Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Success

I had a successful evening last night. I have been SUPER busy and have barely had any down time, so usually when I have a free night after work (which isn't often) I like to enjoy grabbing takeout, vegging on the couch and do nothing but watch some shows on my DVR.


Last night I had nothing planned and Mr. Pickle had to work late. I felt bad that he wasn't due home until 9 and was to leave for a bachelor party first thing this morning so I offered to help him by packing his clothes. I just laid out the clothes I assumed he would want to take with him so when he got home he could throw them in his suitcase or opt for another option. (I know, I should win the wife of the year award!!!)



We had planned our dinner menu (for Mr. Pickle to make, since I am not a good cook), but I ended up making the dinner by myself (and the help of google). I made corn on the cob, mashed potatoes and flank steak. The fact that I had to google how to make corn on the cob and mashed potatoes should be a big hint that I am not comfortable in the kitchen. However, I am pleased to say the dinner was tasty and we didn't get sick from eating it!!!



After I cooked and ate dinner, I cleaned up the big mess I made while cooking (reason one why I am not a fan of cleaning is the clean up afterwards) and then tackled a sewing project. I have been wanting to make my friend/co-worker a camera strap cover for her Nikon camera that she uses for her camera (she is a photographer too). I decided last night (a few days after her birthday) was the time to get it done. I used some cute retro fabric, followed this tutorial and made my first camera strap cover. I was happy with the results and can't wait to make myself one!






After all that, I was ready to relax with the dogs while watching the Biggest Loser finale.



Just wanted to toot my own horn for being so productive :)

Monday, May 23, 2011

Weekend Review

I was one busy bee this weekend and I got to spend time with a lot of friends (while Mr. Pickle was out of town with Starvin Marvins BBQ Team for their second competition of the season).


I had Friday off from work, so my sister and I headed up to Sonoma to look at potential wedding venues. We found a few gorgeous places, which isn't too hard since Sonoma is beautiful. We stopped by one place that turned out to be a flop as far as a wedding venue, but provided for a great photo op with their huge blue chair.



Me & my sis (and the big blue chair)


After visiting several places and stopping for lunch and a sip or two of wine, we headed home feeling accomplished.


I was in a friend's wedding on Saturday so we did the whole rehearsal dinner thing on Friday night. It was so good to spend time with her family (who live in Hawaii so I don't see too often) and meet the grooms side of the wedding party.


Me & the bride at the rehearsal dinner


Saturday morning, I woke up and got a walk/run in with the pups before heading out for the wedding shenanigans. I met the bride and the other bridesmaid at her hotel and we got a chance to hang out for a bit before the hair and make-up crew came to get to work. After they transformed us, we were headed to her venue. It was a lovely day and the bride looked gorgeous. I am so happy I got to be a part of their special day. We danced the night away and enjoyed some fabulous food and cake before the night was over.




Me & the bride -courtesy of Marcie Lynn Photography


Sunday I relaxed a bit and did some cleaning around the house before heading to Sacramento for a friend's (and her hubby's) graduation party. They both just graduated from the MBA program at Sac State and I am so proud of them. Especially her, since she wasn't the show up to class type of gal during undergrad and she said that her hubby forced her to go to all but two classes the entire two year program!!! Hahaha.




My girlfriends/sorority sisters


A friend of mine, her boyfriend and I all came from out of town and decided we HAD to stop by our favorite sushi place before we headed home. It was delish as always. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I could eat sushi EVERY DAY if I had the funds to do so.


Got home and Mr. Pickle was back from his competition so we hung out and hit the hay early since we were both beat.


PS. Starvin Marvins BBQ Team placed 5th in ribs and 17th overall out of 47 teams. So proud of them!!!




Posing with the trophy - Pic stolen from their FB Page

Monday, May 16, 2011

Weekend Review




Another busy weekend for the books.


Friday after work I went home and had dinner with Mr. Pickle before going to San Francisco for a birthday party. We had an awesome VIP spot at Circa and celebrated the night away (although I had to leave super early to get to BART-public transit- to get home). Got home around 1 am and passed out!!




Saturday morning, my doggie and I woke up to get a nice long walk in. Mr. Pickle and I met up with some friends (including a very special surprise visit from a friend visiting from Virginia) for Oyster Fest back in San Francisco. The waiting to get in (with pre-paid tickets) was ridiculous, but once in, the lines for food and drinks weren't so bad. We found a spot on the hill and just hung out with friends and listened to the bands while enjoying the food and booze. We didn't get any oysters because by the time we were ready for them it was kinda late in the day and we didn't want to risk them not being fresh. Mr. Pickle and I headed home shortly after we left and grabbed dinner before we got home.









Sunday morning Mr. Pickle and I had some work to do at our old house. After grabbing a late lunch (because we were starving and worked later than we suspected) we headed over to my grandpa's to take him out to lunch. Being too full to eat, we simply enjoyed his company and he enjoyed the best looking breakfast pizza. We took my grandpa for a little drive, to get him out of the house and then we dropped him off and came home to run errands and do some chores around the house.



