2for1

Its a joint Thursday/Friday post. I am thankful and saying High Five for these things today(and yesterday).

These ladies that make my life perfect.

Feeding the cows and moments like this...

(he's not gonna like this again)

Happy Weekend Folks!

I will be spending mine watching the Dawgs kick some Elephant arse, shopping with my Mama, and probably eating way too much while still watching my carb intake.

What are you gonna be up to?

games, a stabbing, and a BEAUTIFUL mantle.

Here is a little bit of random for your Wednesday. I promise to be back to Crockpot Wednesday next week, I haven't used one until today for a little bit. But expect a full report and a recipe next week. Can't wait til then?? Check out these for now.

I cannot, I REPEAT, cannot stop playing Bejeweled on my phone. It is seriously a problem. Who knew that matching up different colors could be so fun. I try everything I can to just play the occasional game every now and then, but once I start I. MUST. PLAY. MORE. Does anyone else have this issue??

I finally ordered something different at the Mexican restaurant the other night. For anyone that knows me, I always get a Mini Taco Salad. Every time. I always want to mix it up, and I am pretty good about branching out and trying new foods, but don't mess with my Mexican. Don't tell anyone, but I ate there 4 times last week. Shhhh...










Last night, while working on a Christmas order. I finally sewed through my finger. That's right. That darn needle on my sewing machine stabbed right through the side of my finger. It bled some, but I think it was more the shock of it than anything. I kinda have been waiting on it to happen. A year and half that I have had my machine, I made it a long time I think.







My Mothers fall mantle, yes, I know Christmas is coming but this was our mantle for Fall and I just can't get enough. Those colors go perfect with the picture and I can't wait to have a house that I love enough to decorate. Renting puts so many limits on your decorating and I really want to paint my entire wood paneled house. Until then, I will have to just lust over my childhood home.








Until next time folks... Have a perfect Wednesday!!

Linking up today:
also with Jamie.

Go Dawgs! Go Christmas! Go Southern!

I couldn't have been more excited the other afternoon when I looked in my mailbox. I had received a card from my Granny a few weeks ago saying that I would be getting a subscription to Southern Living for the next year. Well guess what! It already started!

To us Southern girls, Southern Living is somewhat of a bible, we get ideas about our homes, new recipes to try and even hear of wonderful places all around the South to visit.

Well this issue was no different, it is filled with lots of wonderful looking recipes, great gift ideas for Christmas and this YUMMY recipe!

It is perfect for Christmas or to take to a tailgate. (a UGA tailgate that is)

Red Velvet Peppermint Swirl Brownies

Ingredients

• 1 (4-oz.) bittersweet chocolate baking bar, chopped
• 3/4 cup butter 
• 2 1/4 cups sugar, divided 
• 4 large eggs 
• 1 (1-oz.) bottle red liquid food coloring
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided 
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened 
• 2 egg whites 
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 

• Preparation
• 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottom and sides of a 13- x 9-inch pan with aluminum foil, allowing 2 to 3 inches to extend over sides; lightly grease foil.
• 2. Microwave chocolate and butter in a large microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring at 30-second intervals. Whisk in 2 cups sugar. Add eggs, 1 at a time, whisking just until blended after each addition. Add food coloring, peppermint extract, and 1 tsp. vanilla. Gently stir in 1 1/2 cups flour and 1/8 tsp. salt. Pour batter into prepared pan.
• 3. Beat cream cheese and remaining 1/4 cup sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add egg whites and remaining 1 tsp. vanilla, and beat until blended. Stir in 2 Tbsp. flour until smooth. Drop cream cheese mixture by heaping tablespoonfuls over batter in pan; gently swirl with a knife.
• 4. Bake at 350° for 30 to 32 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack (about 1 hour). Lift brownies from pan, using foil sides as handles. Gently remove foil; cut brownies into squares.

These are super easy, although your hands might turn a little red during the process. But they are totally worth it.

They were a hit at Andy's parents house and I finally brought the rest to work so that I would stop eating them. Let me know what you think!

ladies of the day...

This month I am so excited to have some lovely swappers and I thought I would give them the chance to introduce themselves! Please go and say hello and follow them all. They will make you laugh, make you cry, inspire you and everything in between! Tell them I sent you!!

I'm Brandi and my blog is "Whisks Away"! I'm new to blogging, so I'm still trying to figure it all out, but right now I blog about my life, post pictures, a recipe or two, and (mostly) my dog, Ahab. You can read about him here and you can get to know me more here. I love doing swaps, so if you're interested, you can check that out here!

Blog Facebook Twitter

Hello my fellow twat Waffles over here at SaraMontana Says or in the south we would say "sa-yuz". I am Dusty and I pop my squat over at Girls Love Fried Pickles. Yes, another southern delicacy fried up hot only to make your mouth water or if you eat too many then the poops. I prefer my pickles round, but if you want the spears it'll do.  I am thrilled to be here today. Sara is one of my home girls. Do southern women have home girls? I don't know maybe in parts of the hood or woods. We have southern belles but I am not much on manners. I would rather go line dancing or busta move with a good stripper shake even though I would stink at stripping. I am pretty talented when it comes cutting a rug at a good honky tonk.
Aside from me being two seconds away from starring in America's Got Talent. I have this little lifestyle blog. My blog has only one condition. No Rules! You are subject to me talking about how I think thongs should be illegal and my hemorrhoids being the dangling death of me. You can click the links and see what I am talking about if you don't believe me. I dare ya. I also give the best advice on men because I am such an expert at 40 years old.
Besides the fact that I am full of useless knowledge, you will probably, well, hopefully get a laugh or two. And if you don't, pretend. You know us southern girls just love pretending with our big hair, fake smiles, and bless your hearts. So, come on over and squat with me, but just remember I don't really squat. We are real girls here, we go to the bathroom in pairs and not outside. I don't need critters all up in my glitter.

