Beauty and The Bates

Christmas 2010

2010-12-08T13:34:00.000-06:00

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

2010-06-22T09:24:00.001-05:00

I should probably title this post is anyone still out there...but I think I know the answer to that by now. The movers are set to come a week from today and I can finally see the light at the end of this moving tunnel...of course...it may be the train about to run me over but at this point that is probably ok too. I really had plans to be blogging these past couple months about what was going on but what I didn't anticipate was how busy we would get and how draining the whole process is all around....we are never moving again...that's right I said NEVER.

Don't worry you haven't missed much...unless you consider hearing about an agent who isn't worth the money they get paid, broken pendant lights, and chair fabric drama worth reading....in which case...I'll have to fill you in later. I still may as we are still dealing with all three...in fact here is an update on that first one...our agent...I woke up this morning to the following e-mail...

"{Insert Buyer here} would like to do her final walk thru tomorrow, Wednesday, at 9:30 a.m. Don't worry if your house is in disarray "

Umm....lady not only is my house in disarray it looks like it came straight out of an episode of Hoarders. I may as well be buying the house next door to store all this stuff in...{have you seen that episode?} Oh and lets not forget the tumbleweeds of dog hair rolling around in my house...or the fact that my vacuum is currently being serviced so its not likely to get better before tomorrow morning...sheesh.

So there is your little glimpse into life right now and don't worry I will be back as life starts to settle...I'll leave you with my "happy place" that has helped me keep my sanity amidst the craziness...I imagine myself sitting here on our new back porch...in silence...without a box or tuft of dog hair in sight. The only problem now is finding someone to build this for me...that and banishing tufts of dog hair when you have 3 dogs...wait what was that I was saying about the light at the end of the tunnel?

Ramblings

2010-04-30T06:00:00.001-05:00

Rather than stress myself out over having to come up with a unified blog post about something, I thought I would just ramble about lots of things...things that I probably could have written a unified post about...I just didn't do it at the time and now its time to catch up.

I have managed to drag myself out of bed for two weeks now {T-TH}at 5:15am to go to work early and use the gym. It's the new hair cut...or possibly that there were no big pay raises this year so I figure I'll take the perks where I can get them...two things I have concluded...ok maybe more {getting up early really makes me reflect on life}.
1. Don't expect to lose any weight only working out for two weeks...in fact the scale tells me I have gained some...It's muscle I say....MUSCLE! 2. I'm pretty sure the people in my office complex think I live out of my car since it previously and currently contains the following items...a gym bag with shoes, a hairdryer, flat iron, and other necessities sitting in the front seat...a patio furniture cover laying across my backseat..which could be mistaken for some sort of palet....a bag from Publix...a bag from Hobby Lobby...some hangers...and various water bottles strewn about my car...oh and lets not forget the roll of toilet paper wedged next to my emergency brake...it comes in handy when your nose starts running while your driving...but looks ridiculous to Joe Schmoe walking past your car. 3. People who are not service/delivery people park in the reserved parking behind two of our buildings and it really ticks me off (I work in property management) and you know what I have to say to you people...what makes you better than everyone else to think that you deserve a spot behind the building and if the building burns down and the fire truck can't get to the hydrant because everything is blocked don't come suing me....

Let's move on because that topic gets me really worked up...Happy Thoughts...Things are finally starting to bloom around here and it thrills my soul...my seasonal depression was really getting out of control with all the cold and rain and darkness...the most exciting addition is the peony bush that finally bloomed...they say it can take a couple years to start and I had given up hope since we will be moving this summer...but one surprised me and I got to see the fruit of my labor. My grandparents had them everywhere at their house and they have become my favorite flower for that very reason. I'll be planting some of their peonies at the new house and can't wait.

I bought a lemon tree and a lime tree...while this may not be exciting to some it is to me...and this is my blog. Lemon trees were in full bloom during our trip to Italy last year and I promised I would get one...and I have...promised fulfilled...I bought the lime tree just because I love margaritas and other various frozen drinks that you would put limes in and thought it would be fun...we will see how it goes...they are little twigs now...but I have high hopes for them...and the things I can create with their fruit...this just in...while I was looking for the link to the lime tree {they must be sold out} I discovered they have a pomegranate tree...watch out...I may have an orchard on my patio...

Wow...this post is growing longer than anticipated...and we really didn't cover a whole lot...maybe I'll be back soon for ramblings part two...I know you can't wait.

Once Upon a Blog

2010-04-20T08:15:00.000-05:00

So there used to be this blog I wrote...back when nothing was going on in my life worth blogging about. Then all of a sudden, my life was thrown in to complete choas...work decided to majorly pick-up, house was going, going, has gone on the market, and my husband made me leave the house to be social...so on the rare occasion that I had five minutes to myself...I usually chose sleep. I have high hopes to return to blogging. Work has slowed down, the house is finally on the market, and my husband has decided to run off and travel all the time for work...although he usually takes his laptop with him...so that doesn't help you any.

Anyway...I have delcared my New Year's resolutions late this year...I have...drug...or is it dragged...I never know...my lazy butt out of the bed to work out at 6 am now for two days...so we're on to something. I discovered my first stretch mark!S! on my thighs this weekend and it was both highly traumatic and highly motivating...nothing against stretch marks I just don't have a child to show for it...just a lot of carbs...margaritas...and sitting. I'm also getting my hair cut for the first time in 7, yes, SEVEN months and I'm ordering a fresh batch of ProActive because at 26 my face, unlike my body, has decided it is 16 again....oh how I have let myself go...and this blog but enough about that...I am making a change I am making the effort to revive myself and this blog...and hopefully between those two things my husband and my readers won't leave me...well my reader(s) may have already left...so Happy Tuesday...See ya Soon!

For Your Viewing Pleasure

2010-03-08T08:00:00.002-06:00

Everyone needs a little humor in their life and this is especially true on a Monday morning...so to get things off to a happy start...we'll start from the end of our trip to Utah. After three tiring and stressful days of skiing...tiring because I am so out of shape that I was practically out of breath just from getting on and off the ski lift and stressful...because lets just say SOMEONE got put on a blue approximately one day after completing ski school by SOMEONE's husband who wasn't paying attention to what ski lift they were getting on...he says he knew which one we were on and that it was the wrong one but it was just too late to say anything because we were already at the front of the line {hello: I would I mowed someone over to get to the right ski lift had I know what was coming...but I didn't realize we were on the wrong one until we were already on it and in case you were wondering there is no turning back once your are on your merry way up the mountain {Thanks for looking out for me honey}. All that to say...we needed something easy at the end of that last day...to make us remember that we all loved our spouses despite what they had put us through...so at the suggestion of our gracious host, we packed up and hit the tubes...snow tubes that is.

I have to say I was a little skeptical when we pulled up and it looked like this place was the Chuck E Cheese of Utah...kids were everywhere and most adults at least had a child with them...but there we were the six of us adults ready for some fun. We all grabbed a tube and got hooked on the conveyor belt as it drug us up the side of the hill... My mother-in law, sister-in law and I decide we better latch on to each other rather than taking our lives into our own hands as our husbands chose to do, but after the initial run we were hooked and already discussing what our ensuing runs would consist of...backwards...spinning...and maybe even head first. We had lost our minds..and returned to 3rd grade.

There is no way that this event could have passed without videoing it and there is no way that I could not share...please excuse my shrill screams because I was staring death in the face while I trusted whoever was holding my tube and I had no earthly idea which way was up and which was down...nor could I see where I was headed...it was intense...if snow tubing can be intense...also excuse the drunken chant of the frat boys that gave us a push down the hill...they said we made fun of them when they busted it at the bottom of the hill so they had it out for us...so without further ado...Happy Monday!

Meet Bernadette

2010-03-05T14:13:00.000-06:00

This is Bernadette:

and she is having a bad hair day. You see, where Bernadette is from it has been extremely cold and dry...thus making for very static-y hair drying. As if the flaky skin and breaking nails weren't bad enough now Bernadette's hair has joined the revolt. Bernadette isn't sure she or her body can take another minute of this dreary, cold winter weather....I feel you on that one sister!

{Editor's note: Please excuse the fact that I have totally lost my mind...because I have...my seasonal depression is out of control these days...and so I needed to paint something to make me laugh...and that Bernadette she makes me laugh...or maybe the fact that I named her. I'll be back with a Utah post but Blogger and I had a disagreement about my video this morning...apparently it doesn't appreciate my large HD video files...Happy Friday and here's to a warm weekend!}

Be Right Back

2010-03-03T08:42:00.001-06:00

I'm here....I'm here. I had full intentions of getting some kind of update on here today but I ran out of the house without my camera...and what is an update with no pictures. So I pledge to be back soon with SOMETHING...if there is even anyone left out there reading....I don't blame you if everyone has given up hope of an update.

We made it in late (relative to my 10pm bedtime) Sunday night and I am ashamed to say my suitcase is still not unpacked. I merely pick the things out of it I need each morning while it lays hazardously in the middle of the closet floor....waiting for me to break my ankle...but in my world that would be less painful than unpacking my over the weight limit suitcase....

Now that I think about it...I don't even think I posted where we were going or that we were going anywhere...wow...we have a lot to catch up on...we went skiing...in Utah...and it was an adventure...like I said I'll be right back with more soon...

...and just because I can't stand a post without some kind of picture...and I truly believe spring will never get here...here is a picture of Max....in the grass...when it was green...did you know that grass can be green?? I think I have forgotten and all I know is they better be right about those 60 degree temperatures this weekend or I may not survive...my dry, pasty skin has had all it can take of winter.

Dear Martha

2010-02-11T11:05:00.000-06:00

Dear Martha,

Yes you Martha Stewart. I just needed a minute to let you know you've let me down....I have been lusting over these lights since I saw them in my This Old House magazine months ago.

I have dreamed of having a place to put them...and now that I will actually have a kitchen island over which they can hang...you have gone and discontinued them...and not even ebay can save me from my grief...I am now left searching for a light to fill the SoHo pendant void in my life....and I have a feeling that the milk glass diffuser is going to be hard to get past...but I'll try to move on... it helped a little when I logged onto Home Depot's website in search of a replacement that I discovered they are now carrying your outdoor furniture and closet organiztion...I thought I was going to have to forget about you completely but now that you are going to be at my local Home Depot I guess we can still be friends....if you can help me with my closet organization needs.

I'm still upset about the milk glass diffuser,
Ashley

Square One

2010-02-09T20:27:00.001-06:00

I have 2 posts currently sitting waiting to be finished...or should I say begun....I just can't do it. The constant rainy and mostly cold weather has rendered me all but useless. We had a slight change in house plans...we aren't listing until April which is somewhat of a relief so I will have two more months to live like a person who lives in a house...with all the dirty laundry I can stuff in my hamper...which has been welcomed back with open arms into our closet for all the world to see. Not to mention, I can actually come home and sit on the couch without the nagging pressure to throw something away. I am pretty sure I didn't get out of bed to shower until 11:30 on Saturday...disgusting I know. A life with no responsiblilties....we may never have kids.

I have also taken up projects {project} that were {was} long ago cast aside {read ruined from frustration} remember THIS project? I belive it started in the warm sunny month of August and then was quickly forgotten when my SAD kicked in about mid-October...all the sudden painting a green tree reminded me that is was cold and rainy and dark outside and I couldn't handle the memories of a warm green summer spent at the lake, or staring at the sun past 3pm...I also got mad because in theory a tree is easy to paint....until you try it and then it is infinitely harder than it appears...and taking on the mindset of a 3 year old who didn't get the stuffed bunny from Target they wanted for Easter {true story} and smearing the green paint all over the canvas did not magically make my creation look like a tree like I thought it would...ok I really didn't think it would...but you get the point...so there it lie...lay...sit...sat...a hideous monstrosity...never to be touched again until one day {Saturday} something came over me...maybe it was the realization that not only do I not have enough furniture to furnish our new house...I have nothing to hang over the fireplace...which contrary to poplar/convential wisdom will not hold our tv...so I was off to Michaels for more paint to get me back to square one....so here it sits...lies...lays...

Back at square one...minus the tree trunk...never mind is has 926 pounds of paint on it and it will take a crane to get it over the fireplace...and its a far cry from this....

But I still have lots of work to do and just as much procrastination...and...whoever said I was a professional artist anyway...not I...on second thought I probably shouldn't have posted the two next to each other...I may have to take another 6 month hiatus on this one to go find my self esteem....

Making Attempting a Comeback

2010-02-02T15:04:00.000-06:00

Surprise! I have not fallen off the face of the earth. I am going to try to pick this back up but we will see how it goes...bear with me over the next week it may be a bumpy ride. Our big stressful news is... we are buying a new house! It was all finalized last week so I guess its safe to say ready or not we will be moving at the end of June. Don't worry its not far, in fact, it is very near where we live now...its just a bigger more family friendly house that has a better school system...no there is no baby...but there will be one day and we figure now will be a good time to make the move.

With that said, life since January has been a flurry of activity. I went to my first Atlanta market and it was everything I thought it would be and more {post forthcoming}, we had a FABULOUS long weekend at the beach {another post forthcoming}, I went to Oklahoma City for work {trust me there will be no post on this} and we have had numerous after work, Saturday morning, Sunday afternoon meetings with Real Estate agents trying to figure this whole thing out...oh for about the last 4 weeks or so {or this}. That doesn't include the 687,321,875 hours we have spent cleaning JUNK out of our current house. I don't know how we accumulated so much junk...oh wait yes I do...our parents told us to come get our childhood stuff out of their houses. {note to parents: it is not necessary that you keep every Barbie doll your child ever played with...they don't need counseling for that later...they need counseling for the above mentioned hours spent cleaning their house}

We are making the last final push to get things in order before the house goes on the market Friday, but I have come to the conclusion that people are just going to have to deal. They are going to have to deal with the fact that in reality my bathrobe and towel hang outside the shower because I use it each and everyday...and hiding such things under the bed or in a far away closet is extremely inconvenient for someone who has just taken a shower and is freezing. They are also going to have to deal with the fact that I enjoy having no less that 326 bottles of shampoo in the shower...sometimes I feel fruity sometimes I like coconut...so sorry. Isn't it enough that I made sure all my Pyrex and Corningware is stacked neatly in the cabinet, or that I may never find any of the other stuff that I had to stash away somewhere...that I will probably be finding pot holders in my nightstand for years to come? Oh and while I'm at it one last thing...we do have dirty laundry believe it or not and I do need to have the hamper in the closet lest I throw my clothes in the bathroom floor never to be picked up again...so you'll just have to imagine how big the closet is without a hamper...since of course you the buyer will not need a place for things such as dirty clothes....ok I think I am done...apparently I was correct about need counseling over this...how I have missed this little blog.

So I will be back...with some more fun posts...with pictures...I just don't want to risk it since I still have no luck uploading them on this computer anymore...and I am done trying to figure out why.

I Have a Good Excuse

2010-01-19T08:43:00.000-06:00

I have several actually....

1. Blogger and I still disagree about uploading photos with posts...it isn't taking too kindly to them and I haven't had the time or patience to deal with it

2. I have to go out of town again for work....but will then enjoy a long weekend at the beach

3. There have been LOTS of things going that have totally disrupted my daily routine....well really one...I had a picture to share as proof but refer to #1 on that one...and no it is not a baby...I'll share more if and when the decision is final...if I don't have a stroke before then.

