It has begun...

Well Christmas has started, and Thanksgiving hasn't even happened. 

I wrapped the first official Christmas present of the season tonight. My husband is such a sneaky snoopster that I have to immediately wrap everything! So the first present, his present, is wrapped all pretty with a bow and everything! 

Merry (early) Christmas! 

Tis the Season

Ahhh, Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Followed by Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the full-on Christmas season!

Of course, this is one of my favorite times of the year- for many reasons.

One, I love food. Good food. Food made by my family and friends and enjoyed with family and friends. So naturally, this is a great time of the year.

I like the cooler weather the season brings. As I get older, I like the colder weather. Hot weather...well, it's just too hot. Ick. (But don't let me fool you, I do like to get my tan on at the beach).

I also like this time because it brings me back to when Chris and I first met and then a year later when we were engaged. I originally won him over with my pumpkin pie. How could he resist? :)

Any who... the what I am thankful post will come later. Back to Tis the Season...

Tis the Season to COOK! To cook all things yummy and fattening and scrumptious and not feel bad about it!!

Rolo Turtles!

I will be making these little beauts again this year. The most delicious and easy snack ever! I made them for a gals Christmas get-together a couple of years ago and they were a hit!!

Whatcha need:

• Some form of mini pretzels... I just use the mini twists. But I have seen the circes (I feel like the chocolate would melt all the way through though.)
• A bag of rolos. This is the most time consuming part, because you have to unwrap all those suckers!
• And halved pecans. Which seem to get astronomically expensive this time of year. If you are a Southern lady like myself, try to pick some off the ground! (Though shamefully I paid the astronomical price for mine)
• Wax paper! Don't forget this part!

Lay out the wax paper on a cookie sheet cram as many pretzels on there as you can and top with the rolo. Pop them in the oven heated at about 300 degrees, and let them "cook" for about 4  minutes. Take them out and immediately smoosh (that's a fancy cooking term) a pecan half on top of the rolo. Let them set for a few minutes and then you can peel them right off the wax paper! They make perfect travel treats for any occasion.

What else am I making? Thanks for asking. I am also making sausage balls. Another classic that can't go wrong.

• 2 cups of bisquik
• About 2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese
• And a pound of sausage (I am going to attempt these with deer sausage, should be less fattening because deer has less fat than beef, but...they may not hold together because of the lack of fat. We shall see.)

Dump, (another fancy cooking term) dump everything in a bowl. get your hands dirty and mix and knead it all together. Roll out in to 1 inch balls. Place in a oven pre-heated at 350. bake 20-25. Look for that golden brown color. Voilà! Yumminess.

Other dishes to be made? Pumpkin pie, but I vary the recipe every time I make it because I can never remember exactly what I did the time before. But I never get complaints. Deviled eggs, another one that changes everytime. You know, you just put a couple of scoops of mayo a dollop of mustard. Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, a little Tony's for spice and a little sweet relish- sometimes, just the relish juice. Mix together, BAM! A deviled egg. Easy peasy.

I'm sure Mom will be whipping up some treats that I will help her with too. Can't wait to stuff my face!!

In-laws visit

Last Sunday Chris and I took his parents out to where the house will be built. We had a lot of fun- showing them the lot, touring the model homes and showing them all the different things we picked out.

We showed them the pond and pier, the pool and the playground that is being built. We took them into all the model homes where we found what we liked to put in our home.

We should be standing right in front of the front door! 

We had a great Sunday and ended it by going back to their house for porkchops. YUM!

So blessed. <3

Selection Day

Last Wednesday, Chris and I went to the new neighborhood to meet with Russell and have "selection day." Also known as the longest day of my life!!

This is the day you pick out every little detail of your house. Starting from the top:

• roof color
• brick color
• paint color for all rooms
• carpet color, hardwood color 
• cabinets
• sinks
• faucets
• tile
• grout
• knobs
• doors
• garage- color and windows

It.never.ends. 

Well actually it did end, FIVE (5) hours later. WHEW!! We were both exhausted. BUT we got everything picked out. We are still waiting on a few custom change orders to be priced, but then we are good to go!

The section of the neighborhood where our house will be built is brand new- like no streets new. So right now, we are waiting on streets and then they will start the house! 

Running

Running, running, running!!

I have been running like crazy these days! And I mean that as in running around super busy and running in some 5Ks!

First there was No Excuses - 29:51

Then there was the Great Pumpkin Run- 28:51

It was REALLY cold during this run. It was an 8 a.m. race, which is normal, but it was just really cold!!

Then I had the Southfield Pie Run- 28:46

I was a little disappointed I didn't do better, but this course was EXTREMELY hilly. It was a little cold that morning, but the hills are what did me in. Bummer.

I have done pretty good running during the week. Usually three or so times, except for this week. But I do not want to quick right before the holidays! Yikes!

Still debating on a half marathon in March. That is a lot to work up to and March will be here before we know it!

A new casa

Welp, Chris and I took a HUGE step on 10/31/11....we signed a contract on a lot for a house!!! WAHOO!!! House hunting is not fun and I am so glad the process is o-v-e-r!

So, how did all of this happen? Well, let me tell you. 

Chris and I took a Sunday afternoon to drive alllllll over Bossier to look at houses. We had pretty much exhausted all of Shreveport, so we look across the river. We went from South Bossier to Haughton, to North Bossier. We wandered through the back roads of north Bossier and ended up in our (soon to be) neighborhood. After a long chat and lots of questions with Russell, we found a lot and house plan! Just.like.that.

We did go home and sleep on it and the next day 10/31/11 (I wrote this date a million times) we signed the contract on a lot! Naturally, after we signed we went to celebrate! ...We ate dinner at Subway! Come on people, we are on a budget now! ;)

Soon to be home!

I never thought I would be moving across the river. But when we got there, and we walked out to the lot that would be ours, everything just felt right. You pray and you wish and you hope and you pray a little more that you make the right decisions. Not just for right now, but for the future. Everything just felt, right- for now and later. (You can see the elementary school from the front yard ;)) I had no apprehensions after talking with Russell and Chris had all (of his MANY) questions answered. It just seems right and all the pieces are falling into place. I continue to pray that the townhouse is rented/sold and that the home buying process continues. We were approved for our loan and we are well on our way! 

Can't wait to start building!! Pictures to come!! 

Thoughts for the evening...

This evenings thoughts include...

1. I'm exhausted.
2. Red Velvet Yoplait Light is to.die.for. YUM!
3. I watch entirely too many cooking competition shows:
• Chopped
• Cupcake Wars
• Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs
• Top Chef
• Worst Cooks in America
4. Saying a prayer for sweet friends adopting a baby boy right now! They made it to Colombia and get to meet him Friday!!
5. Saying another prayer for friend being induced tonight at midnight! Prayers for momma, daddy and baby.

Happy November!