Holiday mood

Our tree is up and this year, we have lights on our balcony. Almost all of our packages and cards have gone out. Two out of my three batches of pralines turned out okay. I made a holiday craft inspired by Pinterest:

And we may have a problem:

Earlier this year, we decided that every year that we can afford it, we will participate in a Toy for Tots program. Last week, we set out to the store to pick up one item and came home with five.We hope that the stuffed animals will find a happy home and be a lifelong friend for a child in need.

Week in review

One day last week, I was asked how things were going by Dr. Kelly, to which I responded, swamped, overwhelmed, and exhausted but otherwise okay.
Things have been hectic to say the least around here - deadlines and teaching were taking up whole chunks of my time, plus we had a lab crisis, which got fixed. But I digress. So on Friday, after deadlines were met and teaching was done, Kellet picked me up and we hit the road to Mentone, Alabama for a girls getaway weekend. We were met by other members of book club and had a fabulous time. We cooked, drank, watched football, shopped, crafted and otherwise relaxed. As Kelly said, this was just what the doctor ordered. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures but Kelly did. Here's the link to her blog: http://hawkeyegirl.blogspot.com/
Kellet and I left early Sunday morning, and that night I made my mom-in-law's hashbrown casserole, which was divine.

Some things of note:
Happy Birthday to Stacy (Monday) and my former mentor, Bill (today).
Although I have published as KBL before, my latest paper as KBL now shows up in Pubmed.
My family's dog of 11 years, Kiara, passed away this week. She was such a sweet dog and will be missed. I was glad to see her in August. Her brother Keno wasn't immediately affected, but I have yet to talk to my parents.
My dad and mom have been married for 34 years, although I don't think they celebrated since that was the day Kiara "left us for the farm".
So far, I've visited two new places, Mentone and Summerville Georgia. Two out of three new places for the year should be good (I've traveled quite a bit this year but not to new places).  
Today was my last day of lecture for the year, although I have 2 more contact hours left for this week, which will bring me up to 19 contact hours this year. 
It was a cold and rainy weekend here, which might explain the return of sinus congestion, headaches, and general tiredness.

Things have yet to wind down, especially with crafts to be made and work but I'm looking forward to Christmas, which will be the first time in several years that it will be spent in Birmingham and/or without family.

 

Tasty Tuesday

In this edition of Tasty Tuesday, I also recap our Thanksgiving getaway.
We were fortunate to be able to go to Gulf Shores with our friend Colm for Thanksgiving, keeping up with the tradition of spending this holiday with friends. The three of us made it to the beach on Wednesday and we couldn't be happier with the condo rental. We had a great view of the beach right from the wrap around balcony. We had three flat screen TVs which meant that I could watch my girly shows while the men watched their shows. But I also made my first roasted turkey and Tom said it was delicious (Colm is vegetarian). We had way too much food but that mean we didn't have to cook for a few days. Days, which were filled with relaxing, eating walking on the beach, watching sunsets, and going to local favorites. We also managed a few snaps for a cute email Christmas card (now if I can only find time to put it together)On the drive home (which took us way longer than it should, oh holiday traffic), we stopped in the outlet mall in Foley and managed to get a a lot of our Christmas shopping done. We will miss you beach, but we will be back!

Here are some pictures:
Left to right (going clockwise), green bean with tomatoes, apple and craisins stuffing, cranberry sauce, broccoli gratin, roasted Brussels sprouts, wild rice salad, artichoke in bread bowl dip; in the oven: roasted potatoes, mushroom, gouda, and broccoli quiche, apple pie, pumpkin pie.

Snowy, the sandman

Sunset

Pool

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

Another year almost gone by. We were able to have two weddings and a trip to Mauritius this year, things that would not have been possible without an extremely supportive and loving husband, family, friends, and colleagues/boss. So today, as I gobble up my first Turkey, I will be thinking of all the significant people in my life and count my blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

Weekend in review

I feel so loved - I had a wonderful week and birthday celebration. Tom had a gift for me to open every day for the week.
On Thursday, my coworkers took me out for lunch at Newk's and we had red velvet cake at the lab.
Friday night, friends congregated to J.Clyde for a drink or two or six and dinner. It was so great to see everyone.
Saturday we went shopping for a few Christmas decor items. I can't wait to start decorating! 
Saturday night will be forever engraved in our minds and heart. Tom and I went to dinner at Hot and Hot Fish Club. One of our friends had said to sit at the Chef's table/bar and that's exactly what we did. Everything was out of this world, perfect food progression and wine pairings.

Sunday morning we got a bit fancy, maybe it was because we got all dressed up the night before. I attempted cinnamon rolls for the first time (unsuccessfully but I blame Tom, he was supposed to make them for me). We salvaged it and still ate the whole thing. I got out the fine china and the engraved flatware and serveware.

 
Then we had mimosas or sparkling cranberry juice (found at World Market, very delicious) all day.
I threw some honey garlic chicken in the crockpot and got a "the way that you make this chicken is my favorite" from Tom. I also cooked wild rice for the first time on the stove and it was very good. Tom suggested crispy okra, which we made in the oven and it turned out great as well.
It sure feels great to turn 25 again :)

Birthday happies!

It was a great birthday celebration week and it's not over (yet).
I have great colleagues, friends, and family. Feeling so much love!

Birthday cake at work

Flowers and champagne at home

Wordless Wesnesday

(right before leaving the house, we haven't adjusted the time from daylight savings, the overnight low was 26)

Kitchen happenings

Turkey bacon and Brussels Sprouts Fried Rice

Crockpot Pumpkin soup with a dollop of sour cream

Asian beef stir fry over rice noodles

Pork sirloin cutlets with asparagus and mushrooms, served with gravy and biscuit

Happy Halloween

This Halloween we have been pretty boring, but I give you this picture from the final Penthouse party in August, where Tom and I dressed like characters from Game of Thrones (it was very disturbing if you know who we are).

Finally Friday

If you know me, you know that I am not one to have only one focus. My latest non-science endeavor is joining the Junior Board of a local non-profit called GirlSpring Inc. - they recently got some much needed PR for their mentoring program called Dream Days. Other dream days have included spending a day with Chef Hastings (famous guy here in Bham), an architect, and Alabama Ballet. Kudos to Lauren, the executive director who works so hard to get all these events together.

http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2013/10/birmingham-based_girlspring_pr.html