Goodbye 2015!

I cannot believe that in a few hours, we say goodbye to 2015!  What a year its been - cheers to the new year!

1)  What did you do in 2015 that you'd never done before?

I rang in 2015 with a few of my closest friends in another city - Nashville!

2)  Did you keep your New Year's resolutions and will you make more?

I honestly cannot remember what goals I made but yes I am making some for 2016

3)  Did anyone close to you give birth?

3 of my besties gave birth to 2 girls and 1 boy

4)  Did anyone close to you die?

Several acquaintances unfortunately did

5)  What countries did you visit?

None this year :(

6)  What states did you visit?

Minnesota, Tennessee, Illinois

7)  What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?

Still wishing for my own classroom again

8)  What date(s) from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory and why?

Dec 30 when my baby seester got engaged

9)  What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Staying positive

10)  What was your biggest failure?

Not getting a classroom.  I keep reminding myself that it will happen again but its hard to have a life without your career going.

11)  Did you suffer illness or injury?

Yes, my kidneys weren't my friends

12)  What was the best thing you bought?

scrapbook supplies

13)  Who's behavior merited celebration?

Hmm that's a hard one...honestly!

14)  Who's behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Eh no one honestly.  This year was ok.

15)  Where did most of your money go?

Bills, bills, bills

16)  What did you get really excited about?

The future possibilities

17)  What song will remind you of 2015?

Oh my, too many to list.  Anything with a great beat

18)  Compared to this time last year, are you:

a. happier or sadder? in the middle

b. thinner or fatter? in the middle

c. richer or poorer? in the middle

19)  What do you wish you had done more of?

Voicing my opinion

20)  How did you spend Christmas?

We had several celebrations that allowed us the joys of the season

21)  Did you fall in love in 2015?

I continue to fall in love on a daily basis

22)  How many one night stands?

Zero

23)  What do you wish you had done less of?

Paying attention to the people & things that just don't matter.

24)  What was your favorite TV program?

Blood & Oil, Chasing Life

25)  Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate last year?

Oh I think this list the the same, I continue to "hate" certain people all the time.

26)  What was the best book you read?

Hmmm.....check out my Goodreads list, because this is a hard one too!

27)  What was your greatest musical discovery?

Music that goes along with the tempo of spinning class

28)  What did you want and get?

new pjs

29)  What did you want and not get?

A classroom

30)  What was your favorite film this year?

Inside Out

31)  What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?

I turned 34 and spent the night with my family for dinner then spent the day at the winery

32)  What was one thing that would have made your year immensely satisfying?

Proving to myself I could get a classroom

33)  How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?

Casual chic

34)  What kept you sane?

Reading, blogging, travel & family

35)  What celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Bradley Cooper is still my go-to guy

36)  What political issue stirred you the most?

All the black vs white things that will forever continue

37)  Who did you miss?

My momma day in, and day out

38)  Who was the best new person that you met?

My cousin Shannon, who I never knew existed until this past June

39)  Tell a valuable lesson you learned in 2013?

Live your life the way you want, not the way others want you to.  Because others will not be the ones picking up the pieces if it falls apart - they'll leave you in the dust.

40)  Quote a song lyric to sum up your year:

Happy New Year!!

Boursin Cheese Please Chatterbox

Not too long ago, House Party, picked me to be a chatterbox for their Boursin Cheese Please campaign.  I knew I had to make an appetizer to bring to our Christmas Day celebration so this was the perfect opportunity to try out some new goodies:

I headed to Schnucks, where I knew they had a great selection of fancier items for something just like this and luckily Boursin was right where I thought it would be.  There were 4 types to choose from at this particular location and knowing my family's taste buds, I chose:

I paired it with summer sausage, grapes, nuts, wheat thins and a garden herb cracker that we love.  It was quite yummy and hit the spot with our taste buds while we waited for our big dinner to be served:

We had 18 people at our house this day that munched on the goodies and everyone agreed that it was a yummy treat.  I love that I now have a go-to cheese for our future parties and gatherings.

This is a post written by me on behalf of House Party and Boursin cheese.  All opinions are 100% mine.

