best friends in the big city!!!

standing in line for Chicago tickets

Especially when you have a long distance relationship with your best friend, is a girls trip a MUST!

I haven't spent real time with crystal since she visited South Carolina in October for my birthday weekend. So... a discussion was had, a plan was made, and off to New York City we flew.  Two separate planes, two different arrivals, and one meeting place. Laguardia!!! I swear to god, it was just like the movies... two people running across an airport into eachothers arms, embracing in a forever- lasting hug. That was us! 

This was Crystal's first time visiting NYC, so I wanted to show her the must sees. We had three short days and we used every single minute to our advantage.

A few notable moments...

1.  Having frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity!!!

2.  Her first subway ride.

3.  Looking up and NEVER seeing the top!!!

4.  Shopping at Tiffanys.

5.  Eating in Little Italy. (and drinking)

6.  Seeing Chicago front and center.

7.  Eating at Mario Batilli's restaurant, sharing an amazing dinner 

and an even more amazing bottle of wine!

8.  Walking through Central Park.

9.  Seeing the Statue of Liberty.

10.  Being in my favorite city with my favorite girl!

We had the best time imaginable, and also have decided to try and make a girls trip as often as possible! She is really the best friend a girl could have :) 

at Rockafellar Center

My baby boy is TWO!!!!

This is Oliver's birth month, and I just cannot believe that my boy is TWO YEARS OLD. 

I have never imagined a more perfect pup than we have in this boy. He is unbelievably sweet, so gentle, loves his mommy and daddy so much, and couldn't go a day without his Emme... just a perfect little (huge) boy. 

David and I worked with Dr. Bowen - and he knew we had been talking about getting a puppy. So one late night in the ER, he drove his truck into the ambulance bay with a truck-load of brand new puppies, and called us up to come out to see! Immediately, David picked one up. He cradled the precious pup in his hands - so small and fragile. And the puppy smell..... SOLD! We had picked out our very own baby boy, Oliver Hutchinson :) 

Little did we know what a job it would be having a puppy. Sweet and precious Oliver became a bit of a nightmare. I still loved him more than life, but my god - life was slowly ending for David and I. Everything was about this tiny little creature. Eventually that changed, and everything went back to normal. 

Two years later, and Oliver weighs in at 120 pounds. He is a monster. But so full of love and life. And I couldn't imagine a day without him.

baby Oliver

before growing into his ears :)
we call these his floppers!

my two year old boy

Emme and Ollie

One year down

I really can't believe we just celebrated our one year wedding anniversary. Time really does fly. There have been so many changes for us since saying the 'I Do's'... like moving a month later, finding a house, getting a new car, starting new jobs. Lots.  So, we have decided to take anniversary trips each year, and alternate who plans. Guess who got the first year... me! Well, for those who know me, a surprise is just not my thing. I can't keep one, and if I know you are hiding something from me - I will investigate every possible thing I can until I find out! Anyhow... We knew this year our budget would permit us to stay somewhat close, yet have a lengthy stay! I chose Charleston, SC. We have been before, but never stayed long. I researched a million B&B's, but ending up finding a WONDERFUL little beach house off of Foley Beach. So we would get the best of both worlds, I chose this! Big Mistake. This amazing little house turned out to be a nightmare. With all due respect for the owner, when you advertise your property as the highlight of the block, never fail to mention that everything this house contains is from a junkyard. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a thrifty gal... I love hand me downs and transforming trash to treasure. But never my entire house. 

We made the best of it, laughed pretty much the entire trip, and drank bottle after bottle. We cooked meals and relaxed on the beach. 
It was our vacation, regardless where we were staying.

One of the highlights of the trip was visiting a local spot in Foley Beach called Bowen's. This place is the definition of a shack. Its an outdoor patio with picnic tables lining the middle of the floor. You are served oysters by the shovel.... yes, seriously. All you can eat. And we ate.

We walked the city of Charleston, visiting all the beautiful landmarks, dreaming of which house we would one day own (which is what we do in every town we visit). It really did turn out to be an amazing trip. 

