I'm Baaaccckkkk

Holy cow has it really been almost two (wait three!) months? I cannot let that happen again! I've been busy these past couple weeks shopping, decorating and baking. I'm done shopping (I have one thing to order and that's IT). I've wrapped everything there is to wrap...are you jealous yet? And now I get to breath, relax and blog :)

Over Thanksgiving Nick & I went to my parents in PA. We went shopping that weekend and got a ton done. Plus snagged many a great deals! For decor I was looking for some low cost items to put in my apothecary jars, which I found at Michael's. I love that place. They have such great sales. As soon as we got home I dug pulled out all our Christmas decorations, YAY! Here are the new buys from Michael's:
 

Gosh that last picture makes our window look really barren but I like the simple look, plus we're renters & I'm lazy about window treatments. Anywhoo, 1 pine cone bag-$1.99 & the ornaments were $1.50 for 3 balls & the Martha Stewart start garland was $4. Plus 25% of my total purchase. The best part is they incorporate my favorite color! Which you guessed it, yup seaglass blue :) 

Some other newbies are this awesome cinnamon broom my Grammy, aunt & I got from Trader Joes. It was $3.99 which I thought was a steal and cinnamon is my absolute favorite smelling flavor. The garland around our door is a funny story. Our friends dressed up as a koala bear & a eucalyptus tree for Halloween. The tree was made of garland branches and left them for trash after the party...you know what they sayyy..TREASURE. I had the white lights from the wedding in May and viola. Christmastime is here.

Here are the oldies but goodies:

 

We have the smallest Charlie Brown tree ever & I love it! Easy to store and put up. One of the roomies came home and asked, "Who got their presents professionally wrapped?" I taking pride in my gift wrapping skill, did a little jig & giggle said, "No one sister that's ALL ME. Booyah." Said skills are attributed to my mother. We LOVE bows. Those cute little plates are from Target last year $1.50 each and they have them again this year! Tempted to add some reindeer to the mix. Sorry Nick, not for killing. And the wreath was a fun project my mom & I did while home from college 4ish years ago. OH and those silver star tags, got a 15 pack of them at the end of season sale at Target for .05! YOU MUST GO. I also got a 24 set of pretty balls (for if we ever get a big tree) for $.89!!!! The sale starts a week after Christmas? I think, don't quote me on that.

Like many of you probably do I look at blogs in my free time. And lately I've been cooking my way through these two: Bakergirl and Chef in Training. We made the Ranchhouse Porkchops for the second time last night and they are SO yummy and super easy (just click the chef in training link). These reindeer cookies were too cute not to bake. Warning, mine don't look as cute as Bakergirls. Cute cookies in 6 minutes & all you need is: peanut butter cookie mix, M&M's, and Utz chocolate covered pretzels. I took the cookies out just before they were done stuck on their faces and threw them back in to 'set.' Took them out, spread them out to dry overnight (okay I let Nick kill a couple of these reindeer) and I killed ate two for breakfast this morning!

Happy Holidays everyone!! I'll be back next week!!

P.S. The Lights on the Bay is Saturday night in Annapolis, come out and enjoy the Annapolitan life!

Plus there will be fireworks!

xo Suz

Fun * Fab * Free Events in Annapolis

Happy Hump Day to my fellow Annapolitans! Every Hump Day I plan to complie a list of FREE events for all you penny pinchers who are just like me! But I promise not include anything lame/ something I'd never do. This list is hand selected and I've chosen only the most fab of the freebies. You might even see me this weekend creepin' through some of these scenes:

Today, September 14, 2011

Summer Jazz Concert Series at 6:00pm featuring The Robert Redd Quartet
Where: Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD 

• You can bring lawn chairs, blankets, food and coolers. They say no alcoholic beverages...Hard Bean Cafe will be selling food, beer and wine if you're a scaredy cat like me and don't want to break the rules.

Thursday, September 15, 2011
Live Music at Stan & Joes featuring Higher Hands at 6:00pm 

• They rock, we've seen them a bunch of times around town. I promise they are some of the best homegrown musicians in town. And if you're ever wondering where we are for happy hour it's normally posted up at Stan & Joes.

 

Friday, September 16, 2011

Friday Night Concert Series at 7:30pm featuring Misspent Youth
Where: Annapolis Towne Centre at Parole, 203 Harker Place, Annapolis, MD

• Get there early and get an outdoor table at Zikkis (try da bomb roll!!), Cadillac Ranch, Gordon Beirsch or BYO chair & beverage to sit and enjoy.

