Happy Holladays to YOU! (Part 2)

Christmas day was filled with lots of excitment and fun around the Holladay house hold. I woke up early to help Santa fill Hubby's stocking and then, since I was up, made a random breakfast of fresh fruit, cinnamon rolls (from a can), and blueberry muffins. I got a few things done and then couldn't resist anymore and went in and told Hubby Santa had come and he better get his butt out of bed!

We got up, had some "breakfast"...continental style...watched some TV and really just relaxed and hung out. We finally decided to open the presents under our tree and that was really fun. A few surprises, a few laughs, but over all, a good time. : )

We ended up just spending the day laying around, making sweet potatoes, and enjoying our time with each other. Around 3:00 we headed over to my parents and hung out for a bit before opening presents and having dinner. There were lots of surprises and it was so nice to just hang out with family...WITH SNOW ON THE GROUND OUTSIDE! I can't believe I forgot to include that yesterday...it snowed ALL day on Christmas Eve so it was pretty cool waking up to a White Christmas on Christmas morning! : )

One of our surprises was a new camera. I have been reading so many blogs lately that I have become super interested in taking better pictures and my parents surprised Hubby and I with a new one. We went home and took about 1,000 pictures of the dogs and I tried to get creative and took this one:

turned out pretty good if I do say so myself! I am still learning what all the buttons and knobs do but hopefully we will have some new and better pictures to share! Like this one that Hubby took:

We are realizing that with this camera, Vegas doesnt look as weird and you can actually see what she looks like! Very exciting! : )

All in all, it was a great Christmas. We are very blessed and it was so nice just to be with family. Oh...we did get a few other surprises from my parents for "Punkin"...diapers. : )

"Punkin"'s room also had a major makeover this weekend...more on that tomorrow!

Happy Belated Holladays!

Happy Holladays To YOU! (Part 1)

Well...the stockings were hung, the tree adorned, and cookies baked. As of last week The Holladay family was ready for the holidays! And now...in a blink of an eye...it's over. Geeze...that was quick!

To recap let me give you a run down of our Holladay Festivness!

Lets see here...

Thursday night (Christmas Eve) Hubby and I had the family (Mom, Dad, and Auntie from NYC) over for a traditional Christmas Eve dinner...BBQ! Our menu featured pulled pork, mac & cheese, baked beans, coleslaw, dinner rolls, and for dessert apple and pecan pie. The dinner turned out mildly successful...edible but not exactly what I was hoping for. The pulled pork was yummy...I think I need to share that recipe with the world soon and the dinner rolls were delicious because hello...anything involving butter and bread is delicious...but the baked beans, mac & cheese, and coleslaw were less than amazing.

The baked beans should have been tested prior to an important dinner. I HATE it when I do that. You would think I would learn! I was hoping for them to taste like Bush's but they didn't and I was annoyed so Hubby was forced to go to the store and just buy me a can of baked beans. Probably should have done that in the first place. Oh well...live and learn...AND go for the recipe that has ketchup in them because mine didnt and I think that would have helped them look more "authentic".

The mac & cheese...hmmm...I am usually on board with The Pioneer Woman and I have tried this one twice with the same result, so this one has got me thrown for a loop! My roux turns out fine, my sauce is thick and creamy. When I add the cheese it looks like HEAVEN...pour it in the pan...top with more cheese and bake! Then when it comes out....it tastes weird. It has a weird texture and a lack of cheese flavor. Is it the egg? The cheese? The fact that I am using margarine instead of butter and 2% milk instead of whole? What is going on?! Maybe I will need to try another recipe and see if it is me...

The coleslaw. Good but not great. It is missing something and I am just not sure what. I need to play around.

Over all though...things were okay and everyone went home with a full belly...just wasnt what I was hoping. I will try again though!

After dinner we opened presents that Hubby and I had for my family. There were a few surprises and everyone seemed pleased with everything. : ) That is a good feeling. Sometimes Christmas just stresses me out because I feel that I am not buying the PERFECT gift....but I am working on that...I really am.

