Ole Miss/LSU Weekend and more

Well this last weekend proved to be a heart breaker as Ole Miss played their little buns off but just couldn't come through with the win in the end. It was a hard loss but it really came down to whoever had scored last when the time ran out because it was so close the whole game. We had a fun weekend in Baton Rouge. It all started at Chimes for the launch of Tin Roof Beer. Two of Zach's good friends from home started a brewery in Baton Rouge and this week they launched their first 2 beers, Perfect Tin and VooDoo Bengal. Zach was so excited to get down there and show his support aka..drink a lot o' beer! We impatiently waited in an hour of traffic entering Baton Rouge to finally make it to the Launch Party and it was so worth it.

Zach and Charles (sorry for the terrible quality I forgot my camera so we took this on Zach's phone)

Then it was back in traffic to head to Lauren and Madison's Couples Shower! It was so nice to see the two love birds and I am so excited about seeing them get hitched in March I can't stand it. All the girls pitched in a got them a KitchenAid Mixer! They were both really excited- Lauren wanted to start baking and Madison wants the Sausage maker attachment. It was a great time and enjoyed seeing the girl, their boys, and Brooks!

The next day we tailgated with friends and then headed to Superior Grill to meet up with the entire Richardson clan and the Luphers. Elle had a ball showing off all her signs and tricks to Uncle Zach. She is a doll!!

Great minds think alike!

I just found this picture on one of my favorite blogs (thanks Lisha) and it jumped out at me. She used the same colors we did...navy, white, gray/blue, and mustard yellow!!

Master Re-Decorate

Well about a month ago I redecorated our master bedroom and I am just now getting around to posting pictures. I also have new bedding on order but I will have to show that after it arrives. The reason behind this redo is because 1) Zach said he felt like we lived in a cell block. The gray/blue color we loved a year and a half ago was just not exuding the warmth and charm you want in a sunny master bedroom. And 2) we had to get some Drapes, there is just too much sun pouring into those 10 ft windows on Saturday mornings when you are trying to sleep late.

So to combat dilemma #1 I asked Zach if he would bear with me on the color if I brought in accessories and drapes that livened it up. So as you can tell, I killed 2 birds with one stone...DRAPES!

The color pallet I used is navy, white, mustard yellow and gray/blue. The walls are much more gray and less blue in person. Some of these pictures make them look periwinkle but they are really more of a steel blue in person. The new bedding I ordered is all white with lots of different textures and quilting. I had to show off the Bolster pillow mom made me- gray/blue giraffe print with yellow piping to match the drapes. I sewed the drapes and all of the blue and white thick striped pillows. I love that nautical/beachy look of the blue and white stripes. Some mornings I pretend I am laying in a cabana in the Caribbean...haha just kidding but it sounds nice, right?

I was so nervous when I brought home 76 feet of bold mustard yellow damask fabric but I figured GO BOLD or GO HOME! So I did and we love the way it looks! In the mornings when the drapes are closed and the sun is hitting them it makes the room the most beautiful golden color. It is go cozy!!! I have a new design in the works (mentally) for one of our guest bedrooms and I am begging Zach to let me do it as my Christmas present (he is a smart man and I think he is starting to realize that although I am Frugal Francie it will be a more expensive endeavor than our usual Christmas gifts). The room has exposed brick on one wall and I thinking of doing a "New Orleans loft" design- very warm colors, textures, and urban elements! But until I get the green light I will just continue dreaming......

Meal 184.... Cajun Chicken Pasta (courtesy of the Square Table Cookbook...all recipes from Oxford, MS) In case you didn't read my post a few weeks ago, I am on a quest to cook for 200 out of the next 365 days. Counting backward from 200 I am currently on 184! This week consisted of Homemade Chili and Cornbread, Grilled Chicken with Broccoli and Edemame, King Ranch Chicken Casserole, Breakfast for Dinner, and Cajun Chicken Pasta! We were on a major comfort food kick since the weather has gotten pretty chilly!

Cajun Pasta is one of Zach's favorites so I changed it up a bit and instead of using shrimp since we didn't have any fresh shrimp I used chicken. It was an awesome dish...spicy enough for big Z but not too spicy for me. I also made some garlic flatbread with Olive Oil Dipping Sauces. My Aunt Lynette gave us a Olive Oil Dipping set from William Sonoma when she came and stayed with us in September. I have been dying to try it- Pesto and Parmesan...Pesto was our favorite! Thanks Nette! They were so yummy!

