A Year in Review- 2010!

Wow- I can't believe it is already time to say good bye to 2010! Many wonderful things happened this year, way to many to recall each and everyone.

We bought our first home. 

Greg broke his collarbone & wasn't too happy about it.

Went to some awesome summer country concerts. 

My cousin got married and I was lucky enough to be her Maid of Honor. 

Went to Put- In- Bay for the first time with my family.  

Gregorian became a proud owner of his first Harley. 

We extended our family with the cutest lil' pound puppy ever, Kelso! 

Successfully cooked and hosted our first Thanksgiving. Don't worry the turkey wasn't burnt, I did say successfully. We smoked it, that is how it should look... it was sooooo yummy! 

We went to some Browns games and even go to see a few wins- YAY!

Went to Epcot with Greg's family sampled food and drinks from around the world!

Looking back this past year was great for Gregorian and I. I've said it before and I'll say it again.... I am beyond blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. People who love unconditionally, are always supportive, bend over backwards to help out or pick you up  and make you laugh when you're feeling down. With out further ado.... to my incredible family, outstanding friends and the bestest husband in the land... cheers to you! Thanks for the memories 2010!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing a blessed and joyful Christmas, to you and your loved ones! 

Gregorian and I on Christmas Day opening gifts!

Enjoy this wonderful time of the year! 

Christmas dresses, why are you so hard to choose?

Remember when you were younger and your mom would dress you to the 9's for Christmas? As a child my Christmas dresses were often made of velvet or a velour-like material and usually had a lace collar. The best part of these Christmas dresses were that I wasn't the only fool dressed in them. My little cousin, Heather, often got stuck wearing the same dress that I wore. One year that sticks out for me is when we got matching purple velour dresses with huge lace collars and lace trim around the wrists. We were lookers, let me tell ya!

I wish that I had pictures to show you of these dresses because I am sure that my words are not doing them justice. I would think if you grew up in the 80's and early 90's you know what I'm talking about and very possibly have pictures in Christmas dresses like looked much like mine. I'll try to dig some up and post them if/when I find them. Oy vey!

Now, as an adult I get to pick my own Christmas dress to wear and it is not that easy. I have had my eye out for my Christmas dress since August, really. Some ladies can back me up here.... it is just not always easy to pick the dress that will be in family photo's for the years to come along with the must have picture in front of the tree w/ the hubby. So, with that said.  I have three options and I've pro and con'ed each of them and still can not decide.

Do I wear... the dark denim New York and Company dress?

I say yes- it is comfortable for being around the house and it's dark so if I spill anything on it (which always happens) there is a less likely chance that it will be noticed. OH! annnddd... I would get to wear my cute red ruffled flats with the dress. I love those shoes! Then... I also say no- it's denim, too casual for church. I mean if men are wearing ties... I certainly can not wear a denim dress. Can I?

Moving on to choice #2.... Do I wear the Gianni Bini dress that I got from Dillards on mega sale?

I say yes- it matches the green sweater that Gregorian will be wearing for Christmas as well as the waist line is flattering.  Then I say- no... it's a little to fitted to really enjoy all of the Christmas cookies and yummy holiday food! Plus, I think it might be a wee bit too dressy, because of the fit and there is a big zipper in the back as well as its a kinda low scoop neck line that is also scooped in the back. So, it might make a better New Year's Eve dress.

Finally choice numero 3... a red, I would say more like a wine colored dress from Banana Republic?

For the last time... haha!

I say yes- it compliments the sweater that Gregorian will be wearing and we will look like a cute lil' Christmas couple. Also yes, because I would wear brown tights and my trusted brown boots with this dress. These boots are the cats pajamas and they only took me 2 years to find (I'm very picky and super indecisive with just about everything but- especially shoes and clothes. Hence- this entire post, hahaha!). Then I say no- because I wore this dress twice already to other holiday parties and if I were to spill, it shows up. Sad to say- it has happened.

Ahhhh baaaaahhhhhh..... I think we should all just wear Christmas PJ's all day and forget about the hoopla that surrounds Christmas clothes and looking nice. I guess the best part about this is that I still have a few days to choose what to wear so I don't show up to church in my jammies and totally embarrass everyone. haha!

I'm glad that I was able to write this out for all of you to read. Now, you definably have a better glimpse into my world of indecisiveness and what goes on in my head when I stand in my closet.

Now, I leave you in wonderment... which will it be?

Dunnnnn, dunnnn, daaaaaa.....

