September Meal Planning | Great Jeans

It's fall, which to me means crisp fall nights and good meals. On our drive home Sunday we mapped out our meal plan for the week and stopped at the grocery store to load up for the week.

Sunday - Steaks and Grilled Caesar Salad

Monday - Italian Sausage Tortellini Vegetable Rotini

Tuesday - Parmesan Crusted Swai, Couscous and Broccoli

Wednesday - Mustard Balsamic Pork Chops and Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

Thursday - Headed to Kentucky to dip our Maker's Mark bottles!

I also wanted to share these great jeans for the fall. Miss Dixie shared them on her blog, and I must say - she's right - they are so cozy and perfect for fall. Best part of all, they are on sale! Meet the Sienna Stretch Denim Leggings.

Have a great Thursday! We are off to Kentucky tonight to dip our Maker's Mark bottle in the mooring. Wish us happy trails ahead. 

Toys from my Childhood

Despite the tough month it's been I've really tried to make the best of it. I got to spend a week at home with my Mom and Dad, something that hasn't happened in years... maybe more. I was able to not only cook and clean, but help mom clean-out. We went through old toys and books... dolls, yearbooks, pictures, etc. We took several bags to Goodwill, threw away lots, and even made a 'throw-bag' for my Dad for Mardi Gras. Any stuffed animals that were clean, in good shape and with nothing hard on them will get thrown in Dad's parade next February. On to new homes!

Atlanta 1996... was that really 20 years ago? 

My dear Troll friends, I hope you find a new home with a little one that loves you like I did. 

I did make two boxes for Annalee to keep. One was my birthday angels. Which were all wrapped in newspaper and thrown in a box. I'm actually shocked that only two of them had small broken pieces that were easily fixable. We cleaned them up, wrapped them in bubble paper, labeled each year and have them ready to go for Miss Annalee. New baby and #1 are now on Annalee's dresser.

I also kept my My Little Pony's and my cabbage patch dolls for her to have one day. After a bath...

And some sun-bathing...

They are good as new.
I brought back one baby for her to have right now.  I'd say she loves her. 

We didn't get to all the boxes... like my dance costumes, barbies, and Quints. Was anyone else obsessed like I was with these babies? I have a toolbox - literally - full of their stuff.

Let's just say, thank goodness I don't have real quints today.  Side note - has anyone watched OutDaughtered? I don't know how they do it.

Anyways, I thought it was fun to rummage through my old toys and be able to pass some down to Miss Annalee. What were your favorites as a kid? Did you save any for your little ones?

A Beautiful Life

Last week we celebrated the life of my Nana, Vermell. I true cajun, the lady was smart, witty, thoughtful and always greeted you with a hug. She was a nurse, going back to school after raising her 6 kids, one who loved to take care of others. She was  catholic through and through - never missing mass. She baked us some of the best birthday cakes I've ever had - including a little lamb for my first birthday, just like Annalee. She held awesome Easter egg hunts on Easter Sunday and loved cajun cooking. She was an amazing lady, who gave me an amazing mama, and for that I will always be grateful! 

We love you Nana! I can almost hear your laugh, just looking at this photo. I hope your singing with the choirs of angels above!! 

Is it really almost October??  I'll be back soon with an update on life - including our September bucket list. 

Hope everyone is enjoying the first week of fall! 

Family life on the Coast.

Well, I'm back from a long week trip to the coast to visit Family. I wish I could say it was a relaxing fun filled visit full of love and laughter... but, besides the love that was certainly present all week, I can't say there was much more. Right now is just a hard time for my family.

My grandmother, who is 85 is on her final victory lap. She's a fighter I tell ya, but she's ready. I think the family is at peace knowing her time is near and after a very long visit with her on Friday, I know she will soon be free of pain, free of worry, and in a much better place. It was a hard visit, but also a wonderful visit. I got one more big smile from that beautiful face! 

My mom also had surgery last week on her month to remove two teeth. She has a deterioration of the bone, which is hereditary and so very painful. She's being a trooper and I was so happy to be there with her when she had to have it done. It was nice for once to be able to cook for her {milkshakes and mashed potatoes, ha}, clean, do laundry, and dishes and little chores around the house. 

