Because I'm a horrible blogger, a photo journal to catch you up!

Here is a summary of the last few months:

Homecoming at UWG

 Toy Story 3 on Ice
 

 JT's 10-year Reunion                                                                                          Kacie, Me and J.J

 Ashtyn's 10th birthday party and Shelby and I at Tiffany and Brad's Halloween Party

 Pretend Photo Shoot with Shelby

Photos from our 1-year

Eat, Love, Pray

So I give this movie a B. It was highly inticipated. This book has been on my list to read since I saw her interview with Oprah. I just recently purchased it and read up until the 6th bead. Then my mom and I went to see the movie. Slightly disappointed even though the movie was good and Julia felt like the good ole jules she used to be.
It definately wasn't a waste of 7.25 (side note, can you believe a matinee at 1 oclock in Rome, GA is up to 7.25 now... REDICULOUS!) Anyhow, it just wasn't the best. And ironically I didn't cry. I cry at everything. So now I am just as excited to read the book. Books are always better anyways. Did you see it? What did you think?

Creative Ideas Needed...One year = paper

So first of all, I want to tell you a super easy pasta salad that has become a lunch staple for me. It is Caesar Pasta Salad. First, I boil the tri-colored pasta noodles, then I add Kraft Caesar Dressing, parmesan cheese, and croutons. The best are Texas Toast, I have tried garlic, salt and pepper, and caesar, they all are yummy and sometimes there are 50 cent coupons for them. Kroger doubles their coupons up to 50 cents and so you can get a dollar off. Anyhow, toss and walla!You could add chicken for a heavier dish. But it is yummy!

Now onto the meat of the post. Our one-year is two weeks away. We are going to the Brasstown Valley Resort to go horseback riding, to the spa and to play golf. www.brasstownvalley.com I am so excited to escape for the weekend with JT. We hardly ever get to spend time together on the weekends because he works all weekend until the wee hours of the morning.

So traditionally, the first anniversary gift is paper. So since we are trying to save money and the trip is our splurge, we have decided to set a budget of $10 and only get each other paper gifts. I need creative ideas girls! I have thought of a magazine, a book, baseball cards, a photo... but i want to hear your suggestions! Check out the traditional to modern gift list for anniversaries here:  http://www.findgift.com/Anniversary-Table/

Sunflowers and Butterflies

For graduation my mother took me to Callaway Gardens. We got massages at the incredible Lodge and Spa. I highly recommend it. We ate lunch and dinner at the Plant Room and Breakfast at the Country Store. I highly recommend the Country Store. We frolicked through the gardens and butterfly exhibit. We relaxed (kind of) by the pool and took a dip in the hot tub. I even overcomed my fear of the steam room. I am always scared I will be locked in! Anyway below are a few photos of our trip from my mom's camera. I have yet to upload mine, but will add more soon.

dogs have it made...

Enough said!

Cute idea for someone graduating...

First of all, let me apologize for the lack of posts but in 30 seconds or less, here is everything that has been happening:
July 20 I successfully defended my exit paper
July 23 was my last day at Georgia Highlands, it was also the anniversary of grandaddy's death
July 26 I began a new job at Dalton State College
July 31 I graduated with my masters in public administration
August 1 we celebrated graduation with my family

A few photos from graduation:

So for the family celebration, I took it upon myself to make dessert. I made peanut butter cup brownies and topped them with graduation caps made from peanut butter cups, chocolate covered graham crackers and icing. See below:

Movin' Out, Moving Up!

Finally, we have finished moving. And I promise to add pictures as soon as I upload them. Right now, we have a bunch of stuff EVERYWHERE, but I am looking forward to turning the "little house" as we call it into our new humble abode. Like I have said before I so wish I would have done before photos, but oh well.

In other news, the final version of my exit paper draft has been submitted and I meet with my exit chair tomorrow to hear his feedback. His initial comments were promising with the statement that my paper is good, on the right track, and he feels there will be little corrections needed.

I want to take the time to thank my sisters for helping me move, especially Shelby, who has devoted night and day, literally to loaded, unloading, sweating, packing, cleaning, etc. even surviving a downpour and major thunderstorm and getting caught out in the rain with boxes in our hands.

