What's for dinner?

What's for dinner tonight you ask? Well, it was supposed to be a baked ham, macaroni and cheese and veggies. However, that didn't happen. With a last minute decision of a five dollar movie, the ham got put on the back burner until afterwards.

Allen got to pick this movie. Well actually as usual, he gave me two choices that he wanted to see and I had to choose one from those two. The first one was another one of those Underworld movies which just in case you didn't know, I don't do scary movies! unlike my husband who grew up on them. The other was called Haywire which didn't seem every interesting but I had already said he could pick the movie. Couldn't back out now. Movie started at 5:30, got there at 5:24. 6 more minutes and it wouldn't have been $5 (were on a budget here). Allen says I am addicted to popcorn, just like his nanny (love you nanny). So, of course I have to get some for this boring movie he was making me sit through. Yes, I know movie theater popcorn is the most unhealthy thing there but it's not like we go all the time.

Like I predicted, the movie was awful. I have no idea what it was about or what was happening. I was lost from the very first scene. But through out the popcorn fights (yes we shoot popcorn at one another not at other people in the theater) and fighting over which cup holder the drink is going to sit in, the movie was much better than it could have been.

Left the theater and started to head home when Allen decides he wants ice cream instead of wine. Sweet CeCe's it is. But of course I had a coupon buy 1 get one free. It was full, no where to sit and I get toffee instead of reeces. To the car to eat our frozen yogurt and out the window when the toffee chunks.

So what's was for dinner? Popcorn and frozen yogurt. The ham can wait another night.

Mmmm.... Good

Some people know me, when it comes to cooking, as the girl who caught the kitchen on fire as a kid, flavorless chicken and rice casserole, the women who screwed up green bean casserole,  made gooey pumpkin pie, the girl that can make flowers on cupcakes, and perfected Allen's favorite cake. However, I have redeemed myself with Cheesy Potato Soup.  After planning out the meals for the week, we decided on soup for tonight. Since so many people were asking for the recipe, here is a blog post for it.

Cheesy Potato Soup

5 idaho potatoes, peeled and diced
1 white onion, chopped
4 cups 2% milk
2 Campbell's cheddar cheese soup
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 stick salted butter
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup scallions, chopped
3 slices crispy bacon or bacon bits (optional)
salt and pepper, to taste

In a large Crock pot add potatoes, white onion, milk, cheddar cheese soup and 1 stick of butter (sliced), mix well and cover. 

Cook on low for 6-7 hours (until potatoes are fork tender).

Stir in the sour cream and shredded cheddar, recover and let cook an additional 20 minutes. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with green onions, bacon bits and a dollop of sour cream.

Yum. Yum. Now what was my husbands thoughts on the soup? "It was fine, just needed thyme. However, we dont have any." After he had finished his first bowl and went back for the second, I asked how the bacon was with the soup. Right at that moment he knew something was up. He said it was good but in soup is the only time he would eat it crunchy. I went to the fridge and got a piece of the bacon that was left over for him to eat. "IT WAS TURKEY BACON!!!" He wouldn't touch it after that. Well, I can say I tried.

I wasn't sure what to title this post because it is so close to my heart. That is why it is was left blank. But this blog is a way for me to express and explain what I am feeling and what is going on with my life. Our life for that matter.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. Do not be afraid… for I am with you… declares the Lord.“ Jeremiah 1:5,8

7 weeks ago,  Allen and I found out we were expecting our first child. We were ecstatic! This child would be the first grandchild and great grandchild. Couldn't wait to surprise our families at Christmas. The whole thing was planned out. A few days after Thanksgiving we miscarried. We lost our baby. It was the hardest thing Allen and I have had to go through together. I couldn't understand, we both couldn't. A few days after, we found out his brother and girl friend were having a baby. I didn't want to be angry because anger wasn't going to get me anywhere but I was. I was angry that we had waited until we got married. We had done everything we were suppose to and our baby was in heaven and not with us. Does that sound selfish? I still don't understand and probably wont ever until we see him/her again.

