"Baby it's cold outside!"

Well today was snow day #1!  I was lucky enough to see it start early this morning.  Reese woke

me up to get in bed with us (this is her usual habit) around 3:00 and I took advantage to see if it had started!  It had, but it wasn't accumulating very much.  By the time Preston got up to go to work (around 7) it was a winter wonderland outside!  It was so nice to spend the morning with a cup of coffee in hand while the snow fell outside!  

I also tried to take advantage of having a lazy day off from work!  I spent the day taking in inauguration festivities on tv, completing my grad school application online, and baking.  I am proud of myself for making history and for taking care of my application!  Now I only have to take the GRE.  YIKES!  I have made it through studying for the literacy part... now I just have to tackle the math!  Of course math is a struggle for me so I will really need to buckle down!  

I thought I would post a couple pictures of two of my favorite things.  My new Kitchen Aid Pro mixer and my grandmother's swiss chocolate cake recipe.  Preston has asked me to try the recipe for a while now so with time off I gave it a shot!  It turned out yummy!  I can't wait for him to come home tomorrow and have a big slice!  I love cooking for my man!  :)

Snow day... two words a teacher loves to hear!

It is funny for me to think about how the same snow days I loved as a child I love now as a teacher.  Even though school is not cancelled as of now it is still fun to imagine waking up tomorrow morning and seeing all that bright white all around!  It would be nice to have an extra day off... but remember.  We do have to make it up at some point!  

This weekend was so much fun!  I am happy to have had a nice long weekend off.  On Friday I went to Wilmington to help Gwen celebrate her 25th birthday.  We had a ton of fun!  I am happy I was able to go and visit for a while.  Saturday Preston and I spent the day hanging out, grilling (yes we grill in 30 degree weather), and building a fire.  It was nice to just relax.  Sunday Maggie and I went to church and out to lunch which is always a treat!  I spent the afternoon in Chatham County visiting my parents.  Monday was another great day I spent catching up on all the things I avoided all weekend!  I even found the time to make a batch of soup!  

So I guess snow or no snow... this weekend was great!  I can't wait to see what this week has in store!  

Hello 2009

Happy New Year!  

It is hard to believe that 2008 has come and gone!  It was a quick year that passed by before I knew it!  Even though it is over, it was a pretty awesome  year between marrying the love of my life and best friend, buying a house, finishing my first offical year of teaching, and traveling.  Needless to say 2009 will have to be pretty amazing because 2008 was great!  

WDW 2008 

It's okay to say "Merry Christmas!"

As a teacher, during the holidays, I am made particularly more aware of religion each year.  In Wake County we are not allowed to celebrate the holidays with discussion of Santa, trees, stockings, or anything else associated with the traditional celebration of Christmas day.  Let's just say it is very much different than when we were kids!  It is unfortunate but necessary as our world today is so diverse and PC.  Plus... I love my job and don't want to loose it any time soon! 

Today at church we learned that Christmas means "the celebration of Christ."  We were also challenged to imagine what it would have been like to be there on that day when Jesus was born.  When you think about it, it is hard to wrap your mind around how incredible that must have been.  The church play was called "Imagine" because there is no way the birth of Christ could be recreated.  I thought that was a beautiful way of celebrating! 

As our new little family begins to celebrate its first offical Christmas we want to wish you a very merry Christmas!  Throughout the celebrations I hope that Preston and I will be able to keep in our hearts the true joy of the season!  

Candy anyone?

Last night I gave out candy at my home for the very first time in my 24 years of existence on Halloween.  Growing up in rural Chatham County (aka outside the city limits of Siler City) we never had trick or treaters.  We always had to go to family and friends houses to give or receive any.  I can still remember helping Lindsay Brown every year starting in middle school because I wanted to hand it out so bad!  Well last night I had my chance and guess what... I wasn't at all prepared!  I had gotten  three really big bags throughout the last month (I tried to catch it on sale).  I thought I would have plenty but I guessed wrong!  I almost ran out and only had 10 or so little pieces of bubble gum left.  

Here are a few things I learned from last nights festivities... 

1. Three bags of candy are not enough.  There are a lot of children in our part of town!  

2. Scream mask are not so scary has an adult.  

3. Children can be greedy... therefore hold the tray far away from their little hands.  

4. I must have little kid friendly candy next  year.  Six month olds cannot chew gum.  

5. Andrea Melahn is a great cook... with microwavable dips. 

6. I love hearing the magic words THANK YOU!  

Is it fall yet?

For the record I want everyone to know I have finally figured out this blogging thing.  I know I was new to it months ago, but I have finally figured out how to add backgrounds and pictures!  Wow... who thought it could be so tough.  I like to think of myself as technically savvy, but now with this!  Hopefully I can learn some more fun tricks as I continue to play with this!  

What a pretty last few days we have had.  The only thing I am confused about is... is it still  summer or is it fall?  I mean don't get me wrong, I love beautiful sunny days, but warm weather in the middle of October?   You have got to be kidding me!  I guess that is North Carolina for you!  You never know what you will get.  I guess I should be glad because even though I am so tired of wearing the same outfits over and over, I can still wear flip flops!  That makes me very happy!  I guess it is also a plus because though it may feel like summer we were still able to decorate for fall!  I just hope the weather will cool off so my poor little mums don't die!  

Are you ready for some football?

This summer Preston and I made the decision to purchase two season tickets to the Carolina football games. For the last four seasons I have gone with Preston (who has been a season ticket holder for the past I don't know... umpteen years) and literally "bummed" a ticket off of a family friend. Well we both got kinda tired of that I thought that since we are now a self sufficient family of two we could afford to make the purchase. I am so glad we did!

Today is game #3 at home and we are really excited. We have made a new game plan for todays game and I hope it will be successful. In the past we have "tailgated" at a bar on Franklin street, but that doesn't seem to be going as planned as our parking is never guaranteed. Together with my brother in law (who goes with us to the games) we decided to start our own tailgate with a few of our friends from high school! I am mostly excited because I get to cook for my boys and show off our cute Carolina tailgate things we got as wedding gifts! :) I'll let you know how it pans out!

Here's to Tar Heel football and fun tailgating!