Doug makes homemade Mozzarella cheese! (My Christmas present x2)

This past Christmas, Doug gave me a cheese kit from William Sonoma. I have to admit, I was not that excited about the present. I know we like to cook and all, but it seemed like a lot of work.

We finally bought a gallon of whole milk to make the gift last week. So we opened it up and Doug started cooking it.

Maybe I was just overwhelmed by the 4 pages of directions….

Doug got it cooking and started watching the temp.

After 90 degrees, the curds start separating from the whey.    

Finally, the temperature hit 105 degrees and Doug scooped the curds out.  

 

Then you have to microwave it until the curds hit 135 degrees. Once that happens, you put the salt (and herbs) in and stretch the cheese to blend the flavors. Then you roll it into a ball…
 

And store! You are finished.

It actually tasted fabulous and was easier than I thought. I am now even more excited about my Christmas present. I think we can make 5 or 6 more batches with the kit.

Fresh Mozzarella for days! Thank you Doug! Thank you for the present and then doing all the work too!

Nothing says love like the gift of cheese to a girl that is addicted to it.

Love and Hugs, Lizzie

Josh’s birthday! at Toups’ Meatery

After leaving Harper S. we headed to meet Josh, Amber and Harper B. for dinner at Toups’ Meatery! It was a day of Harpers!

When we arrived, I knew it was going to be delicous as I stared (drooling) over a meat board a random man at the bar was eating. I checked out the menu and was pumped.

We sat down and ordered a meat AND cheese board. I LOVED the cheese board. Doug LOVED the meat board. Typical.

We got to catch up the the B’s and hang with Doug’s BFF, Harper.

I had the beef short ribs and they were out of this world. Doug had the duck and deviled eggs.

Then came dessert…there were three types of doberge:

Pistachio, Thin Mint and…

Salted peanut butter, caramel and BACON:

Oh Lent. This truly was a sacrifice! I told Doug we MUST go back after lent and I want ALL THREE CAKES! Doug said he loved all three. He would eat them all again. Well, thank goodness, because he will have to in a few weeks. :)

Look at those jerks enjoying dessert. Harper like the thin mint the best…

Then there was time for shenanigans…

Happy Birthday Josh! We were happy to join you and your family for dinner! The food was fantastic and the company was even better…
      

Love and Hugs, Lizzie

P.S. I am really drooling over the cakes right now…

The grand meeting of the Browns and Ms. Harper

One of my dearest best friends from high school, Bret, and his fabulous wife, Kelly, had a little girl 3 months ago. This past Saturday, we FINALLY got to meet her! She is such a sweet, adorable baby!

Clearly, she was the show stopper, but it was also great to see Bret and Kelly. We got to catch up and play with Harper a bit. She has the coolest foot piano that I need to find in an adult size.

We brought her a little present and you can see how pumped she is to read it!  

Then she told me she was going to eat a cookie in front of me during lent…

just kidding. She said she would share…:)

Bret and Kelly, it was so great seeing you two. Lets hang again soon. I loved seeing your faces.
Harper, you are too cute for your own good. Keep sleeping so well!

Love and Hugs, Lizzie

Celebrating Stacey!

One of our (most) favorite people had a birthday last week and we got to celebrate it this past Friday night at the Little Gem Saloon. Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns played after we ate some fabulous food. I had the Shrimp and Grits (A+) and the cheese board (also A). I want to go back after lent for dessert!!

The place is really cool. I like the feel and look of it…

Great job Chris making it all happen!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY STACEY! You were a gorgeous birthday girl!

 

Some of the guests:

My hot date:

Here are the Little Big Horns!
 

I hope you had a great birthday, Stacey! We love you!

Love and Hugs, Lizzie

Laser Tag Lock In

Last week, Doug and I were invited to a “drunk laser tag lock in”. It started all 11 pm and ended at 2 am. Sadly, Doug could not attend, but I went to shoot some people up.

We arrived as the kicked all the other customers out of the building. When we walked in they asked if we were with the “lock-in”. It made me feel like I was in 7th grade. :)

We suited up and played red vs blue.

Red kicked butt. Scott lead the way…

Then it was time for bumper cars…

Hickman’s car did not work at all so he just got hit the whole time. I was entertained.

Back to lasertag: (Kenny and Scott)
 

Then there was cookie cake! (No, I did not have any…:))

The group was celebrating 4 or 5 birthdays…
   

We headed in for a boys vs. girls game, one last round of bumper cars and wrapped up the night.

It was really fun to rent out the whole laser tag building. We really had a blast and I had over 5k steps from midnight to 2 am. I got home around 2:20 am and tried to go to bed, but I saw red and green lasers for a little while. :) I did eventually fall asleep. It was such a blast.

Successful night!

Love and Hugs, Lizzie

Ash Wednesday and Lent

It is only appropriate to follow up the last few days of blogs with a Lenten discussion.

On Ash Wednesday, Doug and I walked to St. Catherine’s to get our ashes. After mass, I was winey and did not walk to walk home. I must admit Sarah picked me up after church, but Doug walked home.

This year for lent Doug and I are giving up some similar items.

(This photo was taken on Mardi Gras night. This was our last wild night of sweets. Doug ate that entire half gallon on Fat Tuesday night! I ate two of those apple turnovers and did not feel to great after. ha.)

Doug is giving up ice cream and coffee.

I am giving up sweets (cake, pie, pastries, chocolate, nutella, cookies, etc.)

Even though Sundays during lent are not actually counted in the 40 days, we do count Sunday’s a cheat day. That is how I was raised and I feel it needs to be a sacrifice. Having cheat days during lent seem like just what is sounds like – cheating.

Your Lenten experience is between you and God. Do with it what you choose.

Love and Hugs, Lizzie

Mardi Gras – Part 4: The rest of Mardi Gras

The rest of Mardi Gras was a blur. Here are some pictures for you to enjoy!  

Love and Hugs, Lizzie

Mardi Gras – Part 3: Thoth and Bacchus

Doug and I met Brandon at 7 am on Sunday morning to get our spot for Sunday’s events. When we got there we found a spot across the street from Jeremy and Bridgette (and her whole family.) It was fantastic! We actually set up shop right behind a friend of ours from volleyball.

The weather (shockingly) held out all day as the entire southeast United States got hammered.

Sarah arrived around 8 am and we got dressed for the day. Then we relaxed…

We got to hang with Josh, Amber and Harper!

Then Dr. Chris fed is! Bless that man. His jambalaya was amazing…

Then the rest of our squad arrived!!!!

Good times!

This is what we looked like on our ladders…(thanks B.Starr for taking our picture!)     

We had a blast and enjoyed the parades all day! I really love the Mardi Gras.

Love and Hugs, Lizzie