Monday, November 30, 2009

Christmas Scents

One my of favorite things about the Christmas season is all of the wonderful scents. Just think about it... It's the one time of the year that everything smells so wonderful! Here are a few of my favorites;

All of the baking

The smell of REAL Christmas trees

Winter Candy Apple by Bath and Body Works holiday collection

YUmm... hot coco

My parents are putting in a real fireplace and I'm pumped about going home on Christmas

The way the air smells when it snows

What is your favorite thing about the Christmas season?

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Oh how I love Christmas

B and I got home from celebrating Thanksgiving on Friday afternoon. While we were home I collected tons of Christmas decor from different people including my BFF's parents ha! and my grandma. We haven't put up our big Christmas tree yet however we have put up a tiny one in our kitchen and a few other things around the house. There is a sneak peak;

Our tree topper

It's so tiny!

I love this! My grandma gave it to me and I just think it's adorable.

Our front door, I might make a Christmas wreath later on but for now we will use this little guy.

Cookie Jar!
Once we put up our big tree I will be able to decide where I want everything else to go. Once the house it fully completed I'll give you a tour of all the Christmas decor.

Did anyone get out and shop on Black Friday? I didn't! B and I got out a little while Friday night but didn't find anything. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Thanksgiving Favorites

I cook all year around but there is just something about the holidays that make me want to do more, make something more special! Here are a few of my favorites that my family will be enjoying this year.

Green Bean Bundles:
Ingredients
2 cans of green beans
10 strips bacon cut in half
Garlic salt to taste
4 tbsp. butter, melted
3 tbsp. packed, light brown sugar
Toothpicks

Gather 6-10 green beans in a bundle. Wrap 1/2 piece of bacon around bundle. Insert a toothpick to secure bacon and green beans. Put bundles on 9X13 baking dish. Sprinkle bundles with garlic salt. Pour melted butter over bundles. Sprinkle brown sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until bacon is done.

Instead of using a tooth pick you can tie a knot in the bacon to secure the green beans. I think it looks better like this.


Mini Macaroni Pies:
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups crushed Ritz crackers (about 35 crackers)
2 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese (10 ounces)
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
4 1/2 cups cooked elbow macaroni (8 ounces uncooked), drained and kept hot
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 8 cups of a 12-cup muffin pan.
In a bowl, combine the crackers, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, and the melted butter. Divide the mixture among the prepared muffin cups and press firmly in the bottom and up the sides of the cups.
In a large bowl, mix the macaroni with ½ cup of the cheddar cheese. In a small bowl, combine the eggs, milk, sour cream, cold butter pieces, and salt. Stir the milk mixture into the macaroni.
Spoon 2 tablespoons of the macaroni mixture into each cracker crust and top with the remaining cheddar cheese. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the cheese is browned and slightly crispy. Allow the pies to cool slightly before unmolding and serving warm.
I will doubling this recipe because we will have more than 8 people celebrating Thanksgiving with us. I think the kids will love these! This is a Paula Deen recipe!



Sausage Balls:
Ingredients
1 lb. hot sausage
2 c. grated Cheddar cheese
2 c. Bisquick (biscuit mix)

Combine all ingredients, I like to use my hands. Shape into 1 inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.



I would love to hear some of your holiday favorites!
Happy Cooking ya'll!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Why I love this week!

I'm so excited about my new blog background! Isn't it adorable? My friend Alexa over at and I spend hours Saturday night finding the PERFECT one. I love the picture of B and I at the top. Thanks Alexa... your awesome!!! hehe

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend!


1. I only have a 2 day work/class week
2. Going home to stay with my parents on Wednesday afternoon through Thanksgiving
3. While we are home we will be picking up our Christmas tree that Alexa is letting us borrow. Which means we will up it up this weekend when we get back home. CAN'T WAIT
4. I'm bringing home a few new recipes in celebration of Thanksgiving and I can't wait to try them. I'll post them later this afternoon
5. We are expecting snow flurries on Thursday
6. B and I will have several days this week to just be together and relax!!

