I Have A Confession To Make

So I'm going to be honest.  I can be a very judgemental person at times.  It's true.  For example, I tend to judge "those" people on Facebook.  You know the kind - the ones who constantly flood your news feed with posts like "Gina got a new goat on Farmville!"  "Erin slayed 20,000 zombies on ZombieWars!"  I mean let's get serious people - we're adults who are supposed to be working from 9-5 - when do these people find all the time to play such trivial Facebook games?

Oh at least those are the judgemental thoughts that used to run through my head.

Now....now I'm just as guilty as the rest of them.  Because, I joined ESPNU College Town.  That's right - I have created "Fabulous University" and I'm addicted.  I blame my husband 100%.  I always here him talking about "needing more students" and "keeping up student moral" as if he were trying to get his latest crack fix and I just couldn't help but see what all the hype was about.

And now I can't stop myself.  Seriously - someone help me!

So I have to know, are there any other self respecting bloggers out there who have fallen victim to Facebook's deadly addictions or am I the only one???

Oh Christmas Tree!! Oh Christmas Tree!!!

The Christmas spirit is in full swing around our house!  After over an hour of grueling cutting and taping last night - we finally have presents under the tree!!!  In my opinion, a Christmas tree just isn't a Christmas tree without a few pretty presents with even prettier bows under it.  

I've almost completed my shopping.  One or two relatives remain on my To Do List - but I'm confident everything will be completed in plenty of time for the big day!

Even Dixie & Bauer are looking forward to Santa's arrival.  Don't believe me?  See for yourself.....

I swear, every time I get the camera out Dixie thinks she's in trouble.

Notice - ears back, tail tucked.  I just want a picture Dixie!

Candid shots are usually the best - but as you can see, they are sporting some super cute Christmas gear!

Just in case you were wondering, Said Puppy is still with us.  But she would not cooperate and let me put her Santa hat on for a picture.  

That's all from our place!  Two and a half days left of work and I'm on Christmas holiday for almost two blissful weeks!!  Santa can't come soon enough!!

PS.....I know that many of you are photography buffs.  I'm having a little difficulty with my new point-and-shoot digital camera.  Every time I try to take a picture of my Christmas tree or mantle with the Christmas lights on, the picture turns out all fuzzy like this....

I've tried taking the picture without the flash on and that doesn't help either.  Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I'm doing wrong???  I just want a pretty picture of my tree and mantle all light up for Pete's sake!

Frosty, Rudolph or The Grinch?

This weekend was JUST what the doctor ordered.  I didn't do anything.  Well I worked out on Saturday and went to church on Sunday, but other than that, I literally took a couple of naps and watched Christmas movies.  It was *pure* bliss!

Friday night I watched Frosty The Snowman.  Saturday I watched Rudolph and last night hubby and I watched the Jim Carey version of the The Grinch.  Poor hubby - I think he was a little Christmas movie specialed out by the time 7pm rolled around last night.  But I couldn't help but feel like a kid again watching my favorite Christmas specials curled up by the fireplace.  There is something so magical about those simple cartoons.

So I want to know - which is your favorite: Frosty, Rudolph or The Grinch?  Frosty is by far my favorite! 

 

Somehow I've Survived!

Do you ever have one of those weeks? You know the kind – Monday morning rolls around, you look at your “To Do” list for the week and silently swear it will be a miracle if you somehow survive the week much less get everything accomplished on your list.

It’s been one of those weeks for me and somehow, I’ve survived. Barely – but I’ve survived. So once again, I apologize for being a bad blogger and disappearing for the week but allow me to explain.

I’m an accountant. We are in the middle of month end closing and trying to get everything accomplished before the holidays. It’s a little crazy around here. Basically, I had two and a half days to get about six days worth of work completed this week. Let’s just say that made for an *awesome* Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday at the office. Oh and I also had an audit midterm on Wednesday. So in addition to working like a mad woman during the day to get month end reconciliations accomplished, I also had to put in about six hours worth of studying Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. I was at the office by 7am each morning this week and didn’t leave until around 7pm. Oh and I drove home on my lunch breaks all week to take care of our little guest, said puppy.

