Turquoise

With spring (and summer) just around the corner it's appropriate that Turquoise was named the color of 2010! One of my favorite colors! Since I was unable to make it to the spring 2010 fashion show (how much fun would that be), I have definitely done my research and I am so excited about the designs for spring.

I love the look of accenting a coral dress with a pop of turquoise (i.e. necklace, ring, bracelet). You could even put together a white top, tan skirt, and nude heals with that pop of color, and look fabulous!

Weekend

Well, we had our weekend all planned out, but "things changed." Justin was suppose to go on a goose hunt with some buddies, but due to the weather (and no geese) they didn't go. It worked out that he didn't leave town because his twin, Jon, ended up having emergency surgery (appendix was removed) early Saturday.

Saturday morning Justin left for the hospital, while I prepared brunch for great friends. Amber and Marietta came over for french toast, fruit, sausage, mimosas, and lots of catching up! (Al, if you're reading this...we missed you!)

Saturday evening we went our separate ways, again...Justin went to watch the Hogs play and eat deer meat at a friends house, and I went to a shower in Little Rock. My sweet friends Jill and Sarah hosted a bridal shower at their house for the bride-to-be, Anne. It was such a fun shower! I was able to catch up with dear friends that I do not get to see enough - hints the reason why I don't have many pictures - I was too busy chatting!!

Emily, Amber, Valorie, and Caroline

The hostesses with the bride
Erin, Megan, Anne, Jill, and Sarah

The beautiful dinning room & food table

Sunday afternoon we went to the visitation for my aunt Tami's parents. (In reference to the last post, they each passed away, less than 48 hours apart.) Their funeral was Monday and it was a special celebration of two lives. Please continue to pray for the Lord to comfort the family and bring peace.

Prayers please

I was thinking and why not use this blog as a way to lift up those in need.

I know most of our readers (because they are family and friends) believe in the power of prayer, so I ask you to join us and lift up my Aunt Tami and her family.

Here is an account of what is going on (from my aunt Beckye):

"Tami McConnell's parent's are both in critical condition and will not live much longer. I have spent the last several days in LR with the family and I can't even put into words how heart wrenching this situation is. Tami's Dad (Peck Bowman) is in a nursing home on Hwy. 10. He has cancer that has metastasized over a good part of his body. They have already called hospice in. Her mother (Lou Bowman) was admitted to UAMS last Thursday afternoon with pneumonia and possibly H1N1. She was put on a ventilator early morning hours of Friday and her health has continued to deteriorate. It has been a difficult roller coaster ride for the family the last few days. They were encouraged one minute only to see things change dramatically in a matter of hours. This has been such a shock to everybody and is compounded by the fact that Peck is in the nursing home asking for Lou and why they won't let him see her. I have never seen anyone as broken as Tami is right now. When I left the hospital tonight they were waiting for God to take her Mother home. Please continue to pray for Tami, the kids, her brother and his children. It's so hard to lose a parent but they probably aren't even going to have time to grieve for Tami's Mom before they have to grieve the loss of her Dad also. "

I cannot imagine how the family must be feeling... I also can't help but think that in a way this is special, because how many of us would say that we would love to leave this world with our spouse in hand.


Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. ~Psalm 107:28-30

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~ Romans 15:13

Thank you for your prayers!! We love you all!

Snack and Recipe

Just down the hall from my office there's a Java coffee shop that sells Farley's Fruit Snacks....

I cannot help myself. I stop in to purchase at least one bag per week. I make up excuses for myself like oh you worked out this morning, you need a treat while you sit for 5 hours and read journal articles online, or you had a salad for lunch....SOMEONE STOP ME!!! I suppose I am trying to admit that I have a "gummy" problem.

******

Last weekend Justin made these tasty sweet potato fries. Semi healthy and delicious!

Ingredients

3 medium size sweet potatoes- peeled & sliced into 1/4 inch strips
1/2 cup of oil
salt to taste

Directions
In a frying pan heat oil.
Fry the sweet potatoes in batches. Place enough sweet potatoes in the frying pan to make one layer.
Fry until the sweet potatoes start to become crisp and little bubbles begin to form on their sides. This should take 5 to 10 minutes.
Remove the sweet potatoes to a paper towel covered plate to soak the excess oil.
Salt to taste and serve.

Serves 4

Cooking time: 15 min

** To make it a little bit healthier, we use Smart Balance Omega Cooking Oil (BTW, if you shop at Kroger it is on sale right now). Its natural blend of canola, soy and olive oils provides 1140 mg of Omega-3s per serving. This precise blend of polyunsaturates and monounsaturates helps to balance the saturated fats you consume in meat, fish and dairy foods.

Happy Day!

I hate to admit it, but this was the ONLY valentine's holiday decoration at our house...
A tea towel hanging on the oven door. (Pitiful, I know)

I did make these for my valentine and family!

If I may say so myself, these cookies are delicious! Of course I'm bias because I'm such a sucker for strawberry icing! The sugar cookie recipe calls for confetti cake mix...yum!

