Oh my word, the new blog is here already!! YEA!! I am so glad I outsourced the installation, because we may have been waiting for years for this baby.
Please be patient with me as I go through and get it ready for prime time - I'll announce when you can go browse around! :)
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
New Backyard in Time for a Party!
I'm going to double-up in this post and talk about two things: 1) our renovated backyard that has been a long time coming, and 2) the little celebration that took place in our new backyard this weekend. Here goes - lots of pictures!
We bought our current little bungalow in April 2011. Tax day, to be exact, which meant that both Uncle Sam AND the bank took a helluva lot of money from us that day. :) After closing on the house April 15th, James wanted to start renovating the backyard by...hum, let's see...the 16th? It was bad, y'all. The only things that were green were weeds, but even they were having trouble growing due to all the rocks and debris. A huge selling point of the house was definitely the size of the yard (in comparison to the neighborhood), but the fact that it was a barren wasteland meant it needed lots of TLC-time. And some money. Neither of which we were rolling in by the time we actually got into the house.
We bought our current little bungalow in April 2011. Tax day, to be exact, which meant that both Uncle Sam AND the bank took a helluva lot of money from us that day. :) After closing on the house April 15th, James wanted to start renovating the backyard by...hum, let's see...the 16th? It was bad, y'all. The only things that were green were weeds, but even they were having trouble growing due to all the rocks and debris. A huge selling point of the house was definitely the size of the yard (in comparison to the neighborhood), but the fact that it was a barren wasteland meant it needed lots of TLC-time. And some money. Neither of which we were rolling in by the time we actually got into the house.
Fast forward a year. By the Spring of 2012, James was dying to get started on the backyard. He would sit on the deck, look down, and sigh. We would mow the "weeds" so that it looked halfway decent to the neighbors, but one step off the deck and you knew it was a sham. By the time we brought Enda home and I spent time playing in the tall weeds, I was ready to join him in the constant complaints - something had to be done!!
We had some professionals do a design for us, mostly to make sure that we were using appropriate plants, allowing for proper drainage, etc. Our yard is really shady with a pretty good slope - not really for amateurs. After we got the plans, James shifted into PM-mode to tackle the actual backyard build.
I won't go into details about how it was done, because I don't think either of us want to remember that chaotic time. Let's just say we carefully utilized our skilled labor network to do the heavy lifting, took advantage of being our own general contractors and learned to navigate wholesale supply companies, and earned "premium renter" status at Home Depot which means we no longer have to put down a deposit for a piece of equipment (woo hoo!)
And now...some before and after shots!
View from the back of the yard, looking up to the house:
View from the top of the deck, looking out over the yard:
A little more explanation about what we did and what you're seeing. This top part of the yard was where we had the most issues. Our neighbors had warned us that NOTHING would ever grow there for past home owners, except for some really unruly, random bushes (which we replanted down in the back flowerbeds - no waste!). So, we bypassed grass and went for rock: paver patio with a rock seat wall, place for the Green Egg, and cabinets for storage of Green Egg accessories. We also ran a gas line under the patio for the gas fire pit and gas hook-up in the grilling area (for the turkey fryer). We laid down sod, created some flowerbeds with lots of perennials, and made a raised garden which is now a feeding trough for some irritating squirrels. (There was some other work down on the sides of the house to create rock paths from the front to the back - so much better than trekking through snake infested, overgrown ground cover!!)
We LOVE our backyard. Love, love, love it. Since we entertain so much, it's also a wonderful place to hang out with friends. Leading me to the second part of this post - our first backyard party!!
Our dear friend, Michael Murphy, graduated with his MBA this July. A very grueling 20 months balancing both a demanding full-time job plus school - what an accomplishment! Kellee threw him a lovely party, and we officially broke in the patio. We even turned on the gas fire pit since the summer temps flirted with 70 degrees that night. (Here in the South, that's "chilly".)
Not a lot of pictures from the party or of the party guests, but I did manage a few of the usual crowd!
Big THANKS to James for all his work the past 4 months to make this backyard a reality for us (as the "after" shots were after a lot of time and work). And a big CONGRATS to Michael on his achievements - so glad we were able to celebrate!
