New England Regionals

Our girls did great at Regionals and placed third!!! We are so proud of them! However, only first and second place advance to Nationals in Orlando so the girls are quite disappointed.

**UPDATE** Apparently, third place DOES advance to Nationals, but our board voted before the competition to only advance our teams if they placed first or second. The older team and the younger team are going but because we placed third we have been told by our board, not Regionals, that we cannot advance. We are all very upset and are trying to change this decision since it was made without any input from our team and all 14 families want to make the trip. Please keep our girls in your thoughts today because they have worked SO hard and should really be able to attend the National Competition like all the other third place winners. I will keep you posted and let you know if we are able to reverse this decision.

When Miss Priss and I returned from our trip to Providence, Pinkie told me "Mama, I am so glad you are home because you are my own personal rainbow." Awwwww!

When we woke up this morning, it was snowing. Perfect weather to ring in the Christmas season!

Turkey Day

We had a lovely day with great friends and neighbors!!!

We are so thankful for our many blessings. Pinkie is thankful for hearts, ice cream, bunnies, and flowers.

The four ovens were awesome--we had so much food that all four were FULL!

The highlight of the day was when our Corgi, Boudreaux, climbed onto the kid's table to eat the children's leftovers--I wish I had gotten a picture but I was too tickled (she has never done this before)!

Thanks to the previous owners, we not only have four ovens, we also have four fireplaces. Mr. K decided to start fires in three of them just moments before our guests arrived and the one in our dining room backed up and flooded the whole room with smoke!!! It wouldn't be a holiday without some small mishap, right?!

We had a ball with our friends sharing a delicious spread complete with:

Cheese Bedig
Cream Cheese and Pepper Jelly
Mixed Nuts
Turkey
Ham
Sausage Dressing
Oyster Dressing
Corn Pudding
Broccoli
Peas
Cranberry Chutney
Mashed Potatoes
Gravy
Cajun Macaroni and Cheese
Rice Dressing
Squash Casserole
Rolls
Sweet Potato Pie
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
Apple Pie
English Trifle

With all this yummy food in the house, Pinkie opted to eat Ritz crackers and a Fruit Roll-Up. She must get this idiosyncracy from my brother who I swear only ate rolls every Thanksgiving from 1979 until about 1998.

Clean up was a breeze because we cheated this year and served the meal on festive paper plates we put on my gold chargers to "dress" them up. We also removed the tablescape that Pinkie and I made (see "Thanksgiving Prep") from the kids table and put down and plastic tablecloth so that when the children were done all we had to do was fold it up and throw it away! This worked out great, I'm not going to lie. We had every thing cleaned up in under a hour and instead of stressing in the kitchen, we had more time to enjoy each others company. I struggled a little bit with this in my head, because I really prefer the look of real china and fine linens, etc, but I also tend to get a wee bit resentful when I am stuck in the kitchen by myself cleaning it all up for hours. This year, there was no resentment and lots of fun and I really think this is the best thing for our home.

Several people have asked for me to share some recipes so here are my recipes for Cajun Macaroni and Cheese and Squash Casserole:

Miss Daisy King's Party Squash
1 lb. yellow squash, sliced
1 t. sugar
1/2 c. mayo
1/2 c. minced onion
1/4 c. finely chopped green pepper
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/2 c. grated Cheddar
salt and pepper to taste
Ritz crumbs
1/4 c. butter

Preheat oven to 350. In a large saucepan cook the squash, drain, and mash. Add the sugar, mayo, onion, green pepper, pecans, egg and cheese, salt and pepper. Put in 2-quart casserole, top with crumbs, and dot with butter. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Yield: 6-8 servings

Cajun Macaroni and Cheese
1 regular box of elbow macaroni
1 cup+ shredded Cheddar
2 T. butter
1/2 c. chopped green onion
1 small can evaporated mimlk
2 eggs, beaten
1 t. mustard
bread crumbs
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350. Cook macaroni and drain. While macaroni is cooking, saute green onions in butter. While macaroni is still hot, add cheese and mix well to make it melt a little. Beat eggs into milk and pir into macaroni. Add sauteed onions, mustard, salt and pepper and mix again. Pour into buttered casserole dish and top with bread crumbs and dots of butter. Bake covered for 30 minutes then bake uncovered for 10+ minutes to crisp the top.

