This & That Thursday

This & That Thursday posts are meant for talking about a little bit of this and a little bit of that! Happy (almost) Friday!!

This week: This week I am enjoying one last week of fall/ Thanksgiving decor before I start decorating for Christmas this weekend!!

Looking forward to: My family is taking a trip to Gatlinburg soon and I’m so looking forward to it! I haven’t been there in years, plus I love big family trips with these people!

Currently dreading: Those last few grad school assignments before the semester ends are what I’m currently dreading. HA!

Reminiscing on: Tuesday of this week marked 5 years since Harry and I started dating! We have been reminiscing over all of the things we have been through together and let me tell you, it has been the best 5 years, EVER! He really is my best friend in the world!

This picture was FIVE years ago, we were babies:

Watching/ Reading: Who else was blown away by Carrie Underwood’s performance on the CMA awards last night? I love the tribute that they made for the victims of Las Vegas! It was so beautiful!

CARRIE UNDERWOOD

I’m also reading a new book- Balancing it All by Candace Cameron Bure! I just started it a few days ago and I’m loving it!

Listening to: Clearly, I listen to a lot of country music anyway but especially after last night. Miranda Lambert said it best on stage, “country music is winning right now!” I think that is because they pray together, care for each other, and they keep what is most important at the center of all things which is Jesus and love. If the rest of the world could do this, it would be a great place to live!

What’s on the menu: I talk about Mix and Match Mama Recipes a lot because I have a couple of her cookbooks and I love them! Last night was rainy and cold so I made her Beef and Veggie Pasta with cornbread. It turned out so yummy! Recipe is below:

Shopping List
1 pound of ground beef
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
salt and pepper
1 onion, chopped
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons mustard
about 2 teaspoons of garlic powder
1/2 a tablespoon of brown sugar
2 (8 oz) cans of tomato sauce
about three cups (a package or so) of frozen mixed vegetables (mine had corn and green beans in it)
1 pound of pasta (I used elbow noodles), cooked to al dente
Grated Parmesan cheese to garnish

In a large pot over medium-high heat, brown up your ground beef in a tablespoon or so of EVOO. Once it’s browned and crumbly, stir in a big pinch of salt and pepper followed by the chopped onion. Saute about five minutes or until the onion is tender and then stir in your Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic powder, brown sugar and tomato sauce. Bring this mixture to a bubble and then reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in your frozen veggies. Allow the sauce to simmer together about 10 minutes before stirring in your cooked pasta. Stir everything together and then serve with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan.

That’s it!

I’m loving: Southern Charm Boutique is supporting a great cause! They are selling, “re-purposed for a purpose” shirts that have been refashioned into a stylish off the shoulder top for ladies! The best part is, that this company gives these jobs of re-purposing to women who are homeless or in tough situations! So awesome and I’m loving it!!

Weekend Vibes: Christmas is coming!!!! I feel liked Buddy the Elf because I’m so excited to decorate for Christmas this weekend!! Sunday is the day and I can’t wait!!