Birthday!!!

Today is the big day, the big 3-0! So far, I feel exactly the same as 29. I know it's no overnight thing, but shouldn't I feel a little older? I guess we will wait and see.



I have had a wonderful few days celebrating with friends and family. I have also received some amazing gifts!



Nook Color...this was on the top of my list! I love it! Thanks Mom!



I also had a new camera on my list...my Dad picked this one out, except mine is red! I can't wait to learn how to use it.

 


Barnes & Noble Gift Cards from Will's family...can't wait to download some Nook Books!

Edible Arrangement from my dear husband...made my day at work today!

One of my dear friends gave me some lovely cupcake papers and a beautiful candle holder. I have also received some fabulous birthday cards! I am so blessed!

Birthday Week Kick-Off

It's finally here...my 30th birthday week!! We have plans with family and friends starting tonight and going through the week. Tonight, we are going to my "surprise" dinner. It's a surprise, because I don't know where we are going and who will be there. Will wanted to surprise me with the whole shebang, but I'm not a huge fan of surprises. I like to know what is going to happen and when. So, I talked him into telling me it would be tonight, but other than that, I don't know what to expect. I know it will be a marvelous evening!! We have plans to tailgate with friends for the Carolina game on Saturday. On Sunday, we are going to have my birthday lunch with Will's family and hopefully play Trivia on Sunday night. Monday night will be our celebration with my dad and step mom. My dad's birthday was this week, too. Tuesday night is my actual birthday and I have a Junior League committe meeting, so I'm not sure what our plans will be for then. On Wednesday, Will and I are going out to dinner with my mom and stepdad to Terra, one of our favorite fancy restuarants in town. I think that is the last of the festivities. I am looking forward to them all. I feel blessed to be surrounded by amazing family and friends.

Love this cake...clearly my name is not Melissa.

The Usual Monday Post: Weekend Wrap-Up and Weekly Meal Plan

Despite the dreary, chilly weather, Will and I had a fabulous weekend on Edisto Island with my family. We cooked a nice meal at the house on Friday night and just relaxed. Saturday was spent watching football...all day long! We started with College Game Day. Up next was the Clemson vs. Auburn, which Clemson won! Yay! We flipped back and forth for the little while before the Carolina game began. Carolina beat Navy in a very nail biting game. Go Cocks! We had a delicious pork loin, green beans and roasted potatoes for dinner, followed by more football to round out the night. Sunday, it was still dreary, we were not able to go out on the boat before we had to head home. Sunday afternoon, we went to Will's friend's 30th birthday party. We had a great time catching up with his college buddies and their wives and kids. Last night, we were invited over to Will's parents for family game night. We had a wonderful evening, and it was nice not to have to cook or buy dinner after being gone all weekend. Usually on Sunday nights, we play trivia, I kind of missed that, but we will resume next week.

Monday: Chicken Alfredo and salad
Tuesday: Chicken Poppy seed Casserole from King's Market on Edisto Island and limas.
Wednesday: Pork chops with rice and corn
Thursday: St. John's Connections
Friday: My Birthday Party Dinner! (I don't know the location, Will is trying to keep it a surprise)
Saturday: Tailgating for the USC vs. Vandy game
Sunday: Trivia at Pizza Joint

Hope everyone has a great week! My birthday week starts soon...count down is one week from tomorrow...the big 3-0!!

I am so ready for FALL!

Enough of the stifling heat already!! This summer has been one of the hottest on record. The couple of weeks have offered a glimpse of fall...cooler morning temperatures! However, the highs have still been in the upper eighties and nineties. The forecast for the weekend...wait for it.....the 70's!!!! I can't wait!! Will and I will be at Edisto this weekend...perfect beach weather!
I have been reading the newest Southern Living with all of the apple and fall recipes! My favorite time of year to bake. Last week, I baked the Apple Cream Cheese Bundt Cake, and I plan on making the Apple-Butterscotch Brownies to take with us to the beach.
Some of my other favorite things about the fall:

Candy Corn

Fall Foliage

Coats! If you know me, you know that I have an extensive collection. I can't wait to wear them!

I also, love Thanksgiving! Spending time with family is so precious to me. The whole holiday season beginning with Thanksgiving going through Christmas and New Year's is magical!

Oh yeah, and there is football!

Happy Almost Fall, Y'all!!

Monday Meal Plan and Weekend Wrap Up

Wil and I had a great weekend spent with friends. Friday night we had a meeting to attend. We went out for drinks afterwards at Henry's. We snagged seats in the lounge area and had a relaxing evening. Saturday, Will had to work in the morning and I had errands to run. I made this amazing cake from the cover of this month's Southern Living.


Apple Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

Saturday afternoon, we went over to Will's parents to watch the first half of the Clemson game. From there, we went over to some friends' house to watch part of the Carolina game. We had one last stop for the night at more friends' house to watch the second half of the Carolina game and the Richmond race. What a busy, fun-filled day! (By the way, Clemson, Carolina, and Harvick won! A happy day of sports in our household!)
Sunday began with a welcome back breakfast at church. They served a wonderful breakfast and had a ministry fair of all activities going on this fall. After church, we came home and made our meal plan and grocery list for the week. We went grocery shopping then to a 9/11 memorial service in the afternoon. We concluded the evening with trivia at Pizza Joint...our favorite Sunday funday activity!

Monday: Rotisserie chicken, baked sweet potato, and limas.
Tuesday: Chicken alfredo pasta and salad
Wednesday: Will has a meeting; I will be eating leftovers (probably make chicken nachos)
Thursday: Pork chops, rice, and corn
Friday-Saturday: We will be at Edisto with my parents
Sunday: Trivia at Pizza Joint

I hope everyone has a great week! I am looking forward to the weekend--Edisto with the fam!

Weekly Meal Plan

Will and I are back from a fun-filled weekend in Durham with the Millers. We had a blast spending time with the kids and their wonderful parents.
We got back late Monday afternoon and Will's mom graciously invited us over for dinner, so we didn't have to cook.
Tuesday: Tonight I made homemade potato soup with ingredients we already had at home.
Wednesday: Movie night with our living social fandango tickets. We will grab a light dinner out.
Thursday: Will has a meeting at his Masonic lodge and I have a Junior League meeting.
Friday: We have a meeting to go to that includes dinner.
Saturday: We have plans to watch the Richmond race with friends.

Hope everyone has a great week! Although it is a short work week, it just means you have to cram in extra work on the days you have.