Been A Long Time

Why is it that I feel I have to apologize when I don't blog for prolonged periods of time?

Anyways, I'm very deeply sorry for all of you who have been hanging on my last word...about 4 months ago.

Lots has changed in the Watts household.

In the past three months we have: said, "so long!" to Charleston, partially packed a house, moved to a new city (well for me), sort of unpacked our things, started two (YES, TWO- Austin is employed!!) new jobs, passed the bar, and began putting roots down in this new place.

Saying good bye to Charleston and the friends and memories we made there was difficult. I think that's why I've put off writing about this transition. I was scared to death of moving down there. I'm always scared of change and the unknown. So of course, once I got comfy, we had to move. I had no idea, though, how hard it would be to say goodbye, especially to that house! The work we put into it and our first Christmas when we didn't even have a tree, cooking my first Thanksgiving meal there, working in the yard, I could go on and on. I guess it was all my "first" home experiences.

But Greenville is a great city. I'm enjoying my new job and all the challenges it brings. The area we live is amazing- ABSOLUTELY amazing. We are so fortunate to have a place to live while we're waiting to sell our house in Charleston. I'm less than 5 minutes from my school and Austin is the same from his office. BTW, he has an office!!! Ahhhh, to have two jobs with two paychecks...glorious!

I'm lucky to have some good friends from college nearby. I don't get to see them too often because I'm so caught up in work, this being my first year in a new district I'm trying my best to kick butt to make a name for myself. But there are some girls at work that I've gotten close to. I'm thankful for those relationships. I left a school where I was extremely close to the people I worked with. I'm glad I have the same thing here.

All in all, it's been a great couple of months. Lots of changes, yes, but good changes. Lots of positive things happening for the Watts'. I'm praying they continue!!

 I'm going to try to do some changes with the blog and ACTUALLY blog more often, but don't hold your breath!! :-)

The Bar Watch

I see a light at the end of the tunnel...














Notice the addition??
Austin wrote "Take no prisoners". Bless his heart.

Hot Rod Watts

This is my absolute favorite road sign EVER. The one problem with it is that no one ever pays attention to it. And it drives me crazy!

I have recently been burning up the roads between Charleston and Greenville. Austin is the type of guy that likes to drive anytime we're on the highway. Not that he likes driving, but I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm awful- he's probably right. But I have to admit, I've picked up some pretty awesome driving skills from being in the car with him these last 5 years. Things that my dad probably tried to teach me, but I wasn't too interested in learning.

I like to go fast (said in my best Ricky Bobby voice). The speeding tickets from my high school and college years prove it. Thank goodness for Austin and his need to drive or not trusting me, whatever it is has kept my driving record pristine for a while. But now as I'm driving myself to Greenville with a LOAD of classroom stuff (yes, I'm moving my classroom all by myself! Whew! This Bar stuff needs to be over soon so I can get my Mexican helper back!) I'm finding my road rage coming back with a vengeance. It kills me to be running 85 mph passing people in the left lane only to come up on an old person leisurely driving in front of me and not willing to get over. So...I pass them on the right. Then there's the college student that will run up your butt, pass you, and then goes the same speed as you. I speed up and pass them. ON THE RIGHT.

I was watching some show about the Autobahn a few months ago. With no speed limits, they have to have other rules that you must adhere to while driving. From Wikipedia- The right lane must be used when it is free (Rechtsfahrgebot), and the left lane is generally intended for passing manoeuvres only. Drivers using the left lane when the other lanes are free may be fined by autobahn police. Heaven!

Are you a left lane driver?? Or do you leave the left lane for passing?? Either way, if you see a gold Prius tearing down the road, get out of my way!


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5 years ago...

I met Austin. I have to admit, I wasn't head over heels in love with him at first. I didn't really want anything the relationship department. I wanted to enjoy being single. I guess God had different plans.

I specifically remember the day that I realized "whoa, I might love this guy!" Aust and I were supposed to go out the night before but there was some sprinkler problem at his house in greenville and he couldn't come (that totally sounded fishy to me- I thought he had another date). So we grabbed some pizza the next day at Todaro's in dt Clemson. During lunch he asked me to a wedding. We had only known each other about a month so I thought he was crazy to be taking me this soon to a wedding, but I was a former Clemson cheerleader, so I can understand how he couldn't help himself! Just kidding I tell him that all the time- it's now a huge joke! Well after lunch he brought me back to my old apartment and he ended up helping my best friend move her bedroom suit into a different room- how considerate!! As we walked out to his car to say goodbye, he asked me to stay in Clemson instead of going home that night so we could hang out more. I said that I wouldn't break my plans. Then he kissed me. We were standing at the curb at University Village. He was off the curb, I was on top of the curb. There was something in that kiss that made me think- Crap! I 'm falling for this guy! From that kiss we've been inseparable.

If that kiss hadn't happened then Today wouldn't be our anniversary. We've had 3 years of wedded bliss! I thank God everyday for that kiss outside of University Village!! Here are some pics of us through our 5 year journey! Enjoy!

I tried to put these in order and label them, but I'm too impatient this morning to mess with it-Sorry! :-)
                                                              

He promised me a lifetime of fun when we got engaged... he hasn't let me down yet and I'm sure the best is yet to come!! Love you, Austin!

Little Litigator

I love giving cute and funny onesies to expecting parents. This happens to be my favorite for lawyers...


I've gotten to give it in blue and more recently in pink! So funny! www.cafepress.com has tons of these- some, like my personal fave are nice and funny, some are a little inappropriate or offensive- you just have to sort through them.


Maybe one day we'll have our own "little litigator"! :-)

Company Dinner

This is what my MIL always refers to those go-to recipes that you KNOW how to whip up perfectly for guests. I have a recipe that I'd like to share that Austin and anyone else that I've made it for raves about. It's not too difficult and only takes about 30 minutes of hands on time.

Chicken Francaise
ingredients
3-4 chicken breasts thinly cut, butterflied or pounded to 1/2 an inch thickness
4 lemons
1 cup of chicken broth
1 stick of butter
1 cup of white wine
garlic, to taste
2 tbsp of flour
cup of breadcrumbs
1/2 a cup of Parmesan cheese
2 eggs
a pinch of paprika

Warm cooking oil on medium heat. Add the flour, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese in a shallow dish. Mix the eggs and the juice of one lemon in a separate shallow dish. Dredge the chicken in the egg mix, then into the flour mixture and repeat once more. Brown the chicken in the cooking oil 6-8 minutes. Place the chicken in a casserole dish on the side.

In the same skillet, add 1 cup of chicken broth, 1 cup of white cooking wine, garlic, the juice of 3 lemons, and butter. Let simmer for 10 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350. Pour the chicken broth mixture over the chicken in casserole dish. Place in the oven covered with aluminum foil for 40 minutes. Take the foil off the last 15 minutes.

I've doubled the sauce recipe...Austin likes lots of sauce. If you don't like that, you can divide that part in half. I always serve this with angel hair pasta with the chicken and sauce on top. You could also do rice. Enjoy!!

Beautiful Blooms

There is just something nice about having fresh flowers in your house. But having them freshly cut from your own garden is even nicer! I adore hydrangeas! I think they are an iconic flower for the summer season.

Whether they are pink, white, purple or (my favorite) blue, they are gorgeous! SO many people have placed their own hydrangeas in their blogs lately, I had to include mine. I've just fallen in love with gardening and having my own beautiful blooms to clip and place around my home. It definitely dresses a space up and brings a smile to my face and hopefully any guests!