Very Berry Birthday Wishes

Usually on Saturday's I am either working, or sleeping in because I am so tired from working, ha ha. But today I had to get up and go run some errands and while I was out, decided to treat myself with a little of this . . .

Starbucks coffee and their Very Berry low-fat coffee cake . . . . mm mm good! Loved this treat!

My Mom's birthday is today . . . . Happy Birthday Mummy! Wishing I was able to spend her Birthday weekend with her! But my little brother and his girlfriend left this morning to fly out to Texas to spend the weekend with my Mom and Dad. I am glad that get to go and spend some time with them. M and I went in March and I think I will be going at the end of August. I got my Mom's gifts together last night for my brother to take. Luckily it was all fairly small packages. I knew he couldn't take anything too big while flying. These are her gifts I sent with him for her . . . .

I will share later what I got for her . . . don't want to give anything away in case she were to look at my blog today, ha ha. I doubt she would though because she's getting ready for my brother's arrival - but just to be safe I will wait.

So Happy Happy Birthday to my best friend, the most amazing, loving, beautiful person in side and out, my Mother! I love you so much!

Feelin Fruity

During the summer, there is nothing like good, yummy, refreshing fruit! I eat fruit a lot and at least have it once or twice a day. Last night I got a watermelon at the grocery store and it was SOOO good! It was so refreshing and it was seedless, which makes it even better. I hate it when I'm trying to eat watermelon, but constantly spitting the seeds out - just makes it hard to enjoy.

A few weeks ago I went to a live concert at the Memphis Botanic Gardens. Everyone takes blankets and lawn chairs and sits outside under the stars and listens to music. This night was Pat Benatar and she rocked. I took some goodies and one thing I took were grapes on skewers. I was just going to wash some grapes and put them in a container but then I thought, hmmmm . . . how bout I put them on skewers. They were a great hit. It was so easy for everyone to just grab a skewer of grapes and being where we were, it was much easier to eat then grabbing a handful or putting them on a plate and rolling off.

This would be great to do for a party as well, which I plan on doing!

Technically, a tomato is a fruit (something I still can't figure out . .) I fixed a yummy salad the other night with tomatoes, avocado, fresh garlic and poured some Italian dressing over it and then topped it off with some Parmesan cheese. It was very good!!!

Some of our other favorite fruits in the summer include, strawberries, kiwi, cantaloupe, peaches and fresh pineapple!!! So how bout you, what's your favorite fruit in the summer?

SO Fergalicious

"I'm the F to the E, R, G, the I, the E

And can't no other lady put it down like me"

I ran across this photo of Fergie a while back and am just dying over her FAB, FERGALICIOUS outfit!! OMG! Her dress, Louis Vuitton belt, AND look at those shoes! WOW! Some of you may not agree with me, which is cool . . . .but I LOVE it!!! It's funky,edgy, with a little class just like Fergie!

Birthday Cake & Bang Bang Shrimp

As I mentioned in my previous post, Saturday was my MIL's birthday. I baked her a cake and made it cute with fresh summer colors of yellow and blue. It wasn't till I was all finished that I thought it looked a bit like something for a baby shower - didn't think about that when I decided on the color combo. But either way it turned out cute!

We took his Mom to dinner at Bonefish and it was so yummy!! Afterwards we came home for cake and coffee. Mike's Dad was out of town and his sister and her little boy were going to come over and join us for cake and presents, but his nephew fell asleep before they could get over to our house. So it was just the 3 of us, but it was kind of nice just to spend time with her!

Now for pictures!

{ Me before going to dinner}

{Mike and his sweet Mom on her Birthday}

{3 words: Bang, Bang Shrimp}

{ Summer, Sunflower cake}

{Flowers and I added a bumble bee. Isn't he cute?}

{Candy & Cake - what's better then that?}

{Mr. Bumble Bee}

{Perfect way to end then night . . . with cake and coffee! My MIL is a big coffee lover just like me! And like me, she LOVES chocolate . . so I was happy to bake a chocolate cake!}

{ We got her a Starbucks gift card that will last her a while and let her get lots of coffee - she LOVES Starbucks so much that they know her there and knows what she wants, ha ha! Then we got her a new workout outfit. She works out a lot and does Zumba and Pilates, so we knew she would enjoy having a new outfit!}

{Mike and his Mom. She is so tiny and weighs around 100 lbs. It's funny to look at them side by side and think that HE came from her! ha ha}

We had a wonderful night with her. She is so sweet and is always thinking of others, so it was nice to take her out and make the night all about her!

