If I Were Young Again.....

I would ask for these gifts this year........

A trip to somewhere warm with one of these

Oh the memories.

I didn't own this game, but my friend Chelsie did.

We played it in her basement and I remember stumbling upon her parents Joy of *** book while getting the game down one evening..... Opps!

These cute boots and I think I would wear them outside my jeans, unlike I do now.

I actually really want this game now!

What girl didn't want a doll that walked or peed itself?!

OK. Ok... there were some, but I always thought it was cool. But dolls didn't walk when I was young.

Not a poster of him, but him ;) Because I have liked boys since I knew that boys existed, now I only like 1 and that is my husband :)

But, I do have a secret crush on this boy and would have as a kid too.

I am madly in love with you Brian and I promise even if this boy tried to kiss me I would say no!

I might have to go to Old Navy and see if this fits me :)

Darling for a gal who adores pink and faux fur.

Penguins are one of my favorite things and I dream of owning one, or petting one.

I could at least try!

This many books!

If you never had these popsicles when you were younger, then I am so so sorry. These are seriously a gift from God. I remember praying that mom or dad would let us buy these. If someone could get me a box, that wasn't made in the 80's, I would give you $20.

I had a pretty awesome red jeep as a kid, but this is a lot cooler.
I would feel much better while pretending to go through the drive thru while in this.

 I need to have this to redem myself for having a crush on Phil, thee dorkiest guy in the game!

So true! 

 So I could text my boyfriend

A sweet room like this

So I could pretend to cook. 
*** Note that go through a span of about 13 years with all of these gifts***

So I could have more people like me by dressing cute.

I do love you mommy for making me an apple dress with a matching headband. I remember how proud of that I was!

Did everyone know that I wore my mom's sweater with her dikie when I was in sixth-grade for school pictures?!!! Hahah I had braces too :)

 Or a cool room like this.

A house for all of my imaginary little friends and dolls.

Nick-Dick & Jubee were their names, except they weren't miniature.

Ask Diane, she set the groceries on Nick and I believe she had to pull over to move them off of him.

Please still be my friend about finding all of these secrets out.

So Liz and I could play dress up and put on shows. 

My parents to take me here whenever I wanted

 This on a t-shirt.

Someone on SNL had one on this week and I was super jealous and wanted one really bad.

 

And last but certainly not least....

These things so I could impress my this certain someone I would want as boyfriend, assuming he went to my school :)

Because he liked tractors

or

tactors as he would say when he was a lad

So I could bring it to show and tell and then have him smile and me and then I would ask him to come over and play at my house and then I would kiss him. 

 

The boy is Brian :)


Oh and get ready for the next post...........


Let me prepare you.............


I have been on hold with Kohls.Com for an hour and a half and still haven't talked to anyone. 
Brian has been waiting for my parents computer to be delivered and it is six days late. 
I don't ever want to step in the mall or any store again because of how slow and dumb people are...


If you don't want to hear some ranting just wait for a happier post :D


Hope you enjoyed this one!!


loves!!!

Snow Days

I am a huge fan of snow days! I was lucky enough to get two this week. We got so much snow! I haven't seen snow like this since I was a little kid- I was pretty excited. Brian stayed home Wednesday and we had a great time spending the day together. Here are some photos. Anyone know how to upload video with this new posting layout? I have some, but can't figure it out.

We kept opening the garage to see how big the drift was getting. It was crazy!!

I made him put on a hat and come take pictures. He is such a sport!

I LOVE playing in the snow. I put on my gear and had some fun. I made a snow angel- cleared out the pipe so our furnace could work and played in a huge drift.

 

There is lots and lots of snow!

We decided to take a drive. Brian wanted to show me how crazy it was outside.

But... he decided to be a little too daring :)

He drove us down a really snow covered road- three blocks from our house- and we got stuck!

Opps!! This smile was before we got stuck.

Brian had to run to the gas station nearby to get someone to save us :)

There was a few guys there with trucks and plows and one was kind enough to come to our rescue.

 

So after we got stuck I started to bake!

This is actually dinner and todays lunch, but it was soo good.   

I just cooked a chicken breast in chicken stock with a salt-pepper-garlic-onion-carrots and celery.

After it was done I shredded it.

I mixed half with hot wing sauce and half with salsa and taco seasoning.

We set the chips out separately on a cookie sheet lined with foil.

Top the chips with the chicken and cheese. Do half taco and half buffalo wingish. 

Either bake at a low temp or broil for just a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

We like to top or dip our buffalo ones with ranch and celery and the taco ones with sour cream and green onion.

Please try these because they are so easy and really really good.

They are best enjoyed with a friend and a coke.