I’m not complaining – I’m just saying. Please forgive me, I’ve just been busy! But Friday is here and I’ve only got one or two items left on my “To Do” list and I will be in the clear for the holidays! It’s three and a half days of work next week then I’m off until January 4th! And let me tell you – Christmas vacation cannot come soon enough!

So here’s hoping you’ve all had a productive, pleasant week and that you have an even better weekend!!!

Holly Jolly Blog Hop - Open House Decoration Tour

 

<a href="http://fabulousyoungandnewlywed.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Windy Poplars" src="http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac53/ImJessezGirl/XmasBlogHopButton-001-2.jpg" /></a>

First of all - let me apologize for getting this post up midday.  Blogger and I are having some serious issues today - photo uploader has not been cooperating.  

So...without further ado....please allow me to welcome you to our home all decked for the holidays!  :) As you will see, I have a serious love for all things snowmen!

Let's start in the dining room and kitchen shall we?

 I absolutely love my gold and deep purple china setting!

Snowmen are my favorite decor. 

My mother painted this holiday plate for me.

Maybe I've been a little naughty this year.....

I love this entertainment center - functional and decorative!  The blocks read "Merry Christmas"

Excuse the reflection of the ceiling fan.

Close-ups of the mantle - Dixie and Bauer have their own stockings.

Sofa table in the entryway 

Close-ups of the Christmas tree

Roll Tide!

 I hope you've enjoyed your tour and that I haven't overloaded you with pictures.  Like I said - I love snowmen.  So one participant in the Blog Hop will win a set of snowmen candle holders.  (I have the same set  displayed in my entertainment center!)  

So link up and join in on the fun.  The links will remain open through the weekend so you can link up anytime through Sunday evening.  Winners of the giveaways will be announced Monday!

Holly Jolly Blog Hop - Open House Recipes

 

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Good morning lovely readers.  The time for the Holly Jolly Blog Hop hosted by Kristin at Windy Poplars, Natalie at Extraordinary Love and myself has finally come.

Today we want to hear about your favorite holiday recipes - no matter how easy or how difficult!  Spread a little holiday cheer and tell us what recipes turn your kitchen into a Winter Wonderland.

My favorite recipe by far would have to Gingerbread and Chocolate Sauce.  I grew up eating this rich, heavenly dessert at my Nana's house.  Something about the contrast of spicy gingerbread smothered in delicious chocolate sauce makes my taste buds do a happy little dance.

To Make Homemade Gingerbread:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

1/2 cup light molasses

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup water

Directions:

Preheat oven o 350 degrees.  Grease and lightly flour on 8 inch square baking pan.  Cream shortening and sugar until light.  Add the egg and molasses and beat thoroughly.  Sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, ground ginger and ground cinnamon.  Bring water to a boil and add alternately with flour mixture to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition.  Pour batter into prepared pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.

To make Homemade Chocolate Sauce:

Ingredients:

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 2/3 cups sugar

1 1/4 cups water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cocoa, sugar and water.  Bring to a boil and let boil 1 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

To be honest, I usually make my gingerbread from a box, because it's just easier.  The real secret to this holiday dessert is the chocolate sauce.  Hope you enjoy!

Please feel free to link up and join in on the fun.  Be sure to stop by tomorrow for to tour my home decorated for Christmas and share pictures of your home as well.  Tomorrow I will announce my giveaway prize that will be given to one lucky participant. 


**Sorry for the delay in posting the Blog Hop, Blogger was not being very user friendly for my first linky experiment!  :)

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm having a much better week this week than last week (which BTW, thank-you all so much for your words of encouragement on Friday - it was just a tough day!)  So I figured that since my Christmas cheer is back, it might be nice to play along with "What I'm Loving Wednesday" sponsored by Jamie at This Kind Of Love.

1)  I'm loving that my VS Yoga pants came in last night!  Finally I can do a workout without my pants practically falling off! I also got a $50 Secret Reward Card with my purchase.  So I can get two more pair of yoga pants!  :) Now I would really love it if I had her abs....

2)  I'm loving that Christmas is almost here.  I am especially loving the fact that I am off work from Dec 23rd - January 4th.  I'm in desperate need of a little time off and some R&R!

3) I'm loving my girlfriends.  Khristi, Jessica, Erika, Erin, Casey, Savanah - I've realized over the last few months how fortunate I am to have friends to call during difficult times and friends to laugh with during the good times. 

