10 Year High School Reunion

This past Saturday was a real treat...my 10 year high school reunion.  R and I had a great time, he already knew a few people that were going to attend because I still keep in touch with them.  I had fun catching up with people I hadn't seen in a decade.  The reunion committee decided to hold the festivities at a local winery.

 I wore a Suzi Chin dress that I purchased from Bluefly.com a few months ago.  I had to buy it one size too big because they didn't have any left in my size and a local seamstress tailored it to my measurements.  The lighting wasn't great in the winery, I really wished I'd taken pictures prom style at moms house before we left.

 This isn't my photo, I took it from the facebook page because R had my camera all night in his pocket and I forgot about it.  There were a few prizes given out - to the person who had a baby most recently, the person married the longest, the person who had traveled the longest distance to get to the reunion and two random prizes if you were sitting in a chair that had a ticket taped underneath.

 I found this picture from the same album as above.  Our MC for the night held a moment of silence for the classmates that have passed away and took the time to recognize the classmates who had served in the military.  I like that you can see the table set up behind him too...they had little foil centerpieces with balloons in our school colors.  After the welcome, prayer and announcements we had a nice dinner of chicken, carved roast beef, vegetables, and rolls followed by dancing.

A classmate took these "decor" shots before everyone started arriving.

I added this for fun - one of my classmates posted a copy of our commencement...to respect the privacy of my classmates I will not show all the pages but it was fun to read through this little document again.

Kiss FM Pet-O-Ween Contest - Baby's Entry

Vote Baby For Pumpkin Queen!!!!

 

I entered our sweet girl in a local radio station contest for pet o ween.  Daily voting began on Oct 26 but I've been super late getting it on the blog.  Anyway if y'all want to vote for her it will be greatly appreciated, you can look through all the pets or you can search for "baby".

 

http://rewards.939kissfm.com/app2/Contest/NTkkur

Fun at the Fair

R and I usually go to the fair on "hunger relief day" when cost of admission is a bag of canned goods but unfortunately this year that day conflicted with my bridal portraits.  We decided to go on the last Saturday of fair week - - - one of THE most crowded days.  We waited in a long line on the interstate to get to the fairgrounds but didn't have an issue finding a park.  It's no secret that I love the state fair and I've only ever missed a year if absolutely necessary....

 My favorite section of the fair is the Village of Yesteryear.  I love seeing the bread baking demonstrations, antique farm equipment, and crafting.  This exhibit was just outside of the blacksmiths stand.

 R and I enjoyed the forrestry and soil and water conservation exhibits.  They had it open this year to walk out into the water for photos.

 This looks like one of the trees from The Lord of the Rings movies...I loved it!  The guy was standing on stilts and his suit actually felt like tree bark.  We were fooled at first thinking it was a real tree from a distance.

 I love the Got to Be NC Agriculture stands.  Every year the local farmers show their best crops, largest melons and gourds, and bring their best livestock for judging.  I'm a farm girl at heart and I think I'm lucky that my state has such an extensive appreciation for local agriculture and craftsmanship.

 Oh and the food!  I had the MOST delicious authentic gyro tonight.  We also samples local companies goods to our hearts content...I tried the new product from Pepsi (Next), several new BBQ sauces and dips, local honey, jams, and some annual treats like House Autry hushpuppies.  We walked away with a couple of samples of poultry and pork breader, 2 bottles of Zing hots sauce, and a stack of coupons for new products.  I also purchased chocolate peanut butter fudge for myself and maple cotton candy for R.

We were so tired once we drove home we both collapsed on the couch for several hours and watched a Halloween classic...

LOVE!  I also learned abc family will be showing several of my favorite spooky movies on their 13 nights of halloween series.  Many of them I own because Tim Burton directed them but I'd never say no to Beetlejuice or Edward Scissorhands on TV.

25 Questions: Holiday Style

I think some of the blog surveys I have read lately look like fun so I'm going to participate.  I usually do some sort of holiday related post and this one is fitting.

•Eggnog or hot chocolate?

