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Thursday, September 30, 2010

My very first Auction!

September 30, 2010 2 Comments
I have waited all week to put this up, and I am so excited!

Saturday I went to my very first auction with my grandparents! The auction was down in Fluvanna County, so I went down Friday night and spent the night, because my grandfather wanted us to leave the house at 7:30.

We got a slightly later start, but by 8 we were all piled into his 1980 GMC Sierra. That truck is older than me!
Sorry about the blurriness, but the truck, or maybe it was the road, was a bit rough riding. :) 
It didn't take long to get to the farm where the auction was being held. It was an estate auction and the farm had once been a dairy farm with a canning operation, and the family never through anything out. Yay!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Faux Leather Balls....

September 29, 2010 0 Comments
Hey guys! I'm at it again. I needed more decor balls for the house. I don't know why, but I did. I guess it's because I'm getting tired of switching out the same old, same old, so I needed to add something new to the mix. :)

There's just one little thing......the tutorial is not here. Its over at 6 inches of ribbon! Ashley has a great little blog, so go on.....Go check it out! Go.Now.

See ya there! Have a great day y'all!
Heather

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Such a funny girl...

September 28, 2010 0 Comments
So while visiting Dana, I came across some Fig Jam in her Publix. Well I have a recipe that calls for Fig Jam and I have the hardest time finding it, so when I saw it down there I snatched it up! Then I left it down there. So when I received the following in the mail from Dae...I just had to giggle. :)


Friday, September 24, 2010

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...Fall?

September 24, 2010 3 Comments

Did you know that the first day of Autumn was this week? True story! Though I can't pin down the exact day, as it seems to differ depending on what part of the world you live. Anyway, I'm so excited! I love Fall! Fall is when the holiday season starts again, the leaves change colors, and the temperature lowers to what my husband Mike calls "snuggle weather". Best of all, though--yes, better than snuggle weather--Fall has all the best foods and flavors. In my opinion, anyway. Cinnamon, nutmeg, squash, corn, cranberries, pumpkins, apples...need I go on? Even as I sit here and type, I am enjoying a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks, available starting in Autumn every year. Like I said, I love everything about this season. That being the case, I decided to start breaking out some of my Autumn recipes. One of my favorites made the post this week.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Sharp Dressed {wo}Man!

September 23, 2010 2 Comments
Hey all! So today is Thursday, tomorrow is Friday. Glad we got all that straightened out, because I went most of yesterday evening thinking that it was Thursday. Being as today is the day before Dana posts whatever deliciousness she has for FFF I think its time for me to show off some more of her looks and curves. :) Aren't I nice? I think so!

So right now ZZ TOP is stuck in my head. I know you guys are probably shocked, because of the title. :)

Here are some pics that Dae sent me of the newest jacket and top! She was doing some businessy type stuff and wanted to look professional or some reason like that :)

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Getting Ready to Party!

September 22, 2010 0 Comments
So my little guy's birthday is in a little over a week, and we are gearing up. I sent out the invitations for his party the day after we got back from vacation, and I'm thinking I should have waited a bit, at least until my brain was working. Can you see what I did?

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Wax On....Wax Off

September 21, 2010 7 Comments
Well the bug has hit, and I have to tell you....the hubs is nervous. I want to change stuff. I don't want to spend a lot though, on this Steve would be proud. :)

So the first part of this bug was my mirror collage, well actually, its a part of a slightly bigger than average plan, but its the beginning!

So here's the first step! I wanted/needed to move all of the mirrors I had near the foyer to make room for the artwork that is currently residing above my fireplace, but those mirrors were all gold. I decided that the guest room was the best place for all those mirrors. That poor room only has one small window as it is. Too bad, I'm going with a pale gray in there and gold would clash. In a big way.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Pizza & Paint

September 20, 2010 0 Comments
Is there any better way to spend a Sunday? I don't think so. The hubs can probably think of better ways, but yesterday was a pretty great day.

We got to help some very dear friends of ours repaint their kitchen and then sit back and relax.

Harrison wasn't so happy about being confined to their family room, and he told us about it. Dev got to hang with his pal, James, and many a monster were slain.

Here are some oh-so-wonderful cell phone pictures. While the girls were painting, the menfolk were looking at the water damage in the basement and trying to best figure out how to makeover the space.

