Can you share the winning chili and cornbread recipes from the cook-off? I’m hosting a get-together and am already planning on making your cornbread, but have yet to find a good chili recipe!
I’ll reach out to ask & report back! There was actually a red chili and a white chili winner (separate categories) and both were amazing!
Your cornbread recipe is so good! I have made it several times! The pink Himalayan salt really gives it something extra. Can’t wait for your chilli recipe!
So glad you like it!!
My dad had a huge pot of his famous chili prepared, when I went to visit this weekend. I honestly don’t know if there is a better meal in the fall!
Yum! And I agree — so warm and comforting!
Glad you guys had a fun week away! We were on a mini vacation this past week too, and I am sad to see it over. Love the picture of Sadie in the bouncer, haha!
That’s such a fun idea for a party! I’ll have to try your cornbread recipe, I love cornbread. My husband is so particular about his chilli, I have tried about six different recipes but one in particular made with condensed tomato soup always reigns supreme. White chilli sounds interesting, I’ve never tried it before.
I’ve never tried cornbread with tomato soup — do you have a recipe for it you’d be willing to shAre?
so nice to see a new post on a sunday!
Oh my gosh, Sadie is such a distinguished lady now with the grey! I remember when she was just a puppy!
“Distinguished” — I love that! We always call her little white hairs her highlights. 🙂
Hey Julie! I know this is completely unrelated but wanted to ask about the Fawn Design Mini bag — I am looking at diaper bags for my first due in January and the Fawn bag has been a top runner but I hadnt considered the mini. Do you like yours, and do you think the Mini has enough for one baby? I dont really want a HUGE diaper bag, but everyone makes it seem like you need some large mary poppins type bag to handle a baby. Glad you enjoyed the rest of the mountain trip and your weekend had so many elements of a perfect fall weekend!
Hi Christy!! Congrats on your little one on the way! When I had Chase, I definitely liked having a giant diaper bag but this time around I absolutely prefer a smaller/more streamlined bag and one that could be a backpack, too, since I want free hands! I think I just finally realized I don’t need as much is I thought I did and the mini size is perfect! The one complaint I have is that the side pockets are not big enough for a bottle/sippy cup but I think I read somewhere that the newer version has bigger pockets so that might be worth looking into!
I love Chase’s shoes!! Where did you get them?
They’re Converse but I got them at Nordstrom! He loves them & calls them his “basketball shoes” 🙂
Ha! Sadie in the bouncer! That’s hilarious! Love her big personality!
She’s such a little ham! 🙂
LOVE Ryder’s stroller blanket!! Where from?
Hahaha! I don’t think that Sadie thinks she’s part-human — she thinks she is ALL human!
Yummm! I love chili and cornbread! My mom has a great chili recipe that I make sometimes and feel all nostalgic while cooking. Lol. I’d like to try your cornbread with her chili.
I looove your winning cornbread recipe! Btw I just had my first baby on Oct 29th and have been catching up on your blog on the couch today while she naps – it is still my favorite to read ☺️
Aw Steph!! How exciting!! Congrats on your little one!