Tummy Tuesday - Crock Pot Ravoli Casserole

Crock Pot Ravoli Casserole because that's whats for dinner!

Another yummy success!

Crock Pot Ravoli Casserole

Enough said!

Enjoy!! 

Mommy Monday - Not So Much A Minute Clinic

So yeah, I have been sick with strep throat the past few days. Jealous?

Let me just tell you, strep throat as an adult is no joke. I had a fever and everything and it's most certainly the real deal and don't let anyone ever tell you different. In the 12 years that Jeff and I have been together, I have never had a  fever - ever! I was chillin like a villian with this thing, huge blisters on my throat, couldn't talk (I am sure the highlight for Jeff), couldn't move - I was dead to the world.

I have horrible allergies so I am used to often times having a sore throat, itchy eyes, the usual stuff so when my sore throat gradually started getting worse, I really did not think too much about it. Then the fever began and it was all downhill from there. I had no choice but to to drag myself to the CVS Minute Clinic because I knew things were bad and I need something ASAP. And when I say drag myself, I mean I really had to actually drag myself. You know I have fallen on bad times when I leave my house with dirty hair, no makeup, and could care less. 

While the doctor at the minute clinic was beyond wonderful, the whole minute clinic name is most certainly not so wonderful or accurate! It took much longer then a minute and while I am sure that is not too shocking to you, in my extreme sickly state, I was banking on that minute. You can imagine my dispair when I arrived and realized I was the third person in line. Through my fog I remember hearing the other people laugh and chit chat as they waited and even as they were being seen by the doctor. As I lay in the fetal position on some germ infested plastic waiting room chairs. I had a vision of ripping into the exam room, and by ripping I mean crawling in there in tears, and telling them that since they were having such a grand 'ole time, would they mind waiting for a few minutes while the doctor checked me out because I was actually sick and not there to exchange best friend necklaces. 

 This is when I realized that it was time to call in the big guns. I started blowing up my Mom's phone telling her that I needed her and she had to get there asap because I was dying and someone would have to come claim my body since no one would recognize it with the greasy hair and no makeup! Bad times I tell you!  Besides, no matter how old you are, when you are that sick all you want is your mama!

By this point, I had changed seats so that I was sitting closer to the bathroom since now I was also feeling extremely nauseous. I was looking for an obstacle free straight shot to the bathroom since I was quickly realizing this was about to become a reality. I reasoned that worse case if I could not make it to the bathroom, at least I could throw up in the hallway and it would be somewhat hidden from everyone because by george I was getting in to see this doctor and would not miss my turn. Then I began to pray and that is when the doors of heaven opened, otherwise known as the exam room doors, and they called my name.

As I left the exam room with prescriptions and instructions in hand, the door opened and there my precious mama sat. I swear there was a heavenly glow around her in that moment and I just about started crying. My mama was there to take care of me and take me home....from a distance though because, as she told me, she didn't want catch this thing either. Luckily I also had a wonderful hubby to take care of me while I recovered from the depths of dispair. 

My one bright spot in all of this is that I lost 5 pounds! Perfectly in accordance with one of my most favorite movie lines ever in "The Devil Wears Prada" - "I am one stomach flu away from my goal weight".   

Wifey Wednesday - Two Important Lessons

In recent months I feel as though Jeff and I have learned two very important lessons through our devotional time that have significantly strengthened our marriage.  

The first thing we have learned is to focus on the problem and not the person. I know this sounds like a simple thing to do but at least for us, easier said then done. In the heat of the moment it is often very easy to get carried away with what may be nagging at us. Then, rather then addressing the problem, we will often start attacking the person and then we all know how that ends....generally, not well. So, rather then getting caught up in the heat of an argument we have been trying to do a better of taking a time out to focus on the problem. 

Secondly, we have learned the rule of three - Pray God will change me, Pray for my spouse, Pray with my spouse. I have been trying to do a better job of praying for myself before I need to talk with Jeff about something. I pray that I will handle the situation in an appropriate manner rather then lashing out because I do not like the reaction I am receiving from him. This has allowed me to be better equipped for important decisions we may be making together. It has given me a sense of calm. And most importantly, we have tried to do a better job of praying together. As always, there is so much power in prayer and when two people who love each other and have committed their lives to each other come together in prayer with God at the center, anything is possible! 

