happy hallowknd!

Last weekend I flew home to ATL to spend time with my parents/friends/grandmother who I miss dearly. I got to see my parents god-children dressed up for Halloween and went around to a few houses with them trick-or-treating. Peanut dressed up and loved running to all the houses doorsteps with them...I on the other hand am not really cut out for trick-or-treating just yet...as an adult rather than a dressed up kid...especially in the rain! Saturday night I met my best friend from highschool Amanda for dinner at Seasons52...this place is amazing! They cook with healthy oils/fats and all the stuff on their menu is under like 500 calories or something...the best is the mini indulgences! We had a great and much needed 'catch-up' dinner...miss her already! Sunday I spent with my grandmother...she came to see me at my parents house...we had a yummy late lunch and dessert...then off to meet Bestie Pink Sass at our favorite spot Marlows...man I miss that place..and her!...I really did not want to leave dinner...I miss seeing her and just being with her...even though we didn't have that much to catch up on b/c we stay in touch pretty regularly...thank god! It was so nice to just be in her presence...we didn't have trouble finding 3 hours worth of stuff to talk about as well! I am going to go see her again in about a month to celebrate her bday....sooo long...but can't wait!...I'm sure time will FLY on by! Here are some pics from Halloween...
***pic above***me with my parents god-children...a fairy/butterfly and a policeman...so cute!

peanut dressed as a bumble bee...precious...he is 'so' happy!

he is like, 'get this thing off my head!'

he loved trick or treating!

I'm going to a 'surf movie' premier tonight with 'Surfer'...his best friend own a surf shop in CHS that is hosting the event...should be fun and interesting ; )
I'm excited to be heading to my first and only Clemson football game of the season this weekend!!!! woo woo! I am soooo beyond excited! I love the atmosphere of tailgating the most I think! 'Surfer' is actually going...and football is not his thing...not all my friends are going so it will be sad but fun and new as well...the tailgating/game crowd definitely changes as we get older!...hence me only going to one game this year ; ( I will have plenty of pics to post of the weekend! I am going to make my famous black bean/corn salsa tomorrow night for the tailgate...here is the recipe...

Black Bean and Corn Salsa:

(mix all of the following and serve with corn chips)
2 cans black beans...rinsed and drained
1 can yellow corn...rinsed and drained
2 cans Hormel Tomatoes with Jalepino's
1/4 diced red onion
1/2 green bell pepper
juice of 1/2 lime
1 tsp garlic salt

enjoy!

Going home!/Question?/Healthy Chili Recipe

Happy Friday! Hope everyone had a great week!

I went to an oyster roast/birthday party last night...it was so windy that we didnt take any pics b/c we looked so horrible...haha!

Today should be a great Friday with work Happy Hour at 4...ding!

I am excited to be flying back to ATL this weekend to see my family and friends...unfortunately I am a horrible planner and my bestie Pink Sass will be out of town...but we will make do and see each other on Sunday when she gets back from FL! I miss everyone terribly and can't wait to see my parents and grand-ma again...I have a long list of people and places to go in such a short period of time...going trick or treating with my god siblings too! OH and I am going to see 'Baseball Player'...just as a friend...he saw I was coming in town from my FB status and I think it has been enough time that we can just be friends and meet up for a drink...I think he would be a great 'friend'...we will see! I will take pics and have a wknd recap next week! Hope everyone has a great one!

On another note...I have a question for ya...my roomie is looking for a Yellow Lab Breeder in upstate SC...anyone know any good ones? Thanks!