Lookin' for a good read?

I just finished reading Chelsea Handler's newest book, Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang and wow, is it funny!

I laughed from start to finish. Not just chuckled or thought about laughing but really laughed... out loud, a lot!  I have read her other books and they are the same way. If you are looking for laughs and a good read then I would highly recommend reading anything that she has written. 

Also, you should watch her show on E! because that is really funny too. I DVR it, then watch it in the morning. Nothing starts your day off better than a good ol' round table and candid celebrity interviews. 

I would like to thank...

... Giuliana and Bill Rancic.

I've said it before, I am a reality TV junkie and this post is a true reflection of that.

The other day, I was watching Giuliana and Bill and They are possibly my favorite reality TV couple and remind me a lot of Greg and myself.

They unconditionally support each other and always pick each other up when they are down. In the end- they just down right love, appreciate and admire each other for who they are and always manage to make each other smile and laugh. And really, what more could you ask for?

Greg does the same things for me on a daily basis and watching their show and seeing them just make me smile. It makes me happy that there is true love in the world and that people are fortunate enough to find it.

Snow Days

Today is snow day numero dos! I knew that sleeping with my PJ's inside out would work...YESSSSSSS!!!

I remember being little and loving snow days because you did not have to do anything- nothing at all. Getting all bundled up and playing outside with the other neighborhood kids, coming in to a big warm cup of hot chocolate and then watching a movie or playing Barbies. Ohhh the life! But, when you grow up snow days become a little more valuable. Like for me, I have to wash clothes, put them away, mail out my Christmas cards, brave the weather and get out to finish my Christmas shopping then come home and wrap...wrap...wrap. Also, I'm not sure if I get paid for snow days or not because I'm a long term sub... humm.

But...really, I don't have that much to do. I just don't deal well with having a list of things to do and an alloted time frame to get them done. I usually am successful in getting everything checked off my to do lists... but, it's just the thought of  deadline that gives me a lil' uughh feeling.

So... here I sit and it's 7:30am on a snow day and I have already made breakfast for Gregorian, unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher, folded a load of laundry, put it away, fed the dog and now I'm sitting here looking at my list of Christmas shopping planing my route. Now, if only these stores would open earlier than 9 o'clock!

I'll try harder, I promise.

I really need to work at blogging more often. Like.... really, really, really try!

The last week or so my blogging time has been cut down a lot and this week it isn't going to get any better.I'm in the middle of a long term substitute placement. So I've had no time during the day because well.... I'm shaping the minds of our youth. And, naturally with with teaching comes lesson plans and grading papers.

I also had my gift wrapping fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Reasearch Hospital this weekend. It went really well...we ended up raising the same amount of money as we did last year. Regardless of the monetary amount it was worth it. It's always worth taking time out of our busy lives to do some good and give to those who need it.

Ohhhh....and the Christmas shopping....oh vey! I am very behind... like so behind you could really just say I haven't even started. Oops! I have a list and it is categorized to the different stores and  highlighted if I have a coupon for it. Now, I just have to find time and get my hiney out to the stores and get it done!

So I'm sorry for being a slacking blogger...very sorry! But tis' the season for being busy!

In My Kitchen: Turkey Day Leftovers

You might not have any turkey from Thanksgiving left over, but I still do! I made this Turkey Pot-Pie for dinner last week, it is very easy and you probably have all of the ingredients in your fridge from Turkey Day!

This is what you will need to make this Turkey Pot-Pie:
- Turkey, pulled/cut into small bite size pieces
- Veggies (cooked ones work best- but you can use frozen)
- Left over gravy 
- Shredded Cheese (optional)
- One egg 
- A tube of crescent rolls 

In the pictures there are 3 casseroles. One for dinner that night. Another small one for my husband to take to work for lunch the next day and finally one to freeze for dinner a few weeks later. Before I being putting the pot pie together I preheat my oven to 325* so that my oven is all warmed up and ready by the time my pot pie is assembled.

• First, I took my turkey and cut in into small pieces and put it at the bottom of the casserole dishes. I only used white meat because that is what I prefer.

• Then, I took my left over veggies and cut them into small pieces, mixed them all up and put a good amount into each of the dishes. The veggies that I used were: green beans, potatoes, carrots, corn, asparagus, broccoli, zucchini and onions. The potatoes I used were already soft from being boiled. I just didn't mash them up on Thanksgiving.  Your potatoes have to be cooked already because they will not get soft enough in the time this dish is in the oven.

