Sponsor Giveaway

I Just wanted to pop in here this Halloween weekend and say thank you to you guys for such amazingly kind and encouraging comments on my last post about loosing my mojo. Seriously I was overwhelmed by your sweetness and although I am still feeling a bit lack luster in the creativity department I was so grateful for all of the love, really you are all the best!!

I also have something fun to share with you from one of my sweet sponsors, Kayla Aimee. I am super excited to tell you about her brand new ebook - The Blog Book. It is fabulous. She sent me a copy hot off the press and it I have thoroughly enjoy working my way through it. It's truly a must have guide if you are wanting to learn more about branding, growing and monetizing your blog.

It's 70 pages and full to the brim with tons of incredible insights, downloads, tips and encouragement for any of you guys out there interested in getting started in blogging or taking your blog to the next level. I loved it and know that you will too it's really good!

And as a bonus KA is offering three a bit of sunshine readers a chance to win a free copy of her ebook. All you need to do is sign your name below and I will draw three winners at random next Wednesday November 2nd! In the mean time head over to Kayla Aimee's blog for all the details!

I hope you have a great weekend everyone I will be back with fun pictures of our Halloween party next week! xoxo, Rebekah

missing mojo + norwegian apple cake

 
I lost my mojo somewhere between here and the other side of town. Its kind of bugging me too but what on earth can you do when your mojo abandons you? Not a whole lot. 

To make matters worse I had a pretty traumatic trip to the fabric store yesterday while in search of said missing mojo and let me tell you, that did NOT help. It was mostly a lot of me being exhausted and scattered coupled with an over tired baby who somehow ate my fabric ticket and two wild boys rough housing in the Halloween aisle...the saleswoman yelled at me and made me search for the ticket. I cried. We went home and I threw the bag of crafting supplies down on the counter and I haven't really felt like touching it. 

Truthfully though I just hate those weeks where no matter how much effort I put into creating it just doesn't happen. Nothing excites me or inspires me. We are hosting a birthday Halloween party next week and I don't even have the energy to decorate...oh mojo where are you? 

Katie sent me a text earlier asking for my Norwegian apple cake recipe (hi Katie :)) so I thought I would share that with you guys tonight since it is super yummy and I haven't ever posted it before. And it seemed like just the ticket to get me feeling a bit more inspired to create. 

I usually make this in an 8" round tin but last time experimented and made mini ones with my muffin tin and since everything is yummier in miniature form they turned out pretty great too! Either way this cake is so delicious, a mix between a cake and a pastry. It's the perfect treat for brunch or dessert. 

Norwegian Apple Cake:

(fairly certain this recipe is originally from all buttoned up years and years ago!) 

Sift together:
1 cup plus 2 Tb flour
1t baking powder
1/2 t salt
3/4 cup sugar

Cut in a 1/2 cup margarine or butter It will look crumbly like pastry dough.

Beat one egg and spread over mixture stirring it up lightly it will still look crumbly though.

Separately, mix together:
2 apples peeled and grated
3 Tb sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

Spread half of the dough out into a greased, 8" round cake tin.  Pat into place gently (a few holes are ok).  Spread apples out on top.  Spoon remaining dough over top of that evenly there will be a few holes

  

Bake at 375 for 45-50 min.  Let cool in the pan, and gently turn out. 

Serve with an icing of powdered sugar, vanilla and water. Drizzle over the top or alternately with a sprinkling of powdered sugar or dollop of whipped cream. 

All right I am off to continue hunting for my mojo. Tell me, what do you do when creativity wains, any sure fast secrets or tips to getting inspired again? I would love any and all advice!! 

Sponsor for November

November is right around the corner and I still have some large, small and mini ad spaces available. If you are interested in advertising with a bit of sunshine email me at rebekah (dot) gough (at) gmail (dot) com and I will get you all set up! Ads are a fantastic way to promote your online business or blog especially during the holiday season!

My word I have had a hard time putting together a proper post this week. I do so love this time of year though and have lots to share in due time I promise!

