Stockings and Snowmen and Trees, Oh My!

Christmas is all “put up” at my house, as Reed would say. It was no easy feat, though, let me tell ya.

First I found that the lights on the top section of my pre-lit tree don’t work. Enter unplanned trip to Walmart, during which I bought a bow for the tree topper (the star I have is too heavy) and three boxes of candy canes in addition to the box of lights I came for.

Mom and I got on either side of the tree and tossed the strand of lights back and forth to each other in an effort to evenly place the lights. It probably wasn’t the best way to have gone about the task, but it worked…eventually.

Finally it was time to hang the ornaments. And when I opened the box of ornaments, I found a strand of lights hiding in it because oh yeah, the lights on the top of the tree didn’t work last year either. Face palm.

Despite the frustration of a wasted Wally World trip and a broken pre-lit tree, trimming my tree, setting up my nativity, and hanging the stockings is one of my favorite things to do. Like ever.

Taking everything down and putting it away is a whole other story.

But for the next four weeks (at least), I plan to fully enjoy my Christmas décor.

And now you can too!

 

 

 

P.S. See that button ornament in the top right corner? I made that! Based on this pin... It doesn't exactly look like the pinspiration (mostly because of the colors of the buttons [which I wasn't crazy about, but that's all I had to work with]), but I think it turned out all right.

And now that Christmas is all put up, Santa can come visit. Underneath my tree is pitifully bare right now.

Wine + Pie = Ultimate Thanksgiving

The best word I can think of to describe this year’s Thanksgiving is hurried. Unfortunately, my mom, brothers, and I didn’t have time for the stay-up-til-one-a.m. game nights and taken-with-cell-phone photo shoots that have become the norm at the Luckett Thanksgiving.

Chance just started a second job, so on Wednesday (the day my mom and Kendall arrived) he was home from his first job long enough to give Mom a kiss on the cheek, say “what’s up” to Kendall and me, and change before he was out the door and on his way to his second job.

Kendall and I chose to spend the evening catching up over wine.

On Turkey Day we all got up around 9:00 and just lazed around for a bit. Mom and I had to run to Wally World for a few things and planned to start cooking when we got back. Since all we had to make were the sides, we weren’t in any hurry. (Several years ago, we started the tradition of having smoked brisket for Thanksgiving and haven’t looked back.)

We made it home with the last of the Thanksgiving ingredients [insert cliché “or so we thought” here] around 11:00 and got to work. In addition to the melt-in-your-mouth brisket, the menu also included: broccoli, cheese, and rice casserole; corn casserole; mashed potatoes (made with sour cream); the best macaroni and cheese you've ever put in your mouth; and pies for days.

Kendall took it upon himself to make our pumpkin pies this year (isn't that so cute?!), and he made four--one for each of us.

In addition to Kendall's pies, we had two more pumpkin pies my grandma sent, a lemon meringue pie from Randel's mom, and an apple pie.

I was excited to finally have a legit reason to wear the adorable apron Randel’s mom got me. I mean, you can only convince yourself it’s perfectly natural to sport an apron while making a grilled cheese for so long.

My excitement soon turned to frustration when I realized I didn’t actually have everything we needed, as I had so confidently assured Mom a few days before. Right after starting the rice for broccoli, cheese, and rice casserole, I found that I didn’t have the cream of mushroom soup we needed. I also realized the Jiffy mix we needed for corn casserole was somehow missing from my pantry.

In a huff, I tore off my apron, snatched my keys off the table, and may have slammed the door shut the door a tad harder than was necessary on the way out to my car.

Ten minutes and $2.90 later, I was back and ready to get cooking again.

Mere minutes later, as I was getting Paula Deen’s Crock-Pot Mac & Cheese ready to go, I came to the frustrating realization that I was half a cup short on elbow macaroni.

I repeated the huff-snatch-slam process again…and once again returned home ten minutes later after having spent $2.90 at Dollar General.Weird, huh? (If you’re wondering why pasta cost so much at the dollar store, it didn’t. I also picked up a can of crushed pineapple for the carrot Jell-O salad I had previously decided not to make. But since I was already at the store—again—I figured hey, why not? And yes, you read that correctly; that's carrot Jell-O salad. Don't knock it til you try it.)

The rest of the afternoon progressed sans any more Dollar General runs, so we were finally able to sit down to give thanks at about 4:00, an hour later than we had planned. In attendance were: Mom, Chance, Kendall, me, Randel, and Chance’s friend Kyle.

Another tradition we have is going around the table and saying what we’re thankful for. I teared up a bit when Chance shared that he was thankful for family and life, when Randel was thankful for all of us having woken up that day, when Kendall said he was thankful for the “lovely ladies who prepared this great food,” and when Mom cried before saying she was thankful for her kids.

