Thursday, November 19, 2009

Aslan, aka Asla-tater

I know I say this every week, but this is a fun week over at Kelly's. It's about pets....


Meet Alsan...my little fur-baby. He is 3 years old and SO sweet (and a LOT spoiled). We got him from the shelter this summer. I saw his picture online and knew I had to have him. I've never had a long hair cat...so that has been fun. Now he pretty much sheds via clumps of hair...super easy to clean up. And...then...we vacuum a couple of times a week (including the couch).
He has to sit next to me....whether I'm at the table or on the couch...we are best buddies.
He also likes hanging out near the sun spots on the carpet. Look at that face.


So, the other day, this is what I saw when I woke up in the morning. I guess the ledge is getting smaller. But, the sun feels good. And, now it is time to hang out with momma.
In honor of Aslan...I wanted to do a giveaway of my new project: Custom Photo Cards. Leave a comment here before next Thursday (Thanksgiving) and I will announce the winner on Friday...and you should have your design by Sunday 11-29...just in time for Christmas Cards!! (This doesn't have to be a Holiday card...I can do a birth announcement or birthday invitation...whatever!)

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Designs Designs Designs

Christmas Photo Cards!!! Here is a sampling of the first round of designs. These are available in 4x6 or 5x7. They are only $10 for the design...and you can print them anywhere you want (or at home). I get mine printed at Walgreens...and right now they are running a special...30 4x6 prints for $3. SUCH A GOOD DEAL.

You can find all of these designs in my etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/TriciaNaeDesigns

If you want a completely custom design...just email me or convo me via etsy! Stay tuned...there will be a giveaway starting tomorrow (Thursday) so make sure to come back and check that out!!

I've also done some really fun blog makeovers....I'm in LOVE with all of them. You can click on any of them to be directed to the blog and check it out live.
If you want a blog makeover...be sure to check out my design site: http://tricia-naeblogdesign.blogspot.com/

Hope y'all are having a FABULOUS week. My FIRST ANNIVERSARY is this SUNDAY!! I can't believe I've been a MRS for a whole year....LOVE IT!!!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Thanksgiving Salad... Don't Judge

Sure, when you think of Thanksgiving you think of turkey, ham and dressing.

But, I do not like any of those things. (I do love both pumpkin and pecan pie...which are also very Thanksgivingy).

So...when I think of Thanksgiving, I think SALAD.

Before you go crazy yelling blasphemy!...let me explain. This salad is SOOOO good your tastebuds will be having a Thanksgiving party all their own.

And...the recipe is SUPER easy...something else I'm totally on board with.

You will need:
Romain lettuce
Mandarin oranges
1 c French dressing
1 c Mayonaise (the real stuff y'all)
some salt, Parmesan cheese, vinegar and most importantly....sesame seeds.

Toast your sesame seeds (be careful not to burn them....this is also SUPER easy to do. LOL).
Wash and tear the lettuce mix with oranges (drained)
Mix the dressing, mayo, salt, parmesan cheese, vinegar and toasted (or burnt) sesame seeds.
Top salad with dressing
ENJOY!!

We have this every Thanksgiving ... and have for as long as I can remember. My mom's family travels to Hooks (near Texarkanna) and there are around 20 of us that stay at the grandparents for the weekend. This salad has to be remade a few times while we are there. It's been known to even make breakfast appearances. I'm not saying by who...I'm just saying.

Speaking of traditions...last year we started a pretty amazing one with my family.
Yeah, there is pretty much nothing better (not even that salad) than celebrating the holidays with your HUSBAND!! And we will celebrate our 1yr anniversary a few days before Thanksgiving....just like we will for the next 50+ years. Now that is definitely something to be THANKFUL for!!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Weekend Wrap-Up

This Halloween weekend was all about Dalton. He was SO excited about it.

Last year, we went to a fall carnival at a church and there were a ton of bounce houses. As exciting as that was, Dalton was still a little apprehensive about all the people (read: grownups) in costumes. So we pretty much just walked around and stayed pretty close to the safe (read: me, megan, charlie and michael..all without costumes) peeps.

But, not this year. This year it was on.

Early Saturday afternoon, mom and Dalton met Charlie and I at a church here in town for a different "kid fest". Our little rodeo clown had a blast!! The bounce house slide was definitely his favorite.
But he also liked playing some of the games....because you could win candy.
Posing by the mechanical bull. Just like a rodeo clown.
We had an absolute blast following him around while he explored. It is so much fun watching him grow up (even if it is bittersweet). Later that night, his mom took him back and he got to wear his second costume...a fireman.

On Sunday....Megan had to work and I got to have Dalton-duty. Yay! So...we made a trip to McDonalds right by the apartment. We were the only ones in there...but that didn't stop Dalton from having lots of fun (and making the noise of several children).
He's pretty cute, right?
Hope y'all are having a fabulous week!!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Costumes

I used to LOVE dressing up for Halloween. I can remember being at school and just counting down the minutes until I could go home and dress up. I don't think we ever got to wear costumes to school though.

