HappyGoStuckey

And We’re off!!!

July 2, 2008 by HappyGoStuckey 4 Comments

A Few of the Reasons we happily drive 8 hours:

Well, Lance and I are taking off in just a few minutes to the sunny (and humid) state of Florida! We are taking the last opportunity in between his summer classes to go visit the Blythe side of the family. It has been several long months since we have had even a short visit with them so I am about to jump right out of my skin with excitement!!! We will only have a couple of days as Lance has anoth class beginning on Monday– so it will be a weekend packed with fun and family and we will just try to maximize our family time as much as possible!! I cannot wait to see my parents and brothers and sister-in-laws and my nieces and nephews!!!! All the little ones will come to my parents house on the Fourth together and I cannot wait!!!! Okay for those of you who think I’m over-reacting— just look at some of these faces!!! I don’t have pictures of everyone at this computer but I will soon!!!! We will update when we return!!!

Happy Fourth of July!!!

Mr. and Mrs. Green Thumb kindly invite you over for BLT’S!!!

June 25, 2008 by HappyGoStuckey 2 Comments

We Finally got something from our GARDEN!!!

Yes, blogging family, these are the first two tomatoes from the Stuckey Fletcher Farm! They were beautiful and red and smelled like a perfect summer day. I must rightfully give Lance nearly 99% of the credit for these little guys.. as he put in the daily watering and feeding hours.. and I merely looked impatiently out the window every afternoon for the first sign of growth. ahhh. how sweet it is to have tomatoes with no chance of Samonella. 🙂 Although, we are still waiting on the other tomatoes to come in… Here’s hopin’!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun…

June 10, 2008 by HappyGoStuckey Leave a Comment

The First Annual Trip-O-Fun!!

Charleston, South Carolina

After living in separate states for nearly five years, Heidi and I finally got the idea to meet halfway between NC and FL in Charleston, SC for a GIRLS WEEKEND! We had been planning since January and we were both so excited that it finally came together. Our Husbands lovingly but reluctantly released us for the weekend and we spent three days soaking up some sun and good ‘ole girl talk! We squeezed every last little bit of fun out of the weekend that we could and both went home finally feeling like we got to catch up. We hope to make this a tradition which we will continue long into the years of needing babysitters–

Though our lives will change and may look slightly different than they do right now, we will need and always enjoy each other’s sweet friendship and company.

We made friends with the Hushpuppy Man and he agreed to take our picture.

Some of the Architecture of Charleston.. Beautiful City!!!

We took this picture about 17 times. No Kidding.I have no clue if this was the one we decided looked the best or not. Thank you auto-setting!

We went to “Jestine’s Kitchen” for lunch one day and we would highly recommend it! It was great country cooking and wonderful sweet tea– which is referred to as “Jestine’s Table Wine”

A new member of our Wake Forest family…

May 23, 2008 by HappyGoStuckey 2 Comments

Welcome JOEY!!!! Joseph Paul Thomas, Jr. 05.20.08!!!

Dear Joey,

We are so very excited that you are finally here! It seems like such a long time ago that your mom called me up and said, “I have some news… we are having a baby!” Well, your “uncle” Lance and I were so excited and I was grinning for days. You have to understand, your mom and dad are some of our best friends.. and we really consider them family– so imagine how excited we were when we found out our “family” was going to grow!!!

Well, the months went by and we started talking about and to you. The long wait is finally over and you are finally here with us! Your mom did such a great job keeping you safe all these months (even though it was rough on her at times!) but after many many hours and lots of hard work, you were born! We already love you so much and we cannot wait to watch as you grow! Your parents are going to be so great at this “mom and dad” thing. They already are. Just know, that your “Uncle” Lance and “Aunt” Cindy are so happy that you are finally here and we are so looking forward to getting to know you better!!!

Love,

Lance and Cindy

A weekend with family!!!

April 29, 2008 by HappyGoStuckey 4 Comments

This weekend, Lance and I were privileged to be joined in Wake Forest by family from Eastman, GA! Carol, Granny and Paul came to Wake Forest for the weekend and we tried to show them the way we enjoy the beginning of spring in Wake Forest! We went to the Duke Gardens, went strawberry picking at Vollmer Farms and even fit in a trip to Steak and Shake– (Paul loves ice cream!) It was a great weekend and we were so happy they could come visit!

Paul and Granny

This was my “junior milkshake” Yum Yum!