I like Eggnog but I love hot chocolate.  I prefer Silk brand eggnog with vanilla rum and pumpkin pie spice.  I make the Hershey's cocoa recipe for hot chocolate that is listed on the back of the box as my go-to but recently I tried Mexican hot chocolate using dark cocoa, cayenne, and cinnamon and that was delicious!

•Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

All gifts are wrapped.  Mine have bows and gift tags but when I was younger my mom didn't bother with it...she wrote Love, Santa on mine and stacked them together.  I have one family member that doesn't wrap some of her kids toys, she takes them out of the package to put batteries in them and assemble them as needed.   When I was a kid my dad spent a good bit of Christmas morning cutting those annoying plastic ties that were sewn around Barbie's head so I could play after unwrapping my gifts.

•Colored lights on tree/house or white?

When I was younger we had colored lights that blinked and played music.  As an adult I am all about white lights - R loves to mix colored lights and white lights together.  I won for our tree this year!

•Do you hang mistletoe?

I think it is a cute tradition but no I never have.  However in the Carolina's mistletoe grows in nearly every oak tree and our new lawn is covered in them.

•When do you hang your decorations up?

I try to restrain myself until the day after Thanksgiving.

•What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

Our family usually did a traditional Turkey or Ham dinner similar to a Thanksgiving style meal.  Everything my mom makes is delicious but I am a huge fan of candied yams....(it's honestly my dessert but always served alongside the meal).

•Favorite holiday memory as a child?

Everything Thanksgiving evening we would go see the local Christmas lights.  When I was younger there were several streets that did extravagant yard displays.  Now one of the home owners ( a cousin of mine) lines both sides of the street for about a mile in a beautiful light show.  You can park and ride a "train" through the lights and get hot chocolate or a snack while your children ride a carousel.  Santa is there taking children's Christmas wish lists and there is a big old fashioned candy shop where you can buy pounds of Christmas candy along with homemade jars of jam and preserves.

•What is on your Christmas wish list?

I didn't make one.  I've been eyeballing some citrine earrings for a while though and  I hope they are under my tree.  I also hinted to my mom a couple of Pandora bracelet charms and a Hot Tools brand curling iron from Ulta.

•Do you open a gifts on Christmas Eve?

Only 1, almost always new pajamas.  I opened mine right before bedtime on Christmas eve.  R and I are going to do our gift exchange and cook a special meal together on Christmas Eve this year.

•How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

In years past I've bought only gold and bronze ornaments for my tree which was lovely with white lights and matched my interior decor.  In the past two years I've hung very special ornaments given to me by family and friends.  This year R and I bought an ornament from every location we visited on vacation (we added 5 new ornaments).   I also have my sentimental ornaments and he has a small collection of Hallmark airplanes and motorcycle ornaments given to him by his mother.  We still used white lights and my collection of gold balls to fill in bare spots.


•Snow? Love it or dread it?

Dread it.  Eastern Carolinians notoriously do not "do" snow.  We don't particularly like driving in it and our towns are not prepared with the necessary snow equipment to get things cleared off in a quick manor.  I like the idea of it and I love to look at it - for about a day and then I truly am over it.

•Real tree or fake tree?

Fake tree.  I had a real tree one year when I was growing up and it came from a reputable tree farm but after a few hours our home was infested with some flying insect that was multiplying at a rapid rate in that tree.  NO thank you...mom had that tree torn down and outside before night.  I tried a real tree the first year I had Lilly and I learned real quick that my cat thought that tree was hers and only hers.  We decorated it and within an hour she had climbed it and it toppled over spilling ornaments everywhere.

•Do you remember your favorite gift?

Three years ago I received a queen size hand sewn quilt made by my grandma, mom, and great aunt.  I can look at every stitch and judging by the quality I can tell which woman was working on it.  There is a lot of detail in the design and it took them most of the year to get it done.  All 3 women have arthritis so I know it was a difficult task to accomplish.  My grandma actually spent 2 years working on a quilt for every person in our small family but I think mine is the most beautiful - the fabric is vintage and it is very detailed.  She told me when I graduated high school that not every gift can be bought in a store.  I have 2 very special presents and both were given by her.

•What’s the most important thing about Christmas for you?

