now ear this

Every once in a while, a girl needs some new earrings. Am I right, ladies? And how much do I love these?

I love the colors of these Margarita chandeliers. Ole!

These gold drops are really lovely and could be worn with any and everything.

I’ve never seen any like these! Perfect for a sassy night out if you ask me.

All from Etsy. But of course!

it's kim's world...

My girl Kim has been blowing up the news lately. First for her hair:

Oh, say it ain't so, Kim! You're not Beyonce. Bring back the brunette locks we love!

Good. thanks. Raise your hand if you think it was a wig (mine is up).

No, you-know-where is not freezing over, but Kim WAS on Hannity last night. And she was great. Seriously, give it a listen – she might just win you over like she did Mr. Hannity.

PS - I bought some lipstick the other day that makes me look just like her.

a special birthday

Today is my dad’s birthday! Yippee! For those of you that know him, you know what a special man he is and how lucky I am to be able to tell people I’m related to him and maybe have a few of his great qualities. He loves his family more than any of us can fathom, and each of us is better for having him in our daily lives.

Strat – A to Z

Always has a different car
Best athletic trainer MSU has ever had
Cheeseburger lover
Dates on to do list are written European-style (date/month/year)
Employee of MSU for 36 years
Friend to many, many, many
Greek!
Hummels
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
JAG
Krystals
Loves his family
Military Channel
Needs to write a book
Outstanding shoe-shiner
People person
Quiet...sometimes
Ring Talk
Scratch
Teaches Sunday School
Used to have a mustache
Very accomplished model airplane builder
“Walks with kings and keeps the common touch”
EXcellent cook
Young at heart
Zulu – how he likes to say what time it is

Happy Birthday, Daddy! S’agapo!

my future's so bright...

So I'm thinking of pulling the trigger and getting some decent shades. Mine have always come from Target or Stein Mart or the like, but this time I want to invest a little, and I'm thinking of the classic Wayfarer. What do you think of the purple ones? I think I'm in love... Maybe I'll channel Bob Dylan while I'm in character. OK, so he wasn't the hottest guy around, but man he's cool.

I'll be on a minor blogging hiatus for a few days as I'll be in Canada for work. Brrrrr....

Miss me, ok?

congrats, roger!

photo courtesy of virginmedia.com

Dreamy tennis ace Roger Federer married his long-time girlfriend (and former tennis pro, herself) Mirka Vavrinec last weekend in their hometown of Basel, Switzerland. The athletically-inclined couple is expecting their first super-baby this summer. Congratulations!

up from the grave He arose!

Hello, readers. I hope everyone had a great weekend and a “Hoppy” Easter. I just love saying that.

Kell and I donned our Sunday bests and headed to church on Easter morning. Sometimes when I’m in church, I picture what it would be like if someone were standing just outside the church doors. Would they be drawn inside? Would they think everyone inside was a religious zealot? Would they be moved by what they heard? Would they just stand and listen? Would they just walk past? I know I should be more focused on what’s going on inside than what it sounds like in a church parking lot, but I can’t help it.

And I must admit, I had a twinge of disappointment when they message at church was not the Easter story. Just like the Christmas story, I always want to hear it on Easter. Am I crazy? Nevertheless, the pastor shared a verse that I was not familiar with but that I found particularly appropriate for the time in which we live. I think each of you can appreciate it:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

How encouraging, right? After church, we had Peyton over to eat with us, and I made a couple of delicious dishes:

Asparagus Casserole (because this is the only green Peyton likes)

2 cans asparagus, drained well (next time I’ll use 1 lb. boiled, fresh asparagus)
1 can Campbell's cream of mushroom soup (I used fat free)
1 stick real butter (you don’t really need the whole stick unless you just want it – I used ½)
1 sleeve Ritz crackers or 1 pkg Waverly crackers
1 8oz package Kraft shredded cheddar cheese

Place the two cans of the drained asparagus on the bottom of a casserole dish. Spread the Cream of Mushroom Soup across the asparagus. Then sprinkle the Shredded Cheddar Cheese across the asparagus.

Meanwhile, in a microwavable bowl melt the stick of butter, crumble the Ritz or Waverly crackers and add to the melted butter, mixing well. Cover the casserole with the crumbled cracker mixture. (I just poured the melted butter over the top)

Bake in a 350°F degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cracker topping is golden brown.

