We're Still Around!

So, what have we been up to lately?  Honest to goodness, I had to look back on the iPhone to figure out what we have been doing the last few weeks.  Sadly, I didn't capture much except the usual snapshots of the kitties.  Between James' school work (he has some very hard classes this semester, including Stats), my newfound love of yoga, and the fact that we need to be lazy on the weekends to survive our weeks...not much to report out on, folks.

In case you were wondering about our felines, they are still kicking.  Considered now "seniors" (since they are 8 years old), they do a lot of chill-axing.  But, they laid around constantly at 2 years old, too, so I'm not that worried.

Loving the fire with her white mouse baby

Loving her new perch

Loving...absolutely nothing about her life

Oh, and there has also been a lot of COOKING going on in the Sasser household.  I don't mean to brag, but we've turned out some good dishes as of late.  First, there were the batches and batches of soup that we made for the church soup kitchen.  I got teased on Facebook for using Veg-All (hey, I was following the recipe and you don't question the older church ladies!!), but I can fondly remember my grandmother making a very mean beef-n-veggie soup with Veg-All.  I thought it turned out great!

That same weekend we had a birthday party for the lovely Mrs. Kellee Murphy.  Thank goodness she requested the chocolate cheesecake because I was dying to try out this new recipe.  It was a keeper!  (Just wish I could have convinced all the guests to take some home, because I polished off that sucker the next week....)

This week I get to...yes, "get to"...travel to NYC for work.  (Now that I'm not on the road each week, these monthly trips are actually pretty fun!)  Since this trip coincides with a holiday, it means one thing:  gotta take my colleagues some baked goods!  Can't wait to pass out these hearts!  I even made enough for James to take to his team in Washington, DC.  The Sassers are spreading love all up the NE corridor, one heart shaped cookie at a time...

There ya have it, folks!  We're around, but just not too exciting.  I'll be sure to post more this week if we can manage to get into something good.  :)

Let's Get Organized!

Sometimes I ask myself:  how in the world do we have so much stuff!?  The scary part is that we don't yet have kids, we moved from a small condo, we are (relatively) young....but yet, we have accumulated a ton!  I'm just accepted that it's a part of life, and there is no problem with it, if it's ORGANIZED.

Which leads me to one of our many mini-projects that we have going on here in the Peachtree Hills home:  a new storage room.  We were really happy to find a large unfinished part of the terrace level / basement when we moved in, but it quickly accumulated the said "junk" that we weren't able to find a place for in the house.  Oh, and the bins and bins of holiday decorations that I have. The problem was that it was humid, dusty, dirty, and...a bit smelly.  And completely disorganized!  So, with the help of our super handyman, Roberto, we finished out a storage room where we can organize our junk stuff.

Starting point (cleared of all said junk)

Putting up a frame...

Putting up some walls....

Roberto and team, floating the floor...

And, tada!  We have a new storage space.  It's pretty functional, too, with doors and a drop ceiling to allow for us to still get to pipes, HVAC, furnace, sprinkler system controls, etc.  It was WAY beyond what I was thinking when James said "let's close in this spot", but now that it's done I'm very happy.  Below is the newly organized space:

Before View (from laundry room)

After View

From the back of the room, looking into laundry room

Before View

After View

Let me quickly highlight another very important aspect of this room....it also doubles as the Kitties' bathroom.  We used to keep the litterbox in our laundry room, which meant we had to see it in plain view all the time. Yuck. Also, despite well-made products intended to correct this, the girls dragged litter on their feet, resulting in the need to wear shoes in the laundry room.  Not practical.  Lastly, we hope to add a new girl to the group soon - a canine - and we didn't want a puppy rooting around in the litter box.  That is just downright GROSS.  By moving their litterbox into the storage room AND installing a nice little kitty door...the girls have some privacy and we don't have to look at their poop.  WIN-WIN.

Like I said, we have lots a little projects that were implemented after the April move.  As we start to (finally!) wrap some of them up, I will post more!

Red Solo Cup, You're My Friend

I have to tease my honey in this post, because...well, isn't that part of my job as a wife?  To bug him? :)

He is a bit of a hoarder when it comes to disposable cups.  Yes, as in, disposable drinking glasses that he prefers over the lovely crystal and glassware we got for our wedding.  He loves his red solo cups, styrofoam Chick-fila cups, and Dunkin' Donuts coffee cups.  (He has very specific criteria for which ones he keeps and which ones he doesn't, and I've learned this to hard way when I hear him digging through the garbage to see if he can salvage one of the "good ones" I accidentally threw away.)

Carefully washed on the drain rack - no dishwasher for this fine china!

This did bug me at first, and I've been known to crush a styrofoam cup because I just couldn't take another one in the cabinet!  As you can see, we're very well stocked.

And just in case we ever do run out (and don't have time to go buy a $1.29 tea from Chick-Fila), I cleaned out my car the other day and found a whole stockpile under the seats.  Just in case....

