Easter 2011

We spent this Easter at my Mom and Dad's house celebrating with my extended family. Grayson wanted to walk around "owsite" all afternoon, so tonight all three of us are TIRED!! 

I told my family that I would post the recipe that I used for Hash Brown Casserole. This is similar to a recipe my mother-in-law made after Grayson was born. Since it was one of the first things I ate after coming home from the hospital, it has remained one of my all-time favorite recipes. The only alteration I made was to use Frosted Flakes instead of Cornflakes, because that is what Judy did, and that is what I like!! Hash Brown Casserole Recipe

Today (and all days), I am lucky for the gift our Savior has given us. The sacrifice made on that cross forever changed life as we know it. For that, I am blessed. 

Now, for the cute pictures!!

Pre-Egg Hunting

On Saturday afternoon, I took Grayson outside... I was determined to teach him how to collect eggs. Here are some pictures of our attempts:

He figured it out!!

So proud of himself!

We Joined a CSA!!

What exactly is a CSA? CSA stands for "Community Supported Agriculture". Basically, we've purchased a subscription for local, organic produce (and herbs) at reasonable prices. The farm that we've specifically chosen to support is Princess Anne Meadows Garden and Farm from Gaffney, SC. In just a few weeks, we'll begin receiving bi-monthly home deliveries of fresh produce, eggs, and milk. When it is available, we can add fresh chicken, pork, rabbit, duck, and even goose to our order.

So... the cost?? Fifty dollars a month for each member of your family (twenty-five for little Graysters). There is a small fee for home delivery (but isn't that cool?!?) and the owner promises to never make money off of her delivery service (she only wants to cover her cost) so the price can/ will fluctuate based on how many people in your area are in the CSA as well as gas prices. ALSO, if you talk your friend into participating with you (I talked Mom into it) she'll knock another 10% off your monthly price for 6 months!

Anyway, the whole point of this post is.... you should do it too!! I love the idea of supporting our local farmers, and I can't wait to add new vegetables to our diets. This one seems to be a winner and I'm looking forward to our first delivery!

Gordo is SIX!!!!

My itty bitty puppy is six years old!!! 

Where did the time go?? 

Baby Gordo

I thought it might be appropriate to share the story of how Gordo came to be ours.... 

I was a junior in college and my good friend Mark talked me into renting a house with him for the next school year. Even though it was against our rental contract (PLEASE don't tell my old landlord!), I thought house = dog... so, I began my search. 

Gordo's breeders lived in Swansea, SC. It was about a 35 minute drive from Columbia.  I decided to email the breeder and she promptly called me back. She said she had a female who was due around the middle of April and asked what my preferences were. I said chocolate and tan male... why I said those specifics, I'm not sure.... but that is what I said. 

On April 22nd, 2005 I got the call... she had only one chocolate and tan male... in fact, there was only one puppy in the litter. Since I was the only person who had requested those traits, he was mine to have if I wanted him. I needed to check my email, look at the pictures she sent me and let her know as soon as possible if this was the puppy I wanted. 

Jason and I looked at the photos. Let me clearly state that Jason was originally against the idea of my getting a dog. He said he was pretty sure I couldn't keep plants alive, so he definitely didn't trust me with a dog. ANYWAY, when he saw Gordo's pictures he said, "You better go ahead and call her to tell her that you want him".... and with that simple statement, Gordo became a part of our family. 

Eight weeks later (on the Friday before Father's Day) I took him home. I picked him up in the Columbiana Mall parking lot. Gordo cried all the way to the interstate, and then he slept until we made it to my parent's house. When he woke up, he accepted me as his new human mommy and we've been together ever since. :)

October 2011 (Old Camera) Gordo 

Superhero Fashion

Little Grayster insisted on putting on his shorts after he put on his pajamas tonight. He is such a mess!!! Of course, it doesn't help that I've definitely been known to let him do these things... I just can't help it!! :)

Stephanie's Wedding

Is there a limit on the amount of pictures you can put in one blog post?? I'm about to find out.

I was part of an absolutely beautiful wedding this past weekend.

Thursday afternoon, Jason and I traveled down to Charleston to celebrate my friend Stephanie's wedding to her own Jason!

We stayed with Stefanie and Melissa (and the bride on Thursday and Friday!). Our townhouse was B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L... it was also CHEAP (at least compared to the other rentals we considered)!! It had granite countertops, wood floors, stainless appliances, large bedrooms, AND... THREE bathrooms!!

Nothing quite feels as Charleston as a glass of Firefly sweet tea!  

Thursday night girl talk!

COOKIES!!!!

Friday morning, I had breakfast with Mel, Stef, and Stephanie at the townhouse. It was fun, relaxing, and exactly how Friday mornings should always be. THEN, we headed into town to get our nails done!

Fun times

We ended up all choosing shades of pink. Typical. 

Sweet flower girls!

How much more fun can you have?!? 

This maid of honor deserved this relaxing moment. 

Jason and I ate lunch together and he decided that the best place to go would be Bushido's. He saw this place on one of his favorite guy shows, "Man versus Food". This place has a sushi spicy tuna hand roll challenge. Jason didn't complete the challenge, but he did try a level 7 (out of 10) hand roll. He said he wished he hadn't... haha. 

The rehearsal was later that evening. Everyone was late... I mean everyone... yes, even that "everyone". BUT, I did get several good pictures, AND we eventually did get the rehearsal started. 

Isn't he cute!?

Butterflies... I love this guy!

Beautiful Stefanie!

Great friends

Gorgeous Bride-to-be!!

Jason acting tough

Then it was time for the Rehearsal dinner... great food, drinks, and dancing!!

There are no words. 

Stefanie's foot after she decided that her shoes made her feet hurt too much.

WEDDING DAY

We had a fun lunch at the wedding site, and then spent the next few hours getting ready. Here are some pictures of our fun. 

Hairstylist on site = Godsend

Stefanie was a part-time stylist. 

Friends since middle school!

My favorite kind of picture to take of Mel

Then it was time for the wedding!! My camera isn't great at low-lighting shots, so I don't have too many of these, but the wedding was PERFECT! We cried many tears of joy (and some sad tears, too) and we smiled, danced, and laughed the night away. 

Pretty rings

I left my camera on the table. This is what Erin and Aaron left for me. LOVE it!!

Such a sweet couple!

The maid of honor working up a sweat!

We had so much fun this weekend. It was a joy to be a part of Stephanie's big day. She has been one of my dearest friends for a long time. We've had really good times together and some tough times, too. Life is full of those bad times... I think the most important thing is what you do with those bad times and Stephanie and I chose to not let them destroy a great friendship. This is one of the things that makes my heart feel proud. 

Stephanie, I wish you and your own Jason a lifetime of happiness. Remember to be patient, kind, and compassionate... and make sure you have fun all along the way. :)