christmas on king street

When it comes to Christmas decorations, I can completely lose my mind in aisles and aisles worth of glitter. Over the years, I've learned that I regret when I over-sparkle, but this can only be realized outside of the glitz trance.

Put down the 40% off Hobby Lobby coupon and walk to your car.

It's hard, y'all.

But by combining a little bit of glitter, D's rustic preferences, and yearly Shiny Brites from my mom, I think we've come out with a good balance this year.

The only things we actually purchased were a tree, a giant roll of brown paper, a little extra ribbon, a rosemary topiary, and two $5 fresh garlands at Lowes' Black Friday sale. But the most important part of our decorations this year was the trunk load worth of free tree clippings. After making a wreath and a swag, I shoved them in containers until I ran out of surfaces to put them on!

By the Christmas tree with a book is absolutely my favorite place to be, and, if you need me, you can find me there soaking it up before our Christmas in Louisiana tour begins.

Which I'll gladly say SAYONARA to our pretty little tree for the sake of Christmas at the moms' houses. Though I may combust from pure excitement before that happens.

Merry Official Christmas Season!

turkey for two

I had nervous anticipation for what turned out to be a beautiful Thanksgiving Day here in South Carolina. D was the engineer on-call for the holiday weekend which meant no Louisiana Thanksgiving for us this year. For the first time ever.

I get really attached to tradition, to sitting in the same chair at Mamaw's and watching the Rockettes in the parade. Which is always followed by Mom, Moll and I comparing that year's dance and costumes to the previous twenty-ish performances. Not crazy about the all silver this year, just in case you were wondering. And don't they know that they are all the more adorable with a head piece?

Anyway.

We unintentionally distracted ourselves by cooking all day long. D was bound and determined to grill a turkey. A whole turkey for two people. And I sure am glad he did! It set the stage for our hilarious amount of food we had for two people. We're talking leftovers for weeks!

I was thankful for D to share the day with and a roof over our heads and a grocery budget to afford food and families to miss being with that weekend and dear friends who sensitively checked on us all day long. And for the lessons and growth that come from living a little farther away. Though often stubbornly and tearfully grasped.

Happy Belated Thanksgiving from Cola Town. We hope 2012 was your best yet!

 

fort jackson to ruston

A pretend weekend on a Wednesday is just about the best mid-week gift there is. D and I made the most of those extra 24 hours with cooking lots of food [and eating lots of food]. I made my first peach cobbler which makes me feel as though I am a true Southern, Ruston girl.

With three ziplocks full of watermelon and several jars full of iced tea, we discovered that military bases are the places to go for a firework show. Not to mention the fifty cannon solute to each state during which we proudly hollered as they announced the Pelican State [and then discussed how we thought it should be called the Bayou State instead].

The next morning, I packed up and headed to Alabama to pick up these cuties...

The big sister and I made the trip to Mom's house where we're doing lots of baby-snuggling, genealogy-digging, and good-food-eating. And by good food I mean tomato pie, pimento cheese, and Texas sheet cake. More on all of that later [and by more I mean recipes].