I know I chose the right profession when...

{either that or I am really nerdy, I will accept that too}

1. I got wayyy too excited about a Smart Board. Seriously. I had a little tutorial at the clinic today and I am obsessed!! (I know I'm way behind the curve on this and all my Speechie friends who student taught think this is old news) But I have seen so many cute ideas/lessons/games today that I actually said out loud 'I want to stay in school so I could use this awesome thing!'  I get it honestly.... My Mom said Smart Boards made her want to return to teaching.
Kid you not, best thing since sliced bread.

2. I was thrilled by a new pack of pens from Staples. I stood in line for 20 minutes today to order the multi-colored pack. Because why would I want to write in black if I can write in fun colors?!

3. I printed new return address labels and it put a smile on my face. One of my New Year's Resolutions is to send more snail mail and these labels totally motivate me.

Template found here: Source: daffodildesign.com via Rachael on Pinterest

I'm so simple, school supplies make my heart happy.
Happy Friday Eve.

-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I Heart Charleston Restaurant Week

At the beginning and end of tourist season {January and September} the city of Charleston hosts a restaurant week where you can eat at the best restaurants for a lot less $$$ than normal!  We love to take advantage and try new restaurants that we wouldn't normally go to.  We are so spoiled by all the great restaurants here and have a lot left to try!

Since I'm home on Mondays and Tuesdays this semester for my internship, we could have a fancy Monday night date night at Cypress. 

{pumpkin puree soup / lemon meringue pie / grilled mountain trout / pork schnitzel}

{I didn't manage a pic of the two of us--this was all I got}

I Pinned It, I Made It!

My recent Pintrist recipe finds...

Chicken and White Bean Enchiladas

{These were a good change from the normal enchiladas I make--I like the Cannelloni beans in them}

                                                                         Source: skinnytaste.com via Rachael on Pinterest

Make Your Own Smoothie Packets

{I made 5 baggies this weekend and already need to make more!

I also added a little protein powder in the blender to make them more filling)  

                                                                 Source: laceyinloveblog.blogspot.com via Rachael on Pinterest

Autumn Chopped Salad & Golden Winter Squash Soup
{I made these for my Mom's Progressive Birthday Dinner
The party goers loved them and they were easy to make ahead of time}

                                                                        Source: espressoandcream.com via Rachael on Pinterest

                                                                           Source: myrecipes.com via Rachael on Pinterest

Homeade Fit Granola Bars

{From the Dashing Dish blog --she has tons of great recipes with calories already listed and many are GF.  

These bars had good flavor and texture. They were a tad crumbly, but I don't think I added enough honey/syrup. Next time I'll add more!}

                                                                            Source: dashingdish.com via Rachael on Pinterest

Michigan Christmas 2011 in Snapshots

1. Beebe Girls on Christmas Eve
2. New Christmas Eve PJs
3. Our pretty little 4 foot Christmas tree (that was propped up on soup cans)
4. View from the back steps of the farm house
5. Poppa Bob's famous sourdough pancakes
6. The Lake City barn all covered in snow
7. Uncle Keith's sauna where we spent a night relaxing
8. Always the motto during our MI stay
9. Stockings lined up on the piano
10. Family + Poppa Bob & Grandma Betty

{Next up part 2--ski trip}

Travels Complete

In 48 hours we went from this...... To this. We arrived to a farm house with no snow :( Tomorrow we will put up the Christmas tree and hopefully it will start to feel more festive!

And We Are Off....

(I haven't blogged in forever, it's my intention to get caught up over break and at least finish the 4 posts I have in my drafts...)

Today Robert and I are beginning our 18 hour adventure of a drive up to Michigan. We're driving my 85 year old grandparents up so we can spend Christmas up North. We have been doing this same drive since I was born, but it's a little different with the grandparents....

I'm really hoping this year will be a lot more uneventful than the last trip. Nancy and I got stuck for 8 hours in WV. An 18 wheeler overturned and 31 cars slid of the road trying to avoid it. Needless to say it was a disaster, they called the national guard, and we sat still with the car off for 8 hours. The normal 2 day trip turned into a very exhausting 3 day trip.

This is what last trip looked like... Say a prayer and cross your fingers we have a smooth trip so we can enjoy our White Christmas!!!

Happy Thanksgiving Eve

We are all set for 22 tomorrow for our Greenville Thanksgiving lunch!  Today we made our assigned dishes so my chef Uncle can get down to business tomorrow!  3 pumpkin pies, a pecan pie, a pumpkin trifle cake, broccoli salad, sweet potato casserole, lemon cake, pumpkin cheese dip, and brie bites we all made in Grandma's kitchen today. 

Homemade pumpkin pies are in the oven. 

Before

And after--ready for the oven

Happy Thanksgiving Eve