4) I'm loving ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas.  We watched Home Alone 2 last night & A Charlie Brown Christmas.  I feel like a kid again!

5)  I'm loving how great my God is.  Seriously.  Everytime I begin to worry, everytime I begin to think that things are just too difficult to handle, He sends me a blessing to remind me of His love and faithfulness.  I should learn me lesson and realize that He's always in control and always able to provide for my every need.  Thank-you Lord for being unfailing despite my disbelief at times.

6) I'm loving that I've teamed up with Kristin & Natalie to host the Holly Jolly Blog Hop which starts tomorrow.  Stop by and link up to share your favorite Christmas recipes tomorrow and come by Friday to share pictures of your home all decorated for the holidays.  Kristin, Natalie and myself are also hosting a holiday inspired giveaway for all those who participate in the blog hop.  Hope to see you then!

We Have a House Guest

That's right - hubby and I are hosting a tiny visitor over the next two and a half weeks.  I received a phone call from my mother last Thursday.  I could tell by the comical tone of her voice that I probably would not like what she had to say.

You see, Santa is bringing my little brother, Ethan who is 7, his very own boxer puppy for Christmas.  Santa had worked out an arrangement with the breeders that said puppy could be picked up Christmas Eve night in order to arrive under the tree Christmas morning.  Santa (otherwise known as my mother) has been very excited about this Christmas surprise for weeks now.

Unfortunately, the breeders called Santa last Wednesday and said that the puppies had to go.  They've gotten too big and are fully weaned - it's time for them to go to their new homes.  You can see Santa's dilemma.  Christmas morning doesn't come for another three weeks - where will said puppy go until then? 

Apparently, there is a clause in the big sister contract that says when Santa is unable to fulfill her duties in order to pull of a Christmas surprise, Big Sister and Big Sister's Hubby get to step in and help.

So allow me to introduce said puppy, our house guest for the next two and a half weeks....

Don't get me wrong, I love puppies - especially boxer puppies.  And she's obviously super adorable.  But she's not potty trained.  She doesn't sleep through the night. I will have to spend my lunch break for the next two and a half weeks driving home to let her go potty midday - I'm thrilled about that one.  Oh and she is fearless and likes the chew on everything in my house.  Steven and I have been jokingly calling her "Marley" because she is just like the dog from "Marley and Me". 

Our dogs adore her.  Steven is already attached - this was proven when he came home with a stuffed animal for her last night.  Which makes me worry that the day after Christmas might be kind of sad around our house.  How will I explain to my little puppies that their tiny friend is no longer with us?

Midget and Dixie loving on Steven

Midget taking a nap on Steven's legs - excuse the poor picture quality.

Midget taking a nap with Dixie

She's only been with us two days and already we're getting pretty used to her.  Other than the barking and howling all night.  And the potty accidents all over the house.  Oh and the fact that she loves to drag her water bowl into the dining room and tip it over with her nose - that's her favorite after dinner activity.  Last night she drug our snowman doormat into the middle of the hallway, stood in the center of it, looked right at me and peed on it.  I'm telling you - she's fearless and stubborn.

So there you have it.  Someone put me up for the "Daughter of the Year" award.  Even though it will mean no lunch breaks, no sleep and quite possibly no sex life for the newlyweds over the next two and a half weeks, Steven and I will be playing foster parents to this little cutie.  Because no matter how inconvenient it may be, you always help your family - especially this time of the year.



I also wanted to tell you all about the Holly Jolly Blog Hop that I will be co hosting with Kristin from Windy Poplars and Natalie from Extraordinary Love.  Stop by this Thursday and Friday to link up.  Thursday we will be sharing our favorite holiday recipes and Friday you will have a chance to invite us into your home and share your holiday decorations.  Kristin, Natalie and myself will each be offering door prizes which will be given to three participants.  So be sure to stop back by Thursday!

Monday, Monday!

Peppermint Dots Christmas Card

Shop Shutterfly for elegant custom Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

So it's a super busy Monday morning here, unfortunately not much time to share what the weekend brought at my house.  I thought I would leave you with a preview of our Christmas card - which has finally been ordered!

