Sugar and Shopping and a Wedding

 Since we last spoke, we've done a lot of eating (for MS' birthday), and some traveling east (for a wedding).

First stop - cookie slop pie. Well, the official name is No Bake Cookie Pie. Cookie slop is Matt's mom's recipe and it's basically the same thing in a 9x13 - chocolate chip cookies dipped in milk layered with cool whip. It is absolutely fabulous and ridiculously easy.

We did eat an actual meal beforehand. Pioneer Woman's Penne alla Vodka. You haven't lived until you've been to the liquor store 6 months pregnant.

On Friday's grocery store run I saw this monstrosity. We all know how that game ended. RTR.

Confession: I've never made chili. So of course I decided that's what I had to cook for my family dinner for Matt's birthday. My friend's recipe did not disappoint and it was the perfect meal for a cold Fall night.

Mom made the red velvet cake - Matt's favorite.

Before heading to Atlanta on Saturday we dropped Namath at Doggy Day Camp - aka the vet by Matt's parents house. Boarding him at a different vet has proved way less traumatic for his tender ego. Despite the stink eye in this pic.

I got 3 of 6 magazines read on the trip, and we arrived at the hotel to this cute welcome bag.

The wedding and reception were gorgeous. Loved these centerpieces - I'm a sucker for a hydrangea. They had food stations from all the countries they've traveled together as a couple. Thailand, Italy, France and Australia as well as a Southern food station for Georgia. Delicious! When else can you eat pad thai and mashed potatoes in one sitting?!

You know MS wasted no time getting out on the dance floor.

Erin was a beautiful bride! That dress...maybe one of the prettiest I've seen. If I knew the names of fabrics, I would tell you, but it was really different and oh so pretty.

We made our first trip to Ikea Sunday on our way out of town. We picked up quite a few things, and besides an odd and end, all of our main items for the nursery are purchased.

A sneak peak at one of our finds:

We fit it all in, thank goodness.

Being a mile from The Varsity, there was only one thing left to do.

Wedding Weekend

We've had weddings the past two weekends, which hasn't happened since our mid to late 20s. But, I love some wedding cake, so bring on the festivities.

I had to kick the weekend off right with some jelly toast, eggs and a cup of decaf. It was just what I needed to get off on the right foot.

It doesn't look appetizing, but I didn't think to take a picture until I was halfway done stuffing my face. The cafeteria downstairs can cook a good breakfast.

The rehearsal dinner Friday was at The Club, which easily has the best views in Birmingham. You'll have to imagine it, because I took no pictures.

The wedding reception Saturday was at the same place ours was, many a moon ago. Or three years.

I have no idea why my iPhone is making my pictures look so purple. Troubleshooting, anyone?

Me and sweet Haley.

 This picture brought to you by the color purple. Or Barney. Or penguins.

Looking handsome and so skinny (him, not me)...moments before the Harlem Shake (him, not me). I'll be a good wife and leave that video off the blog. It did make instagram.

Good times celebrating both brides and grooms. It also should be noted that the grooms cake at wedding weekend one was possibly the best I've had. Caramel cake with an outer edge of peanut butter brittle. It deserved to be put in print.

How to Sell a House

I have several friends with houses on the market - and I've been there before - when it just won't seem to budge.

Cue St. Joseph. 

Joe for short.

Order your St. Joseph home selling kit from Amazon, or the like. Hey, it's 2013. He's pretty small, and looks nice against the Cajun Shrimp nail polish.

Dig a hole. With a screwdriver, if you gave away your shovel. Hypothetically.

St. Joe will wait patiently while you dig.

So will MS. With a refreshment.

While you're waiting, read over the prayer. Yes, there's a small ceremony invovled.

Conduct said ceremony. Full instructions included. Bring your own passion for the reading.

 Bury St. Joe head down, facing the front of the house. The instructions are detailed.

Take pictures before eating cookie cake to celebrate the surefire sale of your home.

Clearly this is all in fun, but it worked for me. Just saying....

Weekend Rewind

It was the best of weather, it was the worst of weather.

The hurricane force downpours stopped just in time for the engagement party Friday night. The courtyard was beautiful, and I rediscovered an old favorite dip: pimento cheese covered in jelly. Friday night win.

Until Saturday night - Date Night did not dissapoint. And I think the beef and brocolli dish might have won a spot over the Thai Noodle. This is breaking news in my world of Thai food love.

Just in time for Sunday, the rain came - perfect for afternoon reading and some resting of the eyes. I'm officially over halfway through Revenge Wears Prada, and I can recommend it as a mindless summer read. You can thank me with a big bowl of beef and broccoli.

