Tasty Tuesday: Husband's Delight

Don't let the name fool you, this recipe is every one's delight. My mom used to make this all the time when we were kids and I had kind of forgotten about it until this week. I decided that I would make some sort of casserole on Sunday for dinner so we could freeze half of it to eat off at a later date. After going through my recipes I found this one and knew I had to make it. It was honestly even better than I remembered (and was even better heated up on day 2). It reminds me a lot of a baked spaghetti but more savory than the sweetness you sometimes get with baked spaghetti. I also used all low fat ingredients and it didn't hinder the taste one bit. I just divided everything in half and made 2 smaller square pans and wrapped one up and stuck it in the freezer... 4 nights worth of meals for about 30 minutes of cook time, I'll take it!


Husband's Delight
*Serves about 8

• 2lbs ground beef
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 - 12oz can tomato paste
• 1 - 16oz can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 pint sour cream
• 8oz cream cheese
• 1 pkg grated cheddar cheese
• 8oz package of egg noodles

Brown the meat and onion and drain. Add tomato sauce, paste, salt, sugar and garlic salt. Let simmer slowly while cooking noodles according to the package. Mix cream cheese with sour cream and set aside. In casserole dish (either 1 9x12 or 2 smaller square pans) layer noodles, meat, sour cream mixture and repeat, topping it off with the cheddar cheese. Bake at 300 for about 45 minutes.

We've Gone and Done It!

We have finally joined a church! (Well, techincally we make it official on Sunday.) Brett and I have been visiting different churches basically since we started dating about 31/2 years ago but didn't really get serious about it until about a year ago. I felt a little like Goldilocks when first visiting churches - "This one is too big." "This one is too small." But we are so excited we have finally found the perfect church for us; Trenholm Road United Methodist Church. Visiting churches and trying to find the right one for you is exhausting and confusing and just not fun (especially for a gal who basically grew up in 1 church her entire life!). It is also a very personal thing and every person/couple is different but some of the main reasons why we went with our church were (in no particular order):

• Close proximity to our house
• Lots of people our age
• Great children's/youth programs (including a fantastic Day Care for when that time comes).
• The ministers: turns out the head minister came from a church in Greenville and also married several of my friends. BUT, in true Methodist Church fashion, he is being assigned to another church this summer but we are excited about the new person repacing him and love the Associate Minister as well (who is staying).
• It just felt right! Sometimes you just have to go with your gut!

We have gone through our new member classes and already met some great folks! We are just so excited to find our new "home"!

What I've Read - Part 2

It has been a while since I've posted about the books I've read and I've read some GOOD ones recently! But I have a confession... I sometimes read books so quickly I don't absorb any of it! I put the book down and say to myself, "wow, that was a GREAT book" then I go to write this post a few months later and have to read the summary online to even remember what it was about! yikes - but I'm sure I'm not the only one who does this.

Here is a new list... Let me know if you've read any of these or if you have any suggestions!

Mrs. Kennedy and Me by Clint Hill and Lisa McCubbin

I really did love this book! One of the authors, Clint Hill, was the secret service agent assigned to Jacki O and he talks in the book about his experiences during his time with her. It was so fascinating to read an "outsiders" first-hand accounts with such an iconic family. Made me want to read more about The Kennedys in general. Any suggestions??

Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson

So, after my first post about how I started reading, I had to pick this one up and read it again. And I was so happy I did, it was just as good as I remembered it to be! Such a sweet love story with the typical twists that James Patterson is famous for.

Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz

This is one that was recommended to me by a friend who shares my love of reading! She warned me it was a weird one but worth reading and she was right! It's an interesting read with some unexpected twists. Weird, yes! Worth reading, yes!

Bossypants by Tina Fey

I love Tina Fey and this book kept creeping up on my suggested reads on Amazon so I downloaded it and read it over Thanksgiving I believe. It was hysterical! I hardly ever laugh out loud during books but she had me going from the very first chapter. If you want an easy read that will have you laughing, definitely check this one out!