We had some professionals do a design for us, mostly to make sure that we were using appropriate plants, allowing for proper drainage, etc. Our yard is really shady with a pretty good slope - not really for amateurs. After we got the plans, James shifted into PM-mode to tackle the actual backyard build.
 |
| "Let's do this" |
I won't go into details about how it was done, because I don't think either of us want to remember that chaotic time. Let's just say we carefully utilized our skilled labor network to do the heavy lifting, took advantage of being our own general contractors and learned to navigate wholesale supply companies, and earned "premium renter" status at Home Depot which means we no longer have to put down a deposit for a piece of equipment (woo hoo!)
And now...some before and after shots!
View from the back of the yard, looking up to the house:
 |
| BEFORE |
 |
| AFTER |
 |
| AFTER |
View from the top of the deck, looking out over the yard:
 |
| BEFORE |
 |
| DURING |
 |
| AFTER |
 |
| AFTER |
 |
| AFTER |
A little more explanation about what we did and what you're seeing. This top part of the yard was where we had the most issues. Our neighbors had warned us that NOTHING would ever grow there for past home owners, except for some really unruly, random bushes (which we replanted down in the back flowerbeds - no waste!). So, we bypassed grass and went for rock: paver patio with a rock seat wall, place for the Green Egg, and cabinets for storage of Green Egg accessories. We also ran a gas line under the patio for the gas fire pit and gas hook-up in the grilling area (for the turkey fryer). We laid down sod, created some flowerbeds with lots of perennials, and made a raised garden which is now a feeding trough for some irritating squirrels. (There was some other work down on the sides of the house to create rock paths from the front to the back - so much better than trekking through snake infested, overgrown ground cover!!)
We LOVE our backyard. Love, love, love it. Since we entertain so much, it's also a wonderful place to hang out with friends. Leading me to the second part of this post - our first backyard party!!
Our dear friend, Michael Murphy, graduated with his MBA this July. A very grueling 20 months balancing both a demanding full-time job plus school - what an accomplishment! Kellee threw him a lovely party, and we officially broke in the patio. We even turned on the gas fire pit since the summer temps flirted with 70 degrees that night. (Here in the South, that's "chilly".)
Not a lot of pictures from the party or of the party guests, but I did manage a few of the usual crowd!
 |
| Kellee and Calvin |
 |
| The Murphys |
 |
| The Sassers |
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| A classic Southern, celebratory Hummingbird Cake |
Big THANKS to James for all his work the past 4 months to make this backyard a reality for us (as the "after" shots were after a lot of time and work). And a big CONGRATS to Michael on his achievements - so glad we were able to celebrate!
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Un-Birthday Presents
My Daddy used to give me un-birthday presents. If you know my father at all, this probably doesn't surprise you because he is just that sweet of a guy. (If you know me at all, this probably doesn't shock you either...as some would say I'm a teensy-weensy bit spoiled.) You can see how high my dad set the bar for men in my life. That's why I had to wait and find/pick a goodie for my husband. :)
I've always loved un-birthday presents, as they're a small, personal way to remind someone you love them. I really prefer them over actual birthday presents, because they don't entail all the stress that goes behind selecting those!
A great un-birthday present is one of my favorite books which sits on my bookshelf today. I don't remember actually receiving it, but I definitely remember my dad reading it to me. (I only have proof that it is an unbirthday present with the inscription inside).
(BLURRY EYES) Looking at this now almost makes me tear up!! BUT, I'll pull it together long enough to finish this blog.
I had been eying a gift for James for a while as soon as I saw it in the Williams & Sonoma catalogue: a watermelon knife. My husband eats about a watermelon a week in the summer, which I fully encourage seeing as it's full of lycopene (good for the prostate!!) As many people know, we take prostate health very seriously in the Kerr family. ;)
Anyway, back to the watermelon: it's always a pain to figure out how to cut a big one up! Serrated bread knife? Large chef's knife? Machete? Leave it to W&S to come up with a knife to solve this problem (and even decorating it like a watermelon, in case there was any confusion about its purpose).
Lo and behold the knife finally went on sale this week (a real rarity at W&S), which made this both a gift for James AND a gift for me. I looooove a good clearance deal. Regularly $29.95 but on sale for $9.95? Happy un-Birthday to me!!
