Culinary Adventures with Bob and Al: New Spin on an Old Classic

I grew up on the baked potato. It was definitely a staple side in my home. You can't go wrong with throwing it almost any main course. Plus, it's easy, about an hour in the oven on 350 degrees, butter and salt and pepper and you're good to go.

Oddly enough, I can't recall making my old friend the baked potato for Roberto over our year and month of marriage. It just seems a little "dated" a little "ho hom" and little boring. WWMD? What Would Martha Do?? I doubt Martha would make a baked potato.

(Who am I kidding? Like I ever think WWMD? ppppfffffftttttt.)

Thanks to one of my fave blogs, Fly Through Our Window, I learned about Foodgawker. This sight is amazing. Can't think of what to make for dinner, appetizer, dessert?? You will get tons of ideas and inspiration from Foodgawker. Basically it's a conglomeration of great recipes all across the world of food blogs. There are so many food blogs out there. Like grains of sand by the sea is a food blog. How poetic.

Since I make Robert help me decide on recipes that we're going to take a stab at, he took a gander at Foodgawker and picked out some winners. Here's one we liked.

the Hasselback Potato

Isn't it cute? Here's the recipe. It's like the baked potato, but more fun. You know like your boring cousin who studied abroad in Italy and came back smoking and drinking and you want to hang out with her now. A good time. Carbs, butter and garlic are pretty much always good time. 

have a picnik!! (www.picnik.com)

this is going to be fun/dangerous. ppppfffffttttttt is advancing in the blog world. watch out, perez hilton. 

T is for Tuesday, T is for Tomato soup, T is for Traffic court

Today, Tuesday, January 25th, I spent two glorious hours in municipal court for a traffic violation. I was pulled over for talking on the phone in a school zone. All other 60 people in the courtroom with me, who were taking care of similar traffic violations, were dismissed because the cop that pulled them over didn't show up to prosecute them. They didn't have to pay a fine, be on probation and it is not on their record. Of course, the cop that pulled me over has some wild vendetta against me and was there to take me down. pppppppffffffffttttttttt. Funny thing is about 6 months prior I was pulled over IN THE SAME school zone by THE SAME police officer for speeding. I had to go to court for that ticket and she did the SAME thing- showed up to prosecute me. Omg, leave me alone!

This is just the kind of luck that I have when it comes to all things driving related, so I don't blame the cop.

I was pulled over the day I got my license at the ripe age of 15. I'm not making this up. I just got a warning that time, but good grief, me+driving has always equaled catastrophe. But, it's not exactly one of those things you can just quit doing.

"You just need to be more alert." - Robert (about my driving)
"I don't want to be alert."- me

I don't want to be alert, but I really have to try to especially when I'm on probation. Which I am, until June. Please pray I can stay away from any more "run-ins" with the law until then.

After this exhausting experience sitting in court and feeling like I was being tried for murder, I felt that I deserved Starbucks. Skinny mocha and low-fat cinnamon swirl coffee cake. Yes. I had this at about 11, so I thought maybe I'd be able to skip lunch, but no, my stomach was eating itself at 2:30. I had Campbell's Tomato Soup with me at work. My mom got me a Sam's style 12-pack case of it for Christmas. I've always loved tomato soup. Tomato Rice was my favorite, but they don't make that anymore. Why Campbell's, why? Anyway, canned soup can be so depressing. Municipal court was about all the "roughing it" I could take for the day, so I thought I'd treat myself to La Madeline and get their Tomato Basil soup. It's one of my favorite things. I love that soup. So creamy, probably 5,000 calories per serving, but hits the spot on a cold January day.

That about wraps it up friends, Tuesday, Traffic court, Tomato soup. Good times.

Sorry if yesterday's post caused you to worry about my well being. Robert called me today after reading it to make sure I was okay. I am. He knows I am. I just have moments, moments of doubt negativity, stress. But, life is good and I'm not in the "bell jar"....just sorting things out, you know?

p.s. I have 6 days to finish To the Lighthouse. Still haven't touched it. New Year's resolutions...pppfffftttttt

oh happy day

I'm so glad that my clock says 4:06 and that Monday is almost over. I dread Mondays. Last night i didn't want to go to bed because I didn't want to wake up and face Monday. This morning I stayed in bed as long as possible because I still wasn't ready; hence, my hair is dirty and I appear rather disheveled.

