Picture-Packed Weekend

This weekend was a full one! It started off with the Tattoo event at the local Air Force Base. It was a fun night- we went with 3 other couples & enjoyed some sun (oh, btw- this is what my hair looks like straight..),
Parachute - jumpers while the national anthem was played(that flag was attached to his foot),


Fly-overs by some really neat military planes, a concert by country artist Aaron Tippin,


And a fireworks show.


It was a great time. The concert really wasn't impressive.. but then again, I'm not a big country music fan, so that might be why. It was really neat getting to see local military heroes honored on stage and new recruits sworn in. The radio said there were around 85,000 people there. It took us an hour just to get off base when it was over with. Craziness!

Anyway, Saturday night we had two couples over to our house for a barbeque. I made an enormous amount of macaroni salad, and whipped out 10 hamburgers! Yay! :) I still can't get over the layer of fat that sticks to your hands when you're done. Ugh...

Sunday afternoon was a baby shower for a friend of ours. I make a diaper cake stuffed with all sorts of baby goodies:
My cousin-in-law, Ally did an awesome job with the decor:


And my adorable little nephew made an appearance! I'm sure you ladies won't mind a few pictures:
Then somehow, my shower attire turned into four-wheeling attire. Z's pretty excited about his new ride, so he decided I had to hop on.
Z's cousin & his wife went too:


I ended up taking off my dressy shirt & threw on my sister-in-laws old sneakers since we were 1/2 hr. away from home.. and of course... Z got me dirty! At least those weren't new pants!!


Z can't say I'm not a good sport! haha.. Anyway, we had a great weekend, and only have 5 more days until vacation! What did you all do this weekend??

Magic in the Meat

I'm learning..

For those of you who are newer readers, I was a vegetarian for 8 years, and up until I first visited Z's parents' house 1 1/2 yrs. ago, I'd never tasted red meat.. Let alone cook it.

So being married to a meat & potatoes midwestern man has been an adventure. His parents raise a cow for meat every year so they always have fresh beef. I've tried my hand at making several meat- related dishes since being married, but I'd never made hamgburgers before..

When my cousin was recently visiting I decided to try. She suggested I throw some spices in the hamburger mix, and it turned out to be a very husband-pleasing meal!

Note: Yes those are forks in the meat. You really think I'd stick my hands in that stuff? ha.. I'm NOT that good yet. ;) So anyway, maybe this is old to all of you, but I thought I'd share what Z calls "the key ingredients", since it is, after all, BBQ season. Chances are you have way better tricks up your sleaves, but cut a veggie some slack! :)

It's as simple as: a couple pinches of basil, a good shake or three of pepper, and a healthy heap of McCormick's Grill Mates Montreal Steak seasoning. Then melt a delicious fresh sliced provolone cheese over the top & you'll have a man doing your dishes and mopping your floor in appreciation (k, maybe not.. but a girl can dream right?).

But, don't take it from the novice- what are your BBQ secrets? What makes your man do that growning "yum" sound? Any other veggies or former veggies who are still tryin to get a grip on this stuff?? Chime in!

My Back, My Feet, and.. Well, nevermind

Update on the back situation: I've been in a LOT of back pain lately, despite seeing the Chiropractor 2 weeks ago. Seriously, I'm too young to have back problems. But this is what I've gathered from talking with the Dr. so far:

• Rolling an SUV off the side of an embankment & flipping twice is not good for your back.
• Neither is taking a wipe-out on waterskiis and putting yourself in a back brace. Oops.
• Once your back is feeling better, it's not a good idea to carry 45+ lbs. on your back while hiking the smokey mountains. Oops again.
• My range of motion in turning my head is awful. So I need to get it fixed or I'll be one of those old people who can't turn their head to see what's beside them.
• I have a low skull. (Z thinks that's funny for some reason) He can't get to my top vertebrae to adjust it. Surprisingly, I don't have a short neck (go ahead.. look at past posts and check ;) ).
• The Dr. told me the last time he adjusted me could have just made it worse. Wonderful.
• It's a bad sign that I have to crack my back hourly just to relieve pressure.
  

So.. I have another appointment tomorrow. Please, Lord, I'd like to feel young again! :) Anyone else have back problems? Any suggestions?


On another note, the running has been going well. It's blistering hot & humid, so I've been waiting til right before dusk to go. But I'm having the same problem I did in HS cross country- my feet are starting to blister. I'm looking at buying new running shoes. Any suggestions? Or other ways to keep your feet a little less painful?? Yesterday Z and I got up at 5:30 to Shred before work.. Oy! Jillian and I do NOT get along first thing in the morning!


I have an OBGYN appt. on Monday. SO not looking forward to it. That's all.

Cake-Poppy Goodness

Today D reminded me of these goodies by Bakerella. Is that woman not amazing? In case you haven't been introduced to her work yet, feast your eyes on these, her amazing cake pops:

Okay, you get the idea. But seriously, wow.. :) I was just thinking I needed an occasion to make them for.. but then I realized- she's got ideas for EVERY occasion. Long story short- I'm making some of these. For sure.

What a Weekend!

Z and I had a fun & productive weekend. Saturday we had the wedding I mentioned in the last post. Here are a few pictures:Goofing off..That would be my husband.. drinking the centerpiece.. gosh.It was kinda neat being able to join in on the married couples dance this time & not having to line up for the bouquet toss! So glad those days are over!

Sunday we were suupperr productive & got the entire house cleaned- floors scrubbed and all. Totally made my day seeing Z mopping. :)

Later on we went to his parents' house & hung out with his sister & her bf.

It was a little sad not being able to see my dad in person for Fathers' day, but I'm sure he was having a great time.. He and my mom were at a Red Sox game (so not fair..). My dad is like my hero. He's been the ultimate example of what a Godly husband, father, and man should be. In a way, he's the reason I married Z- Z's SO much like him! And since my dad reads my blog, I love you, Daddy!! :)
Hope you all had a wonderful Fathers' Day & weekend!!

PS- Today's the last day to enter the Project Pretty giveaway! Don't miss out!!

Gift Wrapping a la Natural!

Tomorrow Z and I are off to a wedding for some friends of ours. I hate just giving "typical" gifts, so here's what I put together this time around:

• A warm fuzzy bedding blanket from their registry
  
• His & Her books, that we just know they'll love (add will definitely enrich their marriage!)
• Some Godiva Hot Cocoa
• A basket that's similar to one on their registry (the store was fresh out of the exact one they wanted)

To tie it all together I placed everything in the basket, surrounded by some recycled brown paper gift filler. Then I even tried my hand at making them a card, and attached it to the handle with some grossgrain ribbon.
Hope they like it! It's going to be a beautiful day for a wedding. Have a wonderful weekend!

An Embellished Giveaway

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