Hubs and I both enjoy making old furniture new. 
Some would call this refurbishing. 
I call it refabishing.
We're constantly looking for our next masterpiece.
CJ's grandmother gave us this old sewing table and we could not have been more excited to give it a face lift.  It may be one of my new favorite pieces.  It's darling!

The only required prep was a good sanding job on the top.  We used Krylon's spraypaint with primer then applied a couple layers of polyurethane to protect it.  The handles were less than $5 at Wal-Mart.  Ta-da!

Note:  When looking for inspiration or instruction I always, always use this trusty site.

It's been so nice outside, I decided to pull out my green thumb and plant a few flowers and herbs.  I plan on making another trip back to our home improvement store for even more pretty flowers and fresh herbs.  Ahh, can't wait to add fresh mint to my tea!

These two have been enjoying the weather...

I've enjoyed the view...

It's Saturday now and we have two birthdays to celebrate today!
Happy Weekend!
xo

I've been doing some toddler/baby clothes shopping lately. 

Loren, my cousin, is expecting to meet her baby girl in mid May.

It seems like it was just last week that she told me she was pregnant.
Now, she's only weeks out from meeting her precious baby girl, Hadley!

Callie, my niece, will be four next month.  FOUR.  Seriously?

She was just a baby the other day.
Now, she's a beautiful little firecracker who, at some point, stole my heart.

Our friends, David and Cherie are throwing a joint birthday party for their children Bella (3) and Brooks (1) next month.  I remember walking into the hospital room hours after Cherie had Bella and feeling lucky to meet God's little miracle so soon after she was born. 
That certainly doesn't feel like it was three years ago.

Time flies.  

However, that's not where I was going with this post.
After spending some time on baby boutique sites, baby GAP, Neiman Marcus baby...

It is ridiculous how adorable clothes and shoes are for the little ones - then add a ruffle or polka dots and it's just too much!  How in the world am I supposed to not go broke if we have a little girl?  The minute my eyes spot ruffles and tulle I'll be a lost cause.  

Or so I thought...

photo courtesy of kelly's kids

Oh my.
I'm sure it would be a real PLEASURE discussing with CJ why our little boy must wear a John-John and sandals or knee socks and white shoes.
Which is precisely why I wouldn't discuss it. 

Little Ewers will look so cutie in his John-John!

In other news.
We were able to spend time with BOTH out our amazing families last weekend.  We had a cookout at my SIL's then a shrimp boil at my parent's house.  I cherish those moments.

This weekend was another one filled with family!
Friday I spent time with my mom shopping the hours away.  We spent most of our time in Anthropologie browsing dresses, colorful shorts, pretty kitchen knick knacks.  Just fab.  We ended our day at Cheesecake Factory with strawberry cheesecake and coffee.  My mom is my best friend and my biggest fan.  It was a great day that turned itself into an even more great memory.
Saturday morning hubs and myself woke up early and headed to Pell City to help CJ's grandmother move.  It was nice seeing the cousins, aunts, and uncles that we usually only get to see on holidays.  The weather was perfect and we were able to get a lot accomplished.  We had plans to go to the movies and dinner once we got home but we were exhausted.  We opted for takeout and a movie, instead!
Here it is now, a beautiful Sunday morning. 
We're headed out to run errands soon.  I hope to plant some flowers later this afternoon and take my fat, old, sweet dog on a long walk.

Ahh, as for what's been on our plates...

I made this peanut butter pie from skinnytaste.  It was so fluffy, yummy, and EASY.  Hubs is a huge fan of peanut butter and chocolate which is why I chose the recipe.  I'm not peanut butter's biggest fan, so I was shocked that I enjoyed it as much as I did.  Another hit from my favorite recipe site!

We grilled a pork tenderloin on the grill for the first time in years last week.  It was mah-velous.  Too easy.  It's so nice cooking outside in the summer!

No real culinary endeavors.  :) 

best burger recipe

Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Turkey Burger

Recipe can be found here.

I've been wanting to try a turkey burger for quite some time.  

I knew I had to find a recipe with awesome reviews so that I had a better chance of actually enjoying it.  This burger was described as the best turkey burger recipe on most cooking sites and blogs that I visited.  

Donald Trump and Oprah Winfrey also raved about it.

OPRAH.  I'd eat anything she told me to.  

Donald Trump described this burger as the best burger in the entire world.  It is served at his private club Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, at Trump Bar and Grill in Trump Tower in New York City, and at Sixteen in Trump International Hotel in Chicago.

I followed the recipe exactly.  

I made the Mar-a-Lago pear chutney topping as well.  

Hubby cooked the burgers on the grill.  I served them on whole wheat buns with lettuce.  I put the pear chutney on the side so that we could each decide how much we actually wanted on the burger.

This may have been the best burger that I have ever eaten!

I made them Sunday and we had them again last night.  I did make some fresh pear chutney because I wasn't sure how that would taste reheated - and it only took about ten minutes.  We reheated the burgers in the oven and they were still just as flavorful and juicy as they were straight off the grill.  Hubby told me last night that he had been looking forward to his left over turkey burger all day at work.  

SCORE!  

Bestturkeyburgerrecipeever!

