Monday Confessions.

1.  I wrote this post on Friday.  (The weekends are just too precious to be blogging, folks!)  So you’ll just have to wait until tomorrow to hear about my weekend…unless you follow me on Instagram.

2.  I made an Apple-Stuffed Strata weeks ago when my family was visiting.

 

3.  This breakfast bake is the perfect lazy Sunday breakfast because you make it the night before.

4.  I didn’t eat the breakfast bake because it had good ole bread in it.  But it did smell incredible in the oven.  Just what I wanted my guests to wake up to.

5.  I don’t normally make Big Guy breakfast in the mornings.

6.  He doesn’t really like breakfast.  Though he’s digging Chobani lately.

7.  Big Guy pronounces Chobani differently every time he says it.

8.  Don’t get him started on trying to pronounce Fage.

9.  According to Big Guy, Chobani > Fage.

10. It’s only Monday and I’m wishing it was Friday.

Friday Favorites: My Christmas List

Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday.  I love the decorations, the music and “the feel in the air.”  I love buying and making gifts for others.  I try to pick out the best gifts – something they’ll really appreciate.  But I also love making my own Christmas list.  Call me greedy, but it’s the one time of year where you’re allowed to tell people what you want.  So I do.  This Christmas will be “smaller” as far as gifts go because apparently someone’s getting married in April (not naming any names).  And honestly, it’s not about the gifts.  I am so excited to spend a whole day at my parents house, not having to go anywhere and just enjoying my family. The house is full of laughter, smiles, champagne and family.

But, for the fun of it, I’m going to share my little list for Christmas 2012.  My Momma still wants some ideas (though she’s been told that I only need a stocking – yes, NEED…stockings are my most favorite thing ever).  I try to have a mix of things I want and need on my list…as we get older the “needs” start taking over unfortunately.

Emily’s 2012 Christmas List

• New perfume – I would like either Chanel Chance or Michael Kors Rose Gold

• “My Year in Meals” by Rachael Ray...I know, I know.  The woman can be downright annoying to some but I love her.  She’s never been formally trained in the kitchen and she’s making millions doing something she loves.  This book is what she and her husband cooked for a year.  Plus what they drank (hello, cocktail time!).

• Make-up brushes – I have some but they’re getting a little “used.”  I’m not hung up on a specific set, but I do like having two bigger brushes – one for bronzer and one for blush.  
  

• Workout clothes.  Not something my 18 year old self would have asked for but it’s true.  I love Target’s selection (size medium, if you’re asking).
  

• Brown/tan flats.  I love my Tory Burch flats in black.  But I don’t necessarily need that same style.  I simply want something that’s comfortable, durable and can pair with many outfits.
  
• Frye Boots.  This is totally a splurge and something I don’t expect to receive this year.  But I’m in love after trying on my (almost) sister-in-laws over Thanksgiving.  I even babysat them for a day (by wearing them) to make sure I liked them.

• Coffee maker.  I know that I registered for a coffee maker (and I still hope to receive that little gem) but my current one is on it’s last leg.  As in, it annoys me every.single.morning.  
  

So there you have it.  What’s on your list?

Summmmmatime

I consider June, July and August summmmatime.  And I can’t believe that we’re almost into August meaning summmmmatime is halfway through.  Since we all know I’m a fan of lists (especially on Fridays), here’s a list of things I want to do between now and the end of summmmatime.

1.  Make a watermelon margarita.  I have so.many.recipes. for a dang watermelon margarita.  And I realized yesterday that there’s a watermelon in our outside fridge.  I think this is a sign.

2.  Eat a hot dog.  I’ve honestly been craving a hot dog all summer long.  Don’t ask me why – I think something on Food Network is to blame.

3.  Lay out at BCC.  We belong to the country club yet I never utilize it.  What’s wrong with this picture?

4.  Enjoy a wine night with KP and Marlo.  I miss these ladies.

5.  Make homemade ice cream.

6.  Visit OIB one more time.  OIB is my personal little Heaven on Earth.  And on the way to OIB, I want to stop at the wine and beer shop we discovered and eat at a sushi place I’ve heard rave reviews about in Wrightsville.  Got that, Big Guy?

7.  Finish watching all the DVRed episodes of “Real Housewives of OC.”  And I’m serious.

What am I missing?

