So much FUN...

This last picture is to show you what the table looked like after 40 people decorated cupcakes!

Happy Day!

When I told Lily Happy Valentine's Day, she told me Happy Birthday! Lily loved her 'Who Let The Dogs Out' card from Nonna and Poppa...not to mention her lady bug backpack filled with fun dip and her lalaloopsy doll
And her hoot owl shirt with her name on it from her Brooke and Ray...

Love my Valentine creative corner...note Ray and my Valentine cards to each other...not the same this year, but very close!

Black History Month

In honor of BHM, Blind Mississippi Morris played at the Lester Community Center for February's Saturday program. They were fantastic and I would love to go hear them again soon. They play BB Kings on Sunday night.

Happy Birthday...

to the BEST Dad/Poppa in the Whole Wide World! We LOVE you!

Out of beer...

Miss Cordelia's posted they were closing so their employees could get home safely, but I think it is because they are out of beer and bread...seriously I bought the last loaf and everyone around me in line was complaining because they were having to buy crazy expensive beer because all the others were sold out. Every other grocery is out of milk, but ours is out of beer! One of the many reasons we LOVE Harbor Town. Seriously, we only got about 4" of snow, but the roads are horrible... it took us 30 minutes to go the 3 miles home. However, I'm not complaining as some of my coworkers were on the road for over 3 hours.

Today, I got the best surprise from a NOLA vendor...Royal King Cake from Manny Randazzos...by far the best one I have ever had! Kim got the baby, so she was "King" for the day!

While we are speaking of food, check out our Super Bowl spread! We went over to mom and dads because I asked her if she would make Vegetable soup for the "soup"er bowl and invite us over (mom's veggie soup is the best you will ever have and that was all I wanted while I was home sick with the flu). Well, I was finally feeling better on Sunday and had some appetizer recipes I had wanted to try, plus mom made spinach dip and dad boiled shrimp, so we had quite a spread! I'll have to share the Philly Steak dip that I made...it was very different and very delicious. Hope everyone enjoys their snow day tomorrow and I'm dreaming I get one too!

Some of my 'dream' projects...

would be to design and produce a float for the Rose Bowl parade, present the Kentucky Derby winner with a floral blanket I design and write/produce a first half Superbowl commercial. Since I don't follow NFL (except when I'm on a fantasy team), I watch it for the commercials. One of my all time favorite commercials was in 1998...I was in college and remember loving the Tabasco Mosquito commercial...remember it? Probably not...it aired between the 3rd and 4th quarter when most people had stopped watching, had fallen asleep or had drank too much and was in the bathroom line. I loved it, but most didn't remember it. I recall talking to my dad the next day about his favorite commercial and he remembered it after I jogged his memory and we laughed about it. I remember going to the library that next Monday to read the review of the commercials in the USA Today and it didn't mention it...that is when I decided that not only did I want to write a Superbowl commercial, but I wanted to produce a 'first half' Superbowl commercial!

Day 6 of the flu that will not end...

When Ray got home from work yesterday he said "Wow! You look like you are going to make it." What, did i not look like I was going to make it yesterday? I guess it did help that my fever dropped and I decided it was finally time to take a shower!

Anyway, while I have been home I've learned a few things...

1. One can stay in bed for an entire day, never turn on the tv, check email or turn on the lights

2. One can cough so much that their brain hurts

3. We do have the Bravo channel!

4. Oprah's female stars all look board and distracted by her

5. Sex and the City reruns can be found on one channel or another at all hours of the afternoon

6. Hoda and Kathy Lee might be the best tv entertainment/news out there

7. MC Hammer went into bankruptcy because he tried to employ everyone who needed help in his hometown, but he wouldn't change anything if he had to do it again

8. That Justin Bieber kid must have springs implanted in his head

9. Pioneer Women should really stick to cooking, writing, blogging, but avoid television appearances...bless her heart

10. I would make such a better meteorologist than the Weather Channel's 1-3pm talent

11. The groundhog is named Punxsutawney Phil. He has only 'not' seen his shadow 16 times since they started keeping records and he is only right 37% of the time. However, we in the South should not rely on Phil, but on Chattanooga Chuck...who did see his shadow yesterday!

Bottom line...nothing good happens at the house while I'm at work!

I will not miss my flu shot again...

I had heard so many horrible things about the flu test, but it didn't bother me at all...I guess I just felt that bad. I had 102.7 at the doctor and that was while taking ibuprofen every 4 hours...I will not miss my flu shot again! It didn't even phase me when they told me my total at Walgreens was $210...I will not miss my flu shot again!

