It's been so nice to be home these past couple weeks! And with the weather finally becoming fall-ish, being outside is actually nice (before it gets too cold). 

I finally fought off my cold, which meant JUDE SNUGGLES! It had been an entire two weeks since I saw him, and he's basically talking and walking now. Well, not really. But he does smile! I got one out of him before he decided it was lunchtime, followed by scream time, followed by nap time. 

Look at my little buddy! The cutest, ever.

Adam and my dad have been playing tennis together for a couple seasons now, but I've only seen the last five minutes of one match prior to last week. The stars aligned and I was finally able to catch a match! They did great and won, despite Adam's ridiculous outfit... gray hat, black sweatshirt, red shorts, neon orange socks and neon blue shoes. What am I going to do with him?

Job perks! After doing a Wait Staff Training at Murphy's, I got to try out one of their new cocktails. This one is called Bye Felicia. Hilarious name and amazing drink.

Adam went hunting all weekend, so Dominica came over on Friday night to entertain me. I finally got photo evidence of our ridiculous dogs taking up the WHOLE bed. That's Dominica, so just think of how much worse it is with a grown man in the bed. Anyone have any tips to get/keep them off? It's getting ridiculous!

On Sunday, I attended one of my favorite events of the year - Les Dames d'Escoffier's Afternoon in the Country. It's a food and wine event out at Serenbe Farms - and the past three years we've lucked out with awesome weather!

Keurig had a pretty cool activation... and apple cider!

After the day in the country, Adam and I headed over to his parents' for dinner. His Aunt Liz (the original Elizabeth Baker!) and Uncle Tom were in town and Jude really enjoyed Uncle Tom's moose antlers!

Look at this kid! Could he be any cuter? It's nuts how much you love someone who's so little and doesn't actually do much. But every time I see him he's more alert. It was the coolest to see his face while Meagan was talking to him. He was so engaged and attentive - he loves that mama of his!

And my heart melted into a puddle. Adam loves this kid a whole lot.

Even when he's fussy he's the cutest thing!

No recipes this week! Unless you call baked chicken and broccoli a recipe. If you do, here it is. Bake chicken. Cook broccoli on the stove. Enjoy!

Low Key Halloween

For the first time in my whole life, I did not dress up or celebrate Halloween this year! I should probably be more bummed about it, but I was fighting a cold and thoroughly enjoyed our cozy night in. We also only had two trick-or-treaters, so I like to think that no one celebrated this year. (Except for all my friends, whose pictures I had to see all night.)

You know who did celebrate Halloween? HANK AND RUTHIE. Adam came home with these costumes on Thursday and I just about died. Much to our shock, they actually really loved having them on. (A little green creature of ours found Miss Piggy a little too attractive and started humping her. I wish I had taken a picture!)

Needless to say, they were our entertainment for the night.

It's a good thing we didn't have many trick-or-treaters, because this little guy flipped out when we didn't let him meet the kids at the door. Here he is on watch for any stragglers...

On Saturday, I did nothing and Adam worked. My busy day continued into the afternoon, evening and night, with my only distraction being my dad who came over to watch the first half of the UGA/FL game. (And we were happy to host him!)

Adam and I decided to really start planning our bathroom "remodel" (oh, yeah - that's happening) on Sunday. We picked out some paint options to try out and did some pricing. You know, really thrilling, exciting stuff.

That evening, I attended the GRACE Awards with Allison. It was the last thing on the planet I wanted to do (I was way too tired from doing nothing all weekend), but as usual, once I got there I had a great time. (Minus the timing of everything. We sat down for the program and waited a solid hour before we even got our salads or any wine. Thank goodness for the bar in the lobby!) Regardless, it was an awesome evening recognizing some really awesome people in the Atlanta restaurant industry - an industry I'm very proud to work with!

(DRUMROLL PLEASE) Recipes are BACK! For the most part, Adam and I had separate plans after work last week. But because I was fighting a cold all weekend I cooked. (Wait, that sounds bad. I promise I washed my hands a lot.)

Friday night I made my favorrrrite dish, Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice. Since I learned that's not actually a meal for most people, I also bought stuff to make Turkey Taco Salad. Literally, ground turkey, taco seasoning and the fixins - lettuce, jalapeños and salsa for me; add in sour cream and cheese for Adam.

Apparently I was feeling adventurous/lazy on Saturday, because I decided to "make up" my own chili recipe. Since I clearly have the experience to do so… (or not). Regardless, it actually turned out really yummy!

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili  (It is paleo, by the way)
2 lbs ground turkey (browned on the stove)
1 16oz. can diced tomatoes
1 8oz. can tomato paste
2 12 oz. cans diced tomatoes with green chiles
3 cups chicken stock
1.5 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground coriander
6 tablespoons cumin powder
1 red onion chopped
1 green pepper chopped
6 garlic cloves chopped

I put it all in the slow cooker and let it sit for 2 hours on High and 2 hours on Low. (Top with cheese, sour cream, Fritos, etc. if you want to make it un-paleo.)

