Thanksgiving Weekend Wrapup

First off - let me give Casey a big shout out for helping me put up a new background. I so need to figure out all this HTML stuff!

I am so behind on my blogging but we had a super busy weekend.

It started out with our drive from Charlotte over to Atlanta Wednesday afternoon. All I can say is WOW! I have sat in some holiday traffic before but this was downright RIDONKULOUS!

Check out The Buddy being so patient as we sat in the parking lot that was I-85. It generally takes 4-hours for us to get there but on Wednesday it took 6 and 1/2 hours!

When we arrived my Mom was still prepping things for the next day and we got in on the action since we both love to cook. My brother didn't make it in after all so Brad did the duty of injecting the turkey with the cajun seasoning he always makes.

It was a first for Brad and he was really into it!

From there we kicked it with Mom and Dad since we were tired from our drive. As you can see The Buddy is treated like the GrandDog at my parents house. Food from the table? Just wrong...

Then our small but nice family dinner. We usually dress up for the occassion but this year since everyone was involved in cooking we decided to be super casual. Good food and better yet.. good wine! A 2001 Beringer North Coast Sangiovese. My Mom bought 4-years ago on my 30th bday trip to Napa!

The rest of our time in Atlanta was spent taking care of wedding stuff. We had our invitiations for the Arkansas reception(after the CLT wedding) printed and we addressed and stuffed those. They won't go out until after the first of the year but needed to get that done.

We also ordered cake topper and other items..

Because of the massive amount of traffic going to ATL we decided to go home Saturday instead of Sunday.

Just in time to see the Hokies win and the Tigers(barely)win against Arkansas.

Also, when I got home.. I was welcomed by this at my door.

The Owensboro, KY Junior League cookbook. I took part in a Jr. League cookbook swap hosted by another blogger. I sent Beth the Charleston cookbook which happens to be the very first JL cookbook ever in print.

I already have a cookie recipe ready to make for my exchange this weekend!

On Sunday we started getting things ready for the holidays and my party this weekend. First things.. a new light fixture in the dining room.. YAY! One of two builder lights is GONE! This red tablecloth will have a beautiful centerpiece and greenery in the next few days. More to come on that.

Another new item for the house? A 6-bottle wine chiller. We found this at Home Depot for a simple $48! Loving it and it frees up fridge space!

And then of course..we put up the tree yesterday. The Buddy helped by sitting and watching me with he reindeer hat on. Can't believe he kept this thing on most of the day!

And..at night without the sun. Check the pooch out here!

Hope you guys all had a fab holiday. Brad left this morning for Vermont to work all week. My week consists of more decorating and baking!

Thankful

Well, it's that time of the year. The time of year to reflect what you're thankful for.

Ready?

God
Freedom especially religion
Our US Troops - many whom will be spending Thanksgiving fighting for that freedom I just mentioned.
Brad
Parents and family
The Buddy
Friends
and You blogging friends!

Of course, there is much more but this is what is top of mind!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Hmmm..

Conversation between Brad and I last night after baking a batch of cookies.

DeAnna: I made some cookies do you want to take some into work to share with your co-workers?

Brad: No, take them to your work.

DeAnna: I am but why not take some to your co-workers too? Everyone loves when people bring in food.

Brad: Uh.. it’s not cool for guys to bring that kind of thing to work.

Seriously?? I heard this with a former boyfriend too… Is it really that ‘unmacho’ to bring cookies or other goodies to your co-workers that your fiance’ or wife makes? Needless to say. My co-workers are enjoying double their pleasure today.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Delayed Reaction.. WTH??

I meant to post about this yesterday but was still trying to forget it. WTF? with the LSU vs. Ole Miss game Saturday night.

My head nearly blew off with the ending of that game! HELLO Les Miles! Why wasn't the field goal team ready to go??!!!

All I got were 'Hotty Toddy' texts from all my Rebel friends for the rest of the night.

For all you non-LSU fans. Click on either of these pictures to get the rundown on what exactly happened..
BTW - final score 25 to 23. SUCKS!

This Week's Tidbits

It's a short work week! YAY! I'm getting geared up for the holiday! More on that in a moment.

