Handing Down the Family Dishes

Ask me what my favorite holiday is.

I guarantee your answer to be Thanksgiving.

Yes, the eight-year-old in me wants to jump up and down and scream,

"CHRISTMAS!!!!!"
I mean who doesn't love Christmas? 

However, this now twenty-six year old has over the years slowly allowed

her once favorite holiday, which was filled with stockings, hot chocolate,

ornaments and presents, to scoot on down the list.

Being back home and closer to family has truly given me a new appreciation

of sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner with my family.

Remember THIS POST?

Last year Bryan and I hosted our first "engaged" Thanksgiving.

Actually, let's back up a minute there.

Bryan's Dad cooked the turkeys.

Mom was on champagne duty.

Bryan's Mom, Grandma and Aunt all brought sides.

I guess I should rephrase that:

This year Bryan and I set the table and made two casseroles. 

And man did I set that frickin' table.

Thanksgiving last year was particularly exciting for two reasons:

One. My amazing then-fiance made us the most beautiful 

farm house table. It was a project I literally could not wait for him to 

start on once we moved into our new home and holy cow did the guy deliver.

Two. One day in early November, while Bryan had begun the farm house-table-making

process, Mom and I were over at Grandma's. You see Grandma is starting to go through the 

"I need to get rid of everything in my house" phase in her life and between Mom,

Aunt Sherry and myself, we're all terrified that she is going to throw something

important away. Mom was going through her cabinets and reached up and 

grabbed one of the familiar, beautiful, off-white dishes trimmed with autumn reds 

and browns, "Want to use these on your new table this year for Thanksgiving?" she asked.

YES. What a GREAT idea! 

In our family we don't have a set game plan of who hosts what holiday and where.

It's usually decided on only a few weeks prior but whenever Grandma's turn to host was up,  you could bet those dishes were spread across her big dining room table beautifully.

Grandma agreed to let me use them this year and I could. not. wait.

I may or may not have played with them for hours after Mom dropped them off at my house later that week. And by "play with them" I mean I literally set the entire table with them

and started playing with runner ideas, what napkins I would use and other fun details.

If you're wondering what Bryan is doing during all of this, let's be honest,

he's used to it at this point and kind of just shakes his head and walks by.

Thanksgiving came and went and the dishes were put away.

It was decided that Grandma would split up the set of 12 and hand down 6 to Aunt Sherry

and 6 to Mom. Sometime in early December Mom informed me that she was giving

her portion of the dishes to me because she knew how much I loved them.  

They're not just my Grandmother's dishes, they're my Grandmother's MOTHER'S dishes.

To have such a beautiful family heirloom passed down to me- and they're something that I

will use and truly appreciate- made my heart just feel so full.

Quite a few are chipped, some are faded..  but I could care less. 

I have a little piece of tradition that I get to set my Thanksgiving table with every year.

Every year I'll think of past Thanksgivings at Grandma's when there would be almost 20 of us.
The cousins would have the smaller "kid chairs" at the table. Regardless of our age
or size, we were kids. And we sat in the smaller chairs. 

Uncle Jim would be sleeping on the living room floor after dinner. 

Dad and Grandpa would drink canned Budweiser while watching football.
Does this ring a bell to any of you?
The point is I'm starting to get older and I value even the most simple of things so much more.
Grandma, Aunt Sherry and Mara obviously took note of my special appreciation
for those dishes because I received some new additions as a Bridal Shower gift recently.
They actually FOUND some matching pieces in thrift stores all around our hometown.

Yes, I know. Clearly feeling a little nostalgic over here but the Fall months
always do that to me! Mid-October and I'm already ready to break these babies back out.
Happy Fall Y'all!
47 days til Thanksgiving, folks!

Fall Sangria and Back Porch Pavers

I have to admit.. I am sounding like such a DIY housewife lately.
Do I have y'all fooled yet?
I SWEAR I'm not as domesticated as it appears. The only thing I can cook is
pasta and I literally have to force myself to do any crafting cuteness.
Basically, unless it's cupcakes or cocktails (I foresee a themed holiday party to that effect)
..I'm practically useless.
I'm giving cupcakes the weekend off so I present to you... TA-DA!

