...chicken for everyone...

I must say, tonight was one of the best and worst New Years Eve's I've had! 

The worst part:

I have a very bad bladder infection.  It's extremly painful and probably one of the worst the doctor has seen in awhile.  Apparently I had "a very high volume of blood" in my urine.  Sorry for the gross factor, but that's what they told me.  Anyway, I'm on the strongest antibiotic they can give me in hopes that it settles down before I head back to the frozen tundra on Monday. 

The best part:

Photo Credit : http://www.classicnoles.typepad.com/

Gamecocks: It's what's for dinner! Yep, that's right folks, Gamecocks had a 3 point spread on us prior to game time.  By the end, I think everyone was plucking out a few feathers to cook up some chicken!! Yum yum! We won the game 26-17.  Um boys, might want to get your spread right next time!  I think the Seminoles are finally waking back up!

...a...

...my first snow-woman....

So I've been determined since I've been up in New Hampshire that the first snow, I'd make a snow-woman.  Well today it finally happened.  I was upgraded, of course, to a suite that had a balcony.  I went outside and to my surprise, PLENTY of snow on the balcony to make a snow-woman.  We received about a foot and a half here in Manchester, NH over the weekend. 

Oh and to top it all off, on lunch Tuesday, I was invited to go sledding on the snow banks that the snow plow's had pushed up at the hospital.  It was a blast!! 

Here's a short video of me trying to climb up the non-compressed snow (that is super hard by the way), and eventually sledding for the very first time, ever!

(I'm the second one that goes - the one in all black)

And driving back into Manchester today, I came across a covered bridge.  It was beautiful all covered in snow.  I had to stop and snap up a few photos of it as well as walk through the two foot of snow they received out in Lebanon, where the bridge was located. 

...a...

...hot cocoa anyone?...

So for Christmas, I hit up the grocery stores! 
Yep, that's right. 
Grocery. Store.

I decided to make hot cocoa and spiced tea in mason jars. 
It was my first time mixing both up but I found great recipe's!!  Check them out and make them yourself!

Spiced Tea - http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,163,157170-236206,00.html

Red patterned paper for the Spiced Tea

Hot Cocoa - http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Hot-Cocoa-Mix-in-a-Jar/Detail.aspx

Brown patterned paper for the Hot Cocoa

Both had great reviews from my family and friends that received these! 

 

 I think the most fun was in the packaging of them.  Traditionally you  see them with pieces of cloth under the lid, however, I grabbed some scrapbook paper to stick on the top of the jars along with coordinating reciepe tags tied on with a little jute.  I think they came out perfect and well worth the time making them!! 


...a...

...it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Best part of New Hampshire : The Seasons....

It's beautiful up here this time of year. 

I have my favorite house... (I wish I would have gotten a picture during the Autumn leave changes)

And my favorite road....

And just a few more pictures...

Just so pretty!

I'll try and add a short video of this little stream, so peaceful!

The trees were covered with snow!

It was snowing through this picture



Freezing my butt off!

...a...



...a scarf by any other material...

So as promised, I decided to show you the scarf I made for my aunt.  My sister let me borrow a circular knitting tool, sized 18, I believe?  Perfect size for a QUICK scarf!!  We picked out some  amazing material to use, a wool blend.  Not scratchy and super duper warm!  Within a few hours at my sister and brother in law's house and 3 plane rides later, the scarf was done.  In the end, it looked too plain, so I added a few tassels on each end.  It came out perfect!  And in the end, I made sure to test it out in what better than some gorgeous heavy falling snow in New Hampshire....

Try 1 : Snow  pelting me everywhere

Try 2 : Not great, but at least I was able to keep my eye's open in this one!

 Snow tested, Niece approved!

...a...

...hands down, my favorite nephews...

I'm totally getting into my creative side.  I guess sitting in hotel room's 4-5 day's a week has  me jumping online searching  for the cutest, yet most creative things I can do.  A few months ago, I came up with the idea to copy a blog I found online. 

http://www.redtedart.com/2010/10/08/how-to-make-a-no-sew-handprint-applique-t-shirt/

Making a t shirt with an animal on it, using the outline of my nephew's hands. 


AREN'T THEY ADORABLE???!!!

While I was home over my one week vacation, I traced Aubrey's hand, and then he helped me (my little helper!) trace his baby brother Anthony's hand's.  He even offered to draw smiley face's inside both hands *giggles and smiles*.  It was the cutest thing!  Although I didn't keep the traced hands (Angela do you still have them??) I did cut out the material.  But that's as far as it went......

