Yabba Dabba Do

Ok, so it's not October yet, but I am already in a Halloween state of mind.  I have seen some pretty darn cute stuff out there in blogland that I plan on showcasing tomorrow. 

But, in the mean time, here are Tommy and I as Fred and Wilma Flintstone last Halloween. I am a fool for costumes and my sweet grandmother and I made these together.

Have a great Tuesday!

Blog Hopping!

It's another Blog Hop/Follow Friday!  If you are stopping by for the first time - welcome!  If you follow me, leave a comment and let me know.  I will always follow back!

Have a fantastic weekend!

You can link up to the Blog Hop here.

You can join the Friday Follow here.

Summer Reading Update

Back in June, I posted about some of the books I love and some books that I wanted to read this summer.  You can read that post here.  Although I didn't get  to everything on my "Want to Read" list, I did read several  of them and several others and wanted to share my opinsion with you.

My Thoughts on the "Want to Read" Books I Read

1.  In The Woods by Tana French
I was actually a little disappointed by this one.  Although the plot was intriguing, too much was left unfinished for characters that she does not seem to plan to revisit.  If you like closure in your books, then this one is not for you.

2.  The Dive from Clausen's Pier: A Novel by Ann Packet
This was yet another lackluster book for me.  I wanted it to speak to me, but it really didn't.  I just never could relate to the main character. 

3.  The Shack by William Paul Young
I am in the middle of reading this one right now and so far it is fantastic.  If it continues to be as good as I think it will, then it will get it's very own post.

Some of the Other Books I Read this Summer (and mostly liked)

1.  Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult
I really loved this one - really!  The plot of the book centers around a young, unmarried Amish girl who is accused of murdering her newborn.  I am fascinated by the Amish culture anyway and the plot was extremely engaging.  As with any Jodi Picoult book, there are plot twists and surprises that make them great reads.  Will this book change your life?  No.  But will it entertain.  Absolutely.

2.  The Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan
This series about the children of Greek gods living on Earth centers around a son of Posiedon who first learns he is a demigod and then that the world is in a time of great trouble.  It is geared towards tweens and teens, so Noah already had all 5 of the books and loved them.  If he gets involved enough in a series of books to read them all, then I usually try them out too.  These were really fabulous.  I was entertained and would recommend them to anyone looking for something relatively easy yet engaging for their children. 

3.  Bleachers by John Grisham
This was on Noah's Pre-AP English Summer Reading List, so after he finished it, Tommy read it and then I read it.  In a complete 180 from the normal legal thrillers he usually writes, this book is all about small town high school football.  I loved it because it was both simple and deep.  My hubby loved it even more than me, so I would vote this as a great potential stocking stuffer for all the football loving men in your life.

4.  A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett
I picked up this book at a church yard sale for the hubby, because, well Jimmy Buffett - seriously!  Tommy read it and loved it.  I read it and kinda liked it.  It's definitely a guys book, but entertaining and fun.  This would be a perfect vacation read because it does not require any thinking and it's all about tropical places.  It is obvious that Jimmy wrote it - it practically screams Parrot-Head!

Hope you try some of these.  Most really are worth reading. 

Here is my updated "Want to Read" List for Fall

1.  A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini - carry over from summer
2.  The Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris - carry over from summer
3.  Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King - I'm so excited about this book of four stories that will be released in November
4.  The Scarpetta Factor by Patricia Cornwell - This is the 17th novel centered around Dr. Kay Scarpetta.  I'm behind because number 18 is being released soon.  These are all great reads about murder and forensics.
5.  Millennium Trilogy:  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson - I don't know too much about these other than from what I have read they are fast moving and the heroine is phenomenal.


I am in no way affiliated with or compensated by any of these books.  These are simply my opinions.

A Birfday Weekend

So, call me a slacker wifey.  Cause I am.  My sweet hubby turned the big 3-0 on Friday and I haven't even posted anything about it.  I did write on his Facebook wall - does that count?  Anyhoo...

As a pre-birthday event, we went to see Rebirth Brass Band and Moon Taxi at Fairpark in downtown Tupelo.  This was the last of the Down on Main concerts of the summer.  My hats off to the committee for a fabulous time - the music was phenomenal!  Sadly, Tommy had to leave early with an extra sleepy and grumpy AnnaLauren.

Rebirth Brass Band from New Orleans

Moon Taxi from Nashville

Friday morning I snuck over to the bank before Tommy made it to work and decorated his office. 


The awesome ladies he works with provided an extra large party hat and a homemade caramel cake (yum!).


Friday afternoon, the kiddos and I presented him with some tokens of our affection.  In honor of his love of Ole Miss football, he got...

This fetching hat...

This mini football that plays "Go Rebels Go" and "Dixie"...

And a new set of flags for his truck...

On Friday night, we went to Harvey's (one of our faves) and had fantastic dinner.  I absolutely suggest the Bloody Mary because it comes with an olive, a pearl onion, a celery stalk, another onion, a lime wedge, a bell pepper ring, a boiled shrimp and a pepperoni slice.  They bring you a plate to go with it.  Yep, a drink with snacks - beat that!

On Saturday, Tommy watched his beloved Rebels pull out a close win against Tulane.  Whew!  A loss could have brought the weekend to a screeching halt!

On Sunday, after a fantastic morning at The Orchard, Tommy's sweet stepmom cooked a fabulous birthday lunch of grilled chicken, corn on the cob, mac and cheese, wild rice dressing, green beans and new potatoes and finished up with Baskin Robbins ice cream cake in chocolate/chocolate.  I almost needed to be rolled out to the car!

And lastly, in a fitting end to the weekend.  We put the kiddies to bed and watched the season finale of True Blood.  Alcide & Eric - enough said!

Hope your weekend was fantastic!

Today is Day 3 of the SITS Girls Back to Blogging event. Thank you to the event sponsors Standards of Excellence, Westar Kitchen and Bath and Florida Builder Appliances. Today’s assignment is to republish a post with a title you are particularly proud of.  I didn't repost since this was my latest post.



My name is Nikki and I might be a cougar.

Hotty Toddy!

There's nothing in the world like a beautiful fall day in The Grove.  Go Rebs!

My name is Nikki and "Dixie" played by The Pride of the South makes me happy!

Almost Famous

One of my mother-in-laws (I claim three, but that's another story) operates a daycare/preschool, so she is forever being called on by vendors.  Earlier this week, a photographer came in from a company she has used in the past.  She had recently joined the franchise and was out calling on potential clients.  My MIL took her card and imagine her surprise when she flipped it over and on the back was AnnaLauren!  About 18 months ago I was contacted by the company and asked if they could use AnnaLauren's picture for advertising.  I said yes, but never gave it another thought - until now!  Pretty funny!  BTW, they make very cute pictures at schools, daycares, etc.

Front and Back of the Business Card

AnnaLauren is on the bottom right

Wordless Wednesday - Could she do it through a tornado?

My name is Nikki and a pink poodle, a backpack pillow and Dora flip-flops crack me up!