Bunco Night!

When I was in college, I had a high school friend who would host a Christmas party every year. It was a great way to reconnect and see my friends who were spread out all over the country. At these parties, we would always play Bunco. It was always so much fun and provided a lot of laughs. A few months ago, I started hearing about women who get together and play Bunco once a month. After talking with my friend, Caitlin, we thought it would be fun to get a group of girls together to play. We worked through some logistics, sent out an email, and I'm thrilled because tonight is our kick-off! I'm really looking forward to it because I don't know all the girls and it is always fun to meet new people. Something else that I love about Bunco is that you can do theme nights! I love me a good theme. Some fun themes include pajama night, a Mexican or a luau theme, camoflauge, etc. If you have any good ideas for themes, let me know! My creativity can be a bit limited at times.

Tonight, I'm making two new appetizers for Bunco that seem really easy but delicious. I'm also making my old standby, bruschetta. That always seems to go over well. I wanted a cold and a hot dip and I am pleased with my selections. The Internets haven't failed me yet! I also figured that everyone likes dip. What is not to love, I ask? I could eat dip every day and be the happiest camper on the block. I think that's why Trader Joe's Three Layer hummus makes me so darn happy. The only problem with said hummus is that I might be known to get a little hostile when someone else tries to eat it. Some might compare it to a mother bear protecting her cub. I just love it so much, almost with a motherly love. I may have some issues. Yet to be determined. Anyway, here are the dips!



White Bean Roasted Red Pepper Dip

• 1 15-ounce can of white cannelini or navy beans
• 1 small jar roasted red peppers, or about 1 cup, drained
• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Juice from half a lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Puree everything in a food processor until smooth. Serve with baked pita chips and veggies.



Spinach Artichoke Dip 

• 4 cloves roasted garlic (I am using preminced roasted garlic from the supermarket)
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1 (10 ounce) container Alfredo-style pasta sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In an 8x8 inch baking dish, spread the roasted garlic, spinach, artichoke hearts, Alfredo-style pasta sauce, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and cream cheese.

Cover and bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until cheeses are melted and bubbly. Serve warm with pita chips.

 
I don't think I'll be disappointed. What are some of your favorite appetizers?

Etsy and Babies and DWTS, oh my!

I fall more in love with Etsy every time I browse the website. Genius idea, I tell you. I'm not crafty enough to offer anything for sale on Etsy at this point, but I hope that changes someday. Just a few of my favorites as of late...

I love this pillow from Iviemade. I love the fabric and the bow and think it would look amazing on a white wicker chair on my porch. I actually may attempt to make this myself... hmmm. We'll have to wait and see about that one.

I just realized that this is another pillow. Duh. I must have some hidden affinity for pillows in my subconscious mind. That actually doesn't surprise me considering I usually sleep with two or three every night. I have been drooling over this Provence Monogrammed Grain Sack Pillow for quite sometime now. We are revamping our bedroom this summer and I have a feeling that this might find a new home in our household. I am a sucker for anything with a monogram.

I feel like I might have found this "You Are My Favorite" Reproduction print on Krysta's blog, but I honestly can't be sure. My brain has lost most of it's ability to think for some reason. I think this would be such a sweet piece of artwork for a baby room or a bathroom. I love it and it just makes me smile.

The KF Everything Wallet in Sophie's Garden is so pretty and fresh. I also like that it holds money, credit cards, and your checkbook. I like a wallet that can keep all of my junk in one place.

These wheel thrown monogrammed mugs would be such a sweet shower or wedding gift! I love that they put your wedding date on the mug and the colors are perfect. I want these for myself! This would also be a really sweet anniversary gift no matter how long the couple has been married.

This Hand Smocked Dress is my favorite piece of baby clothing on Etsy. I'm not going to lie; I've seriously considered buying it and saving it for when I have a baby girl because it is absolutely timeless. This is the type of dress that could be handed down for generations. I am obsessed.

When I saw this, I fell in love with the outfit and the concept. I am in love with this newborn gown with your state or country. The second I find out I'm pregnant, I'm ordering a gender neutral one with Michigan on the front. Come on, you didn't really think I'd spend money on an Ohio one, right? ;) Maybe I'll do both. Either way, this is an amazing and unique baby shower gift.

