What's Up Wednesday

Happy Hump Day! 

It's the last Wednesday of the month (#byeApril), so that means I'm linking up and sharing a little bit of everything :)

What I'm Eating this Week

In case you missed it, I shared a new {healthy} recipe in yesterday's post that is perfect for a porch dinner. Which is perfect for the weather we're having over here in Dallas. It's simple, delicious, and will take you less than twenty minutes. 

It's a Shrimp and Sausage Skillet! Get the recipe here.

What I'm Loving

It's BASEBALL SEASON! If you're a veteran around here you know how much I love me some baseball. Last Saturday we went to our first game with a group of friends, and met up with my sister, BIL, and Brooklyn!

Hot dogs and Hamels are back in my life and I am oh-so happy about it!

Oh, and yes. It was quite cold at the game. Texas weather has more moods than a hormonal pregnant woman. 

What I'm Excited About

Speaking of baseball....

I'm quite excited because next weekend my dad and I are going to our SEVENTH out of state game! On my 27th birthday, I made a list of thirty things I want to accomplish before I turn 30 (in 2018), and going to 10 out of state baseball games with my dad was one of those items. 

And next weekend, we're hitting up a game in Atlanta to check out the Braves' new stadium!

Game 1: Boston Red Sox

Games 2 & 3: LA Angels and San Diego Padres

Games 4 & 5: SF Giants and Oakland A's

Game 6: St. Louis

What I'm Working On

Well. Next week is May. And May means we are 6 months from getting hitched. Which means I reeeeeally need to get busy on all this wedding planning business. Y'all - this stuff is no joke. I mean, I love planning parties, you know I love planning parties. But planning a massive one with all the vendors, details, and overall ins-and-outs of this one? Sheesh. 

So that's what I'm working on. And will be working on for the next 6 months :)

What I'm Watching/Reading

I have a new client at work that requires quite a lot of flying, so I've gotten back into my reading groove! I love reading, but I usually go through stints - I'll read 5 books in a row and then not read for like 3 months. Usually because I start binge watching a TV show :) 

So currently, this is what I started reading on the plane yesterday. I read one of her books last year and loved it, and since this one was purple and on sale for $6, I said yes, please!

And then...sigh. I did a bad thing. Well, two bad things. First, I started Hart of Dixie over (for the 3rd time, mind you) and binge watched that in early April, and then last week... I started Parenthood over. Why. WHY. I'm going to be a basketcase on the plane. Why would I do that to myself? #becauseitsjustthatgood 

This Is Us = Parenthood = Brothers and Sisters

All the feels for these shows.

What I'm Wearing

Anything I could possible wear in engagement pictures next week. Actually - help a sister out. I'm currently looking for a colored blousy top to wear with white jeans. If you've seen any cute ones, send them over. Better yet, if I know you and you have some in your closet, please call me asap :)

What I'm Doing this Weekend

One of my best friends had her sweet baby boy yesterday, so I'm hoping to go get some serious snuggles with him this weekend!!

What Else is New

Honestly, not much. Traveling every week is taking a lot out of me, so I'm trying to readjust my "normal" routine to account for all of it. Hence why the blogging has been sparse :)

And that's a little bit of what's up this Wednesday!

Have a great day everyone!

Katy

What's Up Wednesday

Sooo..... the December instance of What's Up Wednesday makes me realize that 2016 is almost over, and that it completely flew by. And while that really makes me want to focus on what went down in 2016 - I'm going to try and save that for next week and focus on December today. 

So here we go. What's Up.

What I'm Eating This Month

This question is painful in December. I think we should just skip it. :)

What I'm Reminiscing About

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that last week I had to make a very impromptu trip to London (like, the England kind) for work. And while it was primarily filled with work purposes, I did find a chance to stroll through the Christmassy streets of London. So that's what I'm reminiscing about :) But it IS good to be home. There's just no place like home during Christmas.

What I'm Loving

Well, fresh on my brain, I'm loving our Christmas Card pictures. And if you're a frequent visitor, you're probably sick of them because I just posted about them yesterday. But we took them on Sunday, and ever since I just find myself scrolling through and smiling. 

I always love capturing these moments with Char (this is our sixth card!), and this year we added Jeffrey Daniel in the mix. So I'm loving what will forever be memories of our little family of three :)

If you are a glutton for punishment and want to see more (including the chaotic outtakes), you can check out my Christmas Card post HERE.

