Family Dinner

~Pasta Chicken Broccoli Bake~

MAC and I hosted my family over for dinner last night and we made this dish from the most recent issue of Southern Living! It turned out quite well and wasn't hard to make at all. If you are entertaining at all this weekend or during the holiday season, you should try this recipe out in your most festive baking dish (though you can't see it, we used our red and white polka dot Spode one that was a sweet wedding gift). My chef/baker of a mom brought over the decadent Double Chocolate Loaf featured below so we could all end the night on a sweet note; it was, as usual, a hit.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

~Double Chocolate Loaf~

~I had to throw in this picture of Bear in his precious Alpine sweater because he is too darn cute~

Christmas Cheer

~Naughty & Nice candles from The Bookshelf in Thomasville  (they also have a location in Tally); they all smell wonderful, but we were partial to the unique scent of Nice~

The Christmas Spirit is in full swing in The Crosby household as our humble abode has turned into our version of a winter wonderland. The Mr. and I took Tuesday night to purchase a tree (we chose a very plump one) and go to town decorating it with the assortment of ornaments I have accumulated thus far. We sipped on steaming cups of hot chocolate, listened to Pandoras Country Christmas Radio (if you enjoy country music like I do, this is seriously the best station) and enjoyed the scent of our Aunt Sadie's Christmas tree candle as we lighted and decorated the tree. It was such an enjoyable night and made me so excited for this Christmas Season. Now I just need to work on my shopping lists and piling up some presents underneath the tree!

P.S. We addressed half of our Christmas cards last night and I'm giddy for our friends and families to receive them!

~Besides our First Christmas ornament, this is my favorite one; I just adore the ribbon, the colors and the personalization on the back! It's from my place of work, Coton Colors, and if you don't live in the area, go online (you can order them personalized) and get one today. They are seriously the best ornaments ever and there are a TON to choose from. I plan on collecting a few every year :)~

Lovely Gifts

This past week I received a few late birthday gifts (due to these sweet girls living out of town) and I loved it because I feel like my birthday has lasted a month! The first surprise came in the mail in a delightfully pink package and I was thrilled when I opened it up. One of my best friends whom I lovingly refer to as JT (it's a code name), gifted me a Birchbox subscription. I had been hearing about this little gem for a while now, but just kept forgetting to go online myself and sign up, so you better believe I was tickled pink when I opened the box up. If you are unaware of what Birchbox is, it's a subscription (you can sign up for 3, 6, or 12 months) that comes once a month, wrapped in a cute box, with all sorts of wonderful beauty items and samples. You can go to their website and personalize your box to somewhat tailor it to your specific tastes and likings. Im still exploring this new world (you can earn points and by full sized products on their website, but you must try this out; what's not to love about a box of goodies coming in the mail!

Nail polish, an Emi-Jay hair tie, hair powder and lotion were among some of the fun items in my first box.

This box is too darn cute; I'd be content with this pretty little thing!

The second wonderful gift  I received were these Gold ribbon Lilly Pulitzer Critter Earrings. This is another item I have had my eye on, so I was so happy to get them! They are the perfect stud and alternative to your classic pearls; what a snazzy statement piece in a soft gold that will go well with everything this holiday season!

I'd have to say I'm one lucky gal to have such thoughtful friends! Go check out these great gifts for yourself or for someone else; they would both make perfect gifts, coming from personal experience!

Thanksgiving Re-Cap: Picture Version

~Our first Thanksgiving together as Mr. and Mrs.~

For those of you that tuned in yesterday, here are the pictures that were supposed to correspond with that post! Hope you have a great day!

~Thanksgiving Day themed cupcakes~

~My "cousin" Abby; love this sweet girl~

~Our table set up~

~Woodlands Spode was perfectly festive~

~Delicious food that overflowed off my plate (that's a Thanksgiving must)~

~One of my favorite positions of the vacation; fireside, with a book in hand~

~My boys favorite position morning and afternoon; decked in camo, perched in the woods~

Thanksgiving Re-Cap

Memories of turkey, stuffing, casseroles galore, caramel cake, relaxation, and watching football, all with wonderful family, are continuing to bring me joy as I begin to get ready for another work week. We had the best time accompanied by the most beautiful weather, making it extremely difficult to pack up and leave Hampton Island and MAC's family yesterday. I did have a few pictures to show you of our trip, but once again, technology has disabled me from allowing you to experience them (darn that daggum technology, it's a love/hate relationship for me). Have no fear though, they will come tomorrow, along with some other fun posts this week!

