Harry Potter

Have YOU been to Hogwarts?  I can officially say that I have been to Harry Potter's Hogwarts, walked the streets of Hogsmeade, have flown on a broomstick, and have challenged a dragon all in the same day!!

Michael and I traveled to Universal Orlando and visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  I must say, of all amusement parks we've visited, this was by far the coolest I've ever seen.  We had to arrive at the park at 7am to see it, but it was well worth getting up early. 

When you enter the gates, it seriously feels like you have jumped the pond to England.  The snow covered roofs of Hogsmeade add to the illusion of another time and place. 

Turn the corner, and rising above you is Hogwarts.  It is truly a magnificent building.  The park developers did an amazing job recreating the castle.  It towers over you and is really as big as it looks in the picture.

After some time of ohhing and ahhing, we made our way to around the castle to board the ride we got up at 5:45am for.....Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.  The line was pretty long but very fast moving.  Once inside the castle, you encounter several surprises.  I don't want to give details but all were pretty cool.  The creators wanted to make you feel like you were in the movie and it is obvious that lots of thought was put into it.  As for the ride, it was THE.BEST.RIDE.EVER!  Technology is a beautiful thing sometimes!!  Again, I don't want to give anything away but you will seriously want to purchase your very own broomstick!

After exiting Hogwarts, we headed to the Dueling Dragon coaster.  Here again, line was a little long but fast moving.  (Michael informed me that this ride was here prior to Harry Potter but they changed it to go along with the theme).  This is a roller coaster ride that you sit down and let you feet dangle.  Somehow I managed to get the end seat and thought for sure I was going to be slung right out of my seat but managed to hang on.  It was a really great ride as well.  I'm pretty sure I screamed the entire time!

A few pictures, pumpkin juice and a churro later, we were ready to head out and venture on.  I did swing by the ladies restroom and Myrtle, the ghost, was there to greet me.  Nothing was overlooked when creating this area of the park.  The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was pretty awesome!! Although we didn't get a chance to try Butterbeer (although I'm thinking we might go back tomorrow so I can) or purchase a magic wand, I did manage to get a chocolate frog as a memento.  All in all, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is fantastic!!

Snowy White Christmas

 Each year Michael & I have taken turns spending Christmas either here with family or away with family.  This year happen to be the "away with family" year so we headed out of town a couple of days before Christmas.  The entire week before we left, Michael had been patrolling the weather channel daily giving me updates on snow, rain, etc.  It seemed that they were calling for a white Christmas.  As much as I would like to believe the weather man, most times, he is wrong.  Fortunately, this time the weather man was right.  On Christmas day, around 4pm in the afternoon, we started getting snow showers.  BIG, fat, snowflakes were falling and by the next morning we had around 4+ inches. 

Michael & me - December 26, 2010

This picture makes me feel like I don't live in the South.... 
Its soo snowy! :)

More Snow....  I love how it covers and makes everything pretty.

It was probably one of the prettiest snows I've seen in a while.  BUT, other than snow, Michael and I had a great Christmas.  We spent time with all of our family and friends and even managed to squeeze in a vacation.  I hope that everyone had an amazing Christmas too!

Etsy

I love, love, love Etsy.com.  Several of my Christmas gifts came from this site.  You can find almost anything on the site from jewerly to clothing to furniture to candles.  Lots of hand-made items too.

I stumbled across the site because a friend of mine posted that she had some items for sale.  I had never really heard of Etsy at that time.  Since then I usually try to go there before going out to buy a gift.  Here are a couple of things that I really like:

1.  Dove Necklace:  I think this is just the sweetest little necklace.  I remember seeing some earrings that matched too. 
2. Sorority Blanket:  I have TONS of t-shirts from my college sorority days.  I don't wear them anymore but don't really want to get rid of them either.  This is a great way to keep the shirts and put them to good use. 
3. Personalized Stationery: I still love hand-written notes.  They remind me soo much of my Grandma.  She and I used to exchange letters and every time I pick up a pen and notecard, I think of her.
4. Chair: I love unique chairs.  I think they bring character to a room.  This one would be really pretty in a guest bedroom.
5. Painting:  I love all the texture in this.  After clicking through all the others paintings this artist has done, I like pretty much everything she has to offer.
6. EVERYTHING ELSE!  You just need to go check out the site.  They literally have anything and everything you could possibly want.

