Scaredy Cat

So I'm now over at Timothy's house (soon to be mine and timo's house), and I have a confession.  I'm a scaredy cat.  I have a tendency to have a small fear of at least... everything.  I don't know when this started; because I used to be absolutely fearless.  I would try anything!  But now, not so much.  I know I shouldn't be scared of anything because I should put all of my trust in God, but obviously I have not put all of my trust there.  I think maybe this happened when I started college and had to completely rely on myself; now I just trust myself to do things, and I have truly been trying to let it go. 
Last night Timothy nonchalantly tells me that there have been a lot of burglaries lately in Florence, so I need to be sure to lock the doors today when I am by myself.  I absolutely flipped out.  A break-in and flying are two of my biggest fears.  When I'm at home in Scottsboro, I could sleep with all the doors unlocked and a sign that says "Come on in", and I would still feel safe.  If I'm anywhere else I think something is going to get me!  I even dreamed about it last night after Timothy mentioned the burglaries.
In my sunday school class at First Methodist, we are doing a study with Max Lucado's book Fearless.  This book talks exactly about what I was dealing with last night.  Obviously I haven't read too much of this or I would have some back-up talk in my mind about how I am crazy for being so paralyzed by my fears.

Does anyone else have something in their lives of which they are very frightened?

Monday Mom Interview

What is your name?  ...paused due to mom's obsession with a clean home.
What is your name? Do you not know it?? I don’t want this to go on the airways. Vicki Lankford.. I swear, you don’t even know my name.. My ear hurts. My left ear. Put that on there too.. OWW… and my belly hurts.


Oookay, What is your favorite day? Of the week? Year?? Oh gosh, I have so many. I like Thanksgiving.

Why? But I like spring too, I like Thanksgiving because I love the time of year, and I love that it’s a time when we have a good time together, and not have any expectations without gifts and trees. We can just eat and be together.

That was a long answer. Okay, who is your favorite singer? OOHH, my favorite singer.. besides me?

Yes. Elvis was the best singer in the world.

So, do you like “Blue Christmas”? Mhmm.. yes. A hunka-hunka blue Christmas.

If you were to get a new piece of jewelry, what would it be? LOOK PAULA!! PAULA IS GOING TO BE ON WEDNESDAY!!  (Mom spotted that Paula Deen was going to be on the Bonnie Hunt show on Wednesday, complete excitement.)

Okay, did you hear me? Katie – look at that dog playing the piano. Look. Look. Look at his tail. Hehehehe. Look. Ooooh.(There is now a piano playing dog on television) Okay what?? My favorite food is spaghetti I guess. It may not be, I don’t know.

Mom, I didn't ask what your favorite food was.  If you were to get a new piece of jewelry, what would it be?  hmmm, I guess…um… I need me some bigger bling earrings. I still have the earrings I got when I turned 16. I need some middle age bling going on. What did Jessi have to say?

We aren’t talking about Jessi Gross right now, we’re interviewing you.
Okay. Tell me about yourself.Oh I can’t tell you! Theres nothing to say! I don’t want to talk about myself. This is too uncomfortable. I’m going to go put some clothes in the laundry. Are you writing that? You little crapper.

Interview over.

Quotable QWednesday

"There is in every true woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity; but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity."

Washington Irving

I'll pass on the fruitcake.

There are so many things that go hand in hand with Christmas that are so fun, like:

1. Christmas carols
2. My mom's pumpkin cranberry bread
3. Decorating the tree
4. Laurie's birthday (hehe)
5. Watching Timo get way too excited about eggnog

But with the good comes the bad...some things I'm not crazy about:

1. Wal-mart (it's a flippin' slaughterhouse)
2. Fruitcake
3. Too many dirty santa parties
4. Its a Wonderful Life (An entire box of Kleenex later, it's not such a wonderful life)
5. The song, Christmas Shoes

But all in all, this is the second most wonderful time of the year because Jesus Christ was born, our Savior.  He saved us all from our sins, and that's why Easter is the most important holiday for me.  All the fun traditions we celebrate are wonderful and important, and a great time to be together with your family.  Below are some of the fun things that Timothy and I did to decorate his house for Christmas.  Mom and I aren't doing a lot of decorating this year - we have too much junk in the house already (I know that's a terrible excuse).