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

I had already read Gone Girl and loved it so much I had to read another book by Gillian Flynn. And let's just say that if you thought Gone Girl was dark and weird, it doesn't even touch the darkness of this one. I personally LOVED it. We were driving down to Atlanta for a conference and I didn't even look up the entire drive. When we got to the hotel we had to get ready for dinner reservations but I was so close to the end I almost had Brett cancel. But I powered through the end (skipping a few pages just to find out how it ended). I then went back and reread the last few chapters the next day. Long story short, if you like weird and twisted, read this!

Fearless by Eric Blehm

Ok, so I know I can't keep saying that every.single.book I read is a must read but this one really is! My parents read this first (my mom in her church book club) and then my dad gave it to my brother and husband for Christmas for them to read so I had to read it as well. It was one of the most inspiring and truly heartbreaking stories I've ever read but one that I will never forget. It's a true story of the life of a Navy SEAL who lost his life in battle. It takes you through his entire life; drug abuse, legal problems, love, rehab, marriage, kids, training and ultimately his death. It really is one of the best books I've ever read. period.

Sea Change by Karen White

Ok, so this is one of those books I had to look back on the summary to remember what it was about. BUT, it was a good read. Not anything to rave about but a good book that keeps you interested through the end. I always love books that have an element of surprise in them to keep me reading until the last page and this one definitely did just that!

Defending Jacob by William Landay

Loved this book as well. It reminded me of a cross between Jodi Piccuilt with her legal battles and a James Patterson murder mystery/twist. The first half of the book was good but the last half I literally couldn't put down. There is definitely a reason it has gotten so much praise recently.

Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson

This book began my trifecta of "memory loss" stories (see below). This one probably being the most disturbing of the three. True to my form, it was a little dark but had its twists to keep me turning the page. I really enjoyed it but unless you like that sort of book, move on to another.

Roses by Leila Meacham

Here is another epic novel that you must read. It is one of the most incredible love stories of all times taking you through multiple generations. I can't say enough good things about this book! I think every female I'm close with has read this book and all have the same reaction to it!

Tumbleweeds by Leia Meacham

So of course, the next book I read was by the same author. This one was so similar yet SO different from Roses. I have to say I liked Roses better but that shouldn't turn you away from reading this one. I also just read online that she is coming out with sort of a prequel to Roses soon so I will definitely be reading that one as well!

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

My mom suggested I read this one and it was a great one as well! Set back on a tobacco plantation in the 1800s it gives you that rare look at slavery from their perspective (similar but even more revealing than The Help). Parts of the book were emotionally draining just to think that people were really treated and acted this way. But overall it was such a great story!

The Last Letter from your Lover by JoJo Moyes

Book # 2 in my "memory loss" series... This was such a fun story but sometimes irritating and just darn frustrating!! Do you ever find yourself yelling in your head at characters for acting certain ways?? Just me? It was a bit long in some parts but I still found it entertaining. Not one of my favorites but don't regret reading it.  

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

I really didn't plan to read yet a 3rd book where the main character has memory loss but I did. This one was so different from the other ones though so that was good. This was light hearted and fun. The main character, Alice finds herself with a head injury and not able to remember the last 10 years of her life. The last thing she remembers is being 29, newly married and pregnant with her first child when all of sudden she wakes up and is about to turn 40 with 3 children and a pending divorce. I found it entertaining just since I'm in the same life stage (minus the pregnant with first child part... let's not jump the gun) and loved reading her perspective as a 39 year old but thinking she was just 29. It wasn't anything to RAVE about but I really enjoyed it!

So there ya have it! I'm trying to pick out my next read and have this list of ones that I've had jotted down to read from various recommendations:
- Where'd you go, Bernadette?
- Beautiful Ruins
- Faith
- Reconstructing Amelia
- Proof of Heaven

 

New Orleans Wedding

We just returned from a long weekend in New Orleans for our friends Kennon and Mary's wedding. It was my first trip to Nola and Brett's second (he previously went for his bachelor party). As soon as we heard that Kennon and Mary would be getting married outside of New Orleans in Slidell, we immediately knew this would be a great trip! And the best part was that all of my friends from Greenville also made the trip so we had a BLAST!