Even though we had a couple minor setbacks, we had a great Thanksgiving. I always treasure the rare times when my mom, brothers, and I can get together. It pretty much only happens at Thanksgiving (we celebrate Christmas in Tipton, and Chance usually can’t come because of work), so it’s a pretty special holiday for us.

A Birthday in Review

Sunday I celebrated the first anniversary of my 25th birthday. So yeah...I'm 26.

Even in the pre-social media days I loved my birthday, but waking up to too many texts and Facebook messages to respond to makes a girl feel pretty special.

I took my time getting up and around, ate pizza for brunch, and did some light reading while watching the Cowboys game. Hmm...sounds like a pretty typical Sunday actually.

Then I took even more time showering and getting myself all dolled up for my hot date.

Randel got to my house around 2:30, bearing gifts and cards from him and his parents. From him I scored that massage I hardcore begged for ever so subtly hinted around about.

And his parents got me an adorable trinket box and ring holder set and a 7-11 gift card. Hello, gas and pumpkin spice lattes!

Then we went shopping and out to eat. It's important to note that in this case, shopping meant walking around the mall, trying on clothes, and deciding not to actually spend any money. But we hadn't gone out and just spent the day together in far too long, so it was a great day.

Then came P.F. Chang's, one of my favorite restaurants. I mean, lettuce wraps, entrees four people could share, and the Great Wall of Chocolate---what's not to love?

Randel and I got the P.F. Chang's for two, which came with egg drop soup for both of us, lettuce wraps, two entrees (crispy honey chicken for me, and sesame chicken for him), and two desserts. Being the sweetheart he is, Randel let me choose both desserts, so I got the Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch and Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake. You were thinking I got the Great Wall of Chocolate, huh?

I wanted to go with something new this time, and neither of those rich and sinfully sweet desserts disappointed.

Here are some more highlights of the day:

birthday message from Kendall

Do I have the best brothers or what?

birthday message from my dear Shawna

My friend Hillary was at the Thunder game and apparently talked to Serge, because he personally wished me a happy birthday. Pretty sure they won for me. Thanks, Hill!

All in all, 26 was a great birthday, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Matter of fact, I will next year...when I celebrate the second anniversary of my 25th birthday.

 

 



A Paint Story

Most of you know by now that I painted my kitchen last weekend. It’s been no secret among my family and friends that I’ve wanted a red kitchen for as long as I’ve been out on my own. And with Thanksgiving fast approaching, it was time to finally get it done.

I approached Randel with the idea about a week ago, and he agreed to help me Saturday evening after he got off work. This worked out great, as his parents had everything I’d need to complete this ambitious project but the paint.

 

I picked out six different shades of red (perhaps maroon is more accurate) and brought them home to make a decision. After agonizing over cranberries, red wines, and burgundies (hungry, anyone?), I finally chose Deep Garnet.

I brought home a gallon of the make-my-kitchen-feel-designer-y color and almost burst into tears when we opened it. Rather than the sophisticated color of a precious stone, what I saw was a garish Lisa Frank hot pink.

Now, I would have been all over it when I was a Backstreet-Boys-and-lip-gloss-obsessed thirteen-year-old. But as a twenty-five-year-old who schedules dentist appointments and pays her bills on time, this was mortifying.

Randel tried to console me, saying it would dry darker and that with one or two more coats, it would look just like what I envisioned. I wasn’t sure I believed him, but I hadn’t spent thirty bucks on paint just to store it in the garage unused.

So I trusted him to begin the first coat while I began making dinner.

When I finished dicing potatoes, sautéing sausage, and shredding cheese (now I know you’re hungry), I gathered the courage to peek around the corner and see how Project: Designer Dining Room was coming along.

Once again, I nearly cried.

All I saw were lines, uneven areas, and the loud Lisa Frank pink that would look great on my nails but not on my walls.

About this time, Chance came home. With a nervous expression on my face, I asked him, “So...what do you think?”

He was quiet a moment, studying the unfinished wall. “Well, I don’t mind white walls…” he offered.

He was joking, of course, but I took that to mean I was in way over my head and should have kept my dining room the same *Oregon Coast color the rest of the house is.
[*Note: Oregon Coast comes into play later in the story.]

This led to Randel and Chance talking about how much time I spend on Pinterest and threatening to deactivate my account.

I laughed it off, but there was no way they were getting ahold of my Pinterest account. I don’t know karate or jujitsu, but I can give a mean stank eye.

I eventually started helping Randel with the first coat (mainly so I would also have myself to blame if I hated the finished color).

Chance used to work in the paint department at Lowe’s, so when he told me I needed to let the first coat dry overnight, I grudgingly agreed to let it be.

*****

When I woke up Sunday morning, I was itching to fix the wrong that had been done with the awful pink paint.

I think Chance felt bad about how upset I was over the terrible the color, so he offered to help me finish it up.

