BOO!

Happy Halloween!

My first real Halloween in 1988!

My friend Rachel did this one her blog today, so I stole the idea from her. She is great and so is her blog!

What were some of your favorite Halloween costumes when you were a child?

FALL

I have neglected my blog in a way that I don't know if it will forgive me. It even made me log in in twice just to make sure it was really me. The blog took a back seat to a little thing they call the real world, but I have missed it so I just had to take a little time to make things right again! The job is going really well. I am learning more and more and becoming more comfortable every day! I couldn't see myself doing anything else right now! I thank God every day for giving me this opportunity!

It is now officially FALL! Few things excite me more than this. I LOVE fall. I seriously LOVE fall. No really, I really really LOVE fall. There are so many things that make fall great: the weather, beautiful colors, football, the fair, birthdays, fall clothes - cardigans, scarves, boots boots and more boots - LOVE, and there is always something to do. I look forward to fall every year, especially October. It is always the best month and I think it would also make a pretty good month to make an entrance into the world. But, I'm not biased or anything. (October 7th - gifts welcome) Wait what? :) Just wanted to do a quick update to let the blogger know I am still alive! Here are some pictures of fall that I loved. Enjoy!

Ole Miss in the Fall - Its not all about winning games, right??

"For the LORD your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete." Deuteronomy 16:15

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 19:1
"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."
Romans 1:20

Happy Fall, Ya'll!

Big news!

I know that I have been a terrible blogger lately. A lot has been going on and I have neglected it! BUT, I will get better and update more, but this news calls for a definite post. God has definitely been answering prayers lately, and I am so thankful. I AM OFFICIALLY EMPLOYED! YAY! It has been a long, frustrating summer, and I patiently waited for this to work out and it did. I will start my very first "big girl" job on Monday. I will be working at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in the operating room! I am SO excited! I enjoyed surgery the one day we spent there in nursing school, loved doing my Synthesis hours there, and knew that was where I wanted to work. It has been interesting summer through the ups and downs and the not knowing if they were going to have a job for me, but I am so glad I waited. This is where I want to be and I'm glad I didn't have to settle for something I really didn't want to do. I thank God for having His hand on the situation and giving me patience, and the understanding of what it really means to fully rely on Him to provide. Also, my sister Kate got news that she got her first job too, which means we will both be off our parent's payroll - good news for them! She will begin working at Static Salon in Madison later this month. She is really excited and I am very proud of her for following her dream!


*Shameless plug* Her business is a business of building up her clientele, so go see her! She would love to have you! She starts August 16th.

On another note, the 2011 Mississippi election season kicks off tomorrow with the primary elections. PLEASE take some time tomorrow and exercise your right to vote. Voting is so important. Also, be smart and know your candidates and what they stand for before you vote! I was going to do a blog post highlighting all the candidates in the major races, but I never had any time to, maybe for the elections in November! Don't forget tomorrow! Vote vote vote!

Verse of the day: "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail,but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:25-26

Tunes for Thursday

I am loving this song from Chris Tomlin. It was from the Passion: Here for You CD! The whole CD is amazing, but I really like this song. It is SORT OF a re-done version of one of my favorite hymns I Need Thee Every Hour. It is stuck in my head on this pretty Thursday so I thought I would share it with you. No need to watch the video, its just the lyrics, you can just listen! :)

Happy Thursday!

AMERICA

I LOVE the 4th of July and this country! There's nothing better than a good patriotic song either. This is one of my favorites: It's America by Rodney Atkins. These are just a few of my favorite lines describing America and I think it's perfect for today.
It's a high school prom

It's a Springsteen song It's a ride in a Chevrolet It's a man on the moon
And fireflies in June
and kids sellin' lemonade... It's cities
and farms it's open armsOne nation under God Its America...

Now we might not always get it right,
But there's nowhere else I'd rather build my life

It's a flag blowin' in the summer wind
Over some fallen hero's grave.
It's America...."

Happy 235th Birthday, America!

Sources: (in order of pictures used) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Verse of the day: "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD..." Psalm 33:12

Perfect Summer Potato Salad

Does anyone remember Red, Hot, And Blue? And how good their potato salad was? Unfortunately it has been closed now for a few years. If you never had it, you sure did miss out! Unless you are like my mother and just gagged at the thought of potato salad, and for that I apologize and you should probably not read the rest of my post. But if you do, get excited, because I finally found a recipe that is the "supposedly" the exact recipe. I tried it a few weeks ago and loved it. Since the 4th of July is tomorrow, I thought it would be a good time to share it if you need something to make to bring to a party! So here we go...

