hunting with daddy.

Daddy picked up Brooks early from school on Wednesday to take him hunting at Mr. Michael's for a couple of days. They didn't kill any deer, but they did shoot a hog. He had so much fun, he didn't want to come home Thursday evening!

As much as I would have loved for them to stay and shoot a monster buck, he needed to go to school today. However, last night, both Brooks and Daddy developed a high fever, so they are both home with me and Camp today! Praying the rest of the family stays well!

ball drop.

Last year John and I went to Carosel with the Davis family for New Year's Eve and decided to make it an annual tradition. So, after a quick newborn shoot in Selma for my sweet friend/pledge sister, Lauren…

…we drove down to Greenville for a night without the babies (my first night away from Ann Bennett)! 

Sarah and I caught up and relaxed while the boys hunted. We had a delicious late dinner, crowded around the fire, played Cards Against Humanity, watched football and, of course, the ball drop. It's always a good time ringing in the New Year with my best and her hubs!

Bring it, 2015!

getting it done.

Last weekend, while John was off slaying deer in Kentucky...

...Brooks and I checked in on the cottage. The old door openings in the kitchen and existing bedroom are framed up and the new door at the back of the house, now located in the "mudroom" is cut out and framed.

We closed off the basement door from the hallway so now the only access downstairs will be from outside. It was small and would only be used for storage so this was not a problem for me. The washer and dryer hookups were down in the basement so we are turning the back bedroom into a laundry room/mudroom/back entry. It is finally taking shape and I LOVE it. 

On to the bathroom. We used to have a floor, remember? Yeah, well, John discovered more rotted wood so bye bye bathroom floor, hello black hole. I haven't been by the house this week, but John said that the hole is no more. Thank goodness! 

The plumber, electrician, and HVAC subs are over there working this week. Once they get everything in place and inspected we can put up the sheetrock. John and his dad plan on working over there on Saturday. LOTS to do, so little time. We put our new address on Brooks' birthday party invitations, so we have to be moved in by the 14th, whether it's ready, or not. Pleeeeeaaaaaaasssseeee be ready!

Brooks and I had a mommy/son date at the park after our trip to the house. This little man loves the slide. He is so fearless. He also loves to swing and anything and everything that he can ride in or on. I love being a mama to a little boy! 

We also went on A LOT of walks. While daddy's away, we like to get OUT and play (to keep my sanity).

On Tuesday of this week John and I went to Brandino Brass to pick out our kitchen cabinet hardware, we went to Kenny & Company to pick out our bathroom tile, and then went to Triton Stone to pick out our countertops. I walked into the warehouse a little bit overwhelmed, but knew that I did not want marble (because I am terrified of it. Well, ruining it, that is), but wanted something that looked like it. Quartzite? Well, come to find out, quartzite isn't that pretty and actually costs more than marble because it has the look of marble and the benefits of granite. So, back to marble we went. Here are some of our favorites:

Ooooooh. Ahhhhhhh. Naturally, my favorite was one of the most expensive: Calcutta gold. I die. Luckily, my husband knows me ALL.TOO.WELL. and budgeted for it. We have to see what the final number will be and will go from there. But, I am hoping this beautiful slab makes it's way into our home.



I also started some FIRST BIRTHDAY crafting!!! EEEEEEEK! Let the planning begin! With Thanksgiving coming up, our move, Brooks' birthday, and Christmas, I am trying to stay on top of things. Our moving announcements have already been mailed out, Brooks' birthday invitations are stuffed, licked, addressed, and stamped, and (drumroll please) so are all of our Christmas cards!!! BOOM.

We also let our rental agency know that November in 1102 will be our last month. Now, it's time to start packing...

over the river.

...and through the woods to Nanie and Pop Pops' house we go went.

Hunting season has begun, my friends, and last weekend John went to Kentucky (for the third time already this year) to attempt to slay some deer. So instead of staying home with the babe, we went to Atlanta for a fun weekend of shopping and quality time with my parents.

Brooks and I left early Friday morning and when we got into town we ate and Brooks napped. When he woke up mom and I loaded him up and drove down to Atlantic Station to hit up IKEA. My first time ever...can you believe it?! I snagged some fun finds for the new house—pillow inserts, picture frames, a basket, and the cutest little hanging buckets for the laundry room. Oh, and wrapping paper. And mom bought Brooks some adorable wooden toys for his birthday and Christmas.

We called it an early night...after a tubby in the sink, of course.

On Saturday morning, mom, dad, Brooks, and I geared up for some rummaging at Scott Antique Market. We arrived around 10:00 in the morning and didn't get home until 4:30 in the afternoon. It was a long, yet successful, day. I found some great pieces for the new house. Actually, I found too many pieces for the new house. Most of it wouldn't fit in my car so John and I are going to have to tote the rest back at Thanksgiving. Here are some fun finds—some of which may or may not have gone home with me :)

Brooks adapted well to a day on the go. One with no naps. There was just too much for him to do and see! He especially enjoyed the shuttle to and from the North and South buildings.

It's no surprise he didn't last long on the ride home.

Here are a few other shots of our weekend at home:

Cars and trucks! His favorite.

Chillin' with Pop Pops and chewing on his watch.

And while John didn't see much this weekend, he sure did have fun in his element.