Hope your stomachs have recovered from all that delicious food and that you have a great Monday!  MAC and I planned some healthy dinners in the car ride home and got our groceries for them last night because we are going into detox mode after too much sugar and junk about put me under. After our tasty, but nutritious dinner this evening, we are going to pick up a Christmas Tree (our first one together) and I couldn't be more excited!!! 

It's the most wonderful time of the year y'all! 

Thankful

1. I'm thankful that this afternoon I get to leave on a road trip with my brothers and MAC to Hampton for a 4 day vacation.

2. I'm thankful that MAC and I get to spend Thanksgiving with both of our families and not have to split up holidays just yet.

3. I'm EVER so thankful for our wonderful family members.

4. I'm thankful for time we will have to read, play our board games and sit by the fire talking  for hours as we sip on coffee and hot chocolate.

5. I'm thankful for the delicious food we get to stuff ourselves with tomorrow.

6. I'm thankful for the sport of football and rivalries because I sure do love being lazy and watching all the games.

7. I'm thankful for a retail job that's allowing me to not work Black Friday.

8. I'm thankful for a car and money for gas that enables us to have the ability to travel.

9. I'm thankful for cool, chilly weather so we can have a bonfire and roast marshmallows.

10. I'm thankful for my devotion this morning that holds me accountable and reminds me of all the MANY, MANY things I have in my life to give thanks for.

" Thankfulness is not some sort of magical formula; it is the language of love, which enables you to communicate intimately with ME. A thankful mind-set does not entail a denial of reality with its plethora of problems. Instead, it rejoices in Me, your Savior, in the midst of trials and tribulations. I am your refuge and strength, an ever present and well proved help in trouble."

I will be enjoying quality time spent with loved ones the rest of the week, and I hope that you have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Corn Chowder

During the chilliness of winter, I love nothing better than a warm bowl of soup to warm me up inside. Though   I enjoy a good Tomato Bisque, sometimes I need just a bit more substance to my soup so I feel as if I've had a meal and not a snack. My mom has always made Frontier Corn Chowder (that comes pre-packaged as pictured above) and when we saw it at a kitchen store (Relish) in Thomasville, we snagged a package to try it out for ourselves. For some reason I had it in my head that it would be slightly difficult to prepare, but it was so simple; you only have to purchase a few minor itemss, a meat (we chose chicken) being one of them, and you're set to go! This is all natural ingredients, easy peasy, and heartily scrumptious; perfect meal for those cool nights (and you'll have plenty of leftovers) and more than enough to satisfy your appetite. 

Have a blessed day!  

Sweet Grass Date

~Isn't that mason jar centerpiece with cotton and dried okra so neat?~

Though it's already Monday again, I can't help but be super excited for a short work week (that ends Wednesday at 1) so we can road trip to Savannah for some much anticipated family time, bonfires, relaxation and of course, delicious food! 

MAC and I ventured up to our new favorite date spot, Thomasville, on Saturday night to meet up with some sweet friends (they're newly engaged!) for dinner. We got there a tad early so we could browse the shops (yes, I know I was there Thursday browsing shops, but I'm telling you, these places are too darn cute and I could browse them daily if the opportunity arose). I, of course, found new trinkets to buy, one of wich was a "bookmark notepad" that thrilled my book lovin', nerdy heart to pieces! You can write notes on the bookmark, put when you started/finished the book, etc. etc. Too cool, huh (don't laugh at me)! After shopping, we still had some time to kill, so we decided to try out Sweet Grass Dairy for a glass of wine. Y'all this place is our new favorite date spot! From the beautiful robins egg blue wood ceiling, to the barrel style table, to the farm chic decor that included a mason jar centerpiece with cotton and dried okra, we were in hog heaven. If you know MAC and I, then you know we'd prefer to be in the country over the city any day, so a place that gives you an air of simple sophistication, while still embodying southern charm, is ideal in our eyes. The wine was great and MAC got a Christmas beer that had the cutest bottle ever (pictured below); we will definitely be back, especially to try out their famous cheeses.