Here is a small snippet of the pictures we took. If you are on Instagram, go check out #holcombe2013 for all of the group's pictures from the weekend.

Thursday we arrive late afternoon and met up with my best friend Brooke and her husband at our hotel and had a drink. Then Brett and I headed to dinner. We got a million recommendations and were not disappointed with what we chose, Mr. B's Bistro. It was incredible. I think my favorite thing we had were the duck springrolls as an appetizer! Delish!

After dinner we met up with the few people who were already in town (and not at the rehearsal dinner) and went out to a few bars and called it a relatively early night.

I did manage it win $5 at the casino on our way back to the hotel which Brett was quick to correct me in that I really only won $3 when I already spent $2. Oh well, a wins a win, right?

Friday morning we got up and headed on out for breakfast at Mothers. Everyone raved about this place so we had to try it out. We were lucky enough to just barely beat the crowd and were able to walk right in and get seated without waiting in the line that usually wraps around the building.

We were also lucky enough that the weekend we were there was also the French Quarter Festival which is a huge festival with tons of food vendors, beer carts and live jazz music. We spent most of the afternoon there while we waited for the rest of the crew to arrive.

Gang's all here!

Once the rest of the gang arrived, we figured it was time to hit up Bourbon Street and do a little bar hopping which lead us straight to Pat O'Brian's for their famous "Hurricane" drink. After a few hours on Bourbon we all split up for casual dinners and then hit up the casino again... Brett quickly won $37 at a penny slot which was quickly spent. Oh well, when in Rome.

Pat O'Brian's!

The ladies at Saints and Sinners - which was the bar Channing Tatum owns. We were really hoping he would be there... not so much.

Saturday we ventured out for a quick brunch before driving to Slidell for the wedding and reception. Mary was a gorgeous bride and they were such a happy couple! We had such a fun time celebrating them! Since the wedding was in the afternoon the bride and groom were able to meet us back at the hotel and we all went out for a few more drinks at a cool bar that had a carousel in it! So cool!

Happy Couple!

The Carousel Bar!

We called it an early night since we had to be leaving for the airport at 6:30am but couldn't go home without one more lucky dog! (If you know my husband at all, you know his love of a good hotdog.)

Overall it was a fabulous trip with even more fabulous friends!

And I can't not mention the biggest winnings of the weekend at the casino. Brooke and I definitely cashed these puppies in!

Recent Happenings!

So I realize it has been almost 2 weeks since the last post. Sorry for that. Had no idea I was in such high demand for those of you bored at work (*cough* Nick *cough*).

So, a few things to catch up on...

- We enjoyed a great Easter weekend at my Grandmother's. Unfortunately, I was sick the whole weekend so spent most of it laying down in front of the TV (sort of a perfect weekend for it though).

- That sickness went on for another week and turned into what the doc thinks was the flu. My entire floor at work came down with it last week and we had tons of people out sick. To the point where they brought in a cleaning crew one night to disinfect the entire area. yikes!

- Tomorrow we leave for New Orleans for a long weekend! My friends Kennon and Mary are getting married out there on Saturday so we have a big crew heading that way to celebrate! This is my first time going to New Orleans so I'm super excited. It's also the French Quarter festival this weekend there so we should be able to enjoy some awesome live jazz music and eat some great food!

- Speaking of weddings... the season has officially arrived and we have 4 weddings over the course of the next 5 weekends. It will be busy but so worth it! We are so excited to celebrate such a special time in all our friend's lives!

- Brett and I have set the date to join our church in Columbia for April 28th. We are so excited about this new step in our lives and can't wait to call this place home. We did find out this week that the senior minister will be leaving in June to go to another church and while we are sad about him leaving, we still feel good about our decision to join this particular church.

- Last but certainly not least, today is National Sibling Day so of course I have to give a huge shout out to my big brother! Love you Big Bro!! Boy do I wish you lived closer so we could hang out more but having you away only makes me appreciate the time we get to spend together even more! Here's to many more years of memories.