I love anytime my family gets together around a big meal.  It is very special this year that R and I are going to see his family and mine.  I'm about to get very sentimental during this post.....Christmas eve 1997 was the last night my dad was home with us.  He went into the hospital on Christmas day that year and died two weeks later.  I learned then that time with family and making special memories are the most important things in life.

•What is your favorite holiday dessert?

Peter Paul Cake (otherwise known as Mounds cake or Peter Paul Mound cake).  It is a chocolate cake covered in coconut icing and sometimes includes a chocolate filling between the layers.  It was my grandma's favorite and she made it every year.

•What is your favorite tradition?

I love going for a Christmas movie after Thanksgiving dinner.  R and I went this year to help us get into the holiday spirit.  I also love Black Friday shopping with mom - the deals are great but the energy of the shops and being able to select special gifts for friends and family in one day is really a lot of fun.

•What tops your tree?

I always had an angel growing up.  I have a giant bow on mine now surrounded by gold floral picks.

•Do you prefer giving or receiving?

I love the task of selecting gifts for others.  I love putting together gift baskets and wrapping presents too.  If I find something truly special for someone, especially something they aren't expecting I get super excited!

•What is your favorite Christmas song?

O Holy Night - Martina McBride version.  The line "Christ the saviour is born" if sang correctly will bring tears to my eyes.

•Candy canes, yuck or yum?

Yum.  I like peppermint but I like the fruit flavored and the chocolate mint ones too.

•Favorite Christmas movie?

Toss up between The Grinch and The Santa Clause.  I also love Christmas Vacation and Love Actually.  At some point during the holiday season all of these will go through the DVD player.
•What do you leave for Santa?

Cookies and Milk.  Traditional we made homemade tea cakes (a very crispy, slightly sweet cookie). 

•Do you have a Christmas morning tradition?

When I was younger we would open presents first and stocking last.  My mom always makes sausage and eggs with toast for breakfast.  Family starts to pour in around 11:00 am.  This year we are going to R's family first and mine second so my family is having Christmas supper so everyone will come later in the day.

•Do you prefer to shop on-line or at the mall?

Both.  I only do Christmas shopping in store on Black Friday - at least I have for the past 3-4 years.  After that I take advantage of the many online sales and free shipping.

•Christmas letter or Christmas card?

I've never done a Christmas letter and now with facebook, skype, and email I think my family keeps in touch throughout the year.  I send Christmas cards...mine were actually sent out on Tuesday.  I love to include our annual Kappa Delta Christmas seal on my envelopes:

I think this year's design might be my favorite so far!

ECU vs UNC Tailgate

Just a few photos from our tailgate.  Here is Thompson standing guard with the burger patties.

 R and Rob playing washers.  Before the game R bought these great purple slacks with the pirate logo all over them.  Katie actually had the matching skirt on at the tailgate completely unplanned.

 It was such a windy day most of our photos were a complete fail.  R and I finally got one decent shot.

 Rob and Katie.

 R warming up the grill for our tasty cheese and jalapeno stuffed burgers.

 Katie and I.  I'm not sure how she didn't freeze in that skirt.  It was so windy and the game started at 8 pm.  I was bundled in a jacket just minutes prior to walking into the stadium.

 The purple haze at kickoff!

Arrrggghhhh...First Home Game

ECU vs VA Tech - September 10, 2011

R playing Washers.  We spent a good part of the week building and staining this game so it would be ready for it's debut at the first tailgate.

 Friends enjoying beer in the shade.

 Girls at the tailgate in PURPLE.

 The spread on the table - honestly by this point it was nearly devoured.  Friends brought sausage balls, buffalo chicken balls with blue cheese dip, and rosemary parmesan bread sticks.  R grilled chicken and beef kabobs with veggies and I made cupcakes.

 R's amazing tailgate grill makes an appearance and the ECU marching band stopped by for a run through of the fight song!

 Loyal and bold, we're the purple and gold!  We are the Pirates of ECU!

R and I at our tailgate site.  We weren't so happy after returning from the game...unfortunately our boys didn't pull off a win.  Can't say I'm proud of the way we played but I'm optimistic for the next game. 

The Roaring 20s...

