A common sense switch...

Well, I was searching for flights and hotels for my Green Bay trip today, ready to book everything, then I got online and saw.... Lo and Behold my Packers are coming to JACKSONVILLE the week AFTER I'd be up at Lambeau.

So, I can spend about $1000 and fly to Wisconsin, get a hotel and rental car and buy tickets for a game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, OR stay here and wait another week and go to the Packers vs. Jaguars game on December 14th and spend $200. I think I'd kick myself for flying to WI knowing they'll be in FL in 7 days. ;)

Hm. Concidering it's the holiday season, I'm going to choose the 2nd option.

It's bittersweet, because I still want to go to Lambeau field *And next season I definitely will!* BUT I finally get to see a Packers game, and that's what really matters most to me! It was a tough decision, that's for sure. As I've been hyped about my Wisconsin trip for a month or so now, but I'm SO hyped about finally getting to see my Pack!!!

Once the season line-up for NEXT season comes out, I'll figure out what game I want to go see and book it next season. Either way I win!



The hardest part for me is that the game here in Florida is December 14th. That's the same day as the Christmas Play. So it's tough for me... Either:

A. I go to the game @ Lambeau, even though the Pack will be right here in a WEEK.
B. Go to the game here, and bow out of the Christmas play.

It almost makes me feel selfish. But how often do I get to do things like this?! Never. We've sacrificed so much the past few years and rarely get to just "get away". So I'm going to have to call the Worship leader today and tell her we can't be in the play. Such a tough decision. Very bittersweet! Can ya' tell I'm a true Packer fan?! LOL! A good perk is, I can actually WEAR the new jersey here in Florida! A trip to Lambeau Field, it would be in the 20's or 30's. There's no way I'd be wearing the jersey by itself up there, I'd be bundled up in so many layers. So atleast here I can wear it. Yay!

2 great Websites!

Thank you, Sheri for giving me this link today! I am ADDICTED!

This website is called tastespotting.com. Basically you get a view of lots of different meal ideas, drinks, desserts, etc. and click the photos to get recipes. I've been browsing it for the past 30 minutes and it's so hard to look away! I love sites like this.... I love cooking, so this is wonderful!!!

www.tastespotting.com

Everyone should check it out.

The 2nd sites is called Supercook. You enter in what ingredient(s) you have on hand that you'd like to use in a dish, and LOTS of ideas/recipes will pop up for you! Such another great idea.

www.supercook.com

Moving to the ORL!

ORLANDO, here we come!

We are moving to Orlando! Sometime this Spring. It's official!

Italian Cream Sodas

My mom and I used to make these all the time many years back. Only this week I recently started drinking them again. I've always just had Vanilla flavored Italian Cream Sodas, but I went to Starbucks and got a Caramel one. TO DIE FOR! Seriously, it's so delicious. It's a must-try drink!



12 shots of Caramel syrup
1/3c. Club Soda
1/2c. Half & Half
Ice

So simple! And so worth it! :) I'm going to buy some Starbucks Caramel syrup tonight before my grocery shopping trip. *drool*

I FOUND ONE!!!

I've been trying to find a Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers jersey IN GREEN since he "retired" last year. Last night ended my search. It never crossed my mind that I know someone that works in a sports store in our mall. I wandered in and happened to ask (not expecting a positive answer), but he happened to have some in Youth sizes! So I got a Youth XL and it fits perfectly. (I did find some online. But they were either the white jerseys, or they were XXXL adult sizes.) I'm SO hyped my search is over. And just in time... 26 days until I fly to Green Bay. It totally just made my week.. my month... heck, I don't even care about Christmas gifts anymore. LOL! *Excuse the stupid expression on my face. Chayce was running amuck in the store. He thought he was in Heaven!*

Today is my dreaded Grocery Shopping Day. *Every other monday*... It's so hectic! But I like trying new meals... This time around I'll be making Mushroom Risotto one night. I made it once like a year ago, we loved it, but for some reason I just never made it again. I also found a Vegetarian Meatloaf recipe that I've made a few times that Chayce LOVES so I'm making. Gotta keep trying new things, right?!



