Friday Five: Random happenings

On the phone last night, my dear friend Sarah asked when I was going to blog again.  Although it was a reminder that I'm way behind on blogging, it was encouraging to know that someone noticed my lack of blogging during the past month. :)  Thanks, Sarah!

1.  Tonight I'm trying a new recipe that I found via Pinterest - Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps  They are healthy and easy (two things I look for in new recipes), so I hope they taste as good as they look!

2.  Kevin and I really enjoy the TV show Shark Tank.  Have you ever seen it?  If not, you should watch it.  Friday nights at 8/7c on ABC.  It's fascinating, thought-provoking and entertaining, and it has nothing to do with actual sharks.  The show celebrates innovation and capitalism, and it inspires great conversation between us.

3.  We have a new dining room chandelier, and I absolutely love it!  Kevin and my Dad installed it last week, and I feel like it has transformed the room.  My Dad also painted while my parents were here visiting, and you can see a glimpse of the new wall color in the background of this pic.  Not a dramatic change, I know, but a BIG change for the better in my opinion.

4.  A couple of months ago, Kevin and I went to a nearby auction with a bunch of our friends.  We didn't plan to buy anything, but we thought it would be fun to experience.  Of course, we each found something that we have been wanting for a very long time so we splurged and bought both things.  Kevin's find - a gun of some kind, I'm sure he'd be happy to tell you all about it.  (It's his very first gun.)   My find - a Louis XV style chair!  I've always adored this type of chair, but I've never purchased one because they are pretty expensive.  However, I bought this one at the auction for just $70!  It definitely needs a facelift, so I can't wait to find fabric with a modern design that will give this stylish chair new life.

For comparison, here's a similar chair available at Ballard Designs for $549!!!!

5.  Have you heard of Flat Stanley?  I was vaguely familiar with the name before last week, but now I have had my own personal experience with him.  My cousin's precious daughter, Bekah, sent him to me as part of a class project, and I was delighted to show him around South Carolina!

Friday Five - 2.24.12

1. Have you heard of Ben Rector?  I do not know him, but my mom knows his mom because my older brother, Adam, and his older sister, Lauren, were in grade school together.  A couple of years ago, I watched his rendition of "Free Falling" and I was beyond impressed by his talent.  Recently, a friend shared another one of his YouTube videos on Facebook, and I thought it was so good that I have to share it with you.  From browsing his website, it's looks like he's becoming very successful and I think I might have to buy his album on iTunes.

2. Two of our friends, Clint & Kendra, visited us from North Carolina this past weekend, and we had such a great time with them.  They're reporting to a new duty station sometime this summer, and they don't know where that is yet, but we really hope they end up moving to our town! 

Kevin and I love having overnight houseguests, and one thing I like to make when we have company is coffee cake.  I make my late Grandma Dottie's recipe, and it never disappoints.  Here is the recipe.

INGREDIENTS:
1 plain yellow cake mix
1 small pkg. instant vanilla pudding
¾ c vegetable oil
¾ c cold water
4 eggs
1 t vanilla
½ c chopped pecans (divided in ¼ c parts)
¼ c sugar
2 T cinnamon

GLAZE INGREDIENTS:
1 c powdered sugar
1 T milk
½ t vanilla
½ T softened butter

DIRECTIONS:
1. Using electric mixer, combine cake mix, pudding, oil and water. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each. Add vanilla. Beat 8 minutes (important).
2. Meanwhile, combine ¼ c pecans, sugar and cinnamon.
3. Grease bundt pan. Sprinkle ¼ c pecans in bottom of pan. Pour in part of batter, then alternate the pecan mixture and cake batter, ending with batter, until all is used.
4. Bake at 350°, 40-50 min. Cool in pan 15-20 minutes then turn onto serving plate.
5. Combine glaze ingredients in small mixing bowl. Add more sugar or milk if needed.
6. After cake cools, drizzle glaze over cake.


3. Pandora app - I think I'm a couple of years late to the Pandora party, but I just started using the app and I really like it.  It's nice to listen to while showering, getting ready or cooking...so you might give it a try if you're not already using it.

