Mardi Gras/Super Bowl Madness

I need to seriously calm down!

Along with our neighbors we have decided to have a 'few people over' for the Super Bowl and I now have this hair-brain idea we're making it a Mardi Gras party too!

I just can't help myself!

My Mother In-Law and I hit a store over the weekend where all of their Christmas decor was 70% off and I found items that can be used for a Mardi Gras table scape!

Now, I'm getting on Pinterest (follow me here)and going nuts!

RIDICULOUS!
We're doing everything at our house but my neighbor LeAne is helping with the decor too.

We're inviting people outside the hood as well and told the neighbors to do the same!

I still have a few things Mardi Gras but having moved so many times over the years I've thrown out all my beads and such.

So, I talked to my niece Hannah the other night and she's sending me some of hers to decorate with.

Here's a few inspiration photos I found on Pinterest.

Of course, I have ideas in my mind with items I already have at the house because I'm determined to spend little or no $$.

Our official theme?

Beer, Beads and The Super Bowl!

I love this for a center piece.

I think I have everything except for the flowers.

We might serve up some good ole' fashion Hurricanes!

Source: blog.mardigrasoutlet.com via Annie on Pinterest

I'm loving this wreath!

Source: blogs.babble.com via Annie on Pinterest

Source: fancyfaces.com via Darlene on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Anne Marie on Pinterest

Source: homeiswheretheholmansare.blogspot.com via Kristy on Pinterest

And, you know I've already ordered a King Cake from New Orleans.

I'm planning on making it the anchor for the table.

I just hope I'm able to be creative as I hope I can be!!!

My neighbor LeAne is pretty crafty so I'm hoping she can help.

BTW - check out her new fabulous blog by clicking here!

Any other cool ideas for me that won't break the bank?!

Happy Mardi Gras 2012 and Super Bowl XLVI!

Burgers and More - I've been Tagged

It's been a while since I've done one of these but my blogger buddy, MCW, tagged me with 11 questions so here it goes.

#1. How do you eat your burger?

I love homemade hamburgers and the more ketchup,mustard and pickles the better. I always cut my burger in half too to make it easier to eat.

#2. What's your favorite characteristic about yourself?

The ability to make conversation with anyone from any walk of life.

It doesn't matter what race, gender, class or what part of the country/World you are from.

Or, if I've never met them before!

#3. What time period from the past would you like to live in?

I'm obsessed with the Old South so I'm going to say the Civil War Era.

Of course, only if I was the daughter of a plantation owner like Miss Scarlett!

LOL!

Seriously, how fun would it have been to live in a plantation home and wear beautiful dresses?

#4. What actress would be cast to play you?

Lord, I don't know but I would like to say Ashley Judd.

Love her.

If only, I had her body.

#5. What was your first car?

Gosh, I wish I had a picture to show y'all.

It was a 1987 Grey/Silver Dodge Charger.

I received it for Christmas in 1991.

It had no air-conditioning and I wrecked it 6-months later when I pulled out in front of someone.

My Dad was NOT.HAPPY.AT.ALL

#6. What's one product I hope it never discontinued?

Tyler Candles.

I could not live without them. It's pretty ridiculous.

I actually found several Christmas scents on sale this weekend for 70% off and stocked up for next year.

If you haven't tried them, do so!

#7. What was high school like for you?

High school weren't my best years.
We moved my 10th grade year from Baton Rouge to Hot Springs, AR.
While I made new friends and was in the 'cool' crowd, I never really clicked with the Hot Springs crowd.
Maybe it was because I left behind my boyfriend in Louisiana?

All I could think about was getting back to Baton Rouge.

The minute I graduated I was on the road and ready for LSU where I spent the next 6-years of my life.

(4 1/2 in college and 1 1/2 years working after school at a local TV station)

Oh, and BTW, still friends with my first boyfriend seen above.

He's married with 2-kids and still in Baton Rouge.

#8. Do you believe in ghosts?

Totally!

I could do an entire post on this but my simple answer is YES!

#9. What would your dream house look like?

In the mountains on a lake with a ginormous outdoor kitchen and living space.

Enough bedrooms and bathrooms for plenty of family and friends to visit.

#10. When did you have your first beer? Did you have more than one?

I've never been a beer drinker so I'm not real sure.