No, you cannot buy this baby on Etsy. She is not for sale, nor is any other baby on Etsy (hopefully). She is the reason why I have Etsy baby fever. This sweet girl, Lola Pearl, was born to our dear friends Grant and Emily on Saturday morning. She took her sweet time getting here which was perfect, since she is a little peanut! I was a little busy oohing and ahhing over her yesterday to take any pictures myself, but you can bet that I'll be snapping some shots the next time I get to snuggle with her. Emily was a champ and is a great mom already. She had a natural birth and I feel like I need to give her a standing ovation every time I see her from now on. I am also borderline obsessed with Lola's name. She is a pearl for sure. Congrats, guys! We love you.

This picture has nothing to do with Etsy, but it brings me so much joy. These are two of my besties (Meg on the left and Kate on the right). Kate is coming through Cincinnati tonight with her sweet family on their way home from Florida. They are staying with us overnight and Kate and I are finally going to get to watch Dancing with the Stars together! I have been smiling all day; I seriously can't wait. We are NOT fans of Kate Gosselin. In fact, Kate Gosselin terrifies me now. She is honestly the worst person I have ever seen on DWTS. Way worse than Buzz who I happened to LOVE. I am pulling for Chad & Cheryl, Erin & Maks, and Evan & Anna. Kate won't win, but it is kind of entertaining to watch her make a fool of herself every week. However, if DWTS had been on a few months ago, I would have compared Kate winning to Jake picking Vienna on The Bachelor: On The Wings of LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE, and we all know how THAT turned out. I guess I can't rule out Kate just yet. I am so compassionate that I astonish myself. Who are you rooting for? Hope you're having a great Monday!

Giveaway(s)!

Well, here is my second post back in the blogging world and I am already making it all about me. SHOCKING. I have two giveaways that I want to give myself a second chance to win, so I am going to blog about them. However, it surely helps that these two ladies are both friends of mine, so I can sing their praises high and low.

First up? Mandy. Oh, Mandy! Well you came and you gave without taking! Can you tell I'm a fanilow (that would be a Barry Manilow fan)? I'm also a fandy (fan of Mandy-- I am KILLING it today!). Mandy is a blog friend who quickly became a real friend. We "met" (I think) through MckMama's site and I love, love, love reading her blog. She is hilarious and since we get along so famously through the Internets, I think we would get along famously in real life. I really look forward to the day when we can enjoy a pumpkin spice latte together. She is also a fantastic blog designer and I am getting pretty close to putting in an order for my own super wonderful blog design!

Mandy is giving away $50 to a bunch of online stores, so head on over to enter! Or don't, because that would give me more chances and I am selfish like that. All I know is that she is great, even though she doesn't understand my undying passion and love for Zac Efron. It's okay, we all have our downfalls.

Second up? Le! I met Le through my friend, Sally. Le is the one who gave me my sewing bug! She helped me make a placemat purse, which I'll have to do a post on-- it's SO beautiful! She is talented and kind and a wonderful mother. I love reading her blog; she inspires me everytime she writes! Her house is beautiful and so inviting, just like Le. She is giving away two monogrammed coffee mugs. I have seen these in person because Sally has one! I would love to win these and give one to my mom! If I don't win, I might just have to bribe Le into showing me how to make them. ;) I would highly recommend following Le at The Domestic Chick. You will love her!

Well, that's all for now! Go on over and enter!!

Go into labor, already!

By nature, I am not a patient person. I have gotten better over the years, but in general, I do not exude the spiritual gift of waiting patiently. I can wait for something, but I don't wait well.

Today, I am waiting. Dana is due with her second baby today. Sweet boy needs to hurry up and get himself out and into the world because RACHEL WANTS TO HOLD HIM. However, if history repeats itself, I will be waiting a while longer because her daughter Malia was five days late. Today, Malia turns 14 months.

Yes, you heard that right. Baby boy and Malia will be only 14 months apart. You can pray for Dana.

Luckily, Malia is the best baby on the planet and I know baby boy will be just as perfect. It also helps that Dana is one of the best mothers I have ever come in contact with, so she'll be fine. But you can still pray for her. She had Malia (all nine pounds of her) 100% naturally and she is going to have her darling boy the exact same way. She is my hero.