Once everyone left, Hubby and I finished cleaning up, sat down by the tree for a bit and went to bed. It was a great night!

Christmas Day coming tomorrow!

Happy Holladays!

Ummm...adorable!

So we have these great neighbors who live two houses down. We have slowly but surely been building a relationship with them, which was definitely assisted when we found out she was having a baby and then...hello...WE are having a baby! She is due in January, I think the 9th, so she is just adorably huge and ready for that baby already. They are keeping the sex a surprise which I think is both terrifying and fabulous!

Anywho...she is very crafty and recently purged their house and therefore her cake pans and was nice enough to bring this over for me!

Um...what?! Adorable!! (I totally stole this picture from Ebay by the way)

We had plans to go over to their house on Sunday (last Sunday) so Hubby could help install a shelf in their laundry room. I realized that I never got to say thank you for the pan in person, so I thought of no better way to say thanks then to make them their very own snowman cake to celebrate the holidays!

He turned out REALLY stinkin' cute I think! The pan is really meant to make him stand up but I didn't want to stress myself out too much, so I started small.

I also had some cupcakes made and extra icing so I thought what the heck...how about some poinsettas too!

Hope your holiday is just as sweet!

Happy Baking!

156

Hubby and I had our second appointment on Friday. We met with one of the birth assistants and she was absolutely fabulous. Our appointment lasted about an hour, we asked all sorts of questions, I learned I need to be eating two eggs a day (I had my two this morning...scrambled), and I need to hit the pavement because they are serious about me walking an hour a night.

We also...got to hear the heartbeat. It was beating at 156 beats per minute and it was just amazing. Sounded just like you hear on TV and in the movies...so stinkin' cool! At one point, the birth assistant was moving the wand thing around on my stomach and the beating got louder and she said..."well looks like someone is swimming to the top to say hi!". ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! I just about died, right there on the table.

This weekend, we also decided since there is indeed still a baby in there, that it would be a good time to think about paint. Hubby and I loaded up into the van and headed to Home Depot. We decided on green for the walls and we went daring...brown for the ceiling. We are going to do a jungle theme regardless of the sex, so we decided to go ahead and get that crossed off the list. I got to help prep but Hubby was in charge of painting...pour guy. He is going to finish on Wednesday but as of now, it looks REALLY good. The ceiling makes it look cozy and cuddly, like a little cave. PERFECT for sleeping. : ) I will post pictures once we have all the tape down and it is starting to look like a room again.

Oh...also...my pants are getting tight....yay? : )

Happy Baby!

Appointment Day!

Today Hubby and I have our second appointment with our midwife. I am not sure what is going to go down but since I havent seen her since I had my sonogram, I am expecting to get an exact due date. Everyone has been asking and I keep having to reply with...."well...the end of June, I think?" and that just doesn't work for some.

I think I am starting to get a belly that I can't suck in anymore. I showed Hubby this morning, he said it was cute. That made me laugh. I never thought I would hear him say that a belly was cute. He replied that if it was caused by eating "cake and ice cream" he would say something but for now, he is cool with a belly for "punkin". : )

Update about our appointment this weekend!

Happy Bellies!

My legs finally work again!

So after watching The Biggest Loser a few seasons ago, I got inspired to start walking. I started walking after dinner and on the weekends and started going pretty far distances. This lead me to the idea of walking a half marathon (13.1 miles). I asked around and found a few friends who said they were willing but I wasn't sure if they would really do it. Life can get in the way, I understand that, but I wanted to train and do it with someone who was just as serious as I was. Well the White Rock Marathon came and went, but the idea never left. Well around summer time of this year, I decided that I was going to do it. I asked Hubby if he would be willing to participate with me, and probably thinking that I would change my mind by then, he said yes. So I signed us up, paid our fees, and printed off our training schedule that we would start 14 weeks before the race.