I was a wine cooler kind of gal back in the day.

Cheesy but true.

So, I'm going to say probably at some fraternity party.

#11. What is your least favorite word?

Robust.

It is overused in the corporate world and I think people think it makes them look smarter.

I think I'm suppose to tag people but I say take the questions and go for it if you want!

Happy Day!

Winery Visit, Boat Ride -Fun Family Weekend

Christmas was the last time we saw any of Brad's side of the family, including our niece and nephew, so this weekend we made plans to do just that.

It started out Friday night with us going out to BIL and SIL's house for dinner.

We brought the munchkins Valentine's Day cookies.

 After dinner I enjoyed a few snuggles with Paige and Buddy.

 Getting a little bit goofy!

 Ice cream sandwiches that Buddy wanted a bite of badly.

 Then on Saturday we woke and after a few errands we headed North to the Salisbury/Lexington area where Brad's parents live.

Since the weather was so nice we decided on lunch at nearby Childress Winery.

If you live in NC and have never been you should plan a visit.

Super nice.
We go several times every year since it's so close to the lake house.

 Cheese board.

What's new.

 Our view was the vineyard which isn't the prettiest in Winter.

 Couldn't find the back light setting on my camera.
You get the idea.

 I picked up a few bottles to have for our upcoming Super Bowl party.
Stay tuned for that!
I'm doing a Mardi Gras theme!

 

A few pictures in the vineyard..

After lunch our next stop was a nature preserve that my FIL was eager for us to see.

The owner of grocery chain Food Lion's property.

Total craziness.

Buffalo.

And, Elk!

Other animals too that I wasn't able to capture with my camera.

I wish I had that kind of money to spend.

The weather was in the mid-sixties so when we got back to the house we decided to go for a little pontoon ride.

Not too bad but we didn't stay out too long because the sun started going down and it cooled off quick!

Which resulted in us building a fire to warm up.

Perfect end to a perfect fun-filled weekend with family.

Now we're enjoying our Sunday.

I'm having a dinner tonight with a friend I haven't seen in a couple of years.

Happy Sunday!

Movie Soundtracks - My Favorite

Last night I called my niece to chat and she told me that the movie GREASE One was on CMT.

I immediately switched the channel!

GREASE One was my all-time favorite movie growing up.

So much that I watched it at least 2x's a week and I had the 8-track, tape and record.

I use to play it over and over and over again.

I would dance and sing all over our house.

It would DRIVE MY BROTHER CRAZY!

He would comment, 'Oh, great..not that album again.'

and...

'Stop dancing!'

HA!

My cousins and I use to act out scenes from the movie all the time too putting on our poodle skirts and singing and dancing.

So, last night while watching I sent my brother a couple of pictures and wrote.

"Hey! My favorite childhood movie is on! OHH Sandy!"

 Danny on the swing..

Gotta love it.

Brad, of course, has never seen the movie in its entirety.

I, of course, know every song which got us on the topic of movie soundtracks.

He figured GREASE was probably one of the top grossing ones of all time.

It's totally my all-time favorite but I remembered reading recently that The Bodyguard soundtrack was actually the top selling ever.

And, sure enough it is.

The Amazon list of the top selling soundtracks:

#1. Bodyguard

#2. Saturday Night Fever

#3. Purple Rain(the movie sucked!)

#4. Dirty Dancing(another favorite of mine)

#5. Titanic

#6. Lion King

#7. Footloose

#8. Top Gun

#9. GREASE

All the way at the bottom.

Really?

What's your favorite movie soundtrack of all time??!

Miranda Lambert Concert!

I'm not big on going out during the week but I make exceptions here and there.

Last night was one of them when my friend Katie invited me to join her and one of her co-workers, and her family, for the Miranda Lambert concert.

With the ticket only costing $20, I said yes!

I was excited to wear my cowboy boots I got for Christmas and I paired it with a red cowboy hat I bought 8-years ago and have only worn once.

I thought at first it might be too much red but then I decided that I didn't care if it was.

We went early and tailgated in the parking lot like good rednecks do.

 I sent the above picture to my friend Kathleen and she said "you look skinny!"

Little did she know I had my Spanx on under my jeans.

HA!

You know I don't do any sort of tailgate without wine and cheese.

Last night gave me the chance to use my new picnic-ware that my Mom gave me for Christmas.