I lost electricity for more than 24 hours during Hurricane Irene and I took the time to read a book that has been on my nightstand for months.  Now I'm obsessed with the 1920s...

I've been looking up drop waist flapper style dresses, something with 20s inspiration.  No not a Halloween costume

I really would like to learn the Charleston, I fell asleep last night after watching several youtube videos featuring the dance.  It looks really complicated but also kind of anything goes as long as there is rhythm.  I've been tinkering with 20s lingo, especially the phrases that are in the book.  I've considered calling R, Daddy-O a few times and managed to refrain.  It just seemed like a very "free" time and I love that flappers danced in protest of prohibition....all protests should include a high cardio dance!

This book is definitely a fun read, I'll give it a couple of enthusiastic thumbs up!

Beach Music Festival

This past weekend my friends from all over drove in for the Triangle Beach Music Festival or TBMF! There were five bands that played beach music for about seven hours straight... R and I...unfortunately this photo was taken right after a "beer shower", I hate that some people get so messed up at events like this they want to spray their beer over everyone else. Oh well, thats why you never wear anything nice outdoor festivals.

My childhood best friend Lindsay and I. It was so good to spend some time with her.

My sorority sisters Starr and Stephanie. Starr drove in from NoVa for this, I haven't seen her in a year so it was a real treat! I know I had several other sisters at this event but I didn't bump into them.

It was the first time I've seen Chairman of the Board without General Johnson. It was so sad hearing that he'd passed away. He was definitely missed at this event and the band will never be the same. It was a great show regardless...I just LOVE beach music!

The Royal Wedding

I have been up since 4 am.

I watched the wedding this morning wrapped in a blanket and eating a bagel. Absolutely in awe. The dress, her hair, the carriage....everything you think a royal wedding should be. I loved her bouquet...apparently there were sweet williams, ivy, lily of the valley, and hyacinth. Best wishes to the bride and I am excited about seeing more of the happy couple.

I think I need a nap.

Jimmy Buffett Welcome to Fin Land Tour 2011

I like Jimmy Buffett but I've never called myself a "parrothead". R and I attended this show and both left feeling like we could take the title! We met up with R's friends for a tailgate before the show...because thats how pirates do. R and I before the tequila. Love his hat and shirt! He even bought new sunglasses for the occasion! Maui Jims!

This was our little island in the parking lot. There was a ton of tailgating, it was a well attended show even though it was the middle of the week.

R's new grill!!!! He received this as a birthday gift and it's his own piece of tailgate heaven and the center attention! R is very into charcoal so propane was a new experience. All day King of the Hill was running through my head...Hank would be proud!

R's new grilling tool kit, a birthday gift from his sister.

R and I killed at cornhole. No pictures because it would ruin my game! I wish we had been able to play more but he had to take a break to start our dinner and everyone else was happy relaxing under the tent.

We left around 6:30 to get into the show and I'm so glad we did. Everyone who waited until 7 had to stand in some long lines at the ticket counter. But I wanted a tshirt and I didn't want them to run out of smalls. R bought one for me...he likes to rack up points, silly boy doesn't know he's already won the game!

Welcome to Fin Land - the. show. was. amazing. Beach balls, leis and hoola skirts galore! The main show featured a lot of his hits, Come Monday, Margaritaville, Changes in Latitudes Changes in Attitudes, Fins, Volcano, Cheeseburger in Paradise, and One Particular Harbor. There were additional songs such as Brown Eyed Girl and It's Five O'clock Somewhere. He played two encores that included A Pirate looks at 40 and a couple of new ones. We left during the middle of the last encore...I wanted to beat the crowd and we still had to drive home so I could work the next day. R and I tried to shag but my foot kept getting tangled in the blanket we had spread on the ground. That and there wasn't a lot of room, there were a ton of people on the lawn. Everyone was standing because the ground was still wet from the storms and many were trying to dance in the very limited space. We had fun regardless, I hope R and I can do more shows. This is probably the most interactive one I've been to, Jimmy Buffett talked to the crowd and there was footage throughout his performance of people at the show. The fans in general were such a fun crowd, it was a great escape in the middle of the week and I'm so glad R invited me to go with him and his friends!