• Butter Cake Bars
    Dessert

    Butter Cake Bars

    October 5, 2018 - By 

    Recently we celebrated my Father-in-law’s birthday and I wanted to make a cake, but wanted something other than your typical chocolate cake. I hunted around my recipes and found a recipe for butter cake. I had all the ingredients and it didn’t seem complicated so I gave it a shot. With a couple tweaks it was one of the best desserts I’ve ever made. Servings: 15-18 depending on size Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 30 minutes Ingredients: 2 cups flour 1 cup sugar 1 tbs. baking powder 1 tsp. salt 1/2 softened cup butter 3 eggs 8 oz. softened…

  • Afternoon in Washington, DC
    Travel

    Afternoon in Washington, DC

    October 2, 2018 - By 

    Here’s another post from our trip to DC. After having lunch with Rob and some folks from the conference back at the Gaylord, I made my way over to the metro station. I decided on using the Anacostia, because it was going to be cheaper and faster than the one closest to National Harbor. However, what I wasn’t aware of was that parking is not where the actual station is that shows up on the map. So after nervously figuring out that situation with some help from the Metro employees, I made my way on to the correct train and…

  • Morning in Old Town Alexandria, VA
    Travel

    Morning in Old Town Alexandria, VA

    September 27, 2018 - By 

    Today I’m continuing my posts from our DC Trip. Rob’s first full day at the conference, I decided to do something that wasn’t on my list of must does so that I could get back to the hotel for lunch (since it was included in the guest fee that we paid.) I drove over to Old Town Alexandria, VA. I didn’t have anything specific I wanted to see or do, but you know I just enjoy driving to a place, walking around, taking pictures, and exploring. I’ve always heard that Old Town Alexandria is such a lovely place so I…

  • October Scripture-A-Week
    Life

    October Scripture-A-Week

    September 25, 2018 - By 

    I just realized this didn’t get posted on the 15th like its supposed to. September is probably my craziest month of the year and this year is worse. I take team and individual photos for the local travel soccer league and that eats up all my free time in August and September. I’m currently dealing with an issue with one of the companies that prints the Memory Mates. It’s always one thing after another! I’ve also had a lot going on with my job, which I’ll might share with you later. So with just these things, my stress meter is…

  • Summer Wrap Up 2018
    Life

    2018 Summer Wrap Up

    September 22, 2018 - By 

    Jeez, now that September’s almost over, I thought I’d better do my summer wrap up. Before you know it, it will be Christmas. Sheesh! So for us in Alabama, school gets out in late May so that’s where our fun will begin. –MAY– Memorial Day Weekend my 2 nieces stayed with us while their parents traveled to NYC. On that Saturday was their Recital Day! On Sunday, we went over to Lake Martin. We hiked at Smith Mountain and then enjoyed some lake time with our friends. The boys rescued a turtle. Back in March, Drew got in a wreck,…

  • Travel

    Fun Day in National Harbor, MD

    August 28, 2018 - By 

    It’s been awhile since I’ve talked about our Boston to Washington Trip. Here’s the last post in case you missed it: Philly to Maryland So Day 4, we woke up in our hotel that we stayed in for the next several days, the National Harbor Gaylord Hotel, which is where Rob’s work conference was being held. He had a meeting that morning and since I didn’t think I’d have enough time to go out and come back and meet him for lunch. I made the decision to just walk around the Gaylord and relax. Inside the atrium area of the…

  • Life

    September Scripture-A-Week

    August 15, 2018 - By 

    Hey ya’ll! Hope everyone is having a great week! Here’s your September scripture a week sheet. These can be used to memorize, to post around the house as reminders of God’s love, etc! The follow words resonated with me. I hope they touch your heart like they did mine. Happy Fall, Y’all! Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” ~Hebrews 13:5 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. ~Psalm…

  • Travel

    Long Weekend in Louisiana

    August 14, 2018 - By 

    Rob’s sister, Shawna, from Nevada was in Baton Rouge recently and since we haven’t seen her in 14 years, we knew we had to go for a visit. Our new favorite place to stop on the way to Baton Rouge is The Boiling Pot. Drew and I got the Shrimp & Grits. I had Gumbo and Broccoli Cheese rice as my sides. Rob and Alex got the Shrimp Po’Boys. Anyway, so when we go to Baton Rouge, we usually stay with Rob’s cousin’s house; the Lindsey’s. Their 2nd oldest son, Cameron, is about the same age as Alex so they…

  • Vacationing in the Mountains of North Carolina
    Travel

    Vacationing in the North Carolina Mountains

    August 10, 2018 - By 

    Mountains, waterfalls, and serene views were calling our names for 4th of July this year. You may recall that we had an annual 4th of July mountain trip tradition going for a while (2010 2011 2012 2013), but we have done other things the last few years. Saturday We got up early Saturday morning, hit D Square donuts on our way out of town for a little sugar, and then got on the road. Our first planned stop was Tallulah Gorge, but we saw signs for great views at the Tallulah Point Overlook, which is basically a tourist trap. They…

  • Chicken Pot Pie
    Chicken - Dinner - Recipes

    Chicken Pot Pie

    August 7, 2018 - By 

    School starts tomorrow, so again on my the hunt for some easy, make ahead comfort foods. Frozen Chicken Pot Pie was one of my favorites growing up. Around my house, I try to avoid frozen meals especially for dinner. These chicken pot pies with ready made pie crust in ramekins are easy to whip together the ahead of time. Servings: 6 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 15 minutes Ingredients: 5 cups of shredded chicken (about 3 chicken breasts) 4 sliced of bacon 2 9” pie crusts 12 oz. mixed frozen vegetables (corn, peas, carrots, green beans) 26 oz. can…