I am taking Miss Priss to Rhode Island today for a Regional Cheerleading Competion. Wish us well--if we place we get to go the Nationals in Orlando!!!

Thanksgiving Prep

Pinkie didn't have school today so we spent all morning preparing some side dishes for tomorrow's feast. We are having two other familys over to celebrate and we all chipped in together to buy an already prepared turkey and ham + several side dishes and a pie. Each family is also bringing several additional side dishes and desserts. We are doing it at our house because, thanks to our home's previous owners, we have FOUR OVENS!!!

Pinkie and I made Cajun Macaroni and Cheese, Miss Daisy King's Squash Casserole, Rice Dressing aka "Dirty Rice," and the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cheesecake I posted on here several weeks back. When Miss Priss got home she helped me make an Armenian appetizer that my grandmother makes called Cheese Bedig. After the kitchen was cleaned up, Pinkie reminded me that we did not have a centerpiece for our table--how could I have forgotten something spectacular?!

I looked around the house and the (dead) garden and this is what we came up with:



I'm not sure Martha would approve but for a spur-of-the-moment design, it will have to do!!!

Pre-School Thanksgiving Feast

Pinkie had her Thanksgiving Feast at pre-school today. The other room mom and I served turkey and cheese rolls, mini corn muffins, carrots, celery sticks, and cranberry sauce of which Pinkie ate...NOTHING!!! When the rice krispy treats came out for dessert Pinkie ate...TWO!!!

Check out the turkey on her hat--she blinged it out with rhinestones and foam hearts. As Dolly would say, "It costs a lot to look this cheap."

Preppy Alligator

Miss Priss completed her alligator in Home Ec class! It looks great, even without the pink thread, doesn't it?!

Christmas Swap

I got my package from my Christmas Swap partner in the mail on Saturday--Laurie at The Coles. How fun!!! She sent me some wonderful preppy slipper socks (great for the long, cold winter I am sure I have ahead of me!), Christmas dish towels, two absolutely precious ornaments, a green candle, a green tree and y'all, the neatest thing-- a Christmas mix CD that has the best songs EVER on it from artists such as Josh Groban, James Taylor, The Chipmunks, even my old TN neighbor, Dolly, is on there! And to top it all off, she even sent Pinkie and Miss Priss the cutest Santa Bag full of the sweetest notecards that they can give to their friends and teachers! Thanks, Laurie, you ROCK!!!

I'm Finally Finished!!!

I am finally finished sewing. Still sick, but done sewing!!! I spent most of the weekend just monogramming things for Pinkie. There are no clothing shows up here like there are in the South so to feed my sick addiction to children's clothing, I have resorted to purchasing store bought items and monogramming the heck out of them. Pinkie's pre-school teacher actually asked me if her underwear was monogrammed--like, duh...clearly, they have never heard of Fancy Pants!!! So most of the stuff I worked on this weekend looked like this:

But I did do a few more Christmas shirts. Now Pinkie probably has a different holiday outfit for every day of the month. Oh well, I told you I was sick!

Custom Camera Strap GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Custom Camera Strap GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

I want this one!!!!

Click the link above to win a beautiful custom camera strap! I didn't even know such a thing existed, but now that I do I have found another cool "must have!"

Praying Dog

My mom emailed me this picture and it just cracked me up--isn't the expression on the dog's face the best?!

Fortune

We had take-out Chinese on Friday night. Mr. K's fortune said "The one who snores will always fall asleep first." This, I can tell you, is so true. (Thank you, Jesus, for ear plugs!)

My fortune said, "Your wisdom is a treasure for all time." Since Mr. K's fortune was so spot on, this one must be too, right?