Sneak Peak of Birthday table I made for my Mother-In-Law

Today is my sweet Mother-In-Law's Birthday! We are going to take her to dinner tonight, then let her open her gifts and enjoy the birthday cake I made for her. I snapped a couple pics of it with my phone a little bit ago . . .

I thought I would try to make it kind of summery and do yellow and blue with a sunflower on the cake and lemons for decoration, but didn't realize till after I put it all together, that is looks like something for a baby shower, ha ha! I even added little bee's for fun. They are cute, but again, guess it looks more like a baby shower then a birthday. But oh well - either way it's cute and I can't wait for her to see it! =)

Will post more later of our night out at dinner for her birthday. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Cheers!

"Today I . . . "

. . . woke up with a tummy ache and really felt like staying in bed all day, but managed to eat some breakfast and have some coffee and felt a little better!

{Like my coffee cup? Mike got it for me a couple years ago! ha ha}

. . . went to the office, did some work and got to see my co-worker and good friend Lindsay (yes we have the same name) and her sweet baby boy, Whitten. I held him and gave him his bottle after his nap. Lindsay says it's time for me to have a girlfriend for Whitten, ha ha!

. . . ran a few errands, picked up some things I need for my MIL's b-day this weekend. I'm going to bake her a cake and I went in Hobby Lobby to get a few things I need and low and behold . . they already had their Christmas stuff out! CRAZY! Now I LOVE Christmas-but I can't even look at decorations and ornaments when I sweating my butt off outside!

. . . came home and fixed a yummy dinner. I made Spicy, Bar-B-Q bacon wrapped shrimp. It was really good!! I fixed hubby some mac 'n cheese and then we both had salad with it. I found the recipe off of one of my favorite sites called Taste Spotting.

. . . got to enjoy my fresh flowers I got yesterday. I LOVE fresh flowers and usually get them every week or 2 if I can! They are pretty and calming to me, not to mention they smell so good too!

. . . decided after dinner it was time for Mr. Big to get a bath. M and I both gave him one because he hates baths so it's easier if one of us can hold him as the other scrubs him down. He was pooped after his bath, but was all clean!

. . . got my new towels and sheets out that I bought Monday night . . .

. . . thought it was time for clean sheets on the bed so I decided to wash our new ones and get them on our bed. I LOOVE crawling in the bed after I put fresh, clean sheets on it! It's the best feeling! This is our bed right after I put on our new sheets. Hubby was about to get in it so I didn't bother fully making it up all pretty and everything.

I think I am about to head that way now and hop in my bed with my new sheets, my honey and my doggie! Hope everyone is having a great week so far!!

Night, night!

Italian Wedding Soup - served at Italian Weddings??

Tonight I had some Italian Wedding Soup and it was quite tasty. As I was eating it I got to thinking about the name "Italian Wedding Soup." I just automatically assumed that it was a soup from Italy that was traditionally served at weddings - I mean, what else would I think, right? I became curious enough to look it up. The first bit of information I found said that the word "wedding" is used to describe the "marriage" between the flavors found in the soup: garlic, spinach, mini meatballs, tiny pasta . . . which brings together the perfect marriage of flavors in your mouth. The word wedding is merely a translation and is meant to reference the flavors, not a soup that is actually served at weddings. It was interesting to find out this meaning, but I must confess that I was a little disappointed to discover that this wasn't some kind of old, Italian tradition at weddings.

Then after that I kept looking for more history and found some info that said this soup WAS in fact served at Italian weddings and that in keeping with Italian traditions, each bowl of soup served to guests must have an odd number of meatballs in it . . interesting! But now I'm just really confused as to whether or not this is a true Italian tradition, hmmm. . . . .

No matter what the history is behind this scrumptious soup, I would like to try making my own soon. Have any of you ever made it? I have posted a recipe below in case any of you are not familiar with it.