It cracks me up! The irony of this whole situation is that my maternal grandfather was a total styrofoam cup hoarder, and so is my own Mother!  (She says that she saves Bush's tea cups for James "because he likes them so much", but I can recall her doing this for a long as I remember.  Long before my hubby came into the family.)

But my husband is in good company:  Toby Keith, the lunatic country singer, has a whole song dedicated to the red solo cup.  As he says, "Red solo cup, you're not just a cup. You're my, you're my friend. (life long) Thank you, for being my friend"

NYE 2011!

Seeing as today is January 15th, I'm just 14 days behind in posting about how we said good-bye to 2011 and rung in 2012.   Fortunately, my New Year's resolution wasn't to blog more.  If it was, then I'd be miserably failing already...

If you recall from our Christmas post, James and I drove from Georgia to Texas in two days.  We left Texas on the 27th, and drove another two days to Florida.  I will save you the trouble of trying to figure out "how" and "how long" - it was around 20 hours and once you hit I-10 in Houston you're golden.  A looooooong drive, but along our nation's gulf coast and through some of our lovely gulf states.  It sure beat the I-20 route we took driving there - Biloxi is a far better Mississippi town to stop in than Vicksburg!

Some random pics from the iPhone along the way...

We were fortunate enough to see even more family this holiday season, as we spent New Year's with James' family (on his father's side) in Boca Grande, Florida.  I've come to really, really enjoy that little Gasparilla island over the last five years, especially because of all the people on it.  However, it's also very quiet, peaceful, and quaint.  Oh, and there is always a party going on.

Sunset on the Island

Side Note:  The Bush family (including George H.W. 41st and George W. 43rd) were also celebrating on the island, but we did not get to see them.  I was hoping to, as I have lots of questions and comments regarding the latter's latest book.  (Yes, folks, I read AND enjoyed it...there is much more to this flaming liberal than you may think....)  ;)

Every time I go to Florida, the weather almost convinces me to move there.  Sunny all the time, lovely temps, and the ability to be in your bathing suit in late December.  (Plus no state income tax - sign me up!)  James and I would have to slather ourselves in SPF 75 every time we left our front door, but easy trade-off.

Love these guys!

Fishing Buddies

Flounder

Note to two eyes on the one side - Evan taught me that!

While we fished off the dock, we had to be careful not to bother a pair of Osprey who build their nest upon one of the boat lifts each year.  Seeing as one was always perched upon their nest, here's hoping there is an egg (and babies!) this Spring.

Of course, we said goodbye to 2011 in style.  There was great food, nice champagne, music and dancing...plus, some really great people.  I've heard it from a few, but I think I can concur:  the past year was definitely a tough one.  Still a lot to be thankful for and many blessings that we can't ignore, but I was ready to start looking for 2012 around the October timeframe.  Here's hoping that this year stays exactly like how we brought it in:  filled with love, laughter, and very happy times and memories!

James and Kim

Max says "Hello 2012!"

And...this party animal is out.

...along with these two.

Wishing you and yours a very
HAPPY NEW YEAR!  

Jennie - 1, Technology - 1

I admit, I'm not that tech savvy.  Figuring out how to even work this blog took a while (and I still admit I can't do half the cool things I see my friends doing on their blog).  I also now have an iPhone and an iPad, but between the two have less than 10 apps.  I just can't figure them out!

And, Pinterest, don't get me started. I can't figure out how the heck that works, despite Kellee M trying desperately to help me out.  I get totally stressed out because it says people follow me despite the fact I never do anything on it!  I do, however, really enjoy going on and seeing what other people are posting, er, pinning.  (I've even saved down a couple of the recipes you've pinned, Jenni C!)

However, yesterday I had a breakthrough - I pinned something all on my own.  Christy P had put some very yummy looking coconut caramels on her Facebook page, and instead of just saving the link to my favorites (like I normally do - so old school), I thought "wait, is this what I'm supposed to be pinning!?"  Well folks, I pinned it.  I'm not sure if that's what I'm supposed to do, but I did.  Woo Hoo!  Now I can go back and find it once James and I are off this New Year health food kick that we're suffering through right now.

But, technology did come back to bite me in the bum later that evening.  I worked very hard to prepare some homemade shrimp enchiladas with a salsa verde (a combination of several recipes plus a few experimental ingredients I was trying out.)  Everything was going perfectly!  The filling came out so great, with poblanos, onions, yummy spices and fresh gulf shrimp.  The salsa verde - que rico.  After baking them I put them under a low broiler for just a BIT to brown the top....and then heard my Words with Friends app sound that it was my turn to play.  (Yes, that's one of the few apps I have - I'm with Alec Baldwin in that I just can't get enough.)  I guess I was distracted trying to figure out how to use the X on a TL/TW combination row when...I smelled it....burnt cheese!  AUGH!  BURNT ENCHILADAS!

