Pinterest

Well, it happened. Against all of my best efforts.... I'm addicted to Pinterest. Because I am on spring break for the next TWO weeks I had to find something to occupy my time with. I've been finding great things for school, our apt (more like future, one day, someday, hopefully sooner rather than later... house), recipes, etc.

I've already made one of the recipes I have found for salsa, and a bracelet that is made out of buttons. I tried tackling a project for the apartment where I spell out our last name on wooden plaques with decorative scrapbook paper and such, but the local JoAnn Fabrics didn't have everything I needed. So, I'm waiting on this weekend when we go home so I can go to Hobby Lobby. Yes, those back at home or in suburban communities... be grateful for all of those simple pleasures you have, like craft stores WITH PARKING.

Here's some pictures of my button bracelet. First try, but I don't think it turned out too bad. And... it was pretty easy!

We kicked off my first week of spring break (as well as my birthday week) with brunch at Table 52. It is a southern restaurant owned by Art Smith (often seen on Food Network, Top Chef, etc) right down the street from us. It was awesome! I had crab cake eggs benedict and Alex had chicken and waffles. Both were very yummy, then we also got their hummingbird cake, which is like a vanilla spiced cake. Very tasty!

So, because we were in the southern mood that day... Alex decided he wanted to make a southern meal for dinner (which was also on the brunch menu), shrimp and grits. I was truly impressed with how it turned out! Very, very good.... and he can make it again whenever he wants!

Grits mixed with cheddar cheese and spicy shrimp. Yum-O!

Then I made homemade banana bread (since we had about 10 frozen bananas in our freezer). This time I kicked it up a little with some cinnamon butter.

This is what I do on my breaks, I get very domestic for a few weeks.... cooking, cleaning, crafts... too bad it doesn't last when I'm working. haha

Brandy and Kayleigh are coming up here for the day on Friday. I'm very excited to see them and show Kayleigh around. I'm sure she'll remember it all! Then, we'll be back home for Easter and its one more week of vacation. Can't complain about that! :)

March in Review

I guess my blogging has become a little more sporadic than I intended... Sorry about that!

Well, here is our month in review. March, like what many of those in the midwest had, was amazing in the weather department! For the first time since living in Chicago, we participated in some St. Patrick's Day festivities, mainly because it was sunny and in the 70's. We spent the day with Lucas, Allison, Fife, Brad, and my friend from school Stacey. Below are some pictures from our day...

Standing on the bridge looking over the Chicago River

Mmmm... green beer

The weekend after that, we traveled back to Indiana to celebrate Miss Nora's first birthday. Rox decorated the party with an owl theme, and it was quite adorable! But, I didn't expect anything less from that mama. It was so great getting to see all of our pals we rarely get to see and to meet their little ones. Rach and Brad were back in Indiana so we were able to meet baby Noah, and El made the trip up with baby Austin. (I had met Austin when he was only a few weeks old, but this was Alex's first time seeing him.) We had so much fun watching all of the kids run around and play. It was a very busy house that afternoon.

Nora chowing down

Baby Noah

Baby Austin

The mamas and their babies

I've Been a Bad Blogger

So sorry to all of you who check in on us regularly to see what we've been up to. I promise we are still here... I've just been neglecting our little blog.

So, to make the past 2 months short and sweet, here are some bullet points:

• Christmas- We went back to Indiana for the holidays. Like always, it was super busy, but we got to see most of our family and friends as well. I even got to spend some quality time with Brandy and sweet Baby Kayleigh, I miss those girls!
• NYE- We rang in the New Year with our dear friends the Standefords (all 3 of them). A few pictures below.
• Kirsten turns 5! January 7th was Kirsten's (our soon to be niece) birthday. I can't believe she is already 5! When we first met her she was about to turn 2.... its been so neat getting to see her grow into the wonderful little person she is.
• Bulls Game- Alex and I went to our first Bulls game! It was so fun! I've been to 1 Pacers game in the past, but NBA games are really fun! I like that they have a faster pace (last about 2 hours) and there is a lot of entertainment during the entire thing- especially by Benny the Bull.
• Extended Day- When we returned to school about 3 weeks ago we started our extended day schedule. We've added 30 minutes to our school day. This has been a big deal in Chicago because CPS has the shortest school day in the country. Now, I don't work for a CPS school, so our school day was the typical 7 hours (with kids), but they were offering all schools, even charters an incentive to add time to their day... so we took it. It was an adjustment at first, but I'm used to it now. However, when the kids get home I'm sure they are exhausted... I know I am!
• That's about it for us. We really don't have too much going on in the near future, its been nice being able to relax a little more on the weekends and not running around everywhere!

Picture Time!

Visiting the Standefords!

Happy, Happy Birthday!

Bulls Game

Nashville

The Friday after Thanksgiving Alex and I took a short trip down to Nashville with our friends Stacey and Nick. Stacey teaches with me, and Alex has become good friends with her husband, Nick over the three years that we've worked together.

We had a blast checking out different parts of Nashville and spending our evenings at the honky tonks.

It definitely makes me hope these next four years go by quickly so we can HOPEFULLY make a move from the Windy City to the Music City. (Alex has to practice law in Illinois for 5 years to gain recriprocity with other states... aka not have to retake the Bar in another state). So basically, I have a mental countdown going on until we can leave Illinois. #1 on my list of places I would like to move to... Nashville. I like how it is much more easy going, affordable, milder climate, still a drivable distance to Lafayette, and the list goes on...

Here are some pictures from our trip.

Nick got an awesome deal on two rooms at the Indigo. We stayed at one in San Diego too. I highly recommend them... very nice rooms!! Alex and I got a suite.... not sure how that happened, but we'll take it!

Our view

Night #1 at the Cadillac Ranch

Nick was the brave one in our group... karaoke singing and mechanical bull riding! He sang "Queen of My Double Wide Trailer" haha Stacey was touched I'm sure.... :)

Waiting for our tour at Belle Meade Plantation

Our boots!! We love, love, love our boots! Alex has already worn them here in Chicago... and to take the trash out in. The trend will catch on here...

Night #2 at Robert's... the guy behind Stacey was there with his 9 year old son. Low and behold... they are from Chicago and the little boy goes to a school right by Stacey's parents' house! haha Small world!

I know... kids at a honky tonk?? Apparently this is allowed at some of them, we saw kids at quite a few of them.

They were really taking the whole cowboy thing seriously....