HappyGoStuckey

Stuckey Halloween 2011

November 4, 2011 by HappyGoStuckey 3 Comments

This year my mom made Lucy’s Belle Costume for Halloween. It was beautiful and was a HUGE hit with Lucy. She kept saying, “Mommy, I’m a REAL princess!” She was able to wear it to two parties and then she was sick with a stomach bug on Halloween so I don’t think she even has a clue what trick-or-treating is but we still had fun. Lance was a trooper and dutifully handed out the candy I had bought and was able to meet a few of our neighbors. And yes, one little girl actually did the whole, “trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat, if you don’t, I don’t care…” well–you get the picture. We were both shocked that kids still do that. Things don’t change that much I guess. 🙂

Here’s a few pictures from our Pre-Halloween celebrations:

She really was happier than it seems… we were in my parent’s tree-house so she was a bit distracted.

Not a very good picture of “the bump” but it’s there… I promise.

Princess Belle Stuckey

Personally, I’m glad Halloween is over. It was fun and all, but I’m tired of having to avert Lucy’s attention away from scary decorations every time we go somewhere. Even the big spiders in the Publix bakery were troubling her. She is SO my child. 🙂

( I did teach her, “They’re not real. They are happy spiders for decoration.”)

And so she said it every time after that. cute.

Wordless Wednesday: Abigail Grace!

October 12, 2011 by HappyGoStuckey 6 Comments

Here she is…. well, the back side of her anyway.
She was a bit cozy and refused to turn around for the camera.

Wordless Wednesday: Fall means enjoying the Publix Pilgrims

October 5, 2011 by HappyGoStuckey 1 Comment

Several years ago, Publix Grocery came out with this adorable commercial (s?) about little Pilgrim Salt and Pepper Shakers. They became so popular, that people wanted a set of their own so they started producing them at the Holidays. They have since stopped, I believe.. but my sweet mom bought me a set a few years back and now Lucy is LOVING playing with them. I’m not sure how many Thanksgivings they will make it through but we’re making memories in the mean time! 🙂

In case you want a trip down memory lane, here is the commercial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVLOydduvqg

And here are a few shots of my own little pumpkin enjoying them!

Tuscan Vegetable Soup

September 26, 2011 by HappyGoStuckey 2 Comments

One day earlier this week, Lucy and I opted to stay at home instead of fight the rain so I settled in to make Vegetable Soup and homemade bread for supper. Soup and Bread makes one of the BEST meals ever and I am always looking for more great soup recipes. This one will definitely go in the “recipe notebook.”
I’m including a link to the original recipe in case you want to compare, since I made several changes based on our tastes. Let me know if you try it and like it!

Tuscan Vegetable Soup
(adapted from Ellie Krieger)

1- 15 oz. can canellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 tbs. Olive Oil
1/2 Large onion, diced
4 carrots, sliced
Sliced Mushrooms (How ever many you want, I had four leftover so I threw em in!)
One small box of frozen lima beans, drained and thawed partially
2 cups shredded Zucchini (She said to use one small diced zucchini, but I had shredded in the freezer.)
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. dried sage
1/2 tsp salt (I didn’t use quite this much, I just did it to taste. a pinch at the beginning and a pinch at the end)
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
32 ounces low sodium Chicken Broth (Or Vegetable!)
1 (14.5 ounce) can of diced tomatoes with the juice
2 cups chopped fresh spinach
1/3 cup grated parmesan (for garnish– don’t leave this part out– it’s so good!)

In a small bowl, mash half of the cannellini beans with the back of a spoon, set aside.

Heat the oil in a large soup pot over med-high heat. Add onion, carrots, mushrooms, zucchini, garlic, thyme, sage, a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook stirring occasionally until the vegetables are tender, about 5-9 minutes.

Add the broth, tomatoes and lima beans and bring to a boil. Add the mashed and whole white beans and the spinach and cook 3-5 minutes more until the spinach is wilted.

Serve topped with parmesan cheese (and a small scoop of basil pesto if you have it!)

She’s Baaaackkkk…

September 25, 2011 by HappyGoStuckey 3 Comments

I’ve been kindly reminded by not only my husband but also one of my best friends that my blog was.. sort of dormant. So, in honor of the new Fall Season, lets sweep away the cobwebs and catch up, shall we?

Oh my word. I just looked back to see when my last post was. Two MONTHS ago. Sheesh.
Okay let’s do a fast forwarded-version of catching up.

My last 2 months in Pictures:

Lance and I both celebrated birthdays at the end of July…

Publix baked my cake since I wasn’t feeling up to it..

But then I DID muster up the culinary fortitude to bake this cheesecake for Lance’s special day. I’m so glad I did but let me just say, it will be a LONG time before I ever make anything THAT calorie laden again. HA! Half of it went in the freezer! But it was good, and He, of course is worth it!

