Friday, April 29, 2011

fancy cars and beautiful traditions


okay okay okay, I can't stand it! I have got to share my thoughts about William and Kate! I have not cared much at all about this "Royal Wedding". I haven't watched anything leading up to it and haven't had much interested in even watching it. Well,  last night about 1:30 I was woken up by a stomach ache and couldnt fall back asleep. So, I turned on the TV in hopes that it would help me fall back asleep (I always watch TV when I go to bed, bad habit, I know!) Well, the wedding footage was just started at about 3:30-4:00, so I started watching. Needless to say, I did not fall asleep! I watched the guests starting to arrive at Westminister Abbey. I think I dosed off and got about an hour of sleep and woke back up just in time to see Prince Charles and the Queen arriving at Westminister. From then on, I was intrigued! What a beatiful ceremony. I am so overjoyed that traditional wedding ceremonys (and traditional services in general) are still occuring! I LOVE the feel and sounds of traditional hymn music and prayers that follow! Everything about this wedding was gorgeous! The boys choir was absolutely amazing! The British accent just made the sound of the vows even that much more beatiful! I am in love with everything about this wedding! Okay, enough rambling about that. I wish Kate and William all of the best and I am very happy for them!


Oh, and I vote for Kiss #2!!

Going along with the wedding themed Friday, I am heading to the beach this afternoon to begin my Bachelorette Weekend! Whoop Whoop! Lauren, Kels, and I are headed down tonight- we are running the Tanger Outlets 5k Saturday morning and then just hanging out until the partying begins Saturday night! Looking forward to a fun weekend!
Photobucket

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Rainy day thank you's

Today, I actually have nothing on the agenda! This came at a good time because I hate having a jam packed day when there is such nasty weather. This storm is pretty serious, so I am staying snuggled up on the couch today with my computer and my box of thank you notes and my wedding gift book! =) I wanted to get in a run sometime today so maybe it will clear up this afternoon! The wedding gifts have slowly started to trickle in and we feel so special each day when we receive something for our wedding!

On a different note, I can't wait to use of the wedding goodies and begin cooking and baking! I have always wanted to be a good cook and make all of these amazing recipes that I find, but it seems I never take the time to actually do it. (I don't have my own kitchen either and Mom is always cooking). My family and friends probably think I dont know how and I am horrible at it because i dont do it. They laugh and joke with me about not being able to cook. So, I got inspired and told Charlie by the end of the week my goal was to cook something out of the new Southern Living magazine (p.s. I LOVE Southern Living Magazine and all its greatness), and that is what I did! Yesterday, I made 2 Kentucky Hot Brown tarts! I will have to say that it was pretty good! I know I can cook, I just have to make time to do it! Here is the recipe!!

Ingredients


1 (14.1-oz.) package refrigerated piecrusts (to save time, I used a piecrust already made)

1 1/2 cups chopped cooked turkey

2 cups (8 oz.) shredded white Cheddar cheese

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives

6 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled

1 1/2 cups half-and-half

4 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

2 plum tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 
 
Preparation


1. Preheat oven to 425°. Unroll piecrusts; stack on a lightly greased surface. Roll stacked piecrusts into a 12-inch circle. Fit piecrust into a 10-inch deep-dish tart pan with removable bottom; press into fluted edges. Trim off excess piecrust along edges. Line piecrust with aluminum foil or parchment paper, and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Place pan on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake 12 minutes. Remove weights and foil from piecrust, and bake 8 more minutes. Cool completely on baking sheet on a wire rack (about 15 minutes). Reduce oven temperature to 350°.

2. Layer turkey and next 3 ingredients in tart shell on baking sheet.

3. Whisk together half-and-half and next 3 ingredients; pour over turkey.

4. Bake at 350° for 30 to 40 minutes or until set.

5. Place tomatoes in a single layer on paper towels; press tomatoes lightly with paper towels. Arrange over top of tart, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Cool on baking sheet on wire rack 15 minutes.
 
Ok, this is the only picture I have of this, so don't laugh! My blackberry takes terrible pictures! I will do better with the photography next time!
 


