We had a great Easter! It was a chance to spend time with my beloved family and look forward to the coming Spring. The weather wasn’t the best, but at least it wasn’t as cold as it has been. We went to our church, to the river for lunch with my family, and then to church and to eat with my parents. I shared some of these photos on Instagram already, but I still wanted to record the day here. Here’s Easter 2013 in photos:
1. I made these chocolate chocolate chip cookies from Southern Plate Monday night. I had forgotten how much we like these! If you’re looking for a quick recipe for Easter you might want to give this recipe a try.
2. Last Saturday, M and I helped at an Easter party for the kids from church. The ladies who organized this did such a good job. Everything was so cute, and the kids there seemed to have a blast. I just showed up to help with the crafts on the day of the party. Anyway, I’m just writing about this because I had to share this photo. The kids had a contest to dress up the dads as Easter bunnies. They needed an extra guy and got M to be a bunny. It pretty much made my weekend. So funny! Rebecca and Elise did a great job making M over. Rebecca particularly made sure every inch of his face was covered with paint. Please don’t be mad if you read this, M. I love how sweet and helpful you are! Plus, everyone has already seen this on FB anyway 
3. I found this set of 3 notebooks at Target yesterday. Target never lets me down!
How has your week been going?
Christmas seems to always come and go so quickly nowadays. As a child it seemed like the day would never come, and even after it was over, you still had a couple weeks off of school to enjoy. I’m back to the real world now, but at least I have some fond memories of Christmas 2012 to think back on.
We had a very blessed and wonderful holiday!
Friday night we celebrated with my dad’s side of the family. Laura hosted us in their beautiful new house! We all brought snacks and finger foods instead of a traditional meal, and I loved it. It was wonderful to see and spend time with everyone. We played a game of Quelf, too, which is so funny. This is Laura, my cousin Rachel, Laura’s dog Betty Jo, and myself. Love them!
Saturday I did some decluttering and rearranging of our kitchen cabinets. I also baked a lot. That night M and I watched White Christmas – my favorite Christmas movie ever!
Every year my mom’s side of the family spends Christmas Eve at Papa, Ree, and Nickie’s house at the river. I love my large and sometimes chaotic family!
We had a ton of food. This was just the dessert and snack table.
After we left there on Christmas Eve night we went back to mom and day’s for Christmas with my immediate family. This book was Daddy’s when he was a little boy. He reads it every Christmas Eve to me and Laura. It’s my favorite Christmas tradition!
Mom, Laura, and I wore matching pj pants!
Christmas Eve with my family is always so special.
On Christmas Day we normally go up to visit M’s grandparents. Sadly, they weren’t feeling well this year so we didn’t get to go. I know M was so disappointed. We missed being with them. Instead we had a low key day. We exchanged gifts with each other. M got me my dream cookware set!
It’s so pretty! I’m just so scared I won’t be able to do it justice. I have to brag on M for picking this out for me by himself. He told me about it before Christmas, but before he told me I had no idea!
We went to Waffle House for lunch. It was strange, but anywhere I’m with M makes for a good holiday lunch in my book! We went back to the river after eating and hung out there the rest of the day. We played Dominoes, snacked on leftovers, and enjoyed being with family.
M even got some Polly Pocket time in with Aubree. Ha!
It was such a good Christmas! I’m blessed with the best family a girl could ask for. How was your Christmas?
It took me longer than normal to pull all our decorations together this year. Since we were gone on our trip, we waited until we got home to put up the tree. This year, we got our first real tree together, and I love it! We went to a local cut it yourself farm and had a fun afternoon together decorating our tree.
Every Christmas, I’ve tweaked our mantle a little. This is the happiest I’ve ever been with it!
We don’t really decorate much outside. I would love to, but we just haven’t had the energy to devote to it yet. I just put a simple store bought wreath out, and I kinda love it.
A keeping it real moment… I did put out a table runner and a few small decorations on our dining room table. I haven’t taken a photo because it’s been covered up with bills and mail and catalogs ever since.
I’m linking up to Kelly’s Korner today. I can’t wait to browse everyone’s decorations!
I have a lot to be thankful for. Today, especially, is a time to reflect on all these blessings. While I’m overindulging on scrumptious food, laughing with loved ones, and holding M’s hand while we drive to various meals, I’ll be thinking about all the lovely little blessings in my life.
I’m also thankful for all the readers of this little blog. Your kind words and encouragement makes this experience a great one for me. Thank you!