I'll be back I promise with pictures...I'll just have to blog from home...my work computer kicks me off blogger when I upload pictures...I'm pretty sure its a conspiracy...Have a wonderful week. I'm off to Oklahoma City!

Labor of Love

2010-01-05T22:31:00.003-06:00

**Editor's Note Blogger and I had conflicting ideas about when this post should be posted...I have been trying since last Thursday...it decided that today would be more appropriate so enjoy...I promise I am not this much of a procrastinator on wrapping up Christmas...its the post that is the labor of love...the other was super easy...promise

I'm just going to go ahead and wrap up Christmas...otherwise it will be March 12th and you'll be getting a picture of my Christmas tree. The weeks leading up to Christmas were such a flurry of gift buying, gift wrapping, candy making, tree decorating, stressing, packing, one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish....that I probably could drag it out that long to everyone's pain and misery. Instead, I thought I would share something that is so easy...that I can do it....and it makes a great gift...at least I think so....you may have to ask my 873,482 family members and co-workers who received some.

I start craving apple butter sometime during the first week of October...it just happens...something about the crispness in the air reminding me of the crispness of an apple....I don't know...it just hits me. So this year, instead of sitting around moping about how I won't get to go to Huber's in the fall I decided to take action and do something about it. I Googled appler butter and decided I would make my own. I'm not sure how it happened...divine intervention maybe but I found what sounded like a foolproof recipe. Go figure it was over on Darby's blog. She does all sorts of great homemade things...and she has three kids....and I just have three dogs so how hard could it be?

Crock Pot Apple Butter {yields 5 pints}

16 peeled, cored & chopped apples
1 1/2 C white sugar
1 C light brown sugar
2 T cinnamon
1/2 t ground cloves
1/2 t ground nutmeg
1/2 t kosher salt

Place all ingredients in crock pot and stir so all apples are coated. Cook on HIGH for 1 hour. Reduce to LOW for 8 to 10 hours; stir occasionally...but really walk away for 8 hours...I think I forgot the stir occasionally part and it was just fine.

A few notes. I used a variety of apples. I read that the best apples for making apple butter are the baking kind, or the ones that have a firmer texture, so I used some granny smith, gala, cameo etc...Also, before adding the dry ingredients to the crockpot I dumped them in a bowl and mixed together so that everything distributed evenly and there wasn't one apple piece that tasted like a clove.

Before
{You should really put the cover on your crockpot at this point but I was too busy trying to take a picture to be distracted by details}

After

{notice the stay warm light...it was probably more like 9.375 hours...I had things to do}

I used a ladle for soup to scoop out the soft apples into a blender with a little of the juice. That way the apple butter stayed pretty thick when blended. I pulsed it a few times in the blender and wah-lah! The first batch I made I put juice and all in the blender and it was fine...it was just a little thin for my taste. It also yielded 10 1/2 pint jars just as the recipe says...using less juice only yielded about 7 1/2 pint jars so I had a few extra batches to make...don't mind the spatters of apple butter you will see...I am still finding them in my kitchen.

After blending the mixture, I poured it into the jars {I had already sterilized them...or in my case put them in the dishwasher...same difference....right???} I had the water boiling for the water bath and once I sterilized the lids I put them on, screwed on the tops and dropped them in...

Gan came through and saved me with a pot...apparently they don't make stock pots as deep as they used to and Wal-Mart has decided no one cans anymore and has done away with the canning section...not to mention my glass top stove {they are NOT cool no matter what anyone tells you}refuses to make a normal water bath canner boil....but I digress...I boiled the jars for 10 minutes...in water...not real impressive. Then I put them aside until I heard them tink...or whatever it is they do when they seal...if they didn't I had to take the lids off and start over but only a few dared defy me...by the 3rd batch none of them did...they must have known I was at my apple butter making end.

The final step in the process was the label...in my search for a water bath canner online I came across canning pantry. They have a new design service that lets you customize labels in all shapes and sizes and their designs are way cuter than the standard old lady label...no offense old ladies.

I was going to get really fancy and put fabric over the lids with a spreader tied to it...but that was a little much to ask mere days before Christmas not to mention everyone and their mother decided to buy every Christmas spreader in the Birmingham area...and coordinating fabric with labels was never my strong suit...coordinating fabric with anything is not my strong suit. So I am sorry family...I did not go all out on your Christmas gifts...maybe next year I'll start in May...so you can have fabric on your apple butter.

This was SOO easy I encourage everyone to try it...and it was foolproof...I mean I did it...and as far as I know no one has gotten food poisoning from it...The longest part is the peeling and the coring and the chopping of the apples...after that it is a breeze. High 1 hour....Low and walk away for 8 or 9.375....blend...pour... boil...I think it took about 30 minutes total to can {boil} each time I made a batch {about 7 jars}. Really you could skip that part because most people are going to finish their jar before it goes bad...I just wanted to pretend I lived in 1932 in a rural area and that I was going to have to survive on apple butter over the winter so I canned it. Try it please...you won't be sorry if you do...you will if you don't...

Hope everyone had a very happy New Year and hopefully Blogger and I can make amends even though it got off on the wrong foot with me....

Christmas Portrait

2009-12-29T12:38:00.001-06:00

What does your Christmas look like?

Is there a beautifully decorated tree with presents underneath?

Is there food as far as you can see and cider to keep you warm?

Do the husbands hold the babies...

and laughter fill the air?

Does someone play Santa Claus to pass out all the presents?

Do you leave your favorite pink scarf laying...lying...whatever on the piano bench....I mean do all the cousins play together nicely...

Until something goes awry...

and then chaos springs forth and all control is gone...

and at the center of it all seems to be your husband?

Does everyone calm down and you take your family portrait?

or do you get tired of taking pictures and hand the camera over?

Or at the end are you just tired of it all?

Do you feel like your Christmas blog post is stretching on into enternity...so you'll have mercy and end it here?

We had a very merry, chaotic, whirlwind, tiring Christmas week filled with family, food, laughter, and best of all memories...oh and lots of driving. We are so blessed to have so many people that love us and that we call family. We hope that everyone had a safe and Merry Christmas and that 2010 will maybe just slow down a little bit....

Live from Louisville

2009-12-23T19:12:00.000-06:00

It was Skyline time and I ate a disgusting amount of it...but it's the Holidays...and I'm just getting warmed up.

Insert Clever Christmas Post Here

2009-12-22T12:26:00.002-06:00

This is going to be all over the place this morning so just forgive me. I am trying to cram a few things in so that you are not getting Christmas posts in the middle of March. We are headed to Louisville today and I am not prepared. I have a few last minute gifts to buy which if push comes to shove I can procrastinate until we get to Louisville {I wrote this two days ago and nothing has changed...so I will be finishing up in Louisville}. Do you like how I did that...how I am so stressed about not having enough time but in the same sentence can figure out how I can procrastinate a little longer {and I did}?

I have managed to get a few things accomplished. The Christmas cards I had been waiting on finally came in and they went in the mail this week. Would you like to see? Even though most of the people who read this will probably be getting their own....or should I say have gotten their own.

There it is my little labor of love...it's nothing fancy but it pretty well describes the nature of our family {no animals were harmed during the making of this card although they almost were...some dogs {Curby} didn't feel the need to sit still under the Christmas tree...although that may have had something to do with the light on my camera that terrified her.}

I was still waiting on my labels to come in last week and in the meantime had to come up with something else to give to co-workers. My sister asked the other day if I had my grandmother's fudge recipe and BINGO...I knew what I could make. Do you remember that Friend's episode where Phoebe tries to figure out her grandmother's super secrect cookie recipe? I felt like I was in that episode because no one in the family had the recipe. Everyone remembered a few ingredients and we were left to Google to try to figure out the rest...and do you know what I found? The Fantasy Fudge recipe from the back of the Marshmallow Creme jar...go figure her cookie recipe was the one straight off the Nestle Tollhouse bag {just like Phoebe's} so I guess I should have known. I spent two nights trying to make enough to ~~feed an army~~ give to our co-workers and if I never see fudge again I am ok with that...sweets were never really my weakness anyway...probably because my dad ~~never~~ rarely let us have any.

It wasn't the prettiest fudge anyone has ever seen but hey...I thought the containers were cute and we all know the right accessories can really help out...not to mention how can you go wrong with butter,sugar, and chocolate? I am going to end this here...since I have been trying to post this for two days and Blogger keeps having issues. I'll be back with a few more Christmas posts never fear...they could get interesting.

A Little Tip

2009-12-17T12:48:00.000-06:00

Did your dad ever offer a "tip" to a waiter/waitress in the form of "don't grow corn in the winter"? Mine did and it was extemely embarrassing...I mean obviously he would leave a regular tip but that was his favorite line when the subject up tipping came up. Anyway, along the same lines of don't grow corn in the winter I have a little tid-bit to share. I ain't no Martha Stewart so this is not something I came up with on my own...a co-worker of Brandon's actually shared it with me this week and I tested it out last night. I don't know how many people out there have stainless steel sinks but we do in our lovely pre-fab townhouse. Lately, I have noticed that it is not a shiny or pretty as it once was probably because I don't spend a lot of time trying to keep it spic and span...I mean its sanitary and all but I am not spit shining the thing. Brandon's co-worker told me that she uses toilet bowl cleaner to clean her stainless sink

Like this kind of toilet bowl cleaner...have you ever heard of such a thing...I haven't but then again I don't get out much...at least not in the cleaning arena. She said it works great too if you have mats in the bottom of your sink to bleach them out {we both use the with bleach cleaner}. I couldn't resist trying it out last night as I was cleaning up my fudgy mess {more on that later} and you know what...it worked like a charm...seriously my sink was *gleaming*...so now you know...toilet bowl cleaner for your stainless steel sink...I haven't tried this out on the fridge yet but that will be next cause that thing is a pain to keep clean...and then who knows the sky is the limit...this could end up being like vinegar...the do all cleaner...except my clothes will probably look like I got in a fight with a bottle of bleach.

While You Wait

2009-12-15T12:07:00.005-06:00

We're down to crunch time around our house.Although, I am having to wait on everything. I'm waiting on Christmas cards to come in, waiting on labels to come in, waiting on the knowledge of making a bow so I can finally put something on my front door, waiting on inspiration to strike me so I know what gifts to buy....it just hasn't happened this year. So I am trying to power on through and my sister may be getting a gift card this year.

After running around Saturday trying to tie up some loose gift ends we stopped by my in-laws' house for the annual gingerbread house assembly...or in this year's case the gingerbread train assembly. Every year, my mother in-law invites Brandon's younger cousins over to put together a gingerbread house (or train) which will become the centerpiece for the Christmas table. So while I am waiting on everything to arrive, here are some pictures from Saturday. I hope you are ready for picture overload because I am still trying to figure out how to work this thing and you know what they say... practice makes perfect...well at least that is what my grandmother used to tell me about my piano lessons...but I was never really into all that practice stuff...so I am making up for it now. I'm sorry grandmommy for all those times you told me to practice and I didn't because I was more concerned with getting outside to ride my horse...I realize now the error of my ways...not to mention I can't play the piano worth a flip.

Their brother didn't make it to the party...he was way more interested in the tree...and then that wore him out...please no comments on the fact that my husband is holding a baby...the answer is still no.

He woke up just in time to help them finish...andtry as we might we could not get him to eat any icing...he didn't realize what he was missing.

I'm not really sure he knew what to think about the whole event.

Ta Da...here is the finished product...I think it turned out so cute...maybe in a hundred years or so our children will get in on the tradition.

I Crack Myself Up

2009-12-11T09:12:00.000-06:00

Wow is it already Friday...how did this happen? Now, I am just another week behind. At least I managed to get some Christmas card photos taken this week and they are cracking me up....sweet little dogs put up with a crazy mommy....oh our poor future children....there is no telling what I can come up with for them.

Curby wouldn't cooperate and she almost missed out on being on the Christmas card. So since there was only one usable picture of her...you'll just have to wait and see. Happy Friday!

Its Begining to Look...

2009-12-09T09:53:00.001-06:00

A little like Christmas around here...

...minus the saggy sweat pants of course...we picked up our tree this past weekend with the in-laws on our annual trip to the Boy Scout Tree lot...I never had a real tree growing up and now that we have had several real ones there may be no going back.

Everyone pitched in and the Christmas tree for the most part is complete...I just don't have a picture of it complete...I would love to also say that I was so filled with the Christmas spirit that I decorated into the wee hours of the morning until everything was complete and Christmas was alive and well in our house...however as of this morning my kitchen table looked like this...

I feel like we should play I spy and everyone can tell me how many pumpkins are still on my kitchen table...whoever made up the phrase slow as Christmas wasn't living my life...I need it to slow down a little more.

Up to Speed

2009-12-03T08:29:00.007-06:00

Ok I am going to try really hard this time to stick with the little blog of mine. Work is finally slowing down and with football season officially over I may actually have some free time here and there.

Since Nashville, not a whole lot and a whole lot of stuff has gone on...Its been a whirlwind few weeks with a bunch of stuff all the time...nothing big just lots of little stuff. I feel like I have done so much yet accomplished nothing at the same time. We had a great Thanksgiving with Brandon's family and was I ever thankful for the break from 6:30am alarms. I can't believe we are only weeks away from Christmas.

Which leads me to my next point....I am WAY behind. I think last year by October I was done with our Christmas cards...this year...I don't even have a picture to use yet...Wait it was the 2nd week of November...not October...I just checked the Christmas card box...still waaay behind. Not only do I not have Christmas cards anywhere near where they should be, everytime I drive through my neighborhood it looks like Santa could drop from the sky at any minute....seriously people...I just took down the trick or treat sign from my front door on Monday.Can I have a few days to adjust Holidays? I did manage to get the vintage Barbie tree up and it's begining to look a little more like Christmas despite the Thanksgiving centerpiece still on the kitchen table.

And finally, for the most important announcement...I have a new camera...all those hints finally paid off and Santa and the Birthday fairy came early...

Its the Nikon d5000 and I cannot tell you how I agonized over this and a Canon...but I chose this...mostly because it is super user friendly {besides the fact I don't know how to use it} and it was on sale before Thanksgiving meaning...no 5am at BestBuy slugging it out for the Canon. So far, I love it! Like I said I have no idea what I am doing and am way out of my league but that was kind of the point and hopefully I will take some classes at the first of the year to help me along. I really don't think I could of made a bad decision...now for some pictures...it may be overload so I am sorry.

This is me with my new camera testing out what the fisheye button does...its a horrible picture but it documents one of the forst pictures I took.

This is Gan {Brandon's grandmother} and she makes THE BEST Chicken n' Dumplings from complete scratch...I was super disappointed to miss out on the first part of the process because it needs to be documented...she doesn't work with a recipe...which is a necessity for me. I told her I am going to need to come over and that she is going to have to dump her handfuls of flour into a measuring cup so we can get this on paper.

Here are some Tiger Walk pictures from the big Alabama vs. Auburn Game. Brandon took these since all of my pictures from Tiger Walk are of people's backs...I'm not exactly 6' tall.