The irony about that is my insides are disheveled too. Mentally, I'm all over the place. I don't think it's a good or bad thing, just simply where I'm at lately. I have a job where I'm physically present 5 days a week. I have ideas on a future path that I think I want to take, but honestly, it all feels so muddled. I'm scared of the new and complacent in the present and it's confusing me and if I let it - it's overwhelming me too.

So far, 2011 has been trying. When the phone has rung, it's been bad news more than good and I can't help but feel it weigh me down a little. My prayer list, though filled with things to be thankful for, is also populated with loved ones dealing with sickness, fear, doubt, and uncertainty. As for praying for my own direction, that's been null and void lately, which could be why I feel like walking through things blindly, just going through the motions, wondering how I even truly feel about anything.

My personality is to kind of marinate in my self doubt and pity concerning my frustrations and pout and question why those around have to go through hard stuff too. My inclination is just to wish that I lived in Neverland and have eternal weekends. A land without Mondays. A land without having to define your career path, a land without having to figure out "how to do what you love and still get paid for it". A land with all leisure and no tough choices.

The fact is that no such land exists. The fact is, I'm at this place in my life now for a reason-so are the others that are going through a valley. The fact is, the real world is better than any Neverland could be because it is real.

I'm thankful for a faith that won't let my personality win this one. That I can have hope and wisdom if I can just let go and trust.

James 1: 2-5
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have it's full effect, that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him. But, let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 

This blog that I was introduced to has been an inspiration as well. It takes a village to "raise" a quarter life crisis-ed late 20's woman. Faith, a blog, friends, family, books, exercise. ha. Anyway- Here's the link. (Thanks, Daley!)

Good-bye, Monday, see ya in 7, hopefully in a clearer state :)

is she mortal?

This photo concerns me.

Is it just me or did she look older in G.I. Jane and Striptease? I didn't see either of those, but for some reason have images from each movie burned in my brain. 

i.e. the following:

It disturbs me that I remember the 3rd picture, but I really do. I think it must have been in the preview? Or I'm a lesbian? I wonder if there's a blog out there entitled "Demi Moore made me a lesbian". I'm not a lesbian, obvi. 

Okay, back to the point - does she not AGE?? 

I don't care how much water you drink, hours of pilates you do and number of years younger your husband is from you. How does she appear to look basically the same for the last 10 years?? Or if I'm being honest she even keeps looking better??? 

These burning questions are causing me to develop this weird theory based on the movie, Death Becomes Her. My childhood playmate, Chelsea and I watched this A LOT. I don't know why, but we loved it when we were little. 

Here's the synopsis of the movie...Death Becomes Her is a 1992 American dark slapstick screwball comedy fantasy film directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Goldie Hawn, Meryl Streep, and Bruce Willis. The film focuses on a childish pair of rivals who drink a magic potion that promises eternal youth.

You have to know where I'm going with this. "magic potion that promises eternal youth"? I think someone has found it and I think it's Demi Moore.

That's right folks, you heard it here. I've figured out the mystery of the woman without a wrinkle or ounce of fat. Magic potion. Duh.

I believe in ghosts too. And unicorns. And carebares. ha. 

tgif, yall. 

Stand still.

So, I've quit reading books. Not on purpose, just gradually I began a habit of "not reading". I could blame Virginia Woolf since I'm about a quarter through "To the Lighthouse" and can't find the strength within me to pick it up again. Not exactly a page turner. Remember when "The Da Vinci Code" was trendy? I remember the buzz was that it was "such a quick read!" and "i finished it in a couple of days!" Dan Brown and those sneaky short chapters. Ol' Virginia doesn't have that same approach. I don't think I've read a page since we got back from Nantucket. OMG - was that in September? I need an intervention. A Lighthouse intervention.

Oh wait, pause, I've read two of the three books in the Stieg Larsson trilogy in there somewhere - "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and "The Girl Who Played with Fire". I know she's about to to "Kick a Hornet's Nest", but I'm waiting for that story to go to paperback. Am I thrifty or what?! (The old Alexis threw caution to the wind and bought hardbacks. She also bought rounds of drinks for people and other things on that shiny Visa that she couldn't afford. R.I.P. old Alexis.) I bet that paperback is out in Sweden.

Concerning my reading stand still, I'm thankful that I'm married to Bob, who is a reader, and pushes me to expand my horizons with great literature.

well, hey, Bob! happy new year to you too!