Happy shopping!

Have your cake and eat it too!!

Friday I pulled the top layer of our wedding cake out of the freezer and put it in the frig to begin thawing.  We went out of town for the weekend and wanted to wait until our actual anniversary date, Sunday, 12/12, to eat it.  So, before we began cooking, I put it on the counter to finish thawing and began
to wonder why it is that couples save their cake in the first place.  I did a couple of google searches and this is what I found.  Hudson Valley Weddings states that:

The tradition has its roots in the late 19th century when grand cakes were baked for christenings. It was assumed that the christening would occur soon after the wedding ceremony, so the two ceremonies were often linked, as were the cakes. With wedding cakes becoming more and more fancy and elaborate, the christening cake quickly took a back seat to the wedding cake. When three-tiered cakes became popular, the top tier was often left over. A subsequent christening provided a perfect opportunity to finish the cake. Couples could then logically rationalize the need for three tiers --- the bottom tier for the reception, the middle tier for distributing and the top for the christening. As the time between the weddings and the christenings widened, the two events became disassociated, and the reason for saving the top tier changed.

Apparently in our case, the events are disassociated....no babies yet.  Interesting little tid bit though none the same. 

So anyways, back to the cake.  I know a couple of friends of mine who said their cake wasn't good on their anniversary so I was a bit skeptical about ours. It was SOOO good on our wedding day so I couldn't imagine it not being now. 

This is our wedding topper...a snowflake. 
I thought I had saved it but don't really know where it is now...  sigh.

Our pretty (& yummy) wedding cake!!

After we finished dinner and I began to carefully unwrap it.  Layer by layer, I peeled away the tin foil and plastic wrap to reveal the corner section of our top layer.  (You cannot tell from the picture above but the layers of our cake were huge.  The top layer was just too big to keep the whole thing so just a corner piece was kept). 

The smell of the buttercream icing was just as I remembered it.  Michael poured us both a glass of cold milk as I sliced the cake in half.  We both said a few words about why we were glad we were together and downed the cake!  Let me just tell you, it was as fresh as the day it was made!!  Here is to hoping our marriage will remain fresh like our cake throughout the years and that no matter what we will always be able to have our cake and eat it too!! 



Happy 1st Anniversary!!

I cannot believe its been a year since Michael and I said our vows in front of close friends and family.  We didn't have a giant wedding but instead had an amazing wedding (except for the punch...but I digress).  I have been very fortunate to find someone who loves me with all he has and I return that as well.  We are best friends and I couldn't imagine my life without him.  He makes me a better person and encourages me in every aspect of life.  He is the calm in my storm.....truly. 

I love you Michael and look forward to our future, our family (one day) and all that lies ahead.  Happy Anniversary Dear!!

I ran out of punch!!

My 1 year wedding anniversary is fast approaching.  I will be posting something much more appropriate to celebrate the day on Sunday but today I want to focus on the punch.  At my wedding reception, I RAN OUT OF PUNCH!!!  I suppose of all the things that coulda, woulda, shoulda happened, running out of punch isn't that bad.  BUT, if you know me and know what a planner I am, running out of punch is a tragedy! 

I have been bothered by the whole punch thing for the past year.  Wondering if people talked about the punch, did they like the punch, why I didn't think we needed to buy more to have more punch, etc.  So, in my quest to make myself feel better, I ventured out to the world wide web to see what other mishaps have happened to other brides.  Here is what I found:

1.  If you think Round is Funny
2.  Planning Forever
3.  Let go, Laughing

After reading these, running out of punch isn't all that bad after all!  Besides, according to my niece we ran out of punch because my nephew drank it all before the wedding.  Well.....at least someone got to enjoy it!!  :)

My empty punch bowl....Even the photographer got a shot of it. 

My Christmas & Everyday Wish List

When I was young, I had no problems deciding what I wanted Santa to leave under my tree.  The older I get, the harder it seems to figure out that special something I need or want that I haven't already purchased for myself.  Since Santa will be coming soon though, I compiled my "wish" list, both Christmas and everyday, and here is it:

#1 Kitchen Aid Mixer.  As you can tell from some of my posts, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to cook.  I wish that I would have known earlier in life and I might have made the decision to go to culinary school.  In any case, every great cook needs a great mixer.  I can just imagine all the great things I'll make using it and all those who will benefit from my creations!!
 

