Homeowners!

Well it's official! We're homeowners!!!! As soon as we got the keys in our hot little hands we started on our long list of updates.

yep....beautiful wallpaper

Good bye!

It still needs paint but I already LOVE it more than the wallpaper! After we tackled the wallpaper we took a break and had a sushi picnic in our new living room.

Then tested some paint colors on the wall (I must say we went on the test about 6 more colors before deciding....geez...decisions decisions!)

The following weekend Chris had to work so I decided to start on the fireplace.

Since the whole wall is brick it took me all of two days to get this done (and that was only one coat)! Luckily Nic helped and Chris was able to help with the second coat.

Tada!!!!!

One of Chris's employees (who is basically a pro painter) really wanted to help us with some of the work. We were still working on the trim in the living room but finished it up quickly so Will could come help. We gave him the paint and he took off!

before....

AFTER!!!!

So we have one room completed! YAYYYY!!! Now 3 bedrooms and a formal dining to go! We're hoping to get most of the trim done this week and the painting the walls this weekend but we'll see.

I'll have more pics once we get the walls done in the formal dining. Just wanted to give everyone a quick update!

Much love -

WB

I'm Back!

So I'm going to give you a really good excuse for my absence the past almost 3 MONTHS! Our laptop got a virus and so blogging in bed is no longer an option. I actually have to get out of bed and sit at the desk (I know I'm lazy) and this computer speed is about as fast as a turtle. I know...excuses.

So much has happened over the summer. I ran my first 10K which turned into a 8-9 mile run. The race was very unorganized and there was not a sign to tell the 10Kers to turn around...so we just kept on with the half marathoners!

The extra log run prompted me to sign up for my first half marathon in December (what was I thinking!?). So training starts in 2 weeks!

We also took our first staycation! A week in Big D with no plans and no work! It was AWESOME! I even got Chris to go to a wine tasting with me. He actually enjoyed it. :)

We also went to the Ranger's game and Chimy's in Ft. Worth...the nachos were still as good as I remember them!

Most of our staycation we spent getting paperwork and inspections done on our NEW HOUSE!!! We close in a week and a few days! We are SO EXCITED!!!!!!!

Yes.....we do know it's pink, and it needs a lot of work...but it gives us a chance to make it our own! We've already got lists of updates we want to make and the best part is we do not have to be out of our apartment until the end of October so we have PLENTY of time to get all the painting and small cosmetic stuff done before we move in....that is if we can hold off that long. We would move in yesterday if we could!

Ok...enough about the house...You know we also had some fun cooking this summer. Here are a few pics!

Mommom's fruit pizza

Chris's smoked turkey

 With buffet beans and smoked corn

So we had an AMAZING summer and so much more fun to come with the house. I'll make sure to show you some before and afters.

Hope everyone has an amazing Sunday!

Much Love

One last thing....if you haven't seen the new Willow House catalog it is to DIE for. I want EVERYTHING in there so check it out!

http://www.annefogle.willowhouse.com/



Homestyle Heaven

I'm pretty embarrassed I haven't posted in a while....actually forever. Life seems to have become extra busy the past two months. Plus, I joined 24 hour fitness instead of working out at our apartment gym (bc a creep was watching me workout at 5 am when there are no blinds on windows...a whole different story)...so cooking during the week has turned to 30 minute meals instead of a new recipe here and there.

A few weeks ago Chris reallyyyy wanted to smoke some ribs in his new smoker, so I figured this would give me a chance to make some yummy sides. Chris looked up a rib rub on the internet and we tailored it to our taste along with putting it in a "special spice shaker" so we could use it over and over.

We decided on mac & cheese, skillet cream corn, and Perini's Jack Daniels bread pudding for dessert. The mac & cheese was just a simple recipe out of my Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook (that I use for everything) and of course the on alteration I made was whole wheat pasta.

Melt butter and add milk and flour (to make  a roux) and then add cream and cheese and stir until it forms a nice cheese sauce.

Mix with cooked pasta and top with cheese and place in oven for 20ish minutes.

Viola!

The skillet cream corn contained bacon, onion, cream, basil, and a few other spices. Ours didn't turn out to be quite as good as I was expecting because I tried to cut the recipe in half and using bacon I had already cooked.

Cook bacon in skillet.

Once cooked remove and add chopped onions cook until crispy tender and add corn.

Add cream basil and other spices and heat through. Once in serving dish top with crumbled bacon.

So our meal was complete!

My Perini's cookbook is one of our favorite wedding presents. We use it ALL the time.

If you're entertaining and are looking for a dessert that is easy but fancy at the same time, bread pudding is the way to go! Plus, you can dress it up even more by making it in ramekins.

All you need to eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, pecans and sour dough bread. Cut bread into small 1-2 inch squares. Combine all wet ingredients and sugar and whisk until the sugar has dissolved. Pour over bread and pecans and bake for an hour at 350 degrees.