So... we got off to a rough start.  I decided to jazz up the mantel with Jackson Vine and Magnolia leaves.  EPIC FAIL.  Wild Kingdom was inside our house.

Okay, I worked with the extremely difficult Jackson Vine, and it ended up looking okay!

I go outside, to check on Timothy stringing up the lights (because evidently its a nighttime Wakefield family tradition? I didn't know that...Seems like a cold tradition to me.)  Mr. Wakefield was so cute draping the lights "Just so".  Too bad they alllll went out as soon as he finished.... Sad day..

Cutie..

So.. Timo is outside, and I am inside decorating the Christmas tree.(worried that he is going to electrocute himself)   I think it turned out pretty good!

Scout said " Ehh, take it or leave it..I'm going to go find some cookies you left out"

I  hope y'all enjoyed the Christmas pics.  Here is a picture of Scout from the SEC Championship.  Yes, that's right.  She does have red toenails.  Roll Tide!

Not talky.

Sorry that I don't have anything to post about today.  I'll just put up some pretty things that have caught my eye lately.  Maybe I'll post about Christmas decorations later.  We'll see.

anthropologie, grapefruit sugar bowl

anthropologie, branch-to-bough ornament

j.crew, starlight glitter ballet flats

style me pretty

martha stewart "garland moss" at macy's

over and out.

My Singing Career is Over.

Yesterday, I was driving in my car to do some wedding junk.  Josh Groban came on the radio, so of course I had to make it a duet and began singing along with "O Holy Night."  Every word that I sang, I really meant it - so I sang with emphasis and feeling.  A red light stopped me, and I found this a good time to crank it up, and sing over the music.  I looked to my right... there was a German Shepherd in the backseat of someone's car barking and growling and jumping at my car.  I guess that I should kiss my dream of being the next Dolly Parton at the Grand Ole Opry goodbye. 

I almost got that squirrel

For those of you who have not talked to Scout before, please read this in your head with a lisp like a 3 year old. - She's almost three.

What I do everyday is like this: wake up, use bathroom, make dad chase me around the yard, chase squirrels, hide in the brush, go in when I feel like it, eat dog food, sleep till dad gets home, then go outside and play some more and eat human food when I can. 

A lot of the time while I'm at house by myself I hunt the squirrels from inside of my house.  When I watch them play and shake their tails at me, I get really mad and want to get 'em.  They are making fun of me because I can't go outside.

 

The other day, my mom and dad were eating human food and told me that I couldn't have any, so I decided to go hunt squirrels.  If I can't get a belly rub or the human foods, then I hunt the squirrels.  So there was one really really mean one outside on my swing.  He was shakin his tail everywheres.  I barked and growled at him, and told him to "Get outta here squirrel!"  Well he didn't listen, so I jumped up on the window.  When I jumped up, the window kept going!  My mom said I broke the window and was really mad at me.  She said I couldda got hurt, but I thought, "If I could just get outside, that squirrel will get hurt." 

I hate the squirrels.  I gotta take a nap.

December 1st. It's official.

The turkey has been eaten.  The Bama game has been won (by the skin of our teeth). The peppermint chocolate chip milkshakes are a-flowin'. - You should really try one from Chick-fil-A.
Hey guys, it's CHRISTMASTIME!!!!!

Sorry no posts last week, I was at Timo's house getting ready for Thanksgiving.  Wow, I never knew how much work went into it!  We cleaned, painted, cooked, and partied.  What happened was Mom came over from the Boro with cranberry relish and casseroles, Timo's Mom and Dad brought the turkey and dressing, and Luke brought his appetite.  Everyone had the best time!  So fun.  I hope this becomes an annual tradition.  Maybe next year turkey and togas?  Just a thought..

