A Christmas Pup

Six years ago today I received the very best Christmas present ever.... SCARLETT! She was born on November 3rd and was so tiny when we brought her home on Christmas Eve. As I type this she is sleeping on my lap. She is truly the sweetest dog. I am so glad she is mine. I love her so very much.

Here are some pictures of our first day together. We kept her in a baby pool so she would not get crushed. In the pool picture below you can hardly tell Scarlett apart from her toys. She is sleeping on her back all spralled out. And the stocking picture cracks me up because she looks less than thrilled to be stuffed on a stocking. Can you blame her?

Anyway... just felt like remembering.

Merry Christmas!

Because I Like to Share

I pretty much LOVE quiche. If it is on the menu in a restaurant I will probably order it. Tonight I made a zucchini cheese quiche from Our Best Bites. It was crazy good and looked exactly like the picture on their blog. Because I am a generous soul here is the link: Our Best Bites: Zucchini Cheese Quiche. You're welcome.

I currently have truffle tarts with raspberries in the fridge. I think the spelling of raspberry is pretty funny. I think it should be spelled razberry. Anyone??? I can't be alone here. If they turn out awesome I will link you as well.

Happy weekend!

Alive and Well...

Helloooooooo! I'm still alive. When I tell you that things have exploded in our lives I am not exaggerating. I am not quite ready to write about the changes headed our way in the months ahead. I will, just not yet. The Lord has been working in ways that I could have never imagined. But, that is to be expected.

My due date has come and gone. I feel a great sense of relief now that December 9, 2010 is a memory. I have been counting down since our loss and the clock has now officially stopped. I am so glad the constant ticking in my head has been silenced. And... that is all I have to say about that for now.

Were you worried because the last post I wrote was a little crazy and then I disappeared for over a month? I wrote a post about wanting to go to jail (not because I committed a crime, but just for a break) that would confirm your concerns. It is saved in my drafts and will most likely never be published. I just get completely overwhelmed by life and commercials sometimes. I am sure you understand. I think the feeling is universal.

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and are getting ready for a beautiful Christmas. I know I am really looking forward to it. More to come soon...

Emotional Investments

I really hate (not a strong a word here) that Pop Tart kid. He makes me so mad every time the commercial comes on. Today I googled "stupid pop tart kid" and found out that I am not alone. Here is his picture... I think I may join the support group.

I also hate the Highlander kid. He is such a brat. I think he needs to walk everywhere he goes until he learns the value of money. If I ever have a kid who acts like that I will scratch my eyes out. Were you looking for a little drama today? You're welcome.

That video is not the entire commercial. Have you seen it? It is awful.

Are you concerned that I am so emotionally invested in commercials? Me too...

This post is dedicated to MKP and her desire for a updated blog.

Random October Stuff

So... who is ready for football season to be OVER? Wow, it has been brutal around here. J is having a hard time losing and that seems to be all the Dawgs can do. I finally had to ask him to please stop talking to me about it. I know that sounds a bit rude, but he understood. BRUTAL I tell you...

So... October is here. I LOVE October. Yes, it is the month I was born (and J too actually) and that may have something to do with it, but it seems like as soon as October arrived on my doorstep the weather became absolutely gorgeous. It made me feel like getting outside, but instead I chose to nap. I love a good nap. If you ask me what my favorite thing to do is I will most likely tell you sleep. So, there is no need to ask because now you know. You are welcome for that. Next time you are playing a round of Amanda trivia you are set!

This is random, but is anyone watching Sister Wives in TLC? I swore that I would not waste a second of my time on that show but as soon as it came on I was totally intrigued. Then, the news that they might be arrested got me hook, line, and sinker. I mean really, why would you go on TV and make public a lifestyle that will send you to jail? I just don't get it. Now, the main question tonight is Hoarders or Sister Wives? After The Next Iron Chef of course. Are you thinking Tivo or that Comcast thing that records the shows you want to see but cannot decide between what trash TV to rot your mind with? I don't do that yet. Sad, I know.

Also, if you are looking for Slow Cooker recipes you should buy the October issue of Southern Living. I have one cooking right now.