Weekend plans: Organizing the house, movie on the lawn at Berry College's Oak Hill Museum, "Fried Green Tomatoes" is the feature film, then Saturday night I am going to visit my friend Walker while her husband is out of town.

So many updates, so little time!

Let me try and catch you guys up on the last few weeks.  June 10, 11, 12 was the Member-Guest Golf Tournament at Coosa Country Club.  We were the guests of Brad and Tiffany Smith, friends of JT and myself.  The weekend was a lot of fun. I got to hang out with my girls Tiff, Joanna, Holly, Anne, and Alison. Plus, it gave JT and me some much needed QT and a chance to get dressed up and socialize together. 

Most of you know that my husband and I were completely different schedules. He goes to school all day and works at night. I work all day and go to school at night. So it is rare that we get to spend weekends together.

Onto school. I am in my final class of my Masters degree and am working on my exit thesis. I submitted my 45 p draft last night to my committee and am waiting to get feedback. The 2nd draft and revisions are due July 6. I am on my way to being a Master. Funny, every time I say that, I think of Master P's song Make em Say Ughhhhh!

I did not get into the the DPA program at Valdosta but now I am applying for the Educational Specialist in Higher Education Administration at Georgia Southern. It is an online program too. We'll see what happens.

We are also moving right now, we have painted our bedroom, bathroom, and Ashtyn's bedroom. We have cleaned, and tonight we are going to start to put the decorative touches on. We are moving the big stuff Saturday.

All of these changes are overwhelming but exciting and remarkably I am composing myself and remaining fairly stress-free!

The final update is that Father's Day was the anniversary of the last dinner that my family had with my granddaddy last year. It is the time when the doctor's told us that treatment wasn't working and everyone made the decision to stop treatment. Who knew that by stopping chemo and radiation the cancer would have taken over and he passed away three weeks later. And although, I haven't really let myself think about it. It is like my body knows, my heart knows, my soul knows, and my psyche knows that the anniversary is coming up. He is in my dreams constantly. I miss him every day. The responsibility of taking care of my grandmother is a huge one that we have divided among family members. But it is still hard. Enough said, I am tearing up.

Point being keep me in your thoughts and prayers as the next few weeks go by, we have a lot of transitions to get through, and I am not good with change. So far it has been seamless, but I am anticipating the great break down! haha!

a new ride and a new roof

Our new car made it to its new home last night. It is so weird! I have never bought a car before. And it gives me an odd sense of anxiety, apprehension, and excitment. Next step, packing boxes and getting a storage unit. I have already taken all of the curtains and things off the walls down. It's sad. 212 Leland was our first home together as a married couple, it was Carolina's first home, but I know that this is the right decision! Tomorrow I am off so I am going to grab some boxes and start to packing. The good thing, we jsut have to move over a couple of streets.

In other updates, I have to put procrastination to an end and start on my exit paper's rough draft. It is a must! Maybe I'll do that this weekend too. In the mean time, I hope to catch some sunshine as well, I am in desperate need of a tan and come to think of it, a hair cut too! Anywhoodle, enough rambling for me this morning!

Eventful Weekend

Good Morning All. Well this weekend has been slightly eventful to say the least. First of all, JT's Tahoe is on its last leg. Like it only cranks when it wants to. So in an executive decision to be able to afford a car, we have decided to move to the small house behind his grandmother's (GiGi). Our lease was up yesterday, so we are going to sign month to month until we can get everything moved out, cleaned, and moved in. There are pro's and con's to this decision. Some of the major pro's is that we can save money. I have credit card debt from college, and with a car payment, this will give us a chance to get some things paid off. I am grateful for that. Another plus is a fenced in back yard! The downside, no kitchen. If you know me, you know that I LOVE to cook. But this gives me another reason to get creative with things! I have my crockpot, George Foreman, Toaster Oven, now all I need stove burner type thing.
Also this weekend I renewed my library card. I figured why buy books when you can borrow. I am interested in the Emily Giffin series, but the library only had "Love The One You're With" and "Baby Proof" on the shelf. So I got both, as well as "One 5th Ave" by Candace Bushnell. So these three are the beginning of my summer reading list. I also want to read Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat Pray Love" before the movie comes out this summer. I saw the previews during SATC2 and was excited because I feel like Julia Roberts needs a good movie. How lucky is Miss Gilbert? I think every American woman dreams of being played by Miss Julia in a film adaptation of our lives!

