Halloween Traditions

Last year was my first year really celebrating Halloween.

Growing up we always did things at church like a Fall Festival or Trunk or Treat.

My brothers and me would dress up as biblical characters or we didn't dress up at all.

I've never once Trick or Treated in our neighborhood.

But I don't really mind it. We had fun in our own way. 

And I loved spending the time with family, church friends and our good Lord.

Now Halloween isn't much different. But the hubs and me have started a little tradition.

On Halloween night we order in..

Chinese or Pizza..

Pass our candy to our sweet neighbor kids and watch Halloween movies or our favorite TV shows.

(We are those weird people that find a TV series on Netflix and don't watch anything until we've completed all 18 seasons of the show.)

And just enjoy the night. 

There won't be any ridiculous over priced costumes you only wear once and throw in the back of your closet. There won't be any scary movies. And there won't be any crazy anxiety that I'm the only weird kid in a Mary costume with a swaddled baby Jesus. 

Happy Halloween, ladies!

Stay safe and have fun.    

Fact

Hi y'all!
Thought I'd share what's currently going down in our hood with The Fact Is with Nicholl.

Fact: I got my purple cast off last Thursday. Praise the Lord.
Fact: After I got it off I used a whole bottle of alcohol trying to clean my leg/foot area.
Fact: It made be want to drink a whole bottle of alcohol to erase the memory.
Fact: I'm now in a boot.
Fact: Done with nasty foot talk.

Fact: The hubs and I booked our honeymoon/anniversary trip. For those new followers we got married in June 2011 but we had a lot going on. Bought a house, hubs in a new unit, pre-deployment training. We would have celebrated in June but he was deployed. So finally we are taking it.
Fact: We are going on a cruise.

Fact: I have so much school work to do since it is mid-terms week.
Fact: I'd rather be doing anything but homework.

Fact: The 5k I signed up for was this weekend and I went up to the race just to get my tshirt.

Hope you all have a great week!

Frito Chili Pie

I posted this picture last night of my delish dinner and the sweet Amber of Bugs, Barbies and Wedded Bliss asked me to post the recipe. 

Here it is and I hope y'all enjoy!

Chili:

2 lbs. ground beef (I sometimes use ground turkey)

1 can of kidney beans (8 oz.)

2 cans tomato sauce (15 oz. each)

1 can diced tomatoes (8 oz.)

2 pkg. McCormick mild chili seasoning

1 t. cinnamon

1 t. cumin

1 t. cayenne pepper (omit or use less if you don't like spicy)

1 t. red pepper flakes (omit or use less if you don't like spicy)

Brown meat and drain. Add the rest of ingredients and cook until hot. 

*Add the Fritos to bottom of bowl, top with chili, add sharp cheddar cheese and chopped sweet white onion. Eat up!

If you don't follow me on Instagram go hit that up. 

My username is @meneal.

Hope y'all are having a great week!

The Birthday Boy

Here's a brief recap of all the festivities we've had for the birthday boy over the weekend and then yesterday night!

We started out the weekend gathering all our party things and picking up some yummy Chinese.

(I was a bad blogger and didn't take any pics Friday night, oops!)

Saturday, was spent cleaning and preparing for his annual birthday bonfire. 

We have one every year complete with Frito Chili Pies, Chili Cheese Dogs and S'mores.

Yum.

Best friend-enemy. 

I wish I took more pictures, but we were having too much fun!

We had about 12 people out to our house. 

We loved sitting by the bonfire and chatting with all of our closest friends. 

Sunday, we spent all day re-cooperating. 

(If you know what I mean..)

Yesterday, was Mr. Army Man's birthday and we fully enjoyed the day.

His presents: 

Complete with Arkansas Razorback Football Tickets!

Twenty-eight never tasted so good!

His birthday duds.

He got the shirt and shoes that he's wearing in this pic.

Quick photo sesh!

We literally had the best night. 

Complete with not one but two appetizers.

Rolls.

A main course.

And dessert.
We were stuffed and so happy!

I hope my sweet husband had as much fun as I did for his birthday!
Best weekend I've had since this cast has been on my foot! Haha.

If you don't follow me on Instagram get on over there and do so!
My username is @meneal.
Hope y'all are having a great week!

10,220 Days Young

Hi guys, today is my sweet husband's birthday.

I've asked my sweet mother in law to take over the blog today and tell us about his special birth story.

I think she has loved putting this together as much as I have.

Hope you enjoy!

Life changed again for us on Monday October 22, 1984. 

It was the day our second son David Alex Neal was born. 

He was greeted and already loved by us even before he arrived.

His first name, which means "Beloved" was chosen by his father and I.

We let his older brother, Adam, choose his middle name. 

Actually Adam named him after, Alex, the Budweiser dog that was featured in a commercial at the time! 

David was born at 4:29 pm. 

He weighed 8 pounds and was 21 inches long. 

He was born at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, Tn. 

We did not know the sex until delivery.

We did not care, we just wanted a healthy baby!

 In the 80's ultrasounds were not routinely performed unless there were problem during the pregnancy. I had an easy one with him

I worked up until the Friday before he was born on Monday. 

I only gained about 30 pounds (probably because he was already eating like

he is today!)

His due date was the twenty-second and on the twenty-first my water broke.

So I knew he was going to be on time. Something he continues even today! 

The labor was easy also! His dad, Wendale, never left our side.

He was my labor coach but was almost fired!

  His older brother and my mom slept all night in the waiting room with their jackets as their pillows.

He slept the first 3 months of his life only to wake up and nurse and poop! 

