around this home

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas.  decorations are out ... cookies are constantly in the oven ... warm scents are filling the air ... christmas is definitely around the corner.  and i can't wait!

 

the only ten i see

last week my dad, aunt and i had to make an unexpected trip to tennessee.  i do wish that we could have visited under better circumstances ... but i must admit, i was rather excited to be able to go down.  i absolutely adore tennessee. 

while we were there we got to check out a small town's
christmas parade.  it was so fun! and they sure put a lot of work into some of the floats ... we even got to see the grinch and santa!

  

we also went and checked out the cookeville train depot.  now ... i'm not hugely interested in trains what so ever, but ... this was pretty neat. since it was so late the actual museum was closed but we still got to check out the train set up and snap a few photos.  the whole area around the train depot was pretty neat too ... it all had this historical feel to it ... i kinda love those areas.

we didn't get to stay long at all but it was really good to get to spend time and see some of the family that we don't get that chance with very often.

one day i will live there ... but until then, short trips will have to do.

granny's chocolate gravy

there is nothing much better than chocolate gravy and biscuits on a cold ... maybe not so cold, rainy sunday morning.

i'm pretty sure this recipe has been in my family for a long time ... i even go as far as liking to think of it being handed down from generation to generation. a country recipe so good it has become a comfort food for my family ...  i do love me some chocolate gravy.



 ... and hopefully you will too!  all you need is:

4 tablespoons flour (all-purpose)
2 tablespoons coco (baking)
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups milk
a dash of salt

mix all of the dry and wet ingredients separately. go ahead and pour the dry ingredients into a pan on the stove top and slowly mix in the wet ingredients while stirring constantly.  while continuing to stir bring the mixture to a boil.  once it boils turn the heat off but continue to stir ... it will begin to thicken. [if mixture is too thick for you liking, you can add a little water] and enjoy!

so far ...

this is what i know to be true ... at this very moment in time.

family  has nothing to do with the blood running through our veins.

real friends are rare ... but once you find them they become more than just a friend, they become family.

no lie is ever worth the risk of what you may lose ... ever.

any thought or belief may change given the right experience ... nothing is forever.

happiness is a choice.  you have to wake up and make a conscience decision to make the best out of every situation.  to learn something from every mistake.  to look for the high in every low.  if you choose happiness you'll see happiness in the world around you.

coffee is always a good idea.

two things will always be sexy ... a man with a guitar and a southern gentleman.

i will never be a size zero ... or even a two ... hell, even an eight.  and that's okay.

sometimes ... you just need to be a little selfish.

you cannot rely on other people for you to have a good time ... be your own damn good time.

big sunglasses will always be fabulous.

the 'dirty a' will always be 'home'.

'benny & the jets' will always make me smile.

sometimes ... just sometimes ...you just gotta let go.

 ... and so far, my biggest mistakes have been my most life changing lessons.

twenty seven.

 

 

 

well ... after all the planning and anxiety over this silly party ... i must say it went off without a hitch.  everyone had a good time ... the food was good ... and the mustaches.  oh the mustaches ... i really do love them :]