Camping in a Box

I am totally into DIY gifts this year, especially when I need a quick hostess gift or something simple for a neighbor or friend. 

I found this super cute idea on Kelle Hampton's blog, Enjoying The Small Things, and just had to share!

Indoor Camping Party in a Box!

via

Decorate a shoe box or empty photo box, wrap ingredients (2 Hershey bars, a bag of marshmallows, a bag of graham crackers) with pretty ribbons, make a few cute tags, throw in a few fondue sticks and a can of Sterno (enthanol gel), and Voila. 

 There you have it!  Party in a Box!

Too Cute and Too Simple!

Love it!

Gobble Gobble Gobble

I am spending Thanksgiving Day this year here in Charlotte with "Charleston's" family and then heading home to Kernersville probably EARLY Friday morning (before the traffic gets insane at Concord Mills Outlets) to spend the rest of the weekend with the fam. 

Although I am missing Thanksgiving Day with my family, I am SUPER excited for our Thanksgiving plans this year.  "Charleston" and I are running together tomorrow morning in the Charlotte Turkey Trot 8K.  Something about the race sets it apart from any other and if I had to put my finger on it, it would be the sense of family at the event.  Many people run with their families as an annual tradition before they all sit down and veg out the rest of the day.  It's neat.  (It also gives me a good excuse to get an extra serving of all things good that night!)

Thursday afternoon we will head to "Charleston's" parents house to hang out and have a late lunch/early dinner for Thanksgiving.  Like I have said 1000 times, I love "Charleston's" family and am very thankful we live so close to them.  We have also invited our friends Adam and Alicia to join us.  Their families are in Iowa and they can't make it back for every holiday so...the more the merrier!

The rest of the weekend in K-ville I have plans to hang out with Sister and help her decorate her house for Christmas (aka - play with Olivia!) and MAYBE do a little Christmas shopping with my Momma.  "Charleston" and Dad have plans to go hunting so I will squeeze in every bit of quality time with them when they are not playing in the woods with their four legged animal friends.

I know the weekend is going to go by so fast becuase it always does, but I simply love the holidays and can't wait to try and make time stand still.

I will leave you with one of the most amazing recipes that you have to have on your table this year.  Besdies my family (obviously), it is other thing I will miss from the Higgins Thanksgiving gathering:


Grandma's Sweet Potato Casserole
by Grandma Elaine Frost

3 cups mashed sweet potatoes
½ cup milk
2 eggs
½ stick butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla flavoring

Cream butter and sugar, add eggs, milk,
potatoes and vanilla flavoring. Pour into
13x9 baking dish.

Topping:
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup flour (can add ½ cup coconut too)
½ cup pecan pieces

Sprinkle topping on casserole.
Dot entire mixture with ½ stick
butter. Bake at 325 for 35-40 minutes.

 
 

Raleigh Reunion!

There are two numbers that are very important to this weekend : 37 and 13

Yes that's right.....

The score to the NC State vs. Clemson game and the 37 belongs to my WOLFPACK!!!

LETS GO PACK!

It was the cherry on top of the weekend with my amazing friends!

We arrived in Raleigh on Friday night to Lori's NEW house!  Miss Carson is officially a homeowner and I was so excited to stay for the weekend.  Her place is awesome!  Congratulations little girl!

After settling in, the weekend got kicked off with a night out to the grand opening of World Of Beers!

Jennifer, "Charleston", Brian and Lori

Carter and Lori

Saturday morning we headed out to tailgate at Carter Finley at 10:00am; can't waste a minute of daylight!

Love Them Dearly

Jennifer, Lee Ann, Me, Lori, Catherine, Laura, Leslie

The game started at 3:30 and I can honestly say I sat on the edge of my seat the entire time.  Several times I caught "Charleston" staring at me as if I was a crazy person but I honestly couldn't cheer loud enough! 

When Sunday came it was no fun at all to get in the car and leave.  I can't go that long again without going back to play more often! PROMISE :)

The Need For A Christmas List??

It's always kind of awkward when someone asks you what you want for Christmas...especially when you are twenty-seven.  I don't have a Toys-R-Us flyer laying around with Crayola Marker circled items on every page like I did in 1990.  Can I just say a new car, bedroom furniture, bedding for the guest room, a house?!!!  Um no. 

