Tomato Pie

What good southern bird doesn't love tomatoes?? One of my favorite snacks is a tomato sandwich, mm mm mm! When David's aunt made us this delicious snack when we were visiting, I knew I had to have the recipe. Beware: it's totally addicting.

4 tomatoes peeled and sliced

10 fresh basil leaves, chopped

1/2 cup chopped green onion

1 (9-inch) prebaked deep dish pie shell 

1 cup grated mozarella cheese 

1 cup grated cheddar cheese 

1 cup mayo

salt and pepper

bacon crumbles, optional 

Preheat oven to 350.

Layer tomato slices, basil, and onion in pie shell.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Mix grated cheese, mayo, and bacon crumbles.

Spread on top of tomatoes.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Enjoy! 

Top 10 Reasons...I'm Ready For Fall

Now, I realize I fussed to no end about the cold weather, but I'm over the heat. Good heavens, I am over the heat! Don't get me wrong, I'm not ready for winter but I am ready for a change. Here is a list of reasons I am ready for fall:

10. Jeans and boots! I love getting out my comfiest pair of jeans and boots.

9. Leaves. There is not much better than crunching the leaves on a long walk.

8. North Carolina State Fair. Who doesn't love a good pig-out sesh while watching the tractor races? Some of my personal faves are: fried oreos, turkey legs, fried cheescake, funnel cakes-yum!

7. Turkey Day! Family, friends, food, and football? There's not much better than that list!

6. Cooler weather. I'm ready for a quick cool down without the arctic. I would adore the opportunity to not sweat the moment I step outside.

5. Carolina Renaissance Festival. This is one of my favorite parts of fall. Picture the State Fair during the 16th Century. All sorts of cuckoos come out dressed in their royal garb with their English accents ready for a good time. If you're near Charlotte October-November, make it a point to go!

4. School.  I know this sounds crazy, but I kinda miss it. I miss the routine. I miss the kids. I miss my coworkers. I'm ready to get back in the swing of things!

3. Yard work with the hubby. This will probably wear off pretty quickly, but I'm excited to spend Saturdays working outside with my love.

2. New things at church. We're kick starting the kid's ministry AND the Community Group's ministry-whoot whoot! I'm excited to see where God takes Hope Church!

1. Football!! I am so ready to spend Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sunday afternoons watching the boys run around after that pigskin.

What are you looking forward to this fall??

Knee Deep

Knee deep in the water somewhere
Got the blue sky breeze blowing wind through my hair
Only worry in the world is the tide gonna reach my chair
Sunrise there's a fire in the sky
Never been so happy
Never felt so high
And I think I might have found me my own kind of paradise

-Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffett

First of all, my apologies for being MIA most of last week. Davido was home for the week and I wanted to spend as many possible moments as I could with him. Then, on Wednesday we hit the road and drove until the map turned blue. David's aunt and uncle have a place in Ocean Isle Beach and were kind enough to open their home to us for a few days. 

We arrived late Wednesday evening after a pretty short trip from Charlotte. The best part of the car ride? Getting the call from one of my very best friends that she is engaged!! We are so excited to share in this joyous occasion with Kelsey and Casey! 

The next morning we hit the beach with David's Aunt Debbie and cousin Cameron. True story, David is a big kid, one of the many reasons I adore this man. Too bad my big kid would much rather spend the day playing on the beach while I prefer to stick my toes in the sand and lose myself in a good book. Usually we compromise and spend time doing each other's favorite activities, but thanks to Cameron we both got enjoy our favorite parts of the beach-victory! A few hours out in the sunshine and my poor hubs was toasted. They headed back in while I spent another hour catching up on celebrity news and my tan. Bliss. 

That evening Debbie showcased her phenomenal cooking skills with a delicious beach supper of coconut shrimp (recipe to come here!), tomato pie (recipe to come here!), butter beans, and corn on the cob. After a day spent in the sunshine, we were ravenous and this certainly hit the spot! Let me tell ya, this sweet woman knows how to cook. I cannot tell you how many times I told her she needed to open a restaurant. I'll be the first in line when she does!

Unfortunately Hurricane Emily graced us with her presence on Friday. Downpours led me and Debbie to the local nail salon for a mani/pedi. Life is rough. It was the perfect treat for my tired feet. We then met David, his Uncle Jon, and Cameron at a local restaurant for lunch. If you ever head to OIB, take the time to eat at Sharky's. I promise you will not be disappointed! Even as big of eaters as David and I are, we split the Seafood Bog plate and couldn't finish it. Lots of delicious food!

Emily scooted away long enough on Saturday for us to hit the beach for a few more hours. We sprayed and lathered the sunscreen on David until he resembled Casper, and luckily it did its job. Poor kid just can't seem to keep the burn away! After a few more hours soaking up the rays we plugged in the iPod and set the cruise control back home. It was hard to say good bye after such a perfect weekend, but Debbie's open invitation to come back any time made it a bit easier. A few pictures from our weekend in paradise:

 Cam, Debbie, and David playing in the waves

 My handsome hubs pre-burn

 No better way to hydrate than with Sunkist, right?

Water creeping up on me

Wordless Wednesday [08.03]

Things Kids Say

I love hanging out with little kids and hearing all the silly things they say. The best part? They don't even realize how funny they truly are! Here are some of the things the sweet boys have come up with this week:

Can we got to Old McDonald's for ice cream? (translation: they wanted to go to McDonalds)
Did you see that eighteen-four wheeler? (translation: he saw an eighteen wheeler down the street)
I think he needs an aid-band. (translation: he needs a band-aid)
I love the Chicka! (translation: I love Chick-fil-A)

Needless to say, life is never boring when hanging out with kids:-)

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

(Matthew 18:2-6 ESV)