*This dish is a great way to sneak veggies in that your family doesn't normally eat. Like my husband isn't a big veggie eater... but he ate this with no questions asked!*

• Next,  I poured the turkey gravy over the veggies and turkey. The gravy that we had was a little on the thin side to be used in leftover dish. So, to thicken it up I whisked in some butter and flour on medium heat and then I let it sit for about 5 minutes on simmer to thicken up. You can also add some pepper and other  herbs and spices to the gravy to boost the taste a little bit. I have a spices grinder, similar to the McCormick Grinders, that is called "Country Herbs" so that is what I used for my flavor boost. After pouring the gravy into the casseroles give the pot pie fillings a good mix so that the gravy gets moved around and so the flavors all cook together nicely.

• This step is optional... but, I love cheese and for me shredded cheddar is the perfect pairing for this dish. I take cheese and just sprinkle it on top of the mixed filling ingredients.

• Now, we are ready for the crust! Pop open the crescent rolls and lay it out flat. After the dough is laid out you gently pinch the seams together where the rolls have been cut. The seams are pinched together simply cut the amount of dough needed to cover your casserole and lay it on top... tuck and pinch extra dough so that none of the filling is peeking out.

• After you have put the dough on top of the filling & cheese you will want to give your crescent roll crust an egg wash for a little extra crisp. I use one large egg and separate the white from the yolk. I then add a little bit of the "Country Herb" grinder herbs and spices to my egg wash along with about 1/4 teaspoon of minced garlic. Then I whisk it all together and using a silicon kitchen brush gently brush on the egg wash mixture.

*Notice I only put crescent roll and the egg wash on 2 of my 3 prepared casseroles. As I mentioned earlier,  I was putting together one dish to freeze and use for dinner another night. If you are freezing this dish only freeze the turkey, veggies and cheese. The crescent roll does not freeze and re-cook very well at all, trust me I've tried. So, I just put a lid on my pyrex glassware casserole dish and stuck it in the freezer. Then in a few weeks I'll just pull of the freezer, it out thaw it, top it with the crescent roll and egg wash and wha-laa... dinner! *

• Finally, stick the casseroles into the oven for about 20-25 minutes (or until crescent top is golden brown) at 325* and you now have a yummy Turkey Day leftover meal!

ENJOY! 

Someone has been sneaking into the shower...

and it's this guy....

Kelso loves to jump in the tub and lick the water out of the shower after I get out. I let him do it because I want him to like being in the tub so when we give him a bath he doesn't freak out... because trying to wrangle him into the tub when we want to give him a bath can be a tricky thing. 

The first time he did it I thought it was so gross! But, trust me this is not the worst thing this dog likes to do. I think shower water is better than eating dryer sheets, cotton balls with make up remover on them and coffee grounds from the garbage. However, to take the gross-level down a notch I give the shower a quick rinse in anticipation of Kelso coming in and licking the water from the tub. 

Boy, oh boy this dog is something else... but man, oh man do I love him! :o) 

I love reality TV.. BUT-

This new show on E! called Bridalplasty is such a bunch of crap!

When I first started to see the commercials for the show... I was a lil bugged out by it.  I don't think that there is any reason to have extreme plastic surgery, especially so you can have your "dream wedding".  I mean these women who are participating in this "game" are able to get up to 15 procedures! The looney toon, Heidi Montag had 10 procedures and she is now lookin' like Plasticstein! 

The concept of this show speaks volumes for what some women are after in their lives. What happened to loving yourself and being happy with who you are inside and out?! I mean when these women met the men that they plan to marry... the men obviously loved them for who they are and how they looked. Another kick in the pants with this show is that the women who wins this show does not get to see her husband until the wedding day! That poor guy isn't even going to recognize his bride...ugghhboy!

Some of the things that the brides on the show want to have done it plain out ludicrous! Each of the women have an on-line wish list on the shows website. The most redonk procedure that that one women would like to have her second toe shortened. Thats right folks- you read it correctly ... a - toe - shortening! It's almost sad actually. 

When I got married it wasn't about the dress size, if my arms were flabby when I waved or if my forehead had wrinkles when I smiled. My wedding day was about new beginnings, being head over heals in love and sharing that day with the most important people in your lives.  

Greg and I right after the "I Do's"! 

The best picture of our wedding party at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Ps: We had a kick-butt wedding photographer. If you are looking for one he was AWESOME!