Three Stuckeys

Yep, that’s right boys and girls. We were at Walmart. 🙁

Fun at the Beautiful Duke Gardens!!!

Somebody was a little tired.

Hanging up the Bouquet!!!

April 1, 2008 by HappyGoStuckey 9 Comments

I had the privilege of being Matron of Honor in one of my closest and dearest friend’s wedding this past weekend. Lauren Altman (Now Poole!) and I have been close friends since high school and have even known each other since the elementary days! She has always been such a wonderful encouragement and support. She is always someone I can turn to and laugh with; she’s always there for a good chick flick night and she makes a great partner in crime when conquering the sales at the nearest mall or outlet center!! I have many memories of the crazy things we have done together and will always cherish the memory of being a part of her beautiful wedding day!
As this was the 13th wedding in which I have been a bridesmaid, (yes, that’s right– with four brothers and a LOT of single friends, I had become a career bridesmaid!) I have decided to hang up my bouquet and retire as a bridesmaid. And most of my friends are all married off! Hahah! Glad it could end with my sweet friend Lauren!!!!

The Bride and her MOH!

Getting Glammed up!

I was able to spend a few minutes with my dear friend and former college roommate, Viviane. She was also a SEBTS gal and has since moved back to Florida to marry and become a great school teacher! She has recently learned that she will be a mommy later this year! I cannot wait to share in the joy of such a joyous occasion as when my sweet friend becomes a mom!
Love you E!

The reception was brief but I was also able to spend a bit of time with my Heidi!
It was such an unexpected treat to be able to see her for a few minutes at the wedding reception and made me miss her even more! We are meeting for a “girl’s weekend” in a month or so, and I can hardly wait to have her all to myself for three days of sun and fun.. and shopping. 😉

My handsome husband wearing my favorite suit! Isn’t he is so good lookin’? I love being married to him! He makes my life one beautiful memory after another. Even the mundane is meaningful when you are married to your best friend!

A funny shot of the Bride packing for the honeymoon!

The Bride and her MOH had to make a Starbucks run!!!
One Iced Caramel Macchiato and One Iced Skinny Vanilla Latte, please!

MR AND MRS JAMEY POOLE!!!

Did I mention that I love this guy? Did I mention how agreeable he was all weekend and how unselfishly he let me spend almost two days with the Bride to be? What a catch!

My Recent Culinary Adventures…

March 11, 2008 by HappyGoStuckey 11 Comments

For those of you who know me, it is no surprise that I LOVE to cook. I love to make trusty old recipes that are predictable in taste and appearance… I love to take magazine recipes and try my hardest to make the finished product look like the photo… I love to try my hand at brand new things that seem difficult… I love to make things that most people would just purchase or buy frozen. Not because I think it’s always better, but because it is truly and inexplicably therapeutic. There is no substitute to coming home from work, getting comfy and heading to the kitchen for my almost nightly routine of washing, chopping, sauteeing and seasoning fresh vegetables while listening to some supremely mellow music. I Love taking fresh ingredients, adding the right amount of seasoning and patience and winding up with a dinner! The only two things better than preparing the meal itself— Eating it with my wonderful husband and…. having leftovers the next night so I can use the time on something else I enjoy. All in all, I genuinely look forward to the time I spend in the kitchen. It helps that I cook for someone who is so grateful and so willing to help with the cleanup!!!

Some of my Favorite Sites for Cooking Inspiration: My Favorite is Cooking Light Magazine!!!
www.foodnetwork.com
www.myrecipes.com
and
The Barefoot Contessa!!!!

Mini Strawberry Shortcakes
(inspired by Paula Deen!)

My first attempt at Macaroons
(these were actually pretty good!)

I had to put this photo in here because I thought it looked pretty! I love to cook! In case you’re wondering: Butternut Squash Soup; Balsamic Glazed Asparagus; Wild Rice and Turkey Cutlets.

These are my nephews, Nate and Benny.. obviously not a food item.. but they are so cute I could gobble em up– so they made the cut.

I always keep a bag of Frozen Peas around.. not because they are good to eat but because I often burn myself in the kitchen and frozen veggies make great ice packs!! These injuries happen way too often. Tonight I was chopping an onion and just thinking to myself how dull my knives were getting and I took a healthy chunk out of my finger! Oh well, it’s worth the injury to have a hobby that results in a necessary provision! 🙂