What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I can't believe it's already Wednesday!  Despite it being my first full week at work in quite some time, this week has FLOWN by!  On this Wednesday, here are a few things I'm loving:

1.  I'm loving that we are headed to the mountains this weekend for our annual cabin trip!  I can't wait to eat tons of good food, relax with a fire, watch tons of football, and spend tons of time catching up with some Knoxville friends!

Here's a pic of all the girls from last year's trip!

2.  I'm loving the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show that was on TV last night!  I had never watched it before, and OMG!  What have I been missing?????  I loved it!  And how much do I love Adam Levine!  I seriously think his personality is awesome!

One of my favorite moments!  

3.  I'm loving knocking stuff off my "to do" list.  Although, it seems I haven't been able to do enough of that lately...oh well, there needs to be time for fun and relaxation, right?  At least that's what I'm telling myself!

4.  I'm loving that I ordered my wedding dress this weekend!  I am SOOOOOOOO excited!  The fabulous crew from Olia Zavozina hooked me up with a custom dress, and I can't wait for it to get here!  What made it even better was their "Black Friday" special!  Now, ladies and gentleman...let the diet begin!  Ha!

Not my wedding dress, but one that I think is very pretty!

5.  And of course, I'm loving these two fabulous creatures:

Weekend Update!

What a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend it was!  I am so glad that I got to spend this time with my family and my favorite people!  The weekend started out on Thursday, when Patrick, Zoey and I hopped in the car and headed east to Strawberry Plains to visit my family.  Like I mentioned in this post, Patrick was in charge of the turkey this year, so we had to get there fairly early.  After waiting around most of the day for all the food to be ready, we finally got down to business.  Here is a look at our spread:

All of the food was delicious, and Patrick, Laura, my mom, and myself outdid ourselves this year...if I do say so myself.

Typically, on Thanksgiving evening, we always go see a movie as a family.  However, this year none of us were feeling it because there really wasn't anything we could agree on, so we decided to resort to playing Skip-Bo instead...I LOVE that game!

Around 10:30, Laura and I decided to brave the crowds and try to head out and do some Black Friday shopping.  Our first stop...McDonald's...afterall, if we were going to be fighting the crowds, we at least wanted to get our caffeine fix beforehand!

After sleeping in on Friday, my mom made a really tasty breakfast and then we just kind of relaxed most of the day.  Friday evening though, we decided to venture out to The Little Dutch (my favorite restaurant from my childhood) and then we headed to the bowling alley...and by bowling alley, I mean OLD SCHOOL bowling alley...as in, keep your own score bowling alley!  We had a great time and enjoyed a little family rivalry while we were at it!

Here's a look at our DIY scoresheet! 

Being the accountant (i.e. control freak) that I am, I insisted on keeping score!  =)

My mom and brother!

My dad (pretending to have a terrible time, because he wanted to be at home sleeping) and me!

Finally, my beau and me!

Saturday morning, after having another yummy breakfast made by my mom (yes, she spoils us when we are home), it was time to pack up the car and head back to Nashville.  Saturday night, we headed over to Ed's house for his annual birthday celebration!  We had a great time, but since we'd been traveling a lot that day, we called it an early night and headed home!

Sunday was a nice relaxing day due to the rainy, cold weather.  It was really nice to have some time to prepare for the work week though, so I wasn't complaining!

What about you?  Did you have a wonderful Thanksgiving?

Plenty to be THANKful For - Blog Swap Revealment

For the blog swap, I was teamed up with Kristine at Living a Barefoot and Crazy Lifestyle, and she did such a great job with my goodies.  After being off work all week last week, it was so nice to come back to the office on Monday to this package sitting on my desk:

And when I opened it up, it was even cuter:

The gifts inside were exactly the type of stuff that I love:

I got some yummy Peppermint candy... 

...some Iced Gingerbread handsoap from Bath and Body Works...

...a Gingerbread scented candle...

...and this beautiful snowflake candle holder...

I LOVE Christmas scented stuff, so I am so excited for all of my goodies!  I can't wait to test them all out!  Thanks so much Kristine!  You definitely know how to please this girl!  =)

Project 365 - Week 31

Sunday, November 22, 2011 -- Took a picture of dinner that Patrick made, but for some reason the pic won't post.  =)

Monday, November 21, 2011 -- To Do List for My Week Off 

Tuesday, November 22, 2011 -- Practicing for Zoey's Christmas Card Picture

Wednesday, November 23, 2011 -- My Famous Pumpkin PIe

Thursday, November 24, 2011 -- Thanksgiving Meal!

