Eat An Apple

As much as I love Spring, I hate cramming my butt back into shorts after a winter full of comfort foods.

I was not blessed with a naturally high metabolism, but very well blessed with a palette that loves all foods.

Therefore, seeing myself pounds heavier at the beginning of May just down-right sucks.  Worst is seeing my arms and legs, not toned and better yet, pasty white!  (Am I giving you any hint that I popped into Old Navy yesterday and tried on their shorts that were on sale for $15?  Ugh, what a sight.)

Anyway, I have to get a grip and get back on the bandwagon.  It is a must that I take off these lb's that have found their way around my waist in the past seven months.  It's make it or break it time.

A very wise person once told me, "If you think you're hungry but don't want to eat an apple, then you are not hungry enough."

It's my spring motto.  That, and to get my butt outside or to the gym.  Wish me luck!


And yes, I did buy some shorts yesterday despite the fact.  I am hoping these will get me through May and by the end of the month, they will be too big.  Fingers crossed.

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Man Cave At The Atkins House

We are in the process of creating Matt's "man cave" (a.k.a. a family room)  in our downstairs area.

Several months ago we ripped out all the wood paneling and put up new sheet rock walls with baseboards and crown molding.  We put in a new sliding door that leads to the backyard that allows for a lot more light and are currently hunting around for a contractor to finish off some built-ins around the fireplace.
 
We FINALLY received the couches that Matt wanted that we ordered FOREVER ago from Sofa Mart here in Charlotte (Let it be known..I will NEVER buy a piece of furniture from there again.  Ever.) and... I am getting a large area rug made from a carpet remnant I found at a large carpet warehouse.

Slowly but surely its coming along....

Matt getting comfortable on his new couch. (Please excuse the ugly rugs.  I did not want the couches to sit on the tile and our new rug is not ready yet!)

I still need to find a coffee table, and maybe an end table, so right now I have my eye on this little beauty from Ballard Design.  I really want something with some storage but at the same time, not toooo bulky.

Morgan Cocktail Table

Seeing as how the couches are really dark, I think it would look nice to go with this table in gray:

Ballard Design

This room seems like it is taking forever to come together but...everything is turning out exactly like I had envisioned.  Patience.

Crockpot Parmesan Ranch Mushrooms

I LOVE to entertain and have family and friends over but I feel like all to often I end up feeding them the same thing.  I am afriad they might stop coming back.

Therfore, one night we did the usual steaks and corn-on-the-cob on the grill but instead of a salad, I did these AMAZING Crockpot Parmesan Ranch Mushrooms that I found on the blog, Riches to Rags by Dori.

These mushrooms were heavenly.  I even made them again the next night, just for me and Matt, as an appetizer.

I promise.... If you even slightly like mushrooms, you will LOVE these.

Crockpot Parmesan Ranch Mushrooms

Ingredients

Two packages fresh mushrooms

1 stick of butter

1 package of Hidden Vallen Ranch Dressing

1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese

Directions

Melt the butter in a bowl and add the Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Package.  Mix well and pour over Mushrooms in the Crockpot.  Sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese.  Cook in the Crockpot for 4 hours on low.  

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Patience

I turned 30 in February.  

February 6th at 4 o'clock-something (Momma, where ya at when I need you on this one!)

Honestly,

Where the h*ll has time gone?!

That's us in Key West.  Blain and Blair's 30th Birthday Bash!

We had an absolute fabulous time.  We spent 3 nights in Key West and 1 night in Miami.  It's going to be pretty hard to beat.

Turning 30 wasn't that hard.  Weird, but not hard.  It seemed like I was in my 20s FOREVER (not complaining). 

 My 20's were spent becoming ME.

I graduated college, started a career, went though some boyfriends, moved to Charlotte, went through a few more boyfriends ;), found the right boyfriend, bought a house, married the BEST boyfriend, met new friends while staying close with old ones, gained a niece and nephew and overall got in the groove of who I really am.  

I wouldn't trade a single part of it.  I am happy with the ME that I have built and everything that I have.

I still find myself getting itchy though...wanting more more more.  

I'm human, its in our instincts right?  Never FULLY complacent.

Matt gets so frustrated with me because I am CONSTANTLY walking around our house pointing out our next project.

Keeping my eye on the job board at work for my possible next step.

I told Matt yesterday I wanted to take a vacation next year to Budapest and Prague. 

I keep the poor guy on his toes :)

I get so frustrated sometimes when these "plans" I have for my life do not play out exactly like I had them in my book.

I want more more more.

I have to remind myself to be patient.

All the things I want now now now are out of my control.  Money does not grow on trees and the plan for my life is in His hands.  The right time will come and the opportunities will come.  I need to simply focus and just keep doing what I am doing and it will all work out in the end. 

And a little more fun from Key West....

Blair and Sam drove their Caddy from Walkertown all the way to Key West

A little boat cruise around the Keys

A little stop at picnic island.

It was a beautiful day.