Now onto SATC2, which will be a whole seperate blog itself, I was extremely disappointed! I will provide you guys a complete analysis when I have time but because I love the brand, I appreciate the movie, but I was let down comepletely by Darren Star and SJP as writers. Anyhoodle... much to catch up on at work. In the mean time, what are you all reading this summer?

Tomorrow is JT's Birthday

He has to work tomorrow night so we are supposed to celebrate on Friday. I am going to attempt to make cake balls decorated like baseballs and golf balls. I am racking my brain for ideas of how to make the indentations or ripples on the golf ball ones. I thought they are dipped in white chocolate may be I can wrap them in mini bubble wrap until they harden and then peel it back for my results. Any ideas out there? I will post pictures after they're finished... but while you're waiting check out Bakerella.com she has amazing ideas! I was thinking about using her idea below with the candy pearls for the golf ball but I am nervous it will not have the affect I am going for... Thoughts...

There's nothing like a box of Velveeta Shells and Cheese!

Happy Sunday, well happy almost over Sunday. Since I have been out of class for the summer, life has seemed so much more relaxing. There is no stress from what assignments I have due. And somehow I am at peace with my schoolwork right now. Most of you know that I am graduating in July. After I write the dreaded 60 page exit paper. My topic: Does eliminating the SAT as a college admissions requirement increase minority and lower-income enrollment? Sounds like a blast to read right? Well my prospectus (10 page paper outlining the topic) is due tomorrow and I turned it in on Thursday. So for now it is a wait and see game of what feedback I have from my exit chair before I jump into draft one. Until then, I get to enjoy my Sundays.
Today, I took a break from taking my grandmother to church, and despite going to my own church, I slept in. You could say, my body needed it. But honestly I do need to return to Oak Hill. Ever since grandaddy passed away last year, I pretty much take my grandmother to her church every Sunday. JT and I have really only been to Oak Hill probably 5 times since we got married. We need to work on that.
Anyhow, we ate lunch at my grandmothers still and it was positively delicious! Roast, creamed potatoes, green beans, gravy and yeast rolls. YUMO! And for dessert, a lemon meringue pie!
Later, I went to my parents and laid out in the sun for a couple of hours. Then I came home and have been snuggling in the bed with the hubs since then. JT and I hardly ever get to spend QT together and amazingly this weekend has been packed with it. It makes me realize how much I love and miss him!

I awoke from a nap and made a box of mac and cheese and decided man, is their anything better than a box of mac and cheese, or homemade mac and cheese. In fact, when I lived in NYC, there was a restaurant called S'Mac in the East Village. They have all kinds of flavored mac and cheese and they serve it in different sized cast-iron skillets. It totally reminded me of the south. Their website is http://www.smacnyc.com/ if you're every in NYC check them out!

JT and Me + the Doggie makes 3... in a Queen sized bed

I do not have kids of my own. Although I love my beautiful step-daughter Ashtyn, I have never had to deal with a baby/toddler in the bed. But what I have had to deal with is a 100-pound black labrador named Blue. Blue has slept in the bed with us since he was around 8 months old. Some nights he sleeps at the foot of the bed, but most nights he inches his way between JT and I. And some nights he even takes over a pillow. Other than the excess hair and lack of snuggle time with my hubby, one lab in the bed is not so bad. Here's the problem. Our second lab is 11 months old. She still sleeps in a crate. But nightly digs to get out when she has to go to the bathroom. And as soon as she hears the alarm go off in the mornings, she is ready to get out of the crate, go outside, and take my spot in the bed after breakfast.

