Granny's Bowl

Confession: I love vintage Pyrex. 

A few years ago at my bridal shower my mama gave me one piece of Pyrex that is irreplaceable. 

She gave me my Great-grandmothers "pudding bowl". 

It was the last gift I opened. Mama waited until I had opened everything else and handed it to me. We had my shower a week after the wedding and my granny had passed after a battle with bone cancer on my wedding day, so the pain of losing her was still raw. Granny, and mama had a very special very strong bond and the fact that mama gave it to me meant so much. I remember looking up and mama had excused herself. Dad walked over and hugged me and said mom had a hard time parting with something so sentimental. She had gone back and forth and decided it was meant to have a place in my home. 

I cried and vowed it would always have a place among my fine china. That is where it has stayed. 

Granny and Papa were farmers so money was tight and most of her stuff was hand me downs. This bowl was a splurge and she used it to take her amazing homemade banana pudding to church gatherings and get togethers. There is no telling how times the bowl was pulled off the shelf for her special sweet treat. I like to imagine her with her gospel music playing, dancing around the kitchen getting ready for lunch after revival. 

This bowl is more than a bowl. It's my mama's sacrifice and love. It's traditions and recipes passed on. It's memories and history. I think we all have those little things that have been passed on. Those little things that are so small but mean so much.

 What is one of your favorite sentimental keepsakes?

Thankful

I try to remember what I am thankful for daily. I even started a Blessings Journal. This time of the year usually makes us think about  it a little bit more. This year has been a wild ride. I have been at my highest and my lowest. Some of the biggest changes of my life occured this year and even though it was a little rocky it has been one of  the most rewarding.

So here it is...

What I am thankful for this year.

My family and how close we have grown.
Getting to experience carrying a child even if it ended with pain.
Brantley
Chris's new job and the free time it has given us.
My faith journey and how close I am to God right now. (I have even found patience. Gasp!)
My home.
My health.
My friends.
Casper and the fact I was able to give him an amazing retirement. (Thanks mom and dad!)
The dogs and their never wavering loyalty.
The bond I share with my sisters.
Rosewood Farm and my barn family.
My marriage.

I could go on and on but you get it, I am blessed beyond belief.

So now off to enjoy a few of those blessings. Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo By Scott Robinson via StockPholio.com

Old stuff and Vino

For the first time in years we had the weekend of July Fourth off!

We worked Friday. That is, if you call watching the guys shoot bottle rockets at each other while I caught up on paper work and lunch at Wild Wings, work.

Friday night, I gave min pin a Confianza so she didn't have a heart attack and we watched fireworks from our deck. Min Pin slept through them. The dog that typically panics when it rains, slept through fireworks! Fur-mama win. From our deck we can see one cities fireworks to the left and one neighborhoods show to the right. The trees were kind of in the way but it beat fighting traffic in town.

Saturday Chris woke me and up and told me to call mama and tell her he was taking us to lunch and shopping. (I am a lucky, lucky lady).

We started our adventure with lunch at Copeland's where I was a fatty and chowed on some red beans and rice. And Chris had an amazing Muffaletta. And maybe I know it was amazing because I had a quarter of it.

After getting miserable we hit the antique shops. After aisle 3 my head was spinning. Mom and I were sure it was because of all the junk treasure our senses were being bombarded with. Later, I realized it was probably the massive amount of sodium I had just ingested. Oops.

Chris was taking his time picking over every little thing while mom and I were basically running through booths like giggling lunatics that had just escaped our padded rooms. I wanted all the things. All the things.
We managed to score some pretty awesome stuff including an oil lamp to go with western theme I am currently rocking in my house.

After antiquing to the point of exhaustion, we talking Chris into taking us on our first Trader Joe's excursion. After reading about Whitney's experience, I knew I had to have some of this $3 wine and mom had been wanting to go for months. It did not disappoint. We walked through the doors and mom got her second wind of energy. At one point Chris asked her if she was going to put one of everything in her cart.

We were losing steam until we turned a corner and saw the vino. We basically turned into crackheads and couldn't decide what to get. That is how she came home with 2 bottles and I came home with 4. In my defense I only had 2 in my basket and she (being the awesome mama she is) bought me the other 2 as a treat. In case you were wondering, the $3 wine does not disappoint. At all.

My wine haul 

Sunday included a trip to the feed store where we ran into my parents and sisters and baby Brant, followed by yard work. Yuck. I managed to injure myself and nursed away my pain with the wine I scored Saturday.

So all in all, a very successful weekend.

