• Life

    Christmas Tree Tradition 2015

    December 18, 2015 - By 

    The last couple years for our Christmas tree shopping adventure we’ve been going to Gilbert Tree Farm. The place we used to go is just become super expensive and it would take us over an hour to get there. We love Virginia Pines, but those don’t seem to be selling like they used to, so less farms in our area our growing them. We’re really glad that Gilbert Farms still has them. It’s also been raining the last few years when we’ve gone, so that’s why you haven’t seen a post about it in a while. The weekend we went…

  • RBD Library is Growing!
    Life

    RBD Library is Growing!

    December 11, 2015 - By 

    Now that the university is closed for Christmas break, construction on RBD to add the new Mell Commons Building will begin over the holidays. The staff of the library took a picture today infront of our building since it will never look like this again. Photo above by Jayson Hill – AUL libraries (Flickr) I also got some shots to remember what it looked like from different angles. See all the pics I took here. To see progress on the new building see this link: Mell Commons

  • Dessert - Recipes

    Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies

    December 10, 2015 - By 

    It’s that time of year again, when we get back in the kitchen to whip up yummy treats. Cookies, candies, cakes, pies, and brownies! Brownies? Yes, these Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies are a great alternative to your typical brownies. Servings: 18 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 30 minutes Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter 8 oz. coarsely chopped semi-sweet chocolate 3/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar 3 large eggs 2 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 cup + 2 tbs. all-purpose flour 2 tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 tsp. salt Peanut Butter Part: 3/4 cup Reese’s Spreads Peanut Butter Chocolate…

  • Travel

    Thanksgiving Weekend 2015

    December 5, 2015 - By 

    This year for Thanksgiving we drove down to Spring Hill, Florida for a family visit. Rob’s Mom, brother, Nick, and adopted sister, Rachael as well as Rob’s sister Maria and her entire family came as well. We rented a home on VRBO.com. We split our time between the rental home and Gramma’s house. It was nice to catch up with my sis-in-law and her family since we don’t get to see them much. They live in Texas now and the last time we saw them was a little over a year ago. Seeing the cousins hang out made my heart…

  • Travel

    Winter Gatlinburg Trip

    December 5, 2015 - By 

    Last year was the first Annual Ski Trip for our Boy Scout (and family can come too so we get the group rate) trip. You can read about that trip here: —Boy Scout Ski Trip 2014::Gatlinburg, TN {Day 1 & 2} —Boy Scout Ski Trip 2014::Gatlinburg, TN {Day 3 & 4} This year the boys wanted to do it again. We ended up at the Days Inn again. It’s not the nicest of places, in fact some of the parents opted to stay somewhere else this year. We like it for the price and the location. It’s in the same…

  • Chicken - Pork - Recipes

    Hawaiian Chicken Marinade

    December 4, 2015 - By 

    Growing up, one of my favorite places to eat was Steak & Ale. Anybody remember that restaurant? I even had one of my birthday parties there and invited a bunch of my girlfriends back in elementary school. We all go dressed up in nice dresses and had a lovely dinner at Steak & Ale. My favorite thing to order was their Hawaiian Chicken. This Hawaiian Chicken Marinade takes me back in time. So flavorful whether you cook it outside on the grill or inside. Servings: 4 cups Prep Time: 2-3 days to marinade Cooking Time: 25 minutes Ingredients: 1/2 cup…

  • Life

    Memories of the Month {11.2015}

    December 3, 2015 - By 

    This month I was happy about: many things! See further down… This year I’m going to rate the books & movies. Here’s my rating system: ♥ ♥ = Love it! A must read/see! ♥ = Really good! Highly recommend. ✓ ✓ = Good, not great ✓ = Not much to talk about X = Awful. Total waste of time Movies I watched were: Don’t think I watched any. TV Shows I watched were: NCIS NCIS LA NCIS NO CSI Cyber Hawaii 50 Nashville The Pioneer Woman Life Unexpected (Neftlix) My favorite song this month was: Me 4 U by Omi…

  • Travel

    Clearwater Beach

    December 2, 2015 - By 

    Over Labor Day weekend, we went down to Spring Hill to visits Rob’s grandparents. One of the days we all piled in the car and drove down to Clearwater Beach. Rob and Drew hung out there at Spring Break when they went down for Baseball’s Spring training, so Rob knew the perfect spot to park Pier 60 at Clearwater Beach is a great location to park and costs $3.00/hour. We enjoyed a few hours on the beach before packing up and finding a place to eat. I spot a mermaid! Lots of building going on. A good amount of folks…

  • Beef - Dinner - Recipes

    Hamburger Pasta Soup {Crockpot}

    December 1, 2015 - By 

    I love when I’m scrounging around in the kitchen for something for dinner and the ingredients just fall into place. That’s what happened the other night when I was looking for something to make in the crockpot for the next day. Lately I’ve been on a quest to buy 1 new ingredient once a month to try in a recipe. I’ve had this Radiatori pasta just hanging out in the pantry for awhile. I decided to give it a try in this Hamburger Pasta Soup. Have you ever heard of it before? Servings: Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 8…

  • Travel

    Florida Tour 2014 Overview

    November 26, 2015 - By 

    For those that want a complete overview of our Florida Tour that we took at the end of last year, here is a complete summary of the trip with links to more detailed posts about each place. Itinerary/Budget for trip: Click pic for larger version Quick Stop at University of Florida Weeki Wachee Springs Myakka River State Park Capone’s Coal Fired Pizza Fort Myers River District Sanibel Island Naples, Florida Everglades City Everglades City Everglades National Park Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge Morning in Key West Morning at Sea off Marathon Key Spreading My Dad’s Ashes Burdines Waterfront Restaurant Bahia…

