Birthdays are still nice

Not sure about everyone else but I love my birthday!

I turned 35 today.

I've learned a lot over the last year but most importantly to be grateful for family and friends!

I've had a rough start to the year, but little by little things are looking up.

Thanks to my supportive husband, I know that I can be open about anything.

Thanks to two of my girls G and Sarabel... I'm opening up... A . Lot. More!

I have to say it is refreshing to let it all out... Something I didn't grow up with.

I leave you all with some pics from today!

It's Not Good bye.. it's see ya later

On January 12th I lost my Grandma Caroline. I was named after her... And it has been pretty hard to deal with. She was 82 and diagnosed this year with lung cancer.

My sister, Con put together a great memory of her that we all contributed to:

"Don't let the past dictate who you are BUT let it a part of who you will be."

"First one to the top is King of the mountain"
"Is your refrigerator running?"
"uh, maybe next year"

We all have our memories--but sometimes you have to stop and think it is not just a memory but something in your life that you carry out--

Connie remembers picnics at Schiller park and Gram would say, "First one to the top of the mountian is King" Gram always taught us to be proud of our own accomplishments--even if it was something like climbing a hill. Gram, I really was Georgey Peachy!!

Julie remembers sleeping over at Grams and prank calling our Mom--Mom would leave us and 20 minutes later Gram would say, "Lets call your Mom and see what she's doing?" Let's prank her!! Our favorite was, is your refrigerator running? Well, today Julie is the same way--after she has a get together at her house she gets on that phone to call us 20 minutes later--What are you doing she asks?? Umm, Julie we're driving??

Caroline remembers Gram coming to see her play ball at Thillens and sending her the ticket from the game years later and all their talks about the cubs--They both know their cubs stuff and Caroline really believes 2012 is their year, Gram!!

Sometimes you to have realize that someone is a part of you,
from a memory in the past
and they will always be with you,
from a moment that will always last.

The memories will always last. See ya later Gram!

Closure

It's been an emotional week...weekend... Well, New Year.

I'm not ready to go into details, but am very grateful for my husband, family and friends.

Got this amazing plant from my work family today. I never thought this kind of gesture would make me speechless- yet, it has.

Xo.

Best burger in Memphis

So I know I didn't try many burgers, but this is a great burger.

After we went to see the ducks at The Peabody, we went to Huey's.

We were greeted and sat at the bar. The inside was really laid back and had character.

We ordered a burger and split it. It was amazing!

It was reasonably priced.. And they had some really good beers on tap.

Cheese and wine

Anyone else obsessed with cheese and wine?

Nothing compares to a good wine and cheese pairing!

My favorite.. Riesling and Aged Gouda... Yum.


It's been a long day... Time for some relaxation!

Cookbook addict

John and I went shopping on New Years Day. Went to Office Max... Got some new pens, highlighters, and a plastic mat for my chair.

The highlight of the trip was a Bargain Book! There was this bin of books. All marked down.

I found a cook book from a restaurant called Union Street Cafe in New York. I was thrilled! It said $7.99 on the tag.

We were checking out and it rang up for $2. Seriously!

I've already made two delicious salads.. Can't wait to try more recipes!

Addictive reality TV?

I can't lie. I love watching The Bachelor/The Bachelorette! It's like a train wreck... For some reason I can't stop!

Yes I know the success rates are low. Yes I know some of it is "edited" that way. And yes, I know Realitysteve.com is really awesome at the spoilers, (be sure to check him out!)

But, most importantly, it is a great reminder of what a great relationship I DO have. :)

John and I met online. We were both single in Iowa City... The timing was right... More to come on that later. This year, in March will be 10 years together. Cheers to my "bachelor!"

Ripe bananas?

Do your bananas always get extra brown/ripe and you don't know what to do with them? I had this situation this morning and the hubby said- make something with them! :)

So, here is a quick breakfast recipe for delicious banana pancakes! And, they are only 180 calories per pancake!

ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon white sugar and 1 tsp
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 ripe bananas, mashed

Mix all dry ingredients in one bowl. Mix all wet ingredients in a separate bowl. Quick hint- put the bananas in a ziplock bag and mash in there and add to the wet mixture.

Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients. The mixture will be lumpy.

Heat a pan with some vegetable oil over med-high heat. Use 1/4 C for each pancake. This recipe should make 6-8 pancakes. Enjoy!

Wow

Saw a great movie last night!

Midnight in Paris!

Great actors!
Great plot!

Highly recommend it!


Don't wanna say too much- cuz I don't wanna give it away :)

It's an Olympic year

The road to London will go through- Iowa City?!

