Five On Friday

Five On Friday

January 31, 2014

While I'd happily take a zillion snow days, this week needs to see its end. I swear nothing sends students into a mood like a random day off, it's like pressing reset on Christmas all over again. 

1. Last Saturday after a snow day (sleet day) we escaped the house to search for Jeremy a new pair of running shoes. That was a total bust, but the man randomly took me to La Madeline's for coffee and dessert so it wasn't a total bust. I'm serious when I say my favorite dates for us are over coffee. However the news I got 30 minutes before was highly unexpected and insanely negative, but having a school psych for a hubby isn't bad in these situations. If y'all could pray for my class that would be great, I can't exactly say why, but kids now go through things I never imagined when I was young.

2. Sleet. Tuesday was super sleet day. It was like someone dumped bland Dippin' Dots out of the sky. Two days off work though, always down with that.

3. Ellie wasn't amused with the sleet by Wednesday. The backyard had become a skating rink, but not one you would want to risk falling in due to the fact it's high time to poop scoop back there.

4. I've been ridiculously hungry lately and can't kick it. I've also wanted nothing but hot sauce and this amazing Paleo mug cake.

5. Coffee, I basically need one of those Camel backpacks full of it lately. Not for the caffeine, I prefer decaf, just for the fact that it's mentally soothing for me. I have to drink a cup every morning at my desk in utter silence.

This weekend should be exciting though, our new worship pastor is coming in view of a call.

Something about going in view of a call for a pastor just freaks me out, it's like the ridiculous panel I interviewed in front of at my old school on steroids. I'm praying for the guy and his family for many reasons, but Saturday it will definitely be for the fact you'd have to feel like a fish in a bowl at that point.

It's funny how graduate school and two moves later I could care less (not in a apathetic sense or negative though) about change, where a few years ago I would be freaking out over my mascara going off the market. Funny what forced change will do for a person, or better yet... God teaching lessons and forcing you to let go of a few things.

What do y'all have planned this weekend? 

Read More

Random Facts About Me On A Wednesday

Random Facts About Me On A Wednesday

January 29, 2014

With it being the 3rd snow day in a 7 day period, (holy sleet-pocalypse Louisiana!) I thought I'd do a little "things you may not know about Louisiana Bride" post.

We have some new friends around here, so pour yourself some coffee and let's chat.

Little Known Facts About Emily

1. It's well known in the family... but I am deathly afraid of lizards and snakes. I have grown to tolerate frogs, but I can't for the life of me touch them. Something about the way snakes and lizards move is just unnatural and being bitten by a snake is a huge fear. Not due to the pain, but the way they look when they bite. No ones jaw should unhinge like that.

2. I had an emergency appendectomy when I was 5. Good ole fashion scar to prove it, none of those tiny dots people sport these days. It basically came about because of my love for wandering around barefoot, home girl got pinworms. My appendix was absolutely full of the little boogers according to the doctor. You might ask yourself how I could possibly remember it at such a young age? There is absolutely no way anyone could forget how they check for that problem. Hence my vivid memory of my entire hospital stay.

3. My immediate family and really close friends (growing up) never called me Emily. I wasn't Emily until I got to college. I was known as Emma. Truth be told, I've never heard my father or sister call me Emily. I was called Tyrone for a stint, but never Emily. I did recently hear my father calling my nephew Tyrone as well, apparently it's how he shows love. (I'm guessing lol)

4. I love cold weather. The colder the better. Seriously. Blame it on the fact that I fight sweating like a man during the Spring/Summer months. Either way, I love some freezing temps.

5. I sleep with 5 pillows, 3 blankets, and an eye mask every night. If Jeremy isn't home I sleep with 6 pillows. I basically have to be in a cocoon to sleep well, something has to be touching me on all sides and I need a heavy weighted feeling from blankets. This behavior isn't new, my mother claims I did this within minutes of exiting the womb. I have a scar on both big toes that I created trying to move to the end of the incubator as soon as they stuck me in there. There are pictures to prove this weird baby behavior too.

6. I do squats in the bathroom while taking off my makeup. Jeremy doesn't know this, he just always asks what's taking me so long. I think it's weird to admit, so I just haven't.

7. I have a life goal to eat McDonald's in every country I ever visit. So far I've hit up England and Italy, Italy being the better. When we go to Puerto Rico I plan to hit up some Micky Dee's there too. I've always loved McDonald's though, as a kid I told my mother I wanted to work there so I could give people Happy Meals and make them happy. No lie though, their fries make me happy.

