St. Patty's in Chicago

Linds, Scott, Syd, Joe, & me took the train to Chicago for the St. Patrick's Day weekend&celebration. I found an excellent deal on groupon for the Essex Inn across from Millennium Park on Michigan Ave with an indoor pool&sauna in a fun neighborhood with bars&restaurants. The first night, though, we crashed at friends' houses - Joe&I at Jeff&Katie's and Syd&Linds&Scott at Rachel's. After getting off the train downtown, we walked up the river to take in it's full dyed-green-beauty before heading north to our respective crash-pads where we pre-gamed before a night out in Wrigleyville. I only have flashes of memories of packed streets and long lines and we mostly opted to stay in at Jeff&Katie's because the sea of green-clad people was too much for our drunken mindsets, but it was a still a wonderful&typical evening. Sunday we all recovered (which included a breakfast at Pick Me Up, of course), checked into the hotel, and got dinner&drinks at a bar around the corner while watching the RedWings&Blackhawks game. On the actual holiday - St. Patrick's Day - we hung out in the pool&sauna in the morning, got brunch at the Kerryman then went to Streeter's Tavern for games&beer before landing at Timothy O'Tooles for the main portion of our day of celebration. Unfortunately, Scott was hurting on Tuesday, but Linds&Syd&I squeezed in breakfast, we all completed our packing, and eventually we made it to the train for our ride back to Metro Detroit. Another year of wild&excellent Irish-style celebrating with wonderful people in a perfect location.

Valentine's Dinner

Joe came over and made me homemade mexican for Valentine's Day.

Then we watched About Time (which was amazing) and had frosted brownies with ice cream for dessert.

He also got me a book, a board game, and some chocolates.

What a wonderful evening.

slaving away in the kitchen

gigantic plate of nachos

Frosted Brownie with ice cream

Valentine's Tree

My daddy sent me a bonsai tree for Valentine's Day.

A great addition to my desk.

Dinner & a Movie

I think it's incredible to remain connected with people I've known for so long. These girls & I have been friends since high school. The one in the middle I've known since we were toddlers. We may not see each other too often, but we keep in touch and try to see each other when we're able, so over Christmas Break we got together for dinner and a movie. Dinner was at the Grill House and we were joined by quite a few members of the old crew - Tyler, Sana, Georgia, Peg, and all of their significant others. For the movie the crew got a bit smaller as we headed to M89 to see American Hustle. No matter what we do - extravagant plans or super simple - it's so nice to know that there are simply people I have kept and who have kept me for all these years.

4th Drinks

Syd&I made Sangria - with the help of my mom.

Everybody loved the Sangria - except my mom.

Birthday Runners

I got new running shoes for my birthday last year.

So this year, I got another pair.

I like this tradition.

Birthday Sperry's

Joe basically told me to pick some stuff out and simply tell him what I want for my birthday this year. So one of the items I picked were these Sperry Top Siders - well, I picked a few pairs and let him pick his favorites to surprise me with. I don't know that I'm really a "boat shoe kind of girl," but I do think they're really cute. We'll see how I do with matching them to my wardrobe.

Birthday Attention

Last year, my birthday was ignored in the office.

This year I got a card and a balloon.

So cute.

I feel like one of the team - for real.

Birthday Work

I kicked my birthday morning off with work

...like the 12:00am kind of morning.

I've become a workaholic.

Birthday Cake

LemonBerry WhiteChocolate Cake

Joe's mom bought me birthday cake at the casino.

A nice gesture, though I'm allergic to most of it.

I politely picked at it.

She loved it - in all it's "light, summery" glory.

Birthday Playoffs

I bought Joe&I Red Wings Playoff Tickets

for his birthday

...on my birthday.

I'm so pumped to go!

DIA Day

Mr.U&I had a half day for Good Friday

so we headed downtown to enjoy an afternoon

at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

I'd never been there

and was very excited for the experience.