#BoursinCheesePack #Sponsored #HouseParty #GotItFree

I need an ARK!

Instead of snow this year, Santa has brought buckets, and buckets, of rain to Missouri.  Its supposed to turn to snow (some parts of the state are seeing it already) but all around me, everything is flooded.

Which means catch up time!

I will recap Christmas soon, and have other posts that I need to write but today I'm relaxing big time as I'm off from the hotel yet again this week, paired with being off from teaching means I may actually get stuff done:

• Ordered shutterfly book (my craft for December) - check!
• Ordered prints from Walgreens to start 2015 scrapbook (hint hint, prints are 50% 100, pair it with your register rewards and its FREE) - check!
• Put Christmas away (I hit the tree on accident doing something last night, it fell over and needles needed to be vacuumed so I figured I'd just put it away) - check!
• Put away Christmas gifts - check!
• Finalize NYE plans - check!

Today will be cleaning off my desk and going through our tupperware/rubbermaid as I got a brand new set and I need to put it away.

I hope everyone had a great holiday - can't wait to read about them!

Blitzen Boogie

Happy Christmas Eve!

To get you in the holiday spirit:

Blessings to you and your family!

Lincoln Home National Historic Site

I have always been through Springfield, IL while on Amtrak headed to Chicago.  Since we drove this past weekend, I spoke up that I'd love to stop and see Lincoln's home and luckily we had enough time to do so:

We arrived in time to join the free tour.  Our guide started us off in Lincoln's actual home and gave us a great insight and background to it.  What she described and the way the house is kept the way they left it gave you a feeling like you were actually there when they were:

We were able to look into other houses in the area as well and explored the visitor's center where Keith decided to channel his inner Lincoln:

I would love to go back and see them do a reenactment or something in the future.  Lincoln was one of my favorites and it was a fun visit:

Can't wait for our next adventure!

Chicago Holiday Trip

This past weekend we trekked up north to Chicago for our every other year Christmas in Chicago trip.  It had been a few years so we figured it was time to go back...and it was just what I needed to get more into the spirit.

We stayed outside of the city, however, since we drove and stayed at one of the Sheraton hotels which was a breath of fresh air compared to the one I work at.  It was enjoyable and relaxing to be a guest instead of an employee:

Our first day/night there we explored the Fashion Outlets of Chicago - oh my what a mall!  It kinda reminded me of the Mall of America with its energy but not as many stores if that makes sense:

After exploring that we dined at Giordano's Pizza - you can't come to Chicago and not eat true deep dish pizza.  No joke, it was heaven:

Saturday, we spent all day in the city of Chicago.  We parked at Nieman Marcus and seriously just walked the entire day, shopping, enjoying the Christkindlmarket, partaking in some delicious Chicago crack (aka Garrett's) and then dining on delicious food at Wildfire later that night.  It wasn't snowy, which it usually is when we're up there, but it was cold but not bitterly - it was just perfect:

Sunday we were going to go up in the Willis (Sears) Tower before we left as Keith has never been (somehow he's forgotten to mention this to me on our trips up there) however some of our group were ready to go so that will be on our list for next time.  It was a great weekend, got me in the Christmas spirit and I cannot wait to get back up there again.  I'd love to go when they turn the river green for St. Paddy's Day but that won't be in 2016 as I'm already booked, so maybe aiming for 2017.

Cheers to the Christmas spirit!

Christmas Cookie Party

2 weekends ago Jen hosted a cookie exchange party on a dreary Sunday in Missouri.  It was a perfect way to ring in the holiday season with some of my favorite ladies:

Each lady was to bring 2 dozen of their favorite cookies to exchange while Jen also provided Folgers coffee and a very tasty sangria:

I brought my favorite applesauce oatmeal raisin cookies and those rolo pretzels - yummy!  There were ginger snaps, Davy Crockett bars, m&m cookies and a holiday red/green cookie.  Jen also had a photo op with props and fun items:

What a fun day with the ladies to ring in the holiday season!  Maybe this should be a yearly tradition ;)

Ugly Sweater fail!

Christmas break starts in 5 hours...not that I'm counting down or anything!

