I Love You Because...

the best way to spoil me

dinner at one of the best resturants in Atlanta (local three) + spending time with our best friends + on our way to the best show ever (Les Miserables) = THE BEST SATURDAY NIGHT and A VERY HAPPY GIRL! 

To Love Another Person is to See The Face of God.
J 

Silent Sunday

Sunday morning brunch is turning into a tradition at our house. Today's menu? It's all about the fresh picked Strawberries from my Visiting Teacher. 

late night lovin'

I'm not sure what true love at 11pm on a weeknight looks like in your house, but in our house? This is how my husband shows his chocolate-craving pregnant wife he loves her. 

Have a great weekend! 
J 

A Dead Man's Chest

 

This year's party was the least stressful one I've ever hosted. It was a blast and I honestly wouldn't change a thing! It was unscripted but because the company had other 'goals' to the game it made the flow so much easier then other unscripted Murder Mystery Parties we've had in the past.

You can see/download more pictures of this years party HERE.

and a little trip down memory lane.... 

A Taste of Translyville Terror (2010)

2009 Decor here. 

Flapper and Gangsters (2008) aka- the year Joanna tried to please everyone... and failed.

In the Crystal Palace Saloon (2007)

Another Pirate Party (2006) 

What Doug does while I'm out of town.

Things I Love

1. Long Lost Music... found. (I miss Mark.)

2. Husbandface home from his business trip.

3. My new Niece (Emmy's first), Abigail (seriously, isn't she beautiful?!)

4. The fact that it's going to get up to 72 degrees today and I just might have to start my garden. 

5. and last but certainly not least? It's Girl Scout cookies season!! 

If that doesn't cheer a girl up.... nothing will. 

 

-JJ

That's the way things happen on The Polar Express!

This is the event that makes me happy to live in the South. Every year at this time I am homesick, I am missing family and I and struggling everyday with the fact that I don't live out west. Then I take my kids to a once in a lifetime memorable event that only exists here and I feeI better. Seriously, if you live anywhere in the South and have young kids this is one holiday event that you totally do NOT want to miss!! Last night Doug and I took the kids up to Bryson City, NC to see (according to Owen "The real-live Polar Express!". 

After a 2 hour drive and a quick change into new Christmas jammies we were ready to present our Golden tickets to the Conductor for punching . We were off in a vintage first class dining car ready for an adventure! 

The staff greeted the kids by grabbing them to dance and sing.

Then it was time for the all important Hot Chocolate!

and pastries... and marshmallow treats... and cookies. (Because apparently the kids needed to be even more hyped up for the ride!)

This is when the kids stopped even noticing the grown-ups and really did enter their own magical world. 

Or maybe it was the the grown-ups turned into kids themselves.

 And just when the kids were getting bored... the train ho-bo showed up! 

And the frost set in.

The stage was set for something very magical to happen. 

And someone very magical to meet. 

Do you Believe? 

We do!

If that doesn't get you in the Christmas mood nothing will!

 

*We took the kids to this back in 2007 and I have to say it was WAY better this year! The bells were better, the staff was better, the souvenirs were better.... and most importantly Santa was better. So kudos to GSMRR for up-ing an already amazing experience.*

 

Summer Math

 1 fruit pizza + 2 adults + 3 bottles + 4 dozen snicker doodles + 10 smoothies + 18 toaster strudels + 64 homemade bagels = 1 VERY DIRTY KITCHEN and 12 VERY, VERY HAPPY COUSINS!!!!!

I LOVE SUMMER

What's for Dinner?

Our DVR remote just happened to break the other day when a certain Husbandface lost his temper. Stuff happens. So what exactly does this translate to? No more recorded season finale's until the new one comes in. Which means A LOT more AppleTV. I've only had it a month and I already can't imagine living without it! It's not just the photos on my big screen, or the added music access... it's the OnDemand everything! It's wonderful to pick any movie out there and download it within 3 minutes for my family's viewing pleasure. It's also nice to see the latest shows and documentaries to give you an idea of what you've missed in the outside world (theaters) since you've reproduced.  

So what was on last night's menu? The documentary Food, Inc. I thought I'd get ebee-jeebied about the food processing parts or the slaughter houses but that part actually was done very tastefully (no pun intended). I loved learning about the process of how my food gets from seed to supermarket. Both Doug and I thought the anti-government section in the middle was a little over the top but, loved the way it redeemed america at the end and really gives American's a little hope. Things can change and we can be a part of that. Now, I have been on the 'healthy family eating band wagon' for a long time and ever since we tried the GF-CF diet for Ethan we've been well aware of the funky food additives and have checked a lot more labels. We already have a garden. We try to buy organic and we eat homemade family meals everyday. We only eat out about twice a month and we send lunches to school. So... I have the basics covered but, this show certainly reminded us to stay vigilant in our efforts and to be aware of what EXACTLY we are feeding our children. Definitely worth the time to watch and learn.

Our new goals as a family? Baby steps, right?
 Search out local growers in our area and shop there more,
 WAY MORE organics and WAY LESS sugar,
 no more hormones. 

Everyday I....

...make bread. (*gasp!*).... no seriously, I do!

When I was younger every single time I went to my Grandpa and Grandma Smith's house Grandpa had homemade bread made for us. Their home had a permanent sweet smell to it. Even after he moved in with us he continued making it on a regular basis and there was no beating Grandpa's Bread. We would fight over the last piece, It was heaven. 

When we were first married Doug begged me to learn to make bread. In fact for the last 8 years he hasn't stopped begging. He even tried to buy me a bread machine a few times to no avail. My stock answer was always that he should have married Elaine (his brother's wife). 

Just after Ethan was born I really tried to up my culinary skills. Once I had tried Grandpa's recipe a few times and failed miserably each time, I gave up. I decided to focus on other kinds of cooking and went to the bakery when I wanted gourmet breads. Panera Bread quickly became my favorite store. Now those days are over! On Feb. 1st I decided to try a new recipe book and every day since I've made a loaf (or two!) of delicious homemade artisan bread. I still haven't mastered Grandpa's recipe but this is the next best thing. Boule's, Baguette's, Rings, Bagels, Peasant Loaves, Rolls, Rye, Wheat, Punpernickle... you name it and I've made it in the last 6 weeks. I love my house smelling like fresh bread and surprisingly it all ends up eaten everyday! I heard once that it only takes 45 days to start (or break) a habit.... I think this is officially a habit that I do EVERYDAY!