When your ready to serve it, melt butter in a small sauce pan and combine cream, vanilla and Jack Daniels. Bring to a slow rolling boil (while stirring constantly) and allow to thicken while stirring approx 5 minutes.

Pour over cooked bread pudding and served with Butter Pecan ice cream...that is the ONLY way to go!

Yum!!!

I think I've found my favorite summer cocktail. White Sangria! I found the recipe on the Pottery Barn website and it is by far the most amazing refreshing drink out there.

Here's a link to the recipe : White Sangria

I used Ginger Ale instead of Club Soda.

Combine fruit, sugar, Peach Brandy and Limoncello and stir until sugar is dissolved. Then pour dry white wine over top and let flavors marinate overnight if possible. *side note: I made this recipe again a few weeks later with strawberries added.....amazing. Add Ginger Ale just before serving!

Well Leanna and Chris have convinced me that I can run a 10K so training starts in a week! I'm sure I'll be blogging about my progress so wish me luck! :)

Much Love,
Whit

Cookies on the Go

Recently we got invited for dinner and drinks at the last minute. I knew we needed to bring something for dessert but what?...and only and hour to decide and prepare! I've REALLY become addicted to Whole Food's fruity oatmeal cookies so I decided to try a simple version.

All you need is a Betty Crocker Oatmeal cookie mix (and ingredients it requires) and then add your favorite things.

My first try was white chocolate, cranberries and coconut...they turned out GREAT and only require a maximum of 13 minutes to bake....so EASY!

This week I tried them with dried strawberries, white chocolate, pecans and coconut...might be my favorite yet!

I forgot to take a picture when they were done but trust me, they will be completely gone by the end of the night...and soooooo easy!

I have to give a shout out to my girls. Leanna, Ash and Kim ran a half marathon two weeks ago and I was lucky enough to see them cross the finish line. In fact...I was SO excited I forgot to take a picture! :(

I was sooooo proud of them, I must have told them about 12390821903 times and sent them all a text message afterward! A true inspiration!

Chris and I had our first weekend off together (with no plans) since February. So we tried to not plan a bunch of stuff and just run around and relax. We went to eat Saturday morning at the Original Pancake House (Yum!) and Sunday we FINALLY put together "Man present #2".....the smoker. Thankfully it was not near the project the grill was.

He' so CUTE!

I FINALLY got my champagne flutes. After a long search I settled on some stemless ones from Pier One. I was looking for extra long stemmed ones...but I couldn't find ANY that were just plain glass (no colors, design, etc...). I must say I am stoked to use these at our next brunch or dinner...I've been looking up so many fun cocktail recipes!

Hope everyone had a great week! We're heading to Odessa to see Gran next weekend so I'm sure we'll come home with a few new sayings and plenty of pictures!

Much love,
WB

Brag Board

Our parents have been bragging about us since we were a twinkle in their eye. "Yes, Whitney is at Abilene High and plans to go to Tech." "I'm so proud, Whitney got her first job in the big city." "Our daughter is getting married!"....so on and so on... Well now it's time to turn the tables. Most of you know my Dad is an early retired banker turned home builder. He started his own business and has been building homes for four years now. I am so proud of him not only because he's been successful, but he does it with honesty, integrity, research and providing a product that no one else does. He makes certain that every detail is paid attention to and adds "extras" to each house (pre-wired cable over fire place, switch inside coat closet to control Christmas lights outside..just to name a few).

Abilene Home Builders Association puts on a Parade of Homes each year where HBA builders can showcase their work. Last year Chris and I helped "man" a house while Dad and Mom "manned" another. This year we went back for our yearly "manning" and I was so proud to do so. Not only did both of his houses win awards, one was the runner up to other! The larger home on Dove Creek won best kitchen, best bath,  AND best in show...the home on Stardust Trail won runner up best kitchen and runner up best bath!!! I took a few pictures (that do the homes no justice) but I wanted to share.

(a few I had to steal from his website because my pics did not turn out).

Stardust



Runner-up Best Kitchen

Runner-up Best Bath

There's a rain head shower to the left I forgot to get a picture of.

Dove Creek

Best in Show!

My DREAM kitchen!! Perfect for any entertainer!

Best Kitchen

White antiqued island with butcher block top!

My FAVORITE fireplace!

Yep that's a walk through shower behind it!

His and Her shower heads with a rain shower head (sorry Dad if "rain shower head" is not the correct term).

I love the antiqued cabinets in the bathroom!!

Best Bath

Mudroom

Outdoor grill!

As you can tell my Mom plays a large roll in staging each and every house. She is a Director and Design Consultant with Willow House so most of the houses showcase her awesome work and Willow House products. She also picks out the color schemes for each house and ensures that Dad takes a little risk here and there. It sure paid off! Way to go team!

I'm so proud of my parents and it's about time I gave them some blog time!

Ron Fogle Construction

Willow House

Much Love

WB