insta-tan

I just found out a way to get tan in photoshop! 

before:

after:

see the difference?  pretty cool to me!

I found it here.

dinner and a movie

Justin is winding down his first semester (second block) of school.  He has TONS of work to do and a few finals to take before it’s over.  Because he has four papers due on Monday, he decided to take yesterday and today off work.  He has been working so hard.

Last night though, he decided to take a much needed break and take me on a date :)

We went to Outback to eat dinner.  It was unbelievably delicious.  Always is.

Then we went to a movie which is a rare occasion for us.  This time we saw The Blindside.  I just have to say, if you have not seen this, you need to!  It was such a good movie.  It’s based on a true story, which we both love.  But the whole story is just so touching.  We loved it!

I hate that I didn’t take any pictures of us on our date.  :(  I forgot the camera.

I got this picture from http://www.theavon.com/

 

chili weather

The entire weekend has been pretty cloudy with temperatures in the 30’s.  To me that means it’s time to eat chili and soup!  I just cannot eat these types of meals unless it’s cool outside.  Weird, maybe.. but that’s how I am!

So yesterday I decided to try to make chili for the first time.  I got the recipe from my mom-in-law.  It makes wayyy too much for just two people, so I halved the recipe.  I let it sit in the fridge overnight, and we ate it for lunch today.  So YUMMY!!!

Natalie's Chili

1 24oz can crushed tomatoes

2 cans Chili Fixin’s Rotel Tomatoes

2 packets Chili Seasoning Mix (McCormick brand is what I use normally)

1 8oz can tomato sauce

4lbs Hamburger meat

2 TBL Spoons chili powder

Add water some water to get the right consistency

Mix all sauces & seasoning together in large pot.  Brown hamburger meat thoroughly with garlic salt & pepper then drain off any excess fat.  Add meat to sauce mixture.  You can add more Chili powder as needed to get the flavor that you want, just bear in mind that the seasoning “sinks” in more overnight in the fridge so don’t put too much (this is just something you learn as you make it each time – may want to always measure how much you put in until you get it where you want it)

Let simmer on low for 30 to 45 minutes.  Keep your fire on low or it will scorch easy.  Like I said above it is better if you let it sit in the fridge overnight before eating so the seasoning gets into the meat good.  When you warm it up you have to slow heat it or it will scorch!

This makes a large batch but you can freeze it in smaller containers for quick thawing later.

Pictures of the Princess

show me your tree

I know I already posted a picture of my Christmas tree, but I’m doing it again for Kelly’s Show Me Your Tree bloggy party.

This is my second year to be married, but only the first year we have been able to have a Christmas tree.  Last year I was so sad that we didn’t have one, and it just did not feel like Christmas to me.  So this year I was determined to have one, even in our teeny tiny apartment.

We have absolutely no room for anything extra, so we went with a small (3ft) tree that sits on an end table next to the couch.  The ornaments are all brown, gold, and silver.  They are nothing special or sentimental, but they do the job!

I hope to have a big tree with lots of beautiful and meaningful ornaments at some point in my life.  Right now just is not that time.  But I do still LOVE and cherish having my little tree all lit up at night while I spend time with my little family.

Hop over to Kelly’s blog to see many more trees!

And remember, Jesus is the reason for the season!  Don’t forget to celebrate Him! 

day of firsts

I woke up this morning and got ready for work as usual.  Only about ten minutes before we were supposed to leave the house, Justin went to take Bobo outside to potty.  He yelled back in to me that it was snowing!  I could not believe it. 

We both grew up in Louisiana where it snows maybe once every ten years, so we were both excited!  I ran outside and tried to take some pictures, but didn’t do too great.  :(  That didn’t stop the excitement though.  First time to see snow in Texas!!!  I hope this is a regular winter occurrence, but I’m not counting on it.

Then we left for school and work, and we had our first experience driving in snow.  All the times it has snowed in LA, I have never been old enough to drive (I don’t think..)  It was definitely an experience.

And tonight..  Tonight I decided to make upside down pizza again.  Only problem.. it calls for a can of tomato sauce.  Why is this a problem?  Well because my can opener broke two days ago, so I threw it away.  Tonight I had my first experience opening a can with a knife.  I’m just glad I didn’t cut myself!

I’ve gotta remember to buy a new can opener ASAP!

thanksgiving.. better late than never

Almost a week later and I’m finally posting about Thanksgiving!

Justin and I left home Friday (Nov. 20th) and headed to West Monroe.  We unpacked, dropped my kitty off at my sister’s, relaxed, and got ready for my Mamaw’s surprise birthday party.  We had lots of fun with all my daddy’s side of the family that night.  It was nice to have everyone together that little extra amount of time.

Saturday morning we went to some garage sales with Dennis and Laura, then we headed to the church for a Bible study.  It was very needed and spoke directly to Justin and myself.  I love it when that happens.  :)  Saturday night Justin went to the mall and did some evangelizing while I stayed home.  I was not feeling good at all that night.  I think it was just allergies, thank goodness!

Sunday we went to church of course and saw bunches of church family.  From after church Sunday until we came back to Dallas is pretty much a blur!  We went from place to place, family member to family member.  We had lots of visiting to do.

I was excited to spend some time with Lacey.  It had been too long since we had spent time together.  She and I did some Christmas shopping.  She found this super cute dress too!  I think she is such a cute pregnant lady.

Tuesday for lunch, my Mamaw cooked homemade tacos for us.  We ate and then visited for a while.  Ava pulled out some super old toys that I remember playing with when I was a little girl.  She was super cute, so of course I had to pull out the camera!

  

Tuesday night Justin preached at our old small group, Road to Recovery.  I didn’t take any pictures this time, but I was/am super proud.  He did a wonderful job.  Everyone in the place was moved by his message.  It’s so neat to see him speaking and preaching like that.  I love that guy!

Wednesday we visited my mom during the day.  That evening we went to dinner at Wingstop with Dennis and Laura.  And then… I hung out with a new friend.. Melanie!  She invited me over to chat while she was making cookies for Thanksgiving.  I had a really good time and ended up staying too late! Ha!  I wanna be like Melanie when I grow up.  She is super crafty.  She can knit and crochet sew and who knows what else!  Fun stuff.

Thanksgiving day was super duper crazy.  We had four different family functions to attend!!!  First we went to my dad’s side.  In my opinion, this is where the best food always hides out.  Yummy!  The turkey this year was unbelievably juicy and good.  I had fun with my family, but we didn’t get to stay long.

Next we went to Justin’s mom’s side.  (No pictures…. I will have to work on that at Christmas this year!)

Then to my mom’s.  There was not a whole lot of family there when we were there.  Just us and my sister, Dom, and Ava.

***(There will be many more pictures of Ava in this cute little sweater to come!)***

Finally that night we made it to Justin’s dad’s side of the family.  We had not seen them in a long time, so that was nice.  I just love them to pieces!

Friday, Black Friday, I wanted so badly to wake up early and go shopping with my sister.  Justin had work at 4pm, though, so we had to head back this way.  :(

The week went by extremely fast.  I’m already ready for Christmas so I can see everyone again.