Kicking Butt

{ She rangles snakes too! Courtesy of her flickr. }

Look out people! Mrs. Boatman is kicking robot butt and taking names! Ash, I'm glad you are doing well, and I hope you somewhat enjoy the slow pace for a while. I'll be over again soon for a PJ party!!! I wish you a quick recovery! Love you.

copyright The Simple Wife

New Sprouts and Cupcakes!

Two of my favorite things. As Erik and I were working 'round the house this weekend, I came across these little ones poking their way up through the mulch. My hostas. I love seeing the return of my winter sleepers in the spring. They are so green and vibrant and determined to get out, and that's exactly how I feel!

We took Sunday off from house work. Erik went golfing and I went to have dinner with my family. This Sunday's family dinner took place on the ol' Square at Marietta Pizza. The best place to get a huge, thick, and crispy slice of Sicilian Pizza. It was amazing. Afterwards the fam came over to our place for desserts. I filled the house with the sweet smell of cupcakes earlier in the day. We sat and indulged in our treats and watched a little America's Funniest Home Videos, a family tradition several years in the making. It was a great weekend.

© The Simple Wife

Thanksgiving with the Grubbs

I think I'm missing a few buttons... they probably flew off my trouser jeans after my second Thanksgiving feast of the day!! Yes, Mr. Grubbs and I had a full day of turkey eatin', and it began at 9am this morning. We had 2 dinners to attend, one with my family and one with his, mine was up first, so I had to get cooking early. I was in charge of desserts so I went traditional with pumpkin pie and not so traditional with S'more Cookie Bars. I began with the pie- this was my first attempt at baking the pie instead of relying on Kroger's freezer section. First I made the filling then I went to pour it in the graham cracker crust- wait, are you supposed to put pumpkin pie in graham cracker crust?! NO!!! Crap, I had picked up the wrong crust, and had ruined Thanksgiving. But wait, Mr. Grubbs saves the day by fearlessly heading to the grocery store to pick up a new crust! 

I ♡♡♡ him! 

Pumpkin Pie- check.

Now on to the chocolate. The S'more bars combine peanut butter cookies, chocolate frosting, marshmallows, and Golden Grahams cereal into one very scrumptious bar. They were a hit! But one of my most favorite cookies were waiting for me at mom's house, pumpkin cookies. These wonderful cookies are a chocolate chip cookie but made with pumpkin and topped with a brown sugar icing- they are quite possibly the most amazing cookies ever! 

{ S'more Cookie Bars, mmm...}

{ Pumpkin Cookies, MMMmmmm...}

After we were finished at my parents' house and before we fell into a food coma, we headed to my in-laws. We were greeted with even more turkey- this time deep-fried!- and some ham and lots o' fixings for another belly busting meal. It was nice to be able to hang out with so much family in one day, but I don't think my stomach has any room left for breakfast tomorrow. I hope you all had just as filling of a day as we did. Now back to the gym...

© The Simple Wife

Pittsburgh, PA

I thought since we would be back in PA I would take some photos. I was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania then moved to Georgia when I was almost 3 years old. I don't have any memory of living there, but I have plenty of memories from visiting since we've moved- we always went back for Christmas until the snow got too bad. My mother and father were both raised there with my mother's family still residing in PA. My father and his family relocated us here to the warm south for the family business. I have always thought of Pittsburgh as a cold, dark and old place. Everything seems so behind the times compared to Atlanta, where there is always something new going on.

The drive to Pittsburgh (yes we always drive, 12 hours in case we were wondering) is VERY boring until you get to the Fort Pitt Tunnel. 

When you drive through you are passing into a large mountain that completely conceals downtown Pittsburgh. As you approach it you only see mountains. 

Then as it opens up, the city of Pittsburgh immediately greets you.

You can see the new and improved Heinz Field- home of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

And PNC Park, home of the Pirates.

We lived in a small town called...

And this is the house my mom grew up in. The house we were raised in is just up and around the bend.

The best thing about Pittsburgh lives in this shack. THE WORLD'S GREATEST PIZZA!!! Seriously, it is, just accept the fact that any pizza you have ever had pales in comparison. 

I like visiting PA but lately we only go there if something bad has happened, so I wouldn't mind not going back for a long time. But it was my home and where family is so I guess it will always be a part of me.

Surviving.