Back up, back up, back up a second there. 
I won't even try and act like this was a quick casual
foodie photo shoot. No, no. I was in my backyard for almost 
45 minutes hovering over my picnic table with my Canon 
like a total freak until Bryan came outside and said,
"Uhhh, what's going on out here?" 
I am so not a skilled photographer so let's all just take
this somewhat visually pleasing picture in for a moment, shall we?

Annddddd done.
Moving right along.

So I had a ridiculously painful looking to do list the other day..

We're planning on setting up a sangria and champagne station
at our cocktail hour and sangria, my friends, is an easy thing to screw up.
I didn't want to wait the week before our wedding to toy around with recipes
so I took this fabulous weather as an opportunity to start getting creative.

Fall Sangria
1 bottle dry red wine (I used cab)
2 cups pomegranate juice
2/3 cup Brandy
1/2 cup orange juice
1 can Sprite
1 sliced Granny Smith apple
1 sliced orange
1 sliced lemon

Now stick a straw in that puppy and drink up.

Now put it down... 'cause we're not done here yet.
Bryan, being the back porch loving grill master that he is, decided
we needed pavers in our new home stat.
We had been weighing out a few different options for the past few
weeks and just decided to have it all done professionally since we got a great deal.
You know how there are just some things that should NOT be DIY?
In this household, pavers and weddings are one of them.

Now if Florida would just get a leeeeettle bit cooler we
could get a fire going. Throw in some adirondack chairs and we will be 2 happy people.

I have a couple other porch projects to work on.. including hanging all of these
babies that my mom made for our engagement party.

Happy Weekend :)

October Photo Recap

I can NOT BELIEVE the month of October is already over.

We are 4 months away from wedding day and I know it's going to just fly by.

My new little Canon has been coming out to play quite a bit these days.

Here's some snap shots from the past month:

We decorated.

We took festive Halloween photos of our fur baby.

We went to the pumpkin patch.

We pouted like a small child when we were told "no" to getting

the lacey-looking pumpkin. ....still pouting over that one.

We baked Halloween ice cream cone cupcakes for our niece and nephew.

We forced our niece and nephew to eat the cupcakes so we can take pictures.

We burned through 4 Sweather Weather candles.

I know, I have a problem. 

We went to the carnival. 

We also watered our mums twice a week just like Mom said to and 

they still never fully blossomed like they should have. 

#overit

We watched our soon to be husby coach his football team.

We attended Mom's Zumba class for their annual costume Zumba party.

We carved a pumpkin.

Go Knights!

We went to the Coon Hollo corn maze.

We dressed up and passed out candy.

Correction: I passed out candy. 

Bryan went all out and purchased a smoke machine

and a strobe light and scared every small child that walked up our driveway.

Our neighbors hate us. 

I miss you already sweet October!

Pumpkin Dip & Craftoberfest

It is MID October in Florida, people. 

Which, yes, means that we are still experiencing temperatures in the high 80's.

I know I complain about this way too much but one day in the 60's

and I will be a happy, happy, happy girl. 

As if I'm not already all pumpkin'd out for the season, I came across

this little gem of a recipe on Pinterest and tried it out for the first

time for a football get together at my best friend's house.

Best part ? 

Four ingredients. 

Those are the types of recipes that just speak right to my little heart.

You will need:

Start by first allowing the cool whip to thaw out a bit.

Then whip together the pumpkin, vanilla pudding, cool whip and

gradually add 2 tsp of Pumpkin Pie spice.

Stir all ingredients together until smooth.
Serve with sliced Granny Smith apples, Nilla wafers or cinnamon graham crackers.
Easy peasy, yes?
In addition to this fabulous little fall snack, yesterday was so fun!
A big group of us went to Craftoberfest on the square.
$35 to drink and sample all the craft beer your heart desires for 4 hours? Sold.

Favorites included Florida Cracker and Blue Point pumpkin.. shocker.