When James came home from Auburn this week, he was greeted with his un-birthday present (plus a watermelon to try it out):
I've always loved un-birthday presents, as they're a small, personal way to remind someone you love them. I really prefer them over actual birthday presents, because they don't entail all the stress that goes behind selecting those!
A great un-birthday present is one of my favorite books which sits on my bookshelf today. I don't remember actually receiving it, but I definitely remember my dad reading it to me. (I only have proof that it is an unbirthday present with the inscription inside).
I had been eying a gift for James for a while as soon as I saw it in the Williams & Sonoma catalogue: a watermelon knife. My husband eats about a watermelon a week in the summer, which I fully encourage seeing as it's full of lycopene (good for the prostate!!) As many people know, we take prostate health very seriously in the Kerr family. ;)
Anyway, back to the watermelon: it's always a pain to figure out how to cut a big one up! Serrated bread knife? Large chef's knife? Machete? Leave it to W&S to come up with a knife to solve this problem (and even decorating it like a watermelon, in case there was any confusion about its purpose).
Lo and behold the knife finally went on sale this week (a real rarity at W&S), which made this both a gift for James AND a gift for me. I looooove a good clearance deal. Regularly $29.95 but on sale for $9.95? Happy un-Birthday to me!!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
No Puppies, Please!
Our little Enda girl is home! Poor thing has spent the last two days at the
vet’s office, following her spay procedure on Wednesday. Obviously a very routine – and necessary –
surgery, and I’m sure she’ll recover just fine. Even though she was only seven months old, I
wasted no time in getting her spayed because a litter of Vizslas running through
our house was something the human Sassers would not be able to recover
from. Well, and Carmen and Lupe would
probably just give up on life at that point….
I’m a little worried how she is going to make it through her
recovery, due to the fact that recovery includes being calm, being inactive, and being in her crate. Three things Enda hates. In fact, I’ve been very concerned since the
moment the vet told me yesterday that they would NOT be sending her home with
any sedatives. Now, I’m not usually one for
drugging my dog, but the idea of keeping her quiet (for her own safety, mind you) seems like an impossible
task!
When I picked her up today at lunch, I again (very sweetly)
inquired about a sedative. Here’s a
little recap of how that went down:
Me: Is there anything I can give to calm her down
while she is cooped up in her crate, recovering?
Vet Tech: No, we
don’t provide anything. But the pain meds she’ll take the next two days should help - it’s a mild sedative!
Me: Hum…okay, well I’m a little worried about keeping her
quiet – how long do we have to avoid all activity?
VT: Just two weeks.
Me: TWO WEEKS!? Are you out of your MIND!?
At this fortunate moment, Enda bursts through the waiting
room door, causing the assistant to lose hold of her leash. She proceeds to jump up on me, run greet
every single person in the waiting room, jump up in a chair, jump off a chair,
lay a fat kiss on a Jack Russell Terrier (who was freaking out at the sight of
her bounding towards him), then run back over to me…
Me: Two weeks, you
say? Can I please have some mild sedatives?
VT: Yes, two full
weeks. And, no, we don't provide them.
Me: …Please….
VT: No, ma’am…but remember, the pain killers do have a mild sedation effect!
Me: …okay….has she
had one today?
VT: Oh, yes ma’am!
She had her dose about an hour ago.
Me: …okay…DOES SHE LOOK SEDATED TO YOU!?!?!?!
At this point, I quietly lay my head down on the counter to
demonstrate my feelings of hopelessness toward this situation. Enda, to the rescue again, took that quick
moment of conversation to chew through her beautiful Elizabethan collar. They took her back to get a new plastic
collar, and came back with a full prescription of sedatives. J
 |
| "Elizabethan? Aw, give me a challenge, will ya!?" |
 |
| (Contemplating how she'll get out of this one...) |
That plastic collar did manage to stay on for the car ride
home, but when I just went to check on the dog child I saw this:
 |
| "Collar?? I don't need no stinkin' collar..." |
So….plastic collar = fail. I’ve created a new way to attach it to her real collar, so hopefully it works.
