Cotton goes Pickin!

This weekend, I really went pickin!

My parents and I headed down to Duette on Sunday for a U-Pick at Wish Farms to pick fresh strawberries! I had so much fun and I am loving all the fresh strawberries taking over my kitchen! 

Here are some of the photos from the day:

Rows and rows of berries!

Ripe and Ready! 

Daddy and I having fun! 

Perfect. 

Daddy caught me playing paparazi.

With some of the berries I picked! 

It was an amazing time and I highly recommend attending a U-pick (for any crop) in your area! 

Be on the look out for some strawberry recipes!

Today's Pickins:

1. Strawberry Salsa & Cinnamon Sugar Chips

2. Strawberry Basil Sangria

Christmas Table Settings

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend with their families! I know recent events made spending time with mine even more treasured.

With Christmas a week from tomorrow, we're pretty much out of the planning phase and fully in the doing phase of the season! 

One of my favorite parts of having Christmas at our home is finding a new way to dress up the dining room table with holiday cheer. In the spirit of fining out gold leafed chargers, greenery, and red and gold candlesticks, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite Christmas table settings this year!

I just love this last one! I think it would be fun in a Bachelorette pad, especially.

What piece make up your family's Christmas table setting?

Today's Pickins: 

1. Tomorrow is my BIRTHDAY! Even better, our favorite boba shop opens back up tomorrow, too! 

2.  88 snacks under 100 calories

3. Levo League: 10 interview prep tips 

Oh, How Pinteresting + Adoption Anniversary

First and foremost...

Happy Anniversary to Little Cotton! She was adopted by our family 20 years ago yesterday! I am so thankful each and every day that my parents traveled all the way to Ukraine/USSR to get me not only a little sister, but a best friend.

Now, on to more pinteresting things...

Life Motto

Gold n' Silver Cookie

Emerald

Fur and Stripes

Washi Tape Keyboard

Funfetti Dessert Dip

Colored Initial Cuffs

Houndstooth (Wore the EXACT outfit last week!)

I look forward to linking up with everyone and seeing what you all pinned!

Guest Blogger: Christmas and New Year's Traditions

Hey there!  I'm Ella from Champagne & Cardigans.  Cotton is not only a fabulous blogger friend of mine, she is also my sorority sister!  I have known Cotton for almost four years now and I can truly say she is just as wonderful as she seems :)

We are trading blogs for the day and I couldn't be more excited about it!  Pop on by Champagne & Cardigans to check out some of her amazing Holiday Cocktail recipes. 

Today I am going to write about some of my favorite Christmas and New Years Traditions... ya know the ones that make you feel super warm-fuzzy and cozy inside.

A Christmas Letter

{via}

Not the kind you mail to your entire address book either...

Each year my mom writes my two brothers and I a letter.  She has one for each of our Christmas-es but hasn't let us read any of them yet.

I have a feeling she will be giving me mine next year, at my first Christmas as a married woman.

Regardless, I think this is a wonderful keepsake and way to remember each year spent with someone.  I am starting this tradition for DP this year... I may not keep them for quiet as long of a time as she has but I definitely want to wait a few years to let him read them.  What a way to remember how time goes by!

Chicken Scratch

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Chicken Scratch is a game played with dominos...  You can find directions here.  This is one of those simple, slow games you can play for hours, take a break and come back to it the next day.  My family loves to relax and play Chicken Scratch after any holiday meal.  Especially good when accompanied with a warm mug of coffee or full wine glass.

An All Girls Wine Night

I seriously doubt I need to elaborate a lot on why this is beneficial, fun, necessary etc...  The Holidays are great time for people to use some vacation days, get together and pop a few bottles.  I love the idea of a wine swap - every one brings a bottle and goes home with a different one (either in hand or consumed!).   I can't wait to catch up over some champagne with my best friend this month.

Christmas Movies, Christmas Movies, Christmas Movies

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Corny or not, a good (or not so good) Christmas movie always makes it feel like the holidays.  I love a good mix of sentimental, funny and classic movies.  Definitely filling up the DVR with some ABC Family Originals this year :) 

New Years Day Jigsaw Puzzle

Nothing makes me feel more like a kid again than doing a Jigsaw Puzzle on New Year's Day.  My family has never made big plans on New Year's Day so my brothers, cousins and I usually spent the day working on a Jigsaw Puzzle.  So relaxing and a fun way to spend time together. 

I hope y'all enjoyed some of my family holiday traditions and have a wonderfully exciting and beautiful holiday season!

{blessed}

Today, I want to give thanks to all of you out there that actually take time out of your day to read my blog. I am so thankful for this outlet in my life, the great network of people, and the peace that they bring!

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving, Blogging Family!!

Giving Thanks with a Full Belly

This time of year, we are constantly reminded to be thankful for all that we have! This is something I really appreciate about the holiday season and try to keep up through the rest of the year! 

Today's post is simply inspired by foods that remind me of things I am thankful for! 

I am thankful for a sister who is also my best friend! 

{Recipe inspired by her love of all things oriental}

Green Tea Ice Cream

I am thankful amazing parents who have been so supportive throughout all of my growing up! 

{Recipe inspired by my first ten years spent in South Florida}

Mexican Street Corn

I am thankful to live in a country where I have been able to earn a college degree. I am also thankful to be a Florida Gator and thankful for my department and friends from college.

{Recipe inspired by the cowboys of American and CALS}

Cowboy Casserole

I am thankful for my years spent in college and my sisterfriends made along the way!

{Recipe inspired by our love of....baking}

Jack Daniel's Cupcake

I am thankful for a job. I know how hard that can be in this economy.

{Recipe inspired by the green that pays my bills...and pays for trips to Key West }

Key Like Cake Recipe

I am thankful to be a Floridian. I think know I live in the best state and am thankful for this beautiful land each and every day. 

{Recipe inspired by none other than the local seafood!}

Grilled Sea Scallops with Cilantro & Black Bean Sauce

Lastly, I am thankful for my health. I see people struggle with health related issues each and every day and feel so blessed that this has never taken a toll on my own life.

{Recipe inspired by a champagne toast to good health}

Strawberry Champagne Mimosas

What are some of the things you are thankful for? Any recipes remind you of those things? I'd love to hear!