That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown

I love this time of year! Really, who doesn't? You'd have to be a serious kind of "Scrooge" to not get a little warm in the heart when you see pretty lights while driving at night or hear a well-known Christmas song on the radio. Even if the Christmas season doesn't do much for you, you can't help but ignore the buzz that seems to be everywhere because of it. I was actually reading someone else's blog (like most of you because you certainly haven't been reading ours...because we don't post) and I happened upon this clip and remembered how much I loved it and that he quotes one of the best stories/verses in the Bible. It's also one more thing that helps me remember the true meaning for the "buzz" that is everywhere these days. I love gifts as much as the next girl, but more than that I truly love what the real reason for the season is and that's that a sweet baby boy was born a long time ago fulfilling one of God's many promises! Just a reminder to myself that I am blessed because of His love and grace.

I pray that you and yours may feel the buzz that is the reason for the season!

Welcome Back

I am sorry for the lack of updates on the old blog here. You would think for someone who is home all day, I would have time to update. Truth be told, I have had the time, I just haven't made it to the blog yet. Facebook and Twitter can be so addictive! But, today is a special occasion....we have a tree limb in our yard!

And its not just any tree limb, its big!


No, not that one, the one in the back....here it is.








When I first saw this this morning, I thought the back of the barn would be smashed up.
But the limb it being held up by a small dog pen and a clothesline pole. Of all the places for the limb to land, it picked a good one.

In other news, I am writing this post on our new Macbook! Yes, we took the plunge, and I am extremely happy with it so far. After the rebates and stuff, we got an amazing deal on a new laptop and a wireless printer.

I am also EXTREMELY excited for this movie to come out.

This is what I have to look forward to all day

There are also men shouting measurements in Spanish, but that part is somewhat amusing. I think they are drilling into the Outer core of the Earth. If a volcano erupts in Franklin, TN today, we can blame these guys.

The homestead

Ok, here they are. Some of these are not the best pictures, I had to take some last night with the old camera.

Living room:





Guest Bedroom:



Master:





Bathroom (you don't have to say anything, we know. It's bad)



Kitchen (and a dog sticking her tongue out at the camera)



Dining room



Dining room from the Kitchen



Laundry room/pantry



The back patio and fire pit are probably my favorite part of the house. Not included, but I can add them at another time.

Have a safe but fun 4th. Try to have as much fun as Maybel does chewing on sticks in the back yard.





chewing some bark....

Foxes

Saw 2 crazy foxes this morning coming back from our walk.


I tried to get a better picture, but they were too.....fleet.

Enjoy

Things of late

Hello there. I know, its been a while. We have so many things to catch-up on.
Here's the highlights:

Pandora - This is a link to my Kings of Leon station, and it will kick you in the face with new and great music, and you will come back for more. I know, Pandora has been out forever, bu I have just now gotten into it because of Katie and I's ....

iPod Touch - We got these as anniversary gifts for each other. Its safe to say that we spend way too much time on them, but they are incredible.
My favorite app? Other than Pandora, probably Nike+. It's making me run. Yes, that is John Basedow.

The Hives - a product of Pandora. been listening to them non-stop for a few days. I can't explain why I like them, but Tick Tick Boom is a great Powersong, if you're a nike+ user.

The house - Yes, we have pictures. We will post them soon, maybe tomorrow. Back to back posts? You better believe it.

And to close, "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a Hamburger today." Name that cartoon character in the comments for a prize.

63,072,000 seconds

At roughly 6:20 p.m. tonight, Katie and I will celebrate 2 years of wedded bliss.

I don't remember every detail of the past 63 million seconds, but I do know that they have been made better by having her to spend them with.

Now the question remains...What is an appropriate gift for the "Cotton anniversary"?
Cash....sheets....a t-shirt....socks? None of those scream romance.

I can't say it any better than this, so thank you to Elizabeth Barrett Browning:

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Honey, I love you. Here's to another 2 trillion seconds! (or 60 years)

Happy Birthday Katie!