The only positive part of this experience so far has been
that they did not cut away her belly button! Enda was born with a major outtie
belly button that is pretty much adorable. Truth be told, James and I considered asking the vet to try
to keep her belly button during the surgery…then we stopped ourselves, slapped
each other for being so ridiculous, and returned to being normal human beings.
Were
we really going to ask a vet to change her surgical technical to preserve a
belly button? On a DOG!? Omg, WHO ARE WE?! This
is why we need a human child soon, because we’re very quickly approaching that “crazy
pet parent” line…
Oh, and on that note…I hear the sound of crunching plastic…
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Perspective on a Tragedy
I definitely don't want to get political. I definitely don't want to get philosophical. (My editor-in-chief will probably start sweating bullets when he reads those first two statements...) But I saw something yesterday on Facebook (posted by my favorite Austin wedding photographer, Eric Hegwer) that just really resonated with me and I thought I would share.
I have no idea who originally posted this (and I hope to goodness that Eric Parsons is not someone who I fundamentally disagree with on everything else), but how true a statement!
On NPR yesterday, they were discussing the terrible shooting in Wisconsin at the Sikh temple. Someone innocently asked "Do you think they (Sikhs) were incorrectly targeted because Sikhs wear turbans" (One can only suspect that "incorrectly targeted" translates to - in a PC way since this was NPR - "mistaken for a Muslim")
If the shooter had correctly identified his (perceived) target, would this make any more sense to anyone?
I will openly admit to my own shallow thinking: When I heard about the shooting, my first thought was 'oh no, not a Sikh temple! Didn't the shooter know enough about their religion to know they're peaceful people!'
Do you see why I completely resent that I thought like that?
First, WHY SHOULD ANY OF THAT MATTER? The problem should not be that he potentially targeted the 'wrong' religion, but that he felt the need to target - and kill - anyone at all! At their religious establishment, no less! Second, aren't all of the major religions - even those we don't agree with - peaceful at the core? I bet that most people would verbally agree that someone from any faith who resorts to violence in the name of their religion is radical and not representative of the religion as a whole. But, in our heads and quiet inner thoughts, I wish that we - myself included - would stop holding stereotypical judgements about which religions or churches are "peaceful" or "nice" or "radical" or "violent". I think it skews our perception about who is more or less undeserving when something tragic happens to them as a people.
I have some very good Sikh friends, which may be why this particular shooting impacted me like it did. However, I also have good friends who are Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, agnostic, "non-practicing" of whatever religion they were raised in, and, obviously, Christian. As a religious person, I hate that someone from any religion is purposefully targeted for their faith. I hate that those from a religion feel the need to target others because those others practice a different faith.
And I hate how, during a tragedy like this, we waste a lot of our time and energy asking the wrong damn questions.
I have no idea who originally posted this (and I hope to goodness that Eric Parsons is not someone who I fundamentally disagree with on everything else), but how true a statement!
On NPR yesterday, they were discussing the terrible shooting in Wisconsin at the Sikh temple. Someone innocently asked "Do you think they (Sikhs) were incorrectly targeted because Sikhs wear turbans" (One can only suspect that "incorrectly targeted" translates to - in a PC way since this was NPR - "mistaken for a Muslim")
If the shooter had correctly identified his (perceived) target, would this make any more sense to anyone?
I will openly admit to my own shallow thinking: When I heard about the shooting, my first thought was 'oh no, not a Sikh temple! Didn't the shooter know enough about their religion to know they're peaceful people!'
Do you see why I completely resent that I thought like that?
First, WHY SHOULD ANY OF THAT MATTER? The problem should not be that he potentially targeted the 'wrong' religion, but that he felt the need to target - and kill - anyone at all! At their religious establishment, no less! Second, aren't all of the major religions - even those we don't agree with - peaceful at the core? I bet that most people would verbally agree that someone from any faith who resorts to violence in the name of their religion is radical and not representative of the religion as a whole. But, in our heads and quiet inner thoughts, I wish that we - myself included - would stop holding stereotypical judgements about which religions or churches are "peaceful" or "nice" or "radical" or "violent". I think it skews our perception about who is more or less undeserving when something tragic happens to them as a people.
