Sneak Peek...

The blog is almost done being updated thanks to Oh So Spoiled! The preview looked adorable and I can't wait to have it up and running. Here is a little sneak peek...

Vision of Summer Dance Through My Head...

This weekend was another good one. Josh ended up having to work late on Friday night, like 2 am late, so I took that time to straighten up the house and get a head start on the weekend school work that needed to be done. Yes, I graded papers on a Friday night....loser, don't worry, I know.

Saturday however felt just like a nice summer day. I got up and MADE myself go workout. The last couple of weeks have been so busy after school and I haven't made it to the gym as much as I would have liked, so a Saturday workout was a MUST. After I nice workout, the rest of the afternoon was spent at Club Savage...aka my parents swimming pool. While the water was a little too chilly go take a dip, the sun was perfect to start on my tan. I learned my lesson from last Spring and wore sunscreen so I would not fry my virgin winter skin. As superficial as it sounds, it feels really nice to have some color on my body. I just feel better with a nice tan. Saturday night we met some friends at Gervais and Vine for a nice dinner followed by dessert at Nonnah's. The Peanut Butter Pie was YUM-O! Good times with good people. Saturday made me yearn for summer days when the only thing I have to decided on what time I'm going to start my day with the gym and if I'm going to visit the Club or not. Soon, very soon....that is what I keep telling myself.

Today has been a typical Sunday...church, get ready for another week at school, grocery, straighten up...

I can officially say "Happy Spring" as today marks the first day of spring on the calendar!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I love St. Patrick's Day! I don't have a particular reason...maybe it's because it's a no gift kind of holiday, so there is no stress on finding the right gift. Or maybe it's because in my younger years (aka college years) we had loads-o-fun celebrating the luck of the Irish. Not sure, but I sure do love it.

It's hard to believe it has been eleven years since I was in Ireland during St. Patrick's Day. I'm for sure getting old. I was very, very fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to Ireland and participate in the original St. Patrick's Day Parade with my high school dance team. It was so much fun and a once in a lifetime opportunity. I would humor you with some old pictures, but they are at my parent's house in the "stuff that belongs to Ashlee but she has no room for it" pile....darn :) I would love to go back as an adult now and visit again. Good food, beautiful landscapes, interesting people...there is so much to do and see.

I don't have any particular plans this year, just enjoying the day. How boring, I know. I hope everyone stayed pinch free today...Green is good!

Tuesday Tidbits

Nothing too exciting going on, but here are a few things happening and on my mind...

1. Pink Lemonade Layer Cake...YUM! Okay, really, Paula's Best Dishes shouldn't be on during the 6:00 time slot....Genius on the part of Food Network...bad for the home viewer. Yesterday she made a Pink Lemonade Layer Cake and it looked delicious...perfect for spring and summer. And it's pink!

Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus more, for coating pans
1 (18 1/4-ounce) box white cake mix
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 tablespoons sweetened pink lemonade drink powder
1 pound confectioners' sugar
5 tablespoons frozen pink lemonade concentrate
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter 2 (8-inch) round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper or waxed paper.

Prepare the cake batter according to the package directions. To the batter, stir in the lemon zest, vanilla, and pink lemonade powder. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake until golden and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Carefully turn the cakes out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

While the cake is baking, prepare the frosting by beating together the confectioners' sugar and remaining 1 cup butter until fluffy. Beat in the remaining frosting ingredients until combined.

Transfer one cake to a cake stand or large platter. Using an offset spatula, spread the top of the cake with a layer of frosting. Place the second cake on top of the first. Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of both layers.

via Foodnetwork.com

I looked for a picture of it, but couldn't find one...guess I'll just have to make one :)

2. I survived taking another group of third graders to our State House. I love field trips, but hate organizing them. I was in charge this year and quickly remembered how much goes into planning it. Now granted, I got out easy. In April we are going to the Charleston Aquarium for the first time and my fabulous teammate is planning that one. It is much more involved and she is a trooper for being the first one out of the gate organizing it.

I digress...

The weather wasn't great, but the rain did hold off...thank goodness! The kids had wonderful behavior and represented our school very well. We had a very knowledgeable, interesting, and patient tour guide...she was one of the best we have ever had. One of our senators came to speak to our group, the senator and representative spoke to another group, and our third group even ran into the governor. That was a first. A good time was had by all!

