Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Mobile!
We had a great weekend in Mobile this past weekend! I can't wait to put some pictures up, but unfortunately since we didn't have our camera, I'm waiting on others to get me their pictures! But I will as soon as I get them. Friday night we went to dinner at the French Market. It's been around for a little while, but we hadn't been there yet. It was DELICIOUS. I got the cauliflower soup and a remoulade sandwich, which was sauteed shrimp and fried green tomatoes with remoulade sauce on french bread. DEFINITELY. EXCELLENT. You can look at what they have on their website here.
Then we spent some great time with our friends Elizabeth and Charles over at their house, which is always fun, and always nice to see little sweet Luci. Saturday was a big day: family pictures in the backyard, then a table for nine for lunch at Spot of Tea. It's crazy to think this time next year it'll be a table for ten (or table for nine and a high chair), and that our baby will be six months old!
After lunch, we walked around Cathedral Square, and went inside the Cathedral to look around. Would you believe I had never been inside the Cathedral??? It was BEAUTIFUL. Here is more info and a bunch of pics from the Cathedral.
After that, mom and Mally took me maternity clothes shopping! Thank you again, mom! I had so much fun! They were so great helping me get set up for the next few months, and I love all my new clothes! Saturday night we spent a low key night at home with everyone, grilling hot dogs on the grill, and just having fun. Sunday started with church Dauphin Way with Grandmother, then brunch at O'Charley's, then me, BT, and Darlene made the drive back to B'ham. So, we had a fantastic weekend!
Then we spent some great time with our friends Elizabeth and Charles over at their house, which is always fun, and always nice to see little sweet Luci. Saturday was a big day: family pictures in the backyard, then a table for nine for lunch at Spot of Tea. It's crazy to think this time next year it'll be a table for ten (or table for nine and a high chair), and that our baby will be six months old!
After lunch, we walked around Cathedral Square, and went inside the Cathedral to look around. Would you believe I had never been inside the Cathedral??? It was BEAUTIFUL. Here is more info and a bunch of pics from the Cathedral.
After that, mom and Mally took me maternity clothes shopping! Thank you again, mom! I had so much fun! They were so great helping me get set up for the next few months, and I love all my new clothes! Saturday night we spent a low key night at home with everyone, grilling hot dogs on the grill, and just having fun. Sunday started with church Dauphin Way with Grandmother, then brunch at O'Charley's, then me, BT, and Darlene made the drive back to B'ham. So, we had a fantastic weekend!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Headed South...
We are going to Mobile this weekend to celebrate these three beautiful ladies' birthdays:
Mally's 20th birthday was Monday, and today is Aunt Darlene's birthday, as well as my Grandmother's 89th! We are celebrating with lots of fun in Mobile, lots of eating, some family pictures, and some time outside downtown tomorrow. Should be fun!
In case you're wondering, that is a soldering iron in the picture with Mallory. It was a Christmas present, and her favorite present, as she was so excited to start 'soldering things' like metal and stuff together. She likes science ;) I do not. God bless her, I've got high hopes for her to foot the bill for the nursing home one day.
Mally's 20th birthday was Monday, and today is Aunt Darlene's birthday, as well as my Grandmother's 89th! We are celebrating with lots of fun in Mobile, lots of eating, some family pictures, and some time outside downtown tomorrow. Should be fun!
In case you're wondering, that is a soldering iron in the picture with Mallory. It was a Christmas present, and her favorite present, as she was so excited to start 'soldering things' like metal and stuff together. She likes science ;) I do not. God bless her, I've got high hopes for her to foot the bill for the nursing home one day.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
i'm not feeling very creative or motivated at all lately. i just realized i let Recipe Tuesday go by without a recipe. i'm not going to cry over it, as it is a tradition that is only a week old. last week i thought to myself, 'self, wouldn't it be great if you could do something like give a recipe on the same day every day?' i answered myself by saying, 'absolutely!' well, Tuesday is passed, and there is no recipe to show for it. In fact, if you must know, i made shake and bake chicken and box mashed potatoes for dinner last night. even though i did sautee up some mean summer veggies with zuchini, squash, and onion, and the perfect blend of seasoning.
we are attempting to grow basil. i actually planted it myself, and have managed not to kill it. surprisingly, the seeds are sprouting and we see tiny green basil leaves! this is only helping my new years resolution to not kill things. my friend elizabeth gave me a gorgeous plant when she came to visit in december, and i honestly thought she might not have realized how crazy she was for doing this (i didn't want you to know how bad i was at keeping plants alive, liz!). but ALAS, it's been almost five months, and guess what??? the plant is doing great! it's alive, and actually flourishing! flowers in the yard, basil in the window sill, and a gorgeous green plant flourishing in my kitchen...i never thought i would see the day.
we are attempting to grow basil. i actually planted it myself, and have managed not to kill it. surprisingly, the seeds are sprouting and we see tiny green basil leaves! this is only helping my new years resolution to not kill things. my friend elizabeth gave me a gorgeous plant when she came to visit in december, and i honestly thought she might not have realized how crazy she was for doing this (i didn't want you to know how bad i was at keeping plants alive, liz!). but ALAS, it's been almost five months, and guess what??? the plant is doing great! it's alive, and actually flourishing! flowers in the yard, basil in the window sill, and a gorgeous green plant flourishing in my kitchen...i never thought i would see the day.