Thought you might be interested in the Healthy Turkey/Bean Chili recipe I made last week:

Cook 1 Onion in Olive Oil

Add 1 lb. ground turkey breast meat...cook until brown

Add 2 cans tomato sauce

Add 1 can stewed tomatos (I cut up the tomatoes into smaller pieces)

Add 1 can of each after draining rinsing: black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, yellow corn

1 tblspn cumin

1/2 tblspn chili powder

1/2 tblspn garlic powder

salt and pepper to taste

Bring to a simmer and let sit for a while...best if left overnight and eat next day! Enjoy! Let me know what you think!

a wonderful wedding

So a few weekends ago a guy friend of mine from college finally married his long time girlfriend whom he had met at Clemson. They got married in the James Island Presbyterian Church and had the reception at the gorgeous Rice Mill building at the Marina in downtown Charleston…it was a really pretty setting and a very fun party! The bride wore her mothers wedding gown…well she had it remade into a more ‘modern’ style…she looked very pretty but took pics in the rain before the reception so her hair had sort of fallen by the reception…but she was glowing and happy so that’s all that matters! It was basically like a college reunion! I had to see my ex…which wasn’t fun…especially when he was all lovey dovey with his new girlfriend…but oh well… I needed to see him all moved on and in a ‘friend’ way once again…we are all moved on now! We had such a great time seeing everyone…here are a few pics of the night…

Parents Visit!

So I moved to Charleston SC in July…and my parents were putting off visiting b/c of how hot the weather is down here…so they thought they would be safe for a long weekend visit by October…boy were they wrong! They came 2 weeks ago for the hottest weekend in record history…go figure! We still had a great time though! My mom flew in Tuesday night and stayed with JBo and I at our house for two nights…this was so nice to have my mom there with me again…I miss her so much! I showed her around town, where we like to go and the beach…she shopped around and played while I was at work during the day…and just hung out at night. She loves my house and loves the town I live in and is ecstatic about how happy I am here. My dad drove in on Thursday from playing golf in NC and my parents stayed in a hotel room for the rest of the weekend. Thursday night we went to an amazing seafood restaurant downtown Charleston called Fleet Landing…we sat outside on the water and had the most amazing food and catch up time. After dinner we drove around downtown Charleston and out around the beautiful Battery. I took Friday off of work so we headed out to my favorite spot on Sullivans Island…Poe’s Tavern…my parents got to experience the fun beach atmosphere and delicious famous burgers. We then toured through Fort Moultrie…which was really cool…but it was so hot I thought we were going to sweat to death! We didn’t make it out to Fort Sumter…but I am sure we will next time b/c of how much Fort Moultrie intrigued us. Did you know that 40% of the Slaves in the United States came over through Sullivan’s Island in SC…that’s just nuts to me! We then headed to Boone Hall Plantation…which I have been dying to go to for years…this is where I have dreamed of getting married for a very long time now…the history and beauty along with southern charm is indescribable. We took a tour of the plantation home and the gardens…along with the cotton dock which I want my wedding reception to be held one day! Its just gorgeous! Friday night we had an interesting dinner at The Boat House on Isle of Palms…I say interesting b/c normally this place is good but we went on a bad night…we had mushy shrimp and Key Lime pie that they forgot to put the lime in…haha…but it was still fun! We were pooped so we went to bed after dinner. Saturday my parents went and toured around downtown Charleston scoping out what they want to do on their next visit…I had errands to run b/c I had a wedding to go to that night…I met them for lunch at Waters Edge on Shem Creek in Mt Pleasant…this is a great place for lunch/din on the water…and they have such amazing food…it was really cool watching everyone drive up on their boats for lunch…ah, one day I will have a boat! Hehe…I went to my friends wedding Saturday night and sent my parents to The Wreck for some famous fried seafood…they loved it…they watched the GT football game in their hotel room…so it worked out well that I had an un-expected wedding to go to while they were visiting! Sunday I met them for brunch at Charleston’s Café… it was truly amazing as well…highly recommend if you are in the area…we had the best pancakes! Then I was sad to see them off…but it was a great visit…I think they really enjoyed their time…besides the weather! I am going home in a week to see them again…can’t wait! Here are pics from their visit…

at Fleet Landing
my parents ;)
my parents on Sullivans Island

my daddy and I

my mom and I

Pics of Fort Moultrie on Sullivans Island

Pic of Fort Sumter across the water...my new camera has great zoom!

