Memories

Well, tonight I've had a lot on my mind. I was looking for some pictures that I wanted to frame and I came across this photo album that my Mammaw made for me about 3 years ago. She gave it to me for my birthday. It's filled with pictures of me from the day I was born til about 3 years ago. I had forgotten all about it. Well tonight when I stumbled across it, I took a minute to sit down and go through it. There are so many wonderful pictures in there. People that I love more than they will ever know fill those pages. There are some really great photos of my Mammaw & Pawpaw from when they were first getting the chance to spoil me. I love that I have those. There are pictures of my cousins, my brother, and tons of my aunts & uncles. You know I can remember when I was little thinking that I had the coolest grandparents in the world. They were so awesome. I remember taking breaks with my Pawpaw during the summer. He always bought an orange soda and an almond joy. We always got to get a soda and a candy bar too but we never stayed long enough to actually finish them. Mammaw would take us home and get out our "special" glasses and let us have tea parties. I was given those "special" glasses a few years back. I can see them in my china cabinet as I sit and type this. They were these tiny little crystal glasses that looked like kid sized wine glasses. We always thought we were big time when she got those out. We weren't allowed to touch anything that was in that china cabinet. Now it's mine. Along with the crystal that was in it. I don't look at it as fancy things that you should never use. I drink from the things inside that cabinet often and it takes me back to that place. I cherish that china cabinet and all that is in it. I'm so thankful that my Mammaw made me that photo album. Spending some time with special memories tonight was good for me. So I encourage you to do the same. Spend some time with an old memory, pictures of you with your grandparents or your kids baby pictures. Just spend some time remembering something good from you past. I did and it made me very happy. I feel blessed beyond what I deserve.

Good To Go

So I wanted to make a blog post about a man that I know that passed away yesterday. He was 89 years old and lived a very long happy life. He was married to the love of his life for almost 65 years. He served in the military and did so proudly. He was my husbands great uncle. So....Gene, you will be greatly missed. You were one of the funniest little old men I've ever met and I adored you.

Here's the place my mind keeps going back to. It's a song that is sung by Jason Aldean. It's called "Good To Go". If you haven't ever heard it you should look it up and listen to it. It's one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard.

Waitin' at a stop light yesterday

As a funeral procession made its way

Through the gates,

I watched it roll up a winding road

Through a field of green

With white headstones all in a row,

And it made me think about where I'm at

On my not so straight and narrow path

All the generous and mostly undeserved

Blessings that I've had

CHORUS

I had an all-american mom and dad

Some of the coolest friends you could ever have

Found love I thought I'd never find

Sometimes I can't believe this life in mine

And I'm not plannin' on leavin' yet

But the truth is you just never know

And if this is as good as it gets

Man, I think I'm good to go

I'm good to go

I said a prayer for the dearly departed

And the loved ones left broken hearted

Then traffic started

And I drove away a little more able

To see the good things on my table

And for that I'm grateful

'Cause I've had my troubles had my trials

I've hit the mark and I've missed by miles

Had days that I've been fightin' mad

But the good times have more than

Outweighted the bad

CHORUS

Got to hold my newborn baby girl

And the hand of a man as he slipped from this world

I've laughed so hard I couldn't stop

Seen the sunrise from a mountain top

And I'm not plannin' on leavin' yet

But the truth is you just never know

And if this is as good as it gets

Man, I think I'm good to go

Yeah, I've been thinkin' bout where I'm at

On my not so straight and narrow path

And I wouldn't wanna change nothing about

This roll with the punches life I've had

CHORUS

I had an all-american mom and dad

Some of the coolest friends you could ever have

Found love I thought I'd never find

I can't believe this life is mine

And I'm not plannin' on leavin' yet

But the truth is you just never know

And if this is as good as it gets

Man, I think I'm good to go

I'm good to go

I'm good to go

Something Spectacular!

So this week while backing out of our garage, I noticed something small and shiny on the frame of the garage door. I forgot about until later when I was out by the pool and noticed something small and shiny on the side of the pool. I decided to see what it was. To my amazement it was a cacoon. Now I don't know about you, but, I've never seen a real life cacoon before. I always thought they looked like a really tight spider web wrapped around a catapillar. Apparently I'm wrong. They are the most unique and beautiful thing I've ever seen. They are sparkly and gold, and so very cool. I took some pictures because I'm pretty sure that my "nephew" Logan, will want to see them. So I decided I'd put up a blog with pictures every couple of days so that he can see the catapillar/cacoon as it changes.

This one is on the frame of our garage door. Isn't it neat??

This one is on the outside of our pool. He already has a wing growing it looks like.

I know that this is going to make a certain 4 year old very excited! He loves bugs so I'm tracking these for him. Plus you gotta admit, they are pretty cool! And Logan, I know you can't read this but I'm sure your Mommy is showing this to you. I love you & Alex......Love, Nisa

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

So today is my Mom's birthday. I am making a cheesecake for her party on Monday. Now if any of you know anything about baking a cheesecake, you know that it takes forever and you have to let it "cure" for 24 hours or more after you bake it. So here's some pictures of my baking excursion today. I thought since today is Mom's actual birthday I would do a post of the cheesecake and also say.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!! I LOVE YOU!!

Now to show you what I've worked so hard on for your party!! I know you will enjoy eating it as well as looking at the pictures!!

Chopped walnuts, pecans, & almonds for the crust.....

 Mashed into the bottom of a springform pan....one of my most favorite dishes I own!

Now to start mixing everything for the actual cheesecake part...

 Done mixing....

 Pouring the cheesecake mixture into the springform pan.....

 Ready for a water bath in the oven!

And the finished product baked & ready to cure!!

I have been trying to learn how to make every single cheesecake recipe I can get my hands on. I love being in the kitchen. Cooking, baking....pretty much anything I can make in the kitchen makes my heart happy. I'm excited that I got to be in charge of my Momma's "cake" for her party. I hope everyone loves it! 

Home

So I just thought I would share what my life was like growing up. I've been thinking about it a lot lately because my husband's best friend will be here in a week and I'm so looking forward to having him here. I know that sounds a little strange so let me explain.

Growing up, our house was always full. Whether it was my friends or my brothers, there was always an abundance of people there. I remember when I was about 15 or 16 and some boys that I was friends with stopped by. One of them told me that he loved my house. I had the coolest parents. That he would never be allowed to have that many people at his house, his parents would have freaked at how loud it was and how many people were there. I knew then that my house was a special house. There was no judgement there, no repressed feeling....it was just a safe place to be yourself. It didn't matter if you were the head cheerleader or a boy that broke into a rival schools bus at a football game....at my Mom & Dad's house, you were always accepted. We had midnight swims, water fights, and I remember my cousin and one of my brother's friends wearing my bras and acting stupid in the living room....I have pictures! We always had the most awesome time.

So next week when my husband's best friend comes home, I'll be left at home some but they will also be here a lot. I will get to cook for them, listen to all thier stupid jokes, and my house will be the place they feel like they can be themselves. I love that. It makes me feel like my house is finally home.