Friday, November 30, 2012

Currently - November 2012




This months currently post slipped up on me so it is going to be short and sweet. 

Loving: Online shopping! I have gotten ALOT of Christmas shopping done but also bought some things for myself... Oh, and J. Crew's Pixie Pant has changed my life! I should have bought more than one pair while they were on sale.

Reading: A Clash of Kings. I just couldn't get away from the series!

Watching: Nashville and Alias plus all of the others from last month...

Anticipating: Christmas! I am really good at keeping secrets but I can't keep a present to save my life. As soon as I buy something for someone I just get way too excited and want to give it to them right away!

Listening to: Florence and The Machine

Planning: The cookies I am going to make for the Cookie Swap.

Working on: Getting back into my gym routine. It was going so good for a little while then crap happened and I just can't get back into the routine. 

Wishing: Everyone has a wonderful holiday season full of family, friends and food. Whether in person or on the phone, make sure to tell the ones you care about how much they mean to you!

Thankful: I am thankful for my family, friends and everyone's health. I know the total go around the room at Thanksgiving and say what you are thankful for answer. Which is actually what I said this year but it is true. 

What are you currently loving, reading, watching, anticipating, listening to, planning, working on, wishing, etc.? What are you thankful for?

Previous Currently Posts:

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Thanksgiving: Part 2

Since I had Thanksgiving with my family on Saturday, I slept in on Thanksgiving day. I took my time packing and getting ready to head to Mobile. 


When driving to Mobile, if I ever have to go to the bathroom I stop at McDonalds in Thomasville. It is the halfway point between Tuscaloosa and Mobile and surprisingly it is always the cleanest bathroom in between. I was hungry and knew I wouldn't be eating dinner for another 5 or 6 hours so I decided to get a Happy Meal. I was pretty excited to see they now automatically come with apples and fries. The fry box is tee-tiny! I think it is cute and just the right amount although my stomach begs to differ:) 


Thanksgiving dinner at the Crockett's was delicious! Mrs. Crockett made an asparagus casserole that tasted amazing. I have never had asparagus casserole and was unsure at first but it was good!

I miss this cat when I am not in Mobile. He is so sweet and cuddly.

I was glad I had time to just relax. When I am at home there always seems to be something that needs to be done. 


On Saturday, Trey and I went to one of his friend's house to watch the game (Bama vs. Auburn). His friend made a crab shrimp sausage cheese dip and burgers. The burgers were marinated in a honey and bbq sauce concoction that was like nothing I have ever tasted. I only got a bite because I usually don't care for burgers if there are other foods to be had but Trey was oohing and awing over them so I snagged a taste.  I see these burgers on my grill in the future. Don't worry I will share the recipe!


We played pool at The Garage. This has got to be the most disgusting pool table ever.



On Saturday night, we went to hear a band at Top of the Bay with some (newly engaged!!) friends that were in town. After several tries Trey and I finally got a good picture. 

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Thanksgiving: Part 1


I got lucky this year and got to attend not one, but two Thanksgiving dinners. The first one was last Saturday the 17th. We had Thanksgiving at my Aunt's. My cousins were in town so we went ahead and celebrated early.


Mom made these mini brownie cupcakes with peanut butter frosting. 

 I tried out a new creamy broccoli casserole.

I also made one of my favorites, squash casserole. I am pretty sure I will never get tired of this cheesy goodness. 

After dinner, it was time to decorate the tree. 


Aunt Julie is never boring, that is for sure. We always have a good time at her house.

Monday, November 19, 2012

11.17.2012




Last Saturday was my Mom's birthday. We got up early and drove to Birmingham. We went to The Shops at Grand River then to The Summit. We had lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. It was both of our first time to ever eat there. For appetizers we ordered Crispy Mac 'N' Cheese - mac 'n' cheese lightly fried with panko, served on creamy cheese sauce and Mediterranean Focaccia -  herb cheese focaccia baked and served with Mediterranean olive oil and parmesan. We ordered the Original BBQ Chicken pizza - BBQ sauce, smoked gouda, red onions and cilantro to share. Everything was delicious. I got a glimpse of their salads at the table next to ours, they were huge and looked amazing. I hope to go back and try out some of their other dishes. 

California Pizza Kitchen on Urbanspoon

After walking around the Summit a little bit we headed back to Tuscaloosa to get mani/pedis. I got a gel manicure for the first time and I love it so far! I had no idea what I was missing out on. It was my Mom's first time to have a professional pedicure. She loved it. I think we will have to make it a common outing for us from now on. After getting our nails done we went to my Aunt's for Thanksgiving dinner. I will save that for another post! I hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday!

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Better Late Than Never




This picture Trey's friend took on my birthday in September. I just saw it and had to post it since Trey and I never have any pictures together. 

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Cookie Swap 2012

The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap 2012

I am participating in The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap again this year since I enjoyed it so much last year and received lots of delicious cookies! I mean, who wouldn't love getting surprise boxes of homemade cookies in the mail?! I was very happy to see that Love and Olive Oil and The Little Kitchen have teamed up with Cookies for Kids' Cancer this year. So not only do you receive cookies in the mail you are donating to a great cause!

This weekend I received my cookie swap matches and began scouring the internet for new-to-me cookie recipes! I have come up with several possibilities! I may just bake them all and see what tastes best! You will have to wait until December 12th for the reveal to see what cookie(s) I chose.

Click here to see all of the amazing cookies I received last year and here to see the cookies I sent out. 

Are you participating in a cookie swap this year? Where do you search for new cookie recipes?

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Sarah + Drew's Couple Shower













The bridal party









Last Saturday, we threw Sarah and Drew a couple's shower. We had an amazing spread including Zoe's Kitchen salad sampler, a mashed potato bar, pigs in a blanket, mini quiche, vegetables and hummus. For dessert I made French Macarons, vanilla cupcakes and peanut butter chocolate cupcakes. The "adult punch" was amazing. Whitney mixed raspberry sorbet, pink lemonade concentrate, Sprite and watermelon vodka in a punch bowl. 

We played several fun games. One was the panty hose game to see who can put panty hose on the fastest while wearing oven mitts.