Monday, April 20, 2009
What Is This?
Ok, more than amber might be able to help me with this, but I know for sure that she can. These are obviously perennials, as they lined our sidewalk when we bought the house, but then over the winter they went away. Now they're back and look absolutely gorgeous. We have them lining our sidewalk, and out in the backyard around the deck. They're really pretty, so I would like to know what they're called.
On another note, wouldn't it be awesome to have the life of this dog?
On another note, wouldn't it be awesome to have the life of this dog?
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
TOTALLY Worth It
We celebrated our second wedding anniversary yesterday, and as was par for the course with us, we kept it simple. Before we left for dinner, we exchanged cards. Mine of course, was cheesier than BT's, but his was quite funny. The front of the card had two old folks sitting in lawn chairs in their front yard. The man, doing his crossword says, 'What's a three letter word for hot?' The woman replies with, "You."
Anyway, our 'big' gifts to each other were pretty similar: he got me two cadbury eggs with peanut butter inside, and I got him a Hundred Grand Bar. I love that we made the decision long ago not to make things complicated. It really helps us just celebrate the day.
Then we went to dinner at John's City Diner. If you have not been, it's totally worth it. You can find their menu here.
BT got the gumbo and salmon, and I got a garden salad with the meatloaf. We both got the greens and smashed potatoes for the side. This place was delicious. The greens were some of the freshest and best I've had, and that meatloaf was spectacular. SO...if you are in Birmingham and looking for a different place to try, I definitely recommend it.
We finished our big anniversary night with a trip to Target to pick up some Milk Bones and a new plush toy for Beau.
On another note....I feel safe to say Lil Rounds and Matt Giraud will be in the bottom two on IDOL.
Happy Hump Day!
Anyway, our 'big' gifts to each other were pretty similar: he got me two cadbury eggs with peanut butter inside, and I got him a Hundred Grand Bar. I love that we made the decision long ago not to make things complicated. It really helps us just celebrate the day.
Then we went to dinner at John's City Diner. If you have not been, it's totally worth it. You can find their menu here.
BT got the gumbo and salmon, and I got a garden salad with the meatloaf. We both got the greens and smashed potatoes for the side. This place was delicious. The greens were some of the freshest and best I've had, and that meatloaf was spectacular. SO...if you are in Birmingham and looking for a different place to try, I definitely recommend it.
We finished our big anniversary night with a trip to Target to pick up some Milk Bones and a new plush toy for Beau.
On another note....I feel safe to say Lil Rounds and Matt Giraud will be in the bottom two on IDOL.
Happy Hump Day!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Recipe Tuesday
Black Bean & Corn Quesadillas
We like doing this on Meatless Monday, but if we aren't feeling meatless, I get a package of the tyson pre-cooked grilled chicken strip pieces (the ones that are skinny for salads, etc., and have those fancy pre-grilled fake marks on them).
Ingredients:
1 small onion, chopped
1 can corn, drained
1 can black beans, rinsed & drained
1/2 cup of salsa
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon brown sugar
package of flour tortillas
1 package of shredded cheese (we get the mexican cheese style)
Quesadilla fixins: sour cream, more salsa, guacamole, tomatoes, whatever you want
Sautee chopped onion in a skillet with a drop or two of olive oil until onion sweats out and becomes tender. Add the corn and black beans and sautee together. Add brown sugar, red pepper flakes, and salsa. Heat all through together.
In another skillet, heat a small pat of butter to coat the skillet. Once the skillet is heated (medium/high heat), place a tortilla down in the skillet, then cover tortilla with cheese. once cheese starts melting, cover one half of tortilla with bean/corn mixture, fold other half over, and grill up your quesadilla!
HINT: you pretty much have to make one quesadilla at a time, and the second one always cooks faster than the first.
We like doing this on Meatless Monday, but if we aren't feeling meatless, I get a package of the tyson pre-cooked grilled chicken strip pieces (the ones that are skinny for salads, etc., and have those fancy pre-grilled fake marks on them).
