A Taste Of Home

My house has a certain feeling.

It’s the comforting feeling of waking up on a Saturday to find dad piddling around in the garage and mom in her PJs in the kitchen feeding Lily Cat. Walking into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee and curling up on the couch with momma, the Winston-Salem Journal and TLC on TV. My house is Dad coming in with his jacket and boots on with a crisp air from the outside surrounding him as he sits down on the computer to browse. It’s a feeling of familiarity. My house is opening and closing the front door over and over and over again so that Lily Cat can come and go as she pleases as her cat curiosities kill her. And all of this happening simultaneously before 8:30am.

Its home.

It’s a Saturday morning or a holiday like this past Thanksgiving.

It’s what I love.

It’s what I miss.

It’s the simple feelings of life that I will cherish forever.

It’s the one positive aspect of not permanently living Kernersville.

It’s the opportunity to go back home on a weekend or holiday and truly LIVE in my house again just like I did eight years ago; Experience all those morning sights and sounds just like I did for 20 some years. You really take for granted that when you wake up in the morning the house is always clean, there are always groceries in the fridge and the yard is always mowed. It’s comforting to be at home and in many ways still be able to be the “kid” and have mom and dad take care of you; make your cup of coffee with exactly the right amount of sugar and cream.

This wouldn’t be so if I lived in Kernersville. I would have my own house and would never need to stay at my parents again. Where is the fun in that?

People ask me over and over when I am going to move back to Kernersville and over and over again my answer is the same: no time soon. I like it here in Charlotte and I love the life that I have built. I do miss so much about Kernersville but mainly it’s not the town, it’s the people. It’s Mom and Dad, Sister, Sam and Olivia. It’s Aunt Sharon and Uncle Bob. Its Grandma and Paw- Paw. It’s Chad, Tara, Landon and Addie. It’s my house and the experiences and history it has inside of it. But by not living in Kernersville, I get to truly experience going home. Getting to take a step back every time and sleeping in my room and waking up to everything familiar. It is like this past weekend where I was reminded exactly what it was like to live at home…and it was perfect! More than I could have asked for. I will ALWAYS know where my true home is and it is on Gehring Drive.

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Many things have stayed the same in my home for the past 20 years but there are so many things that have changed that remind me everyday that life is good and it goes on. My room is now Livi's room for when she stays with Mom and Dad. There are baby toys everywhere and little girl clothes in the dirty laundry. I guess its like what our house used to be like 26 years ago with Blair and I. It reminds me that life is good

Here is the little turkey herself in her Thanksgiving outfit!

And I couldn't resist snapping one of her in the bathtub! Those little eyes staring up at me melts every bit of my heart.

It was a perfect Thanksgiving!

"I Got A Sofa, I Got A Sofa, I Got A Sofa HEY HEY HEY HEY!"

When I get something stuck in my head I am going to get it done and I will focus on it 100%. Sometimes it is a good thing and sometimes it will drive others crazy. It is my personality and I can’t help it. I am blaming it on my father; I am definitely his child.
Two weeks ago I decided that I wanted a new sofa-couch-love seat-sectional-something for my new apartment. My original plan was to use the couches that “Charleston” had at his old apartment in Greensboro but, after further investigation, they have been living with boys for the past five years and they might be hazardous to my health ;)

Mom and I started shopping in Winston-Salem and Greensboro last time I was at home and I found several things that I really enjoyed! Some were cute, smaller pieces with dainty fabric. Totally my style! I was thinking “chic” apartment with lots of fun soft colors. But then at the next store, I would fall in love with an elegant “library/study” dark leather sofa that screamed sophistication and reading a novel by a roaring fire with glasses hanging from the crease of my mouth.

There were sooo many choices……

But then again….

There were sooo few choices…..

My opinion on furniture is that you truly get what you pay for. You go cheap and you get cheap material and cheap fabric/foundation. You go expensive and you get a very nice piece that will withstand the test of time (but would you ever want to change your style a little?)

Therefore, for the past week I have been on a shop attack for the perfect couch. Serious crazy person shopping from the second I leave the office to the second my head hits the pillow. I questioned myself at times. My butt has felt every available couch in the Charlotte region.

Overall the verdict: there are a TON of overpriced, uncomfortable, ugly couches out there. If it doesn’t fall into this category then it is a ridiculously expensive 100% leather sofa way out of my price range.