What I'm Dreading

I'm dreading what I dread every December...

...the fact that busy season is right around the corner, which in my profession, basically means I just fall off the face of the earth for 2 months and live in the office. Yay.

What I'm Working On

In 2017, I'm going to work on my "happy." Not sure entirely what this means or how I'll do it, but I'm sure when I figure it out I'll write a post about it :)

All I know, is I really have to do something differently in 2017, and I think it's not letting outer happenings steal my inner happy. 

What I'm Watching/Reading

Well this is a no-brainer. Hallmark and Christmas Movies.

I still have a few to watch this year considering my DVD player konked out this year (like it's extinct or something), so I'm just taking a lot of these down to my parents' house to watch to my heart's content. 

And due to the watching, there hasn't been much reading. Yet another thing I want to work on in 2017....

What I'm Listening To

This. On repeat. 

Even if you aren't a huge country fan, there is still a VERY good chance you'll like this album. I went out on a limb and bought it for my dad, and he has texted me several times telling me how much he's enjoying it. The whole album just has the 'big band' feel, and Brett just has this special croon to go with it. He's the country version of Michael Buble. And he's very very good. 

What I'm Wearing

Okay, so thou shall not judge this photo because I have most certainly not perfected the "blogger selfie" - maybe that's what I should focus on in 2017 - but I am OBSESSED with this shirt. 

It's ridiculously soft, the perfect thickness (not thin like a shirt but not bulky like a sweater), and goes with pretty much anything. I wear it with skirts to work (above), with jeans, with vests - and it comes in SO many different colors!

I can't find it online (sorry, I hate that), but I have definitely seen it in multiple Gap Stores. And everything at Gap is 50% off right now, so this little guy is less that $20. In fact, I think I need more. So if you go to Gap, you just might see me there. 

What I'm Doing This Weekend

Today I head home to the safe haven of my parents' house. I'm looking forward to a little escape from life. Plus my mom and I can focus on getting wedding stuff done because that "long engagement" I was having to get stuff done is getting shorter and shorter and shorter....

Plus - IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and finally...
Favorite Memory of 2016

BAM. The one where we got engaged. 

And that's a little of What's Up this month! Tomorrow I'm sharing a holiday tradition and then I'm taking a break until next week. I gotta have time to get my holly jolly on. 

4 days, friends. FOUR DAYS. 

Until next time,

Katy

What's Up Wednesday

So I was planning out my blogs earlier this week, and this wasn't one of them.

Then yesterday morning I was reading the blog of the girl who creates the What's Up Wednesday link-up, and at the end she was all like "don't forget tomorrow is What's Up Wednesday!" 

...and I'm all like, wait what? There's no way it's already the last Wednesday of the month. 

Oh but yes. It is. October has come and gone. 

I mean I know the fall flies by and all, but gracious. I feel like I just completely missed October. 

Nevertheless, I got my act together and we're ready to rock some What's Up Wednesday!

What I'm Eating this Week

Yesterday I posted about my first experience with Shepherd's Pie. Before this experience, the extent of my knowledge was that time when Rachel Green combined the trifle with the Shepherd's Pie for Thanksgiving dinner. So basically not much knowledge at all. 

My bestie Lisa gave me the recipe for her paleo Shepherd's Pie - and I am such a fan! It's great right out of the oven, it's great as leftovers, and it's healthy but still tastes fantastic. 

If you're also new to Shepherd's Pie, I'd HIGHLY recommend her version. And it's quite easy too! We're talking less than 15 minutes to prep. You can check out the recipe here! 

What I'm Loving

If you're friends with me on Facebook, then you know how much I FREAKED out yesterday at the first Gilmore Girls trailer. Last week, the promo pictures were released, so on Friday I talked about how excited I was ...but now? Now I can hardly contain myself. 

Wanna-be-residents of Stars Hollow are LOSING THEIR MINDS over this trailer. And if you've never watched Gilmore Girls, then the trailer will do nothing for you. Gilmore Girls is an investment. With some serious return. Eh - scratch that. Gilmore Girls is basically a religion. And church starts back November 25th.

