Randomness - Mid January Edition

Thought I'd give some updates what I've been up to the first few weeks of January.  I'm not sure if I'll remember everything or not, but we'll see what I come up with, haha

• At the beginning of the month Dan and I went over to my cousin Andy's house for his son's second birthday.  Of course we went later in the day and missed the kid party portion, but had a really great night.  Dan is getting along with the cousins really well and we just had a low-key night of watching TV and drinking some beers.
• A week or so later on a Friday that I was off of work Susan and I met up and did a little shopping at the mall.  I returned a dress I got for Christmas (loved the dress but sadly it just didn't fit) and scored a pair of skinny jeans for just $20... and since I had returned the dress there was no out of pocket cost.  After shopping we went over to Elephant Bar for happy hour.  It was a good time.  Elephant Bar has some good happy hour prices!
• Speaking of being off on Friday, I've recently switched to four ten hour days at work.  This lets me have every Friday off work (thank goodness for having a supportive boss who lets me take the good day off work.)
• The day after I went shopping and happy hour-ing we celebrated my grandma's birthday by having lunch at Pasta House and dessert back at my aunt's house.  Dan finally came and met some of that side of the family.
• That night Dan's friend Kyle came over and we all went to roller derby.  Everyone that's read this blog for awhile probably knows my love for roller derby.  It was a lot of fun... as always.  This is the second time Dan and I have gone together and I really love that he likes going with me.
• This past Friday night we went to a trivia night for the YMCA.  It was a lot of fun, we went last year as well.  This year Dan and I went early and had happy hour at Patricks - which is one of my favorite happy hour places.  Liz met us there and then we went over to trivia.  As I mentioned in an earlier post I made some yummy S'more Brownies for the night.  After trivia we decided to head back over to Patricks for more drinks with the whole group.  It was a lot of fun... and since my brother is leaving town soon it was nice to have a relaxing evening of drinks and chatting... I'm going to miss my brother!
• Saturday I was pretty hung over... but finally kicked the hangover around 5 or 6... so we headed over to Dan's friend's house.  We stopped by Eckerts on the way to buy a yummy Strawberry Rhubarb pie and some sausage which was really awesome too.  We watched the Blues' game at his house... the Blues have started off the season pretty well huh?
• Yesterday was MLK day.  My mom, sister, brother and I spent part of the day together... we went to lunch at Katie's Pizzeria (totally yummy).  Then we checked out the very low Mississippi river and then got dessert at Crown Candy Kitchen.  I got a hot fudge sundae.

That about wraps up what I've been up to the first few weeks of 2013... so far this year has been going pretty nicely!

S'more Brownies - New Recipe

This past weekend I went to a trivia night with my dad, step-mom, brother, his girlfriend, his friend, my friend Liz, and boyfriend Dan.

It seemed like a good time to try a new recipe.  I looked trough part of my Pinterest recipe board (by far my most full board with 273 pins as of this entry)

I limited it down to these three recipes:

S'more Brownies
Slutty Brownies
Peanut Butter and Jelly Squares

I asked some opinions and Lindsey was the only decisive one and picked the S'more Brownies - here's the recipe site.

What was particularly easy about this recipe is you use a box brownie mix - thank goodness for easy!

I also didn't buy the milk chocolate bars and instead got semi-sweet Hersey (or was it Toll-House I can't remember) chunks... I bought everything else generic.  I added some extra marshmallows and some extra graham crackers... b/c why not?!?

Here's a picture of them... I should have taken a picture of them in the pan - the picture on the linked blog is better

I got some good compliments on them at the trivia night and I finally had one last night.  They are pretty tasty - but how can you really go wrong with brownie, chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker?

I will say that letting them cool even longer than I did (like two hours in the pan, in hindsight I should have removed them from the pan that would have helped them cool faster I'm sure.)  It was semi-difficult to cut b/c they were so gooey.  But I'm totally happy with how they turned out... totally yummy!

Cupcakes!

As I've mentioned on this blog before, I go to my friend Michelle's house about once a week to watch some crappy television and eat pizza.  Currently the television shows we are watching together is Dance Moms and the Joe Schmo Show.

Anyway... this week Michelle surprised me with cupcakes from Jilly's.

