Home of a Magnolia

This week...

2017-01-14T06:08:00.002-08:00

This week is a blur at this point. We went from freezing temps to 79 degrees yesterday. Later today we are cheering on some of our favorite football players in the Annual Border Bowl-Georgia vs South Carolina. I guess I need to pull a linen blouse from the back of the closet. The boots I was gifted for Christmas are not getting much wear this winter. I only wish I could wear this sweatshirt out and about...

2017

2017-01-01T09:41:00.004-08:00

New Year's Eve

2016-12-31T06:07:00.002-08:00

Our friends, the Dowdys hosted a festive Oyster Roast last night. We loved seeing the work they have done on their beautiful cabin. It was also fun to see so many local friends and a great excuse to try a new recipe. As always I searched for a few ideas from Pinterest then added my own twist to the recipe. The basic recipe was found at The Pioneer Woman-here is the link http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/zannies-black-eyed-pea-dip/ . I added chili powder, cayenne pepper and cumin to this recipe-I don't measure-just dash, pinch or sprinkle. As with most recipes, I added more cheese and a whole jar of chopped jalapeños. I really like SPICY!!! We used the thin Cantina chips, but I would suggest a thicker chip. The dip will get thick as it cools and the thin chips are not great for scooping. Sorry, I forgot to take a photo, but it was delicious and definitely New Year's Eve or Day worthy.

It's a New Year

2016-12-29T06:43:00.000-08:00

It has been a long time since I last blogged. The last few years have found me super busy with the kiddos. Evans is now 16, almost 17 and plays a football, takes college classes and works part-time. Mary Wilhelmina is 12 and still dances competitively. The hubby has started writing a sports column for the local newspaper in addition to his real job. He loves sports and this column allows him to research and watch more sports than ever before.

I would like to blog on a regular basis, but we will see what the new year holds. I still cook a lot and will share recipes from time to time. Otherwise, I might share adventures in prepping for dance competition or traveling to college kicking camps.

At my tipping point

2013-07-08T14:10:00.001-07:00

I have no excuse for not posting in so long, but once again I think I will try again. Summer has been wonderful to us so far. We just returned from the family beach vacation. I think I might be suffering from too much togetherness. Yesterday, I was in a terrible mood. I felt myself approaching my tipping point! Several projects are almost done, but hubby and the children were insisting we have a cookout and company. It was all I could do to just be nice. Please, let me finish my projects. Not to mention I was exhausted. It was definitely a "Calgon take me away" moment.

Today is another rainy Monday and the perfect chance to work on my projects or blog for the first time in months. I am happy to report my projects are complete! I have cleaned and touched up shoes and glue a necklace back together. The things we do for our dancers!

Hubby Cannot Cook

2013-04-02T02:23:00.001-07:00

It is getting bad at my house when we resort to eating Klondikes for dinner. I have the best hubby in the world. He is an awesome dad and one of the funniest people I know. He would do anything for anyone. Hubby is one if the nicest people you will ever meet, but he CANNOT cook a meal unless it is pancakes and bacon. The last two Sunday evenings, I have been swamped with projects. Instead of cooking pancakes and bacon, hubby decided he would #1- go to the store without a list and #2- purchase something he had no clue how to cook. After two major disasters and trips to Dairy Queen and McDonalds, he has given up on cooking. Hopefully, by the end of the week I will finish all of my projects and resume my place in the kitchen. As for now, the children and I will gladly eat Klondikes for dinner.

Words I Need To Hear

2013-03-22T05:04:00.001-07:00

Sometimes we need to be reminded of how our attitudes set the tone for an entire situation. I plan to print a copy of the text below and put it in a place so I will be reminded daily. I really appreciate these word from Charles Swindoll- “I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude. It is more important than my past, my education, my bankroll, my successes or failures, fame or pain, what other people think of me or say about me, my circumstances, or my position. Attitude keeps me going or cripples my progress. It alone fuels my fire or assaults my hope. When my attitudes are right, there is no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me.”

My New Talents

2013-03-14T06:02:00.001-07:00

Six years ago when my daughter started dance, I was a hit mess when it came to styling hair. My favorite style is a slicked back ponytail. I could roll hair on hot rollers I have had since the late 80s. Thank goodness my sister taught me a few tricks. Over the last few years I have gotten better and better. This year my daughter's solo ensemble needed son exaggerated pin curl hairdo. What does anyone do when they need to learn to do something these days-watch YouTube videos on the topic. After styling the hair several times, I am really getting the hang of it.

Not only have I learned to style hair, but we are also experimenting with painting blue jeans. Who know, we might open our our Etsy store! Most of all the moms and sometimes dads have a great time learning an laughing together.

I want STEAK!