We also had fun having a lot of our friends over for the Alabama/Auburn game. We missed you friends that couldn't make it!  For those of you who were not there, listen to this little story.  Timothy pays a stupid amount of money on Direct TV because of his HD sports package.  He has it sent to his brand new television in the accomodatingly large living room.  Because of all the bells and whistles this combo has, the satellite takes longer to project onto this particular television - about 7 seconds.  By the end of the game, every single boy that came to the party was piled up in Timo's bedroom watching the game because it is 7 seconds faster on the blurry tv.   Boys are dumb sometimes.
Prime example: Cousin Eddy (a little Christmas humor)

I wish I had pictures from this past week, but we were all so busy I didn't even think about taking pictures!! Boo!! Sorry!  But the good news is that Scout told me she was going to put up a new post a little later tonight.  Until then, here is a picture of me and Mom at Mamma Mia last week.  We had a GREAT time!

Love you Mom!!

Date with Mom

Mom and I are going to see Mamma Mia tonight!! Yay!!!  So excited.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Surprise Registry

Mr. Timo came for a quick visit today, and we started our first registry!! How fun is that?  We didn't do china patterns and crystal, but just a few accessories and Christmas stuff for now.  The first wedding-y kind of thing that we have done together.  Lots more fun to come! 

Here is a picture of him from his tournament/birthday.

24

This weekend was sweet Timo's birthday.  He has been here for 24 years now; how crazy it is to think I've known him for over a fifth of his life.  Its fun to know that the plan is to be a-knowin' him for many more years. 

Since it was my weekend to stay at home to help with Mama Sisk, I wasn't able to see him on the big day.  (I feel so badly about it.) Thanks soccer moms and soccer kids for making him feel special - they gave him a cake, sang him "Happy Birthday" (numerous times from what I heard), and told him how great he is (how true).

Timo's favorite cake is a pineapple upside-down cake, and of course his mom made it for him on Saturday.  I'm sad I missed out on that; let me tell you, Sherr-bear's pineapple UD cakes are the bomb!!  Timothy's mom is always so thoughtful - I'm so thankful that I am going to be part of another loving family.  Mr. Timo and I are a very blessed couple, you know?

Mr. Timo,

I'm sorry that I missed your birthday. Sad day.  Next year, we will have a ginormous happy birthday shindig for your quarter-life celebration!!!  I love you very much, and promise to bring you a birthday present when I visit this weekend.  Don't get your hopes up for a football video game because I'm not that kind of a girl.

Miss you Miss you Miss you,
Love you Love you Love you,
Katie

P.S. I bought some dining room chairs for us for ten bucks! Whoop Whoop!

Macie LouWho

Such a cutie.

Yesterday I got to babysit my sweet cousin Macie.  We had so much fun!  We went on a walk to pick up all different kinds of leaves, made a leaf project, and made a "thankful book" to take home.  We also went to Huntsville to watch The Christmas Carol in 3D.  I really thought it was going to be a good idea, but it was really scary! Too scary for Miss Macie; she kept asking to go use the bathroom and I think it was because she didn't want to watch much more.  Of course, we all liked the end of the movie, and according to Macie, her favorite part was trying to catch the 3D snow.  Love her!

I Got the Fleas

HI! My name is Scoutie Wakefield and I have the fleas. 

I'm pretty embarrassed about it.  I've been scratching a lot and jingling my collar all over the house.  My mom and dad keep looking at my belly and trying to get the fleas, but it just makes me too nervous, so I run away. 

The other day, they even gave me a bath and sprayed me with some really stinky stuff.  I told them that I already like the way I smell before they gave me a bath.  They told me that all my fleas would be gone if I would only stay still and not roll around in the grass after they put it on.  I think that really I just did something wrong because they put me in my crate after that.

I'm still scratching, but not like crazy.  Well, I'm going to go chase some squirrels. BYE!

Grateful for Today

I'm so excited! and late... I was supposed to leave out of Scottsboro riiiighhht.... now.  The reason I'm leaving is that I'm going to visit Mr. Timo today!! Oh well, Timo will wait.  The bad news is he is sick, BUT he's going to get a shot in a little while.  Poor little guy...I'm sure he won't be too sick to watch the football games tomorrow..just a feeling.

Yesterday I drove around and took some pictures of Scottsboro with the changing leaves.. Ahh.  Sometimes when I'm stuck in this house I feel so isolated and depressed, but for the most part I do feel blessed to live here in this beautiful place - here's the proof:

Wow, how beautiful is this?!  Thank you Lord.

