Is It Winter Already?

I don't know about y'all, but it's like seven times something cold outside. AND I LOVE IT!!!!

I love the cold. I could probably live up in the North (like in Tennessee) if I had too. Hubby, not so much. He actually would love it if we lived further South. I am adamantly against that one. I can't handle the gnats. I am perfectly happy living above the gnat line...for the rest of my life.

And I am not kidding when I say gnat line. It does exist. For those of you not familiar with this phenomenon, it is an imaginary line dividing coastal areas from more inland areas especially the Carolinas and Georgia. I've been told that I would get use to them.

Here's the thing...I DON"T WANT TO GET USE TO THEM.

So I am glad that it is getting cold. No more mosquitoes or any other kind of annoying bug.

We have already used our outdoor fireplace. Hubby and I sat in front of the fire sipping on our cocktails and enjoyed the sound of a roaring fire.

And this morning as I set out to walk Sasha I loaded up on my cold weather gear which consisted of pants, a long sleeved shirt, a sweatshirt, gloves, and ear warmers. I was nice and warm. Sasha and I got a good work out...in the cold. It was fabulous.

Last year I made a list of things I love about the fall. It is so worth mentioning again with few updates.

1. Football in the South

2. And excuse to make coffee at 3:00 in the afternoon

3. The outdoor fireplace

4. Pumpkins

5. Homemade chili

6. Changing colors in the foliage

7. My down comforter

8. Brisk evenings

9. The sound of a roaring fire

10. Jeans and flip flops

11. The smell of cinnamon, oranges & cloves

12. Nibblets (aka chex mix)

13. Yellow and orange mums

14. Christmas shopping

15. Decorating

16. Curling up in a blanket watching a movie

17. Sausage balls

18. My soft robe

19. Football in the South at night

20. Oh and my jeans!

Onions Aren't So Bad Afterall

I have tried for years to make good chicken salad. It wouldn't seem like such a hard thing to do, but I could never make it right. And you'd think I could make it since my mom can make some good chicken salad.  I did research on great chicken salad. I tried recipe after recipe. But still the same result.

Part of the problem was onions. I have had a strong aversion to onions that goes back to my high school camp days. It's a story for another time. But if my high school friend Katherine were here, I'm sure she’d love to tell you all about it. And maybe one day I will share that embarrassing story (if there is enough interest).

I can tell you with great pride that I have overcome the onions.

And alas, I have succeeded with the chicken salad.

I am so thrilled that I want to share the magic.

Sporty Mama's Chicken Salad

1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, chopped (I used herb roasted chicken)
1/3 cup onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
2 large spoonfuls of mayonnaise (or however much you like)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp lemon pepper
*I am guessing on the measurements because I eyeballed everthing.*

Mix together and serve on Nature's Own Honey Wheat bread with sweet butter lettuce. 

It is so yummy!  The lemon pepper adds a twist. 

Try it and tell me what you think.

Just Another Day In Paradise

I know its October and I have been much of a blogger lately. Between the rain and the car, I've been a little stressed.

The Tornado came down with a little bug and of course was up all night. And it took several days to recover from that. Until this point I never knew what it was like to be up all night with a sick child. Hence, I could never sympathize with my mom friends that were struck by the child vomiting all night. Well, I can now say that I have been initiated into the club.

Fortunately for us, we were able to get away for an extended weekend thanks to Nana and Papa. We went to Apalachicola for a little B & B getaway. I had never been there before, but was told it was a quaint little fishing town. There's not much to do, but that was kind of the point. We stayed at the Coombs House Inn. We did a little shopping, ate some great seafood. Two days into our trip, we were having a great relaxing time.

Then it hit.

I got the same bug as the Tornado. Our fishing trip was cancelled. It was traded in for an entire day in the bed with ginger ale and saltine crackers to eat. Precious Hubby laid right there beside me and waited on me hand and foot.

Luckily I felt better on Saturday. Mama and her Hubby met us for a little getaway of their own. We watched the dreadful football game together. (Which I won't even touch that one since I have put the game behind me in order to move on with my life. It is so not worth emotional energy at this point.) Afterwards, we sat on the front porch of the inn for cocktail hour and some laughs.

Oh, how the laughs can sooth the soul!

Now it's back to the ordinary life of taking care of a family, living on a tight budget, and all the things that come with owning a home.

But I love what Phil Vassar says.

Well, it's ok. It's so nice. It's just another day in paradise. Well, there's no place that I'd rather be. Well, it's two hearts and one dream. I wouldn't trade it for anything. And I ask the Lord every night for just another day in paradise

There's Been A Whole Lot Of Clean Up Goin On

I wish that I had taken pictures to show you what our yard and house looked like after all of that rain. But I don't have any. So you'll have to take my word for it.

I spent yesterday morning pressure washing the layer of sand off of our driveway. Hubby and the Tornado went to Lowe's for dirt and pinestraw. He had to fill in where the water washed our our yard. He also had to replant the banana trees and hydrangas that were completely uprooted.

Meanwhile, the inside of our house has been a little neglected...mostly because we have been gone.

Then the Tornado got a little bug Wednesday and was up all night. That means that I was up as well. Needlesstosay, we were completely worthless Thursday.

Hopefully, I can get some things accomplished today. But, I am a little sluggish from celebrating from my AUBURN TIGERS win over the Vols last night.

Mama's New Ride

The rain has ended...for now.

Hallelujah!

Now the clean up is under way. The first order of business was to find a car.

It was a very frustrating and time consuming process.

And did I mention I hate dealing with car people. And we had fair share of slimy ones. But thankfully it is over.

I am now sporting a Jeep Commander.

This was not the car I was expecting to get, but it was the right one. And it's taking some getting use to after driving a sedan for so long. But I am glad to be back in a SUV.

Notice the Tiger Eyes. That had to be put on right away!

I even have a AUX port for my iPod.

And Sasha has her very own seat.

Now it's on to step 2 which is the house. It is a disaster.