[Willow House]

Help me reach my goal of $250!

My sister-in-law,Cindy, sells Southern Living's Willow House! GREAT house decor!!  They are having an awesome spring sale right now. Online also has an outlet to shop from, as well as weekly deals! The catalog with stuff they have for spring is also online. They make great GIFTS for weddings, birthdays, or christmas! My Southern Living cookbooks are my favorite! Right now for every $39.96 you buy, you get one catalog item for 50% off....this INCLUDES the april saving's items!! Check it out and help me reach my goal!!

http://cindyhardy.willowhouse.com/Catalog

When you check out type in Tiffany Hardy for your host! Thanks!

[just because my mom loves me]

She surprised me with a visit!

I was not expecting her to come up on my weekend off since it is a lot for her to travel 6 and a half hours by herself. But she did because she missed her baby, and we had a fabulous weekend together!  I couldn't believe I hadn't seen my parents since January. That's the longest I have gone without seeing them (Jeff if you are reading this, your trip is long overdue!!!) Work and puppies have had me so occupied, I haven't been able to travel to the coast. The babies were so excited to meet her,and Ridge couldn't get enough of her.  He wanted to play with her every second he got. The puppies were so worn out after mom and wiggles visit that they went to bed Monday night at 8 vs 10.... 



Chocolate cupcakes w/buttercream I made for Casey's bday

 Saturday we went to lunch at a small cafe dowtown. They make their own bread and their grilled cheese is AMAZING! We had a 2 hour church service Sunday, and it was very pleasant and uplifting. Our theme for the month is family,and we had several men give a small devo on the importance of church family and what it means to them...I truly do not understand how people go without a support group of a church family. Sunday after church, we headed down to Joe Wheeler State Park and grilled out for Casey's birthday. My father in law and some of his friends provided the entertainment, and it was such a wonderful day to be outside and listen to some live music! Our low key weekend was exactly what I needed.



Me & Cindy (my sister-in-law)

 After a wonderful weekend, Tuesday morning we ended up having to bring the puppies to the vet before work. Ridge starting having a runny nose Monday night and ended up having an upper respiratory infection.  Poor puppy can barely breathe with his snotty nose, but it is not stopping him from running circles in our backyard and up and down our hallway.  So , after an antibiotic shot, steroid shot,and 7 day antibiotics, we are on the road to recovery (and an empty bank account). We are keeping our fingers crossed Jacks doesn't get it. We are working on leash training and sitting right now, and let's just say-so far Ridge has an A in listening, leash walking,and learning commands....and  on the other hand,  Jacks has an A in playing the whole time.



Jacks & Ridge

 On a side note, the newest book I am reading is "Heaven is for real." It gives me chills reading it, and it is so eye opening.....

Well, I think I have rambled enough.

[Molton Lava Cake]

I love easy quick recipes,especially ones I can throw in the crockpot. I tried this recipe this weekend,and it is sooo good!

Ingredients:

6 tablespoons baking cocoa, divided

1 3/4 cup brown sugar, divided 

1 cup all purpose flower

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup 2% milk

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1-3/4 cups boiling water

Vanilla ice cream

Directions:

In a small bowl, combine 1 cup brown sugar, flour, 3 tblsp cocoa, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, combine milk, butter,and vanilla; stir into dry ingredients until combined. Spread evenly into a 5-qt. slow cooker coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.

In another small bowl, combine the remaining brown sugar and cocoa; stir in boiling water. Pour over batter (do not stir). Cover and cook on high for 1and 1/2-2 hours or until a toothpick inserted near the center of the cake comes out clean. Serve warm with ice cream. (I drizzled mine with caramel )

enjoy :)

[6 months of bliss]

"Ella J. Reese Photography"

Bliss. Saturday was mine and Ryan's 6 month wedding anniversary! Wow has 6 months flown by! We have heard over and over again how tough the first 6 months of marriage was, and honestly it has been splendid! Of course, there was an initial adjustment period to living with each other, but I think working 3-11 in the beginning really helped with the adjustment. So, in commemeration of our 6 month wedding anniversary, 6 things I love about my husband.

1. He is a man of God, and always tries to place God in the center of our marriage.
2. He will do anything to make me laugh..
3. He becomes such a softie when I cry. (especially if it's over a dead puppy in the road, and i am begging him to bury it.)
4. He brings me home flowers and a diet pepsi. Just because their my favorite.
5. On Saturdays I am off he takes care of puppies at 6am so I can sleep in.

6. He loves me, and always encourages me to make the most of myself.

Thank you for being such a wonderful husband and friend, I love you!

[weekend randomness]

To my few readers, sorry I have been MIA lately! Switching to dayshift and selling puppies has consumed my past 2 weeks! Day shift at the hospital is GLORIOUS! I absolutely love having peaceful mornings when I come in and having time to gather my thoughts and see my patients, vs coming to chaos and spending your whole evening playing catch up. I am here to tell you 3-11 is the worst shift ever created! I feel like I still have a life and my life is not just consumed with work now that I am on days! 

Ryan and I had a busy weekend this past weekend. Saturday we went to Birmingham for our favorite 2 year olds birthday party. Little Miss Sarah had a Curious George themed birthday party. She is such a mess! I am so glad we were able to go and see Sarah. Lee and Leah claim we only come to Birmingham to see Sarah and not them. I can't totally deny it :)

Since we were going to Birmingham for Sarah's party, we also brought Little Miss Gullah to her new home. She was oh so excited to be there! And of course, I was an emotional basketcase leaving her. She has great new parents and I know she will be more than spoiled by Elizabeth & Caleb.

Sunday we went to Sewanee to bring Fat Girl to Ms. Nancy(who is our stud dog's owner). Nancy's dog Isabelle also had a litter of puppies 10 days after Maddie and it was fun getting to see them. They all seemed so tiny compared to our fatties. Right now we are keeping Jacks & our other male (whom for now we are calling "Ridge"). We aren't able to register Ridge since he has a small patch of white on his neck. Boykin Spaniel regulations are it can only be on their chest, and not their neck-which is crazy considering the breed has white in them-but I won't go on my rant with that. We had several families want him then change their mind because they decided they wanted a registerable boykin spaniel so they could do field trials & such. So if anyone knows of a very active family or one who hunts-we still have one cute, well tempered, great puppy! Ridge & Jacks are doing great potty training and so far today has been the first day with no accidents inside. I am one proud momma! 

"Ridge"



"Jacks"



Ryan went to Auburn today for his EMBA interview. Praying for a great opportunity for him and his career.