Happy Halloween

A Halloween gingerbread house?

 Why yes, yes it is.

and I helped decorate it with these cuties...

Amelia,

Sophia, and Isabella

These are the Lalonde girls. They have an older brother, James, who is the sweetest 10 year old you could ever know! Between the four of them, they are helping Elliott and I prolong having children even more...(and their parents know it!)  Those three girls sure are a handful but are lots of fun to decorate a halloween gingerbread house with! We absolutely love spending time with them and are so blessed to be so close to such a great family! 

Another visit from the Donald's!

My sister came in town again this week (I've been so spoiled to have her twice in a month!)
We had some play time with the babies...

 AC rolls to her tummer now!

 MS put a leash on Randi and Randi cooperated :)

 Sweet AC

MS coloring

And we had grown up time at the LSU-Auburn game...

 Rachel, Ashley, Randi, Me

 Matt&Ashley, Me&Elliott, Rachel&Brian

Sisters...and classic Matt and Elliott in the background

What a great visit!! Counting the days until we see them for Christmas!

Apples to Apples

I guess I've been getting all caught up in pumpkins and ghost's because fall doesn't really scream "Apples" to me but this time of year there are always apple recipes all over Southern Living along with every small town's version of an Apple Festival.  Last year I made a Dulce de leche Apple Pie (http://www.recipegirl.com/2007/10/04/deep-dish-dulce-de-leche-apple-pie/ ) and it was divine!! This year September's issue of Southern Living had me dog-earring several apple recipes but I really wanted to make the Apple-Cream Cheese Bundt Cake that was on their cover. Well September came and went but a few weekends ago we went to my in-laws to watch the LSU-Tennessee game and my mother-in-law was getting ready to make that very cake...so I was excited to jump in and put my name on it too! It was really good but how can anything with cream cheese not be good?? We had a few hiccups with not having all the right ingredients, but after a trip to the store mid-mixing, we made due and it came out just great! http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/apple-cream-cheese-bundt-cake-50400000115369/

Our glaze was a bit different due to said "making due"

had to get a picture of the goodness in the middle!

And just for fun, I love that I can use apples in my decor!

Ruger

October marks Ruger's 1 year adoption into our family.  This time last year, I got a call from my friend Frannie whose dad was our breeder for Liza.  She asked if we were still interested in a male (because we always wanted to breed Liza).  A woman had contacted Frannie's dad about a male she had inherited from her son who couldn't care for him anymore.  They already had a male and it wasn't working out for them, so they asked if we were interested.  We immediately called Ms. Bobbi and set up a meeting.  We brought Liza out to her house one afternoon and met Ruger for the first time.  We left with an extra dog, 2 kennels, 3 blankies, a leash, and a detailed list of Ruger's personality traits and preferences:
He has never slept outside.  He sleeps with a blankie.  He pees on trashcans.  He hates the UPS truck. He scratches at the door.  and the BIGGIE- he is Houdini when it comes to getting out of a kennel or fence.
Ms. Bobbi was very honest with us.  We knew what we were getting ourselves into.  And I'm glad we did.
He is truly the sweetest dog and has become extremely loyal and protective of us!  He knows how to melt your heart when he comes next to you and rests his head on your lap looking up to you with classic "puppy dog eyes." He is also the most playful and clumsy thing, truly a puppy at heart!  Watching him run behind Liza (because he can't keep up with her) shows how sloppy and uncoordinated he is (or it could just be that Liza is incredibly agile and extremely fast)!
Liza wasn't so sure about him at first.  She had always been our baby, the princess, lou lou (she still is and she KNOWS it!) but things changed.  There was definitely an adjustment period and if she could talk, I know she would have been asking everyday when we were bringing him back! She saw him as a pest, sloppy, trying to steal her food and pee on all her things, take over her bed and food bowl, and stealing attention from us! Now, they are best buds (boyfriend and girlfriend depending on her mood). They truly are companions and while he still tests the boundaries with her, I think she's really glad to have him around!
We're glad Liza came around because we love having him around too and have never looked back on adding sweet Rugerboy to the family!

 sucking on his blankie

 Liza wouldn't let him on the bed!

