• Family Date Night at the Columbus Cottonmouths
    Life

    Columbus Cottonmouth Fun

    December 8, 2016 - By 

    Back in January we got a killer deal for Cottonmouths Hockey game. They did the same deal earlier this month and its fun to take a quick drive to Columbus for some hockey and Waffle House. Our seats this time were even better, just behind the visiting team bench. Yeah, the Cottonmouth’s mascot, Boomer is really cool. It was also Super Mario Night, so the team wore special jerseys that they auctioned off after the game. It was Boy Scout Day. We sat right behind the Peoria Rivermen, the visiting team’s bench. We won in a sudden death overtime! Here’s…

  • Christmas Tree Shopping 2016
    Life

    Christmas Tree Shopping 2016

    December 6, 2016 - By 

    Rob got up early Saturday morning and went to help a scout with his Eagle Scout project. The boys and I got up and cleared the spot in front of our living room for the tree and pulled all the Christmas decorations down from the attic. Last year the tree had to get was a little too tall because they didn’t have any decent ones that were shorter. This year they opened up a new lot with a little bit shorter ones. With the drought I was happy that they had trees, but especially Virginia Pines. Are we sure this…

  • Banana Oatmeal Cookies - These cookies are a nice change to the everyday oatmeal or chocolate chip cookies.
    Cookies - Dessert - Recipes

    Banana Oatmeal Cookies

    December 3, 2016 - By 

    Servings: about 2 dozen Prep Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 30 minutes Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 3 cups quick-cooking oats 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. nutmeg 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 cup butter, softened not melted 1 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed 1 large egg 1 cup mashed bananas (about 2 large overripe bananas) Optional: add your favorite cookie add-ins like chocolate chips, fruit, etc. Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350°. 2. Spray cookie sheets with nonstick spray. I like Bakers Joy Cake Pan Spray. 3. In…

  • Life

    Memories of the Month {12.2015}

    December 31, 2015 - By 

    This month I was happy about: getting rid of a rash that I’ve had on my leg for nearly 2 years. (joys of getting old!) This year I’m going to rate the books & movies. Here’s my rating system: ♥ ♥ = Love it! A must read/see! ♥ = Really good! Highly recommend. ✓ ✓ = Good, not great ✓ = Not much to talk about X = Awful. Total waste of time Movies I watched were: Christmas with the Kranks Other Christmas movies TV Shows I watched were: NCIS NCIS LA NCIS NO CSI Cyber Hawaii 50 The Pioneer…

  • Life

    Christmas Tree Tradition 2015

    December 18, 2015 - By 

    The last couple years for our Christmas tree shopping adventure we’ve been going to Gilbert Tree Farm. The place we used to go is just become super expensive and it would take us over an hour to get there. We love Virginia Pines, but those don’t seem to be selling like they used to, so less farms in our area our growing them. We’re really glad that Gilbert Farms still has them. It’s also been raining the last few years when we’ve gone, so that’s why you haven’t seen a post about it in a while. The weekend we went…

  • RBD Library is Growing!
    Life

    RBD Library is Growing!

    December 11, 2015 - By 

    Now that the university is closed for Christmas break, construction on RBD to add the new Mell Commons Building will begin over the holidays. The staff of the library took a picture today infront of our building since it will never look like this again. Photo above by Jayson Hill – AUL libraries (Flickr) I also got some shots to remember what it looked like from different angles. See all the pics I took here. To see progress on the new building see this link: Mell Commons

  • Dessert - Recipes

    Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies

    December 10, 2015 - By 

    It’s that time of year again, when we get back in the kitchen to whip up yummy treats. Cookies, candies, cakes, pies, and brownies! Brownies? Yes, these Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies are a great alternative to your typical brownies. Servings: 18 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 30 minutes Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter 8 oz. coarsely chopped semi-sweet chocolate 3/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar 3 large eggs 2 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 cup + 2 tbs. all-purpose flour 2 tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 tsp. salt Peanut Butter Part: 3/4 cup Reese’s Spreads Peanut Butter Chocolate…

