Fall Football Mantel

Happy Fall! 

I adore this time of year! The weather in Birmingham is beginning to get cooler and the fall and Christmas decorations are filling up the craft stores. I love it! 

My mantel is definitely centered around my favorite thing about fall- Auburn football! 

The banner is one of my custom creations from my new Etsy shop So Filled With Love. I have Auburn, Alabama, and fun fall and Thanksgiving banners, so check it out! (I can also do custom banners, so let me know if you are interested!) I added Aubie, a framed picture of Samford Hall, and 3 cute decorative pumpkins and voila! I am so pleased with how it turned out!

(A closer look)

I am linking up to the It's Fall Ya'll linky party over at The Lettered Cottage! There are so many awesome mantels- such great inspiration!

Have a super Wednesday!!

Emily Ann- 3 Weeks

Emily Ann is 3 weeks old!

Firsts: First real bath, first time at church, first baby-sitters

Milestones: Umbilical cord came off, no longer fit into newborn footie pjs :(

Measurements: Close to 9 lbs, 21.75 inches long, 0-3 month clothes, newborn diapers

Like Mommy: Likes to swing and shop

Like Daddy: Likes to eat

Food: You are eating between 4 oz. per feeding. You eat every 3- 3.5 hours during the day and every 4 hrs. at night.

Sleep: Your nights are getting much more stable- you finish your nighttime meal between 10 and 11 then sleep until 2:30 or 3:00. After your early morning snack, you sleep until about 5:45 or 6:00. During the day, you snooze off and on but are spending much more time awake.

Challenges: Diapers are getting a bit more full and smelly.

Our Days: After our 5:30 feeding, we take a nap until 8:00ish. We usually spend the morning around the house, then try to go out around lunchtime and in the afternoon. We like quality time with Daddy when he gets home from work.

Favorite Moments

Mommy's Favorite: First time at church

Daddy's Favorite: First time at church

Nicknames: EA, Doodle Bug, Baby Girl

Upcoming Events: 1 month birthday!!

Photo ops

This was your first time at church- meeting Brother Danny, our pastor!

Hanging out with Mommy and Daddy in the sanctuary.

A-Z of Me!

Happy Sunday everyone! As I was exploring some of my favorite blogs this afternoon, I found this fun questionnaire and decided to participate!

The A-Z of Me!

A. Age: 26
B. Bed size: Queen
C. Chore that you hate: Folding clothes.
D. Dogs: No dogs, but we do have a fabulous cat named Bodie! 
E. Essential start to your day: Recently, it has been feeding Emily Ann. 
F. Favorite color: Pink
G. Gold or Silver: Silver
H. Height: 5'6" (Actually, on my 15th birthday I was 5'7" and on my 16th birthday I was 5'6". Go figure.)
I. Instruments you play: Piano. Kind of.
J. Job title: Stay at home mom. Formerly a 2nd grade teacher.
K. Kids: A sweet little girl- Emily Ann!
L. Live: Birmingham, AL
M. Mother’s name: Ann
N. Nicknames: Ash, AJ
O. Overnight hospital stays: Just one and I came home with a baby!!
P. Pet peeves: On-going sounds- like beat boxing. Also, the fact that when you cut and paste in blogger, you can't change the font.
Q. Quote from a movie: "Fumble rooski, fumble rooski! Turn it up!!!" -Little Giants
R. Right or left handed: Left handed.
S. Siblings: Only child
T. Time you wake up: About 5:45 (The first time). 
U. Underwear: Such a strange question- it's not actually a question. And since I am a girl, I have no idea what to say.
V. Vegetable you hate: English peas.
W. What makes you run late: Not having my outfit picked out before it is time to get ready. I can try on 15 outfits before I choose something. It's a problem.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Dentist 
Y. Yummy food that you make: Mac and cheese, cowgirl cookies
Z. Zoo animal: Giraffe

I would love to read the A-Z of you so if you are interested, answer the questions and leave a comment to let me know! 

Have a great night!!

Football Friday- Bruschetta

Happy Football Friday everyone!

Today's Football Friday post is a newer favorite of ours. Bruschetta is such a tasty treat and offers good variety from traditional salsa. My mom made this recipe last April for my dad's birthday and Brian and I couldn't stop eating it!
So in honor of Auburn's game against the Florida Atlantic Owls (hehe) tomorrow....

Brush off the Owls Bruschetta

Ingredients
1 1/2 lbs. tomatoes
2 T. finely chopped red onions
2 cloves minced garlic
1/4 c. chopped fresh basil
2 t. red wine vinegar
3 T. extra virgin olive oil
Salt and Pepper
Parmesan shavings
Toasted crusty bread

Cut tomatoes in half, squeeze out seeds and excess juice.
Dice tomatoes and place in a bowl. Add onions, garlic, basil, vinegar, olive oil, and salt. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour.