But once he woke up, he went non stop. Just like today! 

Our world changed that day because of him and the world too!

You are loved Mr. Army Man by us all! 

Happy Birthday son!

Love, 

Mom

Once again, Happy Birthday baby!

So lucky to have your precious self in my life. 

Hope it is the best birthday yet!

I love you.

Xx- Morgan

{PS} Mr. Army Man wanted to name this post so he took his age (28) and multiplied it by 365 and got 10,220. Which is his birthday 10-22. How crazy!

He said we are going to buy lotto ticket, STAT! 

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

What's more perfect in the fall than pumpkin bread pudding?

Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Marshmallow Praline Glace

3/4 c. pumpkin puree (packed)

1 1/2 c. milk

1/2 c. sugar

2 large eggs

1 egg york

1/2 t. salt

1 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. ground ginger

1/2 t. allspice

5 c. bread, cubed

3/4 stick butter, melted

Beat pumpkin, milk, sugar, eggs, salt, and spices together.

Toss bread cubes in the melted butter and then toss with pumpkin mixture.

Place in coat pan and cook 25-30 mins or until congealed. 

Dust with powdered sugar or serve with the Marshmallow Praline Glace.

 Marshmallow Praline Glace

4 oz. marshmallows

2 T. butter

1/2 c. praline pecan coffee creamer

Melt the marshmallows and butter together in a pot stirring constantly.

Once completely melted add the creamer and stir.

Pour over hot pumpkin bread pudding.

Serve hot or cold.

This is so easy and delicious. 

The hubs has already eaten half!

Make sure you write this recipe down.

Enjoy.. 

Fact Is

<center><a href="http://nichollvincent.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r507/nichollvincent/22609958-1.jpg"/></a></center>This week I'm guest hosting with Nicholl from The Chiffon Diary for The Fact Is..The Fact Is..I have all my blog posts picked out for the week & that never happens.I have bruises under my arms and I refuse to shave. Damn crutches. Judge me now.I have eaten a chocolate bar everyday for the past three days.. And I don't even like chocolate. I can't wait until the day of the husbands birthday party. It's going to be amazing.We just got started going back to church and I can't wait to wake up and go to church each Sunday!I have a whole outfit planned for Election Day in NOVEMBER. I want to start having a fashion segment on the blog once a week but can't decide if I should..Hope y'all have a great day!

Weekend Recap

My weekend started out with out with a bang!

For those of you who follow me on Instagram sorry for the photo repeats!

(If you don't follow me now @meneal.)

I went to the doctor and left with this beauty..

I mean at least its purple... Right?

I had to change my schedule at school.

I can't take cooking classes on crutches. Boo!

(For those new followers, I'm in culinary school.)

I found out I made Dean's List last quarter.

It only got better from there..

Since hubs went back home to visit family.

I dressed up. (Or my form of dressed up right now.)

And I went out with some friends to see a Halloween version of Screen on the Green..

Downtown Sanford, Inc. played Beetle Juice.. It was so great to see a classic and start celebrating the start of fall.

The Saturday morning I joined Lady B & Baby T for..

Wearing this..

After we grabbed some lunch with some more friends. Yum.

Afterward I did a little shopping to cheer myself up. Hah.

I made a failed attempted to grab a few things at the grocery store.

And decided to ease my sorrows with a wine and cheese night. 

Sunday, Fall was in full bloom.

Literally..

It finally reached some cooler temps and got down to the forties.

So I spent the day inside and organized and hung a gallery wall in my office.

Love it!

After not checking the mail in a few days..
Walking up hill on crutches is a witch..
I found out my baubles came in!

Overall successful weekend.. Considering.
At least I get to paint my fingernails until January.
How was y'alls?

 Make sure you follow me on Instagram @meneal. 

Crab Rangoon

You'll need:

8 oz cream cheese softened
4 oz imitation crab meat 
1 medium sized onion, minced 
50 wonton wrappers 
oil for frying

Combine cream cheese, imitation crab and onion in a bowl  Place the wonton wrappers on a flat surface 10 at a time and put about 1 teaspoon of filling on each.  Don't overfill or they will ooze out during frying and burn the oil. Put some water in a cup and using your finger dip it in and then wet the edges of the wonton wrapper.  Fold into a triangle and press the edges closed with a fork (for a pretty beveled edge.) Fry in about 2 inches of hot oil until golden.  Drain on paper towels. Enjoy!

This recipe is super cheap and easy!

*Can use green onions for regular onion substitute. 

Makes the onion not so pungent. 

They turn out super great and are just as yummy as your favorite Chinese take out place!

You will love these. 

Perfect for a Sunday night football game or easy entertaining. 

Just make a head and reheat in the oven.

Hope you all enjoy this recipe and have a great week!

If the Boot Fits

If you follow me on Instagram..

You know that this past Thursday I fell and sprang my ankle while also breaking a bone in my foot.

I was trying to get off the tread mill after my workout and fell the wrong way.

It looks something like this:

Which leads me to wearing a boot for the next six weeks..

I still have to go see the orthopedist this week for further news but as of right now my 5K training is pushed to the back burner and looks like I may not even get to race. Bummer. 

However this will not discourage me from actually running a 5K in the future. 

I am definitely marking one down in the books.. Eventually.

For now I will be propping my leg up, icing regularly and enjoying the perks of my husband waiting on me hand and FOOT! Hah.

If you don't follow me on Instagram you probably should now.

meneal

Hope you all have a great week!

I start new classes.

Being on my feet for 7-8 hours should be fun! ;)