Happy St. Patty's Day!!  (or at least almost)

Brian and I signed up to run the Dash down Greenville 5K today.  I am still not 100% with my foot, and gave my number to a friend to run with it.  Brian finished in 35:18, a minute faster than our Jan 5K. 

There was a record crowd of over 7000 runners today!  The tailgating and street support was HUGE as well!  Shortly after they kick finish the race, they kick off the St. Pat's Parade! 

My favorite surprise while walking around while Brian was running was the stripper pole!  They had it mounted on a stage and I watched a guy dance on it - it could hold his full weight.  I didn't take a picture up close, but if you look it's sticking up right in the middle of that crowd.  I would have really liked to have seen what happened AFTER they started drinking!

Hope you got to enjoy some sunshine today as well!

the green sauce

I firmly believe in 3 condiments: Ranch, Salsa, Queso. Occasionally we do the whole mustard/ketchup things - but given only these 3, I would be perfectly happy.  And now I have found heaven in a plastic cup- the green sauce.

Chuys has taken the step to combine Ranch and jalapenos into the green sauce.  I'm pretty sure, it's just Ranch & Jalapenos in the blender, but it's amazing.  And it taste good on everything we would normally just use plain ranch for.  I just ate a plain Romain salad, but with a little drizzle of green sauce, it was THE BEST SALAD EVER.  And the best part, you don't need much to get the full flavor, so just a little will do - calorie cutter!  Plus, jalapenos are rumored to increase metabolism...

The green sauce can be found at your local Chuy's.  It's free upon request, even for take-out orders!

Best of 2010 - Looking forward to 2011

2010 seemed to be a lot of new. New jobs. New home. New friends. New hobbies. New places.

Top 10 of 2010
1. New Jobs: Brian left public accounting and got a new job. Then he got another new job. This means I actually got to see and spend time with him!
2. New Hobbies: The new job left Brian time and he took up photography. I got back into swimming and braved Yoga with the comfort of a friend teaching it. We both started running again at the end of November, doing a 5K next week.
3. New home: We love this house and plan to be here a really long time.
4. New neighbors are awesome. And we started Front Porch Saturdays with the Nobles, whom we have always enjoyed but now get to see them often.
5. Small group: We met the Hamiltons in 2009, but really got to know them in 2010. We got to spend time with Angela, plus we got to meet & get to know Russ. And we met the Marino’s, who are a lot of fun (but busy).
6. Old friends: We got to see Barbie 3 times this year! I adore the Dayberry’s and Barbie does my heart good.
7. I traveled a lot. Got to see Tommy in NYC and Allison in Chicago. Brian joined me for Chicago, Indianapolis and Hawaii. First time for either of us in Hawaii and we’ll go back, hopefully soon.
8. I got to do a purple Christmas. And I still love my purple art.
9. I got to spend more time with my brother, and he is happy.
10. Ranger U – learned a lot, met new people, and had a blast. Wish I had more time to use the knowledge, but hopefully one day.

Other notable events of 2010:
- House behind us burned down. I exposed myself to a police officer, but I bet he liked it.
- I got an office with a window. Mostly blocked by a tree, but a window still.
- Small group almost finished Romans
- I painted a piece of art I love.
- I bought furniture out of the back of a truck on my street.
- I watched 3 close friends leave their jobs and find places that make them happy.
- The boys made new friends – Henry & Noka – and have enjoyed doggie play time!

God has blessed us greatly in 2010 and we got to watch him work in us and the people around us. We often have reflected in amazement at what he has done around us.

I hope 2010 was good to you as well, and 2011 is what you need it to be.

Christmas Tags

Check Tim's Blog to learn more about the Christmas tags.  Here are mine so far.  I had to go to the store last night to buy tags, and the rest I'm pulling from the stash.

I stamped the Stampedous peacock feather in clear and embossed in clear.  Inked the card with pink Adirondack dye ink.  Sprayed with white perfect pearls, blotted off excess dye ink to get the lighter shade of pink.  Stamped with the snowflakes with the same ink pad over entire tag, and re-inked edges dark pink.  Stamped the saying with black archival ink.  Used alcohol ink to color the fragment, and stamped with archival ink and let dry.  Covered in white glitter glue and glued to white card stock, cut out and glued to tag.  Added pearl and rhinestone bling and a ribbon to tie it off.

The saying says "Season of Light Hope Peace and Love" and I stamped in in Colorbok Platinum 2tone and embossed in clear.  Inked tag in the lightest of the Distress Blues and sprayed with white perfect pearls.  Stamped the lamp post in the darkest blue (I always think/wish it is purple based on the label) and inked the edges again with the medium blue.  Using my gold dabber, I painted the grunge board star and while it was wet, coated it with Martha Florentine Gold glitter.  I went around the edges of the tag with the gold dabber and hit the reinforce hole as well.  I glued the filmstrip ribbon down with gold distressed stickles (added a little sparkle under there) and attached the Believe tag with a brad. 

I made some other crafting, but can't share until March.  *sigh*

Purple Christmas

Have I told you recently how much I appreciate Obama?  Michelle Obama that is.  Last fall she wore a gorgeous purple dress to an event, and ever since purple has been the hot new color.  As a person who has always loved purple, I could not be happier!  Now that it is on trend, it has been much easier for me to get my purple fixes!  A lot of places are offering purple as an accent color this year in Christmas, but Michaels jumped both feet in - and I followed to the depths of purple Christmas tree.  I found the angle on top, and she set the mood for it all.  She has champagne glitter wings, light green ribbon accents on her dress and purple bouquet in her hand.  From there I added purple poinsettia's, purple butterflies, purple birds, purple ribbons, purple giant feathers, purple sequins, and purple ornaments - oh my!  It took me 3 hours in Michaels to dig through and gather all the purple I could handle - 2 carts full.  B thinks I'm a nut, but he always supports my "visions" and lets me have at it. 

I added a few touches of silver & champagne and light sage green, all against the dark of the pine green makes me one happy tree decorator!

We also wrapped the stairs in garland, then coordinating purple ribbon and added some picks that look like grapes to keep the theme. 

Then I made this for the dining room table.  I loved these crackled glass vases I found (also at Michaels), and added a strip of purple glitter ribbon to each.  The tall ones I also added a floral pick and tied it on with the green ribbon.  Wrapped the center in garland, added ribbon and more picks and dropped in the candles.  Really quick!  I also found dark purple chargers (too dark to show in pics) at Michaels to set the table, and think I will use more green ribbon for the napkin rings. 

Sweet purple heaven!

miss these kids

So they aren't mine, and I'm not even Aunt Melissa - but they are just so dang cute and I miss these kids like crazy.  I'm really hoping they make a trip south this Christmas and spend a day with me.  *hint hint*  I mean seriously - don't they make you smile?  even just a little?

The real to do list

 

weheartit