I really love the TV show Glee. Here they were the other night singing at the World Series. Wow!

Candy corn cupcakes... kind of

I was really excited to try a new recipe for candy corn cupcakes but as much as I tried to get them to work, they just didn't turn out as I had expected. Even though they did not look like I expect they tasted YUMMY!
I served them up for Audra's birthday but we didn't get a blog worthy picture of her with them and she would not be very happy with me if I posted a less than perfect picture of her, not that I can blame her. So you will have to use your imagination blowing out her candle.

Birthdays, wine & a party bus

Last week ago at this time I was on my way North in California to go wine tasting. We tried to leave South Bay at 9, but I think we were a little behind schedule. Beware, lots of pictures ahead!

Shannon, Aunt Diana & birthday girl Tami
Shannon, Tami & me
The Elder girls! Inside the party bus THE PARTY BUS!! Complete with a stripper pole in the middle My breakfast Cocktail :)Shannon & Aunt DianaThe soundmaster CarlAt the first tasting room - Kerry, me, Tabitha & Debbie

We stopped for lunch at Patrick's Side Street CafeKarl & Laura - they are getting married in May Carl & TamiSam & Krista - Sam's head was getting toastyTami & me The lawn ornaments Going into Bridlewood Me and Krista on our trek around the groundsSo pretty! Look at those vinesTori, Tami & Mary inside Bridlewoodme, Tami & Tori.. This was our last stop, for good reason :)Krista & MeTami & her beautiful momma!

Loving the lavender

Roaming around the grounds

Sam & Krista are so cute!

So cute -- JimmyMac & Mary

Perfect photo opt!Most of the girls The girls + Carl - what a lucky guy :)Just gorgeous!Now for the ride back... Everyone wants a turn on the pole :) JimmyMac got it warmed upDaniel gave it a whirlThe birthday girl was really good!Maybe this is where I got all my unexplained bruises... But hey my arms look good :)No we are not naked... Just tired No night is complete without a stop at In-N-Out.

Flashback for a week

One week ago today I whisked off to beautiful & sunny southern California. My cousin Tami & my birthdays are 9 years and 359 days apart. This year was a big year for our birthday's b/c I was turning 30 and she was turning 40. I had a bit of a flight delay on the way there, thanks to some frost on the plane, but I made it with little trouble only about an hour later than expected. As soon as I arrived we went to Burke Williams for some R & R. Talk about luxury... Steam room, sauna, mist room, and the best 80 minute massage, 80 minutes of pure heaven!
Here is Tami & I right after our session, enjoying the warm Southern California sun in buttercup, her VW convertible. We are blissfully happy. We were on the way to PF Changs for a late lunch courtesy of our Aunt Peggy's birthday money :)
That day/night Tami had no idea that her big birthday surprise was on the way. I love surprises. I love to get them and I love to be in on them. Her sister Shannon came up from San Diego and told her that her gift was in the back of her SUV and she had to come get it... Little did she know that it was her mom who flew in all the way from Colorado Springs. I love her reaction!
What an awesome birthday surprise!Check back for more Southern California pictures and stories :) There are many but I can't tell all my secrets...

Halloween treats!

With all my free time on my hands, that is sarcasim Sheldon, I made up some little treat bags for the girls at work. I hope they enjoy them tmrw. I also got a recipe for gooey cake batter cookies from my friend Erin, and they are tucked under everything.

Gooey Cake Batter Cookies
Ingredients:
One box of cake mix (your choice)
1 Pkg of softened cream cheese
1 cup of Softened butter
1 tsp of Vanilla
1 egg
Directions:
In bowl, whip cream cheese, butter, Vanilla and egg together. Add cake mix. Blend. I added fun halloween sprinkles to the mix
Mixture is thick and gooey. Be prepared to lick the batter off your fingers.
Place on cookie sheet with average sized spoon (cookies will not expand much in oven)
Bake at 350 degrees for 10-13 minutes (until barely browning at the edges). The less time they bake, the more gooey the results.

Happy Birthday Audra!

Just wanted to wish one of my best friends a very happy 30th birthday. I am "stuck" in CA still and do not have access to pictures. I will complete this post once I get home. Enjoy your day Audra. Love you!

Look at my wittle baby brother :)

This past week my baby brother had his senior pictures taken by one of my bestest friends and awesome photographer, Laura. I can't believe he is a senior in high school and graduating in May! I bet my parents are freaking out as well :) Last one to leave the nest, and of course the one that gave them the most gray hairs... Check out the sneak peek on Laura's blog HERE!

Birthday Surprises

A week ago I was no where ready to say I am 30... THIRTY. Sounds like a huge milestone. But after actually turning 30 I would have to say it is liberating. Finally. It is certainly is a new decade and a new milestone. So lucky to have such a great job, great place to live, great friends and great family. And today was no different in helping to remind me of that.

I started my morning (it was my day off) with some steaming hot coffee & the Today Show. I went to the gym and had a workout session with my personal trainer Abigail, which I really enjoy, even when I can't lift my arms anymore. After that I had a nice lunch from The Palace in Aggieville, then headed to the salon to have my hair cut & highlighted. It was there that I received my first birthday surprise. Flowers! My stylist is the daughter of my office manager, Mary, who made sure these flowers, lilies are my favorite, were there for me. Thank you so much Mary! I love them and they smell amazing!
I was suppose to go to dinner with my Aunt Peggy. She was going to meet me at my house after work. But when I opened my door I saw 3 of my best friends waiting with cameras in hand to surprise me and take me out to dinner. I will post those pictures later. It was a huge surprise since they drove 2.5 hours away. We went to my favorite place in Manhattan, Coco Bolos.

Here is Audra & Laura
And Me (with my new hair) & Megan After dinner we went back to my place for mini ice cream cakes. Thank you everyone for the awesome birthday wishes! I am such a lucky girl to have so much love and support in my life. 30 is going to be GREAT!