He set a goal for us to read a book per month off of Time magazine's list of the best English-Language novels from 1923 to the present. Here is the link. We looked at this list last year; which is why I'm (trying) to read "To the Lighthouse". This year, we resolute to get serious and start reading. 

Of course, typical to my experience with New Year's Resolutions, I've yet to read a word of any book in 2011. (well, besides a little of the best book..the Bible) BUT, this doesn't mean I can't start now and knock out "To the Lighthouse" by the end of the month and then proceed with others.

I've only got 4 on my list so far:

-A Clockwork Orange

-Gone With The Wind

-On the Road

-Naked Lunch

Here's Bob's list for the year:
-Money
-American Pastoral
-Blood Meridian
-A Clockwork Orange
-The Grapes of Wrath
-Infinite Jest
-Lolita
-Rabbit, Run
-Red Harvest
-Slaughterhouse Five
-The Sot-Weed Factor
-The Sportswriter

Hmm. He's got some good ones, some of those might have to hop on over to my list too. We're husband and wife...we share everything, right?

Maybe I should just bring a book to work to read just to see if anyone would notice. "I'll make that copy in a second, boss! I'm about to finish this chapter!" Wonder how that would go over? Just kidding! Like I would do that! Then I might neglect my blogs and WHAT would happen then? Probably the apocalypse .

I'll be sharing some of the Scarff resolutions over the month if anyone out there is listening. Hop on the board the reading train with us in 2011...yay literacy!

Heavy Heart

Today, my thoughts and prayers are with my dear friends that lost a loved one unexpectedly last night. I'm praying for strength and peace as they mourn and grieve. I'm praying that they find Christ in all of what they are going through.

As we grow up and have to deal with life-changing events more and more often; I'm realizing that this is what  growing up is. It is more than just paying bills, going to work and doing your taxes - even more then marriage and having kids. It's all the experiences, good and bad. Sometimes, it's hard, it's sad, it hurts, it isn't fair and doesn't make any sense. We keep going, count and enjoy our blessings with the realization that it's not easy. We used to wonder how our parents did it all and survived...now we are beginning to go through those waters. We're not sheltered anymore because now, we're old enough to handle it. We're no longer being taken care of, but we are now taking care of others. That is what is scary to me, officially not being a child. Growing up, taking responsibility, dealing with what comes at us and not being able to use the "young" excuse any more. It's daunting sometimes. That is why I'm so thankful that we weren't designed to go through this life alone. We have to lean on family and friends in our weakness and most importantly on God, who is The only one that can satisfy and give us freedom and peace.

Life is so precious, friends. Cherish every moment.

Culinary Adventures with Bob and Al: New Years Resolution - Cook More

This whole "Culinary Adventures" deal was stopped in its' tracks when daylight savings came around (yes, I know that was a long time ago). We were still cooking a little, but, I must admit that we've been turning to nutritional flagships such as; Sonic, Little Ceasars, Taco Cabana and the Whole Foods prepared foods section more than I'd like to admit over the last couple of months. Healthy!

All hope is not lost though! Bob and Al want to get back in the kitchen in 2011.

We thought a good plan of action would be to try to set a menu together on Sunday...have 4-5 dinners planned and go to the grocery store to get the ingredients so we'll be good to go for the week. Revolutionary, I know.

Our first attempt was last week - January 2nd-8th. I'll share with you the recipes we chose and critiques we had. 

Recipe One : White Chicken Chili
-it didn't make way too much for 2 people like some recipes do.
-it was a tad spicy - i would omit the cayenne pepper next time.
-all in all - a success. Robert wasn't too excited about it, but ended up liking it.
-great with cornbread
Recipe Two : Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce
-thank you PW
-just a yummy basic to know how to whip up
-we both liked it. lasted for 2 nights!
Recipe Three: Green Chile Hominy Casserole
-SO good!
-we omitted the chorizo and sour cream and it was still amazing
-it would also make a great dip with yummy tortilla chips
Recipe Four: Cauliflower Soup
-thank you again PW
-i know it doesn't sound good, but it really is!
-omitted the sour cream (Bob doesn't do sour cream)
-we both thought it needed a kick...maybe bacon next time when the onions go in? shocking from the semi-vegetarian, yes, but bacon does make everything better.