Then, knowing my stint of flying back and forth, and therefore, free trips to my sister's house in Texas was  coming to an end, I made a plan to go see her!  We went shopping for Christmas gifts, worked on craft projects and I even worked on a brand new scarf for my Aunt (post coming tomorrow!) But thank goodness for my big sister!  I realized quickly, sewing down the hands was going to be difficult.  
                                Note: Unlike the tutorial online, I chose to sew the hands down for added durability and possibly something their mom would keep to remember the babies when they were smaller. 

It's been forever since I've sewn anything (Freshmen year of high school to be exact) so I let her take the reign's on that one.  She did an amazing job and when she was done, I sewed on the buttons and made the fish smile (Yes, I created that one on my own and have plenty more ideas where that came from!)! 

I can't wait to show Lisa (the boys' mom), I think she's going to love them!! 

Aren't they the cutest??

I'm in love with the hedgehog, because he's SOOO darn cute, but Aubrey LOVES fishing with his Uncle Chris and Uncle Jason, so fish was the perfect animal for him (besides, I did orange and blue just for daddy - You're Welcome Shawn!)

...a...

...Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

So one benefit to working up in New Hampshire in the middle of December?  I'll get to see it snow like crazy!  So hopefully soon, I can post some pictures.  And yes, since I'm in New Hampshire, the sun goes down around 3:30 or 4pm in the afternoon, so this will mean I'll have to take a quick sneak peak outside with my camera...I think it can be done!  And I'll have the perfect shoes for it.  I bought some snow boots last week, to walk in until I get inside work.  Considering I'm a Florida girl and accustomed to wearing leather flats or anything with a slick bottom, snow boots for walking was a perfect addition to my work outfit.  Take a look, aren't they addorable!!??

I love the little snowflake detail on the sides!

So warm and fuzzy inside, so weather proof outside!

...a...

...here fishy fishy...

So it's been FOREVER since I've posted.  Set backs with work, lots of busy work and a one week vacation to sit home have had me just not wanting to get on the computer and post a new blog.  But I'm back....it may be a bit scattered until things settle back down in my life (more on that when I know more)...but until then, let me tell you about fishing!

I love fishing!  My Papa and Mimi used to take us fishing as kids, usually on "girl trips" and "boy trips"...imagine 4 kids at one time with one or two adults trying to fish?? Yeah right!  And my Papa being the super intelligent man that he was, made sure we went catfishing!  If you know anything about fishing, catfish, although delicious to eat, are dumb as rocks!  You could fish with soap on the line and the fish would come in swarms!  As a kid, you want to catch as many fish as possible, so catfishing seems like a win/win situation.  The fish are yummy, and as a kid you catch a lot and think you rock as a fisherman! 

Fast forward many years later, and besides an ex-boyfriend trying to teach me how to fish for bass (which is super hard to do, by the way ) , I haven't gone fishing.  So, when my friend Jim texted me about going fishing with him, I nearly jumped through the roof!  I was so excited and could not wait to figure out what I was wearing (yes a girl has to look cute for fishing) and prepare myself for a trip down to Steinhatchee where his buddy has a fish camp that he has access to. 

I looked super cute before the hat and the life jacket...oh the joys of safety.

Well I showed up, and we had the best bonfire with some beers.  Nothing like a fish camp, a fire and a beer (well for me it was girlie beers, but you get the picture).  We stared at the stars and just talked about life. 

The next morning, we got dressed and headed to Casey's Cove.  Now this is one of those restaurant's inside a convenience store.  I was a bit skeptical, but after that breakfast, oh my gosh, it was amazing!  The staff was friendly, the food was amazing and the locals sitting in the booth next to you just chatted with you as you sat with your morning coffee and omelets.  Now that's what I call down home! We headed back to the camp and grabbed the kayak's and fishing equipment and set out. 

Jim gave me some lessons (which I definitely needed a brush up on) and set out for the Gulf of Mexico.  It was slow at first, but very relaxing. 



We would stop occasionally to try and fish with no luck.  We even got to a point where we had to walk the kayaks over the low tide waters to even get out to the gulf. 


When we finally did, I snagged two little fishies.  Now they weren't big by any means, but the first one was  a trout!  I thought I'd never be skilled enough to catch a Trout. The second one we're still unclear of.  Possibly a Croaker?  Either way, I caught 2 and Jim caught 0! I was pretty thrilled with myself and couldn't wait to go back.  Unfortunately the water is getting too cold, so I'll have to wait till it gets warm, but I told Jim I want to go back with him!
 

After 6 hours on the water, we headed back, washed the kayak's off and loaded them back up on his truck.  It was the highlight of my vacation to relax and hang out. 