Yep! It's true! The US Olympic Wrestling trials are in Iowa City! And I couldn't be more excited!

The sessions begin Saturday April 21st and run through Sunday the 22nd. Because of Iowa's wrestling history I could not be more proud!

Speaking of wrestling, tomorrow Iowa goes for a history making 400th dual meet win- AND going for a record 84 dual meets without a loss.. stay posted as I'll blog about those results tomorrow night!

As always- Once A Hawkeye...

Always a Hawkeye! :)

Poopers

They are our "kids," and we love them so much. Both our dogs, Herky and Abby turned 9 last month!

It's so hard to believe that they are that old! I still remember their puppy days and potty training them. Clapping when they "did their business" outside. When Herky had his first ear infection the bottle of drops said "Herky Harbin."

They are both still healthy and happy dogs- who dread the doorbell and the knocking of the door- (really the only time they bark). With one small exception. Herky barks or growls every time he sees or hears a dog on tv... Or if you say "is that a puppy?".

I'm not sure why it still makes me laugh so much, but the jealousy is still funny! Abby, on the other hand could care less! She will just look at you with her pretty brown eyes and go get her bone to show you it...(or the fifth "baby" disgusting cotton bone she has shredded.)

Our dogs grew up within two weeks of each other. They sleep in the same crate together, lay on top of each other, snuggle and look out for one another.

They are truly best friends. It is amazing to see a friendship so beautiful. I wish all people were as loving, loyal and amazing as my two poopers. They really give me hope and restore faith in unconditional love. The really are members of our family.

Here are some of my favorites from the past couple of years! Enjoy! :)

Winner winner chicken dinner!

Wow what a great DDD place we went to in Memphis! (Diners, Drive ins and Dives.)

It's called Uncle Lou's. It's near the airport. 3633 Millbranch Road.

My hubby and I had 8 chicken wings (4 home style and 4 sweet spicy love- mild), fried pickles, honey biscuits, and fried okra. The wings were amazing. Even more amazing, the sweet spicy love sauce! We even got a bottle to go.

The pickles and okra were also very good. The biscuits are in a league of their own! Warm, honey tasting and so soft!

Lou even came to our table...introduced himself and was very nice!

This restaurant is a little "off the beaten" path as my hubby stated in his review in Trip Advisor. But it is SO worth it!

Another diner!

Back in December John and I went to another DDD! We went to Smoque BBQ in Chicago.

John got the pulled pork. I got the beef brisket sandwich and we got a brisket platter to go for my Dad.

The sides we tried were Mac n cheese, fries, and the baked beans.

The brisket was amazing! The sauce was tangy and sweet. My favorite was the baked beans. It had the pork, bacon, and onions in it and was so good.

Peabody Hotel

I am a duck lover!

I have been for a very long time.

My hubby is from Memphis, TN.. Home of the Peabody hotel. Most people haven't heard, but at the Peabody 5 ducks live on the roof and they have a duck master!

Every day at 11am the ducks come down the elevator and go on the red carpet and swim in the fountain.

At 5pm the ducks go back up the elevator to the top of the roof!!

Amazing really! A site to see! And, as a duck lover- I was soooooo happy!

Diners, Drive Ins and Dives

I'm a foodie. I love watching the show Diners, Drive ins and Dives. We have visited 6 now! I'll write more about those later.

But here is a dish inspired from one of the places I saw today on TV. There was a DDD marathon in today and I watched!

Recipe-
2 cans of refrigerated pizza dough
1 c mozarella cheese shredded
8 T blue cheese crumbles
1/2 c cheddar
10 slices fresh mozarella
2 cooked cubed chicken breasts
1/5 red onion diced
1 Roma tomato diced
5 slices crumbled cooked bacon
BBQ sauce- about 1/2 c
8 basil leaves chopped

Bake crust alone with evoo spread over til at 500 for 4 minutes, take out from oven.

Add all ingredients, with exception of basil leaves.

Bake at 400 until mozarella is browned, about 12 minutes, (I used broiler for last 3 minutes.)

Add chopped basil leave and slice into 10 square slices and enjoy!

New Years Eve Dinner

Happy 2012!

I got a Carrabbas's Italian Grill cookbook for Christmas, so I decided to try it out and make some Chicken Marsala and spaghetti with a tomato sauce for NYE dinner. The process took about 3 hours, but I made everything from scratch and it was delicious!

First you have to make a grill seasoning and grill baste. (both you can use later for future dinners!)

Next, start the tomato sauce and the Marsala sauce.


Last, cook the noodles and chicken and bring the whole meal together, yummmmmmm.