Live Music at 10:00pm featuring The Corsicans
Where: Castlebay Irish Pub, 193 Main Street, Annapolis, MD

• I heart live music! Especially anything in tune with my heritage :)

Saturday, September 17, 2011
Rams Head Kegs N' Eggs 22nd Anniversary from 7:00am-1:00pm (Free Entrance)
Where: Rams Head Tavern, 33 West St, Annapolis, MD 

• Drink Specials & Anniversary Breakfast: Two eggs any style, served with brunch spuds, choice of meat, choice of toast and fruit served from 7am-11am for only $7
• Prizes: 1st 50 people through the door get a ticket to a show at Rams Head Live in Baltimore; Prizes given every ½ hour.
• Live Music featuring Kieran Lally, Matt McConville and The Cheaters Unplugged

Trash & Treasure Rummage Sale from 8:00am-Noon
Where: Roger W. "Pip" Moyer Community Recreation Center, 273 Hilltop Lane, Annapolis, MD

• You can sign up to sell your items or just go and search out some new treasure!

Free Yoga Mat Class at 9:00am
Where: Lululemon Athletica, 1915 Towne Centre Blvd, Annapolis, MD 21401

• BYO mat class hosted by fab guest instructors from around Annapolis...I haven't tried this yet but I am def. planing on checking it out!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Maryland Avenue Fall Festival from 10:00am-5:00pm

Where: Maryland Ave. & State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401

• I will be grabbing the fam & the pup for a day of fun! The festival features art, live music, fashion, food and more. 
• Live music by The Sean Fleming Band, Up on Blocks and The Bridgette Michaels Band.

Annapolis FRESHFARM Market from 8:30am-Noon
Where: 100 Compromise Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

• Producer-only Annapolis FRESHFARM Market is located in the Donner Parking Lot on Compromise Street on the harbor in downtown Annapolis. No doubt the freshest, seasonal foods from regional farmers including fruits, vegetables, pastured meats, handmade cheeses, breads, eggs, plants, flowers and WHOOP!
• Where: Stan & Joes Saloon 37 West Street, Annapolis, MD

IT'S ALL FREE BABY! Now get out there and go have fun.

You're welcome.

I'm featured on here today

Day of Remembrance, Skins 1-0

I woke up Sunday morning in a grumpy mood. Partially because I first woke to Nick violently shaking me while screaming it's, "GAME DAAYYYY!! GO SKIINNSS!!" This was at 6:30am. On a Sunday. All week he's been acting like a kid on Christmas Eve waiting for the Redskins opening day. Naturally my answer to this outburst was to roll over and put the covers over my head yelling politely telling him to "GET OUT!" I woke up again around 9am ready to face the day. I was slow moving at first...then I realized this was happening outside my door:

On Sunday the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis hosted the second annual 9/11 Heroes Run, which attracted more than 600 runners. The 9/11 Heroes Run is held in memory of those who lost their lives protecting our country and to honor those who protect us everyday like fire fighters, police officers and military personnel. The run raises money for the Travis Manion Foundation.Tom and Janet Manion started receiving checks in the mail after they lost their son, Travis Manion, to enemy sniper fire in 2007. His parents decided to donate every penny, more than $100k, to causes that encourage service and love of country, and that's how the Travis Manion Foundation started. Nick & I unfortunately didn't hear about the race in time to sign up but we are always happy to cheer on such a worthy cause, even if I am in my PJs and my hair's not did. Don't judge me.

Inside, we tuned the TV to the 9/11 Memorial Plaza Special and listened to it while we got ready for the Redskins game. It was hard for me to watch...so I listened from the bathroom as I got ready while Nick was showering, over the steam and water I could faintly hear bagpipes playing Amazing Grace coming from the TV. It was enough to give me goose bumps and bring tears to my eyes. Then Nick started whistling the tune and I asked, "Did that song just pop into your head?" He said, "Yea, why?" Me: "Because it's playing on the TV right now." I love Amazing Grace, it's something about the mixture of feelings: melancholy, hope and gratefulness.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.


Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

I lived in Warwick, New York for five years - about 60 minutes from Manhattan. My closest neighbors were NYC police officers on duty 9/11/01. My best friends parents were at work  in NYC & at the Pentagon 9/11/01. My dads coworkers were in the towers on 9/11/01.  And my uncle is in Afghanistan today, ten years later, with twin daughters who are about to turn one year old. He will miss their birthday. I want to stop and thank anyone who is currently serving this country, living by the motto: If not me, Then who? You are appreciated every. single. day. We will never forget.

On the way to the Redskins game that afternoon we stopped to get the essentials and I ran into Michael's crafts to pick up a last minute DIY in honor of 9/11 & our very good friend/severely avid Skins lover Tommy Redmiles (T.Red) who passed away this spring from complications with Crohn's Disease. But okay, I'm really trying so hard to bring the spirits of this post a little HIGHER :) So I will tell you all about Tommy a little later...

See how cute! I thought of the idea spur of the moment and lucky me I even had a coupon! The ribbon was put together with the safety pin poking through the button hole and BAM on the shirt. And I thought of this saying to put on the back of our Redskins koozies to commemorate T. Red. It only took me about 10 minutes to make 20 pins & write on the koozies. Easy peasy. Let's go SKINS.