The one on the left is Blueberry Cobbler.  Here's the description from their website:

Blueberry Cobbler
Cake: Fresh Blueberry
Filling: Lemon Curd
Topping: Vanilla Buttercream, Blueberry Compote, Brown Sugar Streusel Crumbs

The one on the right is Cinna-Bon Appetit.

Cinna-Bon Appétit
Cake: Cinnamon Swirl
Filling: Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Caramel
Topping: Cream Cheese Icing with a Sticky Cinnamon Swirl

Michelle and I decided they both sounded good - so we cut them in half so we could try them both.

While I really liked the Cinna-bon one.. I have to admit I liked the blueberry one better.  There was some I really liked about the lemon center (love lemon) and the brown sugar streusel crumbs were so good.  And honestly while I was eating it I didn't think the icing was buttercream (don't really love buttercream) but it was delicious and light, almost like a whipped topping.

Yum yum... just wanted to share some deliciousness

Number 1 - Becoming Sister Wives

I finished my first book today of 2013.  I read Becoming Sister Wives:  The Story of an Unconventional Marriage by the Brown family. (photo from Amazon)

This book is written by the Brown family who are the focus of TLC's Sister Wives show.  I began watching their show from the beginning.  I enjoy looking into a life that's different from my own.  I quickly fell in love with the Brown family.  They were so... normal, nothing like a polygamist family I would expect.  And what became even scarier was I could totally understand some of the reason why they choose to live this lifestyle.

I was hoping that the book would give me more insight on the family.  It does seem like on the show they want to portray that they are a big happy family - and for the most part that's very true, but they weren't always that way.  This book does explore some jealousy and their past in making this lifestyle work - although in my opinion they could have gone even more in depth and I would be interested.

My conclusion of the book is making a marriage work is difficult... making 4 different marriages - all to the same guy work is even more difficult.  You hear on the show and in the book about how living this plural lifestyle makes them a better person.  To me I've always thought why would you want to force yourself to deal with jealousy all the time.  You can even more easily take on just one husband and significantly cut down on any jealousy.  But I sort of get that argument now.  Sometimes when you are in a relationship the other person helps you work on your "issues" for lack of a better word.  Right now I'm with Dan and he's a much more laid back person than I am.  I tend to worry or what to plan or whatever and he's helped me just chill out more.  I like that he's been able to do that for me, so I can see why being with a person or in a relationship can just make you be a better person.

I'm probably not making a whole lot of sense... but I will say that after reading this book and watching their show why not let them life this plural lifestyle... I may not want to do it, but they certainly aren't harming anyone by doing it.  I wish the best of luck to them and I can't wait to tune into the new season, whenever that may happen.

Dinner Last Night - New Recipe

This might be a totally lilly thing to post about - but whatever!

Last night Dan and I cooked dinner together.  Let me start off by saying that Dan is a really good cook.  He makes some super yummy things and likes to make different things for dinner.  Like one night we were just going to get a frozen pizza for dinner and then he decided that a home-made breakfast pizza would be better.  He's really great at it and (so far) hasn't made anything I didn't like.

He also makes fun of me because my skills in the kitchen aren't as great.  I really do like baking more than cooking... but even so I can cook, it's just never been anything I super like to do... I do want to get better at it though.  I think my biggest problem is figuring out what to make.  I alway go-to three or four different meals and can hardly ever think outside of that little box.  I am very indecisive - something I'll hopefully get better about.

Last night, since the weather was so nice it seemed like a great time to BBQ... and BBQing it totally a man's job (haha).  So I told Dan he should BBQ and then I would make the sides.  Here's the meal we had.

Dan BBQed the brat... yum.  He even toasted the bun... what a nice touch!

I made the other two sides.

First up the green beans.  I kinda half winged them half looked at a recipe.  I got some fresh green beans (although I did not buy nearly enough).  I boiled them with just a bit of water.  Once they were at a boil I turned down the heat (this part I got from the recipe.)  After they had cooked long enough (and Dan thought my method was completely stupid, but whatever I've done it this way before so I somewhat know what I'm doing).  I drained them and then added them back to the skillet with three cloves of garlic that I chopped.  I cooked them like that... I also added a bit of garlic salt (what can I say? I love garlic).  When they were almost finished I added a little splash of lemon juice and some course black pepper.  They were pretty good in my opinion.

