I got my braces off today!!!

I'm beyond excited. I finally got my braces off, WooHoo!!! Merry Christmas to me :)

Christmas 2012

This is our tree this year. I decided to do something a little different and add silk flowers. Considering that we live in Mississippi I just had to add the magnolias. I was pleased with the end product.

 

I added red silk roses to the wreath. The brown colors matched the ribbon and rusty gold and brown bulbs I used on the tree. However, I wanted to incorporate the red accents in the stockings and candles to I hot glued the red roses onto clips that I found in the jewelry section of Hobby Lobby and clipped them onto the wreath. I did the same with silk flowers for the tree. 

 

The gum drop tree was my favorite craft this year. I got the idea from a magazine last year and thought it would make a great tree for my Gingerbread House. It was so simple to make and my hubby loved eating the extra gum drops that were left over.

 

My choir boys are from the 1940s. I found them at an antique shop in Houston, Texas. They are my absolute favorite.

Isn't that a cute door mat? I came across it at a little shop in Lafayette, Louisiana. Perfect for porch.

 

Can't wait to start browsing through my favorite blogs to see

 some y'alls decorations this year.

 

 

Thanksgiving 2012

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday. My husband and I truly enjoyed ourselves this year. We spent our holiday down in Cajun Country around the Lafayette area. Our friend owns the best B&B just outside the city limits. It sits on a beautiful peice of property that houses four of the most adorable cottages. The cottages are Louisiana style with the front porch, fans, and little rockers. Each cottage is unique and has been decorated with cute antique furniture. She did a really wonderful job adding personal touches to make you feel special when visiting.

I must admit that my husband and I try to make it down at least once a year. It is one of the most relaxing places we visit. The antique beds are super comfy and we enjoy soaking in the jacuzzi tubs or just rocking on the back porch listening to crickets and frogs. And each morning she delivers a basket full of yummy dishes. My husband is not much of a breakfast eater but gets excited as he brings Ms. Lyn's basket of treats to the table. He not only finishes his entire plate but usually finishes mine as well. I have yet been to a hotel or resort who has even come close to Ms. Lyn's delicious recipes.

Please visit Ms. Lyn's link http://www.maisondmemoire.com/or visit her blog and become a friend http://romanticlouisiana.blogspot.com/

This year I just didn't feel like cooking so we decided to dine out. We drove down to the Nottoway Plantation  http://www.nottoway.com/ They had a gorgeous buffet and we really enjoyed walking the grounds to work off our turkey dinner. The food was mostly southern Louisiana cuisine. We had all those wonderul fix'ns from deep fried turkey to Jambalaya. You should have seen the dessert table!!! I indulged in a Creme Brulee baked in a Satsuma. Best dessert EVAH!!! This goes down in the book as one of my favorite Thanksgiving dinners.

Fall Tennis League 2012

Ladies Tennis Fall League 2012

 

We went to state and did pretty well. We placed 3rd in our division. I had a great time playing this season but I'm happy the season has come to an end. It will be nice to have some of my evenings free up once again.

 

My husband and I just returned from a conference over in Dallas. My hubby gave a presentation so I had time to just relax in the room. It was such a treat to just do nothing during the afternoon. I slept in and ordered room service while watching movies. It was fantastic. I can't remember the last time I had such a relaxing trip. We stayed at the Sheraton and I had a great view from our hotel room of downtown.

 

A picture my hubby took of me before we headed out for the night. I was so excited it was actually cool enough to wear my fur vest. We found a fantastic restaurant downtown off of Olive and Ross Avenue. Great atmosphere and the food was amazing. They serve dishes from Spain, Mediterranean, and India. Fabulous tea too!!! Here's the website if you're ever in Dallas looking for a great place to dine http://www.samarrestaurant.com/about.html 



We are going to state!!!

Sorry I've been MIA but I've been just trying to keep my head above water these days (schedule wise). My husband started back as a 2nd year law student, my tennis league started up again, and I'm just trying to hold down the fort. Time just keeps slipping by faster and faster these days.

I'm excited to say that my tennis team is going to state. We are undefeated!!! However, we will now be going up against stronger players from the entire state of Mississippi. I'm nervous as this will be my first time competing at this level. I've been playing about 5x a week. I met a great gal at my tennis club that just moved from Birmingham, Alabama. She's really sweet and a good player. We've been playing every Monday morning (singles). I also play a Round Robin group (ladies), meet with my tennis pro, and play with my husband. I've got tennis fever. I can't get enough of it and now that I know that I'm going to state I want to win. Yes, I'm very competitive.