Friday, November 25, 2011 -- Old School Family Bowling

Saturday, November 26, 2011 -- My Microwave that Caught on Fire!

Plenty to be THANKful for -- Black Friday and Leftovers!

Black Friday...this was the first year I was able to convince someone to go with me to get some Christmas goodies on Black Friday.  For years and years, I have wanted to participate in this shopping extravaganza, but everyone in my family is anti-black Friday shopping!  However, this year, my sister and I ventured out of the house at 10:30 on Thanksgiving evening and headed to both Wal-Mart and Target...we tried to go to Old Navy, but that was the biggest mess I have ever witnessed and the sales weren't all that great, so we decided to call it a night!  I think we both agree that we're glad we went on this adventure, and that we'll probably participate again next year.

My sister -- Ready to go with PLENTY of coffee!

As for leftovers, I have somehow managed this year to not eat a single piece of turkey on this day after Thanksgiving!  Which makes me very happy!  It was an excellent meal, don't get me wrong, but one turkey meal a week is enough for me!

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of your weekend!  Happy Turkey Day!

Plenty to be THANKful for -- Thanksgiving!

This is MY family's Thanksgiving table:

And everything was DE-licious!  We had turkey (made in Patrick's new contraption), dressing, gravy, ham, mac 'n cheese, homemade mashed potatoes, broccoli casserole, home grown green beans, cranberry sauce, deviled eggs and pumpkin pie.  So, so yummy!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I'm sure each of us realize how much we have to be thankful for!

Plenty to be THANKful For - Special People in my Life

Well, I have already told everyone about the special people in my life in this post, so I will try to keep it short here, but I still wanted to say a little something special about each of these wonderful people:

Patrick, my fiance -- This guy is always there to make me laugh and to be my rock and my best friend.  He also does a wonderful job raising our little fur child, which I find extremely encouraging for when we have real children!

Zoey, my doggy -- This little girl only came into our lives a few months ago, but she is the sweetest gift I think Patrick or I could have asked for at this point in our lives...and she loves to cuddle, and her mama loves that! =)

My Mama -- I'm sure you've all figured out by now (if you read my blog at all) that my mother can only be described in one word...wonderful!

My Daddy -- No matter what the situation, or how busy my dad is, I can always count on him to drop anything to work on a project for me!  He puts his mind to something and no matter what, it WILL get done!

My Sister -- Laura is definitely the best MOH ever!  She has already started planning my bachelorette party, she is always there to offer any suggestions with wedding plans, and she even sent me a "wedding cake" Pandora charm after we got engaged!  Yep, she's pretty awesome!

My Brother -- Daniel has always been the sweet big brother who is always there to offer a hug or a kind word.  He is very soft spoken, but is always extremely sweet and caring.

Of course, there are also many friends who could be added to this list!  Hope all of you have many special people who love you very much, like I do!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

It's Wednesday!!!!  And while that means that my staycation week is half over, I've still got many things to love on this day!  In fact, I am loving:

1.  That Sweet Zoey is getting her picture made this afternoon for mine and Patrick's first co-Christmas card.  I. CAN'T. WAIT!

Here's a "practice" picture we took of Zoey last night!

2.  That my sister has agreed to go Black Friday shopping with me this year.  I have never been shopping early on Black Friday because I can't get anyone to crawl out of bed to go with me...not this year!  Laura is taking one for the Family Team and heading out with me!  I hope to find of TONS of good deals at many stores...just to name a few:

3.  That after being REALLY under the weather this weekend, I am finally starting to feel like myself again!  I wish that I could figure out the magic secret to keep from getting these awful sinus infections every year, but just when I think I have it figured out, one sneaks up on me when I least expect it.

Even though this pic came from pinterest and was not taken at my house, I'm sure Patrick wishes someone had done this for me...it would have made his life much easier.  =)

4.  That tomorrow is Turkey Day, and Patrick will be deep-frying the turkey this year!    Yummy!

5.  And finally...I'm loving these two...especially since they made sure I was taken care of this weekend when I wasn't feeling well.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I hope you all have many things to Love!