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Saturday afternoon I was working on an assignment for class and J walked in with these beautiful flowers!!

I appreciate that he remembers certain things about me...like how I LOVE a unique, beautiful arrangement of flowers. I'm NOT the girl who only prefers a certain type of flower every time I get flowers. I guess it has something to do with me embracing change. I love not knowing what the arrangement will look like! I must say though, there are certain flowers he knows to stay away from (carnations - sorry, not my cup of tea). My favorites are Gerber daises, coral roses, calla lilies, gladiolas, and the list goes on....

The arrangement he gave me for our first valentine's together

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Sunday morning before church Justin gave me a sweet card, Dove dark chocolate, and bubble bath. Perfection!

We went to see Valentine's Day (pretty cute) and tonight we are fixing dinner together!

Vday Tunes:

Joshua Radin - Today

Maxwell - Pretty Wings

Twin Birthday Party

Due to the fact that I have class Thursday nights, we decided to have the joint birthday celebration Friday night. Fortunately, my class got canceled last minute Thursday night, so Justin and I went to dinner to celebrate! It was a simple evening of dinner and a movie, yet we had so much fun!!

birthday boy's with daddy Doug

Jon and Candace

Pawpaw (Justin's grandpa), Malyn, & Lisa

Jeff, Charley, & Nonnie

singing to Jon

I asked Doug to get a picture of Justin blowing out the candles, but instead he got me singing!

Happy Birthday Handsome!

Today, this guy, my best friend of all time, turns 27!!!

Maine trip

At Ole Miss for Jeff's graduation.

Jon, Jeff, and Justin

Justin, Benji, Jon, and Jeff

Hiking


Justin and the girls!!
Hawaii

You make life so much fun!! Anyone would attest that I am one LUCKY girl!

I hope you have the best 27th birthday!!!

All my love,

Meg

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Oh, and I cannot forget my wonderful bother-n-law and Justin's twin, Jon! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, too!!! We love you and can't wait to celebrate Friday!

Valentine's Day Giveaway!

My friends at High Maintenance Day Spa and Salon just started a blog and they are giving away a $50 gift certificate!! Checkout their blog to find out how you can win!!! It can be used towards spa services, salon services, or Bare Escentuals!

KJ's Baby Shower

Sunday I went to a baby (boy) shower honoring Katherine (KJ) McDonald. KJ was my small group leader during high school. Bless her. Not only was she a wonderful mentor, but she is still a great friend. I pray that (one day) my children will have men and women in their life that encourage them, challenge them, and shower them with wisdom, like KJ did for me.

cute invitation


decorations

close up

Beautiful momma-to-be

Amber and I were talking the other day about how KJ has this way of making you feel the Lord's love when you talk with her. She has such a pure heart. This little boy will be blessed beyond measure!

PAR-TAYYY

Due to the snow and ice we received a couple of weeks ago, our niece's first birthday party was rescheduled for this past weekend. Here are some of the pictures I captured....

Let me say that it was a bit of a challenge to snap a good photo of her because she is all over the place!!

Malyn in her cute dress/leggings admiring her new bright pink (and green) mini 4-wheeler.

Momma's helping her read her cards and open presents

Time to strip down and get naked for CAKE! Of all the wonderful gifts she received, the $2 balls were her favorite. Go figure!

Here comes the CAKE

Hummmm....what to do....

She had already done the "cake all over yourself" thing on her real birthday, so she was over it.

Jon (Da-da) grilled burgers for everyone and we enjoyed a great afternoon with family, celebrating this cutie!

OSCAR nominee

In honor of the Oscar nomination announcement yesterday, I would like to feature the gorgeous and talented Sandra Bullock. I am thrilled that she is nominated in the best actress category for her role as Leigh Anne Tuohy. The movie "The Blindside" is also up for best picture! We loved the movie and adore her! She definitely deserves this nomination!

Side note: When I was in 6th grade (i think) a bunch of us went to see her movie "The Net." After the movie my 6th grade boyfriend (at the time - b/c it always changed) informed me that I looked "just like her!" Ha. Yes I remember this b/c it was the best compliment I ever received. The sad part is.... other than the dark hair and brown eyes, we look NOTHING alike. Over the years she has remained my most favorite actress.

Cheers to you, Sandra, and your fabulous nominations!!

2 Special Birthday's Today

Today we celebrate my little(st) brother's 21st birthday AND our precious niece's' 1st birthday!

Happy Birthday sweet Malyn

We love you so much and have the most fun when we are in your company!
You bring so much joy to your (entire) family!

AND

Happy 21st Birthday to my good-lookin brother, Jeff

John Bryant, Jeff, me, and Justin

Jeff, mom, J, me, and John Bryant

Jeff, me, JB

I am so proud to be your sister! You are so much fun to be around and have such a kind heart! We love you a lot!

Hope you both have the BEST birthday's!!