Trick or Treat!

So, I know Halloween is still a little ways away, but I started searching for Maggie a costume... 

What do you think?

I think she would be BEEautiful. 

Update

I am so terribly embarrased at how long it has been since I have blogged.  Somewhere in the move, I have lost my camera, so maybe I feel like if I can't "show" you my life, then I can't write about it, but that is so not true!

Let's catch you up..... since I last blogged, Jesse's schoolwork has taken off, Maggie is getting bigger by the day (18 lbs!), and I have started a new job!  I never thought that I would leave Mississippi In Motion, but Jesse was randomly checking the MSU job site, and noticed there was a position available as an Admissions Counselor for State!  I was a Roadrunner with the Office of Admissions and Scholarships as an undergrad and absolutely loved it.  I had always thought being an Admissions Counselor would be the best job ever, so when we found it available, I HAD to apply!  Well, I applied on a Monday, had an inteview the next Thursday, and was offered the job the following Monday.  I never really told anyone that I was applying for it, because really, it was so random and I had no clue whether I would get it or not.

The same day I was offered the job, I had to tell my current boss that I would be leaving.  That was one of the hardest things I've EVER had to do!  Once I told her, though, I felt so much better and could finally be excited and share with the world the news!  Sorry if you found out on Facebook.

Well, fastforward 3 weeks:  I started as an Admissions Counselor this Monday and boy has this week been CRAZY! Highlights from my first week:
Monday: I wasn't exactly sure what people in the office wore, so I thought I would be a little bit dressy and wear high heels.  Well, Erron Flowers and I made our way over to the Sanderson Center to meet a group of 9th graders to give them a bus tour of campus.  When we get there, we were told that they wanted a walking tour, not a bus tour.  GREAT! I'm wearing heels.  So, first day on the job, I walked around the entire campus of MSU in heels.  I still have huge blisters on my feet to prove it.  I changed shoes at lunch and will never wear heels to work again, bc knowing my luck, the time I do will be the random day that someone wants a walking tour.
Tuesday:  One of Dees Murphy's family members passed away and took a few days off, so Meredith Clifton and I had to cover her college fairs.  I got to work at 6 am so we could travel and be at all of the college fairs this day.  Talked to hundreds of students about coming to MSU and stayed the night in Tupelo.  **I bought the cutest maroon lamp for my office!**
Wednesday:  Ready to go at 6 am for another full day of college fairs!  Made it back to Stark later that evening.
Thursday and Friday:  These days were fairly normal.. sat in on meetings with families and learned a lot about admissions requirements and all that good stuff!

Needless to say, I am LOVING my job!!! (P.S. I get to work with Lindsay Sistrunk... be jealous.) Most weeks won't be as crazy as this one has been.  I should be traveling maybe 1-2 days a week and will be in the office meeting with families the rest of the time.  I love Mississippi State- always have!- and I love getting to talk with high schoolers about choosing MSU for college.  :)  I also love working in such a fun office surrounded by such great people!  It is such a blessing.

So, in other news, Jesse is currently in Atlanta for a class trip.  He is going to IKEA this morning to get bookshelves for our living room!  He gets back sometime this afternoon.  I'm pumped about these bookshelves, because once we load them up, we should have NO MORE BOXES left in the house!  Wooo Hooooo!  I promise, as soon as it gets finished and I can find my camera, I will do a house picture post!

We are looking to join a sunday school class at First Pres and are really excited about it!  We love First Pres and love being involved in the church body.  We are both still very active with the college ministry, Intermission, and Jesse is leading worship on Sept 26!  It's so great to have a church home to serve in and among other believers.  My pilates class at church is still doing good - hoping to have some new people join the class this week. Also, this week kicked off leadership team meeting and Thursday night bible study.  Love my church!

I guess that is most of the news recently in the English household... final tidbits: Still training for the half marathon...slowly but surely!  It will be here before I know it. Went on a run with JP Corhern this morning.  We have had our first houseguests: Becca and Brian Page, my parents, Kyle Lynch, BJ Wilson and his friend (sorry friend- I can't remember your name), and Kaylan Norman.  Looking forward to adding more of you on that list this football season! Oh! Kelley and I took Maggie to the dog partk for the first time last night and she LOVED it.  I forsee many trips there in the future. She played for an hour and had a ball.

I guess that is about it for now. Go Dawgs tonight!  Beat LSU!

