Autumn & Jerry » Holiday

Let the Holiday Blur Begin..!

Autumn — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 17:03:43 +0000

Personally, the holidays seem to fly by in a magic flash starting back at Halloween, but especially between Thanksgiving & Christmas! Before we know it, 2010 will be celebrating its finale and 2011 will be here. Every single year I say I’m going to slow down and try to enjoy every moment more than the year before, but every year seems busier than the last and again, flies by. Even still, I do enjoy every minute.

Some things to look forward to as December arrives:

12 Days of Cookies from The Food Network! I love the recipes, and each one is emailed daily. Of course, there are plenty of extra options on the website too, but there’s something special about the daily cookie selection <3

25 Days of Christmas on ABC! Gotta love all those movies & cartoon classics. Our newest tradition is saving up a selection to watch on Christmas Eve after dinner and before opening gifts with my family : – )

As tempting as it is to absolutely throw all common sense, health, and nutrition out the window during this time of year, it is still important to make good choices to balance out the less-good ones : – ) It isn’t fair to deprive yourself of all the goodies that come once a year, but make time for some exercise and healthy meals in between the parties and splurges. Here are a few tips to help make that balance happen.

P.S. Here’s another casserole I want to try making for the holidays! Looks yummy and reminds me of the amazing dish my Granny used to make. Disclaimer: while what I said before about making healthy decisions is true, this recipe doesn’t quite meet that criteria due to its butter content, so file this one under splurges ; – )

Comfort Food

Autumn — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:38:33 +0000

Waking up to a cloudy, quiet morning after sleeping in is a good recipe for comfort. Checking my email and seeing an entire list of comfort food casseroles from MyRecipes.com waiting for me was a nice touch to an already lovely morning. With a few minor modifications, such as substituting veggie broth for the chicken broth, these already-reduced fat casseroles will surely be making appearances in my kitchen over the next six weeks as we celebrate the holidays, 2010-style! A few I look forward to trying:

Squash-Rice Casserole

Mediterranean Spinach Strata

Broccoli & Three-Cheese Casserole

Garden-Style Lasagna

….and last but not least, a new twist on make-ahead breakfast:

Marmalade French Toast Casserole

YUM-O, right?! I also want to try making this easy dessert sometime soon, likely next week for Thanksgiving. Pear-Ginger Crisps, anyone? I love this time of year! : – )

Fall is Here!

Autumn — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 17:11:07 +0000

Wow, got a little behind on my blogging here but that’s only thanks to staying busy in a good way. School is going well, work is still a lot of work, but I am thankful for having a good job, and Jerry & I have been on the move! We’ve just returned from enjoying a much-needed mini-vacation in the Smoky Mountains where the fall foliage was nearly in full-swing & absolutely beautiful! I’ve been doing all sorts of wonderful fall things, such as visiting Southern Belle Farm earlier this month with friends, decorating our home with pretty fall finds, trekking to the Chimney Tops for an extreme hike with extreme views, and finally making the traditional visit to the pumpkin patch in Warner Robins to pick our perfect pumpkins for the house!

I love this time of year : – )

Poolside Perfection

Autumn — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:34:03 +0000

Now that school is back in full swing, I find myself daydreaming of my recent week of freedom. The pool is always so serene and inviting, especially during this extra hot summer we’ve been enduring. Bliss.

Lazy on the Lake

Autumn — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 21:08:42 +0000

Due to work, I’ve missed the past few family gatherings held at my aunt & uncle’s awesome lake house, so I decided weeks ago that I wanted to venture north for a lazy lake day of my own, first chance I got. That chance came this week, with my freedom from both work and school.

My mom & brother joined me, and after a nice, long lunch with my aunt at The Brick, we made our way up to Lake Sinclair. The summer heat was still in full gear, but it was bearable in the shade and we had no trouble enjoying ourselves and taking in the serene view from the lakeside pavilion. It was so calming – not even one boat passed by that afternoon, and I got my lazy lake wish. <3

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Autumn — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 22:53:53 +0000

I kicked off my vacation week with a Pinetoppers game at the historic Luther Williams field, and we beat the Warner Robins Aviators 7-2! I couldn’t have asked for better weather – though there was a rain delay (note the menacing clouds still lingering), the heat seemed to take the night off and leave us with a pleasant breeze and cooler temperatures. Unbelievable good luck, and good times.

Thanks to my family for joining me, to Jerry for being a great host to our company who arrived in my absence (sorry!), and to Macon for making this local baseball team happen. Sometimes we forget how much our town has to offer, but it was great fun to get outdoors and enjoy this opportunity.

Oh, and if you’re wondering what a pinetopper looks like, I met one : – )

Vegan Love Day

Autumn — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 05:03:09 +0000

A week ago today, my honey & I celebrated Vegan Love Day. We made up our own holiday. We prepared a vegan feast of made-from-scratch split pea soup, fresh sourdough bread, and coffee-chocolate cupcakes. We lit candles and actually sat down to eat at the table. We cooked, we laughed, we took pictures, we talked, and we ate. It was beautiful. And it was special. But it wasn’t incredibly different from any other day of our lives. Because we are in love. Always. Not just on Valentine’s Day.

And that is why Hallmark didn’t get any pennies from us. We used our own words. And I think that is…LOVE.

Happy V-Day

Jerry — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 20:15:21 +0000

That would be “vegan love day.” To the best and most beautiful vegan I know: my wife. I love you, babe.

Resolutions, You Ask?

Autumn — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:30:06 +0000

Well, it’s nearly impossible not to make a goal or two when a new year rolls around. This year I am making no lofty long lists, nor am I being one of the people who say they don’t make resolutions. But, I am only making 3. And they are 3 good ones.

1. Be on time! Punctuality is something I lack, and I know I don’t like to wait around…so I’m going to try not to make others wait around on me. Even if it is my trademark, and no one ever scolds me for it. Except for my husband. And lately, myself.

2. Make healthier choices. This includes eating well, exercising more, and trying to get enough sleep even if my sleep schedule is all wonky between working nights & going to school during the days.

3. Spend money wisely. I know that much of our money is “nickled & dimed” away – we don’t make too many huge purchases. But, Target is a dangerous place for my wallet. And I don’t really need new clothes, etc. on a weekly basis. So…I need to be more vigilant with that, and conscious of where my money goes & if it really needed to go here or there at all.

Wish me luck…3 days into the new year, and I’ve already been perfectly on time for the dinner party with my family last night – go me! Haven’t been shopping yet in 2010, and let’s just say the better eating starts tomorrow. Monday is a good day for starting new things.

Ringing in 2010

Autumn — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:24:04 +0000

Poor Jerry was out of town for a short & unplanned trip, so we couldn’t bring in the new year together. Still, I managed to have fun & ring it in with style! My brother & I went Downtown for dinner at a local pizzeria (not good.), coffee & dessert at Dolce Vita (awesome!!!), champagne with friends at a house party, and then back to the heart of Downtown to watch the Cherry Blossom Ball Drop at midnight. It was lots of fun, and in the end Jerry & I did welcome the new year together, even if it was only over the phone. Good times!

Hope 2010 is off to a good start for everyone!