Tuesday, May 30, 2017

{Memorial Day Weekend Recap}

Happy Tuesday!  Hope everyone enjoyed their extended weekend & the unofficial "kickoff" to summer.  But let's not forget those who lost their lives so we could have these freedoms.
Thursday was Mason's 6th grade graduation.  He will be moving from St. Paul's to public school in the fall!
Friday morning, this cute little guy came to Blue Bell!
Friday evening I stayed home & listened to the Cubs on the radio.  I think for the first time since I have moved into my house, I sat outside, had a glass of wine & ate supper on my deck.  It was quite nice I do have to say!
Saturday I mowed & then spent the rest of the afternoon working on adding lights around my firepit.  I needed a way to connect them from the house so I decided to concrete in 2 posts.  Unfortunately I have zero patience & attached the lights too soon.  The tension loosened the posts & on Sunday, I could literally just pull them out of the ground. I dug it all up & tried again, letting it cure for over 24 hours this time & it worked great!  Lesson learned...but I LOVE how it turned out.  Can't wait to host some parties back there.
 
 
Clearly all that hard work was exhausting for Nola...
Sunday was church, lunch with mom & then a crawfish boil at Clayton & Kelli's!
Monday I decided to tackle my guestroom closet. #homedecorloverproblems  Seriously y'all, it was BAD.  It's still not the greatest, but at least you can see the floor now & I added some stuff to the garage sale pile!
Last night I grilled some chicken breasts for the week & caught up on laundry...exciting life I live I tell ya! =)  Now it's back to work & a calendar full of things to do {I only thought it was going to get better...ha!}.
How many more days til the next holiday?!


Monday, May 22, 2017

{Weekend Recap}

So, what happens when you sleep in on Sunday & then take a nap to catch up on all the sleep you've been missing out on the past few weeks?  You don't sleep AT ALL on Sunday night.  Seriously y'all - I was awake all. night. long.  I watched every hour on the clock & it sucked.  I generally don't have a hard time going to or staying asleep, but I've had a busy few weeks.  I was tired yesterday so we slept in & took a nap late yesterday afternoon {something else I don't generally do}.  But let me tell you - I'm paying for it today!  

Anyway...back to my weekend recap!  Friday night I got a call from my mom around 8:15 that they were headed back to the ER with my grandma.  She had just been there the night before for a bad UTI, but they released her Friday afternoon & by Friday evening - she had fallen.  Thankfully nothing was broke & after several hours, they released her.  I went up for a few minutes & ended up bringing this cutie home with me for a sleepover!
Morgan left around 11:00 & I made a quick trip to College Station.  I was starting to have Target withdrawals. =)  They had the cutest 4th of July dollar spot stuff so I couldn't leave empty handed!  Then I went to Hobby Lobby & they were putting out their fall stuff....most people think I am completely nuts but it made my day!   Honestly there is nothing I like about summer so hurry up August {yes, even though it's still 105 outside, I consider that the "start" of fall}.
Speaking of fall - check out my pumpkin patch!  I am going to be so disappointed if I don't get any pumpkins to grow so keep your fingers crossed!!
I did do a little decorating with my red, white & blue that I will keep up for Memorial Day & 4th of July.  Here's a sneak peek!  
Sunday, Nola & I were bums.  I admit it...and it felt good to do nothing.  We watched Hallmark movies, took a nap, went for a walk & for the first time in a long time - I fixed a "real" supper {meatloaf is my fav!}.
 
5 more work days & then I have a long weekend...can't wait.
Happy Monday, friends!!

Friday, May 19, 2017

{Life Lately}

Hey y'all & Happy Friday!  May is flying by...school is almost out, temps are about to be in the 100's and Hobby Lobby is about to have their fall stuff out! =)

Once again, it's been a busy week so here's a quick recap...

Friday was the 2 year anniversary of the Blue Bell layoff. Not exactly the kind of anniversary you want to celebrate, but it's fun to get together &  celebrate the fact that we still get to work together!
Saturday I got to babysit my favorite little guy for a few hours.  Seriously y'all, he is the sweetest baby ever.  I mean - just look at him!
Sunday was Mother's Day & we celebrated with burgers at Colby & Jodie's.  The early part of the week involved class reunion meetings, baseball & cleaning house like a mad woman.  I have gotten to where I hate cleaning house.  Hate. It.  But, I helped host a baby shower for my friend Carol on Thursday evening so some deep cleaning went down this week.  Like baseboards, ceilings {dang spiderwebs drive me CRAZY!!}, mini blinds...you name it - it got cleaned.

Last night was the shower!  We had a house full of great food & great friends...all of who can't wait to meet sweet Megan in July!
This weekend I have NOTHING on the agenda & I am pumped.  The house is clean & the yard is mowed.  Sleeping late & a trip to Target sound good to me! =) 

Have a great weekend!