The other thing I made was oven mac and cheese.  I love mac and cheese...  I just Googled around and found this recipe which I particularly liked b/c it did not involve a rue.  I always mes up rues so I like to try to avoid them (know your strengths right?).  I cut the recipe mostly in half, but added extra cheese b/c I was lazy (I just used the whole 2 cup bag).  It turned out pretty good.  Not the best mac and cheese I've ever eaten or anything, but it was simple and I'd make it again.  My second helping I added hot sauce and it was really yummy.

I just wanted to share my meal - hopefully I'll begin to share more.

Some Pics

I thought I would share some pictures...

Dan and I don't have that many pictures together... so in the last couple of months I've tried to snap a picture of the two of us... and I'm convinced that Dan and I cannot take a good picture... when I look good he's doing something silly and when he actually looks good I look stupid.  I did manage to find some that I don't hate... here's from a couple of months ago after a night out the bars drinking... which is probably why I look silly and Dan wasn't loving the photo shoot.

Here's not a bad one... in December Dan and I went to a Ram's game with my friend Susan and her husband Steve... this one has some photo bombs in the background and I don't super love my hair...

And finally... before we went out on New Years Eve I tried to get some pictures... I am sparing you the really terrible ones, but here's some of them - yes, I've edited some of these photos... different effects and such.

 He has such pretty blue eyes

 Typical Dan faces...

And for a special treat I'll pull out a photo of my as a kid. My mom recently scanned some photos in (via a company) and I finally put them on my computer.

 

 This is a photo of my brother and I at my grandparents house.

2013 New Years Resolution

Now is the time to talk about some person goals for 2013.  There will probably be some similar themes in these goals as ones you've seen in the past... and maybe a new one or two sprinkled in there.

• Okay, just getting this one out of the way early... I want to be more healthy.  I need to find a good balance between eating what I like to eat and being healthy.  I also bought a gym membership (it was a Living Social deal in December).  I hope that I am able to add some exercise into my life.  I'd like to lose some poundage too - but hope that comes with being healthier. 

• I would like to move out of my mom's house this year

• I want to continue to maintain my financial spreadsheet.  I want to continue to put money into savings every paycheck and when I move out I want to develop a good more in-depth budget. 

• I would like to start doing more artsy/crafty projects - how about one crafty project a month.

• I would like to start cooking baking more - so one new dish every month.

• I want to start wearing make up to work... I'll just look better... let's face that.

• I would like to blog more.  Last year I only completed 50 blog entries (30 of which were short I'm Thankful posts)  I would like to get back to what I was doing in 2010 and 2011.  So let's make a goal of 120 posts - which averages 10 posts a month.  I hope to blog about some of those craft projects and baking dishes.

• Finally, I'm going to try to read more.  I couple of years ago my goal was to read 25 books in the year.  I made it to 15 books that year (2010).  I hope to reach that same goal of 15 book in 2013.  I already have some books I got for Christmas - I can't wait to read them.

In summary here are the measurable goals for 2013... can you believe I have more than one this year??

1. Move out
2. One crafty project a month
3. One new dish a month
4. Write 120 blog posts
5.  Read 15 books

Wish me luck!

2012 New Years Resolutions - How did I do?

I like to start out the new blog year by formally announcing my New Years Resolutions.  But first, let's see how I faired on 2012 resolutions... spoiler alert... I don't think it's pretty...

Here they are copy and pasted from that entry... my comments are below in red.

• Have both my credit card and car paid off.  I hope to reach this goal by August.  I am hoping to move into my own apartment around that time too depending on money/savings.  -I completed this!  And earlier than my goal of August (by a month - July)  I'm happy to say that I haven't added to my debt any now only have student loans... I also managed to save some money.

• Bring lunch and stop eating out as much.  I think I'm going to limit myself to two times out per week.  I'm going to clarify here that this particular goal is about me saving money, so if other people are paying it doesn't count in the two week total.  I'd also like to give myself some wiggle room, so I'll add like two flexible times out a month... I think that sounds good... I may need to re-evaluate that, but I would really like to start saving the money.   -Total and utter fail... but I really enjoy food!

