Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner at my parents house with my family, my sister's boyfriend, and Alan's grandparents.  I was so thankful to be able to have the day off to enjoy cooking and spending time with my family, a privilege that I now have as I have changed my status at the hosptial.  I am now considered "prn staff" or as needed, basically that means I fill in the holes in the full time staff's schedule, I am not guaranteed any hours but I am not required to work any holidays.  More to come on my new plans as they firm up next week...  Anyways my mom and I served turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green been casserole, cranberry salad, dinner rolls, macaroni and cheese and for desert, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting, and mince meat tarts.  Bottom line, no one went hungry and everyone left with leftovers, just how it should be.  Here is a peek at our table settings...

The Biltmore

Yeah I suppse I could live here if I had to...

Halloween

From the Black Swan...

Happy Halloween!

Dreaming of my dream home...

My sister laughs and tells me I'm turning into our mother because of my files.  It's true my mother has files for every season and holiday of the year.  I do however have technology on my side as most of my files are digital.  In addition to my seasonal files I have a collection of inspiration for my future dream home.  It seems like my tastes and preferences in regards to most everything has matured lately.  My dream home used to be a tudor reminesent of sleeping beauty.

Like I said, my taste has uh hm, matured.  Now my dream home takes inspiration from English countryside, southern Georgia manors, and the traditional brick home (a la Home Alone).

There is something I adore about each of these but right now my stand out is...

Isn't she beautiful?  Add flanking boxwoods along the drive and show me where to sign.  Next project is   adding dream rooms and decor to my dream home, all of which is currently only in my dreams.  Now that the wedding is over what else am I supposed to plan and dream of?  

Fall Football Weekend

First on our agenda for the fall football weekend was my brother's high school game.  The team as a whole hasn't had the best season but my brother has been playing his heart out and the local media has really made him a shining star of the team.

He plays on offense, defense, and special teams, so needless to say he is exhausted after the games.  Next week is senior week and will be his last game so a win would be amazing!

After my brothers game was the tech game, we got awesome tickets from one of the doctors I work with and he threw in his parking pass which can only mean one thing...TAILGATING!!!

Needless to say we are not professionals at this like some people (yes people in the Mercedes Sprinter van upholstered in maroon and orange velvet I'm talking about you) but we put out a pretty good spread.  The hot chocolate carafe was an especially delicious compliment to the crisp fall weather.

Hey Tech fans time to start jumping!!!

It was homecoming at Virginia Tech that was made even sweeter with a win over Boston College.  We could not have asked for a more beautiful fall day, it was perfect football weather.  After the game we went out for a celebratory dinner at Bull and Bones, yummy!

Luuuke!

This year for Luke's birthday I framed one of his winning touch down catches.

Here is another one of my favorites pictures from this season...

Living in Texas I missed most of Luke's football games.  It was his senior season this year and I am so glad that we are back in the 'burg.  He had a great personal season!

Raindrops on roses and wiskers on kittens...

I can only laugh at myself when I go to write a new post and find that in my last post I had made a resolution to blog more and yes ladies and gentlemen this last blog post was written...you guessed it last year.  Again I can only laugh, there is no way to catch up on all of the changes that have happened so I won't even try.  This post if full of my favorite things, things that I always have on hand, and things that are on my wish list.  Enjoy...

OPI nail polish in bubble bath. Cannot live without it.  Perfect combination of milky white and ballet pink, this color is so me.  I keep it on my fingernails to stay neutral and then pink a fun color for my toes.

The original wellies.  These are on my wish list, didn't need them last year in Texas but I have a feeling with all the snow and slush this winter and spring showers that bring May flowers I will soon be needing a pair of these boots.

Victoria Secret classic pajamas.  Started my collection last year when my bridesmaids and I all wore them while we did hair and makeup for the big day.  They are so cozy and perfect for Christmas morning!

I don't even want to tell you how many of these candles I bought this year...a lot.  I buy two to three scents per season when they go on sale for 50% off.  Burning these gets me in the mood for the season and motivates me to clean the house and bake (hey whatever works right?).

Ok so this is on my long term wish list, like maybe if Alan goes to medical school wish list.  Winning the lottery would also suffice.  I don't think if this wasn't such an icon I would be as obsessed but with the ladylike trend right now I am definitely dreaming of this bag!  I'll add more to my list later...