Tuesday, September 27, 2011

We're a Little Batty

Corny post title, right?
I know it's not October....yet, but I started putting up the Halloween decor this past weekend.
I'm halfway done with the mantle and bat tree, and the lampshades got adorned in the living room.
I've done this the past few years after seeing Martha do it.

What you'll need:
Black Construction paper
Scissors
Clear tape

I just did a google search for bat shapes for a template, but HERE are some more...


I use my fingernail to curl the edges of the wings.
This gives the shadowy effect of wings flapping in the shades.
   
Tape on the inside of your lampshade with the
wings pointing towards the bulb.

So easy and SO cheap!

Something's Burning: Twice Baked Potato Casserole

 A few years back, mama and I stopped trying to re-stuff the potatoes and
realized it was much easier to just throw everything in a casserole dish.
Here's what I add to mine:
  
I bag shredded sharp cheddar cheese (I leave a little on the side for topping)
1 bag bacon bits (also save a bit to the side)
1/2 c. butter
1 c. sour cream
diced green onions
5-6 large fully baked potatoes
Salt and pepper
You could also add onion and bell pepper (my mom does)
but I'm not an onion fan and Chad's not a bell pepper fan...

Scoop out potatoes and mix with
the rest of the ingredients

Spread in casserole dish and add extra cheese, bacon bits and
 green onion to the top
 
Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.

Always a side with steaks or pork chops at my house.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Fun With Balloons

Video shot with a cell phone.
I haven't the faintest clue how on earth to rotate this video....
....but you get the gist.

Friday, September 23, 2011

My Future's So Bright....

I left off an item of my list of obsessions from the post the other day.
Sunglasses. 
Not only do I buy myself multiple pairs, but I've now moved into the
realm of kiddie sunglasses. 
Baby B has a big noggin'
Infant sunnies are way too small so I've opted for the toddler sizes.
He and I had a little sunglasses fashion show yesterday:



It's the weekend again. 
Woot woot!!
Go Gamecocks!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Blasts from the Past

Every time Beckett makes a new face or turns a certain way,
I see someone different. 
Most of the time, I see a lot of my husband in my baby boy,
but other times, I think he looks like me.
After digging through my scanned picture file from
our wedding slideshow, I came across some old jewels
An Olan Mills treat!

Pink terry cloth 80's diva

This one reallllly reminds me of Beckett.
I love Cecil and Chad's matching shirts!

Just look how stylish I was in the 80's!
Those pants were my absolute favorite.
You have the whole package right here:
Neon sunglasses.....check
Neon "Don't Worry Be Happy" t-shirt.....check
Pink, with black and white check biker pants.....check check check
Keds....check
I think I'm even wearing slouch socks.....that gets a double check
Crispy permed hair with lots of mousse, gel and hairspray.....triple check!! 


There are just no words....
 


 


That could even be Beckett in the stroller.....except it's Aunt Amy.

Nice suit.  So cute though!

Here's princess Lea and Beau in his hawaiian shirt.

LOVE this one

Chad doesn't read the blog very often, so he won't care
that I posted this one....
Shhhh....

I'm rocking my famous french braid and Beau has on suspenders
that are jacking his pants up to his chin
The cuteness is just unbearable, right? 

Hope you've enjoyed that walk down memory lane.
Happy Thursday!

A Few Random Things

As I stood staring at my closet this morning, I realized that it won't be long before
I'm ready to pull out the cold weather wear.  Every year when I pull out my
sweaters, they need a little TLC from this little contraption.
 If you don't have one, you should.
I hate when sweaters get nubbies under the arms and
look like they've been worn since 1993. But they can be saved!!
Brookstone sells these lint shavers and they are fantastic! I've had mine for years
and use it constantly throughout nubby-sweater season.

Also, yesterday I watched this trailer....
Yeah, yeah, I know, I know....
My brother calls me a Twilight nerd, but I can guarantee I probably
won't have a problem rounding up a few
Twilighters to go with me.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Fall Sensory Overload

Friday officially marks the beginning of fall. 
Holy Jack-o-lanterns I love FALL!
Football, cooler weather, Halloween and Thanksgiving...
and of course our anniversary, my birthday and most importantly
Baby B's birthday!!  
This past weekend, the weather was perfect for some comfort grub.
Chad requested a crock pot roast so that's what he got.
Thank goodness I make so much, there are plenty of leftovers for the week.

I still have an infatuation with candles.  Pillows handbags and candles. 
We actually have a shelf that sags in the middle in the laundry room because of my candle stash.
Michel candles (found at TJMaxx)
smell fantastic.  I've got the handsoap in "Harvest"
and the candle in "Spiced Pumpkin"
The house smelled so yummy all weekend!

I make this roast ALL the time.  Usually when the weather turns cool,
and again at Christmas (and a few times in between)
It's so easy:
Layer the beef (cut into large pieces) on the bottom.
Then toss in peeled and quartered potatoes, one large sliced onion,
and a bag of baby carrots.
For the gravy; add 2 cans french onion soup
and two cans cream of mushroom.
Sometimes I change it up and substitute one of the cans of french onion
or cream of mushroom for beef consumme but it never really matters.
I cook on high for around 8 hours or low for 10+ hours.
Serve over rice.