Brush toasted bread lightly with olive oil. Scoop tomato mixture onto the bread and sprinkle with shaved parmesan. Enjoy!!

EA- Newborn Pictures

Last Monday night, Brian's brother Kevin took Emily Ann's newborn pictures. 

He did an incredible job. 

He is so talented and has a great eye for pictures.

Check out his website- he's starting a photography business and has some of his shoots featured. He also has some great misc. shots. He's the perfect photographer for engagement, maternity, or newborn pictures!!

Here are some of our favorites from the newborn shoot!

Check out cadencephotography.net for more of Kevin's work!!

Emily Ann- 2 Weeks

Emily Ann is 2 weeks old!

Emily Ann, you are so much fun! You are such a happy baby and have been such a fun addition to our family. You are spending more time staying awake during the day and Daddy and I love watching you look around with your big, bright eyes. You are beginning to follow us with your eyes and are getting a little control of your head and neck. You are so precious and we love you dearly!

Firsts: First Auburn football party, first official doctor's appt., first diaper blow-out

News Headlines: 10 year anniversary of Sept. 11, Auburn beat Mississippi State 41-34

Milestones: Staying awake more during the day, eating 3 oz. per feeding, newborn pictures

Measurements: 7 pounds, 10 oz. (about 30th percentile), 21.75 inches long (over the 100th percentile), newborn clothes, newborn diapers

Like Mommy: Big eyes, blond highlights :)

Like Daddy: Easy-going personality

Food: You are eating between 3 and 4 oz. per feeding. You eat every 2 hours during the day and every 3-4 hrs. at night.

Sleep: You are staying awake more during the day and beginning to sleep longer at night. You nap between 5-7 of your feedings each day.

Challenges: Feeding

Our Days: Now that Daddy is back at work, we wake up at about 5:30 to eat and spend some time together before he has to leave. Then, depending on the previous night, we decide whether we will go back to sleep or not. We spend a lot of time just hanging out at the house, but hopefully we will get more active in the next week or so!

Favorite Moments

Mommy's Favorite: Cuddling during naptime on the couch

Daddy's Favorite: Newborn pictures

Nicknames: EA, Doodle Bug, Baby Girl

Upcoming Events: First time at church

Photo ops

You and Johanna during the Auburn/ MSU game

Our first football family picture

Your gameday gear

Uncle Kevin took awesome newborn pictures. Here is a teaser.

Your first doctor's appointment. You slept straight through it- you were great!!

You met your great-grandmother Granny!

She thought you were such an angel.

She is so right!!

We love you Emily Ann!

Football Friday- Dessert Squares

Happy Friday ya'll!

This Football Friday dessert is a favorite of mine from growing up. It was always my dessert request and continues to be so even today. These treats are easy and delicious! They are perfect for a tailgate, for a football party, or for simply indulging in a sweet temptation! Auburn plays Clemson tomorrow at 11:00 so I am bringing these babies out for our football fun!

Dessert the (Clemson) Tigers Squares

Ingredients

1 box yellow cake mix

3 eggs

1 stick of melted butter

8 oz. package of cream cheese

1/4 t. vanilla

1 box confectionary sugar

Mix the cake mix, 1 egg, and melted butter and pack into a 9x13 pan.

In a separate bowl, mix the cream cheese, vanilla, 2 eggs, and confectionary sugar. Spread on top of the cake mixture. Bake at 325* for 35-40 min.

To add a bit of school spirit, I used gel food coloring to dye my dessert squares orange, then added blue sprinkles. It took quite a bit of orange food coloring, so if you try this, beware!!

Have a great weekend!

Freshly Baked

Freshly baked.

 Take two on sourdough was a success!

10 years.

Brian and I spent a lot of time watching coverage of the World Trade Center memorial this morning. I was taken back to that day 10 years ago and have realized again what an amazing country we live in.

I get tired of politics. I do have views and opinions that I have no intention of sharing on my blog, but overall, I believe that politics (not government) can sometimes hurt the integrity of our country. This said, as I watched President Obama walk with President Bush this morning at the memorial ceremony, I was thankful for the sense of togetherness.. that we as a country can put aside politics for a day and remember   people who were sacrificed for the sake of our freedom. 

Both President Bush and President Obama's speeches at the memorial were great- both respectful and historical, but I was truly impressed with Obama's tribute. It was simple and to the point. It gave glory where glory was due.

