Nouns, and Adjectives, and Verbs...Oh My!

Have you ever played that game "One of these things is not like the other."? Just look at the above picture of one of my sweet third grader's work. Do you see the object that just doesn't seem to belong? If you haven't found it yet, it's the pad underneath the candle! I was teaching my students about nouns, verbs, and adjectives, and their assignment was to find examples of these in magazines and glue them onto the appropriate column on their construction paper. You can imagine my shock, especially when the librarian told me she went through all the magazines and took out all the pictures of people drinking and scantily clad women. You missed one Mrs. Haynie! What is even more funny about this project is that a boy actually completed this. When asked what it was he simply stated "It's a thing for a lady. I forgot what it's called, but I know ladies use it.". Bless his precious heart! He made my week!

Adventures in Cooking

I have learned that watching Paula Deen and Rachel Ray does not a cook make. Many valuable cooking lessons have been learned during our first year of marriage. One being that when you are using dry herbs, you don't have to use near as much as the fresh. That would have been nice to know when he recipe called for 3/4 of a cup of fresh basil and I used dry. Needless to say,we had basil pasta on that particular night. And poor Tucker was a sweet as could be, complimenting my efforts when we both knew it tasted horrible.

I have gotten much better though! This past week I made stuffed shells for our sweet friends Reese and Jenifer. Unfortunately, only Reese could make it, and we missed Jenifer greatly!

Preparation

The sauce simmering! Yum!

Tucker and Reese enjoying their meal.

Stuffed Shells-Recipe from "Cook Yourself Thin"

I also must say special thanks you to several people who have helped me along the way. Thank you Emily for my garlic press and always answering the phone when I have a cooking emergency. Thanks to Kate and Aunt Kathie for the marjoram. It's by far my favorite herb.

Happy Cooking! 

Just Another Bump in the Road

Today my grandfather turned 77! He looks and feels great. I'm so very fortunate to have the wonderful relationship that I have with him. We talk nearly everyday, and I consider him one of my best friends. I love to listen to him tell stories about growing up on a farm in Mississippi. He was born in the midst of the Great Depression and his family was poor as was the case of many others. I also cherish the stories  he tells me about my dad. My dad died when I was 5 so I take to heart the many stories about him. It makes me feel like I knew him even though I really only have a few memories.

My grandfather and I have a very special bond, and I cherish him dearly. One of my favorite things about him are the sayings he comes up with. For example, "He felt like a limp dish rag.", "The squeaky wheel gets the grease.", and my personal favorite "It's just another bump in the road.". Some people would say I tend to over dramatize certain situations, and maybe my grandpa knows this, because he always seems to know just what to say to calm me down. When something unexpected happens and I get all in a rigor, he calmly says "It's just another bump in the road. This too shall pass.". And slowly and surely, I'm learning he's right.

I love you, Grandpa! Have a wonderful birthday!

Amanda

All I Do Is Win!!!

After visiting Sedona, we headed back to Phoenix. There we had authentic Mexican cuisine. Laredo's has nothing on the restaurant we visited. We then settled in for the night. We knew we had a long day coming up. The next morning we prepared to tailgate Auburn style. We went to the grocery store to pick up some pollo frito (fried chicken) and some potato salad. I for one was very impressed to find such things in Arizona. I was even more impressed when it actually tasted good.

Phyllis enjoying her pollo frito!

The men anxiously awaiting the game!

After lunch, we headed off to what we thought was going to be Tiger walk. Unfortunately, there wasn't one, but we did have a great time smushed up next to thousands of other Auburn fans. I hope you caught the

sarcasm in that last statement. 

Our family photo in the mob!

Getting into the stadium was a bit of a hassle. There were only three entrances for 78,000 people to enter. To say the least, it was a tad bit crowded. But it was well worth the wait! We had the once in a lifetime opportunity to see our team win the national championship! Of course, we hope to go next year, but you never know!

Inside the University of Phoenix Stadium

Tucker and I before the game.

The final score!

National Champions 2010

War  Eagle! 

Sedona, Arizona

While we were in Arizona, we got to visit Sedona. It was beautiful, and that doesn't even begin to describe it. God's creation is truly awe inspiring. In every direction as far as the eye could see, there were picturesque views of red orange plateaus. After seeing this, I can only imagine the beauty of the Grand Canyon.

Scuba Tuck

This is my adorable husband in his scuba gear! He is so handsome even in a wet suit, flippers, and mask! He is also enduring embarrassment so that I can post pictures of him in all his scuba glory!

I wish I knew how to rotate pictures!

Practicing Swimming

Happy Monday!
Amanda

A Rockin' New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve 2010 was a blast! We got to hang out many friends. What we thought would be a boring night turned out to be super exciting!We ended up going to the Skybar. I have not been to the Skybar since I was in college. Honestly, going in there makes me feel very old. I know I'm only 25, but things seemed to have changed so quickly. These days girls are wearing cocktail dresses to the bar. When I was going, you could wear jeans and a cute top and be dressed up. Anyway, I was so glad we went because I got to have my picture taken with some of Auburn's finest. Take a look!

Micheal Dyer and I

Eric Smith and I

My favorite! Mario Fannin and I

I have to say a special thank you to our friend Gardner and my sweet husband for asking these guys if I could have my picture taken with them. They were all so nice to oblige us! I'm so very thrilled that I got to meet these guys and get my picture taken with them. I'm even more excited that a week from today I'll be in Glendale, Arizona preparing to cheer for my Auburn Tigers!

War Eagle!