8. On the line of the Golden Arches... I thew up in a urinal in the men's bathroom at McDonald's in Trafalgar Square in London when I was 14. I couldn't quit puking though, every time I looked up I would see the nasty urinal and it would make me gag again. Air sickness is an issue for me. Now that I know it I wear Sea Bands when I fly.

9. We cut our honeymoon short because I was sick of riding in the car. It was a big road trip, mainly because we were supposed to be going to Florida for a wedding the week after ours and they cancelled it after we paid for everything. After a few days I was done and didn't make it to Savannah for the last few days of the trip. I still want to eat at Paula Dean's restaurant.

10. In line with wedding things, the chef that owns the plantation home we were married at and catered the wedding use to cater for the Rolling Stones when she lived in L.A.. Her son's God-Father is actually my favorite actor ever (Tim Curry) and when he and my sister were dating I bugged the tar out of her all the time to find out who was over there! She's friends with a ton of big name celebrities though has has lived my dream life of being a chef and going to cooking school in France though.

What's something random about you? Share and let's chat in the comments today:)

Read More

Chocolate Mug Cake Two Ways

Chocolate Mug Cake Two Ways

January 28, 2014

Since we've been married I've been on a mission to prefect my mug cake recipe, or maybe since I've been teaching.

Some days just call for cake. 

This past weekend I finally perfected the recipe, so today I'm sharing my mug cake along side my Nanny's recipe for her cake. 

As far as mug cake goes I've tried everything to make it moist enough. They seem to easily dry out and become a big mug of sponge. 

I've tried subbing self rising flour, whole wheat, whipping cream, half and half, honey, butter, pumpkin, heck I even tried Coke for a stint. 

I finally figured out the trick, playing off of my Clean Eating Pancake recipe I reverted to no flour and add a banana. 

My final recipe wound up fitting in as Primal/Paleo, and you won't have to feel guilty eating it. Heck I ate it for breakfast Sunday... it's that healthy. 

First up, my grandmother's recipe. 

Nanny's Chocolate Mug Cake

Ingredients

4 tbsp flour

4 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp cocoa powder

1 egg

3 tbsp milk

3 tbsp oil

3 tbsp chocolate chips 

a small splash of vanilla extract

1 large coffee mug

Directions

Add dry ingredients to mug and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in milk and oil and mix again. Add the chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and mix again. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. 

Now for mine. 

Paleo Chocolate Mug Cake

Ingredients

1 large banana

1 tbsp cocoa powder

1 tsp coconut palm sugar

1 tsp ground flax seeds

1/2 of an 1/8 tsp baking powder (or a pinch)

1/8 tsp vanilla extract

1 egg

1 heaping tbsp almond butter

Directions

Mix ingredients in a large coffee mug, mashing the banana with a fork before hand making combining easier. Microwave on high for 3 minuets and enjoy. 

If I want it a little sweeter I will sometimes drizzle raw honey over the top. 

It's funny to me that the healthier recipe is actually easier and calls for less ingredients. I actually prefer the Paleo version simply because it is more moist, at least I think it is. Plus I like the chunks of banana and the bits of almond butter that I didn't mix in all the way. 

Read More

Meal Pinning Monday

Meal Pinning Monday

January 26, 2014

Rumor has it we should have another Cajun Snow Day this week... let's only hope that's true. 

[What is Meal Pinning Monday?]

MPM is how I meal plan for our little family. I once spent a lot of time searching the web and my recipe books hunting for new recipes and ideas for what to cook every week. Then, Pinterest came along and made meal planning much easier for me. Every weekend I look over what I have pinned the prior week and decide what I would like to cook and make my grocery list from these recipes. MPM came about as a way to share what I am cooking, and to also see what others are cooking every week to hopefully get even more dinner ideas from other bloggers. If you don't pin your recipes feel free to just share what you are cooking.

Monday - Grilled Chicken with Rutabaga Fries... never made it last week. 

SECooking | Sandra's pin on Pinterest.

Tuesday - Roasted Chicken & Broccoli

Wednesday - Chicken & Veggie Kabobs

Thursday - Buffalo Chicken Salad 

Friday - Grilled Steak... and some side we haven't agreed upon yet. I think we are going to figure it out the day of lol! 