Storybook Christmas

First, let me say thank you all for your kinds words about my "creations"--you are all too sweet! I am still sewing over here even though I am battling the WORST SINUS INFECTION OF MY LIFE. I have mostly been sewing sweatshirts for Pinkie to wear to school because, for some ungodly reason, her teachers insist on taking them outside every morning for an hour in THE FREEZING COLD. I am conflicted about putting Pinkie in sweatsuits because I have a dear friend who is a lovely South Carolina Belle and she would rather die than put one of her three girls in a sweatsuit, monogrammed or otherwise, and I really respect this Belle's taste. But, after Pinkie's teacher fussed at me for not sending her to school in warm enough clothes (she had on a dress and tights for crying out loud), I decided it was time to put on my big girl panties and get over my sweatsuit uncertainty--Pinkie has got to be warm on that playground for an hour in the 20 degree weather and an undershirt, turtleneck, tights and sweatsuit is the warmest thing around. So most of the items I have done lately look a little something like this:

The blue background fabric is felt! I got this idea from a Hannah Kate outfit Pinkie has and I love the way it turned out.

So, after sewing about ten sweatshirts, imagine my utter excitement when I found this seller on Etsy selling a Christmas Fancy Nancy applique designs and a Olivia the pig applique design--our two favorite storybook characters (Pinkie really should have been named Olivia. She and that pig are darn similar: "This is Olivia/Pinkie. She is good at a lot of things She is very good at wearing people out. She even wears herself out." FYI--Pinkie woke me up in the middle of the night last night to ask me if she could wear piggie tales to school today. True story.) I purchased both designs lickety split and love the way the shirts turned out (click on the pictures to see all the cute detail!).


The Fancy Nancy is done on a sparkly pink turtleneck I found at Target--I think Nancy would approve!


I appliqued Olivia with a pink scarf and green pants because I am absolutely certain she is a preppy pig!

For sustenance while I was sewing I ate almost an entire bag of the limited edition candy cane Oreos--they are delicious and come in such a cute retro package:


If you haven't tried them, you must!

On a totally unrelated note, when I went into Miss Priss' Home Ec class the other day to help with the lesson on sewing stuffed animals, I noticed that Miss Priss was sewing a green alligator! I was so tickled! But the best part was when she threw a little mini fit because her teacher wouldn't let her stitch it up with pink thread! Momma didn't raise no fool. I'm just sayin'.

One other totally unrelated thing--I got a $50 gift certificate in the mail from Ballard Designs for being a "good customer" and I am so excited--what should I buy?! I can't decide; there are too many wonderful things to choose from!

Why?

Yesterday was one of those days where I ask myself "Why do I sew?" Everything that could go wrong, of course, did. It all started when Mr. K told Pinkie that he was taking Miss Priss to the mall and asked if she wanted to go. After she enthusiastically replied "yes" he then told her that he was going to take Miss Priss only so that they could spend some time alone. A huge meltdown ensued and Mr. K conveniently escaped out the back door leaving me to deal with his mess. Then my embrodiery hoop broke, along with about 12 needles and Pinkie continued to scream. After she finally stopped wailing, she stretched out on the sofa and barked order after order at me: "Bring me some warmed up milk," "Bring me some gummies," "Bring me a fruit roll up," "Bring me more warmed up milk," on and on and on causing me to have to stop what I was doing at least 500 hundred times. She has now earned the new nickname Cleopatra. I should have thrown in the towel, but I was determined to accomplish one thing. It took me approximately 6 hours to finish something:


After Mr. K came home and I forced him to take Pinkie to the park to pay for his sins, I was able to finish a few more shirts:

Who knows what I will get done today. I am off to help in Miss Priss' Family and Consumer Science Class (Home Ec). Guess what Miss Priss volunteered me to help teach? Sewing! After yesterday, I am not sure they want me!

I'm Sewing!!!

Well, I hauled out all my sewing stuff yesterday afternoon to gear up for a long week of sewing. I have a ton of things I need to monogram and applique. About two years ago for Mother's Day and got an embroidery machine and after many long and frustrating days learning how to use it, I now love it! And Mr. K loves that I no longer have to pay $15 for each item I want personalized!

