Post 4 of my update {Tuscaloosa, Alabama}

As all of you should know by now, I am a HUGE Alabama football fan! So, seeing as though I love me some football, my brother, Michael, and I took a weekend trip to Tuscaloosa, Alabama for their A-Day scrimmage game. It was Alabama's first string defense against the first string offense. It was a great game. However, the weather was hot, hot, HOT! Traveling with a man is absolutely no fun! I had planned a cute little outfit to wear to the game. It was a gray sweat shirt material skirt with a black shirt, my Alabama flip flops, and of course the Alabama necklace the Mrs. Wilson, a sweet lady at school, got for me. Well, I woke up Saturday morning, fully prepared to wear my cute little outfit. Then, the look on Michael's face. The look that said, "Are you really going to wear that to a football game?" So, I rummaged through my Vera Bradley bag and came up with my holey jeans, an Alabama shirt, my red Danskos, and the Alabama necklace. Michael nodded in approval of this outfit, never saying, "Jennifer, you do realize it is going to be HOT today." So, I'm fine the first couple hours we're at the University of Alabama.

We went and ate breakfast at Ramma Jamma's, a restaurant right behind the stadium that was featured on Taste of the Town on ESPN. Let me tell you, it was delicious! Then, we got in line at Gate 14. There were probably 20 or so people in front of us, so it wasn't too bad, yet. The gates opened at 11am. We were herded into the stadium like cattle. Because the game was free, we didn't have tickets that needed to be scanned. The security guard was busy trying to rid this elderly couple of their peanuts they were trying to sneak in, when we just slipped past with my over-sized bag that had my big camera and lens and peanuts! We made out way to the chairs, instead of benches, on the home side of the field. We sat down and I began to roast. My feet felt like they were on fire inside my Danskos and my legs also felt the same way inside my jeans. (Thank goodness they were holey, because there was some ventilation!) Kick off wasn't until 2pm, that left us with THREE hours to sit in the sun to roast. I began to squirm at the realization that I was miserable. I decided to venture to the vendor stands to see if by any chance they had a pair of flip flops I could slip on. No luck. So, I went back to the oven. Then, I had a stroke of genius. Yes, it was a fashion catastrophe, but I did not care! I rolled up my pants into capri length britches. I, then, took y socks off an stuffed them in my bag and let my feet sit on top of my Danskos. Wow! What a liberating feeling. I did get some crazy looks from people coming up the steps, did I care? Shoot no! I would never see these people again. After the game, I put the Danskos back on my feet, with no socks, and left my britches rolled up. I was a sight to see, I'm sure. Note to self...NEVER listen to a man, go for the cute outfit!!!

Sunday morning, we woke up and were going to hang around Tuscaloosa until 11am, when Dreamland opened, because you cannot go to Alabama and not eat at Dreamland BBQ! Then, Michael had a bright idea (his one allowed for the month) that we should drive to Birmingham, which was on the way home, and by the time we got there, the Dreamland there should be open. Great plan! We headed towards Birmingham. Dreamland wasn't far out of the way, grabbed a bite to eat and headed home. It was a five and a half hour drive.

I spent all of the next week recovering from my weekend. Why don't we have another weekend to recover from our weekends?

Photos from my Heaven on Earth, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Ramma Jamma's

In front of Denny Chimes

Bryant Denny Stadium

The gate we waited at for far too long.

Million Dollar Band

Huddled with Saban (in the blue suit)

Let's play some football!

Final Score...Crimson-17 White-23...Looks like the white team gets steak while the Crimson gets beans!

The cutest elephant on Earth! :) I love Big Al!

Until next time...

This is my wonderful life.

Post 3 of my update {The Georgia Aquarium}

I had told y'all that my best friend was coming to town and we were heading to Atlanta to the Georgia Aquarium, which is exactly what happened. Rebecca made it here without a detour onto a mud road, getting lost, or any other major incidents. We stayed up way too late talking about random things, you know how friends are that haven't seen each other in a while. Then, we woke up bright and early Saturday morning to head to Atlanta. The aquarium is huge and beautiful! We took this opportunity to get some great shots with our almost identical cameras. (She's such a copy cat!) We even dressed alike Saturday (It was sooo not planned, I promise!) We wore blue jeans, pink tank top under a white buttoned shirt, and brown shoes.With our matching cameras, we really looked like twinkies. I'm going to post some of my favorite pictures I took at the aquarium. I didn't really have a favorite animal. Now, if they had manatees, that would have definitely been my favorite! They needed a suggestion box because I would have suggested manatees, or sea cows. I was excited that they had Cuttlefish. My mom, brother, and I had watched the series Life on Discovery and they had talked about these fish and their behaviors and such. Then, I got to see one up close and personal! That was pretty amazing!

The Cuttlefish

Hope you enjoyed my pictures from the Aquarium!

Til next time...

This is my wonderful life.

Post 2 of my update {Cuban Stuffed Pork Chops}

Way back when, when I was actually updating my blog regularly, I told you I was grilling for dinner, but never posted a picture of the delicious meal that I made! This is your warning: Your mouth will be watering and you will want some!