And finally, here are some pictures of our only current Christmas decoration...the Barbie tree...it's not done...because apparently I did the art mesh wrong and will need to fix it after the hour I have already spent on it...and it needs a little more color...no seriously...

I know that this picture is a little dark...but words cannot express the feeling that came over me when I was able to turn the lights OFF and take a picture...I am sure a little photoshop could brighten it up...but I am just trying to get something posted.

If I never have a daughter at least I will have my Barbie tree....

I think that about catches everyone up to this week...I'll leave you with a picture of little Max who apparently thought our house was too cold last night and felt the need to find somewhere warm.

A Little More Nashville

2009-11-18T08:15:00.004-06:00

As I was walking out the door this morning, I remembered I needed to take a picture of my Shea frame...then I silently congratulated myself for remember that and to grab my Lean Cuisines out of the freezer for lunch...remembering anything as I head out the door is a miracle. I picked up my camera pointed it at the frame and the batteries promptly went dead...hey its the thought that counts right??? I'll be replacing them ASAP mostly because the New Moon premiere is tomorrow and I will need to document the insanity...like the fact that I will be awake past 9:30. So I will get you that picture sooner or later.

I did manage to have a little forethought when I was downloading pictures on Monday to download the Double-Cola box I bought at the flea market. Remember the shaving mirror I bought? Well I left my $8 Double-Cola box with Jaimie and Todd and I picked it up this weekend. I was so excited with the result....I left these turquoise vases with them.

Maybe its just me who gets super excited over this stuff but I love it...I have been running my hands through the rosemary on a daily basis...Now i just have to keep it alive...

I also bought a Christmas gift for my Mother in Law from them....I'll have a picture of that once the Holidays are over. Other than a necklace and a pair of rain boots that's about all I game home with...excuse me while I go pat myself on the back...normally Christmas Village is a way bigger hit to our bank account.

I'll leave you with this...its the website of the artist that my sister bought her painting from at Christmas Village. I wanted to have her do a special order for me...but she was very pregnant and got a little sick in her booth when we went back to see her...we last saw her with the EMTs...so I thought I would just e-mail her about it at a later date. Happy New Moon Eve!

Back to the Land of the Living...

2009-11-16T09:04:00.005-06:00

...or blogging in this case, and I am slowly getting there. I didn't have to go to Oklahoma City again this week which is a good thing...to use the words of Martha Stewart. However, I did go to Nashville this weekend for the annual sisters' trip to the Nashville Christmas Village. My sister and I used to get up at the crack of dawn when we were younger...and she had a driver's license...to hit the day after Christmas sales...now that we are older...and in different cities we have chosen this event as our shopping trip. This year, my sister's friend Gaby joined the mayhem.

and it was mayhem....thousands of women all lined up ready to shop...and a few line cutters thrown in and mayhem is the only word that describes it. Now, that we are on our 3rd year I would like to consider us as semi-professionals...not quite as professional as the woman behind us in line with her fanny pack with water bottle hostlers so she doesn't get dehydrated...but not as amateur as the people who get distracted by the booths set up as soon as you walk in the door so you get caught up in the mayhem. Our system involves walking briskly to the very last barn/building/shed to our favorite Shea Ingram...her frames are to die for...and should be considered an investment in art. I told myself I wouldn't buy another one this year but dang it that girl gets me every time...and dang it I forgot to take a picture of her booth...and the frame I bought...so picture coming soon.

We spent a whopping 6 hours among the crush of people...and my social anxiety was in high gear... I think I had to latch onto my sister's purse once or twice as I relived the days that my dad would wonder off in Wal-Mart when I was little and I would panic...its a deep seeded fear...and I realized it when my sister would have to look me in the face and say...I am just going to walk to the booth next door...like I was 5...and apparently I am...because it kept me from panicking...don't judge me unless you have ever been left searching for your dad in Wal-Mart.

This is actually an uncrowded area...I didn't get a lot of pictures because I was too consumed with trying to make my way from point A to point B...without having a complete meltdown...and then once I got to point B I was too consumed with all the great things that were for sale.

These are the only two pictures of things that were for sale that I took...and ironically it is of Christmas things...which A. is not an accurate representation of what Christmas Village offers and B. I don't think I have ever bought a Christmas decoration from Christmas Village.

I am now edging closer towards the Christmas spirit...maybe not to the point of listening to Christmas music...but enough to get serious about buying some Christmas presents...because I only ended up with two this weekend...and it will be here before I know it.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-11T08:30:00.004-06:00

I'm Still Here

2009-11-09T09:46:00.002-06:00

I'm still here...I had a major bout of blog block last week and then had to go out of town to Oklahoma City for work. So I've been traveling....procrastinating...and slaving away on other more fun things...but I left my camera cord at home so I have nothing to show for it....sorry I'll be back soon if I can get things together before Nashville this weekend and Oklahoma City again next week....wow...funny when you actually have things to blog about you have no time to blog.

Friday

2009-10-30T08:30:00.005-05:00

It's finally Friday thank goodness. I am not sure how much more of this week I can take. It's just been one of those weeks...you know what I mean....my house looks like it hasn't been cleaned in years...even though I feel like all I do is pick up...my attempts at dinner this week fell short...every night...and I have just been in an overall mood. Maybe its that seasonal depression thing they keep talking about in all those commercials...or maybe I am just having an off week...lets hope so because I don't know if I can survive a whole winter of weeks like this one...so in an effort to cheer myself up...because it is Friday after all...I think I'll share some pictures I took last Sunday. It was a beautiful day I was airing out my quilt...thinking about how much I loved it...and watching the butterflies enjoy the few remaining flowers in the backyard...it was a good day...and little did I know it was going to be all down hill from there.

The pineapple sage is the sole survivor of my pots I planted...and man it has overtaken the pot it is in...and I am glad because I love it's pink flowers and you would swear that you had been holding a pineapple if you run your hands through it.

My butterfly bush...it is the sole survivor of anything planted in the backyard in the last two years...and it may not last long because the dogs have recently taken an interest in it...dang dogs...

After seeing the blue mason jars at the flea market I figured I should make good use of mine so I shoved what I could find into one with a little rafia and set it on the table on our back porch...I thought it was pretty cheery for October...almost November.

Max hung out with me too...and had to make sure his 5 o' clock shadow wasn't too noticeable... that shaving mirror is really coming in handy...Ok thats about all the cheer I can muster this morning so TGIF!

Before & Afters

2009-10-27T11:59:00.004-05:00

So as we have established...my camera stinks...or maybe its the operator...but still...sometimes my photos need a little help. I've been playing around with paint.net because its free and as far as I can tell, it does some of the same things as Photoshop at least on a very basic level...and that is where I am...on a very basic level.

I took this picture while we were in Nashville...it was a beautiful little brook that we walked across on our way to the flea market {there was a bridge}...

It was ok but I thought it would be way more interesting with a little PW Action help...ok I confess...I had to hijack Brooke's computer with actual Photoshop to do this part...it would have taken ages to figure out how to get the effects in paint.net and I cheated with a few clicks of a button...a little boost...a little sunshine...and a little seventies and I got this...I'm sorry I am a total fraud I know...

and I loved it...my only wish was that the fall colors that are everywhere right now had been on the trees...but then I discovered something. I wanted to play around with adding texture to my picture...I LOVE texture in paintings, in fabrics, and now photographs...it just adds a little something...so while experimenting with a texture {of rust} on paint.net...I realized that I couldn't really see the texture but it did add that fall color I wanted...

Now I went a little...a lot...overboard on the rust color here but you get the idea. The tree is now more yellow and red than green...huh...who would have thunk...but still I wanted some more texture...and I have about 35 photos that I could show you on how that went...but with a good google search I was able to come up with a texture I liked and it turned out ok I think...but I'm not a professional so that's not really a valid opinion

It needs some fine tuning I think...but I have strong tendencies towards ADD so this will have to do for now...and like I said I am not a professional and have no idea what I am doing...

Before:

After:

Flea Market Finds

2009-10-26T11:58:00.008-05:00

My co-worker/friend Leigh Anne and I headed for Nashville after work on Friday for "the big one" aka the October flea market. Apparently, October is when the vendors come from all around to be a part of it. I did a horrible job of taking photos...and most of the photos are horrible...have I mentioned I need a new one? Its been showing an error message lately about the focus which I really didn't pay attention to...well apparently it is an issue...cause a lot of them are blurry...have I mentioned I need a new camera? I'll try to share the few I was able to salvage...but be aware...none of them really show the vastness or greatness of what you can find...

This is the flea market....well part of it...there are many barns, stalls, tents, trailers, and we even saw a van...but not probably the type you would want too close to. The pictures of Elvis and the armchair set up inside kinda freaked me out a little...ok a lot..anyway...this is just part of it...the part where you can find anything...and I do mean anything

Now while this may be completely normal fare for a flea market, I am not flea market savvy...but I do know that I am pretty certain I would like to know where my products came from and where they have been sitting for months on end.

I did find some great stuff...and only bought a few things since I will be back in Nashville for Christmas Village in a couple weeks...Here's what I didn't buy....

I didn't buy these only because I have some from my grandparents' house...but boy do I love a blue mason jar

Loved this piece but A. don't have a place to put it and B. I could foresee children picking the paint off and eating it because let's be honest....me refinish this thing?? Even though it would have been perfect with my Robin's egg blue teacups....DANG IT...why didn't I buy it...I didn't realize how close it was to the one I wanted until I just looked up that link....UGH...buyer's remorse??...reverse buyer's remorse??...there is nothing like it.

How cool is this?? I would love it for a kitchen island...

I don't know what the bottoms were made from but the tops were made form bowling lanes...and they had a beautiful finish...there were also some made to be kitchen tables...and they were all beautiful...

Enough of that...even though it doesn't scratch the surface of the great things we saw...I just don't have any more pictures...so I guess I will have to go back because I take it as my full responsibility and duty to report back to you...and I didn't do a very good job this time..so here is what I did buy...

A quilt...and the more I look at it the more I love it....

The colors are so vibrant and the patterns are so pretty...it is everything I wanted in a quilt...If I had known I was going to buy a quilt...its not in pristine condition but it is older and well loved...another reason why I love it...

I also bought this...

Now I know that not everyone is as excited about this as me...but I'm sorry I can't help it. We came across a vendor, Rusticana Gardens, {their website is under contrusction} that plants sustainable {read...I won't kill...hopefully} plants in found/antique/really cool containers

Now, I personally, think this is one of the coolest ideas ever...but I have never been accused of being cool...so whatever...it was really neat to look at all the interesting things they used as planters...there was an ADORABLE silver cream & sugar that I may have to purchase when I see them at Christmas Village...yep I have already confirmed they will be there...very cool...very original...and if you live in Nashville they deliver so you can send this as a gift instead of boring ole flowers...and they won't die in a week...well they shouldn't anyway...I've never been accused of having a green thumb either.

I bought a few other things to but they are surprises...and I don't have a picture...see I told you I did well....but I can't promise the same in a few weeks at Christmas Village...that's the place self control goes to die...

Little Rascal

2009-10-22T09:24:00.003-05:00

We have 3 little rascals at our house...and this one is the littlest and rascalist of them all...please ignore the other bowls in the background...it was a macaroni and cheese kind of night...

Also, please excuse the picture quality...a camera phone was the only thing handy for Brandon to snap this picture as he was watching tv...not paying attention....I can only imagine what our children will be able to get into while sports are on.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-21T09:13:00.004-05:00

I Really Do Heart Publix

2009-10-19T11:31:00.004-05:00

So a long long time ago I shared with you here how my dad was cheap and I had to learn how to stretch a buck. Well I am back to share a little more. I first want to disclaim that I am not a professional...I am just merely scratching the surface with this stuff. There are some people out there that have this down to a science.

So I had been clipping coupons and going to Wal-Mart thinking I was really saving some money. The unfortunate part was we were still spending way too much...that place is a trap. Then one day I was standing in line at Target and the girl in front of me had a cartload...might as well been a boat load of stuff...I also noticed she had coupons...so I inched closer. She had an interesting mix of stuff...shampoo...ice cream...laundry detergent...but what really got my attention was her total...it was around $280 give or take a few dollars...then she handed over the coupons and the magic began to happen. I sit here today and blog that when they finished scanning her coupons her total was around $75. I kid you not, she saved over $200 with coupons...I saw it with my own eyes...and I still couldn't believe it was true. At this point, I had to stop and talk to her...I mean what was she going to do with 30 bottles of shampoo...she was going to have a yard sale...thats what. Yep...she buys 20 some odd Sunday papers, clips the coupons and then stocks up...she said she will sell items at a yard sale for half off the store price and can make $1,000 any given weekend....AMAZING.

Now obviously I am not looking for this level of commitment, but it got me to thinking I could do a little better than my save $8 on a good day at Wal-Mart...and then Brandon refused to shop at Wal-mart anymore...he said we could save just as much by going to Publix and he was tired of everything that was Wal-mart...we've all been...we know what it's like. So I caved...reluctantly I do admit...we bought all Publix brand stuff and wouldn't you know it the bagger offered to take our groceries to the car and that was it...Brandon was sold...and I was a little bit too...but we still spent too much.

After a little research, I discovered The Grocery Game. Its an online list that you print each week which breaks down the best prices on certain items. Its color coded and lists besides each item the corresponding coupon to use making it even easier. I tried it for 4 weeks free {it's $10 every 2 months} and was hooked. Our grocery bill was cut in half...and I was buying name brand products! Now, it does take minimal effort and you buy whats on sale and go from there...not the make your menu and buy your ingredients like I was doing. That was my biggest question was what am I going to do with gummy bears, salsa, and hot chocolate? However, I have found that after using it for a few weeks my pantry is actually better stocked than it ever was and I have the ingredients on hand to make lots of things...you can read more on their website and they have a whole rules section that really goes into more detail...try it...they have other stores besides Publix too...I know you think it is a lot of work...but it isn't...take it from a lazy person...it isn't and it is so worth it when you see that you saved more than you even spent.

Finally, because this is turning into a longer post than anticipated...I use I Heart Publix. It is a great resource too for matching up your coupons with sales...they even have some coupons available that Grocery Game doesn't so I make sure to check this site too when making my list. Using the two sites I have been saving around 50% on groceries. This is just a drop in the bucket compared to the 70-80% some save. Yesterday I saved 57% and then promptly spent the savings at the new Target by our house....we needed dog food...and I needed some warm weather clothes for fall...because suddenly it's fall...and suddenly none of my clothes fit...hey...that's why I play the grocery game.

Fall Project #1: Desiging on a Dime

2009-10-16T08:50:00.007-05:00

In honor of my parents visit this weekend, I have been trying to spruce up the house with a few fall decorations. I think the extent of the fall decorations last year were 3 wooden pumpkins and a sign on the front door. Since there is actually going to be someone besides ourselves that see the inside of our house this year, I figured I needed to step it up a little bit.

I found this image at Pottery Barn {of course} and thought hmm...I really like that...looks easy enough....but even though the $34 price tag for the 3 gourds is very affordable for a piece of Pottery Barn...I thought I could do a little better. So I printed out the picture and took it to Hobby Lobby. If you don't have a Hobby Lobby I am sorry...really I am...unfortunately for my husband, there is a Hobby Lobby, Michael's, and now a JoAnne's all within a 3 mile radius of our house. However, Hobby Lobby consistently has their merchandise on sale.

