Finish the Sentence

I saw this on "and this is what she said" and decided I would do it too- fun!
Finish the Sentence…
I love… when we put Judson in the bed with us and I wake up while him and Jimbo are still sleeping. Sweetest sight I could ever see.
Right now I want… to be going on a shopping spree! I need new clothes
I feel like… I am so blessed!
I hate it when… people accuse YOU of saying or doing something, but don’t ever ask YOU if it’s actually true.
I fear… car wrecks.
I’m lonely without… my wedding bands. I have to have my rings on.
I need… my lip gloss at all times!
Today I… am working and then going home to workout with Judson tugging on my leg and wanting me to pick him up.
Tomorrow I’m… going to love that it’s Friday!
I just… love being a mama.
I want to meet…Nie Nie!
I’m hungry for… a closer relationship with God.
I love it when… my husband kisses my forehead and plays with my hair.
I’m afraid of… taking the Praxis Exam for school.
I’m listening to… “As Long As It Takes” by Dorothy Savage. Did you know that Jimbo graduated from high school with her? That’s so cool.
I’m wearing… dress pants, a very colorful tank, and a bright red cardigan.
I wish I was in… Charleston, SC taking a stroll down Rainbow Row and shopping at all the art exhibits.
I want to get… an elliptical machine. I kick major butt on those things!
I can’t… believe all of this happening in the Gulf.
I’m nervous to… (but excited as well) to see where we will be in 5 years.
I feel happiest when… I get home in the afternoons and see my little boy peaking around the door to see me.

Fill in your set below in a comment… I want to know all about you!

Did you know?

Did you know... that sometimes you can call a bookstore ahead of time and pre-order books that will be autographed by their authors? I did not know this until I was visiting one of my favorite authors' website and she said that if you could not make it to any of the locations on her book tour that you could call the bookstore and they would hold an autographed book for you (after you pre-pay of course). I apprehensively called one of the locations on Emily Giffin's book tour list, which happened to be in Missouri and they could not have been any nicer! This clerk was sooo sweet that when I got my book I was surprised to see that she had Emily Giffin personalize her autograph to me! How sweet! I just figured that the author would sign a pile of left over books and the clerks would mail them out to their appropriate owners, but no.. they were nice enough to give the author the names of the fans! Pretty awesome I must say. :)
Love, E

Summer Pie and Cobbler

It's officially summer time here in the south and the 4rth of July is right around the corner. I can't help it.. 4rth of July just makes me think about pies and cobbler. I was reading through the current issue of Southern Living magazine and saw where they traveled through the south looking for the best pies and this was one of the ladies they came across in the picture- isn't her cutie-pie wagon just adorable?! She is in Austin, Texas and is known for her wonderful Buttermilk Pie. I have never had pie of that sort, but it sure sounds good! Just click here to visit her website.
Thinking and reading about all this yumminess makes me want to go home and make some fresh blackberry cobbler- so of course I am and you should start thinking about making some for the 4rth.. or just because :) Here is my recipe:
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups of fresh or frozen blackberries
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 c white sugar, or to taste
1/2 tsp all-purpose flour
1 tbsp butter, melted
1 3/4 c all-purpose flour
4 tsp baking powder
6 tbsp white sugar
5 tbsp butter
1 c milk
2 tsp sugar
1 pinch ground cinnamon
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
Directions:
1. Lightly grease an 8 inch square baking dish. Place the berries into baking dish and mix with vanilla and lemon juice. Sprinkle 1 cup of sugar and 1/2 tsp of flour, then stir in the tbsp of melted butter. Add in cream-cheese softened and whipped if necessary to make light enough to mix berries. Set Aside.
2. In a med bowl, stir together 1 3/4 c of flour, baking powder, and 6 tbsp sugar. Rub in the 5 tbsp butter using your fingers. Make a well in the center, and quickly stir in the milk. Mix just until moistened. You should have a very thick batter, or very wet dough. You may need to add a splash more of milk. Cover, and let batter rest for 10 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spoon the batter over the blackberries, leaving only a few small holes for the berries to peak through. Mix together the cinnamon and 2 teaspoons of sugar; sprinkle over top.
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the top is golden brown. A knife inserted into the topping should come out clean- minus the blueberry syrup. Let cool until just warm before serving. This can store in the fridge for 2 days.
Note: You can use any berries for this recipe- Strawberry is pretty good too!
Love, E

Hailey

On March 11, 2010 my sweet friend Amber got the tragic news that her 4 year old little girl Hailey, was diagnosed with Leukemia. Since that day the Jones family has began a journey that no parent or child should ever have to go through. Please take a look at her website here to find out how you can donate money towards medical costs and I will be posting any updated information on benefits. Amber told me today that they are putting together a hot plate dinner sale and are looking for food donations. Please ask around and let me know if you find out anything. You can e-mail Amber directly on the link I have provided as well. You can donate blood for Hailey at Life South located on Hillcrest Road. She needs all O Blood types.

