31.

What a busy fun weekend we had last weekend.  Our plans changed a bit on Saturday but it was still a good weekend. 

Saturday we had planned on going down to Starkville to tailgate, but sadly no one was going to be there.  Instead we decided to meet up with John and Margo and hang out at the Grill before they headed to the game.  I was hoping to have some really cute pictures of Zoey out and about, but man was it HUMID.  We camped out at the Grill and did zero walking around.  Maybe one day in the Fall we will have a chance to take her.

I have this one adorable picture (sorry for the quality, iphone zoomed in) of Zoey and John talking football.  She loved John and he was teaching her about football.

Sunday after was cleaning up the house for the arrival of family in town Monday.  We decided to put up the baby gear that Zoey no longer uses.  It was bittersweet but we do have a lot more room now.  Once again I took picture with just my phone. 

Sunday night we went over to Chad and Allie’s for dinner.  Zoey had a BLAST playing with Pete.  He was great with her and was getting his practice in before Collins arrives. 

Monday, my parents, sister and crew, and Brian’s parents came over to help celebrate my birthday!  Zoey had a grand old time playing with her cousins.  She got to show out her new skills to everyone; CRAWLING!  I hope to get a video of this soon.  She still in the learning process but every now and then she will get a good crawl segment in.

I had a great birthday weekend!  I love it when my birthday falls on the long weekend so I have PLENTY of time to celebrate.  Oh!  Almost forgot to share what I got for my birthday.  Brian gave me a fabulous Hobo bag and Zoey gave me a gorgeous necklace

The holidays are upon us!

Whew.  Time has been flying by the past few weeks.

Let’s see what has been going on.

Last week was super busy with preparing for Thanksgiving at our place.  I had nothing to worry about; just that I am truly my mother’s daughter.  Brian and I tried to do a little here and there to get ready for the Big day, but never fails I put it off.  Wednesday, thankfully Jimmy let me leave at 2, we finished cleaning house and I cooked, the cornbread for the dressing, mixed up the dressing, cooked 2 pecan pies, and bake a caramel cake.  Boy, staying up till midnight to make caramel icing must mean I love my family a lot!   I honestly believe it wouldn’t be a holiday if I didn’t stay up late making something for it.  Growing up (still today as well) my mom would always be up late the night before cooking or baking. 

Thanksgiving was wonderful!!  For my first time cooking a turkey, it turned out GREAT!  It was a nice golden brown color and so tender it was falling off the bone as Brian tried to carve it.  (Did I mention he craved it!?)  All the food turned out lovely and we had WAY too much to eat. 

After lunch, Brian and I cleaned up and hit the road to Hartselle for a few days.  We were welcome with a lovely Thanksgiving Day supper of dried white beans, fried potatoes, and cornbread. Friday’s lunch was yummy!  Mom had all of our favorites prepared for lunch.  Dad out did himself once again with a smoked turkey (which by the way is the only way I’ll eat turkey now.)

Saturday we drove back in time to quickly unload the car, pack a cooler, and head to Oxford for the Egg Bowl.  Alas, the game did not turn out in my favor, but overall we had a good time.  It was very cold!  We were wimps and left at the half, but listened to it (thank you XM radio!) on the way home.  I was glad we came home when we did; it was already 9:45ish when we got home.  Here are a couple of shots of the game.

 

Sunday was devoted to decorating the house for Christmas!  I am not finished just yet (I will be sharing photos.  I just wish I could take cool artistic photos like everyone else does of their decorations.) and the house is a big mess right now due to everything strung out.

I hope everyone has a lovely Thanksgiving and was able to spend time with friends and family! 

Football, brunch, showers, and more!

Over the past few weeks we have been pretty busy.  Two weeks ago we headed to Oxford for our first Ole Miss game of the year.  We had a great time in the Grove, during the game, and after the game.  Like always lately, I forgot to take any pictures of the weekend.  I was happy to see a Rebel win and enjoy a weekend with family and friends.  Speaking of friends, Chip and Lisa are sneaky!  We ended up going to dinner with them at Snackbar after the game.  Needless to say, I’m glad we have such wonderful friends who allow us to crash at their place on short notice when needed! :)  Snackbar has some wonderful new fall cocktails.  The Autumn Collins is delicious!  I wish I could recreate this at home to enjoy.  It was wonderful getting to see Casey Saturday night as well!