Monday, April 25, 2011

Food Overload

I am definately on junk food overload from this weekend. I am always very consious about what I eat, but lord know I have a terrible sweet tooth. Between my shower, two birthdays, and easter celebrations with both families, the food just kept coming. I feel miserable today and I started my morning with oatmeal and fresh strawberries! A good start to being back on track!
This weekend was a fun one! Saturday I had my monogram shower hosted by Mrs. Judy, Lauren, Colleen, Brandi, Ginny, and the sis. They did such a good job, everything was wonderful! We celebrated BJ and Missy's birthdays saturday night with a cookout and strawberry shortcake! Happy Birthday to them!!
Easter Sunday is always a day that I look forward to. Not only is it a time to celebrate our risen savior, but to celebrate the power and love of Jesus Christ with friends and family. Our worship service was beautiful and the song we sing, Lift High the Cross, is one of my favorite hymns of all times. Thank you Lord for such a beatiful Easter! Christ our Lord is Risen today, Allelujah!!
LOVE this!
 The hostesses



 Easter sunday before church
Now it is off to run before I make the drive to Columbia for my last class of my graduate school career!!! THANK YOU LORD for helping me get through these past two years!!! Looking forward to celebrating with dinner tonight with my classmates! 

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Feeling Blessed

Tomorrow is my last day of my internship, which means my last day of my graduate school career! I feel so blessed to be graduating in a few short weeks! I don't have much going on today, so I spent a little bit of time reflecting on the other reason I am feeling blessed: the outpouring of love and support that has been given to us by our friends and family during our "wedding season". I can't begin to tell you how loved we already feel and we are still one month and one day until the wedding day! From showers to partys to gifts in the mail, it is hard to express how thankful we truly are! Here are just a few highlights from all of the wedding festivities!! A big THANK YOU and HUG to all of those who have taken part!
Couples Shower/Oyster Roast- January 15, 2011
 Hostesses


 Jordan, me, and K decked out in Judith March
Misc. Shower Given by Charlie's Aunts- February 27, 2011



Church Shower given by the ladies in Mom's Sunday School Class- March 6, 2011



Wedding Party at the Hyman's- April 2, 2011


GE Healthcare Party Hosted by Jeff and Mary Taylor- April 16, 2011
I did bad with taking pictures at this party, this is the only one we have, and its before we even got there! oh well, too much excitement!
This saturday I have my last shower, a monogram shower hosted by some of my girlies! I am looking forward to spending time with them! I will blog it this weekend! We truly have the most amazing family and friends any couple could as for!!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Race to the finish!

I feel as though I am racing to the finish in more ways than one! Yall know I love to race! I only have 6 more days of my internship left and then I will officially be DONE with graduate school. I feel very relieved but at the same time I feel like I am racing to get all of this paperwork and last minute stuff done, not to mention that in the back of my mind all I really want to think about is the wedding! I have stuff constantly running through my mind! I sure hope I can get everything done! I am looking foward to the future and a new journey!
This weekend we headed to the beach, thank goodness! A weekend away with the Vause's is exactly what I needed, especially since it was Michael's birthday! We got up early Saturday morning and headed to Litchfield State Park to run in the Fun Sun Run. Michael and I ran the 10k, Lauren ran the 5k, and Charlie cheered us on! It was a great race for a great cause (Global Soccer Ministries)- they teach the love of God and their love of soccer to various places in the world who are suffering and struggling to get by. We visited our FAVORITE restaurant, Soho, for some amazing sushi and then headed to Croissants for birthday dessert! The food was fab!!!! Thank you Lauren and Michael for being such great friends and having us spend the weekend with you at the beach!! 38 days before the big day, the race is on!!!

Fun Sun Run 10k- 53:35- First in 20-29 age group

I actually forgot my camera, which doesn't happen often! So, these pictures are the only ones and they came from Lauren's phone!
 Before dinner, being his normal silly self
 B & L
right before the finish line of the 2011 Fun Sun Run 10k event

Monday, April 4, 2011

Putting on "the dress"

Yesterday I took my bridal portraits. The day turned out to be such a fun day! I started the day off not so good when my hairstylist didn't show up for my 11:30 hair appointment at the salon. After a few frantic phonecalls, several voicemails, and a trip back home to do makeup, she finally called us back. We finished makeup, headed back to the salon, and everything worked out! I LOVED my hair, my makeup, and being able to finally see it all come together for pictures! I cant wait to see them all! Sorry, no pictures for this post! Invitations go out today, how crazy is that?!?! This thing is really going to happen!!! Getting more and more excited as the days pass! Oh yeah, and only three more weeks of my internship too. Thrilled to be almost done!!!!