Cocktails Anyone?

So this is the latest and greatest noisy project. Josh is building a bar to go in the garage....classy! No, just kidding, I think it is pretty cool. He is going to build cabinets behind the bar to store glasses and other things. If you look at the pictures of the bar, he has an empty space in the front. A mini- fridge thing is supposed to go there. I am anxious to see how it all turns out!

Oooh La La

Josh is a member of our local Chamber of Commerce. We went to a Chamber event and I won this in the silent auction! It got a little competitive, but in the end, I won!!

Ravioli with Arugula, Tomatoes and Pancetta

This is delicious and takes little time and effort, not much chopping involved. You can add some onion and garlic if you would like, I did and it was great! Also, if you are not a big fan of arugula, just use spinach. So here ya go, enjoy....

Ingredients
1 pound cheese ravioli
6 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, chopped
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra for seasoning
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus extra for seasoning
3 cups arugula
1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves, divided
2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the ravioli and cook for 7 to 9 minutes until tender. Drain.
In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, add the pancetta and cook stirring frequently, until crispy, about 8 minutes. Remove to paper towels to drain. Add the tomatoes, olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook for 2 minutes until tender. Add the arugula and 1/4 cup basil and cook until wilted, about 30 seconds. Stir in the butter and melt. Add the ravioli and cooked pancetta and toss until coated. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer the ravioli to a large serving bowl. Garnish with the remaining basil and serve.
Next Recipe

Wilderness Weekend

This weekend was one of my bffs' bach weekend. We rented a cabin in the North Carolina mountains. And ya'll, we were in the middle of the woods! It was so much fun. We grilled out, built a fire in the fire pit, had some cocktails, went antiquing in town, watched movies, opened gifts, got scared by the random noises in the woods and survived a 4 hour power outage. We had a blast, the husbands were so impressed with us because we used the grill and kept the fire going all on our own. I hope we do this again!!

We are acting funny in the first picture because the smoke from the fire was kind of out of control, it was pretty bad we had to keep moving around!

Dang It!!!

I got into a fender bender this morning on the way to work! MmmHmmm. I hit a guy in a white 'Stang, he in turn hit the lady in front of him. No one was hurt, and there was not really any damage to any of the cars. But, it is not a good feeling to be the one to cause all that ruckus. So I got a ticket and was an hour late to work. Geez, what a morning! I really do not enjoy my commute to work sometimes. It is nice to have some time to listen to music, drink coffee and wake up. But sometimes that drive kicks my butt! Oh well, I just need to be very careful, I guess. So now that I am a bad ass and got in a wreck, I don't want to hear any more granny driver jokes, k?

Where is My Diploma?

I can not find my college diploma anywhere. You would think that after 6 years and one summer school class, just to get my 4 year undergrad degree, I would not be so careless with it! But after the game this weekend, I really don't want it! JK!! I do want it, I want to hang it up in my house somewhere, so I hope I find it. I wonder if they will give me a new one....

Josh gave me a gift card to a spa for my Bday, so that was nice!! I think I will take advantage of that very soon. I am kind of eating my words about him not being good with gifts! He is showing big signs of improvement already ;)

Fun Friday

So, My Coworkers surprised me with this yummy cake today for my birthday!! Well, it is really Saturday. Since we all spend so much time together, I am very happy that we all get along so well, and enjoy each other's company! I really do love those people :)
My Mom picked me up and took me to lunch. We had a great time. I kind of teared up when I read the birthday card from my Mom and Dad! It was a blank note card, and in my Mom's handwriting it simply said, " Happy Birthday, we love you and we love seeing you so happy. Love Mom and Dad." Few, but, meaningful words. And the rest of the day, I could not stop thinking about how happy I really am. I have so much to be thankful for and I am so fortunate to have such wonderful people in my life who love me so much. :)
It has already been a great birthday, and it is not even here yet! We went to a really yummy dinner with our friends, Char and Ray, earlier this week. It was this local restaurant that I enjoyed very much. I did some birthday shopping for myself at TJ Maxx and Target through out the week. And I already told you all about today. I am not sure what Josh and I will be doing this weekend. I think we both agree that we would like to stay close to home and relax. We went out of town for the past two weekends...so you know how that is. I did not ask for a specific present from Josh, and I would not be disappointed if he did not go all out. And....he is not very good at going out on his own, I know that sounds bad! I think after a few years, he will get better though. And, I really do not care that much, if I want something, I will go get it myself. I really can not complain, he has been so helpful and industrious lately. He did those floors, painted the garage, not to mention, helping out around the house (doing the dishes and what not) And as always working long hours:)
I hope everyone has a great weekend!! Be safe with all of the Halloween and Football festivities going on!

