Thanksgiving 2013

For Thanksgiving this year Nick & I hosted the grand feast.

About 8 of our good friends were going to be in town due to work.

This is the first Thanksgiving we have ever done. Overall I think it was a success. The food was phenomenal. Who knew a bunch of 20 something year olds knew how to cook.

Nick wasn't afraid to try to tackle a turkey. (He is the cook in the family, he get's that from his mom), I on the other hand have some learning to do. ;)

We soaked the turkey in an apple juice, garlic, salt brine. It was so good!

I had worked a night shift before thanksgiving, so i slept until about 3 pm on Thanksgiving. Nick got up early and played football with a group of about 14 guys. From what i hear it was pretty fun, but very cold out.

   ^^ it was delicious, moist and flavorful. Carving it was an adventure, thats all i will say about that ;)

                                                                      ^^ the ham carving the ham

The food was amazing. I would suggest for next year making half the amount, and not allowing everyone to cook their dish at our house. It was very chaotic (fun, but chaotic) I would heat the gravy, have to wash the pot, someone would boil their potatoes in it, then have to wash it again so that we could cook up the cream corn. or i guess i could invest in a few more pots & pans. We only had to reheat the squash once. Otherwise our timing was pretty good considering the situation.

                                                                       ^^ some egg nog to warm the soul


I have so much to be grateful for this year. No matter what your circumstance I hope you all can see the good in your life and appreciate that.

Breakfast Girl

Ever since I can remember breakfast has been my favorite meal. I really shouldn't even say breakfast, i should clarify and say "breakfast foods". I never have been, nor will i ever be a morning person.

Any time dawn or dusk I could go for a good eggs benedict, some sausage links, side of hash browns, homemade toast with homemade jelly. mmm

Thats just the food- lets talk beverages!

In my house we go through a gallon of milk in 3 days. (its just me and nick)

My favorite morning cocktails would be a bloody mary & mimosa's. (especially grapefruit mimosas)

best breakfast in MN,  Pats Tap

I don't think i will ever grow out of loving breakfast foods.

How is that for food for thought?

mmmm pancakes, waffles, pannekoeken's, crepes, donuts, muffins, oatmeal, yogurt parfaits.

It is almost midnight and all i am craving is some good crispy hash browns, and a farm fresh omlette.


maybe, hopefully i will dream about food tonight.

ps- i am very excited to be hosting my very first thanksgiving. I already have looked on youtube on "how to carve a turkey" [ this is going to be interesting]- wish me luck!

▲▲▲ November 2013 Vogue Italia : Ashleigh Good by Steven Meisel

This is a unique video by Vogue this month. I always like trying to analyze what the producer/director are trying to convey. What message are they trying to send? Or is it not a message at all, just pleasing for the human eye to watch and the ears to listen?

Happy Birthday Big Brother!

Today is my brother's birthday, I can't believe he is 25.

It's always crazy to think back to our childhood, how much fun we had, and how clear the memories still are.

I always wanted a sister growing up, but I have come to be so appreciative that I have an older brother.

Here are some old pictures from probably 1995ish. Having only one brother and being from a small town, we were pretty much best friends growing up, as we had no one else.

This did lead to lots of bickering and sibling arguments, which still sometimes happen to this day, but i wouldn't trade it for anything.

We still have a lot of fun together however, he travels a lot for his job and we live in different cities now.

It makes me cherish the time I do get to spend with him even more, now that it is not very often.

Happy Birthday Alex!

Finding Balance

Lately I've felt off balance.

My diet has been poor, I am emotionally stressed out, I don't exercise and now with the winter fast approaching I rarely leave my warm bed unless to watch television or work.

Today I found some clarity. I had a surge of motivation. I can't be like this anymore.

I have to start focusing on things I can control in my life. I can control my own actions and day to day choices. Sure bills, work, relationships and other normal life stresses will always be there, but I can't let them take over my life.

Photography, blogging, shopping, cooking and plain just getting ready with hair, make up and a cute outfit use to be daily things for me. Having hobbies felt good.

At some point you have to be selfish and put yourself first. My bad attitude was a burden to those around me and I could start to notice.

So today I took control of a few things that i could.

I went to the gym.

I cooked myself a nice dinner.

I painted my nails.

I am blogging.

I may have only done 15 minutes of cardio and a short ab work out, then I hit the pool and floated  aimlessly around. After relaxing myself in the pool, I sat in the hot tub and then the sauna. That is what i needed.

Easing back into a workout routine is not easy, and I feel like I have a lot mental struggles right now, so i was not in the mood to be pumping weights or doing cardio until i couldn't breathe.

Just allowing myself to do what my body wanted and finding peace of mind that knowing where I am at in life is ok.

Dungeons and Dragons

"Farrah" Elven Ranger, accompanied by "Hoyt" rabbit animal friend

I have recently started playing Dungeons and Dragons. I really am not sure how to describe it. It is one of the most complex, fascinating, magical games I've ever played.

There seems to be a completly different language to this game, which I am immersing myself into.

I love trying new things. This game is something I have wanted to play since I saw a 90's cartoon show "Recess" episode based on this game.

Its a nice break from reality. To truly know your character and act for him/her based upon her past life experiences. To interact with other people who are passionate about the game and their character is just inpiring. It really tests my creativness. I'm realizing I have lost a lot of.

Unfortunately life can harden a person, things seem pretty black &white, with some hues of grays.

I need to find color again.

I think it's all about who you play it with as well. I feel so lucky to have gotten in with a really fun group of guys.

Some say to find yourself, you have to lose yourself.

50 Years of love

This past weekend we celebrated my grandparents 50th Wedding Anniversary.

It was a wonderful day with family, good foods, and great laughs.

^ muah

I feel so blessed to have them as my grandparents. I can only imagine Nick and I in 49 more years.

Halloween 2013

Here are some photographs from Halloween this year!

We had a wonderful night with friends.

^^ pumpkins John & I carved

^^ White Swan & Batman

^^ boo blurry picture :(

Hope you all had a spook-tacular Halloween!