Oh and I forgot to mention, besides a million blue crabs, and a stingray that flew so fast by me I couldn't photograph him, I saw a starfish burying himself in the sand


(insert Sister Hazel music here).  It was awesome!  

...a...

...So busy...

So I've been super busy lately that I haven't been on to post any new blogs.  Maybe in the next month or so that will change.  I hope to take a week's vacation here soon, and do what I haven't done in months...stay home and do NOTHING.... doesn't that sound amazing?? Well it does to me!  Anyway, until then, I'll continue to gather pictures to put together for my next post!

...a...

...cookie dough center cupcakes with cookie dough icing...

So I follow a blog that occasionally has a recipe, or a scrapbooking idea that I'd like to try. http://www.kevinandamanda.com/

Well recently I decided to try out her Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes with Cookie Dough Icing! Sounds delicious right? I think they turned out great and I think my friend's and family thought the same thing. Next up, I'll try strawberry middles with cream cheese icing :) Doesn't that sound yummy!!??

Here a few pictures from the cupcakes.



 

 

...sunapee valley region...

Tell me this doesn't make you want to go grab some hot apple cider, and a warm fuzzy jacket and hang out on the porch swing while the kids come and trick or treat in the chilly crisp air?!

This past week I was in the Sunapee Valley Region in northern New Hampshire.  The fall leaves are really starting to come out, so it made the drive to work really awesome.  I was with a coworker, Denise, which made the trip this past week much more enjoyable.  We were able to grab meals together, explore together and laugh a lot.  She drove, so I could photograph some places we went.  We had a great time and a few of the pictures really turned out.  I hope to get more photos in the next few weeks before all the leaves fall and the seasons change from Autumn to Winter. 
...a

...new england tour...

My older sister and her husband came over to Boston for the weekend.  We had a great time!  Thursday night, we hit up Legal Test Kitchen for a late dinner.  The weather started out a little chilly and drizzly, but we made the most of it.  We had an over eager waiter, but he was entertaining none the less...and really cute to boot :) hehe.  Friday, after I went to work for a little while, we found a place right around the corner from the Renaissance and grabbed a really great lunch.  Soup, sandwiches and coffee.  Yum yum (minus the coffee- they drank the coffee, not me)!! After that, we checked out, relocated the car and  went on to the Fenway Park tour.  It was actually a lot of fun, and very informative.  The tour guide, Jason, was really a great guy and kept most of us intrigued, when we weren't photographing like crazy.  We of course had to go get ice cream after this! If I have learned ANYTHING from this past weekend, it's that Mark loves his ice cream.

  Because of this, I ventured out and tried as many different flavors that I could at each ice cream stop.  We went to the game that night and although it was chilly, it was nice out and actually cleared  up for game time.  We didn't win, but it was worth it, being there for the Citgo sign to be relit - (it's very iconic and I remember it being in many many famous photographer's pictures over the past 60 years)and just getting out to watch good ole' American baseball. 

Ice Cream near Fenway Park

  

Play Ball! Boston, Massachusetts Fenway Park

 

Saturday we got up and drove to Applecrest Apple Festival in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire.  My sister found this, and it was a great find!!  I think Angela was most excited because she knew it would be a great relaxing time.  She was defintiely right!  We were able to listen to good ole' bluegrass, we went to the orchards and picked our very own 1/2 peck of apples and then on to the country store to check out all kinds of fresh fruits and veggies and homemade jams.  We couldn't leave without having ice cream! I honestly think it reminded me of home, so I really had a great time photographing, looking and of course eating.  Oh and the pumpkin doughnuts were amazing! Great call Mark!!!

Applecrest Apple Festival, Hampton Falls, New Hampshire

   

After that, we took a drive up the coast and hit Rockport, Massachusetts where we enjoyed the boats, the seafood and the swans (haha) before driving back to the hotel. 

Rockport, Massachusetts

  

Sunday was the quickest day, but probably one of the most amazing.  I mean who hasn't seen an apple tree, or a baseball game, even if it is just in pictures.  But to see a magnificant mammel such as a whale, leaping completly out of the water and splashing around like a child jumping in a small pool, I was speechless!  As the tour guide on the boat put it, we were very lucky because only about 10% of their tours see "this much surface activity".  Well seeing how this was my second tour, I can attest to the fact that this is true.  I was so amazed at how beautiful and  graceful these creatures were and how playful they could be.  Goodbyes had to happen soon after, but I was so glad they made it out to Boston to enjoy the area.  It was a whirlwind weekend, but I think we all enjoyed ourselves.

Harbor Whale Tours, South Boston, Long Wharf

 

Oh and to top it all off, Angela taught me to knit!!!  I'm working on my first scarf now!!!!