Wrapped Up

A few months ago I told myself that I would give this blog more attention. An honest go. I failed.

I failed for good reasons, so maybe we won't call this a fail. You see I have been completely wrapped up in my marriage. I know, I know... you're thinking, "another mush post" but hear me out.

I read an article the other day about how happy couples are hated on Facebook. What?! Why is it we can't stand to see other people happy? Is it because misery really does love company? That is a sad thought but it seems to be true.

I remember when we announced our engagement people would say things the worst things. Here is a list of the ones I STILL remember.

"Well, there goes your sex life!"
"You still have time to run!"
" Ready for the ball and chain?"
"I wouldn't do it again. Hell no!"
"Ah, your first ex husband"
" So he's the person that will eventually get half your stuff?"

Yes, people actually said this stuff. When I read that article it all came back to me and I reflected on our relationship.

Are we hated on Facebook? Probably. We laugh and snuggle and can't stand to be away from each other. We take smiling selfies and are thankful for one another. At the beginning of the year I vowed to make this year our best. I would try to push every thing else out and put us first.

First step: Become a more Godly couple. 
I realized our marriage started in the Church and that's where it needed to stay rooted. We had slipped slowly away and that was causing some of our issues. I started doing Bible studies on my own and then invited him to join me. It became a nightly thing to curl up on the couch and read a passage or two. I also began praying for my husband, praying for our life and praying for our future.

Second step: Be our own family
This was the hardest for me. I always have had a huge extended family and I have always been so intertwined with their lives. Which is good, but at the same time their drama was affecting MY marriage. That is not acceptable. I had to realize that while I can still visit with them and love them, I cannot be at their constant beck and call to sort out their drama. I realized Chris and I are our own unit. We have our own issues to sort through. WE COME FIRST.

Third step: Date my husband
We have been so stuck on budgeting and getting out of debt that we were forgetting to live, forgetting to enjoy each other and forgetting just how much we loved one another.

The results have been amazing. We are like two teenagers completely wrapped up in one another. We talk on the phone constantly. We have been more considerate and more thankful for one another. We are truly living as one unit. It is the most amazing feeling to get goosebumps and butterflies when I see him. That feeling has been fading for years, because we let life get in the way.

So I guess we are that hated couple on Facebook. Chris's best friend told him that there was no way we are that happy because we used to argue constantly. We laugh when we hear that kind of stuff now. We joke that something must be wrong with us because our bedroom life is the best it has ever been and we are married! Gasp.

 Nothing is wrong with us, the sad thing is something major is wrong with society. When people HATE seeing others post about happy relationships something is wrong. When people spout of divorce stats like they are a challenge when you announce your engagement, something is wrong.

Misery loves company, you just have to decline the invitation.

I stumbled across this link up at Running in Stilettos and thought it was adorable. So I am giving it a go! 

... loves horses, like a little girl loves ponies. My horses are my passion.  

... treats her dogs like  her children. Proof.

... dances to bluegrass in the kitchen while cooking when I am alone. 

... is trying to get addicted to healthy eating and working out. Wish me luck. 

... can't say "no" to a glass of sweet tea. 

... says "Bless your heart", "ya'll" "my oh my" and "well, I'll be..." way to much

... wears yoga pants 90% of the time. 

... loves to cook. I put everything I got into every meal. It's my outlet. 

... loves cars. Old cars. Fast cars. I just love them. 

... loves lace. I have to have lace curtains in my home somewhere at all times. And I love lace clothes and scarves and... you get it. 

... does a happy dance when the first daffodil sprouts. 

... counts down the days until spring. Actually, my friend Rachel keeps up the countdown for me. My southern blood cannot handle temperatures below 70 degrees. 

... dances and plays in summer rain. 

... feels at home in my little white, one room church 

... would rather snuggle with her family and watch movies and talk over pie, then be out with friends. 

Get to know me.

Today I was over at Travel Babbles and she is doing a twenty facts link up. I have noticed a few new followers around here so even though I have already spilled some secrets, I decided to join in and tell you a few things.

1) I wish that I could wear pajamas everyday. I worked from home for dad before I worked in the office and it made me LAZY. I wear yoga pants to work all the time.

2) I have a temper. I can sometimes be a bitch. Sorry. We are being honest here and that is me.

3) I just bought my childhood home and I am in love with it. I love sleeping in this familiar place and I love all the memories that are here and all the ones to come. It's the coolest feeling ever.

4) I could sleep 16 hours a day. I am a professional sleeper. My pillow and I are besties.

