3-day Weekend at the Lake

Today is gray, chilly, and depressing. Fortunately for me, this past weekend was not. I spent my holiday weekend soaking up the fresh air and rays in 'the Natural state' of Arkansas. 

A few weeks back, M's aunt asked if we would like to spend this weekend at her lake house. We jumped at the chance and I am so glad we did. Despite the scary ride to the house and a torrential storm downpour on Sat morning, the weekend was a success. We watched the weather like amateur meteorologists Sat morning and decided to take out chances around noon to hit the Tannenbaum golf course. For the first time attempting to golf in a few years without my own golf clubs(we borrowed my neighbor's sons and they were actually a bit too small), it wasn't terrible. I definitely have (a lot of)room for improvement, but the weekend was about family and we sure had a great time on the course no matter how many times I whiffed the ball(it was too many too count).

The rain never came back the rest of the weekend. We got in 2 days of boating, several gourmet meals and I even managed to get some Halloween crafting done while there. 

On the golf cart ride home

Caprese skewers

Candy corn yarn cones

On a boat

Half pep, shroom and onion/half basil & 'mater

Finished up a great weekend by putting out our 'pumpkin' for the year, and working on the backsplash(and no, it's still not done). 

Heading to Ohio this weekend for homecoming, very excited to see more family and friends! 

Happy October! 

Break out the boots, fall has arrived!

I'm sure I will jinx it by putting this out in the blogosphere, but I do believe fall has arrived in TN. For the past month, I have been in that weird section of my wardrobe where I'm not sure what to wear bc it's still 80-90 degrees and my sundresses don't feel right and I don't want to bake in a sweater and boots. 

Yesterday, I actually needed to go back inside for a light cardigan and today, I wore a jacket into the office. Praise The Lord b/c while I admire the California style of Uggs and shorts, people here don't seem to appreciate it(causing odd glances when I'm running about town). Now there will inevitably be a few more days calling for near summer attire, but that's part of the charm of Memphis. So bring on boot weather! I have 2 new pairs in my closest just waiting to go out for a spin.

This past weekend, we braved the heat(I wore my Buckeye wind breaker and nearly fried) to participate in the 3rd annual dragon boat races downtown. DH's company has put together a team since the beginning of this event and it always proves to be a good time. After a slow start in the first race, we seemed to get it together for our second heat and shaved 2 seconds off our time(we like to think it was bc of the last minute adult beverage we drank before the race). We missed the final race by 5 spots but 13 out of 50 isn't bad. A great event every year and we even got some end of the year sun to prove it! 

We made it home Saturday afternoon and watched some football while waiting on our pals the Dr's Ali. Our household managed to go 2/2 in college football games with OSU just squeaking by. 

Even Cina got into the spirit by the end of our game. With our morale high, we headed out about town. It was a unique situation since we always stayed downtown with the Ali's. Now that they are out-of-towners, the hosting role was reversed so we cabbed it. A great night out made even better when I kept bumping into OSU friends! I can't wait to go home in 2 weeks to watch the homecoming game and spend some time with family and friends. There is nothing better then Columbus Ohio on a Buckeye game day! 

Sweet Nicki!!

After a slow start Sunday morning(I'll keep saying it until it changes, G-town lacks great bunch locations)....Mac and I began the next kitchen project we had lined up. We got the back splash tiles on the wall and now we wait for them to set, then grout and caulk the edges. Pictures to follow in another blog. 

High: spending time with the Ali's & a Buckeye win

Low: spaghetti night fail 

I've gone crockpot crazy, and I like it...

For awhile I had been planning on bring the S family some crockpot meals. We have a hard time getting a meal together some nights so I can't imagine what it would be like with 3 kids(5, 2, and 1 month). 

I found this tutorial and decided to give it a go. Made extra of some recipes and kept some for ourselves. 

http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/02/10-slow-cooker-freezer-meals-in-less.html

A few sidebar items;

This is not how I cook from scratch. I tend to use healthier ingredients and lots of veggies. However, sometimes, it's nice to have something ready to go when you get home so you can just serve it up and relax after work. 