After the second coat, it already looked much better. I actually started to believe my dining room could be saved.

While waiting for the second coat to dry enough to attempt a third coat, I peeled away part of the tape on the edge of the wall that connects to the living room and noticed I had made a bit of an oopsie and gotten Deep Garnet paint on my Oregon Coast living room wall.

(It’s important to note that at this point I didn’t actually know what color the wall was yet.)

I was all up in arms again, so Chance suggested I get a chip of paint from an inconspicuous location, take it to Lowe’s, and have them color match it.

Great idea…except I didn’t have the razor blade and utility knife all the experts I consulted on the Google said I needed.

Plan B: Go to Lowe’s, stock up on as many beige-ish paint samples as I could find, and bring them home to compare. Admittedly, not the best idea, but it was all I could think of. So that’s what I did.

Upon arriving back home with samples from Valspar, Glidden, and Olympia, I was elated to find that Barefoot Beach nearly matched.

Before I went back to Lowe’s to get a sample size of it, Chance and I applied the third coat. By the time we were done, I was in love with the color. It really was deep garnet! Who knew?

This is getting long, so to sum up the last few events: Went to Lowe’s and bought a sample of Barefoot Beach; used it to touch up living room walls; noticed it was much too light; panicked; had an “aha” moment and somehow remembered there were several gallons of paint in my garage (that had been there since I moved in); lugged four different gallons of paint inside; finally found the winner—you guessed it, Oregon Coast.

The paint was all at least two and a half years old (no, I’m not an expert on the liquefying properties of paint—that’s how long I’ve lived in my house), so it was no good to me in its current state.

So yesterday I took the can of Oregon Coast to Lowe’s and got a sample size. I touched up the walls (and ceiling, ’cause I made an oopsie there too), and now you can’t even tell a difference.

I love coming out of my room to let Deuce out every morning or coming in from the garage when I get home and seeing my new dining area. It really feels like a whole new room now. And I can’t wait to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner in my deep garnet dining room.

 

Before:

 

 

 

During:

 

 



 

 

After:

 

 

My Week in Review

This was a big week for me.

Monday: I was reminded how colorful-language inducing it is to try to put feet that have been in socks and boots all day into yoga pants. They're a bit...er...damp. I change out of my work clothes and into my workout clothes at the gym. In a tiny bathroom stall. I'm just not comfortable changing in the locker room and showing my goods to anyone who may wander in. So most days I end up hopping around the cramped stall like a bunny rabbit on steroids, trying not to knock my clothes into the toilet while simultaneously trying to make sure my bare feet don't remain on the dirty bathroom floor for too many seconds at a time. It's a process I never accomplish with gracefulness, that's for sure.

Tuesday: For starters, I had lunch at Panera. Always a win. Then I bought this adorable owl ring at none other than Hobby Lobby. She's my new friend.

Then I went to a Pampered Chef party...where I actually won something! This is significant for a couple reasons: a) I never win anything and b) I never win anything. I came away with a Stoneware scraper (which will really come in handy if I ever inherit a large sum of money and can actually afford some Stoneware), a purple paring knife, a citrus peeler, and a tummy full of spinach carbonera pizza and molten lava cake. Holler.

 

And perhaps the biggest thing of all, I started watching "Friends." Since I'm apparently the only person in the history of ever who hasn't seen this apparently most awesome show ever, I decided it was time. I will finally understand the references everyone I'm ever around uses.

Wednesday: I didn't have much to do, so I took approximately 74 pictures of Deuce. He was doing the same thing in all 74 photos. Naturally.

Thursday: I noticed my tooth pain was not going away even after a root canal and two fillings. May have to go Southside on the dentist after all.

Friday: I finally cashed in the massage Randel bought me for our anniversary. The first question my masseuse asked me was, "Do you sit at a desk all day?"
"Oh, that obvious, huh?" I answered.
"Yeah, you're full of knots."
Next she said, "You're left handed, huh?"
"Um...no, I'm right handed," I said.
Apparently the knot in my left shoulder is much bigger than the one in my right shoulder. Not sure how to account for that. She said she couldn't get them completely out, but she did a great job. Now to see if I can possibly get a massage for my birthday (which is in one week, btw) so I can get these knots completely erased...

Saturday: Day 1 of painting! I've wanted to paint my dining room area dark red for a long time. I finally got around to doing it this weekend, because I wanted it done before Thanksgiving, which will be held at my house. I picked out the color--Deep Garnet--and Randel and I got to work at about 6:30. Well, Randel got started. Neither of us had eaten, so I was making dinner and didn't see how the project was coming along. When I finally did take a look, I wanted to cry. The first coat looked terrible. I spent the night worrying that my kitchen was going to stay the gaudy pinkish color it was. But then it was...

