Happy Halloween Eve

Whew! Feels like the first time I've really sat down all day. As most of you probably know, Alabama didn't have a game today which left Bama Man and I to revert to our pre-football season routines of getting our own little projects done around the house. It's been one of those weeks, so I was a little daunted by my weekend to-do list, but I took one last swig of my coffee and got to it.

To be honest, it's been kind of amazing. I really do love working around our house. Tuesday, my weekday off, is usually when I spend time "homemaking," but this last Tuesday I spent the entire day holed up in my make-do storm shelter I put together in our guest bathroom, waiting for tornadoes that never did end up coming by the house. (I am grateful, by the way!) So my house has been crying out for me a little bit.

After cinnamon rolls and bacon, Bama Man and I hit a couple of yard sales. I scored James Taylor's greatest hits and the Best of Bob Marley for a grand total of $2! Possibly the highlight of my day. Then we came home, and I did weeks (and I mean weeks) worth of laundry, then to put that laundry away I had to reorganize my entire dresser and closet, then I realized I'd have more room if I moved out the summer clothes, but then I moved in the cold weather clothes - which took some more organizing. Then it was on to cleaning my kitchen from top to bottom (including throwing out old stuff from the fridge - and you know how I feel about that), and then I turned on the porch light, put out my pumpkin, donned my orange sweater, and waited for trick-or-treaters.

Actually, I've been pretty excited about the trick-or-treaters! Every Halloween, I've either been a kid, living in the boonies, or at work, so I've never actually gotten the opportunity to pass out candy to decked out kids. I was actually feeling a little hopeless, I even started eating some of the candy myself, but then it happened! A ring of the doorbell, and a bride, two princesses, and spiderman came to my door. It was a dream come true! Okay, maybe I wouldn't go that far, but it was pretty fun. No other rings yet, but I'm doing my best to save the candy.

What are y'all up to tonight?

"Finger-Lickin' Good"

Here is one of my favorite little guys enjoying the Peanut Butter Cookie recipe below. Just wanted to remind everyone to check out http://www.prayfornoah.com!

And to take some time today to bake those cookies - apparently they're pretty good ;)

Happy Wednesday!

I'm not supposed to be here right now, so if anybody asks, you never saw me. I should be doing Spanish homework (and I WILL...in just a second) but I just had to take a moment to visit with all of you! The allure of this blog is positively witchcraft I tell you. I don't even really have anything to say, just wanted to come around and yap. Besides not doing homework, I've been spending my morning with my head buried in my Bible, and trying to ward of the overly affectionate advances of the cat - who keeps trying to bury his head in my coffee. Eggs and toast for breakfast, how very cliche - but yummy.

What are you up to this morning?

Also, I just had to show you this....

It's one of this "tee-shirt" necklaces. I saw a tutorial the other day and I Simply had to try my hand at it - and I did! It's little rough around the edges, but that's part of the charm.....right.

Women, Their Recipes, and Peanut Butter Cookies

Some women are viciously protective of their most prized recipes, jealously guarding them with their very lives. They would probably keep them in secret recipe vaults, hidden behind portraits of ancient ancestors, if such a thing exsisted. I have been of the opinion that food is for sharing - though mostly because I am not very good with trial and error and would much rather my friends let me in on their secrets than make me figure it out myself.

When I graduated from high school (Which seems like forever ago, but was more recent than I care to admit) I spent some time waiting tables at the local counrty club. I worked closely with a woman named "Marge" who, among other things, was our baker. After weeks of devouring the most amazing peanut butter cookies I've ever had, I finally broke and asked for the recipe. Marge told me this story:

She was invited to a party hosted by a coworker of her husband. The desserts were all delicious, but the peanut butter cookies stood way out. A group of women flocked their hostess and begged for the recipe, but she refused to relinquish it. Lucky for us, Marge is a tough cookie (no pun intended) and went snooping in the kitchen until she found said recipe and was able to copy it down on a cocktail napkin without being caught. Yeah. That's right.

Since she risked her reputation, her husband's social standings, and practically broke the law, she felt it only apprpriate to share it with me, and I am paying it forward. So from Me, Marge, and Poor-unsuspecting-greedy-recipe-lady, have a cookie.....



Peanut Butter Cookie

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 cup peanut butter
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
Dash of salt
Granulated sugar

1. Cream sugars and butter until fluffy. Add vanilla, then eggs, beating each addition until smooth. Stir in peanut butter,

2. Mix dry ingredients and stir into creamed mixture.

3. Form balls of dough at least an inch apart (these guys spread) on an ungreased cookie sheet. Dip a fork in remaining sugar and press cookies in a criss-cross.

4. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until they look like this.....

Cookies will still seem a bit soft but will solidify as they cool - be careful not to over bake.

5. Enjoy!

This is the part they never tell you about on Food Network....

Laundry Tonight

What will you be up to tonight?

Happy Saturday!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful, and restful day! I've had quite a bit going on today, but it's all been lovely. Now, I am back in my comfy, crimson, cozy clothes, overdosing on football and blogs, enjoying a well-deserved cup of french roast coffee (and yes, I realize it's after five, but java-flavored happiness knows no time!). Bama Man is back from a recent trip, and everything is now right with my world.

Does anyone else have an insatiable obsession with cinnamon rolls? I think I'm definitely in a phase. Luckily, I am very careful as to eat them in the company of others (i.e. Bama Man) so as not to eat every single one. Friends don't let friends eat cinnamon rolls alone!

Well, enjoy what is left of your Saturday, friends!

And, oh yeah.........

Delightful Day

A few bits and pieces of a day spent in rest, Bette Davis movies, and coffee....

Cream of Wheat, Coffee, Country Living Magazine, and - oh yeah - extra strength ibuprofen

Stationary I made!

How cute is that?

First wool socks of the season!

I hope you are all enjoying the little things that make life so special!

Thank You Pioneer Woman...

For giving me the perfect recipe for my new dutch oven!

It was a pleasure to make and even better to eat! Most importantly, it left Bama Man smiling.

I strongly suggest you try The Pioneer Woman's perfectpotroast, but I'm warning you - you'll be hooked!

Stick it with mashed potatoes and yeast rolls for even less resistable supper.

VW Day!

Yesterday, my friends, was VW Day (that would be, Victory over Wisdom Teeth). It's true, the event I've been dreading since childhood has come to pass, and I have come out on the other side. I made Bama Man promise to keep me from blogging yesterday since the last time I tried blogging on heavy medication I left out all the letter P's. Hopefully I will have more luck today.

(My setup: Ice pack, meds, Starbucks coffee, and breakfast. Plus pillow, leggings and one of Bama Man's comfy sweatshirts.)

Speaking of Bama Man, he has been soooo amazing! Protective as ever and more than happy to provide me with anything I need, and more. He said I was pretty, chipmunk cheeks and all. He even made me cream of wheat. I am so incredibly blessed to have such a wonderful husband!

(My guardian for today. I'm pretty sure he's been given strict instructions by Bama Man; he hasn't left my side all day)

I tend to be an anxious dreamer so all Wednesday night different scenarios for my big day ran through my head. Turned out to be a lot less eventful than I expected. For one thing, I didn't do anything remotely funny when I came too after the surgery. Quite the contrary actually - I woke up sobbing uncontrollably. Apparently it's a common side effect for women (though for some men as well). I was shaking and crying so much that they actually had to wait until I calmed down before they brought Bama Man back because they didn't want him to worry about me. Good grief! It was kind of embarrassing that after I worked so hard to seem brave, all my pent up anxiety came streaming out when I was no longer in control of my faculties. Oh well. I tried my very best to smile and let the incredibly nice nurses know that I was grateful for everything. I think they got the message.

We eventually made it home safe and (almost) sound. I haven't been as loopy or groggy as I thought I'd be. Just a little sore and sleepy, trying to get as much rest as I can. I can't say that I'm not absolutely loving the chance to kick back for awhile. It's been really nice. Kind of sad to think it's moving so quickly. I've been watching movies, blogging, and eating to my little hearts content. Well, maybe not eating to content - I had no idea I would be so HUNGRY! There goes my naive hope of losing a few pounds this weekend. I did make a yummy mashed potato soup in my new dutch oven. I'll have to post the recipe (If I can remember the measurements).

(My stash: Cream of wheat, pudding cups, oatmeal, coffee, mashed potatoes, and ice cream)

I can feel my senses clouding again so I had better end this before I start babbling or reveal Bama Man's true identity or something :) I look forward to blogging with you today!

Construction

Hello Friends!

In case you didn't notice (and if you've been here recently, I'm sure you did), I have been fighting that immortal battle against blogger. It all started out as a harmless attempt to change up the look for fall......and before it was over, due to blogger's occasional incompetence and my own indecisiveness, I had destroyed my blog.

Luckily, all's well that ends well.

Enjoy!