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....





 

Fall 2012 TV

Sooooo excited!  It's that time again:  FALL TV LINE-UP 2012!!!

Every year, I get excited for the new shows.... even though less than 1/2 of them stick around....
Let's just get to it-  my 8 top choices for new shows this year:

1- Mob Doc
2- Partners
3- Go On
4- The New Normal
5- 666 Park
6- Nashville
7- Emily Owens MD
8- Made in Jersey

I admit, nothing smashing or any really great hits (like Revenge and Scandal from last year!), but some fun options thrown in there.

Mob Doc- I love Jordan Spiro from an old fave- "My Boys" (RIP)
Partners- Sophia Bush moving on from "One Tree Hill" (also RIP)
Go On- Anything with Matthew Perry is good with me (nothing has stuck since "Friends")
Normal- Getting the most hype- banned in Utah!
Emily Owens- I really like Meryl Streep's daughter Mamy Gummer- although her pilots never seem to stick


Looks like most start on the 11th- soon!
And I would be remiss if I did not mention the return if some goodies this year (along with Revenge & Scandal)..... just to name a few:

2 Broke Girls
Parenthood
New Girl
Modern Family
Hart of Dixie
Good Wife
Up All Night
Big Bang Theory

Thank you, thank you, thank you.... DVR!!!!  Love, love, love my TV!!!
Oh- and the Emmy's September 23!

PARK CITY!!!!

Whenever people find out I own a (small second) home in Park City, they always ask if I ski.  And the answer is always no.  I started to love Park City because of the Sundance Film Festival held every January (which of course is still the main reason!), but over the past 3 years, I have come to love so much more.  I had one of the best weekends here last week and I was just thinking about what I truly love about it here:

PARK CITY!!!

In the Summer....

Sunshine and mountain air
Sushi  and martinis outdoors at Blind Dog (although I do miss the fondue from the winter)
Hot air balloons that lift up outside my window in the morning (like right now!)
Park City has a Whole Foods
Silver Mountain Gym & Spa with a fab outdoor pool and BBQ (love that smell while at the pool!)
Vanessa who does my luxurious facials at Silver Mountain
A great outlet mall
A Massage Envy
Kneaders for delicious soups, salads, sandwiches, breads, desserts....
Rides and fun at Park City Mountain Resort
Many hiking trails
Chipmunks and cute little critters everywhere
Park Silly Market every Sunday
Main Street Trolley
A do-it-yourself recycling center that make you feel like your are saving the planet one piece at a time
Many Summer concerts (although no Goo Goo Dolls this year..... sad)
Shopping on Main Street when it's warm.... and ending with Java Cow ice cream- yum!
Outdoor eating on Main Street on the temporary outdoor patios they set-up on the street
Art Fairs every once and awhile

Ok, I think that's plenty. I simply love it here.  Cannot get enough of it.  Guess it's good I bought a place here:)
Thanks Park City, Utah for making me smile every time I take the exit off of I-80.

If You're Happy And You Know It....

Clap your hands.... I know

But that's not what I am talking about today.  Talking about being happy and what makes you happy. I know I am kind of a dork, but I keep lists of everything.  To-do list, budget list, medical check-ups, friends I need to see/call, places I want to visit, movies I want to see.... pretty much everything.

2 of my my favorites- I track days I exercise and days I am happy. Of course, there is a correlation.  Usually days I work out, I am happy. Imagine that.  And when I get enough sleep. And when I eat healthy.  Just the way it is.

I was thinking about this because someone asked me what the "smiley faces" were on the upper right hand corner of my Franklin organizer pages (yes, I still use a paper organizer- can't function without it- can't use the electronic version that I should these days- paper still works for me).  That is how I "list" my good and bad days.  Smiley faces for the good days and frowny faces for the  days that were not that great or just down right horrible. 

The good news is, there always seem to be a ton more smiley faces than frowny faces.  I would say, on average, about 2-3 frowny faces a month.  Good news- it's August 26th and zero frowny faces in 26 days- that is a very good thing.  I have also exercised 18 days thus far this month. Another good thing.

The point is, we create our own happiness.  Yep, there are some things we cannot control, but for the most part, we make the decisions that create our mood, our happiness in life.  I guess I just choose to be happy.  As much as I can.  Music, movies, sunshine, my kitty, wine... all that helps too.

If you're happy and you know stomp your feet!!!! :)