It's white and I'm not even sorry!

Sarah, this post is for you!  May I introduce you to the lighter side of my living room!  Good-bye dark and uninspiring:

May I introduce light and welcoming:

Am I done? Of course not but it's going to be just fine for the folks and in-laws headed our way for Christmas.

As for the practicality of a white sofa?  There is no practicality but I love it!  This is a room that will see little true living action and if it did, it's a sofa from Pottery Barn the has custom slipcovers available so if needed, I can cover it.  I got it at the outlet and I'm calling it a WIN.

Sarah, you should really should come over.  It's  much more charming in person. ; )

You're gonna need a pen

This recipe is D. Lish.  Not kidding.  The only requirement is that you are a vinegar fan.  Big Daddy, I know this will take you out of the running but for the rest, please enjoy.  This crock pot recipe doesn't require the entire day to cook which is a win for me as I often don't think of dinner until someone asks.

So I'm going to pass along this recipe but encourage you to visit the blog I got it from as this lady seems to have some other treats that I'm eager to test out: oatmeal cookies made with raisinets-what?!  Here's the Balsamic Chicken recipe.

4 boneless/skinless chicken breasts
1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 onion chopped
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tsp dry Italian seasoning

I mix all this in the crock pot and then add the thawed chicken last.  Her recipe calls for olive oil and salt and pepper but I've never added them and haven't missed them.  Also, she recommends hers over spaghetti or angel hair pasta. 4 hours on high and this chicken comes out cut it with a fork moist!  See her official recipe here.  Bon appetit!

Interpretive dance......

meet interpretive Princess Barbie and Ken.

Ascot and all.  Way to go, dad! : )

Halloween in the burbs...

When you grow up in rural Louisiana, trick or treating usually means getting in your parents car, driving to both sets of grandparents' houses, sometimes rating a gift vs candy and then returning home just praying at least one person will ring your doorbell for candy.  Okay, so maybe this wasn't the case for everyone but this was my reality.

Fortunately for Jane this is not what her father, TBW, thinks of when he prepares for Halloween.  Tonight the talented Mr. TBW free handed some pretty frightful looking jack-o-lanterns and lit them up for all the neighborhood to see.

As for costumes, Jane has decided to go as Barbie.  This is simply code for getting to dress up in a hot pink dress that is frankly a hot mess and accessorizing like there's no tomorrow.  As for TBW, he'll be   going as Ken of course.  And while these two are out hitting the streets, I'll be entertaining back home all those that care to stop by for a treat.  

A trick would require far too much preparation.

Have a safe Halloween, all!

one last shot of the happy Halloween duo!

It was a great day....it was a super waaaay

To spend some time together.  For those of you unfamiliar with the viewing preferences of 3 and 4 year olds, the title is reference to a song sang on one of Jane's favorite shows,  The Fresh Beats Band.  Just think Kids Incorporated from the 80's and you're getting there.

So this weekend was spent with family in a place close to my heart, Oxford, Mississippi.  It was great.  Weather beautiful, town abuzz with football fanfare and the Ole Miss campus was just stunning.  The campus has changed a lot since TBW and I attended 15 years ago but the spirit is all the same. Cliche I know but felt like coming home.

I will now proceed to bore you with pics. In addition to the fam, pictured is also one of my dearest friends, Kerry who if I hadn't shared my Ole Miss experience with, the time wouldn't have been filled with nearly as much fun or laughter.  Kerry is now what we call, faculty.  He's smart like that.

As for my Rebels, we're just chalking this up to a rebuilding year.  Let's just say I'm happy not to be the wife of Houston Nutt.  Being the coach is tough but being the wife that loves the coach, painful.  Routing for you Ole Miss football, Hotty Toddy!

To Footloose or not to Footloose, that is the question.

Original recipe:

or Extra Spicy......

Janet, I'll wait for your cue on this.  I'm sure the opening weekend will provide enough feedback to decide if this is a "must" or a "must not".

Starbucks has got my back.....

We're a Starbucks family.

Part of TBW's routine is to stop by Starbucks in the evenings for his grande Americano in a vente cup, double cupped, 5 splendas, extra half and half and my tall Mocha Frappuchino light.  (Please note the complexity and simplicity of these orders.  I think this is telling.) Well, the last two nights I've requested a Chai Tea Latte  and apparently, Starbucks is becoming a little suspicious. Evidently no one's actually said anything but TBW has noted the hesitation with the order.  I'll probably do a drive thru latte order tomorrow just to reassure the SB crew that the Jacquins are fine. Seriously, no worries necessary until he stops ordering the second drink all together. That's a true sign of trouble.

Thanks Jason and crew for having my back but don't worry, that latte's for me.  : )