Go Pats!!

As a good 'ol New England girl, I am SO SO SO excited for the Patriots v. Raven AFC championship game today!! We haven't won one in a few years, but I've got faith in this years team. We've got Brady, Welker, Branch, Woodhouse, Hernandez and of course the Gronk!

I love this time of year where we have an excuse to meet up with friends every Sunday afternoon/night and hang out watching the game-its nice to have something to look forward to after a dreary winter week. But when the playoffs come around, it's a whole 'nother story, people get amped up around here :)

Today will include baking and cooking in preparation for the game. Then we'll head to a friends house, decked out in our Pats gear, buffalo chicken dip and some bevs in tow and get ready to cheer on our Pats!

Happy game day to you!
LETS GO PATS!!

Ski Days

Nick and I took up skiing(me)/snowboarding(him) about 3 years ago, and we absolutely love it! It's such a fun activity and really gives us something to look forward to during the sometimes dreary winter months.  This year we've gone to Okemo in Vermont with Nick's brother and cousins, and Gunstock in New Hampshire with friends.

Okemo, VT

on the lifts!

not much snow in Okemo Jan 3rd :(

skiers

brother shot

cousins

Gunstock, NH

awesome view-right near Lake Winnepesaukee

Apres ski hot cocoa necessary! (Bailey's optional :)

Tonight's Dinner 1-16

Today I had the rare opportunity to be home on a Monday. It's MLK day and I had the day off. I was a little productive, but mostly lazy, recovering from our ski trip yesterday. 

It was a chilly day, and I was inspired to use my long-neglected crock-pot. I decided to make beef stew, and found this awesome recipe from my new favorite ipad app-epicurious via gourmet magazine, December 2008 Beef Stew with Potatoes and Carrots.

Nick and I got a little hungry while waiting the 6-8 hours of slow cooking goodness, so I decided to make an app.  While looking around on pinterest, I came across two different sites that make cheesy garlic bread sticks-one was a more semi-homemade version with store bought dough, so I went with that one Lindsay's cheesy garlic bread sticks, but you can also find the original here Lauren's cheesy garlic bread sticks, which I'm sure is equally amazing.

These sticks were cheesy, garlicky, and super easy! I can't believe I've shelled out 8.99 for the delivery version before-never again! These sticks are soo yummy-and were devoured in minutes...


It was delish and just what this chilly day called for :)

Friday the 13th strikes...

So yesterday began like any other Friday, but as my students reminded me, it was 'Friday the 13th'. The day continued pretty uneventful, until lunch time, when I went to reach into the microwave while chatting away to a co-worker and spill my hot soup all over my hand! Ouch!! I was in shock at first and went about cleaning it up, then the pain kicked in and I ran to the nurse's office (I swear she sees me more than half the kids) to get some ice and get bandaged up.

All is okay, and I will heal fine...but haven't my hands suffered enough? Almost a year ago, I slipped on ice and broke the other one!

I wish I could blame my injury on Friday the 13th...but I really am just that clumsy :(

Christmas/New Years Update

I don't know about you, but this past holiday season flew by! Vacation was relaxing and spent with friends and family. It was busy, but always fabulous to be surrounded by loved ones.

Christmas Morning!

Gertie's favorite present

New Years Eve! Ready for a night out on the town :)

Although these past two weeks were restful,relaxing and rejuvenating...I have to say I'm definitely looking forward to getting my little family back to our day to day routine.

New Years always brings a sense of renewal and fresh starts, and after this rough year, I'm ready to start fresh! Looking forward to a wonderful 2012 filled with lots of the same (friends, family, work) and hopefully some new and exciting things as well!