Post Holiday Weekend

Back from a little more than 48 hours of fun in Minnesota with friends and family.  Here is how the excitement worked out:

Stayed with Mom & Dad
Lunch with Fun Amy at Big Bowl
Delivery Pizza Luce with Andi, Mark & Noah
Breakfast with Eve & Erica at Jensen's
Lunch at Mill Valley Kitchen with Grandma, Mom, Kathie & Carrie
Apps & cocktails with Sue, Kelsey & Maggie at Cafe Maude
More cocktails with the 4 above plus Brian & Katie
Brunch at Emily's shower
Last dinner with Jen at Granite City

Do you see a theme here? Food & friends. Lots of each.  Oh- I did see Kari for 30 mins and Shannon for about 20 mins without food (well, does the produce department at Target count?)

Good news is I did work out Sunday morning, while Mom  chatted with me, to work some of it off.  Super great time seeing everyone and catching up after the holidays.  And Minnesota weather cooperated. That is rare.

Lucky to have the frequent flier miles.  Luckier to have such great people in my life.
Pictures will be posted soon!

Post Holiday Celebration

You know how there is often a big let-down after Christmas & New Years?  Not here! Taking the red-eye tonight to spend 3 days in MN to hang out with family and friends.  How fun!

After a little sleep and work, let the excitement begin....

Lunch and dinner with various good friends the first day
Breakfast with the girls Saturday morning, a cousin's lunch and cocktails of some sort that evening
Some exercise, a tad more Mom & Dad time, a baby shower and ending with one more friend's dinner
Sprinkle in a little snow, shopping & sipping (wine, that is)
Back home Sunday night

2.5 days (.5 due to work and sleep)- opportunity to see over 10 friends and family members.  Not bad..  Lots to accomplish.  Fabulous people to see.

Giggling infants to visit, babies on the way, favorite restaurants that I have missed, gossip & stories- it's all anticipated.  Now just trying to stay awake before I head to the airport....

Have a fabulous weekend- see ya next week with more updates.

Happy New Year!

Happy 2013 Blog-land!

The new year is here and I am anticipating a great one!  Move on from 2012 and bring on a prosperous 2013.
As I have said before, I do not do resolutions- they simply set you up for failure.  Therefore, just a few focuses on how to live life in the new year:

6 things for 2013 focus for me- 4 that I will talk about and 2 are just for me and God (and I discuss with Casey kitty too)- plus, they are about others and not me- not fair to share.

* Continue a healthy lifestyle- exercise, sleep, vitamins, relaxation, eat healthy and treat myself from time to time
* Love what I do for a living- whether it's my current job or a different one, only do something I love for work
* Plan fun adventures with people I love all year long- vacations, weekends away, trying new things....
* Home Improvements- update and fix things that have been "on the list" in both San Fran and Park City homes

That is all.  Not "stop smoking" (I don't smoke) or "loose weight" (again, failure- just live healthy).

I feel like 2013 WILL be lucky 13, but as always, it's what you make it.
Starting with:
Just got back from a long walk (healthy)
Excited for work this week (work)
Sundance in 2 weeks! (fun)

Way to go 2013!

A Few Things to End the Year

Happy New Year's Eve!
Plans here are Maple Pork & sweet potatoes (attempting a new recipe), movie and sparkling wine. Low key is best.  Welcome 2013.

Just a few random thoughts to end the year...

I admit,  I think the new TBS show "The Wedding Band" is pretty comical.  Not sure what to think about Brian Austin Green's eyeliner, but whatever.  Makes me giggle.

A few days into my new Christmas gift, I am obsessed with my "FitBit" to track my steps.  Get one.  It's fun.

I am also obsessed with "Fashion Police" on E!  Joan Rivers drives me crazy, but she is funny and the others are adorable.  I don't always agree with their fashion advice, but it's incredibly addictive.

What I do NOT need to be in love with, but unfortunately I am... "Nothing Bundt Cakes".... If you have one near year, check out the mini.  So tasty.  Scrumptious!  Lots of fun flavors to try.

I learned from Pinterest how to dry strawberries in the oven. Huh. Not bad. Taste kinda like red licorice.  Imagine that.  3 hours at 201 degrees.

A girl should buy herself fresh flowers often. I did just that today. Tulips. Happy New Year's Eve to me.

That's all for the end of 2012.  Watch the ball drop tonight and cheers to all.

Christmas Loot

Between Mom & Dad who still utterly spoil their 40 year old daughter (not complaining) and my work team, I am one lucky girl when it comes to Christmas gifts. Here is a recap of this year's haul:

Mini-Keurig coffee maker (finally!)- plus the cup to add my own coffee and avoid waste
The last of my Tiffany charms- bracelet is now full- thanks to the flip-flop (great choices Mom!)
Sex & the City shoe ornaments and martini glasses (this will be fun!)
Funky Betsy Johnson watch (it pays to compliment others)
FitBit (got these for Mom & Dad too- great to monitor steps!)
Books and movies
Omaha steaks (these are yummy!)
Lots of gift cards (all WILL be used)
Aveda products

No returns. Everything perfect.  Wow- I sure am lucky.  Christmas is more about the time with family and friends- the spirit of the holidays- but the gifts sure are fun too!
And I loved giving them as well- the giving is almost more fun.