We started training and of course, just like everyone else, life started to get in the way. We found out we were having a "punkin", the holidays rolled around and we were out of town every weekend for three weeks and before we knew it, December 13th was knocking on our door. The longest we had walked prior to last Sunday was 6 miles. It is exactly 3 miles to my parents, so we had walked there and back but since we didnt die, we figured we could push and surely do another 7.1....

We arrived at American Airlines Center at around 7:30 after parking across the street. I was cold and terrified as you can tell by my face.

But we had our numbers and we were committed.

There were 20,000 people....let me say that again TWENTY THOUSAND PEOPLE participating in the 5-person relay, the full marathon, and the half marathon.

It was INSANE. Hubby and I were at the very back of the pack (you have to enter your time when you sign up and they section you off accordingly) and in this picture, you cant even see the start line, it is actually around the corner.

The race started at 8:00AM and at about 8:15-8:20 we crossed the start line (under the balloons).

Once we hit that start line, we started walking...

and we walked....

and we walked some more...

through neighborhoods were people were cheering us on and bands were playing...

and over major freeways...where bands were playing.

It was tough. I would be lying if I said it wasn't. By the end my hips were hurting, my feet were hurting, and although I wasn't tired cardiovascularly, my body was beat. But soon we were at mile 8...

and then mile 10...

and before we knew it...12...

and then...together...we ran over the finish line.

It was an AMAZING experience and I can't imagine doing it with anyone else, "punkin" included!

Happy Feet Soaking!

Too early?

So is it too early to start buying maternity clothes? I am not showing but there are lots of cute things on sale and I don't want to miss out! I mean look at these!

                                                                                                

Come on Old Navy! YOU ARE KILLING ME! And hmmm...you can get a good sense of my taste by my color choices. : )

Pants I feel like may be a stretch because let's be honest, I am about to see if my "child bearing hips" will really show their true colors. I am hoping that they don't get so big I scare small children but I have a feeling that...things may get a little large in that department. Oh well...I guess it is worth it. : )

Happy Shopping!

Wow time is flying!

My precious little Santa advent calendar likes to stress me out every morning as I move the magnetic star one day closer to Christmas. 17 days left. This doesnt stress me out because I havent finished shopping...well I havent but I only have small stuff left....this stresses me out because the older I get, the quicker this month seems to fly by. I love this time of year, for the most part, and I just hate that it has to go by so fast!

SLOW DOWN CHRISTMAS, I AM NOT READY FOR YOU YET!!

Happy Season!

Thanksgiving Adventure!

Hubby and I left last Wednesday for New Mexico. The 500 miles northwest was ahead of us, and with Bailey (and a bunch of other stuff piled in the van) in tow...

we were off!

The trip took us about 8 hours or so...we had to take a few potty breaks.

We got to Hubby's mom's house around 3:30. Just enough time to unpack and enjoy the rest of the day light!

I tell people it is in the middle of no where, but as you can tell...we really were in the middle of no where. Despite that, it is absolutely beautiful and so incredibly quiet. You wouldnt believe the silence. As someone who LOVES silence (I am been known to drive home in complete silence) it is amazing.

We were surprised to see turkeys when we pulled up! Didnt they get the memo that Thanksgiving was the next day?!

We did a lot of relaxing,

walking around,

and enjoyed spending time with Hubby's family on Turkey Day!

We are very blessed and thankful for our lives and wonderful family. It was so nice to share the holiday with such warm and wonderful people!

Happy Blessings!

There's a baby in there!

On Sunday, I will be 9 weeks! Right around where I thought I was!

Athough he/she is just a floating gummy bear...we love him/her already! It was an amazing site when the sonogram tech turned on the dopplar and Hubby and I heard the heartbeat and watcheed it beat at the same time. Wow...I still just can't believe it! We are going to be parents...

Happy Gummies!

A GREAT phone call!

