Busy Life As A Bunyard

Friday, April 29, 2011

Margarita Fridays.


After a hard week, I think Cody could tell I needed one of either two things: alcohol or sugar.. So he brought me home both-well sort of. What a great husband!

Gigi's Cupcakes
Merry Margarita
Margarita flavored yellowcake with a margarita cream cheese frosting, rimmed in sugar crystals and topped with a candied lime slice. Yum!
I have a BIG smile on my face.






























Wedding: Engagement Session


If you haven't noticed the overwhelming amount of engagements and wedding plans lately, no thanks to Kate and William a presume, well, you must have been living under a rock. It seems that everyone and anyone is making there way down the aisle. I guess you know your getting old when the majority of people your age are making BIG decisions. Oh well, I am glad. I love to hear engagement stories from happy couples. But most of all, I love to see engagement pictures! And man the talent of photographers these days is unreal!I think it is awesome when a photographer can truly catch a couples' personality.

Luckily for us, after some careful research, we decided on a very talented photographer, Jody Herndon! (Thanks to Ben and Lindsey Piper for the great recommendation!) Our engagement pictures were AMAZING. I was so thrilled to meet a genuinely talented guy. Our pictures are simple, just "Jessica and Cody"; which was exactly what I wanted. Thanks again Jody! We will cherish these forever. Check out a few of my favorites.




























































Monday, April 25, 2011

Birthday and Easter Bunny

I'm officially feeling older this week.. My younger brother, Wyatt, turned eighteen last Friday.. Eighteen!! Seriously? That just blows my mind. For those of you who don't know, I have three younger brothers: Chase, Wyatt and Tyler. (Yes, you can feel sorry for me) But out of the three, I would say Wyatt and I are most alike. Plus he has always been our Easter baby since he was born so close to Easter Sunday. So in honor of his big birthday, Cody and I decided to take him to dinner downtown. We thought he would enjoy Kooky Canuck and then maybe a little sight seeing afterwards. Plus I wanted him to check out the seven lb hamburger that Kooky Canuck offers. It is huge! None of us were brave or hungry enough to order the ginormous hamburger, but we saw it pass by.. Geez.


After a great dinner, the three of us wondered around downtown celebrating Wyatt. I would say he had a blast and I am glad I got to share a special day with him. But for goodness sake, please stop getting older!

So of course the three day weekend was jammed full of events, but one of the most important and special of all was Easter Sunday. I LOVE Easter! I always have. Luckily, I married someone who doesn't mind filling my Easter basket with sweet goodies; I would be heartbroken if I had to give up my basket. So the Bunyards awoke Sunday morning to sift through what the Easter Bunny left us. Even Jasper was happy to see his treats! Afterwards, we dressed in our Sunday best and headed to his moms for Easter breakfast. Next we made our way to a wonderful church service that opened our hearts to the true meaning of Easter. And then the feasts began. I mean feast, feast, feast! I am definitely battling the bulge today. Oh well. It was a great day full of family, food, and fellowship. Happy Easter!




Monday, April 18, 2011

I Can Finally Announce...!

That I am going to be an Aunt! Hooray! My sweet sister in law is pregnant! Whew! I have been waiting since November to say that! She can no longer hide that baby bump!

Ashley and Kacey are expecting their first child in just three short months. Baby Reed is due this July and I am overjoyed! I can not wait to be Aunt Jess! Doesn't Ashley look gorgeous?!


What are they having you ask? Well, we aren't sure. They have chosen to add some fun to the event and wait and see when the baby arrives. What do I think it is? A girl! But I'm really just looking forward to meeting a healthy baby, whether it be a niece or nephew. July can not get here quick enough! Any advice for a future Aunt?


Hooray for Date Nights!

Last weekend, after a LONG week, Cody and I, well more me than
him, got all dolled up and headed out for a date. Isn't it bizarre how appreciated a simple date with your husband can be..especially after a string of stressful and tiring days. (I'm sure you guys can relate) So when those days come, I become a giddy teenage girl again! Hooray for date nights!

