Anything and Everything Super Bowl XLVIII Related

I usually only quasi-care about the Super Bowl. This year though is different. In case you have been living under a rock in my life, here is that reason:

BRONCOS ARE PLAYING IN THE SUPER BOWL!! 

My family sorta loves the Broncos. Sorta being an understatement. I mean look at us. We are a mess of fans. In this picture we have:

• an autographed picture of John Elway that Mom bid on at some Catholic school silent auction many years ago
• a pennant from the last Super Bowl the Broncos won that randomly hangs in our house
• a foam finger that is also randomly displayed in our house
• a pottery coffee mug Kristina painted for Dad a million years ago
• and you can't see it but we are all wearing any item of orange and blue clothing we could find at home

This is our idea of supporting a sports team. This is also why people who know us should be thankful we don't do it more often. 

But in honor of the beloved Broncos, I have actually been paying attention to anything and everything Super Bowl related this year. This includes clothes, food, commercials, trivia…you name it. Below is everything I have compiled and feel is my duty to share:

• Have you watched the Budweiser Commercial? 

Prepare to be overwhelmed by cuteness

• Then I found this nifty blog post on Shape that has compiled all of the Super Bowl ads and teasers for ads into one place
• InStyle Game Day attire inspiration
• These words describing how "On Super Bowl Sunday, the U.S. might as well be on a different planet."
• Game Day food courtesy of ABC The Chew 
• And if you aren't a fan of either team and still need one or 10 reasons to watch 

And finally…..one more time….

Go Broncos!!!

Snow Day- Take Dos

Yesterday we had another snow day…or ice day… or just cold day depending on who you talk to around here. I'm not going to complain or lie- I enjoyed it. I would like more of them please.

What did I do that I enjoyed so much? That would be nothing actually. I drank coffee and read my latest Oprah magazine. Chloe also kept me company for the day.

Okay I am lying. I did do one thing productive and I went down to our apartment gym. My chiropractor has given me all these new strength training weight exercises he wants me to do and I have two pages of notes detailing how to do these based on his instruction at his office.

[Disclaimer: Weights intimidate me. Strength training intimidates me. I have been told by my chiropractor I do not have a choice and have to get over this. Stay tuned for more on me conquering this issue. Knowing me, I am pretty sure this adventure is not over.]

I have been quite intimidated to actually take these notes and go to the gym. Why? That would be because I feel like a huge loser walking in with my handouts complete with stick figure drawings and explanations only I understand because I did them…yet I still don't really know what I am doing.

I mean look at them. They scream LOSER and they scream I have no artistic abilities when drawing a person and a giant ball. 

I figured yesterday would be safe because there wouldn't be anyone there and I could sit and figure these exercises out.

So I did. I was actually pretty proud of myself because there were other people in the gym but I put on my headphones and with pop music in my ears I zoned out into my own world. A world where I was laying on the ground with a medicine ball trying to figure out ab exercise diagrams I had drawn on sheets of paper several weeks ago. I would've taken a picture but a) that is strange and b) I was doing good to not severely injury myself while straining my neck to look at the paper and crunch at the same time.

Did this idea work? Well I am still scared to go do these at the actual big gym but I am slightly less scared.  I think I also realized that even at the gym it all comes down to the cardinal rule of life, you have to fake it 'til you make it. If you just zone out into your own world and pretend you know what you are doing, people are going to pay a lot less attention to you than you think….and dare I say they may even mistake you for someone who understands what they are doing?

Don't be concerned though…the second that was over this was happening once again on my couch:

Solving the problems of the world with Chloe & Oprah. We make an unstoppable trio.

El Bachelor Episode 4

I feel like for the past 48 hours I have been in a Bachelor bubble to say the least. We had Sean and Catherine's wedding Sunday night, El Bachelor tonight…I need to take a time out from these people and remind myself that they are not my friends and this is not real life. Luckily I have an entire week to try to do that.

