Househunting

I hate that you have to jump through hoops in order to get anything accomplished. Steven and I are in the market to buy a house, but it seems like there are a thousand different steps one must take in order to obtain said house. Steven is always patient, but I like to get the ball rolling and keep it rolling as much as possible. I am meeting with a realtor in an hour, so hopefully she will shed some light on this whole house buying business. We are also going to look around at some potential houses that I have found online. This is a huge decision, and Steven and I do not like to be decision makers. I'm just praying for a little discernment in this matter. I will let you know how it goes today.

P.S. For anyone who was wondering about the peach cake that exploded a few weeks ago...a lady at our church made one using the exact same recipe and it turned out beautifully and tasted delicious! Maybe I will try my hand at it again next week.

a short list of why I love my husband so much

1. He loves the Lord, and desires to be a good Christian man.

2. He is patient, laid-back, and relaxed.

3. He's going to kill me for this, but he lets me read Nicholas Sparks books to him in the car while on road trips.

4. He is a team player and would do anything for anyone.

5. The poor thing eats anything I put in front of him (ever so slowly, mind you), and never complains.

6. He is the most loyal person I have ever known. When he loves you, he REALLY loves you.

7. He is rarely ever selfish, which is something I struggle with all the time. He would never make a purchase or a decision based on his own desires.

8. He will watch a chick flick with me on a Friday night and not complain.

9. He is a hard worker, and is very goal oriented.

10. He is a country boy, which I've come to recognize as the best kind :)

So you see ladies and gentlemen, I have become one very spoiled lady. Love you, Junior.

Unsung Heroes

There is no way I will ever be able to thank all of you who helped with both Whitney and Betsy's wedding enough. The fact that you are willing to go above and beyond means the world to us, and I want you all to know that if you ever need anything, I will be there to help you in return, not just because you deserve it, but because I love you.

First and foremost I want to thank my Aunt Sherry who has been ready and available to help in every way imaginable for not only my wedding, but Whitney and Betsy's as well. She is an amazing person and has a true spiritual gift for service. She has a beautiful smile that warms the heart of everyone who comes in contact with her, and she is always ready for a good laugh, which is what I think I love most about her. Aunt Sherry, we couldn't have done any of this without you. You mean the world to me, and I hope to be even more like you in the future. I love you!
Liz, what can I say? You are such a great person and friend. We don't deserve you, we really don't. You have taken a lot of time out of your own life to help pull these weddings off, and it didn't go unnoticed. You have been there from early in the morning to late at night usually making everyone around you laugh hysterically. We appreciate all your help!

To all the boys: Uncle Gary, Taylor, Kolby, Kody, Steven, Chris, Caleb, and Jonathan
Thank you all so much for all of the manual labor you did in the heat so that my sisters would be able to have beautiful weddings. I know that you all had to grit your teeth at times and hold your tougue because it must have seemed silly to do all of that work for one day. I want you to know that because of you, Betsy and Whitney's wedding days were beautiful.

To all the girls who helped: Patches, Kasey, Kesha, Leah, Mary Catherine, Mandy, Kristin, Katie, Tara, and all the rest of the bridesmaids
Thank you for being there. Thank you for being willing to serve. Thank you for standing by Betsy and Whitney on the most special day of their lives. It meant so much.

To anyone who I for got to mention, please know that your contributions did not go unnoticed. Everything that was done to prepare for these two special days was greatly appreciated. We love you all so much for all you do!

Betsy & Michael's Wedding

Last Monday, I left for home bright and early in the morning because it takes 12 hours to make the drive. The whole way home I couldn't stop thinking about all the things that needed to be done before Saturday, and frankly I started to panic a little. I have this strong, uncontrollable desire for everything to be perfect, especially on a wedding day. While driving, the Lord gave me a word, which says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Phillipians4:6). Thoughout the rest of the week, this became my mantra, and honestly, it worked. Although there were times when we were rushing around and running errands, my heart was always at ease. For me, that's saying something. The wedding was beautiful and Betsy was a gorgeous bride. If you're interested, here are a few details about my week at home.

Tuesday through Thursday, Betsy and I shopped for items on the list of must-haves for the reception, and for a few items not on the list (sometimes you just need a new dress). We had a great time hanging out and driving around, although I now know more about Decatur and Florence, Alabama than I ever cared to know. On Thursday night, Steven's plane landed in Huntsville at around 11:00, so Whitney and Chris drove with me to the airport to pick him up. I feel as though it is my job to thoroughly embarrass him as much as possible, so I found a piece of neon pink cardboard paper and made a welcome home sign. The funny thing was there were only like 15 people at the airport waiting to pick up passengers, but when Steven walked out of the tunnel, Whitney, Chris, and I were waiting poster in hand. I started yelling, "Woohoo, you're home!" while the people around me stared with embarrassment (including Whit, Chris, and maybe even Steven). I say, let's live a little, people.

On Friday, Taylor, Chris, Steven, and Uncle Gary went to the church and loaded up all the chairs and tables. They delivered them to the Ceremony sight then picked up ferns and helped with all the manual labor that goes along with weddings (in 100 degree weather, no less). They were some of the unsung heroes of this event; however, there are many more, and I will get to them later on in this blog. While the boys were sweating off their breakfast, the girls met at Sweet Basil Cafe for the bridesmaids' luncheon thrown by Aunt Sherry, Kasey, and Liz. Everything was beautiful and delicious. Aunt Sherry made these little caramel pie shooters that would knock your socks off, and she bought a trinket cake, which is always a lot of fun. It was great to see all of the bridesmaids who are now scattered off to all sorts of places. Sallie flew in from Jacksonville, Florida; Lauren flew in from Washington, D.C.; Phylicia drove down from Durham, North Carolina; Whitney drove up from Tuscaloosa; and Shannon came up from Auburn (but she is moving to Austrailia in 1 week). We had a great time catching up with each other, passing little Sally around, and laughing about old times. Afterward, we checked the girls into the hotel and went home to get ready for the rehearsal.

The bridal party met at Riverside Cottage for the ceremony rehearsal Friday afternoon at 5:00. Although we all said things like, "Oh, it's gonna be fine. It's really not all that hot in the shade," the sweat on people's brows told a different story. After ceremony practice, we loaded up the cars and headed to the Marriot for dinner. It was wonderful. Michael and Betsy are sort of a foodies, so they had been very excited about all the awesome dishes the venue had prepared. We had shrimp and grits, salad, fruit, chicken, roast beef, sauteed veggies, rosemary potatoes, zucchini casserole, warm rolls, and the best sweet tea I've ever had. It had a hint of cinnamon and tasted like Christmas in a cup. After dinner, we watched the slide show and visited with all of our family and old Auburn friends who made the trip for Betsy and Michael's big day. Later that night after we all got back to the hotel, the bridesmaids threw a little surprise goodie party for Betsy. We had a great time just laughing and catching up, well, until the tablecloths. Oh those tablecloths...what a thorn in my side. If I never iron another huge tablecloth it will be too soon. I'm pretty sure my shoulders are still aching. I know what you're thinking, "It's just a few tablecloths. Stop complaining," but those things take forever. Needless to say we were up until around 2:00 ironing, but overall we had a fantastic time.

On wedding day, my Aunt Sherry and Liz got up and went to the cottage bright and early to get everything set up. They worked throughout the morning and into the afternoon making sure every single thing was absolutely perfect. My cousin Terry did all of the flower arrangements, which were all stunning to say the least. All of the work they did made Betsy's day both beautiful and very special for her and our family. While they were working the boys were running errands and doing lots of manual labor at the site. It meant so much to me that Chris and Steven (newcomers to the McCulloch arena) were so willing to help with anything that needed to get done. Taylor has always been an all-star, and I owe him so much. Meanwhile back at the hotel, Stephanie came over and fixed all of our hair. She did an awesome job and is always fun to hang out with. Marie Mann Hughes, Whitney and Betsy's photographer and one of my closest friends from college, joined us to take lots of pictures. (She is so awesome, and if you need a photographer I will be glad to give you her number. She does some of the best, most artistic work I've ever seen. On top of that, she is one of the greatest and most calming people to have with you at a wedding. She makes every girl feel beautiful and makes every guy feel like a stud). After all of our hair and makeup was done, we headed to the Cottage for pictures.

Let me just tell you, the location of Betsy's wedding was gorgeous! The Riverside Cottage is located on a bluff overlooking the Tennesee River. The back yard is longer than a football field and perfect for an outdoor wedding. There was enough room for a huge outdoor tent which the band played under and the food was served from thoughout the reception. The ceremony was gorgeous, and the reception was a blast. The food was amazing and beautifully displayed, and the band was this awesome motown band from Nashville. We danced the night away even though it was like 100 degrees under the tent. I didn't even notice because I was having so much fun!

