Hoppin' John's Soup

Photo from Recipe Corner

I made this tonight for supper. This week is REALLY really REALLY busy. The only way I'm going to make it is to stay on top of everything and plan plan plan. I have so many list on my phone and reminders set to go off. So yesterday, I knew that if I did not plan meals for the week, and get the shopping done, we would end up eating out all week. I did not want to spend that money or the calories. This was what I had planned for tonight. I cut up the sausage last night when I was making last nights meal. This morning, I threw it all in the crockpot and ran out the door. All I had to do tonight was make some cornbread, and we were ready to eat! I followed the recipe as written except I used cajun smoked sausage instead of turkey sausage because that is what I could find. It made a ton, so I was even able to freeze half of it for later! Yea for being productive!

Click here to the recipe

Trunk-n-Treat 2010

Mt Vernon hosted Trunk-n-Treat again this year. We tried and tried to think of something to do but again waiting until the last week to plan so we decided on a SEC tailgate with Bama, MSU and LSU represented. The kids had a blast. Brooke and Brad brought some footballs and a net for the kids to throw the balls into. It was a hit. And they loved the goodies that Brad brought! Even more than the candy. Good job, Brad!

The Richards representin': LSU and Bama SEC championship shirts

We sent the boys to pick up supper and Jim brought back every possible condiment for Tara. He wanted to make sure little Mama had what she wanted. Ha ha!

The girls handing out candy

Jim and Brad

Stephen sampling the candy

Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls

Not the best photo but the steam from these yummy cinnamon rolls were fogging up my phone. I made these a couple weeks ago. I have been wanting to make them for awhile but could not find a reason to make 7 pans of very sinful cinnamon rolls. I decided to give them a try to see how they would be for Christmas presents/goodies. They are supposed to freeze really well so I figured, why not?Well, I did not have any left to freeze. I gave all but one pan away. So good!! It was also the first time I have made anything that required yeast and letting it rise. I was intimidated by it but I did it! Yea! To see the recipe click here. Enjoy!

Happy Halloween

Had a little fun on Picnik.com to edit a picture from last month. Enjoy!

Sorry I have been such a bad blogger lately. I recently found out I am going to be working in a new county for the next few months. I have been busy trying to get everything settled in my old county and get to know the new patients VERY quickly since our inspectors are supposed to come next week. Today I have been PRODUCTIVE! Here is a list of what I got accomplished before 4:00 pm today:

1. Awakened to XM radio calling my cell phone AGAIN to tell me that the account that I don't have is about to expire! Stop calling me!!!!

2. Hit up a friend's garage sale and got several cute things for a really good deal

3. Quick grocery run

4. Baked 9 (Yes NINE!) cakes! I have several upcoming cake orders so I tried to get most of them baked today and in the freezer.

5. Worked on a couple secret projects for baby Ruby and her shower. Managed to get glitter all over the house. Oops!

6. Did one load of laundry

7. Cleaned the kitchen several times

8. Wrapped a gift for Ruby

9. Loved on my hubby who is feeling sick today. He is so pitiful. Hope he feels better for Trunk-n-Treat tomorrow!

10. Repaired the draw string on a pair of scrub pants

11. Talked to Mom

12. Texted a variety of people

13. Showered to remove the layers of glitter that attached to me.

14. Crashed in the recliner to recover

I still really need to clean out my car and check all my medical supplies to make sure they are up to date. But I think I have been productive enough. It will have to wait until Monday. We are going to be busy tomorrow with church and preparing for trunk-n-treat. Ill try to get some pictures. Check back next week to see how it went.

Katie McCrary

Stephen and I went and had a photo session done with Katie McCrary yesterday. We never got around to getting engagement photos made and then we did not get but just a couple of the two of us at our wedding. I decided that I really wanted to have some of just the two of us to represent this time of our marriage. To see the two that Katie "leaked" last night, click here. They are great! Cannot wait to see the rest of them.

Happy Saturday!

Christmas Shopping

So Mrs. Debbie and I ran to Birmingham yesterday to get some Christmas shopping done. Think we came home with more for ourselves than anyone else. Oh well, we still have plenty of time, right?

Our first stop of Whole Foods! This was both our first Whole Foods experience. We LOVED it! Good thing my mother inlaw finds it so enjoyable to walk around a grocery story just like I do. We spent a whole hour just walking up and down the rows. We could have stayed much longer but new we had more shopping to do. We will be going back for sure!

They had the prettiest mums and pumpkins! I wanted to bring them all home!

I snapped a few pictures when I was in the bakery for inspiration. I love these pumpkin cupcakes!

Owls:

Look who finally got the iPad she has been dreaming and talking about for months!

And yes we did eat at Chuy's again. Don't worry, I had a slimfast and apple for lunch today to make up for it. Good thing I do not live any closer to this place or I would have a serious problem!

Date Night

(We tried to get a cute picture with the pumpkin we have on our door. We tried 3 times. This was the best we got)

So Stephen took me on a date Saturday night. We were totally disgusted by the bama game so we quit watching and went out instead. We went to eat at Huck's. So good. (But I have to say that my cheese grits taste better). I would love their chicken on the bayou with my grits :). Then we went to the movies to see Life As We Know It. It was so funny! Great movie for us. Not too much chick flick but just enough. Yes, I did cry a couple times. Good night with my sweetie! Thanks babe for taking me! Love you!