I Love This Man.

The past 3 days have shown me lots about Joe. All of it totally wonderful and all of it making me love him all the more.

I have learned that Joe:

1. Is a man that can hold a 3 month old baby in one arm, and eat apple pie with the other.
2. Is willing to work extra so we can do things that mean more to me than him.
3. Is someone who I can talk to about anything.
4. Is truly my best friend. And always will be.
5. Is a goofball who goes out of his way to make me laugh. Especially when he notices that I am not laughing enough.

Keep the good stuff coming Joe, it is so noticed and so appreciated.

Country Living. How I love you.

I'm totally in love with a home that feels like a home. Not a model home, but a home where you walk in the door the smell of freshly baked cookies is the first thing you notice. A home where nieces and nephews can flop on the couch with a good book, and just a little bit of nature brings the indoors in.

Obviously there is a pattern to the rooms that I like. Neutral colors, a little shine, farm animals and objects that stand out and show that the owner picked each one with love. I can't wait until my home is like these homes. I have been reading Country Living Magazine for about 6 months now, and between the wonderful rooms, fun articles and easy yet elegant recipes, I had to subscribe.

Here are some of my favorite rooms from Country Living

Lip Looks

I'm not much of a lipstick person. I love the idea of lipstick, but the reapplication usually just doesn't happen for me.

But. When Sis-in-law Terrific Tiffany (shout out!) sent over some lipsticks for my birthday, I HAD to try them. And you know what? I liked it. I felt sassy and cute. I also learned that I am (get this) too pale. How the heck is a half black girl too pale? I avoid the sun like the plague. So, either my reddish brown hair will need to be lightened up, or I am going to need to learn how to use self tanner. Because this is a little scary.

Here I am in all my sassy lipstick glory (and my MAC nude lip look for some contrast). Thanks Tiffany!

Thankful

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.

Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.

Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with the ones you love.

Image via Martha

Brown Sugar Pound Cake

I made this easy pound cake per Joe's request for our Thanksgiving at Kris and Josh's tomorrow. It came out sweet, soft and really, really yummy! Our house smells like fall now (caramelized sugar).

Source: Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook, page 64
You can buy it here!

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pans
3 Cups sifted flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 packed light brown sugar
5 large eggs
3/4 Cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 325. Butter two 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch loaf pans; set aside. In a medium bow, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In another large bowl, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes, scrapping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add eggs one at a time, beating until combined.

Add the reserved flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the buttermilk, and beginning and ending with the flour;beat until combined. Divide the batter between the prepared pans, and smooth with a spatula.

Bake, rotating pans halfway through, until cakes are golden brown and a tester inserted into the middle comes out clean, about 1 hour. Transfer pans to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Turn out cakes onto rack to cool cmpoletely. Cakes can be kept at room temperature, wrapped weel in plastic, for up to 3 days.

Blooms in the fall

Ladies and Gentlemen. May I have a moment of your time please? Something has happened that has never happened before.

Joe bought me flowers.

Joe and I had a little tiff yesterday afternoon. Long story short, I ran an errand to cool off for a minute, and when I came home, Joe was gone. I figured he wanted to get out of the house for a bit, so I went upstairs with the boys to watch some "I didn't know I was pregnant". Slim pickings, Sundays are. Anyways, Joe came home, opened the door with this adorable cautious "are you still mad?" face and walked into the room. He had his coat over 1 arm, and sat down on the ottoman next to me, and unveild these lovely flowers.

I cried. I think I will keep him. It's not always sunshine and rainbows here in Kirk-Moore Household, but we always make up and apologize. And don't hold grudges, which I think is so wonderful.

 

 

P.S. Thank you for installing my light Bear!

I can tell. Can you?

My face is starting to look thinner! What do you think?

 

Bear and Bus

Christmas Time.

For the first year there will be an actual Christmas tree and gifts in our household. (props to Amber for finding a 6' tree for $15!) Past two years we haven't done anything due to financial investments at the time. So since we are both blessed with good jobs and alot of overtime we decided that we can do a real nice one this year. It never really bothered me before as I've gotten so used to working on and around holidays and started just falling into "it's just another day attitude". But as we walked around the stores, it just hit me and I was really wanting to celebrate it this year. The little white tree is what we used last year and yes, that is a santa clause mitten on the top because we couldn't decide on what we wanted to go there. I wanted more chaser lights, but Amber says there's enough on there. I have 2 strands of colored,2 whites and only 1 strand of chaser so it doesn't feel right.

Too fast and too furious

Tortilla time. I don't think Bus even knew what happened judging by the look on his face.

Monday Poll: Nov 2

1. Mood:
A little bummed. I don't want to explain.

2. Are you a good cook?
I'm getting there. See previous posts : )

3. Are you a spender or a saver?
I'm a spender wanting to be a saver

4. Black lipstick?
Nah, not for me. A little too goth

5. Eyes/lips/cheeks:
Chapstick and mascara

6. Last movie you loved?
Twilight. Sigh

7. Spiders?
No thank you! Especially out here, they jump!

8. What’s the weather like out your way?
Cold. And I love it. Sweater weather!!!!

9. Outfit:
My pjs. Sweats and and t-shirt.

10. Weekly goals
Stick to the diet, fix my eyebrows and go through my makeup to give away to my sister.

All is fair at the Fair

Joe and I went to the Coastal Carolina Fair yesterday. We had tons of fun checking out the deep fried foods and the farm animals. We went on the paddle boats and got annoyed with kids with horns.



Deep Fried Snickers Bar