2011

How is it that another year is coming to a close? (How many of my blog posts begin with some kind of statement on how quickly time passes? Too many, probably.) Regardless of the repetition, it's true! 2011 was an eventful year and it seemed blog-worthy to go back in time and pick a highlight (or two) for each month. You're welcome.

JANUARY

The year was off to a fast start - I quit my job! After contemplating the decision for about a month, it happened on a lovely little Thursday. The following Monday, I was offered a new one. Thank you, Gods of impeccable timing.

FEBRUARY

Officially a full-time, nylon wearin', bus ridin', Downtown Seattle workin' lady.

MARCH

Mr. Malone is fortunate to work at an amazing company that treats their employees unbelievably well. How well? Oh you know, a trip to Kauai well.

APRIL

Um, my slowpitch softball league started?! Big gulps, huh? On to May...

MAY

WE MOVED! Goodbye suburbs, hello city living!

JUNE

Not Your Mama's Blog was born. See above: You're welcome.

JULY

Don't judge me, but I'm fairly certain Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 counts as a highlight for 2011. Also, the company I work for decided nylons weren't necessary anymore - huzzah! (What's so bad about nylons, you ask? Wear them in the summer and then get back to me.)

AUGUST

By far the most magical month of memory making. (Alliteration, for the win!) Along with celebrating my first wedding anniversary and celebrating my dear friend's wedding in the US Virgin Islands, I also got my first birdie in golf! Watch out, LPGA!

SEPTEMBER

Another season of Husky football began! Fall weekends consisted of early mornings, late nights, and tailgating in between.

OCTOBER

Halloween - easily. I had my costume planned since seeing an epsiode of this show... in 2010. Thank you, Dee Reynolds, for being my all hallow's eve inspiration. It's true - I was a wild, wacky, arm-flailing, inflatable tube man. The best part?! Nobody knew what I was until I started flailing.

Long-sleeved shirt: $15

Red pants: $9

Streamers: $3

Seeing other guests eyes light up as they figured it out: Priceless

NOVEMBER

Completed the Seattle Half Marathon in 2:12:00 - ten minutes faster than my Rock & Roll time! (And this was on a more challenging course and in awful weather!)

DECEMBER

My favorite time of year, therefore it is nearly impossible to select only one highlight. Overall, this was a month of celebration, family & friends - and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Happy New Year - catch you in 2012!

Merry Christmas

Wherever you are and however you celebrate, here's hoping your day is merry & bright!

My Favorite

It is not Christmas until these have been made. These are, hands down, my all-time favorite Christmas cookie... EVER!! I wouldn't call them holiday specific. In fact, I don't even think they are a cookie. But they are freaking tasty.

PEANUT BUTTER CRUNCHIES
1 C dark Karo syrup
1 C sugar
1 C smooth peanut butter
5 C Special K cereal
6 oz chocolate chips
6 oz butterscotch chips

*In a saucepan, combine Karo syrup & sugar over medium heat. Do not boil! (I learned this the hard way) Once combined and smooth, take off flame.
*Add peanut butter and stir thoroughly.
*In a large bowl, pour peanut butter mixture over cereal. Press into a well greased 9x13 pan.
*Melt (either by double boiler or in the microwave) the chocolate & butterscotch chips until smooth.
*Spread chocolate mixture over cereal and let sit over night. Do not refrigerate! (I also learned this the hard way)
*Once cool, cut into squares and devour enjoy!

Those beauties in the top right corner - my absolute favorite.

Gasworks in December

Took the new camera out for a test drive today - it was absolutely gorgeous!

 

Eat. Drink. Be Merry.

One part celebration + one part relaxation = a weekend success story!

Sunday (the 11th - a tad behind on this post) marked the official beginning of my 26th year, but Mr. Malone let me start the party a couple days early...

Eek!!

I have been wanting a new camera ever since I started playing with Shannon's. Although it is extremely overwhelming to think about having to learn all of the details, I could not be more excited for the challenge! (I just may have to solicit the help of my Uncle Matt.) Obviously, I played around with it in the house as soon as the battery was charged - pictures are so much more clear with a DSLR! It's unreal.

Oh, but Friday wasn't the last of it! My sister-in-law is back from Lousiana and I was treated to breakfast on Saturday by her & Mama Malone. She stayed in Baton Rouge for Thanksgiving, so it was wonderful to catch up and listen to her Southern drawl hear how school is going. Post-breakfast it was CleanFest 2011. I am fairly certain Mr. Malone & I cleaned for a good three or four hours. (And I'm sad to report that our house no longer looks how it did on Saturday afternoon).

Finally, the pièce de résistance: a tacky Christmas sweater extravaganza! I think the pictures should do the talking.

Thank you, Pinterest, for telling me it's ok to make a Christmas tree out of cheese.

Setting up the music. Hot sweater, btw.

SO. MUCH. JELLO.

Martha came!

Sarah & Buddy the Elf. (PS. Hey, Morgan)

Family.

Cousin Eddie.

...I think it's going to be a very good year...

Early Christmas Gift

Nothing says "Merry Christmas" like a new ornament. Details on how this gem came to be coming soon!

Wow.

Remember this girl? Well, last night she made an appearance on the Wendy Williams show with some of her co-workers. How you doin'?! Naturally, to make certain I didn't miss a thing, I set up a series recording as soon as a found out about it. SHE KILLED IT! Yes, it was a short stint on my TV, but I was in awe. As soon as I saw her red hair and giant smile, I was grinning from ear to ear.

And what came next? Tears. Yes, I cried while watching BET. If I had a dollar for every time that happened...

I don't know why, but I couldn't help it. Sarah & Jo will be flying to NYC a couple of days after Christmas to see her live and sadly, because of no remaining vacation time, I'm missing out on the fun. Short story: I'm bummed. But getting the chance to see her do the kicks in full costume, even for five minutes, made me so proud. So unfreakingbelievably proud.

I remembered last night just how lucky I am to have these ladies in my life.

Christmas Baking

Question. How do you properly spend a Saturday afternoon in December?
Answer. By making delightful treats to be selfishly consumed shared with others!

My friend Elise, being the amazing dental student that she is, came up with the idea to spend a few hours baking and constructing sweets for the holiday season. Me, having a giant sweet tooth (and knowing that she will need patients in the future), agreed to this request. Duh.

Here are some photos of our finished products, with the recipe for the cookies - which I found here.

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT COOKIES
1 C shortening
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C light brown sugar (packed)
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp butter flavoring
2 drops peppermint extract
2 3/4 C all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
Crushed candy canes (We used 3 for the dough and 5 for the topping)
Chocolate, for melting (We used dark & milk chocolate)

*In a bowl, cream shortening and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat well after each addition.
*Mix in vanilla, butter & peppermint extracts.
*In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Gradually add to the creamed mixture.
*Stir in crushed candy canes.
*Shape into a 15-in roll and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for four hours or until firm.
*Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
*Unwrap cookie dough and cut into slices, placing on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 6-8 minutes, or until edges begin to brown.
*Melt chocolate, if using, in a double boiler. Dip half of the cookie in the chocolate and lay on wax paper to harden. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes before the chocolate sets.