The most money was spent on the meat. We haven't gotten into a good shopping habit just yet at our house so there was a little sticker shock at the register but it was not that bad. 

I would do this again in a heart beat. Mac already said that the salsa chicken was awesome and he wants it again. But I plan on looking for some healthier recipes as well as these and the other post the blogger made with other recipes. We've even talked about getting an extra fridge/freezer for the garage so we can do a better job of having things on hand instead of several trips to the store a week. 

Does anyone have crockpot recipes you recommend? Share! 

Weekend happenings with the McDaniels

It was a busy, but fun weekend at our place. We decided to host a gathering to hangout and watch some college football(of course). 

We headed to Costco in the pouring rain Friday thinking we could get everything we needed for the party. But quickly we realized unless we were preparing for 100 guests or the zombie apocalypse-we needed to go to Kroger.  

As the hosts, we prepared the following:

Appetizer: 

Cauliflower buffalo poppers

http://pinterest.com/pin/427208714623289959/

Main Dish:

Ribs by Mac

Corn Flake baked chicken tenders

http://pinterest.com/pin/427208714623431856/ 

I marinated mine overnight so they would be juicy. 

Side dish:

Cheesy Spaghetti Squash

http://pinterest.com/pin/220535712974321795/

Dessert:

Lamingtons

http://pinterest.com/pin/427208714623749169/

Would make everything except the Lamington's again. They just weren't better than anything I've made before and they required quite a bit of work. I also got several tips I'll be trying out when I roast my next spaghetti squash. This casserole(while delicious!), was more like cheesy mashed spaghetti Squash. I will not use water in the bottom of the pan next time around(tho the instructions say to).

Is there anything better than a house full of family, friends and children hopped up on sugar? It was a great time and we made it out with a few injuries only slightly worse for the wear. I think we've also officially made corn hole happen here(apparently its a northern thing). Can't wait to have people over again, maybe when it gets cooler. I'm thinking Sloppy Joes! 

Sunday we managed to get the house partially cleaned before church. Then we had an outdoor day because the weather was perfect! Mexican food on the patio and then took the dogs to a nearby park. Decided we have to go to a dog park next time so we can let them roam free. 

All in all, it was a great weekend. I even managed to use up some remaining ingredients with dinner on Sunday night  and freeze some soup for a future go-to meal. After the park, we got the house clean(enough) before watching Olympus Has Fallen. I thought it was a decent movie btw. 

Feeling pretty lucky to have such great friends. The hubs and I both said there was a moment for each of us during Sat, where we truly felt blessed. 

THE Ohio State University as I remember it

I love summer. I enjoy sunshine and boating and ice cream trucks. I would love for it to be light outside from 6a-8p year round! But my very favorite season of the year is college football. To me college football(yes, I consider it an actual season) outranks spring, summer, fall or winter. 

At the beginning of every college football season, I get the opportunity to go back to my home state of Ohio and cheer on THE Ohio State University Buckeye Football team. Like for real. I actually get to go on the field and cheer with my college teammates, those who went before and those who have passed thru after. We make a unique group of people, us alumni cheerleaders. We were privileged enough to get the amazing perspective of being a part of 'something'. I describe it that way because there aren't enough words to fully encompass what exactly it was. In short, it was a true once in a lifetime experience. And every year I get a bit more nostalgic about having had this honor. So this blog is a tribute to the things I remember and the things I can't recall(for one reason or another), but mostly to the people who helped make these memories happen. Because each one of these memories is tied to a someone. And each of those crazy, unique 'someone's' shaped me into who I am today. 

I started college in the fall of 1999 after a hilarious summer that involved my first real taste of independence. Armed with a terrible chin cut bob with bangs, I began an unbelievable journey into semi-adulthood(I'm still working on growing up). Over the next 5 years, I met countless people, friends and enemies, and started developing a sense of self. Here are some of the things I think of when reminiscing..... 

