eager eyes.

I'm going to save you from yet another 2011 month-by-month recap in your google reader.

You're welcome.

However, I will say that unlike 85% of the American population, 2011 was pretty good to us.  We celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary, kept our jobs and both received raises, celebrated our 27th and 29th birthdays, built our first home, spent a small fortune on decorating said home and some other pretty great stuff.  There was some incredibly difficult moments too... but I've moved on from those, and with eager eyes I cannot wait to see what 2012 has in store for my family.  

I have plans.

The Husband has plans.

...and then there will be what actually happens while we are busy planning.

My only resolution goal for 2012 is to try my best to not miss those things.  I don't want to miss those little moments that are happening right in front of me, that I missed in the past, only because I was too busy making plans.  

It's been so long.

Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year my blogging has taken a big hit.  I just haven't been able to sit down and dedicate time to this little hobby of mine.  Several things have changed around our casa before we rang in 2012.  I planned on multiple small posts, but I just need to regurgitate all that has happened and start fresh in this new year.

A quick run-down of the changes:

• 8 of our window 'shams' had to be replaced (thank yooooou home warranty!).  When we would open our windows, they were pretty loose in the frame (at the top) so we had each of them custom measured and re-fit into the window frame.  They are much tighter and overall, we are very happy with the warranty work from our builder.  Don't forget, we also had the bathroom tub and tile re-done last month.  

• Hung art work in our extended entry way:

 Believe it or not, there is something at Anthropologie that sells for less than $100.  It is this colorful striped paper that I purchased (for $12!).   A girl can never have enough pretty paper, and I took that opportunity to prove to the Husband that I COULD go into that store and not come out in debt.

 Eventually, Aaron's Brothers had a big sale where I purchased three frames and mats, then got to hanging.  Note that is is all one (large) piece of paper.  I just turned the paper upside down on the far right, and turned it vertical in the center.  It's not a Monet - but it fills the space nicely.  

 Eventually, I hope to get a piece of furniture to place under this to hold shoes.  Right now, shoes just live on the floor - but I have my eye on this beauty:

It's tall, dark and oh so functional.  I foresee this to be a great landing place for my purse, keys, etc (oh, and shoes).  The Husband and I both hate shoes on in the house - and I hate clutter... so this is a great way to disguise my stinky Toms and the Husbands sweaty sneakers.  Also, the ceilings are 14 feet high in this entry way, so getting tall (and shallow) piece of furniture will work well.

• Hung all of our University of Texas "art" in the playroom:

These pictures are from official UT programs from the 1940s and 1950s.  They were all in a calendar we received as a gift (back in 2010).  The pictures were perforated and perfect for an 11"x14" frame.  Again, the Aaron's Brothers "buy one, get one for a penny" deal to the rescue!  We purchased the Texas star at a local grocery store, and the license plate art was a gift as well.  I'm still missing one frame on the left, as there was a screw issue.  It will be up soon.  I hope to eventually place a couch/furniture on this wall, so I purposely hung them high.  The playroom is still 100% empty - but we have big plans for it in 2012.

• Hung more shit in the extended entry way

Our entry long.  Very long.  See here:

See all that empty space between the front door and the arch?  I haven't even gotten there yet.  I'm still trying to fill up the space post-arch.  

I purchased these door hangers at Aaron's Brothers when I bought the frame.  

I adore that they are keys.  And it really goes perfectly with the Pottery Barn keys I hung in the entrance from the garage into this extended entry way (lots of entries happening there, huh?)

Ah.  Cohesiveness.  It's rare in this big, empty house.  But moments like this make me feel like it's possible.  

Please note the new paper art and the coat hangers on the right.  The wedding photo gallery that I hung almost immediately upon move in is on the left.  Oh, and all the shoes on the floor.  

The random picture on the floor is the UT poster that I still have yet to hang. 

Sadly, we are 6 months into living in this home... and I still think it feels very "new construction" and not home-y.  I know we will get there eventually but it is going to require more time, and a lot more furniture.   Hanging things on the walls certainly helps while we save up the cash for real pieces of furniture.  