I think it was harder on Allen then me. having to see how hard I took it and how much emotional and physical pain I was in took a tole on him. We couldn't really explain why it happened. He didn't want to talk about it for the longest time. I guess bottling it up was his only solution. If we didn't talk about it, it never really happened. But in fact it did. Some days are good but others are not. One day the Lord will give us that special child when the timing is right.

“Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long? Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes. Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping. The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.” Psalm 6:2-4,6-9

Settled in

 What an amazing Christmas season this year. Wonderful times with the family and my wonderful husband. It was certainly a special first Christmas as a married couple. A new road of our journey has begun. We MOVED! Yes, out on our own, in our own apartment. I unpacked the last box last Friday. We have been here for 12 days. Thanks to all the family that helped us move. Even all those boxes of textbooks (VERY HEAVY).
My Kitchen:

The Livingroom:

And the bathroom:

Couldn't take a picture of the bedroom and huge closet because Allen was asleep and he would kill me if I took a picture of him and his CPAP. haha.

We have been blessed.

Through the good times and bad.

Whew... school is done. well for four weeks anyway. Time for a much needed break and a margarita. It's been a  while since my last update. Allen and I have been through a lot the past few weeks. I had a stomach flu from one of the kids in the Nursery. All i can say is yuck.  Allens' great aunt passed away Sunday at the ripe old age of 90. He spent most of his summers over there running between her house and his grannies. The funeral was Wednesday and of course it hit just when finals were so I couldn't go. After working a 12 hours shift, he drove 2.5 hours to Lenior City (near Knoxville) for the funeral then drove back home. Once he got in the door he started throwing up with a 100 degree fever. Needless to say, I slept in the guest bedroom last night. All better today, though. Kept down all sorts of things.


The Lord works in mysterious ways. His timing doesn't always match up with my timing or when I see things happening. Sometimes I don't always understand why things happen or why it happens to some people and not to others. Why things happen to the people that do the right things. Do everything their suppose to, follow the right steps and then get kicked to the curb. While others who go about things the wrong way prosper and flourish. Sometimes we don't understand His purpose but I just have to believe that he has a plan for me and my family. 


Trust in the Lord and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him. (Psalm 37:3-5, 7a)

Food out the ears

I think Allen and I have had enough turkey until next year. Our first year Thanksgiving as Mr. and Mrs. Harvey included 3 Thanksgiving dinners, plus Thanksgiving breakfast.

#1- Grandma Covington's (My mom's mom)

Allen and I were responsible for the green bean casserole and cranberry sauce. I only accounted for the people that are usually at family dinner not the extra people that were coming that day. Luckily gran had extra to double it. Of course, I double it and how much gets eaten? Less than HALF! Who is eating left over green bean casserole for the next week. This person. We remembered to bring the can or cranberry sauce but we forgot to get it out of the fridge. haha

Thanksgiving  Breakfast @ Grandma Covington's

Every year we go to grandmas, cook breakfast, and look at black friday ads. This year, my uncle, aunt and cousins were in but Allen decides he isn't going to go. He is going to stay in bed. 830 on the dot, at grandmas with a paper helping her cook. My dad comes in and what does he do? He breaks the tradition! He opens the paper before breakfast! 11 soon arrives and I am off to Thanksgiving #2.

#2- Nanny (Allen's Grandmother)

This time we were not responsible for anything. Nothing was burnt. We remembered the cranberry sauce with the rings. Turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, broccoli casserole, dressing. Eat, Clean up, Done. 

#3- Phillips (Dad's mom)

It seemed like before we were even done with #2 we were off to #3 and when they got there they were cleaning up. haha. Hope you weren't hungry? We had apple pie, pumpkin pie, and angel food cake covered in whipped cream. Gram is the best with dessert. 

I am done with Turkey. Time to get back to the gym. 

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