2011: A Year in Review

This year has been a whirlwind. At the beginning of the year, I remember saying ‘I’m going to slow down this year.’ Pashah – didn’t happen. So, here’s a stroll down memory lane…

In January I started using Latisse and it changed my life - and my face. We got snowed in for four days during Atlanta’s Snowpocalypse. I officially became Stacy Wilson. I spent 13 hours painting stripes in my guest bedroom. We went to our friend, Lindsay’s, cabin in North Georgia and I made my first video.

In February we thought about selling our house. But then quickly found out that the rumors are true – house prices really are in the crapper.

In March we threw a wedding shower for our friends Mike and Mandy. We celebrated St. Patty’s Day and some birthdays – including my dad’s. I trusted my GPS and it led me astray.

In April we celebrated a birthday and our wedding band, Flux Capacitor, was there – Awe.Some. I traveled to Orlando for Mandy’s bachelorette party and attended a bridal shower. Saw the dermatologist for the first time in my life and finally diagnosed the eczema on my hands. Latisse continued to change my life.

In May we had another bachelorette party in Atlanta for Mandy. After that, I was a bridesmaid in her wedding. We finally got our deck stained. Beau and Brother turned three years old. We celebrated my brother, Patrick’s, birthday.

In June I went to Dallas, TX for work. We saw Zach Brown at a local bar - he sang a few cover songs and poured some free shots.  We celebrated our friend, Branden’s, birthday with a pool party. Shane and I started playing kickball. We celebrated our friend, Mike’s, 30^th birthday with a movie-themed costume party.

In July we went back to Lindsay’s cabin for summer 4^th of July fun – including tubing, trapping snakes and hanging out. We had some trees cut down…hoping the grass would grow. It didn’t. We celebrated our friend, Kelly’s, birthday. We found a bong in the closet. We bought a new car. I went to Chateau Elan for work. We spent a week in Panama City Beach, Fl. Half of my work team quit and things got stressful.

In August we celebrated one year of marital bliss. Shane gave me diamond stud earrings that I’ve wanted FOREVER. I went to Aruba with my besties. We celebrated Danielle’s 30^th birthday with a party bus and Smyrna bar crawl. We finally sent out our wedding thank you notes. Work was still hectic.

In September we kicked off Georgia football season. We celebrated our friend, Jennifer’s, birthday. We saw Journey. I started laser hair removal – and it changed my life. Work got really rough and I had several breakdowns. I found out that I run a 7.1 second 40-yard dash and put it on a shirt. I started boot camp with Jennie and learned to run outside. 

In October I turned 28. Work was still crazy. I got a massage. Attended Kirnfest. Ran my first 5K. Started taking a photography class (that wound up sucking, big time). Celebrated my mom’s birthday. 

In November I tried on wedding dresses (don’t ask :)). Celebrated our friend, Justin’s, 30^th birthday. Played our final kickball game of the fall. Hosted our first Thanksgiving. I worked a lot. Celebrated our friend, Mandy’s, 30^th birthday with an 80’s theme.

In December I went to Raleigh for work. Saw The Sitter (it’s just like Adventures in Babysitting). Had a low country boil. Worked a lot some more. Celebrated my brother, Chris’, birthday. Had an awesome Christmas with the family.

I am thankful for all that we were able to do and celebrate in 2011 but I must admit it was a busy and stressful year. I'm looking forward to a fresh start...now, bring on 2012!!!

An Awesome Christmas and Prezzies!

We had an awesome Christmas this year and are truly blessed to have such great family and friends. 


We began our Christmas on Friday by heading to my dad's for some dinner and relaxation...I actually got to read a book before bed...I haven't read (anything for pleasure) in like three months. The next morning, we got up, ate breakfast, opened gifts, played some games, ate lunch, laughed a lot and just chilled. 


On Saturday afternoon, we headed to my mom's where we had our traditional Chinese food Christmas Eve dinner and Jager bombs. Yeah, we have Jager bombs on Christmas Eve - don't judge. We played a MARATHON game of spades that my brother and I dominated! We then just hung out and took it easy. Sunday morning we opened gifts and ate, ate, ate and then ate some more. There is nothing like my mom's holiday cooking!


Sunday afternoon we headed home where Shane and I exchanged gifts with each other and then relaxed and watched movies. 


Good times!


And a few prezzie highlights - I RACKED.UP. this year....again, so blessed and so thankful!

Hope you all had a great Christmas too! 

2012 is only three days away and I am SO ready!

Christmas at the Wilson's!

Although we were a little behind this year, the Christmas decorations at casa Wilson are up!

Look at all those prezzies!

Getting crafty with the snowman. 

Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and that Santa is super generous to you all!

Love - Stacy and Shane

Terrible Christmas Presents

I posted a similar video at Halloween and this Christmas version is equally as funny! You will never believe the kid at the very end...'your language is offensive!'

Sweet Potato Cupcakes - A Recipe You NEED!

Admittedly, I'm not a very good cook. Sometimes I cook from a recipe and it still tastes like crap. I'm also not a baker. 

HOWEVER, I completely redeemed myself with these cupcakes!

I had at least three people, who weren't even my husband or blood-related family members, tell me that these were the most awesome cupcakes they have ever tasted. Okay, maybe it wasn't that dramatic, but I'm pretty sure they said "Seriously, Stacy, these are awesome...please send me the recipe!" So, here is is:

Ingredients

• 2 cups  all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 17.2-oz. can  sweet potatoes (yams), drained, mashed
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 recipe Cream Cheese Frosting, below

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line twenty four 2-1/2-inch muffin cups with paper bake cups; set cups aside. 
2. In medium bowl stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; set aside. 
3. In large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar and beat on high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low speed after each addition until combined. Add sweet potatoes and vanilla, beating until combined. Add flour mixture; beat until combined (batter will be thick). 
4. Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Bake about 20 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. (It's very important you don't overcook these...you want them to be moist.) Cool in pan on wire rack for 1 minute. Remove from pan and cool completely (I let mine sit overnight, just covered with a towel). 
5. Place Cream Cheese Frosting in large resealable plastic bag. Cut a 1/4-inch opening in one corner of bag. Pipe frosting on top of cupcakes.

Cream Cheese Icing 

In large mixing bowl beat one 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened and 2/3 cup butter, softened, with electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add 2 tablespoons milk and beat until combined. Beat in 5-5 1/2 cups (or a cup more, judge it by taste) powdered sugar, about 1/2 cup at a time, until smooth and of a good piping consistency. Makes 4-1/3 cups.

You're Welcome. :)

Thanksgiving Recap

Better late than never for this Thanksgiving recap! I'll let the photos do the work...

 

The Thanksgiving Table 

 Table Setting

 Sweet Potato Cupcakes...OMG - so good. Promise to share the recipe!

 

My new owl candles...prezzy from Shane.  

 

Shane sampling our deep friend turkey...ordered from Copeland's. No frying-related house fires for us. 

 HoneyBaked Ham...delish, as always.

Topher, Mom and Shane

 

Brother and Katie...don't think Brother was exactly down for this shot. 

  

Hugs. 

 

And...late night. :) Patrick, Shane and Jason.

 

 Tired puppies.

This was the first year Shane and I hosted and it was a success! We were tired as hell (and a little hungover) the next day but enjoyed being with family, reflecting on what we were thankful for and kicking off the holiday season! Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving as well...geez, that sounds so weird now since it was dang near two weeks ago! 

Now I need to get in gear on the Christmas shopping!