Crying to my dad not to leave when he moved me into campus, it was essentially the same scene from my first day of kindergarten without him having to carry me into the building.  Stradley 4. My Doogie Howser buck-id photo. Swollen eyes at my first cheer camp. Being the JV pom & meg party supplier. Using my buck-id for EVERYTHING! Sloopy's every night, but especially ski-nt Wednesdays. DJ Purple Hayes. My debit card being eaten by the ATM because I was overdrawn. Turkey-cheese panini plain with fries. Nancy's. Being an honorary worker at Cluck U Chicken. Attending my first OSU football game. The Bing-Fairy. Getting to know babe and forming a BEST friendship. Kegs and Eggs. Getting hurt at the first basketball game my parents came to see me cheer. Catfish Biff's. 1st college boyfriend and the 12th ave riot. South Oval concerts. Tumbling out at tryouts after making varsity. 

Being a head instructor for AmeriCheer. P-South welcome cheer party(where my story with M2 begins). Swollen foot/ankle causing me to miss my first few football games. 18th ave apt behind Wendy's. Being inducted into Varsity. The experience of cheering my first football game; grassy knoll, pre-game, the national anthem and Carmen Ohio. The huge heart and personality of Orlas King the Neutron Man'. Nancy's. Becoming a part of the holiday cheer group. Having S on campus. The oval at springtime. Beekman's bagels & no.1 Chinese. French 3 times 3. 

Becoming AmeriCheer Head of Staff.  Make-up night with the girls. September 11th, a tearful meeting, a cancelled game. Summit homecoming party. The Pedro family. Nancy's. A cold Outback bowl game. Jackson the cat. Junior 10. Younkin study tables & CVS. TBDBITL big 10 tourney party. Four kegs finals. The big announcement. Florida spring break. Chicago pageant dancing. A silent house. 

Tulane, snow storms and walking to Nancy's. 21. Hendock's. Patterson Ave pom & meg. House full of freshman. Zebra walls inspired by Trading Spaces. Night game full-up with Pat. Cutting Hot Brutus' hair. Meeting Caleb. Watching Caleb. Nick's Diner. THE national campionship game. ASL. Dramatic basketball tourneys. A baseball filled summer. 

Living above north campus video. And then there were 2. Academics and picking a major. Midges unite. Last college camp. King's Island basket. Broken hearts and new beginnings. Senior skinny. Patterson Ave pom & meg 2.0. Texas Roadhouse. Ledo's. The Blue Dube with uncle Dave. Alcatraz closing. THE game up north. College nationals & 2-2-1 stag causing black eyes and broken wrists. 10-tv internship. Stovetop stuffing, the OC.  Bar stops after working out. JComm classes. Senior crawl. Bahamas vacation from hell. Banquet speech. The realization of the looming real world. Nancy's. 

" I like the animals, I love the people" - Duncan, in We Bought A Zoo

Where are you from?

Where are you from? It’s a simple question….right? For the record, I know what the majority of people are inquiring about when they ask me this. It is usually a question that is referring to what race, nationality and/or ethnicity I am.  By the way, did you know that race, nationality and ethnicity are different things?

Race: A group of people united or classified together on the basis of common history, nationality, or geographic distribution:

Nationality: The status of belonging to a particular nation by origin, birth, or naturalization:

Ethnicity: Ethnic character, background, or affiliation:

Today when I was at a local Korean restaurant(Asiana Garden), I had the bus boy interrupt me while I was eating and on my phone. He was apparently so curious that he asked me twice(I tried to ignore him the first time but he actually tapped me on the shoulder the second time. So I took off my headphones and tried to cut the conversation short so I could go back to enjoying my lunch.

Busboy: “Where you from?”

