My Paula Deen Challenge

For Christmas my mom gave me a Paula Deen stockpot and two Paula Deen magazines with delicious recipes.  After looking through one of the magazines and wanting to eat every picture, I decided to challenge myself.  I thought about doing this challenge last year, but it didn't happen, so this year I'll try.  Remember the movie Julie and Julia?  Julie cooks every recipe in a cookbook written by Julia Childs.  Well, that's my challenge with this Paula Deen magazine.

So tonight I cooked the first recipe {yes, I'm going page by page in the magazine because if I skip around then I'll never make everything}.  I have to admit that the first recipe looked yucky to me but I cooked it anyway.  It was Mushroom Risotto.  I made a few mistakes during the cooking process, such as adding too much rice or letting my butter cook away before I could add the other ingredients, but Paula would say Honey, just through another stick of butter in there!  So I did. :)

The rice didn't cook all the way and I didn't buy enough chicken broth, so the rice turned out a bit on the crunchy side.  My sweet husband told me that it was perfect and he likes his rice crunchy.  Even Brazos ate it by the handfuls!

Here's my first challenge meal:

I served it with boiled broccoli and fried deer steak.  Although I was thinking "yucky", it was delicious.  I guess Paula Deen really does know what she's doing. ;)  If you want the recipe just let me know and I'll share!

 Let's see what tomorrow holds in store for the Supak kitchen!

Justin and Emilie's Thanksgiving Reception

During our Thanksgiving celebration at my grandparent's house, we had a small reception for Justin and Emilie since they just got married the day before.

Invitations were sent...



The tables were set....a little bit of Dr.Pepper {Justin}, a little bit of Harry Potter {Emilie}, a little bit of Renaissance {Justin and Emilie}...

A Dr.Pepper toast to Justin and Emilie!  Cheers!

And wedding cake for the Mr. and Mrs.!

Justin and Emilie's Wedding

My brother got married the day before Thanksgiving.  The ceremony was small, but it was perfect for Justin and Emilie.  Here's a few photos my mom took of the day...

Justin showed up with the price tag still on his jacket.  I guess he was hoping to be able to return the jacket afterward the ceremony.

We're both here so let's get this party started!

The ceremony...

It's official!  A happy husband with his marriage lisence.

Husband and wife...gorgeous photo!



Justin and Cullen, his "best man".



Emilie and Tara, the "Maid of Honor".

Emilie and "The Flowergirls".

All right gang...1,2,3...to the lake to celebrate!

Emilie's sister, Amie, giving the new couple a champagne toast.  Cheers to Justin and Emilie!

Cake time!

Justin's family...minus Matt.  Welcome to the family Emilie!



Monkey Hats and Turtle Stools

At Halloween time Brazos wouldn't have worn a hat, but as soon as the weather turned cold and mommy said, "You have to put a hat on if you want to go outside," then Brazos was happy to wear a hat.  I absolutley love it when he puts his hat on!  The other day I walked outside just to get something out of the garage and as I was walking back to the porch there was a little boy holding my hat in his hand with the expression, "Mommy, if you go outside you have to wear your hat!"


We converted Brazos's crib into a toddler bed so he could get used to having a "Big Boy" bed before someone else stole his crib from him.  It's been four days and so far so good.  We just wake up about two hours ealier than usual. 

Here's a picture of the little step stool he uses for his bed, although he doesn't really need a step stool.  My Grandpa Lyles made this for me when I was little.  I recovered the fabric shell with fabric that would match Brazos's room.  I kept the vintage fabric that it was covered in underneath because it was just too cute to remove, but it had a stain on it from when a squirrel broke into our house and decided to use the bathroom on it.

Visiting Santa

Yesterday evening Santa Claus arrived at Blue Bell in an ice cream truck!  We didn't get there in time to see him arrive, but we did have the joy of standing in the long line to take Brazos's picture with him.  Actually, the wait in line wasn't so bad because we had the company of Grandma Cindy and Brazos's playmate, Natalie, was in line behind us.  It was nice to visit with everyone in line.

It was Santa's birthday yesterday so Brazos brought him a candy bar with a little card that said, "Happy Birthday, Santa!  Love, Brazos".  (Brownie points for an extra good present.)  Brazos was such a brave little boy and walked right up to Santa, but then immediately turned around and walked back to mommy.

We walked him back to Santa and he did a great job sitting on Santa's lap.  He just refused to smile, but it's still a beautiful picture.  I'm so proud of him!

Just to go back and remember, here was Brazos's picture with Santa last year at Blue Bell.  He has the same expression!



Cody's Birthday Party

About a month ago my sister-in-law asked if she could have our nephew, Cody's birthday party at our house.  Cody wanted a "Four-wheeler" party where all his friends could ride a four-wheeler.  We have the perfect place for a four-wheeler...an open yard, a long driveway, and pasture land.  Matt happily told her "Sure! As long as you help clean the garage!"  So this week we have all been busy cleaning house and cleaning the garage.  I enjoy having people over at my house because it actually makes me clean parts of the house that usually get neglected.

Saturday was Cody's party.  He had a great time playing with his cousins, especially Caleb because they are closest in age. 

The boys enjoyed running around the yard and riding the four-wheeler.  Lots of yummy treats were shared by all guests and Nana made delicious stew for dinner.  Cody was all smiles as we sang "Happy Birthday" and he had no trouble blowing out his candles. 

Of course opening presents was the highlight of the event.   A Wii, Wii games, clothes, remote control cars, Scooby Do stocking cap, targets and safety glasses, legos, and a watch were some of the gifts Cody recieved. 

Cody's dad gave him a B-B gun and boys of all ages enjoyed trying to shoot at aluminum cans.

 

The day was perfect and all of Cody's closest friends and family were happy to share their time with him.  Happy 6th Birthday,  Cody!  May all your wishes come true this year!

Thanksgiving Festivities

Our family Thanksgiving was amazing!  Every family member on my mom's side of the family came together at my grandparent's home on Thanksgiving Day.  It's been a long time since every single person was there, but we all made it this year!  I wish I had good pictures to show you, but I have a camera monster that screams and hollars every time I take my camera out and he doesn't stop throwing a fit until the camera is in his hands.  So most of my pictures look like this....


A sneak peak of the camera monster: Self-portrait

 On Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, my brother vowed to love and cherish his fiance forever.  He got married! Justin and Emilie had a private wedding ceremony at the courthouse.  Once again I don't have any great pictures because the camera monster followed me to the courthouse.  The camera monster was obsessed with shoes.

I do have a few good pictures of our Thanksgiving table decor, but Brazos is awake, so they'll have to wait till next time.