Tummy Tuesday - Happy Fall Ya'll

Happy Fall Ya'll!

I know that term is over used but ya know what - I am from the South and I just can't help it! I love it! FINALLY some cool and crisp temperatures are happening around here which can only mean one thing. It's time to whip out the special Fall recipes where pumpkin is always the key ingredient.

 

I made this crock pot pumpkin bread all last Fall and it was just as yummy as it was easy.

 

Crock Pot Pumpkin Bread

 

 

I have not yet tried this recipe for Pumpkin Snickerdoodles so you better believe it will be happening this weekend!

 

Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies

 

Enjoy!

 

Happy Fall Y'all!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mommy Monday - Shopping and Hot Water

The weekend started with off such promise! Sophie and I decided to do a little Fall shopping since Daddy was working late. I truly do not know a better way to start off the weekend then by spending the money that was deposited into my account less then 12 hours ago. More importantly though, let me just tell you, my girl is a shopper!!

First, she just had to try on one my mommy's pretty work dresses befure we hit the mall!

Once at the mall, she wanted to "model" everything to see how she looked.

Sophie loves the glitter and sparkles. For some crazy reason I feel as though these two loves may cause us problems with her clothing selection during the teen years. Can't wait. However, for now it is still cute and fun but not quite cute and fun enough to actually buy the hat.

We did purchase a cute grey pair of fringe boots!

However, being the good little shopper that she is, she wanted to try on ALL possible shoe options. Afterall, a  lady can never have too many shoes. 

We had not even been home from shopping for an hour when out of nowhere Sophie was hit with a horrible fever. Looking back, I realize that maybe it happened in that moment when she was completely laid out on the carpeted floor of the department store. Probably a long shot because I am sure those floors are super clean but maybe that is when she picked something up.....

The good news is that there were alot of great football games on Saturday hunckered down, relaxed, and enjoyed the day while taking care of our sick Sophie Bug.

Bad news, our Vols lost....and it was heartbreaking!!! They played such a tough game against Georgia and we had them until those final few plays as so often happens in the big games. However, we are rebuilding our program play by play, game by game, brick by brick and after what we saw on Saturday, it is obvious that our spark has been reignited. We will be back on top again and its only a matter of time.

In the meantime, after those devestating losses, you can find my hubby sitting in the dark on the front porch contemplating life and it's true meaning with our TN Vols. 

He would so kill me for this picture but as I always say, that's what he gets for never reading my blog! In all fairness though, I may have also gotten a little out of control myself and have been "that" person continously posting on facebook about the game or "that" person tweeting things which were then followed by a disturbing amount of hashtags. Ok yeah, so I guess maybe I could have used a "timeout" on the front porch as well.  

Luckily, this Sunday was the week for our bible study group to meet. There is a never a better way to end my weekend and start my week then by sharing, learning, and growing with this group of amazing women. I have no doubt that God brought us all together to grow in fellowship and offer support. The impact that our little group has had on each of us is such a blessing.To be witness to the amazing things God is doing in each of our lives and how he is connecting us, there are no words. Weeks of praying for one another for specific requests and then seeing those prayers answered - there is nothing more powerful! If you are not already part of women's bible study group, large or small, find one! It is truly such a gift when we can come together as women to share our love for Jesus Christ along with our daily struggles and celebrations.

And finally, my weekend ended with this beautiful sight -    

Oh yes my friend. That would a quiet, candlit bathtub filled to the brim with soothing warm water. It's a beautiful thing isn't it? Even if I was in the midst of all Sophie's bath toys. Which by the way, Bath Time baby doll does not look to friendly under the flicker of a candle. She actually looked pretty creepy as she sat in the corner naked and staring at me as I tried to relax and read my book. And yes, rather than a relaxing glass of wine, that would be a jug of water next to my candle. I have a bit of a reputation for taking CRAZY hot baths and CRAZY hot showers. That is just how I like it - hence the water instead of wine. When I was younger and still lived at home, I would take such hot showers that it was regular occurance for the steam from my shower to set off the fire alarm located right outside our bathroom door. Like totally and completely normal occurance.  