We were excited to come home to this goof on Sunday!

Oh, and 3 more days until we close on our house! I cannot wait to start the renovations!

finger lickin' good.

To all you hunting wives out there who have a freezer crammed full of deer meat like I do, I have a recipe to share with you that is sure to please the hubby's palate. Last week I went on a mad search for easy, yet delicious venison recipes and stumbled upon a recipe for "Venison Scaloppini." Holy deliciousness it was goooood. John has been ranting and raving about it ever since and can't wait to pass it along to his hunting buddies this weekend...it's too good not to share! Without further ado, get your pen and paper out and jot down this piece of foodie heaven:

Ingredients:
1 egg
1/3 cup light cream
1 cup fine bread crumbs (I used panko bread crumbs)
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley (I omitted this because I didn't have any)
1 1/2 pounds boneless venison roast (I actually used 6 butterfly steaks)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour for dredging
1/4 cup butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup dry sherry or Marsala wine (I doubled and used 1 cup)
1/2 cup venison broth, beef broth, or water (I used beef broth and doubled and used 1 cup)
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Stir together the eggs and cream, and set aside. Combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan, and parsley in a large bowl; set aside.
3. Slice venison roast into serving size portions, 3/8 inch thick (I just separated each butterfly steak on a piece of wax paper). Pound with meat mallet to about 1/4 inch thickness. Season to fast with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour, shaking off the excess. Dip the venison into the egg, then press into the bread crumbs.
4. Melt the butter in an oven-safe frying pan with lid. Cook garlic until fragrant, then add the breaded venison, and cook on both sides until browned. Pour in sherry (or Marsala wine) and broth. Bring to a simmer, cover, then transfer to the oven and bake until the venison is tender, about 45 minutes (I actually only baked the steaks for 20 minutes and they turned out PERFECT).

I served the venison with egg noodles and poured the remaining sauce concoction on top. Serve with your vegetable of choice and a crusty bread and prepare yourself for praises! Enjoy!

singing in the new year.

What better way to start the New Year than posting about our "New Years." I must admit, I was a bit skeptical about this trip. The past couple New Year's Eves that the hubs and I have spent together, we have always gone to the beach with friends. You can't beat that kind of fun. There is something about familiarity that makes me all warm inside. Unfamiliarity, not so much. So the fact that we were headed to a secluded hunting plantation, knowing only one soul, didn't give me that warm fuzzy feeling I was hoping for. However, as soon as we pulled onto the dirt road and the barn, cabins, sawtooth oaks, pond, and cookhouse became visible, and four adorable labs came running alongside the truck with excitement, my apprehension for the weekend began to change. Fast.

Pulling in. 

The barn.

This was, by far, the best trip that John and I have taken together in a long time. Our cabin was quaint and cozy.

Each morning I would wake to a fire burning in the fireplace—the perfect place to spend reading my morning devotional. We weren't on a schedule, which was so incredibly relaxing. If you wanted to stroll into the cookhouse at 8:00 or 11:00 you could still count on Ms. Dot to be standing in the kitchen ready to prepare a breakfast fit for kings.

The cookhouse.

Our first night at SP, we dined on HOMEMADE fried chicken (my mouth is salivating at the thought). The next morning we had eggs, bacon, grits, fresh fruit, and toast with homemade pear jam. For lunch? Grilled cheese sandwiches with homemade tomato soup with rice. Delish. What I loved most about each meal is that it we were crowded around the cookhouse table in good company. I can now call John and his daughter, Michael Ann, Christy and Clayton Bromberg, Kelli Kelly, Gabe and his wife Kristy, Whitney Dunn (yes, as in Ronnie Dunn's daughter) and her boyfriend Bo, friends. Everyone was so sweet and down to earth. We had so much fun together and I truly enjoyed their fellowship.

Before going hunting on Saturday.

New Year's Eve was a night to remember. At 7:00 we all met at John's personal home for hors d'oeuvres and champagne—caviar and foie gras to be exact. We sat by the fire and watched Auburn play (WAR EAGLE!) until dinner was served at 9:00. And boy oh boy was it divine. Roast beef with mushroom au jus, asparagus, scalloped potatoes, the most amazing fresh salad that my palette has ever tasted, bread, and homemade pecan pie with vanilla icecream for dessert. Need I go on about the food? I could, but I won't. 


We then ventured across the pond to the HUGE bonfire that took all afternoon to construct. As the clock ticked closer to midnight, we headed back over to the cookhouse for more champagne and music—the perfect way to ring in the New Year.

John and Christy.

Me and Kelli Kelly.

John and Bo.

Bo and Whitney.

John and Kelli.

And that's when the fun really began...karaoke. I had a microphone in my hand until almost 3:00. For those of you who know me, this does not surprise you one bit. On the way back to the cabin that night I asked John over and over for a karaoke machine for my birthday or anniversary. In reply, I got a big fat N-O and he later told me that the only place where I am allowed to karaoke is Sawtooth.

Gabe was actually good...

Me, not so much.

When I wasn't singing, I was dancing. Clayton was good too. 

My solo.

So, here's to many more trips to the greatest hunting plantation in the state of Alabama for good times, great company, amazing food, top notch hunting...and, of course, karaoke.