When Betsy and Michael left and everything was cleaned up, Steven and I headed home. It was hard to say goodbye to everyone because we probably won't be able to come back down again until Thanksgiving, but I know that Steven and I belong in NC for at least a few years. God has given us such a peace about our lives since moving here, although I know we are going to miss our families so much.

Congratulations Betsy and Michael Osborn on your marriage! I love you!

just a quick blog before I hit the road...

I am beyond excited to go home today. Although it is so wonderful here, I am totally obsessed with my family and love to be around them (as crazy as that sounds to some of you). When I go home, I know that laughter will be involved, and I love to laugh. However, during the whole wedding process, stress is also involved...That's okay, I believe laughter trumps stress any day of the week. I am really going to miss husband while I am gone, but he will be flying in on Thursday, so it's not too long of a seperation. I know he will be well fed and taken care of by the Asbury crew, so no worries. I can't wait to watch Bet walk down the isle on Saturday. She's going to be beautiful (trust me, I've seen the gown and know her hairstylist), but Betsy wouldn't even need the elegant gown, pretty makeup, or cute up-do to look great. She is a radiant person without any of those things! Can't wait to see everyone!

Love Overflowing

Before Steven and I moved to North Carolina, we prayed that God would allow us to eventually find a church and a few good friends to hang out with, but the Lord knows best. He provided us with a sort of pseudo-family here in the Asbury community of North Carolina.

Asbury is located just left of Perfection and is about 20 minutes from New Bern. It is one long country road of farms and houses. The people here do not put on airs, but are proud of all that God has blessed them with throughout the years. Most everyone on this road attends Asbury Methodist Church, which is conveniently located right in the center of the community. Life here revolves around faith, family, friends, and good food. They all love to get together to talk, go to the pool, or eat a big meal (usually fresh from somebody's garden). Since moving here, Steven and I have been invited to almost every gathering in the community, and I can't explain how it makes us feel to be treated like a family member.

I believe that there are all different types of families in the world. For me, I have my real family that live in Moulton and Opelika that I meet with for all holidays and who support me through everything. I love and miss them all more than they will ever know. Then, I have my Auburn family that have now all scattered off to a million different places. Our family reunions will consist of burgers, ladder ball, and shouts of "War Eagle!" from the sidelines. Next, I have my OHS family that I miss more and more every day. Over the past three years, the people there made me laugh so many times I can't count. I know that one day I will list the members of Asbury community as another family that touched my heart in so many ways.

another blog from the garden

Their is an abundance of eggplant growing in Bryan and Bridget's garden, so I have become a little more aquainted with this (often) castoff member of the squash family. I've tried a few differnt recipes that included eggplant, but nothing is better than the eggplant parmesan recipe I got from Mrs. Theo. She also grows eggplant in her garden, so she has made this for us a few times, and it never fails to be a crowd pleaser.

Ingredients:

4 large eggplant

all-purpose flour

olive oil

a can/jar of stewed tomatoes

large jar of speghetti sauce (if you make your own, then you are doing way better than me)

2 cups shredded mozzerella cheese

parmesan cheese (to sprinkle if desired)

Directions:
1. Peal each eggplant and lay flat on a paper towel.

2. Salt and pepper both sides of the eggplant and let sit for 10 minutes.

3. Lightly flour each side of the eggplant and brown in olive oil in a large frying pan (it doesn't ke a lot of oil, just enough to lightly brown). Set aside.

4. Drain the stewed diced tomatoes to the speghetti sauce in a seperate bowl and set aside.

5. After all the eggplant have cooked, begin layering in a 9x13 inch casserole dish starting with eggplant, speghetti sauce, mozzerela cheese, sprinkled parmesan cheese (optional). Repeat.

6. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Finished Product!

Thank you, Mrs. Theo, for the awesome recipe. It turned out great, and Steven loved it!

Prizes

Steven has wanted an Xbox 360 since they came out. He looks for deals online all the time, and dreamily stares through Gamestop's window when we're in the mall. Today, this was waiting for him on the coffee table. He lit up with excitement! He's playing it right now :)

Sweet Carolina Peaches

I had never eaten a fresh peach before moving to Asbury. I guess, I was always afraid of the fuzzy exterior. However, times they are a changin'. Bryan and Bridget have about six or seven peach trees on their property, and as Mr. Ray (Bryan's dad) says, "Ashley, it's us against them squirrels, and I aim for us to win." So, I have become totally obsessed with peaches!

