i made this...

...and I wish I hadn't.  It was that good.

wish list wednesday

What am I wishing for this Wednesday?

* That I hadn't agreed to do yardwork on Saturday.  Think there's any chance Kell would let me take it back?

* One of these DIY cheese kits!  Amazingly delicious! (spotted on A Cup of Jo)

* Some new skinny jeans.  I love the James Jeans ones I got on sale at Anthro last year!

* This elephant topiary.  Not exactly sure what I'd do with it, but I think it's AWESOME.

* Some grey boots for the fall and winter.  It's not too early to think about boots, is it? 

What's your wish?

Zzzzzz...

I have been having some issues sleeping lately. Not falling asleep, mind you, but staying asleep. I need some zzzzz's!

Any suggestions of what to try? And don't say meds - they make me crazy...

I hope your weekend is full of fun and naps!

wish list wednesday

What am I wishing for this Wednesday?

* That I didn't have to get up so early this morning. 5:30 is just too much to ask. 

* A batch of these Reese's stuffed crescent rolls.  OMG.

* That the "y" key on my laptop wasn't stuck.  Y'all should see how hard I have to press to get it to type.  I never realized how much I use y.

* This cute t-shirt.  It's got little spectacles and sunglasses on it!

* Some colored jeans.  I like these red ones.  Do you?  (oh, and the legs to go with them...)

What's your wish? (jeepers, there's that y again)

strike a pose

The anticipation of turning 30 was way harder than it was in actuality. Frankly, I had a pretty nice birthday – I spent it with friends in London, had a great dinner, plenty of champagne, and Kell had arranged for me to receive a couple of birthday cards from home. Fortunately I had no excuse to sit in my miniature hotel room and pout.

I still wanted to do something special and fun, so right before I left, I wrangled Kell into having some photos made by my photographer friend Beth Morgan. I think they turned out pretty good, and I’d like to share a few with you…

we like each other!

this makes me look a lot taller than I really am...

look at that tongue!

these are my favorites...

If you ever need pictures made in the Jackson area, Beth is an amazing talent. She made us feel so at ease and was willing to do whatever it took to get the perfect shot – including laying down in the grass and bugs at our friend’s farm.

Have a great week!

words are not necessary

you better not win...

I debated on whether or not to share this on the blog because I'm fully aware that the more people that sign up, the less chance I have of winning. But my love for Kallie's amazing photos on Hello Delta won me over - I just couldn't help myself from telling you all.

Go to the Hello Delta website and click on The Skinny. Look through her amazing portfolio, pick your favorite (I picked #108) and leave a comment for her. She's giving the winner an 11x14 of his/her chosen print! What an amazing deal! I've wanted one of these forever!

I'm not wishing any of you good luck. Sorry. I really want to win.

wish list wednesday

What am I wishing for this Wednesday?

* That Widdleton (that's Will and Kate) would have taken a spin through the South while they were in the U.S. this week.

* A robe that doesn't make me sweat in the summer.  I of course found one at Anthro that would do just fine.

* That I could be with Harris as she registers for wedding gifts.  Hooray!

* A right-hand ring with a colored stone.  I am very much into sapphires and emeralds at the moment, and I am still happily accepting belated birthday gifts.

* One of these Cherry Lime Mojitos to be waiting on me when I get home from work today!

What's your wish?

summer side

Pasta salad might be my favorite cold side dish ever, which is a shame considering how the carbs involved like to mingle around my midsection and overstay their welcome. 

I was asked to bring a side dish (not a green salad) to a friend's house for dinner this weekend, and I literally could think of no other options besides pasta salad.  One-track mind, I tell you.  And of course you know me, I couldn't just look through my recipes that I already have - oh, no - I had to go out and find a new one. 

So in celebration of my love of pasta salads, here are a few of my favorites:

B-A-T Pasta Salad (Bacon, Avocado and Tomato) - I made it this weekend and didn't even freak out over the mayo! 

Sun-dried Tomato Pasta Salad - Looks amazing.  Ree can do no wrong in my book. 

Greek Pasta Salad - mushrooms, tomatoes, feta cheese...what's not to love?

Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad - I think Kell would be all over this one.

Caprese Pasta Salad - I can think of few things better than the combination of caprese and pasta.

Do you have a favorite pasta salad recipe?  Please share.  I've never met one I didn't like...

like the first time

On work trips when you've been with the same people for five straight days, conversations tend to drift to the completely silly and delirious to the super deep and thought-provoking. One of my friends told a story about her son hearing "Free Bird" for the first time on the radio and how sincere and passionate and endearing his reaction was to it. I got to thinking...what song would I like to hear again for the very first time?

And I of course want to hear from you. It's not necessarily your favorite song ever, but one that struck you to your core after every new note. Maybe you can remember the first time you ever heard it; maybe you can't. But I KNOW you know what I'm talking about.

Here are mine (the list keeps growing):

The Beatles - "Eleanor Rigby"

Adele - "Hometown Glory"

The Rolling Stones - "Sympathy for the Devil"

Reba McEntire (I know, I know) - "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia"

Ray LaMontagne - "Empty"

Simon & Garfunkel - "The Boxer"

Eric Clapton - "Layla (Unplugged)"

What about you? If you could hear a song again for the very first time, what would it be? Maybe you can be a part of this experience for someone else! See how great sharing is?

wish list wednesday

What am I wishing for this Wednesday?

* That more recipes called for Nilla Wafers.  I forget how delicious they are!

* That I weren't too embarrassed to dress up in costume for the Harry Potter premier next Friday.

* A gallery wall for my living room.  Do you like this one?

* That I could eat Otter Pops all day at my desk at work.  Louie Blue Raspberry all the way.

* A break from this heat.  Yikes!

What's your wish?

land of the free

Happy Independence Day! 

I much prefer calling today "Independence Day" to "4th of July;" I think it's much more specific as to why we celebrate this date every year.  Down with British rule!  Hooray for the United States of America!  Wave those stars and stripes!

And what better way to celebrate freedom by making an eagle out of a cookie?  Confused?  Here's how to do it.

“We are driven by five genetic needs: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun.”

- William Glasser

celebrate with cake



photo from Glorious Treats

As if I needed a reason to have more cake mix and frosting in my house...

How 'bout you make this 4th of July flag cake on Monday for Independence Day?