Sean & Catherine's Wedding

• The entire day Sunday I just wanted to be a guest at this wedding while I looked at stalked pictures all over instagram of #TheBachelorWedding …go ahead and take a look for yourself if you haven't already discovered the amazingness. Zero judgment here. 
• It was a very pretty wedding. I was intrigued by the mixture of chairs and living room furniture outside. I could only envision my Mom's reaction to that idea with her "sour face" saying "what??" 
• Catherine's dress was gorgeous. I can't believe they showed her looking for it 60 days prior. In the real world that would cause bridal salon owners to scream at you, not embrace you with open arms as you find your dream dress. 
• Two words and two words I will not repeat again "grown sexy." I have so many comments that I just can't even begin. 
• I wished we could've seen the reception. I felt kind of betrayed. Like my best friends had kicked me out of their party. Look I am a really fun wedding guest and I can even provide references to attest to this. 

  

  This was the wedding where one of our friends said we are like "professional wedding guests."  I would be lying if I didn't say it was one of my proudest moments of accomplishment.

Episode 4: "We'll Bring Honor to Us All" -Mulan

• When they met this pop band in Korea I seriously thought their music was the same stuff Kristina and I used to dance around the living room to courtesy of Disney Channel. 

Then I realized not the same. Not at all.

• Confusion moment #1: Is this band called K-Pop or 21? 

• All these girls are so embarrassed about dancing at this giant mall in Korea and I am willing to bet they have all been more embarrassed dancing at their local bar just a few weeks before The Bachelor kicked off. 

• When Sharleen started singing I started having flashbacks to Jillian's season and wishing she would belt out Wes' song "They Say Love Don't Come Easy." 

• Confusion moment #2: First Juan Pablo is kissing everyone. Then he is kissing no one. Just like that he changed the rules. Boom.

• When the girls started doing Clare impressions I really wanted Sandy to come around the corner and say "Are you making fun of me Rizzo?"

• The rose ceremony music really stressed me out. 

• Do you think this is where the rose ceremony took place? Obviously I watched Mulan way too many times while babysitting…completely separate issue. 

• And for the record via @chrisbharrison on twitter, I saw that Molly the dog couldn't travel to Korea with everyone. She had to stay behind in the states. 

Ha. Ha. Molly. I'm in Korea with Juan Pablo right now via the couch and you are not. I win. 

The Rules of a Little Sister Visit

Ever have one of those weekends that you wish could go on forever but know it can't but still wish it could? I just had one of those.

It all began Friday evening with the arrival of my little sister or as my husband is now fondly referring to her- Hurricane Kristina.

Even Chloe is frightened.

Here is the thing about a little sister visit- it is unlike any other house guest you will ever have for some many reasons:

• Guest room: Sisters take the phrase "guest room" to imply this is an additional room to use for the weekend. They will put their stuff in there. Stuff in this case refers to five bags for two nights. Then they will also put their stuff in the living room and then also on the couch. They will take over the bathroom like it is their place too. They are not a guest and take offense at guest status. They also are not a roommate. There is only one phrase to describe them- 'little sister'

• Naps: If a little sister needs to take a nap, she looks at all the beds as an option. If she decides that the master bedroom is where she wants to take her nap, then that is where she is taking her nap. And when your husband comes home and asks why his sister-in-law is asleep in your room, you will change the subject promptly to sports, the Super Bowl, hockey, Congress...anything that comes to your mind. Whatever you do, do not answer the question because the problem is you saw nothing wrong with this until he brought it to your attention. This is a strike against you too, big sister.

• Food: You feed a little sister and then she is hungry again...and she will let you know because as her big sister, you are also the only person she breathes fire towards when she is hungry. You will need to feed her again. If you are a brother-in-law in this situation (not naming names), the proper response is not "hungry? I just spent $25 feeding you breakfast and you're hungry again?" Just find food and don't ask questions.

• Activity: Get some rest or don't the choice is up to you...but the choice of what you are going to do over the weekend is not yours anymore. It belongs to your little sister. 

Imagine the movie Mean Girls taking place for about 8 hours at a bar. This would probably be the cast.

• Husband Participation: The festivities do not end, they just change locations. Your husband will be required to be there by some unspoken sister rule. You aren't even sure what the rule is but you know it exists and unfortunately so does he..which is why he is in attendance. He can't fight it. He should know not to try. 

Little did he know when we got married that his sister-in-law would bring along an army of friends and an army of activities everywhere we went. 

 Thank you to my little sister, Hurricane Kristina, for a fun weekend visit. You are a mess and I love you for it.

