Hole In One

For some reason being snowed in is making me want to cook. This morning I made eggs in the hole, eggs in the basket, eggs in the nest....whatever you want to call it. It is very simple but a good way to spice up the usually breakfast fare.
-Start by cutting a hole in a piece of sandwich bread. I used the rim of a wine glass but a biscuit cutter would be the best tool (I don't have one...remind me to register for that).
-Next, add 2 tablespoons of butter to a pan over medium-low heat (iron skillet works best).
-Once the butter has melted add the bread. Allow that to cook for about 1 minute.
-Carefully crack a large egg into the hole that you cut. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
-Cook for 1-2 minutes then CAREFULLY flip with a spatula.
-Sprinkle other side with salt and pepper and let cook for another 1-2 minutes.

Yum...does that look good or what? Buttery bread, slightly runny yolk, crispy bacon. Is your mouth watering yet? Tonight we are making lasagna...stay tuned.

Snow Golfing

I am finally taking advantage of my Christmas present from Chad...a Flip camcorder. We decided to have some fun outside in this winter wonderland. Chad has invented snow golfing. Only problem is you can't use white golf balls. Marley was the caddy and ball retriever.

After Photo

This is for you Kristal. The after photo of the chipped front tooth. Looks brand new. Chad said it looks better now than it did before but I think he was just saying that to cover his a$$ for chipping it in the first place.

Lloyd Christmas

Who has watched Dumb and Dumber? Hopefully you all have and if you haven't you better hop to it cause its a great movie. Anyways, remember Lloyd Christmas played by Jim Carey? Well last night I looked like a female version of him. Let me set the scene...Chad and I are watching TV, Chad lays is head on my lap, I prepare to take a drink of water, Chad decides to get up, Chad's head hits the glass of water, the glass of water hits my tooth, my tooth breaks. Sounds like a fun night huh. I cried, I laughed, and then Chad informed me I looked like Lloyd Christmas and I cried again. Luckily the dentist was able to see me at 9:30 and my tooth was fixed by 10:00.

I'm still a little skiddish about drinking. I think I will stick to plastic cups and silverware for awhile.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my future husband, Mr. McKinney! He is still in bed this morning because his old bones need extra sleep these days. ;)

Marley celebrating by pooping in the floor this morning. Since he couldn't go buy a present, he made his own.

First on the agenda, brunch at the Opryland Hotel. Then maybe a little 3-D movie or some more shopping. So Happy Birthday baby! I hope you have a great day and many many many more to come!

Love,

LeanneinWonderland

Let them eat cake

In case you didn't get the memo, I have a wedding to plan.

Geez, where to start...how about the cake!

Things I do know:

1. I want a round cake

2. I want a really tall cake

3. I want it to taste amazing

Things I don't know:

1. What to put on top, flowers, figures, initials???

2. What kind of icing, cake flavor, filling etc...

I really like this one. It is round, tall, and already has my colors!
This one is very pretty but maybe with different flowers and a small black ribbon.
This one is fun and clean looking. I love how it sits on a glass pedestal.

I love the apples! Very different.

What is your favorite/thoughts?

It's Not a Tumor

...well actually it is a tumor. Poor little Marley has a benign tumor on his foot. I first noticed it when I was home for the Holidays but just thought Marley had cut his paw on the ice/snow. It kept bleeding every time Marley went outside and romped in the snow. Seeing as how it still hasn't gone away almost a month later we decided to let the vet check it out.

The vet assured us it was nothing to worry about and very common in young dogs. He said it would go away within 3 months. Although it doesn't look very appealing and Marley spends alot of his time these days licking it we will trust the vet and just wait it out.

Marley is very self-conscious of it and keeps trying to hide it while I am taking pictures. Poor guy. We'll be sure to give him extra lovin until it goes away.

A Moment to Breathe

Ahhh...things have finally slowed down a bit. Between moving, the holidays, and work, I feel like I haven't had a moment to breathe. So lets all grab a comfy seat, a cup of coffee/tea and catch up.

Here is a picture of me and my new best friend. Okay so she doesn't know my name and we only meet once but I think we could be friends. I also think we look alike in this fuzzy camera phone picture don't you? The crowd was unreal at her cookbook signing and poor Chad was a brave sport to go with me. His 6 foot 4 inches stuck out like a sore thumb in a crowd of women.

If you know me well then you know I love Mexican food and could seriously eat it breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Chad and I attempted homemade fish tacos for the first time and well...lets just say I wasn't crazy about them. Anyone have a good recipe they want to share?

Look at this man of mine in the kitchen whipping up some delicious shrimp. Have I mentioned I love him...but only for his cooking skills ;)

This last picture is solely for myself. I've been eating oatmeal and yogurt for breakfast these day (wedding+wedding dress+lots of pics=must eat well). Man how I miss fried eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns.

Only Child

I do believe that Marley suffers from Only Child Syndrome. He craves, well demands, attention at all times. When I'm on the phone for too long he begins to bark and nip at my pants. When my wonderful long time friends come to visit he once again steals the show. He's just not happy unless the world is revolving around him.

Here you can find him curled up on Kristin's lap. He refuses to lay in the floor at your feet. Oh no, the Marley must be as close to you as possibly. He just won't take no for an answer.

Here you can find Marley at the table waiting on his breakfast casserole. He doesn't understand that he is not human. He thinks he deserves to eat at the table like every other person.

So just know, if you come visit me, you will have dogs crawling all over you, invading your personal space, and eating at the table with you. :)

New Year, New You

Here at the McKinney/Tolliver house detox and dieting are on the menu. Chad and I are trying to get healthy and slim down since someone has to walk down the aisle in 9 months. We aren't going crazy or anything but just taking baby steps. The other night we whipped up this easy, healthy, flavorful dinner.

Chicken with mushrooms and onions

1. Start by seasoning your breasts...chicken breasts that is. You can use whatever you like (salt, pepper, garlic, etc..)
2. In the meantime, preheat your oven to 400.
3. Heat a large pan over medium heat. When hot add the chicken and brown on both sides.
4. Once browned, transfer to an oven safe dish and bake for 25-30 minutes.
5. In the pan that you browned the chicken in, add 1/2 cup of red wine and 1/2 cup of chicken stock.
6. Once the liquids are heated and the red wine reduces add in 1 cup of sliced mushrooms and 1/2 of a red onion. Cook for about 10 minutes.
7. Add the cooked chicken to the mushrooms and onions and let simmer for 1-2 minutes.
8. Served along side steamed asparagus and you got yourself a delicious meal!