I'm loving the new plates that allow you to hook in your plastic wine glass!

It will be great for Pops in the Park this summer.

I picked up the basket years ago while wine tasting in the Central Coast of California.

 A little cheesy?

Yes, but that's how Dee rolls.

 When inside the venue Katie had to buy a koozie.

She said she picks one up from every concert she goes too.

HA!

She bought me one too.

So sweet!

 Chris Young opened up.

Pretty good stuff!

 Then Miranda took stage!

I heart her.

She was suppose to play here last week but had to reschedule after her FIL, Blake's dad passed away.

 She puts on one heck of a show and she's not afraid to be herself.

That's refreshing!

 Good times for all!

 Thanks to Katie for inviting me and her friend Alice for the tickets!

If you ever get a chance to see Miranda, DO IT!

Happy Thursday!

One more day until the weekend!

Valentine's Day is Upon Us!

I've never been a huge Valentine's Day fan but over the years I've learned to embrace it more and more.

Maybe it's because I have a wonderful husband to spend it with now where in years past I was single at home hoping for flowers from anyone.

HA!

Read my thoughts about the holiday by clicking here.

While us adults have different thoughts on the holiday kids are different!

Valentine's Day is all about candy and trading cards at school!

Remember?

Of course, we haven't been lucky enough to have kids of our own yet but we have nieces and nephews!

Including these adorable two.

Cute little faces, aren't they?

Of course, you know how much I love pictures!

So, I was texting with my sister-in-law last night and suggested she do photo cards for the kids to give at school this year for Valentine's Day.

I generally use Tiny Prints for cards and they have all sorts of fun and cute designs.

Just click here.

Nephew Reed is all about super heroes these days including Spiderman so I am thinking this would be super-duper cute.

And for Paige?

This cute design.

If you don't have kids and didn't get a chance to send out Christmas cards you could always send out your own Valentine's day greeting card with a picture of your pet or you!

Or, having a Valentine's Day party?

There's a ton of designs for that as well.

See them all by clicking here.

I'm a big fan of Tiny Prints and even used the for a lot of our wedding stuff.

Learn more about them by following them on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

YAY for Valentine's Day!

Photo of the Day

Photo of the day!

I left this one out when posting about my trip out to the Los Angeles area.

If you aren't familiar with Pink's hot dogs in Hollywood it's been made famous in TV and films and is frequented by celebrities.

We had already eaten lunch otherwise I would have bought one.

The main reason I had to stop and take this picture is the sign wishing actress Betty White a Happy 90th Birthday!

(her birthday was January 17th which was the time frame we were out there)

What a career she continues to have at her age!

I saw a recent interview with her and you would think she was more like 70-years of age with her spunk and stamina.

So, today I'm wishing Betty a happy belated 90th.

Am I the only one that thinks she is fabulous?!

The Progressive Dinner

We had our first progressive dinner with friends in the neighborhood last night.

Believe it or not the husbands planned the whole thing and did the cooking.

I love events like this I just think it is great that the men organized it all!

Our first stop of the night was just a few houses down at Bryan and Shannan's where they went all out.

Their basement is an entertainment area so they had us all down there where they have beer on tap and did cosmos.

The food was mushrooms stuffed with veal.

My favorite: bacon wrapped scallops with a sprig of rosemary.

French bread with caramelized onions and anchovies.

Our gracious host Bryan mixing cocktails!

The wives.

Shannan, Me and LeAne.

Hubby and neighbor Keith.

These two might as well be brothers.

Redic how much they are alike.

The 2nd stop of the night was our house for the main course.

My last minute table scape.

It was raining all day and I originally thought hydrangeas but it's not Spring quite yet.

Brad made lasagna but put it in a temp baking dish in order for it to be thicker.

Delish!!

I made salad and we had french bread too.

So fun!

Our next stop was Keith and LeAne's for dessert.

WOW!

Keith made creme brulee from scratch.

And, LeAne did a table scape too!

And, they served dessert wine!

The whole gang again.

I'm already thinking of how we can do this once a month.

With next month's weekend falling on Mardi Gras weekend so I can attempt a king cake!

Oh..forgot.

All of our dogs participated in the dinner too.

And, Keith was our dog 'whisperer'.

Have you guys ever done a dinner like this?

Tons of fun!