Last, but certainly not least - back in August my Dad was diagnosed with cancer. After a great annual check-up and feeling like a chipper 47 year old, he had a seizure two weeks later. They found cancer in the brain, lung and liver. I won't go into too many details - but this past month has been filled with more doctors appointments, treatments and trips to the hospital than my parents have ever had to endure.  Dad started treatment the week before Labor Day and we are hopeful. Praying for his strength to fight and thanking god for our blessings every day. 

I'm thankful for a wonderful husband who has been home taking care of our littlest one, while I took care of my folks. It's a crazy time in life. Certainly one I was not prepared for, thus is life. I know that god won't give us more than we can handle, and for that I am grateful. 

Thanks to all our friends and family for the prayers. We'll take them all at the moment! 

Shein for Momma.

Many thanks to my gal Kara, who introduced me to Shein, this momma did some online shopping last week. They have such cute trendy finds for waayyy cheap. My closet needs a little boost for the fall, and Shein was the perfect answer, without hitting the pocket book too hard. I thought I would share a couple of my picks.

Blue Ruffle Hem Blouse 

White Lace insert Hollow Out Overlay Blouse 

Pink Ruffle Sleeve Blouse 

Blue Bell Sleeve Off the Shoulder Chambray

Vertical Striped Sleeveless Peplum Top

Also, new customers get an extra 40% 'most items' with code WS40. 

Happy shopping, ladies!

The 13 days that flew by in September

Hey friends! Man, it's been a quick month thus far. We have been soaking up the cool moorings and hot summer afternoons - and keeping busy on that September bucket list. I also crushed one of my biggest events at work last weekend, just saying', it was awesome!

I thought I would pop-in for a quick update on the September bucket list and others...

{one} We visited somewhere we have never been in VA, crossing off one item from our Sept. bucket list, Lake Moomaw. It's a beautiful state park in Bath County, about an hour and a half from Lex. We spent Sunday afternoon 'at the beach' enjoying a picnic lunch, while chasing Miss Annalee around the rocky beach. It was such a beautiful drive, Bath County is a just an amazing place.

{two} Miss Annalee got a new carseat! Yes, it was quite a hit to the pocket book {man I miss those baby showers. haha jk... only a little bit though}, but it very much needed for our BIG little girl, and Annalee loves it! This is the one we picked.

{three} My child ate an entire apple for an afternoon snack last week. How old are you, 10?

...and another half of a cantaloupe yesterday.

{four} It's football season! We had a big opening weekend at the house, and Annalee got to wear her cute Auburn dress that's been in the closet for over a year. War Eagle!!

{five} My child is terrified of the swing. She actually hates it. It's he only thing we have found that makes her cry... I feel so bad, But it's sorta hilarious.

Please take note of her Sunday outfit...  this one's for Dad. 

Last, but certainly not least. I'm asking for some prayers for my family. I am headed to the coast for the week to visit with my folks. I need to do a long update, but for now - I just ask that all my blogger friends keep my dad (and mom) in your thoughts and prayers. It's been a tough month. Also, some prayers for me as this is my first long trip away from my sweet lil one... and the hubs who will be solo at home for 5 days. Maybe he needs the most prayers.

Cheers to a great week friends! Looking forward to hugging my momma and daddy very soon.

Happy September

Today is the start of a new month! A new season, new wardrobe, new things to do, and a fresh new start! The hubs and I put together a list of September goals - or a 'to-do' list of sorts that I thought I would share today.

Our September Goals

Watch College Football... as much as possible - done, done, and done. 
Spend an afternoon at a vineyard
Take to a trip to somewhere in Virginia we've never been... open to suggestions!
Spend a weekend in Charleston {sept. 22-25} or at home, celebrating Nana.
Buy Annalee a new car seat
Schedule Fall pictures
Get back to 'meal planning' on Sundays
Get a workout in 5 days a week - still aiming for this. We are averaging 3 at the moment. 
Enjoy the Beer and Wine Festival {sept 10}
Install new blinds in our bedroom
Plan a fun date night/day
Go apple picking
Make a new fall wreath
Buy new pillows for the bed

Maybe the list will grow... but for now we thought this was a good start.

Happy September friends!