Hobby Lobby came through and had all their fall decorations 50% off and even their Christmas stuff was 40% off....UH OH...but I did well and was proud of myself...I stuck to the items in the picture...gourds...leaves...some twiggy berry things...and some form of nuts...I was even more proud of myself with the total...just under $20. Take that Pottery Barn and your $34 gourds.

So while I would love to give you instructions on how to do this...and it turn out just like the picture..mine turned out not looking exactly the same but whatever...here is a brief step by step of how I did it...

Pull out a serving platter that you registered for when you got married and have never used
Make a complete and utter mess of your kitchen table

Drop a lot of stuff on the ground..and then have to pull said stuff out of your dogs' mouths

Arrange everything on said platter and then hate it

Pull out another platter you have never used and repeat steps 2&3

Find random candles that have been scattered in various places throughout your house

Repeat step 4 until you finally don't hate it

and there you have it...in just 7 easy steps you too can have a fall centerpiece...that doesn't really resemble the picture you started with...but you get the idea...

A fun little idea for all the Birmingham folk...the candle in the back came from Wildflower Wax in Helena..I made it all by myself...well they do the technical part...but I picked the scents and assembled it. I will be going back for more. It smells amazing and I thought it would be a great personal Christmas gift idea...they also have a blog where they will post upcoming events for their store...umm...and I should also mention they carry a wide variety of vintage cowboy boots...I am pretty sure I tried on every pair in my size and lusted over them...the turquoise and brown Lucchese boots were made for me...**cough cough** Brandon I know you are reading this...its a fun new place and you should check it out....Happy Friday!

Look Whose Coming to Town

2009-10-15T08:29:00.004-05:00

Has everyone stopped reading and given up hope that I will ever post again? This week I have been feverishly working and stressing because my parents and little brother are coming to town. They haven't been down to Birmingham in a couple of years and what better reason to visit than to go cheer on the Cats down in Auburn. The Tigers will have to go without my support this weekend as I put on the blue for my Cats. I'm not really sure how those couples function who are for rival teams...Is it worth me being happy with a win...and then having to listen to Brandon stew on the 2 hour drive home...or more realistically for the entire next week...

Anyway I have made a few observations while preparing for their arrival.

1. My house multiplies junk. It does...and I know it now because I have not been shopping and bringing things in to the house since the last closet clean out....but somehow I found more things to shove into those closets and consequently bring me to my next observation.

2. Other people shove stuff in closets too. You people with your spotless counter tops and tabletops stress me out...what do you do with your crap...don't you have bills that have to be paid...doesn't your husband throw random articles of clothing on your furniture....or don't other objects just show up and you don't know where they came from or where they go...I'll tell you what you do with them...you shove them in closets and drawers...that is the only logical explanation because my conclusion is that you cannot have everything THAT organized and THAT cleaned out all the time...sometimes you are just not going to be able to see the floor of a closet...and if you do have things THAT organized...we cannot be friends...I cannot live a life feeling bad about myself because my friend has organized closets and drawers to go with their clean house....I'm sorry I'm just not that big of a person.

3. You can get a lot accomplished when under the deadline of out of town company. I finally got the blinds hung for the back doors....I finally took down all the pictures in the hall bath that irritate me and replaced it with my most recent Sips N Stokes masterpiece {where is that sarcasm font when I need it}...and finally got my favorite photograph that I purchased in Italy hung. Here is the photographic evidence...of Brandon's hard work.

I love my new blinds and was almost late for work this morning because I just wanted to stand and look at them...I was afraid that the fact they were hung was going to be a dream and I would wake up this morning and they would still be sitting on the stairs. Also, I am aware that the painting in the bathroom would be more suited in say...a dining room...but I went with a big chunky gaudy frame to distract from the "homemadeness" of the picture...and I don't have a dining room...thanks for reminding me.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2009-10-09T08:47:00.006-05:00

Things are finally starting to cool off around here...well except for today...it is about 90 degrees and 200% humidity. I was all ready to fully commit to the fall wardrobe and then today screwed it all up. None the less, it is October and I forget each year how much I love fall...I hate being cold so much that by the time winter is wrapping up I am ready for the extreme heat of the southern summer, the kind where you walk outside and instantly start to sweat. Yes...I will probably have to be a snow bird in south Florida by the time I am 30. I always forget about this special albeit short time of the year when there is low humidity a cool breeze, and I don't have to let my car air out for 30 minutes after work lest I be suffocated if I immediately get in. Here are a few more specific reasons for my love of fall.

The numero uno reason I love fall and I just wait for that dip in temperature is this...

Good ole Cincinnati Chili....Mercy...there is nothing in the world that can compare to this NOTHING...I believe that this fell straight from heaven along with Paula Deen's Ooey Gooey butter cake...I mean just look at that cheese and yes there is chili under there....no it is not spaghetti it is Cincinnati Chili and if you ever get the opportunity to eat at a Skyline...take it...and eat one for me. We have a Skyline in Louisville and it is always a stop when I go home even if it is in the dead of summer because it is that good....and their cheese coney...don't even get me started.

I buy these packets in bulk when I go home because it helps me make it through the winter. The last time I was in line the checkout lady looked at me like I had three heads...I had to explain to her that I lived out of state and this stuff is worth its weight in gold. No I am not being over dramatic...its the truth...one of the guys at a grocery store in Louisville told me they were going to discontinue these packets and I wanted to slap him right there on aisle number 3 for saying something so horrible to a lady...so when I found them at the next grocery store I bought approximately 22 packets to shove in my suitcase...hence the crazy look from the check out lady.
moving on....

2. I love a fall candle...its an exercise in self control all year round to not burn my fall candles. I pack them carefully away when fall fades into winter and spend the rest of the year lingering around the closet that holds this...

well this is what it is called now...apparently Bath and Body Works has renamed the Pumpkin candle I have had in the past and you can imagine my distress when I went to pick one up yesterday and also saw this....I stood there sniffing and sweating in distress trying to figure out which one was the one that I have almost completely burned in 8 days {you can't burn fall candles before Oct. 1}...finally the clerk came to the rescue and assured me that pumpkin patch was the oldie and the goodie...so here is my question B&B...why change a good thing....WHY?? What purpose does it serve to put your customers in distress that you have discontinued the official smell of the Bates' fall??? I quickly got over it when I found out these babies were 2 for $20 {normally 1 for $20} and promptly picked up this one...Just about every bit as good as pumpkin patch...spicy and fallish just the way I like it...I promptly went home, poured a glass of red wine and burned those mothers for about 4 hours....and tried to catch up on my DVRed Grey's Anatomy....AHH....fall

3. I'll end here but the list could go on...this is just a little ~~wordier~~ longer than planned. One of my all time favorite fall places is Huber's . It is never really fall until you go here...and apparently it hasn't truly been fall in about 3 years in my book because Brandon and I seem to never get to Louisville in the fall {i.e. it's football season} Huber's has a family restaurant, farmer's market, creamery, winery, petting zoo, and they actually take you out to the field to pick your pumpkin...and they have an Apple orchard too...apparently they have really expanded into some other activities...but like I said its been years...and their apple and pumpkin butters...yep you guessed it fell from heaven too...

I am now slightly depressed after looking at their website and seeing it is Apple and Pumpkin picking time....man I took those field trips for granted....I guess I will just have to become their friend on Facebook and live vicariously through other people's pictures...

The Fair

2009-10-06T09:08:00.006-05:00

Better late than never...that's what I always say. I finally remembered to bring my camera cord to work so I can finally put some pictures on here. So I'll try to use fewer words and more pictures to help even things out.

Last week we went to the fair...I was so excited. I love the fair...at least I thought I did. Have you ever noticed how your childhood memories are VASTLY different from reality? Paying a dollar to see the "smallest horse around" was really just depressing...had he been small enough to fit in my purse I would have taken the poor thing out of the box it was in and taken home with me. Brandon never should have given me that dollar. I spent the rest of the night worry about that horse in the box and wondering if I should call PETA on the fair....and of course Brandon made it all better when he told me it was people like me that contributed to the plight of the horse in the box...because if no one paid to see it then they wouldn't have a horse in the box...Thanks...I think I might go call PETA on myself now...

None the less, the fair was entertaining just for the people watching ability. Man I love to people watch.... sorry I can feel myself getting off topic... how about some pictures??

Sorry I like Ferris Wheels...they are pretty to look at...not so much fun to ride...at least not the ones temporarily set up in a parking lot...that is taking your life into your own hands...much like the rides...

Ok so the carousel probably wouldn't kill you if it malfunctioned....but those other ones...there isn't an amount in the world that would get me on one of those...however I was tempted by the Trapeze ride...you know the one that has the swings and it twirls you around....I loved that one as a kid...but probably much like the horse in the box I would be majorly disappointed....so I decided to keep that fond memory for myself and just take a picture of the thing...not to mention the girl buckling in all the children looked kind of sketchy...yet another thing I didn't notice about the fair when I was little....has the fair staff always been so rough??? Don't answer that...I would like to think of my parents are responsible human beings who would not let said sketchy girl strap me into a swing that twirls around high above the ground....

So the fair was fun...expensive but fun...I ate my weight in fair food and discovered that you can just about deep fry anything...I did get a cool pair of shades for $2...a much better waste of $2 than the stuffed animal I would have won...or not won trying to knock over a milk bottle with a baseball...I have enough dogs at home anyway.

My Husband is Going to Kill Me

2009-10-02T11:43:00.002-05:00

Not literally of course...but he will at least be very annoyed...I just confirmed this via a phone call to his office. He said I have too much time on my hands....yeah ok.

Anyway...I was browsing my blogs the other day and came across the mention of mint.com. I thought it sounded pretty neat. Basically, it is a budget/financial planning tool. So of course, coming from a long line of accountants, with no financial skills myself, I thought I would check it out. I had a few minutes this morning and logged on...and within 5 minutes became obsessed.

I was able to link all my accounts...savings...checking...credit card etc...and it automatically pulled in all our spending information. From there, I was able to create budget items for the monthly bills we pay and based on our financial information I let it budget the rest groceries...gas...eating out etc...etc... And do you want to know the best part...nope that wasn't the best part...it automatically tracks spending in each category...yeah automatically... For example, the other day I made a stop at Winn-Dixie well it had already categorized that as a grocery purchase, taken it out of my monthly budget for groceries, and showed how much I had left to spend....AMAZING...have I outed myself as a complete nerd yet?? You will have to go in your list of transactions and categorize checks your write and other things it didn't catch but it caught just about everything. You can even budget yourself in a pedicure every once in awhile and I am all about that....

I have only used this for approximately one hour...but I am already in love...completely and totally...even though it told me my net worth was next to nothing...anything that takes the worrying out of financial matters I can forgive...please spare me if this has been around for 100 years...I am usually the last to know about the latest and greatest stuff around...I just wanted to shout from the rooftops about my new found love.

{I have forgotten my camera cord all week...so sorry for the picture less posts}

Fraud

2009-10-01T11:42:00.006-05:00

I feel like such a fraud and need to make a confession. We had a little breakfast at our office this morning for which I volunteered to make breakfast casserole. I am not a cook by any stretch of the imagination...I am trying to get my feet wet a little here and there...so what better way to make yourself have a nervous breakdown then to offer to make breakfast for your co-workers...and what better way to start your day then to wake up 25 minutes late because your alarm didn't go off...yes that DID happen this morning.

My confession is that this casserole is so easy to make that not only was I still able to throw it together in time..I actually made it out the door approximately 2 minutes earlier than usual...my legs are a little spiky but it's ok...I wore pants. It is so easy that all the comments of "Thanks for taking the time to do this" and "I didn't know you were so domestic" {he he} made me start to feel guilty. So in order to purge my guilt...I am coming clean and posting the recipe here so that all can enjoy the easiness of it....and you can all fool people into thinking you are domestic even if you are not {*cough*cough}. It's even easier if you brown the sausage the night before and prepare the egg mixture...then you are just left with the assembly.

Ingredients

1 package Crescent Rolls
1 pound Sausage (mild, Hot, Or A Mix Of Both)
2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
4 whole Large Eggs
½ cups Milk
¼ teaspoons Salt
⅛ teaspoons Pepper
Preparation Instructions
1. Brown and drain sausage
2. Unroll crescent rolls press unrolled dough into the bottom of a slightly greased 9×12 baking dish
3. Spread sausage over dough
4. Sprinkle cheese over sausage (very important don't go with your gut and put cheese over egg...trust me..I'm a professional)
5. Beat remaining ingredients together and pour over sausage and cheese (it will look like you don't have enough egg...but just go with it. If you really can't stand it add one more and a little milk and bake a few min longer.)
6. Bake at 425 for 15 min...that's right 15 minutes. Allow to stand for 5 minutes after removing from the oven.

Oh yeah...I should probably confess too that I stole this recipe from my mother in law...so I get absolutely zero credit. She serves this with a big pot of grits and it is delicious! Enjoy!

and on the 8th Day...

2009-09-29T09:11:00.004-05:00

In case you were curious, on the 8th day God created Paula Deen and all her homemade goodness and I have taken it upon myself to spread the good news. The good news being her Ooey Gooey Butter Cake. If you do only one thing in this life for yourself it must be to make this cake. I have made two in the past two weekends and the pan has been licked clean before Monday even rolls around. If the name isn't enough to make you want to try it I don't know what else to say...other than it's so easy even I can make it...and it contains two whole sticks of butter. Your friends and family will thank you and sing your praises...your hips, thighs and rear not so much...as evidenced by my pants that were a little too tight this morning. I like to cut mine up into bar sized pieces so I can spread the guilt out over several pieces instead of one big hunk of Ooey goodness...I'm telling you this cake will change your life...and your pants size. You can all thank me later.

Just When You Least Expect it Part 2

2009-09-28T08:56:00.004-05:00

Our sweet Sophie dog has been a little sick. I had been cleaning vomit off the rug for about three days when I decided it may be a good idea to take her to the vet...That was Saturday...she's still there...you can go ahead and start nominating me for mother of the year. I told my sister that I would never be having kids after that experience. Sophie has been sick before...she eats something in the backyard...throws up and we move on...I kept waiting for the moving on part but it never came...so I felt especially good about myself when the vet looked at me practically gaping and asked for the 100th time "this has been going on since when?" and I had to answer Wednesday...yes the day that was three days ago...yes I realize that was a long time ago...but I made sure she was drinking water.Isn't that what you are supposed to do?? Make sure they don't get dehydrated...well about the time I was patting myself on the back for at least doing one thing right the vet goes and grabs an IV and hooks her on up...and told me she'd call me later...so I had to hang my head in shame and walk out of the vet sans Sophie...I felt like by the time I got home DHR was going to be waiting on my doorstep to take the other two away...or whatever the pet equivalent is. I guess the walk it off approach my dad used isn't always the best way to handle things...so I apologize now to Brandon for all the times in the future when I take our children to the doctor for a runny nose...if I have children...

The good news is she seems to be on the mend and can hopefully come home today...and I have already been mentally preparing myself for that bill...and trying to decide what flavor cobwebs we will be eating this week to compensate...and finally... to top it all off we are without air conditioning...don't you just love surprises...I don't, I never have. I'm likely to gain 5lbs just over this one little set back...although I will more than likely sweat it all off in our ~~sauna~~ house and I hear cobwebs don't have that many calories...

