Wednesday, August 4, 2010

CityDeals

Found this cool website where you can buy gift certificates to restaurants and shops for up to 80% off. So far I've bought certificates for Buca di Beppo, Main Street Pizza & Noodle, Tommy's Texas BBQ, TacoTime, etc. I prolly sound like an ad for the company, but I promise I have no affiliation :) ...But if you are going to check it out, you should go through this link so I get credit for the referral.

http://www.citydeals.com/?ref=CDUMTA1ODkw

You can also use this coupon code to get free shipping.
russellbc

Monday, June 21, 2010

My current situation...

I'm making progress. I've progressed from the sofa in the living room to the patio chairs outside... At least I'm still smiling :)


Monday, June 7, 2010

Dog of the Day

My baby is the Dog of the Day on Juli-Anne Warll's blog.


Juli-Anne is a local Park City photographer with incredible talent!

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Spring Training

As a kid, my family went to spring training every season for several years in a row. Oh the fond memories of hanging around the locker rooms until every single player had left (wouldn't want to miss out on any autographs), basking in the sun all day and then going straight to the swimming pool when we got back to the hotel, and riding around in the convertible with the top down and hair blowing in the breeze. If you couldn't tell already, I love AZ! Would love to live there someday.

Erik has heard all the stories (many times over by now), so this year I decided he needed to experience it all for himself...

First 2 nights were spent in Tucson, this is at the pool at our hotel
Hi Corbett Field in Tucson, the Rockies home field
Us in the outfield at Hi CorbettErik and his favorite Rockie, Jason Giambi
Me and Granny's fave, Todd Helton
Our seats were awesome
The Air Force base was just a few block away. They were putting on a show over the stadium with all kinds of amazing airplanes (sure don't know the names of any of them). Your tax dollars hard at work...
The view from the stadium. Pretty cool!
This was at the bar after the ballgame. Not quite sure whats going on...
Then we headed up to Scottsdale for a couple of days. This is Surprise Stadium, home of the KC Royals and Texas Rangers. Now I can see why the Rockies campaigned for a new stadium! It was beautiful.
Awesome seats!
Apparently they serve tequila by the glassful at Surprise Stadium (yet another reason to move to AZ!)
If you're ever in Scottsdale, pay a visit to the Old Town Tortilla Factory! The food and ritas were delish, and on top of that, they serve unlimited homemade tortillas! TO DIE FOR!! Erik at the restaurant, in his new KC Royals hat. boooooooo
After dinner we hit up a lil cowboy bar called The Rusty Spur. Saw the Psychobilly Rodeo Band play and this sign was posted on the wall. Interesting place, to say the least...
This was the view from our hotel in Scottsdale. So pretty
Breakfast with a view
This little ducky was hungry too.
And this is the pool where we lounged all day on our last day of vacation. Seriously considered never going back to UT, or anywhere else cold.
Did I mention that it was 8o degrees with no humidity, every day we were there?! HEAVEN, to say the least.

Monday, March 15, 2010

♥ Doc

We have a new dog in the family! Meet Doc (formerly know as Spartacus).
He is a 160lb, almost 2 year old St. Bernard, and more importantly he is Brandi's brother from the very same litter! Erik found him in the classifieds, and long story short, we had to have him. Except "we" already have two 100+lb dogs, so we pawned him off on Erik's dad instead. He has a big giant house all to himself and needs a friend to keep him company.

This is how Brandi felt about us bringing home another dog...
That's her pouty position.

And this is how Bandit felt about it...
Not too concerned.

Doc made himself right at home.
We're so excited to have him around. He is the sweetest cuddly giant dog ever and his head is HUGE. So well mannered! I ♥ him already.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

I'm Not Sharing

Bandit got a new bed for Vday, and for those of you that know Bandit, you most certainly know how much she values her sleep...

So here's a summary of how her night went:
Then Brandi comes up and wants her to get off of the bed and play... Bandit gives her the stink eye.
Brandi looks to Mom and Dad for some help, as if we were going to make Bandit get up. She looked so comfy.Brandi starts to fall asleep waiting for Bandit to get up. Meanwhile, Bandit is fast asleep again.
Brandi's pouty face. "Puhhhhhlease make her get up and play with me!"Brandi finally gives up and goes to play with her toys by herself. Bandit is still sleeping and hasn't moved much since the first photo (about an hour ago!)
Until this photo... for some reason I think she MUST have been much more comfortable than she looked. How is she sleeping like that?!?No flowers and chocolates for this girl. The only man she needs is her daddy, as long as he's willing to buy her a big fluffy new bed and a GIANT box of milkbones :)

Monday, February 15, 2010

Bring Home the Bling

Just in case you're keeping track like I am...

