Dawg Pile

Yesterday, the deal was sealed. After an over night rain delay, the Diamond Dawgs are going to Omaha. Beth and I both had the game going on our computers and after some mishaps in the top of the 9th I had to walk away. I threw my drink away and came back to my desk to this!!! 

It makes me smile every single time.

#HAILSTATE

(But, in real life, if I was on the bottom of the Dawg Pile I would just die..)

Time

Time. Time is such a tricky, little thang.

Day to day, I feel like time is moving so slowly, when in real life the days are flying by. It's already June, for goodness sake. I feel like Christmas was just yesterday.

We signed the papers to buy our little 2 acres of land 11 months ago, today. (which means my birthday is in exactly one month.. just a little warning for all of y'all) I feel like it was last week. The amount of discipline we've had and the progress we've made over this last year are astonishing to me. I never knew I had it in me. I guess that's what happens when you actually stick to your goals, huh?? I had no doubts that Kendol could do it, but me? I could never save a significant amount of money, especially an amount that would actually make a difference in what we were trying to accomplish. But boy was I wrong.

When we signed papers, we set ourselves the goal of saving a specific amount of money before we could start building. That way we could build the big, ole house we wanted without our monthly payments changing astronomical amounts. We figured we could do it in 2 years.

Now, we are 11 months in and are 3/4's of the way to our savings goal. That means things are starting to get real and we plan to put our house on the market in January. Decisions are actually about to start being made. Not that some haven't already.. I mean we already have house plans..  and I've already ordered and received our master bedroom comforter (yes, I'm that psycho).. and I may or may not have bought 4 pieces of furniture from a little store down the street that is going out of business. My friend Stephanie and I wiped out their display pieces in about 10 minutes.

While the days and months are flying by, I still feel like January is so far away. I get discouraged. I think it's never going to get here. I am an instant gratification type. So this whole patience thing is wearing on me. I'm anxious. Extremely anxious. And a little nervous. But so, so excited.

We will (hopefully) be putting our house on the market in less than 7 months. Which means we could possibly be in our new house by this time next year. That is crazy.

Our dream house... In the country... Where we will raise a family... It's getting real...

I hate to rush time bc I know the amount of growing up that I've done over the past year, but I'm ready. I'm ready for it to be "time."

P.S. Here are the bargain pieces I bought on Saturday. I have to make a little purchase every now and then so that my anxiousness doesn't get the best of me. Sad, I know.

Bench or Coffee Table

Summer project #1
Sand down
Re-stain

This piece is actually double sided.
I wish I could utilize that, but I don't know if that's possible.

Summer Project #2
The middle table
Sand and re stain the top
Paint the legs something fun!!

Hopefully these little projects will help pass a little time.

Deliciousness, Y'all

Ok, so my precious friend Jana just became a Pampered Chef consultant and had her first party last night. All of us girls got together, with Straw-ber-Ritas in hand, and watched Jana work her magic in the kitchen. We had so much fun and the recipe she made was too delicious not to share.

Stephanie, being the host, got to pick the recipe from the Pampered Chef website for Jana to cook. 

Let's just say she did a great job pickin'.
Delicious, Y'all.

Bacon and Artichoke Squares
8 Slices of Bacon
2 tsp Canola Oil
10 Slices of White Bread
4 Green Onions
1 Jar Marinated Artichokes, drain and pat dry
3/4 Cup Chive and Onion Cream Cheese Spread
2 Egg Whites
1 Tbsp Light Mayo
1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
4 Garlic Cloves
1 Package of Shredded Swiss
3/4 tsp Black Pepper
1/2 Cup Grape Tomatoes

1. Preheat oven to 450. Cook Bacon and crumble. Brush baking pan with oil.
2. Arrange bread to cover bottom of baking dish
3. Chop white bottoms off of the green onions and add to food processor along with artichokes. Chop.
4. Whisk cream cheese, egg whites, mayo, mustard and minced garlic in a bowl until smooth.
5. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of swiss cheese, pepper, green onion/artichoke mixture and cream cheese mixture. Spread evenly on top of bread.
6. Bake 14-16 minutes.
7. Chop remaining green tops of green onions and cut tomatoes in half.
8. Remove pan from oven. Top with remaining cheese, bacon, green onions and tomatoes. Slice into small squares.

Should make around 32 squares.

I love a good girls night, no matter what. But when delicious food is involved, I love it even more. And I got to order some new kitchen stuff, which is always a plus, since Kendol and I spend the majority of our time in our kitchen. Naturally, I ordered a new piece of their stoneware bc I literally use my pizza stone every single time I cook. And I got some new, much needed measuring cups and measuring spoons. So excited. #nerdalert Not familiar with Pampered Chef? Do yourself a favor and get you a piece of their stoneware.

Newest Obsession..

As I was getting ready for our trip to New Orleans last weekend, I took my car for an oil change and tire rotation. While I was waiting, I walked to the shopping center next door to check out a new boutique to pass the time. This is where I discovered the cutest little slight back revealing shirt. I consider myself pretty dang conservative, but it was perfect for New Orleans. I had to get it. 

Show my stomach? Never.. Show a little of the bottom of my back? Now, I can handle that. It is such a more classy way to show off a little skin. And now I am obsessed with the little gems. And Kendol loved it too! 

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