I come from a long line of sewing women. My mother took french hand sewing classes from Sarah Stone and has made both me and my daughters the most exquisite french hand sewn dresses you will ever see. My mom is one of five children and she has three sisters. She tells stories of my Grammie sewing her into a new outfit just as her date was ringing the doorbell. My other grandmother made her living as a seamstress and once stitched up one of Elvis' jumpsuits after he split the seat open on stage! So sewing is in my blood, I guess you could say, and I can only hope to one day be as talented as my mother and grandmothers.

Currently, I have a huge stack of t-shirts and sweatshirts that I want to personalize for Pinkie. I am starting this week becasue Mr. K will be gone all week and when I sew the whole house goes to pot. If he's not around, I won't feel so guilty about the mess and I won't have to stop what I am doing every night to cook dinner. One day, maybe I will have my own sewing room, but for now I work on the kitchen table, which is just as well because it keeps me in the middle of all the action in our house. I also have to get some things done this week, because the holidays are coming and if I don't do it now it won't get done until after Christmas. Plus, I have bought several new designs for holiday shirts and I can't wait to see how they turn out. So ladies, if I don't post much this week, you will know what I am up to. When I am done, I promise I will post pictures of my favs. Below is a sneak peek--two shirts I completed yesterday (clicked on the pictures to see the designs close-up)!

Huge Ralph Lauren Sale!!!

PRIVATE SALE up to 40% off at Ralph Lauren + an extra 15% off using the code NOV1317 valid until November 17. Free shipping on orders over $195, $5 flat rate shipping on orders under $195.

A Happy for Miss Priss

Miss Priss and her friends are into wearing knee socks! I thought they would never come back into style, but what do I know...all I know is that there are some precious ones out there! I found this adorable pair at Wally World the other day on my weekly grocery run and just love the pink reindeer and the pink pom-poms. I am going to give them to Miss Priss when she gets home so she can start wearing them right after Thanksgiving. Now that she doesn't let me dress her like Pinkie does, she doesn't seem to get as many "happies" from me--I hope this one makes her smile!

Beautiful Lockets

I have always loved lockets and this one is to die for! As a matter of fact, all the lockets designed by Monica Rich Kosann are to die for! I would love one for Christmas, but since they are a little on the pricey side (we're talking thousands here, ladies!) I will settle for drooling over her designs at The Fine Art of Family!

Another Giveaway--- Absolutely To Die For Quilts

You need to win of these for the cold nights ahead! Aren't they just breathtaking?! Go to Old Red Barn Co. to enter!

Commissioned Watercolor Portrait GIVEAWAY!!!!

Commissioned Watercolor Portrait GIVEAWAY!!!!

Okay, I know I said that I had to win the coffee pot, but I REALLY need to win this. Because I just don't have enough pictures of my girls (cough, cough). This is an amazing giveaway; clink on the link above to enter for yourself!

Wednesdays in the Word

I go to Bible Study every Wednesday morning. We are currently doing a study called Contagious Joy by Christa Kinde. I just wanted to share a cute quote from Patsy Clairmont that was in today's lesson: "Joy must be the shocking pink thread in our tapestry because people seem stunned by this flamboyant stitch. When we exhibit joy during trying times, others view us as odd ducks, 'cause everyone knows life ain't no ride on no pink duck."

Dark Horse Farm Designs

These beautiful saddle pads were designed by my friend Nancy Geaney at Dark Horse Farm Designs . Aren't they gorgeous?! She also designs absolutely beautiful quilts, pillows, and other decorative accessories. I met her at my church's spring fair where I bought this precious wreath for Pinkie's room:

Don't you love this quilt?! Pinkie, who adores horses, would love to have it!!!

I am not Catholic, but for some reason I love religious icons, like the one on this breathtaking pillow:

I also love this pink and green quilt:

Visit Nancy's blog at DarkHorseFarmDesigns.blogspot.com!