Friday, February 5, 2010

Livin the Life

This is pretty much what we do all winter long, however we do occasionally get up to actually ski...

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Fortune Cookie

I'm looking forward to my fortune from lunchtime coming true...

Monday, January 18, 2010

♥ Etsy

For those of you who don't already know about this site, I have a new found love for Etsy. Its kinda like Ebay, but for all things handmade and/or vintage. They have fabulous handmade jewelery, clothing, home decor, stationary... I could go on for-ever. they have everything for every budget! Since discovering this lovely little site, I don't think I've gone a single day without logging on to browse what's new. They even have a live feed for recently listed items, its almost better than watching TV. Just sayin'.

Some of my recent finds include this chunky faux turquoise bracelet for only $6.50.This adorable feather headband for $8.00.
And this awesome sugar free, low carb cookie mix. YUMMY
I think its safe to say that I've fallen in love with a website! Even if you don't intend to purchase anything, go take a look... So many great craft ideas, you'll find yourself itching to do something creative and inspiring!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Why we live where we do...

Taken during my drive home from work on Friday evening, 'nuff said.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Happy New Year

Soo this is the only holiday photo I took, but it pretty much sums up my holiday season: bright, fun, and all around wonderful.

I spent most of the past two weeks baking up a storm, celebrating with BOTH families, and enjoying some much needed time off of work. The only part I didn't enjoy was the Broncos playing themselves out of the playoffs, that wasn't too great. Oh well, there's always next year, right?

My Christmas decorations are finally starting to come down and I'm working on getting the house back in order. Its always a challenge to find places for all the christmas gifts, when we already had a house FULL of stuff. We are so lucky to have so many gracious friends and family members!

I promise to get better about blogging now that the chaos is over. In the mean time, Happy New Year to everyone and let the resolutions get underway.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Let the baking begin...

For those of you who like to bake just because it's Christmas, and you can without feeling guilty... Here are some fun recipes for your tummy's enjoyment :)

Oreo Balls












1 package Oreos
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
1 package dipping chocolate

Crush Oreos in a food processor until very fine (you could also use a blender). Mix in the cream cheese. Form into 1" balls and chill for 1 hour. Melt chocolate and dip the balls. Set on wax paper to cool. Drizzle with melted white chocolate, if desired. Refrigerate.

courtesy of Little Birdie Secrets


Monster Cookies











3 eggs
1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 12-ounce jar creamy or chunky peanut butter (i like chunky)
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 cup m&m’s
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/4 cup heath/toffee bits
1/4 cup butterscotch chips
1/4 cup raisins (optional. i don’t like them but lot’s of people do)
2 teaspoons baking soda
4 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal (not instant)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats.
In a very large mixing bowl, combine the eggs and sugars. Mix well. Add the salt, vanilla, peanut butter, and butter. Mix well. Stir in the m&ms, chocolate chips, everything but the kitchen sink, baking soda, and oatmeal. Drop by tablespoons 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Do not overbake. Let stand for about 3 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool


Courtesy of Katie Kepsel


English Toffee














1 cup sugar
1/2 lb (2 cubes) butter or margarine
2 T. water
1/2 bag milk chocolate chips or 5 Hershey bars
finely chopped walnuts, optional

Cook sugar, butter, and water over medium-high heat stirring constantly until golden brown (this happens very quickly so keep your eye on it). If butter separates just keep going, it will go back together. Part butter and part margarine separates less than all butter. Pour quickly onto an ungreased cookie sheet. While hot, sprinkle chocolate on top of candy. Wait a minute or two for the chocolate to soften then spread evenly with a knife. Top with nuts, if desired. When cool break into small pieces and eat like crazy!

Also courtesy of Little Birdie Secrets


Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies
















1 cup butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups uncooked regular oats
1 (11.5-ounce) package semisweet chocolate mega morsels
1 cup chopped toasted pecans

Preheat oven to 350°.
Beat butter and sugars at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla, beating well.
Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl, stirring well. Add oats; stir well. Add to butter mixture; stir until well blended. Gently stir in morsels and pecans. Drop by rounded tablespoons 2 inches apart onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until brown around edges. Cool on pan 2 to 3 minutes or until firm. Remove cookies from pan; cool on wire racks.

Courtesy of MyRecipes.com