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

Upgrades

"Charleston" and I made a HUGE step in our relationship last Sunday.
It was bigger then getting engaged; bigger then buying a house....
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I added him to my cell phone plan. GASP

We both needed to upgrade.  I think we were the last people in America to still rock the Blackberry; he was the only person I had left to BBM with.  Sad times.

Because of all the changes with Verizon, it made the most sense to add him to my plan and remove him from the plan he shared with his sisters so  that their data plan did not get upgraded.  If your a Verizon customer you know what I am talking about.

ANNNNYYYYWAAAAYS....we both upgraded to the iPhone5 and hands down, I love it.  Most people said it would be a learning curve but "Charleston" and I both already have other apple products so the learning curve is not rocket science and there is nothing you can't figure out with Google. 

My favorite feature so far....Panoramic Pictures...whoop whoop.

I started practicing my steady hand last night while we were watching TV and I took a couple shots:

Also... welcome to our middle floor of our house where we have the kitchen, eating space and "upstairs" den!  Don't get too excited, as you can tell we still lack decorations and wall color but.....its nice to move into a house and not have to do anything right away! Also please notice I have "Charleston" watching Married To Jonas. HA HA.  We had NOTHING saved on the DVR and were waiting for Modern Family to come on. 
Just another night in the Atkins/Higgins house.

What Makes A Wednesday Night?

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What makes a Wednesday night? 

Getting a call from your 2 year old niece, almost out of breath because she is talking so fast about how she has a bunny, and named it after a character on Umizoomi (Kids TV Show), and they found it at the cow barn (yes, Blair has a cow barn...with cows), and how they are going to take it back to the barn to night for it to be with its mommy, and on and on and on......

Bless her little sweet heart, she gets so attached and is such a mother hen; I am LOVING watching her grow up to be such a precious girl (with a diva attitude!).  It puts a lump in my throat realizing that she is old enough now to carry on a conversation over the phone....when did she get old enough to pay attention long enough to have a phone conversation for over a minute?!

Olivia Claire with her bunny pet-for-a-day.

Stinkin' cute.

Decorating Is A Process

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My chair finally came in and it looks PERFECT in its new place!  I am 100% in love with how it fits in our den. 
To pull the area together I knew I needed a side table.  I have been thinking about a blue and brown table that I discovered several weeks ago at Home Goods so last night I just had to go back and get it. Sure enough, it was the last one left so it was simply meant to be!  I also found this cute silver lamp for only $15 to accent the area.
(Please excuse the poor quality pics taken with my phone)

  We still have a long way to go with decorating including pictures on the walls and much much more but....it will come.  I am taking my time and purchasing items I am truly in love with; that's my motto and I am sticking to it!

Little Doodles

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See these little nuts:

Olivia Claire

(she's wearing her shirt Uncle "Charleston" bought her...she might need a new one after this ice cream cone!)

 Jackson Scott

 I have not seen these little doodles in several weeks and my heart is breaking. 

I miss them more then the grass misses the rain. 

Every time sister sends me a picture of them, it almost brings me to tears.  Why the heck do kids have to grow up so darn fast?

L.O.V.E.

No better job in the world then to be an AUNT!

3 YEARS

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I got a phone call this morning....

"Charleston":    "Babe, we forgot!"

Immediately I started thinking...did I forget to put the lid on the crock-pot that I started this morning before leaving for work?; did I forget to lock the back door?.......

"Charleston" :  "Babe, we forgot our anniversary!" 

I'll be darn; sure enough...yesterday was our 3 year meet-a-versary! (I am a terrible girl in our relationship; shouldn't this be my job to remember?!)

From the first day we met, we were inseparable.  It didn't take the words, "will you be my girlfriend?" or "will you be my boyfriend?" to establish US.  From the moment we met, were were already US. 

Therefore, we always use the day we met as our anniversary....and that day was yesterday, September 19th, 3 years ago!

"Charleston", I love you with all my being and I CAN NOT WAIT to be your wife.  The past three years have been indescribable! 

You have my heart.

Blain

SCORE

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Don't you just love it when you score a good deal?