The Secret Life of Bees

I saw the movie on Sunday and loved it! You really must see it. I laughed and I cried. For those of you who are not familiar with the story, it is set in South Carolina in 1964. A motherless Lily Owens runs away from the peach farm she lives on with her father and seeks solace in the home of three black women in Tiburon, SC. It is here that she uncovers her past and discovers herself. The action unfolds against the backdrop of life in the South during a very turbulent time in American history. Although I am fully aware of the violence and harsh reality of my beloved South's past, scenes like those shown in the movie never cease to amaze, sadden, and disgust me. Although I have made a conscious decision to not discuss politics on my blog ( I wanna keep things FUN, y'all!) I will step out of my comfort zone to say that when Lily's new black friend, Zach, dreams of one day becoming a lawyer, I could not help but be smacked in the face by the historical significance of last week. If a black boy in America in1964 could only dream of being a lawyer, then a black man in 2008 being elected president is, of course, monumental, to say the least. However, it is words like those written by Edward Keating in the latest issue of New York magazine that sadly have clouded this realization for me. Can he be for real when he says, "...none of the 21st centuries OMFG events has been more astonishing than what happened last week...For those of us born since World War II, never in our adult lifetimes has any single event made us prouder of our country." Mr. Keating, I beg to differ. I as an American can think of many an a event that has not only astounded me but also made me fiercly proud to be an American. What happened last week was huge, I get that and am glad that this movie reminded me of this hugeness, but it is this huge attention being paid to the hugeness of it all that in my mind sadly diminishes this hugeness...and that's all I have to say about that. Go see the movie, really, you will enjoy it.

We Miss You Nana

Thank you for a great visit!!!

Cute Stocking Stuffer

I picked up this sweet Madame Alexander doll the other day at Tuesday Morning--look at her absolutely adorable pink and green argyle socks--sweet little prepster! I think I will put her in Pinkie's stocking!!!

Sweet Giveaway

Anybody that knows me knows that I love me some a cup of coffee in the morning. First thing. Before absolutely anything. Otherwise I might bite your head off. But I digress...
Adventures of a Southern Newlywed is giving away a Keurig Platinum Brewer and I need to win! But you can enter too! Just go to her site for the lowdown and your very own chance to win!

Pinkalicious

Every Girl Likes Pink

20% OFF All Items on PAGE 7 of the Fall Catalogue – while supplies last! Nov 8-15

Click the picture to start shopping

Call toll free 888.856.3948 Visit www.orientexpressed.com

Jake'n'Jillian

My sweet friend, Jacqalyn, in Nashville has just started her own web business called Jake'n'Jillian (named after her two sweet minis). Check out these precious hand-painted Christmas dress; I especially love the monogrammed ornament dress trimmed with black and white gingham ribbon! And right now, until 11/15, you can get 10% off your order with the coupon code "thank you." Please visit her website to see all her sweet hand-painted children's items for boys and girls!

Tis the Season...

To seeat This morning we hoped on the train and headed into the city for the Christmas Spectacular! The train ride was a little over an hour and it took us directly to Grand Central Station. From there, we walked to Radio City.

When we lived in Nashville, Miss Priss and I saw the show twice at the Opryland Resort and loved it both times. It was even more spectacular in NYC!!! I was a little worried about taking Pinkie (not sure she was old enough to appreciate it or sit still), but she loved it too! It was Nana's first time to see it and of course she loved it.

After the show was over, even though the plan was to walk down 51st Avenue to Broadway to Ellen's Stardust Dinner for lunch, Pinkie was determined to get herself a hot dog from one of the hot dog vendors on the street (street meat, yum-ee!). The girl is obsessed with hot dog vendors, so much so that she swears that she is going to be one when she grows up!!!

This is just a sweet shot I got of the girls by a Christmas tree we saw on our short walk:

We had to wait 20 minutes, outside in the rain, for a seat, but lunch at Ellen's, with it's singing wait stuff, was a blast!

It was raining so hard that after lunch we just hoped a cab back to the station and rode the train home (I wasn't about to ruin my new hot pink suede and black patent leather shoes walking 9 blocks in the pouring rain!).