Therefore, it always catches me off guard when I get the "what do you want for Christmas question" from a family member who really wants to know some ideas of things they can get me for Christmas...realistically.

There are always things I "want", but I never can think of them on the fly. Sometimes I also feel selfish rattling off a list of wants even if I do have one or two things in mind.  Anyone else feel this way?

But I know, no matter what, that my grandmother or "Charleston's" mom, for example, because they are too sweet, are going to get me something for Christmas whether I like it or not and, like my grandmother said, she REFUSES to buy a gift card (which I don't blame her, I take after my fabulous Grandma. Giving gift cards is no fun at all on Christmas!)

So I have started to collect my thoughts on how I tackle this question and how I should respond.  I HONESTLY never need anything for Christmas and now that I have a niece, we can finally take the majority of the Christmas giving attention back to a kid!  Sister and I are no longer the "kids" in the family YAY.

But if someone were to ask, I would include some of these items: 

They are things I want but just don't buy for myself because I am frugal and do not see them as a NEED right now.  Always trying to watch my wallet.



I bought a juicer about a month ago and LOVE it.  I use it almost every other day.  I would like a couple juicer recipe books to go along with it!

The Big Book Of Juices

The Juicing Bible

Me and cheap red wine go hand-in-hand.  With this aerator I can always step my $3.99 wine up a notch! Until you have tried this nifty little tool you will never understand the difference it makes!

Who International Vinturi Red Wine Aerator 

I wear it everyday.  Have worn it everyday for the last 10 years.  Honestly.  And I am almost out.

Chanel Chance Eau De Parfum Spray 

OK, so these puppies are on the VERY expensive side but...it's a good picture of what I like.  I wear studs all the time to work and do not have a pair of good gold ones that are not plain balls.

Love Knot Stud Earrings

HAPPY HO HO FRIENDS!  WELCOME TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON!

Jeans Versus Genes

I think my parents have always been a pretty good pair, especially since they reproduced so well ;) My parents made me ME and I love ME. I love who I am in all ways and wouldn’t change a thing....

EXCEPT ….

The length of my legs. Now, I love being 5'4". I wouldn’t trade that for the world. I love never having to worry about being taller then a guy and always blending into most crowds but…I would definitely shave a little off my torso and add it to my legs.

I say this because I was stuck in the dressing room at Nordstrom Rack yesterday laughing at my inability to purchase normal people jeans.

This happens EVERY TIME:

a view looking down on my feet

Please tell me this also happens to 9 out of 10 of you. I am screaming right now for some sympathy!

There was honestly AT LEAST 9 inches of “extra” fabric hanging below where the jeans should have stopped.
Not cool.

This was the case on every pair.

Usually my next step is to purchase them and get them hemmed and I considered this route, but honestly, every pair was so long that if I were to hem them, I would turn them all into boot cut. There was just so much excess fabric that if I were to cut it out, the jeans would completely lose their intended shape.

I walked away empty handed and amused. These jeans were made for a girl with 48 inch legs, not a girl with these genes.

Holiday Candles In The Home

Mom and I were shopping at Kohls this past weekend and it came to my attention that I am VERY picky and VERY sensitive when it comes to holiday candles in the home. 

In high school and college I always stayed away from the vanilla Bath and Body Words lotions and the cupcake/cookie flavored chap sticks.  Make me gag.

Well some things NEVER change.

I cannot stand "sweet" flavored holiday candles either.

My nose always turns towards the christmas tree and wreath smells over the cooking scents.

Yankee Candles are my favorite and I think I found just the one that will burn in my home this year:

Simply Home Yankee Candle in Christmas Magic

When it comes to Yankee Candles...

 Say Yes To:

Balsam & Cedar

Balsam Fir

Christmas Eve

Winterland

Deck The Halls

Fireside

Christmas Wreath

HollyBerry

Christmas Tree

Say No To:

Christmas Cookie

Almond Cookie

Hot Buttered Rum

Pumpkin Pie

Macintosh Spice

Maple Pancakes

Milk & Cookies

Oatmeal Cookie

Buttercream

Biscotti

Christmas Cupcake

But hey, that's just my opinion!