  • Travel

    Thanksgiving Weekend 2015

    December 5, 2015 - By 

    This year for Thanksgiving we drove down to Spring Hill, Florida for a family visit. Rob’s Mom, brother, Nick, and adopted sister, Rachael as well as Rob’s sister Maria and her entire family came as well. We rented a home on VRBO.com. We split our time between the rental home and Gramma’s house. It was nice to catch up with my sis-in-law and her family since we don’t get to see them much. They live in Texas now and the last time we saw them was a little over a year ago. Seeing the cousins hang out made my heart…

  • Travel

    Winter Gatlinburg Trip

    December 5, 2015 - By 

    Last year was the first Annual Ski Trip for our Boy Scout (and family can come too so we get the group rate) trip. You can read about that trip here: —Boy Scout Ski Trip 2014::Gatlinburg, TN {Day 1 & 2} —Boy Scout Ski Trip 2014::Gatlinburg, TN {Day 3 & 4} This year the boys wanted to do it again. We ended up at the Days Inn again. It’s not the nicest of places, in fact some of the parents opted to stay somewhere else this year. We like it for the price and the location. It’s in the same…

  • Chicken - Pork - Recipes

    Hawaiian Chicken Marinade

    December 4, 2015 - By 

    Growing up, one of my favorite places to eat was Steak & Ale. Anybody remember that restaurant? I even had one of my birthday parties there and invited a bunch of my girlfriends back in elementary school. We all go dressed up in nice dresses and had a lovely dinner at Steak & Ale. My favorite thing to order was their Hawaiian Chicken. This Hawaiian Chicken Marinade takes me back in time. So flavorful whether you cook it outside on the grill or inside. Servings: 4 cups Prep Time: 2-3 days to marinade Cooking Time: 25 minutes Ingredients: 1/2 cup…

  • Life

    Memories of the Month {11.2015}

    December 3, 2015 - By 

    This month I was happy about: many things! See further down… This year I’m going to rate the books & movies. Here’s my rating system: ♥ ♥ = Love it! A must read/see! ♥ = Really good! Highly recommend. ✓ ✓ = Good, not great ✓ = Not much to talk about X = Awful. Total waste of time Movies I watched were: Don’t think I watched any. TV Shows I watched were: NCIS NCIS LA NCIS NO CSI Cyber Hawaii 50 Nashville The Pioneer Woman Life Unexpected (Neftlix) My favorite song this month was: Me 4 U by Omi…

  • Travel

    Clearwater Beach

    December 2, 2015 - By 

    Over Labor Day weekend, we went down to Spring Hill to visits Rob’s grandparents. One of the days we all piled in the car and drove down to Clearwater Beach. Rob and Drew hung out there at Spring Break when they went down for Baseball’s Spring training, so Rob knew the perfect spot to park Pier 60 at Clearwater Beach is a great location to park and costs $3.00/hour. We enjoyed a few hours on the beach before packing up and finding a place to eat. I spot a mermaid! Lots of building going on. A good amount of folks…

  • Beef - Dinner - Recipes

    Hamburger Pasta Soup {Crockpot}

    December 1, 2015 - By 

    I love when I’m scrounging around in the kitchen for something for dinner and the ingredients just fall into place. That’s what happened the other night when I was looking for something to make in the crockpot for the next day. Lately I’ve been on a quest to buy 1 new ingredient once a month to try in a recipe. I’ve had this Radiatori pasta just hanging out in the pantry for awhile. I decided to give it a try in this Hamburger Pasta Soup. Have you ever heard of it before? Servings: Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 8…

