Best Pics from Christmas

Sorry I have been away much of this week... I was at home with my family and enjoying the holidays. I am in the process of writing several different posts but they are still coming together and it will be a few days until they are finished. I thought that to appease you I would give you my top 5 pics from my time at home.

Christmas Morning Waffles

For many years on Christmas morning we have eaten Belgian Waffles with strawberries. I look forward to this breakfast, it is wonderful. I love the sweetness of the berries and the vanilla flavor of the waffles, together it is like heaven in your mouth. I often make this for myself for my birthday. This is becoming one of my favorite parts of Christmas Day.

My parents opening the gifts that I gave them

My next favorite part of the day is the moment when my family opens the gifts that I have gotten them. In my family we all exchange gifts with one another, even when we were small. I love to pick out gifts that I think people will enjoy and be please to get. I love watching them open each gift and see that they are excited to get it.

Giving my nephew a piggy back ride

My younger brother and his family were over for the day and I enjoyed getting to play with my nephew. It is so fun to hear him laugh and play with his new toys. I think he was pretty excited with the cars that I gave him... he loves cars so much.

Lily wearing her new collar

Some of the other favorite parts was giving gifts to Lily.. she got a new collar. I love this collar it is fabulous and she looks so adorable. It is wider than her early collar and I like how sharp it looks on her cute little face.

Our christmas pic

In addition, Lily and I took a cute pic for our upcoming Christmas card. I know it will be late but if you want one let me know... I think it is a really good picture of the two of us for once. I think my arm looks a little funny but at least for once Lily doesn't look like she wishes she was dead in our pic.

What are your best memories from this Christmas?

Jingle Bell Run 2012

A few weeks ago I was trying to find a run for December so that I would have a reason to keep running so that I wouldn't just be lazy and not run. I came across a Jingle Bell Run, which you can check out here. I was pretty excited about this and had pretty high hopes of being able to train and then be one of those runners, you know the ones that get to the end and just keep jogging. Yeah I will admit that I didn't really train for the race and that made it more difficult.

Pre-race crowd... lots of runners and costumes

I asked around and my sweet friend Lindsay decided that she would run the race with me. Linds and I went to college together and never really worked out then but we did lots of other fun things so I have loved that we finally live in the same town again. I think she trained for the race or did more than I did.

We are ready to run...

Once we got to the race, traffic was a nightmare that day. I was a little afraid that I wouldn't make it to the race before the gun went off but it happens. As we walked up we tied the bells that they gave us in the packet to our shoes so that we could hear the bells at Christmas time. It was really nice to hear the bells in between songs that I was listening to on my phone.

Jingle Bell Sneakers

The race was very very flat and that was wonderful. It was one of the best races that I have run in a while. I enjoyed running and didn't have to walk that many times... it was hard to run the whole time but it was worth it in the end. We ran the first mile together but after that we separated and finished a few minutes apart.

Post-Race Sweaty-ness

I finished the race in 43 minutes, yes I know that is a slow run but for me it was within the goal window, I had high hopes of finishing in under 40 minutes but without training that was very very difficult. I tied the bells on my Christmas Tree to remind myself that you can do anything you put your mind to.

On the tree

I am looking forward to running the race again next year hopefully I will be able to finish the race in less time and maybe not look like I am dying in the post race pictures. Also I will try and find something cute to wear for the race... gotta get in the spirit. Have you ever run a jingle bell run, did you love it?

White Elephant Exchange

Last Friday we had a white elephant exchange at work, it is always interesting to try traditional American things with some of my colleagues from different countries. I found myself trying to explain what this was and what you should bring to the exchange. One of the things that they mentioned in the email invitation for this was the gift could be used... so I looked around and tried to figure out what I had laying around the house that I wanted to get rid of. It turns out that I had just unpacked my box of cookbooks and found an old coffee table book about great moments in St. Louis sports. I am not sure how this made it to the house but I figured that I could give it up for a good cause. 