Friday, November 20, 2009

Weekend plans

So glad it's Friday. B and I are going to dinner and renting a movie tonight! I'm super excited to do nothing and just hang out at home. I have some laundry and a few things to do around the house but nothing to big. We are renting the Ugly Truth. Have you seen it? Is it any good?
Saturday B has to work out of town so I'm going to get a pedi and have lunch with some of my girl friends...Can't wait!

Sunday I will be attempting a few new recipes I will be bring to my parents house for Thanksgiving. If they work out I will post them next week for you to enjoy too. I hope you all have an amazing weekend!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Wedding Cake Topper


I have been looking for a cake topper all week. I didn't realize how expensive they are! I really wanted the monogrammed letters. I wanted to do a Y in the middle, which is our last name and then 2 little Bs on the side for our first names. Who knew you could spend almost $100 on a wedding cake topper... that's insane! So lucky me, I decided to look on eBay where I won a 4inch Y for 2 dollars! 2 dollars can you believe that? They didn't charge any shipping either and it came 2 days later. I'm so excited.... It's just what I wanted

Sunday, November 15, 2009

I said yes to the dress!!!


I'm so excited to announce that I bought my wedding dress yesterday. It's exactly what I have been wanting. I love love love it! I'm not going to post any pictures even though I so badly want too. It's the ONLY dress I have tried on but I just knew it was the one as soon as I saw myself in the mirror. I will tell you all that it has a pink bow and I'm going to wear pink shoes! I'm so excited about that.

This isn't my dress but the bow it similar. I think it's adorable.

How many dresses did you try on before you found "the one?"

Thursday, November 12, 2009

I'm gunna miss you my friend


Hello blog world! I'm sorry for my absence lately, I have had a rather stressful week. My papaw passed away this weekend and I have been home staying with parents since Monday. He passed away from cancer that was just diagnosed less then 3 months ago. I practically lived with my grandparents growing up and have been blessed to share so many memories with them. He was such an amazing person. He was so generous and has helped so many people in our community. Last night we counted the names in the sign in book and there were 570 people that came. I'm guessing there were more people who didn't sign in too. Isn't that awesome? He was awesome! He will be desperately missed by many people. Love you papaw and can't wait to see you again :)

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Julie/Julia



There has been so much talk about the movie Julie and Julia lately that I decided to watch it last night. AMAZING. Need I say more? I absolutely love this movie. Actually I want to buy it now. There are so many aspects about the movie that I love so much. First; I love how Julie's husband supported her as she began her journey. I loved how he helped her start the blog by picking out her layout and thinking of the name. I thought that was so cute. Secondly, I think the love each couple has for their spouse as incredible. Both husbands show so much love and support. It's precious! I love how both Julie and Julia are so determinded. When Julie's friend tells her she can be a teacher without the diploma I love her reaction. And when Julia's husband tells her to take a break and she explains that she only has so many days left and how her past year will be a waste if she doesn't complete her goal. I'm not going to tell you any more details I don't want to ruin it for the people who haven't seen it yet. GO RENT IT!!! I promise you will love it.
My favorite quote; you are the butter to my bread and breath to my life.

Bedding

Mr. Love and I won't register until closer to the actual wedding date but I don't think it would hurt to start looking for things that we want! My bedding, dishes, and bath collection are the most important things. I want them to be perfect since I will have them so for long. I have found a few bedding collections I really like. I don't know why but I'm drawn to neutral colors. Since we will probably move a few times before we actually get to the house we will stay at, it's probably a good thing.










Monday, November 2, 2009

Our Engagement Pictures!

We got our Engagement pictures back this weekend! I. Love. Them. She took sooo many so I just picked out a few of my favorites to share with you. I'm going to mail one to the pictures in which we are holding the frame as our save-the-dates. We only wore one outfit because there wasn't anywhere to change clothes. But I still think they are adorable.