Some good things did happen this weekend...we went to the fair...and don't worry I will be back with some pictures to recount the glory of it all...until then. Happy Monday!

Just When You Least Expect it

2009-09-25T08:51:00.004-05:00

Just when you least expect it....when you've lost all hope....and maybe even forgotten about the Italian Extravaganza, I will show up with more pictures...its been slow around the office...painfully slow...and quiet...minus my hacking and sneezing...so I had to find something to do to keep myself busy...so here you go...its the semi-official slide show for Lucca/Pisa.

You have seen most of the pictures in a previous post and I haven't Photoshopped the heck out of some...but here they are none the less. I am working on the Amalfi Coast pictures today and the Photoshop computer is free so we'll see what I can come up with. Until then...hope these leftovers hold you over until you forget about the trip again...and I can surprise you again...it will be like our own little game...Happy Friday...{Please don't judge me for the stupid tower pictures}

{the arrow button in the bottom right hand corner will make it full screen}

Still Kicking...

2009-09-23T08:30:00.003-05:00

I'm still here....barely. We have been a little under the weather around our house...no it's not swine '09....but my upper respiratory system is severely compromised so its close I guess. I guess it also didn't help that Saturday night at the Auburn game we got stuck in this...I should have listened to the little tickle in my throat on Friday and stayed at home...

Keep in mind this really video does not even come close to conveying the downpour not to mention we were stuck for 30 minutes outside because people didn't feel it necessary to share space under the stadium with others. Just a word to the wise...a poncho will NOT protect you from this kind of downpour. I was soaked in a matter of seconds and denim is not a good idea if you plan on being in the rain...my skirt did not dry out the entire time I sat there freezing for the rest of the game...its a good thing we won because my sister-in-law {who had on full fledged jeans} and I were 2 seconds away from leaving, at any moment, in search of a hot shower and dry clothes. And to think,I didn't even pick up my camera off the kitchen counter to bring with me...it would have been destroyed had I tried to use it but then again...that would probably mean I would have to get a new one...HMMM....

In other news, I had hoped to update you on the status of my most recent project...yes that one it still exists...its coming along slowly...slower than I ever could have imagined...probably because I was a business major in college and not an art major so I have NO idea what I am doing...I had high hopes to have them done in the next week...but I don't foresee that happening barring a major miracle and/ or sudden healing of my respiratory system so until then you will have to remain in suspense...

Rain Rain Go Away

2009-09-18T08:47:00.003-05:00

It has been raining all week and I say enough already...as if my opinion matters. It made for great sleep last night but a rude awakening this morning at 6:30. Our room was nice and dark...I was in the perfect spot in bed and I could still hear the rain outside...maybe my throat is a little sore after all....

I suspect that this one cup of coffee in front of me will not be enough to get me started today...just like it wasn't enough yesterday...I needed a little extra to counteract the Benadryl...that about put me to sleep on my way into the office...yes I am aware there is a warning for that but I thought I would live on the edge and take my chances...I was feeling miserable

So as you can tell not much has been going on. It has been raining and I don't think there is a night this week that I have been home before 7:30. I did go last night to see Julie & Julia/ Julia & Julie...whatever I always get it confused... it was fabulous and well worth being out past my bedtime...it left me feeling inspired...for about 5 minutes until I realized what planet I lived on. I still might go by the cookbook because I think it would look pretty collecting dust with all my other cookbooks...and one day I might pick it up and use it. Just don't go getting your hopes up that I am going to repeat history by blogging/ cooking though a cookbook...it would be a comedic tragedy...if there is such a thing.

We are off to Auburn again this weekend for more fun filled tailgating and football and maybe just maybe Sunday I can get something productive done...I have a partially painted canvas and a blank one that need some serious attention...not to mention the laundry, cleaning and yard work that needs to be done...but for now TGIF!

Dirty Dogs

2009-09-15T12:19:00.007-05:00

Everyday when I get home from work I am greeted by 3 angelic faces that act as though they haven't seen me in years....yesterday two of those faces looked like this....

Let's take a closer look shall we....just ignore the semi-blurry pictures...things were moving pretty quickly...

Sophie was as clean as the pure driven snow...if pure driven snow were black. Miss Priss won't dare set foot in the rain...however these two apparently had a pretty good time and it looked as though little Max got the brunt of it...and he was REAL concerned about it.

I swear these two may be the reason we never have children. My hand are full enough...I imagine this would be what having children is like...minus the leaving children out in the backyard while I go to work...and with Brandon out of town it was all the more fun trying to corral two dogs in a bathtub...with one trying to lick the shampoo off the other...yes I think that would be very much like having children...my pants were soaked from trying to hold them down {not under the water} and I had a huge mud smear down my shirt from grabbing Curby each time before she jumped out of the tub...and oh my tub...my poor tub...it may never forgive me

I'm sorry for treating you this way tub...after all the wonderful baths you have given me....It was a typical Monday around our house, but Tuesday is a new day and their butts are in a crate.

Real Estate Stalking: Shelbyville Edition

2009-09-11T10:51:00.006-05:00

It's Friday and I am doing everything in my power to avoid work...it's cloudy outside...I have only had one cup of coffee and I want to crawl back in bed....so what better distraction than to daydream about packing up all my earthly belongings and moving into one of the many houses in Shelbyville. It is no secret dream of mine to move into a historic house on a little bit of land and live happily ever after...however places like that don't exist in Birmingham {at least where you make it out alive} and so I am left to pine over these historic homes and the for sale signs on acres and acres of land for sale as far as the eye can see...

Please keep in mind while viewing these that my sister was freaking out over being late to the birthday party...therefore these should be looked at as action shots...because she was driving around the block like a madwoman while I was taking pictures of strangers house...really its a wonder the authorities weren't called.

and look the mailman still walks down the street to deliver mail...

not to mention front yards like this....

This must be heaven...oh look there is one for sale...it must be a sign....

I Have the Golden Ticket!!!

2009-09-09T14:58:00.003-05:00

Are You Ready for Some Football....

2009-09-09T08:18:00.003-05:00

We had a great Labor Day weekend. Anything that doesn't constitute going into work on a Monday is great in my book. We started off the weekend with some good ole Auburn football...but even before that came the good ole football tailgate...this might be my favorite part of every game...because lets be honest what better reason is there to eat some of the best food that exists...man I love football season. My jeans don't love football season but I sure do. I didn't take any pictures because I didn't want anyone to be jealous and my hands were too full of goodness to bother with a camera.

We headed into the game 100lbs heavier and took our seats. The Eagle flew.

The band played

and the team ran out and we were off to a new season of football ~~and I fell into a shrimp boil induced coma~~

Auburn won....War Eagle...which was a good thing because I didn't need a loss messing up the rest of MY weekend.

We headed over to the lake after the game to really get the weekend going...and by going I mean passing out in bed. Brandon's Aunt, Uncle, Cousins, and grandmother all came down on Sunday and we had a great time sitting, eating, and boat riding...it's what we do best. I also have no pictures of this because I was busy sitting on the dock watching life pass me by....I also don't need photographic evidence of how much food I can eat and consequently what that does to my body in a bathing suit...we'll just leave it at...I am pretty sure I ate my body weight in Gan's potato salad alone...that stuff is from the heavens....there is no other explanation other than that...well I guess you could explain it as being from the devil because after that the cover up didn't come off....

We are getting back in the swing of things at home this week but I can pretty much mark off every weekend from now through December as being totally useless...I am pretty sure there is an off weekend somewhere in there where I can at least get Brandon to take out the trash...until then if you are ever at my house please accept my apologies and understand that it is football season....

Another Day Another Fabric Store...

2009-09-03T10:54:00.008-05:00

What would a trip to Louisville be without a little shopping? Normally, I spend my time stocking up on Skyline Chili packets for the winter. However, I bought over 20 packets last year much to the checkout lady's astonishment so we should be covered for this winter. You should never be caught without Skyline during football season/winter, but I digress.

Since I had some free shopping time on my hands, my sister and I headed to the small town of Shelbyville to visit a fabric store a friend had told her about, Making Ends Meet. The front porch sold me...we went in the backdoor but still....this was no cloth barn....we weren't in ~~Kansas~~ rural Alabama anymore

This place was a 3 story fabric heaven....with actual organization...upholstery separated from the silks which were separated from the cotton, and the two rooms of trim had their own portion of house....unfortunately being organized means you can find stuff...and finding stuff leads to buying stuff {my justification will be at the end}

Thankfully, the injuries were only minor to both my wallet and my sister

I'm sorry sissy...here this should make up for me posting the above photograph

This is a more accurate representation of what my sister looks like when several bolts of fabric have not landed on top of her. I'll leave you with a final bit of inspiration....it has the wheels turning in my own house...hence the justification for my purchases...or something like that.

First Things First

2009-08-31T12:45:00.006-05:00

We are back from a whirlwind weekend in Louisville. I figure we might as well start with a recap of the reason we were there since that is the proper thing to do and I am all about doing things the proper way.We drove home late Friday night so we could make it to my brother's 5th birthday party on Saturday...we'll stop right here to clarify. He is my half-brother with my step mom and dad...but still I was almost 21 and my sister was 23 when he was born...so yes he is WAAAY younger than me...thanks for reminding me how ancient I am becoming....ok moving on.Saturday I woke up and rushed to a place I really took for granted when I lived in Louisville...Dunkin Donuts...they say you don't really know what you have until its gone and man they were right...all the stars aligned and the world was in perfect harmony as I picked up my coffee, blueberry donuts and purchased my lottery ticket...{Dear Alabama, can you please fast forward to 2009...Thanks, Ashley's stomach and gambling addiction}

So after things were in order my sister and I made our way to an incredible fabric store....but you'll have to wait on that because we're talking about my brother here remember...

We were late to the birthday party...and it's your fault because I was trying to take pictures of the scenery for you...just go ahead and nominate me for sister of the year....we made it before he even noticed because lets face it....when your sisters are A. Old farts and B. Sisters you don't really care...as long as his two brother in laws are there that's all that matters.

We did the cake and presents thing and then he was back to playing with his younger cooler cousins...and we were left all alone...

However...Brandon and Ryan were able to recover quickly...I think I am starting to get some Christmas ideas for these two.

We ended the day with a little putt-putt and ski-ball. My dad and step mom had a Sunday School party and left my brother in the hands of his two older sisters...just wait until he's 21....oh wait I'll be 90 by then and a little too old for bars..

I don't know why he looks so un-enthused in this picture. He was only up about an hour past his bedtime and had 9,853 pictures already taken...ungrateful brat....KIDDING....kidding... geez...he got some very cool prizes, like a blue samurai sword, some bouncy balls, and various other annoying trinkets**, thanks to some older kids that make a living winning tickets in arcades and generously shared with him. We managed to get him home in one piece and before the sun came up...so overall I would say we were pretty responsible...maybe we'll even have kids of our own one day.... just don't start holding your breath.

**This is what happens when you send your 5 year old out with his sisters. Just thought I would warn you

Lemons...and a Poppy Field

2009-08-28T11:17:00.004-05:00

In preparation for the whirlwind trip to Louisville, I have been cleaning out the old memory card on the camera. I have another irrational fear that involves emptying the memory card only to discover that the pictures are lost forever. So, I just wait until it says it's full and then save all the pictures a thousand times on various computers to ensure we're safe. Of course, the second half of our Italy pictures are on this particular card so I got a chance to finally scan through them...you'll see them later once I can Photoshop the heck out of them....for now I think I will show you the lemons.

I am now slightly {read:extremely} obsessed with lemons and have a distinct desire and/or need to have a lemon tree on my back porch. I am actually surprised there aren't more, but I am pretty sure Brandon looked at me one day and said "quit taking pictures of lemons" that may not be a direct quote but you get the idea.

I also came across a picture of a poppy field we saw in Pompeii. Its the kind of field that makes you want to lay (lie)?? down in the middle of it, but it was fenced off so I couldn't...but now you know what I am thinking when I look at that picture...so enjoy...and more importantly TGIF!

Thursday Vaca

2009-08-27T12:58:00.004-05:00

I just need a few minutes today....we are headed to Louisville tomorrow afternoon for my brother's big 5th birthday...yes I have a brother who is 5...well not technically yet...but still I am old enough to be his mother. I have a gazillion things to get ready to go like vacuum my floors because I have this irrational fear over the thought of something happening to me and what people would find when they come to clean out the house...good thing I cleaned my closets last week.

Oh Labor Day weekend where are you...

...and about that picture I was going to post....umm...I'm still working on that.

Weekend Warrior

2009-08-24T12:46:00.004-05:00

As the summer is coming to a close, I have realized that I have a lot of catching up to do. Weekends at the lake are fun and all until you come home to a house that has endured 3 months of neglect. With a housekeeper {it's not as glamorous as it sounds} that has been MIA for oh... going on a month now and closets busting at the seams whats a girl to do but put her big girl panties on and get to cleaning.

I am proud to say I survived cleaning out the closets, attic, and refrigerator, and even managed to pull a few weeds. What I almost did not survive was the fact that I had 5 bags of clothes to take to the Salvation Army because my rear couldn't fit in to any of them anymore. Hello womanhood it's nice to meet you...now leave me alone...I am going to go back to crying over the 12 year old boy figure I used to have...along with all the clothes I used to have...and don't think for a second we are friends...you have brought me nothing but strife since I was about 13.

The good news is...I can now see my closet floor and I even found the pair of pearl earrings I lost. The ones that Brandon gave me on our wedding day...maybe its a sign... a sign that our love has not been lost in the back of a closet somewhere...or maybe its a sign that I am lazy and should clean my closet out more often...but I already knew that.

So to reward myself for a hard weekend's work I bought myself a little something. Granted, I bought it before I even started any of that cleaning business...but still. I'll have to post a picture of it tonight...because Pier 1's website is apparently not up to date...and our Internet will have to be installed because our neighbors moved and took our free Internet with them...

Happy Monday...now how about a picture of Max...cause that's all I got!

Oh wait here is one of Sophie too....

Well we better not leave Curby out either...but she didn't want her picture taken last weekend.

Project

2009-08-21T10:10:00.005-05:00

I have a new project...I'll give you a few hints

1. We're poor...we bought dog food last night

2. I recently received the newest copy of Ballard Designs in the mail

3.

That's all you get. I fear I have given away too much already. Happy Friday!

Wordless Wednesday Thursday

2009-08-20T10:52:00.004-05:00

Treasure Hunting

2009-08-18T08:36:00.008-05:00

Brandon and I skipped work last Friday and made a beeline for the lake Thursday night for some much needed R&R. The typical lake weekend goes something like this:

1. Get the heck out of dodge as soon as work ends on Friday
2. Wake up Saturday morning and park it on the dock/boat
3. Go to sleep
4. Do it over again Sunday
5. Cry the whole way home on Sunday

Since ~~we had an extra day~~ it was hotter than Hades outside we decided to visit some of the local shops and stop being so selfish about our lake time, as is the usual routine. We headed first to a little antique/consignment shop which was fairly new in town. It is right next to the Fred's, which is also fairly new in town...so you get the idea...anyway I am sure Brandon is relieved I didn't find anything I couldn't live without...but I have my eye on that place....

