Over Christmas Hiatus

I had very good intentions of blogging over Christmas vacation. You know what they say about good intentions.

Hanging out with this guy won over. He has relaxing down to a science, and I was happy to be his student. Only a few pouts when USPS/FedEx/UPS over promised and under delivered on his Christmas presents. You know what they say about promising and delivering.

Ironically, (most) of my presents came on time. One of my favorite: a next best thing to gel nail polish. More to come on that. The nail polish is good, but no one promised I can paint nails better than a 5 year old. Maybe a skill I will work on in the new year. With all my free time.

A sweet friend sent these, and Oh. My. Gosh. If I wasn't jealous of everyone that lived close to a Trader Joe's, I am now. They were a huge hit at our house.

We didn't let the season go by without our annual Christmas Eve Eve Chinese food and Christmas Vacation tradition. Up to bat this year: Sesame Chicken with stir fry veggies and brown rice. Topped off with eggnog and chocolate chocolate chip cookies (more on those later as well).

I had a nice view from the couch.

Just the next night we managed to find the Griswolds in our town. My camera couldn't even capture it all. I should have employed the panoramic feature, but I was too in awe, and curious as to their power bill.

Christmas morning brought gifts for everyone. Except Namath. It really was so sad. Thankfully, the grandparents came to the rescue with his very own deer antler. Yes, we live in Alabama.

I bought some more nail polish.

Namath got a closer look at the Pioneer Woman's dogs. He was not a fan. Clearly he hasn't had her cinnamon rolls.

We joined Prime and haven't looked back. I made good use of my one month free and shipped as much stuff as I could. Anything you order off Prime I'm not thinking about?

A Little Friday Q&A

Today I'm breaking away from the Friday Five brain dump to do a little Q&A with The Williams....

1. What is your favorite recipe?

It's hard to beat a good soup in the crock pot. White Chicken Chili or Taco Soup. I'm just waiting on the slightest change in temperature to take the plunge. Shredding your chicken in the Kitchen Aid mixer makes the White Chicken Chili, if you ask me. Which hey, you did!

A few key ingredients

2. What is your favorite hair product?

I've blogged about this recently, but right now I'm loving the Kenra Blow Dry Spray.

I love this too - and didn't realize how much until I ran out and my roots came running in. Yikes. This stuff is a lifesaver. I'll be picking up a can this weekend to get through to my next highlighting appointment.

3. What is the best vacation you have been on?

Hands down, Greece. Not only was it beautiful, it was the longest vacation I've ever taken, we were iPhone free and able to totally unplug. Plus, the food was amazing.

4. Tell us your favorite meal? 

Mexican, easy! I often take pictures of my Mexican because it's just that good it should be shared with a photo. A Chille Relleno (not fried, which is hard to find) and a quesadilla can make everything ok.

5.  Dream job?

I like my job pretty well right now. But I guess if I was choosing something as a total dream, could I review spas? I would be very thorough.

6. Christmas or Thanksgiving? 

I love them both, but I think overall, I like Christmas better. It's a true season, and I love decorating and all the time with friends and family. Last year was the first year in our house and I loved getting to decorate. 

7. Favorite clothes store? 

TJ Maxx for sure. I love finding a good bargain, and it seems there is always ones to be found, if you're willing to search around. I have to be in the mood, but some of my favorite things are from TJ!

8. What is your favorite Football team and do you have any traditions on game day? 

If you read my blog for any amount of time in the Fall, this is an easy one - Alabama! We are having quite the run right now, so the past few years have been super fun. We love having people over to watch, and make it down a couple times a year to Tuscaloosa to tailgate with friends.

Pivotal moment in last years heart stopper with LSU.

Namath enjoys the festivities too. 

Football season has great food. One of my favorite go to sites for a new dip - Plain Chicken.

9. Favorite TV Show?

I watch entirely too much TV. At least I recognize the problem. But if we're talking about shows I like to watch live and can't stand to miss, I would go with Dexter, Homeland and Parenthood.

10. DIY or buy everything? 

I like to think I'm crafty, and I've made a few DIY items. But for the most part, I buy. A few Pinterest inspired items as of late -

I think that ends this portion of our Q&A, and my brain already feels lighter on this Friday. Happy weekend, friends!

Vacation All I Ever Wanted

Let me just say to start off, there's nothing better to me than a beach vacation. Just the mere act of packing to head south puts me in great spirits. 

