Holiday Blessings

Minus all the roommate D.R.A.M.A., this holiday has seemed extra magical. I'm not sure I can pinpoint the reason, but I'm so thankful to enjoy another Christmas with those I love so dearly.

This year I decided not to host my annual Christmas cocktail. While I miss that party like WHOA, I have gotten to enjoy new opportunities. For starters, I have attended every party I've been invited to minus one because I was unable to safely travel due to poor party-hopping planning (sorry Merdeezy Hollaaas!). Also, I've been able to be more spontaneous this year. In years past, my month was planned out to the minute just to get everything done. With the huge weight of the party planning gone, I have found time. I've baked; I've enjoyed quality time with all my friends; I've felt less rushed; I've felt more at peace than I have in a long time.

Last week, was my busy week for holiday gathers. These get-to-togethers typically are small pockets of friends getting together to celebrate each other's company.

Monday- Random dinner with Kat then lots of holiday baking.

Tuesday- Christmas Bunco...yaya me for loser's prize!

Wednesday- New Year's Eve movie with my kt from This Old House, and several other friends. We added a little flare to the evening with some wine roadies and I brought a baggie of baked goodies for everyone.

Thursday- Dinner with my BAGEL gals and more baked goodies from my kitchen.

Friday- Christmas shopping tradition with, a former co-worker, now dear friend who came from 2 hours away to shopping, hang out, continue a tradition.

Saturday- old roommate, Les, made a surprise trip to town and we spent the whole day together. I must really love her because I drove her to the mall in holiday traffic!! Then a lovely evening of Christmas partying, including donating to Toys-for-Tots!

Sunday- Mom and dad came to treat me to brunch and then I started prepping for tomorrow night's Supper Club.

Monday- Hosted Christmas Supper Club

Seriously there is no way my week could have been any better. No night was double-booked, everyone was in a festive mood, and I'm so blessed for all the amazing people in my life.

Tomorrow I'll share pictures from Supper Club. I put one of my friends in charge of taking pictures but she only took 3 :( Oh well, I can showoff my first roast!

Jingle Bells,

Southern Gal

Tonight

Tonight is Supper Club!! I cannot tell y'all how nervous/excited I am!! I'm hosting this year and I'm also cooking my first cut of meat. You see, I don't do red meat. I'm not against eating it; I'm against having to cook it myself. I'll happily eat it if someone else cooks it. The thought of having blood on my hands gives me the heebie jeebies.

My neighbor-man came over last night to help me prep this piece of meat since I wasn't sure what to do with the 4 pounds of roast I had just purchased. Fortunately, he had red wine handy and is a sweetheart! We seasoned it, tenderized it, and left it to sit in red wine over night. Neighbor-man is even going to pop it into the oven at the correct time since I'll still be at work! How did I get so lucky to live next to a good guy?!

Gah I hope this dinner works out tonight! I have 10 ladies counting on me to have the main dish. I'm doing a better job about taking pictures because I remembered to take a picture while we were prepping the meat last night. Tonight I plan to take several photos of the table and meal to share with y'all tomorrow!

Happy Cooking!

Speaking of Southern

A Steel Magnolia Monday Morning

Photo Credit

As I previously mentioned my roommate is planning to move out. All I ask is that the situation is handled fairly. Am I asking too much? Apparently for that Yankee, I am.

She initially came to me on Thursday evening, we revisited the conversation on Friday evening and concluded that she had till Sunday to make her final decision. I did not hear from her until Monday morning. She blew right past the established deadline. I really don't appreciate lack of communication. Also, I'm a tad neurotic so EVERYTHING snowballs in my head.

Let's be clear here. I did not create this situation. I'm not asking her to break her rent agreement; yet, somehow she feels its my job to fix this for her so she can waltz away without paying for her own actions. Bless her heart because that poor girl has another thing comin'. I don't take kindly to arrogant individuals.

This morning we had another conversation about this situation. I may or may not have left the house with her crying in her room this morning. The jury is out but I'm guessing she has shed a few tears now.  However, I have not been rude. If tears have been shed on her end, its out of her own guilt for knowing she is trying to do wrong.

Let me tell ya'll, I have never in this world been more proud of myself as I was on Friday evening and this morning for how I've handle the situation. I truly believe that she thought I was some dumb, southern girl that wouldn't put up a fight. Clearly, she hasn't been in the South long enough to know the definition of a true Steel Magnolia. We'll will be sweet as pie until crossed. Once you've crossed me, I can be Hell on Heels; however, this morning I was wearing boots!

mwah,

Speaking of Southern

Holy Moly 24 Hours!

