artsy

artsy

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

My Rainy Day

It's a rainy leap day hump day, which means I:

decided that the 40 minutes of straight jumping activities, followed by flat-out running for Follow the Leader counts as my exercise for today

came home to an extra snuggly cat who watched Paula Deen with me

toasted two (!!) pieces of homemade bread and topped them with strawberry jam as a snack

drank a deliciously warm and cozy mug of tea while looking out the window at the rain and feeling glad I was inside

put on slippers to keep my feet extra toasty and snuggly

For some odd reason I love rainy days, don't you?

~A

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Pittsburgh Penguins: Filet Mignon Game

The game this afternoon was perfect.

And it was my sister's (almost) first time seeing a live hockey game. Her first one was when she was an infant, so not much participation from her back then.

But seriously, this was everything you could ask for in a hockey game.

The game was at home, in a gorgeous arena. She had a brand new (birthday) jersey on, new Pens earrings, and a new hat as well.

Before the first period was over, the Penguins were winning 3-0. Kunitz scored first, then Cooke, and then Staal. To make it more awesome, Staal scored a short-handed breakaway goal, always AWESOME to watch.

By the end of the second period, then Pens were winning 5-1, and the game had a few fights, which always livens up the fans.

The third period, though, was where the magic happened. Earlier on in the game, Malkin and Tampa Bay's goalie had an altercation, which resulted in the goalie shoving Malkin down. Well Malkin decided to get even by scoring a bunch of goals. 3 to be exact. Which is a HAT TRICK!!! What a cool thing to see at a game!!

And the Pens won, 8-1.

And they are going to the Melting Pot tomorrow to celebrate Kathryn's 10th birthday!

GOAL. OF. THE. YEAR! (Malkin's second goal of the afternoon, btw)


Oh man. Reminds me of Mario. 

I love hockey. So much.

~A

Friday, February 24, 2012

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Hodgepodge

It's Ash Wednesday!

There are about 24095729487 things I want to post about, so hopefully I can get a few cleared up today, and we'll see where we are from there.

First and foremost, um, did you watch Glee?!? I kind of flipped out because it was one of the best episodes ever. Also Smash was really good on Monday. And New Girl continues to make both Ben and I laugh until we start crying.

Secondly, the Pens got a shutout last night against the Rangers (!!) and it's also the 32nd anniversary of Herb Brooks' Miracle speech (he later went on to coach the Pens)


I'm hoping we will be able to get our kids to do this speech one day too :)

Thirdly, can you believe Lent is upon us already? Ben and I are giving up ice cream (goodness gracious!) and I am adding exercising and letter writing to my daily schedule. Today I barely made it through a session of P90X, although I did sweat a LOT.

Fourthly, I just finished this book:


It was super awesome. 

Now I'm re-reading this book:


I'm trying to be happier each day. I even bought Ben a newspaper to read JUST CAUSE! 

Fifthly (?) we had tacos last night. Yes. With guacamole. It was devine. 

Sixthly, it's almost spring break and I am getting so so SO excited to have a week to just relax. This is a hint for lots of people to come and visit. We can watch you eat Creamery ice cream. 

Seventhly. I kind of just wanted to type seventhly.

Happy Lenting!

~A

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Valentine's DAYYYYY!

What a crazy out-of-control day today.

School was wild, the weather is this gross snowy, rainy, slushy mess, and I think I lost my core (Seinfeld...anyone?) because I am freezing!!!

But check out what's on the way for me from my one and only true love (he ordered it, but it isn't here yet)


I got him underwear, socks, and a new pizza paddle. 

We're in love :)

~A

Monday, February 13, 2012

Oh my pizza!

All I have to say is...

really Paula? Really?!



I am appalled. 

I also have decided I want to be Paula Deen when I grow up. But minus the diabetes.

~A

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Drink Conspiracy, or How I Learned not to Cry over Spilt Milk



I am just not capable of holding drinks on the couch.

Or near the couch.

Seriously.

Last night was pizza night (my favorite day!!) and I was really excited to watch some Indiana Jones and eat pizza. We sat down on the couch (on Saturdays we can eat in front of the tv because we watch movies with our pizza. It's a Soltoff Thing.) and settled in to watch our movie of choice. Not 5 minutes into it, I accidentally knocked my drink off its coaster and it went ALL OVER the couch. "Oh" you say, "but it was just water because that's what you had to drink, right Amanda?" Well, this was not water my friends. Bright red Mike's black cherry lemonade was quickly soaking into the couch, my shirt, and my comfortable-because-it's-Saturday leggings. Ben and I sprung into action. Towels were flying, Resolve was spraying, and I was Googling how to get out stains FAST. I got answers like pour some kitty litter on the spill and make a paste out of baking soda and Ben was holding about 291857 towels to sop everything up. Long story short: Ben ran out and got some stain stick for my clothes, and I Resolved the couch until I couldn't see ANY redness anywhere.

"Wow" you think, "well, anyone can spill a drink once, right?"

Wrong.

(at least in my case)

Since the couch was drying, we moved our party to the floor and made a little fort out of pillows. Then Ben offered to make me another drink (I know what you're thinking... "noooooooo" but guys, it was fabulous!). He handed it to me and I enjoyed it for, oh, about 2 minutes before somehow I manage to spill it down the front of my (changed into) shirt (really?? REALLY??). Luckily, this time it was mostly on me.

But come on!

What a night!

(When I made my coffee this morning, I was THISCLOSE to dropping my mug after I poured creamer into it. There is a conspiracy I tell you, there must be)



At this point, I'm thinking by the time I spill milk, I won't have anything to cry over, I'll just be immune.

Cheers,

~A

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Super Bowl? or SOUPER Bowl?

America...you decide.

Actually, I am writing to talk about today, and all the specialness and definite over exaggeration normalness that make it so unique. 

First of all, I want to make it clear who I'm rooting for this year in Indy. No, it's not NASCAR or Peyton har de har har.

It's the commercials.


I mean, the Today Show (of which I am an avid fan) did MORE THAN ONE story on these commercials, so you know they are important. 

But let's get down to business (haha "to defeat *bum BUM* the Huns)

Today is all about one thing. 

CHILI!


When I was unmarried, for Super Bowl Sunday we almost always had chili. We would even have chili when the Steelers weren't playing (which was infrequently. because they're awesome. and champions.) So this year when the hubs and I were planning our Super Bowl Extravaganza Party Fete Shindig (for ourselves), I asked if we could incorporate my family tradition. I don't think I have ever seen the hubbaroo turn down an opportunity to have chili, and so it is currently bubbling happily in our Crock-Pot. Plus we are having delicious Mexican appetizers. 

Can we talk serious for a minute though?



How great is it that the Piglet Pep Squad will be performing at Puppy Bowl VIII???



Really. There are articles about the Puppy Bowl. Information about the starting lineup. I am just astounded at the sheer excellence the Puppy Bowl en"tails." Can we "paws" for a minute and admire the greatness?

Man, I am on fire today! It's not even 1 pm :) It must be that chocolate swirled banana bread I made this morning. 


Or that sprinkle donut I ate for breakfast.


Or coffeeeeeeeeeeeee.


(sigh) No, my coffee didn't ACTUALLY look like that this morning. How awesome would that be if it did though? In honor of this special day??

Well, enjoy your Super Bowl experience. Do your thing, chicken wing.

(get it?? because so many chicken wings are going to be consumed? i am seriously on point today!)

~A