Back to Life, Back to Reality...

Will and I had a fabulous long weekend!! We spent time on the boat and the beach. A little too much sun actually, but fun none the less. Coming back to work today was a little harder than a regular weekend. I think long weekends tend to do that. We got back from the coast yesterday afternoon, unpacked and got laundry started. We went to see The Hangover Part II last night. It was hilarious, although not quite as good as the first one. All in all a great weekend with family and friends!

Sunset over the marsh

Bennett's Point Landing and B&B Seafood

Sunshine and Summertime!

I am so looking forward to a long weekend on the coast!! Will and I will be going with my family to Bennett's Point, a small getaway in the A.C.E. Basin. My step-dad and some of his buddies bought a little concrete block fishing/hunting cabin aptly named "Mosquito Creek Hunt Club" at Bennett's Point in the late '70s. I have grown up going down for weekends like Memorial Day and 4th of July. We go down there with friends and have a great time. The house itself is less than desirable to stay in, but the company and memories make up for the lack of luxury. During the day, we go out in the boat to a little island called Otter Island. One side of the island is near Bennett's Point and the back side of the island faces Edisto Beach, another love of mine. The atmosphere out on Otter Island is very "Redneck Yacht Club." Lots of people, boats, and coolers. It's a blast!! I can't wait to escape after a short day of work tomorrow and spend the weekend in one of my happy places!!



I want to go back...

Will and I honeymooned in the Riviera Maya in Mexico at a fabulous resort called El Dorado Casitas Royale. I am dying to go back. It is obviously only a wish, seeing as it is expensive, and we are living on a very tight budget right now (due to my car troubles). We had the most wonderful time enjoying the beach, pools, bars, and restaurants. We took a day trip to the ruins at Tulum. We met some friends who were also honeymooners. We had a blast! I would love to go back again sometime by ourselves or with our friends from home.

Cheesy Zucchini Bites

I had these yummy little appetizers at a party a while ago, and I asked the hostess for the recipe. They are delicious cheesy bites of goodness. I recently made them for a get-together at a friend's house and they were a hit. I thought I would share the recipe with ya'll!

Cheesy Zucchini Bites
recipe source

• 5 medium zucchini (about 6 inches long)
• 4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced

Cut zucchini into 3/4-inch slices. Using a melon baller or small spoon, scoop out the insides and discard, leaving the bottom intact. Place zucchini on an ungreased baking sheet; spoon 1/2teaspoon crumbled blue cheese into each. Combine the Parmesan cheese, basil, and pepper; sprinkle half over blue cheese. Top each with a tomato slice; sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan mixture. Bake at 400°F until cheese is melted, 5-7 minutes. When I made them it took about 10 minutes to cook. I think it depends on how thick the zucchini are and how much you scoop out of them. I wanted them to cook until the zucchini was soft. Serve warm. Makes 35 appetizers.



Weekend Review

Will and I had a wonderful, busy weekend. We spent Friday night at the Fairgrounds for the "Save the Pigs" event. The event was a fundraiser in conjuction with the Carolina Children's Home BBQ Cook-off on Saturday. We had a great time with friends, helping them get their hog ready to cook for Saturday. Lots of great food and entertainment. Will spent Saturday working on my car, again! He and his dad have been trying to fix the hiccup in it for over a week. They are doing a wonderful job replacing parts and cleaning parts, however, whatever the problem is, is still not fixed!! I attended my cousin Les' graduation luncheon with my parents. It was a wonderful celebration of a wonderful young man. Saturday night, Will and I went out to dinner for a friend's birthday at StoneFire American Grill. We had a delicious dinner and enjoyed the company of great friends. Sunday, we were at it again! We went to church to celebrate the Baptism of a precious little girl. Her parents are in our church group. They hosted a fabulous brunch at their home following the church service. After lunch, Will went back to work on my car some more and I ran a few errands and finally got a little down time. While running my errands, I was on the hunt for a mini-bundt cake pan. I had a Sweet Caroline's customer ask if I made these precious little bundt cakes. I went to three different stores before I finally found the pan. The cakes turned out beautifully. Hope ya'll had a great weekend, as well!




Mini-Bundt Cake Pan



Mini vanilla bundt cakes dusted with powdered sugar

Blog Background

As you can tell, I have changed my blog background. I am obsessed with Shabby Blogs. They have so many cute, free backgrounds to chose from! I will probably be changing my background frequently, just so I can use all of the adorable ones available. If you have a blog, you should definitely check out the website.

Odds & Ends

Not much exciting has been going on in the lives of the Tevepaughs lately. I have finished reading "The Help" and am looking for a new book to read. Any suggestions? I am eagerly awaiting the release of Dorothea Benton Frank's "Folly Beach" and Mary Kay Andrew's "Summer Rental" this summer. I am also looking forward to Janet Evanovich's "Smokin' Seventeen." These are some of my favorite authors!

Other than reading and baking, not much else is going on. I am still going to the gym, though not as often as I would like. I really need to make time at least 3 days a week.

I have two graduation parties that I am baking for for this weekend. I will be busy most of this week making cupcakes and such. I love to bake!! I spend all day at work, then I get to come home and do what I enjoy doing, hence why I haven't been to the gym as often as I would like. I guess I need to get better at scheduling my afternoons/evenings.

The Help

I know The Help by Katherine Stockett came out in 2009. I am a little late on the band wagon. I just finished reading it this past weekend. I couldn't put it down. What an amazing story about incredible, strong women.

I wanted to get it read before the movie comes out in August. I will be interested to see who is cast in the movie. I always have visuals in my head of what I think the characters look like.
If you haven't read the book yet, check it out from the library and read it.

Happy Birthday/Mother's Day Weekend!

Will and I have a very special week this week and every Mother's Day week. My mom's birthday is May 5th, Will's mom's birthday is May 7th, and his grandmother's is May 8th, which happens to fall on Mother's Day this year. We love spending time with our mom's and celebrating them extra this week every year. We appreciate everything they do for us everyday and I know we don't tell them enough. I am so thankful that we have them both in town.

Fitness Progress

I am down one pound from last week!!!! I feel like My Fitness Pal is helping me be more accountable for what I eat. I track everything that goes in my mouth throughout the day. I have also been exercising more. I have been going to the gym about 3 times a week, which is alot more than I have done in the last several months. So, here's to hoping I can keep up my forward progress!