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Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Next. Big. Thing.

So this has sort of turned into a new tradition. By tradition I mean we have gone one other time the year before last....But still a tradition is what you say it is and I hearby declare...TRADITION! For any of you who don't know what next big thing is...I'm sorry...just kidding...it's a bunch of bands that are up and coming..mixed with a few who have already hit it big, and it's just a day full of awesome (and sometimes not so awesome, but mostly awesome) music, food, booze, free crap and fun! Oh and a literal shit ton (sorry mom) of porto-potties...seriously there was a mile long row of them..not that I'm complaining.
 
The Lineup:
Young Rising Sons
Bear Hands
Big Data
J. Roddy Walston & the Business
New Politics
The Dirty Heads
alt-J
Young the Giant (best band ever)
Fallout Boy
 
Who we saw:
The Dirty Heads
alt-J (loved them...definitely unique sounding)
Young the Giant (AMAZE-BALLS)
Fallout Boy (what you would expect....terrific)
 
Here's a little photo journal of our day:
 
A little beer and food at my fave St Pete spot
Just Beer. Good salty beer, that's right I said salty...google the Gose beer...
 
Some smoked Mahi Mahi dip, it was delicious, says Chase, take his word..I am new at seafood
My sister-in-law Kara and her husband Bret
Yum just Yum!
Watch out for the local witches..
Why are there mirrors on the ceiling? Ooooh lets take a pic!
 
Pulled pork, it was meh..hate to say it, but I have had better..
Cheddar and Jalapeno grits...delish!
This little guy thought so too!
The Vinoy
Vinoy Park...it starts
Some idiots jumped in and these nice people are fishing them out..
Aww so nice and not disgustingly sweaty yet..
Cheese!
My favorite pic of the day!
Boy selfie..belfie!
Group selfie..gelfie!
YAY WE GOT FREE GLOWING STICKS
BEER
MORE BEER
 
AND EVEN MORE
Drop it...Drop it Chase..Good boy!
He looks like Beaker
 
That bitch.
Just Chase establishing boundaries...
 
I think it is safe to say that a good time was had by all..to many many more years and to The Next Big Thing :)
A.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Monday, December 8, 2014

Let's Break the Feast!

If you can't tell, I am on a Pioneer Woman rampage lately and I have no plans of stopping anytime soon! I seriously read her blog like it's a novel because well she is hilarious and ingenious. Yesterday before hitting up the grocery store I was thinking I wanted to do something different from the normal frittata that I make for us for the week, so obviously my brain said "PIONEER WOMAN!' So I hopped on the computer and typed "breakfast" into www.thepioneerwoman.com, and as I had hoped tons of delicious recipes were right before my eyes. I settled on the "Baked Cinnamon French Toast," after much debate and scrutiny, and I am happy I did. It was delicious and she even recommends making it the night before which is the best! Here is the recipe, enjoy!


A.
 
 
 

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

A Coyote, a Dylan and the Devil

As the title so clearly explains, this post is about my three cousins, Dakota, Dylan and Devin :)
Had an impromptu visit from these three goons last night, and well it was a blast! Chase had them all pitching in to help make dinner, and in the chaos, I found an unknown stash of Christmas spirit that had been in hiding. Watching these three boys grow up has been such a joy to be apart of, even through all of the teen and tween 'tudes, the 5:00 am wake ups after an all night Nintendo fest and the World War 3 worthy tantrums involving vegges and anything not peanut butter or cereal..I love these three hellions and I am so proud of the type of person they are each growing into. (Does that make sense? You know what I am trying to say....)



Don't mind the sexy apron..doesn't actually show anything I promise and although looking like a 5 year old, he is actually 11 (we are convinced he's a vampire)
Happy Tuesday!
A.
 
 

Monday, December 1, 2014

Thanksgiving Re-cap

Well Thanksgiving has come and passed and I am only slightly depressed :( We had such a great weekend with family that the Monday blues were certainly in attendance this morning. The upside is that Christmas is right around the corner and after this weekend we are pretty much ready for it. Well, all except for shopping haha! Here's a zoom through of our Thanksgiving festivities...
 
Thanksgiving Eve consisted of last minute cleaning and getting everything that could be prepared ahead of time done. This included...CINNAMON ROLLS! Ok I get excited because they really are pretty delicious and don't tell anyone but I kind of enjoy making them....
 
 



Another dish I was able to make ahead of time was the "Sleepin In Omelette" from the Pioneer Woman blog.

 Don't mind the "holiday cheer"...it was a long night..gotta do what ya gotta do :)
Yes this is like 5 pounds of butter and another 5 pounds of cream cheese but it's worth every miserable calorie!

 
The last thing I prepared ahead of time was some crock pot breakfast potatoes..
 

This was a simple concoction consisting of crumbly bacon, cheddar cheese, seasonings, potatoes...rinse and repeat!
 
Thanksgiving Day:Aaaaah the big day is here, we woke up (waaayyy too early) Chase ran around putting the house back together (the night before he cleaned the carpets and couch..yay for an awesome husband!) I started the mayhem that is breakfast...Somehow it all was ready (slightly later than we planned..) around the same time and we all just lounged in our required pj attire and enjoyed some good food, the Macy's day parade and just the company of family..

Photo-bombed by the brother!

This is Chase attempting seduction via yogurt strawberries....

But seriously they looked so legit and tasted delicious!
 
After eating wwaaaayyyy too much we all just layed around like slugs...even the dogs!

 
Meet Wyatt...the most spoiled dog there is!
 
Then comes Thanksgiving Dinner at my Aunt Doris's...Now this is no lauging matter...25 people later and the use of a lazer level to ensure perfect plate/napkin placement and you have one heck of a shindig! Let me give you a quick overview...BEST SANGRIA EVER! Along with two different stuffings, my absolute favorite sweet potato casserole, flan, cuban coffee and hilarious conversations...oh and TURKEY! :)
 
Lookin spiffy!

My contribution to dinner...Skillet Pecan Pie..yum!
 
Black Friday!!!
We headed back to the house with the 'rents and my brother and attempted an all night movie marathon (which for me was 1/4 of a movie) Got up around 4:45am to the annoyingly cheerful sound of Chase bopping around the house and headed out to hunt down some treasures...
 
  Tony passed out in "the most amazing chair in the world" (Brookstone)
 
This is what a 52" tv, a brother, a mom a me and a chase look like crammed into a Ford Escape...
The Inventory:
Mom: crockpot
Brother: 52" tv, weird tracksuit, google chromecast
Chase and I: Sleep number bed!!!! steam mop, video games
Not Too Shabby!

Saturday and Sunday we lounged around, watched the Iron Bowl game (Alabama kicked ass) and then some NFL sunday (I don't care about this anymore because my fantasy team is not in the playoffs...) We also got and decorated our tree...

This reminded me of a movie... 
Aaaah yes this movie....
 
The end result...I love Frasier (our tree's name)
 
This is Wyatt helping me with popcorn garland...why so serious? :)
The End!
I hope you all had a fantastic and relaxing long weekend with loved ones...On to Christmas :)