I know it is easy to say that you don't have time to go by there or the money to donate, but every penny helps and imagine if this was your baby. You would be desperate for all the help you could get. Please keep this family in your prayers.

Love, E

My 100th Blog Entry!

YAY- this is my 100th blog entry! I have really enjoyed blogging and hope to keep doing it. I just want to say thanks to all of you who read it and all the sweet e-mails I have gotten. It's nice to know someone is out here reading my nonsense ;)

Anyway- I want so share a few cute things with you...

Chiquita Mini's.. they are not only absolutely adorable ( I love miniature stuff, lol), but they are just the right size for Judson to eat :)

Judson's new inflatable pool- we bought it at Target for $29.99 and it has a water fall, slide, palm tree, and two dinosaur inflatables that are so cute! We had a good time in his new pool today!

Our cute new hats! We got these at Target too :)

Huggies Jeans diapers.. so cute Not that he would ever wear them like an outfit (they were advertised like that) but they sure are funny, lol

Love, E

Simplicity

Oh.. to be a child again. When I was a little girl, I always dreamed of being older; I would ride my bicycle and pretend it was my car, smoke candy cigarettes, and think how awesome it would be when I could do whatever I wanted and not have to go to school. Work would be like.. so much fun! I hated nap time at school on the little mats.
Now... I drive a real car that costs lots of money to put gas in, I don't smoke but sometimes wish I did lol, I'm STILL in school, and work is like.. so NOT fun! ;) Oh... and I dream of those nap times!
I shouldn't complain.. I have a wonderful life, I really do. I just miss that simplicity sometimes. That's all. :)
Love, E

Weekend Fun

Judson had a great weekend- on Saturday he had two birthday parties to go to; Caroline Kenzie McConaghy's cupcake party and Brayden Stacy's pool party! He had such a good time at both the parties and had a super cute new beach towel to take along. I got it at Target and had it monagrammed at McConaghy Drugs. Sunday was topped off with a play date at Sadie's house. Needless to say... he is sleeping good right now. :)

Judson's cute new towel (ignore the feet)
Love, E

Mother's Day

Motherhood. There is just nothing like holding something that you helped create, watching it grow, and wondering what characteristics it will take from you. I waited my entire life to be a mama.. and now that I am, I have to say... it is everything I always wanted it to be and more! Can't wait to have a house full of them although the husband may beg to differ ;)

Judson and I when he was a wee 4 weeks old.

Happy Mother's Day EVE everyone!

Love, E

Happy

I just want you to know....

I'm soooo HAPPY!

The semester is officially over.

I ate a brownie and icecream with my lovies to celebrate.

I am soooo HAPPY!

Now... I will enjoy my summer and do it all over again in the Fall...

But for now I will just be HAPPY!

Love, E

Chicken Panini's and Potato Salad

Last night for dinner I got this sandwich in my head that I wanted to make, so we tried making it and it turned out scrumptious! I took chicken tenders and cooked them on the stove (or you can grill them). Meanwhile... heat up your griddle or pan (whichever you have) and do the following steps:

1. Cut pieces of sour dough bread in half. Cover one side with your local grocery store's garlic spread. Mine came from Bruno's by their bakery bread. Place the bread on the griddle like you would a grilled cheese and let it start to get crunchy.

2. Sprinkle your choice of shredded cheese on the bread and let melt. I used Sargento's Italian Pasta Cheese mix. It has herbs mixed in with it and taste delicious!

3. After the cheese starts to melt, add your chicken tenders and top piece of bread. Flip back and forth and let cook until it is nice and toasty. You can add whatever ingredients to it.. (onions, tomatoes, bacon) to give them more flavor.

My family thoroughly enjoyed them and went back for seconds :)

Sorry I don't have a picture of my finished panini's.. my camera somehow did not keep the picture I took. So disapointed because they turned out so pretty.

To go with the panini's I made a quick potato salad-

Just boil chopped up, washed, and peeled golden potatoes and drain.

Take a large container of sour cream and mix half a package of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing seasoning. Mix with potatoes and add real bacon bits, chives, salt and pepper. YUMMY!

Love, E