~*~*~*~

• Keith decided to tell me on Tuesday that he needed an ugly sweater to wear to work today.  I told him good luck because he's picky enough as it is so me getting him one wasn't going to work.  On my way home last night I realized I hadn't heard more and texted him and he said he still needed one (of course) so I told him to meet me at Goodwill...they had nothing.  So I went down the street to Savers and they had a few.  Keith met me there, tried one on and bought it.  Brings it home, wants to wash it because it smells like smoke - ok no biggie.  On my way to work this AM, he calls and tells me that when he pulled it out of the dryer, everything came off.  I think he bought a sweater that was an iron on, ha!  He then got upset because I wasn't home to fix it so I said you'll need to super glue it or use safety pins.  He claims its fixed, I'm waiting to see a pic to believe it.
• We are starting Christmas break off tomorrow by going to Chicago for the weekend.  I'm super excited to get away, we're going with my parents and sister which is fine.  We have our reservations made and we're ready for the city.  I just hope the protesting that was going on isn't anymore.
• I need to pack for Chicago but I work back to back today - so I guess I'll pack when I get home and sleep in the car tomorrow since I'm not driving.
• I have one more present left, and that will be bought in Chicago (I'm waiting for the bigger store there than what STL has).  Then I have to wrap.  I'm not sure why I keep putting it off but I do.
• I'm hoping I get my requests off from the hotel next week or I'll be coughcoughsickcoughcough a lot.  No joke!  We have zero guests so it should be fine but you never know!
• I still need a December craft...eek!  Does making a shutterfly book count?

Have a great Thursday!

Yelp's Winter Wonderland event

Last Thursday, Becky, Steve and I dressed in our winter's cutest and headed to Union Station for Yelp's end of the year Winter Wonderland at the Grand Hall in Union Station:

It was a snow capped (without real snow in STL though) evening filled with delicious eats, and drinks, with lots of mingling to get you even more into the spirit of the holiday.

Being Elite always has its perks so we were able to get in an hour before other Yelpers to allow us to enjoy the offerings.

My favorites were the pulled pork sliders & homemade chips from Bootleggin' BBQ and the Kit Kat bars:

We ate until we couldn't eat anymore, it was that good!  Steve fell in love with the Hot Box Cookies that he asked for a box to take home with us and they told us to go for it.  They are that good!

There was a photo booth that of course we couldn't pass up:

and I love that at this event, the photobooth people had it in real time and the moment they were taken, they were already uploaded to Yelp STL's facebook page for us to tag ourselves.

It was a fun event - can't wait for the next one!

See you on Yelp!

My first carriage ride!

Every year my Dad (and the entire family) get invited to family friendly Christmas parties that companies that work with him have.  Last year one of the companies started hosting theirs at Tilles Park for the Winter Wonderland Carriage Rides.  We couldn't go for whatever reason but this year I made sure we were available and it was an amazing time:

Before the rides, their offices were open for the guests to sip on various drinks, enjoy food that was catered, fun crafts for the kiddos, dessert and of course picture time with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Before we knew it, it was our time for the ride.  They divided us into 2 groups and away we went!

 

Tilles has always been popular for their lights display and the carriage ride.  I had always wanted to go and was super happy that this year started a new tradition for us.

Yay for holiday lights!

Friday Five!

It might be a little late but better late than never!

1)  We have another Christmas party tonight (this will be #3) then we're going to go to Main Street St. Charles for their Christmas Traditions on Saturday.  Its one of our favorites as they reenact Scrooge scenes, have carolers, etc.

2)  Is is a full moon because these kiddos are off the wall!!!

3)  One week from today starts our once a month (not totally planned) trips we have.  I'll be starting off in Chicago next weekend for Christmas shopping - super excited!  Not going to lie, I'm wondering if we're going to see all the protesting that's been going on up there so fingers crossed we don't!

4)  All my Christmas shopping is DONE!!  Just got to wrap - yay!

5)  We are trying to start planning our summer vacation - any suggestions?

Have a great weekend!

Homemade pizza recipe

We love pizza!