One time my father in law once whispered to my husband - does she have feeling in her back? Apparently when I stood from sitting in front of the fireplace at his house, he caught a glimpse of my back which was beet red. I appreciate the fact that he whispered it to him after I left the room as though I had been carrying the burden of a horrible and dreadful disease that I had never shared with anyone other then Jeff. Point being, I like me some hot water! 

Now I am completely off topic and it is virtually impossible to find a way to tie it all back together and end this post. Sorry! 

Have a great day!!  

  

Random Thursday - Gladiators

1) I have been shopping for Fall clothes lately and had a recent revelation. Have you ever noticed how the manequins always look perfect in their clothes? Besides the fact that they are a size negative 0, all their outfits are clipped in the back so everything is fitted and hangs just right! That is so not fair because then there I stand in the dressing room driving myself crazy wondering why it just does not look the same on me. I am sure it has nothing to do with the fact that I am not a size 0. I am a size 2 so really there is not that much difference.....insert sarcasam here.

2) Have you been watching the new show "Blacklist" with James Spader?

If not, then stop whatever you are doing right now. Run...run the like the wind to your DVR and record this new show. It is amazing and I am obsessed. Of course I have always liked James Spader from his "Pretty In Pink" days.

However, now I love him! With this new show, you can't really decide if he is a bad guy or good guy but regardless he has a way of making you love him! Plus, I have always wanted to be a C.I.A. Sidney Bristow type of chick. Remember how awesome she was in the show Alias?! 

3) While I am on track to sound like a crazy TV watching junkie, let me move on to "Scandal". There are no words for the pure awesomeness that is this show. I was a late bloomer to joining this train but am now fully invested. In recent weeks, I have watched every single episode (thank you netflix) and am finally all caught up. 

In fact, I have been watching so many episodes that recently I started getting Olivia Pope and her group of gladiators confused with real people. For example, as I was cooking dinner the other night I was listening to the news. Of course they were talking about the government shutdown and all I remember thinking is - well, if they would just call Olivia Pope and let her take care of things, all will end well. This may have happened a few other times as well but I will keep those to myself. 

Regardless though, as you are running like the wind to your DVR, add "Scandal" to your list.

4) Just a few sweet pictures of my girl that I just had to share.

We recently received our small holiday catalog from Toys R Us. Sophie always loves to going through it and circling all of the toys she would like to place on her Christmas list. I am not even kidding when I tell that this child spent one solid hour just like this -

She was taking it very seriously. It was like she was studying for a final exam.

As I was getting ready to leave for work one morning this week, I noticed this pair of precious little purple Dora house shoes strategically placed right next to mine. MELT my heart!

This poor child is so ready for a little brother or sister. I guess she has given up on Mommy and Daddy so she just decided to take matters into her own hands.

Little sister (a.k.a Hello Kitty) joined us at the table for dinner this week. I also had to settle arguments between the both of them and set both in timeout on multiple occasions?!?! No kidding!

All in due time my girl!

And no, I am not trying to send a secret message. Just sharing my daily random thoughts!  

 



Tummy Tuesday - Crockpot Success

I am rocking and rolling with these crockpot recipes recently!!!

Last week I had shared two recipes in my Tummy Tuesday, Newbies post - Crockpot Root Beer Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwiches and Stove Top Stuffing Meatloaf, both of which I had not yet tried.

I am now here to testify that YOU MUST PUT THEM ON YOUR DINNER LIST! They were both amazing and so crazy easy!! They were so great that they have now made our regular dinner rotation and let me just tell you, that is not an easy thing to do!

As for this week, yet another amazing crockpot recipe. Now that I am no longer burning all of our crockpot meals, since I realized I needed to just add more water to them (blonde moment), I am having much more success!

Crockpot Chicken Teriyaki

It did end up being just a tiny bit more complicated then I originally thought but, still delicious and totally worth it.

Enjoy!!