i heart my rebel!

It's official! I have the BEST husband in the world! I can't count the number of times I have complained about needing a new camera and LOOK what Mr. Hubby got me for Christmas. Now, I know you must be saying... "Christmas isn't here yet." This I know. However,Christmas (accidentally) came early at the Adams’ house! Here is how the story goes.

Thursday night I sat out a loaf of bread to rise. I love bread and had a GREAT idea for a recipe that I wanted to try. After studying for my exam and the disappointment of Grey’s not coming on for the third week in a row, I decided to go to bed early, forgetting about the bread. I did not wander into the kitchen for coffee on Friday morning because TGIF, I get to go to Starbucks! It is a weekly reward for educating our Future leaders.

So, as I driving to work I received an email from Lukas with a picture of abnormally large BREAD. Then I receive a second text staying not to look at the picture. Well, who can honestly say they wouldn’t have looked a second time!?!? I needed to know what the fuss was all about! Well there is was in all it’s glory! Camouflaged in with the refrigerator behind the blob of so called bread, my Canon Rebel T3i!!!! We were distain to be together!

“Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
Whose misadventur'd piteous overthrows
Doth with their death bury their parents' strife.” Shakespeare

Needless to say, my lover and I didn’t have to endure a tragedy to be together, unless you ask Luke. He considers it a tragedy that the Rebel is nestled safety under the tree. But to me, this is the end of a beautiful love story! Merry Christmas to ME! Thank you, Lukas! and the blob of bread!

AHHHHHH!!!

As a child, I was obsessed with the movie Home Alone! I absolutely LOVED it!!! This week I am planning for Lukas and I to order a CHEESE pizza, cuddle up on the sofa, and watch this classic movie! There is nothing like Christmas time!

Breakfast... yummmm

Hello Blogland,
I am so sorry we haven't chatted in a while. I have been super busy with school, studying, cheerleading, Pinterest... However, I'm back in full swing and hopefully will have time to catch you up on the past couple of months of our lives.

This morning, like most Saturdays, we woke up and headed to the kitchen. Upon our entry we realized that the pantry was pretty bare and decided to head out for breakfast. We found ourselves in Mountain Brook at Another Broken Egg. Yummy! We started out with mimosas and beignets, followed by pumpkin pancakes, and cheesy potatoes! It was a mouth watering experience! I would recommend this place to anyone! It was awesome! Now, I'm looking for a reciepe for beignets... I wonder if I could make them?!?!?!

HOLA!!!

Hola! Mexico,
How are you? I can’t believe a year has passed since we last saw each other! I have missed you terribly! This year I am sad to say that you won’t be seeing our friend, John. Therefore, there is no need to hide the young children selling starfish! They should be safe! However, we are bringing five new people with us. I know you will be excited to meet them.
Now, I have a few favors to ask upon our arrival. It has been somewhat stormy here the last few weeks, so, I am asking for the weather to be warm and sunny and the drinks to be cold and endless! I would also like for you to prepare some excellent guacamole, as it has become one of my new favorite foods.
Well, I hope you have a great rest of the week and we will see you Friday!!! Adios!

"Did you just HIT a watermelon?"

Interesting. That is the one word I would use to describe our first married Fourth of July weekend. On Friday, Mr. Hubby and I headed to great metropolis of Alexander City to spend the weekend with our families. Saturday morning we got up, ran over a watermelon, jumped 2 speed bumps, hit 7 pot-holes, picked up Jamison and Brad, drove 72 in a 40, and headed to the lake! Needless to say, I was complaining about Luke’s driving. I had decided that he was trying to demolish the Prius!!! As we pulled up at the lake, he then ran off the drive way and popped the bumper off the PRIUS!!! I was furious!!!!! Thanks to BRAD, the bumper is now back on, and I have calmed down! It was a long morning, to say the least. We ended up having a wonderful time with great friends, cool drinks, tasty pizza, and endless corn-hole!
Sunday, I got to spend time with my best friend, Gennie! Let’s just say, there is never a dull moment when the two of us get together! Monday, we went to Mrs. Robbie’s for the annual July 4th celebration. Mr. Hubby was so excited to get to eat some fried fish. That isn’t something he gets too often, since I haven’t learned to fry anything. The afternoon was followed by David’s grilling, a ladderball and corn-hole tournament, and memories to last a lifetime! I must say Luke and I are so blessed to have such wonderful families and friends! Our first married Fourth will not be forgotten! God Bless America, and the Prius!!! Oh, and a squirrel! He, also, hit a squirrel!!! “Then, why is there blood on my window?” Brad asked.