We would love to have two labs in the bed but there is no room. We have a queen sized bed and the space is tight enough with a husband and Blue, much less add a 70 pound playful lab in the mix. So what is a girl to do? I feel as if we neglect Carolina by making her sleep in the crate still. I know we should probably get both dogs out of the bed, but at this point I am just not sure if that is possible... help!

The Creative Cook

Good morning and welcome to my new blog! I hope you enjoy the random ramblings of a new wife.  Over the weekend a bunch of friends got together to celebrate a friends upcoming nupitals in Atlanta. On the way there and back, four of us that rode together were discussing our marriages.  One topic of conversation was that I cook supper every night. The girls were shocked! I started thinking... am I not normal? Have we moved so far away from the 1950's stay-at-home-mom that we no longer cook a meal?  For me, cooking is not a chore at all. In fact, it is a passion of mine. I love that I can stare at the pantry and pick out a few things and create a yummy meal.

One recipe I tried last night was Fire-Roasted Tomato and Shrimp Pasta. A couple of months ago, I discovered Kroger's fire-roasted tomatoes. They are delicious and full of flavor! Ironically, two out of the three dishes I have made with them involve shrimp. Below are three dishes made with a can of fire-roasted tomatoes.

FIRE ROASTED TOMATO AND SHRIMP PASTA

Ingredients for 2

Shrimp (Your favorite type, at least 6 large shrimp per person)

2 cans fire-roasted tomatoes

Pasta (I used spaghetti, but get creative, try linguini, fettucini, or penne)

1 cup red sauce (marinara or spaghetti sauce)

Peel and clean shrimp. If this is one of your first times in the kitchen, you may not realize that you need to clean shrimp. I peel them under cold water. Then, using a small paring knife, I make a cut along the back of the shrimp. There will be a dark vein along the back that I will wash away under cold water.

Place a large skillet over medium heat. Spray with Pam or any non-stick cooking spray. In a large pot begin boiling water and add pasta.

Put shrimp in pan, cook about two minutes on each side, shrimp will begin to curl up.  Add tomatoes and sauce and lower the heat to low. Cover and let simmer. Once pasta is al dente (cooked with a bite, but not firm) add pasta to shrimp and sauce, toss, and cover. Serve with salad and garlic bread. *Tip* If using garlic texas toast, pop it on the George Forman, it will have a yummy, grilled flavor, a perfect pairing with fire-roasted tomatoes!

GRILLED SHRIMP AND FIRE ROASTED TOMATO RICE

Ingredients

Shrimp

1 can Fire Roasted Tomatoes

1 box Spanish Rice

Heat George Forman grill and spray lightly. In a pan over medium heat, 

melt 2 Tablespoons of butter or margarine. Open box of rice and set aside seasoning packet. Pour rice in melted butted until toasted and golden brown. Do not walk away at this point because rice can burn easily. Once rice is toasted, Add 1 cup of water. Box should say 2 cups, but tomatoes will add liquid. Add tomatoes, reduce heat to low, and cover. Meanwhile, place washed, peeled, and cleaned shrimp (see instructions above) on grill.  Because GF cooks both sides, turning is not necessary, but can prevent sticking. Once shrimp have curled slightly and have nice grill marks, add to rice and tomatoes.  Stir rice and check to see if more liquid is needed. Return lid, and remove in 10-15 minutes. Fluff with fork, and serve. Prep time- 10 minutes, Total cook time - 20 minutes.

CROCK POT CHILI or CHICKEN FIESTA SOUP

2 cans black beans

1 can whole corn

2 cans fire roasted tomatoes

1 half a package of frozen three pepper blend (in your grocery freezer section)

1 cup spaghetti sauce

water

taco seasoning mix

cooked chicken, ground turkey or ground beef (optional)

In a large crockpot add beans, corn, tomatoes, peppers, and spaghetti sauce. Fill tomato can with water and add. Repeat. Add 1/2 seasoning packet and stir. Cook meat with remaining seasoning packet (turkey or beef for chili, chicken for fiesta soup). Add to crockpot. Stir and cover. Let cook the entire day, or night before, stirring occasionally. Serve with Frito scoops, sour cream, cheese, and jalapenos.