 He loves to swim!

Watching Liza retrieve a ball

Sophia Grace

I'm not sure that my ideal role model for an 8 year old would be Nicki Minaj, but Sophia Grace is one cute girl and is incredibly talented! I can't stop watching this and everytime I think she's cuter and cuter! Plus, the song is just so catchy...
(watch them both, you won't be disappointed!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odhUPMYXpX4&feature=grec_index

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9573kGBtuE

lil' Friday

I'm sure you've heard by now that Thursday is now known as lil' Friday. For people like me who work only a few Fridays a month (and half days at that...have I mentioned I love my job?) it couldn't sum up my week better! So,  in honor of lil' Friday I have a few pics of what we've been up to...

fresh squash and herbs,

 tomato basil soup from scratch,

homemade pizza,

 and what's better than fresh flowers??

a fall garden, of course!

We still have eggplant and peppers from our summer garden but last weekend Elliott planted broccoli, cauliflower, and several varieties of lettuce! We still have some greens and fall tomatoes to put in the ground.  Since we had such an abundance of peppers (as we do every year) Elliott made pepper jelly, squash relish, and lots of pickled peppers.

I've also done a small bit of fall decorating...finally put a wreath on the front door and did a little tablescaping

and of course, its not fall unless my house smells like this

Yankee Candle's Fall Harvest

We're looking forward to some nice weather this weekend to tackle some projects around the house!

Happy lil' Friday 

LSU vs Florida

As football season in well underway, we decided to do a Dupree Dental tailgate for the Florida game.  To prepare for our tailgate, we had to start a Pinterest board for all our ideas, of course! We pulled recipes, decor ideas, and Ashley made the cutest invitation! (it's obvious that I work with all women, right?)

I decided to make my version of SkinnyGirl Sangria since it was a 2:30 game and I wasn't planning on guzzling beer or drinking whiskey.  

This is the link to Bethenny Frankel's Sangria:

http://www.bethenny.com/2010/05/17/how-to-make-skinnygirl-sangria/

I usually tweek the recipe here and there depending on what I have but ever since first making it, I have been hooked and love a "white" sangria.

This next one will definitely feed a crowd so it's perfect for a tailgate!

Feta Black Bean Dip is filling and light at the same time so you don't end up feeling like you've over eaten (which is always the case for me on gameday!)

http://www.flythroughourwindow.com/2010/07/more-of-summer-more-recipes/

Now, what tailgate is complete without something sweet? My sister in law made these awhile back and I haven't stopped thinking about them! These Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes were so good and actually easy! The hardest part was icing them (presentation is not a strength of mine). I made them in a mini muffin tin as bite size is easier at a tailgate and iced them once I got there as I wasn't quite sure how to transport 48 decorated mini cupcakes!

http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/peanut-butter-cup-cupcakes/

Since we were playing Florida it was only appropriate to have gator so Elliott decided to fry up some "Gator Bites". They were amazing (as if he ever disappoints, especially when it comes to food!!) And he made the most incredible sauce...it tasted just like The Chimes' gator sauce! Sorry I can't give you any recipes, they are all in Elliott's head!

We had tons of other great food, a good playlist, and lots of friends! Since it was such a success I hope it turns into a yearly event!

And just because I love LSU football and tailgating with friends, these are 2 more of my favorite tailgate dishes.

Holly Clegg Ooey Gooey Squares

1 box yellow cake mix

1/2 cup butter

1 large egg

1 tbsp. water

1 8 oz package reduced fat cream cheese

1 16 oz box confectioners sugar

2 large egg whites

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In mixing bowl, beat together cake mix, butter, egg and water until well mixed.  Spread batter into bottom of 13x9x2 inch baking pan coated with nonstick cooking spray.  In another bowl, beat together cream cheese, confectioners sugar, egg whites, and vanilla.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Pour this mixture over batter in pan.  Bake 40-50 minutes or until top is golden brown.  