I have some very good Sikh friends, which may be why this particular shooting impacted me like it did. However, I also have good friends who are Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, agnostic, "non-practicing" of whatever religion they were raised in, and, obviously, Christian. As a religious person, I hate that someone from any religion is purposefully targeted for their faith. I hate that those from a religion feel the need to target others because those others practice a different faith.
And I hate how, during a tragedy like this, we waste a lot of our time and energy asking the wrong damn questions.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Dinner for the Birthday Boys!
This Friday night, we finally got around to celebrating Ben and Calvin's July birthdays. Last year, we celebrated with homemade peach sherbet and sugar cookies. After Ben (politely) expressed "you know, I really don't like peach...or sherbet...or sugar cookies...but this is DELICIOUS!", I decided to let the birthday boys pick their b-day dinner menus from now on.
(Ben - You know I'm teasing you, honey.)
So, what did the guys request? Lots of my favorite things, too, so I had not trouble with this birthday menu: seafood chowder, chopped salad, rib-eyes, potato gratin in a rosemary crust, and molten lava cake. It was like carbs, carbs, some meat, and then chocolate carbs. PERFECTION.
If you are thinking "hum...some of those menu items sounds familiar", you would be correct. I'm sure I've blogged about them before! The chowder is a Sasser staple during my holiday dinner parties, as it's hearty AND healthy. No - SERIOUSLY - creamy, rich, delicious...but without any cream or any butter. I love serving this as a starter so I don't feel as bad about loading up on the saturated fat during the second and third courses.
(The recipe comes from the December 2009 Cuisine at Home magazine. They keep their recipes under lock & key and don't publish online, so, unfortunately, I cannot share. BUT, if you're a cook who is looking for a new magazine to take, I highly recommend it. Their cookbooks are also fabulous.)
Kellee took care of the chopped salad and it was also delicious. She was even sweet enough to make a salad sans dressing for mypicky husband. I love friends who know you well enough to cook along side you in your kitchen, taking into account your own family's eating habits.
James took care of the rib-eyes on the Green Egg and they, of course, turned out wonderfully. So glad I have a hubby who can grill, because nothing beats a homemade steak. Especially when you try to cut it with the bread knife....
The potato gratin was also a big hit, but that's not saying much: when the ingredients are pie dough, gruyere cheese, potatoes, and cream, you actually have to try to screw it up...
This recipe came from one of my annual Southern Living cookbooks (I think 2010). In case you haven't amassed a collection of those babies like me, I can share the online link. Southern Living, it seems, is not as stingy with their recipes: Potato Gratin with a Rosemary Crust
After that meal, everyone was pretty stuffed - as in, Thanksgiving-like stuffed. (The boys even referenced Thanksgiving as they headed to the couch to watch Track & Field and "left the clean up to the girls".) But I had promised molten lava cake and I wasn't going to disappoint!
Confession: I had actually never made these until that night, and as a rule I try to never experiment on company with a new recipe. Or, I at least have a back-up cake from Publix. But I had found a recipe on my go-to "America's Test Kitchen" website and felt confident I could do it. Especially when I had my trusty side-kicks. Who turned the act of buttering/flouring ramekins into a dance party.
It was a success, y'all - 5 out of 6 cakes came out of the ramekins exactly like they should have! Cake on the outside, and warm, gooey cake batter on the inside. (Kellee was sweet enough to take one for the team, and ate the ugly one.)
Happy Birthday, Ben and Calvin! Glad we got to celebrate with some of the crew (and missed those from the crowd who couldn't be with us!)
(P.S. Unlike the food, the pictures were not my best camera work that evening. Blame it on poor use of my ISO and refusal to use a flash. I KNOW, I KNOW, I am working on it!!)
(Ben - You know I'm teasing you, honey.)
So, what did the guys request? Lots of my favorite things, too, so I had not trouble with this birthday menu: seafood chowder, chopped salad, rib-eyes, potato gratin in a rosemary crust, and molten lava cake. It was like carbs, carbs, some meat, and then chocolate carbs. PERFECTION.
If you are thinking "hum...some of those menu items sounds familiar", you would be correct. I'm sure I've blogged about them before! The chowder is a Sasser staple during my holiday dinner parties, as it's hearty AND healthy. No - SERIOUSLY - creamy, rich, delicious...but without any cream or any butter. I love serving this as a starter so I don't feel as bad about loading up on the saturated fat during the second and third courses.