Friday, September 17, 2010

It's In the Bag

September 17, 2010 0 Comments

No, really! This week's recipe is in a bag...pouch...whatever. I've heard a lot about this "pouch cooking" concept. Alton Brown has a Good Eats episode about it called "The Pouch Principle" and you can buy steam-in bags of veggies at the grocery store (and we do). There are even special bags you can buy to do all your own steaming, but, if you watch the above-mentioned Good Eats episode, the idea of buying special steam bags will seem a bit silly. Why? Because you can just use aluminum foil. Okay, maybe the special bags have merit when it comes to microwave meals, but I don't have any recipes for that. That just leaves the question, what did I cook up this week?
...
*Drum Roll*
...

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Toe-Kickin' Chicken Chili

September 16, 2010 2 Comments
I had no idea what to post about until I saw the linky party up over at The Girl Creative for the Creative Chick Parade.

You see I have quite a few posts lined up, but when I saw that it was recipes today over at TGC then I knew what I was going to write about.

Sunday while we were watching the Skins trounce the Cowboys (no, I'm not a Skins fan, but I do live in the area) we were chowing down on some white chicken chili. Well it was supposed to be white, but oh well, there is chicken!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Falling for a Wreath

September 15, 2010 0 Comments
Well it's finally cooling off here in Northern VA....and thank goodness! I was very sick of those 90+ days.

So in honor of our cooler days and the fact that September is upon us, I made up another wreath. I like my autumn wreath, but its a little too 'autumn' for right now. I mean its gorgeous out, but the leaves aren't turning quite yet, so I didn't want to put up a wreath full of full-on autumn colors yet. So I stopped by the Dollar Store and picked up my materials, but once I sat down to make the wreath I decided that I did not like my wreath form, so out came the rope!

I wrapped the wreath form with the rope, gluing every few wraps. Then I just started cutting the flowers just below the bloom and gluing them down. After I had gotten most of the flowers set, I started on the greenery. Then it all just came together.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

and Vogue, Vogue, Vogue

September 14, 2010 5 Comments
Two weeks before we were to leave to come visit her, Dana asked me to make her a jacket and blouse combo. She specifically asked that I make her the combo that I bought stuff for a year and a half ago. Sheeesh....its only been a year and a half. 2 years since I made her the blue suit, which if I do say so myself is amazing. I'll have to have her take some self-portraits with her wearing it, because it's really to good not to share.

But we're not here to talk about the magnificent blue suit. We're here today to discover what a pain in the patella a wrap around collar is. :) Just kidding, kind of.

Let me start off with saying that sewing for Dana is really, really enjoyable. She's a size 10. A straight 10 but likes the length of a 12. Easy peasy nice and easy. Its also nice because she can wear all of those patterns that  I like but they don't make in my size. (hey pattern people, I know I'm not small, but you know...I like some of the styles that fit the smaller girls too!)

Monday, September 13, 2010

Home Again!

September 13, 2010 0 Comments
So glad to be home! I missed my bed.  It was a wonderful vacation, and I very much enjoyed seeing Dana and Mike. We also got to hang out with cousins Hilary and Patrick, so that was an added bonus!

Thank you to Trista, Sarah and Mom for guest posting last week! You guys really saved me a lot of work! Thanks a bunch!

So I don't know what to post about first! I got Dana's outfit and a new wreath done. Also got some toe kickin' chili made for football yesterday. Not that I really care as my poor Hoo's got beat by USC, but what do you expect? Its USC! Oh well....Hoo's I still love ya!

I guess I'll share some pictures from the 2nd half of our vacation. We kind of, sort of altered our return home plans last minute. Instead of driving all the home we instead took a few days in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Steve and I started dating while visiting theses cities, we honeymooned there after Isabel flattened our hotel in OBX {so much fun was had re-planning our honeymoon days before the wedding}, so this part of Tennessee holds a lot of fond memories for us. It was great to share it with the boys, altho H won't remember. :)

Friday, September 10, 2010

Let's Try Something New Today

September 10, 2010 4 Comments

I sometimes wonder how many tea connoisseurs are out there beyond myself. I know, one, maybe two, people who like (simply adore) it as much as me. This is not my usual type of post. There's not really any particular recipe here, but there are a number of thoughts on some really great things that can be done with history's most beloved beverage and an invitation to stretch your boundaries if you've never really gotten into tea.

Thursday, September 09, 2010

Chalkboard Menus!

