That thing weighs a ton... (literally)

A few weekends JP helped several guys move this...

What exactly is this, you ask.  This is a 2,000lb letterpress.  In case you didn't know 2,000lbs = 1 ton.  One of the girls in our church has a letterpress business and just bought this press.  It took many guys working together and an engine lift to get this thing to her house.

I was not there to watch this process, which took at least 5 hours if not more, but there is video footage to prove that this was no easy task!

Chili 3-peat... sorta.

My husband can cook.  So, of course he always is eager to enter our church's third annual chili competition.  The first year he won the competition.  The second year, last year, he didn't win best overall but he won best hot chili.  Well, this year he won again!  And when I say he, I seriously mean he.  I played no role in the cooking process, just moral support.

Here is the Best Overall Chili of 2010!

Again, JP did not write down his recipe.  He seriously just makes it up as he goes.  This one did have tequila in it, but as we all know the alcohol cooks off.  There was also some orange juice in it.  I think the fact that the orange juice was calcium fortified was what put the chili over the top :)

Craft Nights...

Every so often, some of the girls from church decide to have a girls craft night. Usually when we do this, the guys have a poker night or grill night because they just don't know what to do with out us :)

Anyway, we normally meet at someone's house or apartment, and everyone brings their own craft. It has been so fun to see what everyone brings. We really have a talented, creative group!

Not only do we craft, we usually have yummy food! At the most recent craft night, Emily made this wonderful apple dessert...


...and I made these Sprinkles Red Velvet cupcakes.

I always have so much fun at craft nights!

The Chili King

Last month was our church's 2nd annual Chili Cook-Off. If you remember, JP won last year! So, this year he was determined to repeat... and that he did. I feel like his chili this year was more of a hit than the one he made last year. Everyone kept commenting about how much they liked it.

Like last year, I can't tell you the recipe, but I do know that it contained coffee and pineapple. JP sure does know how to make a strange combination taste good!

Thank You Note...

Dear Julianne Hough,

Due to my lack of pop culture knowledge, I did not know who you were until last night. Apparently you are a country music singer who was on Dancing with the Stars and is now opening for George Strait.

I just wanted to tell you thank you for getting sick last night resulting in rescheduling your concert at Alabama Adventure. Although it is unfortunate that you are having to deal with severe strep throat, I am very grateful that my husband got to come home early due to your sickness. He was able to go with me to our church coffee house. I was quite excited because I have to go to church events alone lately due to his work.

So to sum it up, thank you for getting sick so I could spend more time with my husband. Although I do have to ask... why did you have to reschedule on August 7... my birthday?

Get well soon Julianne!

Megan

Angel Tree

A couple of weekends ago Laurel came down to Birmingham and went shopping for an little girl off the Angel Tree. Tymia was 6 years old and wanted a doodle bear, books, and stuffed animals and needed clothes, shoes, and a belt. We tried to find her a doodle bear but could not. We did get her some cute clothes and shoes, the game Trouble, a soft stuffed animal, some books, a giant coloring book with tons of markers, and a few other things.


Besides shopping for little Tymia, we enjoyed a cheap lunch at Zoes with the help of a coupon. We also went to my church... and had a little trouble getting there thanks to my inability to remember directions.

Oveall it was a fun day!

Chili Cook Off

While I was in Atlanta on Sunday JP prepared chili for the church Chili Cook Off. He won! I wasn't surprised since he is such a good cook but I did have my doubts when he was telling me what he was going to put in it. I can't give the entire secret recipe ;) but I do know it contained ham, chorizo, whipping cream, and chocolate.We also made homemade mac and cheese on Saturday! Really he cooked and I assisted :)