Springtime Wreaths

I've been on a wreath kick.  You've seen my Halloween yarn wreaths and my purple sparkly Christmas wreaths, and I also had some fall-inspired wreaths hanging on our front doors between those two holidays.  They were constructed from a mixture of silk mums in yellow, orange, and red with some faux gourds on grapevine wreaths -- my favorite.

What can I say, there's just nothing that I love more than sitting down with a glass of wine and a hot glue gun!  Now that we have two front doors in our home, I can have double the wine fun.

After we took down our Christmas wreaths, our bare front doors looked so puny and sad.  I'm happy to say that they are now sporting green springtime wreaths!

Supplies I used:

* 2 grapevine wreaths ... $3.99/ea

* 4 green berry sprigs from Dollar Tree ... $1.00/ea

* 2 bags faux moss-covered rocks from Dollar Tree ... $1.00/ea

* Green moss ... $1.99

I decided to use ribbon that I already had.  This green cut-out felt ribbon was purchased in January at Michaels when they put their holiday ribbon 80% off.  It was $9.99 so I got it for $2.

Then I simply figured out the placement I wanted and started hot gluing my heart out!

And because I am super fancy-schmancy, they are hung from our front door windows using Command hooks.  Maybe not the classiest, but they work perfectly!  The ribbon helps to camouflage them.

Not too shabby for wreaths that ended up costing about $9/each, right?!

Love Day Recap

I can't believe I have to wait another 364 days for the next Valentines Day.

Seriously ... I love this holiday.

Yesterday at work, people kept stopping by my desk with treats.  By 12:30pm, I realized that all I'd eaten that day was a strawberry cupcake with cream cheese icing, a snack pack of gummy hearts, and some Brach conversation hearts for good measure.  Yep, my kinda holiday.  And it only got better from there.

Ian knows how much I love tulips, so he had this arrangement waiting on me at home.

I had the dining room table set for dinner ... which, funny enough, is the first time that he and I dined solo in this room.  We typically eat at the breakfast room table, the bar, or in front of the television!

Pardon the state of the chair rail -- you can see we had the molding put up, but it is still unfinished.  We're having it caulked and painted this weekend!

I scattered silk rose petals on the table and even broke out our nice Ralph Lauren wine glasses with the gold rim.  You know it's a special holiday when you don't care about handwashing your stemware.  :)

I picked up these cute vintage-inspired Valentines boxes at Michaels.

Even our chandelier got a makeover!

I picked up a bottle of one of my favorite red wines.  Apothic is so completely yummy, and you can usually pick it up for about $10.

For dinner, I made the most delicious filet recipe from my girlfriend Ashley.  You sear the filets for a minute each side (after seasoning them with S&P and olive oil) and then pour over them a mixture of red wine, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and brown sugar.  Then just reduce the heat and cover the pan and cook for 4 minutes on each side.  Oh my word, it's a favorite recipe.

To accompany the filets, we had sauteed kale.  I sauteed it in some olive oil, a little butter, and chicken broth.  Salt and freshly ground pepper seasoned the dish, and Ian topped it with a little parmesan cheese.

For dessert, I made a lemon cheesecake pie topped with cherries.  We never have dessert like this on weeknights, but it was so fun to splurge.

With dessert, we opened cards and presents.

And I am the proud new owner of a Swell Caroline Moon & Lola monogram necklace!  It's the tortoiseshell script monogram necklace, and I love it.  It's a lighter color tortoise than Ian and I were expecting, but still pretty.

After dinner, we watched The Devil's Double which is not at all romantic, but a haunting and captivating story.  It's one we'd been wanting to watch for a while.  We didn't plan to watch it on Valentine's Day, but it's just what we had on hand from Netflix. 

I stayed awake for MOST of the movie, which is a huge feat for me.  Ian had to clue me in on how the movie ended, per usual.  Does that happen to anyone else -- once you're in the dark and snuggled up to another warm body, it's lights out?!

A fantastic Valentines Day celebration indeed.  I hope yours was lovely, too!

Won't You Be My Valentine? Our Love Story.

Happy Valentines Day from your resident hopeless romantic!

My poor husband, he ended up with the cheesiest girl ever who loves all holidays, but especially Valentines Day since it is filled with red, pink, hearts, candy, flowers, and declarations of love.

Honestly - the man is a saint.  I know I have high expectations, and he does so well to keep me happy!

I decided to put up some fun pictures along with the "Our Love Story" questionnaire that has been floating around some of my favorite blogs recently.

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?

We met in December of 2008, so we have been together for more than 3 years.

2. How did you meet?

I was recently out of a long-term relationship.  Like, four years long.  A girlfriend was in town visiting me and we were going out to get in a little {harmless} mischief.  I received a text from my friend Megan saying she really wanted me to stop by the bar they were going to be at that evening with a large group of people.  Ian was there and Megan's husband had already told him that he needed to meet me.  So, we met that night -- no sparks from my end.  I saw him out the following Saturday night, though, and we completely clicked.  He asked for my number that very night and called me Monday afternoon to ask me out.

