Fall decorating!

I've started decorating for fall now that it is officially autumn. For some reason, I have found myself mildly obsessed with fall decor this year. I absolutely hate that we have our TV hanging above the mantle because I think it severely limits my ability to decorate the mantle. I'm trying to figure it out because I kind of gave up during spring, but now I'm trying really hard to make it work. Here is a preview... I plan on doing a whole post when I get everything ready!

How are you decorating for fall? Do you have any tips for decorating around your TV to give your mantle a fall look?

Weekend trip home

In July we flew home for a weekend because one of Greg's good friends was getting married, and Greg was a groomsman.  We actually flew into Atlanta and rented a car for the weekend because that was cheaper than actually flying into Birmingham.  We stayed in Tuscaloosa with Mom and dad on Thursday and Friday night, and then Saturday night after the wedding we stayed with my brother and sister-in-law in Birmingham.

We spent Friday hanging out with my Mom, and luckily dad was able to meet us for lunch.  We ate at the new Jim 'n Nicks in Tuscaloosa.  Shocker, I know.  It was pretty good, and really busy.  Friday night we drove up to Birmingham for the rehearsal, dinner, and after rehearsal get together at Pale Eddie's Pour House downtown.  We had a good time, and it was really good to see some old friends.

Greg and I at the after rehearsal get together

Saturday was a little crazier.  Greg got up and went to Birmingham early to hit golf balls with the guys, and then they had lunch before they started getting ready for pictures.  I didn't want to go up there and be stuck with not much to do all day, so I stayed in Tuscaloosa with Mom.  We went shopping and got a manicure and pedicure.  It was a really good morning/afternoon.  After we got home, I rushed around getting ready for the wedding.  I drove up to Birmingham to my brother's house and dropped the car off, and he took me over to the church for the wedding so that Greg and I would only have one car.

The wedding was beautiful.  It was in an adorable Episcopal church downtown.  After the wedding, we all headed to the Vulcan Museum for the reception.  I had actually never been to Vulcan, so I was pretty excited to check it out, and see the views of downtown Birmingham.  It was so pretty!  We had a really good time!  I got Greg to dance with me a few times!  We ended up seeing a lot more friends at the reception, so it was really good being able to catch up with them.

Brian and Carson during the ceremony 

Greg and I at the wedding reception 

Brian and Carson's first dance

Sunday morning Mom and Dad drove up to my brother's house because we were all going to go have brunch at Another Broken Egg in Mountain Brook.  We got there around 11, and luckily only had to wait about 20 minutes.  It was DELICIOUS!  I'm so glad that we were able to get together with the entire family!

Mom and Dad at brunch 

Guy and Andrea at brunch

Ben and Alicia at brunch

 Greg and I at brunch

Overall, it was a crazy busy weekend, but I am so glad that we went!  It was really great seeing friends that we haven't seen since our wedding, and of course it was great to see my parents, siblings, and my nephew.

Here is Justin holding the book that Greg and I got for him.  I seriously cannot believe that he is going to be one this week!  It's amazing how time flies when you have little ones in your life.  I am looking forward to going through it all again starting in late January when Greg's sister has her little girl!  We are looking forward to become Aunt and Uncle again!  I can't wait to begin spoiling my newest niece!

The Science of Beer

Tonight we went over to the Museum of Life and Science in Durham for this after hours event. They had 25 different local breweries there serving samples. It was a lot of fun!

I'm not a huge beer fan, but Greg likes trying different beers, so I knew that it would be something that he would enjoy. I found a couple of beers that I liked, and I made sure to write them down.

They also had three food trucks outside the museum for dinner options. We got pizza from Pie Pushers and it was delicious!

Facebook Break

Hi guys! I recently made the decision to take a break from Facebook. I had gotten to the point where I was checking Facebook on my phone a couple times an hour. That's not okay with me anymore. What is so important that I needed to see?? I end up seeing old friends with life news that is exciting, but it makes me sad because I'm not in their life anymore. I see way too much political talk, and even more football talk. I either end up getting worked up and upset or frustrated with people that in reality I hardly know.

It just has not been a good place for me to be visiting so much. So, I'm taking a break. I am not even sure if/when I'll go back.

I know that I will now have more time to communicate, email, and call people that I actually care about. I think that Facebook has been putting too much negativity and sadness in my life.

Currently Reading

These are the books that I'm currently, or about to be reading. What have you been reading lately?