Layered Autumn Quinoa Salad

I haven't been in the kitchen at all this week.  Between being out of town for work and having dinner plans with family and friends....it hasn't really left much time to experiment but ....last week I did find a little gem on How Sweet It Is that proved to become a staple in my Healthy Eating Plan! 

It was easy and awesome! 

Layered Autumn Quinoa Salad

2 cups spring greens
2 cups cooked quinoa
2 medium apples, chopped
1 pear, chopped
1 large tomato, chopped
1/2 red pepper, chopped
1 pomegranate, seeded
1/4 red onion, chopped
1 small bunch of cilantro, chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Cook quinoa according to directions, then toss with tomatoes, red pepper, apple, pear, pom seeds, onion, cilantro, salt and pepper. In a bowl, layer about 1/2 cup of spring greens then top with another 1/2 cup of quinoa. Finish by drizzling vinaigrette over top.

Citrus Vinaigrette
1/2 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
pinch of salt
pinch of pepper

In a bowl, whisk vinegar, lemon juice and zest, mustard, salt and pepper together. Stream in olive oil while constantly mixing until dressing has emulsified and thickened. Drizzle on quinoa.

via

Mentally Exhausted

Mentally, I have been exhausted.  There is a lot going on right now at work that just has me worn out and tired of thinking. 

Therefore, I took this weekend as recovery. 

I slept, relaxed and honestly didn't lift a finger on anything that I really did not want to do.  I had dinner with family and friends, watched the Wolfpack pull out a win over the Tarheels and gave myself a "princess" status for several days! 

It was the perfect cure and along with several picture texts over the weekend of what my cutie-pa-tootie niece was up to, I am back in business and ready to tackle another week!  Bring it on!

Exhibit 1:  Sister was so proud to get Olivia's hair in a little ponytail!

Exhibit 2:  A backside view of her little pony!

Exhibit 3:  Saturday morning cartoons with sleepy eyes.

Exhibit 4:  Olivia absolutely loves bath time. 

Exhibit 5:  She just wanted to send me a pic to say whats up to her Aunt Blain!

I am honestly the luckiest and proudest Aunt on the face of this planet!  I don't care how bad my day is, if I get a text from Livi, my world just flips right side up!  I hope one day she knows and feels every second how much I love her!

Laid Back Halloween

I am a single girl this week and as much as I LOVE "Charleston" to death, I am very-itty-bitty-slightly enjoying some quiet laid back time to myself.  I think its healthy for a relationship every now and then, don't you?

"Charleston" is in New Mexico this week hunting elk with his Uncle.  He left last Friday and will return on Thursday night.  It has allowed me to spend some quality time with the girls last weekend at Leslie's wedding and catch up with life this week. 

Yesterday (Halloween) I wasn't feeling all there after a long weekend and I was just physically exhausted.  I opted to spend the night at home, by myself, handing out candy to the neighborhood kids and hitting the bed early; exactly what I needed!

So while I was enjoying the scene from my couch, "Charleston" was enjoying this view from the-middle-of-nowhere-New-Mexico!

Him and his uncle have two Elk tags this year.  They have killed a coyote but have yet to take down an Elk.  They still have a couple more days so my fingers are crossed. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for him so I hope it goes well!

In the meantime, while I was checking out the cute costumes of the neighborhood kiddo's, I decided to whip together a pot of chili for lunch this week.  Let's just say I went a little overboard:

I doubled my original "recipe" and made enough chili to take to lunch AND freeze for the rest of the season! I love getting ahead on easy meals!

It was a wonderful Halloween night and I woke up this morning feeling 100% refreshed!

Christmas Stockings

Just trying to get a head start on the Christmas season.

"Charleston" and I need stockings....

I am leaning towards something like this:

Burlap Christmas Stockings  by ShabbieChicHome on Etsy

Yay or Nay ?

ROAD TRIP!

"I'm going to Harvard!" 

 "Like on Vacay? (ahhhh) ROAD TRIP!"