Ingredients:
1 small onion, chopped
1 can corn, drained
1 can black beans, rinsed & drained
1/2 cup of salsa
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon brown sugar
package of flour tortillas
1 package of shredded cheese (we get the mexican cheese style)
Quesadilla fixins: sour cream, more salsa, guacamole, tomatoes, whatever you want
Sautee chopped onion in a skillet with a drop or two of olive oil until onion sweats out and becomes tender. Add the corn and black beans and sautee together. Add brown sugar, red pepper flakes, and salsa. Heat all through together.
In another skillet, heat a small pat of butter to coat the skillet. Once the skillet is heated (medium/high heat), place a tortilla down in the skillet, then cover tortilla with cheese. once cheese starts melting, cover one half of tortilla with bean/corn mixture, fold other half over, and grill up your quesadilla!
HINT: you pretty much have to make one quesadilla at a time, and the second one always cooks faster than the first.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
"Oh for a beaker full of the warm South..."-Keats
Happy Easter! Dad sent me this picture this morning from the sanctuary at SHBC. Gorgeous!
This has been a fantastic weekend. It has definitely been a great weekend to be outside and enjoy the weather, especially today. We both had Friday off, and BT got some yard work done while I went to have lunch with an old college friend. Saturday, we finally tackled the flower bed out front, and I think it looks great! We have two different types of flowers, and then (you can't see it in the picture) on the far left side of the flower bed, we planted sunflower seeds, so in approximately 60-90 days, we should be stupid with sunflowers! Here's a pic of the flowers:
My favorite part, though, is that I found a garden gnome this weekend at Garden Ridge! I used to love gnomes when I was little thanks to a book my parents gave me, and this gnome looks just like the ones in the book I remember!
Today we went to church this morning, out to enjoy some soup, salad, and breadsticks at Olive Garden, and then spent some time washing our cars this afternoon. Overall, a great weekend! Hope yours was as pretty as ours was!
This has been a fantastic weekend. It has definitely been a great weekend to be outside and enjoy the weather, especially today. We both had Friday off, and BT got some yard work done while I went to have lunch with an old college friend. Saturday, we finally tackled the flower bed out front, and I think it looks great! We have two different types of flowers, and then (you can't see it in the picture) on the far left side of the flower bed, we planted sunflower seeds, so in approximately 60-90 days, we should be stupid with sunflowers! Here's a pic of the flowers:
My favorite part, though, is that I found a garden gnome this weekend at Garden Ridge! I used to love gnomes when I was little thanks to a book my parents gave me, and this gnome looks just like the ones in the book I remember!
Today we went to church this morning, out to enjoy some soup, salad, and breadsticks at Olive Garden, and then spent some time washing our cars this afternoon. Overall, a great weekend! Hope yours was as pretty as ours was!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
love to hear them sing praises...
Since I lived in Georgia and Tennessee for the four years I put up with leaving this state, it's nice to see someone not from here sing its praises. For those of you born and raised in AL, you'll really enjoy it. For others, you'll actually probably still find it quite interesting.
From The Washington Post
From The Washington Post
Sunday, April 5, 2009
it's sunday morning and BT and i both aren't feeling too great. he's got a cold, and i'm thinking mine is just around the corner. i hope to fight it off today through copious amounts of cran-apple juice.
the pedicure was a success! i had such a great day yesterday. i needed the sun, the outdoors, and the fellowship, and i got all of the above. here is the result:
anyway, since jess tried and enjoyed my greek chicken crockpot, i'm including another favorite crockpot recipe. this is a beef tips recipe i just played around with until i got it exactly how i liked it. it is really good and comforting.
Crock Pot Beef Tips
Ingredients:
1 lb of beef tips
1 packet onion soup mix
1 can golden mushroom soup
1 jar sliced mushrooms, drained
1 onion, chopped
if you have it, about a 1/4-1/2 cup of red wine, but if you don't, you can leave it out.
put the beef in the bottom of the crockpot and mix all other ingredients together and pour over beef. cook on low in the crockpot for about 5-6 hours. serve hot over rice.
you will really enjoy it.
if you feel bad for not having any green, throw some peas on the menu. english peas go perfectly with beef: beef tips, meatloaf, beef gravy. i don't know what it is about the flavor combination but it's great.
the pedicure was a success! i had such a great day yesterday. i needed the sun, the outdoors, and the fellowship, and i got all of the above. here is the result:
anyway, since jess tried and enjoyed my greek chicken crockpot, i'm including another favorite crockpot recipe. this is a beef tips recipe i just played around with until i got it exactly how i liked it. it is really good and comforting.