The Simple Things A-Z

We all know I love lists.  And I saw this list of simple pleasures over at Carrots ‘n’ Cake and I couldn’t help but make my own.  So here I go…

A is for Almond butter.   I honestly eat about a tablespoon of almond butter a day.  Whether it’s with breakfast, slathered on a gluten-free waffle, or paired with carrot sticks (don’t knock it til you try it).

B is for Baby Haines.  Every time I see a picture of that sweet girl I instantly get a smile on my face and my heart aches to visit her.  I miss her so very much.

 C is for Corn.  Homegrown corn is the absolute best.

D is for Date nights.  Sometimes they’re few and far between but nothing is better than a simple night in with Big Guy.

E is for Engaged.  I know, corny, but it’s a great feeling to be engaged to such a fantastic (big) guy.

F is for Fall.  Summer may be my favorite season but there’s just something about fall that I love…football, leaves changing colors, jeans and boots…

G is for Gardening.  Well, I don’t really do a lot of the hard work – but I do love walking outside and picking tomatoes, peppers and whatever else Big Guy is growing!

H is for Homemade Ice cream.  Which reminds me, we haven’t made any this year!

I is for “I love you.”  Those three words are simple but oh-so-powerful.  Say them often.

J is for Java.  Can’t live without my coffee in the morning!

K is for Kindness.  Nothing warms my heart more than random acts of kindness.

L is for Limes.  I love when I have limes around the house so that I can throw a slice into a glass of ice water.

M is for Movie Days.  These usually happen on Sunday’s when it’s raining.  I’m not a fan of the movie theater but I love renting a movie and lounging on the couch with the sound of rain in the background.

N is for New Restaurants.  I get giddy when I try a new restaurant.  I have no idea why – but I love to browse menus at new restaurants and figure out how the table can order as many different things as possible.  It’s kind of my hobby.

O is for On the Square.  One of our favorite restaurants.

P is for Pinterest.  Seriously.  I could get lost for days on that site.

Q is for Quiet Sunday mornings.  Coffee’s brewing and I don’t have to go to the gym.

R is for Rocky Mount.  I never thought I’d say it, but I’m so thankful for this simple town with the best friends ever.

S is for Summer.  Bikinis, flip-flops, sun dresses and cocktails.  Need I say more?

T is for Time.  The time I get with Big Guy, the time I get with my friends, the time I get with my family.  So precious to me.

U is for Umbrellas.  It’s always nice to have one stored in the car or your bag for those random rainy days.

V is for Vacation.  I cannot wait until our honeymoon.  ’Nuff said.

W is for Wine or Waffles.  Both of which I usually have on Friday.  Waffles have become my personal Friday morning tradition.  And well, wine is a given most Friday evenings.

X is for  ”X-ed.”  Okay, this was a hard one.  So I’m kind of cheating.  But I love to “X” something off my to-do list.

Y is for YMCA.  Sometimes I cringe when my alarm goes off at 4:23am but I love getting my workout over with before 6:30am and I love the friends I’ve made.

Z is for Ziploc.  No, I’m serious.  I love me a Ziploc bag.

What are some of the simple things you love?

Pin it, take 11.

At least I think that’s what “take” we’re on.

1. A perfect bite.

2.  A book I can’t wait to dig into.

3.  I wonder if this works…Adding baking soda to boiling eggs makes the shell peel off easier.

4.  True story.

5.  Chocolate Peppermints!

6.  Beach time!

Happy Friday!

Finally Friday

1.  This has honestly been one of the longest weeks ever made.

2.  I made a sweet treat last week that I never shared.

chocolate chunk oatmeal cookie bread

It was the best smell ever.

3.  There’s going to be a lot of wedding talk this weekend.  (This is a warning for the men.)

4.  There’s plans to bring back pizza in our lives on Sunday evening – yep, we’re already thinking about what we’re eating Sunday.  Welcome to my life.

