Sharing More Pumpkin Love

This is simple math...unlike common core...LOL

I'm no different than a lot of you. I love me some pumpkin cake, pumpkin coffee, pumpkin bread and the list goes on.

Today I've got a fantabulous recipe for a Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting that I like to pass off as a breakfast bread. I mean if you make it in a loaf pan, doesn't that make it a bread? I think it does. I found this recipe on Pinterest here.

 Here's what you'll need.

1 box Devil's Food Cake Mix

1 small box Instant Chocolate Pudding (I use sugar free)

1/2 cup canola oil

1/2 cup buttermilk or powdered buttermilk

4 large eggs

1/2 cup Sour Cream (I use light)

15 oz can Pumpkin (not pie filling)

2 cups Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips

1 container Cream Cheese Frosting

Before we begin let me introduce you to a great product. 

This is buttermilk in powdered form. My mom kept this in the fridge when I was growing up and now I do too. It's GREAT! I hate it when a recipe calls for 1/2 cup or so of buttermilk and I 

a) don't have any

or  

b) don't want to buy a quart to only use a small amount

Sometimes you can find it in the form of a pint, but that seems rare.

Anyway, you just add the powdered form to your dry ingredients and then substitute the same amount of water instead of the buttermilk.

#genius

AND...this stuff last FOREVER.

Back to the recipe.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare two 9" loaf pans by spraying with cooking spray and lining with parchment paper. I always line my loaf pans with parchment for 2 reasons. It's makes it easier to get the loaf out and I don't have to worry about it pulling a hunk out of the bottom of the loaf. That has happened one too many times.

In the bowl of an electric mixer put the cake mix, pudding mix, oil, buttermilk (or powder), eggs, sour cream, and pumpkin and mix until well combined. 

Turn off mixer and stir in chocolate chips.

Divide the batter between the two loaf pans.

Bake for 1 hour or until pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Remove from oven and let cool about 10 minutes, then remove from pans. These will look like they fall a little bit, but that's normal.

Once cooled completely add the Cream Cheese frosting.

This is such a delicious, extra chocolatey cake. (ahem, I mean bread)

They store great un-frosted in the freezer so can eat one now and save one for later.

I've also used this recipe to make the best cupcakes you'll ever put in your mouth. Start the baking at 15 minutes and check for doneness with toothpick.

So if you are a chocolate addict like myself, you should seriously consider making these. My mouth is watering just typing this and looking at the pictures. I have never made them that they didn't get rave reviews. 

Let me know if you try them and what you think.

Enjoy friends!

Lisa

XOXO

Friday Favorites - Out of Town Edition

Happy Friday! 

I feel so out of touch right now. I spent the first part of the week in Nashville and now I'm in Richmond with my parents. The last week has absolutely flown by.

Since Friday is already here again it must be time to link up with Erika, Narci, and Andrea for Friday Favorites.

ONE

I've told y'all how my college roomie's daughter and Katie have quickly become BFF's. Well while I was in Nashville, Kim's mom had a dinner and invited several of the bride's maids to surprise Kim for her 25th wedding anniversary.

We had a ball and Cassie and Katie of course joined us as well.

 First and second generation besties.

Rekindling college friend ships.

TWO

By now y'all have probably figured out I'm a big fan of Snapchat! I love to watch Katie's story and see what fun things she's doing everyday.

Could these two be any cuter? I don't think so!!!

THREE

The beautiful fall colors. 

The seasons change differently in California than in the southeastern part of the country. There's much less fanfare. I miss the beautiful colors of so many trees. Yesterday I was out walking and came across these gorgeous colors.

FOUR

Lucky Booties

I have been loving wearing my Lucky booties. They are in stock and on sale. They are the perfect fall shoes and comfortable to boot.

#yesisaidit #cheesypun

FIVE

Halo Top has introduced 10 new flavors. 

#givemealltheicecream

Of course it's hard to find them right now, but when you do...grab them up!!! Seriously people, this is pretty much the perfect food. Packed with protein and fiber and low in sugar...I've got to get to the store!!!

SIX

Just in case you haven't heard about Rodan + Fields newest product I can't in good conscience leave this untold!!!

I can't wait to get home and start using my Lash Boost that came in after I left town (of course it did)

If there was ever a girl who needed this product it's this one right here.