This is the littlest pond ever on my street.

And my backyard.  If you'll look closely you can see the outhouse!

Oh Woah is Me..blah blah blah

Firstly, I know this is going to be a very self-centered post, we'll just call it venting.  I'll let it go, then not talk about it again. 

This blog is about what I'm doing in the downtime, the time before something big/exciting happens.  Right now I'm at home, waiting on a job and a wedding.  However, I cannot help but be so jealous of my friends.  I was just looking at pictures online of things that people are doing - they're moving away, getting a crazy exciting job, going to amazing places.  Right now, I'm waiting. 

While looking at other people's blogs I've noticed that I'm in the same boat with a lot of people.  Something that I need to accept is that there is a time for waiting and a time for action.  God is doing all of this for me - the downtime and the exciting times, and there is a reason for it all.  Why am I being so selfish?  I know that He is trying to teach me things that I would not learn otherwise because He loves me, and I know that it's my humanly nature that is not satisfied.  I am struggling with my post-college purpose, but I also know that there IS a purpose for me, and I just don't know it yet.

There is so much in my life right now that I shouldn't be taking for granted and for which I'm thankful.  Are there any of my bloggie-buds out there struggling with their waiting time too? 

Okay, promise I won't be talkin' crazy again.  Thanks y'all for listening.

Timo's Team

So I think I've mentioned that Mr. Timo is Coach Timo this soccer season.  He coaches the 11-12 year old Shoals Strikers.  They are CRAZY dangerous.  In fact, last weekend they came in second in the Huntsville tournament I so proudly attended.  Next year, you're going down Pulaski!

The Creep.

Timothy and I had a loverly dinner last week to Ricatoni's with two of our new friends, Adam and Lauren Connolly. We were having so much fun talking, giving them a tour of the house, and drinking wine when...... "Hey, did y'all know you have a snake in the pool???" WHAT?! When people say, "Oh, it's not poisonous.." Call me crazy, but I DON'T CARE. I really try not to be such a baby, but HELLO, it's a SNAKE!

To make things worse, it just hung around the rest of the week on the top step of the pool. You know I wasn't about to get it out. Here it is, in all of it's nonpoisonous glory. I really zoomed in on the camera so I wouldn't have to get close.

I started calling it "The Creep" because I didn't want to actually say "the snake" anymore. It's sort of sinister I think. Normally, names aren't given to animals that don't have fur in my book; however, this is a special circumstance.

After these last two posts, this could be the critter blog. Better discussions next time.

Really? No..A Squirrel Tail?

So Mom works with in the same building with a man who LOOOOVES to play pranks on everyone that works there, but especially Mom because she is so gullible. This is what he did today....



Yes. Yes, that is a deceased sqirrel's pride and joy. Does it make sense? No. Is it funny? Yes.

Little Red Riding Hood.. You Sure Are Lookin Good

It has been quite a long time since I have posted, but it has been hard for me to figure out if there is anything of interest to talk about.

THE dress has been purchased!! That is one milestone down in the wedding. The ladies from the bridal boutique where I bought it have been so great and helpful. I really recommend Ivory and White in Mountain Brook.

Halloween is coming up! This is going to be fun since I'm home this year. I'll get to see all the little kiddies dressed up!! Timothy's family usually goes all out with Halloween - its so funny. His mom will stand on the little veranda above the front door and throw down candy dressed as a witch. My favorite Halloween outfit was Little Red Riding Hood - I wore it for 3 years. No kidding. What was y'alls favorite Halloween outfit?

Happy Autumn!

Good morning! Can you believe that it is already the first day of Fall? I took a hint from Kate and Sarah Rhodes, and picked up a pumpkin spice latte yesterday, and it was amazing! They are right when they say that it is an Autumn right of passage.

One of my favorite quotes that I do enjoy telling people is "Autumn is a second Spring when every leaf is a flower." Today is a very rainy day, so you can't really get out to enjoy it, but maybe by the end of the week the weather will be better.

This time of the year reminds me of all the trips to Gatlinburg to see the changing leaves with my family. That is always a really warm spot in my heart - the drive was half the fun. Now that I am getting married and will have my own family one day, it makes me think of all the fun trips and experiences we will hopefully take one day.

