American Pride and a Little Something Sweet

Warning: I am about to dabble in a little political chatter :)

My mom is a die hard conservative, tea party loving, political junkie, constantly informing my family on the most up to date happenings in the political realm; this has been a constant in our household since I was young (she did take me to a Bush rally when I was like all of 10 ha), but recently blossomed into a deeper passion due to the state of our country at the moment.  That passion has been passed down to myself and MAC and I have been transfixed by the TV the past 3 nights watching the Republican National Convention. I was blown away by speeches from Condoleezza Rice, Susana Martinez, Clint Eastwood, Paul Ryan, Marco Rubio and of course, Mitt Romney. They had this girl fist pumping at the TV, cheering and clapping. They stirred up feelings of that spectacular American Pride that we so often let fall to the wayside. They gave me hope that there are leaders out there who are competent, smart, diligent, passionate, who view America as the greatest free country and who realize that doesn't come free and was not, nor will it ever be, an entitlement that is always here to stay. We have to fight for this country, what it was founded on and the freedom it gives, not forget where we came from and how America got to be what it is today, and rally behind this amazing team that I hope is about to take over the White House and transform this horrific mess we are currently sitting in to what America should be.

I love this country and all that it stands for and look forward to supporting those I believe in by exercising my right as a U.S. citizen and voting on election day. I see it as a fight of the utmost importance and my country needs my vote; I hope you get informed and exercise your right as well.

This whole chair thing was ridiculously hysterical. My favorite quote from Clint was, "We own this country. Politicians are our employees and when somebody does not get the job done, we have got to let them go." AMEN

I seriously wouldn't doubt if this man was a future president; wow was he incredible and so young! My favorite quotes from him were, "Our problem is not that he's a bad person, it's that he's a bad president."  "The Almighty God is the source of all we have." Again, AMEN!

Ok, glad to get that off my chest! Now that you know where I stand on political matters, let's talk cookies and Labor Day!

I whipped up the basic Classic Chocolate Chip cookies the other day and they turned out scrumptious!

I definitely recommend this recipe and have been taking turns between dipping into the cookie dough and actually baking some for the enjoyment with milk.

I hope you enjoy your long Labor Day weekend! MAC and I are off to his home town and my second home of Savannah to soak up some quality time with good friends and family!

Until next week,

Your All American Girl

Headboard Inspiration

 Being a recent newlywed and moving out of my bachelorette pad in Savannah to a place of our own in Tallahassee has put me into MAJOR nesting mode. Ever since we moved in I have been slowly adding decor to our home and making a list of items I'd love to add to it. One of the top pieces from that list is a headboard. My parents generously gave us a king bed, which we were thrilled to receive, (MAC is well over 6 ft tall so needless to say, my full bed wasn't cutting it) and we were also given a duvet cover from Pottery barn as a wedding gift; it's the perfect blend of color and pattern without being too feminine or delicate. I just added some gorgeous statement pillows to coordinate with our bedding, giving it more height and appeal because at the moment, we are sans headboard! This is the last major piece for our bed that I'd like to add, but until I have saved up enough money to purchase one, I have been swooning over these DIY headboards from Better Homes and Gardens. They were all fairly simple and I appreciated the unique style they each possessed. Unfortunately, I lack the gift of craftiness (both my brothers got this talent, go figure), but I have found inspiration and am determined to accomplish this task. I hope to update you with a variety of impressive pictures once I tackle this project.

Enjoy browsing these photos and my apologies for the late post...the Kardashians had a marathon on E! this morning and held me captive on my sofa for around 2 darn hours! What can I say, it's my guilty pleasure.

