I'm going to preface this post by saying that I'm definitely not the "Pinterest mom" who is skilled at all things DIY and an expert at whipping up perfectly themed baked goods and birthday cakes. My cakes are always a little uneven and the frosting might not be totally smooth but are they made with love? 1000%! I honestly had zero plans to post the truck cake I made for Noah's 2nd birthday but after getting so many messages about it via Instagram, I  figured I'd share a few tips and tricks and product links for all the other amateur baking moms like me who are just trying to make their kids'  birthday cake extra special for them! Since Noah is truck-obsessed, we went all in on the truck decorations, but you can buy whatever number you need and then pick your kid's favorite thing or character and make that the theme of your cake!

It's officially chili season! Now that we've fully embraced fall and are inching closer to winter, whipping up a big batch of chili just feels like the right thing to do. I'm all about this vegetarian Black Bean & Butternut Squash Chili, which is so satisfying, full of fall flavors, and can be made in either a slow cooker, pressure cooker, or on the stovetop! It's packed with butternut squash, warm spices, and extra bright flavor from Holland House® Organic Red Wine Vinegar, which is crafted from oak-barrel-aged wine and made with 100% non-GMO grapes. It's finished off with a bunch of fun toppings like avocado, fresh herbs, lime, and shredded cheddar... it's truly a big bowl of healthy, hearty fall comfort!