DISH IT OUT....

Happy Wednesday...

I feel like this week has flown by. It has been a super busy week at work, I (cube-queen) have been a busy bee and I feel like I have accomplished so much. This weekend the BF and I are traveling to the land of dial up Internet (not to mention that my hometown is not a IPHONE 3G zone... so communication may be limited) for my sister's graduation. I cannot believe that Mallory is graduating from high school, it makes me feel less than young. I am super excited for her to be a part of the BIG BLUE NATION (corny I know...) in August.  The BF and I are leaving at lunch on Friday and I have laid out my outfits and have made several mental lists for the trip. So hopefully any travel meltdowns will be kept to a minimum.

In the midst of this whirlwind of a week I realized that the Daily Days has been a bit neglected. **Side note my 23rd (or 21st) birthday is on Tuesday and the birthday week countdown has started.** While shutting down my boring office PC (I forgot how slow PCs are compared to a MAC, and I have a new appreciation for my Apple) I was thinking of several different topics, and I then realized that I hadn't blogged about home/entertaining essentials. One of my life aspirations (in addition to dabbling in my love of all things personalized and custom stationary) is to be fantastic entertainer. I find myself looking at websites that specialize in party favors/invitations for fun. I live for the day that I can plan a themed birthday party or host a UK Game Day celebration with fantastic accessories. Until then I have added these items to my DISH IT OUT must-have list.

MacKenzie Child's lifted cake platter

MacKenzie Child's three tier sweet dish

Custom place settings from Louisville Stoneware

Custom place setting from Louisville Stoneware

Lets Celebrate...HAPPY EVERYTHING!!!!

Pewter UK serving piece

Pewter UK chip and dip bowl

I hope everyone has had a wonderful week and is enjoying this wonderful weather. Everyone in the blogger world is abuzz about the release of SATC2 tonight. I will probably wait until the hysteria dies down a bit to brave the theatre.

Enjoy your Thursday!

LOVE, MKH

Office Party...No Thanks...

Happy Wednesday!

Yesterday marked one year as the reigning "Cube Queen." I couldn't and still can't believe that I have been out of school and employed (in a big girl job) for one year. It is crazy and I remember retreating to my car during my lunch break (only 30 minutes, which is borderline criminal...) and being completely miserable. The misery has subsided and I have settled into my role as "Cube Queen" quite nicely. I have always loved to celebrate birthdays (or anything that warrants a celebration) and I thought that my one year should be acknowledged. I guess that is what I get for thinking, because no one even looked up when I nonchalantly said, "I totally forgot, today is one year that I have worked here." Of course I didn't forget something like that (I have been reminding the BF for the last two weeks) so I figured that I would announce it to my fellow cube-mates.

No such party...

Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining because my only cube-friend gifted me a Kit-Kat bar from the break room. I guess the others employed don't understand the greatness of well-planned event or even a pleasant "Hello." I think everyone rolled their eyes (I'm sure they mumbled under their breath, and probably still do) the day that I walked in because one of the first things I asked about was office supplies (my thought is one can't be expected to do their job well without the appropriate supplies). My cubicle is decorated with sweet framed photos and personalized coffee mugs full of colorful highlighters, while everything else that is not in my close proximity resembles the inside of a prison cell. I often wonder what the inside of my co-workers homes look like, I just hope their home decor doesn't mimic their cubicle style. Yellow post-its are so dull and unimpressive, I'm not afraid of color.

I hope everyone has had a great week, and HAPPY HUMP DAY!

LOVE, MKH

The Pot of NO Return...

Happy Weekend! I hope everyone had a great week and is enjoying the weekend. I have been a bit un-creative lately which explains that lack of blogging. I think I have been suffering from a mild case of "blogger's block."

This girl understands how tough it is to blog... j/k

Last weekend my sister traveled from Franklin to visit with me. We had a wonderful time and her new roommate for the Fall (both will be attending UK, GO BIG BLUE) also came for a visit. I was a good chaperon and their visit really made me feel "OLD." I was so tired when they left that I just sat there exhausted. On Saturday night the BF played Chef/Grill Extraordinaire and grilled hamburgers and chicken. Thinking that macaroni would be an easy/delicious side item I thought that I handle the preparation. I was in charge of stirring the macaroni on the stove and I apparently wasn't paying attention and the results were almost comical. 

The macaroni noodles are literally burned into the bottom of the pan.

Terrible, I almost felt bad for the pot...

The Pot of NO Return...

As bad as the pan turned out, the weekend was that great. We had a wonderful time and I promise that my guests were well fed. I even managed to wrangle everyone to take a few pictures. 

Mallory and I...

Mallory and Jenna...

MKH, the BF, and Mallory

I am hoping that my lack of macaroni skills didn't scare off and future visits from Mallory and Jenna. I am so glad that they were able to spend some time in Lexington before they start school in August, and maybe next time I won't burn any of my kitchen equipment. I guess I won't be making any guest appearances on the Food Network any time soon. Oh Well I guess I can always dream:)

I hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend!

Happy Sunday!

LOVE, MKH

One Year Ago Today....

Happy Saturday-

One year ago today I graduated from UK. I cannot believe that it has been a whole year since I put my cap and gown and and shuffled across the stage. I enjoyed my college experience so much and I am still SO SO SO sad that it is over. I met wonderful friends that I will have forever and made memories that will last a lifetime. It is crazy that my college days are over but I am excited for the next chapter in the life that is MKH. I felt like a "OLD" person this morning when I went out to run errands with my sister when I saw the soon-to-be alums walking in their cap and gowns. I was like, "OMG, that was me last year..." and I was a bit sad that those moments are now in the past. I have included a photo montage from this day one year ago.

