Celebrity siting...

On an overcast Saturday afternoon, I decided I needed to get out of the house and do a little shopping. First stop, Marshalls. I browsed around and didn't see anything that jumped right out at me and say "buy me." Sigh. I got my little self into my car and drove 20 feet to Target. I LOVE Target. That store never disappoints me. I didn't see anything to buy for the house, but I did get Brody a new toy...a lobster. I also got him some canine friendly peanut butter cookies. They look so good. I'm tempted to try, but I'm not. I'm sure they don't taste as good as they look. After I checked out, I decided to go over to Lowes and look at some plants. Our house needs a little color with a few plants. While I was browsing at the flowers, I look over and there was this girl that looked really familiar. I didn't want to stare like a crazy person, but I kept glancing her way. After watching (I'm not crazy or anything, just wanted to make sure it was who I thought it was) I figured out who it was. It was Hilarie Burton from One Tree Hill that comes on the CW.

She plays Peyton Sawyer. She was looking at the elephant ear looking plants. They film One Tree Hill here in Wilmington in case you were wondering. Anyway, I wanted to share my celebrity siting, and if you were wondering, no I didn't ask for her autograph.

Something finally done right

Okay, I am so proud of myself. I finally made something that actually tastes good! Usually when I make something, it never turns out right. I can screw up the simplest thing, but not this time. I found this dessert from Southern Living and I thought I would give it a try. This wonderful, yet rich, dessert is called Chocolate Icebox Pie. Doesn't it look yummy??

Since I'm a nice person, I will give you the recipe. Give it a try...you will not be disappointed.

• 2/3 cup milk
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate morsels object
• 1/4 cup cold water object
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk object
• 3 large eggs, beaten object
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1 (6-ounce) ready-made chocolate crumb piecrust
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
• 1 (1.55-ounce) milk chocolate candy bar, chopped

Preparation
Heat milk until it just begins to bubble around the edges in a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat (do not boil). Remove from heat, and whisk in chocolate morsels until melted. Cool slightly.

Stir together cold water and cornstarch until dissolved.

Whisk cornstarch mixture, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, and vanilla into chocolate mixture. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly. Boil 1 minute or until mixture thickens and is smooth. (Do not overcook.)

Remove from heat, and whisk in butter. Spoon mixture into piecrust. Cover and chill at least 8 hours.

Beat whipping cream at high speed with an electric mixer until foamy; gradually add sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Spread whipped cream evenly over pie filling, and sprinkle with pecans and candy bar pieces.

ENJOY!!

Parents MIA

When I got home from work tonight, I got on the internet and I came across an article about an 11 year old girl that got pulled over for speeding and plus she was drunk! Where in the world are the parents?? The article said she was vacationing with her parents down in Orange Beach, AL and she was going to pick up her sister from a concert. Number 1 question, why was the eleven year old drinking in the first place? Question 2, why on earth was she driving and not her parents...she's 11!? Question 2, WHERE WERE THE PARENTS??? When I was eleven here's what I was thinking about:

1. My goal was learning how to do a back flip on the trampoline.

2. Riding my bike with Leigh at her granny's.

3. Playing with my barbie dolls with the coolest barbie doll house EVER!

4. Watching cartoons (Heathcliff and the Cadillac Cats, Doug, etc.)

5. Climbing the magnolia trees in our old yard

I couldn't imagine being a kid this day in age. Its gotten so bad...its not like it use to be. We had things so much simpler, even though we thought it wasn't. If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have wanted to grow up so fast. I would have wanted time to stay still. I can honestly tell you this, I know everyone would agree, my parents would have never let me even take a sip of alcohol, nor be driving alone causing a police chase (driving over 100 mph). My extent of driving was in my daddy's lap on country roads...ah, those were the days.

In conclusion, these parents should be arrested. They shouldn't even have children if they are going to that irresponsible. Even if the child snuck out, driving a car or drinking shouldn't have crossed her mind. Parents.

Awesome 4th of July

One word...magnificent. This year, Brian and I went downtown to watch the firework show they had across the river. It's the largest choreographed firework show in North Carolina and it was all that I could imagine. I can't explain how amazing it was, so I took a ton of pictures. I can't believe they actually came out. I'm so happy we went, I kinda didn't want to go because I knew the traffic would be horrible. Well, I was right on that. It took us about an hour to get home and we only live 10 minutes from downtown. I have to say it was well worth it. Enjoy the pics!

(waiting for 9:00 pm to arrive)

(doesn't he look so sweet? looks are very deceiving)
(fireworks)
(so pretty)
(finale)

Furnished house

I finally took pics of our house furnished. Its still in working progress. Hope you like it!

(master bathroom)

(master bathroom)
(view from our room to "office")
(view out of our room)

(kitchen)

(kitchen)
(frig)
(master bedroom)
(master bedroom)

(living room)

(living room)
("office")
(guest bedroom)
(guest bathroom)
(dining room)

They're all grown up

Okay, I know I'm a little late blogging on this subject, but I still can't believe that all of my friends are parents. Leigh had her second child, Brantley, in February...she has a little boy named Braden; Mollye had her first child, Slate, in March and Summer had her first child, Irie, in April. How amazing is it that they each had one in 3 months! I have known Leigh since the age of 3, Mollye since sometime in elementary school and Summer since 7th grade. And for Brian and I, not yet. I told Brian I wanted one before I turn 30...that gives me 2-1/2 years before we start trying. We want to spend some "alone" time together before we extend our family. For me personally, I wish we could start trying next year, but Brian wants to wait. He wants us to own our own house and travel a little before children get involved. I suppose our dog, Brody, will be our only child for now. I don't mind though, he's a great little dog. Anyway, I wanted to share a few pics of Irie, Brantley and Slate that copied off of Summer's website. Aren't they precious!

(Leigh w/Brantley, Mollye w/Slate, Summer w/Irie)

(Brantley Stanford, Slate Gare, Irie Zelinski)