Dillon Furniture Manufacturing Company

The family business announced it's expansion yesterday. Click below to read about it!

Live 5 News

SC Dept. of Commerce

SCnow.com

It's Fall Y'all

Last night about this time I was pulling my first batch of pumpkin muffins for the season out of the oven. The smell sends my mind dreaming of cooler weather, colorful leaves, and a fall wardrobe.

 Pumpkin Muffins
1 box spice cake mix
1 can pumpkin
1 cup water
2 eggs

Mix ingredients together and dollop in lightly greased mini muffin slots. Bake 350 for about 8 minutes.
They are perfect for breakfast muffins, mid-afternoon snack, with soup, or even dessert. Here I added cream cheese icing and a sprinkle of cinnamon to make them a sweet treat.

I took them to Molly's house because she had the girls in our class over for wonderful food and fellowship tonight. See her post here and my previous post here.

On another note, as of today, I have officially completed all the requirements to administer immunizations! I learned and mastered the administration techniques today and am really thankful for my friend Alison for letting me practice on her. I was nervous! Hopefully I will be doing them in the pharmacy soon.

My Dream House

A few weekends ago our two families spent a weekend in the mountains together with a day trip on the boat to Lake Jocassee. We enjoyed the ride, scenery, a picnic, and a swim. My dream house would be on this lake. It is huge with only about 20 houses on it due to the power plant's protection regulations. Isn't is beautiful?!

The Dads

I believe we already have my realistic dream house, Cole's family's mountain house.

My real dream house is any house that I can call a home with Cole. Right now, that is our small condo here in Charleston, and I am very content with it!

I am reminded of these verses that promise believers that this earth is not our home, and that we should hope and long after another home, heaven.

Hebrews 11:13-16 "...they admitted they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own...they were longing for a better country - a heavenly one...God has prepared a city for them."

2 Corinthians 5:2-4 "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile, we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life."


1 John 2:17 "The world and it's desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.


And this quote by C.S. Lewis “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”

Two New Additions

This week we had two new babies born into our circle of friends and families. 

This is me holding my new second cousin. He is such cute sweet baby boy! Marian and I had so much loving on him this week! After a period of sadness and mourning the death of my uncle this summer, our family was in need of a new baby! The Lord has perfect timing, and Miller's birth has brought much joy to us. 

William Miller Lynn

This is my mentor and friend, Jamie, with her newly born adopted boy.  Josiah means "God rescues". He is still in the ICU, but I can't wait to get my arms around him.

Josiah Toby Kornegay

The Firm Abs

My only hesitation with buying a DVD only player way back when was that my workout videos were mainly VHS. While I prefer to run outside any day, usually even if it's raining, The Firm workouts are my go-to if I have to be inside. The combination of high-intensity cardio and light weights make for a challenging living room work out. YouTube was an easy solution to still be able to do some of my favorites. Most of the exercise regimens are about 1 hour, but below is the ab series that each range from about 5 to 9 minutes. All you need is a flat surface to lie on and ankle weight only if you want them. So, if you are in need of some ab work or a short solution to make you feel like you did something for your body for the day, here you go!

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Umbrellas are never where you need them...

Can I hear an Amen?!?!

When I need one in the house, it's in the car. When I need one in the car, it's in the house. When I need one at school, it's in the car. When I need one in my book bag, it's at school.

And that was the story this morning when I got up early to run and it started raining on my way to school....no umbrella to be found in my car.

Does this happen to anyone else?!?

Cole's Birthday Present

I know I left you all in suspense over Cole's birthday gift, so here it is! 

This is Somerset Plantation, the former family home of Cole's great-great-great -grandfather, Dr. Daniel Cain.  Dr. Cain was a notable man in Charleston's history and an early faculty member of the Medical College of South Carolina, what is now MUSC. The house was built in 1827. His brother, William, owned Somerset Plantation until the land was acquired and flooded by the Santee Cooper Project. See details on my previous blog post A Magnolia Day. I was able to borrow this photo from a sweet lady in Cheraw, SC. It was actually colorized in the early twentieth century and used as a family Christmas card by William Cain. The original photo was very small, but I was very pleased with the work of Rick Rhodes Photography and Digital Imaging here in Charleston. He was able to bring out some of the color and detail that I thought would surely be lost in an 11 X14 print. 

I bought the frame from Michael's and am so excited that there is FINALLY a craft store in Charleston County!

Happy Birthday Cole!

My husband turned a quarter-century old today!!

We enjoyed a fun and relaxing (and chilly!!) weekend here with his folks.

I reproduced the Shrimp and Grits that I learned at a cooking class for his birthday dinner. See my post here.

And for dessert, I told Cole I would bake ANYTHING he wanted for his birthday, and do you know what he chose?! Fun-Fetti Cupcakes!! SO EASY! His two favorite desserts are those cupcakes and key lime pie, the two easiest things I can think of to make. I'm not complaining!

So, here you have it, baby!

After I got off work after lunch today, I decided that it just wasn't worth going in to school for one 2 hour class. If I ever ask Cole's advice, he always say to skip while you can!! Instead, I ran a few errands in Mt. Pleasant to finish up Cole's birthday present. I am really excited about it and want to share, but I will have to wait until Sunday or it will ruin the surprise! I can't believe he is almost a quarter of a century old! I get to tease him for 7 months...until I turn 25 too.

