Updates from Ohio

I have several things that I haven't shown you mostly because it's really just a few things because I'm pityful and can't remember to take stupid pictures. I didn't take one single picture at Thanksgiving. Bad Blogger. Bad Scrapbooker! Grrrr.

So we opened 2 more envelopes. Keep up people - it was a wedding present. A really awesome wedding present.

This was envelope #2 stop in Canton, OH.

This was envelope #3 stop in Fairlawn, OH.

and my "treats"

 

Yesterday I made cupcakes with butter cream icing - SO YUMMY!

For dinner I made Maple Glazed Salmon and Green Bean & Roasted Potatoes in a chive and butter sauce:

I'll try to do better. Not making promises, but I am going to try. Except tonight...I made Parmesan Chicken and was too lazy and hungry to get my camera out before dinner.

2 on Tuesday - Christmas Traditions

I am joining Andrea over at My Chihuahua Bites! for 2 on Tuesday. Click on the link above to link up. This week's question is:

What are your Christmas traditions?

I am hoping to begin some new traditions this year. This is our first Christmas being married - our first Christmas living away and going back home for the holidays, so I don't know what's in store.

When I was growing up my grandma always baked cookies - LOTS.OF.COOKIES. She would bake 15 different kinds of cookies (not kidding - it was a lot!) and she would bake DOZENS of each. She would give them to EVERYONE!  Everyone in my family got their own container of cookies for their house. She would give cookies to people at church (people at the grocery store, the doctor's office - ok that's not completely true, but she LOVED to baked and she LOVED to share). Every after all of that giving away, we would still have some at her house on Christmas. 

At my house, we would always see what Santa brought us in the mornings, then go to Granny and Papa's for lunch and more presents. My aunts, uncles, and cousins. Fun times and GREAT food!

I am not sure what new traditions we'll start. I'm just super excited about spending time with friends and family. Thanksgiving was great, but we get to stay for a little longer at Christmas.

What are your Christmas traditions?

Shopping List

Since I have been married I am trying like crazy to streamline the things that seem to take FOREVER! Grocery shopping was on that list. This is the shopping list I came up with so that everything is organized by sections. I have been using this to make my shopping lists and it saves me so much time at the store.

If you think it would help you, feel free to save and print a Shopping List for yourself.

Sacs of Life

I follow Woot.com on a daily basis. Woot has ONE deal each day. (They also have shirt.woot.com, sellout.woot.com, home.woot.com, and kids.woot.com in case you are interested.) This was the deal last Saturday. I got mine in the mail today. I SO wish I would've told you about the deal THAT day! These shopping bags are AWESOME!

I bought the Bella pattern. The brown bags fold up and fit into the front pocket of the insulated tote and the insulated tote folds flat and had a stretchy band that keeps it flat.

I have searched so that I could give you a place to look in case you're interested. Bed, Bath & Beyond have 2 of the patterns in the Sacs of Life Insulator 4 bag (3 brown bags plus the insulator bag) and on the Sacs of Life site you can purchase the Sacs of Life Insulator 3 bag (2 brown bags plus the insulator bag).

Wednesday Hodgepodge - November 16, 2011

1. What song reminds you of a specific time in your life and what is it about that song that makes you remember?
Oh geez…I’m ashamed to admit this. 2Pac’s “Keep Ya Head Up”. TLC’s “Creep”.  SWV’s “Weak”. Jodeci’s  “Come and Talk to Me”. Shai’s “If I Ever Fall in Love”. Laugh it up. I wasn’t known as ghetto for nothing. These were all songs that I listened to in high school.

2. What's something you've given up on?

Figuring everything out – unpacking all of the boxes (we’re just gonna rent a storage unit or toss it out the window or over the banister on the deck) 

3. What's something you'll never give up on?

Actually selling the stuff in the totes which are currently in our guest bath tub. No, I’m NOT posting a picture! It’s pitiful. But that is the only place I had to put my “sell pile”. Anyone want to give PartyLite pieces for Christmas? I’ll see it REAL cheap!

4. If you had to cook something from scratch in the next hour what would it be?

Either Beef Stroganoff, Maple Glazed Salmon, or Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole because that’s what I bought ingredients for at the grocery store that I have left on this week’s meal plan.

5. Have you started Christmas shopping? Decorating? Listening to Christmas music?

No. No. Only when I’m at the mall – which insists on playing it non-stop (since the day after Halloween!) Thanksgiving – it can start after Thanksgiving.

6. What do you know about your parent's wedding?

Not a lot. It happened. There are pictures to prove it. My mom made her dress. Yep…that’s pretty much all I know.

7. I can't believe I ___________________.

…”I can fly!” HA! Couldn’t resist! I believe I can do all things through Christ. I believe that God equips people that He calls. I believe that God heals.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

This was on my sis-in-law’s wish list – isn’t it beautiful. I hope she gets it and lets me borrow it!

2 on Tuesday

It's Tuesday! That means it's time for 2 on Tuesday over at My Chihuahua Bites! If you're stopping by, welcome. If you're interested in linking up, click on the logo above.

This week's question:

What are your pet peeves?

1. Automated answering services are SUPER annoying! When I call Customer Service I typically would like to speak to a human being. You?

Have you ever called and tried pressing "0", saying "Operator", "Agent", "Representative" and about 15 other things in hopes of talking to a REAL person? Why must we have automated Customer Service? I want real people!

2. This is a new one: It seems that Summit County drivers are taught that when turning left at a light, you should wait in the MIDDLE of the intersection until the light turns red and after all of the other people coming toward you run the red light, it's finally YOUR turn - obviously - because where else would you go since you're in the MIDDLE of the intersection already.

I kid you not - I have actually seen people BACK UP so they didn't get hit after their plan was foiled!

Happy Tuesday! Hope you're week is off to a great start!

My New Favorite Places

The Root Cafe is located on Bath Road in Cuyahoga Falls and is my favorite cafe in Northeast Ohio.

The Rail is located in Fairlawn and has delicious food!

The Fairlawn School of Music is a great place and I am excited about joining their staff!


Blake's Cafe & Cupcakery - BEST CUPCAKES EVER!