Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas loves!

.the group on Christmas Eve.

.best gift ever. handmade.

 .windmills! from my heritage.

 .havent seen a present this big for me since I was a kid.... it was a glorious body pillow! YES!!.

 .my connisseur.

 .my "old man".

.everybody gets presents!.

.the trail of destruction - done by Charlie.

.pandora!.

.Merry Christmas from Chris, me, and BABY THERESA!!

Here's a link to our Family Christmas Video: Christmas 2012. ((dont mind my hesterical laughing - this was the up-teenth take & my nerves about had it LOL))

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uPnIQb1rY 

xo, 



Annual Markford Halloween Party 2012!

.peacock.paulryan.mittromney.??.vampire.vampireslayer.firefighter.pirate.armygirl.armyboy.

.ladies.

.husband & i.

.fake paul ryan & fake mitt romney.

.real paul ryan & real mitt romney. (they couldnt attend)

.the skeleton dance - disney circa 1920s.  

.homemade taco dip & hand cup tortilla chips.

.ice cubes - thanks pinterest :)

xo,

137th Kentucky Derby *photo heavy*

**----THE 1ST ANNUAL MARKFORD DERBY PARTY----**

.derby ATC. 

supplies: all paper is Bazzill, banner is copy paper & pin is by Maya Road, black ink by Inkadinkado.

.MINT JULEP CUPCAKES.

these will now become a tradition!! they were so moist, yummy, and sweet :D

 .the batter.

I poured the mix into foil liners, as to resemble the julep cup. 

.ingredients.

Original recipe found HERE. 

My adaptations: I used Vanilla Cake Mix as a base instead of making it from scratch. Also, no bourbon in the cupcake. I did put about 2 tablespoons of bourbon in store bought Vanilla Icing & let it set overnight before I decorated them. 

 .BROWNIE BOURBON BALLS.

.I would definitely make these again - but they were more fudge-y than brownie. 

.rollin, rollin, rollin.

.hard at work.

Original Recipe found HERE.

My adaptations: I did not use an egg substitute - I used real egg. Chris rolled a 1/3 with powdered sugar, no almonds. A 1/3 with almonds, no powdered sugar. A 1/3 with both. I recommend using nuts - it does balance out the richness of the bite size ball. 

 .THE SPREAD.

lemon jello cake, pasta salad, rolls, chocolate covered strawberries, julep cupcakes, bourbon balls. (lunch meat not out yet - the doggies would have gotten too excited,  hehehe)

 .AND THEY'RE OFF!!.

.ALL THOSE IN ATTENDANCE - derby hats required.

xo,

Happy Birthday! {TO ME}

Yesterday I turned 26. It was my first birthday away from home (3000 miles away - but we Skyped!!) but it was still a wonderfully celebrated day.

 .sister-in-law & I enjoying a lunch break @ Ruby Tuesday's.

best. drink. ever. = pineapple, coconut, orange, cranberry goodness

 .trying to sneak food.

peppercorn pork with green beans & sweet potato!! :)

 .lemon cake  - my favorite!!.

is it bad that I took a photo of the cake before I considered making a wish??

xo,

NOLA

.frenglish.

.our hotel's balcony.

.still in recovery mode.

.st. louis cathedral.

.gluttony.

.the remnants of an Old Fashioned.

.Chris' hero: Chris McMillian.

.mint julep.

.new orleans classic: sazerac.

.our hotel.

.breakfast.

.beignets.

xo,