Weekend Wrap Up & Happy Homemaker Monday

Another Thanksgiving is in the books and we're wrapping up a relaxing, family-filled weekend. I've learned a lot about waiting on God and trusting him the last few months and I'm looking forward to this holiday season in a new state of mind.

Here's some thoughts as I prepare to start another week.

The weather.....

Our weather is consistently cold now with temps below 60º. Finally!! I'm a cold weather girl so this Arkansas humidity has been a big adjustment for me. Our trees have just about dropped all their leaves and the smell of chimney smoke is heavy in the air.

Right now I am....

Our oldest, Lynzie, is playing piano and singing O Holy Night for special music at church tonight so I'm preparing to go watch her. It's been a long day for our littles so I'm not sure if we'll stay for the whole service---though a friend has promised to sit on a few while I sit on a few. Ha!

Thinking....

I've got the outline of my next devotional book swirling through my head so I'm thinking I'll need to carve out some time to get it all planned out here pretty soon. I don't want to be a one hit wonder!

On my reading pile....

I'm reading The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton. It's set in 17th century Amsterdam and tells the fictionalized story of Petronella Brandt, wife of the famed merchant trader, Johannes Brandt. Jamie bought it for my birthday. I love the cover!

On my TV.....

We finished all the available seasons of Murdoch Mysteries and started watching Cadfael last night. I don't think Jamie is liking it but I'm getting into it. I love having our Acorn TV subscription.

Something fun to share....

My book, Now: Purposeful Steps Toward a More Abundant Life, is finally available on Amazon! Check it out in paperback or on Kindle!

On the menu for this week....

I think the family is about sick of Thanksgiving leftovers so I'll be finding creative ways to implement our leftover turkey and ham. Scalloped potatoes with ham is sounding good...

On my to do list....

This week I need to sew a sheep costume for Liam for the homeschool Christmas play and make ornaments for the kids' yearly tradition of receiving one the night we decorate the tree. Michael's birthday is next weekend and we plan on putting up the tree shortly after.

What's on your list for this week? Be sure to check out Diary of a Stay at Home Mom to see what other homemakers are up to this week. Hope it's a lovely one for you!

New Women's Devotional Available on Amazon!! Now: Purposeful Steps Toward a More Abundant Life by Sarah Coller

I'm so so excited to announce my devotional for women, Now: Purposeful Steps Toward a More Abundant Life is available for sale on Amazon! Wow---what a labor of love and unbelievable learning experience! I hope this book blesses you all. You sweet readers have been such a source of kindness and encouragement to me!

Linking with:

Vintage Show & Tell
Happy Homemaker Monday

The Art of Homemaking
No Place Like Home

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Motivate Me Monday 

Modest Monday @ The Modest Mom 

Living Proverbs 31

Inspire Me Monday @ Create With Joy 

A Round Tuit @ Creating My Way to Success 

Making Your Home Sing Monday

Amaze Me Monday
Soul Survival linkup

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Through Life

Tips & Tricks

So Much At Home

Show & Tell

Tuesday Afternoon

(Titus 2)s Days @ Time Warp Wife

The Scoop @Stone Gable

Roses of Inspiration @ The Enchanting Rose
Book Nook

Homemaking Party @ Classical Homemaking

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home

Homemaking Link Up @ Raising Homemakers

Inspire Me Wednesday @ MamaBuzz

Wow Us Wednesdays

Mexican Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread #ad

The holidays are finally here and our family is doing all the traditional holiday stuff---including baking yummy breads and treats! Although canned pumpkin is available all year 'round, it only seems appropriate to bake with it in the fall. I usually come up with at least one new pumpkin recipe each autumn season, and this year is no exception. You'll love the spicy zest I've added to my favorite pumpkin bread recipe.

Years ago when I was selling kitchen products as a home business, one of my favorite recipes to make for guests was Mexican Chocolate Cake. It's amazing how the inclusion of cinnamon brought out the deliciousness in that rich chocolate cake. "Mexican" chocolate usually features the addition of cinnamon and chili powder to give it a spicy zing. Since I tend to be a bit on the extravagant side, I figured five added spices couldn't hurt anything in this experiment!

I found many of my ingredients at Dollar General, which is just up the street from where I live. I love that smaller "corner store" feel to Dollar General and it's great that I can find many of the things I need without having to drive to or navigate the larger superstores. What's more, Dollar General offers coupons I can use right from my phone, and this season they're offering deals on many of my favorite baking items. Visit the Dollar General website to download your coupons, as well.

This recipe features both Nestlé® Toll House® Morsels and Libby's® 100% Pure Pumpkin---two items featured at a great price at Dollar General. I love that it's a simple "dump it in and mix it up" sort of recipe. These kinds are my favorites because they're ones I can have my kids whip up without my help when I'm short on time.

I served my Mexican Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread on Thanksgiving morning and the kids loved it! They knew something was different from my usual pumpkin bread recipe (besides the added chocolate chips) but no one, not even Daddy, guessed what it was. After everyone had agreed they liked it, I told them I'd added chili powder. They were surprised!

Here's the recipe. Let me know if you make it as I'd love to hear how it worked for your family!

Mexican Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

2 15 oz. cans pumpkin 
1 1/2 c. oil
3 c. sugar
6 eggs
4 3/4 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp. cloves
1 1/2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. chili powder
1 pkg. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350º and grease 3 loaf pans.  Mix the pumpkin, oil, sugar, and eggs.  Combine the dry ingredients and then stir into the wet mixture.  Pour into pans and bake 45 min. or until done all the way through.


Be sure to visit Dollar General's website to download coupons for your favorite products like DiGiorno, Nestle Toll House Morsels, Nescafe Taster’s Choice, and Coffee-mate. For more creative pumpkin recipes, check out:

Pumpkin Pie Fudge
Pumpkin Banana Bread
Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Sprinkle
Autumn Spiced Pumpkin Bread