in which: it's halloween

NAILED IT.

I am

Grumpy Cat

in which: it was a great weekend

FRIDAY NIGHT:

Costume Party

I was Grumpy Cat!

SATURDAY NIGHT:

Football Game with Corey & Amy -Texas State vs South Alabama

SUNDAY NIGHT:

I worked. MEANT to bring these in for my coworkers, but I'm bringing them tomorrow instead.

My Mom used to make these every year for Halloween!

Only instead of crushed Oreos I used Hint-O-Mint Newman-O's... my favorite...

Will definitely be writing something more substantial soon. 

Just wanted to share some of the wonderful weekend I spent with Peanut and friends.

Also, updated the header for Fall! Finally starting to stay cool during the daytime... *sigh*

I am

Olli

How To Carve A Watermelon Hedgehog

I don't often make posts centered around recipes or making things - but this I HAD to share! I made this cute Watermelon Hedgehog for a party last summer and it was a wild success. I didn't invent this idea but I had a lot of fun making it. The entire process took about an hour.

Here's what you'll need:

• A medium/large round seedless watermelon
• Blueberries
• Cutting Board
• Large cutting & pairing knives
• Toothpicks
• Large bowl & spoon
• Towels (you may be more tidy than I, but juice got all over my counter tops!)

So first you'll want to either pick a watermelon that either has one flatter side to it OR after washing the melon, you'll want to slice about 1/4" off the ground spot to create a flat foundation for your critter. Take care not to cut too deep into the rind or this will allow juice to leak out the bottom... no bueno!

photo source: whataboutwatermelon.com

Next you'll want to cut the top off as shown above. Remove this large piece and set aside. Taking the large spoon, scoop out the lush fruit from said removed portion and the rest of the melon. Chop into cubes, drain and set in the large bowl.

photo source: whataboutwatermelon.com

Now grab your pairing knife and cut small ridges along the cut line. The more uneven and irregular the better - this will resemble the hedgehog's spiky coat.

photo source: whataboutwatermelon.com & yours truly

Using the removed rind, cut out a small nose as shown above. To attach it, place toothpicks just above the stem spot on both sides and slide the nose over the other end of the toothpicks. Then stick a toothpick on the tip of the nose and place a blueberry on the end.

For the eyes, simply stick two toothpicks a little above the nose and place a blueberry on each end.

To make the ears, draw two curved upside-down "V"s that come to a point somewhere on the outer area of the face, wherever you like. Carefully cut with a pairing knife. Using your finger, GENTLY push from the back (inside the melon) until the ear is slightly protruding - not too hard or they will break off. To help them stay this way, I wedged a toothpick inside, behind the ear.

Using the remainder of the removed rind, cut four rectangles of equal size for the feet. The photo above cut them slightly more angular than I did - I just stuck with rectangles to keep it simple. I also, later ended up only using two feet for the front, as the back two would not cooperate with me! Attach with toothpicks, rind side down, to the bottom edges of the hedgehog as shown.

Finally, fill your hollow creature with the cubed watermelon, sticking toothpicks in for the hedgehog quills. I later added more toothpicks for a more authentic look.

Voila!

Le Hedgehog

I am

Olli

Michael & MariKate Wilson

Nearly two months later! Although to be fair, the wedding pics were only recently posted.

Sleepy Hollow Farm

The wedding party! 14 bridesmaids & 14 groomsmen!

This was an ALL OUT wedding, folks. The feast, the catering service, the props and decor, the band, the millions of tiny tea light candles adorning every available surface... (and yes, that is a small canoe loaded down with fresh shrimp from the gulf).

Ya'll, Mike & Marikate set out to thoroughly bless their friends and family. As we waited for the wedding party to finish with photos, I meandered through hay bale after hay bale that had been adorned with fine cheeses, deli meats & fruit - on top of catering staff offering delectable, silver-trayed appetizers every few minutes! Peanut's Mom made the rounds of introducing me to close family friends, the food was incredible, including this bubbling pot of cheesey grits at the end of the line they were dishing out into hollowed plastic martini glasses. Now, I have never been the biggest fan of grits (essentially mushy cornmeal), but lord have mercy... not only did I lick that glass clean, but I found a shish kabob stick and dug out the remnants of what had fallen into the stem of the hollowed martini glass... Somebody baptize me and call me a convert!

There was a live band and boy, did that woman have some pipes! They were a prime example of why I have always wanted live music at my wedding. They had contagious personality and pzazz and got even the most reluctant of dancers (*ahem*...Peanut) to get up and tap their toes. 