I am amashed to admit it but it's true. For the first time in 5-years I'm doing what I said I would never do again.

Going to one of these.

Can you believe it? Scary stuff...
I'm doing it because I don't want to look like Casper the ghost in my bridal portrait pictures or for the wedding. Like Sass - I'm a HUGE fan of the spray-on tan but I know that won't work with my white dress.

Therefore - for a short time I'll be fake baking.. literally..YIKES!

Now - on to Thanksgiving. After nearly a full work day on Wednesday Brad, myself and The Buddy will be getting in the car and heading here.

That's right - Atlanta or more commonly called "The A-T-L" in this neck of the woods. My parents live over there and it's only about a 4-hour drive from "The C-L-T"(Charlotte).

It's there that Brad will meet my brother Wesley for the very first time.

He's my older brother by 5-years. He has 3-teenagers but is divorced and they are spending the holiday with their mother in Baton Rouge.

I plan on making several goodies for our holiday weekend including this, one of my favorites.

My Aunt Bobbie's cheeseball. People LOVE..LOVE..LOVE this when I bring it to parties.

Ready for the easy recipe?:
* 2 pkgs of cream cheese
* corned beef(i buy the kind in the prepackaged deli section) 1 or 1 1/2 pkgs depending on how much you want in there.
* cut up green onions(as much as you want)

Roll up into a ball and wrap in Saran Wrap and let sit for at least a day to allow the flavors to soak in. Serve with crackers and BAM! It's slammin' good!

That's it for me today. More tomorrow.. Happy Monday!

Early Thanksgiving Dinner

Brad made an early Thanksgiving dinner tonight. The turkey? Cooked in the crockpot. Awesome...

Cookie Exchange!

Thanks for all the comments yesterday. I'm kind of liking Coco's advice but not sure...hmm... Brad is into us sending them out though with a picture of me, him and The Buddy.

On to another topic....
Now, like I've mentioned. I'm VERY into Thanksgiving but you have to think ahead for the holidays - right?

I just sent out my invitation(yes, a cheezy EVITE)for what will be my 2nd annual cookie and ornament exchange! I just love these types of events! So fun to get all sorts of holiday cookies and not have to go to the trouble of baking 10 different types yourself! My party will be the first Sunday in December.

My favorite holiday cookie? These sugar cookies below. So pretty too.. don't you think?

I have made these before in the Christmas tree cut. Other cookies I generally bake? Rumballs, traditional chocolate chip, and fun little oreo balls! This year I might try something new though!

What is your favorite holiday cookie? What do you generally bake for the Christmas holidays?

Christmas Card Question

Even though I'm in Thanksgiving mode I am thinking about Christmas cards. I didn't send any out last year because of all the chaos with the economy and giving that I work at a bank I was SUPER nervous about losing my job and didn't want to spend the money.

So the last time I sent them out was 2-years ago and before the Bradster. It was back then that I sent holiday greetings from me and The Buddy. Here's the card I sent in 2007 made on Shutterfly.

I was debating on not sending any out this year giving wedding expense and all the mailing I'm doing for that already. BUT...after thinking about it I've decided to send some out.

The thing is - I'm not big on plain cards. I love getting family pictures on the cards I receive and I think most people are the same?

The question is -- what picture do I put on the card? Brad and I aren't married yet so is it weird to send out cards with us on the front with Buddy like we're already a family? Or does it matter?

I also am thinking about just taking a cute Christmas picture of Buddy and let him be the subject on the front.

What do you guys think?

I Want Wednesday

I'm calling today "I want Wednesday". Why you ask?? Because I want one of these. A Vinturi Wine Aerator.

First off – being the real ‘wino’ that I am I’m SHOCKED.. YES..SHOCKED that I don’t have one or even knew about one.

I went to a Jr. League party last night and the host was using one and I was totally intrigued!

It aerates you wine in just seconds as if it had been sitting in a decanter for and hour and ½! The best part? …wait for it….Crate and Barrel carries them and it’s now on our registry.

Click on the above picture to learn more about this fun little contraption. Happy Humpday!

Thanksgiving Day Memories..