The next couple weekends are just as busy!!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

We Want to Know Wednesdays






I am linking up to We Want To Know Wednesday over at Confessions From an Impulsive Addict.



1.) What game show have you always thought you could be on and totally WIN!


Family Feud - I rock at playing fast money!




2.) Do you have a tattoo(s)? What are they and what made you chose them? If not, would you get one, yes/no/why?


I do not have any, however I really want to get angel wings on my foot to represent my father always being with me. Not sure if my mom or Mr. Pickle would be too fond of the idea of me having a tattoo though.



Kind of like #5 and I would want a pair, not just one.


3.) What is your favorite piece of jewelry that you own?


My wedding ring. Although I lost a diamond and haven't been able to wear it for a while. I feel so naked!


4.) What is your driving pet peeve(s)?


Oooohhhhhhh, I could write a long list for this. I would say my top driving pet peeves are slow drivers in the fast lane, people who cut you off (and then go slow) and people who don't use their blinker


5.) What was your favorite sitcom growing up that you wish was still on?


Hhhhmmmm. This is tough. I would have to say Beverly Hills 90210 or Roseanne








All pics from Google Images

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Weekend Review

After our fun Cinco de Mayo celebration on Thursday night, I was pooped on Friday. I had hopes of coming home straight after work, ordering takeout, renting a chick flick (Mr. Pickle was away) and vegging out on the couch before heading to bed (before 10). That isn't really how my Friday night went down, but I did watch Love & Other Drugs amongst all my errand running, cooking and cleaning I was doing. I finally made myself get into bed at midnight because I was so tired. (I realize you are probably jealous of my rockin' Friday night!!!)

Saturday morning I took the dog for a nice long walk and got ready to go to Morgan Hill with my sister to meet up with Starvin Marvins BBQ Team at their first BBQ Competition of the year.

We got there a little after their last turn in, which meant all the leftovers were for us to eat, and boy was it yummy.







In between turn in and judging we were able to mingle with friends that came to support the boys, walk around trying other people's BBQ and look at the exhibits that were open for the event. There were 67 teams competing and an estimated 18,000 people in attendance.

One team was handing out piggy cupcakes which was right up my alley. So cute and very tasty!



The boys had a great time and learned a few tricks for their upcoming competitions.





Sunday was spent spoiling my mom. We made lunch for my mom from a family recipe book she gave my sis and I a few years ago. Then we took her to a local nursery so she could buy plants for her garden using the gift certificates we gave her as a Mother's Day gift. She was so happy with what she got.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Cinco de Mayo & Tainted Love





Hope you all had a fun Cinco de Mayo.


Last week my sister and I found out that our favorite 80's cover band (Tainted Love) was playing at a local restaurant and entry was FREE. We were all over it.




We couldn't figure out whether to wear 80's gear (which we - and everyone else - does when going to their concerts) or festive Mexican gear. We decided on jean cut off shorts, converse shoes and sombreros.



Since the event was in a classy area (read somewhat stuck up), most people were dressed to impress in fancy attire (no fun). My sis and I fit right in once the band came on stage and others that were dressed up in 80's attire and sombreros showed up.





We had a blast dancing the night away and even enjoyed a margarita popsicle (yes, they had tequilla in them and they were pretty dang good, especially since it was 90* out) and a taco or two.


Such a great event!!!!


PS. Don't worry, I was not drinking and driving. I only had one Margarita Pop when we first got there

Monday, May 2, 2011

I Think I'm Ready For My Close Up

My favorite photographer, Marcie Lynn Photography, is giving away a free photo session on her blog. Go here to check it out!!!






















She does maternity, newborns, children, families, lifestyle, engagement, weddings, pets and just about everything in between. Here are some samples of her work...










































Sunday, May 1, 2011

Weekend Review

We had a fun weekend!

Mr. Pickle and his friends were holed up at our house watching the draft, so i decided I would have a slumber party at my sister's house. Her and her fiance made me dinner and we started a fire in the fire pit to make smores. Shortly after we hit up a dive bar down the street from their house.




Best things about dive bars are the cheap drinks, quick service, good music and PHOTO HUNT. This is my favorite bar game ever!!! My sis and I are pretty good too (toot. toot. <--- that is me tooting my own horn).



The next morning a group of us decided to head to Tomales Bay for some fresh oysters, a little bbq and hang out with friends while enjoying the great weather.




The view from our bbq spot


Fresh Oysters


We seriously went through like 100 oysters between the 5 of us. Soooooo goooood.









My sisters, dog Koa got to join in on the fun too.





On our way home, we saw a winery and had to stop. Although, the wine wasn't very good.



I spent most of the day on Sunday at my friend's house helping her with wedding stuff for her upcoming wedding. Plus her soon to be mother-in-law did all the alterations for our dresses and saved us a ton of money. So sweet of her.

I can't believe it is already May!