Me: “Korea”

Busboy: “Really?”(like I would lie?) “Korean…..Really?” Long Pause “You from Korea?” Another pause “You don’t look Korean, your face look Japanese” (We won’t even get into his speaking ‘grammar’)

Shortly after he made the comment that I don’t ‘look Korean’(what does that even mean?), I smiled as best as I could and put my headphones back on and tried to get back to lunch. Problem was, I was extremely embarrassed at this point and wanted to just leave.

I’ve spent my whole life trying to shake it off and answer people(like today’s busboy) as politely as possible. I learned early on I could make the situation humorous;  

Person: “Where are you from?”

Me: (serious face) “Ohio.”

Person: “uhhhh…..”(insert long pause and a confused look on their face as I offer up no other answer)

And sometimes it goes further than that. I’ve met people over the years that will continue to go on and on with their knowledge of the Korean language and culture even after I’ve repeatedly said I don’t know much about Korea and don’t speak the language. And why would anyone feel like it was their place to lecture me on the importance of knowing my heritage? Shame on them! My parents didn’t force me to learn about the Korean culture, but they certainly offered! It was only recently that I have expressed an interest, and now I feel I can’t even go to a Korean restaurant to try the cuisine without feeling inadequate.

I have been told that it’s just because people are curious about me, but I guess I want to know, why? Why do they want (or feel entitled) to know? And does it make it ok to ask? I don’t go up to other people asking about their personal dynamic just because I’m curious. Why is this situation ok? And I don't think I'm overreacting because its not an issue that the majority of people have to deal with. What would you do if you were in my shoes?

Check out this hilarious YouTube video….Maybe I should do this to the next person who asks. “Where are you from?”

http://youtu.be/DWynJkN5HbQ 

Wish list (for fall) Wednesday

We still have about a month of summer left. And in Memphis, that means it will be months before my favorite fall weather rolls in. My favorite autumn weather is when the trees are still full of leaves but they have turned vibrant, delicious shades of red, yellow and brown. The kind where you can feel the brisk air on the horizon, but you can still get away with just a sweater. I'm looking forward to the change in seasons(ESP b/c it means my beloved Buckeyes are hitting the field). Here are some of the items (from simple to extravagant) that I've had my eyes on as we head towards the 3rd part of 2013. 

While I think over coats/jackets are gorgeous and can really make an outfit, it's much more practical for me to layer. I can imagine layering a tank, tee and long sleeve shirt under this gorgeous wool sweater that zips up and pairing it with some skinny jeans and moto boots. It could also go dressy over a LBD with some tights and pumps.

I'm looking for a new pair of kicks to pump up my workouts. I love the color scheme on these(obvi) but would really like to get a good quality pair this time around. Thoughts or suggestions? They have to work for running AND circuit type training and it wouldn't hurt if they could be stylish during.

TREND alert!!! I have seen several pieces that incorporate leather while out and about. It's a trend I would like to try to rock but haven't figured out how. I like these items below; a shell top with a slight peplum curve, a classic pencil skirt, or could I dare rock a pair of leather pants(although Ross' experience in Friends comes to mind). Have you tried the leather fashion trend? 

Below are 2 items high up on the electronic wish list. I was thinking I wanted a serger/embroidery combo, but haven't found one with great reviews yet. I know I will use the embroidery machine, but I don't think a serger will be used as much since I'm not a consistent fashion sewer.

The hubby and I have had our eyes open for a new camera since my beloved Cannon bit the dust. We bought a lower grade digital Cannon, but it is not nearly as good. So we've been considering going up to a heavy duty Cannon Rebel. They get fantastic reviews and are right below professional grade. Definitely something worth the investment should kids be on the horizon. 

Lastly, a friend of ours had this book out and it caught my attention when I was visiting. I read a section and am hooked, but it's $20.00 on my phone. I have a hard time justifying that cost when I won't get to actually have the book for my collection. Guess I'll keep searching.

What are some things on your fall wish list? 

Follow up, baby Bentley was born Monday aft at 3:10. 8lbs3oz and just precious!!!