Lattes, Machiatos and Everything Nice

Every morning have have an internal battle: To get Starbucks or not to get Starbucks.  At 6:45 am nothing sounds better to me than a nice scalding hot latte but I know that the Husband god will reign down his fiery wrath if I choose this route because Starbucks costs money.

This was not the case 2 years ago...2 years ago my Starbucks was daily and FREE.  You see my father in law lived here AND worked at Starbucks...so when ever I got a hankering for a creamy, double shot of espresso, one pump of vanilla Caramel Machiato...I just ran and picked one up.  Now it is a battle.  A battle of money and will.  For those of you who know me well, you know my Starbucks addiction stems back all the way to high school.  Then my drink of choice was a White Chocolate Mocha with a pump of hazelnut...a big one...sometimes twice a day...sadly my grown up body can not handle all that sugary madness now and I have to drink Lattes.

Here is what I have learned about lattes:  They are SO tasty.  I am talking no sugary pumps, not splenda, just steamed nonfat milk and espresso....its earthy and satisfying.  On days when I need something a little sweet...I trick myself and get a Soy Latte...Soy milk is nutty and just a smidgen sweet....so there's no sugar but my brain is tricked!

All the Starbucks talk stems from the fact that I am on Starbucks lock down until mid June...6.5 weeks to be exact....so I needed to get all my feelings out on this my last day of Starbucks happiness and contentment.

 For those of you who may still enjoy the wonder here are some drink notes:

1.  Caramel Machiato:  It's not supposed to be sweet so stop adding extra pumps of vanilla...you are ruining.  Secondly, if you are watching your favorite barista make it and they do not pour your shots on last...you have paid for a machiato and gotten a latte....BAD barista.  Also, try it ICED it SO good!

2.  Latte: Try is with soy, it is nutty and creamy and delicious.  Also, if there is a TON of foam on top you have paid for a latte and gotten a cappuccino...bad barista take that extra foam off!

3. Mocha:  Plain Mochas are not my favorite, I like to go White Chocolate with these puppies.  They are good as they are or, again, try it with soy, you will be happily surprised!

4. Other Concoctions:  Tell your friendly barista to make your frappacino "afagato" style...AMAZING.
Remember, Vanilla is not your only syrup option, they have hazelnut, caramel, cinnamon dolce, etc AND their sugar free counterparts.  This section could get long so if you need more ideas...you know where to find me.

Well folks, now that you are Starbucks educated I send you out to enjoy the goodness and also your weekend, so glad Friday is here!

~B

Pitiful Me

       So I had a little pity party for myself yesterday and last night.  I was upset that my parents are moving, I was upset because my workout plans got foiled, and I was upset about my dinner, and some other stuff...and while I realize that a lot of other people I know have ACTUAL problems currently, I just felt like I wanted to whine and wallow.  So I watched American Idol and screamed for joy that Siobhandkfhfdfdmn got booted...really she was getting boring. I also watched Cougar Town...turns out a) the show is hysterically funny and b)it sort of always has a lesson and I love it.  I am supposed to be cutting down on the TV time but with all the "pity me" I was doing last night it seemed like a good option.

On a happier less pity me note, I am going to go pick up some new books and go lay by my friends pool this afternoon.  I need it.  I need an afternoon "vacation"!

In case you keep up with my book reading....here is what I have happening:

This is our book club read for the month:  so far, so good!

                                        This is a "just for fun"

This is a choice for my pick for next month's Book Club and something I am just reading if our democracy chooses another option!!!







Books are like therapy for me.  I love to sit and get lost in them.  One day I would like to let the creative juices flow and try my hand at my own...we will see!

Ok folks, we'll see how today unfolds!


~B

Cat!!!!

Just too funny not to post, I was seriously crying...here you go cat lover's!!!  (I think I have watched it 100 times and I still think it is hysterical!)

Just Some Thoughts...Nothing Clever

It's my favorite time of day at my office...it's lunch time...this means it is completely quiet because everyone has departed the office for an hour but me....I love it.  If I could figure out how to keep them out of the office I would be thrilled.  Since I had some quiet and my brain is free to wander I thought I would do a little bloggity blogging!

So it's Tuesday and I thought I had a quiet week ahead of me but now I have three nights booked...someone tell me how that happened?  I am actually ok with it as long as nothing interferes with my Jazzercising this week!

