LIGHTS!

Last weekend, we drove to Canton with our friends and their children to see all the Christmas lights. I didn't really know what to expect since I had never been to the "city of lights." We had a very merry time! I was really impressed with all the decorations and holiday cheer. It made for some perfect photo opps.

Jim and his buddy, Sam

Isn't Jim such a natural? 

Jim and Adam were trying to teach Sam how to kiss a girl on the cheek. Poor thing:( 

Canton Court House 

It was a festive night for sure:-) We had a great time with our sweet friends! 

Company

I love having people over to my house! I would have a different dinner guest every week if I could. I guess it's because my mother always had our doors open growing up. My house was always the hangout in between everything. It didn't hurt that there was always something going on in my neighboorhood :)

We have had 3 different sets of "company" at our house lately. The first was my dear childhood friend, Jacob Warren who joined us for a couple of homemade dinners while he was at the fire academy. I was thrilled to have a familiar hometown face over! I'm so proud for him- he will be such a great addition to the Senatobia fire dept!

It was chili and baked potato night when Jake visited! 

Next, we had Jim's best friend Matt Fletcher down to stay with us for the weekend. Annie was all about Fletchy. She gets so excited when people are come over that we usually have to put her up. Fletchy was a great sport. 

Lastly, we had Julie and Andrew over for dinner and to watch the SEC championship game. I LOVE having Julie down here. If you can't have family live near you- friends are the next best thing!! I am so lucky to have both of my childhood best friends here with me (Ginny and Julie!) 

 

Love all my "company." It makes a house feel like a home. 

"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!" 

Hebrews 13:2

'Tis the SEASON!

I have finished spreading a little Christmas cheer around our house! One of my favorite things is our Christmas tree. I talked Jim into getting a real tree this year from a local farmer's market. I absolutely love it. It wasn't the easiest thing-especially when you are accustomed to having a pre-lit tree! Once I had put all the lights on the tree, they stopped working. Oh yes- it was not pretty. We had to buy all new lights from Wal-mart. Therefore, we don't have as many lights on the tree as I would prefer. I'll be stocking up on some after Christmas. 

Our Christmas tree 2012! 

The top of our tree! I can't wait to get more ting-ting after Christmas. I love this stuff! I mixed up my jute and mesh ribbon this year. I really like the contrast. 

This is one of my favorite Christmas ornaments. I bought it at Mistletoe this year! Many of you know that my grandmother's name was Joy. I always love to collect Christmas "Joy" things, just like her! 

Another favorite- it has our wedding date on it! I will always love weddings:) 

My favorite Radko ornament of all time! 

How funny is this?! My mom let me have this ornament for my tree. It was originally hung on my grandmothers. Of course, my mother has one as well! haha. 

Mine and Jim's stockings! Don't judge me for having the empty picture frame on my mantle..I know it's tacky. I'm adding a picture asap! 

Little Annie's first stocking!! 

The "Joy" sign on my mantle. This was made by a teacher that I work with- her blog is on my list "All Things Beautiful" I love it- she does great work!

For all the Christmas cards I hope to get! 

:::And my favorite room of the house- The Dining Room!  

I love my nativity set that was given to me last Christmas by my mother-in-law! Goes perfect on top of my china cupboard. 

The Christmas china was my grandmothers (Lenox). I love seeing this china everyday on my table, brings back such great holiday memories of her! 

'Tis the season y'all! 

Thanksgiving

We had a lovely Thanksgiving this year! We got to spend several days in Senatobia with our families which was very nice. I enjoyed shopping with Meme and being lazy at home with my mom!! Oh yea- there was also a pretty good football game! :-)

Aunt Becca and Annie! 

Trying to get a family picture- didn't really work out, haha. 

Ne-ne got Annie a HUGE bone to keep her busy during Thanksgiving! Unfortunately, she wasn't too interested. She eventually came around..haha 

On Saturday, we headed to Oxford for the big game. Let me just tell you- it was cold!!!! I am NOT a fan of this type of weather. You know it must be true love if I sit out in that mess! It was well worth it. This game was one of my favorite I've seen in the Vaught. We are so proud that our Rebels are going to a bowl game!!  

Jim and I getting ready for the game. I was all bundled. I even had warmers in my boots. I'm a whimp. 

It was a great night to be a rebel! We don't get to celebrate that often- so celebrate we did:-) 

While at home, I also got to do some Christmas shopping. I think it is so important to support small businesses! I am especially partial to my Senatobia stores. Lauren and I always like to do a little shopping around town the day after Thanksgiving. We headed to Mimi's, The Other Side, Special Daze, and The Closet!! I think we were pretty successful! On Saturday before the game, I was able to visit with my dear friend, Erin. She has the most PRECIOUS store on the square in Oxford. She was one of my baby owls back in the day:-) I am so proud for her! Of course, I found just the gift I was looking for! 

The first gift under the Simpson Christmas tree. If you are in the Oxford area- shop Olive Juice Gifts! 

Even though it was a great break- I did miss my kiddos. It is always good to be back in the swing of things... and The Brandon Bulldogs are in the state championship as we speak. We had spirit week all this week.

The only time I will ever cheer for a bulldog!:-) 

I guess it's time to kiss November and fall goodbye! Onto Christmas it is!!! 