This is a Cuban Stuffed Pork Chop served with Grilled Pineapple (with lime zest and juice drizzled over it), and Warm Cole Slaw with Soy Sauce.

This meal is a definite keeper! The recipe has been added to the favorite recipe book. Thanks to Bobby Flay or Food Network for the recipe.

Speaking of Food Network, for those of you that know me, I'm a sucker for a romantic comedy, whether it's a book or a movie. So, I just finished reading Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews. This was a pretty good book. It's about two small town public television foodies that want to make it to the big time, national television. They end up in a Food Fight, and the winner gets a national show. I would recommend it if you like romantic comedies and the Food Network. 

On to the next update...

This is my wonderful life.

Post 1 of my update {Western Mac}

I try to keep my promises, so I am gong back and updating you on all that has gone on lately. Maybe I can get caught up with my blogging this week since I have a week long break from my grad school classes.

So, I was asked by a fellow blogger to share my recipe for my Western Mac that wasn't so Western. I will share the recipe for the actual Western Mac (try not to leave out the Western part of yours!)

Western Mac

1 lb ground beef

1 can of spaghetti sauce

1 box of macaroni and cheese

  1 package of frozen corn

1 package of shredded cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Boil your macaroni noodles until they are tender. When noodles are done, follow package directions for making Macaroni and Cheese.

3. Brown the ground beef in a deep saute pan.

4. When meat is brown, add spaghetti sauce, corn, and Mac and Cheese.

5. Mix together until combined.

6. Pour into a glass baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese.

7. Back until cheese has melted. 

8. Enjoy!

It's a fairly easy recipe. It just makes for a lot of dirty dishes! Thank goodness for dish washers!

Quick Update...More later, I promise!

Hello Virtual World!!!

I'm sorry that I've left y'all hanging about my life this week. It has been busy, busy, BUSY! So, I promise that I will update my blog ASAP. I have so much to tell you.

Last Saturday, I went to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta with Bec. This weekend I'm in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to see the A-Day game at the University of Alabama. It was amazing, let me tell you. I was trying to post a picture to tease you all, I know you will want to see more, but my phone is not cooperating with me. So, you will just have to wait for me to get home and give you a real update.

Until I have more time... (Hopefully in the near, NEAR future)

This is my wonderful life.

I've lost track of days...

Since starting Project 365, I have lost count of the days I've been doing it. So, I'm still doing the Project 365, but my days won't be numbered. Y'all will still get to enjoy my fantabulous photography though! I know you are thrilled. Earlier this week, I mentioned that I would like to get back to cooking since I've been away from it for so long.Thursday night I did cook, and I took a picture. I'm going to post that now, since I got a little behind. My meal did not turn out as perfect as I'd hoped. I made Western Mac. One of my family's favorites. But, I forgot one key ingredient before putting it into the oven. The frozen corn. Whoops! Even without the corn, the Western Mac, not being so Western anymore, still tasted pretty good.

My not-so western, Western Mac

Today is a happy day. My very best friend that I've known since we were in first grade is coming to see me. She lives in Charlotte with her hubby, so we don't get to see each other as much as we'd like. She's actually on her way here as I type this blog this very minute. I am so super excited! We have a fun-filled weekend ahead. It is much needed on both parts. Tomorrow, we're going to the Georgia Aquarium. I've never been, but I've heard it is amazing. Then, Sunday, we're going to head into the Masters chaos in Augusta for some girly shopping and perhaps pedicures. I'm going to post a couple pictures of us because y'all  know I love me some pictures. I'll also post pictures of our exciting weekend. (You know that's a must!)

Now that I have informed you onf my weekend plans, it is time to go grill some supper. Yes, I'm grilling tonight. I'll post a picture of the outcome at a later time. :)

Til tomorrow...

This is my wonderful life.

Project New Floors: Complete

Good Evening Virtual World!

Today was a long day. It began with my brother and I putting my new laminate wood floors down in my study. After a rough start, the floor seemed to go down pretty easy. When mom got home, we finished up the floors and put all my stuff back into the room. I had lots of rearranging to do, since nothing seems to fit back the way it was. I took a couple pictures of the final prodcut for y'all. The only thing we have to do is put quarter roun down, but that's going to wait for a rainy day!

This is looking into my study from my bedroom...I won't show you a picture of my bedroom right now, it's a disaster!

Take a good look now because it won't stay this neat for long!

I have been doing pretty good with cooking good, home cooked meals for my family. Today's menu, Pollo Tropical. This is a favorite for our family. The inspiration for this meal comes from a restaurant in South Florida (where we used to live) called Pollo Tropical. We would always order the same thing, I can't remember what it was called, but it was delicious. It's rice, black beans, chicken, salsa, and it's toppe with onions. Mom would typically order plantains with her dinner, but we don't make them with our version of this Floridian feast. I have included a picture. This is a quick, go to meal for those week nights that you just don't have hours to fix a decent meal.

Looking forward to tomorrow's yummytastic supper! I haven't decided exactly what I want to fix yet. I suppose you will just have to stay tuned...

This is my wonderful life.