We enjoyed a little hometown fun one Saturday with a trip to our local farmer’s market and riverwalk… (Note: all farmer’s markets are NOT created equal. Still spoiled from the NC State Market, but it’s better than nothing!)

Took a little impromptu overnight Girl’s trip to Savannah to meet my mom… and have Dinner with Paula of course!

Someone finally moved from a highchair to the booster seat at the table. I know, it was past time–but she’s still so petite we didn’t notice!

Made this soup… Easy and delicious– recipe definitely to follow (THIS WEEK!)

Made this bread.. it’s our old standby but we LOVE it. We make two loaves at a time and freeze the second one for a few days later. One loaf doesn’t last very long between toast, sandwiches and general eating!

Had a visit from Grammy–picked out our pumpkins and mums.. finally got the Fall decor out!

And last but not least, Jam sessions with Daddy!

OH, and did I mention, we are having another BABY??!!!! We go on Tuesday to find out if pink or blue is in order! We are unbelievably excited. And as a matter of fact, now that the cat’s out of the bag on the blogosphere, THAT explains my lack of posts! But I’m feeling MUCH better now, so hopefully we are back to “normal” for a while. Whatever normal is. 🙂

A reflection on a Thursday

July 28, 2011 by HappyGoStuckey 6 Comments

“Can a woman forget her nursing child,

And have no compassion on the son of her womb?

Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.

Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands;

Your walls are continually before me.” –Isaiah 49:15-16

These verses are a great comfort to us all as we rest in the peace that comes from knowing our Heavenly Father loves us more closely than even the most dedicated mother could. As a mother who loves so fiercely, this rings true with me and brings me to a sober remembrance that He is God and I am not. I cannot help but think of the baby that we would have welcomed into our family this week and find rest that though we never knew the baby’s sex or name, God knew from conception. He knew and He loved and He numbered that child’s days and was faithful. As much as Lance and I think and hope that we will always remember this little brief life, we KNOW that God will never forget.

And with so much to be thankful for that God has already given, we look forward to learning to Trust Him more fully with the children He has entrusted to us. I heard a new mom put it this way, “I hope to continue to learn to hold loosely while loving lavishly,” as she spoke of her newborn son. So very true. Blessed be the name of the Lord who not only takes away, but also GIVES.

Nine Months.

July 25, 2011 by HappyGoStuckey 6 Comments

It was NINE months ago this week that we packed up this truck and moved to Georgia. It just does not seem like it’s been that long until I look at how much Lucy has changed. Lance and I realized we have been here for over 1/3 of Lucy’s life. Speaking of Lucy, Lance and I would both agree that of the three of us, she is the only member of our family that has the right perspective. More on that in a moment.

For all that we went through getting to this stage of moving, getting a job, settling down, I have to be honest and say that it’s been H-A-R-D to adjust. Really. Downright difficult many days. I cringe even as I write this because I know so many of you reading it are the ones who faithfully prayed with us and encouraged us as we waited for God to open a door and move us. And then in His perfect timing He did, and here we are. And we have never doubted that HE moved us and we are in HIS will to be here. But in our own human weakness, we have struggled with making it Home. Sure, we’ve bought a home and made it our own–and we love it, but if we’re being honest,(and apparently I am) it’s not easy to settle.

You know how people always say that the place where you start your life will always hold a “special place” in your heart? Well, for us, that is doubly true. For me Wake Forest was not only the first place I lived outside of my parents roof but also the place I formed many friendships, not to mention the place I became a girlfriend, a fiancee, a best friend, a wife, and a mother once I met Lance. Yes, I guess you could say it has a special place in my heart. Most days, as I try to give this new city my all in energy and heart, that “special place in my heart” becomes a huge lump in my throat. But we’re trying. And more importantly, we are TRUSTING. God has blessed us so here and we are helping each other focus on those blessings and the knowledge that He has a plan for us here. And far be it from us to stand in the way.

Lucy, on the other hand has had it down pat from day one. She never questioned us when we packed up her toys & moved them several states away to a quaint little townhouse in Georgia… and then again four months later when we moved her and all her stuff to a house down the road. And from the day after we moved in, when we pull up in the driveway, she says “HOME!! We’re HOME!!!” Then a few months later, when we had the house painted, she began saying “BLUE HOME!! We’re HOME!!” Amazing how she accepts everything with the joy and faith of a child and doesn’t say, “Umm.. are you SURE we live here now? Mom?? Dad?? Because, this sure doesn’t feel familiar.”

Huh. My Two year old GETS it. Better than I do.

Oh, that I would trust my Heavenly Father the way she skips happily along, trusting us. Completely secure. Completely at peace. Completely LOVING today. I hope I will be just like her when I grow up.

And now, for those of you who have stuck with me and read this far, a little smile for you, because you’ve earned it.