Our Weekend

Well my long week of snow days rolled into the weekend!

Drew finally got home and it was so nice to just relax.

Friday afternoon we went to our favorite beer garden, Vics.

We love the fenced in back patio so Copper can run wild and the big screens to enjoy as we sip our brew.

It was still a bit slushy but just nice to be outside.

Saturday morning Drew did some mini house projects and I did some major grocery shopping. After eating some lunch we went to his grandparents for a visit. They have a big farm and Copper wore himself out running every where. He didn't even make it out of the driveway, passed out. 

Saturday night we ate at my all time favorite place.

No special occasion, just dinner with Lee and Rachel.

(Drew's brother and fiance')

Sometimes the best treats are the random ones like this, even though I ate wayyyy too much bread.

Sunday for the Super Bowl (which was such a disappointment) I made these awesome sausage and cream cheese crescents. I found them on Pintrest and they were as tasty as they were simple to make.

I didn't get a picture of it but I also made a black bean, corn, and feta fresh salsa. I saw it on the Simply Free blog (which is an amazing blog) and thought it looked so yummy. Since my other dish was not so healthy I wanted to make something a bit more "clean" and that I cold eat plenty of guilt-free.

This morning it was back to school after almost a week off.

The kids were due a treat for great behavior in special area and I also wanted them to know how much I appreciated them working hard on the practice writing assessment Tuesday as the snow came down.

(it is SO very hard for the kiddos to focus KNOWING they are about to go home and sled)

In stead of a cookie I went sprinkle crazy and they got a cupcake treat,yum!

High Five for Friday

It has been a great week, but glad it is Friday!

As I gear myself {and coffee mug} up for the day I can easily get pumped because it is Friday.

/1// It is a three day weekend. A whole day to sleep in and go about the day per my own schedule and of course, lots of time with my sweet Copper while we wait for Drew to get off work.

/2// It has been a supper quick week at school. The kids have been great. Truly, couldn't ask for them to be any better. I was worried they would be kinda rusty after 2 weeks or so off but nope, better than ever. That gives me a major thing to high five about!

/3// This week I tried another Pioneer Woman recipe and is was amazing. Seriously, one of the best things I've ever ate and I made it. I'm excited to try more from her cookbook, perhaps Monday on my day off. 

/4// It actually isn't going to rain this weekend. If you don't live in the South you may not get this. It has truly rained most weekends all year. This weekend might be chilly but it will be sunny. Can't wait to get out!!

/5// Although I'm not doing a great job at the laundry thing.

#shocker

I am doing good at doing a walk through each night to pick up the mail that we put on the counter, put the shoes up we kick off by the door, hang the jacket up, etc. These are small things that really add up and the house is so neat and that makes me very happy!

Friday Five//

Well here it is, ANOTHER snow day!

Yup, been home since 11:00 Tuesday morning and have been off every since. 

I must say I've enjoyed this unexpected break but we are now out of snow days and my kiddos take the state writing assessment Monday and didn't get practice the way the format is. Just rolling with the punches on that one and having full faith in my kiddos on Monday morning. 

Fingers Crossed!!

ONE. 

Drew is finally home!!! He got home about 15 minutes before small group and Copper was just as excited as I thought he would be and I was too. So nice to go bed and not getting up to check that I locked the doors and have all the flood lights on. 

TWO.

With this time off the house is clean and truly for the first time...ever, I have zero laundry to do. (or put away,what?!)  Well that was until Drew came in and dumped his over sized duffel bag on the floor full of dirties but that's okay. I also organized and cleaned out my jewelry. The house is sparkling and that just makes me happy.

THREE.

Since this has been a crazy week with snow and out of town I'm looking forward to staying in tonight and cooking dinner. I've not cooked since last Sunday and we are both looking forward to a home cooked meal and snuggles on the couch. I'm sure a cold brew or glass of wine will make its way into the evening as well.

FOUR.

This little game called the Super Bowl! Being a Vols fan for life and growing up watching Peyton I can't help but cheer and root for the Broncos on Sunday. Drew's Dad is throwing a party where I have no doubt we will have plenty of food and lots of fun. It's always a fun night for us TN fans watching Peyton win another :)

FIVE.

Still eating healthy (at least 80% of the time) and looking forward to be able to go run today and this weekend. Copper and I have walked every day in the snow but I've missed running. High five for sticking with something good! 

As I blog from the couch this morning with coffee in hand and puppy on my feet I can't help but wonder who is going to have a harder time next week--me or Copper :)

Home Tour {living space and master bedroom}

With all this snow and Drew still out of town I've had lots of time on my hands.

I've cleaned till the point I have nothing else to clean.

We got a new camera for Christmas and I hadn't used it yet and with the house all a sparklin' I figured it was as good a time as ever to show you a glimpse into our home!

When you come into our house it is very open which was a huge selling point for us.

The living room, kitchen, and "dinning" area are all open.

The kitchen island is where we spend majority of our time when friends and family are over.

I love the counter space and try to keep it clear when not cooking but the island is a "collect all" for mail, coffee mugs, etc. so I have to make a point to keep it clean.

I got a steal on this table when we first moved in at a local store. It has a leaf can add 4-5 more chairs easily. This is where we host small group and have many family dinners. Most of the time my school stuff is in a chair as well as spread out on one end of the table. In the morning the sunrises over the mountains in the back and makes a beautiful orange glow in the kitchen.

Next to the kitchen is our master bedroom. The ceilings in this room are one of my favorite parts of the house. I try to make this room soft and cozy and "our" space. I'm still on the hunt for some pretty "burlap" style pillows for our bed. I love when a bed has tons of pillows when made!