  • Travel

    Visit to Kennedy Space Center

    November 25, 2015 - By 

    We got up early, had a nice big breakfast at the hotel in Cocoa Beach, and drove over to Kennedy Space Center. Driving there we saw several gators and even a wild boar, which you see below. Such an impressive view. We got their before the gates opened, but were able to ask a few questions, take some picture, and just hung out until opening. Rocket Garden is one of the first things you see when you enter. This is the spot where old rockets seem to scrape the sky at 80-100 feet in the air. You will see Juno…

  • Recipes - Sides

    Praline Sweet Potatoes

    November 22, 2015 - By 

    One of my all time favorite holiday recipes is this recipe that my Granny passed along to me, Praline Sweet Potatoes. So amazing. I was never a fan of sweet potatoes/yams until I tried this. I have people beg me every year to make this, so it is no doubt a must try! Servings: 10 large servings Prep Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 30 minutes Ingredients: 2 40oz cans of mashed sweet potatoes 3/4 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup margarine, melted dash of cinnamon Topping: 1/2 cup flour 1 cup chopped pecans 1/2…

  • Travel

    Day Trip to Columbus, Ga

    November 21, 2015 - By 

    We live about 35 miles from Columbus, Ga and we used to travel there quite a bit to shop and for different places to eat. However, now that the Auburn-Opelika area has grown so much we really don’t have a need to go there like we used to. This past Sunday Alex had a friendly soccer game there, and it was so last minute we ended up having to get people to substitute for several church obligations we had, so just ended up heading over to Columbus after we had breakfast. I suggested we park downtown and walk along the…

  • Travel

    Afternoon in Cocoa Beach

    November 20, 2015 - By 

    After leaving Fort Lauderdale, we continued north towards Cocoa Beach. We checked into the hotel and ventured across the street to the beach. I was feeling quite nostalgic knowing Dad used to live right near there on a condo in the beach. It was quite breezy and a bit cold, but that didn’t stop the kids from getting in the water. Rob and I walked along the beach enjoyed watching cruise ships pass by in the distance. There was also several flocks of birds to keep us occupied. Carnival ship in the distance Disney ship in the distance Lots and…

  • Life

    Drew’s Eagle Scout Ceremony

    November 19, 2015 - By 

    A couple weeks ago we celebrated Drew’s accomplishment of earning Eagle Scout. Rob and I really wanted to make it special, so we spent a great deal of time. I hope to write some posts about Eagle Scout Ceremony planning, etc. in the future. Planning this Eagle Court of Honor was much like planning a wedding, so many little details. Our day kinda went like this; 8am church, 9am went to Golden Corral for a big breakfast since we weren’t going to eat lunch, 10am head back home so guys could pick up uniforms and any last minute things we…

  • Dessert - Recipes

    Praline Pumpkin Pecan Cake

    November 18, 2015 - By 

    I’m always on the lookout for different variations of holiday desserts. I get bored with the normal pumpkin or pecan pie. This Praline Pumpkin Pecan Cake is a true crowd pleaser. Pecan Pie + Pumpkin Pie = this delicious dessert! Servings: 12 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 50 minutes Ingredients: 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk 3 eggs 1 cup sugar 2 tbsp brown sugar 1 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 1 box yellow cake mix 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts 3/4 cup butter or margarine, melted Whipped cream…

  • Life

    Senior Night

    November 17, 2015 - By 

    Friday night, Oct. 30th, was the last regular season Auburn High School football game, which brought Senior Night. Before the game, all the seniors from the marching band line up on the field with their parents to get their name called and receive a medal. We had family in town that weekend to watch Drew march possibly his last time at home depending on the outcome of the game. Being that we’re the season of “lasts” with Drew, I’m really surprised I’m not a bumbling mess. I think I was more of a mess with all the senior stuff last…

  • Life

    GoodnessKnows Snack Squares {Product Review}

    November 14, 2015 - By 

    Influenster recently sent me a complimentary box that included GoodnessKnows Snack Squares. They currently have 3 flavors; cranberry almond dark chocolate, apple peanut almond dark chocolate, and peach cherry almond dark chocolate. I got to try the apple variety, which contains 4 square bites of dried apples, crisp rice, toasted oats, and almonds with a dark chocolate coating on the bottom. While I’m not a huge fan of dark chocolate, I found this dark chocolate on these squares to very tasty and not too overbearing or sweet; a great way to get in a little bit of that healthier dark…

  • Life

    Exciting News!!

    November 13, 2015 - By 

    It’s the time of year when seniors in high school apply for college. Drew applied at the end of the September and has been anxiously logging in everyday to check his application status. Over the last month or 2 many of Drew’s friends have been getting accepted. One of our friends, who’s a professor at Auburn, warned us based on Drew’s scores, he probably wouldn’t get accepted till after the New Year. Well, yesterday Drew was home sick and he got a text from one of his good friends, JR, saying he had logged in on his phone (at school)…

  • Dinner - Recipes

    Sausage and Rice Stuffed Peppers

    November 11, 2015 - By 

    I don’t know about you, but I occasionally get a serious hankering for stuffed peppers. Lately I’ve been wanting to try something a little different. I found a recipe by Martha Stewart and I while I’m not a huge fan of hers, I decided to give it a try with a few alterations. This turned out so good. I like cutting the peppers down so that you don’t have as much pepper to eat in one sitting. Servings: 4-6 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 30 minutes Ingredients: 3 1/2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings…