Fried Green Pickles

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Brady = 7 Years, Megan & Cameron = 4 Years!

Lots of celebrating going on today! Today marks 4 years of togetherness for Cameron and I and 7 years of aliveness for my sweet furry boy, Brady! Sadly, it also marks the one month countdown to my 29th birthday. Most people just about keel over when I tell them I'm almost 29. Thanks for those baby face genes, mom and dad.

Anyway, here is a recap of the notable happenin's since our last anniversary:

-Carolina beat Clemson for the 3rd year in a row...and again this year for the 4th year in a row! Not rubbing it in or anything...

-We got engaged!

- We had our first big party / oyster roast at our house.

-Wedding planning like crazy, including engagement pictures!

-Went to Beech Mountain with a group of friends and had a blast.

-Went to 6 weddings, including Savannah + Dan's and Jen + Joe's!

-Visited Washington, DC for the first time.

-Went to the PGA on Kiawah Island!

3 years & Brady turned 6

2 years

And here is how Brady spent his last year, in a nutshell:

-Lots of boat rides

-Got dressed up to meet his new girlfriend, Gracie (Emily's new golden retriever)

-Mysteriously grew black eyebrows (mwahahaha)

-Participated in our engagement pictures and my bridal portraits

-A trip to the Kiawah Island dog beach with his pals

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Wedding Wednesday: Moo Cards.

What is a moo card, you may ask?

Up until recently, I had no idea, but after doing some research I've found that they are tiny cards, about half the size of a business card, used for small bits of info in weddings, and in real life.

Their most common uses in weddings are for photographers to hand out at the wedding to the guests with the link to view the pictures taken.

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Another use, and the one I'm considering, is to include in the invitation suite, to provide a link to your wedding website one last time. Mainly for accomodation options and directions to venue.

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To moo, or not to moo, that is the question!

What are your thoughts on them??

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Tasty Tuesday: Sausage Stuffed Zucchini Boats.

Now that the wedding is only 4 months away, I feel like I really need to start cracking down on the healthy eating. Gina's Skinnytaste recipes always taste amazing and are a little nicer on the hips. If I could ever get myself back in the gym, I'd be on a roll!

Sausage Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Recipe and photo from SkinnyTaste.

1 1/4 cups quick marinara sauce

4 (31 oz total) medium zucchini

1 tsp oil

1/2 small onion, finely diced

3 cloves garlic, crushed

1/2 cup diced red bell pepper

14 oz lean Italian chicken sausage, removed from casing (Al Fresco)

1/2 cup part skim shredded mozzarella (Polly-O)

8 tsp grated Parmesan cheese

Bring a large pot of water to boil.

Preheat oven to 400°. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise and using a spoon or melon baller, scoop out flesh, leaving 1/4" thick. Chop the scooped out flesh of the zucchini in small pieces and set aside.

Drop zucchini halves in boiling water and cook 1 minute. Remove from water.

Place 1/4 cup of sauce in the bottom of a 9 x 12" baking dish, and place zucchini halves cut side up.

In a large saute pan, brown sausage, breaking up as it cooks into smaller pieces until browned; set aside. Heat oil and add onion, garlic and bell pepper. Cook on a medium-low heat for about 2-3 minutes, until onions are translucent. Add chopped zucchini, season with salt and pepper and cook about 2-3 minutes. Combine with sausage and cook a few more minutes

Using a spoon, fill each hollowed zucchini with 1/3 cup cooked sausage, pressing firmly. Top each with 2 tablespoons each of sauce, 1 tablespoon each of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 teaspoon each of parmesan cheese. Cover with foil and bake 35 minutes until cheese is melted and zucchini is cooked through.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Cyber Monday Scores.

Hope everyone scooped up some great stuff on Black Friday and Cyber Monday!

On the wedding front, I bought the pom poms for our wedding exit and a little something extra to accompany our invitations.

On the clothing front, my Grandma Anna and I went shopping for my Christmas/Birthday presents. I told her I wanted to go to the outlets to get the most for my her money.

The J.Crew outlet was having 40% off the entire store!

(Online, they're offering 25% off + free shipping from the regular J.Crew store, and 50% off their Factory site! Don't forget to go through Ebates for 6% cash back!)

Here's what I scored, but sadly can't wear until Christmas.

pinks, green

I've been eyeing this blouse for quite some time and I'm so happy it's finally mine!

It was already marked 40% off, plus the storewide 40% off! Only a few XS's left ladies...

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Love how this shirt is fitted, feminine, and not boxy.

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Also got a shirt and dress at the Gap Outlet.

One more thing I picked up, but wasn't expecting to..

a new car battery! Woohoo!

My car wouldn't start Saturday night (after the BIG game. Woohoo! Go Gamecocks!!) and again this morning. So Cameron's brother came and jumped my car this morning so I could take it to the dealership. What a nice surprise right before Christmas.

What was your favorite item you scored this weekend or today?

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Grandma Always Did Know Best..

"Cluck Femson"

Friday, November 23, 2012

Thanksgiving 2012.

Round One - Bamberg, SC

Cotton / booze truck / me & Cameron.

Round Two - Summerville, SC

Family at my parents house / mom, me, sister sitting by fire

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Tasty Tuesday: Favorite Thanksgiving Sides.

As I fast until Thanksgiving on Thursday (yeah, right) all I can think about are the yummy dishes that I'm going to be eating that day...twice. One meal with his family, one meal with mine. Back in the gym (for real this time, Emily!) on Monday.

Here are some of my favorite sides that will be served along with the fried turkey. :)