thirty days

In an effort to blog about something other than my current condition (being knocked up that is), I am going to try out this 30 Day Blog Challenge! I found the directions on a fun blog, Romeo. Here is what is to come:

• Day 1   – your favorite song
• Day 2   – your favorite movie
• Day 3   – your favorite television program
• Day 4   – your favorite book
• Day 5   – your favorite quote
• Day 6   – a photo that makes you happy
• Day 7   – a photo you took
• Day 8   – a photo that makes you angry/sad
• Day 9   – a photo of you recently
• Day 10 – a photo taken over 10 years ago of you
• Day 11 – something you are OCD about
• Day 12 – 20 of my favorite things
• Day 13 – where I live/a photo of the town you live in
• Day 14 - the meaning behind your blog name
• Day 15 – your dream house
• Day 16 – a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
• Day 17 – an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)
• Day 18 – our wedding
• Day 19 - what's in my bag
• Day 20 – a hobby of yours
• Day 21 – a recipe
• Day 22 – a show you are currently addicted to
• Day 23 – your favorite season and why 
• Day 24 – a photo of you last year + this year, and how you have changed
• Day 25 – things you crave  
• Day 26 – a photo of something you ate today
• Day 27 – something you could never get tired of doing
• Day 28 – the best part of your day
• Day 29 – your day, in great detail
• Day 30 – a dream for the future

just peachy

It seems the closer we get to Fall, the more I want to bake and cook. I also couldn't believe that it was almost the end of August and I had yet to eat a single fresh peach. You may remember if you have been reading this blog long enough, but I really don't like Virginia peaches. They aren't sweet and juicy and they will never compare to the South Carolina peaches of my childhood. I did try to find the ripest yellow skinned peaches that I could find for this recipe.

Peach Cobbler
Recipe adapted from Kristina Williamson via www.foodnetwork.com.

Filling:

• 4 cups fresh peaches
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 tablespoon flour

Crust:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons salted butter, cut into small pieces
• 5 tablespoons buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar, for topping

Peel peaches, then slice.

peeling tip: dip peach in boiling water for 30 seconds, skin peels off easily with a spoon, scoop out any brown spots



Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Generously butter a 1 1/2-quart shallow baking dish. Place the sliced peaches in the dish and sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and flour. Mix gently and spread evenly again. Bake for 10 minutes.



Meanwhile combine all dry ingredients for cobbler crust in a bowl. Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter or your fingers, to make the texture like coarse crumbs. Add buttermilk and stir to form a soft dough.

Remove fruit from oven and drop rounded spoonfuls of dough on top. Sprinkle with last tablespoon of brown sugar and return to oven. Bake until fruit is bubbly and crust topping is golden brown, about 20 minutes.



Serve with your favorite vanilla bean ice cream!

dog days of summer

peach cobbler recipe coming soon

tagged

I was tagged by Mandee at The Bear Naked Truth to answer some questions! Here goes...

Have you ever seen your favorite band live, and if you have, did they live up to your expectations?

I can't say they are my favorite band, but they are the only band I have ever seen in concert - Dave Matthews Band. I have seen them twice. Is it bad that I have only been to two concerts ever and it was the same band?!? I saw them first in 1998 in Germany while I was an exchange student. I saw them again in 2006 in Virginia Beach, VA for their annual 4th of July concert with fireworks and all. Both concerts were awesome!

What is your drink of choice?

non-alcoholic, Sweet Tea - The southern girl in me loves sweet tea. The sweeter the better in my book!
alcoholic, Ace Pear Cider - I am really missing this yummy, refreshing cider this Summer.



What is your most cherished memory from your childhood?

I have a lot of great memories from childhood. I always loved Christmas Eve and waking up the next morning at my Grammie and Papa's house. My whole family gathered along with friends of the family for a big feast, Papa Larry was known to make me the occasional virgin Shirley Temple with extra cherries, we sang Christmas Carols, I was the little helper handing out the gifts to all of the guests, we went to bed to the sounds of sleigh bells ringing outside of our bedroom window, and we woke up to the biggest spread of toys any child could ask for. It was wonderful and I got to enjoy it every year of my life until the age of 25. That was the only year I have missed, until this coming Christmas. I will not be up to traveling with a baby only a few weeks old, so we will be hunkering down for Christmas here in Virginia. It will be nice to make our own little Christmas memories here in our house, but it won't be the same with all the family around.

Quick! There's some kind of natural disaster and you can only grab three things from your house to save (all people and animals have escaped unharmed)... what do you pick?

I would have to say my Nikon DSLR, my photo boxes, and my jewelry box. Not very creative, but the photos and jewelery are meaningful and cannot be replaced, and my camera is something that is never far from my side so it is only natural for me to have it with me.



If you could have dinner with anyone (dead or alive, famous or not), who would it be?