So I just received a phone call from the ADORABLE receptionist/blood taker/I do everything girl at the birth center. And although they did not have all the results back from the FOUR tubes of blood they took yesterday, they did get my hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) levels back...aka the preggers hormones (these are what give you a positive home pregnacny test)...and they are VERY high! 150,245 to be exact! She said that is right in line with where we think I am gestationally AND it is very surprising that I don't feel sick because most people would at this point! I am keeping my fingers crossed that things continue this way!

I am so glad she called because despite all the at home tests I have done (I plead the 5th on how many I have ACTUALLY taken) and despite Hubby constantly reassuring me that I am infact pregnant, I was disappointed and kind of worried when we couldn't hear the heartbeat yesterday. The phone call made my day and I just can't wait until tomorrow! I will keep you posted and maybe we will even have a picture!

Happy Hormones!

First Appointment!

Hubby and I had our first official appointment at the birth center!

We met with Cherie (one of the two midwives) at 2:00PM this afternoon. She asked lots of questions, took some blood (A LOT of blood actually), and tried to hear the heart beat. She was not able to hear anything but she said that it is a little early AND she is not quite sure how far along I actually am! We are scheduled for a sonogram on Thursday afternoon, so hopefully we will find out then (and get to see the heart beat!).

She was surprised to hear that I had decided on using a midwife before I was even pregnant and I was excited to tell her that my mind had been made up since the age of 18 and I just had a really patient and understanding husband!

I was disappointed about the heartbeat but I am looking forward to Thursday! Maybe then, it will seem a little more real!

Regardless, we are both pretty excited!

Happy Baby!

Saturday Wedding!

Before I was married I enjoyed weddings. Granted most of the time I was jealous and wondering when it was going to be MY day, but I enjoyed them nonetheless. Especially for the cake!

Now that I am married on the other hand, I LOVE them and I cry during the ceremony EVERY SINGLE TIME. It doesn't matter who is getting married, where the ceremony is being held, how cute the ring bearer is, or how pretty (or not pretty) the flowers are.

They remind me of how absolutely in love with my Hubby I am. They remind me of how lucky I am. And they remind me that I can't imagine waking up to anyone else for the rest of my life. He makes me a better person, we are a great team, and I am so happy to share my life with him.

Hubby and I went to a beautiful wedding on Saturday for a friend of mine that I used to work with. They have been together for awhile and it was such a special day and I was so happy to be apart of it! I wish I had some pictures but of course I kept forgetting. She looked beautiful of course. The chapel where they got married was amazing and their reception was loads of fun! They are now in Mexico sipping cocktails on the beach and I am not jealous one bit...okay maybe a little...

Happy Marriage!

Symptoms

So I have read on every blog and website out there that the typical first sign of pregnancy are the sore ta-tas. Well apparently mine have not gotten the memo BUT my face has....

I have not had zits like this EVER! My skin kinda freaked out a little when I got off the BC pill, which I expected since some people go on it to help acne but since little punkin has taken up a residence in my uterus, my face has exploded like I was a 14 year old closet chocolate addict...it's bad people. GIANT, red, sore, deep zits that can't be popped. SICK!

The rough part...you can't put medicine on them. I plan on taking pictures of my face with no make-up to include in the baby book and show our little punkin how much I put up with him/her.

I have however found a somewhat helpful natural remedy! Chamomile tea bags! Make the tea like you were going to drink it. Drink it if you prefer, I dont like tea so mine goes down the drain, and then while the tea bag is still hot, put it on your zits! It doesnt make them go away instantly but it helps take the puffiness out, makes them less sore, and helps them get to the point where you can pop them if that is your thing.

I still have to wear makeup like no one's business BUT it has helped! YAY! Regardless of the acne, I'll take it for the reward!

Happy Puberty!

First of Many

Saturday was the first of many events to come over the next couple of weeks. The owner of the company that I work for, his son is getting married in May of next year and Saturday was their Engagement Shower/Party.

I ended up borrowing a dress from a friend that worked out great (I rocked the white legs with confidence...kinda). It was super cute and fit well. I was so grateful I didn't have to go out and buy anything.