I am LOVING being back in this little town of mine lately.
I feel wayyy more relaxed and have taken on kind of the
"gettin shit done" attitude. That MAY have been the power yoga sesh this morning
but EITHER way- loving Ocala, loving life.
Ok now that "yay me" rant is over- have a fab Sunday gals :)

Undecorating & some Pumpkin Spice Cuppycakes

In the words of Phil Robertson:

I AM HAPPY HAPPY HAPPYYYY!

Last week actually felt like FALL.
By that I mean that it hasn't been lows of 82 here in the F-L-A. 
In other news, my treat countdown didn't exactly go as planned
but you got a few little treats out of it, right ?? 

Here's another, since I HAVE been promising some of these:

Since I haven't posted in a few days allow me
to bring you up to speed:

one. We are getting old. Haley and I spent Halloween
night passing out candy in the front yard while Bryan
got a bonfire going in the backyard and grilled.
Yes I did consume 3 tervis tumblers of Moscato
and question every child on their costume as they approached-
but that to me says adulthood.
two. BREW in Waterford opened back up last week!
Our downtown location has been doing very well but
we recently closed the Waterford one to make a few renovations.
Which means back to LATE NIGHT bar closes on Fri & Sat!
three. I am really loving my job lately!
Now, more than ever, I am so happy with my decision
to be in the sales industry. Keeping me VERY busy.
That being said...
four. I. Am. Exhausted.
I think it's quite apparent that I am
GO GO GO GO GO...
I never realize how busy I am until the end of the week
when I say to myself:
"Where did this week go??"
Now that November rolled around,
there will be no signs of slowing down.
five. I need a vacation.
Bry & I are 10 days away from our
seven year anniversary.
Yes, seven. As in 7. As in 5+2.
Swwweeet baby Jessuussss we need to book a vacation.
I suggest most people take a vacation once
every 4  months- so three times a year.
We are overdue. 
six. Fall weather.
Please come back??! 
I've been busting out the boots
and I'm just not ready for more 80 degree weather. :(

That is all for today friends,
I have a tonnnn ton ton of stuff to do!
Including but not limited to:
Cleaning
Laundry
Cleaning
Undecorating my house from Halloween
Yes, it has been almost a week :/
Cleaning
Ordering Bry's gift for our Anniv!

Have a fab Monday!

More Tailgating & a BEAUTIFUL Lake Baby Shower!

Hello Sugars! =)

Hope everyone else's weekend was FAB- miiiine waaass.

I'm in Ocala for meetings today and although it's a cram packed day-
it's still good to be home. 
I still had time to stop at Starbucks and by 8AM this morning, I had seen it all.
Let me elaborate...
First I witnessed a normal looking man
(and when I say normal I actually mean not homeless)
be woken up by a police officer and then given a trespass warning
BECAUSE HE FELL ASLEEP.
Next! I eavesdropped overheard the person to my left
calling in regards to an apartment listed for rent to check on the animal policy.
They had 8 cats. Gross.
Thennnnnn (I'm not done yet...) I'm quite positive
the couple to my right has a "daily affirmation" routine.
They were both in their 40's and must have just gotten married.
For about 20 minutes I had to listen to
"I love you because...." Okay we get it.

So lemme me just throw a few pictures out there to wrap the weekend up:

1. 7:30 AM: Bryan, being a team player per usual.

2. 8:00 AM: Tailgate set up and I'm ready for some breakfast, please and thank you.

3. 8:30 AM: It appears that the boys are also ready for breakfast.

4. 8:45 AM: Couple Mimosas in & keeping it classy :):)

Also, did I mention I hate noon games?
It was hotter than ALL HELL and the boys were forced to
double fist while walking into the game:

We played Missouri (newly an SEC team) and it was a little

embarassing how empty the game was.

Perhaps the heat index and 110 degree weather had something to do with that?

Despite the ridiculous temperate- Love Love LOVE this Man! ;)

Note to self: Refrain from wearing bib necklaces
while sitting in the sun. Sincerely, your Tan-Lined Chest

Sunday I headed back to Ocala for April's Baby Shower!