Going home: Childersburg/Roanoke edition

I'm a terrible blogger.  Sometimes I really feel the inspiration, and actually have the time to post.  Other times I'm just not into it at all.  I wish that I could become better, but I'm not going to make any promises.  This post is very long overdue.

Greg's dad is a UMC minister, and back in April he received a new appointment from the Bishop.  We found out that they would be moving to Roanoke, AL come June.  Greg's parents have always been so great to come and help, or help us in other ways when we have had to move (SEVEN times) over the past 3 years.  So, there was no question of whether or not we would be there to help them.  We decided that Greg would drive down with the dogs on Sunday before the move, and I would work Monday and Tuesday and then fly down on Tuesday night.

Well, the Friday before Greg was supposed to go down, we got a call that a very close family friend had passed away.  They had asked Greg to come be a pallbearer, and I strongly felt like I needed to be there for Greg.  I called my boss to talk to her about it because it's always hard for me to ask for last minute time off because I know that means that one of them will more than likely have to take a day off from work to take care of the baby.  But, my boss is amazing, and she told me that I needed to go and be with Greg and the family.  (side note: I am continually thankful for the family that I work for because they are so wonderful to me.  I realize that there are many nannies who are in a less than positive work environment, and I hate that for them.  I feel blessed to be a part of their family everyday)

We ended up leaving together Saturday night after Greg got off work.  It was actually kind of nice to get there early because we were able to attend Greg's dad's last service and the pot luck lunch the church had afterward to honor them for their service.  Sunday afternoon I was exhausted!  I am so glad that I was able to take a nap because the visitation was that night, and I knew that we were going to be there for the whole thing.  It's always nice to see family friends, but I hate when it is at such a heartbreaking time.

Greg worked so hard the entire time we were there, and apparently the dogs did too.  HA!

I'll spare you all the packing details because there are a lot of them!  We got the Uhaul on Monday morning, and Greg packed it as tightly as he could before we had to leave to go to the funeral.  When we got back his parents told us that they were going to need a second Uhaul to get everything, and Greg wouldn't accept that we couldn't fit it all in one truck.  We got everything there in 4 car trips on Tuesday, the Uhaul and 4 cars on Wednesday.  It was crazy, but I don't know why I was surprised because moving is always insane.

Moving day!  We finally had everything loaded up!  

We did manage to squeeze a trip over to Atlanta in for a Braves game one night with Greg's parents.  I am really glad that we were able to go because I think we all needed a break from the craziness that is moving.

On Sunday, we went to both services at Roanoke FUMC.  It was really nice.  Everyone that we met was super friendly, and I think that it is going to be a really good fit for Ralph.  We are so happy for Ralph and Linda as they begin their new journey in Roanoke.

Side note: We don't have Sonics in Durham.  I was so excited about getting a Cherry Limeade!  

We brought a lot of Greg's stuff back with us, and bless the dogs for tolerating the fact that they had no where to sit.  

Zucchini Bread!

About a week ago I decided to make some zucchini bread because I had several zucchinis that were going to go bad if I didn't use them soon.  I asked a few people if they had any recipes that they loved, and I never really got a reply from anyone.  I decided to google and look around to see what I could find.  I found a recipe on  Allrecipes.com that was okay, but I thought I could make it healthier.  I made some good changes, and the result was super moist and delicious zucchini bread!  I was shocked at how much I liked it, and I was even more shocked at how much Greg liked it!

My healthier version of zucchini bread: 

- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

- 1 tsp. baking soda

- 1 tsp. baking powder

- 3 tsp. ground cinnamon

- 3 eggs

- 1 cup applesauce

- 1/2- 3/4 cup brown sugar (depending on how sweet you like it)

- 2 tsp. vanilla extract

- 2 cups grated zucchini (I just grated 4 medium-large zucchinis, it was probably more than 2 cups.  You don't have to strain it because the juice helps to keep the bread moist)

- 1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.

You sift the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon) together in one bowl.  Whisk the eggs, applesauce, sugar and vanilla extract until smooth.  Combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix until everything is combined.  Next, fold in the zucchini and nuts.

This makes enough for two loaves, so split the batter between two buttered loaf pans.  Bake them for somewhere between 45-60 minutes depending on your oven.  I would start checking them, and you can stick a toothpick or knife in to see if they're done.  If the knife comes out clean then you are good to go, but if it comes out with batter on it then keep baking.

Your house/apartment is going to smell amazing.  I love the smell of spiced bread... This is super delicious.  It's also a good way to get vegetables in your kids or picky spouse (ha!).  I hope that you enjoy it as much as Greg and I did!