Prior to the trip, I had read a review of a little shop downtown called "Cupcake." On the day of our anniversary, we decided to have our cupcakes! This is a tradition we will always try to maintain. So we walked the blocks until we landed at the door, ordered 2 of the most decadent red velvet cupcakes, sat at a lovely bistro table and enjoyed our moment. One year later... 

LAST DAY IN CHARLESTON :( 
Lots and lots of walking. Went through the many gardens and historic home sites. Shopped a little!!!! I got my anniversary necklace and David got his anniversary hat! 
We went to Poogan's Porch, a wonderful restaurant that is well known for it's sunday brunch. When we entered, we noticed pictures of Marshall University hanging - the owners are MU GRADS!!!!!!!! So we were even more joyed to eat there! 

I immediately ordered a bloody mary. When it came out, i was surprised to see OKRA instead of celery. Gotta love the south. Even with the okra, it was delish.

Unfortunately, our vacation was nearing the end. We had soaked up every ray of sunshine and explored every inch of Charleston. With a great nights rest, we woke our last morning and hit the road to Savannah! I. Love. Savannah.

Moss. That is all i can say. It's the most beautiful thing ever! Trees are draped. Flowers are EVERYWHERE! It's a gardeners dream world!

Savannah Moss - a walk through the beautiful Forsyth Park.

Happy Anniversary to my beautiful and sweet husband.

It has been an amazing year!!!!!! 

And he is going to do so better than me next  year :) 

I love this man even more one year later.

Our one year anniversary is approaching. Vacation is on its way. And I couldn't imagine being as happy in life as I am at this very moment. Life is good and rich! 

To one amazing year together, and to so many more.

4.4.09
Our Wedding Day

I promise you - this is the easiest and best tilapia I have ever made. I have tried a million different ways, and I always go back to this one... If you love good tilapia, you will love this. Plus it's super healthy! 

Bobby's Baked Tilapia

by - Paula Deen

Ingredients:

Butter cooking spray
4 (6 to 8-ounce) tilapia fillets
1 teaspoon Paula Deen Silly Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 lime, finely grated zest and juice
2 tablespoons butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a large cast iron pan with a nonstick butter spray.

Rinse fish and pat dry; place on the prepared baking sheet. Season each fillet with Silly Salt, cracked pepper, lime zest and lime juice. Add fish to the pan. Place a pat of butter on each fillet and cook in the oven for 8 to 12 minutes. 

Servings: 4 servings
Prep Time:
Cook Time: 12 min
Difficulty: Easy

the finished product! 

How to make a dog bed

In an attempt to get our pups off our couch so we can sit together.... I will make a dog bed.
What I bought.
1- An enormous pillow suitable for my pups.
2- 2 yards of fabric for the top of the pillow.
3- 2 yards of fabric for the back of the pillow. (and luckily, I found something very similar to the fabric of our couch and chair!)
4- Sewing machine.

I made this cover like a duvet - so I cut the bottom fabric in half, hemmed the edges and sewed the edges back together, making an opening for the pillow to fit in.
Placing the fabrics together:
Spread the bottom fabric, right side up, on the floor. Lay the pillow on top of the fabric, then place the top fabric on the pillow, right side down. Pin the fabrics together around the pillow. I pinned mine pretty good so it wouldn't fall apart when i pulled the pillow out. (impossible to sew with a pillow in the middle.)
Pull out the pillow and sew the edges together on your machine.
After all edges are sewn, turn your fabric right side out and VOILA - you have just made yourself a sweet dog duvet!

Hope your pups enjoy theirs as much as mine does :)

Emme loving her new bed!!!

third times a charm...

Well, blog number 3. They say third times a charm, so we'll see. I was going to combine my previous blog into this one, but why not start fresh.


My goal. This is to be somewhat like a journal for me. A place to share thoughts and experiences with my friends and family that seem so far away from me. Anything i feel or want to write - i will! Be it a delish recipe, a wonderful book, travels, a new craft... anything. 


So, welcome to my 'new' blog! 
Enjoy.