Then we were off to the Strickland Cloth Barn...I can't even type that without getting chills down my spine. The cloth barn is located in downtown Eclectic...and if there was ever a name for a town this one is the perfect fit. Let's set the scene shall we?

This is the lovely downtown of Eclectic. This is all there is....well and of course this

Strickland's opened in 1947 as a 5 & dime and then slowly made the progression towards fabric and let me tell you they still have every bolt of fabric from the beginning. What I am about to show you really needs to be experienced in person to get the full effect...but please don't have a stroke when you look at these pictures because it is possible....Brandon couldn't believe his eyes and he was there with me.

Is everyone still with me??? I'll give you a minute...ok.... let's take a closer look at some of the gems you might find.

Now before you ask...why would you even waste your time....you haven't asked that already, right? The cloth barn does have some redeeming qualities...numero uno it's cheap...and they do have some more modern up to date things too....they might just take a little longer to find..there is no apparent rhyme or reason to the location of fabrics...other than upholstery fabric and then everything else....However, if you ask the owner they can walk you directly to it.

While the next two are not so modern I still kind of like them...I guess they know what they are doing at the cloth barn...just let it sit there long enough and styles will come back around.

I thought the vegetables would make an especially cute apron...I may have to go buy some of that over Labor Day weekend....if I can manage to find it again....and learn how to sew in the next few weeks...

These pictures don't even begin to cover this place...there is a whole upholstery fabric room and wall of trims...my picture didn't turn out very clear..it really is a diamond in the rough...a once and a lifetime experience for sure...not to mention the stories the owner will tell you if you happen to be the one and only customer in there at the time....just ask Brandon...I walked out empty handed because I was so overwhelmed...I told the owner I was going to have to come back with a better plan....or something like that.

No News is Good News

2009-08-12T09:40:00.006-05:00

Ok well I couldn't come up with another title...it's just what got stuck in my brain this morning and I am going with it. Its not as if I use this blog to broadcast all my bad news and I haven't been to the doctor lately (they always tell me that) so I don't know where I came up with such a title.

I've been a big slacker lately and I feel the need to justify it...I don't know why I am just a good person I guess...So here are the reasons why...

1. Life has slowed down and I am taking full advantage of being a lazy sloth
2. The batteries in my camera are dead....AGAIN....
3. My life lacks any inspiration or interesting things happening (see number1)

So there you have it...our lives have revolved around going to work, eating dinner, and/or not getting up from the couch unless it is time to go to bed. Don't judge me....I am taking full advantage of the fact that we have no children and can therefore act so worthless. I know one day this gig will be up....but until then I need to get all my sitting and laziness in. I fully intend to get back into living life...eventually and maybe I'll even pick up a camera. We are planning a lake weekend this weekend so who knows...you may get another picture of the water on Monday. Until then lets play....what pictures are saved on my computer because my camera batteries are dead...blogs without pictures...are well....boring.

AHH yes....Brandon snapped this little gem shortly after we arrived in Lucca. We were planning on being in Lucca the day of the antique market...nothing like antiques in Italy to make a girl want to spend her life savings....however planning and actually being there on the antique market day are two different things....the antique market had been the weekend before. I can't tell from the slump of my shoulders if my posture is just really poor or the disappointment after discovering this piece of information was weighing me down. However, there is my sister with her trusty Rick Steve's travel guide to get us through....I also think we were lost at this point and time...oh fun times....we ended up riding bikes around the city walls....

and using our extra time to visit the leaning tower of Pisa....its a LOT smaller in person than it appears in pictures...kind of like objects in your mirror are closer than they appear...

It turned out to be a fun day...and my bank account sent me a thank you note when we returned.

Worth The Wait

2009-08-07T09:27:00.006-05:00

Long time no post....I tried to warn you that was going to happen. The week has flown by since my last post. Brandon and I enjoyed a nice quiet dinner last Thursday before the wedding festivities kicked off on Friday. Guess what? I don't have a single picture to show for it....The only glimpse I can show you of the weekend are these....because I stole them from the reception and promptly made them my own once I got home. I think they fit in nicely. I should probably buy fresh flowers more often...or at least not kill the ones in my yard so I would have something to pick and put in a vase.

I stole the next little glimpse from someone else's pictures on Facebook. Apparently, the wedding photographer thought it would be a good idea to stage a picture with all the groomsman and the groom holding guns. Little did everyone know, that the groomsman closest to Alan had a loaded bb-esque gun and a slight pull to the trigger sent a bb right into the side of Alan's face...yes this was BEFORE the wedding.

A little ice and a little makeup and all was well...Amanda just thought he had a zit...they happen...to other people. The rest of the wedding went on without incident...the rain held off during the important parts...and no one began heckling from the crowd...I don't know why but every wedding I go to it's like I am just waiting for someone to get up and start shouting...maybe I have watched too many romantic comedies...

We have been totally slammed at work this week and dare I admit I have not even looked at my most loyally read blogs...It's amazing what happens when you actually have to work a little here and there. I did receive a nice little surprise after one especially long days at the office. A little something I had ordered over a month ago and had given up hope that I would ever receive.

Pioneer Woman had these on her website and what can I say...it was love at first sight. In the event that I ever need to dip anything into four bowls I am covered....although I am thinking now I may have to get the platter to keep this one company...you know to complete the set. This could be the start of something beautiful.

Yes it could be...and I am going to need some volunteers to come to my house to dip things so I can justify these purchases...

The Big 0-3

2009-07-30T08:51:00.003-05:00

Today is our Anniversary...the Big 0-3. It has gone by so fast but at the same time I can't believe how much has changed since then...new jobs...new house...new dogs...not to mention additions to families {not us} and subtractions from families. I can't imagine a better person to walk through these times with. He always seems to know when I need that extra little boost whether it be folding laundry, rubbing my back, or searching for whatever I have lost...keys...cell phone...or jewelry...he can usually find them all. He lets me be completely who I am...whoever that may be on a daily basis....sometimes crazy, sometimes creative and everything else in between. He can make me madder than anyone else and he can make me feel better than anyone else, and I cannot wait to see what the next 3 years brings...and the 3 after that and the 3 after that and the....you get the point.

So....Happy Anniversary Babe...I Love You!

Break

2009-07-29T15:45:00.011-05:00

I need a break....a respite if you will...

I need a little joy in my life....

something happy....

I have been working really hard this week...trying to hold things together...

while people have been trying to kick me down....

So I just need to think some happy thoughts...and pray I make it through the week in one piece....please join me on a quick little jaunt to Lucca and Pisa....

AHHH....I feel better already....at least until tomorrow gets here....

Let There be Light

2009-07-27T08:11:00.004-05:00

Well its Monday...the same day that every Sunday night sends me in to a spiraling pit of depression and anxiety...trust me...its not as fun as it sounds.

We did have a great weekend at home this weekend. Saturday was spent at the pool and Sunday we ran around like crazy people trying to get everything done that we put off on Saturday. I realized that I might be reaching middle age a little ahead of my time when I pulled out my Sunday paper at The Cracker Barrel {adding The to the beginning of places you go is also a sign of middle agedness} to browse the coupons....and then proceeded to rip them out by hand since I had no scissors...I'll make sure to be prepared next time. Wow that's kind of embarrassing actually written down. None the less, it was a good day. I took a picture I bought in Italy to get framed...I can't wait to show it to you. I am kicking myself for not buying the bigger version...because I think it might be my most favorite picture. Also....drum roll please..........I bought lamps for our room...

Please ignore the various necessities that it takes to survive on the nightstand...Burt's Bees really is a necessity and that Paula Deen Ginger Snap candle is pretty amazing too....and the Kleenex...well sometimes Brandon gets a little teary-eyed when we watch lifetime...but I digress. I found the lamps on clearance at HomeGoods...and what you can't see is the hideous monstrosity that is the lamp shade....because my camera batteries are dead and this was taken with Brandon's Blackberry....just imagine Asian inspired roses wrapping their way around the shade...and you'll understand why they were on clearance...I was actually kind of embarrassed to put them in my cart because that was all you could see...but it's a small fix for a good lamp. An interior designer would probably tell me those are all wrong but I kind of love them and love the extra light even more...so I think they'll stay put. Now, I just have to get the other nightstand to put the other lamp on....cart before the horse...that's what I like to say.

In other various life news...please bear with me this week....like you haven't heard that before. I have been left to my own devices in the office, as everyone else is off on their vacations to Canada and the beach...so if you don't hear from me after a few days...send a search party. My brother in-law is also getting married this weekend and Brandon and I have our anniversary so life will be pretty jammed packed with STUFF this week. I'll try to check back in at some point...who knows if all the tenants behave I may actually get through some more Italy pictures...considering we have only made it to day 3 of 10....I hope your ready.

Without Further Ado...

2009-07-23T08:56:00.002-05:00

Ok ignore pretty much everything in this picture. I had to turn on the flash thanks to the near non-existent light in our room and it did crazy things to the colors. My paint is not that pink....the curtains are not that gold and that bedding is soon to be gone...I did make it up for you though...ok no I didn't but a little fairy {named Rachel} did while I was at work...I love it when that happens twice a month.

Anyway, there they are in all of their imperfect glory...so don't look too closely...

L is for Lake

2009-07-21T22:20:00.003-05:00

AHHH...the lake. There is nothing like looking at this picture on a weekday morning to make you hate your life and want to run away from your desk job for good. I'll give us a minute to soak it all in.

Ok now back to work. We had a great weekend with some of Brandon's co-workers/friends from the office. We kicked his parents out of the lake house and they had to suffer at the beach last week...or something like that. Please join me on a trip down memory lane....

Saturday we had a boatload {pun intended} with 8 adults and 4 kids....we had a blast...how about some pictures I think that tells a story better than my words ever could...

This is Jake... He is a great kid...I might actually consider having one if I was guaranteed they would turn out like this. He also loved our Curby who I am actively trying to pawn off on them...

and this is his sister Madie....I could listen to her sweet little southern accent all day...and man when was the last time you had a conversation through a child's point of view....priceless...she loved Max....back up sister he ain't goin' no where...

and this is their mom Melissa....and Max...again

We had a great time cruising on the boat checking out the scenery.....

{That's Max's cruising face...I'm sorry he was really photogenic this weekend...and No none of those houses belong to us...we can only dream. }

....jumping off Chimney Rock {Scott was the brave one who jumped off the top}, and swimming to our hearts content.

{Good ole Chimney Rock}

{Mike}

{Jake}

{Scott}

{Cyndi and Kiley assessing the situation}

{Jake and Madi taking a break}

Jake even caught a fish...and my camera focused on the background

Carson was the brave one who let Brandon drag him around the lake...what a fearless little boy

The grand finale to the day was our low country boil complete with shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and corn....this is the first and last picture that was taken that night before we dove it....actually that is a lie...I think there is a picture of us all crowded around the table just waiting to dive in but I don't have it...I didn't take it...I was too concerned with the contents of the table to worry about taking pictures

Oh yeah....there was also karaoke to round out the night...but that is just better left to the imagination...I'll leave you with a few more pleasant pictures from the weekend

To Be Continued....

2009-07-20T08:22:00.002-05:00

Just thought I would pop in to say hello....sorry I have been taking it easy on the whole blog thing lately. I feel like we have been on the go alot and finding a few minutes of solace is few and far between. We had a great weekend at the lake with a group of friends from Brandon's office. I was all prepared to blog about it this morning and realized I made it with my camera but no cord....so that will have to be continued. Also....another major announcement...We finally have curtains in our room. I know that is not so major for some of you but after two and a half years without them...it is a major accomplishment to a decorating commitment phobe like me. So I will be back with pictures of those too....and my new bedding! Happy Monday!

Hello Old Friends...

2009-07-14T20:03:00.004-05:00

I've missed you.....

It's THAT Time of Year !

2009-07-14T11:44:00.004-05:00

It's July...do you know what that means? I'll give you a minute.....

If you answered it's the month of the 4th of July Holiday then you are incorrect{that would mean I am WAAAY behind}. If you answered it's Christmas in July you are getting warmer. If you answered it is Hallmark Ornament premiere weekend then you are correct....and a huge nerd like me. This is where I insert my disclaimer.

Disclaimer: I am a HUGE nerd

At the risk of losing all 5 readers, I thought I would share my passion of Hallmark Ornaments with you {you can thank me later}. It all started a long long time ago...ok maybe a long time ago because that makes me feel old...when my grandmother started purchasing Hallmark ornaments for us. Every year we would look through her "Dream Book" {that's what it's called because it's the things dreams are made of} and pick out the ornament we wanted. Besides the American Girl doll I wanted that year, I would always pick the vintage Barbie ornament....so timeless and classy that Barbie...except for now...she's kind of trashy...but I digress...every year I would pick out my vintage Barbie ornament and would worry if I started to get down to the end of my presents and I hadn't opened her yet...my MaMa {pronounced: MawMaw} has always come through...Hallmark Ornaments are such a big part of our Christmas that the store my grandmother has kept open with her purchases for years will now call her to take her order so they can put them in her box for her to pick up...don't tell anyone because I don't need you people ruining my source....but I digress again...can you tell this gets me worked up? {see disclaimer}

Anyway, I got a phone call from my stepmom this weekend to tell me that she had gone to the Hallmark Ornament premiere day and had purchased a few for me....WHAT?!!!...How could I have missed this?...I am a Gold Card member....why did they not send me a reminder....or my Dream Book....there are valuable ornaments that will be snatched up in those first precious seconds...literally seconds...ok maybe minutes...but still...this is serious business...just ask Brandon...I make him stand in line with me and 100 other middle aged women the day after Christmas because he has long arms and therefore provides me with the reach advantage when we all storm through the doors {and I really enjoy his company}. He is a great and wonderful husband because very few men would put up with a wife who peers in the window to scope out the setting and then gives him his direction and list of ornaments to grab while I go the other way....is this TMI...am I taking this too far? {See disclaimer}

Well, for all of my love of Hallmark Ornaments I missed the big show this year...but thankfully my stepmom came through with this....

The Holy Grail of the Barbie ornaments this year...I don't even know what else to write because there are no words....I can only picture it in it's pink perfection hanging on my Barbie tree...yes I have a Barbie tree {see disclaimer}.

Well, that's all I am going to show you...because I don't really want to stand in line with the 5 of you and make Brandon have to reach around you too to get the rest of the ornaments I need...want...whatever...it's a disease....

I just wanted to make you aware of what we all missed out on this weekend...and if you didn't I don't want to talk about it and you are an even bigger nerd than me...so HA!

Ending Disclaimer: I hope we can still be friends

Italy Chronicles Part 3

2009-07-09T13:00:00.001-05:00

Let's go to Tuscany shall we? I may come back and add some details later. My memory is beginning to fail me in my old age.

So day three brought us Alessandro....the Carabiner i/ tour guide. My sister came across Alessandro on Trip Advisor...she used it to plan our whole trip...well that and Rick Steves. Anyway, he came highly recommended as a tour guide of Tuscany and I would highly recommend him for anyone traveling there. As for the rest of you, you are stuck with me.

