Happy 2011!

I know i'm one day early, but Happy New Year to all my blog friends! While 2010 has not been too bad overall, i'm hoping 2011 has even better things in store. I personally am looking forward to close friends getting married, being reunited with some close friends from Wake (at said wedding), buying and moving into my new home and having another year with John! There is so much to look forward to, and I hope y'all are as excited as I am!

xoxo

A few accomplishments

1. Bought the perfect hat (really a birdcage-style, feathery creation) for my upcoming Royal Wedding Viewing Party while in Raleigh. I am very excited about this--most likely it will be the first time I have people over to my new home (in case you are wondering, no news yet on closing or moving in). I plan to make tea other British confections. If we are friends and you live in Atlanta (or want to make the trek from elsewhere), you are invited!

2. Started my new healthy lifestyle eating yesterday! I went to Publix and came out with so many delicious things. I'm really excited about this. Yesterday started off with fruit for breakfast, salmon for lunch, and a turkey burger on the George Forman for dinner. Of course, I ate various and sundry other things throughout the day, but I'm on the right track.

3. Made dinner reservations for New Year's Eve at a restaurant in Buckhead called Coast. I've heard excellent things about their seafood, and am really looking forward to trying it. Doesn't hurt that I have a Groupon too :) After dinner, John and I are going to see The King's Speech. Maybe not the most exciting NYE, but it works for me. I've always thought New Year's was a lot like the Prom--too much hype and you never have as good a time as you think you will. So i'm happy to have a fabulous meal and drink some champagne at home while everyone else braves the crowds!

4. Started really studying for my upcoming work exam. Its amazing how out-of-shape I am regarding studying. Obviously, I haven't been enrolled at WFU for at least 2 years.

5. I started putting the Christmas decorations away. Scratch that--I didn't do that at all. And I don't really want to! I love Christmas...but I think putting everything away this year might be a little more satisfying than usual, because I'll really be packing them up to move to my new house (hopefully) soon!

Thank goodness for Blackberry cameras.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have any pictures.

Julie and I at the St. David's Christmas Party!

Horrible photo of me, but I heart Matthew :)

Snow wonderland in NC

Pilot's first real snow!

Me, looking like a snow gnome

Beautiful snow

Back from the land of snow!

I finally made it back to Atlanta on Monday afternoon after a one day detour being stuck in the snow in NC! We had 8 inches, starting on Christmas night, and finally finishing off around noon on Sunday. It was glorious and very pretty--also, my first white Christmas! Very exciting.

I loved spending the holidays with my family and friends (I hoped to see a few more, but they will have to wait for the next trip). I ate plenty of good food, had great conversations and went lots of fun places. It was a great trip. And now I'm back in the office, feeling pleasantly refreshed. My body actually feels like it had time off! But unfortunately I go right back into intense work mode, studying for a big exam I have to pass for my job. Wish me luck please :)

I hope all of you had a fabulous holiday, and are looking forward to New Year's Eve. I'll post pictures soon.

xoxo

Teen Mom 2

Y'all know I'm excited about this.

Freeezing

Today was ridiculously cold. As in, a record setting low of 14 degrees in Atlanta. We had snow flurries on Sunday--in Atlanta. All before Christmas. Its weeks like this that make you question global warming. In protest of the cold, I wore my Uggs until lunch time at work (they are black, and semi-blend in). I so wish I could wear them 24/7 from November until March. Uggs are my favorite.

Other things I am thankful for this week:
-Delicious leftover crockpot roast from Sunday night. I love not having to think about dinner when I get home. Why do I not use my crockpot every weekend?
-Cute Dessa, who I am dog-sitting this week while John is away. Actually it was just for the last two nights. I'm going to miss her tomorrow morning!
-Library books.
-Online shopping for gifts that are shipped directly to the recipient. Although I still need to hit the post office for some Christmas stamps. Sigh.
-Paid time off. Friday cannot come soon enough.
-Lydia's bachlorette party on Friday!

Not so thankful for:
-My complete lack of study motivation.
-The soreness/tickle in the back of my throat. I don't want to get sick!!

Christmas Treat

I forgot to mention I treated myself to a beautiful bracelet from Tiffany as a Merry Christmas To Me gift. I highly recommend starting that tradition, if you don't already do it :)

Merry week-before-Christmas!

It is officially almost Christmas, and I have been thoroughly enjoying the holiday season so far. Or, at least trying to when I have a free moment. So much has been going on in the past two weeks, its a little bit crazy:

-Went to Philadelphia for a week
-Finished my very last training class for work!

And, oh yeah, saw a townhouse I loved, made an offer on it a few hours later and beat out two other people who made offers in the process! I am so excited to have found my new home, I can't even describe it! No more looking at sketchy places and trying to find a good spot. I absolutely love the new place. The location is perfect, and its a two level, two bedroom, 1.5 bath with new hardwoods and a big patio. I'm in love. Its a short sale (which means extra time and paper work), so I won't get to move in for a little while, but I'm pretty happy still. Can't wait to move in and make it my own, and most importantly, leave my apartment!

Other than that, I've been enjoying my December. I've (almost) finished Christmas shopping and am really looking forward to NC for the holiday. This weekend I have Lydia's bachlorette party to look forward to, and Erin is coming down to stay with me for the weekend and accompany me back to NC for the drive! I've also got some work holiday parties to attend, and some friends to see before I leave town. Better yet: I've got some baking to do in my brand new Kitchenaide mixer--my gift from John (one of the best gifts ever, if I do say so myself). I'm a lucky girl.

Picture time

Here are a couple of recent pictures floating around my blackberry camera:

Georgia Tech-Duke game in Atlanta a few weeks ago. I managed to score these great seats off stubhub! We had a great time (even though GT was not playing up to par for most of the game). We even got to see a couple of amazing playing happen just a few feet in front of our seats!

My beautiful Christmas tree! Complete with a new (slightly tacky) light up tree topper. As far as i'm concerned, you can't have too many lights on your Christmas tree. I just can't wait until next year when I am hopefully out of my apartment and living in new condo! A prime Christmas tree spot is a must.

Peanut Butter Brownie Cups

I make this delicious recipe from Bake or Break for my co-workers occassionally, and they all love these. There are a fabulous, salty-sweet treat, and very easy to make (no lie!). They are also very portable if you need to bring them to any holiday parties. I bring mine to the office on the Marta train, so obviously they are pretty durable. Enjoy!

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon water
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup peanut butter chips plus about 1/3 cup more for garnishing
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips plus about 1/3 cup more for garnishing
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray or grease 12 muffin cups.

In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine sugar, butter, and water. Microwave on high for 1 minute or until butter is melted. Stir in 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips until melted. Stir in egg and vanilla extract. Add flour and baking soda, stirring until blended. Allow to cool to room temperature. Then, stir in 1/2 cup each peanut butter chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Spoon batter by heaping tablespoonfuls into muffin cups.

Bake for 13-15 minutes or until top is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out slightly wet. Place pan on wire rack. Centers of brownies will fall upon cooling. If not, tap centers with the back of a teaspoon to make a hole.

Place peanut butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 45 seconds, then stir. While brownies are still hot, spoon about a tablespoon of peanut butter into the center of each brownie. Top with semi-sweet chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. Cool completely in pan.