I hope you and your loved ones have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Love You Muches,
Beth <3
Gifts are one of my love languages. They came in second only to “words of affirmation” when I took that assessment . I think they came in second because I just love to pick out gifts for the people I love. It sounds corny, but that’s one of my favorite parts of this time of year. I feel so happy when I find something that I think is just perfect. Shopping for gifts becomes somewhat of an exciting special mission for me. I try to pick out gifts that are really personalized to the recipient, but I do have some favorite standbys.
Today, I’m linking up with Leslie at Lambert’s Lately to share some of my favorite things to give. Some of these are things I’ve given in the past and others are ideas I had while writing this post.
1. Journals
I could write posts and posts on this subject. Chances are I’ve probably given you a journal or notebook at some point if you know me well in real life. My favorites lately are this leather one I found at Barnes and Noble and also the Martha Stewart for Staples ones.
2. Tyler Candles
I love the Tyler scent!
3. K-Cups
We love our Keurig, but k-cups can get expensive. Especially when I take coffee to work with me every morning in the winter. I thought this might be a good gift for coffee lovers coupled with coffee mugs.
4. Books
I’m that un-fun person who likes to give picture books and easy to read chapter books to my cousins’ kids. M is much more fun and picks out cool toys to give instead, but there’s something about books.
5. Scarves, costume jewelry, and small decorative items from local gift shops. I love just browsing around some of my favorite local stores because I never know what I will find.
6. Food wrapped in pretty packages.
Cookies, cheese straws, fudge, peppermint bark… Anything yummy!
7. Christmas ornaments
When we go out of town, I love to look for a new ornament for our tree and one to give to my mom. This is sort of a tradition in our family. My mom has already given me a Hallmark ornament this year that’s so cute. I can’t wait to hang it on our tree & take a photo.
What are your go to gift ideas?
Dear November,
I love you, but I’m not ready for you just yet. Can you come back in a few weeks? I wanted to cry when I flipped my monthly planner page to you this morning. You reminded me what a busy month you are. Then I started seeing people welcome your arrival with pure joy of the kind I just can’t fake right now. They were saying things like “3 weeks till Thanksgiving” and “just 50 something days until Christmas” and “time to decorate”. I panicked. “Not yet”, I silently pleaded with you, but you didn’t answer.
You see, I wrote this post in October full of rosy plans and dreams for my favorite month of the year. I failed at some and succeeded at others, but I just ran out of time. Then you came and took away October when I wasn’t prepared. I didn’t even get to say goodbye.
It’s not like I don’t love the Holidays.
See, here I am last year with M. We love Christmas! But I’m just not ready. There’s too much to do. I need a few weeks to prepare. To make things. To save money for gifts and such. To finish October. To catch up on sleep. Then we can get back to celebrating you, dear November.
I hope you understand.
Sincerely,
Beth
It’s been pretty eventful around here lately. With work and life and family stuff, I feel like I haven’t had a chance to sit down and write a long post in a while. Love You Muches has become like a scrapbook or journal of my life, so I thought I would write a summary post so I will be sure to remember all these happy moments!
Happenings
1. Our anniversary
Michael and I went to eat at Cracker Barrel for our anniversary. We kept it low key this year because we are trying to save money, but we had a nice night out. He was so sweet and thoughtful in his gift buying. The 2nd anniversary gifts are cotton and china. He bought me a gorgeous china fruit bowl and a Vera Bradley tote bag. I thought it was so sweet!
2. Dad’s birthday
The other important man in my life had a birthday last week. I look up to and respect my dad so much. I couldn’t ask for a better dad. Happy birthday Daddy!
3. Alabama game
Our friends Kevin and Jackie asked us to come to the Alabama football game with them on Saturday. Our seats were in the North Zone, which we have never sat in before. It was incredibly nice! The Zone is an inside area with tables and tons of food. We hung out inside before the game started and ate and talked and watched other games on tv. Everyone also has a seat outside in the stadium to watch the game. The food was amazing, and the seats were great.
It’s always fun to get to watch the Tide play at Bryant Denny stadium!
Even better than all that, we got to spend the day with great friends. Roll tide to that Thanks, Kevin and Jackie. We had such a great time with y’all!
What’s not to love about grilling out, homemade ice cream, the river, family, fireworks, and celebrating America?
We had a great 4th of July this year. On Wednesday afternoon we all gathered at the river to eat together. The kids in the family put on a program and parade for us! It was a fancy production with programs and everything. They lead the pledge of allegiance, waved handmade flags, and sang the national anthem. It was adorable! They drew names from a hat for prizes. I won this signed piece of original artwork from Alaina
Since the holiday fell on a church night and some of my cousins had to work, we postponed the fireworks until Saturday night. The fireworks get more elaborate every year! The guys really put on a great show for us.
It was a great holiday!
Happy Independence Day!
Love you Muches,
Beth, M, Bailey, and Charlie
