Some J Love

He will absolutely HATE me one day.  I will never make the favorite Aunt list but I just can't help myself....

How stinkin' cute is this little face and tushy.

Love you Jackson Scott!!!!!

You light up our life with that precious smile!!! 

Bridal Look

If "Charleston" and I were getting married on New Years Eve, this would be me:

Yes.  YUM!!!!

Bite Sized Goodness

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We had "Charleston's" family over Sunday night for dinner and I wanted to make them a sweet treat to take home with them.  My time was super limited yesterday after church and Christmas shopping so I opted for one of the easiest "recipes" on pintrest.....

I call it:

Nut-thing Like A Pretzle Rolo

Step 1:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Step 2:  Lay out square butter pretzles on a baking sheet

Step 3:  Top each pretzle with a MINI Rolo

(They now sell mini rolo's in a bag on the baking or candy aisle so you don't have to unwrap each one indivudually)

Step 4:  Bake for 3 to 4 minutes or until chocolate is soft

Step 5:  Remove from oven and press a pecan half onto the top of each. 

Step 6:  Remove from cookie sheet and let cool on wax paper

DONE! 

Bite Sized Goodness

(I also made a batch with peanuts instead of pecans.  DELICIOUS!)

 

Olivia's Goats

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My niece Olivia got her first official pets a couple weeks ago:

Yeap, she got three goats.

Meet Edgar, Allan and Poe.

Sister says Olivia has become their little mother hen, always wanting to go down to the barn and check on them, feed them and love on them.

I must say...they are kind of cute :)

and what baby goat doesnt need a bath and a good blowout :)

Chicken Rolls with Asparagus and Mozzarella

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I tried this recipe this week and it will become a staple in my kitchen.  Super easy and smart way to sneak those veggies in that "Charleston" usually won't eat;  Just bake them in and he doesn't have a choice!  (Plus, it helps when you smother anything in cheese!)

CHICKEN ROLLS WITH ASPARAGUS AND MOZZARELLA

Thanks to:  Better Balanced Life

Ingredients

•4 chicken cutlets, pounded thin and evenly

•1 bunch of asparagus

•1 tsp. olive oil

•part-skim mozzarella cheese

•non-stick cooking spray

•salt and pepper, for seasoning meat

•whole wheat bread crumbs

 

Directions

1.Sautee asparagus in olive oil until bright green. Set aside.

2.Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

3.Spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

4.Pat chicken dry and lightly season with salt and pepper.

5.Lay out chicken breast, arrange asparagus on top, and sprinkle with mozzarella.

6.Roll chicken around asparagus and cheese; place seam down in baking dish.

7.Repeat with remaining chicken breasts.

8.Sprinkle whole wheat bread crumbs on top of chicken.

9.Cook for approximately 30 - 40 minutes or until chicken registers 160/165 degrees with a meat thermometer.

** As always, I changed it up a little myself.  I sprinkled my chicken not only with salt and pepper but some Italian seasoning and then rolled the entire chicken breast in bread crumbs before arranging the asparagus and mozzarella.  I also used Italian bread crumbs because that is what I had on hand!**

Disturbing

I was in the process of posting a recipe that I tried this week when across the news screen here at work and across the speakers came live reporting from Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut where, as of right now, 26 people are reportedly dead...18 of those being children. All of this thanks to a shooter that entered the elementary school and opened fire in what they think was a kindergarten class.  HOLY SH*T what is wrong with this world.  I am sitting here trying to control my every emotion as I feel complete sadness for the family and anger that someone can do this.  All I can say right now is pray.  Pray hard for this community and the families and children involved.
Disturbing, selfish, unfair, undeserving......

Life Is Messy.....But Worth The Ride

Geez Louise.  Last week was a serious roller coaster of emotions.

"Charleston's" precious cousin Madelyn passed away so we spent two days in Kingsport, TN with his family.  I will never question God's plan for each of us but sometimes his plan is very hard to accept.  It was a rough two days, watching such a sweet and dear family go through something that no one should EVER experience.  My heart breaks for Aunt Kathy, Uncle Sam and Samantha and I know there is a long road of healing ahead but I hope each day they get a little stronger, knowing Madelyn is in a wonderful place. 

Upon returning to Charlotte after the funeral, a quick trip to the CVS Minute Clinic left me with a diagnosis of an ear infection and a sinus infection.  Along with that came a fever, cough, and all things glorious associated with a cold.  A heavy dose of drugs and a day spent at home in bed turned the table around enough for me to feel better on Saturday.