The ceremony itself was gorgeous and I'll admit, I got a little weepy when I saw Michael openly crying and covering his face as Marikate walked down the aisle. During communion a few of the groomsmen got up and played a song, a light breeze passed through the branches of the tree they were married under and I sat comfortably between Peanut's mother & sister, Hannah. And even though there were so many in attendance who did not know me... I was part of a family. I belonged right there between those two beautiful women. If there was anything God shed light on during that trip, it was that I have found a family in the Etheredges. 

And that grits and I can be friends now :)

I am

Olli

in which: we're at it again

Wedding #6 today.

May be the most gorgeous yet ~ on a sprawling picturesque farm!!

It's an evening event so photos should be posted tomorrow.

Till then!

I am

Olli

in which: we road trip to H-town

Remember these friends?? They got married yesterday!! I didn't really take any pics, just enjoyed being there in the moment (for once). More will come soon though as the photographer uploads them. So happy for these amazing and inspiring people ~ and so glad we got to be there!!

Here are some deets:

• Outdoor ceremony
• Indoor reception
• AMAZING little tirimisu cakes ~ instead of a cake or regular cupcakes
• My BFF Renata was the DJ {aka} DJ RenFest
• Me and Alina {my 6 yr old BFF} danced the day away!
• Peanut danced several songs with me ;)
• Alicia's sister gave the greatest toast speech
• I got a 10 lbs container full of mashed potatoes for FREE.99

It was Peanut & I's 5th wedding to attend together {at least!}. Another one is on the way next month. Aaaaaand ~ today was our anniversary. Two years. Where has the time gone...

Watch out world.

We're next.

I am

Olli

in which: i make a discovery!

A couple of weeks ago I was certified as Texas Master Naturalist, and today, I made my first exciting discovery as one: four adolescent Nine-Banded Armadillos!!

I wasn't able to snatch a pic of all four together as these little buggers were quite fast! They were adorable though as they rooted around sniffing and digging around for roots, earth worms and other insects. I could even hear their munching from beneath the shrubbery, just outside my residence. 

I got up close and tentatively pet one's soft leathery back (shhhhh), but he quickly spun around and began sniffing the air for what had touched him. The little fella sniffed the ground and looking up, made out my vague shadow against the sun (Armadillos are mostly blind) and with that, charged toward me! It freaked me out a little and I let out a yelp as I stumbled backward, knocking over my drink and tote bag I had set down. The sound of my cup scared him, so he turned around and darted into a bush, resuming his digging and rooting. It was quite hilarious actually. I don't know what I thought he would do, but I have never seen live Armadillos before and his boldness startled me. And it's strange that I have lived in Texas nearly my entire life and never seen a live Armadillo -- the state mammal. Although, in my defense, they usually only come out at night and are commonly called the "Texas Speed Bump" for blindly wandering into the streets at night and appearing the next day, dead along the roads. 

It's heartwarming however, to see that these precious leather-backs are adapting in this urban area, despite encroachment on their native habitat and loss of natural resources. 

>>>><<<<

In other news, much has changed in the last month. As I mentioned before, I have moved in with Rin & Alycia and am loving both getting to know them better and my new surroundings. I graduated from the Texas Master Naturalist Program!! Although if I want to remain certified, I must finish out my 40 hours of Volunteer Service this year. Also, I graduated from Talent Bench, that leadership series I was taking at work, and now, have applied for a Supervisor position! Exciting, but I am also a little nervous of the responsibility to follow -- I will keep you posted! 

Speaking of work, Peanut is on the job hunt again. He has begun looking around other cities and possibly, even other states. It's a huge step of faith and big risk on his part. It all makes me a little nervous to be honest... What if he moves? How long will he be gone? What does this mean for marriage plans? Engagement plans? Will I move?? WHAT IS GOD SAYING IN THE MIDST OF ALL THIS???

It's a lot to process through, and yes, it's put some strain on our relationship. Yet still, I am sure of God's promise that we will be married, that he is the one, that this is part of His plan. 

I'm not afraid of the things I was when I was a child.
I'm not afraid I'll end up in a trapped marriage to someone I thought I knew. I'm not afraid to make mistakes.  I'm not afraid that Father doesn't hear me. And I am definitely, not afraid to love.
Things are changing. And it's a funny comparison, but I almost feel like Pocahontas standing on a ledge, with the winds of change swirling about me, yet firm in who I am and the future ahead of me.

I have a peace that surpasses understanding.
And because of this, I'm content with where I am, where I'm going and in the One who is leading us there.

I am
Olli