I’m having so much fun with my new Nikon D750. I’m going to start booking some Valentine’s day shoots soon so I can play with my new toys 🙂 One of my favorite companies MOD STRAPS has the cutest camera straps. I love a little bit of bling…isn’t this just fabulous? They are now selling in Target too 🙂
I usually don’t like glitter polish, but this one in particular has been a favorite over the past year. I ordered a second bottle. It stays on forever and it not chunky and flaky like some glitter polishes. It’s from Julep.
One of my best friends since high school makes the coolest jewelry. Her name is Ellen and you can check her jewelry out on Facebook at Elle Designs.
Connor is getting so big 🙂
I met up with some of my best blogger friends and we went on a wine tour at Lost Oak Winery. We had the best time catching up, girl talk, and drinking lots of wine! It was very interesting to learn how wine is made. I’m ready for another girls day or night out again. If you are new to blogging in the Texas area or just looking for a great community check out Texas Women Bloggers. I’m sure you’ll never meet a stranger in this group!
Well, it’s another year. 2015. I can’t believe it. I feel so O.L.D.
I have enjoyed keeping this blog so much and it’s nice to have a journal to “talk” about things with you all whoever reads this corner of the Internet.
I don’t really have a resolution this year. I’m not going to go all Julie & Julia on you and try to recreate every recipe in a Julia Child cookbook. I do, however, have hope and ambitions that this is going to be a great year! Enjoying the small moments with friends and family. TRY not to worry so much…something I do very well unfortunately. Grow closer to the Lord.
Terence got me a Kindle for Christmas and I’ve really REALLY enjoyed it more than I thought I would. How did I live so long without this thing? I’m also supposed to get my new camera gear in today so queue lots of frivolous photographing because Mama is going to play with her new toys 🙂
I hope to appreciate Ter-Bear more. Be better at planning out our meals instead of stressing myself out with “What’s for dinner?” every day. I’m hoping that sometime in the future I can do photography full-time. I’m just not sure how steady that income would be.
I’m tired of people taking advantage of me because I wear my heart on my sleeve. I am FAR from perfect, but I don’t like it when people throw others under the bus to make themselves look better. That has grown very apparent over the last few years- and I seem to be a bull’s-eye for those type of people. I’m proud I have compassion and a love for others. It’s just who I am. I have a great work ethic & ever since I turned 16 and could get a job I’ve worked hard. With Connor starting Kindergarten I’d love to be there more to help him with homework & I could totally rock the whole Beverly Goldberg mom thing 😉
Thank you to my husband for investing in me and my future & my new camera stuff. I know it was hard for him to bite that bullet. But I am so THANKFUL. Terence has always encouraged me, loved me, and never thought I couldn’t do anything I set my mind to. He’s my biggest supporter & I love him so very much. I need to tell him that more.
We’re in this life together babe. Here’s to 14 years of marital ahem…BLISS. Thank you for being my rock & I’m so proud of YOU & all your accomplishments. We’ve come a long way from those two 18-year-old googly eyed teenagers.
So, for 2015 I’m not setting resolutions. I’m believing in myself. Trusting in the Lord. And hopefully grow a bigger spine 😉 ha ha!
(And let’s all LET GO of the song “Let it Go”!!!!) buwwwaaaahhhaaaahhhaaaa!!!
What did you do in 2014 that you’d never done before?
This is SO hard! I can’t think of anything I have never done before off the top of my head. I ate new foods, tried new little things, but nothing too extravagant.
Did you keep your new years’ resolutions? Will you make more in 2015?
I vowed to lose 25-30 pounds. And no, I probably actually gained MORE weight this year…of course it’s right after the holidays. I do want to eat better & not make a goal to lose weight, just to be healthier.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, someone in Terence’s family is always pregnant or having a baby. I love all my little nieces and nephews.
Did anyone close to you die?
People I knew died. Not any immediate family & for that I am HAPPY.
What countries did you visit?
Stayed in the US this year…next year I’m ready to get out of dodge!
What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?
will-power, self motivation to chase my dreams, not be afraid of being my true self.
More family time.
What date from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory?
My sister had a beautiful wedding this past summer. I’ll always remember that.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Growing my photography business.
What was your biggest failure?
Oh I fail every day at something. I am far from perfect, but I try my best. I am really bad at meal planning and grocery shopping. I struggle with that the most. The last thing I want to do when I get home from a long day is cook.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
No *knock on wood*
What was the best thing you bought?
A new Nikon D750!!!! So excited!
Whose behavior merited celebration?
My husband. He puts up with me and all my flaws. He’s very structured and disciplined…and I am very free-spirited. He keeps me grounded and focused for sure.
Where did most of your money go?
FOOD. Ugh.
What did you get really excited about?
Photo shoots- My passion….anytime I get asked to take photos or have a new event I get SO excited! I love weddings and the vibe you get from all the love in the air 🙂
What song will always remind you of 2014?
Taylor Swift- Blank Space
Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder?
Happier
Thinner or fatter?
Fatter. Blah. I am “Plushious”
Richer or poorer?
Richer
What do you wish you’d done more of?
Exercising & spending time with distant family.
What do you wish you’d done less of?
Working
How will you be spending Christmas?
I went to Arkansas and we had Christmas on the farm there. We also had Christmas with Terence’s family in Texas too.
Did you fall in love in 2014?
No, I already am.
How many one-night stands?
Zilch.
Who were your best friends?
I don’t have any BEST friends here in Texas…I wish I could find one. My best friends have always been my girlfriends from high school and of course my twin sister Bonnie.
What thing did you do that was meaningful to others?
Capture memories and take photos that will hopefully last a lifetime.
What were your favorite TV shows?
The Goldbergs, The Black List, & so many more!
Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Yes. Not hate…just dislike.
What was the best book you read in 2014?
The Crossfire Series (Thanks Nicole!!!)
What was your greatest musical discovery?
Taylor Swift 1989 album= LOVE.
What did you want and get?
A new camera.
What did you want but did not get?
To move closer to my husband’s job so we can have more time together.
What were your favorite films this year?
I can’t even REMEMBER. We watched a LOT of movies…I can’t think of a stand out favorite though.
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
33. Spent the day with my family.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A personal chef. Ha ha!
What kept you sane?
My MEDS. No joke.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Beverly Goldberg. Overbearing Mom of the year.
What political issue stirred you the most?
Obama everything. SUCKS.
Who do you miss?
Our old President. My family in Arkansas.
Who are the best new persons you met this year?
I met some great blogger friends and so thankful for them!
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014.
Life is short. You can’t take it with you. Pick and choose your battles.
I participated in an Ambassador program on behalf of Influence Central for the MetLife TRICARE Dental Program. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.
(Terence on the day he enrolled in the Air Force)
December is the National Guard’s birthday. If you are a member of the National Guard I want to say THANKYOU!!! I’ve talked about our military experience before and also the benefits of theMetLife TRICARE Dental Program. It provides low-cost monthly premiums and offers a cost share for a variety of dental procedures. Let’s face it…dental care isn’t cheap. My co-worker chipped her tooth last week on a sucker and now she’s got to go to the Dentist…I know she isn’t excited about that!
One way you can take the pressure off of going to the Dentist is by enrolling in the MetLife TRICARE Dental Program. They are dedicated to educating members about dental health and important dental care practices. The TRICARE Dental Program is ideal for military families because it is a convenient and cost-effective way for families to have continuous dental coverage despite changes in life events, geographical locations, or military status.
I miss the benefits of Tricare now that I don’t have them anymore. I stay in touch with a lot of our military friends now, thanks to Facebook and social media. Seriously, if you have the option to enroll in MetLife TRICARE Dentalthen DO IT!
You never know what you have until you don’t have it anymore & this is a great program to take advantage of NOW. The end of the year is a great time to review your dental benefits & get ready for the coming year.
The TRICARE Dental Program is part of the TRICARE Health Plan for military families. However, you must enroll separately in the TRICARE Dental Program to obtain dental coverage for your family.
Sign up for the TRICARE Dental Plan Newsletter, Dental HealthMatters, shares information about TRICARE Dental benefits, updates and announcements, tips to keep teeth healthy, and more helpful information for enrollees.
We had a great Christmas. Connor and I left to visit Arkansas the week before Christmas. We had a great time visiting Bonnie, Vinny, and Jarrett. We stayed with them the first night we got into town. Let’s not mention how I drove into the wrong driveway and woke up their next door neighbor at 1 a.m.! So embarrassing!
I visited with lots of old friends and co-workers. It’s always nice to catch up with people and see how much has changed. We headed to the farm on Saturday and celebrated Christmas, ate, slept, ate, slept some more….
Sunday we went to church and then packed up the ginormous amount of toy pieces strew all over Nannie’s house & headed back to Conway. There is NO PLACE on Earth like the farm and I’m so thankful we have a place like that to retreat to. Mom and I had a day out together of lunching and shopping. I always love having special days like that with my Mom. We headed home begrudgingly on Tuesday. After a long drive we were back in Texas.
We had an amazing Christmas and I feel so SO very blessed that I have a loving family and more than I ever needed or wished for in this lifetime.
On Christmas day we spent time with Terence’s family and had some yummy food and togetherness. We’ve had great weather this year, but I hear it may snow this week! (Always a good excuse for building a fire and making soup right?)
This next year we are hoping to make the big move to Plano/Frisco to be closer to Terence’s job. We have to sell our house, it’s bittersweet because it’s the home we bought when I was pregnant with Connor. Having family time and being closer together is something we’ve been striving to do for a long time. I’d like to get settled before Connor starts Kindergarten next fall. I ask for your prayers as we figure out what to do and transition during this time. I know everything will work out and God is ALWAYS in control!
Well, I know this is going to photo overload, but here is a glimpse of our Christmas 2014:
Okay I’m going into my after Christmas depression today. Enjoying one of the last eggnog lattes I’ll have until next season. (Don’t you DARE think of taking it away #Starbucks !)
I don’t know what it is…but it’s the build up of Christmas more so than the actual day itself. After I get home from Arkansas I instantly miss my family again, but when I’m away I miss my Texas family too. It’s hard.
I know this next year there will be lots of changes for the good. Connor will be starting Kindergarten & hopefully we’ll get a few fun trips in along the way.
I’m hoping on building my photography businessa little bit more and I’ve been eyeing THIS beauty for the last few months. Hoping if I work hard enough I can make it happen. Does anyone have the Nikon D750 yet and what do you think of it? I know it’s a fairly new camera body.
I had a great Christmas yesterday and a great pre-Christmas in Arkansas. I’ll recap on that later…meanwhile you can follow me on Instagramfor all the latest and greatest!
(Being on Instagram I feel like a lot of the blogs I used to follow and love ONLY use Instagram now….what happened to the art of writing??? My goal is to keep this blog going.) Just a thought!
I’ll recap our entire Christmas in a few days…here’s one of my favorite pics of me and my twin sister Bonnie 🙂 Miss you like crazy boo!
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Goldrich Eggs, which can be found at Wal-Mart. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Christmas is NEXT WEEK y’all!!! Can you believe it? I’m enjoying a nice little vacay and visit here in Arkansas. I know I’m going to eat good while I’m here. My Grandma always cooks the best meals. My favorite part of every meal is dessert. It’s no secret that I’m a chocoholic.
One of my favorite things is a chocolate soufflé. I shared with you a couple of weeks ago a wonderful egg souffle that my Mother-in-Law makes every year. So, in keeping with the soufflé theme I thought I would share a dessert recipe.
I’m using Goldrich eggs, which have a wonderful#GoldRichYolk & great flavor.
Grease 4-6 ramekins/small bowls to bake your souffle in.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Set dishes on a rimmed baking sheet.
In a large heat proof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, combine chocolate, vanilla, and 1/4 cup water. Stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
An egg separator is KEY for souffles. It’s an inexpensive tool and it assures you don’t get any #GoodRichYolk in your egg white mixture.
Stir egg yolks into cooled chocolate mixture until well combined. Set souffle base aside.
In a large bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Gradually add sugar and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 5 minutes.
In two additions, fold egg-white mixture into souffle base: With a rubber spatula, gently cut down through center and lift up some base from bottom of bowl. Turning bowl, steadily continue to cut down and lift up base until just combined.
Bake souffle until puffed and set, 30 to 35 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
AND ENJOY!!!
I hope you all have a Merry Christmas. Remember calories don’t count during the holidays, so eat and enjoy yourself! Head to Walmart if you are looking for the tastiest eggs around- GoldRich Eggs.
I made a little video below with some instructions and helpful hints.
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Copywright The Java Mama/Becky Branch 2014
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