Weekend Festivites

Whew...what a weekend! Andy and I had a great time in Nashville over Thanksgiving. We participated in the Boulevard Bolt, visited with family, caught up with friends, had too much to eat, and most importantly me and mom carried on the tradition of Black Friday shopping!!!

When I was little we always had Thanksgiving at my grandparents in Mississippi. Every Friday morning my grandmother and mom would head out early to go shopping. Back then, the stores opened at 6am, now they open at 4am! When I turned 16 I went on my first Black Friday and the tradition began for me and my mom.

Piece of Advice: I highly recommend going with one other person. One to start running, knocking over people (just kidding) to go get the one item(s) that you want, let's say that TV. While the other person has gone to grab the cart or to even go ahead and get in line.

On Thursday night we went through the ads and decided where we wanted to go. We started our adventure at Belk at 4:15am, then headed off to Target, HH Gregg, JCPenny, Joann, back to Belk, and where headed home by 8am.



We had a quick nap and were up again at 10am for Round Two! We headed to Nashville West to go to World Market and Bath & Body Works.

We were both very pleased with our purchases! Belk for me, had the best deals!



I look forward to enjoying this tradition again next year with my mom.

Thankful Thoughts

I can't believe Thanksgiving is tomorrow! Andy and I are heading to Nashville later on today for a great weekend with family and friends. I can't remember which one of my friend's families does this, but when Andy and I have children I want to start this tradition. At Thanksgiving dinner, everyone goes around the table and says one thing they are thankful for. I am so thankful for so many things in my life.

I am thankful for: (in no particular order...)

- My wonderful and loving family

- The freedom to drive with the windows down, music blaring on a beautiful summer day.

- That Andy and I live close enough to make it home in a car ride.

- my dad was able to walk me down the aisle.

- That I have found the love of my life!

- Chocolate!

- My moms homemade mac and cheese and chicken tenders! - So good!!

- My AMAZING Friends!

- Servicemen/women fighting for my country and keeping us safe

- God's Beauty

- that I have married into a great family!!

- Girls Nights

- that Andy and I get excited to come home and visit family!

- that I work for a company that gives me the opportunity to work from home

- my health

- Southern Living Magazine (I know,but I get so excited when it comes in the mail!)

- that my grandparents can still call and sing on my birthday!

- my warm and comfy bed

- sunsets

There are so many things that I am thankful for, I could be writing for days!

Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!!!


(Southern Living Website)

Slow Down

My dear friend Ashley gave me a book a couple months back titled, "Dance While You Can." It is a book filled with great quotes about living your life to the fullest. I was reading it last week and this one quote hit me. During the hustle and bustle of this Holiday Season it reminds me to slow down and enjoy life.

So here it is...

"First I was dying to finish high school and start college.
And then I was dying to finish college and start working.
And then I was dying to marry and have children.
And then I was dying for my children
to grow old enough
so I could get back to my career
And then I was dying to retire.
And now I am dying...
and suddenly realize that I forgot to live."

Author Unknown

Beans, Y'all!

This year will be our official first Thanksgiving together! We are starting off Thanksgiving day by participating in the Boulevard Bolt, which is a 5 mile run/walk benefiting the Homeless in Nashville. This way I can eat more, right?! We are then celebrating Thanksgiving at Andy's parents. I have decided on making green bean casserole. My mom taught me this recipe years ago and it's always a hit and super easy!




So here is the recipe:
2 cans green beans, drained
1 can cream of mushroom soup
good spoonful of sour cream
1 cup shredded casserole cheese
French's Fried Onions

Mix green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and sour cream.
Then place in a casserole dish
Top with cheese and french's fried onions

bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes

**double recipe for larger group, the above recipe is great for 2-4 people**

Off Air

Are you sitting down are the words that Andy said last night when he called. I was nervous and said what's going on? He told me the unthinkable....Oprah had announced her last show and she was calling it quits!



Needless to say, I am a extremely big Oprah fan! We go way back...she was born in the same small town of Kosciusko, MS as I was and then she moved to Nashville, where she got her start!

I remember being a little girl and coming home from school and mom would have Oprah on. I have watched her for over 10 years. I have tried to get tickets to her show for the past three years with no luck. My mission for 2010 is Oprah tickets (I know, not realistic) or to at least make it to Chitown and see Harpo Studios before her last filming.

The Thurmanator

I learned very quickly that you have to compromise on what your going to watch on TV as a couple. Andy could watch ESPN all day long. Now I am a UT football fan, but don't have a desire to watch every game imaginable! I on the other hand could watch E! all day.

Our first week in Columbus was almost complete, it was a Sunday afternoon and we decided to watch the Travel Channel. The show was titled Man vs. Food and it just so happened the host was in Columbus! He was at a place called The Thurman Cafe. We started watching and the burger that he was about to eat was massive and looked so tasty. Both of our mouths were watering, we looked at each other and said - Let's Go!



Thurman Cafe is a small place, during a weekend you could wait up to 2 hours for a table. We went at 3 - perfect timing, we were sat in 10 minutes. It has the biggest, probably most calories, and protein burgers I have ever seen. You haven't had a burger until you have a Thurman Burger! It is overloaded with ham, mozzarella, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, mushrooms, sauteed onions, pickle, peppers, and mayo with chips and a pickle spear. So I did the unthinkable and ordered it! I had to eat it with a fork and knife because it was too tall to fit in my mouth! Andy ordered a pizza burger (go figure!) - it was topped with mozzarella cheese and pepperonni's.



They have a burger called The Thurmanator which is twice as big as the Thurman. It got it's name because Arnold Schwarzenegger used to live in Columbus and would come order this burger before a workout, because it has so much protein!

If your ever in Columbus I would highly recommend you try The Thurman Cafe!

Four Month Anniversary!

Today is our four month anniversary! As the saying goes....Time flies when your having fun! It feels just like yesterday when we were married. It was a perfect day in July - the weather was beautiful! We had a wonderful honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. After the honeymoon, we started our life in Columbus, OH. I decided to start a blog about our journey as newlyweds - in a northern city.

A little bit about us ~ Andy was born and raised in Nashville, TN. I was born in Mississippi but at the age of six my father was transferred to the great city of Nashville, TN. Andy and I have known each other for over 6 years, but we are learning more and more about each other everyday. I am so blessed to have such a loving and wonderful husband! We met at The University of Tennessee while Andy was visiting friends for a football game. Needless to say we are huge UT fans! Andy works for Hunt Brothers Pizza as a territory consultant. He loves what he does and the company! I currently am working at home for my employer that I worked for in Nashville as a conference coordinator.

Andy and I love to eat, shop, travel, and well - (im working on loving this one - working out!) This blog will feature many of the things we love and our life in a northern city!

I hope you enjoy the blog!