Southern Sayin' Of The Month

I live for the light of a full moon. -me

Sunday, November 29, 2009

I Think I Need A Winter Nap Now!

I can start by saying that Thanksgiving was a success. Entirely too much food was cooked and consumed, making me most thankful that I don't have to eat like that everyday! We had two dinners, one with the RedHead's family on Thanksgiving night and then lunch with my family yesterday. I spent my time in the kitchen making bacon-wrapped cocktail wienies (the most delicious little things ever...I'll put the recipe at the end), pecan pie, pound cake, and sweet potato casserole. I really enjoy being in the kitchen making all of these goodies, but I lack the willpower to not overindulge in them which is why I don't make them too often!

On Friday, Black Friday, I went to Walmart at 5am to take advantage of a few sales that we had scoped out earlier. It was crowded for sure, but nothing like what I've heard of in other cities...this is where it pays off to live in a small town. I was there for about an hour and was able to get everything on my list: a GPS, new bath towels (my favorite deal at $4), a toy for the Bug, and several toys/clothes for our AngelTree child. Everyone was in good spirits and very polite. I can happily say that I had a great experience, although I was a bit baffled by the women pushing around carts carrying no less than 15 crockpots or 6 RockBand game systems. What is that about???

Friday evening some friends of ours had an oyster roast, so the RedHead and I got to go out for a little adult time while my Mama kept the babes. It was much fun and I got to catch up with a lot of my highschool friends that I haven't seen in a long time. Oh! And I tried my first oyster...not raw, but steamed. It wasn't that bad (I gave it a generous dollop of cocktail sauce) but I don't think it's something that I'll be too anxious to eat again.

I think it's time for a long winter nap after such a busy Thanksgiving celebration, but I keep thinking I'm forgetting something. Oh yeah, now it's time to get started with Christmas!! Guess I'll sleep after New Years.

Bacon-Wrapped Cocktail Wienies


1 package Center Cut Bacon
1 package Beef Cocktail Wienies
Brown Sugar (how much is up to you, but aprox 1 cup)

*Cut each piece of bacon into 3 pieces.
*Wrap each wienie with a piece of the bacon.
*Line them side by side on a jelly roll pan.
*Cover with brown sugar. You can use less or more (I tend to go with more), but make sure that there is at least a thin layer covering all of the wienies.
*Bake at 350F for 30 minutes or until all of the sugar has melted.

These are delicious and so easy to make!
(Image courtesy of recipetips.com because sadly I didn't take a picture before we devoured them.)

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Giving Thanks


There's a lot for me to be thankful for this year...probably too many things to list, so here's what I am thankful for in this moment.

My Bug baby who is sleeping on my lap right now.
A kind, loving husband who is working right now so that I can be at home with our babes.
My Monkey who has increased my daily smile count 100% since the day he was born.
The fact that my Monkey still takes 2-3 hour naps each day.
A pecan pie cooking in the oven.
Having a safe home to live in.
My mama, who helps us with the children whenever we need her (for this I am doubly thankful).

These are just a few of the blessings God has given me and I am thankful for each and every one. Happy Thanksgiving.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Can I Get A List Please?



I know I've mentioned my affinity for lists before, and even proposed that I would abandon my list making...well, that lasted all of a week. Okay, maybe I only made it 2 days, but I tried. Now I'm in full on list mode as I work on my Christmas shopping list and currently my house updating list. The house list is taking precedence because 1-I had to start by doing some intense dusting and cleaning of baseboards/molding before the painter could start and 2-I'm really getting motivated by the idea of selling our house so we can begin building!