On another note, we had an awesome time on Oxford this past weekend. We got to spend a lot of time catching up with old friends on the square and it was fun watching the street of Oxford fill up the college kids sporting their creative Halloween get-ups. Most of the guys costumes were hilarious and the ladies costumes....well barely there! The Grove was more gorgeous than I remembered on the perfect fall afternoon and although we lost to Auburn we played a heck of a game! Zach almost lost his voice in the first 3 minutes of the game but at that point it looked hopeful for the Rebels. Jamie and Jarrod were awesome hosts as always and we look forward to our next Oxford weekend. As soon as I get my pictures uploaded I will post a few from the weekend. I have to say, we really missed our friends that could not be there!

I'm headed upstairs to the studio...Garland and Glitz is in less then 2 weeks and I have a lot of painting and creating to do! As you can tell by all of my supplies that will all be transformed into Christmas gifts by the 18th! Stay tuned...this weekend will consist of paint, sewing machine, embroidery machine, and a whole lotta red bull!

Fall has FINALLY begun!

I walked outside last night and the cool air and the "smell of fall" hit me like a ton of bricks! I love this weather and I love the way it makes you feel.... Like holidays are right around the corner and it inspires me to make yummy meal and snuggle up on the couch! This week to honor our Ole Miss Rebels ... we did a little pumpkin decorating! We are headed to Oxford in t-minus 5 hours to cheer on the REBELS as they take on the undefeated Auburn Tigers. Let's hope the scantily clad sorority-girl Halloween costumes are scarier than the way we play! Like we always say, we might not win every game (or any at all) but we never loose a party!

Here is last week's Pumpkin Chili...YUMMMMMY!!! (Compliments of the wonderful chef Regina Charboneau) We served it with a spread of Fajitas and all the fixings for our church small group gathering at our house Sunday and dinner was fabulous if I do say so myself. But then again who can mess up meat, tortillas, and a mother load of queso?!?!

Dinner Success!! Day 1 of 200...

So while living in Jackson over the past 3 months I decided I was really going to make an effort in the kitchen when I returned home. Zach and I love to cook together and we do so most weekdays but we pretty much rotate between about 10 'repeat meals'. So I am going to try and spice it up and I have promised Zach to cook 200 days out of the next year. So by October 11, 2011....we will have had 200 home-cooked meals. WHO ELSE IS UP FOR THE CHALLENGE??

I am looking for a good cookbook to "Cook through"...yup one page at a time until I have completed all of them! The Oxford Square cookbook seemed to be the front runner but I am scared to death we might die from high cholesterol in the next 200 days if I cook through that one. That Oxford food is deliciously sinful! So now I am searching for a cookbook with a nice combination of healthy meals and that good ole home cooking that makes your arteries burn!

So here is DAY 1: From scratch Chicken Pot Pie courtesy of the Barefoot Contessa

Review: HUGE SUCCESS- we will have it again...and again. Plus it makes a ton. We ate 3 servings and we have 6 servings left. Those went into the freezer for a chilly fall day!

Cooking Chicken, Boiling raw carrots, simmering Chicken Stock, and Simmering Onions

The end result in loaf pans (it made 4)

But after Zach dumped his on his plate we realized it was a ton of food so 1 dish=2 servings. I only ate half of mine and I was stuffed.

Zach on the other hand cleaned his plate! Yummy!!!

The Latest for Wyatt's Torch

I wanted to stop by and give you an update on Zach's LLC, Wyatt's Torch. A university near Natchez just got a new director for Advanced Technologies and they have been working with some people in Natchez to discuss setting up a technology incubator (they already have a grant from the government for it, but it has laid dormant) to counsel and help grow the economy in Southwest Mississippi, focused in the area of technology, and more specifically software and application development, by helping young tech businesses are entrepreneurs flourish. They asked Zach to come in and help get it off the ground. They have the space already chosen and they hope to furnish it with tech equipment by late November. Zach is so excited that he has been asked to sit on the committee and hopefully this technology incubator will be a starting point for some of Zach's future apps (he has come up with some great ones so stay tuned).

For those of you asking, why the name Wyatt's Torch? In Ayn Rand’s novel Atlas Shrugged one of her heroes, Ellis Wyatt, defiantly blows up his oilfield rather than surrender his business to a government edict. One well couldn't be extinguished, creating Wyatt’s Torch that served as a symbol for the flame of individuality and reason. I think Zach chose wisely!

Also GameDay Map is moving right along. They submitted the app to Apple last week so they are waiting on approval and the app will most likely launch at the Auburn- Ole Miss Game on Halloween weekend!