happy thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Ya'll!!!!!

I have so much to be thankful this year, especially my wonderful family, friends and my sweet blogging friends!

I hope each one of you have a blessed day filled with lots of yummy food!

I must get back to the kitchen now!

Tasha

12 Days of Christmas...Day 3

The Best Gift You Ever Received

I have a horrible memory and I can barely remember what I wore yesterday! With that being said, I can only remember what I got for Christmas last year!

I know I have received better, more meaningful gifts but this one sticks out in my mind because I wanted it so bad!

Last year, I begged, wished, hoped and prayed for this...

and YES I got it!

I must say I absolutely love this mixer! I love to bake so this has become my best friend in the kitchen. I just think it is soooo pretty!!!

Well now I have to go use it!!

Goodnight and Happy Thanksgiving!

Tasha

What I'm Loving!

I just got home a few minutes ago from my crazy day and now it's time to start chopping and prepping for the feast tomorrow. I am looking forward to spending the entire day cooking tomorrow but I am starting to feel a little overwhelmed!

Here is what I'm loving this Thanksgiving Eve!!!

I am loving that tomorrow is THANKSGIVING! I have so much to be thankful for! 

I am loving that I will be spending the entire day in the kitchen tomorrow and then spending the evening eating!

I am loving my new book! I cannot wait until I have the time to sit down and actually read it!

I am loving an inspiring email I received from a blogging friend. I have been having a difficult time lately (I will explain later!) and this email really touched me!

I am loving that this Thanksgiving I am so, so blessed and thankful for:

my wonderful parents

God

my sweet family

my "adopted" sister and brother

my wonderful friends

my health

my 2 favorite munchkins

my other 2 favorite munchkins

my blogging friends

and...

life!

What are you loving? Go over and link up!

Tasha

Thanksgiving Recipes

Good Morning!

I am getting ready to go out and tackle the craziness of Sam's and Wal-Mart! 

(Pray for me!) 

Before I go, I wanted to share a few of the recipes I will be preparing tomorrow.

I absolutely love to cook and bake, so Thanksgiving and Christmas makes me all giddy inside because I know that I will be spending the entire day (and some of today) in the kitchen!

Ciabatta Stuffing with Chestnuts, Mushrooms and Pancetta

This is the best stuffing EVER! 

It is made by this sweet lady and I love it...

Giada de Laurentiis

Get the recipe here!

We normally make Sweet Potato Casserole but this year I am going to try The Neely's Sweet Potato Souffle...it has cashews and coconut! Yum!

Get the recipe here!

These potatoes are delicious!

Johnny Potatoes (Hash brown Casserole)

2 lb. bag of shredded potatoes

1 can of cream of chicken soup

2 cups of grated cheddar cheese

16oz sour cream

1 large chopped onion

1 stick butter (melted)

salt & pepper to taste

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 13 x 9 pan with Pam. Spread potatoes in pan and sprinkle with remaining ½ cup of cheese.

Bake for 50 minutes.

Ooey Gooey Pumpkin Butter Cakes

If you love pumpkin, you will LOVE these!

Made by...

Miss Paula Deen

Get the recipe here!

Well, here I go!

I hope you have a great day!

I will be back later for What I'm Loving Wednesday and Day 3 of the Christmas Blogging Challenge!

Tasha

12 Days of Christmas...Day 2

Happy Tuesday Ya'll!

Only 2 more days till Turkey day....I am so excited! I will be cooking all day and cannot wait. I am making my grocery list now! I am not very excited about battling the crowds at the grocery store, though. I am, also, going to the doctor today to see if they are going to take my tonsils out :(.....I'm hoping they say NO!!!!

Day 2: Black Friday/ General Shopping Tips and Trips

Ha! Day 2 is cracking me up because I am the absolute worst person in the world to take shopping advice from! 

Don't get me wrong, I love to shop and I can keep up with the best of them!

I am going to make a list of all the things I do wrong and please don't follow in my footsteps ;)

1. I am not a bargain shopper. I hardly ever go by a sales rack. 

2. The reason I am not a bargain shopper is because I have normally already bought whatever it is before it has had time to go on sale. 

3. I do not come prepared with water or snacks....I buy everything as I go.

4. I do not make out a map or list of what I need. I just browse and when I see something I like I get it.

5. I, also, have a very bad habit of buying everything i see!!!

6. I love shopping online.

7. I buy ALL of my shoes from Zappos.com (there is one good tip for you!) No sales tax, no shipping and 365 day return policy!!!

