Saturday, April 14, 2012

Wedding Shower/Anniversary

Today we celebrated one of my best friends engagement with a Bridal Shower. This was hosted by the Brides family. Here is a picture of the Bridesmaids, (Bride in the center), minus one Bridesmaid out of town. This Bride will be the last of my friends to be married - we'll all be in the Married Club now!!! I also had my hair colored beforehand, and attempted the blond look today (2nd from the left)....the Hubs has been requesting this for a while, so I thought I would try it for the summer.


Here are pictures from me and my Hubs Anniversary Dinner, (unfortunately these were the only photos I was able to get out of him - but he was awfully handsome in them, so I'm good). Plus - you might notice that the dress I'm wearing is the same dress I wore for our Wedding Rehearsal Dinner. Great news, I can still fit into it after 2 years of marriage!!! Wahoo!!!!!







Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Dr. Pepper and PB&J's

I have found that over the past 3 months, that I have become slightly addicted to Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches, and Diet Dr. Pepper.

For a real treat I get my two wheat slices of bread, smear on a thick coat of Kroger creamy Peanut Butter on one slice and another thick coat of low sugar Smuckers Jelly on the other slice. I throw it in the toaster oven to melt the PB& J, and take it out when its nice and hot. I then pop open a cold Diet Dr. Pepper and feel my worries melting away. So niiiiice!


http://www.drpepper.com/

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Easter





Easter has approached us once more. We had a very full day, which seems to be the common theme for Holidays. I gotta say I did not realize how busy Holidays would be after you got married. But then again, me and my Hubs did not spend every Holiday together before we got married, (met July, engaged same November, married that April). So the first year of Holidays - we were seeing more what goes on for each family and the 2nd year has been more of adjustments. Here is a picture of my brother-in-law's bday party (we included his birthday at Easter).






My sweet Hub's relaxing -













Being Sunday, I make most of my lunches/breakfast for the week, (getting meals together for the day tend to be hectic for me, so I do most on Sunday).


I have made a Pinterest breakfast, (which is where most of my meals are coming from these days):

I am a big fan of oatmeal for breakfast - gotta have my carbs first thing. The new recipe I found also had a breakdown of price, which I am also a big fan of CHEAP.






Yum!!!!!


Friday, April 6, 2012

Anniversary





Well - me and my Hunny have been married for 2 years this month. I am so happy where life has taken us and where we have come from 2 years ago. We've learned one anothers likes, dislikes, loves, stressors, comforts, humors, and emotions so much better. We've learned to always be for one another and support the others hopes and dreams. One of my favorite things are the pet names we have given one another. All though silly - always full of endearment he will call me either, "Booboo, Little Bear, Poo Poo, or Kel". So sweet and always makes me melt.



The first picture above is my absolute FAVORITE picture of my husband. As a favor to me, I requested that our wedding photographer to a picture of Chris the moment he sees me in my wedding gown. It alwasy makes me feel special seeing his face in this picture.







For this weekend, he is taking me to one of my favorite restaurants, (Maggianos). Then for the year ahead of us, we are planning on getting a 2 person kayak, (we live near a very large river), and are taking a trip to New York in December, (but details are still in the making).










Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Birthday Party

Our family recently got together to celebrate the birthday of my Nanny. This is the wife of my recently deceased Papa. My nanny has had Alzheimers for at least 6-7 years, and recently moved into a retirement home after my Papa fell in December '11.





















Its tough being close to someone with Alzheimers. The small things that confused her like why there were so many people around her and why she had to blow on candles on a cake. But she is a good, christian woman. Someone who used to make the best chicken & dumplings and biscuits. Someone who was a good person. This celebration was worth getting this picture of me (left), her, and my sis (right).

Theres a picture of her in her room at the age of 15 - when asking her who it was, she could pin point exactly where it was, that it was her, and how old she was. I showed her a picture of her and my papa, and she stated that she knows him and saw him a few weeks ago, (he passed away over 2 months ago). This reminded me of the song by Rascal Flatts, 'Ellsworth'. A song that will take you back to the movie, 'The Notebook'.
A few memories of the two of them over the past year that I will never forget.
1 - When my mom was talking to my grandfather on the phone early this past summer, my papadidn't hang up the phone all the way. My mother decided to listen in and hear what they were saying. My nanny, (in the progressed stage of Alzheimers) said out loud, 'why are you staring at me'? My papaat the time 90 years old, just plainly said, 'I cant help it, your beautiful'!
2 - As my grandfather is in the fetal position in the last stage of his life, on his death bed, my nanny, (who had not been able to place who my papa was for the past 3 months) asked my mother if she could speak the the gentleman laying in the bed. My mother said of course. As my nanny got up and hobbeled to the bed, my papa rolled on his side to face her, with his eyese closed in severe pain. She placed her hand on his hand and stated, 'you were a good husband to me, and great father, and my best friend. It is ok to go, I am taken care of'. Two hours later my Papa passed away. Its like he needed to know she was ok before he left her. As the pastor said at his funeral, he always said when he went to heaven, he was going to carry Jean (my nanny) in his pocket.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Cake Time!!