Our first stop of the evening was Downtown, Memphis of course, to eat yummy Italian food at the Spaghetti Warehouse. Now if you have never been, well, shame on you.. It is a wonderful place to go and I love the atmosphere-It's very cool. There is even a full size trolley in the middle of the restaurant that you can have dinner in! We enjoyed a glass of wine, or I did, and a great meal. But most importantly, we enjoyed each others company.

Next on the agenda was dessert. Oh, how I LOVE dessert. If you didn't already know, I have been dubbed the Queen of Sweets! Continuing on, Cody and I decided to ditch downtown and head out East to check out the new Yogurt Mountain. Considering that the local TCBY closed about a year ago, I have been having some serious frozen yogurt withdraws. But oh boy! I was not prepared for the yummy treats that Yogurt Mountain has to offer. Here's the rundown on how it works: With cup in hand, proceed down our self-serve mosaic wall, mixing any of the authentic flavors of yogurt and sorbet.

Flow to the topping bar and crown your selection with the freshest of fruits, cereals, nuts, candy, and sauces.

Predetermined portions are a thing of the past! Since you pay by the ounce, you can have as little or as much of everything as you want!





Doesn't that sound devine!



But even better than the sweet treats, was the time Cody and I shared without the hustle and bustle of the work week. It is nice to just forget about the worries for a few hours. It is twice as nice to have a handsome husband to share a Date Night with!


Agree to Disagree


While driving back from Starkville a few weekends ago, Cody and I heard this Miranda Lambert song-and I just had to giggle! It seems to be perfect for those few-bless their hearts-who tend to get under your skin. You know who I'm talking about. I mean, I will admit to stirring the pot every now and then, but these people would pick an argument with a wall! So for goodness sake, lets just shake hands and agree to disagree!



Friday, April 15, 2011

Your Only a Bride Once-The Engagement

Last weekend Cody and I headed out early Saturday morning to join thousands of maroon loving fans at Super Bulldog weekend in Starkville. For those of you who don't know, Starkville is the home to Mississippi State University-which happens to be Cody's Alma Mater. Oh yes, I spent my fair share of time in Starkvegas. Whew! If had half the money I spent on gas traveling to and from that city, well, I could take a very nice vacation! So I have to say that I do love that place and I don't mind spending an afternoon catching up on some shopping, eating, and campus events. Actually, MSU holds a very special place in my heart for a another reason; I got engaged there.


Now let me tell you, even after the wedding and nearly two years of marriage, I am still shocked on how sneaky he was- or how oblivious I am. All the signs were there, I just failed to see them! To tell you truth, I wouldn't change a thing. Well, to be honest, I might have freshened up my make-up and dabbed a bit of perfume on! Oh well. You know its love when you get proposed to in sweats and no makeup right?!!


With that said, it is truly a wonderful engagement story that couldn't be more " Jessica and Cody. Enjoy!


So here's how it went down :Cody and I were scheduled to board a cruise headed to Cozumel. To shorten the drive to Mobile, we decided to stay at Cody's apartment in Starkville. (Well little did I know, Cody had an alterior motive.) So once we arrived to a deserted Starkville and Miss State campus, I decided to take rest on the couch. In the meantime, Cody said he was going to run down and check his mail while he was in town.. (Hello Jessica, here is your sign) I guess I was oblivious to the backpack he was wearing with a change of clothes! Well, you know what happened next. I got a call from Cody advising me to read the trail of notes he had left. And after a very thought out scavenger hunt around the Miss State Campus, Cody completely caught me off guard and proposed at the most perfect place, the Chapel of Memories-in true Miss State style of course. Considering it was Christmas break, no one was around but the church, the two of us, and a gospel choir. How perfect! (FYI-the choir wasn't planned, but was definitely a plus)










Thursday, April 14, 2011

If only I could..


Sing, which I absolutely can NOT. But If I could, I think I would jam out to this song. Who doesn't love Benny and the Jets?!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBbSvcJdGO4&feature=related



Monday, April 11, 2011

Hey Ya'll!


Famous words from that loud mouth cook, Paula Dean.. You know you have heard them before. (Loud mouth or not, she is still a genius!)

