How do you mess up sloppy joes?

Ok- so Sloppy Joes are probably one of the easiest and oldest recipes in the history of the South. And somehow I TOTALLY butchered this common dish. This is how bad it was...Ben tries everything that I make, and eats it with a smile no matter how bad it is. Tonight he wouldn't even taste it.

About once a year I get the taste for a Sloppy Joe. Today was that day. So, I got online to find a new recipe and I came across a Paula Dean recipe. Thinking that it would be satisfying, I am off to the store. The recipe says to make French Onion soup, brown and drain ground beef, and then add 1/2 cup of the soup and 2 tablespoons of flour. Simmer for a little bit and serve on a bun. As I am cooking I am getting suspicious of this dish....imagine the color of this mixture....all brown...turn off #1.

So, I decide to add some ketchup, Worcestershire, and mustard. Now, picture the color again....darker brown....now starting to resemble something that would come out of the body instead of in the body...turn off #2.

After mixing all of these ingredients the smell is very fragrant, so I decide to add some garlic powder...I mean who doesn't like the smell of garlic. Another bad idea, a heinous smell... and turn off #3.

I promise I am a better cook than this. And I have no idea what prompted all of my great ideas. But, next time I am going to quit while I am ahead. Life lesson learned.

I hope everyone else's dinner was more successful than mine. Happy Monday!!
-Sara

Spring Sing, old friends, and tornadoes..what a weekend!

It's that time of year again! Harding Spring Sing- I have not missed a show for 10 years. I don't know if that makes me a big dork or just a loyal supporter of Harding. Either way I don't really care I love going. This year Rebecca (my youngest sister) was in the show. It was fantastic and SO hilarious. If you can't tell from the pictures they are supposed to be "old people." Their show won in all categories AND won best overall! Congrats Reba! After the show I was able to meet up with my family for dinner before I headed back to Memphis.

Rebecca and Ben

Me and Mom


My precious Mom and Dad

Dad and Quentin

Shannon and Kyle

Friday night I went to Little Rock and spent the night with one of my dearest friends in the whole world...Emily (Wade) Wilson. We have been bestest friends since the 3rd day of college. It was so great to spend some girl time catching up with her.

Friday a F4 tornado hit my hometown of Murfreesboro, TN. This picture sent chills down my spine. My parents still own a house in the neighborhood that was hit, but thankfully their house was not damaged. The devastation in the town is incredible.

Hope everyone has a great week!

-Sara

Jamaica Mon!

Ben and I went to Jamaica for my spring break this year. We stayed at an all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay. The weather was perfect and the resort was amazing! It was a perfect get-away. Here are a few pictures from our trip.

This is how we spent the bulk of the day, reading and napping by the pool.

The view from our room and the pool.

I have given in...

Before I begin my first "official" blog, let me begin with this disclaimer: Please do not hold me responsible for any grammar or spelling errors in the contents of the page. Also, you may see words that you have never heard of, this is because I have a bad habit of making up words to fit my needs. I will do my best to edit each blog to the best of my ability. Now, off to the blogging:

I have fought the urge to start blogging for months now, and I simply can not fight it anymore. Little did I know it would take me hours to pick out a background and arrange the page exactly the way that I want it. But, I think I am finally happy with my "creation." Here is a little intro into my life to kick off the Garner's Gossip page:

Ben and I have been married for 5 years this summer. Wow how the time has flown! We have landed in Memphis, Tennessee and it seems as if this is where we will stay. I am a 6th grade math teacher at Elmore Park Middle. Teaching middle school can be tough, but it can also be so rewarding. I am currently working on my Master's in Educational Administration. I have learned about myself that I really only LOVE school... when I am in charge. (Typical of a first child). Ben is an accountant at First Tennessee and is busy working on his CPA. He has passed 3 parts and will take the last part soon.

Our life seems to be packed with exciting twists and turns. God has blessed us with so much! We are amazed by his graciousness and know he has great plans for us.

So, this is it...a sneak peak into our lives. Have a great week!
-Sara