My parents. They are both alive and well, but they live 8 hours away from me and I miss just being able to spend time with them any time I want. I would love to be able to go to dinner with them!



Who is your favorite comedian?

I can't choose just one. I love a number of female comedians - Chelsea Handler, Kathy Griffin, Tina Fey, Sarah Silverman, and Wanda Skyes. They are all funny in their own way!

What is your favorite sport, and who is your favorite team from that sport?

I love college basketball, and the North Carolina Tar heels are my team!
I'm a Tar heel born I'm a Tar heel bred and when I die I'm a Tar heel dead.



Have you ever been accused of something you didn't do?

Not that I can remember! Although, growing up with a younger brother, I am sure it happened.

ETA: I couldn't resist adding this photo of my younger brother to this post.

See how mischievous he looked circa 1988. Love you, Ty!

And if you made it through all of that, thanks for reading!!

a wee bit

I am copying Mandee over at The Bear Naked Truth and linking up with Leigh Ashley's Wee Bit Wednesdays. This is a first for me!



{one} what was your favorite birthday gift?
An entire box full of brand spankin' new office supplies around age 7 or 8.  I was in heaven with all of the supplies, paper, and other miscellaneous items.  Office supplies, crafting supplies, and paper are my weaknesses!

{two} have you ever been cow-tipping or snipe-hunting?
snipe hunting, yes!  ha ha!

{three} what’s the strangest talent you have?
tying a cherry stem in a knot with my tongue... is that a talent?!?

{four} what are your favorite kind of chips?
Miss Vickie's Jalapeno

{five} do you know any tongue twisters?
only the woodchuck one!

{six} what was the last movie you saw in a theater?
Eat, Pray, Love

{seven} do you collect anything?
seashells

{eight} what is something you wish you were better at?
Staying motivated and organized... I am way to good at making excuses and believing myself.

{nine} what’s the worst habit you have?
not drinking enough water

{ten} when you wake up, what is the first thing you think?
Is it Saturday?

morning

my favorite time of day





what's yours?

week 23, day 4

• I have gained 14 lbs so far
• This belly is really something.  I had a big growth spurt which put some strain on my lumbar area.  I am strictly in maternity pants now, and I can still get by with a few of my skirts.  I can now see more of my belly button than ever before - it is not popping out, but it is right at the surface.
• Baby boy's heartbeat is currently 160 bpm. 
• Notice the slightest bit of baby proofing in the photo above [plug protectors]?  We have also checked and re-checked the LATCH systems in both of our vehicles.  Mine came with a kit of pieces from Volkswagen that I had to install under my rear seats.  I never knew what the little hooks behind the headrests were for, but now I know.
• I am currently stressing over where the baby items are going to go in the kitchen.  I have all of my cabinets organized, and it is a little unnerving to think about what will lose it's spot to be replaced by the baby-ness.  I currently walk around the kitchen a few times a week, open all the cabinets, get frustrated, and just leave the room.  Who knew this would be so difficult!?! 
• The name quest is still going strong!

sunshine

We are having a beautiful weekend around here. As you can see, Matt has been working very hard to get our grass green again. You may remember this post where our grass was dry and very crunchy under my feet. We are so happy it is on it's way to a full recovery!









It's just amazing! When Skye has a bone, Mason always has his back. No squirrel, kitty cat, or other creature should dare to try to capture his bone. Mason just won't allow it!

I went to the movies with my mother in law yesterday and saw Eat, Pray, Love.  Overall, the movie was really good.  Having not read the book yet, I didn't go into it with any expectations.  [If you're like me, the movie never lives up to the book.]  I loved the Elizabeth's time in Italy and Bali, but her time in India depressed me and I kept willing her to get out of there.  I may now have to break down and read the book! 

On another note, I added a "blog button" to the sidebar.  I figured I would join the cool kids and create one.  Grab it you want, leave it if you don't!


Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

black bean salsa

As promised... this is a new summer favorite, so refreshing and yummy!

2-4 fresh tomatoes (diced)
1-3 bell beppers (diced)
3 scallions (diced)
1 package frozen white shoepeg corn(16 oz)
2-3 cans black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 large clove of garlic (minced)
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons cumin
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 teaspoons texas pete's hot sauce

serve with your choice of tortilla chips
(really good with the white corn variety)

weekend randomness

I know you have all missed these faces!  It has been so hot that I haven't gotten out much to photograph the boys, but we finally have some beautiful weather this weekend.  Not to mention that the belly photographed below is getting in my way now when I try to get down on their level.  I will keep this up as long as I can!


week 20, day 1



black bean salsa goodness, recipe coming soon to a screen near you




pretty east coast sunset - nothing like a west coast sunset, but we get pretty ones every once in a while!

Hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful weekend!