Dear House Hunter..

Dear House Hunter,

I received a call on Friday that you would be touring our home with your realtor this past Sunday.  My husband and I jumped into action cleaning the house and making it perfect for your arrival.  I even got on my hands and knees and scrubbed several scuff marks off my new hardwood floors just to make them perfect for you.  On Saturday I sent Jason to the grocery store to buy fresh flowers while I stayed at home with my feverish toddler.  I spent a lot of time arranging the white daisies just for you.  On Sunday morning we lit candles, made sure ALL of the laundry was washed, folded, and put away.  We went around the house straightening pictures and I fluffed pillows just for you.  You were due at our home at 12:15.  That is around the time Madison is usually finishing up lunch and getting ready for her nap.  So we blew out the yummy smelling candles, turned on lights, opened blinds, put on a little background music, and kenneled our dogs in the cold, cold garage.  We took our tired, sick baby out to eat so you could tour our home in peace. 

We arrived home 30 minutes early because Madison was so fussy and tired.  We were hopeful that you had already come and gone.  Jason pulled in to the driveway and sent me inside to investigate.  (He knows I'm very picky about my house and can tell if someone has been inside.)  I ran around the house while he sat in the driveway with our cranky child.  NOTHING... I didn't see one thing out of place.  So I went back to the car shaking my head and Jason took a turn.  Our poor cold dogs were shivering and howling in their kennels since we had the garage door open all this time.  Jason returned to the car only to close the garage and pull into our neighbor's driveway.  We sat there for 20 more minute in hopes that you were just running late. 

At exactly 1:15 Jason drove back across the street and we resumed life.  I put Madison to bed over tired and not feeling well.  She woke up inconsolable 30 minutes later.  When it was all said and done she only slept a terrible hour. 

I just had this feeling you had not come.  My feelings were confirmed when we heard from your realtor that y'all did a drive by because you wanted a "more established neighborhood." 

Well.. you shouldn't judge a book by its cover or a neighborhood by its trees.  Next time.. just go in and take a look around.  It will make the home owner feel like their work was partially appreciated.

Sincerely,

Home Owner



When we toured homes in Texas I went in all of them.  I didn't feel sorry for the home owners that had an empty home even though they probably needed it sold the most.  I felt sorry for the ones that had cleaned and lit candles.  Those that had to evacuate their families so I could take a look only to decide that their home wasn't for me.  BUT at least their work was not in vain.  I took a look and appreciated their nice clean home.

It's SOOOO SOOOO COLD!

Madison's room does not hold heat well at all.  I always run in her room to check on her before I head off to bed.  Lately I've had to leave her door open to help it get more heat since we are having this crazy cold stretch.  All of her pajamas or "night-nights" as she calls them are cotton.  So we headed to Carter's this afternoon to pick up a few fleece pajamas.  Lucky for us they were on sale for $5.99!  They hardly had any 24M because according to the sales lady they are so close in size they only order a few.  I didn't believe her because when I held up a 2T I swore they would never fit my baby!!!  She grabbed a boy's 24M and proved to me that they were indeed very close.  So here is my baby in her 2T.  (I guess she can wear them next winter too...!)  OH.. and she also has a onesie and socks on under the sleeper!  She was a little under the weather over the weekend.. (103.4 temp to be exact) and I just didn't want to take any chances with her getting cold.



P.S. She is REALLY in to "backpacks" these days.  I was pulling out my camera and she grabbed our point and shoot camera case.  I really could have lived without that in my pajama shots.. but she was not having it.

New Year's Supper Recipes

My dad always cooks black eyed peas and collard greens for New Years Day.  (It's suppose to give you luck and money for the New Year!)  I received my January Southern Living a few weeks ago and found a recipe I was dying to try for New Years day.

Hoppin' John Stew with White Cheddar Cheese Grits:

1 Tbsp. butter
1 cup chopped smoked ham
1 medium onion, chopped
2 (15 oz.) cans black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
2 (10 oz.) cans diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1tsp. sugar
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
White Cheddar Cheese Grits

1.  Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat; add ham and onion, and saute 3 to 5 minutes or until onion is tender.  Stir in black-eyed peas and next 3 ingredients.  Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes.  remove from heat, and stir in cilantro.  Serve immediately over White Cheddar Cheese Grits.

White Cheddar Cheese Grits

2 cups chicken broth
2 Tbsp. butter
1/2 cup uncooked quick cooking grits
1 cup (4 oz.) shredded white Cheddar cheese

1. Bring chicken broth and butter to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.  Gradually whisk in grits, and return to a boil.  Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until thickened.  Stir in cheese until melted.  Serve immediately.

Cilantro and white cheddar cheese waiting to be used... Jason's dad made this beautiful cutting board and gave it to us for Christmas.  It will look GREAT in my new kitchen! :)

Collards...