Cozy Sunday- Time to enjoy some coffee, check my steps on my FitBit, watch a new DVD and relax with an Aveda mask :)
Ho Ho Ho!

Merry Christmas (post) and Happy New Year (pre)!!!

I think I was a good girl this year, but according to my blog, I was a bad girl recently.  No post for over 1 month.  My excuse this time is holiday in retail. Work, work, work.

Thanksgiving came and went.  Made my very first turkey ever. It was a success.  At least I liked it :) Went for the 17 pound organic grass fed.  Worth it, I believe.  Had a nice day with the Lil' Brother.
December was very busy with work travel and prepping for Christmas.  About 12 nights in hotels and many short flights.  Busy, busy.  All good on that front.

Very excited for Mom & Dad to visit for 5 days for Christmas. It was perfect- family time for the holidays the way is should be. No snow, but we loved being together in the Bay area.
Relaxation
Food
Wine
Egg Nog
More Food
Movies
Gifts
Games
More Food
More gifts
Yes, I am very, very spoiled.

A few others December highlights for this girl:

A snowy weekend in Park City (so pretty & serene)
Seeing a movie "Silver Linings Playbook" with a girlfriend (good)
Donny & Marie Christmas Concert (no, that is not a joke)
Hair cut & colored darker for the winter (ladies, you know this is a highlight!)

That about does it. Ready for the New Year to be here.  2013 sure to bring lots of sparkle.
More to come, friends.....
Ta Ta.

Grocery Obsession

I know this is a strange thing to have an obsession with, but I truly think I have become addicted to trying different grocery stores.

Whole Foods- for great produce, cheese, meat, soups, nuts, tapioca pudding, desserts, etc.
Trader Joe's- for some unique items- many of them organic and frozen
Sprouts- produce, bakery goods, dry goods
Safeway- for the staples and basics
Lunardi's- many of the above thrown in

Did I mention I also love Farmer's Markets?  A few good ones in Northern Cal. 
I have been to 3 of the 4 above in the past 3 days. Just checking in to see what they goods are- and if I should try anything new.  As I said, strange obsession.

Just now at Sprouts, it was organic green beans, Turkish dry apricots (to go with the cheese I bought at Whole Foods yesterday), pumpkin loaf and onions for Thanksgiving stuffing.  Weird- I know, but fun.  I also find it comforting to pop in a pick up a few things- versus heavy loads of groceries all at once.

I guess if this is one of my worst habits, I could do worse.....

Preparing for Thanksgiving Dinner

This will be the very first Thanksgiving feast I prepare on my very own (yes, I am 40 years old, but I have many excuses- I have always worked in retail, others always cook, etc.).  So this is a big one.

Here is what I am thinking:

Ordered a nice, fresh, organic, free-range turkey. Yes, I know to remove the giblets and such from inside before I cook it.
I also ordered a pumpkin and amaretto cake. Yum.
I love cranberry sauce from the can- that is what I am sticking with.
I am excited to make some "veggie concoctions"- things with green beans, almonds and such.  This is where my creativity will come into play. Yeah!
My mashed potatoes will NOT have lumps.
My gravy will NOT be as good as Dad's. Deal with it.
My stuffing WILL be as good as Dad's (I hope). Because he will teach me how.
Jarrod will get to pick what kind of warm, tasty bread-like thing I make.  That will be fun too.

Most important, I can do it and there will be leftovers for days.  That is key.

Dinner will be served around.... oh let's 3PM or so.  Retail still. Must work that night.
Now, what about Christmas dinner..... Hmmmmm

Relaxation Does A Body Good

You can tell it's retail holiday time... I slept for over 9 hours last night and I still feel sleepy/lazy today (I'm sure the half a bottle of wine I downed before bed may have something to do with it too!)

Nothing very exciting to share these days because work consumes my time, but I can ALWAYS find some fun and thrilling stuff out there..... that is what life is all about.

A little more winery fun was had.  If you have not visited Acorn winery, I would recommend it. By appointment only, but great- and super friendly folks. 

Halloween was lackluster for me as I sat in a hotel working.  But it was fun to see all the kiddie pics from friends on Facebook.  Oh- and I ate a few bites of chocolate cake with my soup & salad for my celebration :)

Feeling so bad for the folks who were devastated by Sandy on the East coast.  I watched the tribute last night- Go Jon Bon Jovi!- and donated to help. How awful.  So glad all my East coast buddies are ok.

Loving putting the Summer wardrobe away and pulling out my fave jeans and boots.  So worth the cool weather.  And a good time to shop for more!

Another good thing about relaxing weekends..... facial, pedicure and massage.... ahhhh.... that's all.

New England Vacation

Wow- can you tell I have been busy (work)!? I have not posted for 1 month. Granted, 1 week of that month I was on vacation.  Here are some of the fabulous photos.

No particular order- just random of Peggy, Amy and Dottie in Boston, Concord, Cape Cod, Nantucket, Providence, Newport and Manhattan. So fun!

Mom on Broadway!

Mom & me at the Old North Bridge monument

Mom & her gourmet hot cocoa

Mom & me on Nantucket



Amy & me on Nantucket



Preparing for our Broadway show!

Jammies, TV & room service!

I'm joining the cast of "Twlight"!



Mom & her "Today Show" guys





 And we are ready to begin vacation....