On The Campaign Trail

My blog posts have been lacking heavily since the beginning of the year. We have been in constant "campaign mode" with the Republican Primary in June. But to be quite honest, I wouldn't have it any other way. I love politics and I LOVE being a part of a political campaign -- it's exciting, keeps me on edge, and makes my marketing brain plug into a different outlet that it is normally is not accustom to. 

I will leave you with this adorable photo of Liv. I ordered a child's x-small t-shirt with Mom's logo on it last week and it came in yesterday. I little big, but still adorable! She's the perfect model -- she work's for treats! 

A Historic Snow

Not only did we get snow this winter, we got two winter storms that were supposed to be historic for the south. The first snow storm had nothing historic about it, but the past few days have been one for the books.

The first day of this storm brought harsh winds and freezing rain that hurt when you walked outside. It was not enjoyable to say the least so we stayed indoors and watched movies, played cards, and relaxed. I was very surprised I didn't get cabin fever -- Thomas could watch movies back to back and never get off the couch, I however, can't sit still for more than 1.5 hours and I have to get up. I tried to see "cabin fever" as a blessing -- as I got to enjoy staying inside and relaxing, many men and women, including my Daddy (yes, in the south, ladies still call their father "Daddy" -- it's a fact), were outside all night working wrecks, driving down roads to make sure they were in drive-able conditions for citizens, and working into the wee morning hours. It's a true treat to have cabin fever -- it means you've had an extended period of time to relax and unwind. Thomas and I enjoyed our time inside, but can't say too much for Liv -- I can't tell you how many times she took all her toys out of her very large toy tote and we picked them up after we were done playing.

We were finally able to enjoy the historic snow today. Livy loves the snow and everything about it -- she likes to eat it, play in it, and stay outside as long as she can stand it. The sheep, Rosie & Deloris, were absolutely adorable in the snow.

Because the ground was completely frozen, Thomas had a few bags of seed he uses for hunting so we grabbed handfuls of it and threw it on the ice for the birds. They loved us for it!

It was such a great time together to relax and enjoy our family and friends!

Best Friend's Blog

I am so excited my best friend, Anna, has started a blog called "The Peace in the Puzzle".

She is an incredible person and an excellent autism teacher. Her blog is all about her life as a second year teacher to a self-contained autism class. She hopes to provide help and support to parents, friends, fellow teachers, and people like me who are constantly learning about autism through her witty and informative blog posts.

Click here to visit her blog!

Charleston.

A few weeks ago we set off for a weekend getaway to Charleston as a Christmas gift from Thomas' parents. It's weekends like this when you have the ability to slow time down and realize every couple needs time together with no agenda or set plan (this extremely hard for "the planner" in me to do, but it's necessary).

We have no children (except a maltipoo named Livy), but we lead very busy lives and know spending time together with no distractions is important to a relationship. It's hard for us to plan a date night with our schedules so we utilize our love for traveling and try to go somewhere every other month or so. 

Being recently married, our trips are not elaborate -- we haven't upgraded to jet setting yet, but travel 2 to 3 hours away for a weekend trip. In December we went to Biltmore, Charleston in January, and Charleston again this month. Just like Charleston, we both have been to the places we go to many times, but we always do something different and love eating at our favorite restaurants (we're not fans of "tourist-y" places -- we want to find out where the locals shop and eat).

During this trip, we went and saw The Hunley and took a short trip to John's Island to see the Angel Oak Tree. 

I highly recommend seeing both of these sites. It's absolutely humbling to see history so close to you as you look over the observation tank of The Hunley and The Angel Oak Tree is just God's work of art -- breathtaking. 

See you in a few Charleston!

New Favorite Marinade

I literally found this marinade last night on Pinterest around 11:30pm. Thomas marinaded our pork tenderloin tonight and it was out of this world. Here is the allrecipes.com recipe:

1/3 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons garlic powder
3 tablespoons dried basil
1 1/2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1 teaspoon minced garlic

Marinate meat for 8 hours. You will not be disappointed!