Two Eyes Wide Open...

I'm a sucker for Hallmark Hall of Fame Movies. Tonight on CBS at 8pm is the debut of The Lost Valentine! Good thing I have a box of kleenex by my side because the Hallmark commercials always get me!

And why Brooke do you have a box of kleenex by your side? Why dedicated readers...it is because I have 101 fever and ache all over...per my 'Drs' it is most likely a virus, possibly the flu virus, so I'm drinking lots of fluids and alternating ibuprofen and tylenol as well as downing the Robitussin (the latter was Ray's idea as he claims it hurts him to hear me cough). I'm also getting 'Miss you' pictures from Lily who is at Nonna and Poppa's house 'painting' with water while her momma is throwing a Kelly's Kid party (email me if you are interested in ordering from her)!

Ray and I have been watching movies to pass the time because my head hurts too bad to read. Let's just say that the Red Box LOVES Ray this weekend! Since most people don't have 24 hours to watch movies, here are my ratings...

Secretariat

Brooke's Rating: Two Eyes WIDE Open

Absolutely fantastic movie! One of the best I've seen in forever. Superb true story line with good acting. A definite must see.

Inception

Brooke's Rating: Two Eyes CLOSED

Seriously, I think I might have made it 10 minutes into this movie before I fell asleep and honestly I don't even remember how it started. This was the movie Ray was going to buy at Christmas because he wanted to see it so bad and it wasn't yet on pay-per -view and Redbox was out...let's just say he is happy it only cost him $1 to watch!

Ghost Writer

Brooke's Rating: Two Eyes Open

I'll admit, I wasn't drawn in at first...this movie has horrible lighting and it is long; however, I got drawn in about half way and really enjoyed the plot and the ending is superb.

The American

Brooke's Rating: One Eye Open (but focused on the internet)

I didn't fall asleep, but I really had a hard time following this movie...not one I would recommend, but it does have it's upsides as it is set in Italy and Clooney is a decent actor!

The Social Network

Brooke's Rating: Two Eyes Open

This is not one to watch when you are high on Robitussin as it is fast and it required me to be on my game to follow it, but since it is the second time I've seen it I enjoyed it as much as the first time. I find the concept of this movie very interesting yet scary people are that computer smart. If you're not on facebook, I don't recommend, but if you are it is a definite must see.

Email me if you have any other movie recommendations as I have a feeling I'll be home a few more days.

Valentine Craft Night in Atlanta...

Last weekend, I went to Atlanta to visit our dear friends Torrey and Dan and to meet their new little one. We had the best time hanging out and enjoying Miss Savannah...

eating good food, doing a little shopping, watching movies and doing this little craft project!

Love, love, love this felt heart...it is super easy, but it takes several hours and and it will hurt your thumb! Directions here!

Absolutely nothing to write home about...

I love how uneventful and relaxing January has been...hence why I haven't posted in a while. However, I'm starting to get facebook messages and text wanting to know what is up, so I'm here to say hi and since I'm here and got so many comments on my last favorite things post, here's to part 2...

I'm addicted to ZuLily.com...if you have a little someone and like to shop for them...this is the site for you! I look for their email to hit my inbox each morning. They have started having seasonal specials and home items as well...I totally stocked up on the Tag Valentine specials!

I could walk 100's of miles in the Born boots that Ray gave me for Christmas. Seriously why have I never owned a pair of Born shoes...don't answer, I know it is because they are ridiculously expensive, but for comfort count me in. On the big screen, so the only Golden Globe nominee we had seen was The Social Network and I totally agree it is a winner. On the smaller screen, 'Army Wives' starts back in March and I can hardly wait; however, Ray got me watching 'How I Met Your Mother' on Monday nights and I'm hooked...very clever story line. Lastly, hands down the best ice-cream ever...Blue Bell Banana Pudding. I love Banana Pudding and I got this one night I was at the hospital with dad, they had little single serve cups of this flavor...so I've been looking for little cups everywhere I go, but haven't found them. Tonight when I went into Miss Cordelias to get some fresh veggies for the stir fry I was making for dinner, I saw it in pint size...hopefully this is just a seasonal add for them as I know I ate more than my allotted 1/2 cup serving size...No, I will not let this be the death to my diet...No, I will not let this be the death to my diet!

The snow has started...

to fall in Memphis! I was getting worried that we had jinxed it. On our way home from church today, we stopped to get our 'snowed in' necessities...while normal people rush to the store to get milk, bread and eggs (to make their French Toast I guess) we get steak-ums, provolone cheese, hogies and ruffles.

