It's Fall! Time for a Pumpkin Recipe!!

4-Layer Pumpkin Cake with a Caramel Pecan Drizzle

What You Need

1 pkg. (2-layer size) yellow cake mix

1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin

1/2 cup milk

1/3 cup oil

4 eggs

1-1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, divided

1 pkg. (8 oz.)cream cheese, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tub (8 oz.) Cool Whip, thawed

1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping

1/4 cup chopped pecans

Make It

HEAT oven to 350°F.
BEAT cake mix, 1 cup pumpkin, milk, oil, eggs and 1 tsp. spice in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Pour into 2 greased and floured 9-inch round pans.
BAKE 28 to 30 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 min. Remove from pans to wire racks; cool completely.
BEAT cream cheese in medium bowl with mixer until creamy. Add sugar, remaining pumpkin and spice; mix well. Gently stir in Cool Whip. Cut each cake layer horizontally in half with serrated knife; stack on serving plate, spreading cream cheese filling between layers. (Do not frost top layer.) Drizzle with caramel topping just before serving; top with nuts. Refrigerate leftovers.

TA-DA!!

Some Unprofessional Wedding Photos

Newlyweds!!

We did it! We tied the knot! I was waiting to write this post until pro photos came back but they haven't yet, so that will make for another posting when they do and I'm sure they will be great (JT Photography is awesome). For now, I will post some of our favorite candid shots above in a slideshow. Our day was perfect, but went by SO quickly. It was amazing to see all of my hard work come alive and it was just how I imagined it to be. If I can brag a bit, I was so proud of all of my DIY (Do It Yourself) projects and seeing how people responded so positively to them. The ceremony was perfect and really spoke to who we are as a couple. The music was my favorite part and just fit so well. I walked down the aisle to "You and Me" by Lifehouse played on acoustic guitar with touches of bass guitar and vocals by an amazing soloist who is only 17 years old! The trio also did "Deeply in Love" by Hillsong United as we lit the unity candle, which was beautiful as well. We had a fun time at the reception and I didn't even mind Brandon smashes the cake all over my face. It was amazing to finally marry my best friend and we had an amazing day.
We left the next day to honeymoon in St. Lucia (pics below as well), which is a beautiful country with an infectious spirit and attitude. As they say "No Pressure, No Problem"! We enjoyed the beach and beautiful turquoise waters and went on a few adventures, including ziplining through the jungle and an adventure cruise to the Pitons, volcano, botanical gardens, and snorkeling. We loved the mud bath at the volcano and loved seeing the island via catamaran. Overall our wedding and honeymoon were perfect and I know this post doesn't do the details justice. After returning from St. Lucia, we jumped right back into real life and boy did it hit hard. Brandon's computer crashed the next day, welcoming us to married life with style :) We headed back to school and work. I started my internship at the high school and Brandon went right back to work. We have been spending our weekends trying to get settled in and get our apartment decorated to our liking. We have also been spending a lot of time with our families and helping everyone get adjusted to us being married. Football season also kicked off, so needless to say, Brandon is enthralled for several days a week. We are hoping to make it up to Raleigh for a Wolfpack game next month. We can't wait to share more of our stories and life adventures with everyone soon.




Mood: Content
Currently listening to: Sister Hazel- This Kind of Love (our first dance and beautiful song) Smelling: pot roast in the Crockpot
Today I am thankful for: My friend Katy who listens when I need someone to talk to