So, yes, we did it for the first week...mission accomplished. It was nice to have the ingredients at home and know we had some recipes to chose from depending on what we felt like that day. In the past year, I've been the type to come up with dinner either after work or during the afternoon and needing to go to the store. This just doesn't work. I don't feel like going to the store everyday, so inevitably, we just go get something - fast food, pizza, etc. Those days add up and before you know it, you've gone to "get something for dinner" 3 or 4 nights a week. Crazy what a little planning ahead can do.

Brace yourself, we've even got recipes for this week, I will share, but obviously, don't have reviews for yet.

Recipe 1: Spaghetti with Fried Zucchini
Recipe 2: Trenette with Pesto, Beans and Potatoes - (trenette is basically fetuccini)
Recipe 3: Tortilla Soup with Black Beans
Recipe 4: Butternut Squash Soup - in our slow cooker cookbook -let me know if you want the recipe

Culinary Adventures live on - hope to regale you of exciting tales from our kitchen in the coming year that don't include smoking ovens, injuries or eeekkkk....bad food.

JANUARY 7TH.

Why might today be special you ask?

Because this is the day that Sarah Smith was born and what would the world be like without her? It would be lacking, incomplete, void of sunlight. HA. At least, my world would be because she is my best friend.

Our friendship started out in the halls of the OU Kappa house and budded over singing "We didn't start the fire" in the back of Matt Hanna's truck on the way to a Fiji party at a pledge's house, was his name Wes? I love college and going to people's house's that you don't know the name of. I just remember instantly being friends with her and feeling like I had known her and Jill for years. That is when my love affair began with Edmond North Huskies. "Feels like homeee to me, feels like hooooommmee to me...." - sorry to anyone who wasn't an OU Kappa, you probably won't get that, but they were a little slice of home to me. Cox, Sarah, Jill, Merideth, Curley, Scheel were like my little family freshmen year...others too, Dewan, Adrienne, Jenny, Brookey, Jamie, Grant. They didn't know it, but they helped me navigate and enjoy what turned out to be what I will remember now as one of the best years of my life.

So, freshmen year of college is when I met the birthday girl and it's been a wild ride since. Living together sophomore year during my constant breakdowns and her run-in's with standards (one day at a time..haha), visiting each other after I transferred, visiting her when she was studying abroad in France, relationships, break-ups, jobs, successes, failures, losses, vacations, visiting her when she moved to Dallas, long conversations, wine, secrets, fights, laughter, dinners, moving to Dallas, being roomies for 3 years. Mary hates when I say this...but if I had a nickel for every great memory I have with Sarah, I'd be rich.

Glad you were born, Sar, I look forward to many more years of a beautiful friendship.

heyyy there

toasting to me the day before my wedding. that would be worth several nickels

i like to say we are Miranda and Carrie. She is Miranda. Duh. i am Carrie because SJP and i have the same body type. hahaha.

taken last year 1-7-10

HBD, Sar!! hehe

hmm, your bday dinner last year is going to be hard to top, but i think we can do it tonight! you only turn the big 2-8 once!

p.s.

another sight for any others who can't look away from Brad Womack's journey to find love

Ihategreenbeans.com - The Bachelor Recaps, Ramblings, Tales and Thoughts

shout out to Julia, who is always showing me things i need to be aware of. please don't stop :)

If you're a sicko like me....

you will be glued to the TV every Monday night for The Bachelor.

I didn't even watch Brad Womack's first season where he rejected both women during the series finale. I question ABC on why they didn't make the effort to get some "new blood" out there, but being the sicko that I am about this show, I like it anyway. The fact that he's already been on there and is risking his entire reputation that this time around it's going to go differently is kind of exciting. Yes, I need help. But, you have to admit, it's so great to watch these women, especially the crazies. One wore vampire fangs? THERE'S the girl you want to marry. pppffffftttttt.

For any of you other sickos out there, here's some stuff you might find fun to read.

Chris Harrison's Blog

the official Bachelor website

and

the episode recap on Entertainment Weekly

so not ready....

1st thing I'm not ready for - the cover of the 2011 Victoria Secret catalog to be revealed. Ready or not, it was revealed. Why do they use that word...revealed? Like it's a new discovery or something...

This makes me want to cry. No one wants to think about swimsuits in January. I'm just trying to get used to normal days without eating fudge at this point. 

2nd thing I'm not ready for - neckties being trendy for women...

Sorry if you like this, but YUCK. We are girls! We can't wear ties!

All for now... 