The party was held in the owner's home and it was just beautiful. My M.I.L. would have been in heaven. Their house is decorated beautiful, their kitchen is amazing, and the party was decorated to fit the "fiesta" theme so there were fajitas, colored blankets, and decorations everywhere.

Despite my inability to enjoy the margarita machine, Hubby and I had a good time and he looked SUPER cute! We didn't stay out too late because I didn't want to turn into a pumpkin, but it was nice to get out and enjoy some time together.

Happy Fiesta!

Busy Months Ahead

I don't really fancy myself as one of those people that is "so busy ALL the time". Hubby and I are honestly very boring and typically just go with the flow when it comes to plans...shocking I know considering my obsession with knowing what is going on and what is to come. (I have been known to tell him my entire day's plan while he lays in bed and just stares at me...for some reason, it makes me feel better that he knows what is going on.)

Well...that is definitlely not the case for the next couple of months. We have something planned pretty much every weekend until Christmas! Most of the events take place on Saturday so at least we will have Sunday to recover but I am just not used to this!

I will be sure to update you on all our adventures...it is going to be a whirlwind and I fear Christmas will be here in the blink of an eye!

Happy Fall!

Halloween Rice Krispy Treats!

So I know I am a little late but I just can't resist sharing these.

Hubby and I were invited to a Halloween party last Friday night by our neighbors a couple of houses down. Adorable couple, about our age, expecting their first baby in January! I was so excited to tell them about our little punkin because hopefully our kids will grow up together!

Anywho...they invited us to their shin-dig and I just can't show up to a party empty handed. I have had a WICKED crazy craving for rice krispy treats lately. So bad that I actually already had all the stuff I needed in the pantry!

On Thursday I made one cookie sheet of regular treats and one sheet of chocolate (Cocoa Krispies). I doubled the recipe for them to make sure I had enough. I stacked them on top of each other with plastic wrap in between and put another cookie sheet on top and weighted it down with cans...just to make sure they were good and compacted.

Then on Friday, I used Halloween cookie cutters to cut out ghosts and pumpkins from the regular ones and hats, cats, and bats (HA!) from the chocolate. I was planning on decorating them (with my homemade buttercream but you can definitely just use store bought icing) all but I got tired after the hats and pumpkins...and the bats were a pain in the butt so...

I think they turned out super cute and can be done for any holiday depending on your cookie cutters! So easy and fun you should try them!

Happy Belated Halloween!

My beef with Daylight Savings Time ending...

So I have always been really confused about the whole Daylight Savings Time thing. I am just going to put it out there. I dont understand why we gain an hour or loose an hour or how that really even works. I dont understand why Arizona doesn't participate. The whole thing is one by mystery that I just go along with.

Here is my beef, if Daylight Savings Time just ended, if we are back on normal time...who in the world is okay with it being dark at 6:30PM! I have things to do people. I have dinner to cook, dog poop to pick up, walks to go on, and I can not do any of this when I am ready to climb into bed by 7:00PM!

I say we protest! BRING BACK DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME! I am fine with going to work in the dark, in fact I can see better and don't have the sun in my eyes (I work to the east) of our house. I like it better in fact.

I know I will get used to it but for some reason, I am much more passionate about the whole thing this go around...maybe it's the punkin...I'm sure it is. : )

Happy Darkness!

Cotton Anniversary

So throughout all the excitment, Hubby and I had our 2nd wedding anniversary on 10/21/2009. We have tried to keep with the traditional wedding gifts (by tried I mean this year and last year). You know first year is paper, second year cotton, third year leather, thirty year shotgun. Well seeing as we didn't make too big of a deal out of our anniversary last year, I decided to go low key and bought him a pair of jeans that he needed. I didn't even wrap them, just handed them to him, said "look, cotton...happy anniversary", and threw them in the wash.

