The Best of 2009

My favorites about 2009. Some I don't have picutes :(


B proposed in Nashville

My Bling... well worth the wait! ha

My little brother left for college

My family bought a labradoodle... She is much bigger now.

B Graduated from WKU

B and I moved in together... I don't have any pictures of our house but I'll give you all a tour one day.

Random Talk!

It's almost 2010... which is also the year I'm getting married!!! AHHH Can't wait. Speaking of wedding talk; only 191 days left.
I'm so sorry the past week or so I haven't had access to the Internet so I'm really behind on reading my daily blogs! Glad to be back.
I hope you all have a wonderful and safe night tonight.

RIP Papaw Pete

This morning, around 6:30 I got a phone call from B's mom. She informed me that papaw had passed away earlier this morning. We thank God he is no longer in pain. Thank you all for your positive thoughts and prayers.

..... now if we can get through Christmas

Please excuse me from my absence I have been under a crazy amount of stress. I usually don't talk about this often however I will fill you all in today. B's papaw has been fighting cancer for almost 10 years. He has several different types and has been doing both radiation and cemo for years.
Last week papaw had been complaining of a terrible headache and was becoming very dizzy. When they took him to his normal cemotherapy they explained to the doctor what was going on. They completed some sort of scan and discovered he had several tumors on his brain. They immediately stopped all other cemotreatments and started radiation for the tumor found on this head. Several days later the left side of his body became numb. He wasn't able to move either his left leg or his left arm. The same day he also had a seizure for the first time. They called 911 and had an ambulance come to their house and take him to the ER.
After another sort of scan they found out that the tumor had doubled in size over a period of 4 days. The family decided to stop all radiation and cemo. After 9 years he is tired to feeling so awful. B and I have spent the last 48 hours at the hospital with his mamaw and other family.
They have increased his pain medication and he has been sleeping since they admitted him. He woke up to eat yesterday but of course someone had to feed him but that has been the only interaction with him. The doctor came in this morning and informed the family that there has been a lot of fluid build up around his lungs. Once that happens he explains that it's only a matter of days.
This time last year the doctors had found another type of cancer he had. At that time they only gave him 30 days to live but somehow he proved them wrong and is still here. Also, if you remember my papaw just passed away in November after fighting cancer for only 3 months.
Needless to say, this Christmas is not going to be as great as we would like. Please keep our family in your prayers and I will keep you all posted.

Eyelet Garter

I have always been a fan of eyelet, I think it's so classy and elegant. Last night B and I went to BigLots to pick up a few things and as I always am, I was on the look out for anything I think we could use for the wedding when I came across this Martha Stewart Eyelet Garter. It's perfect! And... is was on clearance for $2.

This picture totally doesn't justify how cute it is.



I also found that Martha Stewart carries many other eyelet wedding items. I might see about finding the flower girl basket on eBay.

No Bake Fudge

B has been practically begging for me to make peanut butter fudge. Not sure why seeing how I have NEVER in my life made it before however I thought I would give it a try. Over the weekend his mamaw gave me this recipe and I tried it last night and it was REALLY good.

Ingredients:
1 cup of peanut butter
1 pound of powdered sugar
2 sticks of butter
1 tsp of vanilla
Directions:
Melt the 2 sticks of butter and peanut butter in the microwave. Rapidly stir in the powder sugar and vanilla. Pour in a 9x13 glass baking dish. Refrigerate for 1 hour. You can then cut it into square pieces.

If you are a peanut butter fan you will love this recipe! It's so simple but yet so delicious.

Being a Host

So if you know me personally than you know I love to host, entertain, throw parties, and have people to our house! As the holiday season is in it's prime time I wanted to share with you a few inexpensive ways I like for my house to be over-the-top!


I always have one of these hiding behind a piece of furniture. When you walk in from the front door our house smells so warm and inviting. I actually use these all year around I just like the Holiday Spice during the Christmas season.

You can create very inexpensive centerpieces with the ornaments that couldn't fit on your Christmas tree. I also saw the solid red and gold ones at the Dollar Tree!

A charger plate is a terrific way to add color and texture to a dinner table. I found a plastic set of 4 in the dollar section at Target and they had a set of 12 of 19.99 that were ceramic.

Always provide warm yummy treats for your guest. I like to set some out for people to munch on before the meal. If I'm not serving I meal I will have different snacks set up like a buffet in my kitchen.


If you want to have favors for your guests, ornaments are a sure bet! Having something for people to take home with them is always nice.

The most important thing is for your home to be warm and welcoming. Enjoy your time with friends and family. After all, that's what it's all about.

Wreaths, Wreaths, Glorious Wreaths!!!

I have been on a wreath kick lately! Aren't these adorable? I haven't decided which one I will make but next week is my last week of school for the semester so I will have A LOT of time on my hands over Christmas break. I think it's like 7 weeks... CRAZY! I really like the marshmallow ones.









Which one is your favorite?

limes and apples!

I have been searching for affordable centerpieces and I really love the idea of incorporating either limes or green apples. Since my colors are lime green and pink I think these are the perfect colors. Check these out!







I think this is adorable!












I think I like this the best. And it would be less expensive because of the candles rather than flowers.

DIY Ring Bearer Pillow/Advice

I found this at www.myDIYweddingday.com and I absolutely love it!
I'm now on a search to find green buttom mums. Does anyone know a website for discounted artificial flowers?

Green Button Mum Ring Bearer Pillow

Materials
1 in. thick artificial floral foam
clippers
knife
Green button mums
Black boutonniere pins
1 yd. of ½ in. ribbon
Faux rings

Bridesmaid Dresses:
I found the dresses at Davids Bridal and I'm going with the Watermelon Pink color. The watermelon color on Davids Bridal website looks so different then what the actual dresses look like. My colors are watermelon pink and lime green. Ahh... I just love them so much. Honestly, I really want to buy one of the dresses for myself!! Could I wear it to the rehearsal? or a bridal shower? Any suggestions?

Bridesmaid Dress!

I found my bridesmaid dresses!

They are a cotton sateen strapless dress with ruching and in seam pockets. I seriously want to buy one for myself hehe! I really wanted to find something the girls would be able to wear on a different occasion and I think I succeeded. I would totally wear this during the summer all the time. I love love love it!

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?

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.

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!