Caitlin, MKH, and Catherine (Roommates)

BFF Emmy and I before the Graduation Ceremony...

The BF and I after graduation, it was WAY TOO hot to have the cap/gown on.

My Dad and I...

The BF's family and I...

Sissy, MKH, and Grandaddy after graduation....

I look back at these pictures and I think of the day and how quickly things flew by. Graduation 2009 was the first time my parents met the BF's family, it was my sister's first prom (she wasn't able to make it to Lexington due to nails/hair/photo sessions), and it was the end of a great four years. I am so happy that I attended UK and can now call myself an ALUMNI (I even joined the ALUMNI Association...). I look forward to sporting my Kentucky BLUE (with anything from painted plates to UK porch flags) wherever I decide to call home. GO BIG BLUE!!!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

LOVE, MKH

Homes To Die For...

I hope that everyone has had a wonderful week. It has been nice and rain-free here in Lexington and I am so thankful. At work this week it has been somewhat dull. I know that acting as the reigning CQ (Cube Queen) sounds like terribly difficult work but I have managed to finish two books and make tons of to-do lists. Stressful, I know but someone has to do it. I find myself day-dreaming of what my perfect career would be and I toss back and ideas of making decadent gift-baskets (my true calling) or being a professional ice cream taster (I can only taste one flavor, and that would be chocolate). When not thinking of dairy products and packing peanuts I sometimes think of going on home tours (there is one coming up in Lexington and I am super excited) and organization (literally the organization of everything, I organized underneath my kitchen sink last week- I was so happy to check it off of my to-do list).

Much more appealing...

When I was in high school I worked at a Real-Estate office and I think that is where my love of homes started. The BF and I have started walking in the evenings with his child (aka the dog) and we each comment on the homes in the neighborhood. I am so very glad that he shares in that interest. I have said before that I love to look at featured homes on the viral version of home magazines and I found several beauties tonight. Thoughts?

I really like the high-top kitchen chairs...

Not so crazy about the color of the island but I love the storage that is has underneath...

Ignore all things about this photo EXCEPT for the chair. 

I really like the wingback and the detailed front spindled legs.

What a wonderful patio, being that its glassed in it would be great year-round...

LOVE LOVE LOVE the wicker furniture and the unique ceiling...

I really like heavy dark pieces and this is gorgeous...

ENOUGH pictures...I know, I know. I am so glad that Blogger increased the number of photos per post (when I began the Daily Days the limit was 5. I'm not sure what the limit is now but my photos have yet to be rejected so I can't complain).

My younger sister is coming to visit this weekend and I am super excited to see her. She and her new roommate Jenna will be visiting and I am sure they will make me feel super "OLD" as they are about to graduate and will soon go dorm shopping (tear.... I so wish I was still in college)!

I hope everyone has a fantastic Friday!

LOVE, MKH

Real Simple for the Real Challenged

Happy Weekend!

My sunny days of bliss were short-lived as the bottom opened up this weekend and it is still raining. As of this morning Lexington had gotten a little over 3.5 inches of rain and it is supposed to continue through early tomorrow morning. I guess the sunshine was good while it lasted.

For those who have been reading the Daily Days from the beginning I have blogged that I am somewhat skill-less in the kitchen. I can clean and do laundry with the best of them, but somehow I missed the cooking boat. When the BF and I were traveling home from Dallas a few weeks ago we stopped at a magazine kiosk and I found a few celebrity mags that would provide for an easy read and I was hoping for a Southern Living or something similar but no such luck. I did however find Real Simple and I thought it would keep me occupied, I had honestly just thought it was a home organization/ cleaning/how to magazine. After flipping through I found this recipe and I was like OMG I can totally fix this. After much self-motivation and several self pep talks the recipe came to life on Friday. With the help of the BF (I had never even touched un-cooked chicken and was convinced that we were both going to get salmonella) we had a great dinner. I have included the recipe below, and you can check it out here.

Serves 4Hands-On Time: 15mTotal Time: 45m

Ingredients

• 16 buttery crackers (such as Ritz), crushed (about 3⁄4 cup)
• 6 ounces sharp Cheddar, grated
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 4 6-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• wild rice pilaf and steamed green beans (optional)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350° F. In a bowl, combine the crackers, cheese, garlic, and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper.
2. Dip the chicken in the butter, then in the cracker mixture, pressing gently to help it adhere, and place on a foil-lined baking sheet.
3. Sprinkle any remaining cracker mixture on the chicken and drizzle with any remaining butter. Bake until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve with the pilaf and green beans, if using.

Don't judge... there wasn't that much macaroni, the picture is deceiving.

I can honestly say that this was a nice easy recipe for me to start my cooking adventures with, it was very good and I would totally eat this again, and the BF agreed. I think the title Real Simple is very true as this recipe was "Really Simple" and I am "Really Challenged" when it comes to cooking. The end result was attractive and edible. Watch out Paula Dean, MKH has figured out how to turn on the oven who knows what is next....

I hope everyone is staying dry today and is enjoying a lazy day!

Happy Sunday and have a great Monday-

LOVE, MKH

p/s- I was hoping to give Hagan a bite of the delicious cheddar chicken but the BF caught me before I could get it off the fork. Hagan was just as sad as I was, can't you tell....hahaha

Poor Baby...