Bacon Cheddar Corn Muffins

A drizzle extra-virgin olive oil
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 box corn muffin mix plus ingredients according to package directions to make 1 batch muffins
1 rounded teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
3 to 4 tablespoons finely chopped chives
1/3 pound brick sharp yellow Cheddar, chopped into 1/4-inch dice

Preheat oven to muffin mix package directions.

Drizzle a little extra-virgin olive oil into a small skillet and place over medium-high heat. Add bacon to hot pan and crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from pan and drain on a paper towel. Set aside.

Prepare the muffin mix and muffin tin to package directions. Stir in paprika, chives, chopped cheese and crisp bacon bits. Fill muffin tins and bake until golden brown.

Enjoy them both!

Oh, and if I told you I wasn't completely engrossed in My Sister's Keeper, I would be lying. Thanks for the great recommendation, Claire.

Have a great week, everyone.

certainly a Good Friday

Growing up in my house, few things elicited such serious shopping as the Easter Dress. And now that I’m (somewhat of a) grown-up and I don’t have my mom buying me one, it’s just not the same. I do love something “new” to wear on Easter, however, and this year I’m digging these:

the Morning Colors dress from anthro...

...or this dreamy silk wrap dress from J.Crew.

Or perhaps this little lovely to wear on my wrist…

Material things aside, how many times in December are we reminded to remember the Reason for the Season? Through the clouds of ornaments and gifts and parties, it often takes a conscious effort to remain aware of why we’re celebrating in the first place.

And, if you ask me, it’s even more important at Easter to consider the reason for this season. Take some time away from filling Easter baskets and eating Peeps to stand in awe of Jesus. He died a horrific death thousands of years ago and was resurrected so that each of us could live – a love none of us can fathom. So praise Him – today, on Sunday and every day!

Matthew 28:2-10
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

fun find

Look at these cute tees at Old Navy! I think the graphics look like Walter Anderson. My faves are the green (above) and the grey with the yellow dragonfly. I'm on a budget this month, or I would have snapped them all up!

april flowers

I just love having roses at my new house! I hope they know how happy they make me! What you do not see in this picture are all the dirty dishes that lurked just below in the kitchen sink.

PS - today is my first day as a Weight Watchers leader!

tennis, anyone?

Kell and I headed to the Delta this weekend for a tennis tournament (he participated, not i) and enjoyed a few days in Greenville before the mosquitoes take over. The twins always enjoy getting to play with Marley, Kell’s parents dog, and this time they discovered squirrels in the Smith’s yard. It was cute for a while, but eventually they started to make everyone insane by barking at the back door and begging to go outside. Needless to say, they were a little disappointed when they got home and there were no rodents at our house.

Saturday I got to visit with Haley, and we had lunch with some of my sweet Greenwood friends. That adorable chunk in the smocked onesie is Price, my friend Elizabeth’s baby. She refused to be in the actual photo, so she handed her child off to Lucy. He’s the best smiler!

After Kell played his last match (if we ever want athletic children, they will have to get the gene from him), we headed home, and look what was there to greet me: my rose bushes bloomed! I think I’ll give them a trim before it gets cold tonight.

You can't really tell, but this one's purple!

I think this one looks like the rose on Beauty and the Beast.

And for the Delicious Dish, I decided to keep with the cupcake theme of a while back. I saw this one and just had to try it.

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Ingredients

2/3 cup(s) confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup(s) (creamy) peanut butter
2 tablespoon(s) (unsalted) butter, softened
2 tablespoon(s) (unsalted) butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
1 box chocolate cake mix, plus additional ingredients as directed on package
1 container chocolate icing (I usually buy 2 because I do not want to be hindered in the amount of icing I choose to put on my cupcakes)

1. Prepare peanut butter filling: Beat confectioners’ sugar, peanut butter, butter and vanilla in a bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until blended. Using a measuring teaspoon, shape mixture into 24 balls (they’ll be sticky and don’t need to be perfectly shaped). Set aside on a baking sheet lined with wax paper.

2. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line 24 muffin-pan cups with paper or foil liners.

3. Prepare cake mix as package label directs for 24 cupcakes. Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon batter into each muffin-pan cup. Drop 1 peanut butter ball in the center of each; top with more batter to fill cups about two-thirds of the way. Bake according to package directions, or until a toothpick inserted in cupcake comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in pans before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Frost when cool.

**For an extra special touch, I melted a little peanut butter in the microwave and drizzled it on the top of my cupcakes so that everyone knows what deliciousness waits inside.

bleedin' love

I brought a blood orange for a snack today - a delicious find from my favorite grocer, The Fresh Market. I love these so much - and so lovely in a cocktail!