Pics of Boone Hall Plantation (notice the chairs...they were setting up for a wedding in front of the front gates of the mansion)

just gorgeous

Front Gate

I couldn't take enough pics of the Oak Trees that lined the main driveway

breathtaking

the slave quarters

slave house

AND the gorgeous Cotton Dock where I WILL one day have my wedding reception...I just love it and think it's the prettiest place in the world!!!

they were setting up for a wedding

my family :)

aaaah...I just love it

Happy Friday from Charleston!

Life Update!

My life seems very crazy right now with little time for blogging! I am just going going going...which I guess is a good thing...thought I would update you on my life and things I'm loving..in a nutshell...

• Love Charleston...never want to move
• Still liking my new job...hope to find something else to use my creative talents one day though
• Hanging out with 'Surfer' a lot...we have so much fun together...we love to cook/run/go to College of Charleston soccer games/beach/hang out/etc. together...we are still trying to keep it not serious even though we spend almost every day together!...he is scared of committment and relationships (of course) so I am trying not to let myself like him on the next level, hopefully I'm not setting myself up to be hurt again...going to a party with him on top of the SC Aquarium this weekend...so we might get the first pic of him...and I will post of course!!! ; )
• My parents came into town the first wknd in Oct...thinking they could wait until Oct for cooler weather here in CHS...nope...they came the hottest record breaking wknd in years! of course! We still had a great time and they loved getting to see where I live, my house, my work, and some local attractions...they have already mapped out everywhere they want to go when they come back...I think I gained 5 lbs thinking I was on vaca as well when they were here...we ate plenty of yummy Seafood! Pics and Post on their visit to come...
• It has finally cooled down in CHS...I'm liking it...love breaking out the boots...but don't know for how long
• A college friend got married 2 weekends ago...had to see 'Ex' and his new girlfriend...it was tough I will not lie...but it had to happen sooner or later...we said hey to eachother and caught up for a second..he then introduced me to his gorgeous tall and skinny new girlfriend...ugh...it's fine though b/c I know we are not meant to be together I think I just still have an issue with the rejection..I am glad he is happy now though
• I have been cooking a lot more lately since dating 'Surfer'...It just makes me so happy...made Turkey Bean Chili last night...and Healthy Banana Bread last week...will have to post the recipes for ya...looking for some cooking classes to get back into around here
• Love spinning...absolutely love it...best work out, best cardio burn...you should try it!
• I broke down and went to Tri-Sports and bought a new pair of running shoes and a pair of spin shoes...I highly recommend going and getting shoes to fit your feet and running style..makes all the difference in the world! Will post on the ones I got soon...
• Have you been to TasteBook.com?...LOVE!!! I'm obsessed! You can create gorgeous cookbooks with recipes already on the site...OR you can upload your own recipes and pics...the quality looks amazing!...I just love it for all the yummy healthy recipes already posted!
• Going home next wknd to visit my family...hopefully will see my two ATL besties as well...I miss them!
• Haven't had time to catch up on other blogs in a while...I hope everyone is doing great! Thanks for sticking with me through this crazy time of my life!...its nice to know your still interested! Love yall!