The weekend concluded with a cookout and Taboo at a friends house last night. Great weekend and look forward to the coming week! Have a wonderful day y'all! 

~The crates in the top right corner are from Elberta!~

~Blurry, but MAC and I thought this chandelier was gorgeous~

~Nerd find of the weekend (coolest bookmark ever)

Birthday Festivities

Yesterday was a birthday success that I enjoyed every minute of! My mom treated me to lunch at one of my new favorite restaurants in Thomasville called Jonah's. We both ordered the special that consisted of a parmesan encrusted grouper sandwich and I got a side of their parmesan cheese grits; absolutely delicious! Once our bellies were pleasantly full, we got a coffee to keep warm (the weather was cloudy and chilly) as we browsed through the shops downtown (I snagged the cutest dress at a boutique called Mode that I'll share with you next week).

The evening was spent dining on some perfect filets (courtesy of Biddy, aka my dad) paired with  sauteed asparagus, and roasted white and sweet potatoes (thanks mom). Though I love me some sweets, for some reason I'm not too big on icing, so for my birthday I always request a coffee cake (my Mema used to always make it for us). It was divine, as usual, and after cake came the next best part, presents! My family spoiled me this year with a spa manicure from KK (youngest brother), a Michael Kors watch (I've been wanting this for a few years now) from my parents, and Hunter boots from MAC (another thing I've had my eye on). I did a few laps around the house amidst all the present opening excitement; I was a tad giddy that I had received all of my favorite things! 

Thank you everyone for my awesome birthday gifts and thanks to those of you that sent sweet cards and messages; they all made my day! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend; some type of exercise should probably be involved in the activities for the weekend to prepare for the mass intake of food next week!

26

Good morning and happy one week from Thanksgiving! I don't know about you, but I am ecstatic that this time next week I will be gobbling up some turkey, Mac n cheese, squash casserole, green bean casserole, sweet potatoe casserole (bring on the casseroles) and pecan pie! Coming from a gal who truly enjoys a good meal, I look forward to this holiday all year long! My family, MAC and I will be hitting the road next Wednesday and it can't get here soon enough!

But I'm getting ahead of myself (hold your horses girlfriend)! I need to slow down a bit and enjoy today because...it's my birthday! So far, it has got off to a great start; I have spent the morning curled up in my favorite blanket, warm coffee in hand, watching episodes of Nashville (ideal situation if you ask me, Im quite easy to please). Once again, I'm a little behind the times because this show has been on for over a month now, but I heard from friends that it's my kind of show and I found it On Demand this morning. People I am HOOKED! What's not to love about a show revolved around country music with some easy on the eyes characters; Gosh I just can't stand it. If you need to find me, I'll be holed up in my home glued to this show.

I'm off to spend the day with my mom eating lunch and browsing the streets of downtown Thomasville and then dinner with MAC and the rest of the fam. I sure am thankful for all the people in my life And plan on enjoying my day off to the fullest; hope you do too :)

P.S. I'm slightly in denial that I am 26 (where has the time gone) and on the downward slope to 30 (as MAC so kindly likes to remind me) but trying to not think about age and instead focus on enjoying another year of life as a newly married woman :)

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

A few weeks have passed by with no baking, so naturally I decided a little something chocolatey was needed to break the dry spell. I discovered a recipe for Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies that is wonderfully sweet, soft and gooey. If you, like myself, find it necessary to have a dessert on hand at all times, you must take the all of 15 minutes needed to whip up these mouth watering cookies.

Monogram Notecards

I have a slight obsession with anything monogrammed or personalized, so these notecards with my new married monogram are my cup of tea! I ordered them from a stationary company through work called Embossed Graphics and was thrilled to receive them a few days ago! Though I adore color, I chose a navy monogram with a simple white fold over card to keep the feel of it clean and classy. I so look forward to sending out my next thank you card or note! 

