Baby, it's cold outside

In honor of my previous blog about coffee creamer, I decided to display Hunter's collection of coffee mugs.... He buys them everywhere, but mostly thrift stores. I think he started this tradition when he was in high school... and I'm pretty sure somewhere out there are boxes and boxes of coffee mugs he's bought in the past decade.

the tiny mugs

the emo mugs, haha

the random mugs

the destination mugs

and the people mugs

here are a couple of things that have made me happy today!

Halloween mellowcremes...... mmmmm

Now doesn't that just make you happy???

Last weekend, we had a house guest. She goes by the name of Krissy Bell and she's a slightly "special" lhasa apso.

I walked in my room one day and found her and Vito quite comfortable, napping in my bed.... you can barely see Vito in this pic... he sorta blends in.

Krissy's face was smooshed down in the pillows and everything. I decided to let her stay in the bed, because she seemed so peaceful and I'm sure it was such a treat for her, seeing as how my mom and dad don't let her on their bed for longer than 2 seconds :)

and here's my little angel in a deeeep, deeep sleep

Also last weekend, I got robbed by a miniature nerd!

But then Aiden jumped in to save the day. Whoo, it was a close one.

ALSO LAST WEEKEND,  I baked these delightful cookies!! They were yummy and so easy to make. They're made with chocolate cake mix, toffee bits and instant cappuccino. 

Click here for the recipe!

Have a wonderful weekend!

chilly, chilly!!!

It's SO COLD outside and I love it!!!

And even though I put up my Halloween decorations just minutes ago while drinking my coffee, I couldn't help but think about my favorite creamer flavor- peppermint mocha!

I was doing a little grocery shopping and noticed that Coffee Mate's holiday flavors are already making there way to the shelves. And there's a new flavor! Caramel Apple. Gonna pick up some for sure!

Click here for all the holiday flavors and a $1 coupon! I love coupons!

http://www.coffee-mate.com/Seasonal/default.aspx

more of the usual :) but i love the usual

The other day, Hunter and I took a lovely nap. Vito decided to join us. I just had to capture this because Vito ALWAYS decides to snuggle with Hunter over me.

And here's some more super cute snuggling...

I made fried chicken! It was only my second time making it. It always makes me nervous b/c fried chicken is such a prized food in the south- I'm talking SOUTH. I grew up in Birmingham and my Nana makes fried chicken that will blow your mind. My Mawmaw also makes fried chicken tenders that you can't get enough of. So I've got some pretty high expectations here.

All that to say, it was awesome! The first time I tried my hand at fried chicken, I double-dipped it in eggs and the flour mixture so that the crust would be extra thick, and I fried it in about one inch of oil. This time, I omitted dipping the chicken in egg and just dusted it lightly with my flour mixture. I just coated the bottom of the pan in oil and pan fried the chicken. The crust was thin, but light and crunchy. It was so good! Ok, I'm done talking about fried chicken.

Now for more snuggly time...

Yesterday just seemed perfect to make this comfort-food tortellini soup. I made a big pot and Hunter, Kasen and I enjoyed lunch on the back patio. 

The recipe is SO EASY and so good! My friend Miriam E. told me how to make it. You cook 2 cans of tomato soup according to the instructions and then add a little chicken stock, salt and pepper, italian seasonings and the cooked tortellini (I use whole wheat three cheese by Buitoni). When you're ready to serve, add some shredded parmesan cheese and mmmmmm! You have yourself a pot of yummy soup!

That's all for now!!

:) 

Country Ham Festival

Sooooo I'm pretty sure only in Spring Hill would you find a festival that celebrates..... ham. BUT I'm so glad we do! It's such a fun festival, and of course, the boys loved it!

Just makes me want some HAM! nooooot really.

Right when we walked into the festival, there was a trailer full of cute little pumpkins to decorate!