A great book from the museum of history in St. Louis

I still had some wrapping paper so I wrapped it up and took it to school. We dropped our gifts off in one of the Admin offices in my department so that no one would know who brought what. There weren't a whole lot of gifts when I dropped mine off but that is OK it can still be a good time. 

You know you would have grabbed this gift, right

At 2 we went up to the conference room to have a little party. The department sprung for an amazing red velvet cake... I could not finish my entire piece but it was sooo good. There was a relatively good turn out, about 25 people and not all Americans. I got pretty lucky with a pull of 17, so I was able to see what gifts were going around by the time it got to me. 

Present Table

For my turn I stole a set of cooking supplies because really can you have too many measuring cups? Yeah, I didn't think so either. Turns out one of the Admin girls thought the same thing so that was gone... and I wanted that. For my next turn I picked an unopened present... I will confess that I knew what was in it and I wanted it. This contained a Southern Living decorating book. As I was sitting down a chinese woman said "I think I need that" and stole it from me. I again went back to the present table and picked another unopened gift. I was not so lucky this time as I got a design your own mug kit. 

I got this!

 I will confess that my mug is still blank but I am trying to figure out what to put on the mug so that it looks cool and professional since it is going to be my lab mug. I am thinking of something like, Lab Diva. I will be sure to post a pic when it finally gets decorated but for now I am just excited that I didn't get a really crappy gift. What is the best or worst thing you have gotten at one of these exchanges?

Christmas Movie Night

As you know I love everything about the holidays but one of my favorite Christmas movies is White Christmas. It is an old classic and I just love every moment of it, we watched it every year as a family when I was younger so I know every single word. Since this is the only Christmas movie I own I found myself holding off on watching it until I had time to enjoy the movie.

When I was trying to figure out what I was going to do this weekend I realized that Sunday night would be a perfect night to enjoy my movie. I spent much of the day at work trying to get things ready for the week and when I finally got home I was tired but I needed some cookies so I whipped up a batch of snicker doodles and sugar cookies (look for these recipes soon). This didn't take long but by the time I was finished I was so ready to watch the movie.

Yummy Cookies

I grabbed a plate of cookies and headed to the couch for a few cuddle moments with Lily while the movie started. Yes, we are still watching movies in the Living Room but at least there is a couch.

Opening credits

I love watching movies by the light of the christmas tree.... so romantic or it would be if I wasn't single... crap.

My favorite scene, the Sister-Sister song

Now back to the movie: I love this movie so much. If you haven't ever seen it you should rent it or find it online. I know that for many people the christmas story is their favorite movie but I don't really like it. I am not saying it is bad just that White Christmas is better. It is a musical with dancing and singing... it is magical.

Bonus pic of Lily by the tree

What is your favorite christmas movie and memory? I love cuddling on the couch with Lily and watching these movies. She doesn't quite see the appeal but she does tolerate my singing along with the movie... she is so cute.

Movie Review of 50/50

As I live alone and don't have cable right now I am living for the twice weekly Netflix DVDs that show up at my house. I have become just a little obsessed about what movie is coming next and trying to plan for whatever mood may or may not strike me at the moment. So a few weeks ago I moved the Seth Rogan and Joseph Gordon-Levitt movie 50/50 to the top of the queue. I will admit that I was somewhat aprehensive about the movie after my cervical cancer adventure, however the movie was listed as a comedy so I gave it a go.

Image taken from IMDB.com

Lily and I laid on the couch by the christmas tree and popped the DVD into the computer... I so need to get a TV for the living room but one thing at a time right. As we watched the movie there were definite funny moments but I found myself being very glad that I did not have all of these adventures. I was not ready for this to hit me in such a way... I could definitely relate to the main characters struggles with being normal when your life is falling apart. I am not sure that I was the best patient but in the end we all have to face our mortality. I will always be eternally grateful that cervical cancer is relatively easy to cure... cut it out and move on. I do know that should it ever come back there will be consequences that I am not quite ready to face but then again I don't have to face them right now.