Saturday - Orange Chicken and Cauliflower Rice

Sunday - Chicken Kiev & Green Beans

Breakfast - Paleo McMuffins - I have a sick addiction to these.

Lunch - Chicken Salad & Seed Crackers

I need to post the recipe for this since it was taken off the Skinny Girl website, it's my all time favorite chicken salad. 

Now it's your turn to share what you're cooking this week! 

Read More

High Five For Friday

High Five For Friday

January 24, 2014

Today is a true High Five for Friday!

We are having what I'm deeming a Cajun Snow Day, weather below 60 and rain.

It's 30, but raining... and not a thing else ha!

1. Jeremy finally had to buy us a new grill. I'm the actual griller at our house, and the handle has been wonky for ages... but I can deal with that. The issue came when our poor rusted out grill top nearly hit the ground after I opened it and the solo rusty nail holding it together gave way. It was quite comical had you seen it.

2. On another note, taking me out on a Friday night is less than fancy. After a long week I'm more of a minimal make-up, hipster glasses, boyfriend jeans, monogramed tee, sports bra, and comfy jacket kind of girl. I think somewhere around 25 I quit wanting to dress up to go everywhere, it just isn't worth it.

3. Banana Pudding. If you didn't see this weeks recipe for it you need to go here. I used it as my cheat meal this week and it was totally worth every bite.

4. Have you heard of Cuppow yet? I love their lids, and my mother knowing how much I like this sort of thing hooked me up at Christmas with several of their products. We also did a two day juice cleanse where these came in handy. On the juicing note, it really helped to kick out my carb/sugar cravings before starting a 33 day Primal/Paleo diet that is set to end right before my birthday. I'm loving Primal so much that I'm tempted to stick with this for good, some of Paleo restricts things that are just a little much for me. Primal allows me to have a little organic heavy cream in my coffee and we instantly became best friends. I'm mainly just using this as an easy way to monitor carbs:)

5. Last night I made one of my favorite Nom Nom Paleo dishes, Deconstructed Samosa and had a bunch of leftover coconut milk. Do y'all have any ideas on what I should do? I normally make a double batch of Samosa and just just her recipe in half yesterday.

So help me out, what are your favorite healthy things to do with coconut milk? 

Read More

Someone Deserves To Be Shamed

Someone Deserves To Be Shamed

January 22, 2014

So, we've had a little problem around here lately. 

Someone decided she had the best of ideas.

An idea so good it landed me cleaning dog barf for in between the couch cushions.

And once.... slipping and falling in diarrhea in a dark hallway.

Y'all this dog is about to make me insane. This brings me to why I'm posting this today, my all time favorite weenie dog needed some serious Dog Shaming today.

Did Ellie care about this behavior?

Nope, she rolled around and ignored me as we tried to discuss the matter.

This dog.

She has hit her tampon limit.

The trash can has gone to live in the bathtub.

The day after the little event I left the house for work, which Ellie followed me to the door as usual. The unusual was that Jeremy was still home and saw what she did.

Home girl took off running for my bathroom.

Unlucky for her... the trashcan was in its new permanent home.

Read More

My Grandmother's Recipes: Banana Pudding

My Grandmother's Recipes: Banana Pudding

January 21, 2014

The one dessert I recall my mother making quite often when I was a child was banana pudding. 

I could even point out the bowl she always made it in. 

Her mother was also quite the banana pudding maker. 

While Nanny could make an awesome Banana Pudding, her mother wasn't exactly the best of the best. I've heard my mother and Nanny joke for ages about how they didn't understand how Granny Rose could make a watery banana pudding. 

The woman was not a good cook at all from what I hear. My memories of her are mostly of her in my hometown and at the fishing camp, only once do I remember being at her house while she was alive. 

That one time though, I very much remember a banana pudding. 

Granny Rose was quite the character though, she preferred the men in the family and babied them to death, and was known to tell her awfully pregnant granddaughters that she would never be a great-grandmother. 

She didn't season food worth a darn, and Nanny jokingly claims that the constant dinners of beans and cornbread are what probably made them all short. Granny wasn't known for seasoning those beans much either and I can't remember if it was my great-grandfather or Nanny but someone supposedly said they didn't know beans could taste good upon having them seasoned and with onions the first time. 