And also, for those of you who keep asking me about CrossFit and what the workouts are like, check out this CrossFit Charlotte Video by Boomer Alred, a CrossFit Charlotte member.  It's only a minute long - so won't take too much of your time! Steven and I are both in the video towards the end - I'm wearing a Carolina blue shirt.  Excuse my disheveled appearance, I was kind of busting my butt!  :)  (Sorry, I tried to embed the video - but couldn't figure it out!)

Hope everyone is having a great Monday!

Insert Sad Face

I don't really have the energy to post today.  I'm spent: emotionally, physically, mentally.  Just done.  So at the risk of showing vulnerability and sounding like a completely pathetic Debbie Downer, I will leave you with this, because this is exactly how I feel today for multiple reasons:

:(

Seriously hoping and praying that you all are having a much better day than me and I promise to be back with cheerful, holiday filled posts on Monday.

12 Days of Christmas - Holiday Songs

Warning: I'm about to sound like a complete and total Christmas freak, but I just can't help it - so bare with me. 

I love Christmas music.  It could be classified as an obsession.  I start to feel the urge to listen to Christmas music around the first of November.  By the time Thanksgiving has arrived, I'm dying to blast my Mariah Carey Christmas CD through the house.    But I force myself to wait to listen to Christmas music until the weekend after Thanksgiving.

This year Steven offered to let me listen to Christmas music the two weeks before Thanksgiving (our local station starts playing Christmas music mid November) - but it just didn't evoke the feeling of Christmas that I cherish. It seems somewhat forced if I begin listening to holiday music before Thanksgiving - as if I'm trying too hard to will the Christmas spirit to take over and turn my everyday life into a magical Christmas wonderland.

But my dear friends - we are now officially on the other side of Thanksgiving and Christmas music abounds!  In the car, at the office, while I'm cleaning at the house.  Something about my favorite holiday tunes literally makes me feel all warm and cozy on the inside.  As if tiny music notes float through the air and into my heart causing me to swell with sheer happiness and contentment.

And no - I'm not joking.  I actually love Christmas music this much.  I always have.  Poor Steven - I always will.  So here are a few of my faves:

I'll Be Home For Christmas - Bing Crosby

I rarely get to spend the holidays with my extended family - something about this song reminds me that no matter where I may be, the holidays are a time to cherish family and be grateful for our loved ones.  Plus - what is Christmas without Bing Crosby??

Oh Come All Ye Faithful - Nat King Cole

By far my favorite Christian Christmas song - and no one sings it quite like NKC.

All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey

Say what you want about MC, but the girl can sing.  This song makes me want to dance around the house with a hairbrush in my hand bellowing love lyrics to Steven.  Too bad I can't hit the high notes quite like Mariah.

Shake Up Christmas - Train

If I have one complaint about Christmas music, it's that you don't really hear many new songs each season.  This is one of my favorite "new" Christmas songs.  It's so bubbly and cheerful like Christmas should be. 

So now that I have given you a proper tutorial on all things Christmas music and expressed my devotion to the point of insanity, I guess I'll wrap up this post!

Hope you're having a great week.  Almost Friday!

Shutterfly To The Rescue

Remember how I mentioned my Christmas card dilemma and the fact that I hate sending Christmas cards?  Well, I still haven't sent them!  I haven't had a chance to take our picture in front of the Christmas tree yet!  Preparing a Thanksgiving meal for two families last week and trying to get caught up at work this week has just gotten me behind on my holiday schedule.

Thankfully, I have a super sweet girlfriend coming over tomorrow night to take our family picture.  Even better, Shutterfly makes creating personalized Holiday Cards a complete breeze!  I used Shutterfly to create our Engagement Announcements and my mother used Shutterfly to create my sister's Graduation Announcements.  It's such a user-friendly site and the selection is unbelievable.

They have so many holiday cards to choose from.  I'm seriously having a hard time deciding which card to choose. 

I think I've narrowed it down to the following.  Which do you prefer?

I'm really prefer a traditional, elegant card.  I can't wait for Sarah to come and take our pictures and see what the finished project looks like.  Here's hoping that I can have the cards in the mail by December 10th - that's the goal anyway!  I told you I was horrible at sending Christmas cards!  Oh well - it's the thought that counts, right?!?!