Well apparently he had other plans and when I came home from work that day, sitting on the kitchen table were flowers and two boxes, one of which had a scarf wrapped around it like a bow! WHAT?! Adorable! So I of course asked if I could open them immediately! The small one first. A linen reed diffuser. Get it...linen...cotton....so cute! The big box...

a sewing machine! I have wanted one for a long time and I could not believe he surprised me like that! I was floored. We went out to dinner that night and then made a pit stop at JoAnn's on our way home. I decided my first project was going to be a Halloween costume for Bailey.

She was going to be a bunny.

After ten days of Hubby reminding me that Halloween was just around the corner, it was finished. She looked a bit more like piglet (I think because of the ears) but still adorable. I was so proud of myself because I was thinking the legs would be all crazy and uneven and it wouldn't fit her at all. Deep down, I think she felt pretty.

Before the ears went on. She hates the flash.

With the ears.

She of course hated every minute of it but we did bring her out on Halloween night and people got a kick out of it. Nothing like getting barked at by a 75 pound bunny/pig thing. So cute. She was such a good sport.

I haven't decided what my next project will be. I will keep you posted. HA...get it...posted. Lame...sorry.

Happy Sewing!

Exciting News!

Well...it sure has been awhile...let me catch you up to speed.

After 6 years, Hubby and I finally started talking about rug rats. We didn't tell many people but I went off the BC over the summer and we were going to start trying in January of 2010. Well because I am crazy and a major planner, we decided that it would be better for both of our sanities if instead of waiting to start trying, we just didn't prevent things...if you know what I mean. Well...

Tuesday 10/13/2009

Negative test

Thursday 10/15/2009

Hubby and I went to a Mavs game

thanks to my boss giving us his preseason tickets. I was feeling fine but when we got home, I can't really explain it, I was just feeling bleh. Kinda sick to my stomach and just kind of gross all around. I decided to take a test just to see (becasue I am certifiably crazy). At 10:30PM I saw two pink lines. One was definitely lighter than the other so I wasn't exactly sure what that meant. I immediately ran upstairs and googled "pictures of positive tests". Turns out there is a website devoted to just such a thing...WHO KNEW! I took a picture, sent it to a friend who JUST had a baby (like on 10/30/2009) and texted her for help. I handed it to Hubby and asked if that looked like two lines to him and  he replied with "no, I don't see two lines"...sensitive, I know. I went to bed, kinda freaking out but realizing there was nothing I could but wait. It was at this point though that I read in "What to Expect" that any line equals positive because it is picking up on the hormone. How I was able to sleep, I have no idea.

Friday 10/16/2009

Took another test first thing in the morning...again...two lines. Finished up a work convention that I was attending and stopped by Target on my way home and bought two different types of tests. I went home and immediately took another one, this time a digital. I waited the two minutes that the box said, closed my eyes, and looked at the test...

Well, it was official. Hubby and I decided that we should be cautiously optimitic but we still wanted to share the good news with everyone! We called his mom, I called Jamie, and I told Wendy that night. I know, I know...what about MY parents...I knew I was seeing them the next day and this was something I wanted to say in person.

Saturday 10/17/2009

6:00AM - I arrived at my parents house to take them to the airport...they were headed to NYC. My mom was still getting ready in their bathroom, but my dad walked in to grab his bag and I told them that I had a picture to show them real quick (that morning, before heading to their house, I printed off the picture of the positive test). I handed it to my dad, who looked like he had stuff to get done, and he stopped in his tracks. He looked at me and said "is this yours?!" and my mom looked shocked and said "oh my gosh!". My dad got tears in his eyes, which made me cry of course, and they both gave me the biggest hugs! They were so excited.

The remainder of the day, I called Hubby and I's aunts to let them know the good news. We also told some friends that night. We decided to stop there until I made an appointment with the midwife, then we would tell the rest of our friends and people at work.

Sunday 10/18/2009

Took one more test...just in case...positive! I am officially 5 weeks and due (according to What to Expect's website) June 27th - 2010.