But the watery, runny banana pudding is what will always stand out in my mind when it comes to Nanny's mother. 

Nanny's banana pudding though, is nothing like that at all. 

It's about the best thing you've ever stuck in your mouth as far as banana puddings are concerned. 

Nanny's Banana Pudding

Ingredients::
1 box of Nilla Wafers

6-8 bananas, sliced

12 oz Cool Whip

5 oz box of Instant Vanilla Pudding

2 cups cold milk

14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

8 oz cream cheese

Directions::

Line a large bowl with Nilla Wafers and banana slices. In another bowl, whisk instant vanilla pudding mix with 2 cups of cold milk for 2 minutes until thick. In a separate bowl combine cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk until smooth. After cream cheese mixture is smooth slowly fold in the Cool Whip. Next, fold in the pudding mixture and spoon over bananas and Nilla Wafers. Chill until set, serve cold. 

What is the best dessert your grandmother was known for making? 

Read More

Meal Pinning Monday

Meal Pinning Monday

January 20, 2014

Who all is happy about the 3 day weekend? I know we are. 

[What is Meal Pinning Monday?]

MPM is how I meal plan for our little family. I once spent a lot of time searching the web and my recipe books hunting for new recipes and ideas for what to cook every week. Then, Pinterest came along and made meal planning much easier for me. Every weekend I look over what I have pinned the prior week and decide what I would like to cook and make my grocery list from these recipes. MPM came about as a way to share what I am cooking, and to also see what others are cooking every week to hopefully get even more dinner ideas from other bloggers. If you don't pin your recipes feel free to just share what you are cooking.

This week I'm starting a 33 day Paleo challenge that is set to end right before my 28th birthday. The plan is to go into 28 a lot healthier, and a lot less addicted to sugar. I started with a juice cleanse for Sunday and Monday since we didn't have work (I just don't have the energy to juice on work days). Tuesday it's meat and veggies for the next 5-ish weeks. 

Every recipe on here may not fit Paleo exactly, but I'm tweaking them while cooking. If you have any questions about substitutions comment, tweet me @labride, or email me at labrideblog@gmail.com. 

Monday - We are loosely following this juicing schedule, I mainly used it for ideas. 

Tuesday - Skinny Taste Irish Nachos (minus the dairy for me)

Wednesday - Spicy Grilled Chicken Tenders with Cauliflower Poppers

Thursday - Deconstructed Samosa with Bombay Sweet Potatoes

Friday - Pork Tenderloin with Cauliflower LimeRice

Saturday - Roasted Chicken with Parsnip and Carrots

Sunday - Grilled Chicken with Rutabaga Fries

Breakfast - Paleo Egg McMuffin

Lunch - Summer Lunch Salad with Grilled Chicken

Read More

Five on Friday

Five on Friday

January 17, 2014

It's finally Friday, and a long weekend! 

Let's celebrate with a little weekly recap.

1. We surprised Pop for his birthday last weekend and had a blast, you can read about it here.

2. On my way to Vidalia for this birthday surprise I ended up in a 6 car pile up on the up ramp of a bridge in Baton Rouge. The car that started it was just stopped due to overheating, but seriously they would have known they were overheating before they even started on this bridge... thats how not far up the bridge we were. It turned into over an hour ordeal... which in the middle of an SUV showed up and I happened to be the only one to see the couple exit their car (the first one that started this mess) and flee the scene. Let's me tell you... considering I wasn't injured and my car was the only one not hit (just blocked in and unable to move, and I'm so glad that guy stopped in time) this was pretty interesting.

3. Puerto Rico planning is almost done, we've booked nearly everything that we had to and are now about to start booking for the itinerary. I know what we're doing, it's just a matter of making reservations at this point. The only thing that makes me nervous is the driving situation. Everywhere I've traveled has had great transportation systems, this one though requires a rental car. If you've ever been to any other country or the islands below Florida you know how they drive. It's going to be crazy. Riding in the car with someone I don't know driving freaks me out... so this is really freaking me out. But we must travel, I couldn't be content just sitting in San Juan for days knowing that my Dad's family is from South PR and we could just drive there.

4. Jeremy surprised me this week and a freezer full of beef and pork. The man cracks me up, I always tell him to not buy me food as a treat... but I'll take ribeyes and tenderloin as a present any day. I'm not much of a things person, I just want to have lazy days, travel, cook, and eat really good food.