He picked us up from our hotel and took us along the Chianti Road to our first destination. The Castello Vicchiomaggio. This place was beautiful and the scenery was amazing. Alessandro told us that his sister got married in the gardens...she and her husband are designers at Calvin Klein in Milan....so you can imagine the type setting it was....unfortunately, I don't feel like I captured any pictures that really describe the place...so you might just want to check out their website...and then start planning your next vacation there. They have a pool that has the most incredible view of the Tuscan landscape....That's right I was scoping out the pool.

We toured two more wineries and the small town of Greve. We ate, we drank, and we were merry. At the family owned Montagliari winery I hadTHE best spaghetti I have ever eaten...seriously THE best. A little side note here about that. For those of you who really know me, you know that I like to sprinkle Sweet n' Low/Splenda on my spaghetti...for those of you who didn't know that....now we are BFF...anyway it's a weird thing my grandmother did once...I tried it and never looked back {it cuts down on the acidity} This spaghetti needed no such doctoring...it was sent straight from heaven to my plate. It was probably my mostest favoritist winery we visited...so much so I had to make up words to describe it.

After we ~~were good and drunk~~ finished our wine tours Alessandro took us to a couple small towns that shall remain nameless because I don't know their names. The drive was as beautiful as the towns, but since we were driving at 80 kmh I am not sure how good my grasp is on what the scenery looked like....a picture out the window was out of the question.

We visited San Gimignano home of Italy's best gelato...and had gelato...it was good but my mix of lemon and pistachio took away from the greatness a little bit....the lady misunderstood me....I am fully aware that that sounds disgusting...just imagine peanut butter on a lemon and that is what it tasted like...so no... in my opinion San Gimignano did not have the best gelato...and I would know because I got to be an expert on gelato.

We ended the day in Siena the town of the animals...each "section" has its own animal a fox, porcupine, etc... and you must marry someone from your own animal section or be banished outside the gates....I kid you not...they still live like that. It is also the place of the famous horse race in the town square...but it's not really a square more like a shell shaped bowl....where each animal section has its own horse and they race....yes it is the same one featured in the newish James Bond movie. We had a great dinner in a little cave restaurant and then drove home at the speed of light...

Did you notice I didn't talk about the wine in Tuscany? Well, its because I have decided red wine is not for me....I know I can hear you yelling blasphemy...but I just didn't like it...and dare I say the olive oil tasted weird to me...will Italy ban me from ever returning? However, give me some balsamic vinegar aged 28 years....aka liquid gold....and I will pour it on anything. Yes, I even had it poured over a little ice cream and apple pie {sorry no picture} it was unlike anything I have ever tasted....it is so sweet...not like the stuff you put on your salad..Divine...but at 48 Euro for a tiny bottle/vial Brandon wouldn't let me bring any home....I did bring the salad kind home....but I'll never use it because I won't want to run out...I am weird like that.

It was a long busy day and for your benefit I have left out lots of details....trust me...I am looking out for you....but you can look HERE to see my pictures from that day.... or just watch it below. I know that's all you care about anyway...

Weekend Scenes

2009-07-07T09:40:00.007-05:00

It's a lazy recap I know. But we didn't do much...which is exactly how I like it. We had a great time soaking up the sun and hanging out on the dock. The pies turned out ok....I just need some more practice. I did learn not to make a strawberry pie ahead of time because the crust will get soggy...huh procrastinating is a good thing after all...and that using a pre-made pie crust is perfectly acceptable, especially when yours is not the greatest...but no one died of food poisoning so I guess that is something....you have to always look at the bright side.

Bachelorette Weekend Recap

2009-07-01T10:33:00.015-05:00

Now that I have my camera cord back and all is right with the world, I guess I'd better get to documenting the great weekend we just had only 3 short days later. I will go ahead and preface that you will not be able to tell much from the pictures because I was having such a great time I forgot to pick up the camera....shocking I know.

First,we will start with what you won't see. The fun started early on the ride down with a stop at Chick-fil-a. Everything was fine until Lauren Gloor/Graham, aka St. Louis Lauren am I missing any...threw her toy away...what ensued was a hilarious scene for which I was kicking myself for not having my camera at the ready. All I heard was a gasp....like a I just threw my wedding ring in the trash gasp....and then....MY TOY! MY TOY! I THREW AWAY MY TOY....for those of you who are not savvy about Chick-fil-a, you can turn the toy in for ice cream...hence the distress. DANG...I am kicking myself for not being able to take a picture of sweet Ms. Pat {who gave us peppermints when we sat down} telling Lauren if she could wait a minute she would help her....HOOO HAA HAAthey were ready to open up that trash can so she could dig it out...luckily the guy at the cash register vouched for Lauren's toy and she got her ice cream without dumpster diving and all was right with the world.

It was finally time to grab some gas and hit the road....no stopping. Only we got to the gas station to discover the pump was possessed and the man who worked there was not an effective communicator...yeah we'll call it that...meanwhile while poor Amanda is trying to remedy the situation with the poor communicator Lauren and I are yelling at her from the inside of the car to get in the car and drive off....can you get arrested if you just drive off....we didn't have gas at that point so I think we would have been safe ~~2 days~~ 15 minutes later we had gas...and we weren't stopping.

And Finally, you won't see pictures of us at the urgent care, on the first day, for me to be diagnosed with shingles....Yep I'm 80 years old and have herpes...nice to meet you.

That is just some of what you won't see along with any pictures of me in a swimsuit...some things are just better left to the imagination.

We arrived safe and sound to the beautiful beach house that Lauren Beno aka Beno aka Destin Lauren, I just made that last one up, secured for us. It was beautiful and I only show you these pictures because one day I want my house to look like this...beach house or not...not to make you insanely jealous that you didn't get to come.

***sigh*** I just love a good beach house. It was beautiful..thanks Lauren {from Destin}...we really appreciated it.

Let's get on with the wild and crazy partying section of the recap....oh except that there isn't one. Here is a picture that proves we stepped foot out of the house. ~~The old ladies~~ We were so proud of ourselves for managing to stay up past midnight.

and then there was this guy.

I included this picture only for the benefit of those who were there that might be reading this....we had some pretty good laughs at his expense....it was wrong sure...but oh so funny. I did not get a picture of the guy who liked to pet mine and Lauren's {from St. Louis} hair and then tell us he liked our necklaces but wasn't gay....oh he was a classic and I wish I had gotten a picture of Lauren {from St. Louis} nipping it in the bud.

Fast forward to the next day.......here is the only picture to describe the day

Man, there is nothing like a Destin beach...it has the most beautiful water and soft sandy beaches....you will see that I had a much different experience in Italy on the beach...in 5 years when I get around to that.

We spent the day on the beach...hit up the outlets...and I realized that even though Restoration Hardware has an outlet....I still can't afford their lamps.....oh the things to look forward to in life.

The night brought the lingerie shower and lots and lots of laughter....I dare say we had more fun staying in then heading out on the town.

~~Amanda opened all her gifts really quickly~~ I refused to use my flash and this is the only picture you get because the other ones are not suitable for a family friendly blog like mine. You'll just have to trust me when I say a fun time was had by all.

Here are the Laurens...aren't they pretty? No, I don't want to talk about Destin Lauren's hair and its perfection...I'm a little bitter over it actually.

This one says wrapping paper and lingerie...spelled lingere...yes I am aware and too lazy to fix it. I had to black them out as to not give away any hints....because I am a good keeper of secrets.

And then disaster struck and this happened

There we were all eight of us sitting in the bed when.....WHAM....it came crashing down...it was touch and go for a while...arms and legs everywhere...not in the way you would expect them to be at a bachelorette party anyway...but we managed to get the job done...who needs boys anyway?

We made them try it out to make sure it was good and sturdy, and then we all went to bed...very carefully {in our own beds not that one}.... and lived Happily Ever After The End.

{ Sorry about the abrupt ending but after this I promptly put the camera down and didn't pick it back up until it was time to leave....it was just more beach more beach and more beach.}

Is It Wrong?

2009-06-30T18:13:00.007-05:00

I feel the need for a little confession...so aren't you lucky you get two posts in one day after I have left you high and dry for so long.

Is it wrong that I gave Curby this

and that a few minutes later she looked like this

Does that mean I am going to be one of those mothers who gives her child Benadryl so they will go to sleep? Benadryl, by the way, will be next if this doesn't succeed in making the trip to the lake a more pleasant one. Three dogs in a Jetta with one throwing up is far from pleasant...so see I have my reasons.

Second, is it wrong that since Brandon is in class that I have chosen to eat this for dinner...I feel terribly guilty

along with some sushi because that sounds good...no I am not pregnant....Leigh Anne made me take the online quiz yesterday just to make sure...I'm just weird

Third, is it wrong that I added another bottle of wine to the refrigerator just in case...not to mention the 3 bottles I bought at Publix because they were only $3.

and FINALLY, Is it wrong that I still haven't moved my beach bag or overnight bag from the living room floor since I got back on Sunday and I just dig through it to get what I need?

Oh well either way it is what it is and I am who I am....I feel much better now....maybe next time I will join in on the Not Me Mondays

Just a Little Something

2009-06-29T14:55:00.004-05:00

Just thought I would take a minute to share one of my favorite things....kind of like Oprah....but I am not giving you one. Well, that and I don't have my camera cord and camera at work to blog about the weekend...we have some fun stories.....what was that you said about Italy??

Anyway....In preparation for the 4th of July weekend I have been planning on what my contribution will be to the family meals will be. I enjoy baking even though it is always an endeavor { I am a HUGE mess maker}. However, I don't enjoy sweets that much...I would much rather have something salty...yes I am weird...and my dad also used to buy our Halloween candy from us so we wouldn't eat it so I guess I never got to feel the love and affection for sweets that most people did...all that to say I don't make anything often because that would just leave Brandon to eat it ~~and I would rather not have a 500 pound husband~~

Could I get to the point already...sheesh?? I decided since I would have multiple people at my disposal for eating that I would make Pioneer Woman's Apple Pie. and a Strawberry pie....like the kind your grandmother used to make. Which brings me to my point....FINALLY.

My Grandmother had some of the best recipes so when it came time to pass them along what's a girl to do? Around Christmastime I came across an article about Taste Book. It was too late to give as a Christmas present even for the biggest procrastinator, but I thought it sounded like a cool idea for my sister's Birthday in January.

Here's the deal. You set up an account and start compiling. You can enter your own family recipes, or import them from Southern Living, BH&G, and various other food magazines and websites. You get to pick your own cover, do a dedication page, and even add pictures of your creations {i google imaged}. You send it to them and they print it and put it together and it is in a binder type book so you are free to add as many recipes as you want over time. They also have pre-made taste books for sale but I think it is so fun to have your own personalized with YOUR favorites. So try it out. You'll love it...I am going to have a copy of my sister's printed for me so I can add to it as well. Click here to check out our Family Traditions. Yep it has the Strawberry Pie we will be enjoying this weekend. Oh and my grandmother's jello pretzel salad....it's the best!

Never Fear I am Still Here

2009-06-25T14:29:00.003-05:00

This is an obligatory post...I know it....now you know it. I have the next installment of the Italy Chronicles Tuscany Edition in the works and I wanted to publish it today but there is no way Jose. I am not in the frame of mind to work on it {read....I am at work} So instead I thought I would just rub it in your face that I am headed to the beach tonight for my {soon to be} sister in law's bachelorette weekend, and that I will be back with ~~hilarious stories and pictures~~ a real blog post next week. I have already admitted to being a horrible blogger so you should not feel let down, but if you do, here is a sneak peek at some of the Tuscan views...with some PW Action help.

I've Been a Bad Bad Wife

2009-06-22T12:01:00.012-05:00

Continuing on in the series of what a horrible person I am we will move on to the weekend and talk about what a horrible influence my mother in law is on me and how she makes me do things I shouldn't

We spent the day Saturday shopping and she introduced me to a place that she shouldn't have it's called Summer Classics. I don't know how I didn't know about this place before...and I am sure Brandon is glad I didn't. If you have never been don't go...you have been warned. You will spend money on something YOU don't need. {I happened to need what I bought..thank you} We walked around drooling over outdoor {and indoor} furniture we stumbled upon some great pictures for the lake... and guess what? They were 50%! Double whammy...they were having a 50% off select accessories sale....UH OH...because I ran into these and it was love at first sight.

I took this picture with my camera phone...so it's not the best. But you can still tell the perfection of it and that is has a red dot on it signaling it is 50% off out of my price range. What did I do? I walked away...and kept walking...walked right to the cash register with my mother in-law to buy her fish prints. I was so proud...but then self doubt started to creep in and the vases started calling my name...yelling actually. I went back to take another look....

BIG mistake....I promptly hoisted one on each hip like the precious babies they were... {they were kind of big and heavy and I am small and weak}...and walked straight to the counter with them...I couldn't help it honey....I NEEDED them....somewhere in our house I needed them. Your mom didn't even try to stop me so blame her not me....SHE is the bad influence. She actually said, " I will not love you anymore if you don't buy them"...so I HAD to...ok not really...I told myself that...but still...she was present during the transaction.

We took our shopping on down the road a little ways. I won't tell you the name of this place because you will REALLY get yourself in trouble there. It's for your own good...trust me.

I have been trying for OH...a good two years now to have some semblance of a grown up room. It only took me a year to get a headboard and another 6 months to get a nightstand...singular...That's it...all we have...besides the donated dresser. Since I am having some drapes made for our room I figured it was time to get the second nightstand and maybe some decent bedding. White was not a good choice in a house with 3 black dogs.

Not that it matters but here is the one nightstand we have.

Here the vases go to work...I am not sure if they will ultimately end up in our room but I love them so much I would like to wake up to them every morning {I feel that way about you too honey!}

Ignore the navy/gray/tan...whatever color that pillow is...I was thinking the green would be a good fit...surprise....I love green. Of course they didn't have it in the size I needed and I am supposed to call back about ordering the nightstand...so lucky Brandon....I didn't buy anything...well and I am going to make sure that the drapery fabric I bought off of eBay {that is a weird color but I am using it anyway} will work with it all. I will stop here and conclude the conversation about my room which is not what you were expecting today...was it....I wasn't either...but...Surprise!

I will leave you with this though...I am thinking I should be proactive about nursery decor...no I am not pregnant...I would at least tell my husband first...even though he reads this...but I digress. This chair I would build a house around...so I think I could work something out with a nursery. Actually, I think it would look stunning right now in our guest room...and then I would sleep upstairs in this chair...like I said...it is better that you not know the name of this place.

I'm a Horrible Blogger

2009-06-18T09:04:00.013-05:00

Ok so I know for the 5 3 people who read this blog they are probably only interested in seeing our pictures from Italy...and to be honest...I would love to see them too. However, I hate how life seems to be continuing on despite my need for a week of free time to get through the pictures and to recount the tales of our journey. It seems like we have something going on every night during the week and everyday during the weekend. I thought summers were supposed to be for relaxing and hanging out?

All this to say....there is no new Italy post...I know most of you have probably given up hope...but alas, there is hope. Brandon is going to the beach this weekend for his brother's rockin' bachelor party so I will have some uninterrupted time to myself....it's gonna be just me and Flickr. I am hoping to really make some progress and maybe even get a few posts in the works...WOOO HOOO...so for now how about some randomness because I don't even have my camera to provide new pictures....get ready this is going to be random.

We'll start with this. This is a house I found this week that I ~~want~~ need to buy. Here are a few reasons why.