I know many of you have already moved on to Christmas but I'm still in Thanksgiving mode. Just over a week away! We're heading to Atlanta to spend time with my parents and my brother and nephew are driving up from Louisiana to meet Brad for the first time! Can you believe?

Thanksgiving over the years has been a hodge podge of memories. When I was a kid my Maw Maw came down from AR to LA to spend it with us. Then in college I never went home and instead joined my friend's families..and on and on...

Anyway - in celebration of the turkey - I'm relfecting on my favorite Thanksgiving Day memory.

Drumroll please!

2001 - Disneyland - Anaheim, CA with Mom and Cathy!

As most of you know I’m a sucker for Disney and Thanksgiving Day is the best time to go! Want to know why? They roll out all their Christmas décor, parade and attractions! And……they have it snow on main street during the fireworks at night! I have more pictures from this trip but not scanned in.

I was stoked to go to Disney and made plans for me and Mom but at the last minute Cathy asked to go too since we both lived in Vegas and had no other plans for Turkey Day. I think Cathy thought it was hokey at first but I’ll never forget when the Christmas parade started coming through the park. Cathy looked and me and said – “This is kinda cool!”

Haha! Of course it is! At Disneyland they also turn the entire Small World attraction into Christmas mode decked with lights and all the countries singing Merry Christmas throughout the ride. Also, they turn the Haunted Mansion into the Nightmare Before Christmas!

Disneyworld in Orlando does a lot of the same stuff – which I’m sure Allyson can tell you about – but I’ve only been there once during Christmas and it was back in 1990.

As far as our Thanksgiving dinner when at Disneyland? We ate at New Orleans restaurant in their Downtown Disney area. We enjoyed a few hurricanes which is a whole other story!

What is your favorite Thanksgiving holiday memory?

Men and Video Games

Okay - not sure if the rest of your significant others play video games to relax or not? BUT.. Brad does and let me tell you what.... I am GLAD he's not talking to real people.

I am sitting upstairs right now listening to him call these people on the TV screen all kinds of bad words.

Why in the world do something that causes you to get so frustrated??

Hmm..
Others might ask what grown men are doing playing PLAYSTATION???

LOL!
My tidbit for tonight.

Time or Money?

The question today? What's worth more to you? Time or Money?....

That's the question I'm trying to answer for myself and am having a hard time figuring it out.

The reason? My parking garage where I park to go to work in Uptown Charlotte went up $25 overnight for their monthly rate! I am still ticked off! That means I'm now paying $100 a month just to park to go to work!

Geezz....When I lived at my condo there was no other option except for bus since I only lived a mile from Uptown...but now it's different since I'm living in South Charlotte.

Now I'm closer to the light rail system that we have here in Charlotte. For $50 a month I can park and ride the train into dowtown.

We live 5-miles from the the train station versus 13 miles of me driving into Uptown. That will save me on gas $$ especially since I drive a gas guzzling JEEP.

The down part? It increases my commute by 20-minutes.

So - the question is -- time or money? 20 extra minutes or an extra $60 a month between gas and parking?

What would you do? I'm very torn.... Brad thinks I should take the time which SHOCKS me!
Happy Monday...

Boxes arriving

We are just over 3-months away from the wedding day but people are already sending us gifts! YAY!

This box arrived Saturday morning and The Buddy was just as excited as I was. Brad was gone so I waited until he got home to open it. (BTW - Brad LOVES..LOVES..opening gifts).. like a little kid!

This is the 3rd box we've received in the past month and it's so fun to go ahead and be able to use the items!

In the box this weekend? An immersion blender we registered for(used it last night) and a wine opener(used it as well). Thanks Emily and Pop!!

Other items we've received via mail:
* an assortment of cheese knives(we know they get used A LOT), entertaining trays, and some of our china.

More to come! Happy Sunday night blogging friends!

Blast from the Past

2001 in Baton Rouge. Rachel's wedding at White Oak Plantation.

Yep, this is me and my Maid of Honor Bek and her hubs Rob..or Roberto as I like to call him.

Look how skinny I was! Geez..only to wish of being back there. Maybe by Feb?

Anyhow - ran across this and had to share. Bek and Rob have 2 girls now and live in Tampa. You've seen me post about those girls before. They're beautiful!