Sup..

Until then, here's my zip code.....Girls Love Fried Pickles. Love ya (imagine me blowing kisses and pageant waving!)

Hey, I'm Amy! Owner and author of Love & Hot Chocolate - a lifestyle blog of life, love, and everything in between. I mainly write about life with my awesome fiance, our two cats, our families and our travels. I'm a graphic designer trying to find her place in the world, but I am starting a new adventure which you'll be sure to see on the blog. I look forward to meeting you, and thanks Montana for featuring me here on your beautiful blog! :) xoxo

a little like a rocker...

Lately I have been loving all things rockstar with a touch of class.  things like studded boots black pumps crinkle jackets pops of color animal prints spikes and most of all... sequins. I am obsessed with sequins.

All of the above are what I am craving lately... and it all comes from Kohls. All of this is just in time for my Christmas wishlist.
and right now Kohls is offering 10% off to my readers through December 23. You can use the code TENBLOG at checkout to receive your discount. This discount will work on top of any other discounts you might already have saved and ready.
Happy Shopping Darlings!! I know I will!

Go do them.

This week marks 4 years since I judged at the AQHA World Show, 4 years since I stood in a tiny curtain walled room and gave my reasons to one other person, 4 years since I spent a week in Oklahoma City learning the ins and outs of the big show world. 4 years ago today was the middle of the best year of my life.
Being on a judging team was the best decision I ever made. I learned to put my thoughts into words, to do so quickly and to memorize my thoughts so that I may tell others the way that I saw things, the way I wanted one horse to stack up against another and my reasons why. I met the best and brightest people, had teammates that I will never forget, coaches that taught me more than they will ever realize, not just about judging but about life. I learned how to speak in a crowd, to a camera, to another individual. I traveled the US, got to speak with industry greats, and see some of the best horses in the world compete. 
None of the things would have been possible if I hadn't decided to take the huge risk of leaving my little town in South Georgia and moving 1300 miles away. In essence it was a quick decision now that I look back on it, one that was the best that I could have ever made. Starting out new in different town where you know absolutely no one is something I would recommend for everyone. You learn about yourself, you learn about who you are and what you want to be. You find your place and you find friends that fit you, ones that aren't just your friends because your parents know their parents. My quick decision to leave Georgia was an easy one, yes there times I was homesick, times I cried, and times I had to make tough decisions all alone. But that was the time I grew up, the time I figured out that this life isn't always easy, but it is beautiful.  EVERY. SINGLE. SECOND.

Source: crushculdesac.tumblr.com via Montana on Pinterest

This post has been all over the place, but what I am trying to say is if there are any chances you are thinking about taking, don't think about it too much.  JUST DO IT. Just put yourself out there.  That one decision could change everything, you will learn about yourself. You will push your boundaries and your mind.
Have a Happy Weekend Folks!!

thankful

Thankful for the heater under my feet right now, lord knows they keep it freezing in my office. Thankful for the fact that it is 1:54 as I type this, which only means I have 3 hours and 6 minutes left before I run out the door and change into my pajamas. Thankful for the Emergen C that is getting me through this cold I have going on right now. Thankful for a Thursday off next week. Even though it is only one day and my holiday will be super rushed.  Thankful for this blog, where I get to ramble and meet new exciting people each and everyday.
Thankful for nights when I get to Skype with my bestie die laughing over old Facebook pictures.

a special bond...

photo credit// Joni Marzofka

dress: Target// shoes: Kohls// jewelry: Miss Chic

It never fails to surprise me the way that I am able to pick up right where I left off with some of my old high-school friends. It is like we all share this small bond, one that growing up in a tiny town and knowing everyone will do to you. No matter the years that pass or the things in our lives that change, even if we rarely talk, its like no time has gone by. We just pick up right where we left off, laughing, joking, and catching up.

I have been truly blessed with some great friends in my life and this past weekend was a perfect time for us! I had the best time with each and every one of them celebrating my Lauryn's beautiful wedding.

I am so excited to be linking up with the GORGEOUS Shanna for her newest link-up.

Random Wednesday!

Go check it out and link up your blog too!!

The Pleated Poppy

a little texas and some family

  

I got to see these fellas last night.

If you haven't heard of the Josh Abbott Band, you need to crawl out from under that rock you have been hiding under and listen to their music.

Amazing. 

I am also pretty excited about this weekend, a wedding with some of my long lost favorites, family time, and sweet south Georgia dirt roads.

Hope yall's weekends are great!

Red and Black all over.

Dress: Gap// Belt: Thrifted// Boots and Socks: Old Navy

GO DAWGS!

The above was my weekend.

In other news, lets discuss all the craziness that has been going on in my life lately. I am still stuck in my rut. Still trying, hoping, praying for a way out. Still trying to figure it all.

Hence my lack of blogging lately. I have found it a little crazy that any of you really like to read about what I do on the weekends or what clothing choices I would make if I had an unlimited budget. Do you really all enjoy that??

I started this blog with the hopes of figuring out what things I like and don't like. What do I want to push further with in my life, but lately I have seemed somewhat overwhelmed. Not enough time to do the things I love, see the people I love, or write down things I love. 

I am making a promise today to get back to the things that I love, to figure out this crazy life, and to enjoy every minute.

Thank you all for being patient with me.

If you don't already... 

follow me on Instagram.

This is all I got.

BaaBaa Black Sheep 

Have you any wool?

Yes Sir Yes Sir

3 bags full

(actually this took 10 bags)

This is all I have!

I had a happy Halloween and promise to be back at full time blogging with meaning next week.

This one has been crazy.

Have a wonderful weekend yall!!