Not headed to Harvard but yes, this afternoon I am ROAD TRIPPIN' it with this diva above to Wilmington, NC for Leslie and Zack's wedding weekend!

Can't wait to see Leslie as a beautiful bride and have a fun filled weekend with Lauren, Sharon, Katie, Sister and Sarah!

I Just Had To Take A Picture

I went to the refrigerator one night to start dinner and this was the view from the outside looking in:

I instantly had to giggle.  Busch Marketing....job well done!

With hunting season in full swing it just wouldn't be the same without camouflage beer cans.  Awesome.  And of course since they are camouflage they are in my fridge via the boyfriend.

Trick-Or-Treat More-Candy-To-Eat

Halloween is probably my WORST holiday when it comes to eating habits.

Like I have said many times, I am constantly conscious about what I put into my body. Being “conscious” doesn’t always stop me from eating a cheeseburger or mozzarella sticks but it does mean I will have a salad for lunch if I am going to splurge on a dinner.

With most other holidays I have a very clear picture of how much sweet potato casserole, mac and cheese, stuffing, and turkey will set me back, but Halloween candy just throws me for a loop. It is just so little and small right? I probably shouldn’t even need to “count” it. It’s just one piece….well maybe two or three.

Lets back up a minute to the fact that I don’t really have a sweet tooth. I don’t ever buy candy or chocolate and I can walk down the candy aisle at the grocery and not even pause, but something about Halloween candy just lures me in. I honestly think it’s because it runs rampant in the office and around friends’ houses and I just consume without thinking.

Again, it’s one tiny piece right? Or two or three.

Long story short, Halloween candy definitely does not help me fit into my jeans from last year.

It is straight up empty calories.

Not tooooooo bad if you only participate in this practice for a week or so but how many of your offices are like mine that have lingering Halloween candy well into Thanksgiving?

Not good.

Just to give you a heads up on what your consuming this Halloween, check out the calorie facts on some of your favorites with the articles here:

Carbs and Calories in Halloween Candy – Halloween Candy Unwrapped

And here:

Evil Halloween Candy


Some of my faves include:

M&Ms, Plain, fun size – 88 calories

Hershey’s Miniature Bars (Mixed) – average 42 calories

Kit Kat, fun Size – 73 calories

Skittles, fun size – 80 calories

Candy Corn, 11 pieces – 70 calories

Now if I devour an assortment of my favorites over the day….I could easily consume an extra 400 calories plus. This could equal a sandwich from Subway or a grilled chicken salad which I would have really rather have then candy.

This Halloween I vow to my body to pay attention.

Stone Mountain State Park

Bottom line, relationships have to be nurtured and tended to. They often have to be repaired, rejuvenated, and re-established. Ruts can occur. Complacency can occur. Then it just happens that the next day the relationship is more like roommates than soul mates.

The weekdays get jam packed with work, errands and independent schedules that not a lot of time is put back into US. Yes, watching an episode of Modern Family on a Wednesday night right before bed puts us in the same room together for thirty minutes, but that’s obviously not enough.

We often tend to fill our weekends full of friends and family that sometimes I crave to just have him by myself. We have been SO busy lately that last Friday night, I honestly did not feel guilty by responding “no thank you” to an invitation for a couple drinks with our friends. “Charleston” and I have to pay attention to our relationship and keep reigns on our quality of time together because it can easily get out of control. It’s not hard on a Sunday to look back on the weekend and realize that our sleeping hours were the only ones we spent alone together.

Therefore, last week, when “Charleston” texted me at work to see if I wanted to go hiking on Saturday and asked if I wanted to invite anyone to with us, my response was clearly: Yes and No.

We were long overdue for US time. He agreed and we did just that. We nurtured our relationship; got back in touch with each other after a very busy month and spent all day on cloud-nine as if we were in our second week of dating. I fell in love with him all over again.

It was the perfect day to bring us back to US.

Stone Mountain State Park
Roaring Gap, NC

Yeap, that's my mountain man!

It was a super great hike; about 5 miles of various terrains and levels of difficulty. 

This picture doesn't do it justice but "Charleston" has long legs.  I promise.  I know this for a fact after trying to follow Rambo up the side of this mountain.  For every massive man step he was taking, I was three toddler steps behind him.