I couldn't resist such an itty bitty pumpkin, and to avoid looking like the moocher who just wanted to pick out 4 or 5 pumpkins and stash 'em in my bag, I grabbed a marker and me and Hunter decorated a couple! Look at how little Hunter's is!!! I love it so much!

The boys decided to join the ham walk.... the prize was......... a ham.

The game was musical chairs. Nolan and Aiden didn't do so bad! Kevin and Kasen were out on the first round...... Hunter almost had it, but got out in the third to last round. It's ok. I actually don't eat pork. At all.

This was my absolute favorite thing I walked away with from the festival. It just looks vintage and it's a picture of tons of biscuits and ham! Haha!

Ok... look at this baby cow. It was SO CUTE!!!! I couldn't stop staring at it because it was so cute and so sweet and so fuzzy. Hunter said "Look! It's Fozzy from the Muppets!!"

There was a cool surf board game at the festival. Basically, you just surf on it for as long as you can before you fall off. Nolan had really good balance!

Aiden stayed on for a while, too!

And then, of course, Kasen took the game to a whole different level. He is such a little booger. He made the guy who controlled the game laugh so hard and he yelled "Hey! No body surfing!!!"

Funny story! We were standing in line for the boys to ride the train. All of a sudden, I looked down and Kasen was gone. I panicked and interrupted Kevin and Hunter's conversation "Where's Kasen???????" I ran up to the front of the line and studied each train car. No Kasen. Kevin left the line to go search around the other games. No Kasen. Hunter called his name a few times. No Kasen. I was looking up and down the line and repeatedly in the train. No Kasen. My heart was beating fast! The train started to drive away so I stepped out of line to study each car closely as it passed. The first car passed. The second car passed. The third and fourth and finally the caboose. Right before I burst into tears, I watched the caboose drive away and there was this little boy standing up, smiling from ear to ear and I could him saying "yaaaayyy!!!"

IT WAS KASEN!!!!!!! I yelled "HE'S ON THE TRAIN!!!"  and everyone around us chuckled. Me, Kevin and Hunter couldn't help but laugh either! That boy is a mess. When the train pulled back in, I ran up to it and found him with some new friends sitting by him. A really sweet lady was talking to him and helped him off the train. I, still in shock, scooped him up and immediately started with the "We were so scared! Don't ever walk away from us again! We didn't know where you were!!"

And his face went from a "that was so much fun" grin to a "what did I do?" look. 

I'll just never forget, though, how happy he looked, not caring at all that he was with a bunch of strangers, to be on that train. He had a one-track mind in that line and it was "I gotta get on that train........."

The boys did a good old fashioned potato sack race. And yes, that's Kasen in the far back... he fell.

poor thing didn't even come close to winning.

But at least he finished! Watch him in all his glory :)

It was a great way to spend my Saturday and I can't wait for the festival to come back next year!!

more fall festivities

I honestly feel blessed to live in Spring Hill, TN

A. because I live so close to these little guys

B. because IT'S BEAUTIFUL!

I like this one... it makes me feel artsy (hahahaha) :)

my fluffy

Yup, that's a snake

Last night, Hunter's Cuz D came over. She's actually Papa Lamb's cousin, but we still tell people that she's our cousin.

Ingredients to make for a lovely dinner for a lovely guest :)

1. A nice cut of London Broil, sloooow cooked in the crock pot

2. home-made gravy for the roast to cook in aaallll day (mmmmmm)

3. Idaho potatoes (meat and potatoes, duh!)

4. fresh green beans (gotta have your green veg)

5. everybody loves crescent rolls!

6. comfort food

and there you have it! Roast beef, cheesy mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, roasted green beans and crescent rolls. AAANNNDD good company :)

These are the amazing amazing amazing fall-themed flowers Cuz D brought. I LOVE THEM!

caramel filled chocolate chip cookies served with whole milk. They were pretty unbelievable.

After dinner, we played dominoes, skip-bo and watched movies. I love Cuz D and had such a fun friday night with her!

AND I LOVE FALL!!!!

the end :)