When I was in college, I was walking on the quad between classes when I ran into a sorority sister, and she said something I won't forget. I feel like it was a change of seasons from the winter to the spring when we were talking that day, and she said "Isn't it great that God knows just when we need a break from this cold weather?" That is so true. He always knows just when we need a change, and its always so beautiful.

Viva Las Vegas!

I made it back from Vegas - and the one day I was able to spend having fun was GREAT! Timothy was able to play while I worked the first two days, and he had so much fun...I don't really know what he was doing, but he was having fun.

We definetely want to go back sometime, and stay for longer than we did. While we were there, we went to the Cirque du Soleil Beatles LOVE show. It was AMAZING. I can't even describe what it was like, because it was really like nothing I've ever seen!! I wish we had pictures, but NO PHOTOGRAPHY PLEASE!

Here is a picture of us after we sat down after a HOT walk. It was over 100 degrees every day we were there - BLAZING.



We watched "The Hangover" a few months ago, so we were expecting our trip to be CRRAAZY, and Timothy did try to make it his bachelor party all by himself; however, the craziest things we encountered were taxi drivers. Here are some pictures of Caesar's Palace - like the Hangover. When we first walked into the lobby, a Mariachi band was playing with at least one hundred people gathered round with people dancing. So exciting.



It was a great trip.

Birthdays and Las Vegas

Good morning. This past weekend was Art in the Park at home in Scottsboro, and that, to me, always signifies the beginning of Fall. Well, that and football season, but I know that this is the last warm weather event that I'll go to before crisp breezes and pumpkin pies start turning up. One of my favorite quotes is "Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower". Don't you LOVE that? I don't remember who said it, but I'm sure it was someone deep and thoughtful.

Today is my grandmother's 95th birthday. Yes, that's right 9-5. Can you imagine living 95 years? Think about all the things that she has seen and done in that lifetime. Mama Sisk is such a sweet, strong woman. She may not be physically strong anymore, but she is just as strong in spirit. Here is a picture of her the day we cut her cake (we brought the cake home early).


I'm so happy she's been here for me in my lifetime so long. Being 95 and knowing you have led a long life can I'm sure give you a sense of accomplishment, but can you imagine what it feels like knowing that soon you'll be with God in Heaven? It seems like it would be a surreal, scary, joyous feeling. Mama Sisk has said she knows she will be gone soon, but she has a sense of contentment from what I can tell. What a wonderful lady.

Speaking of death, I am DEATHLY scared of flying. I don't mean to be such a baby - I try to be hardcore, but guess what - I'm not. I'm flying out to Las Vegas with Timo (of course he somehow got off of work to go) on 11 Sept - this Friday. 5 hour flight. I hope I don't get sick on the flight - I'm a nervous wreck. I don't know who reads this, but please say a little prayer for 1. safe flight there and back, and 2. no sickness on the flight. Thank you so much.

I also have to show you how sweet my two families are. For my birthday, I didn't get just one birthday cake - I got TWO! Mom and I picked up this chocolate Southern Lady cake from Edgar's Bakery in Birmingham when we were down there looking at wedding dresses.


Then, Doc (Timothy's Dad) gave me a strawberry cake. How sweet is that!

After all this cake, I don't know how I'm going to fit into a wedding dress! haha!

I'll leave you with a few pictures of Coach Wakefield a few weeks ago when his Shoals Strikers beat the Huntsville Rockets. Go Strikers!

New Background

Cute background, eh? This could be an inspiration for the reception next May.

I did end up running yesterday. I ran about two miles, and walked two with my Mom. Isn't that good for an un-athletically inclined gal??

I won't be able to post for a while because I'm going to be very busy again. The birthday is coming up, bridal gown appointments (woo woo!!), and a work trip to Vegas will hold me off until September probably.

P.S. - Fall is on it's way!!!

Also, here is picture of a deer I saw grazing in the neighbor's front yard. Fun!