 Love you all!  Sorry again for the belated post. I will do better!
AC

Rainin on Sunday

Oh the joys of a rainy Sunday afternoon!  This weekend has been great - I would say relaxing would be the key word. :) 

Friday, I left for a leadership retreat for First Pres college ministry at the Tombigbee River.  It was a great time full of prayer, reading the word, preparing for ministry, food, and games.  We have a very eclectic group this year on LT, so it was really fun to spend time with people who aren't like me.  We stayed at a beautiful river house owned by a couple from church and had lunch on Saturday at the "Down Yonder Cafe".... yes, it is exactly as you picture in your head just now. I had fried catfish, green beans and macaroni and cheese. Yum!

I got home Saturday afternoon and was greeted by my very hospitable puppy and my sweet husband doing laundry. Jesse and I just spent the rest of the day together - which was amazing!  I'm dreading the semester getting busy, but alas, I know for him it will.  As we are still not fully settled, we mainly worked in the guest room (which has become the "Where does this go?"  "I don't know, just put it in the guest room" room).   Why, you ask?  Because we are having our very first house guests this weekend!  Becca and Brian Page will be staying here at the English Bed and Breakfast in the Lodge Room Thursday night and my parents will be here on Friday/Saturday.  I'm super excited about house guests and MSU Football kicking off! Go Dawgs!

As for today, we woke up to a steady rain, went to church where Olin preached on Psalm 51, and had a lunch date at Bulldog Deli (be jealous)!  This afternoon has consisted of the rest of the laundry, some schoolwork, and Jesse's NFL Fantasy Football draft.  In honor of a rainy Sunday afternoon, I decided to make oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.  Yumm.  Since I'm such a nice person, I'm going to share the recipe with you. ;)  

Vanishing Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (makes 4 dozen)

2 sticks butter, softened

1 c. firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 c. granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1-1/2 c. all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

3 c. oats (uncooked- quick or old fashioned)

1 c. chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350 degrees

Beat butter and sugars until creamy

Add eggs and vanilla - beat well

Add flour, soda, cinnamon, and salt - mix well

Stir in oats and chocolate chips

Drop by tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheet

Bake 10-12 minutes/ until golden brown

Cool 1 minute then remove to wire rack.

Enjoy

Too bad dogs can't have cookies, because Maggie sure wanted some! 

 Here's my "little baby puppy", as Uncle Kyle says, in Memphis 2 weekends ago:

And here she is today!  I think she's grown. :)

Much love from the Englishes!

Amazing Dinner

Hello Faithful Readers!

Things have been crazy in the English household recently  - now we half way settled, but are at the point in a move where you are sick of looking at boxes, are ready to be settled but are just SICK of going through everything.  Blah.  I'll post pictures of the house once everything is settled...the goal is by the 1st footbal game.  Also- expect a post coming up about our recent trip to Memphis!!!

In the meantime, I HAVE to share our amazing dinner last night.  Jesse picked the menu and it was awesome.  

                                                                                                                                                                     

Summer Pasta with Basil, Tomatoes, and Cheese

courtesy of allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 2 pounds vine ripened tomatoes, seeded and diced  (we used 1 1/2 lbs of Roma)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil (from our garden!)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves (from our garden!)
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup cream sherry  (we used balsamic vinegar and it was amazing)
• 12 ounces spaghetti (we used whole wheat angel hair pasta)
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Asiago cheese
• 2 cups fontina cheese, shredded (we used Gruyere - also amazing)

Directions 

1. In a medium bowl, toss together tomatoes, garlic, basil, mint, salt and black pepper, hot pepper flakes, olive oil, and cream sherry. Let stand at room temperature for up to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

2. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender, but firm to the bite.

3. Drain the pasta, and transfer to a large serving bowl. Drain 1/4 cup of the liquid from the tomato mixture, and toss with the pasta to coat. Add cheese, and toss until it begins to melt. Add the tomato mixture, and toss until mixed.

We topped ours with fresh parsley and it was amazing!  With it we had homemade  herb bread (made by Jesse's mom) dipped in olive oil and freshly ground black pepper.  

Talk about AMAZING.  Love the fresh herbs for our garden.  I wish I had taken a picture because it was very colorful.

                                                                                                                                                                    

Now, if this wasn't enough.... (and at this point, we pretended we weren't full) we made Alton Brown's recipe for Angel Food Cake.  I had some strawberries in the fridge that needed to get eaten so of course we made homemade angel food cake with real whipped cream!

If you have ever watched Alton Brown on the Food Network, you know how particular he can be...

