it's the little things...

It seems like we have more food in this house for the new doggie than we do for us. Last night I made an impromptu French bread-type pizza for us humans. Then I had seen a recipe for French Breakfast Muffins over at Suburban Bliss so I made those for dessert last night/breakfast for this morning. "French" Night, it is. I even took pictures but, sadly, they weren't as good with my real camera as Melissa's were with her camera phone. Sigh... The muffins were pretty tasty last night, even better with coffee this morning. I think they'd be a great basic muffin recipe for you to add some mix-ins to as well. If you like Snickerdoodles (and you know you do), then try the recipe as written.

After the ladies were all dolled up, we headed outside for some pictures. We had to be careful to avoid the men and early bird guests. So here's your first shot of the color of the ladies' dresses. I wanted to go with something fairly neutral so that the flowers would pop. Please also note that I think having each girl wear a different dress turned out fabulously. I think it helped everyone feel more comfortable and look great. (These two pics were actually taken post-ceremony.) One of the things in the bridesmaids' gift bags were parasols. I thought they'd make for fun pictures and also keep the sun off of us (anything to help with the August heat). I think they're pretty awesome: And then I got to pose (in my one, standard position) while each of the ladies took a turn. This is my Matron o' Honor (there's a baby in there!): This baby, in fact: And my Maid o' Honor (who has already re-worn her dress--woohoo!): My best bud from college/college roommate (

Check. We adopted this little Boxer girl yesterday. This was her ad on the rescue website: HI...my name is FLO...I am a 1 1/2 year old female Boxer. They named me FLO because I am so sweet and I just roll with the flow where ever I go. Everyone who meets me says that I am just the sweetest little girl! You see, I was lost...and I got picked up by the county animal control. They put me in a large cage with lots of other dogs...but, that did not bother me...I just waited there because I knew that someone would come and see how sweet I am and get me out. Sure enough, one day a nice lady showed up and got me out of there. She put me in her car and I had a lovely ride to the vet. I am all healthy and now they are feeding me so that I can gain a little weight. However, I must admit that I am on the small side at about 45 pounds. And here's her picture from when they first brought her in a few weeks ago: And after some nice foster folks looked after her for a bit (she's actually still

So it's beautiful today. Sunny, cloudless, high of 73. And I realized that with nice weather comes a complete unwillingness to work on job-related tasks. I would LOVE to be working in the yard. Everything is such a mess from the freeze and the cold and wet weather we've been having lately that has kept us indoors (you know, when we're actually home). I can't work in the yard, you say? Then could I just read this Dan Brown book? No, he's not the world's best writer but he sure lures me in. Sigh... Yeah, perhaps living up north would do wonders for my productivity on the job but boy would I be miserable. So I'll sit here at the computer staring longingly out the window.

Now what you've all been waiting for--wedding recaps! On the morning of August 8th I woke up before the alarm. As I was going to bed the night before I thought of a million and one things I still needed to do. I jotted those items down as I thought of them and started marking things off that list when I woke up the next morning. Bridesmaid K had spent the night so we ate a little breakfast, threw all our stuff in the car, and headed off to get our hair did. We met Bridesmaid A and SIL there. I wasn't a Nazi (hear that, people who left "literature" in my front yard?!) regarding hair so the ladies got to pick their styles. I wanted something slightly different from my bridals and am so happy with how it turned out. Once we were finished with hair, we broke for lunch at a little tea room. Nothing like dining with fabulous hair and no make-up. Rest assured, we did not walk down the aisle with bare faces. Make-up followed lunch and then we all headed up to town. SIL and I

I got home this morning and there was an envelope-sized plastic bag in the driveway. Inside it was a folded piece of paper and a rock (presumably to hold it down). The paper? Information about the KKK. Not at all what I was expecting. +++++ Also? I'm thinking Facebook isn't good for me sometimes. The things people say make me nuts. I know we should be tolerant of other's opinions and I could just ignore what they have to say. In fact, it's probably good to be aware of other people's views. But geez oh man. The first one was a link to an article about big pharmaceutical companies killing yet another star (after Brittany Murphey died). I can't even elaborate on that one or I'll get all riled up again. Then yesterday, "Looks like the media has most of your sympathy when they show Haiti. Before you start dishing out the dollars and begging for the leftover orphans that Brangelina doesn't get.. check out the history of this place first." My very ree