The night we got engaged -- dinner in Blowing Rock, NC

The day Ian helped me move out of my apartment.  Last meal!

3. If married, how long have you been married?
See the below picture - of course I married that handsome man.
We've been married since May 28th of last year.  Coming up on 9 months!

4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding?

We were married in Columbia, South Carolina at the historic 701 Whaley building.  We were married upstairs and then everyone took the elevator downstairs to our reception.  We had about 150 people who shared our special day with us.

That boy, he loves him some zombies.

And he loves Skee-ball too.

Driving from Columbia to Charlotte to go househunting last January.

5. Do you have any nicknames that you call one another? Do share!

The nicknames are out of control, and mainly due to Ian.  He is a HUGE nicknamer.  He'll start with one nickname and then let it gradually change and adapt into some other name.  For example, follow this logic of a few of my nicknames:

Baby - Baybis - Baybeez - Brrrbzzzz - A.B.'s - Flaybeez - Fooflaybeez - Oodies - Oods - Poods.

That's only a few of my nicknames.

Oh, and the beloved Sweet Flea.  Which came from Sweet Pea, obvi.

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.

Ian has the most interesting and hilarious sense of humor of anyone I know.

He is a complete animal lover.

He absolutely hates to see me cry and is a great hugger when that happens.

7. Tell us how he proposed?

Extra, extra, read all about it.
 

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?

There is no way in the world he'd ever buy me a teddy bear ... and I am okay with that.  He is great with getting me flowers and he'll often have a glass of wine poured for me when I walk into the kitchen on a special night.  I'm usually the one to sprinkle rose petals -- he leaves the creativity up to me!

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?
I've always been a sunset dinner on the beach sort of girl, but I'm starting to realize the amazingness that is a night in on the sofa with a great movie from Redbox.

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?

I've already shared this on the blog, but I'd really love to have my first European adventure ever with him!  This will take some major saving up and planning, but we're thinking maybe next year.

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day.

We will be cooking at home for Valentine's Day with a really yummy menu -- balsamic glazed filet mignon, sauteed kale, salad, and a cherry cheesecake for dessert. 

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?

Oh silly, I'd never ASK for anything, but yes, I did drop a little hint  :)

I have something for him too!

13. Give us one piece of advice for keeping a relationship strong and full of love.

As newlyweds, we are definitely still learning!  But I've picked up on the fact that you can never say "I love you" enough, and it doesn't make you weak if you say "I'm sorry" first.  Also, the power of a big bear hug is amazing.

14. Show us a picture of what love means to you.

Me + him, in a pedicab in Charleston, SC on the night I turned 30. 

Looking forward to a great 3rd decade together.

Winner of the Noble House Designs Giveaway!

Before I announce the winner of my Valentine's Day giveaway, I have some really rockin' news.

You ALL win, because you're been gifted with a 20% off coupon code for Noble House Designs!

Once you place your pretties in your virtual shopping cart on Etsy, enter code ALIZ20 to receive your discount.  Don't wait around too long to treat yourself; this offer expires next Monday, February 20th.

So now, the time has come to announce the lucky gal who will soon be sporting a new Noble House Designs necklace!

Without further ado, I am happy to wish congratulations to ....

The ever so lucky,

and about to be bejeweled and bedazzled,

Conneticut Cupcake!

You, missy, have scored a heck of a prize.
What'll be your pick?

Please email me at alizadventures@ymail.com and I'll be happy to put you in touch with Noble House Designs. 

Thanks again to Sara for allowing such a fantastic giveaway opportunity to A. Liz Adventures readers.

Happy Valentine's Day Eve!

Friday - Friday - Friday!

Hallelujah, the weekend is here!

Some random little tidbits to get this weekend started off right...

1) I had a great wine date with some lovely ladies this past Monday evening at Nolen Kitchen.  Do you recognize them all?

Dee's Adventures

Classic Annie

The Mrs. And The Mister

2) I already love Greek yogurt, but this one is a gamechanger.  Absolutely my favorite.  It's Chobani Passion Fruit, and I'm going back to the store today to stockpile this creamy goodness.  Ian and I ate passion fruit in Dominican Republic on our honeymoon and I fell in love with this crazy fruit.  This yogurt takes me back to that lovely time of no cell phones, no work drama, and a chilly glass of sauvignon blanc with lunch daily.

3) I traveled to Vermont this week, and man oh man, it made me appreciate weather here in the Carolinas so much!  There wasn't any snow while I was there, only a few patches lingering from an earlier snowfall, but it was still crazy chilly.

Traveling wasn't too bad this time because I was upgraded to first class on 3 out of my 4 flights.  One of the few perks of flying a lot!  I had some good magazines to keep me amused as well as the second Hunger Games book on my Kindle.

A trip to Burlington, VT just isn't complete without a trip to Four Corners of the Earth, according to my friend Kate!  She clued me in on this interesting sandwich spot and even told me the exact sandwich I needed to order -- the Iraqi Turkey.  Absolutely delish.

4) I'm head over heels in love with Drake, and he wants to show you today what sort of tricks he can do for a very coveted treat.