I bought a maxi dress the other day on sale from Belk and thought while I was there I would find a cute belt to pair it with.  (I know it's becoming a little late in the year for maxi dresses but....HONEYMOON is on my mind! )

I was in the belt "department" of Belk and nothing was really standing out to me.  It all looked "old woman-ish" UNTIL I found this little tan number on a manikin.

I asked the lady if I could remove it to try it on and sure enough, perfect fit!  SWEET.

The tag was attached with a price of $55.00.  GULP...(Jesus, that's crazy.)

The sales associate informed me that it was on sale so I was hoping it would bring it down to maybe $30ish...its Michael Kors, I could swing that. 

She rang it up.....

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$6.92!

Whoooooo hooooooo.

$6.92 for a Michael Kors belt originally priced at $55! 

Of course I asked if that was correct and she reassured me yes; it had gone on sale several weeks ago and they "sold out."  This one was forgotten on the manikin so it got marked down to one of their bottom line sale prices.

$ Pure heaven in my pocket $

(and around my waist!)

Part Of The Package

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It's true.  When you marry him...you get them....

and I am not talking about his family (although true statement as well)

I am talking about his friends.

When "Charleston" and I finally got to the serious point in our relationship that I knew, even without a ring, that this was forever, I asked if we could stop using the phrases "your friends" or "my friends"; they are "our friends." 

Sure, these special people originated in one of our backgrounds but, from this point forward, they will be as important in both of our lives and I love them like they are my own.

"Charleston" has a solid group of guys that he grew up with and some he met in college.  Each guy is married and never in a million years could I have asked for a better group of "wives" to join. 

Each lady is unique in her own way and they are all absolute sweethearts.  They accepted me as who I am and welcomed me with open arms.  Some of the most memorable nights that "Charleston" and I have had were with these girlies and their husbands.  Best part is, majority of the time, we don't even hang out with the boys; girls rule boys drool.

 I couldn't ask for a better friend group to be marrying into!

L to R:  Mandy, Me, Melissa, Heather, Alicia

please don't make fun of my tan.  i over did it at the beach the day before!

Melissa, Heather and I out to dinner at Savor in Charlotte. The storm going on outside didn't put a damper on this night!

Marla, Melissa, Mandy, Heather and I

A little Halloween action in Raleigh at Carter's house.

Marla, Me, Mandy, Alicia, Heather, Melissa

Wine and Design

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I am a little late on the post but a couple weeks ago Laura, Ashely and I had a girls night after work at Wine and Design. Our friend Marion was teaching one of her first classes solo so we had to go and support her! It was a 'freehand' night so we started with blank canvasas instead of a stenciled design so it wasn't my prettiest effort but it was a fun class and a FABULOUS way to drink a little wine and let my creative juices flow! Check out their schedule and try out one of Marion's other classes this month; she's awesome and a sweetheart!

Furniture Purchase

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When we bought our house, I knew from the beginning we had a serious issue.....lack of furniture.  We only own one bed, one desk, one couch, and one coffee table.  Our new house has four bedrooms and two living rooms.  Therefore, our house is really empty but I promised myself I was not going to go out and purchase just any furniture to fill it up.  I was going to take my time and buy quality pieces that I really love.

Several months ago I saw a chair at Rooms To Go and since then I have not stopped thinking about it. Therefore, I decided yesterday that I had slept on it enough and I was ready to buy it.....So buy it I did!

I am so excited for it to come in and see what it looks like in the upstairs living room!

Meet my new chair! 

Wedding Details

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The next thing on my Wedding-To-Do list was our CAKE.  I selected our baker mainly by referrals from friends in the Charlotte area but, also because I have seen her work over and over again on Charlotte wedding blogs and fell in LOVE with her modern style and design. 
Cake Lady Jill is awesome!  Not only is she amazing at what she does, she is the sweetest spunkiest little thing!  So much fun to work with!

"Charleston" and I had our tasting last Thursday night at her bakery in downtown Pineville.  It was super easy to narrow down what flavors we wanted the cake; both of our favorites matched up perfect!  With that part complete, we moved onto the more important (at least to me) detail.....the LOOK.
I did NOT want a traditional wedding cake.  I knew I needed to come prepared so I took with me a quick selection of examples of cakes I am attracted to.  This is what I showed Ms. Jill:

Loved the faded color palette and the ruffles on this one:

 Loved the gold accents:

 Loved EVERYTHING about this one except the flower details.  Loved the faded color and detail to every layer.