I would definitely recommend this movie to everyone, it was a wonderful story. I won't tell you about the ending but it was GOOD. Also I would like to tell Joseph Gordon-Levitt, if you are looking for a date to something I am totally it... we would be a great match... maybe.



Also I would like to take this moment to share my condolences for the city of Newtown, I know that you are feeling a great hurt in this moment and I know my heart is broken for your loss. I wish that we could somehow take this pain away but know that the Lord is ready and willing to carry you through this time. I will be praying for you and your families... may the Lord hold you in his arms when you need it most.

xoxoxo
H

Granada Theater

Cystic Fibrosis Concert Series

Rhett Miller at the Granada Theater

A few weeks ago I went with a friend of mine on what I am now calling the worst date of the year, you will have to wait a few days for that story I am trying to figure out how to write it, to a cystic fibrosis benefit at the Granada Theater. I had heard of this old theater that had been converted into a concert hall so of course I was game to go. I didn't get a chance to take many pictures of the venue but it was really nice, I liked the old timey look of the place.

The O's

The first act up was the O's. These two guys were pretty good, I think I enjoyed them more because there was girl in the audience near me that really loved them and it is always fun to enjoy something that someone else does too. I would not be opposed to hearing them play again, in many ways there isn't too much to say about this. I will admit that it may have been because I was consumed with the reality that I was drinking a PBR tallboy in public. I mean really, PBR!?!?!? Anyway, that is a story for another time and another post.

Rhett Miller

The second act: Rhett Miller was something to see. My friend had seen this guy before and that is why we went to the concert. At this point in the night the date was starting to go badly and I was trying to keep my game face on. I will admit that I was more focused on this performer than any of the other ones that I have seen in a while. I really enjoyed this guy, he reminded me of a certain band member in Blimey a band from my high school days. If we went to high school together this may mean more to you than other people. If you were not lucky enough to go to high school with me then think of the super cute musician from high school and remember how your little heart swooned when he walked down the hall.

Rhett Miller and friends

I will admit that during his set I was taken back to my 16 year old self and reminded that musicians are super cute. I think Rhett Miller is part of another band but I don't really know or care but for those 60 minutes I wanted to be a groupie. I wish I had taken a video, not that I know how to upload them but still. His shaggie hair and cute little face... made my heart go pitter patter... sigh.

The Gourds... AKA old guys making music

The last act of the night was the Gourds. I will be honest and say I think they were terrible. I did not like them at all, their musical stylings were not to my liking. I think they may have been good but my evening was swiftly going to the crapper so I may or may not have spent much of the set in the bathroom before demanding that we leave. This band was comprised of several older gentleman and I can best describe their music as Zydeco with out the essential components. I am not sure what I disliked so much about them but in the end it doesn't really matter now does it.

I would definitely go to the Granada Theater should another concert that I was interested in attending be there. It had a fabulous atmosphere. The drinks were a little on the different side, I had two PRB tall boys. The majority of the drinks offered were in cans which I am fine with, I just think PBR tastes like skunked good beer. But as for much of what happens in Dallas I am just trying to go with the flow... so trying PBR at the Granada, why not. 

Ms. Carol's Broccoli Cheese Soup

When I was little I wasn't much of a soup fan but once I realized the amazing-ness of broccoli cheese soup I was convinced. I love to have a nice bowl of soup when I am sick or when the weather is really cold. As you know I was sick last week and before I fully succumbed to the illness I was able to whip up a batch of this soup. This is the only version that I have ever tried, my friend Barrie has another version that I need to get and try someday.

I got this from my mom when I was in graduate school and I was so sick at one point and I started making it on Sunday afternoons and then eating the soup all week for lunch. My mom got this from my junior high best friend's mom, Ms. Carol. I will admit that after a few days I do not want the end of the soup, but it is wonderful for the first five days. I tend to think that most things are not that good after a whole week of eating it. I have wondered if I could freeze it and I may try the next time that I make it but I am afraid it would be nasty. I guess I should just try it right, if I do I will be sure to let you know if it is still good the second time.

