Hey, guys. Yes, I know it has been a while since I have done a Top Ten post. I always have great intentions to do this every month, but life happens. And I am totally ok with that. So, if I am hit or miss with these fun posts, just know that I am enjoying life with my family. Top Ten will just have to be one of those posts that happen when I can. So, this week I had a little bit of extra time, so I put together some fun things to share with you.
1. My claim to fame this month was being featured in Woman's World magazine. Nothing like opening the first page and seeing yourself and your recipe staring right back at you. It was definitely a "jump all over the place with a huge smile" moment.
2. We had a pumpkin carving contest with some friends last weekend. Some of the rules were no patterns during carving time, 30 minute time, any tools, and letting Instagram decide the winner.
Here were our final finished pumpkins. Thank goodness I know my Instagram peeps better than everyone else. LOL! Thank you to all of you who voted for #2. "Owl" always love you!!!! 🙂
3. Have you seen this Dr. Pepper licorice? I am seriously regretting buying only one bag. It's so good. I found it at JoAnn Fabrics if you are wondering. If you see it anywhere else, let me know! I'm on the hunt for more.
4. I used to decorate cakes all the time, but haven't done much of that in the last few years. Desserts and blogging are so much more fun than stressful cakes that take hours...if you were wondering. But I make exceptions every once in a while. My sister and her family were here a few weeks ago, and we celebrated my niece's 2nd birthday. She loves cats, so we did a fun cat party complete with cat ears, chocolate dipped cat Oreo cookies, and this cute kitty cat cake. I think she loved it all!!!
5. Running a dessert blog isn't the best thing for your figure. I like to eat sugar, so I have to make sure I am working out on a very regular basis. So my hubby and I head to the gym bright and early most mornings to get our work out of the day on. It's always crazy things like ball slams, wall balls, push ups, burpees, rowing, kettle bells, pull ups, and sled pushes. As much as I totally hate it, I am seeing some small results. Now if only I could give up the sugar...
6. How do I have the energy to get it all done and stay focused you wonder? Let me tell you about my friend the Advocare Spark. This product is full of vitamins and amino acids. We take one every morning before working out, and I can definitely tell a huge difference in my work outs. I can feel a bigger energy boost that helps me get through the tough work out.
I also like to drink one in the afternoon when all of a sudden I hit that wall. It gives me a pick me up with out the sugar crash, and I can focus on my work better. My favorite flavor is the Mango Strawberry Spark. The bigger containers last longer, so we have started buying those. But they do have on the go packs that are great for keeping in your purse or bag.
We were pretty excited to see Advocare add a Pumpkin Spice Meal Replacement Shake. I am waiting impatiently for my box to get here. I love the meal replacement shakes so much. I am not a big breakfast eater, but I know that breakfast is the most important meal. These are easy to mix up and taste delicious.
7. Here are a few of my favorite recipes from last month. Yes, I realize that October is halfway over, and I am sharing a picture of my top 4 favorites from September. Just humor me! Next time maybe I'll get my favorites shared at the end of the month...but don't hold your breath.
Salted Caramel Oreo Icebox Cake
S'mores Pumpkin Roll
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie
Salted Caramel Pumpkin Oatmeal Cake
8. I am seriously drooling over this Hot Fudge Pudding Cake from A Family Feast. Talk about a chocolate lovers dream dessert!
9. How pretty and delicious are these No Bake Cake Batter Cheesecake from The Housewife in Training Files. I love how pink and fluffy they look. Plus, sprinkles for the win!
10. I have got to find a very good reason for this Ding Dong Cake from Chocolate, Chocolate, and More. There has to be a reason, or I will eat the entire cake. It looks amazing!!!!
Have a wonderful rest of the weekend. Hopefully you are staying drier than we did. Soccer tournaments in the rain = a soggy, cold family!!! It was a fun game to watch, even if they did lose. Maybe first place will happen next year. Fingers crossed that no one gets sick from standing in the rain.
Now go enjoy your families! And come back next week for some more fabulous recipes 🙂
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Ginnie
Congrats on your Woman's World feature ... so exciting! Your cat cake is so adorable!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter
Yay, congrats on the Woman's World magazine feature, that's so awesome and well deserved 🙂 Love all those pumpkin carvings too!
Jaren+(Diary+of+a+Recipe+Collector)
Oh my goodness! Yeah for you! So deserving and it makes all that sugar consumption worthwhile!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Jaren!! 🙂
Dorothy+@+Crazy+for+Crust
Congrats on the magazine!! So cool!
Kelly
If only I could give up sugar too... in order to maintain I started cross fit last year and love it!! It's so fun to see yourself getting stronger. I think I'll have to try that amino energy drink because I workout after work so I need that little lift! Thanks for sharing!
Jocelyn Brubaker
You're welcome Kelly! Definitely try the drink! 🙂
Lea
Congrats on your magazine feature! And, that cat cake is the cutest cake I think I've ever seen. The icing looks so much like fur. Love it! Great pumpkin carving and great memories for the kiddos. Happy week!
Caroline
I only recently started following you on Pinterest, but I'm absolutely enjoying your posts both there and here. I thought I'd let you know, if you're searching for more of the Dr Pepper licorice, or a huge variety of other sorts of licorice and specialty candies, there's a store in Lincoln, NE called Licorice International that sources licorice from all over the world. They have the Dr Pepper variety and you can order online.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much!! 🙂 I'll definitely check them out!
Martha+@+A+Family+Feast
Jocelyn- Thank you so much for including our Hot Fudge Pudding Cake in your Top 10! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
You're so welcome Martha!! 🙂
Lisa | Sweet 2 Eat Baking
Love, love, LOVE your new look, Jocelyn— it's gorgeous, love the. Colours and your new logo is awesome. 🙂
Congrats on the magazine feature. Was that a surprise or did they contact you for permission [since they need the hi-res photos]?
The cake for your niece's 2nd birthday is so cute. It even looks fluffy too. I bet she loved that. 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Lisa! I knew I was going to be featured in Woman's World, so no surprise there! And yes, my niece LOVED her cake! 😉
Wendy
Congrats, Jocelyn, on your fudge recipe in Woman's World! I can personally vouch for the deliciousness of your fudge recipes, so it really is no surprise. 🙂 I think all of the pumpkins looked great and the best part is that you all had fun together creating them! Exercise is a habit that is very hard to create but once it becomes a habit, it is easier to maintain (even if you hate it as much as I do!) I worked out every morning for years then fell off the exercise wagon when I was busy with a new puppy. Its a struggle to get started again, but essential when blogging about sugary goodies is an everyday occurrence! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Wendy!! 🙂 Exercise is definitely crucial in our line of work!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files
That is so fun to be featured in Women's World! Definitely a framer. And thank you for featuring my cheesecakes! Those were definitely one of my favorite desserts lately!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yes it is!! 🙂 Thanks Meg! And you're so welcome. They are phenom!
Carla (@charliesue)
So fancy! Congratulations on your Women's World feature!!
Meghan
That cat cake...OMG! Love it. It's so fluffy.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Meghan! 🙂