Blissful on the Bayou: January 2012

January 28, 2012

CHILI COOK-OFF

A very nice family from our Bible study, Sonny & Jamie Mitchell, hosted a chili cook-off today benefiting children with congenital heart defects. Their son Cash was born with a heart defect so they know personally how important it is to bring hope and happiness to the children and families impacted. J and I have quite a few medical bills from when I broke my leg and the physical therapy appointments afterwards. It is nothing compared to the financial burden some these families experience.

J entered some chili in the cook-off. He found a recipe online that had two hundred ingredients... okay, I'm exaggerating... it had like thirty but that's still a lot. So he started with the online recipe and then made a lot of substitutions and additions and ended up with what he called "Spicy Rocky Top Chili." Don't ask him to recreate it, he couldn't. And I know I'm bias, but it was delicious. He did a great job even though the chili didn't place. He'll get 'em next year.

Sonny & Jamie did a spectacular job organizing the event and we are thrilled so many people came out to support such a wonderful cause!

01/28/12 - Cash, Sonny, & Jamie

01/28/12 - J & Matt with their yummy chilis

01/28/12 - Elise approves :)

01/28/12 - Jenna & Joe came too!

January 13, 2012

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

I wanted to share that two of our very dear friends both got engaged on Christmas day and we couldn't be more excited for them. Congratulations to the future brides and grooms! Let the planning and partying begin...

Lisa & Adam and Kristina & Zachary

May 2009 - Lisa & Adam

May 2009 - Lisa, Adam, & Kristina

July 2011 - Kristina & Zachary

40 DEGREES

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! I'm chilly will rocks today! Although the NOLA temps are not nearly as cold as the 19 degree snowy weather my parents have in Chicago right now. On days like this, I love to look back at old beach pics from various vacations J and I have taken. I thought I'd share a few to warm you up :)

Destin, Florida

2006 - Benjamin & Alisha's Wedding

Destin, Florida

2006 - Benjamin & Alisha's Wedding

Pensacola, Florida

2009 - Trip to visit my brother Kyle

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

2009 - Honeymoon

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

2009 - Honeymoon

Cozumel, Mexico

2010 - Cruise with J's parents

Simi Valley, California

2011 - Christmas & New Year's with my family

The second to last picture always makes me laugh. Look at our expressions! The snorkeling masks were sooooo tight. J kept diving down to the ocean floor while we were snorkeling to get me some really cool shells. Like the big Pottery Barn shells that people pay $40 for and they aren't even real. Well, mine are real and they were free and I love them :) I have the shells displayed in a vintage gunpowder box in our family room. Every time I walk by them it reminds me of what a wonderful trip we had.

Hope the pictures brought you some sunshine! Remember to bundle up and stay warm today!

January 4, 2012

END OF 2011

J and I arrived home from Southern California this past weekend. We had an absolutely wonderful time and were sad the trip had to come to an end. It was such a special Christmas and New Year's Eve with my family. One we will never forget. We can't say enough how thankful and appreciative we are of the time we get so spend with them. With Kyle (Navy) currently in Japan and Benjamin (Army) and Alisha leaving for Hawaii in a few months, holidays like these will be harder to come by. The constant blue skies, sunshine, and 72 degree weather was an added bonus. Here are photographs from our trip...