First, I had to learn how to make peaches with syrup. Pretty simple...just add sugar and water.
Next, I made peach muffins, but Steven thought that they tasted too healthy, so we had to make them into mini funnel cakes. He took them to work. We will do anything to impress the boss ;)

Then, I made my first peach cobbler for our Tuesday night Bible study. Well, I guess it wasn't my first cobbler...I made one on Monday, but I left it in the oven the whole time we were downstairs having dinner. It was totally scorched, but my sweet husband had a few bites anyway. Trial and error, people.

My next peach attempt was for a lady in our church who is helping sponsor a bake sale for a child with special needs. I thought I would make a peach cake (Paula Dean recipe) to contribute. I spent a hour or so getting all of the ingredients prepared and mixed properly. After popping the cake in the oven, I sat down on the sofa to read a book. Tragedy can strike so quickly...ten minutes into baking time, the power went out. I kept thinking, "It's gotta come back on in a minute." Twenty-five minutes passed before the power returned. All the while, the cake I had spent so much time on sat partially cooked in the oven. I decided to reset the oven, and let the cake continue to bake like nothing had happened. When the timer went off, this is what I got out of the oven...

It looked beautiful, and I felt blessed. I let it cool for thirty minutes, and then turned it over out of the tube pan and onto my cake holder. That's when the explosion occurred. The top half had browned and looked completely done. I even put a toothpick through the top, and it seemed perfect. However, the bottom half was a gooey mess. I'm talking goo everywhere :( I wish I had taken a picture, but I was otherwise engaged at the moment. I plan on trying this again next week. I'll let you know how it goes...

Today, I made four large jars worth of Sweet Carolina Peach Jam. It was way easier than I thought it would be. You need to pick around 25 peaches, quarter them (peel on), and put them in a food processor. Then, add a quartered orange and lemon (peel on) and process them until the mixture is smooth. After processing, put the mixture into a large Dutch Oven and add EIGHT cups of sugar...you heard me EIGHT! Let the mixture come to a boil and then turn the heat down to low. You must stir it a lot in order for it not to stick. Below are a few pictures of the process and the finished product. Steven thought it tasted good, which is all that really mattered, right? Happy peaching!

July 4th Weekend

This extended weekend has been jam packed with things to do, which is such a blessing because I honestly don't have a lot to do while I am off for the summer. On Thursday night, Bridget planned a surprise birthday party for Bryan's (her husband) 50th birthday. He thought that we were going over to her friend Sherry's for dinner, but when we pulled up he saw all the people, balloons, and tables set up for his special day. Sherry's husband, Billy, is a big-time fisherman and loves to cook. Everything was delicious, and the weather was perfect for an outdoor party (here's hoping yours will be the same, Bets!).

Steven was off on Friday, so that morning we ran a few errands in town then went over to Ginger and Patrick's pool for a while. Bryan's actual birthday was on Friday, so we all went out to eat at Texas Roadhouse in Greenville for dinner.

On Saturday night, Steven and I went on a date. We decided to try a place called Annabelle's in New Bern. It was super delicious, and I was excited to sit and talk to Steven for a while on our own. After dinner, we decided to head over to Pier Point on the river in downtown New Bern because there was a Beach Band playing. We showed up too late to see a lot of the concert, but it was a lot of fun watching people dance, and the weather again was awesome. I was wearing jeans, and had to put on a light jacket. It was such a needed break from the sweltering heat we have had so far!

Yesterday was awesome! After church, Steven and I ate lunch then helped Bryan and Bridget set up for the big bar-b-que they were hosting and the massive fireworks show Bryan had put together. Apparently, Bryan has always been really interested in fireworks, and even joined a fireworks club a few year ago, so the 4th of July is his time to shine. While Steven was out in the hay field helping set up the explosives, I was helping all the ladies arrange tables and chairs for the big event. Over 100 people ate dinner at the Ipock's, and let me tell you, it was delicious! A few of the men marinated and grilled chickens, and the ladies brought over tons of sides. I made my momma's banana pudding that my daddy would say "makes yo tongue slap yo teeth out." After dinner, everyone got ready for the firworks show, and man was it amazing. It was by far the best firworks show I had ever seen. I mean, I've been to Point Mallard and some other big shows, but his were incredible, and we were close to them so the experience seemed even greater. After the show, everyone helped clean up and then sat out on the back deack and talked for a while. I had a great time and can only thank God for blessing Steven and I with such great people to live with. This holiday could have felt very lonely by ourselves in a new place, but I never once felt alone :)

God bless our country, troops, gulf coast, leaders, friends, and family!