No Longer Newlyweds

A mere 22 days ago, December 12th (which somehow already feels like a longgggg time ago), I celebrated something I've never celebrated before, a wedding anniversary. Yes, Robert and I marked a year of making it official/legal/public that we are together and will be come what may- sickness, health, rich, poor, better, worse, etc. I'm going to state something that everyone says about everything, myself included, but, I'll go ahead and say it anyway: Time goes so fast.

One day were dating and definitely in love the next thing I know we were engaged and planning a wedding, fast forward and we've been married a year. I like to reminisce of our first weeks and months of being married. What we cooked, what our duplex looked like. Everything was new, the uncharted territory of marriage and living together.We had fun then and we have fun now, but naturally I can feel that there's growth in our relationship, our closeness grows, our memories together grow and it feels good. We know each other more and differently than we did when we said our vows and it's a great place to be. Marriage feels good. Sometimes it just hits you, "we're really in this together aren't we? it's not just me anymore?"

so newlywed there. nye 2010 at the Cunninghams. 2 weeks after our wedding.

It's not all fun and games and running through fields of daisies holding hands- this marriage stuff....being vulnerable and letting someone see all sides of you is not easy. It's actually terrifying sometimes. Refining yourself by letting your spouse see who you are, especially the dark parts, is all a facet of God's plan for marriage and how He shows us how strong his love is for us. (learned this from the marriage sermons from Tim Keller - like I'm that insightful) Even when it's hard, it is what makes the relationship between married couples so beautiful.

ANYWAY, I didn't mean to get a in-depth analysis of what I think marriage is, I actually wanted to talk about something superficial, like what Robert and I purchased each other. First anniversary gifts to one another are traditionally - paper. That's just the way it is. Since, the beginning of time. Just kidding, but I really couldn't tell you why those traditions are still around? I can tell you for some reason that I like them and I think it's kind of romantic to stick to those traditions. Even though, Robert and I are more into saving money these days rather than gifting each other, we both surprisingly got one another paper themed gifts.

I got Robert, stationary. I'm sure he wanted cry when he opened it. BUT, everyone needs stationary sooner or later. I got him notecards with his name and separate ones with his companys' name. Thank you to the talented Miss Cari Rankin at m.press who helped me with this!

That's what they looked like. I think it's going to be kind of weird on the blog. Just think vertical notecards with font on the bottom. I was scared to do anything creative with these because he might find them to be girly. So, I kept it as basic as possible. 

His gift to me was way better. He's way better at gifts than me. It's just not fair. 

He made me a picture collage of all the things we did together over the last year. So proud of him for sticking to the paper theme by the way. I adore this gift. It's with me at work, so it's a lot harder for me to have a bad day now that I can just look over and think of all our great times together. 

i loathe pics of myself, but this makes me happy :)

also he made it magnetic and some of the pics are removable picture magnets. i know, i was impressed too. so crafty!

So, as we start a beginning of a new year for the world, it's also the start of the second year for Robert and I and our path together. Thankful for every moment and excited to see what the year brings. 

Marriage quote...Socrates is a regular Will Ferrell just making jokes left and right. :)

By all means marry. If you get a good wife you will become happy, and if you get a bad one you will become a philosopher. -Socrates

favorite wedding gift

I'm utterly in awe of some people. One of these people is my Great Aunt Ruby. She is 95 and incredibly healthy and sharp. I find this amazing. I haven't seen her in a long time, so I just keep up with what she is up to through my mom. About a month ago she fell and broke her wrist when she was getting her mail, so she is staying in assisted living until she heals.We went to see her on Christmas Eve. I couldn't believe how good she was doing despite her broken wrist. I hadn't seen her in over a year and upon seeing her this time I've decided that she is the healthiest elderly person I have ever seen. I mean come on, SHE WAS BORN IN 1915.

I couldn't believe how funny and coherent and with it she was. She was telling stories, giving my Dad a hard time, making jokes, dropping phrases that I've never heard. One being, "a high heeled time"...meaning a wild night. I'm going to try to bring that back, "high heeled time". She also remembered I got married last year and she had a present for Robert and I. This completely touched my heart. She had made us dish towels and loofahs and given us a $20 check. By far my favorite wedding gift. I hope I can be half as healthy as Aunt Ruby if I make it to 95. They just don't make them like that anymore :)

a few things to address....

First, regarding this picture....

Yes, dad and husband Roberto are both redheads. A bit of a different shade of red, but red nonetheless. Did you know redheads are only 2% of the worlds' population? Yes, it's true.