I'm about to make some of my infamous Deep Fried Pickles. YUMM! (And don't knock 'em til you've tried 'em) I'm going to fry up some Mozarella Sticks too. Chayce LOVES Mozarella Sticks.



Seems like a typical Monday so far. I'm just grinning ear-to-ear over my jersey. AND it was surprisingly chilly outside. Chilly = 50 degrees (when I woke up). Nice little chill in the air, but of course... It's 10:30 am and it's already warmed back up. *sigh* Well. Off to tackle my Monday and to check on my Coffee Shop Moms!

Belated Thankful Thursday.

So I haven't done "Thankful Thursday" for a few weeks now, so I really need to do it! Here we go.

1. My Blackberry! I seriously couldn't function without it, and I'm not sure how I have prior to owning *her*. I have a Blackberry Pearl 8120 and it's like a 2nd child to me. My whole life is on this device and, in my opinion, everyone should own one! It makes life SO simple. I hardly even access my laptop much (hence the reason I've been MIA on this blog for days at a time) anymore. I'm pretty sure this has been on my "Thankful Thursday" before, but SERIOUSLY. I really am thankful!

2. My Espresso Maker: 5 days a week I'm stuck inside with the children I watch, and being a Starbucks addict, it can really make life miserable. With the help of my Espresso machine (and some great copycat recipes!) I get to make my own drinks at home.

3. Close-out Halloween Sales: Never thought I could get yummyyyyy candy for such low prices! Hit up these Closeout Halloween sales! *drool* Also, you can get costumes for just PENNIES, and it makes for a great dress-up wardrobe for any kids.

4. Pumpkins: How can you NOT love pumpkins? The smells, flavors, textures. Pumpkins are everywhere inside and outside my home right now. Surrounding my front door, on the wreath ON my front door, in the cornucopia decor in my kitchen, on the sofa table, on the entertainment center. The vibrant colors make it seem so much more like autumn. And they do make for that DELICIOUS pumpkin bread I posted yesterday! ;)

Well, what's done is done!

I must say I am SO glad this Election is OVER. If I heard one more "...I approved this message" low-blow, dramatic commercial I was going to pull my hair out. I'm not thrilled with the outcome, BUT what's done is done. I can only hope that Barack Obama does bring change (FOR THE BETTER! Not all change is good, y'know...) to this country. Either way ya' shake it, he is our new Commander in Chief and our country lies in this man's hands.

May God guide him and lead us in the right direction.

Don't let us down, Obama!

***

Well, yesterday was declared "Pumpkin day" at my house. LOL. We carved a jack-o-lantern *No such thing as too late!* then we had a "pumpkin fight" with all of the gooey insides. Now for a photo overload.

"Mommy, it looks like Spaghetti!" LOL






Ew, what IS this stuff?!

Ew.

Hey, it's not THAT bad!

Pumpkin fight!

Yesterday we indulged in pumpkin pie, AND for my first time ever, I made pumpkin bread. YUM! It came out perfect! Last night was nice, too. We lit up the firepit and roasted marshmallows. It was so nice... our neighborhood smelled like a wood-burning fireplace thanks to us. And with a little chill in the air, it almost felt like autumn... ALMOST! ;) Well, I can't complete this entry without posting my Pumpkin Bread recipe for all my wonderful blog-viewers. It's very simple, and the recipe makes 2 loaf pans worth of bread, so it makes a big amount! Enjoy and if you try it out, post on here and tell me if you liked it!

Pumpkin Bread

2 1/2 c. granulated white sugar

3/4 c. vegetable oil

1 lb. pumpkin puree (fresh or canned)

4 eggs

2/3 c. water

3 1/2 c. flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 ts. cinnamon

1 ts. ground cloves

1/2 ts. nutmeg

DIRECTIONS

1. Cream sugar and oil together.

2. Add pumpkin, eggs, water and beat well.

3. Add flour, baking soda & powder, and spices.

4. Mix well

5. Pour into greased loaf pans and bake.

-Bake at 350 for 1 hour-