What's Shakin?

Yeah......... so we've been MIA lately.  Sorry folks.  With a weekend at home, the last thing I want to do is sit at the computer.  I spent much of the weekend relaxing and recuperating from the Deadly Sinuses, but Friday night took my Mom for a little treat:

It was funny, entertaining, and girly.  Just what the doctor ordered. 

The weekend rallied on without me, but for awhile it looked like my beloved Crimson Tide was under the weather as well. 

Seriously could not even watch the game. 

DVR'ed it, went back, watched our victory later. 



What happened the rest of the weekend?  Hmmm... Mr. Smith cleaned out his closets. 

Without any wifely assistance.  (Well maybe a little...)

Write that moment down in history. 

Lugged out 7 garbage bags full of clothes and shoes this morning for a Hannah Home pick-up.

Last night Mr. Smith and I had a little something different for dinner:

Fingers of Fire, Fries, and Celery. 

No, we weren't at Buffalo Phil's in T-Town  (however, that does sound mighty tasty right now....)

Go buy you some chicken tenders and cook them like usual. 

Once they've cooled a little, pop those bad boys into a freezer Ziploc bag with some wing sauce, CLOSE the bag, and then mix away. 

Delicious with Ranch dressing. 

There are no pictures, because we inhaled them as soon as they hit the plate. 

These also make delicious (guy-lovin') appetizers for those football parties. 

The Return of Glorious Television (amongst other things)...

Ahhh..... nothing makes the Smith's happier than getting back into a routine, particularly with our favorite TV shows.  I'm sure you all have your favs as well!  It was such as welcome return as the premieres of such beloved shows as Glee and Modern Family came bouncing back on our screen.  Even some new ones we've yet to try out on the DVR! 

Don't worry, we didn't spend all week as couch potatoes.  Even though I'm dealing with some nasty sinus issues (TMI?) we managed to do some other things, like:

Celebrating these crazy kids' birthdays at Tavern on the Summit. 

Happy Birthday Mr. and Mrs. Carroll!

With a Cookie Cake, no less. 

Lesson Learned:  This is what your Cookie Cake will look like if you try to have it made 10 minutes before your dinner reservation. 

However, it still tasted delicious-in-my-belly.

Both slices. 

Celebrated the finale of our Cash Bandits Campaign for Children's Hospital at the "Bandit Bash" Wednesday night.

There's me (in the black & white) accepting our First Place Fundraising Prize from Children's Miracle Network with a few of my co-workers. 

Have you been listening to Magic 96.5 FM?  You probably heard me on it a few times yesterday and today, challenging our area to give to this great cause. 



I'm Gonna Put You In The Auburn Store!

This is how we teach our children right from wrong here in Alabama.

Roll. Tide. Roll.

Mission: Accomplished.

I did it.  I did all of it.  And then some.  All weekend goals can be officially checked off!  Even though Mr. Smith scampered off for some male-bonding time dove hunting on Saturday, I was a busy little bee. 

Alas, it's Monday, and I'm a bit pooped.  Ever feel like the weekends are more work than play?  Ironically, that's what Dr. Turner said yesterday in her sermon "Remembering the Sabbath."  Ahem.  Message received. 

Have y'all ever heard of Vulcan AfterTunes?  It's a fun, family-friendly event at Vulcan Park on Sunday afternoon's.  There's two more in the concert series: October 3rd and October 17th.  Work is a community sponsor, and Mr. Smith graciously helped me pass out water bottles to concert goers yesterday in the blazing heat.  Seriously... where is Fall? 

www.visitvulcan.com

Lofty Goals

I've got some goals for this weekend, kids.  Some real, lofty ones.  Ones that I've put on the backburner for awhile now.  And since it's an away Alabama football game, that gives the Smith's a weekend at home for some serious errands knock-out.  And by Smiths, I mean, of course, Mrs. Smith, as Mr. Smith has already conveyed to me his own lofty goals for the weekend.  They consist of Cooper, AL football, frosty beverages, and grillin'.  Hmmm. 

To Do this Weekend

1.  Haircut.  Don't tell anyone, but it's been 9 1/2 weeks since my last haircut.  My dead ends are screaming at me, and I think people at work are wondering why I keep wearing it pulled back in a messy knot.  I am trying - I repeat, trying - to grow it out for Locks of Love again. 