There was a lot of awesome stuff to see,

my favorites being the middle eastern area

with all the beautiful tile work and colorful art.

It started getting busy as the afternoon wore on,

so we didn't get to see everything we wanted.

We'll just have to make a trip back.

There are a lot of great places

that I really want to discover downtown.

I also really loved this courtyard area.

So beautiful.

Lucky Charm

Mr.U's mom got me a clover charm

for my Pandora bracelet

in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

.so cute.

Final Absolution

I tried this locally brewed beer

on Friday before St. Patrick's Day.

Final Absolution by Dragonmead's Microbrewery

It's so strong.

Oy.

I was pretty toasted after 3.

Tasted great, though.

Stouts&IPAs

So, Mr.U&I decided to give up alcohol for February.

(but I had beer at the Superbowl Party with #BFF, so I have to hold out till St. Patty’s Day now.)

Mr.U decided that he needs to pick up all the seasonal brews he’d want to try so he can have them once his alcohol-free time month has ended.

We both love stouts – particularly coffee&breakfast ones – but recently he’s been getting into IPA’s. He loved Bell’s Two Hearted all summer, which is one of the beers served at Comerica Park, and he’s been trying out some new ones now. I dig the fact that they have a high alcohol content… so I can drink fewer (and fewer calories) and get drunker quicker.

Perfect.

Pandora Gift

I decided I wanted a Pandora bracelet way back around Mr.U’s mom’s birthday-time when we bought her a bead and I fell in love with the whole display case. I feel like it’s such a wonderful jewelry&gift option. I’ve never been a fan of receiving jewelry, because I’m really picky with my jewelry, so I don’t want someone else to pick any out for me. But a Pandora bracelet makes perfect sense. It’s easy for a guy – like Mr.U – to run into a jewelry store and pick out a bead in the color I like without having to put lots of thought into the purchase and – since I like the style of the bracelet in general – it’s almost impossible to end up with something I’d have to pretend to like&wear. So I made up a wishlist and sent it to both Mr.U and my mom way back then and hoped I’d receive one for Christmas.

And I did.

With two beads.

I can’t wait for my collection to grow.

Christmas Details

CashMonster Being Babied

Gma&Gpa's Orniments

My Favorite Rainbow Mug

Little Girls in Little Heels

Evidence of Kiddos in the Bathroom

My Nephew Giving Toys to Grandpa

Christmas Breakfast

Every Christmas of my life has been spent at my maternal grandparents’ house – and it always starts off with an 9am breakfast.

 Egg Bake & Coffee Cakes

Like clockwork on Christmas morning, we show all up for this meal – even my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew who drive across the whole state. I never want to miss these traditions – whether I really like the food or not – I love love love kicking off the day that way.

Christmas Treats

After stressing&obsessing over Christmas gifts in November and getting everything ordered&bought long before the holiday, I started second-guessing myself the week the holiday finally arrived. So, I decided I needed to add to my gifts. Instead of purchasing more, I did some making&baking on Christmas Eve’s eve with my momma.

Puppy Chow

–

Chocolate Chip Cookies

–

Fudge Covered Oreos

I put them in some cute-little-themed containers for everyone. Of course, throughout the process, I munched on quite a bit of the goodies – you know, the make sure they were acceptable for gift-giving. Then mom&I laughed about our crazy sugar-buzzes – have I ever mentioned that she’s the reason for my lack-of-control when it comes to sweets. Anywho, I thought it was a great idea for the holidays. I always enjoy a gift that can be used&enjoyed immediately.

Wrapping Desires

Wrapping Presents is not my favorite thing.

I’m actually pretty bad at it…

and every year I want to wrap my presents in recycled newspaper,

but always happen to end up with real wrapping paper,

so I simply use that and disappoint myself.

.Next Year.

Hopefully.

.Next Year.

I do love ribbons&bows…

but they eventually just get smashed during transportation.