EXTRA EXTRA Read ALL About It!!!!

Ok. I rarely brag about myself but this time it is a must! Only because I know this useful information will help wives in years to come! My hubby LOVES working on trucks! It’s a hobby of sorts. Well, due to an odd squeaking noise coming from the “rear axle or joints”, (do I sound like I know what I’m talking about?!?!?) he got up this morning to go get a grease gun (who knew those things existed) and attempt to fix his truck. Things went well until he walked upstairs covered in grease! I was very apprehensive about him washing the grease down my sink because of a blog I read this morning. My apprehensiveness quickly turned to panic when I realized the grease wasn’t coming off and we have a wedding to attend this afternoon!!! So, what did I do… I did what any woman would do… went to the kitchen! Surely, there was something in there that would get the grease off of him. Who knew the answer was right there! Cooking oil!!! I quickly grabbed it out of the pantry, began covering Mr. Hubby’s arms with it and wa-la, the grease was coming off! I was amazed!!! How did I think of this? Well, as I was asking mechanical question, trying to make conversation about “man stuff”, Mr. Hubby revealed to me that grease was oil based. This information combined with a little knowledge from past science classes, lead me to my new found knowledge! So, wives, no more frustration trying to get stubborn grease off of your hubbies! All you need is cooking oil and water!!! You can’t tell me oil and water don’t mix! It seems to me it is a great combination for removing grease and getting Mr. Hubby presentable! So, let him play!!! No more worries on the clean-up! Thank you, to past science teachers! I was listening after all!

Coupon Craze

Extreme Couponer… I wouldn’t go that far but I am definitely joining the coupon craze! So, about two months ago my coupon story began. A great friend of mine started talking to me about couponing and this show she was watching. Since, I was working on a degree and NEVER got to watch tv, I was unfamiliar with what she was talking about. However, I mentioned it to my husband and quickly he was on the hunt for the show. Since my semester has ended, summer has begun, and the coupon collection has grown, I can now say that I am a couponer. I am working on the extreme part. However, I have worked hard this week sorting, planning, and collecting my coupons. I am very excited to see how my hard work pays off when I go grocery shopping this weekend with my Adams’ Family Coupon Book! Happy Couponing!!!

Black Doors

I am working on a project and this is my inspiration! I'll post pictures when I finish! I am so excited!!!

GRILLED SUMMER BRUSCHETTA

This past weekend, I went to visit my very best friend in the whole world!!! It was so nice to get to spend some time with Gennie! We had lunch on the river, got pedicures (that will go down in history as the most interesting one EVER), went to dinner, and I tried tomatoes for the first time!!! They were in the form of bruschetta… but hey, you have to start somewhere! The bruschetta was amazing!!! I have fallen in love and I am looking forward to making it for Mr. Hubby! I just hope he loves it as much as I did! I am not going to share my recipe for it until I make it but I found one on a blog that is very similar! So, fire up the grill and make some Grilled Summer Bruschetta!!! Happy Grilling!!!


http://www.partybluprintsblog.com/party-themes/the-super-summer-outdoor-party-menu

Bell Peppers

We have PEPPERS!!! Mr. Hubby and I started planting our semi-garden after our trip over the pond and last night Jamison discovered that we have peppers! It’s amazing! It is like they just appeared over night! We are so excited! I cannot wait to put them on the grill! Oh, I love the signs of summer! Now, if I can just figure out which recipe I want to use!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/search/delegate.do?fnSearchString=bell+peppers&fnSearchType=site