Today, my lovely wife turns 27 years old! With our readers help, let's have at least 27 comments about why we love Katie! Happy Birthday babe!


(We both wish we were back there on your birthday...ah Mexico!)

A Tradition Unlike Any Other

The weekend is upon us. Not just any weekend, I'm talking about Saturday and Sunday at the Masters. This is my favorite major, and its all the more special that it is the first one every year.

I was lucky enough to go to a practice round in 2007, and it was everything I had expected, and then some. The history, the course, the pro's, and surprisingly enough, the food.

All the food prices are surprisingly low. Apparently they haven't changed in years. Another little tidbit is that the wrappers for most all the food is green. Seems normal. But the reason they are green is that if they don't make it into the trash cans, they will blend into the turf while the cameras are rolling.


This is where I fell in love with pimento cheese sandwiches. My parents ate them a lot when I was growing up, and they always just looked horrible. But, I had never tried them until I went to Augusta.

When Katie and I were going through some cookbooks we got for our wedding, we found a recipe for Pimento Cheese spread, and we had to make it. Here's the recipe:
- 8 ounces each of extra sharp white cheddar and extra sharp yellow cheddar cheese (finely grated)
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise (NOT MIRACLE WHIP)
- 1 4 oz. jar of pimentos (drained and finely chopped)
- 2 teaspoons yellow onion (finely grated)
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 3 tablespoons hot salsa
- 2 tablespoons fresh flat leaf parsley (finely chopped)
- 1/4 cup chopped pitted green olives (Optional, and we never include)

Stir all this together, and refrigerate, covered for 2 hours "to allow the flavors to develop."

Other than grating the cheese, this is an easy recipe. It makes a lot of spread, which is a good thing because its delicious. Now, armed with a P.C. sandwich or two and a glass of milk, lets watch some golf!

While the Kat's away

Katie is out of town for a few days in New York City (NEW YORK CITY!? Get a rope) With that Maybel, Blake and Maverick and I decided to go on a camping trip to the South Cumberland State Park. We were specifically headed to the Savage Gulf area, and had a 18 mile round trip hike planned. We got there late Friday (around 9:45) so we camped there by the car, and headed out Saturday morning around 9.


Having never been to this park, I must say it is amazing. Some of the views from the top of the trails are great. The route we chose was pretty strenuous, a lot of up and down and very little flat ground. Somewhere close to 800-900 feet in elevation change going down and coming back up.

The dogs were pretty good. I was a little nervous at first, since Maybel had run off on Thursday night for about 30 minutes. But having her off the leash was not a problem. They got in trail mode, and stayed on the path most of the day.

After hiking 5 miles, you would think Maybel wanted to rest. Think again....



We got to Collins East around 3:00, and Maybel and I were wiped out. Partly because we had slept about 4 hours the night before, and partly because of the crazy hard trail. She slept great last night.


Got up this morning, hit the trail by 8:00, and we were back in the car by 1:00. It was a great trip, but I will be paying for it for the next few days. I am going to be walking funny because of these sore calves! Maybel also has a few raw spots on her feet, so we both look pretty sad. Hopefully, we'll be back to normal by Tuesday night when Katie gets back.


I think she's tired...

There's more to post about (our new home for one) but that will come. Right now, I've got to catch up on Friday Night Lights!

New Camera

Katie and I picked up a new camera over Christmas. I thought about taking a picture of it, but I'm just not that fast. Of course, we've taken some shots of Crosby and Maybel, though none of them together. It's in the works though. What a cute little guy.







This camera has a setting where you can set it to pick up one shade and the rest will be black and white. I'd like to say I edited these in Photoshop, but it was all camera. As Sawyer Brown sang, "I got to give credit where credit is due...."

First day home for Crosby

We've been meaning to post a few things, but never got around to it....UNTIL NOW! This was our visit with Crosby the first day he came home from the hospital.





He was so happy to see us, he slept the entire time. Danielle will no doubt be putting up lots of pictures on their blog, you can see it here

And finally, can you find our dog?