Angel Food Cake

courtesy of foodnetwork.com

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cake flour, sifted 
• 12 egg whites (the closer to room temperature the better)
• 1/3 cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon orange extract, or extract of your choice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a food processor spin sugar about 2 minutes until it is superfine. Sift half of the sugar with the salt the cake flour, setting the remaining sugar aside.

In a large bowl, use a balloon whisk to thoroughly combine egg whites, water, orange extract, and cream of tartar. After 2 minutes, switch to a hand mixer. Slowly sift the reserved sugar, beating continuously at medium speed. Once you have achieved medium peaks, sift enough of the flour mixture in to dust the top of the foam. Using a spatula fold in gently. Continue until all of the flour mixture is incorporated.

Carefully spoon mixture into an ungreased tube pan. Bake for 35 minutes before checking for doneness with a wooden skewer. (When inserted halfway between the inner and outer wall, the skewer should come out dry).

Cool upside down on cooling rack for at least an hour before removing from pan.

Cook's Note: Since they're easier to separate use the freshest eggs you can get.

Oooooeeeeeee.  We topped this cake with fresh strawberries and real whipped cream.  Ok, I think we consumed enough calories for the week.  No more eating for us!

Now.... get your grocery list started and include everything you need to make this pasta.  I promise you won't be disappointed!

Husband. Puppy. Wedding. Moving.

Wow, I have so much to blog about, I don't even know where to start!  This past week has been amazing with so much going on.  I guess I'll start with what happened first.  Jesse was due to come home on Friday, July 30 but surprised me by calling at lunch on Thursday to say that he was headed home!  He got off work early in Asheville on Thursday.  Last week I felt like Friday would NEVER come, so I was so excited to receive the good news!  Jesse's homecoming was already special to me but to make it even better, he was able to meet up with Kristian to pick up our puppy (a day early)! We were thankful since our plans changed so last minute.  Around 9:30 that night, I got two of the best things in the world -- my husband home for good and our dog. (Big news! - at least to us.... our puppy slept through the night (and has every other night since).  We were totally expecting to be up with a barking puppy multiple times through the night.)  If you are wondering why I keep calling her our puppy and not by her name, its because she didn't have a name at this point!

As exciting as all of this is, the story doesn't stop here!  Jesse, Laura, the pup, and myself  loaded up the car on Friday and headed to Jackson for Anna and John's wedding weekend.

What a reunion!  We spent Friday evening rehearsing, eating, toasting the couple, and looking forward to their wedding day!

Saturday morning came earlier than expected with a puppy cry at 6:30 am.  Jesse took her outside and then went to speak to my dad, who was fishing in the backyard.  She laid down on the seawall for a good ole' scratch - but little did she know when she leaned back to scratch, she fell in the lake! Jesse said she popped right up and just started swimming!  That's a lab for ya, I guess. :) We decided to give her her first bath after this incident.... but as much as she enjoyed the water in the lake, she wasn't too fond of the water in the sink. haha  At least she smelled good and clean afterwards - and was in a TOTAL cuddling mood, which I LOVE.

Not too long after all of this, I headed to Byram to continue celebrating Anna!!! (Jesse stayed at my parents and did manly things, like chop down a tree. :) ) The bridesmaids luncheon was wonderful and the food was amazing! After we stuffed our faces, the girls went to Anna's house to hang out before it was time to get ready....which came before we knew it! I so loved this time... getting to hang out with great friends and prepare for one of our best friend's special day. Anna looked stunning and incredibly happy. The wedding was beautiful and the reception so much fun!  I'm super jealous because they are spending the week in the British Virgin Islands... you'll see what I'm doing this week very soon.   Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Clemmer!

The puppy finally got named on Sunday morning  ---- MAGGIE!  It was so nice to actually call her a name, instead of "here puppy!"  Sunday was another early morning for us, due to Mags, but she is totally worth it.  We loaded the car again and headed back to Starkville.  My parents followed us home to help us start packing, because we are MOVING into a house this weekend!

This week has been crazy, trying to work, finish up my summer term class, potty train a puppy, hide a puppy (bc we aren't supposed to have one in our current place), spend time with Jesse, stay on my running schedule, pack, and check about a million things off our list that you get to do when you move...