5. Drivers license renewal was upon me and after dodging an address change for 10 years and keeping it the same as my parents house (since we've moved so much) I finally changed. The only issue, we are looking to buy a house soon so I'll have to do it all over again. Needless to say the DMV was eventful enough yesterday, why they don't have the amount posted that you need for the DL I will never know. I got there, listened to my audio book, saw a sign that said I needed my insurance for all transactions. Left... got it... came back... and they still hadn't called my number. Then I noticed I needed cash (who carries cash anymore?), so I left and went to get cash. I only got $20 because that made the most sense. Turns out it's now 21.50. Joy! I got super lucky though, I was talking to the lady in front of me and when she brought up what it cost and saw the look on my face (that of omg do I have to leave again!) she turned around after taking her pic and handed me $1.50.

Seriously the nicest thing ever!

How was your week? 

Read More

A Little Birthday Cake Surprise

A Little Birthday Cake Surprise

January 15, 2014

This past weekend we surprised my grandfather for his birthday a little early. 

The band he is in plays every 2nd Saturday at the Shrine in Natchez, so what a better time to show up than right before their break with a massive sheet cake! 

He's turning 75 at the end of the month.

This is yet one of the many combined reasons we are going to Puerto Rico in the summer, mixed in with my parents 35th anniversary, our 5th, and Jeremy's graduation.

Bunches of milestones in our bunch this year.

Of course after our little candle incident on Pop's 70th birthday, where I stuck 70 candles to the cake and single handedly melted off the icing while coving it in wax, he had to tease me about the melted candles on this one.

I blame my mother for lighting too soon, I will not take responsibility for this at all.

If it were my responsibility there would be a lot less icing and much more wax coverage.

Some individuals in the family complain that I take pictures of them, then again I say I create proof of their existence.

Pop doesn't try to run from me like the other two do.

Let it be known Joshua and I were making requests of Laura for drinks, little did I notice until I was editing pics that she had her hand in Mom's wallet... yet complaining that we were asking for stuff ha!

This photo's for Pop, these two couples are always at the Shrine and dance the entire time.

If only I had my dance partner, a cake wasted 4 year old doesn't last long.

My mother and grandfather, we rarely take pictures together... so I had to make a point to take this one.

Happy early 75th birthday Pop! 

Read More

What To Do Once You've Hit a Wall

What To Do Once You've Hit a Wall

January 14, 2014

We're halfway through the school year.

There are also only about 8 weeks until state testing begins.

Those two caked on top of each other can only mean one thing, there are a lot of parents and teachers at their wits end.

These days thanks to our over scheduled world, constant social media interaction, and the mental hamster wheel we all live in life can become over done at time. 

It's easy to get overwhelmed. 

I've noticed for myself over the years that not long after overwhelmed I start to see the first signs of sick. It doesn't take too many days of being over scheduled and exhausted to hit that wall where my immune system has had enough and forces me to step back. 

There's a way to push the pause button before getting that far. 

1. As soon as you start feeling over scheduled mark something off your to-do list, without doing it. Just back out, without guilt. Sometimes we need a "snow day" where our plans are cancelled and we can breathe. The best times to catch your breathe sometimes are when you were supposed to do something else. 

2. Take five minutes for a cup of tea, a good book, and just plain silence. Sometimes the best thing I can do for myself if to give myself a little alone time. I was known to turn off the light to my classroom during planning period so people thought I wasn't in there so I could get some nice quiet time in with my work. These days I grab a cup of coffee or tea and just sit and mentally relax for a moment. 

3. Take a bath. On really crazy days fill up the bathtub at the end of the day, sprinkle in some epsom salt, baking soda, and lavender oil and just relax. Within 20 minutes you will feel amazing and I promise you'll sleep so much better. 

4. Change up your daily routine. Sometimes I swap up when I'm going to the gym, or the type of workout I do. Daily schedules can get mundane, sometimes alternating when things are done can give you the little perk up you need. 

5. Have dinner with a close friend or go on a date. Talking with someone about what's stressing you can alleviate some of that stress. Don't bottle up how you feel stretched thin, it will just make it worse. Getting out to eat a nice meal and talk can do wonders for you attitude. 

Don't ever feel like you just can't turn something down, when you feel like you need to it's probably time to step back. 

A little down time will do wonders for a stressed out soul. 

