Lucky Streak!?!?

Yes, I am one of those people who never win anything!! I think the last time I did, it was at a Young Ag Leadership Conference in Montana and I won a $100 gas card...this was the highlight of my life, until now! Ok, I'm exaggerating a bit, but I have won two fabulous prizes lately!

First, I got an email from Destination Maternity (which is the same company as Motherhood and Pea In A Pod) informing me about an Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail Giveaway, I usually never enter these kinds of things but this time it seemed so easy. I just had to go to Munchkin's facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/Munchkin) and leave a comment saying that Destination Maternity sent me...easy enough, I figured since they were giving away 20 diaper pails my chances would be really good. Turns out I was right!! Around 50 people commented and I was one of the lucky 20 winners!! SCORE!!

Well on the same day I found out that I had one the daiper pail, fellow blogger Crystal at http://crystalcattle.blogspot.com/ announced she was doing a giveaway as well! Like I said, I usually never enter these, but since I was on a winning high, I decided to give it a whirl! It helped that the prize was a $35 gift certificate to Purple Banner Designs http://purplebannerdesigns.blogspot.com/ which I happen to adore and have been meaning to order Merritt some from things from anyway! Soo guess what happened today?!?!?!
http://crystalcattle.blogspot.com/2011/11/and-winner-is.html I won!!!

I am soo excited to pick out a little steer onsie or blanket for our little babe! Be sure to check out Purple Banner Designs and follow Crystal http://crystalcattle.blogspot.com/! And if your in the vicinity, feel free to come and rub my tummy for luck!! ha!!

Christmas 2011!!!

Halloween is over, it is November and thus (for me) begins the Christmas Season!!! I don't have my tree up yet, but should have the Farmer talked into it by this weekend!! I do, however, have most of my holiday decor up in the living room and it is sooo cute!! Hobby Lobby put out a bunch of new pink and green things this year, so of course I grabbed them up when they went 50% off!! Can't wait to show yall the finished product! I also picked up our fabulous embroidered stockings today!! They are beyond cute!! But for now I'm just going to show you Merritt's Magic Elf Bucket! (See this post to learn more about the elves http://thefarmerandthesouthernbelle.blogspot.com/2010/12/elves-in-iowa-day-1.html )


I used my amazing Cricut to cut out the vinyl letters for his bucket....not sure if I am love or not?? maybe I should have used black so the name would stand out more?? Good news is, they will peel off so I can always change the color later!




I am also making a pink/green custom advent calendar!! Stay tuned :)

Make this!!

Pionner Woman's Corn Cheese Chowder!!!
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/10/corn-cheese-chowder/

It is SOOO good! and super easy, especially if you have a hubs that will chop all the veggies for you!! ;)

I pretty much followed the recipe with the exception of doubling the bacon. I am married to an Iowa farm boy, who thinks it's not a proper meal without meat!! This chowder is soo fabulous for a chilly fall day!! Love!

MMM mmm good!!!

I was dying to use my Candy Corn M&M's, so I made these yesterday......

http://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/new-recipes/ultimate-halloween-peanut-butter-oreo-brownie-bar.html

Ultimate Halloween Peanut Butter Oreo Brownie Bar...WOW!!! They are AMAZING!!! and so festive :) I would say, if you don't have the Candy Corn M&M's, use white chocolate chips instead....that's what they basically taste like anyway! We didn't have any ice cream, but I can see where it would make it even more delicious!! MMMMMmmmm!!!


In other news, Merritt got his first Halloween "happy" yesterday.....the box was even addressed to Merritt Wylie and the return address was from Honey Gram and Grandaddy...ohh boy, let the spoiling begin! ha! He got a Moose pillow pet...maybe we will share this! ;)

He also got some Little People coloring books and some Halloween toys in a fun little Halloween bag...yeah, yeah, yeah, I know I should take pics, but I have been shooting so many sessions lately, I have no desire to take pics when I don't have to!! Little Peep says thanks so much Grandaddy and Honey Gram for his fun surprise!! :) Actually he just kicks alot, but I'm sure that's what he means!!!

Now speaking of photo shoots, I only have 2 left before my "photography maternity leave" begins!!! I have about 6 shoots to edit, but I will be done shooting, so there is an end in sight! Now, don't get me wrong...I adore being a photographer and love all the new, fun people I get to meet and take pictures of, but this fall has just really done me in! Whew, it was a whirlwind! I'm sure being preggo had nothing to do with the exhaustion...hehe!! I look forward to February/March when I have more energy and time for taking pictures, well that is if this little boy doesn't wear me out even more when he's out of the womb!! :)

In even more exciting news, Zulily is having a sale on Mud Pie clothing today!! http://www.zulily.com/e/mud-pie-102511.html?pos=0
Mud Pie is soo fabulous and I simply LOVE their EiEio line and what do you know, it was included in the sale! SCORE! and what's even better is, my sweet family in Louisiana sent me a gift card for Zulily since they can't make it to my shower in November. Sooo I used my gift card to get all the horse outfits (below!)!!! What a perfect present!! Thanks so much Petterson's! Yall are too sweet :)

Now in harvest news (this is for you UD!), they are DONE!!! There are still a few more things to finish up before they are officially through, but all the crop has been harvested! Woohoo!!! Actually this year wasn't so bad, since I was soo busy too, so it seemed to just fly by! Sorry I didn't get any pics this year, but just wait until this spring....I'll HAVE to get some "action" pictures of Rhett Rhett during his first planting!! :)


Now I am just looking forward to November and December with NOTHING to do but my Graphic Design job and cooking this baby :) Oh and a few craft projects, which I will of course be sharing when they are complete!!!


Have a great Tuesday!!!