5) I love sweet tea. I have a glass everyday. I get grumpy without it.

6) I am an equestrian. I have ridden horses since birth (mom rode while pregnant with me). I have been to Grand Nationals and the World Championships but I still never feel good enough. One day.

7) I have a mouth like a sailor. I try to watch it on here but it is so damn hard!

8) I am OCD over somethings but somethings have to remain chaotic for me to be satisfied.

9) One of my favorite moments in the day... When Riley goes to sleep and dreams. He yips in his sleep and it is adorable. My heart melts.

10) I am trying to be more organized with this whole blog thing. I have a calendar and am ready for this next year. I am really bad about procrastinating but I am hoping that using the calendar will help with this.

11) I am a product junkie. There are probably 4 bottles of shampoo, 8 bottles of lotion, 6 bottles of perfume and 3 mascaras in my bathroom right now.

12) I sing constantly. About everything. If I don't know a song to fit the situation, I make up one. I am pretty sure this is why my husband married me. I am entertaining as hell. He says embarrassing but sometimes he mixes up his words.

13) I hope I one day have a little girl so I can play with all of the amazing toys I saved from my childhood. Seriously there are Polly Pockets in my attic waiting for that day. That makes me a loser, doesn't it?

14) I really want to go up in a hot air balloon, but my husband is terrified of the idea. This frustrates me too no end,

15) My animals are my babies and my family means everything. Seriously, I do not know what I would do without them.

16) I could eat Pizza every day. Why are there so many calories in pizza? There are veggies in it. Doesn't that count as healthy?

17) I think that humans should be allowed to hibernate during the winter. Seriously, we should be allowed to sleep and eat and snuggle without having to go out into the cold and work.

18) I have to sleep with a fan at night, but there cannot be any other noise and it has to be pitch black. I also have to sleep with 3 pillows.

19) The two most relaxing things in the world ... my farm and my horses. I just never make myself take the time to breathe and enjoy them until I am at the breaking point. This year I have decided to change that.

20) I love my blog. I hope it shows. This year I hope to open up more and show you all a little more me. I want to connect with you guys and build lasting friendships.

A Simple Christmas

This year the holiday was simple and cozy and perfect. We didn't do anything unusual just dinner and 24 hr Christmas story and quality family time.

My gorgeous sister. She is home again and things are better. I am glad, I missed her annoying ways.

The three of us. We are sisters, but we are all so different.

Me and the hubs! I love this picture, even if he is fake smiling. 

A new camera to film his new baby. 

And speaking of the bundle of joy!

Sweet baby K's first Christmas! 

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! 

The truth about holidays

Thursday is Thanksgiving. Sigh... I have mixed emotions about the holidays. It's warm and cozy and you get to eat good food. You also get to see your family... the whole family. This is where it gets hard. I love my family, but since my grandfather passed it seems like something is missing when we all get together. To me the holidays kind of shine a spotlight on those that are missing. It is so hard and depressing. I am hoping Baby K feels that void a little bit this year. Maybe we can all find happiness in this Thanksgiving.

That's the sad part of dealing with the family...  And then you have cousin "Joe" who is gross and loud and you have to deal with him and his kids and his wife who isn't friendly. There are the snarky in-laws commenting on your cooking (I have something up my sleeve for this relative.). There are the kids screaming and fighting and pitching fits. Oh and did I mention that relative who comments on your new car and house and how it must be nice to get whatever you want? Um, no I work for my stuff, maybe if you would get a job instead of coming up with fake excuses, you would have nice things too.

 

This year my sister threw a wrench into it all and told my parents she wanted to move out Monday AM. My mom is devastated and is not attending Thanksgiving. My sister has no idea what she is giving up. My parents bought her a gorgeous horse, a truck, she is in school. She has the world ahead of her, but some stupid boy is in the picture. If they show up to Thanksgiving it is sure to be awkward. If they don't show up mom will be depressed all weekend. 

So grab a drink and prepare for Thursday. I am sure we will all have stories come Monday.

Side note: My husband just looked at me and said can we look at hairstyles for me. Oh lawd.... what is going on in this family.
By the way I sponsored Grin and Barrett this month. Wow, so much traffic
from there and she is adorable. Check out the page now for the Marriage Chronicles.

A weekend in crap kickers

I spent my weekend on the farm in shiz kickers. Those are cowboy boots for those of you who aren't up on the country girl lingo. I spent the weekend petting cows, loving my farmer husband, laughing with my sister, and hanging out with my farmer dad. I am still in a state of bliss and will be for a few days. 