Amanda, you are such a drive by blogger. I know. I am working on it. To make it up to you my next post will be a great freezer meal. Unless something awesome happens and I have to share that with you instead.

Just you wait...

Dirty Laundry

Well, not really. If that was dirty laundry all over my bed that would be sick and someone would be in serious trouble. And that my friends, is all I have for today.

The BIG Cook

A friend of mine introduced me to the Once A Month Mom. If I am being honest, I originally thought it had something to do with some lady's monthly visitor. How odd, I thought, that someone would actually blog about that. So, naturally, I clicked over only to find that the site had nothing to do with lady issues and everything to do with power cooking! This lady only cooks once a month and freezes everything. Brilliant! Game on my friends!

Feeding my husband is very hard. You know how growing teenage boys eat? That is exactly how my husband eats. Feeding him is the ultimate challenge of our marriage. So after exploring the OAMM site, I decided that while I do not need to prepare all my meals in advance (I can tackle breakfast and lunch daily) having dinner pre-cooked and ready would really help. Working full time and having a delicious hot meal on the table every night is truly a challenge. I spent some time looking through my recipies and deciding what might work as a power cook meal. I pulled together six dinners that we eat on a regular basis, made a list, went to the store and the cooking marathon began...

This is the fridge before the big cook...

In the end, I was able to prepare, package, and freeze over 26 meals. I have since power cooked a second time. It takes all day but is totally worth it. I never have to cook after work anymore and have so much more free time in the evening. It is all about being organized. Here is the freezer fully stocked...

I freeze all my meals in perfect portions for two. Some meals I freeze in containers and some I freeze in freezer bags. We eat a lot of Mexican food and I find that all the fillings can be made in advance and frozen in freezer bags. All you have to do is decide the night before what you want to eat for dinner the next day and put it in the fridge to thaw. The freezer above has frozen lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken fettuccine alfredo, enchilada filling, taco meat, quesadilla filling, two types of quiche, meatloaf, beef stroganoff, black beans and rice, and plain brown rice. I cook all noodles "live" to go with the frozen sauces but the frozen pre-cooked rice works really well.

Grocery shopping is much eaiser now. All I have to buy is breakfast, lunch, and dinner side items. Making a salad, preparing a fresh vegatable, and/or warming up fresh bread is a snap when the main course is ready and waiting for you.

I also make my cookie dough in advance and freeze the dough preped in packs of twelve. We can now have hot homemade cookies at any given time. No mess!

While I totally realize that this type of "Type A" personality cooking is not for everyone, it has been wonderful for me. I no longer feel like I am coming home from job #1 only to start job #2. One day of hard work is totally worth it when you have the rest of the month off! There are some things that we love to eat that don't freeze well and we eat those things on the weekend or on a random day that I have off of work.

I will post some of the recipies that I use just in case you are inspired. If you have a meal the freezes really well please pass it along. I am aways looking for new ideas.

Missing Dishes

Dear Justin,

Please bring all our bowls and cups home from work. I know that they are sitting in the store filthy and that they really need to be washed. My service for eight is now service for three. I guess that's fine because there are only two of us, but I really like my dishes and this has nothing to do with how many people are using them at any given time. I just want them back. All of them. Now. Pretty please. PLEASE and please.

Love,

Longing for a Complete Set of Dishes

UPDATE: J has returned the missing dishes. He did not return them because he read my blog and felt bad. No sir. J does not read my blog at all. Well, sometimes he reads it over my shoulder while I type and then asks me questions while I am trying to think. Mainly he asks why I am soliciting a stalker. What!?!? Exactly. He has a very creepy understanding of the blog world. Anyway... he did return the dishes and that is great. Sometimes you just have to put it out there in the universe. I just thought you would like to know because I am sure you have been losing sleep over this.

Warning: Cuteness Overload

Are you dying from cuteness? I am. Absolutely dying.

I warned you in the post title.

3 Years Today

Saturday, September 8, 2007 - Big Canoe, Georgia

Q&A 5K: RUN IT!

Q: Don't you live on the coast? Why are you so pale?