Budget

Red White Blue ribbon: $1.29

Star buttons: $2.29

Safety pins: $2.19

Gold paint pen: $1.55 (50% off)

TOTAL: $7.32

Not too bad, considering I have leftovers of everything (except the buttons) that I can still use for later. Plus everyone loveeedd the USA ribbon, who can blame them?

 If you've never been to a football game before, lots of exciting stuff happens before kick off...

 Like getting to watch the cheerleaders run around. Now I know why Nick likes to get to our seats early.

Washington Redskins 1 - New York Giants 0

Did your football team win this weekend? I am soo over the moon about the Redskins, do you think we will beat the Cardinals next week? Where were you when you heard about 9/11? Do any crafting this weekend?



*Pictures at the top of page were taken by Rebecca Cleary

Labor Day Festivus: Appalachian Trail, Tennis & Primates

Meet Irene. I found him in the outdoor drain at the bottom of the basement steps during the Hurricane, which is why his name is Irene. I think it's a boy, because all snapping turtles are boys--my rational is that they're mean and bite everyone so they must be boys. Anywhoo, we were on a mission to set him free because snapping turtles don't make good pets (plus we had no idea what to feed him). We were going to my parents house in Pennsylvania for Labor Day weekend and decided to set him free in my parents pond.

During the car ride Irene was trying his best to escape, which sent Georgia into a frenzy. Here she is giving me the stare down puppy-dog eyes because I won't let her into the back seat to investigate the escapee situation and then I had to restrain her while explaining that we don't eat snapping turtles because they will eat your insides once ingested. I don't think she understood the word 'ingest.'

Once we got to my parents house we went straight down to set him free...

Now Georgia is sad her friend is gone. Donde esta mi amigo? On this trip Nick told me he thinks G speaks Spanish, jejeje, but wait, this actually explains a lot of things...Now, at least we know Irene has a happy new home! Hopefully he doesn't grow up and eat all my mom's fish. But hey, isn't their backyard an oasis! It's a permanent vacation. I just love going there it's so relaxing. The pond, pool, hot tub, bench swing, fire pits...I would be so much happier if I had one of each in my own backyard. Is that so much to ask? Oh well. This was all a part of my parents plan. They picked this house in PA so we'd actually want to come visit them :)  But as you can see, the upkeep is a full time job...

Groundskeeper, hard at work.

Step away from the Gladiator paraphernalia Nick.

Georgia loves coming here. She always finds lots of stuff to get into and of course is always starting trouble. Golf balls, cats, floats...

 Junebug, my moms kitty, is always trying to chase Georgia around the house. Luckily she is declawed and can't do much damage to little G. I can imagine Junebug saying, "Everything from the doorknobs down is MINE, dog" which is a quote from my all-time favorite Disney movie Oliver & Company. I came down one morning and heard my mom explain to Georgia, "Don't tug on Superman's cape." Referring to JB, which in my sleep delerium made me LOL.

So, onto the Labor Day Festivus activities. My mom knows that Nick & I love doing outdoorsy stuff and it just do happens so does she. Her only problem is she can't get anyone to ever get off their bum and join her. Occasionally my dad will, but that's just cause she's the boss of him :) So we started off on the Appalachian Trail in the Cumberland Valley. We parked on the closest street and headed off for the trail..isn't it weird that you could be hiking for days and then suddenly cross under a highway in the middle of town? I think it would be totally bizarre...

Mr. Bigfoot, are you home? This might come as a shock to you but I believe that Bigfoots are real. I watch that show on Discovery Finding Bigfoot. And yes I occasionally check out the BFRO website for the newest sightings. Yea, I'm weird. I don't believe in the Loch Ness though, for real, that's just nonsensical.

Strangest plant/fungi I've ever seen.  

Nice little family (minus the sister) pic that Bigfoot took for us. Haha, sike. We photoshopped my dad in there :) So we hiked for 3 miles. It took us an 1.4 hours to hike to the top and only 30 minutes to get back down, isn't that crazy!? We didn't even stop that much on the way up. It was an awesome time, great workout, and my mom's already planning to hike the "double blue" trail next time. Then the next morning we played doubles tennis match. Nick & I won, aka Team Starburst (hence the outfit).

 After the game, we came home got cleaned up for dinner at chop chop Japanese steak house, yummm! Me love it long time. Right before we left my mom had this idea for pictures she's been wanting to try...

Oh the wonders of photoshop! Great pics mom, thank you! Afterwards we saw Planet of the Apes-surprisingly really good (maybe my love of Bigfoots is really a love of apes?) Anyways, after the movie I'm seriously thinking of becoming involved with PETA. Need to find a local chapter...We watched the Marshall game on Sunday, GO HERD. Sadly they lost after the game was cancelled due to rain. Speaking of which, it is STILL raining here. The 5th day in a row of straight rain. I'm starting to think that Noah guy had a pretty good idea. Giraffes anyone?

xo

Suz

Have you had any damage from the rain and flooding? Are you excited as we are for the Football season to be officially underway? What outdoor fun did you partake in over Labor Day?