In the mean time, I will be getting my love and snuggles from this sweet girl until her brother shows up. We are the best of friends. Hopefully I'll be back to introduce you to the little man in just a few short days at most. If not, I'm gonna have to have words with Dana. Since she can control that, you know.

At my house this summer, Malia discovered my Mallow Cups. She would pick my favorite thing to hold onto for dear life.

This is what she looks like when she is happier than a clam. Those are peas (or broccoli?) in her mouth. Girlfriend loves. To. Eat.

She is just the happiest girl. I love that about her!

Just thinking about life.

She was really good about wearing her lifejacket, but that didn't mean she liked it.

No more lifejacket!

Happy Birthday, sweet Sara!

Now friends, I completely realize that this is my second post in one day, but I can't help myself. Why, you ask? Well, I have committed myself to celebrating my best friend's birthdays here on the blog and today, we honor my dear and darling Sara!

Sara and I have been friends since our freshman year of high school. She sat behind me in freshman English with Mrs. Allen. We ran track together (for all of my ONE year of participation) and ended up deciding to room together for our freshman year of college.

I have never in my life made such a good choice. Besides marrying Tyler, you know.

Sara is one of the greatest examples of friendship I have ever experienced. This girl just knocks my socks off with her wisdom, love, and kindness. She and I have a special bond that I share with no one else. We had some great years as roomies and I have loved watching our friendship mature and grow into something that is more and more beautiful with time.

So in honor of my sweet Sar-bear, I would like to give you ten reasons why I love her. Make no mistake, there are far more than ten, but I think my husband would like to eat dinner tonight, so I must make this somewhat quick.

Sara's Top Ten

1. She was totally on board with finding off-beat nicknames for each other while in our freshman year of college. We came up with the infamous Roo (me) and Bun Bun (her-- and sometimes just shortened to Bun). I can't remember where Roo came from, but I gave her the nickname Bun Bun after my invisible pet rabbit that I had growing up (Yes, I am weird). For a long time, she would sign notes, emails, cards, etc. with the moniker: Love, Bun (Your most wished for pet). We still crack up when we hear our friend, Mike, call us "RooRoo and BunBun". I may just be laughing outloud right now.

2. The girl has an amazing sense of humor. Sara can be very quiet if you don't know her, but as soon as you do, the girl comes up with the most hilarious things. I am always so tickled by what she has to say.

3. She watched the entire first season of The OC in 48 hours with me. We then laid in our beds and cried about the fact that it was over. I will never forget when she said, "I feel like these characters are a part of my life!" She is so good at putting into words what I feel. Praise Him for someone who can.

4. She's got style. Not only is Sara my best dressed friend, she is also classy. She's got fashion style and she's got life-style.

5. She is an amazing teacher. Kids love Sara. She is so patient and good to them. Much more than I. When she had a practicum at a low income school, one of her students wanted a piece of her hair. She gave the child one strand of hair. Soon after that the student gave her a card. Inside was a piece of hair taped to the card with the inscription, "You gave me a piece of your hair. Now I am giving you one of mine." Oh. My. Word. If that isn't pee-your-pants hilarious and precious at the same time, I don't know what is.

6. Not only is she a great teacher, she is teachable. Sara is all about being open to what God wants for her and she is so good at listening to His voice. I admire that so much. That is not and easy skill.

7. She is an extraordinary friend. Sara has stuck by me through some of the hardest times of my life. She has cried and laughed with me and she has not been afraid to challenge me. Now that is a good friend. We have the kind of friendship where you can pick up right where we left off. It's so beautiful.

8. She loves to be goofy with me. During junior year of college, we decided to start calling one another Alien. Yes, another nickname. I still have Sara programmed into my phone as Alien and as far as I know, she still has me in hers as Alien. It just delights me to see a call or text from Alien. Hilarious. We also convinced Steph once that we made up a card game. If you're reading this, Stephy, we're so sorry. You were just so easy. :)

9. We share a history. There is something so rich about a friend you have had for many years. We are going on ten years of friendship and there is something so wonderful and precious about that. I can be so terribly honest and vulnerable with Sara and I know she will still love me despite all of my quirks.