3. We have nothing to eat in our house and I greatly dislike grocery shopping. I wish you could grocery shop online...and I'm sure somewhere on the world wide web you can. I enjoy the Publix, but I'm convinced I spend much more there than I would other more no enjoyable grocery stores. Unless I want to continue eating buttered noodles and cereal for dinner, I think I need to get myself to the store.

4. I bought a cute skirt for some fun upcoming spring events...I heart Just the Thing. I bought the top one in green and pink. I love the bow, but they did not have that version. When I bought it I didn't know it was named the "Ashley"...guess it was meant to be.

Emma Graham Designs

Weekend Wrap Up

Parties, Parties, Parties....

This weekend was full of celebrations for some of our favorites. Saturday night we drove to Spartanburg to celebrate Hal and Amanda's up coming wedding at a BBQ themed Gift Card Shower. It was so much fun catching up with everyone and talking about their fast approaching big day!

Me and the Bride

This afternoon we went to Josh's (and my soon to be) nieces 2nd birthday party. We had a great time visiting with everyone, eating some good hamburgers, and enjoying this yummy cake.

Me and the birthday girl...I don't think she was wanting to take a picture with me at this particular moment...she had her eye on some grapes.

Okay, I couldn't resist. She had some paper stuck to her and it was too funny.

Ahh, Another weekend that went by too fast and another week is about the begin. I suppose I should go grade those papers I need to send home on Tuesday....here's to another busy week.


Happy Sunday!

365 and Counting...

I'm this happy and excited today...why? Because this time next year I will be a MRS! I will be officially married this time next year.

The past 4 months have flown by and we already have a lot of the big things planned thanks to my on-the-ball mom.

Church...check

Reception Venue...check

Dress....check

Bridesmaids Dresses Picked Out...check

Guys Suit Bought...check

Photographer...check

Colors Decided On...check

Wedding Website Up and Running...check

Florist Reserved...check

and even Cocktail napkins bought...check

I know, napkins, right? I told my mom the same thing, but apparently she got a really, really good deal on them...and budget it a must. I'm sure this summer we will knock out a lot more while we are not in school and have time to think and run around during normal business hours.

I can't wait for our big day! I once thought that it was not in God's plan for me to find someone, and just when I started being patient and put my faith in his plan, I met Josh. God is so good! I could write a million things I love about J, but at the end of the day it just comes down to I love him and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him! I love you Joshua David :)

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm really tired and in a mood....but in an effort to stay positive, I thought I would participate in a little Wednesday love.

I'm loving that we have a weekend full of parties coming up.

First its off to celebrate Amanda and Hal's upcoming wedding...

Then to celebrate this cutie pie's 2nd birthday!

I'm loving that we are planning to go to Carolina Cup this year. I haven't been in years and it's sure to be a great time. Now the question is what to wear? Any thoughts?

I'm loving that "the blog" is getting a make-over soon! I'm working with Oh So Spoiled and as soon as I decided on my package she will take my order. Woohoo!

But, most of all, I'm LOVING that in one year and one day I will be getting MARRIED!

Happy Wednesday!

Our Alma Mater, Great and True

Last night my high school alma mater, Irmo High, won the boys basketball state championship. Go Irmo! While high school wasn't the greatest time of time for me, it was absolutely horrible either, and it definitly helped me grow into the person I am today. My brother was also involved in the basketball program during his years at IHS, so I couldn't help but be excited for my alma mater and our lovely song came to my head...sung to no other than the tune of "O Christmas Tree."

"Our alma mater, great and true
Loyal praise we sing to you;
And to Thee, ever shall we stress
All our love and gratefulness.
We treasure dear, our school days there;
For Irmo High, we breath a prayer.
We'll ever call our memories back
Hail to our dear gold and black!"

Sniff, Sniff, Sneeze

I have been doing a lot of sneezing and sniffling lately. My body is welcoming Spring with a large load of allergies. Thank goodness for some Mucinex! Apparently last night I ran Josh to the couch with my heavy breathing/snoring. He said I sounded like Darth Vader...

I'm not familiar with these movies, so I really am not sure what sound this is, but it was enough for my breathing to be heard above the TV. Oops! I think I will be considerate tonight and take my Darth Vader self to the guest room.

Happy March!