The stair stepper has nothing on Stone Mountain!

It was a gorgeous fall day and after our hike back down to the bottom, we drove to an overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway and enjoyed a picnic lunch before heading back to Charlotte.

I love my mountain man and I will forever appreciate every second we get to spend together, just us.

Warms The Heart

This doesn't even need an introduction, description or comment.  It simply warms the heart and reminds us that their is commitment, hope, love, soul mates and all things good in marriage:

(article below)

via

Long-Married Couple Gordon Yeager And Norma Yeager Pass Away Holding Hands

article here

For one Iowa couple, true love lasted until the very end.

Married 72 years, Norma, 90, and Gordon Yeager, 94, passed away in the hospital holding hands last week, one hour apart.

The couple was hospitalized after a car accident just outside of Marshalltown, Iowa. They were given a shared room in the ICU where they held hands in adjacent beds.

At 3:38 pm last Wednesday, Gordon's breathing stopped. Though he had passed, his heart monitor continued to register a beat.

The nurse told Gordon and Norma's son, Dennis Yeager, that the monitor was beeping "because they're holding hands, and [Norma's heart beat] is going through them," Dennis recalled in an interview with Des Moines' KCCI news station. "Her heart was beating through him."

Norma passed at 4:38 pm, exactly one hour later.

Gordon and Norma's children say they're glad the couple passed this way. "They just loved being together," says Dennis. "He always said, 'I can't go until she does because I gotta stay here for her.' And she would say the same thing."

Crock-Pot Meatloaf

Call me crazy but I had this really weird urge to use my crock-pot and fill my home with a comforting smell while I ran around after work like a chicken-with-my-head-cut-off getting things done.

Therefore, I did just that.  I googled a quick recipe before leaving work, stopped by the Harris Teeter on the way home, grabbed a "meatloaf meat mix" (I already had all the other ingredients!) and stormed through the door to get that puppy cooking.

"Charleston" was working in Raleigh yesterday so he would be home a little later than usual so I had plenty of time to get done all I needed to while my loaf of meat cooked.  I went to Wal-mart, cleaned out the fridge, went to the gym, started some laundry and did my nails!  Very productive little afternoon/evening!

At 8:00pm, after my house had achieved just the right scent and the man was home from work, salivating, my crockpot meatloaf was cooked to perfection.


Crock-Pot Meatloaf

By Gail Farber of Romeoville,Ill.

Ingredients:
2 beaten eggs
3/4 c. milk
2/3 c. seasoned bread crumbs
1 tsp salt
2 T. grated onions
1/2 tsp. ground sage
1 1/2 lb. ground meat (Harris Teeter makes a meatloaf mix: pork, ground beef and veal)  Use whatever combo you like!

Sauce
1/4 C. Ketchup
2 T. brown sugar
1 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

Directions:
Put loaf in Crock-Pot on low 5-6 hours (Longer is OK.)
Pour sauce over meat in the last 15 minutes on high.

My theory still holds true that meatloaf is not a "looker" meal;  I mean it's a loaf of meat.

But, check out the heat coming off it!  Total comfort food!

With the meatloaf we had couscous and baked asparagus.  Quick and easy meal!

Piperlime Had A SALE

I was so excited.  Piperlime was having a sale AND I had several coupons and discounts that I could stack together!  I shopped and shopped and shopped (without going too overboard because I totally could have) and purchased three pieces.

The anticipation built as I received a "Confirmation of my Order" email, a "Your Order Has Shipped" email, and then on Tuesday a "Your Order Has Been Delivered" email.  I couldn't get home fast enough!

BUT

It all came crashing down as soon as I tried the first blouse on. 

I ordered the peasant top below in two sizes: Small and Medium

I always do that, just in case, since its free shipping and return!

I put the small on and it simply fell off my shoulders, down to my waste and ended up on the floor.

It was HUGE! 

I double checked the tag to make sure I had not ordered a "plus size small" and I hadn't.  It was a regular.

Bummer. 

RETURN.

Moving onto this beauty below.

Everything looked promising when I pulled it out of the bag.

