The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

My post-Christmas vacation funk has definitely set in! I'll try to be as upbeat as possible....fake it till you make it, right? I've also been a huge slacker posting Front Porch Fridays...consider this a make-up session! I didn't take as many pictures as I should have, but these will have to do.

I was so lucky to spend the entire week of Christmas at home. I was going non-stop and operating on little sleep. Last Saturday was the first time in several years that ALL the kids on my mom's side got to celebrate together. We had a family picture taken with the new additions- my sister got married this year and my brother is getting married in March.






My sister had a party on Christmas night (also her birthday!) and we had an impromptu reunion with some childhood friends! (I was testing out my new glasses.)


I swear, at every restaurant or store I went over the week, I ran in to people I knew! I loved seeing all the familiar and friendly faces.

There's another highlight of the week that I'm careful to share on here. But I did go on my first ever blind date and I'll just say that the one date turned into four!

If I were rating everything about my trip on the Sweet Tea Scale...it'd be a perfect 5! The absolute worst part was having to leave.

Waiting for Santa

I'm blogging at ya from my precious hometown in SC. It's been a whirlwind week of packing, traveling, shopping, seeing family, and of course some sweet tea drinking! I've spent some time catching up with old friends and even had time to make a new one. ;) I hope to have some pics to share from my holiday vacation!

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve and I'm so glad I went tonight. I love taking the time to reflect and focus on what really matters. I hope each of you have the opportunity to do the things you love that makes this time of year so special.

Merry Christmas, Y'all!

My First Tag

Stefanie tagged me so my answers are below. The directions were to complete the sentence with the first thing that came to mind.


*i am sooooo ready for Christmas vacation!
*i want peace.
*i have fabulous friends.
*i miss my family.
*i fear that I'll run out of things to blog about.
*i hear that inauguration week is going to be CRAZY in DC!!!
*i search for everything- google is my friend.
*i wonder if my fantasy team will win the Championship game this week!
*i regret loosing touch with high school friends.
*i love watching the Braves.
*i forgive and have a hard time forgetting!
*i ache after Body Pump class at the gym (when I actually go.)
*i always watch Food Network on Saturday mornings.
*i try to be thoughtful.
*i seem quiet when I first meet people.
*i know it's the little things that matter most.
*i feel like I would benefit from a massage.
*i dance sometimes.
*i dream about dancing like Beyonce.
*i give people the benefit of the doubt.
*i listen to all kinds of music.
*i sing when I'm by myself in the car.
*i laugh when I talk to my sister.
*i can't do crossword puzzles.
*i cry sometimes when I watch Extreme Home Makeover.
*i sleep hard.
*i am southern.
*i see a messy house.
*i need a pet!
*i should call my grandmother.

I tag Robin and anyone who wants to play! Just fill in the answer with the FIRST thing that comes to your mind.

Front Porch Friday

This group, Straight No Chaser, was a You Tube hit last holiday season and have reunited to produce a new CD. So fun!

No Pudge Brownies

My friend introduced me to these brownies over the weekend. Believe me- I was skeptical about the idea of tasty non-fat brownies. We've all tried things like this in hopes that it'll actually quench a craving without making us feel guilty. It usually ends up making us angry that we spend the time and money for a healthier version only to make us crave the real thing even more. Plus, S and I have experimented in the kitchen together and had a few flops. (I will never look at tofu the same again!) But she made a believer out of me with these brownies.

It's called No Pudge Brownie Mix and the trick is that all you add is nonfat vanilla yogurt. The batter is super thick when you're mixing it up. (I like to think this helped build some muscle.) Other than that, they're so easy to make. They look and smell like regular brownies and are tasty! I bought and made the regular fudge kind, but they also sale cappuccino, mint fudge, and raspberry fudge flavors. This is perfect for a sweet craving without the guilt and will be a staple in my cabinet from now on!

