2 More Days

This week has been so busy! And it's only Tuesday. And I still have a lot to get done before Ashlyn and I head off to Memphis Thursday to see JUSTIN BIEBER. Can you believe it's time already?? My wallet can't believe it, either.

I picked up some earplugs when I was out shopping the other day. I think as long as I don't forget the tickets and earplugs I should be just fine. Bring it on screaming 10 year olds. Bring it on.

But until Thursday we are staying busy with Halloween festivities. We went to a carnival Sunday. Kittrell walked over to the cupcake decorating table like a big boy, sat in the chair, pointed to a cupcake, then ate half the thing before the sweet lady could even get him his icing. It was adorable!

Last night, we got Kittrell back into his cowboy costume. Ashlyn, my wanna be teenager, was too good to dress up again after Sunday. *sigh*. Bit it's ok. I still have several years of making Kittrell wear what I want him to. :) we went to the carnival at our church. I think Kittrell got the hang of the duck pond game. Ashlyn played everything at least 4 times each. And then it was time for awesome Bingo! Which I won one of the rounds. And y'all- I won a small fridge. A Budweiser one. It was all wrapped up in a box. We got home and opened it up, and I've never laughed so hard in my life. It is the funniest/ strangest/ weirdest looking thing I have ever seen in my life. There just are no words. I didn't get a picture, but I promise that next time we get it out I will get a picture to share the hilariousness that is a BEER CAN shaped fridge. Yes. I said that. Don't be jealous.
But anyways, the fridge made for a good laugh. I won a bunch of other stuff with it, so it's all good. And it's really good seeing as how I never win anything! Never!

Has everyone carved their pumpkins already? Halloween is tomorrow, and we haven't! Ashlyn will be gone all afternoon- wont be home till after 6:30 so I guess we are going to do some night carving tonight. Always a last minute-er.

Now, just getting a head start on packing for BIEBER. Ashlyn got a new outfit (complete with super cute hat) this past weekend. All purple- Justin's favorite color. I even got myself a new 'concert' tshirt. We're so excited!!

Hope y'all have a very Happy Halloween and get lots of candy!!

Ashlyn is Officially a Bulldog!

Last weekend, when we played MTSU- not when we played Alabama (that Alabama game is a whole other story!), Daniel and I surprised Ashlyn with a weekend getaway to Starkville. A weekend of playing with the Cooper's and tailgating and her very first football game! She had a BLAST!! Can't wait for our next trip!





That girl- she never put her cowbell down!

Loving my updated camera on my phone!

Waiting in line to play on the inflatables.  That place was packed!

3:00 and ready for a nap.

Deep conversation...

All she wanted to do was take a picture with a football player.  Although I can't tell you who these two are, I succeeded in my mission.

Me and Daniel.... and Bodie.  Photobombed!

Climbing trees

Cheering!

I especially love this picture because it looks like Georgia Grace is beating Ashlyn with her cowbell. 

Still ringing that cowbell!

Ashlyn's Pigs

Well, we did it. Ashlyn wanted to show pigs last year. We never got around to all that.. So we stayed on top of our game this year and now Ashlyn is the proud owner of 2 pigs- Porky and Snorty.

I know nothing about raising pigs, showing pigs, etc. This is all Danny and Daniel's doings. We'll see how things go! I will say, though, that the pigs are happily staying in a pen with our cousin's 4 pigs. So when we go for a visit, the smell of 6 pigs, well. You know how that would smell. I wish I could say that the smell would get better, but I'm afraid it won't!

P.S.- Guess what we're doing this weekend??? About to pick Ashlyn up from school, and surprising her with a trip to Starkville! It's going to be a great weekend of football and tailgating with the Cooper's!! Ashlyn is going to be so excited!!!

My Very First Culinary Weekend

Did I ever mention to you guys that I LOVE my job?  Well, I do.  And I was finally home on a culinary weekend, so I begged and begged until I was put on the schedule to work.  Yall- the food was SO good.  I LOVE good food.  And these guys- the guest chefs for the weekend- can cook some SERIOUSLY good food.  I know because I tried alot  a little of it all. 

 

And I have pictures! Prepare to be jealous. 

Maple Cheesecake with Cranberries and Pecans.
Heaven.

Speaks for itself, right??

Chicken-Fried Quail with Melted Onions, Warm Potatoes, and TRUFFLE GRAVY.
I capitalized the truffle gravy for dramatic effect. 
It was the beez kneez.
Next time I have quail at home, you can bet your bottom I'll be chicken frying it.

More oysters!! I only had like 12 3.

'Puttanesca' Vinaigrette with Confit Tuna and Hand-Stretched Mozzarella.
I will make that 'Puttanesca' vinaigrette again, and bathe in it.

Yellowfin Tuna with Sea Urchin Vinaigrette and Pickled Mustard Seeds.
I may or may not have licked the plate.

Chicken Tortellini with Foie Gras Sugo, Sage, Proscuitto, and Parmesan. 
HOLY CRAP.
I cried, yall.  I cried. 
Actually, sitting here thinking about all the glory that is that dish has me kind of tearing up again.

Ah- the coveted chefs.  Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudman. (The 2 in the middle)
Here's the deal- they have 2 restaurants- Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen and Hog & Hominy. They are both in Memphis, so go eat there!!

Beautiful, beautiful pecans.

The life of a traveling chef...

Braised Pork Osso Buco with Butternut Squash Risotto, Porcini-Glazed Turnips and Pear Moustarda.
:)
Here's my before picture.....

Can't hate a huge bowl full of hand stretched mozzarella!

And the 'after Lauren got a hold of the osso buco' picture...

Rotini with Tripe, Tomato, Cannellini Beans and Mint.
Still a little shocked by this one.  Mint+ tomato sauce= AWESOME.
Remember that for next time.

Here's a fun one!!
Ovaltine-Semifreddo with Salted Apples and Candied Apple-Bourbon Sauce.
(With crushed Wopper's on top.)
Dang! I wish I had some more of that!

Ahhh- a freshly fried quail!