As a special treat for my Team at work, I decided to make a homemade Birthday Cake. My Co-worker requested either a Pumpkin Spice Cake, or a Sock-it-to-me Cake. I told him, 'put your hands together'!



So I went out and bought all ingredients needed for both Cakes. One issue is, we only have 12 people in our group, so I dont want to make '2' cakes....so here is my little experiment.


















First I made one cake flavor (pumpkin spice) in a 10'' pan and another cake flaover in another 10" pan (the sock-it-to-me). Then I made another 10" cake pan with the pumpkin spice recipe. When these two pans came out of the oven and cooled, I cut each flavor, after it had been inverted from the pan, straight down the middle. Then I took each 'moon', iced the top, and then added the same flavered 'moon' on top. I then did the same exact thing to the second flavor.
















The next step, I iced the center wall and put both flavored 'moons' together.

















Here you have it! The left side is Pumpkin Spice and the right side is Sock-it-to-me.








Now with the final touches - the frosting!!!!



















*Both these cake recipes came from www.duncanhines.com

Bachelorette Party








Party Time!!!











My night out on the town, which was much needed, was for a friends Bachelorette Party.











The night consisted of a Pure Passion Party, (if you dont know what that is, google the website - its a little bit of a treat ;)).















The Bride to be then opened her gifts, (can you tell she's an Auborn fan?).





























Then we headed to one of the best restaurants in ATL - Loca Luna. Great place to get Topas, dance, and overall great atmostphere.


Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Angel Eggs








At every family event on my Husbands side, we have a very large lunch completely homemade by my mother-in-law. Our menu usually consists of: Grilled Chicken, Hamburgers, Roast Beef, Carrots, Green Beans, Macaroni & Cheese, Corn, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Rolls, and Angel Eggs.
The most recent gathering was for Chris' (my Husband) brother's Birthday - I offered to bring the Angel Eggs. I decided to make pretty Eggs for the big blast of Spring Weather we've had recently:


















All I did was boil the eggs like normal, then take the yoke out, (like the upper right corner egg).


*And yes, I used healthy 'Smart Balance' mayo for these - and the Fam never knew.


Then allow the Whites to soak in a cup of water, food coloring, and a touch of apple cider vinegar, like so:



Take the eggs out after at least five minutes, then allow to sit on a paper towel to lit the excess water fall off.
Here are some pic's of the family enjoy their time together:













The oldest brother turned 30 last week -




The three brothers and mom playing wiffel ball.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Soccer

My Husband is big into Soccer. Well, big into playing it. Both of us played starting at an early age, I stopped after High School, and he is still playing, (for fun). He is currently playing for the SilverBacks in Atlanta. I really enjoy continuing to be in the atmosphere of soccer - however the down fall is watching him get hurt.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

March Madness





















I have officially added in my Picks for my March Madness Bracket!!!! Let the games begin.








Also - Here is my green feathery Saint Patricks Day Wreath! May not be guy approved - but who can resist green feathers?!?!


























THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT FOR TODAY/WEEK:


Chris won his sales competition and is now the only one with a headset phone in his department! My big love bird is so good in Sales!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Facebook

I've decided to get away from Facebook for a while. I will begin to actually focus on this blog - instead of using Facebook. I believe I have becoming a little obsessed to the big FB, and not in a good way. Focusing on what others have been doing more than focusing on what I am doing in my own life. So, to help in my situation, my sweet husband has agreed to do what I've been asking for a couple of months. See, when we were dating/engaged, we took nightly walks together to have 'quality' time together. Almost two years into our marriage now, and we just dont do those things anymore. It is important to still have together times. So, Chris has promised me nightly walks during the week, to replace my Facebook face time.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Passing time











Pretty ironic that one of my last posts was about my grandparents. With my grandfather just passing away in January, everyone is trying to get back on their feet. I think of that song 'Enchanted' by Taylor Swift is a good song to descibe him - in the sense of him being my grandfather. It was Enchanting to meet him.














This month I also received a promotion at work. I am currently the Team Manager for Reliance Trusts transfer department. Woot, woot! I am currently training to lead 3 other people, (and did I mention Im the only girl?!).














My current quilty pleasure is Pinterest - I make 3 meals a week based off that website! Amazing!!!!







I've also made 2 wreaths, 2 christmas presents, and several decorations around the house and wedding shower/baby shower.














One of my best friends, Rebecca, got engaged in December. I get to be her Matron of Honor. There will be shower held in her honor on May 5, 12. Im so excited about doing this for her, with the other bridesmaids.