homemade pizza

Homemade pizza has become one of our favorite easy meals to make at home.  I like pineapple pizza and Jason liked pepperoni.  And of course we share, I won't say who's turned out better...(cough, mine).  Really, they were both very good.  We both think day old pizza is even better.  Do you like day old pizza?

I have actually been slacking quite a bit with my domestic, dinner making duties.  I plan to do a much needed grocery store run this weekend and do better next week.  No promises though ;)

ice cream date

While Jason and I were running errands the other day, the weather was absolutely gorgeous.  It's actually been quite the trend here lately, having nice weather.  So in the midst of our running around we stopped to enjoy a mini ice cream date. The closest spot was Dairy Queen - and I all of a sudden got a craving for a dipped cone.  It's been forever since I had one of those...I mean forever.

I really hope this warm weather sticks around, I can see us enjoying many more of these ice cream dates :)

a family walk in our neighborhood

Our little family walks through our neighborhood are one of my favorite past times.  

Since we had fabulous weather over the weekend, we ventured out our front door and up the road to soak up the glorious sun.  We even found a perfectly full dandelion puff ball.  I blew it out and made a very special wish.  Don't you just love those things?

some photos of my cousin

A few weeks ago, my cousin, Alisha, asked me to take some photos of her and her dog, Ringo.  I am by no means a professional, but I have always loved photography and really enjoy taking photos.  

At this point, I am using my 5 year old Canon Rebel XTi with the stock lens and I use iPhoto and Picnik for editing (super boo for Picnik closing down soon!) I would love to upgrade soon (hint hint hubby ;) 

Isn't Alisha just gorgeous?!

amish friendship bread

Have you ever made Amish Friendship Bread?

I did this past weekend for the first time.  Not only was this my first time baking friendship bread; it was also my first time baking anything from scratch.  Yes, really.  Baking has never been my specialty, but after this experience, I feel empowered to conquer the world of baking.  No more pre-made, throw in the oven cookies for me.  From now on, it's flour, sugar, eggs and the whole shebang (well maybe I'll still do the easy stuff sometimes).

Back to the friendship bread.  It starts when a friend give you a starter bag - you then tend to it (nurture it, if you will) for ten days before the baking chaos ensues.  Well at least in my case it was a bit of chaos since it was my first baking experience.  Jason officially titled my behavior as crisis mode. haha

I ended up making some small bread loaves along with some cupcakes.  And I have to say it turned out pretty darn delicious.  I kinda can't believe that I made it.  I have just always had this fear of baking, but now I think I have an infatuation with it.  I can't wait to bake again.

The recipe also leaves you with 4 starter bags to give to friends.  So the friendship love keeps going.

a big insta-collage to get you caught up

Once again, I have been gone for a little while from the blogosphere.  It wasn't really my intention to take such an extended vacay from blogging, but life just picked up the pace and didn't leave much room for my poor little blog.  So I have decided to do another quick catch up (see another catch up here):

Noteworthy events that happened while I was away include:

My birthday weekend in Atlanta.

A Hawks vs. Magic basketball game.

A handful of dates with Jason.

Fun times with friends.

A few especially yummy meals (at home and out).

A lot of cuteness from Jack, Tina and Zoey.

And a tornado that hit .1 mile from our house, way too close for comfort.  This is the second time a tornado has come through our area in the last year (see the last time here).  I don't like how Tennessee seems to have become the new tornado alley.  We are thanking God our home was spared.

Thanks for sticking around, friends!  I am going to do my best to keep things up this time :)

ghostbusters

This week has really been a crazy one.  I am so thankful the weekend is here and I can finally kick up my feet and relax.  One thing that helped me get through this week was a hilarious video my sister sent me of my niece, Adelynn.  I have watched it over and over and laugh out loud every time.  I decided to share it with you and I hope it brings a smile to your face too!
(make sure your volume is up all the way and listen closely towards the end)

go hawks!

This past weekend, Jason and I went to an Atlanta Hawks game with my family.  It's been a while since we have been to a game and we had a fabulous time!  

It was a great game to watch and the Hawks won, which was an added bonus.

My cousin, Alisha, has been in town the past couple weeks. I don't get a chance to see her very often, so it has been a real special treat.  She recently moved closer to my side of the country - I am hoping these visits will become a habit :)

let's play a little catch up

It's been a little while, 

so let me catch you up real quick about what's been going on in my life : 

There, all caught up.

happy birthday, ryan!

Happy birthday {little} brother!!  I can not believe you are 16 already, where the heck did time go?!  Watch out all you Tennessee drivers, you've got another new one on the road ;)

Love you, Ryan!

christmas time in florida

I am a little bit behind on posting these photos, 

but these are a few shots from our Christmas down in Florida.  

We had such a wonderful and relaxing time there.

We had such a great time with Jason's family, I can't wait to go back!  

sick.

I have been so sick this past week, that I have accomplished almost nothing since coming home from our trip to Florida.  In fact, I spent that entire last day of 2011 laying on the couch.  I also spent almost the entire first day of 2012 laying in that very same spot.  It got to the point that I seemed to forget how to do anything but find that spot on the couch and get comfortable in it.  This was not exactly how I had planned to ring in the new year.  Oh well . . . after all, isn't it really just another day? (this is the sick amber talking)