Texas Ice Day

Rain all day yesterday + Temperature below 32 last night = Friday Ice Day 

(translation: no work today!)

Disclaimer: I know people all over the country are laughing at Texas and I completely understand. I used to live in Denver and they seriously never canceled anything. I believe the only weather condition that shuts the city down is a full on blizzard. Laugh all you want though. I got to stay home from work today. 

Figuring out if you are getting an ice day is tricky stuff. It requires you to be very alert and focused at a very early hour of the morning. This morning when my alarm went off at its usual time, I reached for my phone and then turned on the TV nearly blinding myself and scaring Chloe from the loud noise and lights in the room so early in the morning. I honestly couldn't even see I was so blind and I couldn't even figure out what I was looking for or what I thought they were going to say to help me out here. I was waiting to see if a school district had been closed so I would know that we had been closed…then I remembered we had an emergency phone line to call so I did that instead. Considering this is my first winter to ever be working at my current job, these are the things you forget exist and do not remember in the wee hours of the morning. It is very surreal though because you are so excited and consequently filled with energy even though you were just given permission that you didn't have to be awake...but if it was the opposite you'd be annoyed and tired that the day would be resuming as scheduled and you'd be forced to be awake.

But here is the thing about an "Ice Day" and my cardinal rule…you don't have to do anything. Seriously you do not have to do anything. My reasoning behind this is that under any other circumstances you would be at work and unable to do anything at home. So take advantage of the free pass you have just been given by life to be lazy and be lazy. 

For me this involves the following:

A nice big cup of coffee on a very chilly morning.

Catching up on Friday blogs, links and articles. Writing my own
& listening to some good ol' Frank Sinatra music.

A little aerobic activity courtesy of Leonard the Bee.
Official uniform of a snow day: fuzzy socks and sweats.

Not pictured: all the snacks I have also consumed today. 

This ice day also includes a moment of silence for Gregg: He had to work today. 

How did you enjoy your snow or ice day? Were you blinded by the television way too early in the morning trying to figure out if you had to go to work today? Have a good weekend!

Being Still, Slowing Down, Being Present

I need to slow down. I never really notice how much I need to slow down until I am forced to slow down and realize I have trouble slowing down. Does that even make sense?

But the thing is, this slowing down I am referring to doesn't relate to activity as in a busy schedule. It relates to a growing need I am feeling to constantly be looking at something either on my computer, my iPhone, the TV or anything else I feel I need to be paying attention to...in addition to what already has my attention in the first place. Even while I am sitting here writing this post I am getting on my phone to text or check instagram. I can sit down to read a book but I still have my phone next to me and periodically check it as well. I am beginning to think these tiny behaviors I have grown accustomed to are not tiny and not a big deal like I once thought but beginning to sneak their way into other pieces of my life.

For instance, this weekend Kristina and I spent some time hanging out with Mom in our parents' bedroom. We were all laying around on the bed with the dogs, wearing pajamas (quasi-matching, of course) and literally just being still....life was moving slow.

In this exact moment I found myself having this nervous energy, almost like I felt I needed to be doing something. I kept having to consciously tell my mind to be still, slow down and be present. To stop thinking about other things, creating a mental "plan for the day" or even checking social media for whatever reason I don't even know.

When Sunday rolled around and I knew it was also the day we'd be leaving, I felt a similar restlessness except this time the issue was with being present. In hindsight I realize that I spent most of the afternoon anticipating we would be leaving and in a lot of ways I missed out on the simple moments of the day. My mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with everything that had to be done before we left...when I would pack, what time we would leave, what I had to do when I got back that the thoughts just swirled and blocked me from being present. Instead of just going with the day and "rolling with the punches" I tried to prevent the punches...consequently I wasn't mentally present for any of it because I was thinking two steps ahead at all times.

After a weekend of feeling this at home, Monday came and I went to visit a good friend of mine and her one month old baby girl. As I sat there talking and catching up, I watched her sitting on the couch with her new little daughter. The baby was just still and she was forcing my friend to be still. The baby then forced me to be still when I held her. After our visit it left me thinking a lot about how we can be forced to be still and be present. I am wondering if the two go hand in hand.