(The recipe comes from the December 2009 Cuisine at Home magazine. They keep their recipes under lock & key and don't publish online, so, unfortunately, I cannot share. BUT, if you're a cook who is looking for a new magazine to take, I highly recommend it. Their cookbooks are also fabulous.)
Kellee took care of the chopped salad and it was also delicious. She was even sweet enough to make a salad sans dressing for my
James took care of the rib-eyes on the Green Egg and they, of course, turned out wonderfully. So glad I have a hubby who can grill, because nothing beats a homemade steak. Especially when you try to cut it with the bread knife....
The potato gratin was also a big hit, but that's not saying much: when the ingredients are pie dough, gruyere cheese, potatoes, and cream, you actually have to try to screw it up...
This recipe came from one of my annual Southern Living cookbooks (I think 2010). In case you haven't amassed a collection of those babies like me, I can share the online link. Southern Living, it seems, is not as stingy with their recipes: Potato Gratin with a Rosemary Crust
After that meal, everyone was pretty stuffed - as in, Thanksgiving-like stuffed. (The boys even referenced Thanksgiving as they headed to the couch to watch Track & Field and "left the clean up to the girls".) But I had promised molten lava cake and I wasn't going to disappoint!
Confession: I had actually never made these until that night, and as a rule I try to never experiment on company with a new recipe. Or, I at least have a back-up cake from Publix. But I had found a recipe on my go-to "America's Test Kitchen" website and felt confident I could do it. Especially when I had my trusty side-kicks. Who turned the act of buttering/flouring ramekins into a dance party.
It was a success, y'all - 5 out of 6 cakes came out of the ramekins exactly like they should have! Cake on the outside, and warm, gooey cake batter on the inside. (Kellee was sweet enough to take one for the team, and ate the ugly one.)
Happy Birthday, Ben and Calvin! Glad we got to celebrate with some of the crew (and missed those from the crowd who couldn't be with us!)
 |
| Ben and Calvin |
 |
| The Murphy's |
 |
| The Sassers |
(P.S. Unlike the food, the pictures were not my best camera work that evening. Blame it on poor use of my ISO and refusal to use a flash. I KNOW, I KNOW, I am working on it!!)
Thursday, August 2, 2012
New Blog Layout (Coming NEVER)
I am reeeeeeeaaaaaaally jonesing for a new blog layout. We’ve had the lovely purplish- blue background since the blog’s inception (June
2010) and it’s time for something different!
Plus, it lacks a lot of features that I’d like to add, such as tabs, stalker
buttons, pictures, etc. (Now, I
could probably figure out how to add those to this one, but seeing as I struggle with updating the sidebar text there is very little hope for that.)
You would think it's a fairly easy process to update
the layout, but you would be WRONG. It isn’t. (Read:
don’t expect to check the blog tomorrow and view beautiful new colors.)
First, I make no pretensions that I will be creating the new
template myself. See above – changing sidebar text is like Blogger 101, and I find it difficult. I’m a DIYer in
many parts of my life, but definitely not this one. I am currently searching for a pre-made
template to buy, wasting lots of my precious free time
on Etsy. (Because I’ve self-imposed a
$30 limit for the new layout, I will most likely have to install it myself. Yuck.)
Second, James and I have completely different tastes when it
comes to the blog. Because this truly is
a “Sasser Family” effort (where I am the on-the-ground journalist/photographer
and James is editor-in-chief with complete editorial rights), I want to try and take him into account when
selecting a layout. You would think this
just limits the obviously “girly” templates (e.g. lots of pink, leopard
print, women’s stilettos, the word “DIVA” in the border, etc), but, with my
sweet hubby, anything more than pale shades of grey with Ariel font he considers questionable. J Okay, I tease a bit, but, seriously! Layouts I think are “plain” he thinks are
“loud”, and layouts he thinks are “nice” I think are “boooooooooooooring”.
Hum…I’m looking at all the above factors, and really it
could be YEARS until we see any changes on You’ve been Sassed. Stay tuned.
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