Shower

~My sweet Seester who gets married in less than 2 months~

I so enjoyed spending my Saturday at a shower for one of my best friends whose wedding is just around the corner. It was quite the fancy little shindig and I loved getting to visit with old friends, celebrate Sarah, and munch on delicious food (as difficult as it was to step away from the chocolate fountain, I eventually managed to muster up the strength to remove myself from the viccinity of the fountain and leave some chocolate for the other guests). Speaking of food, I brought a dish of Paula Deen's The Lady's Mac N' Cheese and despite my worrying that it wouldn't turn out (I had a minor setback when I realized I had prepared everything and put it in the oven to cook, only to come back 40 minutes later to find the oven off), people quite enjoyed it. It was a simple recipe, but true to Paula's cooking style, butter was involved and it makes everything taste better, no; this would be a goodThanksgiving...which is next week!

~I borrowed this OPI color from my mom this weekend and I'm loving this shade of Plum on my nails~

If you have today off, enjoy it and remember that we are free because of our veterans and military that continue to serve and protect this great country. I could never fully express the gratitude I feel towards these brave heroes.

Happiness

~Stunning sunrise off the coast of Mississippi~

Goodmorning and happy Friday to you! I wanted to share a few simple things that brought a bit of happiness to the start of my day.

I awoke this morning to the above picture from MAC who is currently in Biloxi, Mississippi at a national  King Fish tournament (he is living the dream folks). This gorgeous picture was captured from his iphone as all the boats were awaiting the signal to embark on their quest of finding the biggest King Fish in the Gulf. Now I may be partially bias because I am a fishing kind of gal (and I met my Mr on a fishing trip), but this scene seriously took my breath away and brought to mind how incredible our God is to create such a majesticly beautiful earth. How can you look at the serenity of the water and the array of color that just bursts from the sunrise and not believe that we have a creator?! What an awesome God we serve that He would bestow upon us such beauty in our everyday lives, giving us pure delight and allowing us to bare witness to just a tiny fraction of his glory.

~My mom packed me a lunch today and I just LOVE that I'm almost 26 and she still spoils and takes care of me like I'm 5...how cute is the burlap twine wrapped around my chili and the Lilly name tag on my Muddy Buddies?? I seriously have the BEST mom ever~ 

~Christmas ornaments have taken over our store and I literally want every single one we carry, but how adorable is this "Our First Christmas" ornament for MAC and I?! We personalize everything at Coton Colors, so this will look mighty precious with our name and 2012 on it (the cute box is an added bonus). If you're in the Tallahassee area, come visit me and take a look at all of our holiday cheer~

Fossil

~How fabulous is this Kate Peacoat??~

I decided that after all the heavy, political talk I have bombarded you with that I (and most likely you) needed a little pick me up; just something pretty to look at. By no means am I saying that I'll stop posting about relevant issues or things I am passionate in because I believe to push aside, forget and try hard to ignore reality, proceeding on with life as if nothing has happened, would be a true trajesty. The simple purpose of this blog is to discuss things I love, enjoy and find happiness in; sometimes that involves materialistic items and others it involves my faith and beliefs. Today I simply felt the urge to post a few items I recently saw in a Fossil catalog that I just adored, and to be quite honest, was surprised to find. Hope you enjoy!

~Kate coat in a warm, cozy cream~

~Obsessed with the color, style and overall look of these Zena Boots~

Burdened Heart

Due to my shamelessness in what I stand for and professing it so outright on this blog, it should come as no surprise that I am extremely disappointed in the outcome of last night's election and also slightly blindsided at the ignorance of half of our country. I woke up this morning feeling as if I had arisen from a horrific nightmare, and rather than being angry (like I presumed I would be), I found myself crying in angst over the disillusionment and blindness of our fellow Americans. My heart weighs heavy over the choices we have made as a country and also over the knowledge that this could be the beginning of a decline of the America that I have grown up with, the descent of freedom and prosperity. Through all this confusion and disappointment, I find myself looking to the only place where true comfort and hope can be found, and that is in Jesus Christ. I must cling to the fact that he promises the following things.