Take a look at my favorite dishes & desserts on my Pinterest page.

Snow in the South...

Here in the south, snow days are rare and highly anticipated. It is breaking news for days -- grocery stores are out of milk and bread and everyone breaks out there ski gear from last winter's vacation on the ski slopes. Snow days are also a blessing -- for the first time in 6 months I actually watched a movie from beginning to end.

Livy was all about the snow. With a horse pasture full of fresh, fluffy white powder, she was loving it and we acted like two parents snapping photos of "baby's 1st snow."

Plain Chicken No More!

There is only so many ways to grilling or baking chicken. After a while, you just get bored. When I found this recipe on Pinterest for Basil Pesto Chicken -- it was life changing. It is so good is a meal we keep on rotation in our house because it is so quick and easy, but tastes like you cooked it for hours. 

Find the recipe on my Pinterest Board. I apologize in advance for the title of this blog, but it is a great recipe that will be come a dinner staple in your house. Enjoy!

Livy!

Meet Livy -- the newest addition to the our family! 

We are absolutely smitten and cannot imagine our lives without this little maltipoo.

Update

Life has been non-stop these past two weeks. Last week, this sweet dog went missing when he got scared during an afternoon thunderstorm. 

After searching for four day with no sleep and crying pretty much all the time, we found him and he safe back at the farm. Thank God! 

After our dramatic search & rescue mission, I went and got my "summer" haircut. I've never had my hair this short since I was a little girl. I was recently at an event a few weeks ago and my "lion's mane" was to much to tame. I had to get a handle on it. Is this what they call a "selfie?" If so, this is my first selfie. 

I also came across the coolest iPhone accessory at TJ Maxx last weekend. This hand-held receiver that mimics the vintage phones with the circle dial (I know, I didn't grow up during that era so I have not clue what the actual name of those phones are) is my new favorite tech product. Thomas thinks it is not useful -- duh, I could have told you that. But it is so fun to use! And this is my 2nd selfie . . .

 

Last night, I snagged these fabulous lamps at TJ Maxx (can you tell I'm obsessed with a TJ Maxx or HomeGoods?). I've searched for months for lamps to go in our living room. I never buy just to buy and I definitely will not settle for something. I will search till I get exactly what I want. Every piece in my house is exactly what I envisioned. You have to love what you buy because, to be blunt, you have to look at it everyday. I'm obsessed with my two light gray lamps. 

Garden Explosion!

Our small garden has literally blown up as our small 5X5 raised bed is now to small for our plants. Thomas planted the garden several months ago with two squash plants, a tomato, watermelon, a bell pepper, and all my herbs (I love using fresh herbs when cooking!). 

When we planted the garden we thought every plant had plenty of room to grow -- umm not really.

The garden has gotten so big Thomas had to attach our sprinkler to the fence of the stall's run. Last night we picked the first round of vegetables picking four squash. Yum!

Busy Week

After the start to a busy week (what am I saying?? -- it's always a busy week at my office, but that is one of the reasons why I love my job!), it is always a site to come home to such a beautiful place.

The farm helps me transition from "working mode" to being at home quicker than living in town. After I saw two of the horses grazing, I immediately got an urge to change out of my suit and into a big t-shirt and shorts and stay outside. 

"How you doin?" Wendy Williams

I've been on Deloris & Rosie's "list" this week for not feeding them cereal like normal. There is only so much grass a sheep wants to eat until they need Golden Grahams.

We all love each other on the farm. And it goes without saying, "if the sheep get Golden Grahams so do the dogs."

Our garden is really growing -- I can honestly say Thomas is the expert for gardening in our family. This garden would be dead if it were just me tending to it. 

