Happy Monday!

Happy Monday to everyone out there. Although for some (my husband included) today was not a happy Monday. The Steelers did not win the superbowl last night so it was somber in our household last night. We had some friends over to watch the game and we all had a great time...minus the loss.

Although I am a bit tired today I am very excited at the same time, for many reasons.
1. It is a short week for me. Meaning this is my Friday off
2. We have booked a trip with some friends to Mexico!!! (yeah for some sun)
3. My parents are visiting this weekend. (we will be having a belated bday celebration for Mike).
4. The days are getting closer as to when I can see my sister. ( I talked to her today and can't wait to give her a big hug)

So yes it is Monday but I am very happy. Did you all have a good weekend?

Thankful

I am so thankful to have such wonderful friends in my life. I cherish all the friendships that I have and don't know what I would do without some of my girlfriends. My besties have gotten me through some hard times in my life and I am a better person because of them. I value everything about the word friendship. I think when you have a best friend you take an oath similar to marriage. To be there through good times and bad, through all the tears and laughter, the fights and hugs, and most of all just being who you are. If you look up friendship in the dictionary some of the synonyms are; harmony, accord, understanding, and rapport. I think harmony and understanding are my two favorite words there.

So thank you to all my friends out there who have supported me when I needed you the most, listened to me when I needed a friend, let me cry, gave me hugs, and shared my laughter. I love you all and would not be who I am today without you.

The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch swing with, never say a word, then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation that you ever had.

Football Sundays

With all this cold weather we have been subjected to, it has been nice to have some football to watch. Last weekend we spent the better part of the weekend watching the games on Saturday and Sunday. We had some friends over on Saturday and then Sunday went to another friends house. I loved every part of the weekend- spending the day in sweats, hanging out with good friends, watching the games, and eating good food. I have tried a couple new recipes over the last few weeks but I have been totally slacking in sharing them with you. I promise I will catch up one day.

But today there is a HUGE game on this afternoon. Steelers will decide their superbowl fate this afternoon. We are headed to a friends house to watch the game. But what would football be without sausage dip and amazing chocolate/peanut butter cookies. I decided to try 2 new recipes again this weekend (last weekend I tried 2 new ones as well) and wanted to share one of them with you. I had not baked in a while so along with the sausage dip I found a recipe for Salted Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies. The double in front of chocolate sold me on the cookies. I do like peanut butter but I wouldn't call myself a PB lover like most do. Mike does love PB so I thought these cookies would be perfect.

I put the recipe below and here are some pics of the cookies. Let me warn you these are HUGE cookies but so delicious!! How can you go wrong when you have chocolate chips, coco powder, PB, and peanuts?? The dough was so easy to work with and I loved every part of these cookies. I will let you know how the gang likes them later. Until then GO STEELERS!!!

Salted Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Yield: 16 to 18 large cookies

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Bake Time: 12 minutes

1¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup (4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ cup creamy peanut butter
2/3 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup peanuts
Coarse salt for sprinkling

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

2. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.

3. Beat together the butter, peanut butter and both sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping the bowl as needed. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract. Scrape the bowl. Add the dry ingredients and mix on low until just combined. Using a rubber spatula, stir in the chocolate chips and peanuts.

4. Drop by two heaping tablespoonfuls of dough, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart. Sprinkle a small pinch of coarse salt on top of each cookie. Bake for about 12 minutes, or until the outside of the cookies are set but the middles are still a little soft. Cool cookies on the baking sheets. Store in an airtight container.

Happy 2011

HAPPY 2011!!

Wow….already January 11^th I can’t even believe it. The time flew by so fast. I am sure by now everyone has made all their new years resolutions to eat better, workout more, volunteer, be a better person….you know the usual. I personally don’t make resolutions because I think they are a bit silly. I usually try to eat well and work out and be a better person. This year I hope is just as great as last year (although 2010 was pretty fun). In 2010 Mike and I were able to take a bunch of trips and share some great experiences together. I am not sure we can live up to that this year but I am sure we will try. We already have plans to go on a tropical trip in March with some friends.