 

I also had a lot of fun baking! I tried three new recipes and everything turned out really good.

Chocolate chip cookies- they are almost gone!

Double Chocolate Cookies- Didn't realize the recipe called for instant coffee and I just added regular coffee. Opps! The cookies tast a lot more like coffee than they are supposed to, but they are really good.

Puppy Chow- I don't think I have actually made this before. Brian did the powdered sugar part!

Not pictured are cinnamon rolls and peanut butter blossoms and caramels.

Please come over and help us eat all of this!

Meet Ava

I am quite in love with this little gal.

How could you not be in love?!

She is my little buddy and I can't wait to keep watching her grow.

So Long Bowl Game Dream.......

So long to my dream of attending a BCS Bowl Game, at least this year. Brian and I were really counting on making it to the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona. I had somewhat sweet talked my way into getting the days off and everything. We had researched plane and game tickets and were ready to spend some money to watch the Hawks play in the sunshine.

However...... The Orange Bowl wanted us more than Mr. Tostito did! This bowl is on a Tuesday, seriously people a Tuesday?!. Anyways, that means that I would have to ask for more days off and Miami is lots more expensive.

I am a very sad girl because I was really looking forward to seeing them play in person again- in the SUNshine, having a fun vacation with my husband and some family, getting some color and again watching my beloved Hawks.

But, I am happy now and ready for one heck of a Hawkeye party on Tuesday Jan 5.

Enjoy the snow ;)

O Holy Night

Christmas music is very dear to my heart. Christmas music about Jesus that is. No Santa Claus is Comin' to Town for this girl!

I find the music very sweet and worshipful.

I love that my savior came as a sweet little baby boy, but yet had all of the power in the world.

So, this Christmas season I am dedicating some posts to some of my favorite Christmas songs.

Here are the lyrics to

O Holy Night.

The words in bold are those that I love the most.

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

I encourage you to really listen to words of these songs this season.

Let them touch your heart and encourage you.

Our sweet Jesus came as a small and precious baby, but he changed this world.

He gave us freedom and grace and life abundantly.

I am beyond grateful that I know him in an intimate and solid way.

This song speaks so much truth to my heart and I love it!

Josh Groban does a pretty nice job of singing it here

Or you can go the boy band route and have some N'Sync, it's not too bad and I totally still have their Christmas CD listen here

I love these Celtic beauties here

Go enjoy a glass of something warm and cuddle up with a warm blanket and a honey if you have them

May you be blessed my dear friends.

Happy Birthday Love!

Happy "Belated" Birthday To The Love Of My Life!!

I am beyond blessed by you.

I can't wait to have sweet little baby boys like you!

We will take them to the ocean

You have always been a little stud.

I love your brothers and the relationship you have with them. I love that you get a certain twinkle in your eye when you are with them; you also have a specific laugh that only they can bring out.

Even without Iguana Don you are the king of cool.

I am glad you are just a Hawkeye fan now and that I don't have to watch pro sports with you.

You are such a sweetie.

Sorry about the jump in age!

Can't wait to keep cheering on the Hawks with you forever!

You made my life the day you took me as your wife.

Being married to you has brought me so much joy and happiness. You have taught me so much about life and have made me a better woman of God.

This isn't you getting flipped off of the tube, but it is you driving :)

You are adventurous and I love having fun with you.

If I had lots of money I would buy you a boat for your birthday. Maybe someday......

You love your mama

and don't complain when you get gentlemen skates

You fit in perfect with my family.

We have fun always

You're hot

You have a wonderful family- plus Lianne who isn't in this photo.

You are always up for something fun and you and Matt could entertain me for hours.

You come shopping with me and even in the wee hours of the night.

I am so in love with you Brian.

Thanks for being my prince and the man of my dreams.

I am such a lucky lady and can't wait for many more years.

Time For Pie

I love Thanksgiving! I love it because I get to spend fun time with family and I get to cook and eat great food. Pies have become a signature thing for me to make, and I love it! French silk is one of my absolute all time favorites to eat, and therefore make. I am making four this year, two for each Thanksgiving.

So, here is the video on French Silk Pie from Nicole's Christmas gift last year.

Enjoy!!

Along with the F.S. pies I am making thee best pumpkin pie ever :) as I discovered the art of cooking the pumpkin, from the can, before baking it. Talk about a good smelling house! Anyways, more on that to come. Along with stuffing and green bean casserole.

Don't laugh at me too much....

I will post the recipe if you wish- just comment and let me know.

Disclaimers: My hair looks ridiculous, please bear with me.

I strongly recommend homemade whipped cream and have never used anything else.

I have found, but have yet to try, a new way to do chocolate curls. Something like this.