Fortunately, the actual enchiladas under the burnt cheese were salvageable, and still very yummy.  However, James thought this was humorous enough to snap this picture, post on Facebook, and make fun of his wife for being a Words with Friends addict.

Oh well, I guess yesterday was a tie:  Jennie -1, Technology - 1.    :)

Christmas Round Two!

This is a bit of an experiment, as I want to update the blog on our second Christmas celebration / adventure, but we have yet to return home to GA!  So, I have downloaded the blogger app on my iPhone and am attempting to post from I-75S.  Whew, typing on the iPhone takes some patience, especially for someone who only recently gave up her blackberry.  I could have written a novel on that thing!

So, per usual, I wanted to drive down to Texas for Christmas.  James begrudgingly agreed, even though he hates the 14 hour trip.  Especially because we were taking "the gerbil", which is what he calls my little hybrid.  But it gets 40+ mpgs and still has room for presents.  No brainer!

Driving through Alabama we had to evacuate the interstate due to a tornado.  That was - fortunately - the most eventful part of the trip.  Christmas itself was wonderful, and we loved getting to spend more time with all the Kerrs and family friends.  We were lucky enough to visit with two sets of Caswells, plus the Loyds.  (AND I got to love on their little baby bump! So sweet!)  Between Mexican train, a very generous Santa, day after Christmas swooping, and our long road trip, we had a blast!

And as we left Texas it wasn't the same 14 hour trip back home.  Oh no - even more road trip adventures because we spent New Years in Florida.  Even more excitement to come, but this post at least should close out Christmas.

I didn't even get out my camera, so I will have to document our trip via Instagram photos that I took with the iPhone.  Also because I don't know how much more I can type on this thing!

Can't head through Alabama without stopping at Dreamland

Someone had the grand idea to stay at DiamondJacks Casino...

...can't beat the jacuzzi in the bedroom!

Welcome to Texas - Yeehaw!

Daddy loved his Chihuahua plaque to commemorate the
year he and Mother adopted Pedro.

Mexican Train

Fun times with Aunt Jennie at Poppa Rollos

Holiday Decorations!

Our first time to decorate for Christmas in our new home on Peachtree Hills Ave!  It's always a little complicated to figure out how to decorate a new home.  I pretty much had the condo down pat, knowing exactly where each of our three trees, five nativities, and slew of other knickknacks went in that 1,000 sqft of space.   A new house is pretty much a blank canvas!

Because we were not able to decorate until December 10th AND we are going to be gone for the last 10 days of December, we did not put out everything (broke my heart.)  We focused on the main floor and the rooms where we would have company.  It's sort of like rapidly cleaning your hall powder room when people are going to stop by, to try to "trick" them into thinking the rest of your house is that clean, too.  (Anyone else do that, or just me?)

I know that many (especially the Kerrs and Texan friends) aren't able to be here in person, so I wanted to give a little tour of the house, all lit up. Without further ado, a few shots of the decorations.

Here is the entry way to our house, complete with garland and outdoor wreaths.  I was a little disappointed that my first single family home and we have no strung lights (but wasn't about to push that one with the hubby).  It's sill gorgeous though.

Out of the three, we only put up our main tree this year.  However, it was a stunner.  I love the lights and the decorations (including the super cute "Yes, Virginia" ones that Ms. Leron got us this year!)

If you recall from last year, I only managed to finish James' stocking.  I didn't have the energy to string one more sequin on my own in 2010. I'm happy to report that I completed mine this year, and it joined James' on the mantel.  Yea!

Because of my love for nativity scenes (especially nativities of different ethnicities), I was happy to add a couple of new ones to the collection this year.  First, there is the beautiful fireplace decoration that came from Ms. Leron and Aunt Wyllene (see above), and then the lovely ornament below that my Mother got us.  (Both baby Jesus look German - one of my pet peeves - but still beautiful additions to the collection.)

The dining room (which is devoid of any decoration most of the year - this is a 2012 project!) felt very warm and inviting.  Of course I had my casual Christmas china out - nothing says "I'm from Texas" like Cowboy Santa!

And last, that hall powder room I referred to - couldn't let that go without any decorations since we did manage to squeeze in lots of guests during this crazy time.

My towel and James' towel...hung in sequential order.  :)

Funny story about that vintage Santa.  I found this (along with about 6 others) at an antique market up in North Georgia.  When I inquired about the price, the woman up front said "make me an offer".  I said "$5", she said "sold" and faster than I could run to get the others (what a STEAL!) some other lady - PLUS MY OWN MOTHER - beat me to the back to grab the others.  Oh well, at least I got this little cutie.  I think it's precious hanging from the original 1925 doorhandle!

For those of you who aren't here to see it in person, we hope you enjoyed a little tour of our home, all lit up for Christmas.  Wishing you and yours all the best this holiday season!