One month from yesterday, y'all. Jeff and I haven't quite figured out our Thanksgiving plans yet, but as far as I'm concerned - I'm busy on the 25th. 

If you missed the trailer (I am so very sorry for you) and you can watch it here! 

What I'm Working On

Figuring out my life. 

I think I'm having a somewhat delayed quarter-life crisis. I'm just re-thinking and re-evaluating every aspect of my life. And I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing, but it's causing a lot of unsettledness (pretend that's a word). The planner in me doesn't really like the uncertain or the unsettled, so I'm really just trying to hit my knees and let the Lord lead me.

What I'm Excited About

So I know I just talked about television, BUT... I'm so.stinking.excited for the Christmas Hallmark Movies to begin. And the new ones kick off THIS SATURDAY! 

 

...I know, I know. On Friday I was just defending pumpkins and proclaiming my loyalty to them. But this? This is a whole 'nother level. If you know me but at all, you know I live for these movies. And I get it from my dad. We are baseball people, and we are Hallmark people. And the two are not mutually exclusive.

Last year, I wrote a post on the common themes of Hallmark Christmas movies, and rereading it just made me all the more excited. For all the cheese and all the predictability. If you missed the post, or need a reason to get pumped up - you can read it here. 

I'm not sure when all the old Christmas Hallmark movies will start airing (#checkyourlocallistings), but this Saturday kicks off the new movies, with a new movie airing every Saturday AND Sunday up until January. (insert hallelujah-hand-emoji here)

You can check out the new movie listings here. 

What I'm Watching

Umm....between Gilmore Girls and the Hallmark channel (oh, and all my regular weekly shows), I think we're good on that front. 

What I'm Reading

Last weekend I posted this picture on Instagram and claimed this to be one of my most favoritest books. ....and I was only ten pages in. 

Y'all - this book is AMAZING. It's captivating, it's inspiring, it's hilarious. It's just such a good read. And if you've ever heard Chip/Joanna talk, you can actually hear them tell their story. 

I would be highly surprised if you're disappointed by this book.
So you should basically go buy it like...today.

What I'm Listening To

....and Brad Paisley has done it again. 

This song gives me all the feels and all the chills. His lyrics just cut through the crap and tug right and your heart strings. I'm seriously hoping he performs this at the CMAs next week!

What I'm Doing This Weekend

Fortunately, my calendar is pretty wide open this weekend. It's rare, it's beautiful, and it's also appreciated considering the next couple of weekends have like no white space on the calendar. SO, I'm going to be reading the Magnolia Story, watching the Hallmark Channel, and saving up on the sleeps. 

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month

Eeeks!! I love November!! 

I'm looking forward to the CMAs, the Baylor/OU game (and hoping for the opposite outcome of last year), the continue of the pumpkin flavors, the Macy's Day Parade, Black Friday sales, being so stuffed I can't move, and the start of Christmas commercials. 

Oh, and for the love, please give me some cooler weather. 

We're still waiting on "fall" down here in Texas. 

_____

And that's what's up! Happy hump day everyone!

Until next time,
Katy

 

What's Up Wednesday

Happy Wednesday! These posts are some of my favorite posts of the month. Maybe because it's in list form? I don't know. But I love me some What's Up Wednesday. 

What I'm Eating This Week

This pretty much sums it up. 

Not only am I still getting my Blue Bell fix after being gone for two months, but the beginnings of wedding planning has me eating out of the carton. I took this picture Sunday night after visiting my fourth venue in four days. Venues in the DFW area apparently book up decades in advance, so I had to jump on the bandwagon fast and make quick decisions. 

I hate decisions. 

I despise quick decisions. 

Basically, if you have a daughter and she just turned 16, don't buy her a car, put a deposit down for a wedding venue. Trust me, she'll thank you later. 

BUT - the good news is we actually BOOKED a venue and have a date! So now I can resume eating ice cream out of bowls. Maybe. I mean why dirty a dish? :)

 What I'm Reminiscing About

...you had to have known that was coming. :) 

But yes, 2.5 weeks later and I'm still reminiscing about that time we got engaged. 

I've seen a ton (a TON) of quotes and nuggets of marriage wisdom throughout this planning process, and I'll have to say that this is my absolute favorite. 