I am finding that it is the smallest things that force us to slow down and pay attention. In my case this weekend, I began to receive this lesson by lounging around with our family dogs on a lazy Saturday afternoon and meeting a new little baby on a Monday morning. Now it is up to me to take this lesson and figure out how to apply it...figure out how to be still, slow down and be present on a daily basis. Definitely a challenge but also definitely something I need to be committed to right now. Stay tuned.

 

Does anyone else have issues with constant multitasking in your mind or with social media? Any tips for shutting down and allowing yourself to focus on the moment?   

El Bachelor Episode 3

I cannot start this week without stating the obvious:

BRONCOS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!

The last time they went was 15 years ago. I was 14 years old and in my freshman year of high school. They had these guys named John Elway and Terrell Davis who my family loved. Now they have new guys we love like Peyton Manning and Von Miller. To say we are excited would be an understatement.    

Now without further adieu, moving on to another futbol player...the one and only Juan Pablo.

Episode 3: Who is Danielle? Seriously. Who is she? 

Last night I had two friends over who I used to watch the Bachelor with in Austin. They were actually in school with Gregg...he got a degree and I got Bachelor viewing buddies. It worked out for everyone involved. There was a group of us but we all scattered across the country after May so now we are in a heated competition in a Bachelor Fantasy League online. Last night a few of these friends were in town and able to reunite for some good quality television. Because let's face it, no matter where you are, we are all part of the Bachelor family.

• We have to discuss Chris Harrison's clothes. The ombre blue shirt in the opening scene combined with the purple tie/purple dress shirt combo for the rose ceremony. Are these from his clothing line? What is going on? 

• The adventure car turned boat reminded me of the Duck Tours in Austin. Then I started wondering if Juan Pablo had given out a duck whistle too like they do on the tours as well. 

• Did you see Juan Pablo's fridge? Camila is a finger painting pro. 

• Boat date girl said this is her first date in 3 years. She is 21. Last date was at 18. Considering my only dates from age 18-21 were date parties, I'd say this is not exactly a life crisis situation.

•  At the soccer stadium, I really wanted Ricky Martin to come out of the stands singing "The Cup of Life" Go Go Go! Ole Ole Ole! 

• Sidenote- Yes, I know too much about Ricky Martin songs. I did a ribbon routine to this song on dance team in high school so I pretty much have it permanently tattooed in my brain. I also did a pom routine to Livin' La Vida Loca. I still know the routines. It's who I am. 

Chloe would like Juan Pablo to know that a love of soccer and kicking a ball on the ground is another thing they have in common.

•  I totally thought Juan Pablo and Andi were going to eat nachos or hot dogs in the concession stand. A soda? That's the best you can find back there. 

• Where is David Beckham? I am serious. He should've been brought on and Juan Pablo could've asked him for advice about the girls.

• Note to self- if I ever want to bungee jump, Toms are considered appropriate shoes.

• This scene in Pasadena City Hall- I swear this is the same spot Bachelor Ben and Lindzi danced the night away many seasons ago. Are they recycling dates?

• This whole Juan Pablo shows up to make breakfast like in "real life"- I don't have the words. Newsflash: This is not real life marriage. This is real life marriage:

Silent 7 day marriage war known as "put away your suitcase." 

• Did you see him give the last rose to Danielle? Once again...who is Danielle? 

• And finally...

Did that dog really just get a rose AGAIN???

Until next week...and looks like the mansion is packing up and we are heading out of the country. Also don't forget to tune in for the LIVE Bachelor wedding event next Sunday evening. Any excuse to pretend I am a wedding guest while wearing pjs is a win in my book.

Things You Should Know- But Do You Know?

I have been on a mission to try to focus more on the joy I feel from little, everyday things. It is kind of a process I will admit. It is also not something I am naturally good at- pausing for a moment and not rushing through to move on to the next thing. Allowing myself to feel that joy enough that it leaves a mark and makes me smile later on when I may need that smile. Almost like allowing myself to fuel up so when I am feeling depleted at another time, I can think back to the silly and it will allow me a brief reprieve once again.