I might have gotten overambitious on the book packing. But, who knows what you will be in the mood to read? Turns out, it was psychological thriller, and I had my bases covered. 

I was sad Namath couldn't come with, but it was a strict No Dogs Allowed policy at the condo we stayed at this year. He didn't look too sad to be heading to "camp". Tip: If you're boarding your dog at a vet, if you choose one where he hasn't had his leg sliced open and put back together in the past year, he's in much better spirits. 

He loves going to the vet near Matt's parents, and they treat him like one of the office staff. I'm pretty sure he's been sitting at the front desk 9 of the past 10 times we've picked him up.

After a stop at Starbucks, the BP in Georgiana for Laffy Taffy and Sour Punch Straws, and Arby's for some lunch, the first site of the beach was a sight for sore eyes, and a belly full of sugar. 

I was just discussing with someone, "What ever happened to Kate Gosselin?" Unfortunately, I'm not kidding. Fortunately, People heard my cry, and answered with this issue, which I snapped up at the local Publix.

Much like last year, frozen drinks before 10. Unlike last year, mine was sans alcohol.

Matt was such a gentleman and took up the slack for all my water drinking.

The wait for a table at Stinky's Fish Camp was worth it...I think we got the best seat in the house.

It rained a bit Friday, but it was the perfect opportunity to come inside, read a few pages and take a nap. It cleared up and we were rewarded with this beautiful sunset.

Matt rewarded me with bacon and cheddar cheeseburgers and zesty fries. Zesty fries just take me back to my childhood.

Saturday night, we met some friends for drinks before dinner. I gave in to the O'Douls. I couldn't stand another fruity mocktail. It wasn't terrible, even if ordering was a little embarrassing.

Scenes from the Gulf. The water wasn't very clear...it was my only disappointment. It was so, so nice to get away and enjoy each other's company and some quiet.

It should be noted here in writing what a gem I married. He waited on me hand and foot the whole trip - cooked breakfast every morning, made me a separate pot of decaf coffee, fixed it and brought it to me while I layed on the couch watching the Today show, cleaned up breakfast, did every single dish the whole trip, and cooked dinner one night, and assured me I did in fact look pregnant, not fat in my bikini. Not to mention lugging everything down to the beach and back every day. Sunburst and I are lucky to call him ours.

This about sums it up - my happy place.

We were all worn out by last night. Namath begged to go in his crate this morning after his walk. I put the fan in his room and he was snoring in no time.

In the spirit of a good attitude, if every week were vacation, we wouldn't enjoy it nearly as much, right? Thankful for the time to get away and relax. Onward to the long holiday weekend....

Beach Read Help

We are headed down to my most favorite place in all the world soon and I need some good books to read while my toes are in the sand, mocktail in hand.

Last year, we took Grizz. He was mere weeks post ACL surgery, and I couldn't bear to board him. He loved it. I'm very sad we aren't able to take him this year.

 All that to say, what have been your favorite reads this summer? I feel like I should read something about newborn care, or something, so we know what to do with this baby come February, but some mindless reads would be welcome and much more beachy.

Bueller? Bueller?

Chicago - Day Three - Take Me Out to the Ballgame

One of the things MS was most excited about was going to the Cubs game/seeing Wrigley Field. Like a good wife, I went along, and like a smart wife, I bargained for some shopping time at H&M.

First, Wrigleyville.

We had to eat at the Houndstooth, being Alabama fans and all.

We won't talk about the fact that our waitress didn't know what a yellowhammer was. Sigh.

 Me and MS, and an action shot of a local runner. Just keeping it real. Yes, MS is wasting away.

 They did figure out what a yellowhammer was, luckily, since that was MS' drink of choice. I documented mid-sentence. I take those liberties as blog writer.

  A collage - aka I'm trying to figure out Picasa.

 I wore the closest I could to Cubs colors. I may should have accessorized with some red. Hindsight is 20/20. We sat in the outfield bleachers, because you are supposed to for the experience. It was a great view, but got a little warm.

View of the skyline from the bleachers.

Deep thoughts on beer number two, or three.

  A quick snapshot of our hotel between stores.

I promised I would be back to the Hershey store for this smore treat. It was worth every calorie.

We had a great time in the Windy City and would definitely go back - if for no other reason than the food. If you get a chance to visit, pack your stretchy pants and jump on a plane.