Happy New Year!

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Happy New Year!

Holiday Recipes: Blue Ribbon Carrot Cake

Happy Friday!

As you all know, today is the last Friday in December as well as the last Friday in 2012, which means today I will share with you the last of my favorite holiday recipes!

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Enjoy!

 

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! I took a few days off from blogging to spend the holiday with my family as well as to help Cody get ready for his cruise to the Bahamas. He will be back on Monday and I'm hoping I can convince him to write a guest post about his trip, but we will just have to wait and see! 

Have a Great Weekend!

Liebster Award!

What a great honor, I have been nominated by 12 lovely bloggers for the Liebster Award! I have many, many questions to answer from these lovely ladies, which is perfect because it will give you a chance to get to know me a little better. :)

 Rules for Nominees:

1. List 11 facts about yourself.

2. Answer the 11 questions given to you.

3. Create 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate for the award.

4. Choose 11 bloggers with 200 or less followers to nominate.

5. Go to each bloggers page and let them know about the award.

6. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.

 11 Facts About Me:

1. I love Italian food.

2. I don't wear makeup and the only time I have ever worn it was to cheer football/basketball games.

3. My dream job is to be a stay at home mom.

 4. I have cheered at Philips Arena before an Atlanta Hawks game back when I cheered in high school.

5. I spent the first semester of my freshman year of college at Kennesaw State University. Long story short, several months and a $1,750 student loan later and I decided it wasn't for me. I may write a post on all of the details at a later time. We'll just have to see. :)

6. I'm allergic to dogs and cats so you will never see a picture of a cute dog or cat on my Instagram or Twitter.

7. I met Cody in Kindergarten, but we didn't start dating until our senior year of high school.

8. My high school chorus was invited to sing at the governors mansion for Christmas my senior year, but sadly we didn't get to go because that week was one of the few times we actually got a good bit of snow in Georgia.

9. I could watch I Love Lucy reruns forever.

10. I love to cook, bake, clean, and organize.

11. This number is the year I graduated.

Questions from Marci at Life With Joys

 

• What is your favorite holiday tradition?
• My favorite holiday tradition is spending Christmas Eve at my Grandparents house with my entire family. We open our stockings, eat a delicious Christmas dinner, and open our Christmas presents. It is a lovely family tradition that I look forward to every Christmas. 
• Do you prefer heels or flip flops?
• Flip Flops
• What is your love language?
• Quality Time and Physical Touch
• Who inspires you to be a better person?
• My Savior, Jesus Christ
• What is the craziest thing in your closet?
• I'm not a crazy clothes kind of person, but I do still have two cheerleading uniforms from high school in my closet.
• What is you goofiest habit?
• I put on my emergency brake when I park in a parking space on level ground. I really don't know why I do it, but I do.
• What is your favorite dessert?
• Ice Cream {Cookies & Cream}
• Do you prefer coffee or tea?
• Sweet Tea
• If you could buy anything for yourself, what would it be?

• What is your favorite color?
• Blue
• Describe your favorite outfit?
• Well, let me just show you...

Questions from Kristin at Queen of Sticky Notes

• Who is your hero?
• My Savior, Jesus Christ
• What made you want to become a teacher?
• I'm really not sure what exactly made me want to become a teacher. My Grandmommy was a Kindergarten Parapro for over 20 years. I have always loved listening to all the fun stories she tells about her time in Kindergarten and I think she might be one of the reasons I decided I wanted to become a teacher.
• What makes you happy?
• At the moment - Christmas Music :)
• What is your favorite hobby?
• Scrapbooking
• Do you have children (outside of the 20 some we love every day at school)? If not, do you want kids one day?
• No, but I definitely want at least two children one day.
• What is your favorite blog?
• My favorite teaching blogs are The Inspired Apple, That's So Second Grade!, and A Cupcake for the Teacher. My favorite personal blogs are Sippy Cups and Pearls, Babbling Abby, and Gracefully Made.
• If you could be any animal, what would you choose?
• A Giraffe
• What is the funniest teaching moment you have encountered so far? 
• I can't think of any really funny teaching moments...
• Winter or Summer?
• Summer
• What will you be doing over the holidays?
• Over the holidays I will be spending time with Cody and my family, working on a few things for TPT, blogging, and catching up on a few craft projects.
• What is your favorite quote?
• "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Questions from Amy at 3 Hoots for Little Learners