This past weekend was one of the busiest I have had in a long time.  Saturday morning we hosted a Fall brunch.  Brian and I have been thinking about hosting a brunch for a while.  We both love brunches, but no one seems to give them anymore.  Megan and Cole mentioned they would like to help host as well . I really do wish I had taken some pictures (I honestly meant to) of the brunch but I completely forgot.  We had a lovely turnout and everyone seemed to enjoy it!  Like us, everyone seems to love brunches, but never have an opportunity go to one.  This might start being an annual event at the Herndon household!

After the brunch we headed over to The Lost Pizza Co.for the grand opening.  If you are ever in Tupelo stop in; some of the best pizza.  Personally I think it’s better than OVPC.

Saturday night, we went to a Engagement/Wedding shower for Kim and Shane.  Needless to say, Saturday was a very long and tiring day.

Sunday, I help host a baby shower for a friend.  I made a cute diaper cake for the table decoration.  To be a first timer in making one, I found they were super easy to make and quiet fun.  I wish I had embellished it some, but there is always the next one next month I’m helping give. We had cupcakes from one of my new favorite bakers, Sugar Rush. I made her a swaddling blanket and I just realized I didn’t take a picture of it!!!  This the first gift I made that I forgot to document it. :(  I’ll have to get Courtney to take one for me and send it to me. 

The swaddling blankets have been fun and easy to whip up for gifts.  I have 3 more I need to make in the next week.  I’ll make sure to take pictures of them. I wish I had a running stitch on my machine, but I have plenty of decorative stitches to choose from which speeds up the process.

I thought it turned out cute!

Clockwise: Strawberry, French Toast with bacon, and White Chocolate Mocha

I finally took a picture of the simple fall table runner I made.  It’s nothing fancy, but it is long enough for the length of my table. 

I need to really press it, but I’m sure you won’t notice. :)  I’m thinking about being brave and doing a Christmas and Halloween one from “scratch”.  I found a great tutorial on how to turn and hem napkins (which I can just apply to this).   

Tonight is the 11th Annual Tupelo Chili Fest!!  I love being able to taste all the chili and get ideas for my own chili!  Last year we tried out adding mashed up peaches and strawberry preserves to it for a little sweet and spicy kick.  Maybe I can snap a few pictures from the event tonight. 

The weekend should be a little low key.  My parents are coming for the weekend tomorrow.  It’s been awhile since they have been here.  I’m looking forward to taking my Mom the the quilt show in town and a few other places.  Not sure what Brian and Dad will be doing, but I’m sure they can fend for themselves.  I really need to get cracking on Christmas gifts I’m planning on making so I won’t be like my Mom and wait till the last minute or the night before!  I can’t wait to share what I’m making.  

August?

Whew.  Where does the time go?! The end of August is already upon us and I feel like I didn’t see it all.   I can’t even really remember what all has been going on with us this month.  Hmm.  Let’s see. 

TWC (Tupelo Women’s Club) started up this month.  I’m looking forward to being more involved around the community.  Our biggest event is the Holiday Tree Festival at the end of November.  If anyone is interest in attending, let me know!  I will be selling tickets.

Our local Ole Miss alumni group started back up this week as well.  We are hoping to start prompting our annual golf tournament now to help bring awareness of it.  A couple watch parties are in the works as well along with the Pigskin in the Park event in October.  I’m really looking forward to this event; all day of Ole Miss and State football downtown.  The info I have heard on it sounds like it could be a big hit. If you are in Tupelo Oct. 16th come downtown to Fairpark to watch both the Ole Miss vs. Alabama game and State vs. Florida game!

Just as I was getting really motivated to do more sewing, “my” sewing machine starting having issues.  So off to the shop it went for hopefully something nothing major.  Well, it turned out to be major.  Due to the age of it (over 40 years old) it finally started breaking down.  Mom decided it wasn’t worth getting it fixed.  So now I’m currently out of a sewing machine, but do hope to buy one in the next month or so.  I have mom already looking to see what type and model I should get.  In the meantime, when I’m at Mom and Dad’s next I’m going to have to do some sewing on projects that need to be completed before I get a new one.  Too bad Santa already has my gift this year. 

I’m hoping to finish up a project that I have been struggling to complete the past month.  It will feel great to finally get this completed.  I’m a few months behind on it, but it’s better that it’s done than not at all.

I’m really looking forward to next weekend; birthday + long weekend + football = happiness.  Friday I will be one step closer to 30!  We are having a small get together to celebrate.  I thrilled that John and Margaret decided to come down this weekend.  I like to think they came just because it’s my birthday. :)  I am being the good wife and trekking down to Starkville for the State game.  Brian has promised me a fun day is to be had.