On my very first day of shopping I fell in love with a beige/brown/tan sectional at Ashley Furniture. I didn’t want to jump the gun on the first day which I think is what sparked my shop attack (maybe this attack was more of a need-to-make-sure-there-is-nothing-else-out-there kind of shopping but…I was trying to stay as open as possible!) This sectional was not at all dainty like I thought I originally wanted but very traditional and strong enough to withstand boy.

Well…this first love has become my final love and I am going to purchase my very first big girl piece of living room furniture today from Ashley Furniture Home Store. I am excited! It is going to look perfect in my new place and I can’t wait to get a good movie and curl up in the corner with a cozy blanket!

The moral of the story: My persistence and stubbornness paid off because my urgency got me a fabulous BLACK FRIDAY discount!

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I can't wait for this to be in MY living room!

Stuffed Mushrooms AGAIN!

I am obsessed with stuffed mushrooms. I have tried many many recipes and so far the one I posted last year around this time (click right here) has been my FAVORITE! Well the Pioneer Woman has done it again and provided me with a new stuffed mushroom recipe that I can not wait to get my hands on this weekend! It includes one of my favorite ingredients ~ ONIONS!!! And lots of them....

French Onion Soup Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients
2 Tablespoons Butter
2 whole Large Onions, Halved And Sliced Thin
¼ cups Beef Broth
7 dashes Worcestershire Sauce
Splash Of Red Or White Wine
½ cups Grated Gruyere Cheese (can Use Swiss)
Kosher Salt
24 whole White Or Crimini Mushrooms, Washed And Stems Removed
Minced Parsley

Preparation Instructions
In a medium skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add onions and saute for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until very soft. Splash in wine, broth, and Worcestershire. Cook for another 5 minutes, or until liquid is cooked down. Set aside.

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Throw in mushrooms and toss around for 2 minutes, just to start the cooking process. Sprinkle mushrooms with salt.

Place mushroom caps face down in a baking dish. Heap cavity with sauteed mushrooms, then sprinkle Gruyere over the top. Bake at 10 minutes on 325 degrees. Turn on broiler and broil for a couple of minutes, until the top of the Gruyere starts to bubble and slightly turn brown.

Sprinkle minced parsley over the top and serve.

YUMMMM I can't wait!

Halloween Weekend

There are two activities that I have never been that interested in. The first, Halloween. The second, UNC football games.

I love the concept of Halloween. I LOVE the decorating aspect, pumpkin carving and little kids running door to door saying “tick-or-treat.” I HATE being 26 years old and having to dress up. I know that no one is twisting my arm and holding a gun to my head until I step into a stupid looking outfit but… every year it’s inevitable that I am faced with a costume party to attend.

When it comes to college football, why would I have ever been interested in any team other than NC State? This was true up until a UNC alum walked into my life and became someone very special. Therefore, I have and will continue to try my hardest to respect UNC sports and cheer them on when the time is right.

Anyway, all in one weekend I faced these two activities head on. On Saturday October 31, “Charleston” and I headed to Chapel Hill for UNC’s homecoming and football game against Gardner Webb and then to Raleigh Saturday night for a Halloween party at our friend Carter’s house.

“Charleston” and I could not decide what we wanted to dress up as and of course we didn’t want to break the bank in doing so …therefore, after a hot shower one night before bed I had a genius idea:

What do you get when you combine white scrub pants, a white t-shirt, a white hard hat and 5 bags of cotton balls?

Well…..

Q-tips of course!

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Q-tip costumes handmade by ME with a little hot glue, cotton balls, and blue paint!

"Charleston" with Carter, Kristen, and Brian
With our friends Mason and Melissa Hurley

"Charleston" and I in the stands at UNC Chapel Hill! Happy Homecoming Tar Heel Fans!

I tried my hardest to find ANY Carolina blue in my closet. This little tank and necklace came to the rescue!

It's Almost Official...My New Home

A little while ago I told you all that I was moving out on my own; putting my big girl panties on and braving the world by myself. I have had roommates since the womb and I am finally ready to take this leap of faith. I have searched high and low across the Charlotte area in hopes of a reasonably priced, two bedroom condo/apartment in an area I am comfortable with. I still want to be close to Uptown and work, but love the Myers Park, Dilworth, Selwyn and Elizabeth areas around Charlotte. The problem with these areas is that they are SO expensive. For the past several weeks I have shopped online and put more miles on my car then it has seen all year driving around checking out FOR RENT signs in the front yards of many houses. After endless hours of number crunching and soul searching I have finally made a decision (lease isn't signed but deposit is down; cross your fingers!).......Drum Roll Please.....