I never think to add bread to my meals but I actually
made some cornbread this time.
I added a can of corn to Jiffy corn muffin batter and it was really good.
Gotta love the Jiffy!

Speaking of corn, I also made a crock pot corn dip that is sooo good. 
I got the recipe from a friend-of-a-friend last year and have yet to try it myself.
In a small crock pot:
1 block of softened cream cheese
1 block pepper jack cheese
1 small block velveeta
(her recipe called for velveeta pepper jack cheese but the
Food Lion didn't have it so I used original velveeta AND pepper jack)
1 small can diced green chiles
4 small cans of shoepeg corn
(recipe called for 2, but
I love corn, so I added 2 more).
Serve with tortilla chips.  Yummmmy!

And of course, it wouldn't be fall (or summer, winter or spring) without the merlot
Come back fall weather!!!! 
Where did you go?

Monday, September 19, 2011

Who's the Deal Master??

Beckett was in DIRE need of some new clothes for fall. 
Nonna, Baby B and I swung by Gymboree after the greek festival Saturday.
Would you believe Nonna got all of these 15 items for $68?
The puffer coat in the top corner ended up being $7 and the knit pea coat was around $3.
One of the long sleeve t-shirts was $ 0.78!!
The jeans weren't marked down that much but if we hadn't bought them,
the total would have ended up around $50.
Such cute stuff! 
I love it when we find a good deal.....and I learned from the Master! 
I can't wait for him to wear some of it.
Alright fall, we're ready!

Friday, September 16, 2011

A Whole Lotta Nothin'

It's Friday.  My brain is toast. 
I'm sorry I don't have a clever post title but this is pretty much a 
rambling of the week and weeks to come. 
In a nutshell: 
*B's finally over the ear infection hump. 
*I'm busy brainstorming ideas for Halloween and 
Beckett's birthday and how I can get him to pose for some
'gamecock' attire photos.
*I'm friggin' giddy that I just walked outside and it's not 850 degrees.
*The Greek Festival is this weekend and I plan on
eating my weight in gyros and baklava.
*I'm still slightly obsessed on a scary level with Pinterest. 
And if your'e here soley for even MORE pictures of my child, 
then your'e in luck. (Nonna and Gigi) (....and Amy and Beau too)




He loves these 'Baby Mum Mum' crackers I got him. 
They taste like absolutely nothing.  He loves them.
Nom Nom Nom







For those of you who think he ONLY looks just like Chad....here's proof that I'm the one
who withstood 27 hours of labor....I'll take credit for those huge cheekers at least!

Have a fabulous weekend!
Go Gamecocks!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Thinking Inside the Shadowbox


Most of my recent craft projects haven't turned out so well.
Much to my dismay, I've managed to waste not one, but TWO
large monogram M's and a bag of sheet moss.
We won't go there though, because they both look pathetic and I'm trying to
salvage them.  I may post pics just so everyone can get a laugh.
Here is one quick craft that I think turned out quite well.
 
It's a shadowbox that I have hanging in the downstairs hallway
of all our "wedding" things.
I can't take credit for this idea though, when I was in Tampa at
a wedding shower for my sister-in-law, the hosts had
one of these hanging in the foyer and I loved it. 

Contents:
Our Wedding Program
 Shower Invitations
Bachelorette Party Invitation
Rehearsal Dinner Invitation
Koozie favor from my bachelorette Party
Plane tickets from our trip to New York when we got engaged
Plane tickets from Playa del Carmen from our Honeymoon
The cd we gave out as wedding favors
Some sprigs of wheat from the reception centerpieces

It's so much better than a scrapbook that collects dust on a shelf.
I love seeing it everyday when I walk down the stairs. 


Thursday, September 8, 2011

Looooong Labor Day Weekend

As I said in my earlier post I ended up with a longer weekend because
of a mean 'ole ear infection.
However, it always amazes me how fragile, yet incredibly
resilient babies are. 
Even though he was running fever, he still played and had a great time.
Thursday night, Aunt Amy, who lives in Tampa, came to stay with us for the night.
Let the Beckett spoiling commence:
Yes, that is a Piggly Wiggly t-shirt
And yes, he's on the porch in only a diaper and t-shirt
And YES we are a little redneck from time to time.
I SHOULD have gotten some pants for him
when I walked in the house to get the camera, but oh 'stinkin' well!







No, you don't have dust on your computer screen, that's
just the remnants of Beckett's dinner on his cheek.

This is my all-time favorite look.  Eyebrows raised!!  Love it!






Here we are at home Wednesday. Trying to rehydrate --if he could only get the sippy cup
turned the right way....

His poor little face is so broken out from all the snot wiping (again, if
that grosses you out, sorry....just life with a 10 month old)

Being home with him during the week alone is one of my favorite things.
It reminds me of my time at home on maternity leave and
how we just fell into our own little routine. 
It also makes it harder to leave him
after 5 straight days.

Chewing on the side of the playpen again. 
I don't know what it will take to get him to stop. 
He pulls on the material with his teeth!

Happy Thursday!