#2 on my list is Ralph Lauren Blue perfume.  I generally switch between Ralph Lauren Romance and this one.  Currently, I am out of Ralph Lauren Blue so there is no better time to ask for it.  Especially since at Christmas they always have the really nice gift sets with lotions or something extra.....and who doesn't like something extra?

#3 is JEWELRY!!  What woman doesn't like sparkly, shiny JEWELRY?!?  I have a few pieces that I want.  (a)  For starters, I'd like some diamond studs.  Diamond studs are just classic.  You can wear them with anything, to anything and keep them forever.  They never go out of style. 

(b)  A sapphire solitaire necklace.  I love sapphires.....LOVE them.  They are beautiful and also happen to be my husband's birthstone. 

(c)  Any other pieces of jewelry would be good too.  I'm not picky.  I like simple and sophisticated. 

#4 Treadmill.  I started dieting back in June and lost some weight.  I was walking and had even started to run until we moved.  After the move, I didn't like my route as much as my old one.  Besides that, its getting cold and I'm not sure I'm motivated enough to bundle up and exercise.  The treadmill isn't exactly a "wish" list gift as it is just a reminder to myself to get back to exercising.  

 #5 Gift cards to Belks, Bed Bath & Beyond and Merle Norman.  Belks to finish out my china, Bed Bath & Beyond because I LOVE that store and Merle Norman because my make-up is expensive but I really like it better than anything I've ever tried. 

#6  iPad.  I have an iPhone and have always thought how much better it would be if it were only larger.  Welcome iPad.  I think this is something both my husband would enjoy and hopefully it will be a gift one day.  (Wish list item....not so much Christmas).

#7 My husband to stop smoking.  Michael has been smoke free for a couple of days and I am soo very proud of him.  He has been smoking for 13 years and its time to quit.  I am being very supportive and hope that he keeps up the good work.

Hopefully my chimney will be large enough for Santa to stuff one of these down and leave under my tree.  Keep your fingers crossed!  What sorts of things are on your wish list?

 



Save Lids to Save Lives

I eat yogurt pretty much everyday for breakfast.  I used to buy whatever was on sale but now make a point to buy Yoplait Light with the pink lids.  Why the pink lids you say?  Because "for every pink lid sent in by December 31, 2010, Yoplait will donate $0.10 to the Susan G. Komen for the cure".   Although breast cancer hasn't affected me or anyone in my family, I think its a pretty good foundation to support.  If you are interested in more information, click here to visit Yoplait's website dedicated to "Save Lids to Save Lives". 

Strawberry!!  :)

As you can see, I eat A LOT of yogurt!!

Peanut Butter Fudge

Although I don't remember it, when I was younger, my Mema would make fudge for all of the grandchildren when we watched the Wizard of Oz.  I've watched it twice in the past few days and decided to make a batch of fudge in honor of her.  I had never made fudge before so this was all new to me.  I was somehow thinking the oven was involved but I was wrong.  Fudge is all about melting sugar, butter and milk and adding all the right ingredients at the right time. 

I found out from my aunt Cynde that Mema used the recipe on the back of the Kraft Marshmellow Fluff jar.  I used this recipe but modified it some since I didn't read the ingredients completely and didn't have enough chocolate.  I added probably 3 heaping tablespoons (maybe more....I love peanut butter) to my batch and once everything was mixed well, I poured it into a pan and waited for it to set.  And waited.  And waited.  And waited.  Apparently, too much peanut butter isn't always a good thing!  Seems my peanut butter obsession made my fudge a little gooey.  No worries though.  I just popped the pan in the fridge and by morning they were set and ready for eating.  For my first try, I think they taste really good.  I just have to figure out how to balance the peanut butter so they won't be too gooey. 

Ready for Santa!

Instead of napping after our Thanksgiving dinner, Michael and I decided to venture out in search of the perfect Christmas tree.  Its been years since either of us have had a live tree and we were both really excited about getting one.  We decided that we wanted a Fraser Fir and after wandering around and looking at different trees, we found one.  $80 bucks later and a Griswold ride home (yes, the tree was roped to the roof of the Honda Accord), we unloaded our tree and started the decorating process!!

Before

I've decided we really need window treatments after seeing this photo.