Who doesn't enjoy a catchy title? Weekly wedding recaps seem like a better idea than just trudging through with nothing to break it up. Unfortunately, I didn't bring photos with me on the road this week. So stay tuned... For now, I'll just have to share this pic from the California wedding that was a few weeks after ours where The Hubby returned the favor for one of his groomsmen. See that? It's the glee that comes from enjoying a wedding without having to plan it.

So, yeah, we did some volunteering yesterday... When I went back to work after New Years I found out that Extreme Makeover was coming to our area. Rumor had it that the family lived in the adjacent town. Last Thursday the family and exact location was revealed. Yep, they live nearby. Crazy. They seem like great, deserving people. You'll have to tune in sometime in March for the details. Rewind, oh, 7 seasons ago. The show was new. The host was from one of The Brother's and my favorite shows. Seemed like an interesting idea. Find some deserving folks with a virtually (or actually) unlivable home, tear it down, rebuild better, change a family. All in a week. A week. We loved the show. The Brother and I would watch in our separate homes, in our separate towns and call each other. We'd cry. Every week. The crying fathers on the show get to me every time. Sigh... These families help you feel so grateful. The community pulling together makes you feel proud (even when you're n

Saturday? Mardi Gras Ball. Today? Hardhats. More on this later (but EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION!!!)

Last night was my first Mardi Gras Ball. It was a good time. There were drinks and food and dancing and entertainment and finery and an appropriate level of Mardi Gras gaudiness. There was one wardrobe malfunction (a middle-aged, strapless-dress-wearing lady). Oh, yeah. And my FIL was the king: Isn't he cute? I wish you could see his gold shoes better. At one point, the song that my husband and MIL danced to at our wedding came on. Dear Hubby was out of the room so his parents danced with each other. He made it back in time for us to switch partners. So, yeah, I danced with the king. While the rest of us weren't official royalty, we certainly could have passed for it: We had a real (prom-type) picture taken of the five of us so hopefully my dress will show up better there. I really like it but this is probably the worst angle to have viewed me in it. My hair was pulled off to the side away from the camera, my dress' bling is just barely peaking out (again, away from the cam

Sure, there are things I need to work on. Many of them are the same things I've needed to work on for years. And maybe I'll focus on some of them this year but to change things up a bit I think I'm going to focus on some Life List items. Like maybe these: Go to at least one new ballpark. And at least one new state. Maybe work on the beginnings of having that first child. Wouldn't hurt to have that 6-figure job I enjoy but no promises there... If we both decide and can find one (or two) we like--own a dog (or two). Continue the mac and cheese recipe hunt. And maybe throw in the coconut cream pie while I'm at it. Run again. Take dance lessons with The Hubby. I think that will keep me busy... How 'bout you? Any goals for 2010? Also? I'd like to add to the 2010 list: "Blog about the wedding." Look out.

It was a good holiday season. So good that I guess I was busy living in it instead of writing. Still trying to get down the rest of the Christmas decorations. The inside is done (except we have a nudie, dead tree in the corner) but the outside remains... Seems like work got busier in December. You know, right when you'd like for things to ease up so you can enjoy other parts of life. But I realized that it felt good to do these work trips. I was being productive in a measurable way, something I've been missing (at least to the usual degree) in the past few months. Between traveling for work and for the holidays, I was ready to just be at home. Don't get me wrong, I love traveling and enjoyed our numerous trips from last year but sometimes you just need to veg. That's what we did on New Year's Eve. We rented movies and ate at home and just hung out. We've since spent our days with a nice blend of hanging out with family and with each other, seeing movie