Home Improvements

A few weeks ago, the paint in our shower started to crack.  Right before it drove me completely insane, Nick spent his ONLY day off making the repairs.  WHEW!

It was about this time that we realized the idiots had painted over wallpaper.

And then I found more spots that I wanted repaired.  :)

And more...

 

Finally time to paint!  This was after only 3 trips to WALMART looking for the correct color of this crappy paint.

Messy!

When Walmart mixes your colors, they don't exactly match... so Nick pretty much repainted the entire bathroom.

Whew!  Good as new (in 1950).

We now have a new and improved bathroom!  Are you digging our pink tile??  Don't be jealous.

Christmas Gifts

:::Taking on my new domestic persona now:::


This year, I hope to make some fun Christmas gifts for out of town friends and family.  I've made Christmas butter cookies in the past, and it is always a big hit.  This year, I want to mix it up though.  Here's a new recipe I'm thinking of.

Homemade Peppermint Oreos

These look SO delicious!  I'm not sure how I would package them to be mailed though.  Ideas?

This is another gift idea that I think is really fun!  And it is definitely different.  It would be easy to mail... but expensive, I'm sure.

Sugar Scrubs

 Kind of interesting... kind of weird.

What do you think?  Other great ideas?  What would YOU like to receive for Christmas?

I'm really starting to get in the Christmas spirit!

Throwback Thursday

Remember these?

Christine and I had these in the sixth grade.  We wore them with our plaid school uniforms at Marquette.  GOD we were cool.

My Favorite Game

This week, I find myself reminiscing about the old days of Sooner Football... well, the days of 2008 anyway.  Two years ago this week, Norman was preparing for, perhaps, the biggest game in the history of Memorial Stadium.  My studies (obviously) fell to the wayside as College Football Live and the Sports Animal consumed me.  I couldn't remember being that excited for a game, and I certainly haven't been that excited since.

In early October, OU lost the big game in Dallas to the Shorthorns.  Things had to happen just right for us to appear in the Big XII Championship game, and we had pretty much written off a shot at the National Championship.  Until...

OU was beating Nebraska by about 100 on this night in Norman, so we all headed to NY Pizza to cheer on the Red Raiders.  These pics are evidence of the big victory for Leach and company.

(No judgements please.  Our National Championship hopes had just been restored.) 

A few weeks later was the big game in Norman!  Early that week, Coach Stoops made a comment in his Tuesday press conference about our fans being complacent.  It was fuel to the fire.  We could not wait for kickoff!

Tailgating with the Bradfords with our little Red Raider Lynsey.  (It is a wonder she still hangs out with us.)

We still had student tickets, so we arrived early.  It was coooold, and we had to fight for seats, but it was so worth it!  There was nowhere else to watch this game.

It was a blowout, but not one person left early.

Sammy B thanking the fans.

That game paved the way for great things in 2008.

To KC we went!

  

 

Then, to NYC.

 

Then, to South Beach!

OU v Texas Tech in 2008 was my favorite game, and it was probably the last time I'll ever sit in the student section.  While the excitement this weekend won't compare to the excitement two years ago, I hope the scores are similar!  BEAT TECH.

Encheeeese!

I haven't had time to cook much due to my busy time of year, and I'm so glad to be able to eat in now!  (I was getting pretty sick of Whataburger.)  I loooooove me some Mexican food!  Last night, I decided it was time to try my hand at enchiladas!  Note: There is NOTHING healthy about these.  :)

First, in a skillet, heat butter, onion, and green chilis.  Then, add in cream cheese and grated cheese.

Then, mix in the chicken.  (I cooked 4 chicken breasts  and 1 can of rotel in a  crockpot for 5 hours on high.  It was PERFECT and shredded very easily.)

Put several table spoons of filling in a tortilla (I used flour, but corn would be crunchier), and roll them up!  Place in 9x13 baking dish.

It filled the pan, and I had an 8x8 baking dish leftover to freeze!

Cover in sauce (1 can enchee sauce, 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream) and shredded cheese.  Pop in the oven (350 degrees; 20 minutes covered, then 10 minutes uncovered) and enjoy!
 

I paired them with refried beans (YUM) and chips and guac (of course!).

Dad came over.  We enjoyed our Mexican feast and watched 30 for 30 on Marcus Dupree!  

 

All in all, it was a good evening and a great dinner!  The encheese are very tasty, but they are pretty heavy.  Can't eat them every day, but they make for a good treat!

California Fairy Tale Wedding

Two of my best friends, Ashley Bartell and Michael Zinke, married each other this October in Santa Barbara County, California.  It was SUCH a great time in one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.  Here are a few of my favorite pics from the weekend.

 Wine tasting with Shannon and Katie!

Winery No. 2

Winery No. 3

I loved this little town!

This Winery paired wine with cupcakes!  HOLY HEAVEN!

Carnival Rehearsal Dinner

Patti Z and Patty B!

The fabulous Lauren Pralle!

College friends.

Me with my new Houston friends!  These girls are SO fun.

Me and roomie Shannon getting ready!  Love her.

The view from our room.

Site of the ceremony

Danna and me

Waiting to get hitched!

Love this girl.

Annnnnnnd... married!

Yay for Pralle! Pralle, Ashley and I all lived together in the Chi O house sophomore year at OU.  It was great to be back together again!

It was a spectacular weekend, and I'm so glad I got to witness two great friends tie the knot.  Congrats and well-wishes to Ashley and Michael!  (I'm really glad to be relieved of mail-getting duty.  :)