  • Currently - August
    Life

    Currently – August 2018

    August 1, 2018 - By 

    Here’s the currently post for August. Follow along with Anne for the Currently link up each month. /following/ Here are 2 of my favorite instagrammers that I just love, who inspire me. A post shared by Susan (@susan.grimes) on Jul 17, 2018 at 7:08am PDT A post shared by Melissa Gibson Photography (@melissagibsonphotography) on Jun 2, 2018 at 8:45am PDT /ordering/ With school around the corner…All my money is going to towards, school stuff. Supplies, marching band shoes, instrument lyres, school lunches… /pinning/ I’m always pinning tons of randomness, but as of late I’ve pinned some super cute fall outfits…

  • Hiking Smith Mountain - Jacksons' Gap, AL
    Travel

    Smith Mountain – Jacksons’ Gap, AL

    July 24, 2018 - By 

    Sunday before Memorial Day we went over to Lake Martin (Dadeville, AL). Our usual tradition of camping at the lake with our friends got derailed mainly due to weather. However, Sunday turned out to be a hot sunny day. It’s crazy that as many times as we’ve been to Lake Martin, we had actually never been to Smith Mountain. There’s a .8 mile loop from a parking lot to the fire tower and back. Once you get up to the tower there are some beautiful views even if you don’t go up the tower. After hiking back down, we stopped…

  • Alabama Bucket List
    Travel

    Alabama Bucket List

    July 20, 2018 - By 

    Many travel lovers are always looking where to go next. So often we don’t stop and think about traveling our own state. Each state is unique and has good stuff to offer. I know my state of Alabama is rich in history and technology; from the Edmund Pettus Bridge to the US Space and Rocket Center. It also not lacking in beautiful landscapes from falls to state parks. I’ve gathered up a list of 50+ things (hopefully I didn’t duplicate any of them.) What are your must do’s in Alabama? Did I leave anything off? Nocculula Falls Fort Gaines Monte…

  • Life

    August Scripture-A-Week

    July 17, 2018 - By 

    Here’s the next Scripture a week post for the coming month of August. I know for August much of the south will be returning to school. Teachers, administrators, janitors, bus drivers, and students gear up for another school year. While most parents are glad to have their kids back to a more structured schedule, many parents are reluctant to have to get back into all that comes with school and the after work activities that happen during the school year. With all that being said, I’ve gathered some more verses for us to pray over and possibly memorize during the…

  • French Onion Sliders
    Lunch - Recipes

    French Onion Sliders

    July 13, 2018 - By 

    I think summer is a great time to try new recipes. For us there’s less evening activities and that means I can come home and not have to run here and there before settling in to cook dinner. These French Onion Sliders are so amazing. I’ve seen several other bloggers do similar recipes, so it has been on my recipe bucket list. What I love about these sliders is that you can just use good ole hamburger meat. You don’t have to have the more expensive beef cuts which is great for the wallet. The beefy flavored butter topping that…

  • Life

    {Recap} Spring Bucket List 2018

    July 5, 2018 - By 

    Here’s my list of things that I wanted to accomplish before Spring was over. Take pictures of Cherry Blossoms Yes, here’s a close up of one that I got at Arlington Cemetery in DC Shop at a farmer’s market – didn’t happen Take Daisy for a walk Go to a museum Oh yes, watch for those posts Decorate for Spring – nope Find a four leaf clover – no Go to a Spring Training game See post here. Do something you’ve never done before Visit a new thrift store or consignment shop – didn’t do Skip rocks – didn’t happen…

  • Currently - July 2018
    Life

    Currently – July 2018

    July 4, 2018 - By 

    Happy 4th of July!! /celebrating/ the 4th by driving home. Yeah, having 4th of July on a Wednesday didn’t work well with having to get to Baton Rouge on Thursday. We are leaving the mountains of North Carolina today heading home for the night only to have to get back in the car and drive to Louisiana tomorrow. /visiting/ family in Baton Rouge tomorrow. We will get to see Rob’s older sister, who we haven’t seen in about 15 years. Her and her 3 boys (our nephews) will be there. I’m excited to get the cousins together and see the…

  • Mock Shoe Corn
    Mexican - Recipes - Sides

    Mock Shoe Corn

    July 3, 2018 - By 

    I’ve got another great dish for you today from The Texas Cowboy Cookbook. Ever heard of Mock Shoe Corn or Maque Choux? It’s a spicy version of Indian succutash that became popular with the Cajuns in Lousiana. Well I love Tex-Mex and Cajun food, so I figured I couldn’t go wrong with this recipe. A little more background on the name, Maque is a Choctaw Indian word that means corn. Choux is a French word for cabbage. However, there’s nothing cabbage about this recipe. The book says that in East Texas this dish is often called Corn Pone. I made…

  • Heading to Maryland
    Travel

    Philly to National Harbor – Headed to Maryland

    June 26, 2018 - By 

    After spending the morning in Philly, we headed towards Baltimore, MD, but we had a couple planned stops along the way. One of our goals during our commute from Boston to D.C. was to drive through as many states as we could and see as many capitols as we could. Here’s the route we took. As you can see in the map above, we went a little bit out of the way to hit the Delaware capital, Dover. This is William V. Roth, Jr. Bridge in Delaware going over the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal that we passed along the way.…

  • Life

    Summer Bucket List 2018

    June 19, 2018 - By 

    Summer officially starts this week. In case you wondered summer is from Thursday, June 21 through Saturday, September 22. Although, my 9th grader starts school August 8th and my college kid starts August 20th. And since both the boys have been done with school since May, I’ve let a several weeks go by. I need to get busy. – Make popsicles. – Make something off my Recipe Bucket List. – Make some bird feeders. – Go swimming. – Make root beer floats. – Go on a quick family trip somewhere fun. – Go on a family hike. – Visit family.…