AI is on tonight.  I have resigned myself to finish the season out even though it is less than spectacular.  I will root for Crystal, Lee and Big Mike.  That is how it shall be.  I can't decide if they are trying to make this season terrible because Simon will be gone next season and they think their ratings are going to plummet so might as well start now?  Whatever...lacks luster...that's all I am saying.

Also....I am sending in an online audition for Glee tomorrow...I have officially decided.  Apparently the online auditions don't have the 16-26 cut off so, I only have this one life to live...I am going for it!!!!!   It's online, it is like the least nerve racking thing ever and what's the worst that will happen...some one else will be better than me and they will say "Thanks for auditioning but we don't have a spot for you right now."  No real people to talk to or anything.  Just me and the computer!  The deadline was supposed to be yesterday but they added a day...I feel like this is God telling me to take a chance....plus that's all life is right?  A series of opportunities we decide to take or let pass us by?

I am taking chances!   I am making every moment of my life an adventure.  Spontaneity is a new goal.  (Yes, I know, I have like 45 right now, what's 1 more???)  I want to drink life up, spend time with friends, try new things, so maybe it will mean I am so busy my head spins.  I feel that is better than sitting at home glued to the tele....except of course when Glee is on...then I will be in front of the TV...ANYWAY...

While I am on the goal front, I did a TERRIBLE job last week after the 2 prior were so good...back on track so far this week! 

Until next time!

~B

Thursday Fun

Had my LAST night of class yesterday, so thrilled about that! However, and more importantly, I went over to the First Lady's house last night and we had a little Project Runway Finale watch party! What a wonderful way to spend Thursday night...girls, runways, colors...well some colors...it was great!

Seth Aaron won, as he should have, I was a little nervous there for a minute...here are of few of my favs from him:

                                                           These two are my favorite! 

Here is one I loved from Jay who got totally shafted by Mila who did NOTHING spectacular...at all.

Ok, enough of that or I will go on ALLLLLLL day!

Lots of weekend fun to come!  Update you soon!

B

Special Remembering

So I should have posted this yesterday but I didn't have a chance...so a day late...here I go:

11 years ago yesterday I was 16 and LOVED, I do mean LOVED high school, but for whatever reason I was having a weird day and all I wanted to do was go home. So at like 11 in the morning I called my mom and told her I didn't know why I just really wanted to come home. To my shock and astonishment she said she would be right up to school to get me. As she pulled up to the school the security guard wouldn't let me go outside, he went spoke with my mom and came back and walked me to her car...at this point I REALLY thought something was up. As I settled into the car my mom said, "Brittney, something happened at Kim and Michelle's school, they don't know if they are ok right now." Kim and Michelle Fox are sister's that went to church with us, Kim is my age and our class literally did everything together. We got home and turned on the news...the phone ringing off the hook in the background...and that was the first time I saw what had happened at Columbine. I was so worried for Kim and Michelle, where were they, were they hurt? Then on top of it I had other friends there too, and my friends at school had friends and family there...it was one of that saddest days I can remember. Sweet lives were lost, other lives were ruined but out of the sorrow there cam a hope and a community and now my sweet friend can look back on that day and thank God for everyday she has had since then. I always want to remember, especially since I am about to start teaching high school, I want to remember so I am prepared for students and the challenges that they bring with them everyday...Here is a song written that year for Columbine, touches my heart every time I hear it....

Happy Birthday to you!

 

Ok, my Nellie is officially 1, or at least I am saying she is because I am not positive what day her birthday actually is...but anyway...There will probably be more pics of the madness, I mean fun, later after I highjack some because my camera decided it wanted to malfunction...I am going to attempt not to go into how ticked off I am about that!!!!

In other news from the weekend....Zeta beat Chi omega AGAIN at Variety show...let me just tell you the stupid thing is rigged, they could sing their ABC's and they would win variety show.  The KD's had a cute show this year...here it is to give you an idea of what goes on:



Also I am up to 6 lbs of weight loss in 2 weeks...I am awesome!   Jazzercise just MELTS those pounds away!!!!  WOO!!!  looking forward to being in double digits in the next 2 weeks!!!!

Ok that's all for the morning!

B

Whirlwind Weekend!

Yes, I know, it's Wednesday.  You are thinking the weekend is long gone and the next one is already upon us...but since this is my first full day back at work I feel like I have been on an extended weekend!  There is too much to tell and I am sure it would be boring if I tried so we will do weekend in pictures.  Let me just say my friends were in town from Louisiana, they for some reason were confused about the fact that they were still in the South here and there were animals galore!!!  Let us begin:

                             Baby Grizzly @ the Teton Trek super cool!!