Ms. Carol's Broccoli Cheese Soup

The best soup I have ever had

Ingredients

Small Onion, finely diced
3-4 garlic cloves, diced
Stick of butter
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 can Cream of Broccoli Soup
2 cans of milk
1 can of water
8 oz. of velveeta cheese (1/2 of a small block), diced into small cubes
2-4 cups of broccoli, finely diced

Directions:

1- Melt butter and saute onion and garlic
2- Add the cans of soup, milk, and water
3- Once blended together add the velveeta
4- Once the cheese has melted add the broccoli and season the soup with Tony's, onion powder, and/or garlic powder.
5- Cook for a few minutes more (I give it about 5 minutes while I clean up all of the dishes)
6- I enjoy mine with soup crackers

As always I have a few helpful hints
-With the onion and broccoli, remember this is a soup so you don't want to leave big chunks. Once I chopped the broccoli up like I was going to eat it for dinner and I had to eat it with a fork and then eat the rest of the soup with a spoon. It was insane.
-I only use the very tops of the broccoli florets, I find that the stalks don't spend enough time cooking to really soften up so they were pretty tough the few times that I have used them. I know that I waste most of the broccoli but it is worth it in my opinion.
-If you can't find or don't realize that you grabbed the broccoli cheese soup can instead of cream of broccoli the soup is still pretty good just a little cheesier, yes I have done this several times.

Be sure and let me know if you try this or if you have a better recipe. I am loving that I have more time for me these days so I am into trying new recipes all of the time. I hope that you like this one I am sure that I will have more fun stuff to share again soon.

November Book Club

In November I went to my very first book club, in Dallas, really ever. I found this on Meetup.com, which I am pretty impressed with. I liked this club because they met at a restaurant and I didn't feel as if I was going to be stabbed at any point prior to the event or after. This is a Chick Lit club which lets be honest is right up my alley.

For the november book club we read Barbara O'Neal's How to Bake a Perfect Life. At first glance I was pretty thrilled as this book cover has a baker and a dog... two of my favorite things. It took me a few days to really get into the story as it is a two part book... really two different stories. The first story is about a girl that got knocked up at 16 and is now a grandmother so it is the story of her life and how she came to own a bakery. The second story is about a young girl who is living with her step grandmother and trying to find her own place in the world.

I found the intertwining of the two stories was good and they melded together in such a way that the resulting story was more complex than either individual story. In the midsts of their lives there were several recipes for different breads and muffins and how to start a starter (for things like sourdough bread and the like). I really love to bake so I am pretty excited to bake some of the items out of the book as they seem kinda fool proof... I will be sure to let you know how that goes. I also found that this book was a little heavier than I had anticipated as it dealt with injuries to a military guy. I was not expecting this, so if your loved one is over seas this is probably not for you at this time.

Now to the book club itself: we met a pretty good mexican place. There were only 6 women so it was nice to not be overwhelmed with so many new people at once. For the most part it was lots of chatting about life and since they all knew each other I didn't have much to add to the discussion but at the same time I felt welcome. The book portion of the discussion was really good, we mostly all felt the same way about the story but again it is nice to hear other peoples ideas on the book.

I will definitely be attending another book club with this group pretty soon, I think I could make some pretty good friends or least people that I enjoy reading with. At the moment I am toying around with the idea of starting a book club myself but I think I might make it an internet one since so many of my friends live all over the place it might give us a chance to get together for a reason. Who knows, if you would be interested let me know. I'll let you know what I decide to read next but for the time being now that my books are out of storage on up on shelves I have been shopping through them most of the time.