Today when I spotted a video titled "How to eat a cupcake" in my email I nearly didn't pay much attention to it...but then I allowed myself to read the title of the email and really process it. "How to eat a cupcake?" It kind of made me laugh thinking that really none of us know how to eat a cupcake. I imagine we all get the cupcake and mindlessly try to figure out the easiest way to get it in our mouth without ending up with frosting all over our face. Yet that doesn't make anyone love them any less.

I was intrigued enough that I decided I had to watch to see if someone might have figured out a trick that I had not thought of over the past 29 years. So if you too are wondering if there is a secret way out there that you haven't thought of go ahead and watch. It's really quick but I guarantee it will make you feel silly and smile...and then probably crave a cupcake.

The right way to eat a cupcake video via PureWow 

Would you try it this way? Do you have any tricks and techniques for eating a cupcake? 

(Photo with do not miss cupcake spots in DFW via PureWow )

Making an Impact in Unexpected Places

Babysitting and being a nanny are interesting things. I have done both or have considered myself both at different times. For me personally it was a reflection of age that probably shifted the title. I think most of the time it is a reflection of the amount of care and time provided to a family. 

I came across this piece on Slate that really got me thinking this week about the role of a nanny in a child's life and the role I played in families I babysat for over the years. The author Jordan Teicher wrote about a series being done on NYC nannies and the relationships they have with the children and families in which they work. I found it fascinating for many reasons but the biggest one of all being there is a part of me that could relate so well to some of the comments the nannies made about their families. 

• Gemma said "she feels like part of the family but doesn’t want to because she knows she has to leave one day."
• Ernestine said: "she misses the children when she moves on."

As someone who considers babysitting her first career, I could relate so well to what these women were saying. I know we care for children for different reasons but the end result is the same. Even though you may not try, you become attached to a family and to the children. In many ways sometimes you become part of the family. But just as children grow and do not need a nanny anymore, in my case I also had to grow up myself, go to college and move away. I think so often about all the kids I have babysat over the years. Most of them were old enough to remember me or I still see them periodically. Thanks to technology I keep up with several of them through facebook or instagram.

There is still a difference though. 

In many ways it is the difference from once being involved in their lives in person on a daily basis to now watching as more of a spectator. In several cases the kids I babysat were so small they wouldn't remember me today but I still very much remember them. 

But then I let my mind wander a little more and think beyond to all the people a person encounters in their life. Some are there for a lifetime and some are there only briefly. But everyone plays a part in weaving the tapestry of your life. Gregg and I have had some "life has come full circle" moments lately and it has left me thinking a lot about it. Thinking about everyone from my past, relationships that have changed and people I have yet to meet who will play a huge role in my future. It is amazing how it all intertwines to position us exactly where we are supposed to be today. 

For the kids I babysat, I was a part of their story. No matter how brief or long it was, I was there. I can only hope that whether they remember me or not, I left a positive mark on them. It is one of the benefits of the job no one tells you about I guess. The impact you can make on someone and the impact they can make on you, even if it is only for a short while. But then maybe that is one of the benefits of our everyday life that people easily forget about- no matter how big or how small, everyday you make an impact on someone. 

El Bachelor Episode 2

Did you see the Golden Globes last night? I feel like I have now spent the past two nights on my couch hanging out with crazy people of the world and truth be told, I have loved every minute of it.

Golden Globes aka The Frat Party I Want to Attend:

• If I could've sat at anyone's table it would've been The American Hustle table. Yes. 
• Come on Leo. I pray you get an Oscar nomination and then an Oscar. I am now adding this to my daily prayers. I mean why not?
• "Get it McConaughey" might have been my favorite quote of the night. 

To set the tone for Bachelor Monday, I showed up to the gym for a cardio class that ended up being a Zumba class. I nearly left. Then decided to stick it out. Then decided halfway through it all made sense since I was heading home to watch El Bachelor.

I think my overall thoughts would best be described in a cheer:

"C-R-A-Z-Y You ain't got no alibi. You're crazy. Yeah Yeah. You're crazy."

• The entire time Clare was on the first one on one date I was sitting here trying to figure out what location in LA has all these Christmas trees, an ice skating rink and a hot tub. They didn't get in a helicopter, they are supposedly outside in the snow but they really are not. Where are they??
• Then came the electric run which left me with more questions than answers- specifically, did Juan Pablo and the girl run and finish the race?? They started out running and next thing I know they were at a dance party. This also made me comment on the fact that I have seen a recent trend towards neon parties. Note to self.
• Group date with the dog calendar. Chloe was pissed.