Sunday: ...Day 2 of painting! Randel was busy today, so Chance helped me finish up the job. We applied two more coats, touched up the edges, and now have beautiful burgundy walls! After the first coat, I worried that the dark color made the already small space look even smaller. But now I think it makes it feel like its own room now. I couldn't have done it without my boyfriend and my brother, who did most of the work, let's be honest, and who somehow put up with me constantly asking, "Do you really think it'll look okay?" They always said yes, and they were right.

I'll post the paint story soon, but here's a sneak peek at the finished dining area:

My Week in Review

This was a busy but fun week. Here's how it went down:

Monday: I debuted my new routine in Zumba class. It includes "Gangnam Style." Enough said.

Tuesday: I'm in a writing book club, and we were supposed to meet at Panera at 6:30. Assuming we were going to the Panera on I-40, I left my house at 6:15 and arrived right on time. Or so I thought. If I had bothered to read all of the e-mail with the book club details, I would have known we were actually meeting at the Panera on Penn. It would have taken me another 25 minutes to get there, so I punished myself for my fail by not allowing myself the bacon turkey bravo sandwich I wanted and instead went to Sonic for a half-price burger.

Wednesday: It was Halloween, so I had a big bowl of candy (Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie pops, Dots--you know, the good stuff) and I was ready for princesses, Iron Men (or Iron Mans?), cheerleaders, and Batmen (or Batmans?) to invade my home begging for treats. I had approximately eight trick-or-treaters, two of whom I knew. Oh well, more Tootsie Rolls for me.

Thursday: I had to go to the dentist. If I don't take an Aleve every 12 hours, I have a terrible toothache, on the side I had the root canal on back in July. My insurance finally took effect, so I made an appointment and was all ready to storm in and demand a root canal refund because it obviously didn't work and hurt worse than ever. It didn't exactly play out like that. I left two and a half hours later with two fillings.
Apparently the teeth on either side of the tooth with the root canal had cavities and were causing the problem. Oops...

Friday: I got to come up with some Christmas card options at work. So I got into the Christmas spirit by listening to Mariah Carey's "Merry Christmas" album. I didn't hate it.

Saturday: My friend Megan, whom I worked with at Tate, got married in Kansas. So several of us Taters (both ex and current) went to Towanda, Kansas, to witness her nuptials. Several things tried to keep our car from making it there, including a fire on the side of the highway, the slowest train to ever ride the rails, and a dust blizzard.
But we made it in plenty of time for the gorgeous wedding. The trees actually displayed the deep reds and golden yellows of fall, the sunset was breathtaking, and Megan was a beautiful bride.
I did the Cupid Shuffle, the Cha Cha Slide, the Gangnam Style, and plenty of other dances I can't recall (or name). In short, it was a blast.

Sunday: Praise the lord for "fall back!" Can I get an amen? I rolled out of bed around 11:00, read a bit of Life of Pi, watched some football, talked to my mom for an hour and a half, and then came to Randel's. Lazy Sundays FTW.

And now, I leave you with my favorite picture from the week:

Isn't he the cutest thing you've ever seen?

Fave 5 Pins

I'm starting this weekly segment in an effort to make me start doing something with the 13,749,625 projects, recipes, gift ideas, etc. I have pinned on Pinterest. Something besides look longingly and with terror at their complicatedness, their time-consumingness, their ultimate awesomeness and ability to make my life infinitely better, that is.

So without further ado, I give you this week's Fave 5 Pins:

1. Food: Have you ever had a sugar cookie from Eileen's Colossal Cookies? If not, you're gonna wanna go there like yesterday. I first had these literally-eat-every-last-crumb-cause-they're-just-that-good cookies at work a few weeks ago and have been obsessed ever since. They're soft and chewy and have a faintly cherry taste, which apparently comes from almond extract. I simply had to know how to replicate these for myself. And now I do. I gotta be honest, the recipe is a bit complicated for my taste. But these cookies are definitely worth it.

2. Clothing: This.

3. Humor: I'm pretty sure I need this for Zumba. I wouldn't mind the model either.

4. DIY: I wanted to make this adorable button ornament last year but was too busy lazy and poor to buy tons of cute and colorful buttons and do it. My friend Bronwyn and I are having a crafternoon in a couple weekends. Maybe this will be my project...

5. Fitness: This one's called 4 Moves to Say Good-bye to Saddlebags. Need I say more?

To prevent having five pins of lemon-flavored desserts and fluffy dogs every week, I decided to pick one pin from each of these categories.
It was tough, let me tell ya. 365 Days of Crock-Pot Meals was shouting, "Pick me, pick me!" Glow-in-the-dark cupcakes looked at me with puppy dog eyes. (What? Your cupcakes don't have irresistible puppy dog eyes?) But I somehow did it. And will maybe attempt some of these this week---or sometime in the next few years.