The entirety of his speech is followed:

^"1 God is our refuge and strength,
   an ever-present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
   and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam
   and the mountains quake with their surging.
 ⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
   the holy place where the Most High dwells.
⁵ God is within her, she will not fall;
   God will help her at break of day.
⁶ Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
   he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
 ⁷ The LORD Almighty is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our fortress.
 ⁸ Come and see what the LORD has done,
   the desolations he has brought on the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease
   to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
   he burns the shields with fire.
¹⁰ He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
   I will be exalted among the nations,
   I will be exalted in the earth.”
 ¹¹ The LORD Almighty is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our fortress."
Psalm 46

As I listened to the president speak, it made me so thankful to live in this country. Praise the Lord that God is our Ever-Present Help and that He knows the destiny of our country and of the people effected by September 11 far before the attacks happened. Praise the Lord that our country gives us a freedom of religion that allows us to stand bold and say "He is God." Even in this day of great sadness and remembrance, praise the Lord that He is "our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble."

Be a dog.

Happy Gameday!

Today was our first official gameday with EA in the house, since we were coming home from the hospital during the game last week. I was a bit unsure about what the outcome would look like, but we pulled out a victory in the end. War Eagle!

Here is our first Auburn family photo!

Emily Ann loves football. She slept all the way through the game.
Recognize her little dress from this post? I made matching earrings and a ponytail holder so we could match. Corny? Maybe, but I love it.

Finally, I saw this clip this morning on ESPN. Hilarious.



So, when in doubt, be a dog.
Have a great Saturday!

Football Friday- Mississippi Sin Dip

Happy Friday!

This Football Friday recipe is a new one for me. As I mentioned several posts ago, I have fallen in love with the blog Plain Chicken. She posts very easy and user friendly recipes that are great for dinners, parties, desserts, or simply just a "quick fix." The ingredients are normal and the recipes are super do-able. Add the fact that she is an Auburn grad and I quickly became a follower.

As I was scrolling through her recipes, I found an awesome dip recipe that would be perfect for any football party. Since Auburn plays Mississippi State tomorrow at 11:21 and this dip is called Mississippi Sin Dip and I knew I needed to try it!

Mississippi Sin Dip (As found at Plain Chicken)

Ingredients-

16 oz. sour cream

8 oz. cream cheese (softened)

2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 c. chopped ham

1 green onion, chopped (I actually mis-read the ingredients and used regular onion... it's still good.)

1/4 t. hot sauce

1 t. worcestershire sauce

salt

pepper

In a mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients until well blended.

Bake dip at 350* for 1 hour. 

Plain Chicken suggests using this recipe with a french bread loaf, but we skipped the bread and went straight to Fritos scoops. Either will work :)

Now, we just have to hope Mississippi's sin isn't beating Auburn!

Have a great weekend friends!

Emily Ann- 1 Week

Emily Ann is 1 week old!

Emily Ann, you are such a blessing to me and your daddy. I could never have imagined loving someone the way we love you. I adore watching you make sweet faces and squirm around- you are absolutely precious. I can not believe you are already a week old and I can't wait to see what the next several weeks has in store!

Firsts: Everything - First bath, first car ride, first stroller ride, first time to sleep in your crib, met your family, friends, and neighbors, met Bodie...and the list goes on and on!

News Headlines: Auburn beats Utah State 42-38 with a last minute on-side kick.  Tropical Storm Lee dumps huge amounts of rain on Alabama and knocks out power to over 200,000 Alabama Power customers.

Milestones: Coming into the world!!!

Measurements: About 7 pounds, 20 inches long, newborn clothes

Like Mommy: Nose, long fingers and toes

Like Daddy: Lips, head of hair

Food: Feeding every two hours during the day and every three hours at night.

Sleep: Usually one-two hours between feedings.

Challenges: Feeding and sleeping

Our Days: One giant day since September 1st :)...we're still ironing out a schedule.

Favorite Moments

Mommy's Favorite: Holding you for the first time.

Daddy's Favorite: Giving you your first bath.

Nicknames: EA, Doodle Bug, Baby Girl

Upcoming Events: Daddy going back to work, newborn pictures

Photo ops

Welcome Emily Ann! Weighing in at 7 lbs. 7 oz.

You have no idea how amazing it was to hold you for the first time. My life was changed immediately.

Your first hairbow/ hair flower! You looked so precious!

Your first birthday cake. Annie and Poppy brought this to the hospital to enjoy. (Chocolate cake with white icing- Mommy's favorite!)

We love naptime!

Heading home from the hospital. You wore the outfit I wore home from the hospital and the shoes Daddy would have worn if he was a girl. The knitted cap was from our friend Mrs. Debbie.

A closer look.

Settled into the car seat for the first time. 

In the car and headed home!

We showed you your room as soon as we got home. You didn't say it, but I know you loved it.

Auburn was playing as we left the hospital and got home, so I had to change you into your first gameday outfit! I used this inspiration to make the onesie. Your friend Johanna gave you the headband. 

Meeting your Great-Mam Maw Johnson!

Your first bath. You didn't love the actual event, but really enjoyed the cuddling (and smell) afterward.

After the bath. Love that hair.

I made you a hairband like mine- We match!

The most wonderful pair ever. Love this picture and these two!!

We love you Emily Ann!