Fall is my Favorite!

I love fall! My Anniversary, Birthday, My Husband's Birthday, and Thanksgiving! Oh yeah and Football.

Autumn is a Second Spring
When Every Leaf is a Flower
-Albert Camus

I found this fall treat....Candied Apples!! Here is how you make your own:


Ingredients:
12/3 Cups Cinnamon Red Hot Candies
2 Tablespoons Water
12 Apples


Preparations:
Insert Craft Sticks into Apples. Line in baking sheet with waxed paper.
On a saucepan over medium heat, pour candies and water. Heat candy to 300 degrees, or until
formed into syrup. Remove from heat, let cool slightly.
Dip apples in hot liquid and place on waxed paper to harden.

Wow what a Monday!

Very busy day for me at work. I love when it is busy! The day goes fast and I feel more productive. I went to the grocery store after work today. That is never really a great idea. If I do that, I try to eat a snack. Going to the grocery store hungry is very very bad! So I spent a little bit too much, oh well..

We had a fun weekend in Greenville. We did not know very many people at the shower, but that was not really a problem. Everyone was so nice, and happy that we made the trip. I really wish that I took some pictures of the host's home. She is a fellow TJ Maxxer, and collects things from estate auctions and her travels. We stayed up wayyyy toooo late, we always do.

Sunday the bride and groom to be and Josh and I went downtown to have lunch. We took a long stroll around the park down there and got a sneak peak at their reception venue. We had a great time. I love going up there to visit. Greenville is so clean. There is a lot of culture (the arts) and it is growing very fast. I interviewed for a job up there when Josh and I started dating, I did not get it. I guess it was not meant to be, oh well!!

I hope everyone has a great week!

One more thing- I am having problems commenting, Thank you for those of you who have left comments! I will get the hang of this and comment back!!

Handy Husband

I wish I had "before" pictures. It was carpet and linoleum. Not very pretty. Josh put in these new floors! Wow!! He did a great job. The living room is still carpet. It is clean and in great condition, so I am not sure if we will change out the floors in there. I am very happy with the result, and proud of Josh, that was a pretty big job! Way to go!

Pretty Pillows...

I love these pillows in our living room! I just wanted to share them with you. I changed the colors in here. Initially, it was all earth tones. That was boring to me, the whole house was turning into the same thing. I wanted the living room to be a bit more soft. So I am happy with it, for now at least ;)

Slacker Status

Ok Ok I am posting something.

So Josh and I celebrated our one year anniversary this weekend on Edisto Island. I forgot the camera, so no pics. It was very quiet, relaxing, and fun. We had dinner at the Old Post Office Restaurant. We spent a lot of time outside beach combing and checking out the "Bone Yard," Botany Bay, and other cool stuff. I am really looking forward to this weekend. We are going to Greenville. We will be attending a wedding shower for our friends, Laura and Jason. It should be a good time. My friend Bree will be riding up with us, so that should be fun! And in a couple weeks, We will have Laura's "Girl's Weekend" in Asheville, whoo hoo! Well that is it for now. I hope everyone has a great week. Oh yeah, thank you Charlotte, Jessica, Erica, Beth, and Ashley for following me. Soon I will figure this thing out and give ya'll a proper "shout out!"

Getting Started

This is my first post! Wish me luck!