Bookworm Wednesday

I was so delighted yesterday when I received the second Harry Potter book, that is, until I eagerly opened my package to find my novel without it's dust jacket! Maybe some people would not have been outraged by the lack of correct covering of a hard back as I was, but as I have admitted before, I am a book nerd and had wanted to collect the series, ultimately desiring all of the books to flow together when I displayed them on my bookshelf. Major let down! Now for the side note, I did purchase this on Amazon, used, for $1.85. Most would say this would leave no room for complaints, BUT (always a but right?!) I specifically chose this book over another because the other book's description clearly stated it had no dust jacket; this one lacked that minor, but important detail (shame on them)! After pouting and deciding whether I should return it, I showed it to MAC who described the book as looking neat, slightly rustic, and "old-fashioned". I had possessed similar thoughts in the back of my mind, but just needed re-inforcement from a trust worthy source. His judgement was enough to seal the deal of my decision to keep it. Whewwwww! I apologize for the rant, but someone had to hear it :)

This is the "naked" book I am currently reading :). "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

I believe last week I showed a picture of myself reading in a window seat at my parent's house, so I thought I'd show you another go to spot for me when I read. Don't you just want to curl up under that Navy throw and dive into a good story?!

Another angle...my mom has an eye for decor!

No this has nothing to do with reading, but I went with Mom to get a mani/pedi yesterday and thought I'd share this new color I discovered and am loving at the moment. It's by OPI and is called "Guy meets Gal Veston". Im ready to transition into the Fall season and thought this shade was a good in between color; not too dark, but crisp and bright. I thought the pop of color from the Granny Smith apple I was eating and my coral/red nails was so pretty.  

I got the same color on my toes too! I seriously wish I could get my nails done at least once a week!

I believe Harry and Hogwarts are calling my name so ta-ta for now!

BBQ Chicken Nachos

It's no huge secret around my close family and friends that I have a love affair with food (especially when it involves anything at all to do with sweets). Since I haven't begun a new job yet, I have had the time to perform my wifely duties (I could get used to this staying home and cooking thing) and have dinner prepared for MAC when he arrives home from work. Last night I whipped up a meal full of chicken, nachos, cheese and salsa and it sure was delish! I enjoy trying out new recipes to broaden my cooking horizons and my goal is to one day be a top notch chef like my mom and MAC's grandmother. I just revel in the simplicity that goes along with everyone being gathered around the table, eating wonderful food and engaging in much laughter and conversation; I dream about the day we purchase a home and can house these types of "get together's". 

Sunday I had browsed through some old Southern Living magazines to get recipe ideas and I came across chicken nachos. That was a meal that seemed easy enough and one neither of us had eaten recently. As I skimmed that recipe and a few more on the internet, I sort of combined some steps and came up with my own recipe! I had a lovely time cooking up my concoction last night as I swayed along to Adele's Pandora station and drank a glass of wine! Hope you try these out and enjoy them as much as we did!

Before 

After

Ingredients:

3 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cooked and shredded (I sauteed mine in a little olive oil and butter)

1 1/2 cups of your favorite BBQ sauce

1 can of black beans

1 can of corn

1 jar of your favorite salsa (I used Publix brand organic salsa)

1 package of mexican style shredded cheese (I used Publix brand)

1 bag of tortilla chips (I used Tostitos with a hint of lime)

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350

2. Combine chicken with the BBQ sauce and stir until combined

3. In a separate bowl, combine black beans, corn and salsa. Mix well.

4. In a lightly greased 13x9" pan, make a layer of tortilla chips, then a layer of chicken, then a layer of salsa mix and lastly, sprinkle cheese on top (I have a cheese fetish, so I used half the bag on this layer). Repeat one more time.

5. Bake on 350 for about 10 minutes and serve with more tortilla chips and sour cream.

The great thing about this recipe is that you can substitute any other items like peppers or jalapenos (whatever your taste buds desire) into the salsa mix to make it uniquely yours. Bon appetit to you :)

Shopping Success

Our shopping escapade last Friday was a great success! I picked up a few accessories for our humble abode and enjoyed a beautiful day out with my mom. We danced, talked and sang our way to Jacksonville and back; a girl just needs some care free days like that with her mom, no?! Here are a few of the items I snagged!

A vintage blue, ticking stripe shower curtain that looks so classic and clean (also a tad more suitable than my previous one for living with a man).

Plumply soft, porcelain blue towels to correspond with the shower curtain.

