using what you grow

As I've mentioned before, we have a little herb garden out back (thanks to Gavin and Lindsay's initiative). I should really post an updated pic, because it has grown so much! The basil and other herbs are in abundance, and we've been eating tomatoes at least twice a week. The peppers are having a tough time, so we'll have to see about them.

So, here are a few pictures of what we've been doing with some of these home-grown goodies.

[Sidenote: Forgive my poor camera and impatience with it...picture quality ain't so good.]

Handful of mint leaves + lemonade mix + water

= mint lemonade. Yummy! [We've also used basil!]

Which we just happened to use in

some Azaleas* we made

When you think of basil, you think of...Pesto!

[LOVE my magic bullet, if you can't tell!]

Throw some tomatoes on top

And you get a pretty delish semi-home-grown meal

Of course we also use our garden for plenty more, including garnishes, rosemary potatoes, thyme and cheese appetizers, etc.

*If you're curious what an Azalea is, there are plenty of recipes out there, including this one. They get their popularity from the Masters golf tournament and are a favorite of mine and my family! We simplify it and use what's generally on hand - vodka, lemonade, and a generous splash of cranberry juice.

Heading out at 3pm today, and will be here all weekend -

3 months late!

But better late than never?! Last night, 3 months + 1 day after our year anniversary, we finally dug into our wedding cake top!!

We didn't mean for it to take so long, but accompanied with the fact that we were in California during our anniversary (not very easy to transport a frozen cake!) + we left the cake in Augusta and didn't get it til mid-May + trying to make it semi-special...here we are! Finally!

And you know what? It was pretty darn good!!

nice wrap job by mama

cutting the cake

think we might just eat off it all week!

Vera vs. Flay

Vera Stewart has been a long time friend of my family's, and is quite the chef, business woman, and expert on southern etiquette. Quite a few years back, she started her own business - VeryVera, consisting of mail-order cakes, catering, and even a little cafe. She's been featured in O Magazine, InStyle Magazine, The New York Times, and various other publications. And to think, she's right out of lil' ole Augusta, GA!

Even more special is the fact that she catered the weddings of both my sister and Tee and Jamie and I. [When I say catered, I really mean she was pretty much the wedding planner. Life saver!] I am pretty sure I received almost as many compliments about the food (a-mazing) as I did any other aspect of that special day.

Tonight, Vera will be featured on Throwdown with Bobby Flay! Tune in to The Food Network at 9pm EST tonight, and check out Vera and Bobby putting her super yummy carrot cake to the test!

Little Bieber

How can you get any littl-er than Justin Bieber?

[What is it with kids and the camera? Wish I could have gotten the candid performance they did all 100x this weekend when I wasn't filming. But this'll do...you get the point.]

And then there's the rap...

Oh, the chaos, but oh the fun these little kiddos are!

happenings

This week has been pretty full for us, but so much fun!

Tuesday night, Jamie and I joined about 6 other couples for dinner at the Phelps' new home. This wasn't just any group...it just so happens that the female portion all graduated from Auburn. Most were Alpha Gams, with me, and two others were Chi O's. We had such a great time! Of course, by the end of the night, the men and women were sitting on opposite ends of the room...with the girls continually ending up in rants of laughter about how small this world is...ok, and maybe about the blog world and how it contributes to the smallness. Check out the blogs of at least half the girls there - Turner, Leigh, Tyler, and Jessica. So thankful for good friends and great community!

Wednesday night was Jamie's softball game (which we're not gonna talk about...not their best night), and Thursday I joined my favorite mother-in-law (and the lovely Schwak laides) at Alive After Five on the square in downtown Roswell. If I haven't mentioned before how much I love downtown Roswell, I do! It's like a small town community...and everybody comes out for this event. After strolling down the sidewalks checking out all the vendors, and maybe picking

out a few treats for myself (how awesome are these wine cork candles?! They're already in wine bottles on my kitchen table...imagine that), we decided we wouldn't brave the 1.5 hour wait at all of the restaurants. So, we headed to a little Mexican joint close by, but far enough to not be in the crazy mix. Again, great times with some people that I love!