• What is your favorite season and why?
• My favorite season is fall because I love the cooler weather, the changing leaves, and boots!
• If you hit the lottery, what would you do and why?
• If I won the lottery I would tithe, buy me a new car and Cody a new truck, buy a house, pay off a student loan, buy a camera, and donate to others in need.
• How long have you been teaching and what grades have you taught?
• I have yet to begin teaching.
• What do you want for Christmas?
• I have 3 things on my Christmas list this year, but sadly two of them are a little bit out of everyone's price range. I would love a Silhouette Cameo, a Canon T3i, and Season 1 & 2 of Pretty Little Liars.
• Why did you choose teaching as your profession?
• I'm really not exactly sure why I chose teaching as my profession. My Grandmommy was a Kindergarten Parapro for over 20 years and I have always loved listening to all the fun stories she tells about her time in Kindergarten. I think she might be one of the reasons I decided I wanted to become a teacher.
• Do you like the new evaluation process?
• I'm not sure? I'm not aware of Georgia having a new evaluation process.
• What do you like the most about the school you teach at?
• I don't have a school of my own just yet, but I love the friendly faculty and staff at the school I've been observing. They treat each other like family and I think that connection is important in a school.
• What is your favorite subject to teach?
• I go back and forth on my favorite subject to teach. Currently, I love teaching social studies {I guess Cody's love of history is rubbing off on me}.
• Tables or Desks? Which would you rather have in your classroom?
• Tables

Questions from Adrienne at A Day in the Life of a Kindergartner 

• What state do you teach in?
• Georgia
• How many years have you been teaching?
• Zero (0)
• Which holiday is your favorite? Why?
• Christmas, which is the day of my Saviors birth. 
• Do you sing with your students? If so, what song is your favorite?
• Yes, in Pre-K they sing a lot of educational songs (ABCs and 123s) with the students, but my favorite is the classic nursery rhymes the children sing.
• Coffee or Tea?
• Sweet Tea
• Chocolate or Vanilla?
• Vanilla
• What is your favorite book to read to your students?
• I love reading any book in the Arthur or Berenstain Bears series to students.
• Tell me about your favorite vacation.
• A few years ago my entire family rented a beach house on St. George Island. We went to the beach every morning, spent the afternoons by the pool, and ate fresh seafood every night for dinner. I had a great time with my grandparents, cousins, and aunt and uncle.
• What do you like to do in your free time?
• In my free time I like to browse the aisles of Target and Michaels with Cody, craft, and blog.
• What is your favorite Apple product?
• iPad
• What is your favorite snack?
• Fiber One Chocolate Fudge Brownies

Questions from Bailey at Mrs. Sturdy's Class

• What is your favorite dessert?
• Ice Cream {Cookies & Cream}
• Beach or Mountains?
• Beach!
• If you could travel anywhere you want, where would you go?
• Italy
• What was the last dream you had?
• I'm not sure... I don't dream very often.
• What is your favorite grade to teach?
• My favorite grade to teach was Kindergarten, however, I think Pre-K is beginning to grow on me. :)
• If you could go back to any time in your life, what would it be?
• Kindergarten!
• What color are your eyes?
• Blue
• Do you have any pets?
• No, I'm allergic to dogs and cats.
• Are you a night owl or an early bird?
• I really don't consider myself either.
• Does your classroom have a theme? If so, what is it?
• I don't have a classroom yet, but I am planning on doing a carnival theme when I begin teaching.
• What is your favorite movie?
• The Help

 