Heaven on Earth

As some of you may know, my mom and stepfather are from Clay County, Alabama. My childhood was spent going to visit my grandparents, in Clay County, almost every Sunday. This morning I woke up with the longing to drive to that quaint little piece of Heaven here on Earth. Since that drive is a little long for me, I decided to do a little research and find out more about Clay County, Alabama. Clay County was named after a man from Kentucky, Henry Clay. His estate in Kentucky was named Ashland. Henry was a famous statesman. The county was founded on December 7, 1866. Clay County is one of only three counties in Alabama to have no U.S. highways in its boundaries. This little farmville is one of the most amazing places I have ever been. As you drive through you can see beautiful countryside, farms, old barns that are to die for, and cows galore. (My mom can teach you a game to play where you count cows and chimneys. However, don’t ride in the car with her and play or she will cheat! It wasn’t until about five years ago that I realized how she won every time!!!) There is a little church about a mile from Blair Road called Big Springs Baptist Church. The preacher there is Bro. Wayne Johnson. If you have never had the pleasure of meeting him or hearing him preach you are missing a true blessing. The cemetery adjacent from that little church is home to the headstones of two of the most amazing people I have ever known, G.G Blair and Ivera “Idy” W. Blair. I love them both with all my heart! Idy is the second best woman I have ever known! I have never known a woman that loved her God, husband, and family as much as she did! She was a true lady and displayed grace and honor at all times! Knowing her was one of my life’s greatest treasures. However, G.G. is the reason for this blog today. When I got up this morning I had song in my heart! I turned on my iPod and starting singing… (sorry, Hubby). I started thinking about the many rides to church with G.G. and wondered how many songs I must have made up as a kid. Too bad I can’t carry a tune! Mother like daughter! As I was looking up music I ran across this song. It describes G.G. so well. I could type for hours describing him to you but I decided that I would share this song with you. You may find that you too have a “small town southern man” in your life! If you don’t you are missing one of the greatest gifts of life! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szsqP9RmiVs Well, I know that church is letting out at Big Springs right now! And although, my grandfather’s hat isn’t on the back pew for him to pick up, I know that he is there in spirit with the congregation. I hope that he and Idy are leaving church in Heaven and headed to work on their farm! He may be a “small town southern man” but to me he is the father to the most amazing woman I know, husband to the woman I hope to be like, and my Hero!

Wedding Season

It's official, I have summer fever!!! I am so ready to be out in the sun! As summer gets closer, Luke and I are receving a lot of wedding invitations. Summer is truely a wonderful time to get married. Mr. Hubby and I chose fall because of our busy lives, but I do so love a summer wedding! In honor of wedding season, I am posting my wedding pictures. Kamin Williams was our photographer and she is AMAZING!!! I am looking forward to using her again, in the FUTURE, when babies come along. You should check out her work if you are looking for a photographer! Happy Tuesday! Hope you enjoy our wedding pics! http://kaminw.smugmug.com/Weddings/Luke/16298532_t5fWr#1224826437_vn6DX

"Orange is the happiest color!"

Frank Sinatra said, "Orange is the happiest color!" I completely agree with him! (says the Auburn fan) Many afternoons I cook with Frank and a glass of wine! Frank seems to really know what he is talking about! Life doesn't get much better than Frank in my kitchen and a good glass of wine on my lips! ummm Well, lately, Mr. Hubby has been trying fruits! I realize this may not seem like a big deal but it is!!! I could count on one hand the number of times I have seen him eat fruit until about a month ago! He's just not a fruit and veggies guy! However, he is really trying hard to learn to like them both. With that said, he ask me to buy him some oranges! I was totally shocked that he wanted them. Saturday, we played some tennis and came home before we were blown away and he wanted a snack. I peeled him an orange and he fell in LOVE! Tonight, he asked me to peel him one again! I am so proud of him! With all the orange peels lying around, I decided that I would "Google" uses for them. Who knew that could come in handy around the house!?!? I am looking forward to purchasing more oranges!!! http://condo-blues.blogspot.com/2009/02/10-easy-ways-to-use-orange-peels.html

Sushi

Dear Non-Sushi Eaters,
I am writing to inform you that you are truly missing out. Last night I had the pleasure of eating the Volcano Roll! Amazing doesn't begin to describe it. It is crunchy, spicy, and simply delightful! So, stop judging it as uncooked fish and get it a try! You will be surprised.

Green Eggs and Ham:

Sam I am
I am Sam
I am Sam
Sam I am.
I would not like them here or there.
I would not like them anywhere.
I do not like green eggs and ham.
I do not like them Sam I Am.
Say!
I like green eggs and ham!
I do! I like them, Sam-I-am!

Dr. Seuss taught us to give things a try! So, surprise yourself and order a Volcano Roll!!!

Sincerely,
Sam :)

Happy National Margarita Day!!!

Today is National Margarita Day! Saturday, we celebrated!!! We had a blast!!! I can't wait until the 2nd Annual Adams Family Margarita Day celebration. I am already working to collected recipes. I thought I would share a great website with you. I never knew how many recipes there were. Which is your favorite? I am thinking about trying the Banana Margarita next. Happy National Margarita Day!!!

http://www.margaritarecipe.org/

My favorite meal Sue cooks!!! It's a must have!!!!