2013-03-12T03:45:00.001-07:00

This weekend when my daughter and I approached out dance competition destination, I asked what she wanted to eat. I encourage her to eat some protein. My itty bitty screams out STEAK! The closest thing we found was a Japanese restaurant. We settled in for hibachi steak. I was also glad apache was getting veggies even though they were coated in tomes of sodium. The highlight of the meal was watching her use he chopsticks. Even our server got a kick out of how good she was at using them.

There was a large studio our our competition with tons of props. The group had a great group of prop dads and even a little brother helping unload props as our girls were stretching. The little brother was your typical backstage little man. I asked if I could take a photo of his shirt. Dance competitions can be very long! Brothers big and small are troopers to sit through so much and tag along.

Calculating, acting and dancing

2013-03-11T03:47:00.001-07:00

What a whirlwind of a weekend! Hubby and I had to split up to get the kids to all of the events. Since hubby can't do hair or make-up and he has a part he took play duty as well as math competition for our son. I spent another weekend at a dance competition. Thank goodness my parents and sister were able to help me out. Their support was AWESOME since I was feeling under the weather.

The guys had a great opening weekend with great crowds. The crowd can make a huge difference. Evidently, the play, Father Knows Best has quite a bit of dry humor. Hubby has not been the photographer I would be so pictures will appear next weekend.

Ev, my son participated in his first math competition. He absolutely LOVES math. I am not sure where he gets it, but we are so PROUD of him. My hubby joked that it wasn't' a real good idea to have all the smart kids on one bus together-kind of like not letting the Pres and V.P. fly together. Anyway, his team did pretty good for the first comp. Ev scored in the top third of the group. We always tell our kids to go to a comp for the first time to see what it is like, get the lay of the land and then make a goal for the next comp.

The Fusion Dance Competition was great! It is a new competition our teacher wanted to try out. Moms and dancers really liked the venue and the overall organization of the event. We only took solos so it was stress free and very relaxing. The prop dads did a great job of getting us on and of stage in good time.

Yesterday, we celebrated out three year old niece's third birthday. To get the season started off we had a cousin's egg hunt.

Another busy week ahead-Bunco, baseball, more baseball, costume prep, dance, play and work!

Batter Up!

2013-03-03T07:11:00.001-08:00

Finally, after a month if heavy rain and lots of cancelled practices baseball has begun! My son is in his second year as pitcher for his middle school team. I am so proud of how hard he works to improve. It was extremely cold and windy the first game. Hoping for sunshine and warmth at the two games this week.

We've been busy

2013-02-26T03:47:00.001-08:00

The last two weeks have been non stop at our house. My daughter has competed in back to back dance competitions. It takes a lot of practice on her part, lots of taxi driving on my part, as well as lots of preparations. I spend a few days during the week making sure every piece of costumes, accessories, and shoes are packed. Not to mention the hair and make-up stuff as well as other stuff we might need. I am glad to have what I call a relaxing week of just playing taxi driver. My son should start baseball this week if we get a break in the rain.

Trash to treasure

2013-02-04T15:05:00.001-08:00

Sunday afternoon I enjoyed working on this project for my daughter's competition team. They have been using a simple black chair. Simple will never be good enough for the six sassiest little girls I know. This treasure spent two years in my garage. Just a week ago it had no seat and no back. Friends secure new seat and back. Yesterday, I spent the afternoon making it as sassy as possible. After the dance season we will actually use this prop. The chair has a cushion ai will recover in the same bright fabric, but for dance purposes we need a flat surface.

Real Dance Moms

2013-01-26T07:18:00.001-08:00

You will not see the ladies on Dance Moms painting and sanding in their dresses and heals. Look what we do early on Saturday morning in the Ville. Anyone need a giant Mad Hatter prop in August-I am sure it will bring a big price.

Blue Suede Dilemma

2013-01-24T20:19:00.001-08:00

Our favorite dance teacher got a new prop trailer last year. I think she has reached her ambitious goal of filling it up. We have tons of props this year. For several months I have lugged this monster back and forth between my garage and the studio. Thank goodness it has taken up temporary residence at the studio. When it is in my SUV, I only have room for three people-the driver and two passengers. Not to mention this lovely weighs a lot. Who knew nine months ago I would be the proud owner of a giant blue suede shoe. What will we do with this treasure once we begin a new year of dance? I am considering asking to put it on display at the art gallery. Maybe it would be a great bench, but most of all a conversation piece.

No Parents Allowed Beyond This Point

2013-01-23T14:53:00.001-08:00

Dance season is in full swing. Unlike Dance Moms, we are not allowed to watch or step foot in the practice room. After watching Dance Moms, I completely understand why parents are not allowed. Too much work and practice have gone into parents getting out of sorts at such a crucial time in the season. We are just a little more than twenty days until show time. My time is best spent working on sewing and stoning costumes.