 Questions from Teacherific in 2nd Grade

• What's your biggest fear?
• Tornadoes
• Who do you admire the most?
• My Grandmommy
• Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
• Giving
• Do you have any phobias?
• No
• What do  you plan to do if you win the lottery?
• Tithe, buy me a new car and Cody a new truck, buy a house, pay off a student loan, buy a camera, and donate to others in need
• What is the opposite of opposite?
• I don't know?
• What was the funniest moment in your life?
• I'm not sure?
• Where do you want to travel?
• Italy
• Do you have any pets?
• No, I'm allergic to dogs and cats.
• If you were principal what would you do to help your teachers?
• I feel like principals put teachers under too much pressure by performing monthly or yearly observations. If I was a principal, I would just pop in the classroom every now and then, but I would not put my teachers under the stress of formal observations.

Questions from Terri at Kinder Kapers

• How long have you been blogging?
• I began blogging July 28, 2012.
• What inspired you to start blogging?
• I wanted a way to document the various things that were going on in my life and eventually in my classroom.
• What is the best thing you've learned since you started blogging?
• The best thing I have learned since I began blogging is how to not be a no-reply comment blogger.
• What is your best childhood memory?
• Christmas at my Grandparents
• How many states have you visited?
• Six (6)
• What is your favorite book to read to your class?
• I love reading any book in the Arthur or Berenstain Bears series to students.
• Favorite teacher?
• My Kindergarten Teacher {Ms. Cole}
• What is the best part of being a teacher?
• I believe the best part of being a teacher, especially in the lower grades, is being able to teach each child the building blocks of their education such as letters and numbers.
• Do you have a real tree or fake?
• I have a real Christmas tree and I love it!
• Dream Vacation?
• I would love to summer in the Hamptons.

Questions from Lindsey at Keeping Up With Kindergarten

• How long have you been teaching?
• I haven't began teaching just yet.
• If you weren't a teacher, what would your profession be?
• If I was not a teacher I would be a stay at home mom until my children were old enough to go to kindergarten. After my children were in school, I would do something such as marketing or event/wedding planning.
• How long have you been blogging?
• I began blogging July 28, 2012.
• Do you have kids? Pets?
• No 
• Coffee, Soda, or Water?
• Water
• What do you enjoy doing on the weekends?
• I like to browse the aisles of Target and Michaels with Cody, craft, and blog.
• How many students are in your class?
• There are 22 sweet Pre-K kids in the class I've been observing.
• Favorite place to take a quick get-a-way?
• I'm not sure I've ever taken a quick getaway.
• Do you have to eat lunch with your students or is there a duty teacher where you get to eat in peace?
• In the school I've been observing we have to eat with our students. We take our students through the lunch line, sit our students down at a table, open everything on their tray, and then we get about 15 minutes to sit with them and eat.
• Afraid of anything?
• Tornadoes
• Do your grade level teaching partners share with you their ideas and thoughts? Team players?
• In my time spent observing in schools I haven't seen many teachers collaborate with the other teachers in their grade.

Questions from Erin at Little Miss Primary

• What was your favorite childhood TV show?
• Rugrats 

 

• Does your name mean something special? If so, what?
• Honor and Victory
• What is your favorite lunch to bring to school?
• A spinach turkey wrap, baked chips, fruit, a Fiber One brownie, and a water bottle
• What colors are your classroom?
• I don't have a classroom, but the classroom I have been in the past few weeks is white.
• Summer, Fall, Winter, or Spring?
• Fall
• What is your favorite type of exercise?
• Zumba
• What are you hopeful for?
• That a book I ordered Cody will get here before Christmas. :)
• Glue bottle or glue sticks?
• Glue Sticks
• What is one of your greatest strengths?
• I think one of my greatest strengths is being super organized.
• Morning person or night?
• Neither
• What is your favorite day of the whole entire year? Why?
• I don't think I have a favorite day of the year.