This weekend for us is blissfully wide open with no concrete plans or responsibilities, and I'm unbelievably excited about playing it by ear!  We have a restaurant gift certificate that is burning a hole in our pocket, so that's a distinct possibility, and maybe a workout class with girlfriends tomorrow morning.  Happy Friday!

PS - This Sunday is the deadline for entering my Noble House Designs jewelry giveaway, so make sure you are entered! 

Be A Crockpot Goddess

Some girlfriends have recently purchased Crock Pots, and I promised them I'd share my three favorite slow cooker recipes ... one of which has made Ian to think I am a kitchen goddess.  And it's three ingredients, ya'll -- being a goddess has never been simpler.

Before I share the recipes with you, though, I want to show you something really wild.

I was given some old family cookbooks, a few of which belonged to my grandmother Gigi.  She had some pieces of paper stuck in one of her cookbooks that had Crock Pot recipes jotted down on them.  Here's a pretty standard looking recipe from her.

Besides the fact that the recipe calls for oleo, it's not too crazy.  Well, maybe the fact that you assemble the recipe in a coffee can or shortening can and then put the can in a Crock Pot, surrounded by water.  That's maybe a little unconventional.

But flip over the piece of paper it's written on, and you see this:

My Gigi was a policewoman.  To say that this was not a traditional job for a woman at her time would be a heck of an understatement.  She worked in the small town of Selma, North Carolina, and she even took my middle sister Sarah and me as young children to her police station and showed us "crack cocaine."

By the way, how did that term get so outdated?  It makes me laugh.  Seriously, I'm giggling as I type this.  Crack cocaine.  That is just funny to say.

But what really is wild to me is the verbiage on that "While you were out" notepad.  Did you catch these parts?

"Mr. ________ of ___________"

and

"Please Call Him"

I was pretty appalled to see this -- a blatant reminder of the fact that in my grandmother's generation of working, the females basically served as the receptionists and the only people stopping by for a visit or calling were assumed to be males!

I'm glad things have changed now, but I'm also so proud to say that my Gigi was a policewoman during this very time.  Convention and tradition were not her style.

Okay, back to my three favorite Crock Pot recipes.  I'm going to keep the descriptions for these quick and simple, because that's why cooking in a slow cooker is so magical.

Mexican Crock Pot Chicken

6-7 chicken tenderloins, frozen or thawed
2 cans black beans, drained (I often use 1 can black beans and 1 can pinto beans)
1 can Rotel (I use one can of Rotel and 1 can of diced tomatoes)
1/2 package taco seasoning

Place chicken at the bottom of the Crock Pot and sprinkle with the taco seasoning.  Add in beans and tomatoes.  Cook on low 7-8 hours.  Stir when done to shred the chicken. 

Serve on top of a bed of rice and/or shredded lettuce (we omit the rice).  Top with desired ingredients such as shredded Mexican cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and black olives.

***

Crock Pot Applesauce

8-10 large cooking apples, peeled, cored, and cut in chunks (Gala apples work well)
1/2 cup water
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 - 3/4 cup sugar

Combine all ingredients in your Crock Pot.  Cover and cook on low 7-8 hours.  Serve warm with or without cream.

***

Crock Pot Barbeque
... the main reason Ian thinks I hung the moon ...
(adapted from the culinary maven Puttin' On The G.R.I.T.S.)

Pork butt shoulder
2 liter bottle of root beer
Barbeque sauce - We use the H.T. Trader's Eastern Style BBQ Sauce bought at Harris Teeter

Place pork in your Crock Pot and cover with half of the root beer.  Cover and cook 6-7 hours, turning once halfway.  The pork will shred easily when it is done cooking.  Drain off most of the remaining liquid and pour your BBQ sauce of choice over the shredded pork.  Toss to coat, and continue cooking for about a half hour more.

(note: I've only made this with vinegar-based barbeque sauce because that's what we love)

You will have half of your root beer left over -- keep in the fridge for your next batch of BBQ.  If you're anything like us, that will occur sooner than later.

***

Bon appetit!

My Hot Blog Date

I can't even remember how I first came upon Kate's blog, Every Mile A Memory, but I remember thinking that I needed to meet her!  And finally -- after many long months of trying to get our travel schedule to align so we were both home at the same time -- we made a blog date.

Last week, Kate and I met for dinner at Liberty in Charlotte.  After dinner and a few glasses of wine and a LOT of chatting, we noticed that the chairs had already been stacked up on the tables around us.  We literally closed the place down!

Kate and I had so much to talk about -- at so many points in the evening I felt like I was talking to my personality twin, and the fact that we both do a lot of traveling for work gives us a lot of common experiences. 

Want to know something about Kate that pretty much sums her up?

We were outside of the restaurant after dinner snapping a few pictures together on her camera.  One of the pictures was embarrassingly bad of me.  Like, bad bad bad.  Double/triple chin, crazed look in my eyes, just generally unflattering.  We giggled about it and *poof* Kate deleted it.  That's just the type of friend she is.

If you haven't stopped by Kate's blog in a bit, do pay her a visit!