Brooke's Bargains 23

I found some pretty good stuff today. Today is SUPER humid! Yuck! Brittany, Job, & I had fun this morning...

I found the pair of Christmas pre-lit deer for $8. I don't really have any outside Christmas decor other than my wreaths so this will be great!

2 new coloring books, 1 book (I love this version of "The Three Little Pigs"), 2 videos for Mimi's house...$1.75

sandals for me & boots for Ava...$2

an aged-looking clock $0.50

my parents have been wanting one of these old-fashioned cake covers...$0.25

Ava's really excited about this green-eyed water baby! $0.50

Katie's Festivities

Katie & I became best friends in 1st grade. She is one of the most fun girls I know! A few of our memories include swinging on the elementary playground, getting in trouble in reading class for talking, cheering together, playing softball, dance team, community college, and countless other things that we laugh about every time we're together.

Here's some snaps from the bridal shower, bachelorette party, and wedding...

Ava & Katie

Most of us have been friends for 20 years!

The wedding was sweet, and the reception was fun!

The dress looked liked it was made especially for her! :)

I bet the newlyweds are loving their Mexico honeymoon!!

Brooke's Bargains 22

I went to 6 or 7 yard sales today and found some great stuff. Then Brittany, Ava, & I went to the local, annual art fair in town. I love looking at all the stuff but didn't buy anything, plus it was HOT! One of my friends told me about a sale at one of the super-cute gift stores, so we had to check it out too...

Here's what I found today:

two pillow shams (needed them after I ruined mine with the tea-staining attempt!) $1
topiary $1

3 pairs of Christmas pajamas for Ava $3

2 pants, 1 skirt, 1 shorts for Ava $4

Puddle Jumpers shoes (retails at $23) $5

The lady having the sale gave this to me- a new bottle of Matrix Texture spray (it had a $14.95 sticker on it).

Christmas door decor (price tag $59) $10

magnadoodle for the car $0.25

Southern Living Pimiento Cheese

I found this recipe in Southern Living magazine last week & decided to make it for Mother's Day (we did sandwiches, chips & dip, rice krispie treats, & fruit to make it easy on everyone).
If you like pimiento cheese, you should try this!
First mix the following:
1.5 c mayo
1 (4 oz) jar of diced pimiento, drained
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp finely grated onion
1/4 tsp ground red pepper

Next, toast 1 c chopped pecans on 350 degrees for 10 min.

Next,
grate 8 oz of extra sharp cheddar using the small side of grater
&
grate 8 oz of sharp cheddar using large side of grater

Finally,
mix in pecans to mayo mixture & slowly add cheese & mix gently to avoid tearing the cheese too much.

Serve on crackers, bread, or celery. Enjoy!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!
I had such a good day. It was another gorgeous day of weather! I love it!! I started my day by having breakfast with my mother-in-law and Ava. Then Ava & I went to church with my parents. Brittany came down to our parents' house for lunch. We had a yummy lunch:), visited, and took pictures outside in front of their pretty flowers. Afterwards, I picked up Ron from church; he had so much fun on his retreat! Ava slept in the car, so we just sat in the driveway and talked about our weekend adventures. Then Ron's family called to see if we wanted to go out to dinner at Outback--of course, we did! What a nice day! And I only have 17 days 'til Summer Break!

me with the mother-to-be!

Daddy with his 3 girls (maybe 4?) ;)

13 weeks pregnant:

Ava & Ron's mom

Ava with Aunt Kayla & Uncle Danny

This was so funny--Ava got into the baby powder while I was brushing my teeth last night. I turned around & this is what I saw. Then she asked, "Mommy, does this look good?" It sure does. :) HA.

Brooke's Bargains 21

Saturday was a beautiful May day! My college roommate, Jeanine, came to visit this weekend while Ron was away at Discipleship Walk. We always have a blast! Just about every time we get together we go to Target & Marshall's. We both LOVE bargain shopping. We also went to yard sales. This Saturday there were so many yard sales in our county that I wished I could clone myself! It was overwhelming. I only got to do it for about an hour because there was so much going on this weekend....

Ava certainly got hooked up this weekend: Gymboree short set $2, swimsuit cover up & 3 swimsuits $2.50, 2 dresses $6. So I paid $10.50 for all of this! Retail it probably would have been around $100.

I found these Lucky Brand jeans for $2 or $3 (I can't remember which), and they retail for $80-ish. I bought the super cute flats at Target for $3.24! Love them.

Home decor for the week: basket, tomato print, pineapple thingie all for $2.75.

Jeanine's sister, Jenae, found this dress for Ava at a thrift store & couldn't pass it up since her name was on it! How sweet!

Not pictured: an exercise wheel $0.50 and snowman ornament for my sister $0.25.

This week...

We've had a great week!
Monday night we went to watch our men's softball team from church play.
Tuesday night we went on a family walk, Ron cooked, & we watched Biggest Loser (I love makeover night!).
Wednesday before class Ava & went shopping to get my mom & mother-in-law's Mother's Day gifts. And it was my last "real class" of the semester. YIPEE!
Thursday, I took a personal day from work. How nice! Ava exercised with me (Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred:). Then we all went to Waffle House for breakfast and to the park to play. Then we had to take Ron to church. He's gone to Discipleship Walk with our church. I missed him so much last night!

Here's a few snaps from the park: