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I did not receive any form of payment, recomendation, or products for this post. The opinions here are soley my own. The code is curtesy of the Restaurant.com Newsletter.

Gatlinburg Trip - Christmas Parade

We're back from Gatlinburg! The trip was wonderful! The hotel room was comfy - dinner & breakfast were terrific, even the ride wasn't torturous. Unfortuantely, the pictures that I have are not quite so great - my phone doesn't take very good pictures, but here's what all I could get between Joshua's phone and mine. This balloon that these people are guiding is super gigantic and very pretty! (I would have been afraid to blow away.)
Joshua and I in front of a beautiful waterfall -- we didn't know it didn't show in the picture.
Almost everyone has an 'imaginary boyfriend/girlfriend' when they're younger -- Joshua's "first girlfriend" was Betty Boop! So here's a cute picture of Joshua & Betty.
And here's a picture of me with Joshua's ex. Obviously I'm not too thrilled about being so close to my competition. I've gotta hand it to her, she's pretty tough competition. :)
These guys looked so real.
Yeppers, it's Forest Gump!! (Ahh, it was freezing!)

This is Joshua, laying on the hotel bed.
I tried on a "pimp" hat -- didn't look too pimp, though.
I was trying to scare away the scary gorilla -- didn't work.

This was such a fantastic trip - and well needed. We had so much fun and although there aren't many pictures of the acutal parade -- it was all beautiful! I look forward to going again next year.

Saturday 9! #1

I've decided to try something new:
Saturday 9!
I am going to try my best to be a part of this - 9 questions and 9 answers every Saturday.

1. What to you is the most joyous aspect of the holidays?
This is my first holiday season being able to buy for my family & I must say that it's been the best to me, thus far. I love being able to get other people gifts!

2. Do you get much snow where you live? If yes, do you enjoy winter sports like skiing or would you rather stay in by the cozy fire?
There's a bit of snow (even right now!) but not enough to do much with it. However, if there were, I would love to try skiing or sledding...then again, a warm fire & hot cocoa sounds stupendous!

3. Have you ever been on a sleigh ride or a carriage ride? Do you even like horses?
I have not - but I think it would be wonderful.

4. During the busy week, what do you do to relax?
I enter giveaways. ha. Actually, aside from that, I like to watch movies with Joshua at the $3 theater.

5. Do you get stressed during the holidays?
I haven't yet, but give it time - as I said before, this is my first holiday season being able to do things on my own.. so I haven't had the time to get stressed yet. :)

6. What holiday song could you happily never hear again?
Ah, as terrible as this sounds -- I don't really care much for the holiday music. I prefer everyday music. (Although I secretly love "Santa Baby.")

7. How do you decide on what present you pick for a person?
I just go shopping at a store that I like, look around, and if I happen to see something and I automatically think "Wow! My sister would love this.." or "Whoa! Joshua could really use this.." - then I buy it.

8. What does this holiday season mean to you and why?
So far, it's the best. Joshua and I are finally able to purchase gifts for our families and begin our own family trends. It's amazing.

9. What holiday movies best describe the season for you and why?
Really.. I'm not sure. At the moment, I can't even think of a holiday movie.

Happy 50 posts to me!

Soooo, this is my 50th post! I know that isn't a lot compared to many of you - but it certainly feels like a lot to me! :)
I never even expected blogging to last; between being a Full-time college student, keeping time with my fiance, and all of the other things that I do.. But suprise, suprise -- 50!!
I'm sorry that I don't have a giveaway for you all - if I could, I would. Maybe on post 75 or 100?? I'll see what I can do! :)
After all, my readers deserve a little something for being loyal.

Soo, I'd like to thank everyone that is following me and reading my blog -- I know I'm not a very active blogger, but I promise that I try to be.
Thank you all.

April Showers Blog Design Giveaway

April Showers Blog Design is having a HUGE giveaway and celebrating her OPEN waiting list that starts January 1st! April not only does blogs - but also invitations, announcements, calendars, cards, business cards, custom illustrations, and so much more! Just by pasting this paragraph on my blog I'm a winner!

Prizes: (Can also be given as gifts! Gift wrapping available! Okay...just kidding. But I do have an adorable gift certificate made up just for this purpose!)

Services include Blog Design, Custom Illustrations, Logos, Business Cards, Invitations, Announcements, HTML editing, and any other custom requests that are graphically related! (Services without a price listed on my blog are $20 an hour.)

Commenters 1-3: $100 gift certificate to spend any way they want for any services I offer!

Commenters 3-10: $50 gift certificate to spend any way they want for any services I offer!

Commenters 10-20: $25 gift certificate to spend any way they want for any services I offer!

Commenters 20-30: Win a FREE Custom Signature!

Commenters 30-40: Win 75% off any service I offer!

Commenters 40-50: Win 50% off any service I offer!Commenters 50-60: Win 25% off any service I offer!

Commenters 60-1000000: Win 10% off any service I offer!Your FIRST comment is the only one that counts towards the prizes.

Comments are TOP SECRET until December 5th when the winners will be announced at 10pm MT. Prizes must be claimed by December 10th at 10pm MT by using the "Contact Me" tab above. Winners will not be personally contacted. All prizes are for redemption between January 1st and January 31st 2010 and may be finished at any point within that time frame.

Maple Mustard Ham Steak! yumm!

I know, I usually don't post recipes -- but I made this the other night and it was mouthwatering -- it literally made Joshua's mouth drop whenever he walked inside the house. Yummm, right? Oh yes!

What You Need:
1/4 cup yellow mustard
1/4 cup maple-flavored or pancake syrup
1 Tbsp. cider vinegar
1 ham steak (1 lb.)

Cooking it:

PREHEAT grill to medium heat. Mix mustard, syrup and vinegar in small bowl; set aside.
GRILL ham steak 3 min. on each side. Brush with 1/4 cup of the mustard mixture; cook 1 to 2 min. more on each side or until heated through.
SERVE with the remaining mustard mixture.

If you want to Jazz It Up:
Add extra flavor by grilling over soaked hickory wood chips.
Use Your Broiler
Preheat broiler. Place ham on rack of broiler pan; brush with 1/4 cup of the mustard mixture. Broil, 4 to 6 inches from heat, 3 min. on each side or until heated through. Serve with the remaining mustard mixture.

Prep Time: 5 min
Total Time: 11 min
Makes: 4 servings

It really is super easy, and I'm tellin ya, it was fantastic! I'm not very big on ham -- but this was certainly something I'll try again!

Can't Wait for the Weekend!!

Friday, Joshua and I are going taking a vacation with Joshua's parents!! Vacation? Oh yes, a vacation!
We're going to Gatlinberg to see the Christmas Parade!
I'm realy excited -- for a bunch of reasons!
1 - I've never been to a "real" parade -- only the ones in my small town!
2 - I've never been to Gatlinberg (And I've heard that it's crazy awesome!)
3 - A vacation ;; who wouldn't be excited?!

I'll try to take pictures, but the phone that I have doesn't take very good pictures - either way, I'll try!

Do you have any plans for these Holiday Seasons? Any vacations?