Halloween 2015

From 6-8, Billie and I passed candy to so many trick-or-treaters from the neighborhood. I always love to see their cute costumes! 

Around 8pm, we joined a Halloween Party at some friends' house. 

I've had this flight attendant costume since my sophomore year at LSU, where I wore it to a Campus Crusade Halloween Party. Still holding up! :) 

Bat woman, flight attendant, Amy (whose husband was Sheldon) from Big Bang Theory, Tinker Bell, a mermaid, and Effie from Hunger Games!

Reuben Sliders

Last Thursday night, I had an FRG Pot Luck 'O the Irish. I made these Reuben sliders, and they were a hit!

1 package of Hawaiian Sweet Dinner Rolls
1 pack (11-12 slices) Swiss cheese
Thousand Island Dressing
1 pound of deli corned beef slices
sauerkraut, drained
 4-6 T. butter
1 T. poppy seeds
2 T. Worcestershire
1 tsp. garlic powder

INSTRUCTIONS (Copied from: Cooks COuntry)

1. 1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Slice rolls in half horizontally. Spread Thousand Island on cut sides of roll tops and bottoms. Arrange roll bottoms, cut side up and side by side, in 13 by 9-inch baking dish. Place corned beef on each roll bottom. Divide sauerkraut among sandwiches. Cut swiss slices in half and place 1/2 - 1 slice over sauerkraut. Cap with roll tops.

   2. Combine butter and poppy seeds in bowl. Microwave until butter is melted, about 1 minute. Whisk Worcestershire and garlic powder into butter mixture until combined. Generously brush tops and edges of sandwiches with all of butter mixture. Spoon any remaining solids over sandwiches.

   3. Cover dish with aluminum foil and let sit for 10 minutes to allow sandwiches to absorb sauce. Bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake until cheese is melted around edges and tops are slightly firm, 7 to 9 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes. Serve.

1. Butter and poppy seed mixture
2. Roll top
3. Thousand Island 
4. Swiss
5. Corned Beef
6. Thousand Island 
7. Roll bottom

1/327 INF Battalion Ball

 Last night was my first Army Ball. I took the day off work to hang out with Billie and get ready. The ball was at the James E. Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville, KY. It was the perfect venue to house all 550 of the ball-goers. Our friends Andy and Robin picked us up at 3:30 for a 4:30 social hour. Next was the traditional receiving line where the guest speaker, Battalion Commander, Battalion Command Sergeant Major and wives greet each of the ball attendees. 

My handsome date and me

Our friends Robin and Andy (and baby bump)

We made our way up the stairs, greeted all the big bosses, then made our way down the opposite side.

Next we found our seats for dinner. The night involved a speaker, toasts, and the army tradition of the "grog." The grog is a drink mixed in a large silver bowl. To honor the history of this battalion, selected soldiers stood and added ingredients to the grog bowl, reading a small piece about the historical significance.  To honor their contributions during WWI and specifically their fighting in France, French champagne was added. For their fighting in Vietnam, rice wine was added. Although I can't remember all of the history, I do remember seeing mustard, bourbon, sand, and sriracha going into the grog, to name a few. Next, a representative from each table filled a pitcher full of grog for each table. Luckily, our table got a pre-mixed grog that more closely resembled kool-aid (as opposed to the real grog which looked a bit more like murky tomato juice.)

A few of my pretty friends

After the formal events of the evening concluded, the dance floor was opened! We had so much fun. Loved having the night with Billie and celebrating all the history that's unique to his Battalion.

Superbowl Party

We invited Billie's soldiers and a few of our married couple friends over for the superbowl. I made chili, bbq meatballs, chips with 7-layer dip, Hawaiian sliders, sopapilla cheesecake, and brownies. Friends brought lots of dips, and we didn't have any leftovers! I wish I would have gotten a few closer pics of the food-- it was all fantastic!

The whole group...

Billie's guys... 

Ignoring the grammatical error, here were my sentiments for the night...

Commercials, food, and friends, that is. :) 

Halloween Party

Our therapy department Halloween party was a success! Party planning was so fun, and I got lots of good ideas from my sister, who is a master at this kinda thing.

