Monday, November 30, 2015

{Thanksgiving}

Just returned from a 4 day weekend & it was heavenly! I enjoyed every single second of it.  And I think Nola did too...she loved having me around all day.  Unfortunately it was rainy & cold most of the weekend, but it FINALLY felt like the holidays & it forced me to do "nothing".  Which was a good thing.

Here's a quick recap...

Since most of the family was here, there & everywhere - we decided to do Thanksgiving on Sunday afternoon. I'll admit - it was a little depressing to sit at home on Thanksgiving & eat leftover Little Caesar's pizza for lunch, but it was ok.  Around 4:00, Amy, Susie & I headed to Wal-Mart to do a little Black Friday shopping {or Black Thursday?!}.  The only thing I really wanted was a shop vac so I ordered that online Thursday morning.  I'll be honest - there has never been anything that I can't live without, I just go for the fun of it.  So there I was - standing at the $7 Dearfoam slippers for 2 hours. How sad is my life?! =)
After Wal-Mart, we headed to College Station.  First stop was Target in Bryan & the checkout line was ridiculously long.  But there I stood for over 30 minutes with my dog bones, iTunes gift card, & a few dollar spot items.  At least I finally got my first red cup of the season {if you haven't had white hot chocolate - try it!!}.
After a few more stops, we were home & in bed by midnight.  Since a few of the stores we wanted to go to didn't open til Friday, we decided to head back.  This time it was me, Sandra, Amy & Khloe.  We didn't get there til around 8:00, hit the stores we wanted & were home by 2:00.  That was MORE than enough shopping for me.
Nola & I spent Friday afternoon and most of Saturday being lazy.  I admit it & I'm not ashamed.  I cooked taco soup, had the fire place going & watched lots of football & Hallmark movies.  Nola spent most of the day cuddled under a blanket either on the couch, her bed or my bed.  S.P.O.I.L.E.D
{my $7 slippers were quite comfy!}
We woke up Sunday to more rain so we spent most of the day doing what we did on Friday & Saturday. =)  
 
Sunday evening we finally celebrated Thanksgiving at my grandma's with turkey, dressing & all the trimmings.  It was oh so good!
Today it was back to work & back to reality.  It's been a rough year & some days are more difficult than others, but I can always find something.  Let the official countdown to Christmas begin!

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

{Super Simple Mini Cinnamon Rolls}

Today I am linking up with Andrea at Momfessionals and sharing one of my favorite recipes - Quick & Easy Mini Cinnamon Rolls.  I can't take credit for creating this one, but it's oh so good & oh so simple so I MUST pass it along!  They would be perfect tomorrow morning while watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade or on Christmas morning while unwrapping presents.

Since it's just me, I used the mini package of crescent rolls.  It created 12 mini cinnamon rolls which was perfect.  As a side note - they are the absolute BEST warm & straight out of the oven, but they do reheat well in the microwave.  I had them several days for breakfast & they were still delicious.  

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees & spray a mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.  Begin by rolling out the 2 sheets of crescent rolls & pinch the seams together.  The recipe didn't call for it, but I melted a little butter & spooned it on to each sheet.  You don't want to overdo it or they will become a soggy mess...but butter makes everything better!
Next, I sprinkled sugar & cinnamon onto each sheet until both were covered {I say they more the better on this part!} I must also confess that I didn't follow the exact measurements in the recipe.  I just "sprinkled" until I thought there was enough. =)
Roll up each sheet like you would a jellyroll & then cut them into 6 slices.  Place each slice in a greased mini muffin cup.  Mine certainly wouldn't win any awards for looks, but they taste good so that's all that matters, right?! Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.  Watch them closely because you definitely don't want to over bake them.
 
While they are baking, mix together an icing of powdered sugar, milk & vanilla.  Again, I didn't follow the recipe measurements exactly...I just mixed until I thought it was a good consistency.  I prefer mine to be a little thicker.  Once they have finished baking, remove them immediately from the pan & drizzle them with the powdered sugar icing.  Pour yourself a glass of milk & grab a few of these...and it's heavenly I tell ya!
 