Also, we are wearing matching pajamas. (Mom was matching too.) This is a tradition for the Neal girls, but the guys got in on it too this year. Dad always wanted in on it, but this didn't happen until we got another boy was brought into the Neal clan. Dad's wishes finally came true. And Robert's secret wish of wearing matching outfits with my entire family came true too.

Secondly, I'd like to address what I will call "unexpected iPad discomfort" that just happened to me. 

Everyone hates awkward moments at work, yet they can't be avoided. I experienced one today, when one of my co-workers asked what I got for Christmas. I hesitated and I thought I'd just b.s. and accidentally skip the iPad, but I felt dishonest, so I went "full on double rainbow" honesty and said, "Santa got me an iPad, I'm still in shock!" To this the co-worker replied, "Well, big ticket item. Whoa there!" He then proceeded to walk away while I was asking how his Christmas was and what he got. He didn't want to talk to me after he learned that I got an iPad. It's not like I got a fully loaded range rover or an island. An iPad isn't that over the top that I should be intimidating co-workers. pppppffffffttttttttt.

This could fall under the grey area of "what is okay to share at work". Being here for 4 years has taught me a lot of lessons in this field. I've probably shared way too much. This year in an attempt to change and grow, I think I'll be praying for an "eternal perspective" on this subject. I will attempt to be transparent and honest with my co-workers, and try to remember to simply love as God calls us to love. Saying that, I don't plan to tell them all my private matters or tell them my life story everyday, but I guess I plan to be more tolerant, to listen more, to engage more. 1 Peter 4:8 says, "above all keep loving each other earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." I notice that this verse says "love each other". Not only love your friends, not only love believers, not only love those that are good to you, but love each other...everyone around you. This is completely impossible for me, but I know with God's help, I can get better- starting with people I'm in close quarters with for 40 hours a week. At the end of the verse when it says, "love covers a multitude of sins", I don't interpret that as a judgmental kick as in "you are sinning, but i'm going to rise above and love you anyway". Rather, I see it as, "you're broken and you are human, but because I am attempting to just love you, my heart is softened." OR in my work environment, "i'm about to poke my eye out because i'm so annoyed with you, so please God help me be washed over with any inkling of love". It's a start. I'm also reminded that we never know what someone is going through and how badly they are longing to be shown love. People struggle with heartbreak, disappointments, conflicts everyday that they don't make people around them aware of. I know some of my co-workers are dealing with divorce, loss, being terrible..just to name a few. Shoot, that third one was NOT loving. I'll get there, it's only January 4th.

note: this post really went off on a tangent that I wasn't expecting.

Anyway.....


"Love COVERS a multitude of sins." - how I love that. How true it is. Especially in relationships. Marriage, family, friend...all of them. Robert saw me turn into the "Black Swan" a couple days before Christmas. Literally, I became a horrific version of myself. Yet, he didn't even get angry at me, his love completely engulfed me and brought me back to earth. The same with my family and friends, they've seen me at my lowest and darkest points and still love me. These are examples for me of God's unending love for us in human tangible form on this earth.

Update: Above mentioned co-worker just came back to my desk and we discussed the Grateful Dead. It seems he is over the fact that I got an iPad for Christmas. Crisis averted.

AND lastly, I just wanted to say bon voyage to the December Home Alone Moments of the day that actually didn't happen every day.

Fuller, go easy on the pepsi. December is over. We'll miss you.

Back in action

Today has been my first day back at the office since December 22nd. Oddly, It's sort of nice to be back in the swing of things. It's more nice to NOT have to be in the swing of anything and just be at home with my family and Robert..relaxing, playing, eating and laughing. But, all good things must come to an end and I'm thankful for a full, happy and healthy holiday season. I'm trying to let that fullness overflow into the new year. There is so much to be thankful for and I pray I can remember this everyday.

Highlights include...Santa getting us iPads....HUGE surprise! HUGE. still incredibly excited about this. really just so unexpected! Santa you are sneaky! Of course, I managed to leave my charger and usb cord in Carlsbad, so I still have yet to set it up. ppppfffftttt.

We took Robert to Ruidoso. I've been going there since I was a baby, so it was fun to show him everything there. We're right outside our cabin here. 

Also, just getting to spend more than a couple days with my mom, dad and sister was such a treat....

Well, these pictures are making me a little homesick now. Enough blogging for today :)

Happy 2011 everyone!