I spotted this amazing little wreath tutorial over at tatertos & jello recently and love it so much - it's so adorable and so accessible I want to make one!! There is always something fun to make if we had endless time and money isn't there. We could all stow away in a craft cottage like little elves and craft our lives away couldn't we but alas there is always something else pulling for our attention.

Last night Chris was tucking the boys in and he made a comment that their room was quite a mess Levi says "yeah I know why don't you pick it up while we are asleep" ha I know what you mean son, I know what you mean :).

In the mean time I am excited to announce that Joanna Roddy is the winner of the Shabby Apple giveaway - super excited for you Joey I will be in touch!! Also I did a little interview on our nursery over on baby space today - if your not sick of our nursery yet you can check it out HERE.

Hope your Tuesday is going splendidly I will be back soon promise!

a few little instagram peeks from our week

Josie playing with a bubble machine while we attempt some family pictures + my favorite sweetheart necklace from make pie not war + Chris working on giving the mantel a fresh coat of white paint + a little memento I made from the wallpaper we had at our old house + visiting my old school to have coffee with my bff who is now a teacher there + scoring a ridiculous vintage light up pumpkin for only a few dollars + homemade pizza + our record station.

Joining the Insta-Friday party over at Life Rearranged today - hope you have a wonderful weekend friends and if you haven't had a chance don't forget to enter the Shabby Apple giveaway before Monday!

saying goodbye

It's been over a week now since we officially closed and moved forward into the next chapter saying goodbye to our home. My heart is still unraveling itself from the finality of it all but it feels good in so many ways to be able to walk away knowing that we are right where God wants us to be.

These are photos of us wrapping up at our first home...it's a long long rather tiedious story but we actually ended the short sale process with two houses in the past two weeks. So many are in the same spot I know right now and although I wish it wasn't the case I am deeply grateful that this two year journey is finally behind us.

We spent time at both homes saying goodbye. Praying for the new owners and bidding adieu to neighbors and friends. Its weird knowing that we can't ever go back onto these properties again. It just feels so strange knowing how many memories were made.

How my water broke five weeks early in this tiny little house and I had to convince Mr. Gough to get his butt in the car because it was game time and no I did not pee my pants :)...the time I lit the bathroom on fire at 1am preparing for my sister in laws bridal shower because I somehow knocked over a candle and it caught the towel...sweat and hard work and the way it smelled like home even from the first time we laid eyes on it.

But I am learning. Everyday Chris comes home from his job at the Union Gospel Mission and tells me of the amazing things he sees God doing in our city. He shares heartbreaking trials and incredible triumph. We've watched a transitional housing development burn to the ground displacing 41 in minutes - babies and mommies and tired fathers with nowhere to go. These stories put my life into perspective and help make it much easier to let go and move forward trusting in God and asking to be apart of His story.

So just like that the tide shifts and things change. And I am proud to say that we weathered many storms this year together as a family coming out strong and happy - and a little bit pooped out :) - but so thankful.

So as a little tribute Heather asked me to share a final home tour on her Home Made Lovely series today. It felt really good to put together some before and after pictures one last time and to thank God for the season that he allowed us to live in that space.

If you would like to see the tour go HERE! Thanks Heather for the opportunity it was just what my heart needed

Shabby Apple Giveaway

I am so excited to introduce you guys to Shabby Apple, an online vintage inspired dress boutique. They have several truly gorgeous collections of women's dresses as well as some super sweet things for the little girls in your life too! Their new line for fall is absolutely darling I kind of want everything!

In honor of all things fall inspired and lovely Shabby Apple is generously giving away the Tuxedo III dress to one lucky A Bit of Sunshine reader! To enter all you have to do is "like" Shabby Apple on Facebook and then leave a comment here letting me know your favorite thing about fall. Extra entries will go to those who follow Shabby Apple on twitter and/or their blog!

The giveaway will be open to U.S. residents only. I will choose a winner at random on Monday October 24th. Good luck everyone!!!

the farm

On Josie's first birthday this past weekend we headed to The Farm. It's a really fun place to visit in the fall if you live anywhere near the Seattle area!