I think this may be the first post in a while that won't be full of food pictures!  I haven't made time to cook lately and this week has been more eventful than normal. I promised myself and my sweet husband that I'll put my apron back on this weekend.  I have already found a few recipes that interest me!

Last week I came home after a long day of work, a doctor visit, and dentist visit to see hubster unloading a beautiful bouquet of flowers from his jeep.  He said he knew I had a rough day. Meltmyheart.
I've mentioned how lucky I am before, yes?

Running!  Looks like I'm back in the saddle...er, back on the pavement.  I ran every day last week and almost every day this week.  Hubster even ran several times with me.  I'm looking into signing us up for an organized run...I want to run my first 5k! 

Last weekend was divine. 

We rented 'In Time' starring Justin Timberlake while munching on Chinese food.
  We visited our favorite cajun spot and dined on oysters and fish before going to see Denzel Washington's new movie 'Safe House.'
Sidenote: I wish Denzel would read me bed time stories - love his voice!
We took a trip to a furniture salvage shop to look for pieces to refurbish (no luck this time).
I suppose our weekend doesn't sound too exciting, but it certainly was one of my favorites!

Even Monday managed to be great.  We went to dinner with our friends David, Cherie, Josh, Lucas, and Thomas.  It was nice getting to see faces that we aren't able to see as often as we would like.  Too bad we had to work the next day, we could have stayed hours longer!

Wednesday night we went to my MIL's for dinner.
She cooked Roman chicken and risotto with a Waldorf salad and rolls.  YUM.
It is such a treat to get a nice meal and visit with family for no reason at all.

What else is there?
My dentist is in the process of improving my smile.  My last appointment is next week.
I can't wait to see the end result.  Pretty stinking excited!
(All week I've been wanting to see the 'anti-dentite' episode of Senfield.  I'm not an anti-dentite anymore!)

Hubby is fine.  He's been working really hard at work this week, then coming home to work out for over an hour.  I wish I could force him to rest more, but he's much stronger than I am.  Maybe he can score some couch hours this weekend! 

The boyz are fine.
Dale is enjoying his patio time in the evenings with the nice weather.
Bill.  To make a long story less long:  Bill got to sleep outside of his bedroom one night this week because we didn't want to hear him body slamming against his door in an attempt to open it over and over and over again  we love him.  He woke me up in the middle of the night by letting out some type of karate meow followed by him landing on my face - two legs on one cheek, two legs on the other - directly on my face.  Normally his most favorite nocturnal activity is to gallop as fast as he can from downstairs to upstairs...because racing himself must be a BLAST.
I guess I'll add face jumping as one of his favorite past times.

Now...it's Friday!  Whew!
We plan indulging on the finer things in life. 
Date night at a Mexican spot.
Renting a movie.
Sleeping in.
Sipping coffee.
Experimenting in the kitchen.
Marvelous!

(how appropriate)

a few of my favorite things

Bed Head Totally Baked Volumizing Meringue

It's the best volumizer I've ever used.

 Plus, it makes my hair smell EXACTLY like this:

Bed Head Urban Anti-dotes Recovery Conditioner
Leaves my hair so soft without weighing it down.  This has to be the best conditioner in the world.  It also smells like an orange creamsicle!

Argon Oil
This has to be ANY hair type's best friend.  Hair seems to just soak it up.
I've had a small bottle of the Agadir brand for over a year and still have a decent amount left.
Amika is also a great brand.  It seems to work the same, just has a more floral scent.
The good stuff isn't cheap, but it lasts a long time and it is a must have!
It smells so yummy, you could even skip perfume!

Softsoap Pomagranate Nectarine Body Wash

It smells like I'm showering under a waterfall in a jungle full of fruit on a tropical island.

Added bonus, my bathroom smells like that too!

Silk Almond Vanilla Flavor

I will never part with my fat free glass of cold milk before bed.
However, this "milk" is so good it tastes like it should be bad!
It would be great if left in the freezer for a while as a dessert.
I think I'll try the coconut next time - the almond is just so delish!

Bailey's Chocolate Creamer

Of ALL the coffee creamers I've tasted, this has to be the best.  

It's almost like a hot chocolate/coffee mix.
This is a weekend treat!

(Weight Watchers) Smart Ones Desserts
A chocolate brownie ice cream dessert without the guilt.
There are several varieties and I've yet to try one I didn't like.
Just as flavorful as the calorie packed kind without the expanding waistline!

Fiber One Honey Nut Clusters Cereal

170 Calories.  1g Fat.  4g Protein.  14g Fiber.

Normally, when I've tried fiber packed foods they've lacked in flavor.  

My aunt Nancy recommended this cereal to me and I find myself craving it!    

The benefits of extra fiber are obvious - so my only other comment is: it WORKS!

Oikos Greek Nonfat Yogurt

90 Calories.  10g Protein.  0 Fat.

Organic, delicious, filling, and flavorful!  

I eat it alone or put it in my blender with fruit, ice, and soy milk.  

It's the perfect smoothie every time!

Yankee Candle Orange Dreamsicle
No explanations here.

Bath And Body Works Green Grass Wallflower
I'm loving all of the spring fragrances at BBW right now!
 This one is so fresh without being an overwhelming floral scent.

And my most favorite thing in the whole world...

These three boyz.  

(This was taken with my phone so it's not the best quality)