Here's why...we got a snow storm once in college and Ray came over with the above supplies (plus Kroger's fresh baked chocolate chip cookies- they were so good in Knoxville) and made myself, Lisa, Maria and Jessica each a Philly Steak sandwich...so now, anytime it snows (and only when it snows) Ray makes us Philly Steak sandwiches and they are oh so yummy!

I LOVE snow...love how clean it makes a city look...how excited everyone gets...love to bundle up and walk in the snow and build neighborhood snowmen and drink hot chocolate. Not sure why I'm so excited for the snow this time as I'll still have to go to work tomorrow...that is one of the disadvantages of living so close to your place of employment.

Here's to a wonderful 2011...

Happy New Year! Hello from Las Vegas, where I had hoped to escape the cold weather, but it is in the 20's right now, but for some reason the hotel room is 80 and I can't find the TN/Memphis game on the TV. Now don't be jealous, this is an all work and no play trip...here for the CES show, which is basically 10 miles of electronics with 400K people trying to look at the same thing.

Recap: Emily and Caleb invited us out for New Years Eve! We had a big time, but not sure if it was as big of a time as Lily had with Nonna and Poppa! Here's to a wonderful 2011!

Lily has on her 72 shirt...that was her Poppa's football number! How cute are Lily and her Nonna!

Happy New Years Eve!!!

I popped the cork rather early to make these beauties...Strawberry Champagne Cupcakes! I couldn't find any sparkler candles, but candles or no candles they are absolutely delicious! Here's to a Healthy, Happy 2011!

Recipe note - I think the 1/2 cup of champagne in the icing is a mistake...I just put 1 Tablespoon. Enjoy!

The decorations are snug...

in the attic and once again the house looks so bare. I have to go clean up the needles that are all over the house, but first I wanted to post a few pictures for memory sakes.

Loved, loved, loved the size of our tree this year...let me tell you the pickings were slim, but I was so thrilled with the outcome. However, no matter what I did, the star would not stay straight...also, this tree never drank an ounce of water. Last year our tree drank 2 Liters a day...this year nothing. When Ray was carrying it out he said it lost 20 lbs over the past 3 weeks (maybe this camel should try that diet)!

Love to get the mail in December and open all the Christmas cards...so fun to see everyones family and style.

My 2 favorite Christmas decorations...the snowy holly tree and my wall scape from Silver Star Hardward in SLC!

This year, after seeing how good Molly's staircase looked and knowing we were having lots of get togethers at the house, I tried to copy. The Garland had lights and I loved everything about it except for the white ornaments...so I bought some more shatterproof red ornaments the day after Christmas.

GO VOLS tree! Love it, too bad there was nothing to love about the end of the bowl game...

This year we put lights on our tree. Our neighbors all decorate and I found these super cool larger multi-colored globe bulbs. Super simple and fun!

Painting a reindeer...

Lily came to spend the night with Nonna and Poppa the Wednesday night before Christmas. We had a hot date at zoo lights, but if you recall that is when the cold front came in, the wind was blowing and it was freezing. So instead we went to Seize the Clay to make a special gift! Lily did great and had the best time having her hand and fingers painted...

Lily and Poppa have the exact same expression...wonder what they are thinking...

Lily and Nonna smile with their masterpiece...

The plate fired so pretty and Emily and Caleb were so excited; however, they weren't surprised because during the day on Christmas Eve, Lily told Emily and Caleb that Nonna painted her hand and she made them a Rudolph! Already telling secrets...

Christmas Eve at mom and dads...

was enjoyed by all. I just love when we are all together and Christmas Eve was such a joyous, festive occasion.

Quick family shot before we leave for Christmas Eve church service...

Lily loved her cash register...she could have played with it all night...

However, she was not sure what to think of her Tennessee cheerleader outfit...I personally think it will look great on her!

Ray and Caleb entertain us...

Lily loved dancing while her daddy sang in her new microphone...

So happy that Grandma was able to spend Christmas with us. She had spent all day in bed, but got up for a few minutes to eat and see everyone. Lily snuggled up right next to her!

Emily's excited about her Cricut...

Mom models her new coat...

Molly looks forward to baking something with her new mixer!

Lily's whipping up some pretend mac n' cheese in her pink pots (that go with the kitchen that Santa brought her!)

That's right...Lily's Poppa!

Lily and her new baby get their zzz's (and snoring) on so that Santa can come...

Lily is all snug in her Christmas pajamas, but she can't leave until she gets expert advice on her cash register from her Uncle Ray...I believe this was her favorite things!