An Award

                                                     
I was awarded the Liebster blog award from my two fellow blogger friends, Kristen and Angie. Thanks Ladies! They both have the cutest blogs and children around Lane's age (that I know will be some of his best friends when they are older!) They also both have great senses of humor and precious Godly families. One of the best things about moving back to Selma is people like them!

What does the Liebster Blog Award mean?

The Liebster Blog Award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. Liebster is a German word meaning dear, sweet, kind, nice, good, beloved, lovely, kindly, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.

I am tagging some of my favorite blogs for this award:
Caroline (aka Liney Bobo) and Steven at Porch Talk With the Bobo's-one of my BFF's that is great about posting about the heart of the matter...she has always been great with details and it translates through her blog. Her husband, Steven's posts are always some of my favorites and show their love for the Lord and heart for serving. Check them out!!

The Smith Family-Julie and I went to dental school together and share a love for all things edible. She and her husband Lance have a precious son, Henry, that is a few months younger than Lane. They are always up for an adventure, love to travel and try new foods. I miss seeing them since we moved, but can keep up with them here.

Julie, me, and Lindsey in dental school

Meg Wingfield at The Wingfields, adventures in boyland-Meg and I were sorority sisters at Auburn (squirrel love) and instant friends. We studied together in the basement of our dorm many a long hour. We also might have spread squirrel food on the hall of the ChiO dorm while they were at formal one year. She has three precious little boys, and is raising them to be strong Godly men. 

AGD's that night (Meg is next to me in red)

more up soon on our trip to Moulton and 8 month updates

Randomness and a Recipe

I made this soup last week, very easy and delicious. Our friend Adrian made this for us after we had Lane, and it is now one of our go-to soups. It is super healthy and now with our amazing Vitamix
(which by the way is worth the arm and the leg it cost), is very easy to make. It is by Ina Garten aka Barefoot Contessa (seriously anything she make is delish).









Here it is: (my tweaks are in bold)

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup & Curry Condiments (Serves 4 - 6) Copyright 2008, Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics 3 to 4 pounds butternut squash, peeled and seeded 2 yellow onions 2 McIntosh apples, peeled and cored (I used Gala bc that is what I had) *I have also just used apple juice if I did not have apples on hand and it worked great too 3 tablespoons good olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 to 4 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade (I used organic low sodium Winn-Dixie brand) ½ teaspoon good curry powder I add 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of cheyenne pepper to balance curry and sweet of apples Condiments for serving (I have never used these, but they sound good) Scallions, white and green parts, trimmed and sliced diagonally Flaked sweetened coconut, lightly toasted Roasted salted cashews, toasted and chopped Diced banana (I usually add some pomegranate seeds on top for color and added flavor)

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Cut the butternut squash, onions, and apples into 1-inch cubes (mine are always bigger bc of time). Place them on a sheet pan and toss them with the olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Divide the squash mixture between 2 sheet pans and spread in a single layer. Roast for 35 to 45 minutes, tossing occasionally, until very tender. Meanwhile, heat the chicken stock to a simmer. When the vegetables are done, put them through a food mill fitted with the medium blade.  I don't do all of this. (Alternatively, you can place the roasted vegetables in batches in a food processor fitted with the steel blade. ***I take all vegetables straight from roasting and dump in 2 batches into the blender or put them in a large soup pot and use an immersion blender to puree Add some of the chicken stock and coarsely purée.) When all of the vegetables are processed, place them in a large pot and add enough chicken stock to make a thick soup. Add the curry powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Taste for seasonings to be sure there’s enough salt and pepper to bring out the curry flavor. Reheat and serve hot with condiments either on the side or on top of each serving. The soup really is best on day 2. Also it is delicious with some Rosemary bread or crusty french bread for dipping.  I have not updated on tennis: WE ARE GOING TO STATE!!  I anticipate a beat down, but all in the name of fun. Plus I got this cute tennis outfit to wear: I will look uber serious, huh?! Also, this little munkin is almost 8 and a half months old! Which means I am late on my 8 month update, so I will get on that... notice his side swoop in the front and on the side? I have not wanted to cut it, but now he grabs the hair above his ears and pulls and shreaks, like "This is getting on my nerves!" He might get a home trim sooner than later.  And lastly, has anyone watched Hart of Dixie on the CW? Kind of cheesy, but set in small town Al, so kind of funny. James and I have been watching it-check it out on Monday nights at 8:00 plus, I love Rachel Bilson ok, that's all I got!!