Read More

Meal Pinning Monday

Meal Pinning Monday

January 12, 2014

Is it weird that I like weeks that have nearly nothing on the schedule except working out and cooking dinner? 

Plus next weekend is a long weekend... and we could all use a few more 3 day weekends in our lives. 

[What is Meal Pinning Monday?]

MPM is how I meal plan for our little family. I once spent a lot of time searching the web and my recipe books hunting for new recipes and ideas for what to cook every week. Then, Pinterest came along and made meal planning much easier for me. Every weekend I look over what I have pinned the prior week and decide what I would like to cook and make my grocery list from these recipes. MPM came about as a way to share what I am cooking, and to also see what others are cooking every week to hopefully get even more dinner ideas from other bloggers. If you don't pin your recipes feel free to just share what you are cooking.

Oddly enough this week is a chicken week, except for the turkey sausage I'm adding to the Irish Nachos on Saturday. Guess I had poultry on the brain for dinner, or could it be that grilling chicken is about as easy as it gets? 

Monday - Grilled Chicken with Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Tuesday - Grilled Chicken with Cauliflower Poppers

Wednesday - Grilled Chicken, Cole Slaw, and BBQ Beans

Thursday - Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Friday - Date Night

Saturday - Irish Nachos

Sunday - Eating Out

Now it's your turn to link up and share your recipes! 

Read More

Five on Friday

Five on Friday

January 10, 2014

one

I found a new breakfast shake love... and it saves me time getting ready in the morning.

Svelte.

I actually prefer the Vanilla, for some reason I am never partial to the chocolate in premade shakes. I really want to try their Cappuccino next week.

two

Aside from planning periods being my favorite thing, this new desk calendar from Wal-Mart is amazing. I even opted for a day planner from the DaySpring line they are carrying.

It's missing the month view I like, but for 8 dollars it was well worth it.

three

Sunday night I made this Kevin & Amanda Ice Cream recipe.

Put it in coffee... with a little caramel...

Heaven.

four

Obviously this dog wasn't feeling well Wednesday night.

I bathed her and she insisted she be carried around like a baby.

Yesterday morning I got up to find out why she felt bad, homegirl thew-up on the couch twice... one of those being in between the cushions. Then I noticed she pooped all over the living room.

Then the worse part... any dog owners frequent dogs that eat things that aren't edible... and don't totally pass?

Ick.

five

Last but not least!

My favorite little dude is turning 4 today!

How in the world has it been for years since we were all distrubed from our sleep at midnight to watch you make your crazy speedy appearance? Being that he is the only baby I will probably ever cut the cord on, carry around the hospital nursery (before anyone else held him, including his momma), and get to experience all these firsts while still getting my sleep makes him an extra special little human to me.

By the way if you're ever looking for a photog in Louisiana... Katie from Two Suez took this pic:) She is definitely a favorite photographer of mine.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Oh and a recipe of mine was included in the new Clean Eating Survival Guide Breakfast eCookbook, head over and check it out! Louisiana Bride readers can use the code "instagramspecial" and get the cookbook for $7.95.

Read More

A Waterfall, an Amish Village, and a Photo Dump

A Waterfall, an Amish Village, and a Photo Dump

January 9, 2014

Over Christmas break we headed out to Tennessee to visit with my in-laws. 

I absolutely love being out at their house and am super sad that this is actually the last time we will probably be going there before they move closer to us. Which is a big yay, but I seriously will miss where they lived in Mt. Pleasant. 

The pics I took are from there house, the waterfall by their house, and my attempt at the Amish Tour... turns out they wouldn't even let me photograph their houses. 

I really had no plans to photograph them at all. 

But anyway...

Since I have a ton of photos, we are just doing a photo dump today. Enjoy! 

Every time I walk past here I'd like to think someone was making moonshine. Then again I'd just really like to know how old this fireplace is and who on earth lived way out here.

This is the point in the program where Emily was told to ditch the camera. I was sad, but I couldn't risk being run down by an Amish man in a buggy.

The community that lives near my in-laws are considered Old Order Amish, which basically means super strict.

I wish I would have thought about what I was wearing before we left, the fleece lined running leggings weren't exactly the best choice to make friends in.

Next time I'll know better.

Then again even if they have moved and we get pregnant I still want to go to The Farm for at least one prenatal care visit.

There is just something interesting about legit hippies and a town with more Amish then English.

Read More