After

See that angel on top?  It was my Grandma's. 

Please excuse the tree skirt not being centered.

This is our first "married" tree so we put a lot of thought into it.  We both had ornaments that were special to us that we wanted to use.  Michael is very much a traditionalist so we went with red, green, silver and white as far as colors and filler decorations.  We didn't buy too much because we want to add to it each year.  At first, I was dead set on a more modern tree (lime green and red) but eventually was swayed to see it Michael's way.  I'm really glad I listened too!  I think all in all, it turned out well.  

A couple of weeks ago Michael and I went to Hobby Lobby after dinner to look around and see if we were even going to have the same taste in Christmas decorations.  While we were there, I spotted these super cute Christmas trees for my mantle.  Michael turned his nose up at them but I had a plan!  I went back without him, bought 2 of them, and kept them in the trunk until it was time to do the mantle.  When I started decorating, I made him stay out of the living room until I was finished.  Of course, after I called him in and he saw it all put together, he really liked them.  I'm not a very good decorator but I think it turned out pretty well! 

See the trees?  Aren't they cute?

I'd say we are ready for Santa!  What do you think? 

Merry Christmas y'all!!

Our Christmas Card

We love our dog soo much that we decided to put him on our Christmas card this year.  One day, the picture of the dog will be replaced with a picture of our children!  Until then, please enjoy our dog, Tully, aka Santa Paws!!

Holly Frame Christmas 5x7 folded card

Shop Shutterfly for elegant custom Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!  Its hard to believe another one is upon us already!  Today we eat and tomorrow we shop!!  Its going to be a busy, long weekend!!

This Thanksgiving happens to be my very first married one.  My husband, Michael, and I were married in December of last year so this Thanksgiving is a little more special.  We plan to go to Michael's sister's house for lunch.  My assigned foods were a meat (I am cooking a ham), collard greens, deviled eggs and a dessert.  I made the dessert last night.  It's not a real heavy dessert so you can eat more than one helping! (Thanks again to my co-worker for the recipe).

Doesn't this look yummy?

And who can resist Butterfingers as a topping??

It is really soo simple to make.  The ingredients are brownies, chocolate pudding, 5 Butterfingers and a small container of cool whip.  I haven't named it but I guess Butterfinger Brownie dessert works.  Here is what you do:

• Make the brownies according to the "cake like" instructions.  Let them cool.  Any kind of brownie mix will work.  I usually buy what is on sale at the Pig.
• While brownies are cooling, make the pudding.  Buy 1 large instant chocolate pudding and make according to the box.  Set aside. 
• Crush up 5 regular sized Butterfinger bars.  Set aside.
• Once brownies are cooled, crumble them up and put half of them on the bottom as your first layer.  Next pour half the crushed Butterfingers on top.  Then, pour half of your chocolate pudding.  Finally, put half the container of cool whip on top of the pudding. 
• Now, repeat all layers and voila, the dessert is complete!  I usually try to save a little Butterfinger to put on top for presentation.  To me, taste is only half of what makes something taste great.  It has got to look good too!

Speaking of presentation, I bought a really pretty serving piece for the ham.  Once the ham cooks (its been on all morning), I'm hoping to transfer it to this. 

It is part of my "everyday" pattern and since it was on sale at Belks, I snatched it up.  Its really pretty versatile too.  It can go from the freezer to the oven (so the instructions say).  Remember, half of how something tastes is presentation so this should make my ham taste great!!

Since Thanksgiving isn't just about food, I would like to reflect on what I am thankful for.  I am thankful for a wonderful and caring husband.  Michael is my best friend and I am soo very happy for everyday I spend with him.  He is truly a blessing.  I am thankful for my family.  Even though we don't always see each other as often as we should, I am blessed to have them all.  Besides, what family is without its imperfections anyways?  I am thankful for my friends who help me stay grounded and are always just a phone call away.  I am very grateful to friends who love me as much as I love them.  I am thankful for my job.  I know in these times, everyone is not as fortunate as myself to have a job....much less one they love.  I love my job, my co-workers and am happy to go to work everyday (well....except for the holidays).  Finally, I am thankful for freedom.  I am thankful that I live in a country where I can start and write my own blog without the threat of being persucuted.  I am thankful for the men and women who put their lives on the line so I can enjoy my freedoms at home. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!!