Monday, November 28, 2011

Project 52: Week 37

Another sampling of Pittsburgh pictures for you to enjoy!  The ladies all dressed up from Wicked!  Potatoes always deserve a thumbs up!  Photos out and about Heinz field.  Chillin' on the farm.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Catch up!

Here's a few things that we have been up to that I was a little behind on writing about:


We celebrated Thanksgiving with the families and enjoyed having a long weekend to ponder all that we are thankful for this year.

Book Countdown...

When I looked back at the last time I updated my book reading list, I discovered that the last post was back in July.  JULY!  I have taken a break from the reading, but felt the need to get inspired to push through finish strong!

Completed so far - 20 books!

  • The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
  • The First Born Series
  • Incendiary
  • From High Heels to Tractor Wheels
  • The Hunger Games Trilogy
  • Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
  • The Girl Who Fell From the Sky
  • Deception Point
  • Interview with a Vampire
  • The Lost Symbol
  • The Sunrise Series
To finish my goal, I have to read four more books by the end of 2011.  My sweet husband says, "You can do it!  One a week!"  sigh.  

Any suggestions on books you've read recently?

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Project 52: Week 34, 35 + 36

Today Benjamin asked me if I was ever going to update my blog again.  My response was a very mature one as I stuck my tongue out at him.  Then he asked if I had given up on Project 52.  No, no I have not given up on Project 52 - I've just been otherwise occupied, ya know making money and being a wife.
All of the photos from Week 34 revolved around our trip to San Antonio.  Benjamin was such a champ finishing off that cinnamon roll!  Funny story about the McDonald's run after Lulu's.  You should ask Benjamin about it.  Or Luke or Kala - they tell a very funny version of it!
Benjamin working on a retainer for a patient.  My official offer letter from The Oil Company arrived!  Jingle Jangle and Lulu chilling out on the Kermit rug.  That rug is one of Lulu's favorite places to be.
Jingle wanted to take a ride home with me to Pearland.  Next time, sweet pup!  Kala + Kate and I at Tabletop Friends.  Shawna makes these awesome covered strawberries and she brought them to girls night!  Benjamin snapped this photo of Casey and Luke.  I side with Luke, donuts are better than celery!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Travels: Girls to Pittsburgh

One of the many things I was able to do in my season of transition was to go on a girls trip with my Mom and Salem to Pittsburgh.  My parents had purchased Wicked tickets for their moms as a Mother's Day gift this year as well as a block of tickets for the women in our families to join in on.  Two years ago, Mom and I took a similar trip to see The Rockettes with the ladies.  This year was special because Salem was able to join us and it was her first trip to Pittsburgh!

The first day we arrived, we went down Grill 36 and to see Heinz field.  I particularly wanted to see the Mr. Roger's memorial.  The last time we were in the city it was still under construction.
Jerome Bettis' Grill 36 is one of my favorite places to eat in Pittsburgh.  Yes, it is a touristy thing to do, but it's right by the stadium and the rivers and they have delicious pierogies + homemade pretzels.
YUMTOWN.
The next morning we headed to the Andy Warhol museum.  Salem is fan of Andy's and it was on her list of things to see while we were in town.  How great would this wall paper look in a kitchen?  Must find where I can get some...
The three of us girls loaded up into the car and headed to Kittanning so that Salem could see where Mom and Dad grew up.  Fun fact about Kittanning:  Mothman Prophecies and the new Katherine Heigal film, One for the Money was filmed there.  Across the river is Ford City, home of Ford City Bakery where they make the best maple rolls and you can buy half a dozen for three dollars.  It's also were we stopped to see my Aunt Deborah.
Good genes run in the family.
Next stop was Grandma and Grandpa Bowser's house where Salem got a grand tour of the farm, dug potatoes, pet a baby chick and collect eggs!
We also swung by Grandma Ruby and Papa Jim's as well for some fantastic pie and pie crust.  I could eat myself sick on Grandma's pie crust.  
The third day in Pittsburgh was dedicated to Wicked! and dinner with all of the ladies.  The show was absolutely delightful and met every one of my expectations...even the fourth time around!  Mom had reservations at Walnut Grove in Fox Chapel after the show.  The three of us arrived first which worked out perfectly.  It gave me time to set out the dinner favors.
Yes dear reader, the favors were favor size apples from the  California Carmel Company!  They shipped from California to Houston and then I carried them in a cooler from Houston to Pittsburgh.  Through security.  In which I got singled out and they had to do a search of my apple bag.  Thanks to Mr. Security Man, I was able to take my cooler of apples with me and share their delicious goodness with the ladies of my family!  These ladies:
Cousins, aunts, sisters, grandmothers, daughters.  The whole gamut.  Family is good for the soul.
Our last day in Pittsburgh, the three of us rode the incline and then went to brunch at The Grand Concourse.  It was a fabulous way to end the weekend!
Love these ladies!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Halloween Party

Benjamin and I have never been a couple to go over the top for Halloween, however this year with our commitment to host events for the ortho department and my excitement of the costume I had found for us we threw ourselves into hosting a Halloween shindig!

A few weeks before Halloween, I turned our dining room table into a painting studio as I crafted our costumes.  After hours, I was proud of the way they turned out!
 We were Nerds!!
My side was the exact verbiage on the back of a box and Benjamin's back was the nutritional facts.  And yes, Benjamin is wearing tights and his hair is purple.  No, I did not have to coerce him into this either.  I can't take complete credit for the idea.  We did see it on pinterest.  Just love that site.

Here are the cast of characters that graced our home:
Part of the party was a pumpkin carving competition.  We covered our back yard in drop cloths and set up the work lights.  One couple even came armed with a dremel and canned air!
Thanks to everyone who came out and contributed to the fun times!!

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