Maggie goes to the vet in the morning for her 9 week shots. Then we will contine the packing process!  We are treating ourselves to a rest night tomorrow night- dinner and a movie (Inception) with friends, while Maggie gets to meet a new friend - Lucy!  Sara Renfroe and Lucy are puppy-sitting (again, since we aren't supposed to have a puppy at our current place - we were afraid to leave her for fear of barking).  I know they are going to have so much fun together.  First puppy playdate of many with Lucy!

Friday will be the last day of packing before the big move Saturday am.  Jesse's family is coming up to help us move, so the extra hands will be much appreciated!  I'm guessing my next post will be when we are settled! Better go to bed since it is now..... oh hello, midnight.

Drowning in boxes,
The Englishes

Friendship

I found myself reading a random blog today and wanted to share this blogger's perspective on friendship. After graduating, getting married and moving away, Jesse and I thought we had everything together and were starting our lives in Birmingham. What a surprise to find ourselves back in Starkville again. This surprising past year has been such a blessing to us -- and to me especially due to my friends. I feel like I was graciously given one more year of precious time with friends nearby... ones in Starkville and ones who are close enough to visit. I look back so happily at the unexpected blessings the Lord gave me this extra year.

Now, there are many things that are getting me through this upcoming week -- of course Jesse's return and a puppy, but ALSO the celebration of a wedding!!! Anna Crain and John Clemmer are tying the knot this Saturday and I am so excited! So looking forward to celebrating with them and the gigantic reunion that the wedding will bring! I'll leave you with the blurb from the blog that started all of this nostalgia... and a video - trust me, you dont want to miss it.

"Friends, like people, come in all shapes and sizes. Some friends bring a bellyache full of laughter while some bring a soothing word that will calm most any trauma. Some bring a scripture during a time of hardship or stress while others simply allow you to vent and sometimes join in. Some offer a soft cushy shoulder to cry on while others may offer a little bony shoulder to lean on. Some bring a meal over when you are down or sick while others lift you up in prayer. Some call you weekly to check up while you may see others once a year but it seems like you've been together the whole time. No matter what kind of friend you have...they are special.

Friendships are a precious gift from God."

Ok, so please don't kill me for posting this video -- it makes me really happy!!!

Just Keep Running!

Hello again!  So, a few weeks ago I did a little blurb about the idea of running a half marathon.  Well, almost 4 weeks later, I am well into my training!  Well, kinda.  Although the final goal is a half marathon, I can't think about that yet! (Seriously, I cannot even imagine running for over 2 hours straight.... seriously?? What crazy person does that?)   I have smaller goals set in place leading me up to the main goal.  While Mary was still in town, we were training buddies, but alas, she has moved to Memphis.  I do have to say, it is a lot harder to run by yourself.  I'm definitely getting some serious "me time" on these runs.  It's getting time to update the ipod shuffle, because honestly Justin Timberlake and Jonezetta aren't cutting it anymore. 

First up:

I am really excited about it!  By this point, we will be running over 3 miles, but it will be a great start!  Mainly, I'm excited to get to see Memphis friends - going to make a weekend of it!  I wonder how many Elvis impersonators we will see that day?!

Next:

The Vulcan Run 10k Run in Birmingham, AL

November 6

So their website wouldn't let me copy the logo - boo. But this run I am particularly excited about.  I know this map is a little small, but if you know Birmingahm, you'll see the course goes RIGHT by our old apartment on 5 points, and it also goes right through where I used to run in Birmingham-- through Rushton, Rhodes, and Caldwell Parks.  Rhodes was my particular favorite because it was the dog park. Jesse and I used to sit and watch the doggies play and imagine about the day we would bring our dog here.  Caldwell was where we kicked off March for Babies.  I just might cry when I get to that point in the run. At this point in our training, we will be running more than 6.whatever miles, but it should still be a challenge since Bham is notoriously hilly.  Looking at the map, it should be a pretty fun run!

Final Race:

As I said before, I cannot imagine this day.  But I am really looking forward to crossing this finish line!  And it is the day before my 24th birthday, so that will be fun!  This all begins and ends in Memphis.  

Honestly, the reason I wanted to blog about this tonight is because I needed some motivation for my run in the morning.  This whole experience will be the most physically challenging thing I have ever done, and I am really enjoying it. I have run one 5k so far - last October with Laura Zumwalt and had a blast:

I tried another 5k last November, but my knee gave me problems, so I had to walk most of it.  Thankfully, my Aleve regimen has been working, so no knee problems yet!  Keeping my fingers crossed. That would be a huge bummer.

Alright, well I'm getting up at 5:30 in the morning for my run.  Wish me luck!

-AC