I need to go to my mom's and get copies of the pictures of me and all my costumes through the years. I know I was a little devil, a witch, a baseball player, a princess (more than once, I'm thinking)...but surely there were more. How sad is that I looked forward to it so much, but can't remember it now? I love getting older. Geesh.

Since we don't have any kidlets yet...we are having fun with Dalton (my nephew) on Halloween. His first year he was a skeleton (he was only 3 weeks old), then he was a monkey, and then a boxer, and then last year he was a marine:

And you can always count on Country Living to have something cute to inspire you. How fun are these?Charlie and I aren't doing anything this year. We might go to the Fall Festival at the church he helps out at...but we will just go as us. Last year, his sister had a party and he went as a nerd and I went as 80's girl. Good times.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Love Survey

I saw this cute little LOVE survey on Emily's blog. Thought I would share. Let me know if you do it too!

What are your middle names?
Rene and Chesley

How long have you been together?
Married for 11 months TODAY! But we have been together for 9 and a half years.

How long did you know each other before you started dating?
We met at work about a month before our first date.

Who asked who out?
I dropped some SERIOUS hints, but he asked me out.

How old are each of you?
I'm 29+1 and he is 29+a lot more than just one. He is 14 years older than me (did y'all know that?!..I married an old man! lol). OF course...he acts 14.....

Did you go to the same school?
No. He grew up in West Texas...I grew up in Dallas/Fort Worth. And, he is old. LOL

Are you from the same home town?
No. But he did live near my hometown for a few years as a kid.

Who is the smartest?
Me. But he knows a lot about other stuff...like cars and buildings and stuff.

Who majored in what?
I have a degree in Communication and am half way through my MLA (English). He is more of a student of life. Though, he is going back to school next year!! Yay for him!

Who is the most sensitive?
Are you kidding me? I AM. I cry ALL THE TIME.

Where do you eat out most as a couple?
Chipotle and LaMadeline. We also like Hoffbrau and Texas Roadhouse.

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Ottawa, Ontario.

Who has the worst temper?
Me. When I get mad...I get MAD. He never gets mad.

How many children do you want?
I want 2. He tried to be silly the other day and say 5 (that's how many their are in his family). Please.

Who does the cooking?
What is cooking?

Who is more social?
Umm..depends on the scenario. I talk a lot (a lot- a lot) once I get comfortable. But...he usually is comfortable with everyone...he's just a man of few words.

Who is the neat-freak?
Both of us. Which works out really well. Or really bad (depending on how you look at it).

Who is the most stubborn?
Me. By a long shot.

Who wakes up earlier?
Him. By a long shot.

Where was your first date?
To go see live music at this little bar in Arlington.

Who has the bigger family?
He has more siblings (4). I have 3. But our extended families are probably around the same. HUGE.

Do you get flowers often?
Never. Maybe 3 times since I've known him. No biggie.

How do you spend the holidays?
Traveling from family to family to family.

Who is more jealous?
Neither of us.

How long did it take to get serious?
Even though we dated forever (and a day) before he proposed, I think we "knew" after about 4 months.

Who eats more?
Definitely him. But, I do like to eat. *unfortunately*

What do you do for a living?
He is a machinist. I am a nothing right now. Well, I do some freelance graphic design and I look for a job.

Who does the laundry?
I do mine, he does his. I do the linens and stuff (he does have to put the towels up because I can't reach).

Who’s better with the computer?
Me.

Who drives when you are together?
He does. Unless, we go in my car. He hates cars.

What is "your" song?
Heavenly Day by Patty Griffin.

Fall, we need to talk.

I love Fall. I really, REALLY, really do.

You'd never know it though. NO decorations. Well, a pumpkin/cinnamon scented candle...but I burn those all year.

In my defense, last year....I celebrated Fall the best possible way...getting married. And I was too busy trying to decorate a banquet room and not so much an apartment. This year...well, I guess I'm just in a decorating funk.

Here is the full extent of my Fall/Halloween Decorating last year. Which, fyi, I didn't even do this year.

Fall...I'll make it up to you next year...I promise. Until then, let's sip our Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino and look at some of the pictures I've saved in my Fall Decorating Inspiration file.

source:unknown
source:Country Living
source:Country Lving
source:unknown
source:Country Living
source:Country Living

I LOVE the idea of having a walk up lined with pumpkins. I can not wait to have a house for this fact alone (okay...well this fact and a few more). And trees. I wants some trees in my yard so that the leaves will change colors and fall and I PROMISE I wont complain about raking them. We have these teeny tiny trees here at the apartment (our complex is only a year old) and they barely have leaves on them. Pitiful.

I might need to hit up Hobby Lobby here in a few weeks and stock up on the decor for next year. I've got a lot of catching up to do.