(Ordered a Medium because that's all they had.)

Put it on and BUMMER too big.   Again.

Also, the area that looks light pink on my computer is really more of a "rose."  Also, the "rose" color material is 100% see through.  I'm not sure what you would wear under this part.

Sad times.

Last but not least...a blouse for work.

Ordered it in a medium because that is all they had in this color.

Good News!

Its a little big but actually looks nice!

I'm going to take it to my alterations lady and get her to take it in a little on the sides and it will fit like a glove! The blouse was only $21 and with $6 of alterations....can't beat the price!

One out of three isn't too bad is it?

Moral of the shopping story:  Order waaaayyyy smaller then your usual size when ordering from Piperlime!

Sunday Night Pot Roast

As I was recovering on the couch Sunday afternoon from my night out with the girls, "Charleston" decided that he was going to welcome the fall weather and cook a pot roast for dinner.....whatever ;)

I didn't argue or question because I was quiet content in my horizontal position so off he went to the store and home he came with a massive chuck roast.  

Before I continue, lets take one step back:

Several weeks ago I started watching one of my favorite bloggers on her own cooking show, The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond on the Food Network.  Well lets just say I wasn't the only one in my household to enjoy the show.  I have noticed that "Charleston" has been checking out some of her recipes on her website, hence the pot roast idea.

Anyway, long story short.  "Charleston" made The Pioneer Woman's Perfect Pot Roast.  Obviously it was a TON of food so right before it was done cooking, we pulled the roast out of the oven, hurried it over to his parents house, popped it back in the oven while I made mashed potatoes, and fed "Charleston's" dad while his mom was out of town.  Aren't we good children for taking care of the parents?!

Overall recipe rating:  10 on all scales. hands down

The Cook

Easy on the Eyes but a Devil in the Kitchen

brown some onions

(Notice the pot - Le Creuset.  That is definitely not mine, although I wish it was.  "Charleston" borrowed this from his mothers kitchen.  It's the Round Wide French Oven.  Find it here)

brown some carrots

sear the seasoned meat

add a little red wine and beef broth.  add back the onions and carrots as well as some thyme and fresh rosemary.  put the top on and in the oven it goes.

and that's when I forgot to take my camera to "Charleston's" parents to get a picture of the final product.  Whoops.  

Guess you will now have to try it for yourself to see what it looks like in the end!

Perfect Pot Roast

by The Pioneer Woman

Ingredients

• 1 whole (4 To 5 Pounds) Chuck Roast
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 2 whole Onions
• 6 whole Carrots (Up To 8 Carrots)
• Salt To Taste
• Pepper To Taste
• 1 cup Red Wine (optional, You Can Use Beef Broth Instead)
• 2 cups To 3 Cups Beef Stock
• 3 sprigs Fresh Thyme, or more to taste
• 3 sprigs Fresh Rosemary, or more to taste

Preparation Instructions

First and foremost, choose a nicely marbled piece of meat. This will enhance the flavor of your pot roast like nothing else. Generously salt and pepper your chuck roast.

Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Then add 2 to 3 tablespoons of olive oil (or you can do a butter/olive oil split).

Cut two onions in half and cut 6 to 8 carrots into 2-inch slices (you can peel them, but you don’t have to). When the oil in the pot is very hot (but not smoking), add in the halved onions, browning them on one side and then the other. Remove the onions to a plate.

Throw the carrots into the same very hot pan and toss them around a bit until slightly browned, about a minute or so.

If needed, add a bit more olive oil to the very hot pan. Place the meat in the pan and sear it for about a minute on all sides until it is nice and brown all over. Remove the roast to a plate.

With the burner still on high, use either red wine or beef broth (about 1 cup) to deglaze the pan, scraping the bottom with a whisk to get all of that wonderful flavor up.

When the bottom of the pan is sufficiently deglazed, place the roast back into the pan and add enough beef stock to cover the meat halfway (about 2 to 3 cups). Add in the onion and the carrots, as well as 3 or 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary and about 3 sprigs of fresh thyme.

Put the lid on, then roast in a 275F oven for 3 hours (for a 3-pound roast). For a 4 to 5-pound roast, plan on 4 hours.