Fairchild is Four

Happy Happy Birthday to the cutest, spunkiest four year old I know!!

Happy Birthday Husband

Yesterday was my sweet husband's birthday. I surprised him by a quick trip to The Grand Hotel this weekend. It was perfect--great weather, delicious food, and a lot of relaxation. He deserves it! (and I always enjoy a little R&R!) Thanks to Jim and Shelia for keeping Lane boy so we could enjoy it...Saturday they came to town (which he knew about so this didn't throw off the surprise), and we were going to pick up Subway for lunch (one of Selma's best lunch options) and instead of going right, I told him to go left so we could go "anywhere he wanted". He was pretty clueless, as we had just taken J&S's sandwich orders in detail (pickes, mayo, olives, etc.) so it was pretty funny to watch his expression and surprise.  I didn't take many pictures, but here is the birthday boy, right by where we got married a little over 2 years ago.

love him

where we got married

nothing prettier than a Mobile bay sunset

We had a family dinner yesterday to celebrate:

Sam giving his gift 

delicious cheesecake from Shelia

Lane likes a party

Happy Birthday James! Here is to many many more!

Fair time!

The Central Alabama Fair came to town this week, here is a quick recap in pictures:

Lane loved the view

first Cozy dog

I think he like it!

checking out the petting zoo

the calf cooperated by licking his foot

the lovely ladies at the Children's Dentistry of Central Al booth

meeting Miss Milly

picking up ducks

I might have helped him out a bit

family shot

Baby Lewis gets showered and Lane falls in LOVE

This past Sunday was my friend Maggie's Selma baby shower. It was lovely, and she got some great things for Baby Lee Lewis. She is looking great and he is growing (and kicking!) like a weed.  

the loot

Maggie and Kalee

this one cracks me up

mom and I gave her a day gown made by Ms. Rita of Spoiled Rotten (her stuff is amazing!)

and then Kalee's sweet baby Evelyn and Lane met. She is 4 months older and he was immediately smitten. See below pictures for his "love at first sight" encounter.

mesmerized

she is definitely playing hard to get

"I think I need to put my gums on her"

this was him going in for the slobbery kiss, but don't worry we got him in time

LOVE

cutie patooties

Integrity 5K

This past Saturday we help sponsor and participated in the 2nd Annual Integrity 5K to raise money for their ministry in Meto, Kenya.  Integrity holds a special place in my heart because they have built a library in Meto named after my aunt Meg who passed away almost 3 years ago due to cancer. I can't wait to go see it and meet the sweet people there one day!

We ran, including Lane...and did pretty good...ran a 8:45 pace, which for us non-runners was not bad. The weather didn't hurt, it was a blue bird day in the 70's. James has to play mind games with me when we run...he always says "you know we are running slower than normal".  I am never sure, so I try to go faster, sometimes it works and sometimes, I yell back "well fine, go ahead and LEAVE me since you can run so fast." 

Dad and Alan Jr. (Dad is on the board of Integrity and is going on their first dental mission trip this May, I am so excited to see what God is going to do, and ways we can help impact their oral health)

(ckb-He had on his precious Tiger outfit you gave him, but you can't really appreciate it in these pictures!)

Lane was parched after his run, and loved ice to cool off

worn out boys

love

More up soon from this weekend...Maggie's Selma baby shower and last night's Central Al Fair