September 09, 2010 2 Comments
WOW!! I can not believe that I get to guest post on Straight Stitches!!  This is huge, I have only been blogging for about 3 months over at Homemaking 101, and I have met some very amazing, creative people in the blog world.  I originally was using my blog to stay in touch with family without having to flaunt and showoff  my daughter all over facebook.  It sort of turned into a way to document my journey as a first time mom and a first time homemaker.  I was suddenly overcome with a desire to be a crafty, DIY, cooking, cleaning, teaching Mommy. Homemaking 101 is my place to share all that and more.

For my 1st guest post ever, I have decided to share with you my take on the chalkboard menu boards that I have been seeing everywhere.

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Picture Me a Giveaway!

September 08, 2010 5 Comments
Since Heather is out having some fun in Nashville I thought I'd hijack her blog a bit and give you guys some information on a great online photo-editing software that is SO easy to use.

Before I do that, "hi!" - I'm Sarah from Soxy's Diamond. My little neglected blog is a spin off from my Red Sox blog (which I'm embarrassed to say is also in a neglected state right now. Anyhoo...). My blog talks about my life with some pictures, recipes and crafts thrown in here and there. Stop on by and say hello, I'm hoping to keep up with it a little bit more now that the busy summer is settling down.

Now to the good stuff.

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Bacon Gone Wild!

September 07, 2010 2 Comments
Hey Ya'll!!! I want to thank Heather for inviting me to be a guest blogger here while she's living it up Nashville style. I hope while she's there she takes in lots of country music and pork products. Hmmmm...that sounded a little dirty, but that's not really how I meant it.

You see, I happen to be starting a site entirely devoted to nothing other than Bacon! That being said, I thought I'd share and easy and delicious Pomegranate Chipotle Pork recipe with you that stars none other than my favorite meat product! 

Monday, September 06, 2010

Quick and Easy Gift Card Holder

September 06, 2010 1 Comments
I’m Debbie Smith, Heathers Mom; I have been sewing since I was 12 and have encouraged my daughters to learn this useful skill. 

{Heather here hijacking Mom's post}
Mom didn't include nearly enough background on herself! Mom makes amazing stuff! She made her wedding dress, which is still in near perfect condition. She made my wedding dress, and even through 1 fainting episode because of the sheer volume of it she managed to craft me exactly what I wanted. A 10 ft long skirt from waist band to hem, at the longest point. It was simply amazing! 

Let's see....what else about Mom? I'm sure she's going to love me dishing on her. :) Oh! She's allergic to like EVERYTHING. Loves anything Tuscan. She's also a bit OCD about her knitting. She'll get an entire back of a sweater done, and then take it all apart for reasons unknown to the rest of the family!  She lives exactly 10 miles from me, and if you can't get her on her cell phone, then I get called because she and I are usually hanging out. :)

Friday, September 03, 2010

For All the Farmers Out There

September 03, 2010 5 Comments


If you follow this blog regularly, you know that Heather and I come from a long line of farmers. Burnley Farm has been mentioned here on multiple occasions. If you've ever had food straight from the ground, you know the quality is exceptional. We all grew up on home-grown squash, kale, corn, tomatoes, and more, and some of my best memories are of feeding the calves or checking on the cows with Gee-Gee around and walking around Bet's garden with her. Sadly, living in Nashville is not conducive to getting Bet's home-grown veggies anyway. That doesn't mean I can't support the local farmers around here though. Yup, that means farmer's markets!

I adore farmer's markets, but you probably could have already guessed that about me. More than that, I have recently discovered CSA's. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Basically you pre-buy food from a farm. I discovered a really good one at the Richland Park/East Nashville farmer's market from West Wind Farms. West Wind is Certified Organic and offers a really good meat CSA, which Mike and I bought. Therefore, in honor of my farming ancestors and to put my new CSA products to good use, I am posting a family recipe for fried chicken...because you can't go wrong with fried chicken :-).

Thursday, September 02, 2010

11 months and 30 days...

September 02, 2010 3 Comments
335 days ago {11 months} my little guy was born. I can't believe it. Time has flown by.

It wasn't that long ago that I was breastfeeding or feeding you mash they call baby food. Oh no. He wants to be grown up and big like his brother. He will not take baby food any longer. He wants what we eat. We had to switch to whole milk at 9 months old, because I was fighting with him to even get 16 oz of formula in him, but juice is a different story. Love his juice. He also loves his morning yogurt. So to whole milk we went, and he's getting anywhere from 16 to 24 oz a day now. He's tired of his bottle so the sippy cups have come out. He wants to brush his own teeth, so we let him. What a difference 11 months makes.

I had to ask my mom what to do with an alert newborn. You've always watched people and life.