If you prefer to follow an exact recipe - you can find it here.  But again, they are super simple {and easy & quick}...if I can do it - anyone can.   =)

Enjoy & Happy Thanksgiving!




Monday, November 23, 2015

{Kiss the Miss Goodbye!}

After several months of planning - this past weekend was finally Carol's bachelorette party! I helped plan it & I'll admit - it stressed me!  Lots of different ages & personalities in a city I am not familiar with...it was a challenge.  But, overall - I think it turned out great & I think {at least hope} wveryone had fun.

All 15 of us ladies converged on San Antonio Saturday morning.  We met for lunch at Lulu's Bakery & Cafe...a great little dive not far from the Riverwalk.  It was so good in fact that we headed back there on Sunday for breakfast.  They are famous for their 3 pound cinnamon rolls & OMG are they good!  We got one for the table to share & it was fresh out of the oven...sinful I tell ya!
 
{our one & only attempt at using the selfie stick. ha!}
After lunch we headed to check in at the hotel.  We stayed at the Courtyard San Antonio Riverwalk & the location was perfect.  We were a short walk to everything & they were super accommodating.  We were able to get 3 rooms next to each other,  2 of which were adjoining so we just opened the door & had one big "suite"!

Once everyone got settled, we had to get our creative juices flowing.  Carol had requested that we paint wine glasses so that's what we did!  Despite the fact that I have zero artistic talent, it ended up being a lot of fun & everyone's glass turned out great.
Up next was the lingerie shower.  Everyone kept it very tasteful & she got some very pretty things.  She only turned red once or twice. =) 
I wanted to do a little something for everyone so I put together a little "goodie bag" with a tattoo & shot in it for each girl.  I thought the tattoos were just a cute little touch without screaming "bachelorette party".  They said "I belong with Carol's bachelorette party.  If lost, buy me a drink." Unfortunately the lows were in the 30's Saturday night so everyone was bundled up like an Eskimo so you couldn't see them.  It's the thought that counts, right? We all did our shot together before heading out for the night.
 
Everyone got ready & we headed out to dinner at Casa Rio.  We had margaritas & beer on the patio while we waited for our table & then headed to Howl at the Moon afterwards.  It's a piano bar that plays live music nonstop all night. They sing everything from current hits to 80's & 90's favorites; everyone is encouraged to sing along & it's just a fun atmosphere...not your typical "bar".  We were actually way ahead of schedule because our hour wait at the restaurant turned out to only be 20 minutes.  We were certain we would be able to get a table, but no such luck.  That place was packed!
 
 
After a few hours there, we decided to head back to the hotel & call it a night.  What can I say, we are old. =)  Sunday morning, we packed up, grabbed Starbucks & headed back to Lulu's for breakfast.  We were Brenham bound by noon & home by 2:30.  I hope Carol had fun & now the countdown to the wedding begins!
 
 
Nola spent the weekend playing with her grandparents & cousins and by last night, she was worn out.  She laid on the bed around 8:00 & was out for the night.  She's not spoiled or anything!! =)
Crazy, but this week is Thanksgiving already!  We are keeping it pretty low key & actually celebrating next Sunday.  I am sure there will be a little Black Friday shopping happening & the outside Christmas lights will be going up.  I think it's predicted to rain most of the weekend so it will also be lots of pj's & Hallmark Christmas movies happening.

Despite how things go sometimes -  there is always, always, always something to be thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving! 

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

{Extended Weekend Recap}

Ok, so I am a little late with my weekend recap...better late than never, right?  

Last week was Nola's 9 month adoption anniversary! She drives me crazy sometimes & tests my patience a lot, but I love her to death.  It's nice to have another "living" being around the house. =) We celebrated with a few new toys from the dollar store that she managed to destroy in about 2 minutes {hence why I don't spend a lot of money on them}.
 