#blondeeyleshases #stubbyeyelashes #thineyelashes

What's the difference between LASH BOOST and any other products for lashes in the marketplace today?

For starters, Lash Boost also works on EYE BROWS! 🙌

1⃣ You don't need a prescription to get it👊🏻

2⃣ It's in a tube like mascara, so it's not multi-brush drop application👊🏻 

3⃣ It has no eye color or pigmentation changing side effects😳

4⃣ It's100% SAFE!👊🏻

5⃣ It's available at a great price point💰

6️⃣ Just like all of Rodan+Fields products, LASH BOOST is based on Multi-Med Therapy System.👌 Lash Boost works on providing 3 essentials: 

✔️MOISTURE through sodium hyaluronate. 

✔️NUTRITION through 3 unique peptides. 

✔️PROTECTION from breakage and brittleness with biotin and keratin.

LASH BOOST is the first of its kind. Combining both Hair Care and Skin Care Products, to create amazing LASH and BROW enhancing effects of Longer Looking, Fuller Looking, Thicker Looking and Healthier Looking Lashes and Brows!

The doctors first developed this in 2011, but wouldn't release it until it out performed anything else on the market! It went through 5 years of clinical trials and studies, and 2 years of development. Working side-by-side Eye Specialists to provide a 100% safe and most effective product to give you the lashes of your dreams!

Pretty awesome stuff, right?! 💗💗

The only way to get these products right now? Be a Consultant!!! Who wants to joint my team?!?! Customers will be able to grab Lash Boost 11/2!

Visit my website www.lrichardson3.myrandf.com to become a PC (Preferred Customer) or leave a comment if you are interested in more info.

Get those lashes ready for the holidays!!!

Hope you've had a great week! I'm looking forward to seeing some of my extended family and a new, sweet baby while I'm visiting my parents.

Have a great weekend.

Lisa

XOXO

Be sure to drop in and check out this weeks Friday Favs from the bloggers below.

       High Five for FRIDAY / Five on Friday / Friday Favorites / oh hey FRIDAY

Howdy from Nashville!

#truestatement

We've been in Nashville since Thursday seeing our kids and having a ball with them.

I don't think anything makes you happier than seeing your kids happy and succeeding. It thrills my heart to watch them thrive, work hard and build lives they love.

Friday was rainy and the kids had the day off for fall break so we were able to spend the day just running around. We started with lunch and then did some shopping.

Benny needed a new pillow...LOL

#tryitbeforeyoubuyit

 Friday night our friends from Kentucky came to Nashville and had dinner with us and then we went back to the friends we stay with and all had dessert.

#checkoutbennyseyes

 Some friendly competition.

 One of my besties, Dawn.

 Katie and Rachel

 Dawn, me and Elizabeth

Benny and his girlfriend, Erin.

Saturday morning I met with my girlies from college for coffee.

#alwaysatreat

 Saturday afternoon we went to an art fair/festival at the Parthenon where there were food trucks. It was a warm afternoon and a perfect day for being outside and enjoying the day.

Katie and Erin got shaved ice and it was delicious.

 Saturday night we went to a Japanese Steakhouse to celebrate Katie's birthday. It was a fun, entertaining way to spend the evening.

#volcano

They came in beating on a drum and sang Happy Birthday to Katie.

 Back home for birthday dessert of Brownie Trifle. This is a dessert the kids have both frequently requested for birthdays and other special occasions.

And of course no birthday is complete without presents.

Funny story: I thought I was being so prepared and brought what I thought was a birthday banner from home to hang. I have a closet with lots of party stuff and grabbed this. When I got it out to hang it I realized I'd grabbed the wrong bag and brought CONGRATULATIONS. HAHAHA! This became the new joke for the weekend.
#givemecreditfortrying #congratulationsonyourbirthday

Sunday afternoon Katie wanted me to give her a hair cut.

 The three of us girls got out our spoons and finished off the trifle

And I got in some snuggle time with my favorite college girl.
#aperfectday #awonderfulweekend #nevertoooldtosnuggle

I'm staying in Nashville until Wednesday and then off to Virginia to spend some time with my parents and some extended family.


Hope you had a great weekend and your week is off to a good start.

Lisa

XOXO