The wheat field across the street is absolutely beautiful especially at sunset. Didn't I tell you my mind relaxes easier because of views like this??? When I think of America this is one of the images that comes to mind -- hardworking Americans with home grown products. God Bless the USA! 

On Thursday I attended the IT-ology Connections Conference in downtown Columbia. Let's just say I went in thinking I was a "technology know-it-all" because I am a part of the Y Generation and can pick up any device and immediately use it. Well when they started using "tech terms" and using air, literally air and their hands, to control a computer and a professor from Clemson working on the CUiCar tells us in 15 to 20 years cars WILL be driven autonomously, I walked out thinking my new iPhone was old, dated, and so not cool. 

That afternoon I went to the Swearing-In Ceremony of Judge Davis -- a man that I have known since I was a baby. Very happy to see him in a judge's robe protecting and defending the citizens and laws of Kershaw County, our state, and the U.S.

We then ended the work week with the Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce Gala last night. We had a fabulous time -- now I am getting ready for Thomas' birthday party Sunday afternoon at our house. That means grocery shopping and house cleaning today -- woo hoo! (insert sarcasm).

The Weekend

This weekend consisted of exactly what Thomas has been asking to do since we got engaged last March. With his work, he usually is working on Saturdays so we took this opportunity to visit the zoo -- yes, have I told you my husband has an "inner kid" personality? It's one of the many reasons why I love him -- he gets excited over the smallest things. 

We haven't been to the zoo in a few years and so much has changed.

There is now a new kangaroo and wallaby visit where you can walk through their habitat and see the animals close up. This little guy ate his breakfast literally a foot away from us.

From an animal perspective, the giraffes have the best exhibit. They get to eat all day long and have the biggest environment. 

If this doesn't put a smile on your face, I don't know what will! 

If I could put him on the farm that we live on I would be the happiest lady in the world! 

Actually, I need these guys to come with me too! Can you tell I am an animal lover??

We had a great time at the zoo. With no kids, it took us only two hours to go through the whole park. (we did lapse around some parents with little kids -- it was all day adventure for them).

After we decided to try a new restaurant we had never been to before and stumbled upon The Gourmet Shop Cafe in an area called 5 Points in Columbia. We have heard about it from others, but decided to try it for ourselves. It was absolutely adorable with a kitchen store attached to the cafe. To be quite honest, I have never stepped foot in 5 Points, but it was well worth going to enjoy a quaint lunch. 

To end our Saturday, I finally got my Trader Joe's fix. Looks like we will be trying some Trader foods this week.

The Honeymoon Part 2

Between the beach and the pool it was difficult which we liked more. I literally have never seen a pool this large. Let's just say if I ever get a wild hair one day and designed a pool it definitely will have a walk-in area.

It was so much laying out in a lounge chair while also being in the pool.

Thomas can't sit in a lounge chair for long so this "kid" was hilarious to watch.

Here are few more pictures of the honeymoon:

The Honeymoon

The only word I have to sum up our honeymoon is perfect. 

We left on the Monday following our Saturday wedding -- a calculated decision to allow Thomas and I time to "reset" and make sure we had everything we needed for our trip. Thank goodness we had a 24 hour lapse before the trip because I picked up the wrong camera charger from my parent's house and forgot sunscreen. 

After a two and a half hour flight (I love flying -- Thomas, not so much) and a ninety minute car ride we arrived at Sandals Jamaica Whitehouse that afternoon. After checking in, we immediately went to eat a very late lunch (if you know me, you know I get sassy when I'm hungry).

And walked on the beach at sunset. Because we left our house at 5:00 that morning, we literally fell asleep at 7:30 that evening. I know, that's pitiful. 

The service and food were phenomenal. With 7 restaurants we tried a new restaurant every night for dinner. The concierge service was 24 hours that we could call on for anything. I will definitely dive deeper into the honeymoon tomorrow, but I've been telling engaged couples that ask us where we went to go with Sandals Whitehouse -- I highly recommend it!