So long Maybeline

If you are aware who Maybeline is- then either you have been in my life since high school or I have at some point given you a ride home. Maybeline was my trusty old saturn that I proudly drove for almost nine years. She was a great car. I have so many fond memories from many stages of life that include that little car. In fact, here is a picture of the day I received good ole maybeline.

I sorta had to take a picture of a picture, haha. This was taken in the parking lot of MHS when I was 16! My parents surprised me at school with a new car. My friend Whitney (who's also in the pic) was so in on the surprise. The first place we went- no other than SONIC! If you grew up in Senatobia you know that this was the place to be. We were so cool.

Sadly, Maybeline was getting too old and too expensive to maintain. Therefore, we traded her in for what I consider to be a grown-up car, a Honda Pilot. Don't get me wrong- We are thrilled to have a new car and very thankful. But saying goodbye to my first car was bittersweet.

I hope I have many new "grown-up" memories in our new car. I think I even look older driving it.

But what will it be called? It's hard to beat Maybeline. 

Visitors and Mistletoe!

Well ya'll we are only about 4 days away from a long awaited Thanksgiving break. To be honest, I love to work. But about this time, I start getting very antsy. I think I snapped at one of my kids today. I told him if he didn't straighten up then fourth grade was going to eat his lunch!! Meaning that it was going to kick his butt if he didn't get into gear. He thought I literally meant I was going to eat his lunch. It was at that point I realized we were all a little tired of each other. 

The end of last week was super exciting. It all started on Thursday. Once school was over Kelli, her daughter Madison, and I scurried to Mistletoe! This has become an annual tradition. Kelli and I are good shopping partners- we think just alike. This is why we work so well together. We bought Jennifer Thames necklaces, and I bought a new pea coat for the egg bowl along with some cute earrings. This was mistletoe round one. 

Beautiful centerpieces in the food area

Look at all these crazy women. Yes we were two of them!! 

When I got home- I had a visitor waiting on me. The one and only Denise!! She even came to eat lunch with my class on Friday. It was very fun! Magnolia Heights was playing in the state championship so the whole gang was here. After school I received this picture: 

It said, "We are waiting on you!" You better believe I high-tailed it to Clinton. Look at that sweet little Emilee. The game didn't turn out so great. I'm sure many of you sports fans remember the infamous game of 2004. I mean it was a big one. The one where Magnolia lost by merely inches-ha! This one wasn't much better. Even though those memories are bittersweet-it was still fun to watch a magnolia state championship game. It had been a long time. 

Saturday, I took Denise to Mistletoe. This was the result of round 2: 

It's Annie's first Christmas and NeNe had to buy her an ornament. 

It was a great weekend! Made me very excited about going home for Thanksgiving to spend some time with family and friends. 

Everyone remember to do your shoeboxes this week!! Help spread God's love this Christmas. It's so easy to do! Normally I always do girls because I love buying girl stuff. This year I decided to switch it up and do two boys! Here is a picture of the assembly: 

So easy and inexpensive! 

Pack those boxes people!!!!! 

Lazzzy Weekends

And a lazy weekend it was! It was much welcomed with all the recent traveling we have done lately. Amazingly, I won't be going anywhere until thanksgiving comes and we head to good ole tate county. Can you believe it? I love staying home even though I miss my family terribly. Some highlights from this weekend:

After school on Friday, My teacher friends, Anna Katherine and Woodward, and I headed to Dirt Cheap to dig for some bargains. I love a good deal. I also have no shame. As long as I like what I'm wearing and feel good in it- I don't care if it costs $5.00! However unfortunately it usually costs more than that. My mom has always told me I have champagne taste on a beer budget. HA! We found some good deals though. I got a sweater for  $7.00, and two dresses. All for the whopping total of $28.00!!! We left the poor pregnant woman guarding all our junk:

Friday night, we cooked out at Ginny and Brandon's. It was super fun and Julie and Andrew joined as well. Saturday, we just laid around and watched football. Annie loved snuggling up with me all day.

By the way, ^That's my seven dollar sweater. 

We also went to celebrate our friend's sweet baby boy's first birthday

Happy Birthday Jack! 

Saturday night, I decided to set my dining room table for Thanksgiving. I'm not hosting Thanksgiving, nor will we even be here for the holiday. Jim gets some days off that week and we'll head to Senatobia on Tuesday. I just did it mainly because it makes me feel good! ha! I'm not quite finished. I have to get the rest of my napkins dry cleaned, but it makes my house feel ever so cozy. 

I love a good place setting. The china is Wedgewood-Vera Wang Champagne Duchess. I picked it out when I was 16! Ironically, the year we got married, the pattern was retired. Thankfully, I was able to get several place settings! 

The charger is Annie Glass- only the best thing ever. 

The gold flatware was my grandmother's and is another favorite. I love gold as you can tell! 

The napkins are Vietri- the second best thing behind Annie Glass. Can't wait to bring out Vietri Christmas in just two weeks!! 

The placemats were also my grandmothers! 

This week is going to be exciting- Election day and Mistletoe! My mom is also coming down which I am very excited about. Magnolia is playing in the state championship Friday afternoon. She will hopefully come down on Thursday and stay until Saturday. We also only have two more weeks until Thanksgiving break- so much to look forward to!