new

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Quote: "Home is not where you live, but where they understand you." -Christian Morganstern


New Apartment

We finally did it! We found an apartment we like and put the deposit down! I can't wait to move to Buckhead in June. I only wish they had an earlier move-in date so we could move-in the beginning of May instead  -oh well!

I can't wait to get settled into our new place and begin decorating! It's scary moving away from home but I'm definately ready. Here's to being a legit adult now. For the first time I'm literally going to be completely on my own financially. No more free rent, utilities, and meals like I've had this past year at home. I've played the role of "freeloader" quite nicely for a year but it's time to cut the strings!

I'm super super excited and I can't wait to show everyone my new place! Cheers to new life adventures about to begin!

Smell ya later.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Yeehaw

Quote: "You might be a redneck if your dogs name is Miller Light" -Jeff Foxworthy (You Might Be A Redneck if...)


This weekend was a weekend jam packed full of boots, dirt, cut off tees & denim, beer, sun, and friends.

Katie, Taylor, and I saddled up in Taylor's truck (affectionately known as 'Baby Truck') and made the hour and 45 minute drive down to Auburn, Alabama for the Alpha Psi Rodeo. I went to this rodeo last year and had such a fun time so I knew I wanted to go back again. We were dressed like rednecks and ready for the long day of fun in the sun.

We got there at like noon and hung out and enjoyed the rodeo until 11pm -talk about a loooong day. It was such a fun day and I loved being able to spend time with Katie, Taylor, my brother, and all our other friends. I'm not going to say much about what went on all day -what happens at rodeo stays at rodeo... ha! But really it was all good clean fun (if you don't count all the dirt).

To top the whole day off Blake Shelton performed at the end and it was AWESOMMMMMME. I love him and I especially love his new song Honey Bee -it reminds me of someone special. It was so much fun to dance around in our boots and sing at the top of our lungs.

Below are a few classy pictures from the day...


Gotta love the cut offs and cowboy hat. Howdy Partner.


I can't believe he found overalls big enough for him. (sweet nip shot)


Katie and I rockin the cut off flannel shirts.


The whole gang listening to the Blake Shelton concert!


Favorite picture of the entire night. I really know how to surround myself with very special (ed) people.


Smell ya later.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

A very quick trip

Quote: "Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time." -J. Lubbock


A Very QUICK TRIP:

Yesterday afternoon I made the decision to go meet my parents and sister up at our lakehouse. They were up there because my sister is on Spring Break. ---Best decision I've made in awhile. I was hesitant to go because it's about an hour and 20 mins from my office and it was a Tuesday. I didn't know if it would be worth driving up to the lake for just one night and then rushing back to the office the next morning.

HOWEVER- it was wayyyyyy worth it. The lake is literally my favorite place to go. Once you drive up to our weird hunter green house all your stress and worries just go away. There is NOTHING to worry about when you are up there but just 'being'.

SO yesterday at 3:30 my main squeeze met me at my office and we headed up there. He's been wanting new boots so we stopped at the Western Outlet along the way. I'm happy to say after much searching he finally found his boots!!! He was a happy happy little country boy with his new boots.

Then we continued on and got to the lakehouse around 5:30pm with plenty of daylight left. We immediately changed into sweatpants, mismatched socks, oversized holey sweatshirts -the only proper attire when at the lakehouse. Then we trudged up the driveway to watch my dad chop down a HUGE HUGE tree with an ax. Dad and Taylor went to town on the tree and chopped and chopped and chopped. My sister and I just watched, cheered them on -and of course made fun of them a little! It took them a long time and you could tell they were exhausted. On top of that their hands got all torn up and bloody. Don't worry I bandaged them up with some neosporin and love!

After that we had a delicious dinner -steak, baked potaotes, green beans, corn on the cob, & salad. AND of course red wine.

Then we all drank some wine (minus abby) and watched the Women's National Championship game. It was a much better game than the Men's National Championship -that game was awful to watch.

By 11:30 we were all exhausted and went to bed. We got to sleep in until 7:45am which was AWESOME. (I never thought I'd say the words 'sleep in UNTIL 7:45am' but normally I've already driven an hour and am at work by 7:45am so this was a treat for me). Sometimes it sucks to be an adult!

Mom made us bacon, sausage, eggs, and pancakes (ew) for breakfast. We drank coffee, ate breakfast, showered and were on the road back to work by 8:45.

Although we weren't able to stay at the lake long it was definately worth the trip just for the night. I love the lake and I love spending time with family up there.

I'm sure now that the weather is nice and summer is around the corner I'll be making alot of little impromptu lake trips like this one!