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and here she is...

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I have chosen this little two story brick townhome with 2 bedrooms and 1 1/2 baths. It sits in a perfect location that is close to work and a wonderful neighborhood not far from Freedom Park!

Rhonda Honda has already made herself at home as well. She looks so cute sitting out front!

It is an older townhome but all utilities are included so I know exactly what my payments are going to be each month. For a type A planner personality like myself, that is right up my alley! I can run the air or heat all I want and not fret over every little degree! (hand wash dishes..ha..yeah right! use that water!) (Just kidding. I do love the environment and will still keep these resources in mind and not go crazy!)

Oh yeah, and boyfriend and I went to the NC State vs. Clemson game last Saturday at Clemson. This was "Charleston" and I before the game when I was pumped and excited to experience Death Valley and how silent it was going to sound when we kicked some tiger butt....

Too bad it was this Wolfpack's butt who walked out in silence. Man what a game. I was not a happy camper on the ride home. At least I was in good company of the Atkins family!

It's Just One Of Those Days

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Yesterday Was The Start Of Fall.....For Me

It officially became fall yesterday.

Well…officially in my book for three reasons:

1. I wore my coat on my walk to work and my walk home from work. Lately it’s just been worn once during the day but…not yesterday! I snagged this little puppy at Old Navy last week for $20.00 with a lovely sale price and a coupon!

2. Harris Teeter started carrying Coffee-Mate Pumpkin Spice Creamer again! Tis the season!. A drop of this magic will go in every cup of coffee until February when they pull it off the shelf again. Whoever said pumpkin shouldn’t be enjoyed year round is seriously disturbed.

3. I made my first crock-pot of chili for dinner tonight and to freeze for several lunches next week! I used a new “heathier” recipe I got from the Crockpot cookbook my momma gave me for Christmas last year. (Plus I already had all the beans in the pantry as well as a pound of ground turkey in the fridge intended for turkey burgers! It was just meant to be!)

Fall has been kicked in the butt and it’s finally here with fun coats, pots of chili and pumpkin spice! Bring it on!

Three Bean Turkey Chili
Hands-On Time: 10 minutes

Ready In: 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients
1 pound lean ground turkey

1 small onion, chopped

1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

1 can (4 ounces) diced mild green chiles

1 to 2 tablespoons chili powdersalt to taste

Directions
1. Cook and stir turkey and onion in medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until turkey is no longer pink. Drain and discard fat. Transfer to 4 1/2-quart CROCK-POT® slow cooker.
2. Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Cover; cook on HIGH 6 to 8 hours.

Along with my chili tonight I am making these corm muffins I saw Rachael Ray make Monday night on 30-Minute Meals. (Hey, if the Chili is “healthy” my caloric intake can withstand a little bacon and cheddar!)

Corn Muffins with Bacon Bits and Cheddar Cheese
Serves:
6 to 8 muffins depending on tin size

Ingredients
A drizzle extra-virgin olive oil
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 box corn muffin mix plus ingredients according to package directions to make 1 batch muffins
1 rounded teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
3 to 4 tablespoons finely chopped chives
1/3 pound brick sharp yellow Cheddar, chopped into 1/4-inch dice

Directions
Preheat oven to muffin mix package directions.
Drizzle a little extra-virgin olive oil into a small skillet and place over medium-high heat. Add bacon to hot pan and crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from pan and drain on a paper towel. Set aside.
Prepare the muffin mix and muffin tin to package directions. Stir in paprika, chives, chopped cheese and crisp bacon bits. Fill muffin tins and bake until golden brown.

Odwalla

I am always looking for new things to try for breakfast. It’s hard to have a breakfast food that is healthy and can be enjoyed at my desk at 5:30am. Omelets and anything that has to be cooked are obviously out of the question and any kind of pastry or bread is just loaded with calories and carbs. Therefore, last week “Charleston’s” sister brought home some of these little puppies below from the cafeteria at CMC hospital and told us to help ourselves to breakfast! This little shake was AMAZING! I put it into the freezer as soon as I got to work and let it “chill” for about 30 minutes and then enjoyed it as a slushy. It kept me full until lunch and the flavor was outstanding. I’m headed to the grocery store today to see if I can pick up some of these bad boys to have for breakfast for the rest of the week!

ODWALLA

Pictured below is the Strawberry Banana Fruit Smoothie Blend