And... You know you're in Ocala when you pass this:

(April has done my hair since I was in high school and my Mom

still gets her hair done at her salon)

Mom & I bought a play mat and I made this little beaut, which I anticipate being hung

on baby Sayde Grace's door:

Oh and then I got a little carried away with the wrapping. :)

So April's shower was hosted at Sandy's house, a family friend,

who lives on beautiful Lake Weir.

Are you ready to be blown away by pink cuteness?

Oookkaayy then!

1. ADORABLE garden flag and you all know how much I love tissue balls.

2. Cannolis!!!! I need to learn how to make these stat before I disappointing my

nationality :/

3. Loved this little dessert setup.

4. The "Betty Cake" Cake :) Most delicious cakes in the World

but Mom refuses to go back after ordering my UCF cake for graduation- which

came out Brown and Orange rather than Black and Gold.

Ohhhhh yes that happened.

1. It's not a party unless you have mason jars and Etsy straws. No, really.

2. Cutest favor idea! Bath & Body Works Mini Handy Sanis

3. Outside table setup on the beautiful back porch.

4. Diaper cakes are always a hit at a Baby Shower... but

there's just something about GIRL diaper cakes. :) Adorable..

Wrapped up the shower with our toes in the sand...

Then I spent the rest of the afternoon with my favorite Baby :)
My sweet, little niece Claire

Read Claire's story Here

Before we left my brother and sister-in-law's house,
Ashley had Claire model her Halloween costume on for us.
I won't share a pic of her full costume yet, but here's a sneak
peek of the little peanut:

Enjoy y'all's week! 

Fall Nostalgia :)) & My Best Friend the Seminole

Another throwwww backkk!

Recall me saying I was going to be posting about old events, etc
 to clean up my "Hostess" page ?

Well here's another. Last week marked the official start

of Fall- despite what Starbucks will tell you about the debut of Pumpkin Spice

being the official start. So I'm feeling a little nostalgic! 

Last year, my mom and I had the brilliant idea to host a massive,

rustic Thanksgiving dinner. 

Around mid-August to early September, random Fall decor

started to accrue in my parents' spare bedroom.

We had invited about 45 friends/family members over for Thanksgiving

so it's safe to say that, yes, Mom and I went a little over board. 

My mom wanted to have dinner outside (such a fab time of year) so she had

4 picnic tables made and we squeezed them all together in their 3-acre backyard.

I had a vision.

Burnt oranges, dark red, deep browns, decorative leaves, mason jars...

The end product?

I'd say we delivered on that.

Here is another side shot in case the first

does not it justice:

It was the sweetest thing- I literally felt like a pilgrim, even with my bottled bud light.

There's nothing like sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner

and being able to look left, look right and be able to

see the people that mean the most to you. 
hashtag happy :) 

Two of my girlfriends even drove back

home from Orlando with me (their families were out of state).

They obviously brought the necessities. 

Also note Haley bonding with Grandma

over her obnoxious Green Bay sweater... Wisconsin...

The girls stayed the weekend and we drove up

to Gainesville that Sat for the

Florida/Florida State game. 

(REALLY MISSING MY BLONDE HAIR IN THIS PIC WAAAAHHH)

If you haven't picked up on the fact that Bryan and I are Gator
fans, you're either a little on the blind side or you must have just joined us,
in which case welcome new friends. I am a Gator fan.
PRE-GAME PICTURE:

MID-GAME PICTURE:

What the hell, Florida?
Throw another pick why don't you.
The Gators lost last year but we still had a blast. 

ANNYWAAYYY- let me bring you back to present date!
Bry & I are getting ready to purchase our Florida/Florida State
tickets for this year's upcoming game.
We're making the trip to Tally that weekend and staying with
(Aly if you didn't know that, you do now) 
my best friend, right:

We've been trying to get up there for A WHILE NOW
but something keeps popping up every.stupid.weekend. 
LOVE YOU AL!  Kind of over September at this point... come onnn October & November! :):)

Where is my Bubble Bib necklace that I ordered
forever and a day ago? 

No, but seriously.

I was forced to purchase another statement necklace
from Francesca's to wear this Saturday for the UCF game!