 Loved, Loved, Loved a gold cake; especially when it looks like a confetti finish!

 Loved the shape and different take on the lace effect.

 A bow...yes please!

 Quickly Jill started sketching and came up with a design that is right up our alley.  She said she would draw it up on the computer and send us over a picture.  I can't wait to see it!
Forward wedding progress....yay!



Kitchen Mantles

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"Charleston" and I spent the long weekend at Lake Hartwell.  We stayed with some of our friends at their family vacation home on the lake and spent the entire weekend sipping cocktails and boating around...simply fabulous! 
Mason's mom subscribes to Veranda magazine so in between playing cards and cooking meals, I caught up on some interior design ideas.  That's when I realized my newest obsession....

Kitchen Mantles

I am in love! 
My kitchen right now is not laid out to handle a gorgeous mantle but....if we ever decide one day to do a kitchen overhaul, a mantle will be TOP on my list!

Oven Roasted Cauliflower

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"Charleston" and I had a little discussion the other night about vegetables.  He is as much into healthy eating as I am which helps me out A LOT.  Like any guy, he has to have a meat with every meal but he is definitely not a meat and potato dude.  With his medial condition, salads are still very hard for him to digest so I am always searching for new ways to prepare healthy vegetables. 
I came home from the grocery store the other night with asparagus and okra.  I planned on grilling the okra and steaming the asparagus until he informed me that he "really doesn't like okra or asparagus; I was just eating it because that's all you every buy."  Well OK then..................
So tonight, I am onto trying something new. 
Enter....
Roasted Cauliflower
Think he will go for it?

via
I plan on using the following recipe from Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes

Oven Roasted Cauliflower

Ingredients:
6 cups uncooked cauliflower florets (about 1 large) cut small
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
kosher salt and fresh pepper
juice of 1/4 lemon
1/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, freshly grated

Directions:
Preheat oven to 450°F.
Combine cauliflower, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper well so all the florets are coated and seasoned. Place in a large shallow roasting pan and place in the center of the oven.

Roast for about 25-35 minutes, turning florets occasionally so they are evenly cooked. Remove from oven and top with Parmigiano Reggiano and additional salt and pepper if needed.

Greek Orzo and Beef Casserole

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Yes, in the past month I have completely fallen out of the blogging world but all for good reason!  I spent two weeks at the beach both with the Higgins family and then again with the Atkins Family.  I have also been working a lot longer days at work due to this little thing called a merger my company just completed with Progress Energy.  Therefore, free time...nope has not existed.  When I get home at night I try to stay away from all computers and simply focus on my Hunny, Friends, Cooking (and of course maybe a little reality TV)   :)

I have tried several new recipes in the past week. Some were hits and others were flops.  One of the hits was Greek Orzo and Beef Casserole.  I found the recipe in one of my Weight Watcher Recipe Books and even as weird as some of the spices sounded with beef and pasta, it was INCREDIBLE and EASY!  It also made for awesome leftovers for lunch the next day!

Greek Orzo and Beef Casserole

Level:  Basic

Prep:  20 min

Cook/Bake: 55 min

Serves:  6

INGREDIENTS

1 1/4 cups orzo

1 pound ground lean beef

1 red onion, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon dried mint

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1 (14 1/2-ounce) can crushed tomatoes in puree

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup crumbled reduced fat feta cheese

3 tablespoons grated Romano Cheese (or parmesan) 

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.  Spray 8-inch square baking dish with nonstick spray.

2.  Cook orzo according to package directions.  Drain in colander.  Rinse under cold running water; drain again.  Transfer to large bowl.

3.  Meanwhile, spray large nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and set over medium-high heat.  Add beef and cook, breaking it apart with wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes.  Drain if needed. Transfer to orzo in bowl.

4.  Spray skillet with nonstick spray.  Add onion, celery, garlic, mint, and oregano; cook stirring, until onion is softened, about 5 minutes.  Add tomatoes with puree, tomato paste, and cinnamon; reduce heat and simmer until mixture is thickened, about 8 minutes.  Stir in feta.  Stir into beef mixture.  Transfer beef mixture to prepared baking dish; sprinkle with Romano.  Bake until heated through, about 25 minutes.