I told you! I am a horrible shopper! It works for me but I know that many of you would probably like to smack me! I will definitely be looking at ALL of the shopping tips that you all share and hopefully, I will develop some healthy habits!!!

I know that I am no help on this topic and I am sorry!

I will be back later for Two on Tuesday and my Thanksgiving recipes!!!

Have a GREAT day!!!!

Tasha

12 Day's of Christmas....Day 1

Hey Ya'll!

I'm sorry, I am becoming a horrible blogger! I have been very busy and I have missed my little blog so much!

I am very excited that today is Day 1 of the 12 Days of Christmas Blogging Challenge. Go on over to Aly's blog and link up!

Day 1: Christmas Traditions

I am a big fan of family traditions and I can't wait to start my own family traditions, one day!
Here are a few of our family traditions...

1. My momma and I always decorate the Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving.   It is a definite must that we watch a Christmas movie while decorating the tree. A few I love are The Elf, The Grinch,  A Christmas Story, Santa Claus movies, Deck the Halls...I like them all! My mom and I put the ornaments on together but I always do the tree topper. I use several different things to stick up from the top of the tree and I am very picky about it, so my mom leaves this job to me. We finish up the inside decorations and then put candles in the windows and hang a wreath outside. We do not do a lot of decorations outside because we live in the woods (so we are the only ones who see them). I also decorate the mailbox because it can be seen from the road.

This is an older picture of our tree. I add a lot more to the top now and on the sides.

2. We always go to my brother's house and decorate the tree. The kids like for everyone to help so we all help decorate the tree and put up the outside decorations.

Ha! This is me and as you can tell by my face, I am very excited to be hanging lights on that tree!

3. We do Christmas with the kids before Christmas Eve because my dad hires a "real" Santa to deliver the kid's presents. We have dinner (always chicken and dumplings) then Santa arrives, we all sit on his knee and tell him what we want for Christmas and then he hands out the presents. The kids love this and so do I because I am a kid at heart!

4. Sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas we always go over to the Speedway in Lights. Bristol Motor Speedway hosts the Speedway in Lights every year and it is beautiful. They put lights up around the entire grounds, the race track and the drag strip included. They charge admission and you drive your car around and look at the pretty lights. You can drive around the track and in the pits they have it set up like a small carnival. They have rides, funnel cakes, hot chocolate, Santa and activities for the kids!

This is a replica of a sign in downtown Bristol during the light tour.

The track all lit up! The leader board is decorated as a Christmas tree. 

Light tunnel under the grand stands!

If you are ever in town, you should definitely check out the lights. There are over 2 million lights. The Speedway in Lights normally gets around 200,000 visitors a year. It amazes me that people from California, Alaska and every other state come to see this every year!!!

5. On Christmas Eve, we always open presents at my grandmother's house. We sit around the Christmas tree, open gifts and socialize for a few hours. When we get home, my parents and I always open our gifts to each other and watch a Christmas movie.

6. On Christmas Day, my grandparents always have a huge fish fry. I do not like fish, so she makes me chicken casserole and dumplings. My family looks forward to the fish fry all year long!

What are your Christmas traditions???

Go link up...

I am, also, going to link up with Meet Me on Monday...

1.  How many pillows do you sleep with?

Well, I am counting them right now...7! I like a lot of pillows and blankets when I sleep!

2.  Where will you eat on Thanksgiving?

My family eats breakfast at my house and then we have dinner at my grandmother's.

3.  Would you rather go to a party or host a party?

I would rather host. I love to cook and decorate for parties.

4.  How many purses (for the guys..wallets) do you own?

Too many to count...I am a fan of Vera Bradley and Coach.

5.  What is your favorite kind of seafood?

I love shrimp....I could eat it everyday and I do when I am at the beach!


I am thinking about posting my Thanksgiving recipes....What do you all think?? I thought it would be great to share my recipes of what I am preparing and get new ideas from you. If you like this idea, let me know and I will post them tomorrow!

Tasha

Rainy Tuesday...

Good Evening Ya'll!

It is still raining here and I am pretty sure it is not going to stop anytime soon.

 Good thing I am inside until tomorrow morning. 

I have a few things to talk about this evening...

1. Christmas blogging challenge

2. I would like to thank.....I have a new award!

It is time for a new blog challenge, folks!
It's Christmas themed....YAY!
Aly & Molly are hosting the first annual "12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge." It starts on November 22, next Monday! Don't forget because I think this is going to be a lot of fun.
Here are the topics...


