Thursday, December 16, 2010

Christmas 2010

Cutting down our tree at Berry Farm.  This is our 3rd year cutting down our tree and I hadofficially made it a tradition until we got to the farm and found the perfect pre cut tree.  Oh well we still got to ride the tractor and Mr. had to haul off the tree.






I can't believe I'm sharing this terrible picture so please let me explain....we were out all day Christmas shopping and all of the sudden the temperature dropped 20 degrees when we got to the farm.  Thus a terrible pic of 2 freezing people! 


 Before....

And After....



a gift from an engagement party...



the Mr.'s bay leaf wreath...



I gave in and let the Mr. hang his school above mine.


the Hard Rock and the Palms...




Cardinals my Grandfather gave me this year







Here are just a few, I will have more to share over the weekend.  Sorry my camera is so bad...hint hint hint.....

A few of my favorites right now....

Sorry I've been a bit m.i.a. this week, our wireless at home has been in and out and I've been trapped by the busy holiday season.  But I'm back...

My New Jessica Simpson Boots the Botta
Too bad I'm having my bunion surgery next week and won't be able to fit my skinny jeans over my feet for quite some time.  And I'm going to be stuck in a surgerical boot for 10 to 12 weeks...ahhhhh!


2nd Season of The Sing Off (not musical instruments whatsoever)
I love this show they are all so talented, I don’t have a favorite yet, because I love them all.  I tell the Mr. after every performance that 'they are my favorite'.
It is the best Christmas check list I’ve seen. It has worked great for me this season…I’m almost done!



Newlywed Diaries fresh greenery Christmas...


 
And...one of my favorite magazines is offering 2 for 1 subscriptions today...Real Simple



 
Tomorrow I promise to share our home full of Christmas cheer!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

My First Blog Give-A-Way Win!!

I'm so excited I just can't stand it!  I've won my first blog give-a-way from High Street Market.  A beautiful Wedgewood Toast Rack.  It is going to look great on my new (not yet done) built in book shelf.


Thanks so much Kelly!!!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Weekend Recap

It was another busy weekend. Wine Club Friday night was so fun! This was our second meeting, I highly recommend this club to any wine lovers out there. We meet once a month and each month the host picks the theme and provides all of the food. The guests bring 2 bottles each, one for the hostess and one to drink. I mean really what is better than drinking wine, eating good food and visiting with friends.

Saturday it was cold. Really cold. We were outside tailgating (aka sitting in the car in a parking lot) and watching football in the cold and rain/sleet. Not too much fun especially when you lose. But the shining light is that now we get to play our bowl game in the ‘A’.  The Chick-fil-A Bowl

Against Steve Spurrier a rival to FSU all by himself…I can’t wait!

Sunday, I got some great outlet shopping in! Very excited to have crossed several names off my Christmas List awhile getting some really great deals! I love getting a deal brings a smile to my face.

Tomorrow or perhaps tonight I will participate in the Day 12 of The 12 Days of Christmas.  Revealing my Holiday Decorations!  Better late than never.

Friday, December 3, 2010

12 Days of Christmas: Day 11

I’ve been checking out Aly's ‘12 Day’s of Christmas’ for awhile now and have on the next to last day decided to participate. It’s never too early to plan New Year’s Resolutions.



Day 11: New Year Resolutions

Add half bath to our little bungalow
Make a homemade meal 3 times a week
Mop the kitchen once a week and the house once a month (don’t judge…it’s been awhile)
Reconnect with friends once a month (copied from Aly)
Join and participate in our new church
Go on a romantic vacation just me and the Mr.
Blog more regularly
...I'm sure I will have a few more before January 1, 2011

Have a great weekend everyone!

Where has the time gone....

Thanksgiving is over?
It's already December?
It's already Friday?
Where has my fall gone?

 
It's been a tornado in our house this week.  We are drowned by Christmas decor.  My Daddy has started on our mantles and built in bookshelves...and he done!  VERY Exciting!!  We still have lots of caulking and painting to do but they look great.  Howevver our spare room is now also in chaios. 

 
I will share the full before and after pics when I get back from yet another football weekend in Charlotte, NC!

 
GO NOLES!!

