Great Times with Great Friends

A few weeks ago, Jennifer was home from Germany for a week so we all got together for a fun day of shopping and eating.

A new use for Kudzu

If you live in the south, you know about kudzu. There isn't much you can do with, especially kill it. But Jessica's mom has found a great use for Kudzu. Isn't this the cutest little Christmas tree?? It looks even better when the lights are on. I got this on Saturday at Ms. Gail's Christmas Craft Show. I might have to try to make one of these. Kudzu is definitely something that is in huge supply. I will just have to harvest it...

Girls Night

Tonight Clara and I had girls night. I took her to get her hair cut and then we went out for dinner. She said she wanted to get her hair cut like mine, so that's what she did. She didn't get it cut as short as mine, but she did get about 6 inches cut off.

After the hair cut, I asked her where she wanted to eat dinner. She chose Taco Bell. So, off to Taco Bell we went. We had a great time, and I'm glad we got to go out.

What an Honor!

Mandy Sandifer awarded me the Kreativ Blogger award yesterday! Mandy and I went to North Greenville together. She has a great blog about her life as a pastor's wife, and the upcoming birth of their first child.
OK, according to this award I’m supposed to tell 6 random things about myself then award 6 other bloggers.

Random things about me:

1. I probably should be on the TV show, what not to wear. I love to be comfortable, and that means jeans and t-shirts.

2. I like to bake, but hate to cook.

3. My dogs drive me crazy, but the thought of not having them makes me very sad.

4. Deep down, I want to be a bargain shopper, but my laziness wins out most of the time.

5. When I grow up, I want to be a stay at home mom.

6. My hero is my Mom.

The Kreativ Blogger Award goes to: (I only did 5)

Sarah Hawkins - My oldest sister. She always has something to say about being a mommy to two young children.

Kelly Hawkins - My older sister. She is the mom of three children. She doesn't have a lot of time to blog, since she is so buy with her kids, but when she does, it is always fun.

Abby Wolff - My sister-in-law. She has dedicated her blog to Maggie - her first baby.

Hannah Lockaby - Long time Friend. Hannah has decided to stop teaching this year, to stay at home with her baby girl. She has started her own photography business, and is really good.

Holly Furtick - College Friend. She is a pastor's wife, and mom to two boys.

Double Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake

I made this recipe for Sunday Lunch with the in-laws, and it was incredible.

Andrew said it was like the best brownie he had ever had. It was really easy to make too, which was nice. Pay no attention to the amount of butter the recipe calls for, or you will feel really guilty eating any of this. Double Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 45 min
Level: Easy
Serves: 20 to 24 servings

8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted, plus 8 more tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted, plus additional butter, for greasing pan
1 (18.25-ounce) package chocolate cake mix
1 egg, plus 2 eggs
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3 to 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Lightly grease a 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, 1 egg, and 1 stick melted butter, and stir until well blended. Pat mixture into prepared pan and set aside.

In a stand mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the remaining 2 eggs, and the cocoa powder. Lower the speed of the mixer, and add the powdered sugar. Continue beating until ingredients are well mixed. Slowly add the remaining 1 stick of melted butter, and the vanilla, continuing to beat the mixture until smooth. Stir in nuts with a rubber spatula. Spread filling over cake mixture in pan. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the cake; the center should still be a little gooey when finished baking. Let cake partially cool on a wire rack before cutting into pieces.

Go Vote!

This is all I'm going to say about the election today...

Halloween Fun!

Last night was a lot of fun. We went to my sister's church for their "Trunk or Treat". Before that, we all gathered at my Mom and Dad's house for some pictures. We ate a lot of candy, and everyone was happy - most of the night.

Dr. Wolff

Henry the Bat and Sarah the Cat

Zoe the Bumble Bee

Lindy the Ballerina

Charlie the Puppy Dog

Lindy, the Ballerina; Leilani, the Princess; and Clara, Hannah Montana

Mom and Becky handing out the candy

Dr. Wolff with Hannah Montana and a Princess

Becky with her Princess

Happy Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

I hope everyone has a fun and Safe Halloween!

Poor Toby

My poor Toby has an ear infection. I noticed this weekend that Toby's ears seemed to be bothering him. He was constantly scratching them, or rubbing them on the carpet. So, I took him to the vet this week, and my poor baby has an ear infection. Cocker Spaniel's are known to have problems with their ears, because of the way their ears hang. The Dr. did say that Toby's weren't as bad as some Cockers that he has seen. He gave me some cleanser to put in his ears twice a day, and an antibiotic to put in his ears once a day. The thing is, Toby hates for anyone to mess with his ears. So, three times a day, I have to wrestle with him until he submits and lets me put the drops in. I think I need a visit from the Dog Whisperer. I have to do the drops for 10 days, and I'm only on day 2. Please say a prayer for me.

Gatlinburg Pictures

This past weekend, Andrew and I went to Gatlinburg, TN. We were only there one night, but we had a great time. Here are some pictures from our trip.

View from the Parkway

At the top of the mountain

Visiting Ober Gatlinburg

View from the Top of the Mountain

Waiting to eat at the Old Mill

At the Old Mill
The big rocking chair!