 By process of elimination of the evening's events, I think this is the point she left to go do this:

Thank you Juan Pablo. Thank you Chloe. I realize the destruction of your aggression was a team effort.

• Which brings us to all the naked-ness. What is the deal??? I had to cover Chloe's eyes for half the episode. I thought this was good quality reality TV not bad quality reality TV.
• Which then brings us to the meltdown. The epic meltdown scene with crazy Victoria. The entire time this was going on I was just wondering if this was being filmed in a 24 Hour Fitness or maybe an Equinox. Where did all this gym equipment come from? They seriously walked through the gym 5 times.
• At some point tonight we saw a commercial for Scientology. If you missed, I highly suggest you go find it and rewatch. Apparently they think the Bachelor viewing audience is a target market. To say I am intrigued by this would be an understatement. I'll stick with Dr. Lou for now.
• I also saw a commercial with the yellow m&m, Juan Pablo and the staircase where Tierra took her infamous tumble. Or got a black eye. I can't remember. I just remember her on the ground at the bottom of the stairs with EMS. I couldn't stop thinking about that and how I also really wanted some m&m's. 
• I also saw a commercial for a Lego movie. If a preview for a Lego movie comes on TV and your husband is not around to see it, does it exist/do you have to tell him about it? Thoughts to ponder. 
• The rose ceremony was crying central. Tons of crying. This made me think that men should have to spend some time during pre-marital counseling in a Bachelor rose ceremony simulation where they have to comfort girls nonstop who are crying. This could do wonders for helping husbands figure out what to do when their wife cries. At the very least it could do wonders for our household for sure. 
• I think there is still a lot more to come from the Free Spirit.

• And then there was the ending scene which involved this:

And more specifically this....

Which left Chloe looking like this.... 

Seriously Juan Pablo? Seriously? Ay Yi Yi. 

Adventures in Cooking

This weekend we did something strange....instead of eating out, I attempted to cook a few meals. This is strange because I can't really cook. Something always goes wrong. Imagine the strangest thing you could do wrong and that is what I do wrong. I don't usually burn food, I usually just mess it up. There was the time I forgot to put flour in cupcakes or the time I forgot to buy cupcake mix to make cupcakes. I am THAT person. 

But for whatever reason recently, I decided to set a few food related goals:

• Figure out how to use my crockpot. 
• Figure out how to make one staple casserole. 
• Figure out how to cook at least one other vegetable besides asparagus. (Sidenote: I have really mastered roasting asparagus. I have also really mastered frozen broccoli. You see my cooking dilemmas.)  

This weekend I tackled all three. Here is how it turned out:

The Crockpot

Pre-Crockpot Thoughts: 

My main hangup with the crockpot is this underlying concern that instead of slow cooking my food it will be slow cooking my house to the ground while I am not here. I also don't understand how you know if your chicken is done. In the oven you just cut in and make sure it is not pink. Everything online involving the crockpot says when it shreds easily, it is done. Great. This creates an entirely new issue I hadn't even thought of- how do you shred the chicken in the crockpot? One of those things every recipe assumes you understand, but I don't. 

Dish Tackled: Chicken and Dumplings

Post-Crockpot Thoughts: 

The crockpot is legit. It was very simple to just stick everything in and walk away for a few hours. The entire time I wasn't even sure it was cooking but sure enough, it was warm and cooking. The dumplings recipe I used didn't work out so well. I think it had too much dough/dumplings. It also called for too much pepper for my taste. But those minor issues are not reflections of my skills. I will say that shredding the chicken was kind of awkward. I used a knife and fork to hold the chicken in place in the crockpot and shred, shred, shred while steam from the dish blasted in my face. Maybe there are better techniques? Overall though, I think I will use it again for chicken. Maybe I will just use it for chicken. Something about the crockpot made it really tender and delish. 

The Casserole

Pre-Casserole Thoughts:

Everyone I know is having babies right now. I recently explained to Gregg that when people have babies you need to go see the baby and you need to take dinner (He thought I was insane). Women who are "with it" and know how to cook refer to this as "dropping off a casserole." Confession: The phrase "drop off a casserole" terrifies me. Again though, the casserole is one of those things that everyone says is not that hard, will provide meals for days, etc, etc. 