Weekend Ratings

I can't believe the weekend is already over! Ugh...another week. I crossed a few things off the list this past weekend:

Ray's Hell Burger- I finally got to try out this much talked about burger joint in Arlington. And it was YUMMY! I'm not a huge burger and fry person...especially out at restaurants (homemade is always better.) I was always that weird kid that preferred salads instead of burgers and chicken fingers. But when I do eat a burger, I expect a lot! The burger I had at Ray's was one of the best I've ever had. In a town of overpriced everything, the meal was surprisingly inexpensive. The burger gets a 5 on the Sweet Tea Scale. The restaurant is on the small side and it has no sign out front, which adds character to the experience. It makes you feel like you found a delicious little secret...until you see how packed it is!


Four Christmases- I was very much looking forward to this movie. I was ready to laugh. The title itself sums up my typical holiday experience...getting shuffled around to cover all the family gatherings on Christmas Eve and Day. That's what happens when your ENTIRE family lives in the same town. We have recently cut the total number of Christmas stops down to 3. Things are further challenging because my feisty little sister decided to make her fashionably late entrance into the world on Christmas Day. So after we do the Christmas thing, then we have her birthday celebration. All of this to say....I can relate to Four Christmases literally.

The movie is enjoyable, though somewhat typical, holiday romantic comedy. I'm trying to put my current bah-humbug attitude about happy endings aside and not take it out on this innocent movie. So, I'm ranking it a 4 on the Sweet Tea Scale.


Rachel Getting Married- It was a rare double movie weekend for me. To balance out the funny and light-hearted Four Christmases, I also saw Rachel Getting Married, starring Anne Hathaway. Ummmmm, I don't know what to say about this one except- Dysfunctional. Hathaway did give a good performance which explains the Oscar buzz, but the story is OUT THERE. It definitely doesn't exactly spread Christmas cheer. I'm glad I saw it, but will give it a 2 on the Sweet Tea Scale.


PS- My fantasy team, Pinkisthenewfootball survived the first week of playoffs!

Rain Drops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens

First and foremost- I just HAVE to mention a highlight of last weekend when Clemson beat up on USC!!! I know several G&G readers and friends are USC fans...but you know how it goes. The Tigers may not have lived up to all the pre-season hype...They didn't win the ACC. They had some disappointing losses and dealt with a coaching shake up mid-season. That said, all that matters right now is they beat USC and are now bowl eligible!! They win the palmetto state football bragging rights for the next year!!!

I started reading this blog- Thrifty Decor Chic- a few months ago. I've been amazed at what this girl comes up with. I just LOVED her Halloween decorating ideas and can't wait to see what she comes up with for Christmas. It makes me want to have my own house and go to town decorating!

Thrifty Decor Chic is hosting a "Favorite Things" blogging event this week and I decided to participate. After all, Oprah isn't the only one that can share her favorite things!

Here are some of my favorite things of the moment:

Favorite Music:
Chicken Fried (Zac Brown Band)
Single Ladies (Beyonce)
White Horse and Love Story (Taylor Swift)
James Taylor at Christmas
Josh Groban's Noel Christmas CD

Quote: "Be the change you want to see in the world." ~Mahatma Gandhi

Book: The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
I haven't had a chance to blog about this one yet, but it's a definite 5 on the Sweet Tea Scale. It's a simple but meaningful book that makes you think about life. It'd be a fabulous read for the holiday season and a great gift idea. I highly recommend everyone to watch or read this story.

Holiday Movies: I started the annual Christmas movie rotation last night by watching Love Actually. My all-time favorites are Miracle on 34th Street (the original version) and Little Women (the newer version.)

Holiday Cookie: I'll admit that I'm hesitant to share my favorite holiday treat. But if it brings you as much joy that it brings me...this will be worth it. There are these cookies that my grandmother always makes around the holidays that make me smile. They don't even really have a name...we call them White Cookies. They don't even need a name- they speak for themself! You take Ritz crackers and make little sandwiches with crunchy peanut butter. Then you dip the whole thing in white chocolate and let them harden. They're creamy, crunchy, and sweet. Pure sunshine in your mouth. I've taken these to work and people oooohhh and ahhhh and love them as much as I do.

Blog: I'm also LOVING my new, festive holiday background!