WOW....that is the only word to describe the past 24 hours!

Let's start from the beginning. Last night I skipped out on Jingle Ball, a city cocktail party to benefit Toys-for-Tots, to get some Christmas shopping done. I got all the mall stuff taken care of and I headed back home last night feeling like I got everything under control....famous last words.

I got home, sorted through my shopping bags, added them to the other Christmas presents, and curled up on the couch to veg for about 45 minutes before bed. Just as I settled in, my roommate popped out of her room and came into the living room and started chatting away. I knew instantly something was up but hoped that maybe she was just bored. My first instinct was correct- she is moving in with her boyfriend. Great! Congrats! (Good luck?) I can't help but wonder if I'm cursed or charmed. This is the 3rd roommate to move out of this house and in with their boyfriend!

Ready for the kicker in this little story of mine?! Even though we have 2 months left on our 3 month agreement, she wants to move out on December 22nd. Again, December 22nd. Two weeks notice! Uhhh can you say SHOCKED! Honestly it didn't all sink in until this morning. I woke up just plain mad. Wouldn't you be angry??

I went to work this morning and spent some time talking to my parents for advice. I decided that roomie and I would revisit the discussion asap so I took the time to put my thoughts in order.

In the mean time, my doctor's office called with the results of my blood test, testing allergy/environmental. Apparently, I have elevated levels to dust mites, cat/dog dander, pecan trees, and wheat. OMG!!

Here is the humor in that list-

• I have a HUGE pecan tree in my yard. Remember? Seriously. How many people do you know with a pecan tree in their yard??? I bet a big fat ZERO, unless you count me!
• Cat/dog dander. All I can do is laugh! I've had cats my entire life! Also, this was going to be a separate post but I'm happy to introduce you to my sweet babe, Bella! She is spoiled rotten! But we'll have a proper introduction to come.

• Wheat?! Uggggg, goodbye bread, beer, pasta, etc. It's a sad, sad day. Bright side, I should be dropping some pounds in the near future! 

My doctor has decided that not only do I have a wheat allergy, but I have to go see a gastroenterologist to ensure I don't have celiac disease. Hello gluten free life! sigh...Does anyone have good recipes to share? This is all new to me.

Is anyone else tired at this point?! I am. My day was exhausting with all the drama thrown at me left and right! Never a dull moment.

Even thought I was worn out, I still had to revisit the moving convo with roomie when I got home from work. Basically I laid it ALL out. I have nothing to lose (ie- mutual friendships being impacted). I gave her 2 options, stood my ground, expressed my disappointment and frustration. I certainly do not appreciated the lack of notice nor the expectation that its okay to bail on an agreement. I feel like I was backed against a wall during the initial conversation and overall taken advantage of and that is not okay.

I am very proud of myself for facing this issue head-on. I rarely do such a bold move. My hands were shaking the whole time! I was honest so we'll see what happens. I gave her until Sunday to let me know how she would like to proceed. I gently reminded her that its only natural to need time to process big news and since I wasn't given that same respect I took the opportunity to have a teaching moment. I'll let you know how things turn out!

Considering the eventful 24 hours, I should have gone to bed HOURS ago!

Beyond Bedtime,

S.O.S.

Hart of Dixie

Photo Credit & Plot Summary

Does anyone else watch CW's Hart of Dixie?? It airs Monday nights at 9pm following Gossip Girl. I'm a proud viewer and I might be the only one on the planet that LOVES this show!

Last night I was watching Monday's episode and the ending scene had a great song playing in the background. I paused the DVR and googled it and found the song with surprising ease! It is rapidly becoming my "on repeat" song.  It s a short, simple song with a sweet message.

The Lumineers sing "Ho Hey".....GO. LISTEN. NOW.

You will thank me!!

Happy Friday Eve,

S.O.S.

Christmas Decorations + Mantle = LoveHate

I'm going to be very honest here......I struggle with my mantle all year round!

UGH it drives me crazy. I always feel like something is "off." I have no idea why but some days there is "too much silver" or "too much glass" or "too much height" or "not enough height" and recently I've decided to blame the wall color. Seriously. The wall color is to blame here. I use to be happy with my mantle decorations until one day I had plaster work done and the walls had to be painted once the plaster was repaired. I told the contractor to pick the same paint color because I LOVE it. I still love the color but it is no longer the color of my living room. I came home from work, he was done/gone, and my walls are a weird beige/white color. Needless to say, I was not pleased. Okay this is not a story about my shady contractor so I'm going to move on.