Day 1: Christmas/Holiday traditionsDay 2: Black Friday/General Shopping Tips & TricksDay 3: Most meaningful gift/best gift you've receivedDay 4: Tips/Tricks to a Budget Friendly holiday seasonDay 5: Favorite Holiday Movie/TV Show SpecialDay 6: Gift ideas (what do YOU want? We all have family/friends reading our blogs...so let them know!)Day 7: Holiday Craft/DIY (If you don't make anything, what do you WISH you could make?)Day 8: Least favorite thing about the HolidaysDay 9: Favorite Holiday recipeDay 10: Favorite Christmas Songs/CarolsDay 11: New Year ResolutionsDay 12: Show us your decorations (indoor/outside)Day 13: Favorite Cookie RecipeDay 14: Oprah's Favorite Things: What item(s) would you want if you were in the audience?
Oh, I can't wait!
moving on...
A special thanks to Kari and Elise for giving me another award!Go check out their blogs, they are awesome!

Here are the rules:

*to thank the person that gave you the award....check

*to tell you 7 facts about me :)...

*give the award to 7 wonderful bloggers that I just love

*leave a comment and tell the 7 bloggers that I am giving them an award

Here are 7 facts about me... they may be repeated from my last award because it took me forever to think of those! I am boring, what can I say?
{one}I am the world's greatest procrastinator!!! (example: I should be writing a paper right now...Boring...No Thanks!)
{two} I no longer have an appendix...three weeks and counting! 
{three} I have a special place in my heart for babies and can't wait to have my own.
{four}I am addicted to magazines. I can't help it, I obsessed! I cannot go to Walmart, Sam's Club or the grocery store without buying them.
{five}I have extremely scary curly hair! The kids have been known to call me Madusa! 
{six}Thanks to my scary curly hair, I have a very strict hair routine.- I only wash my hair every 3 to 4 days...sorry, this grosses some people out but that is just the way it is!-When I do wash my hair, I try to do it an night. If not it can be very large and very 80's (if ya know what I mean). I call it my "fro!"- Sometimes I go to bed with it wet (hence the Madusa name!), sometimes I dry it. I usually leave it in a towel for 30 minutes (apply like 50 different kinds of products!) then I use a very special hair dryer.- Next, I section it off and use either my Instyler or a large curling iron- Finally, I pray that it will look descent enough for me to step out of my door and face the day...oh, and that it doesn't rain since I just spent an hour making my hair straight!It's not easy being a girl, but someone has to do it!(I am laughing so hard at my self right now for sharing this...who cares about what I do to my hair??? I know, I'm sorry!)
{seven}I love my blog! I love all the blogs I read daily! I love all of my followers and sweet blogging friends! Thanks girls!
And the award goes to...Jenni at Story of My LifeMiss V at Short and SweetLindsi at The HancoksNicole at Living.Learning.LovingTy at Rants, Raves and RidiculousLeslie at Life In It's Ordinary FormCherish at Southern Soul MatesAmy at A Southern Love
I read all of these great blogs daily and you should too! Go check them out!
Well, that is all for me today. I am going to finish watching Glee (Gwyneth Paltrow is on!) and start my paper...Yay!

Tasha

 

List of Ten Tuesday!!!

Happy Tuesday Ya'll!

It is nasty outside today in Tennessee! (ha! I think this entire side of the country is experiencing rain today) I am sitting in class, bored to death so I decided to blog! I am linking up with Jenni at Story of My Life. She is the funniest girl and I look forward to reading her blog everyday. You should definitely go check her out, I promise you will love her!

List of Ten Things You Never Always Wished You Knew About Me

(but now you'll be SO glad to know them)

1) Why did you create your blog?

I created my blog so I could ramble on and on about the uninteresting things I do everyday...known as my life! No really, I started reading blogs several months ago and decided that I loved the blogging world. After reading the blogs, I just felt like starting a blog was something I had to do. I am so thankful that I did,  I have met the sweetest women and I am so thankful for each one of you! My blog allows me to write down my thoughts, experiences, ideas  and the randomness that I go through everyday. I hope that when I am 80 years old, sitting on the front porch, drinking sweet tea with my husband that I can look back on this blog and remember how wonderful this time in my life was. 

2) What kind of blogs do you follow?