Summertime, Summertime

 After two weeks of Spring, I think Summer has arrived. I was really hoping for more days of perfect running and porch weather, but I don't foresee many 70 degree days hitting now that we've flipped our calendar to June.

Batters up...one of our favorite summer activities is the Baron's games with friends. Bonus points if it's Thirsty Thursday. Double bonus since they have an awesome new stadium smack in the middle of downtown - and walking distance from Momma G's.

Thankfully, MS didn't have to be at warmups too early, and could join me for a Momma's Love, Momma's Nachos and a pitcher of PBR.

Sidenote: We sat next to a table of med school residents swapping stories- and apparently that whole "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant"  thing happens frequently. Very frequently.

You can't beat a beauitful night at the ball field.

Namath was still thirsty on Friday. File this under 'dogs who think they are human'. He's spent a lot of time alone lately. In the guest bathroom. With the door closed. So we've welcomed any time he feels like he wants to be part of the family. He only got a little sip of beer.

MS says I take too many photos of Namath with a cocktail sitting in his chair. But it makes me laugh, so I'll keep snapping away.

 Can you blame me? He may be the most handsome dog in all the world. At least top 10. If I'm the only voter.

I've seen a lot of Summer Bucket lists floating around blog world and have thought about making one of my own. Maybe while sitting by the pool. Don't hold your breath.

Lake Weekend

 I had big plans for a festive Friday lunch, but I decided to forgo eating out in favor of shopping at Target. Which is also festive and fun. More on those purchases later...

I've never been a big sandwich fan. So have never been a big Momma Goldberg's fan. I ate it a lot when we lived in the apartment out of convenience (it's located downstairs), but Friday the Momma's Love was calling my name. It more than hit the spot.

Saturday we left the rainy weather in Birmingham, hoping for bluer skies on the lake. After a few showers Saturday, it cleared up and did not dissapoint.

By Sunday, everyone was enjoying the sun. Even Macy! Macy was the only one that enjoyed the water as well.

Especially Matt. Asleep? I'll let you make the call.

We cleaned up a little and headed to dinner.

Good views, and good company. Minus the Auburn sweatshirt.

Sometimes a couple days away from town are just what the doctor ordered.

Boat Drinks and Bubbly

One of the things we've tried to be intentional about this year is building friendships. So, we feel so blessed that we've found a group of friends through Sunday School to run around with, per se.

This weekend we got together for supper club, and to celebrate Jessica entering the 30s. We welcomed her with open arms with food and drink.

Nancy centered the meal around boat drinks - tropical and pina coladas - to go with jerk chicken and pork and roasted vegetables.

I'm not sure why I look like an oompa loompa in this picture. I hope its a weird shot and not the makeup I just bought...time will tell.

And of course birthday cake. Always cake.

You have to bring in 30 with some bubbly.

Man's best friend wanted to join the celebration.

Just to prove we're old, we all ended up around the TV for Rock Center with Brian Williams by 10:30.

Weekend on the Plains

 Namath and I have been left as March Madness widows/orphans these past few days. So, we spent Friday night resting our eyes. 

 With only a few brief episodes of manic barking at stationary objects that have been in the same spot for months - but suddenly present themselves as threats. This is a regular occurrence at our house, but I'm at peace with the fact that my dog has snakes in his head.
 

Saturday morning, I swallowed my Crimson Tide loyalties to head down to Auburn with some girlfriends. It tasted better going down with a Bojangles Bo Berry Biscuit. We love Bojangles, but have only tried the chicken biscuit. I can now on good authority recommend both.

 If there's anything to be a good authority on, I think carbs ranks right up there.

 Meanwhile, MS and Namath were getting in a lot of basketball watching.
 

 After some shopping, we headed to Nail Fever/Nail Pro/Nail World/Nail Plus (I'm sure one of these names is accurate) for some good reading and a pedi. Easily one of my favorite things in all the world.

 The party at the house had moved upstairs. Why yes, we do text pictures of Namath all weekend long. He's fabulous. (Not pictured: him stealing a cool ranch Dorito straight out of someone's hand.You gotta do what you gotta do.)

After pedi's, we headed to dinner for champagne, crab cakes and La Crema. Move over Oprah, these are a few of my favorite things.

 Blondes have more fun.

 We may or may not have been in pajamas by 11, which was fine by me. After a good night's rest and before hitting the road, we hit up The Hound for brunch. The bacon should get a post of its own.

The only orange thing in Auburn I love - pictured left.

 There was a lot of orange around, but the rest and the girl time was good for my soul. Hope your weekend did the same.