Yummy .. (and Holidays)

Well folks I have to say I’ve had the very best Christmas a person can ask for.

The weather spoiled part of our holiday plans but it also made up for it twice fold. We were to go up to my Mom’s on Saturday but the snow came and we didn’t go. Instead we went up to Chris’ mom’s a day earlier than expected (on Monday) had Birthdays and Christmas with them and then Tuesday we headed on up to Hendersonville to hang out for Chris’ birthday. His Granddad puts everyone up in the Quality Inn on the night of the 23rd each year. It has a nice indoor pool, putt putt and game area. And really neat seating areas all around. Makes for a wonderful family reunion type event.

We got to have lunch with Julianna my best friend from High School and shopped around a little too.

On Thursday we headed back home and because of the weather at my Mom’s (again) I got to see her her Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!!! They were going to FL for a week after Christmas and decided to beat the snow and came down and visited with us!!! YEAH!!!!

Christmas day I had to work a few hours but I don’t mind, we share the major holidays so we each only have to work 1. Afterwards I got home to an already cooked Christmas dinner with Ham, dressing, green bean casserole and much more. THANK YOU HONEY!!! I LOVE YOU!!!! (Mama came over to help him but he had it all started by the time she got here..I sure do have a keeper!!)

Afterwards we opened presents… I must have been a really good girl because I got way more than I deserve. Mom bought me the coolest outfit and the jeans are a size 18!!!! I haven’t been in a size 18 in.. well I really have no idea.. high school maybe? I got the Monopoly City game (for those that don’t know, Chris and I have a collection of them.. 15 at least). His mom gave me a really neat cake plate (I didn’t have one) and gift card to Wal-Mart for a few things on my ‘wish list’ (which I ordered that night :)) And Chris was soo good to me.. he bought me the matching Open Hearts earrings from Kay Jewelers and a cookbook (and more). Yes, Chris, who is always talking about my cookbook collection and how I don’t really need more bought me a cookbook. Its the Splenda Collection. I’m loving it. Tonight I made Tasty Teriyaki Chicken. I’ll conclude tonight's book with the recipe :) Go check out the book. It’s great!!!

Tasty Teriyaki Chicken

1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp cold water
1/2 cup Splenda granulated
1/2 cup soy sauce (we used lite)
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 clove minced garlic
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Skinless, boneless chicken breasts (recipe calls for 12, we used 4 big ones)

In a small saucepan over low heat, combine everything except chicken. Simmer, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens and bubbles.

Preheat oven to 425*

Place chicken in lightly greased 9x13 pan (we used smaller 9x9 pan). Brush chicken with the sauce. Turn and brush other side.

Brush with sauce every 10 minutes. (A pain but worth it.) Bake for 30 minutes, turn and back another 30 minutes until no longer pink and juices run clear.

And for dessert.. try the Classic Carrot Cake YUMMY!!!
http://splenda.tastebook.com/recipes/1396992-Classic-Carrot-Cake

Happy New Year Everyone.. may this be the best yet!!!!

Amazing week

I spent this past week in Spruce Pine. It was such an amazing week. Mama and I spent the week doing.. well whatever we wanted. I arrived on Monday so we just hung out and talked that night. Tuesday found us in Asheville with my Aunt Lula. After mom’s Dr appt we met up with Christy and Alyssa and off to the Grove Park Inn we went. The gingerbread houses from the National Competition was on display. All I can say is WOW.. some people put a TON of time into their houses. Afterwards we went to Olive Garden and then to AC Moore ;)

Wednesday Mama and I just hung around the house and Christy and Alyssa came over. Christy and I worked on crafty things.. she finished a bead bracelet that I was having trouble with and I worked on crocheting Christmas presents. Mama and Alyssa decorated the tree.

Thursday was another wonderful day. Mama, Lula and I went to Biltmore House. It’s such a beautiful place. We spent about 5 hours in the house. Mama did alot of walking and quite a bit of it was stairs. For being 3 weeks out of knee replacement surgery I’m so impressed and pleased with her recovery. Oh, on Tuesday they scheduled her other surgery.. Jan 22nd.  If you visit Biltmore House, I highly, highly recommend getting the audio tour. WOW it really made the tour. Afterwards we were too tired for shopping so we had dinner at Fatz and headed home.

Friday I headed back to Columbia. I was really missing my honey and our furbabies. I’m very happy to be home, but I miss Mama already.

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A few pictures

5 months out from surgery and 65 lbs gone for good.

Yes, Sherman is sitting on top of Marice... strange furbabies we have.

Christy, Cliff and Alyssa playing a Deal or No Deal at the bowling alley.
It was such a wonderful weekend!!!!

Vacation part 4

Monday morning we got up early and headed out as Cliff was off to work and Christy was taking Alyssa to school. The drive wasn't too bad, but it was long. I've lost most of my "padding" and sitting for long periods of time isn't the most fun. We stopped a neat place for lunch called Cook-Out. We had seen a few of these in VA but never stopped. I'm glad we did. It's not really anything fancy.. just burgers and hot dogs. But it was neat and they have footlong hot dogs. It's been years since I've even seen them. So of course that's what I had.. although Chris ended up with half (like I knew he would). We also stopped in Comerse GA at the LODGE store. Chris and I both enjoy cast iron pans so we stopped in to see what prices they had and to rest my aching tush LOL.
We ended up getting a set that has 2 skillits, 1 griddle and a dutch oven along with a mini cornbread pan and a 12" skillet. How I'm going to make room at home is yet to be seen but I know they'll be used and used alot.
Shortly after that stop we arrived at Ricky's. Ricky and I used to be really close and since I went off to NCSA we haven't spent much time together. So its been wonderful catching up with him. Lastnight we went out to a few local stores and then to dinner at Dave and Busters. That was fun. It's like Chuckie Cheeses for adults. We played several games after dinner and then headed back to Rick's apartment. We played Phase 10 and then crashed.
Tonight is our 2nd U2 concert and I'm really looking forward to it. We get to take the Marta train to the Georgia Dome and this time it shouldn't take 2 hours to go a few miles... crossing fingers LOL

So that's it for now.. you'll all caught up on our vacation. I'm missing my furbabies alot and can't wait to see them tomorrow.

Yeah!!! - Labor Day Weekend

Guess I broke thru my platue, I'm down 4 lbs this week. WOOHOO!!!!

This past weekend (Labor Day weekend) Chris and I went to Spruce Pine to visit with family. What a wonderful time we had. On Saturday we went to a family reunion and enjoyed visiting and watching Austin play. It was a beautiful location.
(Reminder: Click on the pictures to view them larger)





Austin (my nephew) had a wonderful time on the play set at the park.


Then Saturday night we had a birthday cookout for my Aunt Lula. Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time.


The most beautiful Mama in the whole World!!!!

Full but fun day

Been a super busy few days.
yesterday i had my nutrition and info class. Was supposed to last 2 hours.. lasted 3.
Was very helpful. Today I had my session with the diatition, Emily. She's really nice and very helpful with preplanning for our cruise. I go on my liquid diet tomorrow. So made a late evening run to walmart. Bought some protein bars and protein drinks. We'll see how they go tomorrow :)

Today was great, after the session with Emily, I met up with my Sister in Law and 3 of her kids, Father in Law and 2 of his friends grandkids and we all went off to the Riverbanks Zoo. Most of us had a great time, unfortunately JR got sick and his Mom had to come get him. I think we spent 7 hours there. Then went to eat and home for a bit before they all hit the road again.