Special Visit!

Look who we got to meet yesterday...

Touchdown!

Our sweet niece Reagan is home from the hospital and we got to hang out with her family all afternoon yesterday.

This is pretty much how I spent the whole day... just holding her as she slept so sweetly!

She is a such a sweet little girl... and she can sleep through anything!  We had a great time visiting with her parents too!  Sorry we didn't get a picture with them!

We can't wait to come back and visit... really soon!

Sweet Hellos

This weekend we also got to meet our sweet niece for the first time (well, she's not my niece yet... but I am already claiming her).

It took us a while to get over to Birmingham to see her... but we are going to make up for that in the years to come...

I rocked her and rocked her and rocked her... I think I could have rocked that precious sleeping baby all day!  She is such a beautiful little girl!  I can't wait to watch her grow...

We love you so much sweet Catherine!

The Games!

The Olympics are one of my favorite things!!  I will sit at home and watch just about any sport at any time of the day, simply because it is a part of the Olympics.

I think my overall addiction to all things Olympic started at the 1996 Atlanta Games... my family was lucky enough to attend many different events.  We saw team handball, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, tennis... we had such a wonderful time!!

I have so many memories from the '96 Games... like when we were going to see synchronized swimming (a little after this picture was taken)... and my mom almost got arrested.  Or how we walked 2+ miles to the Marta station in the middle of the summer because "it is just around the corner."

What I was most struck with during the games was the American spirit.  We were not north and south... Democrat and Republican... we were all AMERICANS... we all screamed U.S.A as loud a we could... and proudly waved our red, white, and blue.

So I am so pumped the Olympics are back... for the next 2 weeks... I will watch nothing but sports... and I am so excited about that!

So much to see...

We had a super busy Christmas break... but I wouldn't trade it for anything!  Patrick and I got to see both of our families... so it was very very special!  I decided rather than write about all our stops, that I would just share some pictures... the problem... I don't have pictures of all the events... so a few words will be necessary.

We left Atlanta early Monday to head west... we stopped in Birmingham and had lunch with Patrick's brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Sarah.  (I was so excited to get out of the car... I left my camera in the trunk.)  We ate at one of their favorite restaurants, from Auburn, Momma Goldberg's, who would have thought that nacho cheese Doritos with pepper-jack cheese could be so tasty!

Then it was off to the Shoals where we visited with both sets of Patrick's grandparents, and spend some wonderful time with his parents!

Wednesday morning we were off again... we made a pit-stop in Birmingham again... this time we had lunch with Patrick's other brother and sister-in-law, Sid and Libby.  We ate at Full Moon BBQ... YUM!

Slight side-note:  I am so grateful we got to see Paul, Sarah, Sid, and Libby while we were in town!  It is tough to get everyone's schedules to match up (between the 6 of us we live in 4 states... that doesn't include all of Paul's travels.)  I hope we can all get together again soon!

Now back to the travels... after lunch we headed to Florala.

Christmas Eve we attended service at Mackie's church, then we went to my Dad's parents house to eat dinner and exchange gifts.  When we got back to Mackie's that night we opened a few more...

Now Christmas morning... after a our traditional breakfast burritos... we got to see what Santa brought...

... man I looked rough that morning... Yikes!

Finally we packed up and headed to Troy to have Christmas lunch with my mom's family... we did take plenty of pictures that day... but they are all on my mom's camera.

Back in Atlanta Christmas night, Patrick surprised me with such a thoughtful present... every southern lady should have some...

(I guess I just looked rough all day :-)... I was so tired that night!)

I am so blessed!  What a truly AWESOME week!

Christmastime in Georgia

Welcome to Christmastime in Georgia... I have a one bedroom apartment... and I have two full size trees.  What can I say?  I love Christmas decor!  I am so excited I get to share it with my blog friends this year!

This is my Georgia tree...

Here is is at night... without the flash... to showcase the lights!

You might ask, "How is it a Georgia tree?"

Because it is covered with ornaments like this...

They are all red, black, or silver...

Most all of them are associated with special memories and people... the UGA landscape above is from my mom (from our favorite craftshow)... the UGA ball below was a gift from my precious friends John and Cassie

This cross stitch one was a gift my freshman year of college from my dear friend (and future roommate) Rebecca Ruth...

Jesus is the reason for the season!  This is my favorite part of all my decor.  It helps keep my attention focused on the true meaning of Christmas.