Its a staple in our household.  Whether it be frozen, eaten at a restaurant, its on the menu quite often.  Not too long ago I started making my own crust and Keith prefers that.  Its really simple and I thought some of you would love to try it yourselves:

What you'll need:

1 pkg Fleischmann's Pizza Crust yeast

1-3/4 to 2-1/4 cups all purpose flour

1-1/2 teaspoons sugar

3/4 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup very warm water

3 tablespoons EVOO

Pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce

shredded cheese

toppings that you desire (we've done bacon, chicken, hamburger)

Parmesan cheese
pan (we make ours deep dish so I use a spring form pan)
cooking spray

Directions:

1)  Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2)  Combine 1 cup of flour, undissolved yeast packet, sugar and salt in a large bowl.
3)  Add very warm water and the EVOO, mix until well blended.
4)  Gradually add enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough (you may need to add water to make it soft)
5)  Flour your fingers and knead the dough, adding additional flour if necessary until smooth and elastic.  It may flake a bit, that's ok!
6)  Spray spring form pan/cookie sheet with cooking spray
7)  Using your floured hands, pat the dough into your pan.  We like thick crust, hence why I use the spring form pan to let it come up on the sides.  You can also use a cookie sheet and spread it out that way.
8)  Cook crust in oven for 5 minutes
9) Spread the dough with sauce - totally up to you on how much sauce you use.
10)  Sprinkle on your toppings, and some Parmesan cheese.
11)  Top everything with shredded cheese - again totally up to you on how much you use.
12)  Bake for 15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and the crust is browned.

Enjoy!

AB Brewery Holiday Lights

St. Louis hold its traditions to high standards and Christmas time is one of the best times to be in the area.

On Friday we ate dinner and watched the Blues game for awhile before heading to Anheuser-Busch Brewery for their holiday lights:

You are given a wristband that allows you 5 drinks as you walk on foot around the brewery grounds.  You can buy supplies to make smores as well as rent a firepit if you want to get a group together and make it a friends/family affair.  We made sure to get our picture at the photo op:

We made our way around the brewery as it was a gorgeous night to partake in the activities so there were plenty of people milling around.  While I'm not a huge beer fan, I was able to take a few sips of my favorite fiesta drinks:

I had to upgrade my phone so it was awesome to see just how sharp these pictures were turning out:

This is always a great event to get everyone in the holiday spirit!

Thanks AB!

34 while 34 update

Its been 1 months since I've turned 34 so its time for an update:

1)  Travel to a new city for a hockey game
2)  Visit a museum in Forest Park
3)  Go on a carriage ride in Tilles Park at Christmas time - completed Dec 2015

4)  Get professional pictures of Keith and I done
5)  Complete a scrapbook for 2015
6)  Get my own classroom
7)  Do something different with my hair
8)  Make a new craft once a month: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, June, July, Aug, Sept

October craft

November craft

9)  Explore Christmastime in a different city
10)  Play around at Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags
11)  Go to the Balloon Glow at Forest Park or Eureka
12)  Donate a bag of clothes to Goodwill
13)  Go on just a dessert date
14)  Visit Colorado again (its been a few years)
15)  Get a massage
16)  Sell a condo/buy a house
17)  Attend a cooking class
18)  Make the beignets from New Orleans

19)  Visit Kimmswick - completed Oct 2015

20)  Visit the Zoo - completed Oct 2015

21)  Take a hike outside - completed Nov 2015

22)  Help Dad finish his windmill at our property
23)  Do something spontaneous!
24)  Get back down to SEMO for something
25)  Buy something from American Girl
26)  Join a new gym
27)  Eat at the Blue Owl Restaurant
28)  Collect more beads at STL's Mardi Gras
29)  Do something fun for New Year's
30)  Make 5 new-to-me recipes
31)  Attend AB's Holiday Lights - completed Dec 2015

32)  Trek back to Crown Valley Winery where Keith and I got engaged
33)  Attend a concert I haven't been to yet!
34)  Just be me!!  Speak up, don't shy away, ya know!

Score of 6/34 = 18%

While its not great, its only been 2 months so that's pretty good!