A couple of weeks ago I was playing doubles with a group of ladies. I thought I had it in the bag as the opponents were much older. My partner and I were much younger than they were but they were stronger players. They really ate our lunch with those moves. However, there was one ball that one of the older lady's had spiked over the net. At this point I just couldn't let them have this last point (it was hurting my pride). It was nearly an impossible shot to return but I went for it. When I reached for it I fell backwards as I put all my strength into it. I fell smack on my back. Everyone was concerned that I got hurt and as they checked on me all I was able to say is, "Was it in?" That got the entire court and the court next to us laughing.

The night I won my last game
(Yes, I have braces. I should be getting them off soon and I can't wait)


Halloween Wreath

My first attempt creating a wreath. I've been wanting a cute Halloween wreath for our front door. I don't like scary decorations that would scare little children and I didn't want to spend a fortune on something that was just ok. I was blown away at some of the prices for a little wreath online. So.....I went on Pinterest and got some ideas before hitting my local craft store. It's amazing what a few glitter spiders, flowers, and a hot glue gun can make. Within 20 minutes I had this adorable wreath to hang on my front door for this Halloween season. And I spent less than half of what a regular wreath would have cost me. I love DIY projects that really pay off.

Harney & Sons

HARNEY & SONS

Organic Ice Tea 

 

I just wanted to share with y'all my newest product obsession. I'm a huge tea drinker and while I was out I came across Harney & Sons ice teas. They come in different flavors, Berry, Peach, and Black. I purchased all three but I only have the Big Berry shown in my picture. It's awesome!!! However, if you're the type that drinks sweet tea and/or uses a lot of artificial sweeteners in their teas you might think it's a bit strong. But if you're like me and like loose teas you'll really like it.

I also just purchased the Harney & Sons hot cinnamon spice tea. I constantly catch myself opening the lid just to inhale the awesome cinnamon aroma. It tastes like a hot apple cider tea. It's delicious and will be perfect for the approaching Fall season. I can't wait for the cool weather. Sitting on my back porch with a hot cup of tea are one of those little moments that makes life so sweet.

Lost Rabbit

I hope everyone is enjoying their Labor Day weekend. My husband and I played in a tennis tournament this morning. We played 30 games!!! I was a bit exhausted by the end of our last match. However, it was a good day (humidity and all) as we met a lot of couples who are members of our club. One couple we really liked playing lives down the street in the neighborhood directly across the street from ours. I'm hoping we will be able to get together and play tennis more. That is one thing about tennis players, we are always looking for someone to play, HA!


I just had to share with y'all the neighborhood that I'm absolutely in love with. The neighborhood is really considered its own town, The town of Lost Rabbit. It is located down the street from our neighborhood by few miles. It actually sits on the Ross Barnett Reservoir (on the Madison side). That is where I currently live. I live in Madison, Mississippi. The houses are dreamy and scream old south to me. I really think they have a New Orleans/Charleston feel. This is where I'd love to build a house one day. I actually drove over the other day and snapped a few pictures. It was in the middle of the week in the afternoon so I was hoping nobody would think I was some crazy lady with a camera, Ha! You'll have to share with me what y'all think.

Lawn Jockey

I wanted to share with you my new little Lawn Jockey. I was out and about one afternoon and decided to stop in at our local Antique Mall. As I was browsing I came across this little Lawn Jockey. I've been wanting one for years since I first saw one sitting in front of an amazing home in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. I truly wish I had a picture of that gorgeous home. The yards were immaculate. It could have easily been photographed for an issue of Southern Living. Standing by the cobblestone walkway stood proudly a Lawn Jockey (like this one). However, it was much larger and looked as if it weighed a ton. I instantly fell in love and told myself "one day" I'll have my very own. So you can just imagine my enthusiasm when I spotted in the corner this little guy. It was as if he was calling out to me.

Back 2 School Dinner

My husband started his first day back to school today. This will be his second year of law school. I'm hoping that this year will go by as quickly as his first. It is hard to believe that after this semester he'll be halfway complete with his law education. The sooner the better. :) My husband is an older student and works in health care. He has hit a point in his career where he needs his law degree to expand his business for future opportunities. He attends school full time as well as runs his business. He actually services his accounts between classes and school work. It has been difficult but we knew it was going to be a challenging 3 years. However, the payoff will be well worth it. Just running the marathon itself can be exhausting.

I used old books, an apple, and his graduation photo from his MBA as the centerpiece.

I purchased new place mats and these adorable apple napkin rings from Pier 1 Imports. I instantly fell in love with the apple napkin rings and thought they would be perfect for a "Back 2 School" theme.

I came across this Thomas Jefferson quote and thought it would be a nice inspiration to start off the new school year. Having the right mind set can truly move mountains.

I made some of his favorite dishes; baked pecan chicken, scallop potatoes, lemon basil zucchini, and a coconut key lime pie for dessert. I purchased the graham cracker crust but made the pie and whip cream myself.

My husband loves German wines.

I wish everyone with students and teachers in their homes a truly wonderful and blessed school year.