My precious college girlfriends threw me a Christmas Wedding Shower at Aquavina for lunch Saturday afternoon.  I could not have asked for anything better; it was AMAZING.  We sipped mimosas and enjoyed salad, salmon, fillet and tomato bisque for lunch while I opened fun Christmas decorations for our house!

I can't thank them enough.

In between all of that, "Charleston" and I picked out a Christmas tree and wreath for our house and I am still in the process of finalizing all of the decorations but stay tuned, Christmas decoration photo's to come!

Me with the shower hosts!

Back (L to R):  Ashley Lackey, Me, Lori Carson, Ashley Smithson

Front (L to R):  Laura Faust, Leslie Resnick, Jennifer Tallent, Leann Spadaro

Sara Boehm and Lee Ann Jones ---you were missed!!!

"Charleston" installed a light to shine on our front porch so you can see our wreath at night.  Pretty good little handyman!

Front Door Wreath

First Christmas in our home.

Doesn't it seem like just yesterday that we were picking out pumpkins for Halloween?!!!!!

I promise we showered before the pumpkin patch...don't know why our friends didn't want to stand near us!

Taking It Back Old School

I was going through some old stuff the other day when I ran across some very funny pictures taken, what feels like forever ago.

Absolutely hilarious.

Me (left) and Blair (right) in Cancun the week after High School graduation; the absolute best vacation ever. About twenty of my good friends from High School all made the trip and had the time of our life.

Can I please have my High School body back?!

 Blair and I went to Camp Tekoa every summer for a week.  This year Sarah and Meredith were going as well.  Who said short overalls were cool AND where is the hair straightner?!  Frizz central!

Back:  Me (left) and Meredith (right)
Front:  Sarah (left) and Blair (right)

Wish I could go back and do all this over again...I would do it exactly the same!

Hump Day With Eric

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Yes, I spent my hump day this week with my bestest bud...Eric Church

It was an awesome concert with of course, people of all walks of life. I love how a country concert in Charlotte brings out all kinds...especially on a Wednesday night; HOLY MOLY was there some good people-watching.  My girlfriends and I kept the concert low key, knowing we still had to wake up for work the next day.  Some of these people got so out of control, I don't think they planned to wake up for work until next Moday!

Long story short, Eric put on a FABULOUS concert and I had great seats with my favorites Laura and Resnick.

I saw Eric Church back in 2007 when he was traveling with Lee Brice and barely filling Coyote Joe's.  A couple years later......packed house at Time Warner Arena!

Life In Pictures

Outside of work, life has just been a little busy...but....SUPER FUN!

I have been.....

Buying this:

Ballard Designs Rattan Step Basket

Trying this:

Mane 'n Tail Shampoo and Conditioner

Watching some of this:

GO WOLFPACK

Playing with some of this:

My niece Olivia

My newphew Jackson 

And cooking some of this:

In the crockpot as we speak!

Perfect Pot Roast

Decorating....One Step At A Time

My new hall runner from Ballard Designs came in the mail last week and so far I LOVE it!

It is the exact color, texture and size I was hoping for! 

I put a thick rug pad under it so it doesn't slide and adds a little more cushion.

Chevron Strip Indoor/Outdoor Rug

Ballard is having 15% off site wide today....GET OVER THERE!

I am eyeing the Safarina Rug for my living room :)

Sunday Funday

A productive little Sunday.

When I arrived home from a weekend in Kernersville with Sis, "Charleston" was hard at work in the yard blowing and bagging leaves.  He did a pretty darn good job.  That large tree in the front yard, that extends waaaayyyyy beyond this picture, snows leaves all. day. long.  Ridiculous.

Being the nice girl that I am, I helped him finish bagging what he had left and then turned the tables....

I sat him down on the front porch, cracked him open a cold beer and begged him to go mattress and bedroom furniture shopping with me. 

Guess the cold beer and fluttering of the eyelashes worked because.....

 An hour later we were at Ashley Furniture picking out a KING mattress. YES!

I also wanted to show him a bedroom set that I have been eyeing and price shopping around.

 The beer and my charming begging ability must have really put a spell on my prince because this bedroom set is going to be delivered to our house in two short weeks!

He loved the furniture as much as I did and has been on board for a long time with us upgrading to a king bed.  We will now have "grown up" furniture in our master bedroom and a brand new KING mattress!  I can't wait!