I went with the cream bath rug to provide a bit of color break up from the porcelain blue.

The linen ruffle pillow shams closest to the headboard are probably my favorite new accessory. They provide a bit more of an elegant statement to our bedding.

Closer look at the pillow (the color I chose is called Praline and is a lovely shade of soft yellow)

These water hyacinth place mats provide a rustic farm look atop our new table

The rest of the weekend was filled with cookouts, enjoying the outdoors and relaxing. Here are a few pics!

Blueberry muffins and coffee for the hubs and I on our new place mats and table!

Mom and I took Bear for a walk alongside the boys as they golfed late Saturday afternoon.

Isn't he just adorable?!

Our boys walking a few holes before dark.

I attempted to obtain some delicious recipes for dinner this week, and only came up with one idea after perusing these gems that we are going to try out tonight...BBQ Chicken Nachos.

We delighted our appetites with these delicious cupcakes from Lucy and Leo's. If you haven't tried these out yet, trust me, you MUST. I am a sweet expert so no need to doubt!

Off to dabble with some closet organizing and hoping to receive the second Harry Potter book in the mail this afternoon so I can burrow into a comfy spot and continue with the series! Hope you have a spectacular day!

Girls Just Want To Have Fun

Good morning and happy Friday!! My mom and I are off on a mini day trip to Jacksonville to do some shopping for our new home and to visit my brother! Sorry for the absence of pictures, but I am still without Internet and didn't prepare in advance while I was at my parent's yesterday. I'll be back Monday with some fun posts next week, but for now I must give my un-divided attention to conquering The Towncenter! Happy weekend y'all!

Sweet, Southern Thomasville

My mom and I made an impromptu trip to Thomasville, Georgia for a light lunch and shopping date yesterday. I have always enjoyed making the short 30 minute drive to this small, southern town to partake in patronizing wonderful, local shops and restaurants. Our favorite lunch spot is called Savannah Moon and due to the ever so slight drop in temperature, my Mom and I decided to dine al fresco by the cobblestone streets of downtown. Our choice of dining outdoors was the perfect spot for me to be able to "people watch"(I could do this all day, it's the simple things) and I as I was observing, I noticed how friendly everyone seemed and how as they walked by, they would look you in the eye, nod and say hello. Nicknamed "The Rose City" because of it's many colorful rose gardens, Thomasville reminds you of the good ol' days when people dressed up to meet a friend for lunch and where everybody knows everybody, and even if they don't know you, they still offer up a smile and say hi. I love that sense of welcomeness and southern hospitality that is still prevalent and remains at the   fore front of this quaint town. It is deeply refreshing to step away from the hustle and bustle of large cities, and experience the heart of the south and a time that still remains very much alive and well. Oh how that makes my heart happy. Enough ramblin'( I could talk about the south ALL daggum day), let's get on with it and get to the good stuff!

Our lunch spot

My cute mom and an American flag

Delicious Savannah Salad with a Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing and Vegetable Soup

Bacon and Cheddar Quiche with the Savannah Salad

Our favorite kitchen shop

Just a lovely, historic building

Obsessed with this local bookshop, and to top it off, they now have a cupcake baker sharing in their space...double trouble

Meet our new friend Skippy

Wouldn't you love to visit story time??

I am in Hog Heaven folks

Such a cute, unique way to convey your hours of operation

Skippy snuck into the window display

 local coffee spot

Hope you have a blessed day y'all

Bookworm Wednesday

I have been in a bit of a book rut recently and finally decided to join the Harry Potter bandwagon, you know, just about 12 years behind everyone else. I read "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" when it was first published and loved it, but for some reason never continued reading the rest of the series. It is no secret that I have an obsession with books (had to buy this one in hardback for my collection) and reading, so I decided it was time for me to dive into this well known series and see what all the rave is about. I know the first few books will be a bit light due to the target age range being young adults, but I can't put the book down and look forward to reading the rest of them!

This window seat at my parents house is the perfect place to cuddle up and get whisked off into the world of reading; I take up this position quite often.

Happy Reading :)