Monday 10/19/2009

Took one more test in the evening because I really can't wrap my mind around the fact that I have a baby growing inside me. I feel fine, normal in fact. Other than having to pee a lot but I was that way before so I don't know if it is related. I know I am still REALLY early on but I just can't believe it. I made my first appointment with the Birth Center (more info on this to come), Nov 13th. I think I will scream it from the mountain tops after that appointment! I just can't wait to tell everyone!

Monday 11/2/2009

So as of today, we have told pretty much everyone, we just couldn't resist. We are both so excited that we want everyone to get to share in those emotions! As of yesterday, according to WTE I am 7 weeks. Crazy. I am still feeling good. Tired and sometimes a little bleh to my stomach but overall, feeling great! Still can't believe it. To date I have taken 9 home pregnancy tests and had blood taken at the Birth Center to confirm. It is just to wild and happened so quick, it just doesnt feel real. I am taking good care of myself and plan to go through this journey with everyone, so get ready!

Happy Baby!

Am I crazy?!

So my rents have been out of town the past couple of days visiting my aunt in NYC. Don't think you can come and rob their house though...they are already back so HA! We have had the pleasure of dog sitting.

Hubby was nice enough to go over in the evenings with me to let the dogs out one last time before bed. We of course took advantage of checking out all the TV channels that my rents have that we don't, and included in this delightful bundle was Starz. Now playing on Starz is the "kids" movie Bolt. I put kids in quotes becauses let's be honest with ourselves, who DOESN'T watch all those movies that are only meant for "kids". I know I do!

So anyways, we started watching on Saturday night, then a little bit on Sunday (I was falling asleep and therefore needed to get into bed ASAP), and finished it last night.

First of all, what a cute movie. Second, ummm I cried my stinking eyes out! There is a scene where Bolt rescues his friend Mittens (a stray cat) from an animal shelter than started it off, then one where Mittens is telling Bolt that her "person" just left her when they moved and she was lefting wondering "what she did wrong?" (ARE YOU KIDDING ME!), and the one that sealed the deal involved Bolt seeing his "person" acting a scene out with another dog in which she told him how much she loved him and missed him (Bolt did not know they were rehersing a scene). I had the full on cry shakes. The kind where your entire face turns red. The kind that leaves you a little embarassed!

Don't get me wrong, it was a great movie but man, am I a weirdo or something?!

Happy Tears!

Howdy Folks! Welcome to the State Fair of Texas!

Hubby and I typically make it to the fair about every other year. This is just long enough for us to remember why we don't go every year and why it is so unfun. This year was our year to go and I am excited to say that it was actually fun, I am so glad we went, and I can't wait to go next year!

It was a spur of the moment decision to go this weekend because we realized that next weekend was not only the last weekend, but Texas vs OU weekend and let's be honest, my heart can't take that kind of stress.

We headed towards Fair Park around 1:30 and although it took us quite awhile (about 45 minutes) to find a place to park, we found a lot that looked legit, and there was more of a possibility that our car would be there when we got back. $30 later, we were officially enjoying the State Fair of Texas!

We checked out the 2010 Auto Show, the Food and Fiber Exhibit, and of course the Dancing Dog Show!

We even stopped and shared a corn dog! (The line for fried butter was literally 36 miles long...I was good.)

Borden brought their mascot. This is Elsie.

I wish I could have cownapped her. I think the dogs would love her and we have lots of grass that she could enjoy!

It started raining towards the end of our visit. Hubby wasn't sure what he wanted to try, but we finally decided to spend our last 14 tickets on a GIANT pickle (I have a picture but let's be honest...who wants to see me chowing down on that...) and...

FRIED CHEESECAKE!

I don't like cheesecake really BUT I can appreciate it for what it is. I tried it and I have to admit, it was pretty freaking delicious and a good portion size! No skimping here!

As we were checking out an exhibit on organic lawn care, we couldn't help but notice the 5 SUVs lead by motorcops and followed by screaming people with cameras. I happened to glance over and see a familar  hand hanging out the window...it was...OPRAH! I saw Oprah's hand people! I knew it was hers the minute I saw it. Based on this encounter, I feel that Oprah and I are pretty much BFF.