First on the "prepare to sell" list was to get some rooms in our house painted. We have tried our hand at painting ourselves, but it just isn't our thing. So, we're having our foyer, living room, dining room, and both bathrooms painted. Luckily, we have found this guy that is VERY reasonable and was available immediately. I think that he'll be done in the next 2 days, so then I can begin putting my house back together again. Then I have a few "decorative" projects that I want to do, so here's my shopping list:
-new shower curtain
-new towels
-shelf for bathroom
-lamp for kitchen
-large frame (because I want one of these. Check that chalkboard! Except smaller because I don't think I can make my own frame)
-possibly a rug for the living room (I need something pretty, but cheap...taking suggestions)

I think I'll stop there because this is going to cost moola and I'm I shouldn't spend too much if we're just going to sell it in a few months.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Forgive Me Friends...This Week's Confessions


I'm going to purge a bit and share with you my 7 weekly sins (nothing too juicy I regretfully admit).

Confession 1: Let's get the dirtiest confession out of the way first. I am loving Britney Spear's new song, 3. And I think she's a really good singer. And I dance to it in my car. (This is bad; it should count at 3 sins really.)

Confession 2: I like to say that I'm hanging on to the last 5 lbs of baby weight because I'm nursing, but I really know that there's only one real reason...Reese's PeanutButter Cups.

Confession 3: I love pink and green...I love Lilly...but I refuse to buy it for 3 reasons. 1-too expensive 2-a girl with double Ds doesn't do strapless 3-my hips are always too wide for those shift dresses (see confession #2)

Confession 4: I stink at staying on budget. I haven't stayed on budget since I went out of work. And the RedHead knows this. Boo! :(

Confession 5: I told my Monkey that we were out of icecream because I wanted to eat the last serving while he napped, Bad Mommy!

Confession 6: I'm totally planning on buying a back-up frozen pecan pie just in case mine doesn't turn out well. (Atonement for future Thanksgiving sin next week.)

Confession 7: I haven't shared with any of my friends or family that I'm blogging. It's no big deal, but I just didn't want to tell anyone when I started. I'm thinking the RedHead may know, so maybe I'll share with others soon.

There they are, this weeks confessions. Anything you want to confess? Oh, and please don't crack on #1, I'm fully aware of how bad it is!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Popcorn or Peanut Butter

...my two lunch choices. I'm none too happy about the fact that I can go to the grocery store and buy a hundred dollars worth of grocerys and only get dinner covered for maybe 4 nights. Breakfast-covered, snacks and drinks-covered, lunch-bread and peanut butter or a bag of popcorn, ugh. I've tried planning my meals and clipping coupons but inevitably I end up with the same "cheap" meals (pizza, pasta, veggies and rice, pintos-greens-cornbread) and then the coupons entice me to buy stuff I don't really want or even need just to save $0.35?!

I'm taking any suggestions because I've done a bad thing and ended up going WAY over the food budget by going out to eat because I don't think I can eat another plate of spaghetti for dinner or bowl of popcorn for lunch. If you know of any tried-and-true cheap dinners please share immediately! My budget and taste buds will thank you.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

A Little Something To Look Forward To

The RedHead and I have started talking about the reality of beginning to build our "forever home" in the next year or so. We have looked through houseplans and magazines and books for the past two years, and I think we've found a winner! We found it about a year ago and just put it aside to revisit when the time was closer for us to begin building. Well, we're almost there.

The plan is to start by having some updates done to our current home; new front stoop, new flooring in the kitchen and bathroom, and new paint in the dining and living rooms. We have been working on a few things a little bit at a time (new stove, kitchen sink, bedrooms painted) so hopefully it will help our house sell quickly.

Once the updates are done we will list our house (most likely in early spring) and then start construction. I am sooo excited about this step, but I know what it means. Going back to work. Blah. That, I am not ready to think about. I know that it is 9 months away, but time passes so quickly that it will be here in no time. I have to keep telling myself that this is my "little something to look forward to!"

Click here to see 0ur Forever Home!

Oh...and imagine it with an extended front porch that comes out even with the garage and goes across the front of the house. And one (not 2) large garage door. Exterior will be a bit altered to look more like this picture. Ok, I'll shut up now!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

A Man to Emulate

My husband's grandfather passed away this past Saturday, so we've been away for the past couple days to attend his visitation and funeral. I have to say that I sadly didn't get to know his grandfather very well...we only see his grandparents a couple times a year since they live further away, but what I witnessed in his passing spoke volumes about the man he was.