 
As promised here is the delious reciepe I tested at Thanksgiving....Potato Gratin with Rosemary Crust

Total: 2 hours, 20 minutes

Yield: Makes 10 servings
 
Ingredients
• 1 (14.1-oz.) package refrigerated piecrusts
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 2 cups (8 oz.) shredded Gruyère cheese, divided
• 1 1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes
• 1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Garnish: fresh rosemary sprigs
 
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 450°. Unroll piecrusts on a lightly floured surface. Sprinkle rosemary, pepper, and 1/2 cup cheese over 1 piecrust; top with remaining piecrust. Roll into a 13-inch circle. Press on bottom and up sides of a 9-inch springform pan; fold edges under. Chill.
2. Meanwhile, peel and thinly slice Yukon gold and sweet potatoes.
3. Layer one-third each of Yukon gold potatoes, sweet potatoes, and salt in prepared crust. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese. Repeat layers twice, pressing layers down slightly to fit.
4. Microwave cream and garlic in a 1-cup microwave-safe measuring cup at HIGH 45 seconds; pour over potato layers in pan. Sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup cheese. Cover pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Place on a baking sheet.
5. Bake at 450° for 1 hour. Uncover and bake 25 minutes or until potatoes are done and crust is richly browned. Let stand 10 to 15 minutes. Carefully transfer to a serving plate, and remove sides of pan. If desired, carefully slide gratin off bottom of pan using a long knife or narrow spatula. Garnish, if desired.
 
Southern Living, DECEMBER 2010
 
I did make some adjustments…
- No sweet potatoes I doubles the Yukon Gold, I don’t like sweet potatoes
- I threw in some cheddar and parmesan
- Next time I will add rosemary to the cheese mixture to add more of the rosemary flavor

All in all I think it turned out pretty good, the curst was definitely the best.

 


This was mine above and below is Southern Living's
 I didn't do too bad!?!

Friday, November 26, 2010

It's That Time...

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone.  Which means it time for the holidays, rivalry games, decorating, and bowl games.  I am very passionate about my alma mater and college football.  No black Friday shopping for me, today I'm picking up my Mama from the airport and we are headed to Tallahassee to meet up with my sister, brother, and father.  For the first time in 5 years we actually have a shot at beating our in state rivals UF.  It's going to be a great game, neither team is great this year but rivalry games are always fun.


I have a huge dislike (I don't like using the word hate) for the over sized lizards for several reasons.

1. They think they are better than us.
2.  They wear orange.
3. Gators wear jean shorts.  Exhibit A: 
4.  Way too many fair weathered fans they are not graduates of UF or any school at all for that matter.  I was an out of state student and chose to be a Seminole!
5.  Orange is obnoxious.  Garnet and Gold is sooo much better.
6.  I'm sure I will come up with a ton more reasons after this weekend.

With all of that said it should be an interesting weekend as my family will be meeting my sister's boyfriend's family for the first time.  We have all be instructed to be on our best behavior and avoid college football subjects as they are all UF grads.  Eeeekkkk.  Boyfriend has one older sister around my age and 3 younger bothers.  This will be fun!

I have to download some pics from the camera and Monday I will be sharing the one new recipe I tested for Thanksgiving.  I'm going to try a new tradition and all by myself complete one new recipe each year.

Next week we will be back to the pretty and delicious things.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thankful...

My Savior, Jesus Christ, who gives me everything for which I am thankful.

My Husband and Best Friend.

My Incredible Family who always keep me entertained.

Hendrix the pup that protects out home.

Good Friends that give me support and laughter.  I'm especially thankful for the good friends sharing this holiday with me while my family is away and my man is cooking for the masses.

Our Bungalow which provides me constant projects, creativity and shopping trips.

The New Memory Foam Mattress that has improved our sleep.

This Blog for giving me an outlet for my thoughts and ramblings.

My Morning Coffee.

The New Traditions our little family is beginning.
And The Holiday's for reminding me that we are all blessings from God and all of the people around us are here to teach and share new lessons with us every day.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Another one in the books.

It was quite a weekend of ups and downs! 

First of all who knew dogs could get yeast infections on their lips...gross.  Yep $75 later Hendrix has a yeast infection on his left lip. Apparently moisture and bacteria can get caught up in the flappy part and cause a yeast infection.  Good knew his the medicine is really helping.

Zip Lining was pretty awesome.  We had a great group of people...including my 3 companions and bunch for FSU fans.  I little disappointing how clueless they were about out football team but nevertheless still fellow noles.  The weather was perfect and I got some great pics...

pre orientation


geared up and ready to go

the girls





 clinging to a tree before take off

bridge over the parking lot...the scariest part

our guides Jessie and Newman






sky bridges between zipping


I apologize for the multitude of pics.  I highly recommend this day trip.  It's Historic Banning Mills Zip Lines in Whitesburg, Georgia.  I'm already planning another trip including the boys.

Saturday night had a bittersweet ending with only one of our teams winning.  Poor Miss State had a disappointing loss in double over time, but on a positive note FSU did put out a win!

It's a holiday week!  Which means a short week and lots of good food!