It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

It's kick off time today!  

 We may not have Peyton Manning to direct the Pride of the Southland...

 …But we have Derek Dooley and his pants to call the plays on the sidelines!  

GO VOLS!!!!

Thirsty Thursday: Beergarita

Can you believe there is technically only one weekend left of the summer?  Are we all going to have to pack up our white jeans, shorts, and shoes soon?

I didn't want to let summer slip by, even if Hurricane Isaac stood in the way.  A friend had recently moved into town from the West coast of Orange County (yes, the land of Real Housewives and botox!) and I was determined to show a good time…even if the weather did not want to cooperate.

Saturday we headed out to Zen West, in Belvedere Square and indulged in a "little" cocktail.  Have you all had the chance to try out a "Beergarita" this summer?  It basically consists of a couple beers dipped in a frozen margarita.  I have had the chance to try this out at the beach and at this restaurant…by far, this is my favorite.  That may also be because of the many looks and comments we receive as people walk by our table outside.

If you get a chance, stop by Zen West in Towson to try out this tasty beverage.

Take Me Out...

Monday night we got to watch the O's win their 70th game.  Of course, we started off at Pickles Pub across from the stadium and enjoyed a Natty Boh...

 We had great seats behind home plate to enjoy the beautiful night.

 The boys got us ice cream in these hats...

 Which, in turn, we washed out and took home for Bax...

He wasn't as much a fan!  

Hope you all are living up this last week of summer!  

Tuesday Treats: Cream Cheese Pound Cake

I've heard all over Pintrest that this is the best cake, and even my friend, Erin, in California told me about it a while ago.  I knew I had to try it, and I found just the occasion.  Last week, after my parents had their final day of moving with the movers and all, I wanted to bring them dinner and dessert, as I knew they would be tired after a long day.  I thought this would be a perfect time to try out the recipe.  Not only did they love it, but so did their neighbors!

Ingredients

11/2 cups butter, softened

8 oz cream cheese, softened

3 cups sugar

6 large eggs

3 cups flour

1/8 tsp salt

1 Tbsp vanilla

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Grease bundt pan and place to side.

2.  Beat butter and cream cheese until creamy.

3.  Gradually add sugar, beating well.

4.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating until combined.

 5.  Combine flour and salt.  Gradually add to butter mixture, beating until blended well.

6.  Stir in vanilla.

7.  Pour into prepared pan.

8.  Bake at 300 degrees for an hour and 40 minutes.  

 9.  Cool in pan for 15 minutes.  

 10.  Remove from pan and continue to cool completely.

ENJOY!!!

Don't Say It's So!

Is summer really almost over?!  I love the thought that fall is right around the corner, but I'm so sad to see summer go.  We had a wonderful week at the beach a couple weeks ago.  We were lucky enough to see sunrises on the beach…

…and sunsets on the bay.

One of my favorite things about summer is all the fresh fruits and veggies.  And we took full advantage of that at the beach.  One night we made crab cakes to have with some delicious corn and salad.

We were able to visit our neighbors new house on the bay.  It is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful!  I could sit here all day and just look out on to the water.

Bax loved it just as much, as he could see everything going on through the railings and was right in the action!

The boys did some paddle boarding; I did not try this yet…maybe in the next couple weeks... 

Boat rides are always one of our favorites!

 How gorgeous is their deck?  Complete with tiki torches and the American Flag.  

 After a day of fun, we were ready for an adult beverage.  Yes, we keep in classy…have you had a Fatty Natty?!

 Crabs on the deck with another beautiful sunset over the bay.

Bax was not as much of a fan of the hammock as I was...

 Couldn't come home without some Fisher's popcorn for the nurses!

 Of course a week at the beach is great, but we also had tons of fun at home.  

I was able to see my friend, Cody, from Nashville who I haven't seen in ages.  It was so great to catch up with him, even if it was only for a quick visit!

 These little munchkins have made summer even more fun!  How cute are they all?!  

 After I see them, I always need a glass of wine to contemplate how my girlfriends do it!  

 And of course, I'm trying to soak in every last bit of time at the pool that my schedule will allow!

 I had to throw in this picture of my mom and her twin.  They just look too cute!  This was at my aunt and uncles anniversary party…35 years!

 And we welcomed another baby to the world.  This sweet little boy, Fisher, is already quite the Vol fan!  Congrats, Jessica, Reed, and Caroline!

I am hoping to get in a couple more views of this beach in the next couple weeks...

 …but for now, it's back to the grind…but I honestly don't mind this view during work either!

Hope you all are having a great time soaking up the last bit of summer!

Onward and Upward!

Today is a special day for this couple.  They will be turning the keys on their house they built in Phoenix, Maryland, for the last time.  My mom and dad built their house together 25 years ago and it has been nothing but the best.  Full of memories, this house will always have a special place in our hearts.  

The first night we stayed there the fire alarm went off and Lindsey and I cried.  I said, "I want to go home," and to my disappointment, my mom said, "this is our new home."  The next morning my mom tried to put me on the school bus with Ms. Bonnie, the bus driver, while I was crying my eyes out.  I was so upset with my mom and dad.  Little did I know, how much I would grow to love our home in Phoenix.  We had our First Communion parties there complete with horse rides in the front lawn; the best neighbors any kid could ask for with tons of games of flashlight tag, kick the can, and bike rides galore; birthday parties, graduation parties, wedding festivities, dinner parties, Christmas parties, holiday gatherings.  Don't get me wrong…it wasn't always glorious.  My dad ran over the tricycle and the skateboard, my sister's head got smacked against one too many walls which required many sutures over the years, the rain took upon our graduation parties, Christmas trees fell over (or didn't fit in the door when we got home), Mom's fingers (and my long hair) were caught in the beaters of the Kitchen Aid mixer during cookie baking times, we were sent to our rooms numerous times, all while running up the stairs, covering our behinds in fear of a spanking!  But, Lindsey and I always could slip notes under the bedroom doors to each other to say we were sorry and would find a way to get games started even when our parents took away everything.  Forts were built in the living room and basement, we always had a homemade dessert that Mom would bake, and always had a big backyard that Dad would throw us pitches and pop flies to work on our softball game!  We may never have had the in ground pool we begged mom and dad for, but we had a trampoline….and best of yet, memories we will hold forever.  

Congrats, Mom and Dad, on your new house today!  Once again, they did an amazing job building a new home and we can't wait to start building our memories there!