I had the honor of standing in the line to receive condolences from those who came to pay their respects at the funeral home and I bet I shook no less than 500 hands that night. Then yesterday, at the funeral, I heard moving words spoken about him, the works he did, and the faith he had in the Lord. As a veteran, he had the Honor Guard there to do their part in the services. The shots rang out and Taps was played; it was a special moment.

Even after his death, he is touching people...it made me want to know that I will be remembered in the same way, and so may my husband, and that I will raise children who leave their mark on this world. I want to be known for giving more than I received, treating others fairly and kindly, and most of all I want to be known for my faith. He was a man to emulate.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

God was listening...

With Halloween past, the crazy rush to get to Christmas has already begun. Hey wait...isn't there another holiday in there??? Oh yeah, THANKSGIVING! I know the Christmas season is wonderfully fun, but I'm just the kind of gal that likes to enjoy my holidays in order (not taking a pause from the Christmas celebrating to have Thanksgiving dinner).

While I do eat my turkey before I put up my tree, I will admit I like to get a head start on my shopping. Usually I'm super excited about hitting the mall, some small shoppes, and online stores to find just the perfect gift. But this year something feels different. For one, I am not working this year so umm...the budget is definitely different.

I absentmindedly remember saying a little prayer (more to myself than actually to God) that I wish I could find a gift that would be great for everyone so I wouldn't have to spend so much time shopping and could enjoy the holiday season doing the things I love with the people I love. Oh...but God was listening, even to my mutterings! That's when I saw bloggers start posting about Water For Christmas. I read their posts, researched the cause, and then thanked God for showing me the perfect gift. I am doing donations for my friends and family and hopefully learning about this cause will prompt them to continue the giving. Water for Christmas beats a knick-knack, a sweater or gift card any day!

So if you're looking for the perfect gift, here it is!

Friday, November 13, 2009

A Lesson In Sharing


Everyone in our house has been practicing the art of sharing this week. Unfortunately, it was icky nasty germs that have been shared among the four of us. It started last Sunday when my Monkey started going downhill after church. By Sunday evening he had a fever and a stuffy little head cold. His fever ran through Monday morning and by Tuesday he was back to being his normal self (with only a cough left).

Monday night the RedHead started feeling bad...same symptoms...same virus...same cough...better by Thursday.

Then came the Bug. She got sick throughout the day on Wednesday and as of today, she's still at it. She's just a hot mess of snot, tears, and sneezes. It's absolutely pitiful (and a bit gross the way she insists on either eating or smearing the snot all over her face as soon as she sneezes). Yeah, I've been carrying around nasty tissues for the past two days, but I've also had to resort to wiping her face with a sock, burp cloths, and my shirt (don't judge...it's better than having her finger paint her face with it). I'm hoping tomorrow is her day of recovery!

And me? Well, I've been trying to fight it off with every vitamin and fluid I can put in my body. I do feel a little bad at night and in the morning, but through the day I'm good. I just hope no one "shares" with me. It's one lesson I don't want to learn.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Ladies Night

I had the pleasure of going out Friday night with two of my bestest friends and I realized something...at the age of 27, I am old. Now I still feel young in many ways, but as far as having a night out on the town I am a total granny! I tried, I really tried, but I was starving by 8 (our reservation time), yawning by 10, and checking my watch every 10 minutes at 12. The watch checking was because I had totally not planned to stay out that late. I had told the RedHead that we had dinner reservations at 8 and so I would probably be home by 10 or 10:30. And when I did send the text to let him know that we'd be out late...no repsonse. He was already asleep. He's old too.

I am proud to say that I was able to keep up--champagne, a bit of dancing, a good time, but the next day I was so unbelieveably tired. And so I knew I was old.