Saturday was the Washington County Relay for Life from 6:00pm - midnight.  With the exception of a year or two - I have been involved with Relay since it began here almost 15 years ago.  The money raised benefits the American Cancer Society & every dollar raised is one dollar closer to finding a cure.  This year I was the Blue Bell team captain & the event logistics chair.  Unfortunately due to all the issues at Blue Bell, we didn't get to fund raise a lot & most of our team members were either laid off or on furlough...but Debbie, Brenda & I still came out and showed our support.  

Almost every year, there is an issue with weather at Relay & this year was no different.  It rained a lot earlier in the week & then again Friday night and most of the day Saturday.  Thankfully the rain stopped shortly before the event began & although it was windy & cold - we had a fairly decent turnout & raised over $67,000!
 
{somebody missed me while I was gone...and apparently the late night was too much for her!}
I finally couldn't hold out any longer & so on Sunday, I broke out the Christmas decor.  I still haven't decorated my tree {waiting to find some ribbon} & I'm not finished with everything, but at least it's started!  Finishing is on my agenda for this weekend.
Other than a little rain here & there and way too warm temps for November - the evenings have been beautiful...so Nola & I have been hitting the streets!  That dog LOVES to go for walks & so we have been trying to do about 3 miles a night.  Unfortunately it gets dark so dang early so i have to head home straight after work & we have to pick up our pace. 
Last night some friends & I hit up ladies' night at Allied Ace Hardware.  One night a year, they host a ladies only night where you can shop, sample food that they sell & drink wine! Shopping while eating & drinking...doesn't get much better than that!
 
And now it's Wednesday & we are halfway to the weekend again!  It's supposed to be "cooler" this weekend & I have nothing big on the agenda so I'm looking forward to pj's, Hallmark Christmas movies, & decorating my tree!

Monday, November 2, 2015

{Hello November!}

And just like that - it's November!  I love fall in general, but November & December are my absolute favorite 2 months of the year.  I love the transition in the weather & most definitely the decor from fall to Christmas.  Someone posted this on Facebook yesterday & YES!  This is me.  I may or may not  have listened to Christmas music on the way to church yesterday. =)
The Hallmark Channel started playing Christmas movies Saturday night so my TV stayed on channel 1365 almost the entire weekend {with the exception of a football game here & there}.  I have seen more of them 20 times, but you can't help my love them.  I had decided that I could hold off one more week & put my tree up next weekend, but dang it.  Between the Hallmark Channel & people posting pics on Facebook of their trees - I couldn't help it.  I caved.  Down came the fall decor & up went the tree.  It's not decorated & I won't turn it on yet, but at least it's up.  Stayed tuned for the completed tree in the next week or two.
 
But first - a quick recap of Halloween weekend!  Friday night, my BFF's & I had a night of margaritas & Mexican food.  We ended the night at Home Depot & Wal-Mart...do we have exciting lives or what?!?
Saturday morning involved pj's, the A&M game & cleaning house.  Fortunately with the help of a new QB {and maybe the black uniforms} - we were finally able to break our 2 game losing streak.  It wasn't pretty, but a win's a win!  I had a birthday party that afternoon & then it was back home to get ready for Trick or Treaters!
I thought our neighborhood would be crazy busy, but it really wasn't.  We had a nice steady flow of kiddos & I had just the right amount of candy.  Some of my favorites stopped by - Alvin & Simon and Cinderella!
 
 
All of the door bell ringing was a little too much for Nola so after a photo op in her witch's house - she spent most of the evening in the backyard.  I am not sure if it was the full moon or what, but she was C-R-A-Z-Y last week.  She ate carpet & crayons and was just WILD!  By last night, she crashed & thankfully slept the entire night.  And PS - having a dog is like having a child when it comes to Daylight Savings Time.  Like clockwork - she was up at the crack of dawn.  So much for getting an extra hour of sleep!
 
Now bring on the MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR! =)