Year of the Cat

Remember how I said October was insane? Do you believe me, yet? Last weekend was the 125th Anniversary of Western Carolina University and a big group of us had all been planning to go up for Homecoming. The drive up is one of my favorite parts, especially during fall. I mean, really? This doesn't even look real!

And if that wasn't good enough, check out the view from our cabin! (Here's the link for more pics/info, if you're interested in renting some time.)

Just relaxing on the couch with this terrible view…

Melvin and I kickstarted the weekend with some mimosas. As he said, "Make the mimost of it." (Side note: Do you see how I'm wearing workout clothes…with tennis shoes? Halfway through my drive I realized I forgot to bring shoes!! I literally only had my tennis shoes on my feet. I had to make a pitstop at the local Shoe Show, but luckily was able to borrow someone else's so I got to take them back. So embarrassing.)

Shots of Fireball to get the weekend started!

Dinner at Speedy's, drinks at O'Malley's and No Name, then finishing off the night in the hot tub at the cabin. Could our first night have been more perfect?

The next morning, we were up early to tailgate for the game (we didn't actually go into the game, duh).

Check out this "Selfie Stick" that Natalie bought. So hilarious… and useful.

Sisters!

Um, please zoom in on this terrifying "Catamount".

After tailgating, we posted up at O'Malley's. We were in the same booth from 2pm - 10pm. Literally an entire work day.

After a late-night stop at Sylva's newest "disco", Tropical - we headed home for more hot tub time machine fun! Check out this amazing pizza sweatshirt that Whittney and I got Natalie for her birthday! Of course I borrowed it for the photo op.

The next morning, we all cleaned up, packed out and hit the road. But not before snapping a few pictures of the absolutely gorgeous morning from our deck. Ah, Cullowhee. I miss you always.

While I was enjoying my weekend with friends in Cullowhee, Adam was having a little homecoming of his own! He headed up to DC to spend the weekend with his BBF/Best Man, Brent. (Thanks to Brent's girlfriend for posting some pics on Facebook!)

Adam actually sent me this pic on his own! It was my one request, and made me very happy.

We boarded the pups at a new place this time, and it's safe to say they also had an amazing weekend! Southern Tails posts daily pics on their Facebook page, and I about died when I saw this one of little Hankie Doodle! Eeeeek, he's so cute!

This was them about 2 minutes after I picked them up. This has never happened. They'll definitely be going back!

Also, kudos to me for getting all these posts in before November! Minus the whole "I haven't been cooking" thing.

Between the Chaos

I arrived home from Nashville on Thursday night, just in time for a fun-filled weekend with family and friends! (Do we ever stop? No.)

Cousin Amy, Cousin Courtney and Granda Blumenkamp were all in town - which obviously means a shopping trip is in order. Amy is pregnant (and her and Meagan are BBFs, so it's extra adorable!), so we spent a good bit of time in Motherhood Maternity. In the dressing room, they have a fake tummy for you to try on under your clothes (genius and weird). Meet Kelsey's lumpy baby...

The weather was gorgeous all weekend! At one point, I couldn't find the dogs and they weren't responding when I yelled for them outside (which never happens). I found them like this. Totally in the zone enjoying the perfect weather.

Saturday night, Adam and I headed over to Madi's for her Inaugural Pumpkin Party. She made lots of fun food and some spooky punch (trying to be themed here, people). 

Ta da!

Look at us being cute and candid! Just kidding, we all posed for this "candid" one.

After the pumpkins were carved, we headed to Atkins Park for some more fun. My childhood lifeguard was our bartender, which was so strange. I probably told everyone I saw for the next 48 hours - meaning Adam got to hear me retell it 2934879348 times. Lucky guy!

Sunday was another family day. We started it off by spending some time with my dad and Papabear. Couldn't help but take advantage of their back deck for a photo op (of course).

Then it was back to the Bakers for dinner with the whole fam.  There is a baby under there, by the way.

Little bear! It's so funny, we're all so careful when we hold him so we don't wake him up - yet Adam was waving his arms around and getting all up in his face... and Jude didn't even budge.

My mom, her sisters and a childhood friend all went to Charleston for the weekend, but came home a day early because Aunt Kathy saw a rat on the back porch. (Don't even get me started on their ridiculous stories.) However, this meant I got to see them all on Monday night! Instead of getting a group pic of all us ladies, I took one of Papabear. Same thing, right?

I had the last minute opportunity to attend the Network of Executive Women Summit in Atlanta last week, and it really was amazing. I'm so glad I got to go and be around some very incredible women.

The conference was held at the Hyatt downtown, so I couldn't help but head up to Polaris for a quick drink and glimpse of the view.

The first night they held a meeting for Nestle women who were at the conference. Again, another amazing night with incredible women.

After a long day at the conference on Thursday, I headed home to get ready for the MS Harvest for a Cure dinner with Kelsey! I donated water to the event, so I was able to score a couple tickets. Since Kelsey interned with them this summer, I decided to bring her along. We had so much fun!

Kelsey does not eat seafood, but she tried octopus! So proud!

Weee! Such a great way to end my week! Did I mention we had so much fun?

Again, no recipes. Sorry, folks! It's been crazy.