2.  Oil Change.

3.  Clean Out Fridge.  Don't even get me started on this one. 

4.  Clean out Closets to swap out Summer clothes for Fall/Winter ones.  Yes, it's still in the mid-90's here, and the Weatherman is insisting it will be that way for a couple more weeks.  But I just cannot wear the "Big No's" after Labor Day: white, linen, seersucker, Springy pastels, etc.  I'm not saying I'm going to bust out the wool and tweed next week, but surely I've got some happy medium's in there somewhere. 

5.  Start a pile for Hannah Home - again.  I swear I do this 3-4 times a year.  I don't know where this stuff comes from.  Attempt to put some of Mr. Smith's "stuff" into said pile.  Mr. Smith has "hoarding" tendencies (he comes by it honestly though... ahem Father-in-Law), and there are still boxes he has yet to go through and unpack from his big move-in last summer, there are still some polo shirts I see hanging in there that I know he hasn't worn in years, and there are still some drawers with "clutter" in them that need to be organized. 

6.  Attend super fun "Lo Country Boil" for the Soon-To-Be-Searsons.  Got them a cute wedding gift for the shower, but I'll show it to y'all later.  I don't want them to see it beforehand!

7.  Church. 

8.  Vulcan AfterTunes at Vulcan Park on Sunday afternoon.  Work is a community sponsor, and we'll be having a water bottle table there, which will be manned by moi. 

What are your Big Plans for the weekend? 

Wordless Wednesday: Smith's Guilty Pleasure

Happy Monday! A New Recipe for the Smith's...

Happy Monday and a big ROLL TIDE to everyone!

After a full weekend of manual labor (that's more Mr. Smith than me, admittingly... and also Dad), we made our way to cheer on the Crimson Tide to a #14 National Championship season. 

In case you missed it, we creamed Penn State, 24-3.

However, super cool for Joe Pa to be in our Stadium. 

History is alive there, people. 

Tonight I made a new dish - Artichoke Chicken. 

I janked it from Kelly's Korner, a blog I love to read. 

It's super easy, and delicious-in-your-belly.

Mr. Smith gave it two enthusiastic thumbs up. 

You'll need the following + 3-4 chicken breasts. 

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Place your uncooked chicken breasts on a greased 9 X 13 dish.

Mix together:

1 can (15 oz) Artichoke Hearts, drained & chopped

3/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

3/4 Cup Mayo

1/ Tsp Garlic Salt

After mixing that up, spread it evenly over your chicken breasts, like so:

Cook for 30 minutes at 375 degrees.

The Result:

Hmmmm.... looks good right? 

Another Reason I love Alabama Football... Big AL.

Big AL really doesn't get as much credit as he needs... but he is an integral part of the Crimson Tide.

Isn't he cute?

Back to Reality...

It's back to reality folks, as the Smith's have returned home from the gorgeous Sandestin beaches.  Might I add there was not one trace of oil - not one. 

There were, however, traces of sea snails everywhere along the beach and in the ocean. 

Sea snails that looked dangerous and would potentially squirt you with ink. 

Sea snails I became afraid of... Big Time. 

I digress.

We're back at work, doing the daily grind, as usual. 

Do y'all watch The Bachelor Pad and all its franchise shows?  Sad to say, I do.  It's like a car accident - you can't tear your eyes away from it at 7pm Central on Monday nights. 

And it kind of makes you either want to take a scalding shower or lather up with some antibacterial gel immediately after its conclusion. 

However, it's hilarious.  These people never cease to amaze me, and I've found one lovely blogger, Lincee, who shares her Recaps of all things Bachelor-related on her blog: www.ihategreenbeans.com. 

She. Is. Hysterical. 

Read it and weep, my friends. 

Beach Bound!

Mr. and Mrs. Smith are Beach Bound this afternoon to the beautiful Sandestin beaches!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and cheers on the Crimson Tide to a #14 National Championship Season.

Shoot for the moon, people.

And eat a Denny Dog for me please.  Maybe two.  (Thanks Sister!) 

Wordless Wednesday: Whatcha Read this Summer?