Anyone have an idea for the wall at the end of our bowling ally entry way?  (in the photo above it's the wall with the thermostat).  It's the first wall you clearly see when you walk in and it needs SOMETHING.

The Holiday Spirit

...it's coming around.

The lights are up on the house, and they look... um, okay.  If you ask me in front of my husband I will tell you that they are the most amazing, perfectly hung, (ummm... that's.what.she.said) lights EVER.  A little ego brushing never hurt a marriage, mkay?  I'm just trying to ensure he'll do it again in another 360ish days.

Our Christmas cards are done.  We're not too religious in this house, but I'm never going to pass up an opportunity to whore my beagle out to family and friends.  They can judge up, down, and sideways, but I love it.  They will be mailed later this week.

Now, I will shamelessly whore out my beagle to complete strangers on the internet.  (These are the photos used on our cards):

(the caption for this one reads "Be Merry") bahahaha. 

Here are a few other photos I've taken over the last few days around the house and for Cooper's photo shoot:

Who knew hanging lights sucked this hard?

Growing up, my dad took care of the exterior of the home.  This included mowing, weeding, seeding, pool maintenance, and Christmas light hanging.  He made it look so easy.  Little clips onto your shingles  that hold the light and BAM, your house is lit up like a skyscraper in about an hour.  Easy.  

We started the process of hanging our lights last night.  Being the first year we're in a house, The Husband took measurements and we had everything all mapped out before we even went to the store.  We ran around town yesterday morning to get all of the finishing touches.  I was so excited to help The Husband with one of our first holiday traditions in our home.  Two hours, and a lot of cursing later... this is what we ended up with.

It's (maybe) halfway done.  I just couldn't stand it any more.  This was a solid 2.5 hours of work.

Our house is really freakin' tall and The Husband is incredibly scared of heights.  Getting each one of the lights up was like pulling teeth.  The clips didn't hold correctly, our singles are too thick, male vs. female ends, the ladder being extended, then shortened, then A-framed, then higher A-frame.... uuuuuuugh.  It sucked.  Hard.

We're going to make attempt number two tonight.  Hopefully we can just get this done.

The Husband has already mentioned hiring someone to take care of this next year.  We're just not cut out for this....

 You can see here that we didn't add correctly, and the lights don't go all the way to the edge of the angle.  

 I'm hoping this part will be easier as it's straight... and there are gutters.  

Oh, and just for fun... here's a symbolic photo of our night.  Two fallen lights.  That we just left because climbing the ladder one.more.time. to fix them might have send either one of us over the edge.  

Yay holidays. 

Stuffed.

The turkey and I have something in common.  We're stuffed.

As I write this blog post, The Husband and my Mother-in-law are doing the dishes and cleaning up the aftermath.  Life is good.

The food was a HUGE success.  I am certainly no Martha... but I put on a pretty dang good act today {if I do say so myself}.  Here is photographic evidence of the deliciousness.

The Turkey in all it's glory.  What a pretty birdie.  

The ingenious contraption The Husband made on "the fly" to keep the turkey nice and warm while it rested.  Yes, those are chip clips.  We improvised.  

Gravy.  (This was a last minute addition to the menu.  I used this recipe, but you need to make this turkey to make it happen)

This is the carrots, celery and onions that were in the bottom of the roasting pan for the turkey.  They were pretty ugly, but had a really nice flavor from all the basting.  

My oven was quite full all morning.  This photo was taken in the last 10 minutes of cooking.  I had slowly added meals in - and was so lucky that they all required the same temperature.  

Sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, walnuts and honey.  This was SO good!

Make Ahead Mashed potatoes.  Had a bit too much salt (for me), but that was my own fault.  The Husband loved them. 

Broccoli Cheese Casserole.  A tradition in my family and just as good every year.  

Yeast Rolls.  Light, flaky, and yummy. 

My plate, moments before I dug in.  

And for desert... Pumpkin Pie.

The aftermath in my kitchen.  I'm so "thankful" for people that volunteer to do the dishes after a big meal.  I'm so tired!