So my mantle issues have carried over to my Christmas decorations. For the past 3 years I've used gold glittery trees (that have lost some glitter), candles, and other stuff I can't remember. This year I decided to waste my time try something new.

Let's start at the very beginning with my everyday mantle.

Boring, I know. Normally there are fresh cut flowers where you see the dried hydrangeas to add more color and balance the height. However, I didn't buy fresh flowers last week because I was gone for Thanksgiving and I knew Christmas decorations were next!

So I got to work from an idea I had in my head. Here are my sticks!

Working away at my idea in my head. Will it work????

Time for the big reveal!......

BAM....Christmas Mantle FAIL!

The sticks just blend right into my "beige" walls.I could even envision the lights and greenery I had planned to add. I was so disappointed in the outcome. However, after a solid night of bar hopping and a morning of sleeping late, I felt refreshed and ready to face my mantle again.

May I present 2011 Christmas Mantle....Drum roll please!

Ta-Da!!!

Gold trees again, red tree, fresh candles, TONS of lights (200 just on the mantle!), and greenery from my front yard. I'm very pleased with my mantle this year even though I used most of the same stuff. Somehow it looks different. 

Did anyone else struggle finding normal, traditional lights this year?? I went to FOUR stores looking for white lights on green wire. Yes, that's right, I said FOUR....Target, Walmart, Lowes, and finally Rite Aid. The last place I looked is behind my house. Yeah, I could have walked up there instead of driving all over creation. I knew I shouldn't have left ITB (Inside The Beltline) to go looking for them!

So I guess you're wondering what I did with the sticks. I left them sitting on the dining room table for a day or two deciding what to do- reuse or toss. I decided to give them one more chance before kicking them to the curb.

Lookie, lookie!!

I'm super excited about my centerpiece for the dining room table. I'm pretty proud that I was able to salvage part of my vision!

I hope you're having just as much fun getting into the holiday spirit as I am!

Sweet Dreams,

Southern Girl

ps- If you have any ideas for my everyday mantle, please help a gal out!!

All photos are personal.

My Christmas Wish List

Have you started your Christmas Wish List?

Amidst Thanksgiving, holiday decorating, Christmas shopping, and every day life, I managed to find a little time to write my wish list for any little elf who is inclinded to surprise me. Since I'm on Santa's "Good List," I have big dreams this holiday season!

Here is a taste of what I hope to find under the tree on Christmas morning.

photo credit

Gift Cards- Target, Gas, Groceries, Ann Taylor Loft, Lowes Hardware (DIY supplies, duh!), Starbucks

Photo Credit

Hoover Stick Vac because I'm tired of sweeping and this baby has some powerful suction!

Photo Credit

Springform pan is really one of those things that I occasionally need but not reguarly enough to buy it for myself. Do you have one? How often do you use it?

Photo Credit

Infinity Scarf- I. LOVE. SCARVES. Seriously, who doesn't love the pop of color, pattern, or texture that a scarf offers?! This infinity scarf is from my friends over at Poppies336 on Etsy. 

(PS- Shop Poppies336 on etsy. Do it. All the cool kids are.)

Photo Credit

Cloche Hat. I wish we could return to the days when ladies wore hats.

Photo Credit

Classes. So if I were super rich, this would be my only gym membership. I'm starting to enjoy pure barre eventhough every muscle in my body hurts right now from last night! Classes are kinda pricey so it is a treat to workout there. Maybe Santa will bring me a package of classes!

Photo Credit

Burberry perfume. Simple, Classic, Me.

Photo Credit

Only in my dreams will I own a Nikon d5100 AND know how to use every aspect of this gorgeous piece of photography heaven. I hope I'll find this beauty, a few lenses, and a private tutor under the tree with my name on it!

I have a few items on my list that I can't google to share with you. Particularly, a photo of my great grandmother and her 4 sisters. The photo is fondly referred to as "the 5 sisters." I am named after my great grandmother and even though I never met her, I have always felt this strong connection with her. When my grandma passed away, my aunt got the original photo and frame. What I would give for the original (and my grandma's wedding band, but that's a whole other story). I hope this year Santa will bring me an elegantly framed reproduction for my own living room.

Also, I need a little help from magic elves to make this wish happen. In the tiny town my Grandma lived in, there is a deli that has a photo of the town's movie theater in its heyday that I would kill for. I tried and tried to reach the owner of the deli last winter to secure my own copy but it was a fruitless battle. Wish me luck as I tried to reach him again this holiday season. I sure do hope that holiday cheer will be in his heart when I call.

What's on your Christmas list???

Okay dear friends, it is beyond my bedtime!

Until Next Time,

Southern Girl