Happy Saturday!

Bridal Portrait vs. Engagement Pictures

Next in the wedding department? Preps for my bridal portrait. I wanted to wait until after the first of the year to take them but that's been moved up to one month from yesterday! YIKES! Talk about starvation! I guess I need to get my butt to the tanning bed too!

Anyhoo -- a lot of my friends have asked why I am doing a bridal portrait. I guess it's a real Southern thing to do. Not everyone does it? What about you Sass?

My Mom is dead set on it and I want it as well. We will have a big portrait on display at the reception for everyone to see.

We are going to do a lot of the shots in Uptown Charlotte and in a park nearby. I hope to get a shot like this. My photographer actually took these. Click on the photo below to go to his website.

Isn't this one cool too??

So, it was between doing a portrait or engagement pictures of Brad and I. I would have liked both but it's not in the budget. Brad felt like with me being 'documoto' that we had enough good pictures of us together and wanted me to opt for the portrait.

What do you think? Portrait beforehand or wait and take all the pictures the day of the wedding? Are portraits stupid?

Pride Mountain Wine

My blogging friend Miss Emily Anne gave me the idea for today's post after I read her Thirsty Thursday entry. Check her out - she's a fellow LSU Tiger!

Today she asked about favorite wines. Well, mine is anything Pride Mountain!
I have to tell you my story about how I found out about their wine. (By the way.. I know ya’ll are tired of hearing me talk about wine – so this will the last post about it for a while)

I was the fall of 1998 and I was living in Reno. My Mom came to visit and me, her and my friend Christina took a weekend trip to Napa Valley. Keep in mind this was my first time ever to the area. After a day of tasting and shopping we saw a postcard with a picture of the winery where the 1980’s show Falcon Crest was filmed. OMG! I was stoked – ‘let’s go find it’ I said. A local told us it was on Spring Mountain.

From there we started driving up the mountain until we got to the top. No Falcon Crest winery(it’s called Spring Mountain winery) to be found. Well, let’s just stop at this one. It happened to be Pride Mountain Winery. We got in there and quickly realized this was nothing but a ‘class act’. They had pictures on the wall where their wines had been served at the White House and NATO. Then we tasted the wine….
WOW! Big is the only word I can use to describe it. If you like BIG and BOLD wines their wine is for you. If you’re into wine then you have to check them out. They’ve won all sort of top-notch rankings in Wine Spectator and acclaim in other industry magazines as well.

The hat I have on in my header picture? A Pride Mountain Vineyard hat. Yeppers.. I’m a weirdo…

My favorite of their wines? Any merlot they make. Click on the above picture to check out their website.

BTW – the Falcon Crest winery? Isn’t open to the public anymore which is why we never found it.

Thank You to our Veterans

A big THANKS to all of our troops and veterans and their families. As you all might know by now I'm from a military family and a volunteer with the USO here in Charlotte.

What these men and women AND their families sacrifice for our country brings tears to my eyes when I think about. AMAZING.

I watched the ceremony at Fort Hood yesterday and was moved by the entire thing. I'm so glad that it was broadcasted so other Americans could see exactly what our troops do for them.

Enough Said.....

I'm off today and getting ready to leave to meet with the lady who is making me wedding cake. YAY!

CrackerGate 2009

I said yesterday I would talk about the third and last winery we went to on Saturday. By this time we are were a bit tipsy and didn't get any beauty shots of the outside.

It's Shadow Springs in the Swan Creek area of the Yadkin Valley. Fun and a bit wild. The shenanigans began before we left the second winery.

Just look at this picture below. T-R-O-U-B-L-E is looming... Kathleen, Christina and Kelli were a total riot together. No JOKE!

Then Christina spilled red wine on her cute lace top. There were some funnier ones than this but I promised I wouldn't post them.


Kelli was hazing Christina?? Not sure what was going on?? It had to do with the red wine though.

Then we arrive at Shadow Springs! You can tell just how looped we are! haha! Keep in mind - I was NOT totally in on all of this. I was hanging with the rest of the crowd too..

What a cute little gift shop they have. Oh..wow! The bus driver knew the people at this winery and told them we were coming so they made arrangements for our group.

