Date: November 29, 2010
Location: Our House
Tuscaloosa, AL
Tree's Up!
Over the next few days I will be sharing my Christmas decorations. Obviously, this is our tree. But it's one of two in the house this year. This one is the the formal living room; it's the one that can be seen from outside the house. However, Justin and I rarely use that room so I wanted to put one in the den so we could see it.
Date: November 28, 2010
Location: Our House
Tuscaloosa, AL
Another holiday down, one to go
It's Christmas time! I love getting ready for Christmas. To me, it's shopping til your feet hurt, watching movies you've seen dozens of times, and listening to carols til you just can't stand it anymore. Yet year after year, I know I will do it all again.
Justin volunteered to get the decorations from the attic today. No chance I'm passing on that one!
Date: November 26, 2010
Location: Our House
Tuscaloosa, AL
Who cares about the Iron Bowl after that?
Seriously, who cares? To relieve some stress in our house after the loss, Justin and I went out shopping. We found him some shirts and a tie that were on sale because of Black Friday. Then we chose some new books to read. I knew what I wanted before I got in the store. Despite Bama's loss, Black Friday was a good way to end the chaotic week.
Date: November 25, 2010
Location: Our House
Tuscaloosa, AL
Not Exactly Thanksgiving Food
With all of the excitement and chaos of Thanksgiving, I completely forgot to take pictures of the huge meal I had worked so hard to prepare.Instead, you have a picture of the food I made after Thanksgiving (what was I thinking, right?). It was for work the next day.
Since there were just three of us scheduled to be in the office, we decided to have "football food" to snack on all day for the Iron Bowl. I made Rice Krispy Treats and Stuffed Sausage Croissants (filled with cream cheese, sausage, and jalapenos).
Date: November 24, 2010
Location: Our House
Tuscaloosa, AL
Creative Shelving
I don't know why anyone would want a side-by-side refrigerator and freezer. They aren't very large; you can't fit many items into either one. Nonetheless, I had to make all of my Thanksgiving food fit in the fridge. If you look closely, you can see cookie sheets between the dishes. Hey, it worked, and I thought it was clever.
Date: November 23, 2010
Location: Our House
Tuscaloosa, AL
Floor Protectors
When I moved to college, my mom bought me these two black wrought iron chairs. I have always loved them. To add places at the dining room table, I move these chairs to the table. This year, I have (relatively) new hardwoods in the dining room, and the chairs did not have protective feet on them. Luckily I found the black tips at Target. The felt is for my dining chairs, just to be safe. Last time we had guests, I put towels down to protect the floor. These are just a little more tasteful, I think.
Date: November 22, 2010
Location: Our House
Tuscaloosa, AL
Stuff the Pantry
With Thanksgiving coming up, there were many groceries to buy and many dishes to prepare. Today I bought all the groceries so that I could prepare the casseroles and side dishes ahead of time. It worked out well.After seeing this picture, I see that the pantry needs a fresh coat of paint. Maybe I can work on that soon.
Date: November 20, 2010
Location: Our House
Tuscaloosa, AL
Getting Ready
We are hosting Thanksgiving at our house. We will have only eleven guests, but that requires a lot of prep work for the house.
This is the dining room just after we set up one of the long tables. The other table was put in the kitchen to hold all the food.
I truly enjoy hosting holidays and family gatherings.
Date: November 8, 2010
Location: Our House
Tuscaloosa, AL
Egg Nog
For me, there are many items that represent the holiday season.
One of my favorites is egg nog. I look forward to buying this carton every year. And I want Barber's, no other brand.I like it straight. I know it's common to mix it with alcohol, but I don't like to mess with the perfection of this concoction. To be honest, I like Barber's better than homemade (at least the one I've had).
Date: October 31, 2010
Location: Northport Baptist Church
Northport, AL
Fall Festival
This Halloween, we worked at the Fall Festival at church. There were lots of kids; all dressed for the occasion.
This is Luke, John's grandson. We met Luke, as well as John's daughters, Amy and Lauren, for the first time tonight.
Overall, the night was pleasant. Our class manned the skee-ball game and passed out a large handful of candy to each child for participation.
Date: October 29, 2010
Location: Our House
Tuscaloosa, AL
Fred
For the fourth year in a row, Justin has dressed up as Fred Flintstone for Halloween. The last three years, he's worn the costume to school.The teachers and kids alike love it. This year, two of his coworkers and one of his students dressed as the whole Flintstone family (Wilma, Peebles, and Dino).
Date: July 4, 2010Location: Mom and Matt's HouseNicholsville, ALHappy Independence Day!I figured that our country's birthday is just as good a day as any to start my project.My husband and I spent the holiday with my mother, step-dad, and my three younger brothers. My husband, Justin, taught the boys how to play "King of France." The reigning king holds on to the silver pole and floats in the water. Those wishing to become the new king try to pull him away from the pole. The one who successfully pulls the king from the pole quickly grabs the pole and is the new King of France. And the game starts over again.The boys had a great time, and so did my husband. :)
Date: November 29, 2010 