My next stop was Publix. I know, if you read my blog post this weekend you are probably thinking that I just made a huge trip, and I did...But, the deals are SO great this week that I had to buy more! As if 9 boxes of cereal weren't enough, I bought 8 more!! I spent $19.15 and saved $74.22! I spent $6.63 total for the cereal and got both of our favorites. Where am I going to store it all?!?!

Coupon Tip: GO to Publix before Wednesday. The extra-large boxes of cereal are already reduced to $2.99 and there is a $2 off 1 box coupon in the coupon slips when you first walk in the door. So, even if you don't coupon and have manufacture coupons to stack on them (which is now I got them for a few cents), you can still get it for $0.99 each. IF you miss Publix, then catch Harris Teeter's SUPER TRIPLES that starts on Wednesday...stay tuned!!

Cole and I cooked a traditional North African meal using our Tajine last night. See my previous post here. We enjoyed reminiscing the memories our recent trip and praying for the country using Operation World.

I should probably stop blogging and study (amazing what all I NEED to do before I sit down to study) for my test tomorrow because I start BSF for the first time tonight. Ah! I am a little nervous, but excited! 

Productivity

Call us lame, but Cole and I woke up Friday morning and decided that there was no way that we could make the trek to the upstate again. We were just worn out from a long week, and needed some time at home. While we missed being at Clemson to support our respective collegiate teams in football, we had the most productive Saturday probably since we have been married. Here is what we accomplished:

Early morning run, swept and vacuumed our porch, clipped herbs and disposed of dead ones, cleaned and oiled our bikes, took out recycling, scrubbed our bathrooms, vacuumed and mopped the house, laundry, washed the inside and outside of both of our cars, switched out our my closet from summer to fall wardrobes, updated wine journal, caught up with desk projects, deleted e-mails...Whew! I am tired just typing it all!  

And last but not least, I did coupons and paid a much needed visit to the grocery store. I spent $107.22 and saved $106.99. Here is what all I got:

And, on the 7th hour (really)....we rested!!

Psalm 49

Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, both low and high, rich and poor alike; My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding. I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle: Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me— those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them— the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough—so that they should live on forever and not see decay. For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others. Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves. People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself. Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them. Though while they live they count themselves blessed— and people praise you when you prosper— they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life. People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish."

Good-Bye Summer Reading

I am sad to realize that my blissful summer reading days are over. School has started with a bang, which leaves no time for pleasure reading. 

Here is how my summer reading list came to a close. Not so bad I have to say! I guess it will be Christmas break before I pick up any of the others. 

1. Heaven is For Real

2. And the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers

3. Radical by David Platt

4. The Moon and the Mango Tree by Pamela Ewen

5. What Did You Expect? by Paul David Tripp

6. Desiring God by John Piper

7. Let the Nations Be Glad by John Piper

8. The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis (on book 5 of 7)

9. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

10. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

11. Peace Child by Don Richardson

12. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

13. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

14. Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon

15. Operation World

16. The Bible

*Bolded ones I am reading now. 

*See my post here on the last two. I am on month 3 of 12! 

Wonderful summer memories reading on the beach!

Reading on Sullivan's Island

I couldn't resist this self-timer photo last week! Cole was on call until midnight, and I was really in to the last few chapters of "The Help". I can't image a better way to end my summer reading...On the couch, in Cole's t-shirt, with a comfy blanket, in dim light, captivated by a book, chocolate popsicle for dessert in hand!!!

Finishing up "The Help" last week. 

I Need Advice

Cole and I bought a beautiful Berber carpet on our recent trip to North Africa. Due to our size constraints, we will be storing it for a few years! It is currently rolled up and sitting on the top shelf of our closet.

Does anyone know about proper storage of fine carpets? Should I have it cleaned before storage? Do I need to worry about moths? If so, I don't want to use moth balls so what else could I use? Cedar? Does it need to be in a sealed bag?

Any advice would be appreciated!!!

Meal Idea

This recipe is a combination of cheeseburgers and chicken parmesan, two of Cole's favorites that happen to meld wonderfully into one mouthwatering dish. It is a quick, tasty, and relatively healthy meal. We have enjoyed it 3 times over the past few months!!

Click here for the recipe.

Chicken Parmesan Burgers. I like using French Loaf Buns from Publix on this one. 

Cooking Light's photo

Goes well with sweet potato fries and a salad. 

Calling All Wofford Alum

Anyone going to the Wofford Young Alumni event this Thursday at The Blind Tiger?


Or to the Wofford vs. Clemson game on Saturday? Any tailgate plans?

Unless I can convince my orange-blooded husband otherwise, we will be a HOUSE DIVIDED this weekend!!

DiPiro

This is the reason for my recent lack of thoughtful/inspirational/lengthy posts. 

Can you believe this book?! It is my pharmacotherapy text book, the pharmacy Bible basically. I couldn't resist weighing this thing, and it weighs a whopping 11 pounds! 

 
This is where I have been the past few nights. Only a few more hours now...then I will hopefully know everything there is to know about treatment for any bacterial or fungal infection. 3pm...please come soon!