If you are curious about any of the recipe's I used today... see my last post for links.

All photos posted above are from my camera.

The Husband is now asking for me to get up and assist his attempt to climb on the roof to measure the length of lights we will need for decorations.  So much for a nap...  

Thanksgiving

Due to some unforeseen family drama (don't y'all just loooooove that?  Especially around the holidays.  (eye roll).  Due to this, The Husband and I are hosting our very first holiday, ever.  

My immediate family all live (in the same city) 4.5 hrs away, The Husband's family all lives about 3.5 hrs away, forcing us to pick between our families for each major holiday.  Several years ago we worked it out to do a Thanksgiving/Christmas swap.  If we traveled to his family for Thanksgiving one year, we went to mine for Christmas - and vise versa the next year.  Which our families we really happy about... but we pretty much hate (only because of the traveling).  We are never home and holidays are full of driving, sleeping on uncomfortable beds, worrying about Cooper touching anything at my mom's house, etc.  Many people suggested we do a "faux" Holiday the weekend before so the events could individually be shared with both families... but that would pretty much wipe out every free second in November/December - so we only celebrate on the actual day, with that family.  

With said drama going down, we offered The Husband's mom to come to our house the weekend before Thanksgiving and we would celebrate with her before we hauled ourselves to my house (which is tomorrow!).  I am going to be responsible for 99% of the cooking and preparing.

I just returned from the (madhouse) grocery store where I promptly spent and entire week's food budget on one meal.  Thanksgiving isn't cheap, y'all.

My Thanksgiving Menu is as follows:

Appetizers:  

Deviled Eggs

Raw Veggies

Assortments of dips for said raw veggies

Wine

Main Course:

Cider Glazed Turkey

(photo from Real Simple)

Recipe In Link

Broccoli Cheese Casserole 

(photo from here, but I do not use their recipe!)

My recipe for Broccoli Cheese Casserole:

Long Grain White Rice (not instant!)

Frozen Broccoli

1 can of Cheese Whiz (not the spray, the can)

1 can of Cream of Mushroom Soup

Instructions:  Cook Rice per instructions to serve 8.  Cook Broccoli on stove top per instructions.

Combine Rice, Broccoli and Cheese Whiz.  Mix in large bowl.  Stir in approx 3/4 of the can of cream of mushroom soup.  Pour into a large casserole dish.  You can refrigerate at this time if you want to cook ahead.  Or place into a preheated oven (350 degrees) for around 30 minutes to heat fully and brown the top just a bit.

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

(Photo and Recipe from link)

Honey Roasted Vegetables

(Photo and Recipe from link)

Dinner Rolls

(photo from here)

I buy the frozen rolls that rise over 4-5 hours.  They are so fluffy and taste great.  I would share the brand that I use, but I just realized that I forgot to buy these at the store (arrrrrrrgh)... so I will have to return with that information once I get brave enough to enter the craziness that is HEB.  

Desert:

Pumpkin Pie

(I use the recipe found here)

(photo from here)

It's going to be a carb-fest and I cannot wait.  

I have already made the pumpkin pie and broccoli cheese casserole, as those things can sit for a night.  I'm even going to do the potatoes before I go to bed.  That will only leave the turkey, veggies, and rolls to complete tomorrow morning.  I'm thinking it's totally manageable and I'm loving the possibilities for make ahead foods!  

Have any suggestions for last-minute additions to the menu?  I'll be sure to return next week with my own photos from our meal!

Bathroom Repairs.

This is what is currently in the playroom: 

Yea.  That's a bathtub.  That at one time was in the guest bath.  

But not anymore.

I noticed a small spot in the guest bath around the drain.  It looked like the finish of the tub was peeling up.  I called that handy-dandy home warranty and they came to take a look.

Apparently the porcelain was cracked from the drain being screwed in too tight??

That means they had to rip out a large percentage of the tile surround and the tub.  It made a huge mess.  They have already replaced the tub, but the tile won't be fixed until later this week.  

I'm going to walking through this house with a fine toothed comb before our one year warranty is up!