Sorry for the delay in the blogging. I unfortunately had to make the long trip to Pittsburgh to attend Grandma's funeral. She succumbed to lung cancer on Friday evening. We laid her to rest on Tuesday morning to be with Pap-our Grandfather. It was a long, emotional, and exhausting time. Mom is doing well, I think she is finding comfort in the fact that Grandma and Pap are finally back together. Before my Pap's passing last Thanksgiving, they had 63 wonderful years of marriage together, so it was difficult for her to find the strength to live when he passed. I'm only 2 1/2 years into my marriage and could not even begin to imagine the strength I would need to carry on without Mr. Grubbs.

It was nice to see family, not often seen, and reflect on our childhood there before we moved south. I took some pictures along the 12 hour drive and will post soon. I just wanted you to know we are fine, just fine.

Tony's Birthday

On Sunday we celebrated Tony's birthday early. It is actually the 15th but we decided to wrap family dinner and birthday celebrations into one day. It was bittersweet though, because Mom is still in PA with Grandma so she couldn't be with us. We went to Ippolito's for some delicious Italian food. 

Tony really likes the rolls.

We ate sooo much that we went into a food coma!

Then we went back to Tony and Ashley's and had some cheesecake for dessert and Tony opened his present from all of us- A new iPod Touch- very cool!! It was a nice and relaxing day. Hanging with the family always is.

Update: Pittsburgh Front

{It's the Pitts...}

My lovely mother is still away in Pittsburgh with my Aunt E and Grandma. The latest report from the nurse is that Grandma's heart is going strong! She is much weaker now, she is hardly able to get out of bed but she still has a little fight in her. It is so hard to see someone you love hurt, so I can't imagine how my mom is coping, but she is. I can't wait for her to be home. We miss you!

A Mother's Daughter

Yesterday my Mom left for Pittsburgh. We moved here to Georgia when I was about 2 years old. My mother and father's families are from Pittsburgh and most of my mother's family is still there including my grandmother. My grandfather passed away last Thanksgiving and my grandmother's health has been declining ever since. She has been living on and off with my Aunt E for the past couple months with a nurse who comes and checks in on her a couple times a week. The reason for my mom's departure was a phone call from my aunt saying that my grandmother is rapidly declining and that my mom should come to spend time with her. This is very hard for my mom who is so close to her family, it is the reason why we are close as a family.

My family is a huge part of my life. We spend most Sundays together for dinner, and are in constant communication with one another. My mom and are very close as well. She is a funny, loving and caring woman, and I respect her so much for what she has done for my brother, sister and I. I can only hope to be as great as a mom as she is. 

This is going to be a trying time, but I know that because our family is strong that we will get through this. I love you Mom.

October Awareness

Today starts Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Take the time to remember to check yourself and schedule your yearly visit to the OBGYN. Remember those who have been affected by cancer, have survived or have been diagnosed. My grandmother is a survivor and Mr. Grubbs' sweet granny is also a survivor. For information about walks, donations, and information check out these sites:

• Susan G. Komen Foundation 
• National Breast Cancer Foundation 
• National Breast Cancer Awareness Month 

My mom, sister, and the ladies of Mr. Grubbs' family do the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Atlanta. I'll be walking again this year. If you would like to walk for someone you know visit makingstrides.acsevents.org for more information.

All Good Things must come to an End

I must say, this has been one of the best birthdays EVER. I got a romantic date with Mr. Grubbs, a fun night out with my best 'people', a great Italian family dinner and lots of love. I couldn't ask for a better family. They are always first to be by my side and the last to leave. They are amazing in that they always remind me how good I have it. My wonderful mom, dad, sister Becky, brother Tony and his wife Ashley all chipped in and bought me the Cannon digital camera I was wishing for- even more and better pictures for posting! My sister-in-law Ashley and her husband Scott gave me an Ikea giftcard which could help purchase the filing cabinet I also wished for. And finally my mother-in-law Anita and her husband Hugh went for my manual labor hopes and gave me a ticket for a freshly painted bathroom. I'm so excited! Everything I could have ever wanted and needed! These are amazing people who do amazing things for me and all I can say is:

 THANK YOU a million times over and over!!! I am grateful for every moment I have with each of them and can never express how much they mean to me. Family is what makes my world revolve and without it everything would stop. I love you ALL.

{My Family- mom being photographer}