Halloween 2007

Loving Bella Vista

These were taken last weekend about 5 minutes from our house. I'm amazed at how pretty our town is!

Please excuse Mike's creepy face! (He was chewing on trail mix. lol)

Yay for an early anniversary gift!

Mike & I had agreed that our Florida trip would be our gift to each other. But he's sneaky and gave me an early gift last night! I've needed a new digital camera for a while now and he got me one. Here's my new camera: Its a Nikon, not super fancy, but perfect for me!

Here are the first pictures I took, they were all taken in a dark room- the camera has some major flash! And as you can tell, Blackie is not a fan of the flash :)

My parents are coming up this weekend for the Bella Vista Fall Festival. Looking forward to that!

Got my hair did.

I'm totally talking to myself, but thats okay!! I got my hair cut yesterday- excuse the shitty self-portraits!

Camping Weekend

We camped this past weekend at a place called Honey Creek State Park- gorgeous spot and only 45 minutes from home.

Here was the view from our camp site:

The walkway to the water. Just steps away from our tent:

The view from our tent in the morning:

Arkansas Bound!

I'm sooooo excited to finally be heading home :) Only 5 more hours till I'm on the road! I can't wait to see Mike (& our animals!), catch up on The Office & Heroes and relax!!

Well, I'm not going to purgatory...

At least thats what Mike says *rolls eyes*

I was baptized last Sunday. I always wanted to wait and be baptized at a church that meant something to me. I know this sounds weird, but we love our church! To give you a little insight, I was baptized with 8 other people: twin babies (so cute!) a little boy, two women that weren't allowed to get baptized in their old church because they're lesbians and their 3 children. Everyone got pretty emotional because these women are so wonderful and to think that they were denied the rite of baptism for such a stupid reason...it just makes no sense. It was a wonderful experience and I'm so glad I did it :)

Back in Tulsa

I'm in Tulsa for the week. :(

My parents are on vacation so I'm working at the family business until Friday. I'm already homesick! This will be the longest that Mike & I have been apart--- but he has his new Halo 3 game to keep him company & I have Grey's Anatomy to catch up on.

If any Tulsa girls are getting together this week for dinner or anything, I'd love to go!

Perfection!

That is what the weather is like right now! Ahhhh, I'm in heaven :)

I know that in a few days, it will be back in the 80's, but I'm loving it right now. FALL- hurry up & get here!

So glad its September 12th

I always feels a little depressed on the 11th, I'm glad it has passed. Not much to write. We're keeping busy & enjoying life! Besides, none of you bitches comment anymore so I'm not sure this even get read! Looks like I'll be in Tulsa the last week of September to work at my old office while my Mom & Dad go on vacation. Not looking forward to that!

New bloggity-blog

I've started a new blog to document my adventures in the kitchen. I've been gradually getting more comfortable experimenting with recipes and different foods and thought it would be fun to share. I'll probably update it weekly (or when ever I cook something blog-worthy!). Its already up and running, here is the link: Dinner Diaries.

nesting

Here is my most recent decor purchase:

My friend recently opened a store on etsy.com and she has some adorable stuff. Check her out: Nesting Designs

Happy Birthday Natalie!

Happy Birthday to my favorite sister-in-law :)
Mike & I hope you have a great day!

They Love Each Other!

They can't keep their paws off each other!

They cuddle:

And they spoon!

what my baby wants, my baby gets...

No blogging today...Blackie wants me to stay off the laptop :)

life is good right now

Life has its ups & downs and right now, for us, its on an upswing :)
My Dad is back safe & sound from Iraq. Our whole family is so relieved and thankful for this. Mike and I have found a church. We are becoming members of All Saints' Episcopal Church. I've never been to a church that was as open, welcoming and accepting as this place. Its small, intimate, friendly and has about as much diversity as you can get in Northwest Arkansas. We are thrilled that we've found a place that feels like home. Everything else is going great-- I've tried a few new recipes that were awesome, I'll post them tomorrow. We've been slowly planning our itinerary for Florida (yay!!!) The weather has even cooled down a bit for us!! Hope everyone is doing well- we've all been slacking on the blogging :)

My Dad is Out of Iraq

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So freaking relieved :) He emailed my Mom a few minutes ago saying that he had landed at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. From there he should fly to Germany, then to Baltimore and finally back to Oklahoma. I can't wait for him to be back home safely!

I'm finally a good cook!

A few years ago I would have said that my cooking skills were minimal at best. But, I've been cooking everyday and have improved so much over the last few months. I made a few meals this weekend that made me feel like a pretty decent cook!

The first one is called a- Not Guilty Your Honor Sandwich. Weird name, I know-- but its so good! This is a recipe from one of our favorite restaurants back in Tulsa: First Watch.

Its a whole wheat pita, toasted and then filled with hummus, cucumber, spinach leaves, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, tomato slices and feta cheese. It takes just a few minutes to sautee the veggies. Its quick, easy & Mike & I love these things!

The next recipe is not nearly as healthy but might be the best meal I've ever cooked! I made homemade pasta sauce last night and it was to die for, seriously!! Heres the recipe:

Penne & Vodka Sauce

INGREDIENTS

* 1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 1/4 pound thinly sliced pancetta bacon, chopped
* 1/3 cup vodka
* 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
* 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
2. Meanwhile, melt butter or margarine in a large skillet over medium heat. Add pancetta, and saute until lightly browned. Add vodka and stir until it is reduced by half, about 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce and cream. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes. Stir every few minutes.
3. Stir in pasta, and heat through. Serve with Parmesan cheese.

This was so simple and yummy- the pancetta makes the sauce. I plan on making it again as soon as possible!!

I also caved in this weekend and paid for the live feeds for Big Brother. Jackie do you have these?? Yes I'm a loser and can now watch the house guests 24/7. I already know the outcome of the competitions and all the gossip in the house before it airs on CBS. Its addicting!!

Church "Shopping"

Mike and I have been trying to find a church that we would enjoy going to on a regular basis. Yesterday I was searching the internet for an Episcopal church in our area and found this:
All Saint's Episcopal Church

It is exactly what we were looking for and we're so excited about going on Sunday. I think its right up our alley. Check out the little opening statement:

"We are a church without walls

- literally, in the sense that we do not yet have a fixed meeting place, and figuratively, in the sense that we are open, inclusive, and welcoming of all God's children. We are an emerging Christian community, not yet fully formed in personality or identity. We are in the midst of creation, but still relying on the wisdom of the saints' preceding us.

As an Episcopal community, our worship is grounded in the meaning, beauty and artfulness of the ritual of the early church. Yet theologically, we are constantly seeking to understand how Christ's life and teachings are relevant to us in the 21st century. We welcome you, no matter who you are, into this work of creating a new kind of church - a church that is both ancient and fully engaged in the present."

Sounds very cool to us. Umm... what else has been going on? We're playing racquetball on Saturday, that should be fun. I've read 2 books in the past week :) and Big Brother should be really interesting tonight!!

Pinkie & Tinkerbell

Just a few pictures of Pinkie with her favorite toy. She carries it with her everywhere!