ROAST BEEF AND YORKSHIRE PUDDING


Roast beef (4 lb. rib roast)
2 tbsp. oil

YORKSHIRE PUDDING:

3/4 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. milk
1 tbsp. water
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place the beef fat side up in a roasting pan and coat with oil. If you like rare beef, it should roast for about 1 1/4 hours, and meat thermometer read between 130-140 degrees. If you like it medium to well done, cook 1 1/2 hours and meat thermometer should read 150-160 degrees. Baste the meat frequently while it is cooking.
Meanwhile, prepare batter for the Yorkshire pudding. Sift the flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Make a well in the center and add the milk and water gradually, beating with a wooden spoon.

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until fluffy. Add them to the flour mixture. Beat until bubbles rise to the surface. Pour the batter into a pitcher and refrigerate it for 1/2 hour.

When the meat is cooked, remove it from the pan and place it on a warm platter. Cover with aluminum foil and let stand for 25 minutes before carving. Beat the batter again and pour it quickly into the still hot cooking pan. Bake in oven for 10 minutes at 450 degrees. Then reduce heat to 350 degrees and cook for an additional 15 minutes until it is well risen and has turned a golden brown. (Do not open the oven door while it is cooking). Serve immediately from the pan in which it has been cooked.

We should look for someone to eat and drink with before looking for something to eat and drink... ~Epicurus

Last night, Lukas and I celebrated our first married Valentine’s. We had dinner here in Birmingham at a place called Satterfield’s. Amazing just doesn’t come close to describing this place! We started with Sweet Potato Ravioli Braised Oxtail, Oyster Mushrooms, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. For our meal we had Grilled Hereford Beef Filet, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Haricots Verts, Rutabega, Shiitake Mushrooms, and Bordelaise Sauce. Then, for dessert we had Beignets with Sautéed Apples and Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream for Two!!! This whole dinner was melt in your mouth good! I highly recommend this place to anyone who wants to truly enjoy every bite they put in their mouth! It is completely sinful but unforgettable! We will probably be in the gym for a while today but as every minute passes on that elliptical I will be dreaming of my next sinful dinner at Satterfield’s. It was worth every calorie!

http://www.satterfieldsrestaurant.com/index.html

Let there be "HEAT!"

As you may know, it snowed here Wednesday night. Mr. Hubby and I went to the gym and drove home as Birmingham was painted white! It was beautiful. However, we discussed how ready we were for our annual international excursion and how we were so tired of being cold! Thursday morning I woke up go get ready for work and noticed that it was a little chilly in the house but didn’t think much about it. I mean there was snow on the ground. I didn’t mention it to Mr. Hubby, I thought it was just me. When I got home from work though is another story! It had turned from chilly in our house to FREEZING! I went to turn up the heat and it wasn’t working! I immediately call hubby to tell him about our dilemma. He told me that it wasn’t working when he got up and explained to me how to “flip the breaker”… I’m still learning all this man stuff. I flipped it and headed to dinner with mom and Dave. I was a little concerned at this point but not too worried. After dinner, and the purchase of a heater, we headed home. When we got home it had flipped again and now I was getting concerned. Mr. Hubby flipped it back on and I thought… “if this thing keeps turning itself off, shouldn’t we just let it stay off… wouldn’t the act of turning itself off be a safety feature? Do heating units have safety features? Is something going to catch on fire?” but I didn’t dare say anything to the man of the house! Surely, he knows more than I do. So, approximately 9:35, just as Charlotte was debating whether or not to let her rapist die, the breaker flipped again. Mr. Hubby walked over, opened the box, and flipped the breaker the final time, because the lights went out!!! We lost power to our entire house!!! After several calls to all the people we thought might know what to do, we went to bed with no power or heat!
Last night, Cliff came to the rescue! He discovered a burn in the closet, which explains the burning smell from the previous night, a shorted wire, and something about the numbers 40, 43, and 45. I just overheard the conversation… they were speaking a foreign language to me. But, I speak heat! I knew it was on and we had power back! So, Thank you Cliff Black! You are awesome!!! I hope everyone has a great weekend! I’m ready to head somewhere where heat is no issue!!!

