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Labels: Tea Cart

Since we’ve been married, everyone keeps telling us, “Take time for each other!” I used to think that statement was really geared towards couples with children, cause goodness knows they keep you busy. But we’ve recently learned that even without children, you should still take time for each other! So we have implemented a once a week “Date Night.”

We decided our date night doesn’t have to mean going to dinner and a movie, or even spending money at all…it just means that we have to block out time for each other – no one else (no phones/internet, etc). Except for MoMo. It’s hard to find a sitter for him!

On our date last night, Owen cooked me dinner – he found the crock pot and made a yummy roast. And we played Super Mario Brothers 3 on our Nintendo Wii. Every time one of us ‘died’ the other got a turn. Like two good little sharing 8 year olds!

Apparently you can hook that thing up to your internet, and buy old school Nintendo games! Who knew!?! But for some reason when we hook it up to our upstairs TV, the sound doesn’t work. So as we played, we sat in silence (well, talking of course!), and sang the theme music to each other. “DaDaDaDaDaDa-Da” (You know you know it!) Now you’ll be singing it all day…you’re welcome!

And we finished our date by loading up in the car and going to “Ben & Crowded’s” – aka Ben & Jerry’s, but we call it that because every time we go it’s packed!

I know you’re now asking yourself… “Self, how did they come to the realization that date nights are necessary?” Well I’m so glad you asked!

On Sunday we started a new Bible Study class at church for married couples. We’re the youngest and most newly married, but the course is designed for couples at any stage in their marriage. It’s modeled after the book, “6 Secrets to a Lasting Love” by Gary and Barbara Rosberg. We have the workbook that guides you through 4 weeks of study. I won’t go into all the details, but I encourage all you married folk to pick up the book and read along! We’re on chapters 1 & 2 right now.

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Labels: I Clean, You Cook

Everyone...this is Harper...

Harper...this is everyone!

Isn't she just the most adorable baby you've ever seen!?! I could just eat those cheeks!!

We could not be happier for her proud parents!! Congratulations Mom and Dad! I know you're just beaming with pride!

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Labels: Harper Sophia

Our newest niece joined the family this morning at 6:08a!! Harper Sophia weighed in at 8lbs 11ozs and is absolutely beautiful! Mom and baby and doing excellent.

Mom and I drove over to Atlanta this morning. We left Birmingham around 6a so we could get here early!!

Not sure how long we're staying...probably just the night. But I'll post pictures when we get home.

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Labels: Harper Sophia

So on Labor Day we celebrated by having an anti-internet day. After a run at the park with Mo, we went to Best Buy - aka "The Devil" b/c it seems when we walk in they just suck the money right out of our pockets - and bought a few (eh-hem 4) movies and spent the rest of the day on the couch watching them.

We watched two weird sci-fi movies that O likes (Equilibrium and Event Horizon)…Christian Bale (aka Batman) was nice eye-candy in Equilibrium but I’d much prefer cartoons. Event Horizon was scary and gross. Probably why the DVD was only $9.

Then we topped off our movie marathon with an old classic…The Great Outdoors. It’s been a while since I’ve seen it, but it was a great way to end our movie day/night.

As you can tell from my lack of postings lately, we’ve been busy since Mo’s birthday celebration…

Having play-dates with Rezi and Gabby… (Tas left, Gabby right, Rezi front and center)

Setting up our new rug so Gabby could pee on it…

That’s not Gabby, that’s Tasmo…he loves the rug already. (Gabby really didn't pee on it...but for a minute there we thought he might!)

Setting up our new desk (pictures to come)…you know, the usual.

Oh, and how could I forget…eating until we were blue in the face…Enjoy these fun recipes I made this weekend...

Redneck Caviar

1 (15-ounce) cans black-eyed peas, drained

1 (15-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained

1 (10-ounce) can Ro-Tel

2 cups chopped red bell pepper

1/2 cup chopped fresh jalapeno peppers

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 (8-ounce) bottle Italian dressing

1 (4-ounce) jar chopped pimentos, drained

In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and stir gently to combine. Refrigerate mixture overnight (or an hour...however much time you have). Serve with corn chips.

Chili in a Biscuit Bowl

Vegetable oil cooking spray

1 or 2 cans of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls (depending on how much you want to make)

*you can also make biscuits from scratch, but that requires effort

1 pound ground chuck

1 medium onion, chopped

1 medium green bell pepper, chopped

2 (14-ounce) cans Mexican-style stewed tomatoes

1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 teaspoon salt
Toppings:
Shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Sour cream

Sliced green onions (white and green parts)

Corn chips

Preheat the oven to whatever it says on the crescent roll package (Sorry I can't remember! I gotta make you work a little!). Invert a muffin tin and spray the underside with vegetable oil cooking spray. Separate the crescent rolls and shape each over the back of each muffin cup. Press around the cup to form a bowl shape. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly browned. Let cool slightly. Remove the biscuit bowls and reserve.

Meanwhile, brown the ground chuck over medium heat in a Dutch oven. Add the onion and green pepper and continue to cook until the meat is completely browned and the vegetables are tender. Drain off any fat and discard. Stir in the tomatoes, beans, chili powder, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 35 minutes. When ready to serve, spoon the hot chili into the biscuit bowls. Garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions, and corn chips.

*This also works great with Sloppy Joes, or Ground Beef w/ BBQ sauce.*

No-Bake Chocolate Chuck Cookie Pie (sorry no picture...all I have is the empty pie plate, and I didn't think you'd want to see that!)

1 (15 or 18oz) package of Nabisco Chunky Chips Ahoy

1 cup milk (maybe a bit more depending on how long you soak each cookie)

1 (9oz) pre-made graham cracker crust pie (I could only find 6oz, and it worked)

1 (8oz) container of Cool Whip, thawed (might as well be full fat with the bag of cookies you'll use!)

1. Dip a cookie in milk (I let it bubble a bit)

2. Place cookie in bottom of pie shell

3. Repeat steps 1 & 2 to make one layer of cookies on the bottom of the shell.

4. Top with 1/3 of Cool Whip

5. Repeat steps 1-4 making 3 (total) layers of cookies and top with Cool Whip

Crumble a few cookies on top to make it look pretty.

Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you just can't stand it anymore!!

The pie was the most fabulous dessert I’ve ever had. Seriously. E-VER. We ate the whole thing in one day...just the two of us. Oh, and the Redneck Caviar is a wonderful quick dip great for tailgating or marathon movie watching.

I also made sausage and cheese balls, but I think everyone and their grandmother has that recipe, so I'm not going to bore you with it!

Oh, and the 4th movie we bought was Mean Girls. I haven't watched it yet b/c I couldn't convince O to watch in on Monday! And no, I haven't ever seen it.

So Mo and I ended our fabulous day of movie watching and eating with a little nap on the couch...

And yes...I did wear white on Labor Day. I'm starting a new trend. Join me, won't you?

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Labels: Labor Day