Taylor

      Yesterday my nephew, Taylor, turned 18. I am still in denial! Because he and I are only seven years apart in age, we've always had a special relationship that goes beyond the typical aunt-nephew one. My motherly instincts often come out with him, but ultimately he is my little brother (and, he recently told Peyton that I am really his sister...which made me melt, of course).
       It's been so much fun the past few years to get to be with him at school as well, and I cherish the times he stops by my classroom to tell me about a sweet dunk he had in practice or ask my advice concerning girls or friends. In fact, this year he is my Teacher's Assistant, so I get to see him everyday and watch him slave over ungraded quizzes and homework and bring me coffee! The other day he stopped by room after school, and as he sat there in his basketball shorts and shoes that are at least double my foot's length, I couldn't help but remember the little five year old playing basketball in the backyard in jean overalls and light-up Buzz Lightyear shoes. His fluffy cheeks have turned into a chiseled jaw line and his gapped teeth are now perfectly straightened out...but he is still my little pluffious (a word I created, thanks to him) Taylor.
      When we were younger we traveled to Disney World together with my parents, ate picnic lunches at Maumelle Park, biked to the gazebo of St. Thomas Ct., rode on the Sea-Doo together at the lake, did gymnastics in the living room (I dressed him up in my leotards), and shared many a meal and birthday at the kitchen table. Best of all, we sat together on the piano bench while he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior.
      He has become a true man of God over the years, and continues to amaze my family and me with his wise decisions, high standards, and constant sweetness. To say that I am not ready for him to leave Little Rock for college would be an understatement. Taylor, his whole life, has been a symbol of God reaching down and giving me an undeserved taste of heavenly joy on this earth. He is rare. He is special. He is my nephew, my brother, my bud.

One of my favorites from the wedding:

Miss Dior Cherie

This commercial makes me smile. Paris, balloons, pretty dresses, and lots of French pastries...

Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zWvtx0nijE

Pumpkin Cookies

My good friend Lauren from Wheaton made these cookies once that her mom made every year in the fall, and since then I've carried on the tradition and made them every fall! I became obsessed the minute I put them into my mouth. They are like a fluff of pumpkin cloud inside of your mouth, and they are super easy to make.

Here's how to make them:

Cookies

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground all spice
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder 
• Pinch of salt

Frosting:

• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese
• 1 cup confectioners sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• Zest of one lemon
• Pecans

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a mixer, cream the sugar and the butter until light and fluffy. Add the maple syrup and eggs and mix well.Add the pumpkin and mix. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt, and spices together. Add these dry ingredients to the batter and mix well.
Drop rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 minutes, or until lightly golden brown around the edges. Cool on racks. When cool, ice with the cream cheese frosting.

For the Frosting: In a mixer, fitted with a paddle, add the cream cheese. Beat until light and fluffy. Beat in the powdered sugar until smooth. Add milk and vanilla. Beat until smooth. If frosting is too thick, thin with a little more milk. Fold in the lemon zest. When cookies are cool spread with some of the frosting. Garnish with a pecan.

College Football is Here!

Three words: Go. Hogs. Go.