       They were catching carrots....they are gonna be BIG!!!!!

                       I think he would fit in my house....right???

                                         Sleepy Kitty....er....

                         The other Tigers woke her up!  Bad Tigers!

      Look at those saggy britches!  He looks like a love child of the other 2 tigers...

                  Don't care where they are...ducklings must get a picture!!!
                                             I love ducklings!!!

And on to day 2:  GRACELAND...if you live here and you haven't gone...shame on you...its Memphis history...that includes Elvis...deal!

                    This house is gorgeous and it's lost in time....so sad...

                          Picture in the dining room...couldn't pass it up!

                     The rest of the dining room....ah chandelier!

          Jungle room inspired by HAWAII...no flashes allowed...dark...boo...

         Elvis was an eclectic guy...he picked out everything single thing  in the house.

          Yes that is fabric on the walls...and the ceiling...and well everywhere!

                           What a handsome man....

                          And in a moment.....he was gone...

The people we had all these adventures with:

 Laurel and Jared Pellerin.  I have known Laurel since I was like....2.

AND...last but not least...welcome to your late 20's my wonderful man!!!  Love you!

               Don't let him fool you....he LOVES...pictures....haha

Well that's all folks!  This weekend should be equally as full of fun!  Dinner with the Pres and First Lady, Book Club: The Secret History (read it, I dare you!).   Chi Omega Domination at Variety Show....it's happening this year...it is.  Puppy Birthday's.  Oh the fun.  Oh the intrigue.  I know you can't wait!!!!


Until then,

B

The salad that rocked my world...

Happy Post Easter, Internet friends!  A lot happened this weekend, packs of puppies ran though our yard, grilling was finally accomplished, and Easter properly celebrated...that was all fantastic and I want to have a do over of all the fun.  However, right now I am sitting at my desk eating the BEST salad ever.

Maybe it's because it's fresh and cool...maybe it's because the strawberries are ripened too perfection...I am not sure but it is delicious!  Here make it if yourself and find out:

Red and Blue Salad

Lettuce, I like romaine hearts
Fresh Strawberries, quartered to taste
Crumbled blue cheese to taste
Pecans to taste
2 tbls Newman's Light Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette (the Cranberry is good as well if you can find it!)

Try it, I guarantee you will find yourself smiling with every bite...and its GOOD for you!!!!

Have a good Monday!  Write at you tomorrow after an evening of patio sitting tonight!

 Until then,
     B

P.S.  Um...what is up with Maya suddenly dropping out of Project Runway???? 

The best things....

Well Friday is almost here and I am ready for it!  I am in such a nice mood, I just got done having dinner with my bestest friend Katelyn!  Now those of you who know me well are wondering how this is possible, because she lives in CO, well...we had a phone dinner date!  I love Katelyn, she makes me laugh and she knows when to agree with me just to make me feel better! 

Katelyn and I have been friends since we were 11...we, yes we, will be 28 in November...the nice thing about a friend like her is that we have known each other so long that we just know how to deal with each other's quirks and even when we make each other stark raving mad we stil want to share a house and sit on the porch swining and yelling at small children when we are 92.   When no one else gets me, or the entire world infuriates me (which was the case this evening)  or I just want to grip about someone because they make me nuts...I have Katelyn...and she has me.  Having dinner together on the phone made this whole ridiculous week seem so much better...I thank you dear Katelyn  (who so totally does NOT read my blog...or any blog...she is WAY too cool!).

Actually I would like to thank a few people who keep me sane:  Skyler, my  cousin, who keeps me from hauling off and injuring anyone in my family for their shenanigans, Nicole, for being my Hobby Lobby buddy and in general just being my decorating guru, and Beka, (sorry I am embarrassing you) for being you, you have no idea how much I mean that and how important that makes you to me.

After my wonderful dinner I decided I would come home and blog a moment before heading off to dreamland...so here I sit, on my patio, in the dark with a glass of wine and a wylie puppy running arond in the grass....ah Spring....please stay....even thinking of Summer makes me hot...

Ok, I will check in tomorrow with pics of our new Honda CRV and the awful story of how we got it....tonight was to peaceful and nice to ruin with the reality that was this week.

Be on the lookout for Puppycapades II as miss Sugarbear will be gracing us with her presence again this weekend...Nellie has no idea the fun she is in for!

Easter is Sunday...remember why we celebrate it!

Until then,

B