Dish Tackled: Spinach artichoke tortellini casserole 

Post-Casserole Thoughts:

This casserole called for something called a "roux." This word alone nearly sent me running in the other direction but I decided to face my fears and "roux it up." Literally though as I was "roux-ing" I was freaking out I was doing it wrong so I had my computer on the counter and was googling "what does a roux look like" with one hand while whisking with the other. I was panicked I was screwing it up while I was "roux-ing." Unfortunately I was too far in without any other options so I just went with it. In the end though I guess I did my roux "okay" because my casserole tasted pretty good.  The recipe also called for chopped garlic which I attempted from whole garlic cloves and when I couldn't figure out how to smash them I decided to forget it and leave it out. I made a game time decision that if this recipe gets messed up it will be for something much bigger than no garlic. Overall, I think I could've cooked the tortellini a little longer but the dish actually turned out edible and tasty. If I try this a few more times it may become my official "you had a baby casserole dish." Or I may still be too afraid of poisoning new parents and order them some delicious "take out." Time will tell. Have a baby and find out for yourself :) 

Vegetable Time

Pre-Vegetable: I am new to brussel sprouts. I tried them at a restaurant in Austin as an appetizer and really liked them. I have tried them since and enjoyed them too. I figured hmm..I wonder if I could make these at home and add them into my official "vegetable rotation." I was scared to buy them because I didn't know where to even find them at the grocery store. Luckily Kristina already tackled this for me a few weeks ago. She told me don't be scared- they are going to be in a bag somewhere in the vegetables section. After circling the vegetables a few times (I felt like a shark) and thinking maybe my grocery store just doesn't carry them, I decided to just ask someone for help. Turns out I was right next to them.

Vegetable Tackled: Brussel Sprouts

Post-Vegetable Thoughts: I did it. I roasted brussel sprouts. It said 5-7 minutes. I just put them in for 7 without really thinking. Turns out I should've gone 5. When I pulled them out they smelled slightly burned but I wasn't really sure. Then two seconds later our fire alarm comes on and I am thinking okay okay okay world! I get it! I can't cook. Thank you for the reminder. Turns out though they weren't burned. A few may have gotten a "little" more cooked but overall they were edible and I will be cooking them again. 

Overall, I give myself a solid B. Did I poison us with my efforts? No. Did I burn down the house? No- Even though the fire alarm went off, I did not burn anything down. 

Here's the thing about cooking and me- will this ever be a cooking blog? Absolutely not. But if you take what you see on a cooking show and imagine the exact opposite, it is safe to say that is what happens anytime I am in the kitchen. Yet I always believe next time will be different and so I continue to try, try again. So here's to next time! 

A Life Break in Vegas

 "Man I really like Vegas" -Elvis Presley

I have to ditto Elvis on this one. I heart Las Vegas. I do. It may be silly but I call it Disney World for adults. It is the only place you could book a flight to on a Friday without a plan and have any kind of vacation you want before heading back Sunday-

Want to relax in a spa all weekend? Done. Want to shop all weekend? Done. Want to party nonstop all weekend? Done. Want to be a tourist all weekend? Done. You get the picture.

So while it was still the holiday season and we were able to take time off Gregg and I headed to Las Vegas!

Viva Las Vegas!

We stayed at Paris Hotel. We ate. We drank. We didn't gamble much but I did win $6.46 and I quit while I was ahead. That's two Starbucks drinks right there. We saw a show. It wasn't a long trip but it felt like we were gone forever. That is the thing about Las Vegas- you can't stay too long. 2 -3 nights is about the max you can take. But it is the perfect amount for a quick "life break."

There is so much to enjoy in Las Vegas. Partying, gambling, eating, drinking but you cannot forget the hotels. Las Vegas has incredible hotels and they are all located on The Strip making it easy to pop in and out, to see and be seen. I was thrilled when I realized we would be there when they were still decorated for the holidays. So whether you've ever been to Vegas or not, hopefully these pictures and descriptions of my "so not an expert" thoughts will give you a glimpse and inspire you to book a trip very very soon!

