Ice Ice Baby

I've been longing to go to ICE since moving to Florida a few years ago.

Saturday evening we made the trip inland to check out this holiday favorite.

We had an amazing time...the temperature inside the exhibit was a crisp 9 degrees (I soaked in as much as I could!).

After getting our fill of winter, we warmed up over dinner at a wonderful Mediterranean restaurant at the Gaylord Palms. The hotel was decked out in Christmas decor and tons of people were bustling around drinking hot cocoa and listening to performers sing Christmas songs. It was the perfect way to start the Christmas season.

{The lovely tree at the Gaylord Palms}

What are you doing to get into the Christmas spirit?

Thankful

{Pumpkin cupcakes for Thanksgiving dessert}

I just adore Thanksgiving and the days following the holiday...good food, time with family, Black Friday, the LSU vs. Arkansas game, and the official start of the Christmas season. We had a delicious Thanksgiving steak dinner, then my MIL and I left the boys watching football and went shopping. Michael's opened at 5:00 pm Thanksgiving night, so we hit up the sale and had a blast buying Christmas trees and decorations. Even though things are tough for us right now with the recession and my school stress, I am so thankful for God's blessings in my life.

I am especially thankful for...

Jesus and the gift of salvation that He gave to me

My amazing family

My wonderful friends

{Heaven and I after having Thanksgiving dinner}

I hope you all had a fabulous holiday!!

{And of course I'm dying to know if you had any luck on Black Friday...so how did you do??}

Weekend Cookin'

Lately my weekends have been filled with nothing but loads of school work. This weekend was no exception, although I managed to fit in some quality time with my kitchen. Friday night I decided to whip up a homemade pizza. After wrestling with the dough for a while, I started to question my decision and wondered if we would have to end up calling Papa John's. But in the end it turned out great. I had forgotten just how much I love homemade pizza.

{Homemade pizza with whole wheat crust and turkey pepperoni...served with ice cold Stella}

Saturday night I decided to make some good ole' Southern comfort food...chicken and dumplings. Accompanied by cheese muffins, they were the perfect weekend supper.

{Chicken and dumplings + cheese muffins}

I also managed to take a study break long enough to hit up the Vogue pattern sale at JoAnn's. I found some amazing designer patterns (Alice + Olivia, Badgley Mischka, Anna Sui, and Issey Miyake). Now I'm dying to sew. School is seriously getting in my way of becoming a star on Project Runway =)

Did you spend anytime in the kitchen this weekend? I'd love to know what you whipped up!

27 Candles

Last Friday was my 27th birthday. It's crazy to think about....my 20's are just flying by and I don't really feel like I've started my life yet because I'm still in school. I still vividly remember celebrating my 19th birthday as a Freshman in college. So bizarre to think that now I'm in my late 20's.

We decided to spend my birthday at the Magic Kingdom (sometimes living in Florida does have its benefits). We started the day out at my favorite bagel shop then headed inland. We had a blast at Disney, then did a little shopping in Orlando (which included a stop for truffles at Godiva, of course!). We ended the day back in Tampa at one of my favorite restaurants, Mel's Hot Dogs. The rest of my birthday weekend included sushi, lots of presents, and a birthday lunch at the Thirsty Marlin (best fried grouper sandwich ever).

{Hubby and I at Disney World}

{Haunted Mansion}

{Hubby was afraid of what we might find in the Haunted Mansion}

{Entire day spent with hubby + Magic Kingdom = amazing birthday}

{One of my favorite birthday traditions is my birthday Louis...here is birthday bag 2009)

{Sprinkles banana birthday cupcakes}

thinking of you

I am missing you ladies! Doctor school is absolutely insane right now...I feel like I have literally fallen off the face of the planet. I've had so much going on lately that I just haven't had time to blog or catch up with you all. I'm hoping to get back in the swing of things soon...life is just crazy right now! But please know that I think of you all often and I am desperately missing reading about what has been going on in your lives. Hope you are all doing well and hopefully I will be back soon!

xoxo