Friday, May 12, 2017

{Chicken Pot Pie Fettuccine}

Happy Friday friends!  I'm always on the lookout for simple, quick {& inexpensive} meals to make so when I come across one that I like, I want to share it with you!  I got this one in an email from Pillsbury a few weeks ago & I finally got around to making it Sunday evening.  I love pot pies so what's better than a one-pot pot pie pasta dish!  How's that for a tongue twister?! =)

Chicken Pot Pie Fettuccine
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 carton (32oz) Progresso chicken broth
1/2 cup milk
Salt & pepper to taste
3/4 lb uncooked fettuccine
2 cups shredded deli rotisserie chicken
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
 
1. In 4-quart pot or Dutch oven, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat; gradually beat in 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour with whisk until mixture is thick and smooth. 
2. Gradually pour in 1 carton (32 oz) Progresso™ chicken broth and 1/2 cup milk, beating until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to medium-low.
3. Add 3/4 lb uncooked fettuccine; cook about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and majority of liquid is absorbed. 
4. Stir in 2 cups shredded deli rotisserie chicken and 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed; cook until heated through. Season with salt and pepper; enjoy! 
 
It made LOTS so I had leftovers for days.  But it was super easy & really good! 
Happy cooking!

Monday, May 8, 2017

{Weekend Recap}

Seriously...
Man where do the weekends go?!  Another one has come & gone and it's Monday AGAIN!  Another busy weekend, but I checked a lot off my "list" so things should be slowing down soon!  Woohoo!

Thursday evening was a baseball double hitter for my nephew.  I stayed for the first game and then Morgan, Nola & I headed back to my house.  They all went to dinner afterwards so it got kinda late...everyone was tired so it was a slumber party in my bed til they got there to pick her up.
 Friday was Cinco de Mayo so of course we had to celebrate with margaritas & great friends!
It was also Maifest weekend so I spent several hours down there Saturday night working the wine booth & then cleaning up Sunday morning.  And yes I had a funnel cake for supper. =)
I spent Sunday afternoon mowing, repainting my fire pit chairs & relaxing in said chairs. =)  Nola swam...& clearly needs a bigger pool!
And now it's Monday & we get to do it all over again!  I get my hair cut & colored tomorrow and other than that - there is NOTHING on the agenda this week...can't wait!

Friday, May 5, 2017

{A Dog, It Does A Body Good}

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook or read my blog, then you know I have a pretty special little lady in my life.  My family has always been "dog people".  I always had a dog growing up & into my teens & 20's.  And then I moved out on my own.  I worked 2 jobs and traveled & although the thought crossed my mind from time to time, I wasn't ready for the commitment of owning a dog on my own.  I sold my first house & built another one soon there after.  I had a huge yard, was working one job & so the time felt right to start my search.  

I was pretty specific in that I wanted a female yellow lab and this time I wanted to adopt from a shelter if possible.  I was laying in bed one night scrolling shelter websites when I came across this cute face:
And y'all - I fell hook, line & sinker.  It was love at first sight.  I went down the next day & adopted her.  You can read all about her adoption story here.

I am not going to lie, those first few weeks were definitely an adjustment.  Because she had spent a week in the shelter, she was sick the first few days I got her.  Potty training, early mornings & chewed shoes was the story of my life those first few months.
But it didn't take long & we found our "groove" & y'all - she had me wrapped around her little paw in no time.  
But what I didn't realize was just how quiet & lonely my house was before her.  She might be "just a dog" to some - but y'all, she's the best.  She knows when I'm happy or when I'm sad.  She makes me laugh & gives me someone to talk to...and bonus is she doesn't talk back!  Ha! =) It's an unconditional love like no other.  
About two months after I got her, Blue Bell started going through it's listeria crisis.  I went through some long, dark days during that year but she was always there no matter what.  I said that God put her in my life at the exact right time.
It's been a little over 2 years now & I can't imagine life without her.  I often think back & wonder what in the world I did with all my time before her?!  A high energy level is a core trait of a lab and I definitely have to channel that energy...or she takes it out on my yard! =)  Our nightly routine normally includes about a 3 mile walk followed by a 30 minute game of fetch.  
 
Heart ✔
Mind ✔
Body ✔
Look at this face...How can I not be a happy person?! =)
A dog is a huge, long term commitment & the decision to get one should not be taken lightly.  But y'all, I can promise you that there is nothing more rewarding that opening the door at 5 o'clock and seeing that smiling face & wagging tail! It can turn the worst day around in a matter of seconds.
If you are thinking about getting a puppy, check out the PuppySpot! I am a huge advocate of adopting a rescue/shelter puppy, but I know the uncertainty & unknown is not for everyone.  Check out these sweet babies looking for homes as well!