  • Travel

    Afternoon in Cocoa Beach

    November 20, 2015 - By 

    After leaving Fort Lauderdale, we continued north towards Cocoa Beach. We checked into the hotel and ventured across the street to the beach. I was feeling quite nostalgic knowing Dad used to live right near there on a condo in the beach. It was quite breezy and a bit cold, but that didn’t stop the kids from getting in the water. Rob and I walked along the beach enjoyed watching cruise ships pass by in the distance. There was also several flocks of birds to keep us occupied. Carnival ship in the distance Disney ship in the distance Lots and…

  • Skiing_January_2014
    Life

    Year in Review 2014

    December 29, 2014 - By 

    My favorite moments of 2014: [January] Starting the year off by driving home from a long week in Texas after my Dad’s death. Family Ski Trip with Drew’s Boy Scout Trip in Gatlinburg, TN Day 1 & 2      Day 3 & 4 Another Scout Trip, but this time with the Cub Scout to the McWane Center in Birmingham, AL. Snowpocalypse ================ [February]

  • Sloppy Joe Pasta
    Beef - Recipes

    Sloppy Joe Pasta

    December 29, 2014 - By 

    Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Ingredients: 1 tbs. dark brown sugar 3 tbs. red wine vinegar 3 tbs. Worcestershire sauce 1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 2 tbs. minced garlic 1 diced small green bell pepper 1 diced small onion 1 cup beef broth 12 oz. elbow macaroni with ridges 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese Directions: 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. 2. Brown meat with onion and green pepper. 3. While the meat is browning cook the macaroni. 4. After meat is…

  • Christmas_2014
    Life

    Christmas 2014

    December 29, 2014 - By 

    Family Friday {Christmas edition} Christmas came and went so fast. We enjoyed our normal breakfast of apple dumplins and sausage balls. Opened gifts and then, Rob started preparing our Christmas dinner of homemade meatballs, sauce, and pasta. We had a scaled down Christmas and I was happy that everyone was just as happy. Drew got a new phone. Alex got a bike. Rob got a toolbox and I got a Fitbit. Daisy is all over Christmas. She opened her own gifts and then proceeded to try and help all of us open ours. We enjoyed a lovely dinner with Rob’s…

  • Beef - Dinner - Pork - Recipes

    Ravioli Soup

    December 27, 2014 - By 

    I’ve tried my hand at Ravioli soup and finally after the 3rd try I think I nailed it! This is so easy. Done in less than 30 minutes as long as you don’t have to thaw the meat. A true crowd pleaser. Servings: 6 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 15 minutes Ingredients: 1 tbs. olive oil 1 pound spicy Italian sausage 3 cloves minced garlic 1 diced onion 1/2 diced green peppers 2 cups chicken stock 1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes 1/2 tsp. dried basil 1/2 tsp. dried oregano 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes Kosher salt and…

  • Auburn_Parade_2014
    Life

    Auburn Christmas Parade

    December 24, 2014 - By 

    On this Christmas Eve, many of us are busy hustling around getting last minute shopping trips, wrapping gifts, and cooking. I’m guilty of all three, I’m afraid. I thought I throw together a few pics from the Auburn Christmas Parade from a few weeks ago. All three 4 of my family members were in the parade. Drew and Caitlyn are the AHS band so they marched and played. Rob and Alex were with the Cub Scouts. Since Alex is a Webelos II this year, he got to walk in front of the float. Does your city have a Christmas parade?

  • Travel

    Must Sees in Piedmont Park Atlanta, GA

    December 23, 2014 - By 

    A few months ago, Rob and I were in Atlanta for a few days. He was at a work conference so I was on my own during the day. I was excited that we were staying in Midtown, because I knew I wasn’t far from Piedmont Park. Piedmont Park Atlanta, GA is the Central Park of Atlanta; just not nearly as big, it’s still a really cool place. It’s nestled just a couple miles northeast of downtown Atlanta. The park runs along 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue in Midtown Atlanta. 5 Things to See at Piedmont Park Atlanta, GA One…