Updates!

Wow! So so many updates since my last blog, I'll have to give a quick recap.  In the last month, we've been busy as usual with a few extra activities!  Dylan got a new job {he loves it!}, my sweet in~laws came for a fun visit for a few days, I enjoyed another fabulous Supper Club evening with the girls, we hosted an Around the Clock bridal shower for Kim and Justin at our home{more on that later...lots more! and with tons o pics!}, we visited the vineyards in Dahlonega one weekend to celebrate D's new job, celebrated July 4th, I took Dylan to the Whole World Theatre {an improv comedy show} for the first time in midtown, and just returned from a great weekend at Hilton Head for Kim's bachelorette party! That gives you some insight into my most recent blog hiatus.  Yes, yes I know. Excuse after excuse again! : )

Well, I'm back!  And I've tested some delish new recipes and plan to share those with you as well as the details of the Around the Clock shower in blogs to come this week. 

For now, here's some photos to sum up Bowden Life as of late!

Sweet baby Stryker!  He likes the game too : )

Jammin out with Uncle Dylan

Fierce competition!

Dylan and Mike...perturbed by losing to the girls. 

Such a great baby!  So happy and so adorable!

The invitation for the Around the Clock Shower

A little shot of some of the food {more to come in a later blog post}

An outdoor drink station

Kim and Justin's "Time Capsule" {more on this later too!}

Some of the fellas

Beautiful ladies!

"Marry Me Margaritas"...the signature cocktail

The bride and groom and their mothers

Time for gifts!

Such a beautiful Georgia winery!

My sweet, handsome hubby!

Starting off July 4th right!

We bought a baby pool for Abbey to enjoy since its scorching hot outside and the only one interested
in getting in it was Sushi!  Craziest thing I've ever seen.  This cat thinks he's a dog!

Whole World Theatre.  We had a lovely pre-show dinner at
One Midtown Kitchen.  No pics of that but we really enjoyed their calamari and wood oven
margherita pizza with tomato, basil, and parmesan cheese.  Great atmosphere for a date!

Cheers to lots of laughs ahead!

Kim's Bachelorette Wkend in Hilton Head

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday!  Dylan and I have an exciting wkend starting!  His mom, sis, bro-in-law and baby Styker are in town staying with us!  They arrived last night and we enjoyed an enchilada dinner and chit chat time.  Super fun!

Here are my Friday Faves for this week.  Most are items I've enjoyed/had for a while but just now getting around to sharing.  Hope you enjoy these and have a fun-filled, fabulous wkend!

1. Small Citronella Candles from Home Goods to keep the mosquitoes at bay.  I love this store not only because of it's great prices but because of the array of items they sell for the home. These particular candles came in a pack of three.  Perfect for our outdoor makeshift table {literally makeshift~it's a long, heavy board from Home Depot sitting atop two saw horses}. Ha. Works for us though!

2. Tori Spelling's Party Planning Book, CelebraTori.  Some people aren't huge fans of hers and I get it {especially considering the Donna Martin days} but this book really brings it and she's got great ideas!  I really love her theme of "Cocktails and Caftans" in the book.  Very chic and fun way to throw a party.  She and I share a commonality...the love for details details details.
Pick it up at Barnes and Noble or here.

3.  Villa Italia Blood Orange Soda sold at Trader Joe's.  Slightly sweet, refreshing with a little kick of effervescence.

4. PetSmart Puppy Training. Our crazy ole sweet pup, Abbey, received her diploma last week after our training at PetSmart.  We can't say enough great things about our trainer Miss Wendy!  She was great with Abbey and the other pups and the beginner class is what every new dog owner should join!  We'll be signing up for the intermediate class next!  Abbey still has a little way to go but she'll get there with the help of Petsmart's awesome classes and our continued "at home reiteration training." Look into classes{here}.  When we receive the photo of Abbey in her graduation cap, I'll be sure to post! : ) Until then, I have a fuzzy snapshot of her with the diploma beside her.  Proud parents!

Friday Favorites

TGIF!  And helloooo...Memorial Day weekend is upon us! Much on the agenda for the Bowden's.  Husband is not gonna like this part but, of course, I have a list a mile long of household/yard chores.  In addition to my list, I have carved out time to pay some much needed attention to my little garden, Abbey needs a good ole walk at the river, and the idea of sleeping in a little tomorrow is quite appealing. 

Never fear, we won't be spending all our time on chores.  There is enough time for work and fun!! I can already smell our grill with Dylan cookin up some bbq chicken, t-bones, and corn on the cob!  Now that I have the secret to my Mama's delish baked beans, I think I'll tackle whipping some of those up as well.  Ahhh these thoughts make work today a bit easier to get through! 

Since it's been a while, I'll share my Friday Faves!  Hope everyone has a fun, safe Memorial Day weekend.  And let's all keep in mind what Memorial Day represents and be grateful to the brave men and women who lost their lives defending our great country! 

1. Mini Golf!  Dylan and I enjoyed a fun outing to Aurora Cineplex to their mini-golf course last weekend.  Fun, cheap way to enjoy a Saturday.

Don't I look like a professional? : )



Hole in 1!

Second hole in 1!  Guess who won the game?

Poor me, putting is not my strong suit.

2. Dylan's Fried Chicken.  I must say I was shocked when he told me he wanted to actually fry chicken himself!  It was super delish and I'm not even a fried chicken fan {gasp, yes I know I'm southern and I should be shot for saying this but I've just never been too fond of it...until now!}


Made his own marinade!



And breading!

He set up his assembly line! {See, he's taken
some notes from his wife!}

Yum!  And he served the chicken alongside curly fries.  I was blown away!

3. Windowsill flowers.  So pretty to look at in the morning and while I'm cooking dinner at night.  I adore fresh flowers in our home! 

4.  Peppers and grape tomatoes from my garden.  Both have really seemed to flourish despite my neglect on the garden as of late.  This weekend, as I mentioned, I'll give it some tons of TLC. 

These two items are great to have on hand for homemade salsa! Here's a pic of a few of them.

5.  Our sweet puppy and kitty...again.  What can I say?  I just can't brag on them enough : )
They are growing so fast!  Look how big!