Christmas was very relaxing and festive. This year Mike and I stayed in our house in VA and we really enjoyed ourselves. It was nice to be in our house that we had worked so hard on all year. We were able to start some new traditions together and we look forward to many more Christmases in our house. Here are a couple pictures from our holiday. We ate, drank, watched lots of football, and relaxed all weekend. It was so fun to decorate and be around to enjoy everything. I can’t wait for next year.

So what are everyone’s big plans for 2011? I for one will count down the days until the beginning of March when I get to see my sister. I miss her so much and can’t wait to spend a few days with her. Then I will begin the countdown till July when she is home for good. It has been so hard not having her around for some of the big experiences….like sharing our birthdays and sharing holidays together. So although I didn’t make any resolutions for 2011, I am still looking forward to great things and who knows what will be in store for this year.

PS> Louie did not get a brother but there is always Valentines Day!

Louie Torture

Momma making the best cookies ever

Family :)

Tree with all the gifts. Think we had enough for 4 people??

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Wow am I slacking or what!!?? 3 days till Christmas and I still can’t believe it. I have been so busy with all the holiday activities the time has flown by. As much as I love Christmas I hate to see it go….so I will try to make the most out of the next three days.

Over the last 2 weeks I have been super busy….Mike and I hosted our 2^nd annual xmas party, I hosted my book clubs 3^rd annual cookie exchange, I had a visit from my bestest friend Aliza, attended Christmas parties, made cookies, wrapped more presents, and spent time with friends. I have totally been slacking on taking my own pictures so I will post a few that friends have put up. Everything was a great success and the last few weeks have been so much fun.

The Cookie Spread!!!

All the girls and Ry at my place

All the hotties at the Swains Christmas Party!

Mike in his sweet sweater at our party....you can see one of our trees in the background....

Birthday Surprise with my ladies!

Our stockings are hung, presents are wrapped and we are patiently waiting for Santa. Hope everyone has been good this year and you get everything you asked for.
Some people may want lots of cute things in their stocking....I just want one thing. A cute, loveable brother for Louie. This little girl is so cute....how can you not love her ears. So you think Mike has gotten the hint???

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Busy Bee

So this week has been a busy one for me. Mike and I got back from San Diego late Monday night and we had a full week ahead of us. On Saturday we are having our annual xmas party at our place and then Sunday I am having my book club girls over for a cookie exchange. So mike and I needed to get our house in order. We were finally able to put up and decorate our xmas tree. (the gifts that I had wrapped 3 weeks ago now have a home). So that was fun as usual. This year we actually bought a second tree. A artificial 5ft tree and we dedicated this tree to our love for PSU. So a blue and white tree. We just finished last night so I don't have any pics yet. (I will I promise). So the house is all in order, all the lights are on timers, and we are set for the party. All we have to do is buy the booze and make some muchies on Saturday. Tonight we are headed to a nice dinner with some friends for a late birthday celebration. We are stopping at my favorite wine bar for appetizers and I can't wait.

So speaking of SD we all had a great time. Mike and I have both been before but some of our friends had not. So it was fun playing tourist again since I had not been to a lot of the places in a long time. I put a few pics from our trip but have many more to share. We were very productive during our trip so we went a bunch of places and ate a lot of good food. The few pics below are from old town, SD, the charger game on Sunday, la jolla, coronado, and sea port village. The carousel picture is a tradition in my family. Every year when we used to go to SD for Thanksgiving we would always go to seaport village to ride the horses first. So we have pictures from many years ago. So the two times mike and I have been in SD we have carried on the tradition.

Today we saw some flurries in DC and it made me so happy. I am very excited for my festive weekend ahead. I hope everyone has a nice weekend and is enjoying the holiday season. Only 15 more days till Santa!!!










PS. I still haven't given up on Louies brother....

Let the fun Begin

Ok everyone it is safe to start celebrating Christmas and getting into the holiday spirt. Today is December 1 ! I for one have been in the spirt for a while but I am excited Christmas is just around the corner. Mike and I watched the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting last night so we are officially in the mood.

And let the fun begin. We are headed to San Diego tomorrow with some friends and I can't wait. So I am sure I will have some updates next week from our travels. But until then remember the best way to spread holiday cheer is singing loud for all to hear! Happy December

PS. wouldn't it be awesome if Santa brought Louie a brother :)