Friday, August 31, 2012

What's For Dinner

Confession: I have been seriously slacking in the dinner department lately. It is always a struggle when I get home from work to balance: exercising Pepper, exercising me, extra activities, chores, and cooking dinner. Sadly, cooking dinner is what usually falls off the list. Every week I vow that THIS will be the week I cook 3-4 nights...well I will keep vowing it until I finally make it happen. 

However, last night I skipped spin class and decided to make dinner. I found this recipe on this blog. It was pretty tasty. Sausage Stuffed Zucchini may be my new favorite! Try it out for yourself!

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Tis the Season

It is true. I have officially started my Christmas shopping. Now before you think I am crazy and no longer want to be my friend, let me plead my case. 

For the past few years, I have been quite busy during this time of year (planning a wedding, grad school, etc) and have had to put off my Christmas shopping until the last minute. This makes for a very hectic November/December when the last thing I want to do is shop. I HATE going to the mall in the month of December. It is a mad house. I truly dislike running all over town trying to find the perfect gift, when I really want to be sitting at home eating gingerbread and looking at my Christmas tree. 

With my early shopping strategy, I am able to compare items and also find the best deals possible. I can watch for coupons and keep my eye out for seasonal specials. I have the luxury of time!

Also, does anyone else find it impossible to find that perfect gift when you are looking for it? I have much better luck if I just happen upon things along the way. So this year, I am embracing early Christmas shopping. I have already made my Google doc with everyone listed and ideas for each person. I hope to have all my shopping done (except for those great Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals) by Thanksgiving so I can truly embrace the holiday season.

So it is official! Today kicked off my holiday shopping season. Merry merry!


Wednesday, August 29, 2012

To Do List

Mac and I are working away on a to do list for our house. One item was to work on the landscaping in the front of our house. This weekend we raked, edged, and mulched our front flower beds. Pepper helped out by eating as much mulch as she possibly could.

A few weeks ago a new HomeGoods store opened in Memphis. I made my first trip on Saturday. I picked up two chairs for our front porch. They look great! I am thinking of spray painting them though. I'm not sure if the light blue color will go with my fall decor...so ready for the cooler weather!

Friday, August 24, 2012

Peps

What's that you say? You need a Pepper photo to get you through the weekend? Well here ya go! Happy Friday.

Florida Va Cay!

Last spring (heck...last winter) our friends Libby and Darrell asked us if we wanted to take a beach trip in August. We said, "Yes, please!" Another couple we are all friends with, Matt and Rachel, signed up too! Needless to say, we have been looking forward to this trip for a long time. By the time the trip actually rolled around, seven days of sand and sun was just what we needed. I have a few photos from the trip below. We had such a great time and I am ready to go back! 

Mac and I have had vacation hangover this whole week! We are going to do our best to accomplish some fun things around the house this weekend. Wish us luck!




A foggy camera photo of our little house!

The girls, while we were waiting outside of Red Bar.


Candid photo of the boys!

We decided to walk down to the beach while we were waiting.

This is the classic Mac face I get 99% of the time I ask him to go or do anything.

I like this one better.

Yum. Yum. Yum. My favorite beach food.

Rachel and Matt on board the Sea Blaster!

More Sea Blaster!

Libby and D

We saw tons of dolphins on our Sea Blaster cruise.

Mac wanted a hug from the bear at Harry T's. We went there for dinner after our cruise. Then we headed to AJ's for a night of dancing and fun.

Mac and I broke from the group on the last night to have dinner at George's at Alys Beach. Delicious!

As soon as we saw "Warm Chocolate Goo" as an option on the dessert menu, we knew it had to be ours. It was amazing.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

To make or to buy?

Making drapes for our living room was on my to-do list for the coming weeks. I don't have fabric picked out, but was planning on something neutral. While at Target today, I found these lovely patterned panels...and I am now torn! These are cheap, cute, neutral and easy. Hmmm. Thoughts, anyone?

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Back in Memphis (nail update!)

Mac and I just arrived back in Memphis after a week at the beach. We are pooped and have a ton of laundry to do, but I wanted to update you on my shellac manicure! It turned out great. No chips even after a whole week at the beach! Check out the before and after shot below!

Friday, August 10, 2012

New Manicure

I got my first shellac/gel manicure yesterday! I thought it would have a better chance at the beach vs. regular polish! So far I am loving it. I will let you know what it looks like after a week of sand and sun.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Pepper's Photo Shoot

While my parents were in town last weekend, we had a mini photo shoot with Pepper. It is so sad, but 90% of my photos nowadays are of her. Oh well, at least she is cute. She will be five months old next week...and we think she is around 45 lbs. Ohhhhh Peps.






Oh no. She's not spoiled at all...

Enjoying her new favorite treat, an ice cube!


 

Monday, August 6, 2012

Weekend Roundup!

Flight for my belated birthday celebration and Mom and Dad's 33rd anniversary.

Errands on Saturday...came across this very Memphis license plate.

Maple bacon donut before church on Sunday.

Sunday afternoon dobie play date while Mac and I trip planned with our Florida group. Yay for vacations!