Bleu Cheese Bacon Dip

1/2 cup sour cream

1 4 oz package crumbled bleu cheese

4 oz cream cheese, softened

2 tablespoons diced onion

1/8 tsp hot sauce

4 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled

Process first 5 ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides.  Stir in half of bacon.  Cover and chill 2 hours.  Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before serving.  Sprinkle with remaining bacon. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and bleu cheese crumbles. Serve with assorted crackers.  

This dip isn't something I would normally make (as I usually like lighter fare) but because Elliott gives me a hard time about making "girly food" for our tailgates, I decided I would make something a bit more hearty...so I went with bacon! What dish with bacon doesn't scream "MAN FOOD"? This was 2 football seasons ago and I have gotten many requests since then! (and I really like it too!)

GEAUX TIGERS!

Jennifer's Wedding

My best friend from high school, Jennifer, got married the last weekend of August.  It was a fun, event- filled weekend and I'm so glad I was able to be a part of it! I think I've mentioned before that Jenn lives in Houston so I know she will be relieved to not have to come home every other weekend for wedding parties and planning.
The weekend started with a rehearsal at the church we both grew up in.  It's also the church Elliott and I got married in and I just love going to weddings in that church. Another bridesmaid made a comment that the church was "made for weddings." It was beautifully decorated for the occasion! After the rehearsal we headed downtown for dinner at the Hilton ballroom. We enjoyed cocktails and live music and got to visit before a delicious meal followed by sweet toasts to the bride and groom.

Saturday was a long day and we got started early! We spent the day getting our hair and make up done at Jennifer's parents house (which was my second home in high school) and her mom's sisters spent the day cooking up some delicious food for us. It was a relaxing and fun day being pampered and spending time with Jenn who was completely composed and worry free!

The wedding was beautiful and after the ceremony, we boarded a party bus (the trolley they reserved had a broken a/c which is not acceptable for an August wedding) and enjoyed a fun ride downtown to the Old State Capitol for the reception.  After a few trips to the photo booth, some wedding cake, and dancing it was time to send off the bride and groom.

first dance

the flower girls were having too much fun!

Sunday morning, some of John's family hosted a brunch at Stroube's downtown so we got to see the happy newlyweds one last time before they headed to Bermuda for their honeymoon.
The weekend was the perfect way to celebrate Jenn & John. I may have mentioned before that she's been planning her wedding since we were 16...At the reception she said her favorite part was walking down the aisle. I'm not sure what my favorite part of it all was, but she was definitely a stunning bride and made it such fun to celebrate with her!

MS and AC

My sister and her family came in town last weekend for a wedding on Matt's side of the family.  Since all of Matt's family was attending the rehearsal and wedding, Elliott and I got to babysit!
The weekend started Friday morning with Mary Stewart's first trip to the dentist! (it was really more about taking pictures at the dentist than anything else) Since Ashley had an appointment with me she brought along MS and she did great!

We kept both the girls Friday night.

 Mary Stewart played dress up

 ...and her version of Chinese Checkers

 Anna Caroline hung out

and slept!

On Saturday, we were determined to keep Mary Stewart busy doing things she doesn't normally get to do to ensure her time with "Hattie and E" was unforgettable.  We started in the morning by watering plants and helping Elliott pick peppers in the garden.

Then we came in for story time and writing on the chalkboard

Later we took her to Elliott's parents house to see the horses.

Among the horses were cows, dogs, fountains, and a chilling pool!

She was quite the busy bee and had us running all over to keep up with her.  We were quite impressed with how fearless she is.  There was no hesitation in her steps as she ran straight toward the horses in the pasture before Elliott scooped her up! She also didn't seem to notice how cold the pool water was as she kept jumping to Elliott from the steps. (yes, it was Elliott who got in the chilly pool for MS) Since we weren't planning on swimming, she ended up naked in the pool and couldn't have been happier! We got home just in time for dinner and a long bath (that child loves the water) and we ALL slept well that night!