• Going along with above, I am going to start budgeting more.  I have spreadsheet developed, I'm not exactly sure how it's all going to work out and what particular goals I want to set to go along with this, but I guess the overall goal is to be more aware of where my money is going and hopefully set realistic and good limits for everything.  I will hopefully keep you posted on that once I get into a groove.  Just because I'm taking about it now, I've know I need to budget more but after I moved out there was just so much stuff that's just not normal.  So I decided to start fresh in the New Year.   - I'm going to call this completed.  I kept up with my spreadsheet the entire year.  This year I hope to start budgeting more, however I think that will probably start whenever I'm in my own home.  I will say that when my debt was paid off I developed a new system for how I will deposit money in my savings.  I'm really happy with how I developed and continue to use my system :)

• For my health - I want to get into a workout routine and eating healthier.  I know eating out less will really help.  The working out will be what I really need to add.  I would love to lose 20 pounds (at least) but right now I just want to add in being active.    -Um, fail!  I have recently bought a gym membership, so hopefully 2013 is the year!

• While this isn't so much a goal, but something I am looking forward to... I'll be done with my master's degree in May... holla!!    -Completed!  And it felt pretty darn amazing!

• Finally, I would like to continue the blogging trend.  Here will be my measurable goal for 2012... I want to blog more in 2012 than I did in 2011.  Like I mentioned, I had 176 in 2011... I'm going to set the goal of 180 posts... that averages to 15 posts a month   -FAIL!  I just didn't get into blogging this year  Part of that was computer issues.  I really do like blogging so expect this one back next year.  I did make it to a whole 50 posts last year... of course 30 of those were short I'm thankful posts... so... we'll see what 2013 brings!!

 So there's my recap from last year... didn't fair quite as badly as I thought, however there's a TON of room for improvement!  It seemed like 2012 was the year that I got my finances in order... and I'm soo soo proud and happy I was able to.  It feels really great to not be in debt and just feel like I can handle finances now!  I'll be back tomorrow with my 2013 resolutions.

2012: Year In Review

I was a very bad blogger this past year... which might make this year in review post somewhat difficult, but I'm going to try anyway :)

January:  I celebrated the new year with some great friends.  My mom and I also visited the confluence.

February:  I started online dating... ok, I met one person... but still - gotta start somewhere.  I also believe around this time is when I started weekly hang outs with my friend Michelle to watch really crappy television.  I attended my first St. Louis Mardi Gras too.

March:  I celebrated my 28th birthday with an amazing surprise party thrown by my friends and family.  Saw The Hunger Games at a midnight showing.  I also met my current boyfriend, Dan - who took me to a Blues game for my birthday. 

April:  I went to opening day with my dad.  I also went to a Blues playoff game with Dan... St. Louis lost both... figures!!  I saw Swan Lake at the Touhill.  I also paid off my credit card!!

May:  I finished my last class of my masters degree!!  My brother also graduated from law school. I  got a new position at work (lateral move).  I started on a cross stitch Christmas stocking.  I also officially became divorced. I saw Mary Poppins at Peabody Opera House.

June:  I attended a family wedding.  We also took our Mammoth Cave trip.  I helped out with the bowling event of the Golden Age Games that took place in St. Louis.

July: Celebrated the marriage of my cousin Billy.  Saw the Dark Knight Rises at the Omninax theater at the Science Center.  Went to a surprise party for my cousin Andy.  I went on a real vacation to Daytona Beach, FL with my step-sister Rachel and best friend Liz.  Paid off my car (in other words totally out of debt other than student loans!)

August:  I visited my college friend Melissa in Iowa (and went to the Iowa State Fair while I was there!)  Celebrated my other best friend, Susan's, 30th birthday - twice.  Went to dinner to celebrate me finishing my masters degree.  I also saw the Lion King at the fox - we had amazing seats! I helped throw a bridal shower for Liz.

September:  Dan and I went to both Six Flags and Grant's Farm.  Went to a couple of Cardinals games including one with all-inclusive seats.  We also celebrated with a Bachelorette Party for Liz.

October:  My best friend got married!!  My sister graduated from her recovery group.  I also took a mini trip with my mom and Grandma to Eureka Springs. 

November:  I upgraded my phone.  Went to a corn maze with Lindsey and mom.  Celebrated Thanksgiving!!  Wrote about being thankful.

December:  Lots of family celebrations... Christmas!!  And celebrated New Years Eve with an amazing boyfriend at Off Broadway. (Pictures forthcoming)


It was quite the year... so much has changed but it's been a very full year full of wonderful things.  Thanks if you were a part of it... it was fantastic!!  Here's to a even better 2013.