Smell ya later.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Ugly Little Mutts

Quote: "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." -Josh Billings

Ugly Little Mutts

I by no means have "attractive" looking dogs. They could never be in any type of dog show. They probably would never be considered pretty. But I love them and think they are the cutest little dogs. My oldest dog Coe is a weird looking little freak though. I have no clue what she is and she sure is odd.

This weekend I picked them up from the groomers where we had them shaved down for the summer. They NEVER get shaved so it was sooooo funny when they finally came out from the back of the groomers. I died laughing. Here are some pictures of my ugly dogs made uglier by being shaved...

Specs before:


Specs after:


Specs doesn't look very different... she's lucky. When she got shaved the only thing that was very different was her spots became more prominent. She's definately the "looker" of both of our dogs.

Coe before:



Coe after: Are you ready for this... its hysterical!







Apparently her underneath coat is a completely different color. Normally she's all black but when she's shaved shes grey. The best part is the huge black skunk stripe down her entire back. She looks like a mixture between a skunk and a cat. Gosh she's pretty. Right after this picture she got mad about being at the groomers and what they did to her so of course she peed right on their floor. Nice- talk about embarrassing.

Besides getting the dogs from the groomers I had a pretty low-key weekend. Played tennis (lost -crap), got lunch with Allie, cooked out at John Mike's, and hung out with my main squeeze.


Not a bad little weekend! Hope you enjoyed the pictures of my ugly dogs as much as I did. I'm going to leave you with a few more dog pics...lucky you.

Smell ya later.


Sleeping Beauties...



















They were holding paws...






She fell asleep in this postition -awkward...





She can't handle the sun on the boat very well so she sits under the wheel and looks like Yoda...





Friday, April 1, 2011

Pumpkin and Shrimp Bisque

Quote: "I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food." -W.C. Fields


I love food. I love food. I love food. Sometimes I wish I didn't love food so much. Recently I've been trying to eat healthier. I already eat fairly healthy (not always on weekends) though so its not hard. Plus I really enjoy most healthy foods.

As soon as I move out into my own apartment I can't wait to start cooking. I love seafood and soup so this recipe sounds like something I would LOVE!!! Little Scrimpies are sooooo delicious to me. I'm definately going to have to try my hand at cooking this.

Any one else got any incredible recipes that I just HAVE to try making??



Pumpkin and Shrimp Bisque


Ingredients:

1 lb large shrimp (16-20)
Shrimp Stock -
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3/4 cup dry white wine
3 cups homemade or canned low sodium chicken stock (or broth)
pinch saffron threads (about 24)
2 ribs celery, coarsely chopped
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
4 fresh bay laurel leaves, torn
3 3-inch sprigs fresh sage

Soup -
2 cups canned pumpkin puree
1/2 cup heavy cream
2/3 teaspoon salt, less if using canned stock or broth
scant 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
freshly ground black pepper

Shrimp -
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh sage



Make the shrimp stock:

Peel and devein the shrimp, reserving the shells. Cover the shrimp and refrigerate. Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot over high heat until it begins to smoke. Add the sgrimp shells to the pan and cook, stirring constantly, until they turn deep orange and are just beginning to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. This step - pan roasting the shells - gives the stock much of its flavor, so take the time to do it carefully. The roasted shells should release a concentrated, toasty, shrimp aroma that will fill your kitchen. Add the wine to the pan, first turning off the gas flames to prevent the alcohol from igniting, then boil over the medium heat until all the liquid is evaporated. Add the chicken stock, saffron, celery, onion, bay leaves and sage. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Partially cover the pan and simmer gently for 30 minutes. Strain the stock through a fine sieve, pushing down on the solids with the back of a spoon to extract all the liquid. Rinse out the stockpot and pour the stock back into it.

Soup:

Whisk the pumpkin into the stock, one can at a time, until the desired consistency is reached. Whisk in the cream and cayenne. Bring the soup to a simmer, then cook very gently uncovered over low heat for 10 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice, taste and season with black pepper and more salt if needed. (The soup can be made up to this point up to 1 day ahead stored covered in the refrigerator. Keep the peeled shrimp in a resealable bag buried in a bowl of ice in the refrigerator.)

Finishing the Soup:

Pour the olive oil into a large sauté pan placed over medium heat. When hot, add the reserved shrimp and sage and cook, tossing often, until the shrimp is just cooked through, pink, and no longer translucent, but not curled into a circle, 2 to 3 minutes. They should still have a tender snap when you bite into them. Arrange the shrimp in warmed serving bowls or a tureen. Bring the soup back to a simmer and then ladle it over the shrimp. Serve right away.