Jeff isn't perfect. I certainly ain't perfect. And our relationship hasn't been perfect. But I am committed to love the crap out of that man until the end of my days. And for everything he does that drives me bonkers, there are about ten things he does that make me wonder what I did to deserve him. 

(I'm pretty sure people are gagging right now.)

So yeah - I'm reminiscing about love and stuff. :) If you missed the engagement story - which is a pretty dang good one - grab a cup of coffee (no seriously - get a beverage) and check it out here.

What I'm Loving

I'm loving that I knocked THREE things off my {30} Before Thirty list this month.

My 1 Year Update wasn't looking too hot, and I realized I needed to get my act in gear during Year 2. 

-- Jeff proposed with a picnic in the Dallas arboretum (#14)

-- Thanks to 14 flights around Australia, I finished rewatching Brothers & Sisters (#28)

-- Last week, Kristie and I went to see Carrie Underwood in concert....again! (#8)

And let me just tell you - that concert was AMAZING. I've seen her once before (my sister and I went to the Some Hearts tour (circa 2006) so I was due for another tour. I will say I ate up every single piece of her show, so much that it FLEW by. Like I couldn't believe it was over. 

She sang every hit, and only sang one song I dislike (The Clock Don't Stop .... the clock needs to stop), and her wardrobe changes were perfection. Highlight of my night was when she sang "Choctaw County Affair" and got down on that harmonica. I think I swooned. I'm not even sure what swooning is, but I think I did it. 

What I've Been Up To

I'm still trying to catch up on my life. Being gone for two months really threw me off (but I wouldn't trade it for anything!). I still have boxes to unpack in my new place, I still have over 100 unread work emails, I got a cold/cough that knocked me out for about a week, and then I had to instantly book a wedding venue. Like imagine my life speeding down a hill and me running after it. In flippers. 

What I'm Excited About

The Texas State Fair starts on Friday! 

I LOVE the fair. I love the food, I love the rides, I love the chaos, I love the petting zoo - all of it. This event most definitely contributes to the many (many, many) reasons why I love the fall. 

Last year, Jeff and I made a date night out of it and most certainly plan to again this year. It was one of my favorite date nights of the year! I mean... who doesn't love a date night that lets you both act like 5-year olds? #yesplease

What I'm Watching/Reading

Confession - you haven't seen a book review this month because I'm not really reading. I'm watching ALL THE SHOWS. I had summer series (Rizzoli and Isles) I had to catch up on, and now all the fall shows are back! Give me all the abc dramas. 

But can we talk about what everyone is talking about? An no - not the election. 

THIS. (is us). 

I mean within the first 10 minutes of the first episode I was having all the emotions, and by the end my jaw was on the floor. And I love Mandy Moore. I haven't watched last night's episode yet (was on a plane), but I'm really eager to see where this show goes. They say it's the new "Parenthood," but I haven't seen enough to give it that honor yet. But as far as the pilot? Wins all around. 

What I'm Listening To

This song. On repeat. 

If you don't know what this is - you're late to the party. And I'm about to impress you eardrums. 

This song (and music video) was made in honor of the CMA Awards 50th Anniversary this year, and it's basically all things country in a nice little package and wrapped with a bow. The video has a bit much going on in the background for my taste, but I still have watched it about 50 times. And I bought the song and listen to it on a daily basis. And even though I KNOW it's coming, I get chills with Ms. Dolly Parton at the end. Every. Time. 

You can watch the video here!

What I'm Doing this Weekend

A little wedding planning with the mama, a little Rangers game action, and hopefully finish unpacking my dang apartment. The brown box look is really messing up my pumpkin decor... 

And finally, for the September bonus item:

What are some of my favorite fall recipes? 

Ummm anything with pumpkin. 

Okay but really - top three would have to be: 

Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Pumpkin Streusel Loaf

Pumpkin Scones

And for those of you who don't like pumpkin (I pray for you, and) you need a cinnamon pound cake loaf in your life this fall. I promise. 

Whew! That was a lot. Sorry, I've just really missed blogging. I'm a tad long-winded these days. :)

Happy hump day everyone! 

Until next time,
Katy

What's Up Wednesday

Good morning! Today is one of my favorite posts of the month. I love me some What's Up Wednesday. It's just got a little bit of everything!

Today's edition will have to be an adapted Australian version, but I think it's just as fun! :)

Here's what's up this month! 