Crock Pot Beef Tips
Ingredients:
1 lb of beef tips
1 packet onion soup mix
1 can golden mushroom soup
1 jar sliced mushrooms, drained
1 onion, chopped
if you have it, about a 1/4-1/2 cup of red wine, but if you don't, you can leave it out.
put the beef in the bottom of the crockpot and mix all other ingredients together and pour over beef. cook on low in the crockpot for about 5-6 hours. serve hot over rice.
you will really enjoy it.
if you feel bad for not having any green, throw some peas on the menu. english peas go perfectly with beef: beef tips, meatloaf, beef gravy. i don't know what it is about the flavor combination but it's great.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
beautiful day
this day is absolutely gorgeous! we got to sleep in this morning,and by sleep in, i mean 7:30--you see we have a dog that does a great job at preparing us for the early mornings we'll have in a few months. then BT left a little while ago to go enjoy the day on the golf course, and i took our sweet early riser dog to mcdonalds and he got his first ever plain buttered biscuit all to himself. i wish i took a picture of him scarfing it down on the deck. i think he ate the entire thing in about fifteen seconds. it must have tired him out, because this is him now:
Later today I'm going to meet a friend for some lunch, pedicures, and some much needed catching up and girl time. i've been feeling the need for that lately, and haven't gotten much of it, so i can't tell you how much i'm looking forward to it. days like this with sunny skies, warm weather and things to do outside make me so happy. i needed a happy, sunny day.
i'm sure later we'll enjoy some cookouts and basketball, maybe a little park time with the dog, that's if he can muster himself out of the horizontal position...
Later today I'm going to meet a friend for some lunch, pedicures, and some much needed catching up and girl time. i've been feeling the need for that lately, and haven't gotten much of it, so i can't tell you how much i'm looking forward to it. days like this with sunny skies, warm weather and things to do outside make me so happy. i needed a happy, sunny day.
i'm sure later we'll enjoy some cookouts and basketball, maybe a little park time with the dog, that's if he can muster himself out of the horizontal position...
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
this and that...
i've been really loving mashed potatoes lately. in fact, i'm thinking about them right now. like a big bowl of mashed potatoes. and sadly, we're having greek chicken in the crockpot tonight with rice instead of mashed potatoes. speaking of greek chicken: easiest. recipe. ever. stick some chicken breasts in the crockpot and cover them with kraft greek dressing. it's the fancier version with pieces of feta cheese in it, and it is delightful! it makes a great easy dish to serve with rice, and the sauce goes great over the rice too...
things have been good here, just same old same old, except that i have been fairly preoccupied lately, my mind reeling at night, but i know that's normal. things like, i know we said the nursery was going to be in the guest room, because the office and man room is all set up, but technically that's a smaller room versus a larger room, and what happens to our guest room furniture? what if we don't finish the basement? what if we can't find a sleeper sofa to fit and look right in the office? these are all things i'm thinking through at 2am last night. finally i just knew i had to calm down and sleep. these are all things i know will work themselves out...
someone donated girl scout cookies to us at work the other day. do you know why anyone would not eat girl scout cookies? why they would donate them? that takes some strong will power, to say, 'hmm, i'm staring at these samoas and thin mints, but i think i'm going to give them away to the hungry instead.' here, here, kind stranger, here here. you've got more will power and selflessness than i would ever have....
enjoy your april fools! This day always reminds me of four years ago when i worked at the bank. a friend of mine there had me call her friend, who lived in the apartments at the summit, and who was keeping a dog for a week while her friend was on vacation. i proceeded to call her up and act like apartment management, telling her we got wind she was keeping a dog and if she didn't bring us a $500 pet deposit within an hour or get rid of the dog, we would have her evicted. it was good times...
things have been good here, just same old same old, except that i have been fairly preoccupied lately, my mind reeling at night, but i know that's normal. things like, i know we said the nursery was going to be in the guest room, because the office and man room is all set up, but technically that's a smaller room versus a larger room, and what happens to our guest room furniture? what if we don't finish the basement? what if we can't find a sleeper sofa to fit and look right in the office? these are all things i'm thinking through at 2am last night. finally i just knew i had to calm down and sleep. these are all things i know will work themselves out...
someone donated girl scout cookies to us at work the other day. do you know why anyone would not eat girl scout cookies? why they would donate them? that takes some strong will power, to say, 'hmm, i'm staring at these samoas and thin mints, but i think i'm going to give them away to the hungry instead.' here, here, kind stranger, here here. you've got more will power and selflessness than i would ever have....
enjoy your april fools! This day always reminds me of four years ago when i worked at the bank. a friend of mine there had me call her friend, who lived in the apartments at the summit, and who was keeping a dog for a week while her friend was on vacation. i proceeded to call her up and act like apartment management, telling her we got wind she was keeping a dog and if she didn't bring us a $500 pet deposit within an hour or get rid of the dog, we would have her evicted. it was good times...
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