Paris- 
for those who have been to the city of Paris or not. But probably better if you haven't because otherwise you spend the time wishing you were in Paris and then realize you very much aren't.  

Bon Jour. Checking-in to Paris Hotel. Chandelier. Artwork.
It is like you are visiting Versailles, but in Vegas.  

Cosmo Hotel-
So swanky. So fun. A Vegas hotel with a different kind of feel. The best pictures I have involve drinks with our good friends A & J who were also visiting Vegas at the same time as us. There was football for boys, gossip and cosmos for girls. Everyone was happy.

Bellagio- 
if you travel to Las Vegas with my family, you will stay at the Bellagio. My dad has brainwashed all of us into having a love affair with the fountains. Mesmerized. Hypnotized. They are amazing and being able to see them from your room as we got to do on one family vacation cannot be beat. 

Bellagio Conservatory. Grand tree for a grand centerpiece. 

No Christmas display is complete without a train. 

Loving the Coca-Cola bear representation at the Bellagio.

While you wait in line to check-in at Bellagio you can witness an
entire magical winter wonderland in the background. 

Caesar's Palace-
will always have a soft spot in my heart because it is where Dad and I saw Celine Dion as a gift for my 21st birthday. It is massive. It has everything you could need. Shops. Restaurants. Bars. Shows. Transporting you to a world of Greek Gods but in a classy way. Not easy to do. Plus it is the site where The Hangover was filmed. Reason enough to rank it a top choice. 

Caesar's Lobby fountain Greek Gods decked out for the holidays. 

The grand lobby at Caesar's Palace. Artwork. Decor.
You feel like you've entered a grand palace the moment you enter.

The Venetian- 
I have never stayed here. It is on my "list." It is similar to Caesar's in that it is a one stop for everything. Amazing shopping. Restaurants. Plus the amazing Grand Canal that allows you to take a boat through the middle of the hotel. You could get lost in your own hotel. Plus it is home to the famous TAO. Reason enough to visit. 

Welcome to Winter in Venice at The Venetian. 

A view of the Venice canals. 

Setting up for the Winter in Venice nightly party.
I am very intrigued by how awesome this nightly party probably is leading up to Christmas. 

65 ft Christmas tree lit up every night. 

The famous TAO.
Even though it may not be in the lobby of the Venetian, it has it's own lobby worth seeing...and it is freaking TAO. I have only visited one time and it was with my family. Yes- Mom, Dad and Kristina...I will just let that sink in for a minute. It is an entire story of itself. 

Palazzo lobby. Attached to the Venetian. A little more secluded it feels very luxurious. Grand and exquisite.

Wynn & Encore-
Both places at the top of my "list" that I want to stay. Gorgeous lobbies. A little further up on the strip. Similar to Bellagio in architecture but with a different vibe. I am counting down to visiting for one of the infamous Encore pool parties sometime in the summer.
It is SO going to happen.

Moving carousel in the Wynn lobby made entirely of flowers.

Entirely of flowers. Let it sink in for a minute. 

Similarities to the Bellagio Conservatory. Can't even capture the beauty of the walk through of holiday decor.

Views from the top of the Parasol outside upon the Lake of Dreams.  

Hot air balloon made of flowers.

Majestic Christmas trees. Larger than life ornaments. I can only imagine what the inside looks like. 

Attention to detail even on the floor. Loving the tile butterflies. 

How do you get from the top of the Parasol to the bottom of the Parasol.
Two grand curved escalators of course.


Aria-
Kind of reminds me of where the Jetsons lived. I seriously expected them to come flying around the enormous futuristic exterior of the hotel at any moment. Another one on my list to stay.

Center of the Shops at Crystals.

The outside of Aria is insanely huge. Meet George Jetsen.

Overwhelmingly huge. And amazing. And overwhelming.
It is impossible to capture it all in pictures. 

Rudolph with your nose so bright inside the lobby of Aria. 

Bells. Trees. A perfect depiction of the Christmas season.

Like I said above, my entire family has all been brainwashed to love the Bellagio fountains. So in my book whether you stay here or not, no trip is complete without seeing them.
A personal family favorite.  

Viva Las Vegas! And if you need someone to go with you, know that I am always available!