Ya'll wanna take a mini vacay to the farm? Okay, turn on some country music, close out the world, look at these photos and pretend you are there. 

My lovely hammock that dad hung over a ledge. Once your in, you don't move.

The courthouse in town. Town is 20 minutes from us. 

One of my favorite cows. She needs to be a cow model. 

Daddy bailing hay!

Dad's tractor has AC and a stereo... farming is hard. 

No explanation needed. 

The rake looks really cool! 

My hot farmer. 

My favorite crap kickers ever. Thank you hubby!

The hay field with the hills behind it. 

Hard at work? Hardly working? You decide.

The 100+ year old barn.

That tree makes our car look tiny

Again with the view 

So that was my weekend! 

Something smells like a wet dog

This weekend I started out cranky. I hate Eve. Once a month I wonder what the hell that woman was thinking. My poor husband probably hates her too, because this weekend there were a few times I caught myself stepping into psycho. Fo' Realz. 

Chris spent the morning cutting grass while I pouted over nothing got dressed and stomped around started the laundry. When he finished he managed to get my cranky rump in the car and we headed to Dock Dogs. At this point I was so pissy over nothing that the man was taking his life in his own hands just dealing with me. I love him for this. 

If you love dogs and never have gone to a Dock Dog event, go. Actually take a moment to look up it up. You back? Okay.  The dogs are so into what they are doing. You can see them twitching with excitement. The handlers praise the dogs no matter how poorly they do and every one has a genuine good time. Plus, there is the added fun of friendly competition. 

One focused pup!

Leaving the dock!

Any dog can compete, and we saw it all. My favorites included: 

Bully breed mutt!

The Awesome Little dog!

A pitt/pointer 2 pit mix's that are representing the breed beautifully. I am a sucker for anyone promoting the breed in a positive way and these two do it successfully. 

There was a lab puppy that was 6 months old. Her handler was a boy that was about 12. They made cutest pair. She kinda belly flopped in, until she didn't. She did so well in practice and then froze on stage. She just sat there like, "how 'bout I just sit up here and look pretty? Good for you?" I think she will get it eventually. If anything she looked adorable doing it.

There was a cairn terrier, yes you read that right, Toto himself. That little dog flew farther than some of the big dogs! He had some major little dog swag that comes with being awesome.


Then there was a veteran lab, teaching a child how to be a handler. It was so sweet. Even when the kid wasn't focused the dog behaved perfectly. If that doesn't make you tear up your heartless. Just kidding. Maybe.

Then there was a mutt that was a family dog. After her jump she ran to her family to greet them. The dad of the group was in a wheelchair and thinking about him telling her she was perfect and loving her while the wife(handler) looked on, giving them there moment still makes me cry. I am such a softy.

On Sunday, we took we took the dogs watch. They behaved wonderfully and I tried to convince Riley that this was totally his sport. I am not sure he is on board, but I am gonna try. After we were done there, we headed to the hubby's family dinner. They are all from Chicago and it is a bit of culture shock even after 8 years for this southern girl. They are arguing about stuff just to argue, it is so loud and there family is huge! I actually like being apart of a big family now. It took awhile to get used to, but now I am part of the chaos! They are not bad for in-laws. 

Now I need to rest up to get ready for next week!

Big 'Ol Lemons

Life gave me lemons today. Big sour lemons. Lemons that made me angry and when I am angry I cry. I ordered the lemons 3 weeks ago without even realizing. I saw it happening but couldn't do anything to stop it. We loaned our car to a relative, who in return trashed it and got it impounded. I should have followed that gut feeling. We now have to hope we can sell it for salvage to cover some of our losses. It seems that house of ours must wait again. 

Oh well, if you read my "B" blog , you know I find beauty or the positive in everything. I made a list to keep me from crying even more. 
1) Less car insurance once we sell it.
2) We tried to do a good deed.
3) We can car shop or put money into my project truck so that we have 2 cars, and I love picking out cars. 
4) We needed a truck anyways.
5) We learned who we can really trust through it all.  

In the mean time I will drink an adult beverage and share my lemonade recipe. 

You need a 2 quart pitcher

1 cup of fresh squeezed lemonade

2 cups of sugar (yes 2)and the juice of one clementine. Okay, here is the most important part, throw the clementine in the pitcher and stir and DO NOT remove it. Then serve in a chilled mason jar because there  is no other way to drink lemonade.  If you guys try it and like it let me  know.

Love 

-M

Lake Burton- Where I would love to be sipping my lemonade right now