And there was the fact that out of everything that night I was most excited about the food. I had a BLT--Fried Green Tomato, Applewood Smoked Bacon, fresh organic greens, and spicy mayo on wheatberry bread with SweetPotato Fries! MMM! I even told my Mama and the RedHead that we should go back there for dinner soon. We just have to go early before all those hooligans show up!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Pediatric Purgatory

The Bug's 6 month check up was supposed to be yesterday, but we got stuck in what I call Pediatric Purgatory. At our pediatrician's office you check in from your car at a call box and if you're lucky they will tell you which room to go to (all room doors are on the outside of the building). If you're unlucky, you will sit in your car with a screaming, sometimes sick baby until they call your cellphone to send you to a room.

All was going well when I pulled up and was sent directly into a room. Sweet! We'd be out of there in no time! And then we entered Pediatric Purgatory...

I proceeded to spend the next hour and a half in a room the size of a jail cell with an impatient toddler and an infant. Oh, and did I mention that she hadn't napped? After about 45 minutes, I'd given my Monkey a full on lesson on the solar system that decorated the room, and we'd exhausted the snacks and entertainment I'd brought along. I enlisted him to help me entertain the Bug who was beyond irritable, just wanting to nap which also means wanting to nurse.

I think I nursed her 3 or 4 times while I was there. She'd be drifting off to sleep and in would come the nurse who I would realize later was trying to fill the time before she had to tell me that the doctor wasn't coming. We weighed her, measured her head, measured her length, and filled out a developmental survey. After about an hour and 20 minutes they said the doctor was called to the hospital and wouldn't be coming back. I every so politely inquired about the 6 other providers (3 of which are newly hired to specifically prevent this from happening because it has been a complaint of patients for a while)and not one was available to see her. Not even for 5 minutes to do a once over and give the go ahead for her vaccinations.

I was told I had to reschedule...for 2 weeks from now. So I (not so politely) told them that this was unacceptable and now we're going back tomorrow. I'm sure this isn't the most interesting story, but it's one that I've experienced too many times. I think I'll be looking for a new doctor and leave Pediatric Purgatory behind!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

In My Kitchen


There are a few things that you will always find in my kitchen. They are some of my favorite things, yet simple things.

1.Chocolate Syrup--My absolute favorite! I love it on icecream, to dip fruit in, and the best...chocolate milk.

2.Butter--I feel like I'm buying butter all the time, especially this time of year when I do a lot of comfort food cooking. Margarine may be just as good, but I don't want to know. Butter is southern and so am I.

3.Goldfish--Yeah I know, not very interesting. But I'm a Mama and if you're a Mama then you have goldfish in your kitchen.

4.Frozen Fruit--I don't always have fresh fruit (I'm terrible about letting bananas go bad) but I do keep frozen fruit. Peaches and berries are my favorite and they are a great snack.

5.Standard Baking Ingredients--I have only recently seen the benefits of having these ingredients on hand, but they have saved the day when my Monkey is bored and we want something to do. We just look up a sweet recipe and then we have something fun to do together. Warning: None of them are healthy and you may have to deal with a sugar high and crash as a result of using them!

My list includes: Butter (already mentioned)
Flour, Sugar, Brown Sugar, Confectioners sugar, Heavy Cream, Vanilla extract, Baking Powder, and Baking Soda. There's so many things you can make with these ingredients.

What's always in your kitchen?

Monday, November 2, 2009

Halloween Cuties

Babies dressed up in cute costumes is just too much, I love it! Yeah I know they're uncomfortable, but they just look like scrumptious little bugs, animals and punkins! The Bug was in and out of her costume for the car ride which was very fun for a 6 month old(real thoughtful Gymboree for making a costume for an infant that you can't buckle in a carseat!) but she was very gracious about it.
Just look at the preciousness!


It took us 2.5 hours to visit 5 family members! Don't worry, they made up for the lack of houses visited by giving my Monkey lots of goodies. The kid got candy, a glow stick, money, apples, raisins, cards, and a milkshake coupon. Infinitely better than the old candy we would have gotten at some houses.


We then went to a friends Halloween party and the kids had fun and stayed up extra late (in hopes that the time change wouldn't have them up at 5:30am). It was a Happy Halloween!
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