In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 56:11

I called on The Lord in distress; The Lord answered me...The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can mand do to me? Psalm 118:5-6

It is better to trust in The Lord than to put confidence in man. Psalm 118:8

Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes: For the Lord will be your confidence. Proverbs 3:25-26

Also, in the midst of struggling with anger, confusion and pure broken heartedness, I opened up my devotion and was met with comfort from my God.

" Worship Me in the beauty of holiness. All true beauty reflects some of who I am. I am working My ways in you: the divine Artist creating lovliness within your being. My main work is to clear out debris and clutter, making room for My Spirit to take full possession. Collaborate with Me in this effort BY BEING WILLING TO LET GO OF ANYTHING I CHOOSE TO TAKE AWAY. I KNOW WHAT YOU NEED, AND I HAVE PROMISED TO PROVIDE ALL OF THAT-ABUNDANTLY.

YOUR SENSE OF SECURITY MUST NOT REST IN YOUR POSSESSIONS OR IN THINGS GOING YOUR WAY. I AM TRAINING YOU TO DEPEND ON Me ALONE, FINDING FULFILLMENT IN MY PRESENCE. THIS ENTAILS BEING SATISFIED WITH MUCH OR WITH LITTLE, ACCEPTING EITHER AS MY WILL FOR THE MOMENT. INSTEAD OF GRASPING AND CONTROLLING, YOU ARE LEARNING TO RELEASE AND RECEIVE. CULTIVATE THIS RECEPTIVE STANCE BY TRUSTING ME IN EVERY SITUATION."

Wow, this left me speechless. It's amazing to me that this was my devotion the day after the election. He knew I needed that re-assurance that I am not called to put my trust in this corrupt, disappointing world, but in Him alone. I felt a challenge being thrown at me through those powerful words...are you going to trust Me in every situation, lean on Me when trials and tribulations come at you, depend on Me when everything you have ever known (and quite frankly taken for granted) may be stripped from you, and have a higher hope in things that are unseen?

My intent is not to scare or upset you, but rather to just voice my opinion in what I believe is a crisis that has now invaded our country. I hope you can find relief in the scripture and words of God I have written because that is the only true place for rest, strength and hope. Pray for our country!

America

~Bear is showing his patriotism on election day~

A variety of excitement and nerves are coursing through my body right now as election day is finally upon us. Since day one of Obama's presidency, I have been waiting to vote him out, knowing full well he wouldn't deliver anything he promised. I can still stand by that and add to it; I honestly believe he has precise intentions to see our great country decline and just be mediocre. I don't plan on letting him see his goals come to fruition with another term and I don't believe someone should have another chance to supposedly "move forward" when all we have done is go backwards (if the past 4 years were forward and the kind of "change" Obama wants, I don't care to see what another 4 would do to this nation). 

Let me ask you a question. Had you started a business and hired someone to manage your company, but all they did was run it into the ground, would you keep them around and say they deserved another chance or hire someone that had experience in managing a successful business? In the real world, if you don't perform the tasks you've been given in your job and you fail to enhance and build up the work place, you get fired. Obama needs to be held accountable for the last 4 years of economic decline, failed foreign policies, and never ending lies. 

I'll leave you with 5 facts that I believe you absolutely can't argue with and that you need to consider before voting!

1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity, by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.

2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.

3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not take first from somebody else.

4. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.

*5. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them;and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work, because somebody else is going to get what they work for, THAT IS THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF ANY NATION.*

God bless America and go vote!!!

Family Visit

~Highlight time~

This past weekend was just right. MAC and I got to visit with family, I got to see 3 of my favorite people in Savannah (it wasn't as long as I would have liked, but it made me so happy), my hair is finally trimmed and highlighted, and I received some early birthday presents along with a delicious meal, fitting for Thanksgiving! Hope you had a wonderful weekend and feel a bit more rested from that extra hour we got Saturday!

~Pretty bow and wrapping~

~My in-laws got me the Kate Spade bow bracelet...LOVE it~

~Mac N Cheese, Squash casserole, Pineapple Bread, Corn (freshly picked from the farmers near MAC's work), Lima Beans, Rice, and Chicken Fingers...finger licking, lip smacking, stomach hurting kind of good~

P.S. I am thankful I have power, gas, and a job to go to today.