5.  Who knew?

6.  I attempted to make squash chips via a recipe on Pinterest.  Pinterest fail.

7.  Something that won’t fail me, a margarita on Saturday.

8. Frankly Scallop, I don’t give a clam.

9.  I wish that my closet had this in it.

10.  Happy Friday!

Something…

1.  Something that I made last night that you need to make next week.

Maple-Mustard Glazed Chicken

2.  Something I believe.

3.  Something I’d wear.

4.  Something every little girls needs at her 5th birthday party.

Barbie photo booth

5.  Something I’m drooling over.

Grilled fontina and blackberry basil sandwich

6.   Something on my bucket list.

 7.  Something for the house.

Coffee cabinet

8.   Something that makes me say “mmmm, i bet that’s good.”

Chocolate Guacamole

9.  Something I may make tomorrow.

Blueberry Rum Smash

10. Something that makes me smile.  (Sad but true.)

Salad or Cheesecake?

1.  A good friend gave me blueberries this morning.  I was planning on making a corn and blueberry salad.  And this I saw this…Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake.  I’ll get back to you on which got made.

2.  Grilled stone fruit is one of my favorite things.  Just thought you should know.  A scoop of ice cream makes it even better.

3.  I like this invitation.  Especially that it references “tying the knot.”

4.  Haines needs this bathing suit.

5.  Marc is one of my favorite perfumes ever.  Apparently it’s Lauren Conrad’s, too.

6.  I still wish The O.C. and The Hill’s was on.  I love LC.

7.  Now this looks American.

8.  I like this idea for posting ECU’s football schedule.

9.  Holy heck.  Big Guy – I want this!!!!  Armoire turned Bar.

10. You know you have a hard life when you’re biggest concern of the day is whether you’re using the blueberries for a salad or a cheesecake.

Sprinkles make life better.

1.  Sprinkles make me smile.  Even if I’m not eating them.  And the recipe couldn’t be simplier.  Funfetti Cake Batter Cookies. 

2.  Speaking of sweets, I want this Ice Cream Crunch Cake in my freezer when I get home.

3.  This past Monday started “Farmers Market Mondays” at my place of work.  I snagged a head of cabbage and 3 onions for $2.50.  $2.50!!!!!!

4.  I used those local goodies to make Kalyn’s Stuffed Cabbage Casserole.

This is comfort food, folks.  It’s basically a deconstructed stuffed cabbage.  It’s a little time-intensive but it’s so worth it.  I used ground turkey instead of beef and I also halved the recipe.  It was just me and the Big Guy – no need for a 10-serving casserole.  And instead of the water, I used a splash of beef broth.  I also cooked mine for 20 minutes at 400 degrees covered with foil, after 20 minutes, removed the foil, topped with 1 cup cheese and cooked for 10 minutes longer.  Don’t leave out the cheese.  Please.

5.  Enough eats.  Let’s go to the beach.

6.  How cute is this Tibi dress?  I want it.  Now.

7.  How adorable is this garden shed?

8.  This.bag.is.gorgeous.

9.  I want to throw a pool party (not that I have a pool) just so I can make these.  That’s a good enough reason, right?

10.  This summarizes a perfect end to the work week.

Gooder ‘n Grits

1.  Life is good.  It’s Friday.  It’s going to be sunny this weekend and I can’t wait to spend a much-needed evening with my main squeeze followed by a fun-filled Saturday evening with friends.

2.  The only thing that I’m bummed about is not being able to see my Momma or any Momma, for that matter.

3.  Yesterday I promised I’d show you around the garden.  Let’s take a tour!

This is the view from the back deck.

Corn!  Big Guy’s babies.

My babies.  Cilantro, Basil, Orange Mint, Dill, Rosemary and Mint.
They grow up so fast!

 Mators.

Red, green and yellow peppers, jalapenos, zucchini, squash.  

4. After posting yesterday that I’d put up pics of the garden, I received an email:  Please pull any weeds before you take garden pictures!!!!

5.  My response to Big Guy: well can’t promise i’m going to pull weeds – can’t mess up my mani this evening.

6.  Big Girl didn’t pull any weeds last night.  Manicure intact.

 7.  This hammered gold tote is amazing.  It would hold everything from my camera case to my bottle water and all my snacks.  Yes, snacks.

 

8.  Big Guy informed me that he had a very realistic dream about our wedding.  Big Guy, you’re officially crazier than me.  Apparently in his dream, no guests showed up.  If that’s going to be the case, tell me now – I’d love to just take the money and run.  Kidding, kidding.

9.  Sweet.potato.hummus.   That sounds gooder ‘n grits!

10.  I’d take one of these come 6pm tonight.  (I’m bummed it can’t be 5pm.)