The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them. ~Mark Twain

The time has come! I have finally learned something about my husband that I didn't know before we got married! He can READ!!! A couple of weeks ago, I got an email from him asking for a book. I was shocked to recieve such a request. However, I had no problem going to Books-A-Million to fulfill his request. I find such peace with a cup of coffee and a room full of books. I love any and all books stores! So, yesterday, Luke read an entire book in a day! He was literally laughing outloud. So, I am recommending this book to anyone that wants to buy thier hubby something they will enjoy! Happy Man Reading!!! Did you know that they could?

VW Van or Prius

I have a love for VW Vans that runs deep! I don't know where it came from but I have always LOVED them! I guess it's Scooby and Shaggy's fault. I have wanted one for as long as I can remember and thought it would be the next vehicle I bought. However, my love for my VW Van has almost been replaced with my new love! My Prius!!! Lukas and I are now the proud owners of a Prius!!! It's amazing and I can't wait to go on a road trip this summer! I love it!!! The solar panel roof is going to be awesome this summer! You should check them out!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq4nrmnqY9o

AZ Day 1: Ross this one is for YOU! THE BOMB... "did you taste the cheese sauce???"

Sunday, January 10th, Luke, Ross, and I ventured to ATL, with hopes of no flight cancellations, to head to Phoenix! (Saturday… Luke got a call that due to the weather our flight was being cancelled and that we could take a Monday flight and arrive in Phoenix at 8:30 P.M.!!! In the most respectful manor possible Luke explained to the lady that option wouldn’t be ok at all!!! That would mean that we arrived to Glendale during half-time of the most important football game of our lives… this was not an option!!! Needless to say, we ended up with the option to fly to Philadelphia first. It wasn’t hard to convince the man that LOVES Philly-cheese steak sandwiches to go to Philadelphia!) In ATL, the story begins! We finally got Ross on the flight, missed the chance to grab a Philly in Philadelphia (hubby was a little disappointed), arrived in Phoenix after being threatened by the non-football fan sitting behind us, being shhooshed by the flight attendant, and landing not so smoothing!

Our wonderful honeymoon friends pick us up at the airport! At this point we were starting to get hungry so we stopped at the gas station to pick up some “cokes” and there is was… THE BOMB!!! I’m not sure if THE BOMB is sold in the South but I’m on the hunt! Donna will never have to cook again if I find them! I did find a website that sales them…

http://www.donmiguel.com/the-bomb-burritos.php

I have to admit that Luke and I settled for a Tombstone Pizza and Chex-mix but we heard raves about THE BOMB! If you see one, try it! I hear they are awesome! Especially paired with Croatian moonshine!

In the end, I have one question… “You buy hot tamale?” Thank you TT Roadhouse for a wonderful night! That concludes Day 1 of the Adams-Baker Family Trip!

Let's do it for GEORGE

George Petrie is a very important man to every Auburn fan. He played a vital role in the development of Auburn University. It was he who not only chose the most perfect shade of orange for our college but also wrote the creed that every Auburn fan lives by! I am keeping him in mind this week and Auburn prepares for the National Championship. Have you heard words more perfect than these?
THE AUBURN CREED
I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.

I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.

I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot win the respect and confidence of my fellow men.

I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is not afraid, and in clean sports that develop these qualities.

I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all.

I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.

I believe in my Country, because it is a land of freedom and because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that country by "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God."

And because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I believe in Auburn and love it.

Therefore, I am dedicating this blog to him! I hope that on January 11th I will leave Glendale, Arizona with a smile as big as Cam’s! WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://auburntigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/alumni.html

I have attached a link of Auburn activities that will be happening in Glendale! WAR EAGLE!!!

Potatoie... is a word!

Tonight, Luke and I cooked Philly Cheese Steak and homemade chips. If you don’t have a Pampered Chef “bar pan” then I highly suggest you getting one. Not only can you cook perfect bacon on it but also cookies, pizza, and chips! They were so good. I opted to cut my potato thin. I like a crunchier chip. Luke cut his thicker for a more potatoie (that is totally a word!) chip! Both were very good! We changed the recipe a little bit to have a little bit more flavor. If you want to make something that is easy and very tasty, I suggested making potato chips! Here is the recipe. Enjoy!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/roasted-thick-potato-chips-recipe/index.html

This is the recipe for the Philly! It’s a Man food! If you want to make your hubby happy cook this! He will LOVE it!!!

http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/philly-cheesesteak-sandwiches/