Our First Tree!

As part of our anniversary celebration, Cameron and I went to go pick out our very first Christmas tree last night! Last year we were still settling in in the new house so stockings and a few decorations were as far as it went.

It literally took us 5 minutes to pick out a tree. I mean, I like a good looking tree, but I am not going to overanalyze it like someone I know (Dad).

It was loaded up in the back of the truck and we stopped for a quick dinner at Mellow Mushroom. Love their Greek salads.

Fast forward to getting the tree up, messing with with 345304852 times to make sure it looks straight from all angles, Cameron making a quick run to CVS for more lights, and hanging plenty of gold and white ornaments on our first tree that were given to us from my Grandma Anna...

Not bad for our first one, huh? Don't you love our homemade tree skirt? Aka a white sheet. It will have to do until I can get to Target.

My sweet guys.

Then, while we were getting ready for bed, Brady gave me a high five and told me "good job on the tree, Megan!"



3 years!

I interrupt today's regularly scheduled Tasty Tuesday post to give my mans some love on our 3 year anniversary.

What a great year it's been!

We survived living together for a year...

Another Carolina / Clemson game..

And many other ups and downs.

Can't wait for many, many more!

I love you, Cameron.

Brady also turns 6 today! My little pup is growing up!

(I seriously thought he was turning 5 until about a week ago.)

9 weeks.

6 years



Tryptophanning Turkey & Tearful Tigers.

Oh, what a great holiday weekend it was.

During the holidays, Cameron and I are always driving around the state of SC. On Thanksgiving, we drive about an hour and a half to spend the first half of the day near Bamberg, SC with his (huge) family. Around 2pm, we drive about an hour to Summerville to spend the second half of the day with my family. Lots of food. Lots of family.

His parents, us, his brother and new(!) sister-in-law

On to Summerville..

My sister and Cameron.

Me with my cousin, Sam.



We went home around 6pm, which felt like 10pm, layed on couch and watched Life as We Know It. I thought it was really cute and I'm pretty sure Cameron even liked it.

Friday I didn't hit up any crazy Black Friday sales. Nope. This girl had to work..but only until 1pm so it wasn't that bad.  Oh, I did get some sweet Black Friday deals at the grocery store. That's how I roll. Get it? Roll..grocery store... Moving on..

Saturday was the BIG GAME DAY! We packed up the car around noon, made a pit stop at Publix for beer, chicken and ice (typical tailgate necessities) and were finally on our way! It was a great day - the weather was just right, I was with some of my favorite people and oh yeah, WE WON!

The Gamecocks.

Uncle Jay, me, Cameron, Aunt Cindy, Cousin Amanda

Our bike ride to tailgate stop #3!

 

A rare sighting - Spurrier smiling.

Great job, Gamecocks!!

PS - I got an early Christmas present from my parents last night - an Iphone! Tell me all of your favorite apps please!



3 Peat!

Cameron and I are headed up to Columbia this afternoon for the biggest game of the year! Gamecocks vs. Tigers

If you've been following my blog for a while, you will know that I am a South Carolina grad and Cameron is a Clemson grad. And we are diehard fans of our schools, which makes it very interesting come football season.

Although Clemson has a higher all-time winning record, South Carolina has won that past two years and is looking to make it a 3 peat this year! It would be huge.

What's funny is Cameron's brother and his wife are also a house divided, but the other way around. Gil is the Carolina fan and Nancy is the Clemson fan. So I just may be sitting with Gil during the game and Cameron just may be sitting with Nancy.

So, starting at 7:45pm, if you don't mind, cheer for the Gamecocks!!

Thankful.

Thankful for Naked Jay Big Dill Vodka.

I'll save the sappy stuff for tomorrow.

Today, I'm here to talk about vodka.

Not just any vodka.

PICKLE VODKA.

Last week, after I posted about National Pickle Day, I got a glorious email. It was from a girl named Alexis who does PR for a company called Naked Jay Vodka. She introduced me to this new company and said she wanted to send me some pickle flavored vodka! I emailed her back IMMEDIATELY with my address.

Naked Jay Vodka is based out of New Orleans, Louisiana and currently has three flavors of vodka: 80 proof original, whip cream and big dill! The vodka is only available in Virginia at the time, but is also about to be released in Illinois and will be slowly releasing to additional areas.

I recieved my package of mini-bottle samples (1 regular vodka, 1 whip cream and 5 big dills!) late last week and saved them until Saturday's football game against the Citadel so I could let other people get in on the deliciousness.

Emily and I mixed up some bloody mary's with our Big Dill vodka and it was SO good. Not too overwhelming, just the right amount of tangyness! Once I can get my hand on a full bottle of Big Dill, this will definitely be my go to drink.

See that orange soda behind me? That was to mix with the whip cream vodka. Orange creamsicle, which was AMAZING.

So, if you live in Virgina, go get you some Naked Jay Vodka. You will not be disappointed.

And if you don't, like their page on Facebook (here) and/or follow them on Twitter (here) to find out when NJV is coming to your area!

Tasty Tuesday - Pilgrim Hat Cookies.

Pilgrim Hat Cookies

Recipe and photo found here.

16 chocolate wafer cookies (such as Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers)

1 tube orange frosting with piping tips

16 small peanut butter cups

Place cookies on work surface; squeeze a dime-size dot of frosting in center of each

Unwrap and invert peanut butter cups on frosting, pressing down gently

Using the round piping tip, pipe a "hat-band" with frosting around peanut butter cup and a square "buckle." Let frosting set before storing.

A whole lotta randomness.

This weekend was a blast..and I paid for it on Sunday.

Saturday I woke up bright and early, made a quick trip to the grocery store while Cameron went into work for a few hours (his big project is finally done and I'm so proud of him!), then we went to the Kickin' Chicken in West Ashley to watch our games, which were on at the same time. Had lots of fun with Emily&David, Kate&Grant and Lindsay!

After our games were over (both victories), we hurried home to freshen up. What I really wanted to do was take a nap, but I knew I would be down for the count if I did. Met back up with everyone at a Mexican restaurant across from the coliseum and indulged in quite a few margarita's.

After that, it was to the coliseum we went to see Thompson Square, Justin Moore and Darius!

Sunday. Ouch. I layed in bed until as late as I possibly could. I had made plans for my Grandma to come over to measure my windows because she is making me some window treatments as part of my Christmas gift. I was smart and told her to come over after lunchtime because I knew I'd probably be hurting from the concert. And I was right. I made her this pumpkin pie as a thank you.

Cameron cleaned out the garage on Sunday and I would have taken before and after pics. What a difference!

Speaking of Cameron, he bought and installed a new hood over our stove last weekend and installed a subway tile backsplash! The man is handy and I love it.

Here is a (way before) before and after pic.

Gross.

Next up, a new flat-top stove!

 Speaking of kitchens and cooking and pumpkin pies, I was in a baking mood last night and attempted to make this No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake. Everything was going great - I licked the bowl and it tasted so good - plopped it into the pie crust..and then realized I accidentally bought a regular pie crust and not a graham cracker pie crust. AND I forgot to bake the crust before I put the mixture in it. Ugh. So instead of a pumpkin cheesecake, Cameron had basically pumpkin mousse for dessert.

Ok, that's enough random babbling for one day. Have a good one!



Tasty Tuesday - Greek Meatballs with Lemon Orzo

I made this recipe for dinner on Sunday night and it did not disappoint! I loved everything about it.

Greek Meatballs with Lemon Orzo

Recipe and photo from the fabulous ValSoCal

1/3 cup plain breadcrumbs
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper
1/2 teaspoon italian seasoning
1 pound ground turkey
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoons fresh parsley
2 large egg whites

  1 box orzoThe juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1 jar good quality marinara sauce
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

           Combine breadcrumbs and next 7 ingredients in a medium bowl. Add egg whites,
stirring mixture until just combined. Shape into 12-14 (1 inch) meatballs. Cover and
chill meatballs for 5 min.

           Start cooking pasta according to directions while you are cooking the meatballs.
Drain pasta when cooked...Add lemon, butter and parmesan.

            Heat oil in skillet over med-high heat. Add meatballs to pan and cook..browning
all over. Add the marinara sauce and cook until done.

           Spoon marinara and meatballs over the pasta and sprinkle the feta cheese and
extra parsley.



Happy National Pickle Day!

Get your pickle on, today!

Cameron, you're cooking fried pickles tonight. Thanks! :)

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