A: First of all, that has nothing to do with my running achievement, but it is a good question to address because it is so IN YOUR FACE! The answer is that I never go outside.

Q: How is it possible to never go outside and train for a 5K, 10K, or half marathon? Is that what you are doing?

A: That is the plan and I run on a treadmill.

Q: Do you regret that type of training after actually running your first 5K outside?

A: Oh my goodness YES! I totally believe that my 5.5 miles on a treadmill pale in comparison to 3.11 miles outside. I am going to have to work on this. I am going to have to get in my car and map out some runs outside. The problem is that I am totally not interested in becoming a news story and I worry all the time that someone is going to abduct me. I also run at 5:00am during the week so any long runs I do outside will have to be in the daylight and on the weekends.

Q: Are you wearing make-up in that picture?

A: Rude, and yes. But very little and that is why I look a little to serious. I think next time I will wear more. Who knew you were photographed at every turn? Not me. Is that obvious? Yep. Is that vain? Maybe.

Q: What were you thinking in that picture?

A: Seriously? I have to have made it to mile three by now. Why is there not a three mile marker? This is SO much harder than running on a treadmill watching television in the air conditioning!

Q: Did you run the entire thing and what was your time?

A: I did run the entire thing. My time was 32 minutes and 18 seconds.

Q: Is that a bad time and do you care?

A: It is okay. Very middle of the road. Not good by any stretch of the imagination. I did not think I cared about my time until the end of the race when the HUGE clock was in my face. Then I cared REALLY bad. I am running another 5K in two weeks and plan to come in under 30.

Q: Did you make up all these questions and then answer the questions yourself?

A: Yes I did.

Q: Does that make you crazy?

A: Maybe.

Smoothie Master! Or maybe not...

So... Justin and I went for a run the other day. It was really hot and when we got home I decided that we needed smoothies. I love making smoothies with vanilla yogurt, orange juice, and frozen fruit. If you ever spend real person time with me and we happen to exercise together, I will most likely try to get you to drink a smoothie afterwards. And I will make it (no Smoothie King in this house) because I fancy myself a awesome smoothie maker. Anyway...

I put all the ingredients in the blender and turned it on. It was making a terrible noise. I can't describe it. Then orange juice started pouring out from the bottom of the blender all over the counter and the floor making a huge mess. After a few minutes of screaming (typical reaction), I decided that I needed to dump the contents into a bowl (not the sink, that was my first thought) and examine the malfunctioning appliance (J was in the shower so he was missing all the fun). As it turns out, the blender seal was not in place so a quick fix would solve the problem. Blender seal reconfigured, content returned, I turned the blender back on.

The noise this time was even worse. It sounded like it was working so hard to blend. What on earth could be the problem!?!? Instead of turning it off I decided to just forge ahead and ignore the ominous sound. I really wanted to drink the smoothie and I was beginning to get seriously annoyed. Eventually the noise stopped and the smoothie was blended and ready to drink. I poured the deliciousness into two glasses and began cleaning up the enormous mess I had made. I took the blender apart and put it in the dishwasher. The only piece I could not find was the blender seal. I looked everywhere. EVERYWHERE. Only to find, as I was finishing my smoothie, that I drank it. And so did Justin. And it was really gross. REALLY gross.

Thank goodness for internet places like this.

So, can I interest you in a smoothie? After I get my replacement seal? Just think about it. There is no pressure to answer right now.

Same Store, Different Lane, Same Bagger: Publix Take 2

I was carefully considering my lane options. My first choice was to stand behind a woman with a HUGE race car shopping cart and her three wild children. My second choice was to checkout following a older gentleman with a few items in his cart. Easy choice? You would think, but the bagger with way to many questions was working in the clear choice lane. Maybe that was a one time Q&A session I thought to myself? I decided to take my chances.


Bagger: Is plastic okay?


Me: Yes, thank you. (I always feel bad saying yes to plastic and I am aware that I should jump on the green train and bring my own bags.)


Bagger: How is everyone?


Me: Everyone is great.


Bagger: Are the kids back in school?


Me: (After a split second of thought) Yes, yes they are.