And this weekend will be full of fun as well. The first portion of tonight, we're going to get to catch up with Lindsay and Gavin...they've been traveling all over the country over the past few weeks, having art shows to benefit LUO. We also might just celebrate the fact that Linds turns 24 today! And once the traffic has subsided we're going to Cashiers to see the family. And finally check out the highly anticipated, (almost) completed renovation of the mountain house!

Enjoy your weekend!

reality tv at it's best

This can mean one of two things...

1 - absolutely, terrible drama.

example: Jake's decision to choose Vienna, and then their bitter post–break up interview. Seriously? The entire time I it was on, I was cringing! Yet...it's addictive, so I just. kept. watching.

OR

2 - when you fall in love with the show, and it's characters.

example: Ali + Roberto + Chris. Ah...I love those three! (I realize Frank's still on and she likes him a lot, but there's something about him that creeps me out. I used to think he was funny, but now I think he's a little weird. Plus, he seems to bomb next week, anyhow.) Last night's episode was, hands down, one of the best I've ever seen.

I know that going on "The Bachelorette" is pretty much the worst way to go about dating or getting into a healthy, lasting relationship. But just let me feed my addiction for the moment. Here's hoping that either Chris or Roberto can fall in love with Ali and be loved back! I'm really pulling for one of those guys!

P.S. Yes, I'm lame and just devoted an entire post to a tv show!!

giveaways, iPads, and lemonade stands

First, I need to mention a giveaway that includes three things that I know I just need in our home. Visit French Larkspur to enter yourself. How beautiful are those lavender pillows - I can only imagine how great they smell?! And the vase would be perfect in our kitchen. But this pillow already has a home (we don't own it yet!)...in our little leather man's chair in the living room.

Oh, and this is what I got J for his birthday. Sooooo exciting! He's going to be the most savvy real estate agent I know. We had so much fun playing around on it last night.

And finally...I ran home for lunch today and found my super cute neighborhood girls (there's a pack of three - two live next door and one across the street) with a lemonade stand set up. Perfect for a hot summer's day, huh? When I bought the drink, they told me that they were sending all proceeds to the gulf oil clean-up. Seriously? When I did lemonade stands, admittedly, they were all for our profit. Way to go Fiona, Frankie, and Jenna. Adore you girls!

Have a great weekend everyone!

he caught up

Today I get to celebrate the birthday of this guy --> Hands down the most handsome man I know...in one of his favorite spots (the lake). In true opposite form as me, we'll be celebrating super low-key. Dinner at home. Family tomorrow night. And that's it. (I should probably take a hint from him and give up the "birthday week" mantra I've carried all my life).

Jamie's 6 months younger than I, and for every bit of those 6 months, he likes to remind me that I'm older. Well, today I can declare, J - you are as old as me now!

So grateful to walk through life with him. He challenges me, makes me a better person, and loves me so well. Happy birthday, Jamie!

the westside district

When Jamie and I started looking to buy a home, we weren't settled on one specific area. There were a few neighborhoods we really liked (all over the city of Atlanta), and it was just a matter of finding the house that fit us. Thanks to a craftman-style bungalow on Claremont Street, we discovered that Underwood Hills, on the Westside, ended up being the perfect fit. We love our street, our neighbors, the park around the corner, our location, proximity to work, eateries...I could go on, but you get the point.

In the past the Westside has been a highly industrial area, but over the last few years has really sprung to life. Yesterday, as I was browsing through my latest issue of Southern Living, I found this article that only reassured me that we live in one of the greatest spots in this city.

happy 4th!

I love the 4th of July for many reasons: fireworks (my fave!), family, good food, and the mountains (guaranteed 10 degrees cooler).

Hope you have a great holiday! I leave you with one of my favorite all-time photos.

How stinkin' cute are these guys?! Cannot wait to see them tonight!