Italian Wedding Soup

8 cups chicken broth
3/4 pound ground pork
3/4 pound ground beef
1 cup dry bread crumbs
3 eggs
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
2 medium heads escarole

Topping:
5 eggs
1 cup grated Parmesan

Boil the broth. While it is coming to a boil, mix together the pork, beef, bread crumbs, eggs, basil, parsley, and Parmesan cheese. Form the mixture into small meatballs about ½” across. Add them into the boiling broth.

Now clean and chop the escarole, and add it in. Cook for 7 minutes.

For the topping, blend together the 5 eggs with the cup of grated cheese. When the main soup is done, slowly stir the topping in for about a minute. Serve promptly.

{I also read that this is really good served with a glass of Pinot Grigio, I think I can handle that!}

*Photo from The Cooking Photographer

My name is Lindsey, & I am a Shoeaholic!

In the past 2 weeks, I have purchased FIVE pairs of shoes, yes-that's right . . . . five!! I got all of them on sale, which makes me feel not so bad. I just love shoes, what can I say. Two of them came from Dillard's: The Jessica Simpson Leopard pumps, and the flat sandals with jewels. I love them both!

This pair I got at a fab shop here in Memphis called Crazy Beautiful! They have such unique clothes, shoes, bags and accessories! I got these wedges and love them to death. I got a cute dress that matched too, will have to share that soon.

Lastly, while I was in AR over the weekend I went into one of my favorite stores called Baker's shoes. I was in a hurry and skimmed the store and ended up leaving with a pair of all black wedges. I have a pair of black wedges by Steve Madden, but they are about 3 years old and getting worn out because I have worn them so much, so when I saw these and what a good deal they were I knew I had to get them!

I also had my eye on these beauties! I intended to go back and get them before I left town, but didn't make it. Today I just kept thinking about them so decided to get on-line and order them. I can't wait for them to come in!

I am a tall shoe person since I am so short. I wear flats and sandals sometimes, but the majority of my shoes have a heal or wedge of some sort. As I said before I love shoes, and I know some of you are the same way! What is it about shoes?? They make you feel so good when you have a pretty pair and they can just make an outfit. I'm sure I'm not the only shoeaholic out there . . . . .right?

Contemplating Cameras: Need YOUR Help

I have been wanting to get a new camera for a while now and would love to hear from some of you on which ones are really good. I know I want a Digital SLR, but that's about all I know. I don't know what is best when it comes to brand: Cannon, Sony, Kodak, Nikon . . . decisions, decisions! So I need help. What suggestions do you all have? I have had the same digital camera for a while now, and while it is okay, I want something that is going to take crystal clear photos, that captures color well and offers benefits when it comes to effects.

So please let me know what your recommendations are and any suggestions you may have.

I will be back soon to post pictures from my weekend at my 10 year class reunion, so stay tuned!

Time Flies: 10 year HS reunion

{Me at our dance my SR. Year, I was having a good time!!}

Tomorrow my hubby and I are leaving to go to my hometown, Springdale, AR for my 10 year High School reunion. I CANNOT believe it has been ten years . . wow - I feel old! ha ha! I am looking forward to it but most of all I am excited to get to see and spend time with my best friend Ashley {from Ashley's Avenue.} I go down there a few times a year to see her and we always have the best time. We have known each other since 6th grade, but have been best friends since about our SR. year of HS. We talk almost everyday and although we do not live close, when we do see eachother it's as if a day has never gone by with us apart!

I don't really feel like it's going to be so different to see some of my old classmates because through Facebook I feel like I still know them. But on the other hand, it will be different to get to see them in person and talk to them face to face. We will get back Sunday night sometime, so next week I should have lots of pics to share.

I could almost kick myself for what I am about to do, but I guess I will post a few old pics from HS. I went to a private school and our SR class was so small compared to other schools.

Okay, here we go (don't judge, ha ha!)

{Me and some gals before our Sr. Banquette and dance, I'm the second one to the left in case you didn't know . . }

{My friend Taryn and I at a Sr. Party - with parental supervision, ha ha}

{All of the Sr. girls on our SR. trip to CO - it was western night, we really didn't dress like this all the time, ha ha! I'm the one on the second row in the red hat.)

{My Best friend Ashley and I after our graduation}

Our Sr. class before leaving for CO for our Sr. trip - again, this is why you see some of us wearing cowboy, which is-not an everyday occurrence!}