I have two of these angels... my mom and I got them at a craft show we attend every year... I think they are so neat, each one is handmade.

Last year my mom and I saw similar centerpieces at Michaels... we decided we could make them... and we did for about half the price... I love it!

My second tree... this one is in my bedroom... it has all my crafty ornaments... so it is very colorful!

I also use the ornaments from my childhood on this tree... there are so many memories... like when we went to Disney World.

Or all the ballet classes I took... there are lots of ballet ornaments!

Thank you for spending a little Christmastime in Georgia...

The Dawgs were nestled all snug in their beds... while visions of bowl games danced in their heads...

Merry Christmas Y'all!!

Foodie Friday: Peanut Brittle

This is another of Mackie's recipes (my grandmother).  Every Christmas for as long as I can remember, she has made brittle for friends and neighbors.  Often, a large part of our time at her house was spent munching on this tasty treat.  It has a distinct smell when it's baking, (not a bad smell, it is sweet tasty smell) each time I make it, the smell takes me back to Mackie's house at Christmastime.

Peanut Brittle 

Ingredients:

-1 cup raw peanuts

-1 cup sugar

-1/2 white corn syrup

-1/8 teaspoon salt

-1 teaspoon vanilla

-1 teaspoon butter

-1 teaspoon baking soda

Stir peanuts, sugar, syrup, and salt in a two quart mixing bowl.  Microwave on high for 3 minutes.  Stir.  Microwave on high for 3 more minutes.

Add vanilla and butter, blend well.  Microwave on high for 1 minute 15 seconds.

Add baking soda, gently stir until light and foamy (you will know when it is foamy... I promise... it's like magic)

Pour out on aluminum foil.  Cool.  Break into pieces and store in an airtight container.

This is one batch of brittle... (an artistic batch at that)

This is a morning of making brittle...

*Helpful Hint... use a large glass measuring cup type bowl to make this... the handle is important because the bowl gets VERY VERY HOT!  Also use either a wooden spoon or a synthetic one that can withstand high temperatures... this is what I use...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving... a few days early.  Today I got a very special treat!  Since I have to work on Thanksgiving again this year... my mom decided to have a small feast for the four of us today (mom, dad, Patrick, and I).  It was so much fun eating at their dining room table and celebrating Thanksgiving a little early... and the food was fantastic!

She made all of my favorites, including my grandmother's frozen cranberry salad... I love this stuff!  I will feature the recipe on Foodie Friday soon.

We had so much food!  It was quite the feast!

Thanks Mom for a wonderful day!

Foodie Friday Mackie's Mini Pecan Pies

This week Kelly's "Show us Your Life" is all about family traditions and holiday recipes.  I decided it would be the perfect time to share my Mackie's Mini Pecan Pie Recipe.

Mackie is pretty much the best grandmother ever... don't even try to compete, you will lose... I promise.  I have learned so much from her example over the years.  She has taught me what it is to be a humble servant to all those around us.  In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas she always asks us if there is anything special we want to eat, even though she has already made a spread fit for a king.  I always request the little pies... they are perfect for a little sweet treat... and they are easy to sneak if you want a quick dessert.  I am so excited I can now make these pies for the people I love!  Thanks Mackie for everything... I love you so much!

Mackie's Mini Pecan Pies

Ingredients:

-8oz block of cream cheese

-2 2/3 cups flour
-1 1/3 cups butter
-3 eggs
-2 cups brown sugar
-2/3 dark Karo syrup
-1/4 cup melted butter
-1 tbsp vanilla
-1/8 tsp. salt
-1 3/4 cups ground pecans

Cream butter and cream cheese throughly.  Mix in flour a small amount at the time. (I tried to do this with a spoon... but it was very difficult.  Mackie later suggested to mix it with your hands... don't be afraid to get them in there.)  Chill for at least two hours.  Roll into small balls and press into mini muffin tins.

Beat together eggs, brown sugar, Karo syrup, butter, vanilla, and salt until smooth.  Stir in pecans.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 8 minutes.  Reduce heat to 325 degrees and bake for 20 minutes or until filling is set.

MMMM... it's time for their close-up... is your mouth watering yet???

Happy baking everyone!!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday... Happy Birthday Mom!

She is a great woman! She taught me most of what I know about cooking, crafting, and helping people! I love you mom! Happy Birthday!