I'm alive!/MIA/Boston Trip

Remember me? Wow have I been busy! My new job in Charleston has gotten very busy…can’t complain though b/c I still really like it and the days go by really fast! I hate to say I do not have much/any time to blog anymore ; ( This makes me very sad but I guess it’s a fact of life. I started this blog when I had my boring job in ATL and had plenty of time to update and read all about your lives as well on a daily basis…that is no longer my life anymore here in Charleston. I stay VERY busy, but have never been this happy!...so I won’t complain…just have to apologize to all my followers b/c this blog unfortunately will not be the same anymore. I will post as often as I can…especially when I have pics!!!
Last I wrote I was leaving for Boston with my best friends from college for one of our best friends weddings! It was one of the best trips…we had the greatest time! We left on Wednesday night after work and got into Boston really late. We met up with all our friends and went to bed b/c of our busy weekend ahead of us. Thursday all us girls got our nails done and went to a BBQ at my friend Aimee’s (the brides) parents house in the afternoon. Aimee’s wedding was on a Friday night so the rehearsal dinner was Thursday night at a barn type restaurant…they had Italian food…and we had a great time. Friday was the wedding day…and it was GORGEOUS weather! I have to say it got pretty cold at night though…like colder than it ever gets here in Charleston…haha. The wedding ceremony went perfectly and we couldn’t have been happier for them. They had charter buses to take people from the hotel to the reception b/c it was at a farm in the woods and they didn’t want anyone driving home after drinking…HOWEVER our bus got lost, then stuck trying to turn around…so we started to freak out thinking we were going to miss the reception…someone got the father of the bride on the phone and they sent cars from the reception to come pick everyone up from the stranded bus…it was hilarious b/c some people had to ride in the back of pick ups all dressed up…hahaha! Once we got to the reception we drank/ate like queens/danced the night away! It was a great party! My friend Aimee was such a gorgeous bride who was glowing all night and the reception sight was breath-taking! I wouldn’t have changed anything! Saturday we headed to the city of Boston for some sight-seeing and hanging out in the city. We walked around the streets of Boston, did some shopping, went to Sonsie’s (?) for lunch and drinks (amazing!), went to Cask n Flagan’s at Fenway for some beer and football, then out that night (without showering against my will!). I ventured out to get a pic of Fenway park…the Red Sox were in NY this weekend so that sucked…BUT I got to see Ben Afleck filming a movie there!!!! So I didn’t get to get very close for a pic…but it was exciting anyways! For some reason we decided not to shower and just stay out for drinks that night…so we didn’t get all dressed up and go out like I had wanted to …but we figured we were already out so we might as well stay out….we are crazy! We had such a great time and I think it took me a whole week to recuperate! Here are some pics of my fabulous trip!

in airport having our first vacation beer....which led to us almost missing our flight and our full names being called over the airport intercom...hilarious

getting our nails done on Thursday

the happy bride

all of us except one (who didnt get in until Friday) at bbq

the brides family

love

being goofy

rehearsal dinner... my college roomies

bride and groom...so cute

practicing dancing..haha

wedding day...the groom

here comes the bride...

ceremony

the brides adorable nephew who I could not stop taking pics of!

hehe

Mr. and Mrs.!

the pic we took when we were stuck on the bus on the way to the reception

the stuck bus ; )

gorgeous fall flowers

gorgeous reception venue

wedding party

the bride and groom

first dance

college roomies...besties

cutting cake

all of us!

me and the beautiful bride! she was glowing!

... and its party time!

us with the groom dancing

me with my best guy friend

one of their guy friends who raps...he took the mic...hilarious

she was gorgeous! such a great time!

the happy couple

the whole wedding party

Saturday...we headed to Boston for the day/night...

us walking around the city

lunch at Sonsie's...yum Belini's!

all us girls...city girls for the day ; )

besties...arm pop!

for all you stationery snobs like me...

as close to Fenway Park as I got :(

the girls Saturday night...enjoying eachother in Boston

it was so great to be able to share that special weekend with her!

Fine 9 minus 1!

aaah...so that was my Boston trip in a nutshell! I will post an update on my life very soon...everything is going great though! I am going to catch up on all your lives right now! ttfn!

one of the most amazing wknds of my life!

Hello! Sorry I have been MIA...I have been sick ; (...getting over it though because I am heading to Boston for one of my best friends weddings tonight!!! All our college besties are going and I am going to have the post of a lifetime from this trip...so check in next week!

So last weekend was AMAZING...mostly b/c my bestie Pink Sass ended up coming into town! We thought it was going to be rainy and nasty all weekend so her hubby decided not to come....but it turned out to be a gorgeous weekend! We went to Taco Boy friday night for the most amazing tacos...highly recommend...went to the beach on Saturday ; )....then went to Home Team on Saturday and watched football all day...my tigers won so I was happy! It was just a great weekend of soooo much fun...here are the pics!!!

all of us watching football!
Friday Night...my two besties

love

roomie!

Pink Sass

Hope everyone has a great weekend....I am off to BOSTON!!!! YEAH!!!!