Okay okay...I heard rumors that her show was taping there...probably to show American how glutenous us Texans are with our fried butter! If I hadn't have known that, I don't know that I would have put two and two together. But regardless...Oprah and I are soul sisters at this point.

I am so glad Hubby and I went. It was fun to spend time with him, see lots of cute dogs "dance", and run in the rain with our GIANT pickle and fried cheesecake in tow.

Happy Fair Day!

Breakfast of Champions!

Yesterday morning Hubby and I debated on whether or not we should go out and grab some breakfast before heading to the State Fair. He had some work to do, so we decided to save money and I made waffles instead!

I laugh everytime I make waffles because the tiny waffle iron that I have, came with my mom's George Forman Grill and for some reason, I find that hilarious.

(pretend like you see sugar too please...)

Belgian Waffles

2 cups cake flour

1 T baking powder

1/4 t baking soda

1/4 t salt

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 cup milk

2 eggs

1/4 cup melted margarine

1 t vanilla

Preheat waffle iron.

In a large bowl, stir together dry ingredients. Make a well in the center and add the remaining ingredients. Stir until just combine, do not overmix. Batter should be lumpy.

Spray waffle iron with nonstick spray and pour in 1/4-1/2 cup per waffle.

I typically pour in a little less batter for my first waffle. They make for good taste testers!

This recipe makes about 10-12 waffles. Enough for breakfast as well as some leftovers!

So a quick tip if you don't have buttermilk on hand, which I didn't. To make 1 cup of buttermilk, simply add 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice to your empty measuring cup. Fill with milk to make 1 cup. For this recipe, it was only 1/2 cup therefore I did 1 1/2 teaspoons (because 3t = 1T) lemon juice to make 1/2 cup buttermilk. Let stand 5 minutes before using and there you go!

Why is the buttermilk so important? Well, just in case you were wondering, baking powder, unlike baking soda is a double leavening agent. Both are added to things to make them rise. Baking soda expands when exposed to heat, baking powder expands once when exposed to something acidic (the buttermilk) and again when exposed to heat. Feel free to share this with someone at your next cocktail party!

Try these waffles. They are delicious.

Happy Breakfast!

10 pounds....edited...

So where this post stands, there used to be a post about wanting to lose 10 pounds. Thinking back...it was just one of those days. I instead should have focused on wanting to love myself for who I am...

I apologize.

An exciting day, sprinkled with a touch of fear!

So Monday...I had my first blog comment from someone I didn't know! It is an exciting day indeed!

Big shout out to The Provident Woman who, based on her blog, is big time, and I am honored that she stopped by my space! I am also excited to have another new blog to read!

I will say, when I first checked out her page, my first thought was that God was playing a mean joke on me.  She raises bees. WHAT!? Talk about brave!! No offense, Provident Woman, I am just freakishly afraid of them. Like to the point where I MIGHT have...

A. Let my shopping cart go in the middle of the Target parking lot
B. Called Hubby FRANTIC for his help when one landed on my Tide bottle. Since I was calling him, he was obviously not with me and therefore in no way able to actuallly aid in my situation
C. Ran screaming, with arms flapping, while working at a career fair (with my boss) when one flew by me

My fear is completely irrational as I have never been stung but I think at this point, it is just fear of the unknown.

By anyways, that is beside the point. People are actually reading this blog. When I say people, I mean you and 2 others that MIGHT be related to me. Regardless, thank you again to Provident Woman, you made my day!

Now go read her blog people!

Happy Bee Keeping!

Woof Woof

Some people may wonder why I am such a dog person. I will give you three good reasons...

One.

Two.

Three.

Just in case you didn't catch it the first time, again....I said...

One.

Two.

Three.

Okay, okay...ONE last time for those of you in the back...

One.

Two.

Three.

That's why.

Happy Pooches!