Happy 100,000 Miles Silver

Over the last several weeks I have been watching the milage on my car slowly turn towards 100,000 miles. I know this is an accomplishment for me. I will admit that the arrival of the 100,000 miles is great but I am a little anxious about it too. I have found that once the car hits that many miles you start spending more and more money on repairs and the like. As you know for me this has already started so there is a new savings fund that I am working on... a car fund. The other savings is for my dirty 30... I am going to Europe, by myself. I will be sure to tell you more about that as it comes closer and all of that for now back to the car.

100,000 miles... what an accomplishment

I got this car, silver (the name and color), at the end of my junior year of college. She has seen me though many great times, I will admit that I have tried to be good to her with frequent oil changes and the occasional bath. I have enjoyed the many long drives from St. Louis to my parents house. I am not ready to give her up but at the same time she has been spending more and more time at the shop so it might soon be time.

Silver taking another ride with a tow truck

On Sunday I had spent several hours driving all over town to get to spend a little time with the majority of my extended family and on the way home I realized that it was going to be pretty close to making the 100,000 mile mark... but luckily for me I was not on 635 trying to take a picture I was just pulling into the apartment when the dial finally turned and I pretty excited. I don't really remember when it happened with the Neon (my first car), but I remember being kinda underwhemled.

I am excited to see what adventures I will still be able to have with my focus... I do love that car. At the moment she needs a bath like no other but as I am trying to work more often and more hours it is going to have to wait for a bit. I am praying that I won't be calling AAA again anytime soon but we shall see how that goes.

Do you remember the moment that you hit 100,000 miles on your car? Was it a momentous occasion?

Sick Day

The best nurse a girl could ask for... Lily

Over the last week or so I have been somewhat under the weather, if we have been friends for long you know that it really takes a lot for me to say that I am sick. However, this is one of those times. I was legit sick. On Saturday I started to feel a little rough as my mom and I ran all over town and worked on my apartment. By the time she left for my grandfathers I was in a bad way. I think I read for a bit on my new couch listening to Christmas music and looking at the tree before heading to bed.

When I got up on Sunday morning I was in for a world of hurt. It was a rough morning but I pulled myself together and hit up Target and planted some flowers. In the afternoon I had to pick up my dad from the airport, on the way to do that my car died on the side of the highway... more about that adventure soon. Once my brother brought my back to the house I was done. It was rough. I had it all: the sneezing, the coughing, the runny nose, the all around pouts. So I watched my Netflix and went to bed early.

Monday morning, I called in sick to work. This was hard because I am a workaholic most of the time. Also I didn't want to ride the DART into work seeing as that did not go well the last time. So I slept in and hung out with Lily. I will admit I was tempted to go to my grandfathers house so that I could watch TV. I mean what good is being sick if you don't get to watch the price is right and if you are really lucky let's make a deal. I love to watch garbage on TV when I am sick (really all the time). I spent most of the day lying on the couch with Christmas music playing while I read a book. For the most part Lily curled up at my feet and wondered when we were going to play since I was home for the day.

It was a long day at home on Monday but today, Thursday, I am feeling much much better. I am looking forward to feeling 100% again soon but in the end I am just glad that I don't feel like death anymore. I hate being sick.

Homemade Dog Treats

On the morning before my couch was delivered I knew I had to hang around the house and I was a little at lost ends so I decided to use my time to bake up some dog treats. I really love to bake but sometimes it is nice to be able to cook for someone else. I saw this originally on pinterest but since I wasn't sure that Lily would like them I halved the batch and have more than enough treats for a while.

Since these are such a hit at my house I am thinking of including these in my christmas gifts to friends and family that have dogs. I always love it when someone includes Lily, to me it means that they do love me and understand that my dog is part of my life. This does mean that if you get baked goods from me check to see if they are for you or for your dog.

Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Ingredients

1 c flour
1/2 c milk
1/2 c peanut butter
1 1/2 tsp baking powder

Directions
1- Mix the dry ingredients
2- Whisk the milk and peanut butter together... this takes a moment to start working but in the end it looks like really soupy peanut butter
3- Add the dry to the wet
4- Knead a few times on a floured surface, just until it isn't sticky
5- Roll out to 1/4" thick (I liked mine just a little thicker) and cut out cute shapes
6- Put cookies on a parchment lined cookie sheet, bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes. The large variation in the cooking time depends on the shape and size of the cookies
7- Cool on cookie racks
8- Feed them to your pup

She is thinking... give it to me

I think Lily really enjoyed these cookies, check out her cookie eating face. I really enjoyed making these for her it was relaxing to be able to bake. There are some moments when I really think that for my next career (many years from now) I would like to have a bakery. Or perhaps this is for the time when I get to work for pleasure and not to pay the bills.

She loves these treats

Let me know if you try these, I shared them with some dog owners at work who mentioned that their pups also loved their treats.

Taking the DART to work

I've got a story for ya Ags! (If this means nothing to you, don't fret but it is the moment at yell practice (Aggie pep rally) just prior to the start of an awesome probably funny story).

On Friday morning, I got up tossed Lily in the backseat of the car and took off for the car shop. My AC wasn't working and it was a little less than 1/2 mile home so I decided that it would be a great idea to drive there and jog back with the dog. This part of the morning was relatively uneventful so that was nice. I got home and got ready for work, I decided that I had always wanted to take the DART (Dallas's rail) to work so this was a pretty good chance to do that.

I finally get ready and I head out the door, rocking out to my christmas music. As I walk up to the station I see the train that I need go past... clearly I should have looked at the schedule because now I have to wait. I wait for the next train, about 20 minutes. This wasn't that bad at all, I mostly just sat there and waited and read the book I brought for just this purpose. Once the train arrived I hopped on and then rode into downtown Dallas, this took about 35 minutes.

On the DART reading and enjoying the lack of traffic

From this point on the story becomes something that would only happen to me. I walked downstairs to get on the bus that would take me to my office. This bus only comes once an hour after 10AM, clearly I am running just a bit late... I opt to wait 10 minutes for the next bus instead of the 15 minute walk though a really really creepy area of Dallas. The bus comes and I get on, I get out my book and I am just reading and waiting. As we go down the street that my office is on, I put the book down and wait for him to stop... yeah I had no idea that you have to push a button or pull a string to tell him to stop. So I watch several stops go by and finally I say "I thought there were stops on this road" to which the driver responds "there were three did you want to get off?"

As I stand to get off the bus quite a bit down the road I turn to the guys on the bus and say "clearly this was my first time on the bus, I am sure that I will get it right next time". I heard a few chuckles as I got off of the bus. I will admit that the 90 minute trip into the office is not what I had originally planned for the morning but it happens. It is nice to know that I can make it into work on the DART but I should maybe bring a friend next time.

Apple Dump Cake

Last week we had a thanksgiving potluck for the department at work and I waffled for a few minutes about what to make, in many science departments this is a more of a cultural experiment. People bring food items that represent their home country. As I am an American, I never really know what to make in some years I have brought jambalaya or some other southern dish. This year with the move and all of the chaos in my life I realized that I would need to make something quick and easy. On pinterest I have seen several different posts for a dump cake: mix together angle food cake and a can of any pie filling. I am not going to lie this sounds easy enough.

Apple Pie Dump Cake

Box of Angle Food Cake
Can of Apple Pie Filling

Directions
-Mix together, until the mixture looks like cake batter

I wasn't sure this was ever going to happen

-Pour into a bunt cake pan
-Follow the directions on the box, I cooked mine for about 40 minutes at 375 (I think)

The baked cake

I sliced my cake and served it without icing. I think it would be pretty good with a little whipped cream on the side or maybe a sprinkle of powdered sugar. I will admit this is not my favorite dish I have ever made but I will admit that it was somewhat fool proof, it did make a cake. I don't know that I loved the taste of the filling so my opinion of the cake is slightly skewed.

I think the cake was a hit at the potluck at least I think that most people ate the cake. Oh well I loved that this was an easy cake to make and pretty good. I have heard that this is also pretty good with blueberry pie filling.