The nursery, a local store, and a recipe...

Isn't that a good title? I don't have the time for multiple posts so here's what's going on in my world:

Robert and I are still on the hunt for a house. We want something we can renovate, and it's hard to find something in our price range we can put a lot of $$ into. I do realize that there will be a baby in our world in just a few (eeek!) months, so I have instead become focused on the baby's room. Which is much more fun!! I have a few things already I want to use.



White jenny lind baby bed (I got this at an auction for $75!)



My Dad's baby chest (needs a fresh coat of paint and knobs)

 

Birdcage wall hanging for pics and baby shower invite, etc.

 

Lamp - a gift from Robert

These last 2 items came from a local store here in Albany - Livi and Company. I have bought several things there over the years and their prices are very reasonable! It's a mix of old and new. Here are a few other things from Livi I have in my home...

As I mentioned before, Robert has been running, and he finished his second race a few weeks ago, the Gate in Jacksonville. I decided to stay home and rest (which if you know me is really big--I do not usually like to be alone, but I have to admit...it was nice!). I made a special congratulatory dinner for him that Sunday night and it was awesome!! I have never made anything by the Neely's (the show on the Food Network is a little on the annoying side...spice fairy anyone?) but this recipe looked right up Robert's alley. Here is the recipe for Short Ribs. Yum!

I followed the recipe from the website exactly, but I didn't have any red wine, so I substituted beef broth.

That's it for now...happy Spring!

PROPS

...to my husband! He has been training for months and last Saturday in St. Simons Island, he ran his first 10K!! He placed 3rd in his age group and will be receiving a MEDAL. He wants to put it on our mantel, but I think it would look better in our upstairs guest room bookcase ;)

Congrats Robert!! So proud of you...

Me and Robert



Robert and his sister, Kim



It's a BABY!

Ok, maybe it's a girl, but they thought it was a boy first, so I am not 100% about much right now, except how excited we are!!!!!! We have been through a lot and waited a long time for this, so no matter the sex...we feel very blessed :)

I am 16 weeks today. July 30th seems like YEARS from now, but  its fun to think about how our lives are about to change. We have put the house building on hold, and are perusing the market for a house to buy for our little fam. In the meantime, its fun to look at pretty things and look forward to our little one...

 And have you seen this new blog?? Baby nursery inspiration galore!

I've been SLACK...and Merry Christmas!

I have had a busy month. Work, work, work, and no play! Ok, maybe a little shopping, but I am still not done. And when is Christmas? Oh yeah, in 3 days. Eeeeek! I wish you all a...

Merry Christmas and a HaPpy New Year!!!!

I will probably be posting some exciting news in the beginning of 2011, so stay posted.

This is not my house, but I wish it was. How cool are the wooden stockings?

My first New Year's Resolution:

To vamp up my blog, change up the content a little, and be really good about FREQUENT posts :)

30 is the new 20

My bestest friend Laurel (aka L-Train) turned 30 on the 30th of October and we took a girls trip to Atlanta! Of course the focus of our weekend was, as usual, food! The birthday girl got to pick the restaurants...and she did a GREAT job :)

Friday night we stoped in at Pura Vida for tapas and mojitos.

After dinner we went to a bar called the El Bar. Couldn't find a website. It's in the back of a mexican reataurant and we dropped it like it was HOT. Best Hip Hop bar I've been to. Fo sho. Unfortunately Fortunately I was not taking pictures at this point.

Saturday lunch. Have you been to JCT kitchen? If not, you should. It was sooooo yummy, and the atmosphere was amazing.

We spent some time shopping and hanging out at Phipps then headed back to our hotel (oops forgot to mention the st. regis in atlanta is awesome) for some before dinner drinks and then we got ready for the next great meal at Abattoir.

Ahhhh the lighting.

LOVE this sink.........

The girls...from left: Carla, Laurel, Trish, Me, and Caroline.

30 may be the new 20, but I think I will embrace my last 8 months being "in my 20's" :)

P.S. Almost forgot Sunday brunch. Don't miss this next time you are in ATL.

TERRAIN

Anybody up for a road trip to Pennsylvania? Look what I found! These things are on my wish list (which is quite long at the moment, btw)...

Coming soon:
Anniversary trip to Athens, GA
Butternut Squash Soup
Shopping for Plumbing Fixtures

Fish Dishes

I am still working on the internet situation (it's been very hard to plan a vacation or check e-mail or stay up to date with people on facebook, so if you are sick, pregnant, or have any news...you will have to be old fashioned and just call me!) , BUT I have to tell you about 2 great fish recipes. I have made and tested both and both are blog-worthy...

1. Fish Tacos with Chipotle Cream

2. Grilled Tilapia with Lemon Butter, Capers, and Orzo

I have pictures of both but I will have to post later!

Happy cooking :)

I have gone back in time to 1950...

or at least that's what I feel like. I have no internet at my house!!!!!!!!!!! We are in a new rental while we build the new house. And why we decided to move twice, I am not sure (ahhh!), but...I really do like my "new" house for now. I have a before and after dining chair project to share with you, and a GREAT appetizer recipe from someone else's blog that I am sure you read a lot. I still have not blogged about Puerto Rico either. Sigh. Seems I like to blog about not blogging more than I like to blog. :)

Bye Bye Bascom Drive

This weekend Robert and I will say goodbye to our first home. We have been here for 8 years!! No, our new house is not ready (or even broken ground) but we are moving into another rental while we build. It's in a safer neighborhood and right next to Robert's Grandmother Jan. We are excited about after work drinks on her patio! The colors in this new house are awful not my taste but I keep reminding myself this is temporary and I am trying HARD not to paint every stinkin wall. Yellow, blue, and "rust" please magically turn neutral!

P.S. Bonus: The new rental has shrubs :)

Peach Salsa

Robert and I got married about 3 1/2 years ago. Wow! It seems like 2, tops. While we received a lot of gifts (which we appreciate :) one of my favorites is a cookbook. I learned (when my mom gave me the list of family guests!) that I have some cousins in Augusta, home of the Masters. They sent me Par 3 Tea Time at the Masters. I remember thinking, "What? We don't play golf!?" and it landed in the pile o' gifts. Well, let me tell you, it's in my top 3 cookbooks that I use OFTEN and this latest recipe is the perfect summer appetizer! So head out to your local farmers market (or if you live in Albany...Mark's Melon Patch or Publix) and grab some peaches. You will love this one.

Peach Salsa

3 peaches, peeled, pitted and cut into bite-size pieces
1 red or green pepper, diced
1/4 cup diced red onion
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
5 to 6 fresh Basil leaves, cut into ribbons

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

1/4 teaspoon salt

Combine all and mix in a large bowl. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.

Enjoy!

P.S. Other great recipes from this cookbook I have made:

Spinach Squares

Ultimate Breakfast Strata

Baked Corn Dip

Hot chicken and Sausage Dip

Mantel Mania

I often get into the conversation of which would be easier: remodeling or building a home? I haven't done either yet, so ask me in 6 months after I build. With that said, my vote as of now is remodeling!! Among many,many decisions (doors, trim, yada, yada) I have to make, one I am struggling with is the fireplace. New? Old? I have NOTHING to work with (vs. remodelers) so I have to come up with something from scratch. Some Inspiration:

I love the last pic with the brick. How cozy! Maybe I could find an old mantel here or here....