Bagger: Where are they in school this year?


Me: Um... What is that name of the school right up the street? It is slipping my mind this morning.


Bagger: Marshpoint?


Me: Yes, Marshpoint. That's it. I can't believe I forgot that.


Bagger: That is a really good school.


Me: That is what I hear. The kids really like it.


Cashier: You saved $8.64 today.


Me: Wow. That is great.


Bagger: Do you need help out to your car today? I am happy to help.


Me: No, thank you. I've got it. Thank you for your help.


Bagger: Have a nice day.


Me: You too.


That was so much easier. Why do I always feel the need to tell the truth to total strangers? Absolute waste of time. It really made him happy that my "kids" are doing great and enjoying school. No harm there. Plus, I am totally aware that he is just being nice. The bonus was that I was able to use my acting skills today in the store and my playwright skills in this post. Nice.

Random: Has anyone seen "The Great Food Truck Race" on Food Network? If so, does anyone think that one of the guys on there looks like a white guy version Snoop Dog? Just wondering.

Facebook, we need to talk...

I have given up Facebook for the time being. I can't remember the last day I was on, this week seems like it was two years long and is a huge blur, but I can say that I have not missed it one bit. I feel very confident that my BFF MKP will keep me informed of anything that I need to know. Plus, if my "friends" in real life need me they will email, text, or call.

If I am being honest, I have always had a love-hate relationship with the social networking tool. I love that it has brought people back into my life that I truly treasure and I hate that it brings out the ugly in me. But these days, I really hate that it hurts my heart so much. The announcement of a pregnancy will absolutely bring me to tears. Over the past few weeks I have constantly been reminded that I would be three months away from delivering my precious baby and I am not. I carefully selected the word "would" and not "should" in the sentence above because I am confident in the Lord's plan for my life. A plan, that no matter how much it hurts, does not include a sweet baby in December.

That being said, I do not have to sign in each day and subject myself to unnecessary heartache. Please don't misunderstand me, I in no way resent the miracle of new life in others. It is just hard. Having a miscarriage is hard. It is a pain that eases with time but does not ever fade away. To say that this experience has changed me, changed us, would be a understatement. I have felt the tenderness of the Lord in ways I never would have imagined. I have also felt sorrow that I never knew was possible. I am thankful for both extremes and I am also completely exhausted.

So, Facebook, we are breaking up. I most likely will be back, but don't wait around for me. I know you won't.

Wow! What a Blogger!

Oh August, you will soon be a memory and this is my first blog post of the month. I should win some type of blogging prize. So, what's new this month? How about a list...

1. I have developed a pretty serious love of Klondike Bars. Double chocolate, please and thank you.


2. I have started training for a half marathon. I had my first 5 mile run this Saturday. I did awesome. I am getting so much stronger.


3. This is my third month of five day a week 5:00am workouts. I am pretty excited about it, but refuse to get overly proud of myself until it has been six months.


4. I no longer need the Biggest Loser Ranch.


5. I had a anniversary this month that I never thought I would see. I do not need a second anniversary. One is fine.


6. I cooked and froze 26 meals. I will not have to cook dinner after work for a very long time.


7. It has been HOT. So HOT that I can no longer stand it!

Wow! That is a thrilling list! I know, don't hate. It is really hard to be so enthralling. Most enthralling blogger. That is the prize I should win.

Publix: Where Checking Out Can Be Awkward

hile checking out this morning at Publix the bagging guy asked me how my kids were doing. I replied, "My kids?" Then he said, "Yes, how are they doing?" I am not sure why he decided to ask me that. It may have been because I was buying three gallons of milk or maybe it was the massive amount of food being scanned at a rapid pace. I'm not really sure. It was definitely not because I was wearing a wedding ring. I left my ring on the bathroom counter this morning so the "kids" that he thinks I have must be illegitimate. "Oh, I don't have any kids" I replied. "I'm sure that there are kids somewhere that are doing great, but they're not mine." The cashier looked at me awkwardly and I returned her awkward glance. "Oh," said the bagger casually, "Do you like football?" What??? Exactly.