Here is what you need (forgot the picture, sorry!)
*4lbs (or more depending on how much you want to make) Red Bliss potatoes
*4 eggs
*1/2 cup finely chopped green onion tops
*1 1/4 cup of mayo
*1 3/4 celery seed - (You know, the stuff you keep your pantry stocked full of. HA! May have to make a special run the store for this!)
*1 1/4 teaspoons of salt
*1 1/2 teaspoons of black pepper
(says serves 12 - I'd say 10)

First of all, 1 and 3/4 teaspoon? 1 and 1/4 teaspoon? Really? Who comes up with this. Unless you are baking, it doesn't matter if its exact. Just season to taste!

Start with cutting up the Red Bliss potatoes. Using the Red Bliss potatoes does make a difference. They aren't the small red new potatoes, they are bigger. In the meantime, bring water to a boil. (enough water to cover the potatoes)

I cut mine into slices, slightly bigger than usual because if you cut too small they will turn to mush later. 4lbs is a lot of potatoes so using a regular size saucepan doesn't work. I had to use a really deep one. Bring the potatoes to a boil, and don't run off to far. You don't want to cook them to death because they will for sure be mush then. And there is nothing about mush in this recipe title now is it?

You can also boil your eggs with the potatoes or in a separate saucepan.
Only about 10-12 minutes, so be watching - as soon as you can stick a fork through one, take em out!
And let cool.
Next, chop up the green onions. Go ahead and cut off the white parts and go to town on the green part.
Then, its the eggs turn. Peel the shells and chop chop chop! As big or as small as you would like.
Now its mixing time! In a large bowl, first add the eggs
Next, green onions
Celery seeds - I know it's random, but don't try it without it. It really does make a difference!Mayo, salt and pepper to taste.
Mix GENTLY, but thoroughly!
And enjoy! Easy, huh? Serve room temperature for up to 2 hours, then refrigerate.

Recipe:
Perfect Potato Salad
Ingredients
4 lbs Red Bliss potatoes
4 eggs
1/2 cup finely chopped green onion tops
1 1/4 cup of mayo
1 3/4 celery seed
1 1/4 teaspoons of salt
1 teaspoon of black pepper

Directions:
Slice potatoes into small pieces. Boil the potatoes 10-12 minutes, or until tender. Boil 4 eggs until done. Let eggs and potatoes cool, then peel the eggs. Finely chop up green onions, and eggs. In a large bowl, gently mix eggs, onions, salt and pepper to taste, celery seed, and mayo with potatoes until thoroughly mixed. Refrigerate.
Source

Verse of the day: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Pageant Time

It is finally that time of year....


Miss Mississippi pageant time! This is another reason why I like summer. Ever since I can remember I have absolutely loved it. The best thing that ever happened was when a couple of years ago they started live streaming the prelim nights on the Internet (you used to could only see the prelims if you were actually there). That's four nights of pageant in a row!! Woo! This also brings a whole new role in watching it now because I become a judge. Also, when my cousin introduced me to a little ole forum where people talk about this pageant year round, it just took it to a whole new level (but only when people are being nice, and not bashing people - thats not necessary). I love taking notes during the prelims, and then making predictions on who the top 10 is going to be. Last year I was just 2 off I also enjoying watching, and discussing this with my best friends Laurie and Brittany. It has become a tradition over the years. We have a great time with it. So if you care NOTHING about this pageant, pageants in general, or my weird interest with it, I apologize for wasting your time reading this. BUT, if you are like me and this is your thing, here is my top 10 predictions, and I would love to hear what you think. Since we don't get to see the interview portion with the judges, this is based off just what I see in the prelims. Now, I have been known to wrong before, so don't be holding it against me if your friend, favorite, or enemy is or is not on my list. Also, EVERY year there is ALWAYS a surprise someone who sneaks in the top 10 and I love it! But here is mine for now:

Top 10
Shelby Corn –Miss Central Mississippi
Jill Duckworth – Miss University of Southern Mississippi
Chassidy Sumler – Miss Dixie
Mary Maragret Roark – Miss North Central Mississippi
Marie Wicks – Miss Pine Belt/Gulf Coast (This / title is weird. Just pick one)
Kristen Benigno – Miss Hattiesburg
Fenly Akers – Miss Heartland
Chelsea Rick – Miss Metro Jackson
Vaughan Simmons – Miss Deep South
Stephanie Stanford -Miss Delta Blues

Bubbles for top 10
Elyssa Lassiter – Miss Vicksburg
Jessica Terrill – Miss Mississippi State University
Natalie Wood – Miss Southland
Kathrine Barkett – Miss Univeristy

Top 5
Fenly Akers
Chelsea Rick
Kristen Benigno
Shelby Corn
Mary Margaret Roark

Winner – Keeping that one to myself ! :)

Since most of you probably aren’t watching until tomorrow night, I would love to hear your opinions then! Happy Pageant Day!

Verse of the day: "Make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and recieve a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:10-11