Busy Bee

Good morning all. I know that it has been quite a long time since my last post, but I have been a busy gal. So, a little side job came up a few weeks ago, and for two weeks I was flying by the seat of my pants trying to stage 18 beds for a furniture company's showroom in Tupelo, Mississippi. That job was finished last Thursday, and since then I have been chilling out and doing normal things people do like sleeping. I am so thankful to have been presented with that opportunity because I had been worrying quite a bit about trying to make a little money. Thank goodness the Lord gives you what you need.

Moving on from that, I have a confession. I want to run a marathon one day. Bigger confession: I cannot stick to a running schedule more than a pig can fly. I truly do think about going to run all day. I'll set my alarm clock for 6am, sometimes even 5am, thinking that "This is going to be the day, Katie. You are going to start your training TODAY! WOO HOO!" 5:00 rolls around and where am I? snoozing... How can I make it happen? I need to stick to my goals! Maybe I should be much harsher with myself, like - NO NCIS for you today Katie until you run.
*Side note - NCIS is my favorite show; It could possibly be the downfall of my running because I love to watch Gibbs and DiNozzo so much.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do about this?



In fact, I watched an Ironman documentary the other day, and I was so inspired. Chrissie Wellington truly is so inspiring! There were even seventy year old people competing. REALLY? yes, really. So if they can do it, so can I.

I guess I am going to go celebrate one of the last days of summer right now by going outside to run... I'll let you know later if this happens.

P.S. I wanted to post a picture of the cake I baked a few weeks ago. It was a pistachio cake with blackberry buttercream frosting. MMMM.

Foreeeever

Ok y'all. I was going to have my second real blog today, but I found the best processional EVER. I could never do this, but I laughed so hard I cried. WATCH IT!

Productive Saturdays and Blackberry Cobbler

Yesterday, I set out to complete a lot of jobs that I wanted to finish and even begin. I worked about half a day outside on the shade garden, and I got so much accomplished; however, I didn't get my hydrangea planted. I'm planning a wedding for next year - and the reception will be at home in the backyard! Yay! Mom is so sweet and cute and everytime she has a pay day, she will buy another hydrangea to plant in the shade garden. Precious Mom. So home and garden day was finished with a Blackberry Cobbler! I have to say, it was a success. This recipe was a combination of one I found in a cookbook, one I found on the internet, and some of my ideas. I thought I would share the recipe with you!

Seedless Blackberry Cobbler

Ingredients

2 boxes (4) Pillsbury Ready-Made 9" Pie Crusts

I wanted to make it from scratch, but it was my first try - I didn't want to push it.

6 cups of fresh blackberries

2 cups granulated sugar plus more for sprinkling on the crust

1 medium sized lemon (zest and juice)

2 Tbs. all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

How to Make it!

1. Thoroughly wash and dry blackberries, making sure that all of the stems are off.
   
2. Combine blackberries, 2 cups of sugar, lemon zest and juice, flour, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.
   
3. Transfer mixture to your food processor with the mixing blade attached or a blender.
   
4. Pulse mixture until it looks almost soupy.
5. Pour mixture through a fine strainer into a large pot, pushing the blackberries through with your wooden spoon. The seeds will be left behind.
   
6. Turn your berry mixture to Medium until it boils, then turn down to med-low.
   
7. Preheat your oven to 425F.
   
8. Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with Baker's Joy or other cooking spray.
   
9. Fit pie crusts into the bottom and sides of the baking dish
   
10. Line the pastry with aluminum foil and fill the bottom with pie weights or dry beans to hold the foil down.
    
11. While the crust is browning, cut about half of a pie crust into 1/2" strips that are about 3" long and drop into your berry mixture while it is bubbling away. Do not stir your mixture. You could use a fluted pastry wheel to make the crinkly edges like I did, or you can just use a pizza cutter!
    
12. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven and take away the foil and weights/beans.
    
13. Pour your berry/dumpling mixture into the pre-baked crust.
    
14. Cut the rest of your pie crust up into strips and lay across the cobbler in a lattice pattern.
    
15. Brush the crust with melted butter, then sprinkle with a little more granulated sugar.
    
16. Put your cobbler back in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
    
17. Take your cobbler out and let it cool JUST long enough until you can't stand it and HAVE to dig out some yummy dessert.
    
18. ENJOY! I really like mine with vanilla bean ice cream, but that is totally optional!