What I'm Eating

Hah....uhhh. If you've been following me on snapchat, you know very well what I've been eating. A whoooooole lotta ice cream. And coffee. 

I promise I'm eating amazing meals at amazing restaurants, too. But ice cream is just a lot more fun to take pictures of. I've eaten ice cream almost every single day. And I'm not even on the "vacation" part of this Australian adventure yet. Bless my heart. And my love handles.  

What I'm Excited About

 

Ummm.... the Olympics. 

I'm such an Olympic junkie. Eh - okay actually I'm really just an Olympic gymnast junkie. When I was little (probably 1996, hello #magnificentseven), I put a looooong piece of masking tape down the center of my mom's living room, and that was my balance beam. I jumped, cart-wheeleed, and cat-walked to my heart's content on that tape beam.

...and then left it for so long that when we pulled it up you could still see the line and my mom was really mad and had to get new carpet. #oops

The Olympics have since kinda been a bigger part of mine and Jeff's relationship. The summer Olympics were on the first summer we met/worked together. So we'd flirt talk about the various events that happened the night before and try to keep each other off the internet so we didn't spoil the current night's event. Then the winter Olympics happened the month we started dating, so what better way to break the ice than to watch some people skate on it? #badumCH

And then THIS year he'll be visiting me in Australia so we'll be cheering on USA from afar. I just love me some Olympics. I'm so pumped. 

What I'm Loving

Um, AUSTRALIA! 

This is seriously one of the most amazing places I've ever been. And I've been working 5 days a week - I haven't even seen the half of it! Since I arrived, I've become besties with a koala, got the daylights scared out of me by a couple wallabies, sunbathed with kangaroos, learned some fun Australian facts, and this past weekend went to a coffee festival on the harbour and watched the sunset. Yeah. I'm loving Australia.

What I'm Dreading

....the Great Barrier Reef. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to see it, but I know I'm going to be a stress case for 48 hours. I've told you before that ocean life scares the poo out of me, so the fact that I have to be swimming around in it already sends my stress-levels to the edge of the charts. 

THEN I was talking to some of my coworkers about my fear, hoping to get the "oh, no you'll be totally fine" response, but instead they respond with "I'd be more scared about the crocs." 

....I'm sorry. The what now? 

Oh yes. There are SALT WATER CROCODILES on the beaches in Carnes. ...and they eat people. I'm doomed in the water, I'm doomed out of the water, and my stress levels are so far off the charts you can't even see them anymore.
#thislittlepiggywenttoasharkmouth #thislittlepiggywenttoacroc 

Plus I have to be in a bathing suit. Remember what I've been eating? #woof

What I {will be} Wearing

So I could show you the work clothes I'm wearing, but booooooring. So instead, I'll show you some of my eagerly anticipated Nordstrom Anni Sale items I've purchased. Because yes I still participated way over here. The sales are just too good!

I wanted to link back to the items, but sadly - these are the only items I got that still are in stock. Demand was crazy this year!

 

Cowl Neck Mini Dress // Dolman Dress

Suede Boots // Draped Utility Jacket 

What I've Been Reading/Watching

Well, lucky for you I just did my July book review a couple of days ago! I read books by two new authors and fell COMPLETELY in love with them. I also found a must-read "Jesus-book" that will give your prayer life a spiritual jump start. You can read about them here.

And since then, I've started Emily Giffin's new one!

#trainlife

As far as watching? Yeah I'm still watching Brothers & Sisters. Seriously one of the greatest shows ever. If you are a Parenthood fan - you MUST watch this one, too!

What I'm Listening To

This song. On repeat. It is my current country jam and it's AMAZING.

What I'm Doing this Weekend

Let's see...on Sunday I'm going with some people to see a real-life rugby game and, you know, embrace my inner Aussie.
....do you think they have hotdogs there? 

Other than that I might do some shopping, hit up a beach, and probably eat some ice cream. It is my last weekend alone before a certain someone (Jeffrey Daniel) comes to visit me!!!!! :)

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month

Carnes (minus the ocean life)

Brisbane

New Zealand
Adelaide
Melbourne
and more Sydney

....just to name a few :)

And that's what's up! Have a wonderful hump day everyone! I'm about to get some shut eye and kick off my Thursday. 

....still so weird to me.

Until next time,
Katy