4. So, Kristen Bell, the actress, is obsessed with sloths.  I don't know why, but this clip about her obsession is really funny.  You should watch.  Oh, and when I showed Kevin this video, he said I look a little bit like her when I cry!  Gee thanks, babe.

5. Because our friends were coming to visit last weekend, I bought some fresh flowers to put around the house.  Here's a pic of the hyacinth I bought; I just couldn't resist the sweet smell.  For just $5.99, it's a beautiful, fragrant and affordable addition to our home!

Friday Five - 1.20.12

1.  I received a very special birthday wish from South Carolina while we were in Oklahoma, and it came from this precious cutie-pie. :)  Thanks to his momma at The Newman Network for sending this sweet photo!

2. My heart melted again that day when I received this video from one of my favorite toddlers.  It's the sweetest version of "Happy Birthday" I've ever heard! :)  Thanks for sending it to me, Kee!

3.  While we were in Tulsa, Kevin and his mom found his high school letter jacket!  Check him out. :)

4.  Last weekend we went bowling for a friend's birthday, and Kevin scored a 246!  He knocked down all but like 3 pins during the game...which is CRAZY to me since he doesn't play that often.  I guess he and his buddies played quite a few times during the deployment but apparently he never did this well.

1. I had nothing to do with the nicknames.  2.  No, I will not identify my score.

5.  This is our first "winter" (if you can even call it that when it's 66 degrees outside) in our new home, so I am just now discovering that our two shrubs produce beautiful blooms this time of year!  Thanks to Al, who knows way more than I do about gardening, I've learned that they are most likely Camellia shrubs.  (Our builder planted them.)  Here's a completely unedited photo to show you how gorgeous and vibrant the color is.  This shrub is covered with blooms right now, and I am loving it! 

The big 3-0

I didn't blog last weekend because I was busy turning THIRTY years old!!!  Instead of a Friday Five this week, I thought I'd share some party pics.

My sweet husband and wonderful parents threw a fabulous birthday bash for me last Friday night, and I so appreciate all of our friends and family who came over to celebrate (especially the ones who came from out of town!!).  I am an extremely blessed 30 year old.  Unfortunately, I don't have photos of everyone who came, but here are some photos from the party. 

Susan & Laura

Gorgeous flowers from Susan!

Vern & Belinda

Rick & Toy

Laura's baby Ava, Kimmy & Caleb

Mom

Gina, Laura's baby Ava & Laura

Thank you family and friends for making me feel so loved!

Friday Five - 12.2.11

1.  Holiday Mail for Heroes - As a military wife, I can't help but think about the men and women who are currently serving overseas and the fact that they will be away from their families on Christmas day.  If you'd like to send a card to a servicemember, please visit the American Red Cross blog to get the address and other information you will need.  If you'd like to create a card online for $1.00, you can do so through this website and it will be printed and mailed for you.  Cards must be postmarked by December 9th.

2.  Sophia Grace and Rosie - After watching these adorable little girls (ages 8 and 5) appear on the Ellen show a second and third time, I've decided that Sophia Grace reminds me of Russell Brand!  Watch their second hilarious appearance on Ellen here.  I know it sounds bizarre that an 8 year old girl could remind me of a 36 year old man, but she really does!  Their British accents are very similar, both have bold personalities and both are laugh out loud funny!  So, you can imagine how ironic it was to see Russell Brand discussing Sophia Grace and Rosie on the Ellen show the other day!  Click here to see him talking about and imitating Sophia Grace on Ellen.  In the same segment, Ellen said she wants to have Sophia Grace and Russell Brand appear on her show together, and I cannot wait to see that!  Click here to see the girls sing along to their favorite Nicki Minaj song and click here to see the girls interview stars on the red carpet at the American Music Awards.  These videos are sure to make you smile!

3.  Union High School (our alma mater) won the Oklahoma 6A Football State Championship for the 4th year in a row last night!  Way to go, Redskins!!!

4.  I just love spending time with my friends' sweet kiddos, and I got to see some of them recently!

5.   BEDLAM - OU plays OSU Saturday night!  This is always a big game for both teams, but this year's game is huge because both teams are ranked in the top ten in the BCS.  It starts at 8:00/7:00c on ABC!

BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sweet Jen & Adorable Athan visit!