Bunheads, baseball and theater

2013-01-22T14:44:00.001-08:00

It is officially dance season. We have spent more hours at dance in the past few weeks than we have been at home. My hubby and son are in a play in March plus my son begins baseball season next month. We have lost our minds. I will be blogging from the studio, baseball field or theater for the next few months.

Fondue Party

2012-12-22T04:45:00.001-08:00

What better way to celebrate than a Fondue Party. For the last two years, my daughter has asked to have chocolate fondue at her birthday party. She is not really a fan of birthday cake so we celebrate with fondue instead and the girlies seem to love it.

Following the fondue this group danced, danced and danced with a little karaoke. They were really sweet, but oh what trouble we are in when they get a little older.

Nutcracker

2012-12-13T18:21:00.000-08:00

This year my daughter participated in a musical in mid November so she did not perform in the Nutcracker. This did not stop us from going heading to the closest performance on Sunday. It was so much easier to sit in the audience and watch as a spectator than it was to watch as the the parent of a dancer. Performance week is always exhausting due to countless practices, lack of sleep and eating fast food. This year our dance teacher's daughter played the part of Clara and her niece was a baby sheep and a mouse. Two other local teens had major roles. We ran into lots of local people at the theater. It was an absolutely beautiful production. The Nutcracker has been a Christmas tradition in our family for the last ten years. My dear little dancer cannot wait for tryouts for next year. I guess we will be making the long drive to weekend practices- all worth it to be part of such a beautiful production.

Small Town Parade

2012-12-12T18:04:00.000-08:00

We watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and Rose Bowl Parades each year and ooooh and ahhhh at the giant balloons and magnificent floats. We have our own version of these fabulous affairs- the local Christmas Parade. Churches, civic clubs, school groups, businesses and local politicians enter decorated floats and automobiles. Every fire truck in the county is displayed and sounds every bell and whistle. Children dart into the streets to fetch candy, beads and a few toys thrown by the folks on the floats, cars or marching groups. Vendors sell carnival toys and local groups sell fried fish plates. Even the local truck driving schools bring the big truck to town to show it off.

My daughter's dance studio walked in the parade- she loves her BLING!

Cake Balls

2012-12-11T17:34:00.000-08:00

This past weekend my friend, Amber and I attempted to make cake balls. We both searched the internet for recipes and great instructions. Saturday after the parade we met at her house to let the kids play and make cake balls.

The kids decided to sit in the kitchen and watch us like they would watch Rachel Ray or Paula Dean. For some odd reason we had British accents for our debut cooking show. The cake balls were far from perfect, but tasty. Most of all, we entertained ourselves as well as the kiddos. Check out Amber's much funnier post about our escapades at The Dowdy's Doings .

Our recipes:

Oreo Cake Balls from Mix and Match Mama Blog
Red Velvet Cake Balls from Kelly's Korner

Make sure you freeze the cake balls before coating in chocolate.

Many recipes suggest melting chocolate bark in microwave. I prefer using a double boiler and melting slowly.

Sprinkles and nuts add a special touch.

Sparkling apple cider toast!

Amateur chefs!

Oreo cake balls before chocolate

Cake balls after chocolate coating and decorating.

Audition

2012-12-04T12:00:00.000-08:00

This past weekend, my favorite tuba player tried out for district honor band. He was so excited, but also nervous. He hates to have his picture taken, but amused me a few times during the day. After the audition, he said he wasn't sure of the outcome, but at least he understands the process. He said he now knows how to prepare for next year. I am so proud of him for doing something new and different.

This week he will have a performance almost everyday. He will also attend a music festival for middle school band students. So proud of him for working so hard.

Ponding for Birthdays and our Dawgs

2012-12-03T14:29:00.000-08:00

This weekend like so many others we watched the SEC championship game. While cheering on our favorite team we also celebrated birthdays for a few of our favorite people. We missed my sister in law Kate as she Was also a December baby. The cake was yummy, but our favorite treat was the Georgia cookies we baked and iced. I can't wait to make more of these cookies.

Our Dawgs were ROBBED!

2012-12-02T19:39:00.001-08:00

My guys just finished explaining how teams are chosen for the BCS bowl games. In a nutshell, we were robbed. Even the coach from the team we played last night agreed. Everyone knows SEC has the toughest schedule and has the best following. Bowl sponsors must be upset because some teams playing in the "big games" just do not have a following. Dedicating this post to my favorite sports nuts-Matt and Ev.

Bustling on Broad

2012-11-30T03:01:00.001-08:00

Last night my daughter's dance company kicked off the annual holiday shopping season at our community's annual Bustlin on Broad. This event takes place each Thursday leading up to Christmas. The photo below is my daughter's competition group. These little girls have been dance together for several years-we love these girls as well as their families. During competition season we spend more time together than we spend at home. This month we take it easy because for the first four months of the year we will devote countless hours to competition as well as the recital. Next week the local children's choirs from the churches will entertain people as they shop. I just love this season.