They gave us a private tasting room downstairs. Fun - but I think it was too structured for everyone at this point. We need a bar!

They gave us little tables with explanations of the wines, and of course oyster crackers. By this point we all probably needed them! haha!

But... instead of eating them Kathleen and Kelli had a different idea. Let's have a cracker fight! Check out Kelli's face here...contemplating....

Amanda isn't so sure what is getting ready to happen...

And then.. it happened.. the girls throw crackers on the floor and our sommelier went off.

Quote: 'I have a Murder Mystery Dinner here tonight and I'm going to make you clean up!'.

I'm not going to lie I was a bit embarrassed but in the long run it was a HUGE laugh..

Check out this photo below... too damn funny!

I'll get on to new topics tomorrow. Until then. Happy Tuesday! CIAO!

NC Wine Country - Bachelorette Weekend

WOW! I've been avoiding this post because of having to go through and sort all the pictures and upload them to blogger.. WHEW!

What a fabulous weekend despite all that is going on with our family. My Mom and the rest of the family are saying goodbye to Uncle Gary today. He was 71-years old.

As Brad said though -- Uncle Gary would have wanted me to have a good time this past weekend and not sit around and be bummed... and I did just that fo sho!!

Ready, Set, Go!
Below -- ready for mimosas and the gift bags. Thanks Alayna!!

Then - as everyone was arriving so did a big box from San Francisco! My friend Beth sent me a box just in time for the party. Inside? A Heavenly Hostess Apron and one of the biggest bottles of Vueve I've seen!

I had never even heard of these aprons before but WOW! How very cool! Mine was adorned with beading and everything! It matched the colors of the party too. Kinda wish I had worn it all day..

Then the limo bus arrived at the house and we were OFF to wine country. About an hour and 1/2 drive. Here I am with my friend and co-worker Karen.

Then, I moved over to catch up with Kelli and Ms. Becky(Brad's Mom). As I mentioned my Mom didn't make it in..

Then we arrive in wine country! Our first stop - Shelton Vineyards for lunch and a tasting. BTW - don't you love the sash? My friend Kathleen got it for me. I think she thought of my former pageant days!... As long as I wasn't wearing a tierra or veil I was good with it!

The crew...some of which flew in from CA, Ohio, and Arkansas..

Shelton Vineyards in Dobson, NC - click here to learn more.

The foliage on the way up was gorgeous!

We lunched in their Harvest Grille overlooking the vineyard and with a cozy fireplace. Have I told you how much I love fireplaces?? obsessed..

Then the shower/gift opening began...

A fun nightie! Can't wait to wear it! It was one of many I received!

This cute travel bag from Amanda..

With friends Kathleen and Christina. Thanks for traveling in just for me!

Bestie here in Charlotte. Dana...she had a prior engagement but still made it up for the lunch and tasting portion but we know what FUN(or trouble) she would have been on the bus! haha!

My two favorites. Wine... and cheese....

My future family or might I say -- the future Stephens ladies!

The tasting room.

Me and Kat..enough said..

Group shot at the tasting bar...

Another group shot..before we head to the next winery!

Kelli and Ion our way to Raffaldini!

Arriving at stop #2 - my friends Trish and Amanda..

Raffaldini Vineyards. Let me tell you what kidz.. I had never been here before BUT I will be back. What a LOVELY place! Click here for more...

Check out the view! Seriously.... What a place to just hang for the day. They have no restaurant but a deli. I'm going back VERY soon!

The tasting room. Ms. Becky was so fun! She really got into it too!

Beauty shot.. well, sorta. HAHA!

I bought a bottle here too.

Me and Karen on the patio/deck at Raffaldini.

Then.. after this we hit another winery. I talk about it tomorrow. Just too many pix today. The last winery involved shenanigans.. Maybe too much wine?

Then we went home where we proceeded to eat, drink a few more, dance and play with The Buddy..We went to bed early.

Kelli getting her Dance Party USA on! Needless to say - most of the chicas stayed the night.

Speaking of night - the quote of the night from my future sis-in-law Robyn. 'But I don't want to have any more fun!' -- me trying to get her to stay up later instead of going to bed. HAHA!

Thanks to all!