Good-for-You Collards

6 bacon slices, chopped
1 medium-size sweet onion, chopped
1 Tbsp. canola oil
1 (16 oz) pkg fresh collard greens, washed and trimmed
1 (12 oz.) can light beer
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

1.  Saute bacon and onion in hot oil in a large Dutch oven over medium high heat 5 minutes or until onion is tender.  Add collards, in batches, and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until wilted.  Stir in beer, and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, 25 minutes or to desired degree of tenderness.  Stir in lemon juice and remaining ingredients.

I was really surprised at how easy this dinner was to make.  I started with the collard greens and got them cooking and then made the Hoppin' John Stew and made the grits in the last 10 minutes of cooking.  I started all of this at 4:30 and had dinner on the table at 5:30. 

My New Year's baby!!

Christmas Eve Dinner... Ribs!

We ate at the BEST BBQ I have ever eaten on Christmas Eve.  It's a restaurant in Winston-Salem called "Bibs."  It's a good thing we had one for Madison because she loved their Ribs!

The very last picture was when Jason took it away!

What did I end up with?

A few of you have asked about my new kitchen cabinets.. Did I find white ones like I talked about in this post? 

Well... this is the model home of our house.  Of course they have those fabulous white cabinets in the kitchen.  However, this model home is not even in Austin!  They used this photo in the on-line description of the home we did buy... weird.

This is my new kitchen.  SAME kitchen.. dark cabinets. I was quickly reminded that I would have a HARD time finding white cabinets in Austin.

I am not complaining.  I love my new kitchen... it just needs light and accessories!
 

Gone, Christmas Eve, and Christmas!

We've been gone to Texas searching for a home!  We were successful and bought the first house we saw.  Don't worry... we toured a million more homes just to make sure, but I knew this was "the one."  We arrived late after traveling all day and still tried to keep our appointment to tour three brand new homes that same evening.  We went to this house first because it did not yet have power.  It was pretty dark inside, but as soon as I walked through the front door I looked at Jason and whispered "SOLD."

We returned home just a few days before Christmas.  We left Madison for FIVE DAYS safely with her Nana and Pop.   

Since we were responsible for Christmas Eve dinner and went out of town last minute we went to church and ate out.  We were about the only ones in the restaurant and joked that we were like the family on A Christmas Story.  HEE  HEE.  We took some photos in front of the restaurant's Christmas tree.  My sister-n-law has the whole family on her camera. 

We tried to get a photo of the three kids.  I forgot to switch out my lens to have a zoom.  So Jason was unable to back up quick enough to get all kids in the frame.  I'm hoping Lori got a good shot.  Poor Parker.. he's only in the photos because his big brother, Alston, is holding tightly onto his clothing.  Can you tell Alston has had practice at this?  A perfect smile while holding fiercely onto Parker!  Madison stood there hamming it up saying "cheeeese!"

After we put Madison to bed, Jason had this to contend with... her play kitchen.

Just a few hours later... Voila!

Madison is going to be such a good big sister...

All that mothering can wear a girl out!...

There were several gifts under the tree for her baby brother.  He got a soft blanket and Madison immediately wanted her lovey.. this is her sign for "lovey."  (She also rocks her head back and forth).

Next we moved on over to Lori's house.  Jason's parents were already there.  Madison gave Parker this Elmo toy.. She decided that he needed to be shown how to properly use it.

He did NOT agree...

Dessert on Christmas day at Lori's house is a birthday cake for Baby Jesus.  I think we may have to adopt this tradition when we aren't with them.

Lori gave Madison a cardboard box for Christmas (in addition to other things!).... and it's a favorite!

Merry Christmas!

Center Stage

Oh y'all! My child was a hoot in her Christmas program this morning. I swear she was meant for center stage! Is it just me are all eyes on her? HEE HEE! She sat up there the whole program. I was totally expecting her to spot me and Jason in the audience and make a break. I can't tell you how many times I looked over at Jason and said.. "that is our child"... referring to the one yelling in an attempt to sing and saying.. "MAAAAMMMMMMA.... DA DEEEE!"

After the program finished I stood up and waved at her.. she started screaming and kicking her legs with excitement. We put her in front of the tree and took a few photos.

Next we headed back to her classroom to wish all her friends a Merry Christmas!

Madison and her teacher, Mrs. Austin.

Madison's gift from Mrs. Austin...

looks beautiful on her tree at home!

Welcome to Madison's Playpen

Poor Ella tried to take a nap in Madison's crib, but Madison wouldn't let her.  Madison was too excited that Ella had come over.  Madison wanted to show her how she jumps in her crib...

So she jumped..

and jumped...

and jumped... (looking a little crazed  here!)

and then she tried to cover her up!

Poor, poor, Ella...

Merry Christmas!