The Friday Five

1. What I'm Reading:

From Amazon: Zack Dylan made a promise to God and his college sweetheart as he left his family’s horse farm in Kentucky to compete on the popular reality television show Fifteen Minutes: If he makes it, the fame won’t change him. Overnight, Zack is the nation’s most popular contestant, a country singer with the looks and voice of a young Elvis. As his star rises, Zack is asked to compromise and quiet his beliefs, and also some­thing more. Something Zack could never have imagined. Just as America is falling in love with Zack, just as he’s on the verge of winning it all, his choices lead him to the brink of personal disaster. Fifteen Minutes is a story of character, compromise, and the cost of having it all. A story that raises the question: Who are the real winners?

 

2. What I'm Eating:

Buffalo Pretzel Crisps - don't knock them until you try them. I've been snacking on them with cheese every afternoon. I bet they would be pretty delicious with blue cheese.

3. What I'm Listening to:

Christmas Hits from Spotify

4. What Recipe I'm Bookmarking:



Mushroom and Kale Risotto

5. Things I'm Loving:

Happy Friday!

Happy 30th Anniversary!

Happy 30th Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Here's to the next 30 years!

Fun Facts Friday

1. I know this video is old news now that Thanksgiving is over but you still need to watch it.

2. Christina posted this personality test. I took it and it told me that I am a Reliable Realist. The description is spot on. Pretty crazy for a test with less than 5 questions.

3. I was brushing up on my bow tie tying skills this week and came across this video. I think it is hysterical. Never mind the subtitles.

4. Wednesday night we headed to Greenville to go to Jack n' Diane's Dueling Piano Bar. You should check it out if you are ever in town.

5. Now that we are almost halfway through December, the Christmas music is out in full force. I am loving the Mariah Carey Holiday station on Pandora.

6. We had our coworkers over last week before the president's Christmas party and I loved getting out all the Christmas decorations.

7. I decorated a gingerbread house over the weekend in preparation for our Cookie Swap. I'd forgotten how time consuming it is. I was also convinced that it was going to fall apart but thankfully it hasn't yet.

8. Sara and I have been working our way through all the Christmas movies on Netflix and the Hallmark Channel. Our favorite so far is The Christmas Kiss. Let me know if you have any recommendations.

9. I didn't mean to make this post primarily about Christmas.

10. Happy Friday!

What I Baked on Sunday

On Sunday, we hosted a Cookie Swap for about 12 girls. Everyone brought 2-3 dozen cookies and after mixing and mingling we swapped cookies. Everyone brought something different and we ended up with a great mix of flavors. 

I made the Pioneer Woman's Brown Sugar Oatmeal Cookies. The recipe was really easy and incorporated ingredients that I already had on hand. I accidentally used baking powder instead of baking soda but after a quick Google search I learned that you can double the amount of baking powder to balance it out. The cookies turned out great. You can see them in the top right corner of the picture below. 

It was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon and kick off the holiday season.

Thanksgiving Recap

Better late than never with this post!

It was so nice to be home for a few days over Thanksgiving. I took Wednesday off and was home before lunch time. I'd forgotten how pretty the marsh looks. I guess that is what happens when you are land locked. I loved reading on the couch with this view in the background.

For lunch on Thursday, we gathered with my dad's side of the family at the Yacht and Sailing Club. I loved the burlap and pumpkin table arrangements.

Carolyn pulled out her turkey costume, which I am pretty sure served as inspiration for these cupcakes!

It was so fun getting to see everyone and have ML and Lash home for a few days.



Thursday night, we cooked Thanksgiving for the six of us and I finally made this pie from Eat Live Run. I highly recommend making it!

The rest of the weekend was spent enjoying each other's company and cheering on the Gamecocks.