10. She is totally and completely in love with Jesus. Sara has been a very wonderful influence on my spiritual walk. She has consistenly walked humbly with Jesus and in doing so, has used her actions more than her words to show me what a rich faith is. This girl is so blessed by God because she has been faithful to Him. Praise the Lord for amazing and Godly girlfriends.

Alien, I love you so much. You are truly one of my very bests. God knew what He was doing when He put us together and I will never stop thanking Him for you. You are a precious friend to me and I look forward to growing more with you.

Happy Birthday!!!

Hi. I'm Aunt Rachel. Nice to meet you.

I have yet to be blessed with any biological nieces and nephews. Considering that both my brother and brother-in-law are young college men with no wives to speak of, this is not surprising.

However, about two and a half years ago, a blessing was born. My first "niece". Catherine Margaret was the firstborn to her momma and daddy. Her momma, one of my best girlfriends, Tarah, was my RD in Shatford during my freshman year. Tarah quickly became like a sister to me and we have been close ever since. I think that one of the reasons we love each other so much is because we have the ability to be completely and utterly honest with one another. There was a time where she was so honest with me and I hated it because I knew she was rightI am stubborn and I didn't talk with her for a few months. Can we give the Lord an Amen for people who tell us the truth in His love and another Amen for when we finally get over our stubborn selves to learn that He is always right?

There was another time where I came back to school a few weeks early because I was working at my dorm's front desk. The boy that I had broken up with that summer was there early, too, and it was the hardest thing (at that time) for me to stay away from him. I was stressed and very emotional and Tarah was there for me through the whole blasted encounter with Crazy. That's my really great nickname for him. Crazy. I just made it up. ANYWAY, she had a meeting or something one night, so she called me and told me to get a good book and come over and just take a bath while she was gone. Oh my word, best relaxation ever. Plus, Crazy had no clue where I was, which in hindsight, was the best gift of all! All that to say, Tarah has a way of being the sister I never had.

Anyway, Tarah had to go and get herself married to a most wonderful man and they blessed us all about nine months later with the beautiful Catherine Margaret Auffhammer. I will never forget my roommate running into the bathroom at 6:00 am (I was getting ready for student teaching-- there is never a good reason for being up that early) holding out my phone saying, "It's Ben (Tarah's brother). Tarah's having the baby!" Oh my word. Best day ever. I could barely contain my excitement that day. And that beautiful girl was born and blessed my ever-loving socks right off my body. A few months later, I got to go and love on that baby girl for a few days and since then, I've watched her grow from this...


To this...


Oh, sweet girl, Aunt Rachel loves you so much.

Then, last March, Tarah and James decided to give us all another blessing. Miss Lydia Elaine graced us with her presence and made the world a happier place. Since Tarah has chosen to live so far from Aunt Rachel, Lala and I have not officially met. Still, I could not love that child more. I love hearing stories and seeing pictures. Check out the awesome little dress I got her from Janie and Jack.


Mercy, I have to keep myself from kissing all over this computer screen. "Lala" or "Lati" just turned one. Aren't those some great nicknames? I will get out there one of these days and those girls are gonna be covered in Neutrogena Moisture Shine Lipgloss.

Well, I was informed a few months ago that yes, I was going to become Auntie Rachel for the third (and let's face it, probably not the last) time! I could not have been more thrilled. Then today, Tarah called to tell me what I already knew. I'm gonna be a girl auntie again. Auffhammer Chickie #3 will come to join the fun in August. I will go out to meet her before she grows up if it kills me. Because, make no mistake, it will kill me. I want those girls to know me and love me like I know and love them. I also want to be the cool aunt who always has gum in her styling purse.

Today, while talking to Tarah, my angel girl, Catie, got on the phone to tell Aunt Rachel that she was watching "The Jungle Book" and then told me she loved me. Oh, that warms a sick girl's heart to the core. A few minutes later, she wanted to show Aunt Rachel her boo-boo through the phone.

Y'all. I was so tickled. I wanted nothing more than to see that boo-boo. Soon, precious girl, very soon.

Many hugs and kisses to all my little nieces in New York. Even to the one in your belly, T. However, I will let the girls pass those along to their sister. We may be close, but I'm not sure I'm quite ready to kiss your belly. We'll get there someday.