Friday was my Dad's 53rd birthday. Considering that he has EVERYTHING, I was at a loss as what to buy him. I've been racking my brain to come up with the perfect present.. Sadly, time ran out and I was unable to purchase a gift. However, at a last minute attempt to do something special, I organized dinner plans at the Paula Dean buffet in Tunica. I was a little hesitant at first because I have never been myself, but I was banking on all the good things I have heard. And I am glad I did-It was fabulous! Not only the food, which was unbelievable, but the atmosphere was fantastic.

Our family was seated in a private dining room, right next to the dessert bar! I was in Heaven! It was a delicious meal and a great way to celebrate Dad. Kudos to Paula Dean and all her success. I must say, she is quite inspiring.. even if she does say Ya'll.



Paula Dean's Toffee Brownies-Yum!!

Servings: 24 large/48 small brownies
Prep Time: 8 min
Cook Time: 25 min
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients Add to grocery list

3 (6-ounce) candy bars with almonds and toffee chips (recommended: Symphony brand)
Vegetable oil cooking spray
1 (17.6-ounce) package brownie mix with walnuts
Directions

Prepare the brownie mix according to package directions.

Line a 13 by 9-inch cake pan with aluminum foil and spray with vegetable oil cooking spray. Spoon in half of the brownie batter and smooth with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Place the candy bars side by side on top of the batter. Cover with the remaining batter.

Bake according to package directions. Let cool completely, then lift from the pan using the edges of the foil. This makes it easy to cut the brownies into squares.

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen



Thursday, April 7, 2011

Your Only a Bride Once.


Or at least I plan to be. Hopefully! With all the weddings and engagements that have recently occurred in our circle of friends, I have found myself reminiscing about my own bridal days. It also may have something to do with the annual Mississippi Magazine: Wedding Issue that I received in the mail. Oh what fun those days were! Stressful? Heck ya. Worth every minute? Without a doubt. I must say the overall result was totally worth it. I wish I could relieve our wedding everyday.


Sadly, that day has come and gone.. It makes me blue to think we only get a few short months to bask in the glory of our "Bridal Bliss" and be showered with gifts and well wishes of love.. Or maybe I'm crazy... oh well, there is always the renewal of the vows to plan, right? In honor of the wonderful weddings to come, I decided to take a trip down The Bunyard Wedding memory lane. Considering that it was a years worth of wonderful festivities, I'll add them separately.. Enjoy!




You can call me Miss Accepted!


That's right, I'm officially, official! After a years worth of hard work and praying, I have been accepted to the Ole Miss Counselor Education program! Whoohoo! Grad School here I come! It's been awhile since I've been the student, but I'm more than ready to be siting in the desk again-versus standing in front of the room. I love to teach, but I also love to learn. Can you tell that I am excited or what?!

Oh and it gets better. I think Cody has also caught the "back to school" bug. He is considering going back to get his MBA at Memphis. You go babe! Two of us in school again..Lord help us!

It feels great to have the opportunity to continue our education. I feel blessed to have the support of friends and family, but most importantly, Cody. Now we just have to figure out how were going to pay for tuition.. Yikes! Donations anyone?

Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study. Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life. ~Henry L. Doherty




Sweet Sarah Sartain Sells Scentsy


Say that five times fast! Whew!


I first discovered Scentsy earlier this year and I must say.. I love it! I wasn't sure what to think of it at first, but it quickly grew on me. Before long, I had a warmer and a large collection of smells. Just when I think I have found my favorite, a new one comes out and I just have to have it! Right now I'm loving the Mums and Marigolds and Shades of Green scentsy bars. They are perfect for Spring and they fill your home with wonderful smells.


Lucky for me, a near and dear friend of mine is a Scentsy consultant. Sarah Sartain is so very sweet and I know she will do great with Scentsy. She has the support of her husband Clay, who seems to be quite the Scentsy sidekick. Sarah seems to be doing great and I am proud of her for venturing out and trying something new. Don't forget-Sarah Sartain Sells Scentsy!


For those of you who aren't familiar with Scentsy, check it out!