This post is several months overdue, but I want to publicly thank my dear friend, Jen, for visiting me in South Carolina while Kevin was deployed.  Flying is not her favorite thing to do, yet she did it anyway with her sweet one year old in tow...all because she cares for me.  I'm so blessed to call her one of my closest friends!  Here are a few snapshots of our weekend together.

Cutest turtle ever!

Jen, I truly appreciate your love and support!  Visits from my family and friends were just what I needed to get through this first deployment, and those who made the effort to come hold a very special place in my heart!

Two Fabulous Friends

Kimmy and Amanda came all the way from Oklahoma and Texas to visit at the end of April/beginning of May!  We had a whirlwind couple of days together seeing downtown Savannah, relaxing at a beach on Hilton Head Island, shopping the outlets and of course, chatting nonstop about life, love, and everything else along the way.  We have been close friends for so many years (about 16 years now!), and I have to say that the comfort found in old friends is such a rich blessing. 

I did not carry my big ol' camera around while we explored, but thankfully Amanda brought her camera so we have some photos to remember this fun girls' weekend.  K & A, thank you again for taking the time and making the effort to come here!  It was such a treat to have you in our home.

(Note: You can click on each photo to see a larger version of the photo.)

One of my favorite pics - I love these girls and those trees are so beautiful!

Kimmy's impromptu commercial shoot at B&D Burgers during lunch - this was right up her alley!  I'm still waiting to see the finished product on FB or TV.

Had to take a photo in this square. :)

Paula Deen's The Lady and Sons Restaurant

Kimmy and I making pretty difficult decisions. ;)

Had to take a pic in this unusual tree on our way to Coligny Beach.

The beach is just the perfect place to relax.

Home SWEET Home

After spending three glorious weeks in Texas and Oklahoma, Kevin and I are happy to be home. We absolutely love being back in Oklahoma or anywhere near it because it feels like home, but now that we are married...there's no better place than being together in our own home.

While Kevin was training in Ft. Worth, I made the rounds to see dear friends and family. My first stop was Dallas to celebrate the 30th birthday of my dear friend, Susan! She also let me stay in the guest room of her amazingly gorgeous high rise apartment, The Glass House. Yes, her place is as cool as it sounds! Susan, you are an amazing decorator with a beautiful sense of style. While I was in town, I saw Amanda & Simon, Ashlee, Allie, Jojo & Jason (+ Jackson) and a bunch of other college friends! I just love catching up with old friends face to face. :) As an added bonus, Kevin and I got to see each other more than I expected, and we got to hang out with some of his awesome college friends and their sweet families. To the Jones, Edmonds and Fatheree families, we had a fantastic time seeing all of you (and I'm so sad that I didn't have my camera when we hung out)! It was such a treat to see everyone and a lovely reminder that we are blessed with incredible friends. Stay tuned for more posts about our time in Texas and Oklahoma.

Happy Birthday, Susan!

Handsome baby Jackson

Theta Love!

My attempt to be a photographer...

Last week, I had the pleasure of taking family photos for my sweet and beautiful friend, Nicole. In case you're wondering...I have absolutely ZERO experience doing anything like this, and I have only had my DSLR camera for three short months. So, PLEASE lower your expectations before you scroll down. (Thank you!) On the other hand, I really enjoy taking photos with my new camera and I just love this family to pieces...so I had to say yes when Nicole asked me for this little favor. Before the big day, I spent quite a bit of time scoping out potential locations and even more time researching photography tips online. Kevin was also a huge help in this effort because he willingly 'posed' in front of different backdrops for me so I could see what my practice photos would look like w/ a human in them. :)

I went into the photoshoot incredibly nervous and came out of it just as nervous about the results because it was one of the hardest things I've ever done! I knew that it was going to be difficult because photography is truly an art form and I am such a beginner, but I didn't realize how brief the moments would be when I had everyone's attention and happy faces! Fortunately for me, this family looks cute all the time no matter what they're doing...so I managed to capture some great shots while learning a LOT about photography. I would love to be great at this craft someday but I need much more practice if that is ever going to happen. Thank you, Nicole & Adam, for letting me take your family photos! I miss you guys already, and it still hasn't sunk in that you're living in Japan for the next three years. :(

Here are some of my favorites from the 500 or so I took.