Then of course the master bath. 

I feel like the his/her sinks are a blessing. I usually get ready by sitting on his side of the sink with my make-up and whatever all over the counter. Then when we are both trying to get ready and brush teeth it is nice having the extra space.

Finally, the tub. I'm embarrassed how little we actually use this. I truly clean it more than we use it. This year I've made a point to use it more and not sure why I haven't more cause every time I get in there I love it.

Of course wouldn't be our home without Copper!

Husband is gone, blog on! {DIY Face Mask}

Well I'm officially snowed in.

Usually I welcome snow with open arms and loud cheers but this time Drew is still out of town for the week for work and it's just me. I don't mind being home by myself but now that I'm snowed in with Copper I'm really missing Drew. I miss waiting for 4:45 to hear his truck pull up and sitting down to dinner each night and I miss just sitting on the couch at night watching re-runs of our favorite shows. 

(*note this was taken at noon, it snowed 6 more hours)

We have almost 4 inches and school let out at 10:00 today and we are off tomorrow and considering it isn't getting above freezing tomorrow I'm guessing we will be off Thursday as well.

With Drew gone I'm keeping dinner simple and the fact that we live on a steep hill and I drive a Mustang means no carry out here. So tonight a grilled cheese hit the spot, so good!

With these crazy cold and super windy days my skin is so dry. 

My face even gets flaked in places and not only is it gross but it is embarrassing to have such noticeably dry skin. I did some Pintrest research and decided to do a quick DIY face mask to scrub my face good.

I used honey, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

Mix one part cinnamon with one part nutmeg and then two parts honey.

I didn't measure anything just went by looks but it filled the bottom of this bowl and then I put it on my freshly cleaned face with my fingers in circular motions. 

The face mask smells like a delicious baked good.

I then wiped clean the mask with a warm wash cloth then a splash of cold water.

I slathered on the lotion and my face feels like silk!

I would recommend this make to anyone with dry skin.

The rest of my evening will consist of unhealthy amounts of Dance Moms (Drew hates that show), Pintrest, possible chick flick, and a yummy glass of red with a piece of Dove on the side. Then of course sleeping in with my fluff ball Copper, seriously what would I do without this dog?! 

Happy Snow Day

Chicken & Dumplings {Crock Pot} Style

Gotta love some home cookin'

I don't make these often but they are great.

Chicken and dumplings.

A southern staple and winter warmer.

I make ours with greens beans with potatoes, fried okra, and drop biscuits--

delicious! 

ingredients:
-at least one pound of chicken (can be breast or tenders
-chicken broth
-2 cans of cream of chicken with herbs
-half an onion sliced
-about a cup of celery chopped (optional but great flavor)
-small can of biscuits
-salt and pepper

I use my Crock Pot for these and it is so simple.

Put your chicken in the bottom. I used 1.17 pounds.

Next I used my salt and pepper grinders and covered the chicken pretty well. Then I added about half an onion and about one cup or so of chopped celery.

I'm all about store brands and saving but this soup is amazing to cook with.

Add two can directly on top of the chicken, onions, and celery.

Then I fill up one and half cans of chicken broth and pour into the crock pot and stir.

It will still be thick but that will cook out.

I put mine on high for 6 hours. I've done low for 8 and it is just as good.

After I got home I stirred the crock pot goodness. The chicken just starts falling apart and it smells amazing. 

If any large pieces of chicken are left I will take it out and shred it then put it back in.

Now for the dumplings!!

I've made from scratch dumplings and I've used these. Honestly, no difference in taste but major time difference. I used the smaller can of the Grands "Butter Tasting" biscuits by Pillsbury.
Crack your crock pot back up to high if it isn't already.

Next open the biscuits and separate them and you will cut them into little pieces. About 8 pieces per biscuit.
I like to use my pizza cutter for this part. Once they are cut put them into the crock pot and stir.

The longer they are in the crock pot the more cooked they will get. Some people like "doughy"  dumplings, I prefer mine a bit more cooked. I left our dumplings in the crock pot for almost 2 hours while stirring about every half hour. If you are big on spices you can toss in a bit of basil into the mix.

That is it for simple and delicious chicken and dumplings.
These are so yummy and fool proof!

High /5/ for Friday

This has been such a short week and like typical fashion-

still so excited to have the weekend here.

Drew is out of town all next week which is a major bummer so I want

to make the most out of this weekend before it is just me and puppy

snuggles for the next 5 nights.

Here are /5/ things high five worthy this week:

/1// I was off Monday for MLK Day and it was 60 degrees outside and perfect.

Then it was below zero again (and still is) so I got a snow day Wednesday.

So high five for a short work week!

This was how I spent my Wednesday morning-

blogging with puppy cuddles. 

/2// On my random day off I got to kick off the flannel pj's just long enough to get a major visit to the salon.

Between 4-5 inches gone and much darker/more natural. Feels so good and a new haircut just puts a bounce in your step!

/3// With this said time off I've made some yummy dinners. 

Drew always is thankful for my cooking and I appreciate that but he was super grateful and loved my southern dinner from last night which made me feel good. Dumplins' just do the heart good!

this super easy dumpling recipe coming soon!

/4// The house is super clean even down to the base boards and the laundry is actually folded. 

Which never happens. #miracle

/5// I'm still shocked that January is almost over, this year is flying by. But I am looking forward to February and hopefully a step in the warm direction. 

Happy Friday!