Above: Chocolate dipped Oreos, peanuts with candy corn, and cream cheese with pepper jelly and wheat thins.

Above: Caramel Pecan Pie Bars (AMAZING-- recipe coming this week), brownies, and Halloween Bark from Pioneer Woman.

We also served gumbo with french bread and bacon wrapped dates. Friends brought drinks, onion dip with chips, ranch dip with pretzels, and warm sandwiches.

Here are the crazies I work with.

Everyone!

Sarah's wedding day!

Wedding weekend is over, and today was back to reality! 

Celebrating with Sarah and Nick was so special. I felt incredibly lucky to be a part of it! Talk about two people who are in love with The Lord. 

Their ceremony was intimate and worshipful. Afterwards, I felt like I had spent time with Jesus! 

Some of mine (and Sarah's) favorite songs were played during the wedding, including:

1. "Great is our Lord" by All sons and daughters 

2. "Holy Spirit" by Jesus culture

3. "Set a Fire" by Will Reagan and United Persuit 

If you want to worship, check out these songs. I could (and have) listened to them on repeat. :) 

After the ceremony, we danced and ate gooooood at the reception at Sarah's parents house. It was rainy, but that didn't stop us! 

Sarah and her dad 

Wedding weekend

Thursday morning, I said goodbye to my man and to Tennessee for a few days. I drove home to Louisiana... This is the wedding weekend for one of my best friends, Sarah. 

I made it in time on Thursday to see my Grandaddy, who is at the hospital recovering from surgery. Next, I went to see my Grandmother at her house, then to see my nieces and nephew for a quick minute! Afterwards, I had a date with the bride to get our nails done. 

Friday morning when I woke up at my parents house, I was amazed all over again with the view from here. I never get tired of it. 

Friday at 11:30, we had the bridal luncheon. 

Bride to be and me...

My mom made this gorgeous 4-layer chocolate cake. Same cake that my sister had at her luncheon several years ago.

Friday night, we rehearsed at the church followed by dinner at Vieux Carre. 

Sarah had a special video toast from our friend Erica, who lives in England and couldn't make the wedding. 

Shrimp étouffée for me! 

So looking forward to today and tonight. Then I will head back to Tennesee early tomorrow! More pictures coming soon. 

Halloween time!

Billie and I went to a really fun Halloween party last night.

Billie was a character from Grease... I wish I would have gotten a picture for you! I was pretty proud that he even dressed up! 

Check out some of the spooky snacks at the party...

Deviled egg "spiders," pumpkin fruit skewers, a salami skull, and a spinach dip- puking pumpkin. 

me and Gwen

My friend Gwen is a party planning extraordinaire. Every last thing was thought of, including this "blood" stained backdrop for pictures! She even supplied me with the witches hat and broom.  :) Thanks, Gwen!

 

On a different note, I mixed peanuts and candy corn to make this "Payday" mix for our church small group on Friday night... how am I just learning about this?! I could eat my weight in it. And I just may have.

Hope you have a really great week.

My Cousin's Baby Shower

Friday afternoon, my mom, sister, and I drove to Pineville, where some of my Mom's family lives. My girls cousins were putting together a baby shower for my cousin Meghan, who is due with a little GIRL in December. I haven't seen my family since mine and Billie's wedding in March, so I was especially excited!

Side note-- Tuesday, after Billie and I learned we would be moving to Fort Campbell at the end of the year, I went online and applied for a speech therapy job at a hospital nearby. During our drive to Pineville, I got a call from their rehab director! I'll have an official phone interview this coming Thursday. Awesome huh? :) Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Back to the shower... Pictures will explain better...

Diaper cake with hot air balloon- how cute?? My cousin Jessica made this!

The spread...

Chicken Salad sandwiches, cake, cupcakes, fruit cups with dip, veggie cups, cheese/olive/tomato skewers, and pink lemonade! 

Mason jars with pink striped straws

The girls... me, my sister Lindsey, Katie, Meg, Rachel, Jessica, and Amy

Aunt Susan and Meg

The party had a great turnout and was so fun to plan. The decor was shabby chic and so-little-girl. :) And I think Meg had a great time, which was most important!