Josie's little friend Juliette who was born on the same day, two doors down was having her birthday party. We ended up making a connection with her family after we realized that Simon was in the same class as Juliette's big sister Savvy (this little friend). We have had fun getting to know them a bit this past year and were honored to be there with them to celebrate. We had a blast enjoying the pumpkin patch, corn and hay mazes, tractor ride, cow train, petting zoo and apple picking. It really was an amazing afternoon!

So have you been to the pumpkin patch yet? It's definitely one of my favorite things about fall!

Happy Birthday Josie

It is hard to believe that my little pumpkin turned one today. Little miss Jolene Joan-Claire aka Jojo or little Josie Joan.

Josie you have been one of the brightest spots in a year full of trial and change. Your disposition is the sweetest a true third born fitting into this crazy mix with the most amazingly fun and spunky personality! Your brothers love you to pieces and you love them right back with your wildly open opinions and laughter that fills the house with joy. Your the girl my heart longed for and I thank God every single day for honoring that desire and blessing us with you!

Happy birthday baby we love you to the moon and back!

giveaway winner

I just realized that I forgot to post the winner of the Noonday Collection giveaway - a special congrats to Peeper you won this gorgeous necklace from an absolutely amazing company! We will be in touch on how to collect your prize!!!

A special thanks to Noonday Collection and Whitney for such a generous gift and thanks to everyone who entered - stay tuned I've got another really fun giveaway coming up soon I can't wait to share it!

{my october favorites}

{one} - unique simplicity  {two} - works of anselm {three} - boyds will be boyds {four} - today is mine {five} -  alita jewel {six} -  what am I going to be when I grow up {seven} - lynley j {eight} - eat teach run {nine} - my life just as it is {ten} my boysterous life

Wow there are some absolutely beautiful photos this month, I loved looking through all of your sets! Thanks to everyone who participated it never ceased to amaze me how much beauty you can find if you look - it's all around and it's so inspiring and you guys sure found some amazingly beautiful life!

Looking forward to novembers installment already, learn more about the ten on ten project HERE!

seriously addciting and simple caramel corn!

Years ago I randomly acquired this recipe out of a book for kids. It was before I had any kids of my own but I was working at a publishing house at the time and often I would flip through books just to see what we carried.

When I saw this recipe I made a photo copy and tucked it away for the future. Chris and I have made this yummy caramel corn many times over the years he especially loves popcorn so this is right up his alley. I also love to make a big batch and surprise him with it!

This year the boys were old enough to get in on the fun. This recipe includes a pretty cool science experiment and is made entirely in the microwave. It takes about ten to fifteen minutes to whip up, no candy thermometer or anything fancy necessary. When you add the baking soda into the sugar mixture there is a fun reaction that had the boys ooing and ahhing!

It felt like the right thing to do to share it today - make this for your family and friends they will love it!

Caramel Corn:

2 12oz bags of microwave popcorn or popcorn made on the stove top or in an air popper
1 stick of butter (I use vegan butter and it works great)
1 C brown sugar
1/4 C light corn syrup
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda

Pop popcorn and set aside.

Put the butter, sugar, corn syrup and salt into a microwave safe bowl and heat in microwave until butter melts.

Stir well.

Put back in microwave for about 2 1/2 minutes

Add baking soda to mixture. Stir. Mixture will foam as soda reacts with the ingredients.

Put popped corn into a large brown paper bag (grocery size)

Pour hot mixture over the corn.

Close bag and shake well, evenly coating the popcorn with the caramel mixture.

Put bag back in microwave and heat an additional 1 1/2 minutes.

Allow to cool a bit. Then eat warm or spread in a cake pan to cool.

Enjoy!

Ten on Ten :: October 2011

Thanks to everyone who participated in this months installment of ten on ten. I am looking forward to digging in and looking at all of your sets. Our day was a mixed bag of emotions and a sick little baby girl but I managed to find some beauty woven throughout our day too!

If you haven't had a chance scroll down and add your set to the linky below the party will be open for the rest of the week. I will be back with my favorites from the month tomorrow.

To learn more about the ten on ten project go HERE!