All of them! I follow all different kinds of blogs....I'm not picky! I like reading life blogs, love blogs, family blogs, decorating blogs, crafting blogs, interior design blogs...told you, I love them all!

3) Favorite makeup brand?

I wear Bare Minerals makeup and I love it! I don't like a lot of make-up so this is perfect for me.

4) Favorite clothing brand?

Oh, this is a hard one! I love American Eagle, Gap, Anthroplogie, J. Crew, Ann Taylor Loft...

I really love jeans and a cute top...that is my go to outfit!

5) Your indispensable makeup product?

Well, I have two! 

My Lancome mascara, Hypnose

My Clinique lipstick in sugared maple.

6) Your favorite color?

I love anything with browns and blues. 

7) Your perfume?

 I wear Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue. I have worn this perfume for years and people still compliment me on it almost everyday.

8) Your favorite film?

I cannot choose just one....I love romantic comedies and chick flicks!


9) What country would you like to visit and why?
We have a European, Mediterranean cruise planned for 2012 and I cannot wait. We are going to Rome, Italy, Paris, Greece, Spain and somewhere else that I can't remember. 
We have been planning to go to Ireland, also. My neighbor came to America from Ireland several years ago to play soccer. He has been begging us to go back with them one year.


10) Write the last question and answer it yourself.
***What is your indispensable piece of clothing???*** 
(I am stealing Jenni's question because it was a good one!)
My answer is leggings, also. I absolutely love them. They are so comfortable. That is all I could wear after my surgery and I soon became obsessed.


Now you know a little more about me...probably more than you ever wanted to know!
Go over to Jenni's blog and join in on the fun!




Tasha

Better Late, Than Never!

I know, I know Monday is almost over! 

I had every intention of posting way earlier today but thanks to a sore throat and a flat tire, it didn't happen! Saturday was a bad day...I was leaving to go meet some friends for dinner when I noticed that my tire was flat then my throat started to hurt me during the night. I went to the doctor today because I was 100% sure that I had strep throat. Well, there is a reason why you don't see "Dr." in front of my name...because I was WRONG! The lady with the degree informed me that I have no infections or diseases (ha!) but that my tonsils look horrible!?!?! She is sending me to see the Ear, Nose and Throat specialist because I may need to have my tonsils removed....WHAT??? I just got over surgery for something that was in my body that I DON'T need, now there is something else! Question...why do we have all of these body parts that do not serve a purpose? If they must remove my tonsils, I am going to tell them to just get everything else I don't need while they are in there!!!

I'm sorry, I am done rambling...moving on now!

I am linking up with Never Growing Old for Meet Me on Monday!

{one}
  Do you eat Sushi?

Yes, I love sushi! My favorite is Shrimp Tempura Roll.


{two}
 What kind of bath soap do you use?

Bath and Body Works Eucalyptus Spearmint Body Wash

{three}
 How often do you talk to your Mom?
I still live at home so I talk to my Mom a thousand times a day!


{four}
  What TV shows do you watch on a regular basis?
The Young and the Restless, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, The Real Housewives of...Beverly Hills, Atlanta, New York, New Jersey, DC, Orange County (is that all of them?), Desperate Housewives, Brothers and Sisters, Cake Boss and anything on the Food Network

{five}
  Did you start Christmas shopping yet?
I haven't started shopping yet but I do have a few things in my head that I know I need to go get. I will start on Black Friday...maybe!

These link-ups are so much fun!
I will be back tomorrow to post about an award that a sweet blogging friend gave me! I'm excited, I love awards!

Tasha

Thanks, Shutterfly!

Happy Sunday Ya'll!

It's that time of year again, time to start picking out your Christmas cards! I don't have a family of my own to put on a Christmas card but I normally choose and fill out my parent's cards. My little momma is busy so I always like to help her out when I can! Well this year, Shutterfly is going to make my life a lot easier with their beautiful customized cards. I normally order customized cards from Sam's Club but I cannot believe the great selection from Shutterfly. They have so many options I can hardly narrow it down...here are a few that I love!

Family Wall Red

Peppermint Dots

Merry Memories Chartreuse

I love these cards because I can add several pictures from throughout the entire year. I also love that they all say, Merry Christmas!

Would you like to have some cute Christmas cards of your own? 

Shutterfly is offering an awesome promotion to bloggers,
50 FREE Christmas Cards!!!
Go to this link here! It is so easy!
I cannot wait to see the cards you pick out for your family!

Tasha