Questions from Brittany at Closing the Gap... in a Cute Outfit

• What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
• Cookies & Cream
• What is your teaching style?
• I like to teach with less "lecture" and more hands on activities by using things such as crafts and manipulatives.
• Do you have plans to stay in the classroom for your whole career?
• Yes, however, if I am financially stable I would love to stay at home with my children until they were old enough to go to kindergarten and then return to the classroom. 
• What has been your biggest 'aha' moment of teaching this year?
• I think my biggest 'aha' moment this year has been my classroom management strategy.
• What is your favorite TV show on right now?
• Revenge or Pretty Little Liars
• Toilet paper roll over or under? 
• Over
• What is your favorite fast food restaurant?
• Zaxbys
• Complete this sentence... My classroom runs on love and _________________.
• Organization
• How many siblings do you have?
• Two (2)
• Mac or PC?
• I have a PC, but Cody has a Mac and I would love one!
• What was the last book you read? Do you recommend it?
• The last book I read was a textbook called Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society. I'm not sure I would really recommend it, but it was an informative textbook.

Questions from Ashley at Printable Wisdom

   

• Where do you find inspiration for your blog?
• I find inspiration for my blog through my everyday life.
• Where do you live?
• Georgia
• Do you have any pets?
• Nope, I'm allergic to dogs and cats.
• What book are you reading right now?
• The Bible
• What is your favorite movie?
• The Help
• What is your favorite thing to do in your hometown/city?
• My favorite thing to do in my hometown is go to the mall or the park.
• What is your favorite hobby?
• Scrapbooking
• Who is your biggest hero?
• My Savior, Jesus Christ
• What is your biggest accomplishment?
• My biggest accomplishment to date is maintaining a 4.0 GPA while taking 7 classes this semester despite many obstacles.
• What can you absolutely not leave the house without?
• As silly as it sounds, I cannot leave the house without my promise ring from Cody. I know, I know. A promise ring? Are you in 4th grade? No, but I might do a post on why it's important to me one day. :)

 
• What is your favorite day of the week?
• Sunday

Questions from Monica at Sparkles and Plaid

• When did you start blogging?
• I began blogging July 28, 2012.
• What do you love about blogging?
• I love having a place to document my everyday life, the good and the bad, and the great people I have met through blogging.
• What is one of your quirks?
• Hmmm... I really don't know.
• Favorite coffee/tea?
• Sweet Tea
• When you get a few moments for yourself, what do you do?
• When I get a few moments to myself I like to read my bible, pray, and reflect on my life.
• Where do you live?
• Georgia
• If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
• Italy
• Favorite book?
• The Bible
• Are you a crafty person? If so, what do you like to do?
• Yes, I love to scrapbook and make random things I see on Pinterest!
• What is your favorite part about this holiday season? 
•  My favorite part about the holiday season is celebrating my Saviors birth with my family.

11 Nominees

Sarah at Teaching is Colorful

Janelle at Mrs. Janelle's Kindergarten Kingdom

Ms. Carney at Reflections at Recess

Second Grade Chatter 

 Stephanie Ann at Sparkling In Third Grade

Amanda at Teaching in a Small Town

Megan at Thankful in Third

Nicole at Colorful Teaching

Suzanne at Krazy Town

Kate at Fun in ECSE

Melissa at Covington's Corner

11 Questions for my Nominees

1. What kind of technology do you use in your classroom?

2. Do you buy your lunch at school or do you bring your lunch? If you bring your lunch, what is your favorite lunch to bring to school?

3. Do you have a real or fake Christmas tree?

4. How long did it take you to find a teaching job after graduating from college?

5. If you were not a teacher, what would you be?

6. What is your favorite blog?

7. What is your go to teaching resource {other than Pinterest}?

8.  What is your teaching style?

9. What is your favorite Christmas song?

10. How many weeks/semesters/years did you student teach?

11. What do you want for Christmas?

Holiday Recipes: Shrimp Dip

Happy Friday! 

It is time once again for me to share with you one of my favorite holiday recipes! This weeks recipe is Shrimp Dip, which has been a holiday favorite in my family for as long as I can remember. My Grandmommy use to make the Shrimp Dip for all of our family gatherings, however, this year she passed down the shrimp dip torch to me.