Let me just tell you...I think my heart stopped with that last picture because do you know what immediately popped into my head?

It's a sign...I just know it. So if you live in Birmingham and love this house too...don't even think about it...It's mine...plus its in Bessemer {but don't think I haven't already researched companies to move this little gem to nearby Helena} My current house is already halfway on the market {surprise honey!} so if you know anyone in the market for a 3 bedroom 3 bath townhouse with a fenced- in backyard...send them my way.

Let's see what else is in the ole picture vault....man not a lot....I just cleaned out my folder so it's slim pickins

Here is a picture my sister sent me of us with our wonderful tour guide Alessandro. He will be making a guest appearance in the next installment of the Italy Chronicles.

This is a picture of me with my soon to be sister in law Amanda. Please ignore the fact that for a brief moment in time I chose to pin my bangs back...and that my skin glows next to hers....She can wear yellow...and I am super jealous of that. Amanda, please lets take more pictures together...preferably when my skin has seen the light of day.

And Finally....this is the picture that my co-workers and I printed on a sheet of paper and hung in the bathroom asking others in our office building to please use the restroom on their own floor. We work on the first floor and for some reason it is the place of choice for after lunch business. I beg you...if you work in an office building don't designate a floor....spread the love around....or better yet stay on your own floor.

Ok well...that's all I have in my picture folder that you haven't seen...I know....pretty weak...but I do actually have a job to do. So...I'll see what I can do this weekend to get the tour bus back on track...until then...or until something else interesting happens....have a good week.

Birthday Boy

2009-06-16T08:28:00.003-05:00

Today is my husband's birthday. Today he is officially closer to 30 than 20....and I am not. Today I am carrying that purse....and he is not. One day we will have children and we will pay for his 26 years of mischief...so enjoy your nice quiet birthdays now because this too shall pass.

Happy Birthday Babe I Love You and can't wait to see what purse of mine you are still willing to carry in 26 more years.

Friday Redo

2009-06-15T14:55:00.006-05:00

Some of you might have noticed the slideshow I posted Friday. It had no words because photobucket and I had already shared some...and it won. It has been driving me crazy since because it cut off parts of pictures and scrolled too fast. I have since come to my senses and the 21st century and uploaded everything to Flickr for your viewing pleasure. So, in case you missed it the first time, here are some of the pictures I took at the Pitti Palace...some of them are my favorite pictures from the trip.

Oh! and you can watch this full size by clicking on the title and it will take you to my photostream. Click slideshow {top right hand corner} and it will bring it up full size...much better in my opinion.

Weekend Scenes

2009-06-15T09:19:00.006-05:00

Italy Chronicles Part 2

2009-06-09T12:09:00.001-05:00

Please forgive me if I breeze through the first part of day two...I feel like we should move quickly to more important things like purses, lemons, wine, and gardens. Up first is the Uffizi Gallery. This gallery is full of Botticelli's work, Leonardo's work, and a bunch of other famous dead guys. I couldn't take pictures inside so there is not a lot to show.

I did get to see The Birth of Venus....the painting...not the actual birth...In case you don't remember High school art here is a picture from Wikipedia

Obviously, this picture doesn't do it justice...and if I could have taken a picture it wouldn't either. It was HUGE and the detail on all of paintings were unbelievable...down to the lacework on the women's dresses...incredible. I just wanted to touch it. Some stupid tourist set off the alarm when she got to close to the painting but of course that wasn't me....of course not

This was my favorite painting in my favorite room. I don't know why...I just liked it. I have already explained my affinity for portraits of old dead people. I forgot to write her name in my post when I was working on this post last night so if you really want to know...just leave a comment and I will tell you. I do know she was a very rich lady married to a banker and they were great friends with the Medici's....which is why is is hanging in the Uffizi because it used to be the Medici offices and then they started adding artwork and then all the sudden it became a museum. I don't think anyone would care enough about the ~~posters~~ art hanging on my walls to take it to goodwill when I was done with it.

This is the room the painting was in The Tribune. The dome was inlayed with shells and the flower scroll designs you see next to the windows are also made from using shells. Obviously I took this photo from fotosa but it was the only one I could find that showed the detail of the room. Don't think I didn't contemplate trying to slyly take one of my own but it would have been dark, grainy, and blurry so this is probably better anyway....and I didn't get carted off to Italian prison.

Those were the highlights. If you aren't satisfied....just imagine long hallways with rooms leading in to more rooms leading into more rooms full of paintings and sculptures and there you have our morning...and yes we went in to every room...thank you very much. It really was a neat place but it is something that is better appreciated in person...sorry a girl can only do so much.

Next is the Ponte Vecchio bridge. It is the oldest bridge in Florence and according to Alessandro that is because Hilter chose to destroy the other bridges, and left this one because they thought once they drove the tanks over it, it would be destroyed and they didn't want to waste the resources to blow it up....see I did learn something while I was there. Shops line the bridge and are mostly jewelry shops full of gold and diamonds....OOOHHHH AHHHH....I couldn't afford any of it so here are some pictures and we will move on....I sound a little cranky today don't I?

Apparently, I was enjoying taking sideways pictures that day so I am sorry if you just looked at those with your head turned sideways. I'll try to be better about that on our next European vacation slated to take place the year after never....who knows we may get lucky and win the lottery...oh wait Alabama doesn't have a lottery.

Now, I am going to take a brief pause before moving on. Our next stop was the Pitti Palace and Brandon and I spent over 2 hours wandering through the gardens he was THRILLED. The gardens were extensive...like central park extensive. I took lots of pictures so it is going to get it's own post because it was one of my favorite places we visited. Heather and Ryan toured the inside and said it was ok...not as glamorous as the French palaces they saw last year {they get out more than us}...so I was happy with my decision.

This is a map just to give you an idea of the size. The Ponte Vechhio bridge is number 13 and the Uffizi gallery is in the number 12 area.

I'll be back with more....more exciting stuff I promise! I'm going to go adjust my attitude and put my tour guide hat back on and we will continue on.

Just Because

2009-06-08T19:13:00.011-05:00

Just because it's Monday. Just because life is still moving forward, and just because I can. I am posting about something other than Italy. I came home from work this afternoon to water my plants and thought I would take more pictures because I haven't done enough of that lately. The sun was setting and the flowers are really starting to bloom. It was beautiful. Mostly because I can finally see results from the sweaty sunburning work I did last year to plant things in rocky soil. So without further ado please enjoy the following pictures

This is my butterfly bush and I love it. Really I love this and will plant it at every single house I ever live in.

It grows tall and in any soil and lines the back of our fence. I am currently down one because the dogs thought it would make an excellent chew toy.

And best of all, it smells like pure honey. I am not lying when I say it smells like you just opened a jar of fresh honey and stuck your nose in it.

See even the bee agrees with me. I cut these like crazy and put them in the house just for the smell. The bush will grow and bud even more when you cut it so it is a win win...and I like those situations. Speaking of bees...

This is my bee balm. I planted it last year and finally saw it bloom this year. I bought it in one of those Bonnie Plants containers for about $3 it was small then and looked like it might mound a little and sprout flower. Well what should I discover but...

when they started to emerge this spring they grew and grew and grew until they reached my shoulders...it was almost like Jack and the Beanstalk...but without the bean....and Jack.....and these all came from one plant.

I'd say that is a pretty good deal for $3 and I bought 5 of them. On second thought, I hope this doesn't turn out to be like Kudzu {If you don't live in the South you won't understand} The bees love this one too. That is a bee being a little camera shy on the middle one.

Ok well that's all I got. I forgot to take a picture of the echinacea but maybe I can cover that some other time. I am off to pick up my house and work on another Italy post...I know I keep saying it and one day I will.

Sweet Treats While You Wait

2009-06-07T22:02:00.012-05:00

I will be furiously working on a new post on Monday don't you worry. We made a last minute decision to spend the weekend at the lake so.....I didn't spend as much time as I thought I was going to sifting through photos. Actually, I thought I had lost our big memory card with the majority of our pictures on it...so I spent most of my time worrying. However, we returned home, I found it and life will move on. In the meantime, I have dug through and found a few pictures that still make me drool....so Happy Monday morning/Sunday night to you and I should be back soon with a legitimate post...barring a better offer doesn't come along like it did this weekend.

YUUMMM....gelato. I probably have 25 additional pictures that look similar to this one. They really got tired of me standing in front of glass cases snapping away....but I never wanted to forget it's greatness. How about one from another angle....I thought you might ask.

Yep...it's great from that side too....Oh gelato....I miss you

I know I have no words either....only tears

Do you KNOW what I could do with this? Well....I don't but I am sure something fantastic. If I could have figured out how to take this entire shelf and shove it in my carry on...I would have.

Oh look it's Brandon holding a purse...no HE's not sweet but that purse sure was....It was a pretty good deal too at only 80 Euro. I just didn't know it at the time but that is another story for another post.

And last but not least do you know what this little treat is?? Just a little something from our day in Tuscany. This too is another story for another post. I just thought I would give you a little sneak peek

Friday Photoshop Fun

2009-06-05T10:52:00.009-05:00

For all of you waiting for another riveting installment of the Italy Chronicles....you will have to wait. That last post literally took many hours and I figured my boss would probably like some work out of me this week. So that has been put on hold until this weekend when I can give it proper time and attention. In the meantime, Brooke is out of the office today so I hijacked her photoshop to play. She recently downloaded the PW Action Sets from Pioneer Woman and man are they fun. So enjoy the pictures, you have already seen most of them because I didn't want to get too far ahead of myself. I will be back with more from our trip next week so stay tuned...and most importantly TGIF!!!

Italy Chronicles Part 1b

2009-06-03T08:24:00.042-05:00

Ok moving on with our tour of Florence if you will look out your window you will see the Duomo...also known as the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, begun in 1296 in the Gothic style to the design of Arnolfo di Cambio and completed structurally in 1436 with the dome engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi. The exterior of the basilica is faced with polychrome marble panels in various shades of green and pink bordered by white and has an elaborate 19th century Gothic Revival facade by Emilio De Fabris. oh wait sorry...I keep forgetting I am not on a bus....and I totally stole that from Wikipedia, but now you know more than I did when I was there. Shame on me. Words will no longer accurately describe the Duomo so we will go to the pictures {yes I am aware I can put together a slide show using Photobucket etc...but I like this way better}

The following images are inside and therefore dark, grainy...and have I mentioned I would like a new camera?

That's enough of the inside...it was dim and dark...in a pretty ethereal way, but I grew frustrated with my lack of ability to take decent pictures. So we opted to head to the top of the Duomo to see the great views of Florence. There were 463 steps to climb...but whose counting {I was after the first 15 kicked my rear} What seemed like a good idea was soon to turn into a horrible idea.

This photo is blurry but it is the best representation of what we climbed. I was too busy trying to breath to worry about taking decent pictures. At first the stairs were straight and then it turned into a tiny winding staircase and I thought for a minute that we were in the wrong building and I was going to end up at the top of a lighthouse.

Here they are still climbing. Did I mention that they were also steep and there were 463 of them? Well they were and there was and it was....well I have no words. So we make it to an opening....Hallelujah...the end. Instead this was the point I realized that we had made a horrible mistake in ever thinking about climbing all those stairs. Remember this picture?

Well we were approximately here:

Now this picture is not a good representation of how high it actually was so don't sit there and say to yourself that doesn't seem that high what is her problem? It was high and I was in a panic...just see for yourself:

This is my sister taking a picture of me doing everything in my power to not get on my hands and knees and crawl. That plexiglass was doing nothing to help my sense of security. This picture doesn't even come close to showing the feelings raging inside of me at this exact moment. In fact, this may have been the only time I even looked up from the floor. So no...I did not enjoy the close up view of the dome from the inside. Thankfully, I made it out alive and we proceeded up the rest of the 463 stairs to the top of the Duomo.

Here I am feeling a little more comfortable with my surroundings.

I found this picture to be both ironic and shameful...and kind of funny since Hugo and Laura apparently didn't make it to 2009. The graffiti was horrible most of the places we went and I just don't get it. It is terribly disrespectful especially in a church that is several hundred years old...well it doesn't even have to be old it was a church for crying out loud. Ok I'll get down off my soap box and we shall continue with some more pictures of the amazing views.

Just thought I would throw this one in there to prove we were really there and that I am not just Google imaging this stuff.

And this one too...awwww....sisters.

I even looked up which is usually a horrible idea when you are up high, but I am glad I did because I kinda love this picture...and I didn't even have to ~~photoshop~~ paint.net it that much...just auto correct and wa-lah!

That about does it for the roof top pictures we only stood on one side to take pictures so things start to look the same. We headed back down the 463 stairs I had to again hug the wall when we went back around the duomo balcony and finally we made it safely down to street level. After such a harrowing life threatening climb we decided it was the perfect time for gelato...our first since arriving. We headed into a place that looked like it had the best selection and it was close to the Duomo, most importantly.

Look how cleverly it is displayed...a little coffee cup and all. Sorry about the glare but you do kinda also get to see the cool building across the street too. Anyway, we all eagerly ordered our gelato and then I went to go pay....what would you say a fair price for 4 gelatos would be?
10 Euro ($13) 15 Euro ($20)...that's what I thought but apparently THIS gelato was made of gold and the cones too because our total was a whopping 38 Euro which is about $52. Yes folks, we are stupid Americans and apparently that was written across our forehead...we could do nothing but laugh it off, enjoy our golden gelato, and promise we would never let it happen again {the mango was delicious}

Here is Brandon {I know it's blurry and hard to tell} enjoying his 14 Euro ($19) gelato cone. Just to give you a bench mark we didn't pay over 3 Euro anywhere else for gelato our entire trip. Travellers beware!

After we finished every crumb and morsel from our golden gelato we decided to walk to the Ponte Vecchio bridge

This is the only picture you get for right now because we are nearing the end of our day 1 tour and this is for day 2. We leisurely walked around before deciding we would head over to ZaZa for dinner. Heather had made reservations to make sure we stayed up but by now we were all tired and would rather live on the edge and eat dinner before 8pm...that's bad for you anyway...by the way.

Here is some sidewalk art we saw along the way....it gives a whole new meaning to sidewalk chalk. If I wasn't feeling like a fraud already I sure was by now. That is the artist in the last photo. I mean that first one is my favorite...I like portraits of old dead people...I know I'm weird.

ZaZa did not disappoint it had a great atmosphere with hanging lights and all. It made me want to build a little wooden platform in my backyard so I could eat dinner at my bright table with my bright chairs too.

What's that you say? I am drinking white wine in Italy...yes as a matter of fact I am...we will discuss that in the Tuscany portion of our tour....at least I am not drinking champagne like Heather.

And here are the food pictures. I had a pesto fettuccine that was yummy and Brandon had a veal pasta dish that he choked on and had to pull out of his mouth {my sister almost threw up at the table} but I think he liked it even though it tried to kill him.

Thus we ended our day fat and tired. We stumbled back to our hotel {from tiredness not drunkenness} and promptly passed out for the night.

Up next, the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, Piti Palace, and more gelato...

I don't know what I was doing in these two pictures but I guess it seemed like a good idea at the time. Looks like that is what you are going to get left with because I must take a stab at working today. See you later for Day Two!