Plenty to be THANKful For - Thanksgiving Traditions

Traditions are a pretty big deal in my family!  We always eat the same (delicious) meal for Thanksgiving dinner and then we ALWAYS go see a movie together as a family!  When I say always, I really mean it...some years have been better than others...like the year we went to see The Blind Side.  Everyone wanted to see that and absolutely LOVED it...some years though, don't work out quite as well...like last year when there was nothing to see so we all settled on seeing Due Date...you know, the completely vulgar movie that makes you freak out in a "I can't believe I am watching this movie with my parents 2 seats away" kind of way.

No matter what we go see though, we always have a great time!  We very rarely get to spend 3 hours with all of us in the same room, and therefore, this tradition makes Thanksgiving a happy day!

Weekend Update!

This weekend was one of many ups and downs...the ups were because there were many fun points, and the downs were because I was sick almost the entire weekend...and just when I thought I was feeling better and would head out to do something fun, I would begin feeling sick again and the vicious cycle started all over!  Fortunately, I went to the doctor this morning, received some antibiotics, and am, hopefully, on the mend!

Friday night, Patrick and I had dinner with our friends, Casey and Dennis at Table 3 (a French restaurant in Green Hills).  The service was kinda crappy, but the food was really good and the company was even better!  It was great to hang out with these two.  We both have such busy lives that we very rarely get to hang out!

Saturday, I woke up feeling terrible, so I just laid around all day...I even had to miss my hair appointment.  Thank goodness I don't have to work this week and was able to reschedule!  That afternoon, I was starting to feel a little better, so Patrick and I headed down to Franklin to have dinner and drinks with Alysia, Ed, Kathleen, and Mickey!  We first had dinner at 55 South, where we continued to hang out after dinner to watch UT win their first SEC game of the season!  Yes, it was Vandy, but I was still super excited for the boys in orange!  Now, if we can JUST win next week, we'll be heading to another bowl game this year!  WOOHOO!

All the girls watching the end of the game!

After the game, we headed to JJ's Wine Bar!  I have to say, this place was so cool!  When you walk in they give you a "wine card."  This card allows you to pick from several different wines and purchase either a taste, a half glass, or a full glass.  It's a really cool concept and has a great environment to relax and catch up with friends.

Patrick giving us his best sophisticated look.  =) 

The entire gang!

The amazing chocolate fondue that Alysia got us!

Sunday morning, Patrick and I got up and headed to church, lunch and to run some errands.  As we were heading home to watch the Titans game, I started feeling really rough again...therefore, the rest of my night was spent relaxing on the couch.

Despite being pretty sick, it actually ended up being a pretty good weekend.  How was your weekend?

Plenty to be THANKful For - The Blogoverse, The 21st Century, and Favorite Thanksgiving Recipe!

Since I missed a couple of days last week due to being a little under the weather, I thought I'd do some catching up today.

The Blogoverse -- I am so thankful to have become a blogger...It has allowed me the perfect outlet to express my feelings, and more than anything, it has given me a daily journal that I hope to have for many years to come.  The Blogoverse has also allowed me to find all of these fabulous blogs:
Happily Ever Faster
Fitting Into the Windy City...and My Clothes
Michabella at Living a Life of Love
Nothing Rhymes with Rachel
The Sweet Life
analyze this
Hello! Happiness
Justin & Marcie Morris
Kelso Thoughts
Lovin' My Life
Simply Smithwick

The 21st Century -- Oh, geez, where to begin with this one...I think there are so many pieces of technology that we can be thankful for, but the top of my list right now is my brand new iPhone.  I seriously don't know what I have done without one for so long...All I can say is that it is by far the coolest piece of technology I own, and I am so glad I got it!

;  

My Favorite Thanksgiving Recipe -- Several years ago, I decided to try to follow in my Grandmother's footsteps and make a homemade pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving dinner.  Well, after that one meal, it has become an essential addition every single year!  Here is the EASY, EASY recipe:

Whisk together a 15 oz. can pumpkin, 2/3 cup light brown sugar, 2/3 cup heavy cream, 1/3 cup milk, 2 eggs, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla, 1 Tbs. pumpkin pie spice, an 1/4 tsp. salt.  Bake in a 9 in. refrigerated pie crust at 375 degrees for 55 minutes.  Sprinkle hot pie with 3 chopped milk chocolate-butter toffee bars (such as Skor or Heath; let cool and serve.

Have you been linking up with the Plenty to be THANKful For posts?  If not, it's never too late to start!