Some Friday Randomness

I've had the most random thoughts/experiences this week. Here are a few appropriate ones that I've chosen to share:

I was at Chateau Elan for most of the week at a meeting. Their wine is disgusting. They actually only make 5% of their wine and the rest comes from California...yet, they have a vineyard at their entrance. Stoopy.

I ordered some more Stella and Dot jewelry (joo-ri)...check it:

I got the purple one because it was on sale. Regular $40 and I got it for $19. Score.

I was on my way home last night and pulled up next to this:

When is it ever OK for your children to put stickers on your windows? I would love to know exactly how that went down...mom is having a bad day, kids are screaming in the backseat, so, you throw a pack of stickers at them to calm them down? And then let them destroy your car? And then you get home and don't even pull them off and use some acetone to get the sticky off? Instead, you drive around, looking like a complete moron and let everyone judge you? Well, consider yourself judged. Now go get that mess off of there and spank your child for destroying property.

We are on vacation at the beach all next week and I. Cannot. Wait. I plan to read at least three books (and will be disappointed in myself if I don't accomplish that goal), not wake up to an alarm clock (AT.ALL.) and am considering taking at least one day to not shower. Or talk.

We recently attended our dear friend, Mike's, 30th birthday party. Everyone dressed as a character from one of Mike's favorite movies. It was hilarious.

 The hosts - Mike (birthday boy)(Super Troopers Bullet Proof Cup) and Mandy (Receptionist from Beetlejuice)

 Shane (A Clockwork Orange) and I (Something About Mary)

The boys (L to R) - Jose (Shake Weight Guy), Nick (The Hangover), Jason (Ace Ventura - Mental Institution scene), Mike (Super Troopers), Brandon (Big Brother from the Goonies), Shane (A Clockwork Orange)

And notice Jason's tutu - I made it. It was the first thing I've made in a while that I didn't fail and that I was really proud of! I watched this tutorial. Here's a better picture with a very enthusiastic model:

And, that is all. Have a great weekend!

Into the Woods

Fourth of July weekend was spent in the North Georgia mountains with lots of friends, lots of food and lots of drinks. I should also include that it was spent with some wildlife...

Including this snakeskin that met us at the entrance:

Then a scorpion fell out of the blinds on the window and then we spent the next hour or so talking about scorpions, if they are poisonous, what would happen if we got stung, etc. No photos to accompany the scorpion.

Next was an actual snake...it was a baby but still gross.

Here is a video of our reaction (warning: foul language - we clearly crack under pressure):

And then we did some grilling...watch the Grill Master perform a really cool trick:

I know it's about a week late (that's how we roll) but I hope you all had great 4ths!

New Joo-Ri - Loving Stella and Dot!

How did I not know about Stella and Dot? A co-worker's sister sells it and yesterday she told me about a sample sale...at which I promptly bought three items at a serious discount!

I got them today and I'm in love!

Got these bracelets in black and brown - regular $59 each; I paid $30 each:

Love this necklace - regular $70; I paid $25:

I'm totally digging the Stella and Dot!

You Like Meatloaf?

I do...especially when it's a Paula Dean recipe - yum! I'd highly recommend this easy, yet delicious version! (I made some slight changes to the recipe - you can get the original version here.)

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef 
• 10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled 
• 6-ounces of Cabot 75% fat free sharp cheddar, grated 
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup fat free mayonnaise 
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 
• 1/3 cup ketchup 
• 2 tablespoons mustard

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck and next 8 ingredients, mixing well.
3. In a small bowl, combine the ketchup and mustard. Stir 1/4 cup ketchup mixture into meat mixture, reserving remaining ketchup mixture.
4. Press meat mixture into a 9 by 5 by 3-inch loaf pan. Spread remaining ketchup mixture over loaf. Bake 55 minutes.

That Bong, Ba-Bong, Bong, Bong!

Monday night...actual conversation:

Shane: Looks like we didn't clean this house out as well as we thought we did when we moved in.
Stacy: What are you talking about?
Shane: I was putting up some stuff in the hall closet and found something tucked in a corner.
Stacy: What did you find?
Shane: Walk around the corner and look.
Stacy: What did you find?!
Shane: Just go look!
Stacy walks down the hallway, turns the corner and sees this:

Stacy: Is that a flashlight? What is that?...Oh my...
Shane: I'm pretty sure it's a bong.
Stacy: Oh - that is a bong! Why did you just leave it on the floor?! What are we going to do with it?!
Shane: Um, throw it away.

And scene.

The bong is still sitting on our kitchen counter.

Timberrrrrrr!

As part of our 'Grow Grass Now' initiative, we've not only enlisted Scott's Lawn Care Service (and yes, I expect Turner Field-esque grass any minute now) but we also decided to prune and even take down some trees. Here was the scene at the Wilson home today:

We cut down two trees (one oak and one crooked pine) and 'limbed up' (that's tree cutting terminology) three others. Before and afters:

 Through the office window...safety first. Always.

 And now a few shots from the street...no before and afters, sorry. (Damn, that grass is struggling.)

We are really pleased with the end results. We'd definitely recommend our vendor - Tree Monster in Atlanta!

And now that we've rid the yard of sunlight obstructors, stay tuned for photos of beautiful green grass. And possibly 'Yard of the Month' signage.