Peacock Mirror Obsession

I was online at Pottery Barn last night updating our registry when I stumbled across a mirror that I CAN NOT stop thinking about.  It's super gorgeous but I can not come up with a good enough excuse to tell "Charleston" as to why I have to have it for that perfect (yet to be determined) spot in our house!

Pottery Barn Peacock Mirror

Oh yea...and there is one more problem.....

It is $1,399.00.  Ugh

Halloween At Our House

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Halloween last night at our house was super low key. 

We had dinner consisting of Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Tacos (recipe below), had some friends over for wine and beer and enjoyed handing out candy to the fifty or so kiddos that came trick-or-treating. 

On Tuesday night, Halloween Eve, Ryan came and joined us for our pumpkin carving session....can you guess whose pumpkin is whose?!

Umm yea..... Ryan (left) and I (right) decided to go for the traditional Jack-O-Lantern.  "Charleston", on the other hand, proved a little more crafty then I have ever given him credit for.  His deer turned out shockingly well!

 

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

From the blog:  Emily Bites

Recipe Link Here:  Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

** I made one alteration to her recipe.  I used an entire bottle (17.5 ounces) of Texas Pete Buffalo Wing Sauce instead of the 12 ounces it calls for.  I also left out the butter.**

Hands down this was the EASIEST meal I have ever made.  Emily serves her chicken on buns to make a sandwich.   I decided to turn them into tacos.  I put the shredded chicken on soft flour tortillas with blue cheese crumbles, shredded cabbage and diced tomato's.

After dinner, I took the leftovers, placed into a serving bowl and our friends scooped it up with Tostitos just like nachos.  One recipe served two purposes!  Can't beat that! 


Trick-Or-Treat.....BOO!

Pumpking Carving Party

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Last night one of my bestests had some of us girls over for a pumpkin carving and chili party.

We all devoured bowls of Chicken White Chili and then got to work on our pumpkin creations.

I decided to branch out a little and create a polka dot pumpkin.  I found the design on Pinterest and decided to slightly alter the technique since I do not own a drill like the instructions called for.  Therefore, I cut the circles out of the pumpkin with a knife.  TERRIBLE IDEA.  PAIN IN MY A*S. 

But, after a little hard work...the final product turned out pretty cute!

Jessica's Pumpkin, Lauren's Pumpkin, My Polka Dot Pumpkin

Tonight "Charleston" and I are carving our Jack-O-Lanterns and our front porch will be ready to go for tomorrow night's Trick-Or-Treaters! 

BOO!

Lets Get The Weekend Started

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It's one of those days where I am just ready for the work day to be over and the weekend to begin. (Kind of like any other day I guess.)

I have a fun couple days planned full of family. I am watching Olivia and Jackson tomorrow while Sister goes to a bridal shower; we have "Charleston's" dad's retirement party tomorrow night and I am doing some shopping on Sunday with Mom and Grandma to find G-ma a pretty dress to wear to our wedding! 

I am just ready to GET IT GOING!!!

View from work....starring out the window wishing I was out there instead of in here!

Happy Friday Friends!  Hope it's a FABULOUS one!

Honeymoon Plans

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Honeymoon destination has been selected!

The future Mr. and Mrs. Matthew "Charleston" Cole Atkins will be headed to
Galley Bay Resort & Spa in Antigua

We are super excited and can't wait for some fun and relaxation.  We chose Antigua because of the many activities offered on the island and of course their great beaches.  Galley Bay is an all-inclusive resort which was a must on our wish list and...it's an adults-only resort.  The last thing I wanted to do on my honeymoon was lay on the beach next to yelling kids or sit beside them splashing around in the pool.  (Don't get me wrong, I ADORE kids...I just don't want to hang out with them on my honeymoon!)

Anyone been to Galley Bay before?!  Any suggestions of activities in Antigua we should try?!

Visit their website: Galley Bay Resort

You Know You're Old When You Post About The Weather

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Oh. My. Word.

The weather here in Charlotte this weekend was ABSOLUTELY gorgeous.  It was around 70 degrees and not a cloud in the sky.  I found myself outside raking leaves and honestly not the slightest bit irritated I was doing chores.  I felt guilty yesterday for watching the second half of the Panthers game from the couch. 

My parents and grandparents were stopping by on their way home from Atlanta yesterday afternoon so while I was waiting on their arrival, I couldn't help but snap a couple pics of our house.

This pic doesn't even do the sky justice.

My very own pumpkin patch :)

PUUUURRRFECT WEEKEND