Directions

In a large pot, bring to a boil 1 - 2 pounds of shrimp and a few teaspoons of Old Bay Seasoning

Allow the shrimp to continue to boil on high until they turn pink and begin floating to the top of the pot

Rinse the shrimp in cold water and drain

Peel, devein, and finely chop the shrimp then set aside in the refrigerator

Blend all of the ingredients together except for the shrimp

Fold the shrimp into the mixture bowl and refrigerate overnight for best results
 Keep refrigerated and serve with chips or crackers

Enjoy!

Thankful Thursday!

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Today, I am thankful for...

my Savior, Jesus Christ (after all He is the reason for this lovely season)
 time off from school

the 4.0 GPA I maintained this semester despite many, many obstacles
Hallmark Christmas movies

the time I'll get to spend with my family during Christmas
Revenge on Netflix
Bath and Body Works Shea - Infused Cozy socks (with grippers!)

What are you thankful for?

Oh, How Pinteresting {Christmas Edition}

Today, I am linking up once again with Michelle from The Vintage Apple for Oh, How Pinteresting! In honor of Christmas next Tuesday, I've decided to dedicate this weeks Oh, How Pinteresting to Christmas themed pins!

Let's start pinning...

Inspirational

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Wedding

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My Style

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Food and Drink

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 Classroom

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For the Home

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What are you pinning?

Advent Calendar Swap

I'm dropping by today to link up with Sara from Miss V's Busy Bees and Sarah from Notes from a Newlywed for the Advent Calendar Swap reveal!

My swap partner was none other than the lovely Amy from The Resource(ful) Room. She made me the most beautiful, vibrant, and colorful advent calendar jar that I can't wait to use for years to come!

Thank you so much Amy for the wonderful swap!

Silence for Sandy Hook Elementary

Holiday Recipes: Sausage Balls

Happy Friday!

It is time again for me to share with you one of my favorite holiday recipes! In case you missed last weeks post, I will be sharing one of my favorite recipes with you every Friday in December. Today's recipe is Sausage Balls, which Cody and I just happened to cooked last Saturday to take to church. This is a quick and easy recipe to throw together to bring with you to church, school, or a holiday party.

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Enjoy!

Christmas Trinkets and Traditions Swap

Happy Monday!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Cody and I spent our weekend studying for finals, which you can imagine does not make for an exciting weekend.  However, I just finished one of my finals about 10 minutes ago so I only have two finals left until Christmas vacation. :)

I am dropping by today to link up with Sarah Grace from gracefully made, Amy from Taking Steps Home and Laura from A Hearty Overflow to share my Christmas Trinkets and Traditions goodies!

My swap partner was none other than sweet Laura from A Hearty Overflow. We have so many things in common like our love of photography, sweets, and of course the LORD. Be sure to stop by her blog and say hello!

Cell Phone Camera = Worst Picture EVER

Laura sent me a beautiful angel ornament that says "fill your life with joy." How perfect! She also sent me some sweets and a recipe for homemade macaroni. Laura, how did you know one of my favorite foods? I also received a lovely card full of holiday traditions that I cannot wait to share with my family one day.

Thank you so much Laura for the wonderful swap. :) I loved getting to know more about you and your traditions!

Holiday Recipes: Cheesecake Brownies

I have been cooking and baking like crazy since the holidays began and I wanted to stop by today and share my favorite dessert recipe! I will be sharing one of my favorite holiday recipes every Friday in December and today's recipe is...

Directions

Coat a 13 x 9-inch pan with non-stick cooking spray

Prepare brownies according to package directions

 Spread into pan and bake 25 minutes in a 350 degree oven

Beat cream cheese, butter and cornstarch until fluffy

 Gradually beat in milk, 1 egg and vanilla until smooth

Pour mixture over partially baked brownies and bake 28 - 30 minutes or until lightly brown

 Cool, spread with frosting and chill 30 minutes (for best results keep refrigerated)

Cut into bars and enjoy!

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I enjoyed them so much that I forgot to take a picture of my own. :)

 What is your favorite holiday dessert recipe?
P.S. This was scheduled to post yesterday and for some reason it never posted. Any ideas?