I told my Mom the story on the way home. She said that he must not have known that was a sensitive subject. I agree.

So... it is Saturday! I love that. I hope you love it too.

Pot Roast = YUM

o... this hot weather has me longing for Fall. It may be 100+ degrees outside today but the air conditioner has it nice and cool (and expensive) inside and I decided to do a Fall preview and make Pot Roast. You really cannot go wrong with this recipe. This is the roast that my Mom makes and it always reminds me of home.


Ingredients:
1 pot roast (boneless chuck roast)
1 pkg Lipton Onion Soup mix (dry) (if roast is small, 1/2 of package)
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 can Cream of Celery Soup
1 can Beef Broth
Potatoes (I use the baby reds)
Carrots (I use baby carrots)

Directions:

Season the roast with salt and pepper and coat with flour.
Heat oil in a Dutch Oven pan
Brown roast on each side - remove pan from heat.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees
Mix mushroom and celery soup with beef broth and 1/2 a can of water (mix slowly so it isn't lumpy).
Sprinkle onion soup over roast and cover with soup mixture.
Raise roast to let some of the liquid underneath.

Bake in oven for 2 1/2 hours.

Peel potatoes and carrots and cut into pieces.
Remove roast from oven and put vegetables around outside of roast.
Spoon sauce over vegetables.

Return to oven and continue to cook until roast and veggies are tender.
(Approx. 45 min to an hour)

It is really pretty simple and it tastes delicious. Plus, your home will smell wonderful! I generally serve this roast with some type of bread. Tonight we are having whole wheat biscuits but a fresh sourdough loaf is amazing as well.

Happy Cooking!

A Wonderful Day

ustin and I took a quick trip to Atlanta to see the Braves play last Friday and we really had a great time. We had great seats (row 15 above the Braves dugout) and had lots of foul balls hit our way. The game was so much fun and every Friday night after a home game there are fireworks. They were awesome! It was really just a blast. Justin is such a big Braves fan that it is so much fun to experience a game with him. I always tell him that he enjoys watching the Braves better than the Dawgs during football season. There is no cussing, sulking, or throwing things during a Braves game. Just plain old enjoyment. The way it should be in my opinion. I was having so much fun that I didn't complain one time about being hot and it was so HOT!

We tried to book a hotel across from Turner Field but they were all full so we ended up staying at the Ritz Carlton Atlanta. We never get to take a trip together so we decided to just live it up for one night and it was so worth it. The service at the Ritz is AMAZING! "Mr. and Mrs. James, welcome to the Ritz Carlton. Did you have a nice trip? Let me get that for you. Would you like a bottle of water, lemonade, or raspberry ice tea while you check in?" All that just getting out of the car! The room was beautiful and when we returned from the game our bed was turned down with chocolates and a little note telling us what the weather would be like the next day and wishing us sweet dreams. Sigh...

Breakfast the next morning was wonderful. I had a chocolate milk and a waffle with fresh whipped cream that I will never forget. It was beautiful.

Even though we were only gone for a little over a day it felt like an entire weekend. It was lovely.

America the Beautiful

Happy 4th of July!

We are beyond blessed to live in a country that is free.
As we celebrate today, please remember that our freedom comes at a very high price. A price that so many of us cannot fathom making.

I am so proud to be an American. God bless America!

Photo credit: Todd Heft

Thank you, June! That was fun.

une was really great. It was exactly what I needed. Susan came all the way from Texas to visit and then I flew to Virginia to spend a long weekend with Amy and Kristi. All three women have a very special place in my heart. I am so blessed to know each of them and honored to call them friends. Amy and Kristi are friends from undergrad at Shenandoah University and Susan and I met in graduate school at SCAD.

Kristi, me, and Amy visiting the Shenandoah University campus.

Me and Susan at my wedding. Just had to point that out. Did not want you to think that I put my wedding dress on and ran around Savannah recently. Susan did take some pictures while here in town but all I have to say about those pictures is AWFUL! Not Susan, me. So gross. Pasty, pale, puffy and sitting awkwardly on a park bench in over 100 degree weather. Yuck. This one is much better.