Quality Time with Georgians

It's 9 am and they just left...we're sad!  Half of Thursday and Friday were spent with two of our friends, Ross and Kasey.  These two came down from Georgia to hang out with us for a few days and we're sure glad they did :)

Thursday came and we did a little shopping and went to ELMO'S for dinner.  We then played cards and hung out.  Friday was a gorgeous day as we headed up to Boone.  Following a picnic lunch and a five mile hike, we went to Macado's for dinner and drove around campus a bit.  Needless to say, it was a great time of fellowship!

The boys said yes to some gelato.

Amazing color.  Only just the beginning.

It was a great time.  Thanks for coming guys...we'll see you in a few weeks :)

Now we're off to the Atlantic Ocean for the Palmer family vacation.  Be back next Sunday!

Potato Soup...Count me in!

Soup for lunch, soup for dinner was my husband's request the other day upon his stuffy, head cold sickness.

(image courtesy of:  http://kitchenscoop.com/recipes/baked-potato-soup/)

So, for lunch I warmed up Elton's yummy veggie soup.  Then I set out looking for a great potato soup recipe...you know, along the lines of O'Charley's wonderful loaded potato soup.

Enter Pat's Cream of Potato Soup recipe.  YUM!  I did alter it a bit, and here's what I did...

First, you'll need:

bacon bits (or chopped up slices of bacon)
1 onion, chopped
6 cups chicken broth
3 sliced or chunked potatoes
1/2 cup instant mashed potato flakes
1 cup half and half

Then, you can:

1)  Brown your onion and bacon bits on medium heat.
2)  Start your chicken broth in a large pot.  Bring to a boil.
3)  Add onion, bacon, potatoes, and instant mashed potato flakes to the boiling broth.
4)  Bring heat down to a simmer and keep it on for 30 minutes.
5)  Pour in half and half.  Stir and serve!

**you also could top it with cheese, or put it in a bread bowl.

We were both fans.  So, Pat, whoever you are, if you are reading this...THANK YOU for the start to a great potato soup :)

Snapshots of 'da Hood

I was looking at a photographer's blog the other day and was inspired by their motto, of sorts.  This photographer is really good at looking for the great in the ordinary.

Jas and I often walk around 'da hood.  I don't normally bring my camera, but this night I did.

So, let's just say, this was my personal attempt at finding great (or at least good?) in simple surroundings.

(I actually can't take credit for the photo above.  That's my awesome hubby's doing!)

A cactus fruit.  As always, I'm diggin' the color.

Two of my favorites.

Are they as creative as I would have liked?  Nah.  But I am going to be more in tune to finding the great in my simple :)

Retreat-ed

This past weekend we retreat-ed with the RBC youth! We headed up to good ole Boone, NC (where Jas and I both went to college) and spent some time in cabins hanging out with youth guys and girls.  There was studying of God's Word, good eating, skeet shooting, wood-chopping, cooking, and shopping involved.

I somehow managed not to take too many photos this trip.  However here are a few I captured :)

It was a good, good trip.  And the mountains, ohhhh the mountains!  Joy!

Feelin' (a 'lil) Fallish...

This post would probably be more applicable if it weren't 80-90 degrees outside! Ay yi yi, please bring on the cool weather!

I digress....

I was feeling a little fallish yesterday as I was making cookies for the upcoming youth retreat to the mountains!  You see, I LOVE fall!  It's my favorite season (with summer in a close second).

In case you're wondering why I am such a fan of fall, here ya go, a list...
cool weather (not hot, not cold, just COOL!)
scarves (they're fun :)
pumpkin spice lattes
pumpkin spice chai tea
anything pumpkin spice!
pumpkins and pies
fall colors (need I say more!?)
warm drinks to be felt in my hands
sweaters and comfy clothes
Thanksgiving (and the foods that come with it)
great smells (food, outdoors, candles, etc...)
deer hunting (for my other half, of course, he wanted to make sure it was on the list)

And while that list is not exhaustive, it certainly names some of my favorite fall aspects.

If only it would get cooler.  Come on now, I can't enjoy a pumpkin spice chai tea in 90 degree weather!!!  Maybe it will feel more fallish in the mountains this weekend...

Much to look forward to as fall (hopefully) sets in :)