Good-bye Holiday Cards 2010

Wow...I can't believe the holidays have come and gone. It's already almost the middle of January. Well, this year we got flooded with holiday cards. We really feel so lucky to have so many wonderful friends and family. I  absolutely love getting all the cards in the mail. I truly wish that holiday cards could also be sent over the summer, like 4th of July cards! I mean, sometimes it is the only time I get to stop to see photos and read about what my friends and their families are doing in other parts of the country. My husband laughs at me because after we read the holiday cards, I tape them up around our kitchen counter; and when that runs out of space I start taping the cards on all our entry tables. Once the holidays are over it is always so hard for me to get rid of the cards. So, here is my farewell to the holiday cards this year! I look forward to catching up and seeing how big all the children get next year!!! Adios....

Liza + Tara

I am so excited for Liza! Her clothing line, which offers resort wear is now at Anthropologie. She has worked so hard and I am so happy for her success. Check out her items and her website. Spring/Summer is around the corner and why not be fashionable while having fun in the sun!

Coconut Pearl Cover-Up
purchase it at Anthropologie by LIZA+TARA
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=19695022&parentid=BAYNOTE

Crystallize Cover-Up
purchase it at Anthropologie by LIZA+TARA
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=19694934&parentid=BAYNOTE

Cooookies

As you know, I am the biggest sweet tooth! I absolutely love anything with sugar in it and I especially love chocolate. It is a super "sweet" weakness of mine. Well, today I went to lunch at Juice & Java with my good friend Ali. Juice and Java is an amazing little natural restaurant that has a menu that overwhelms me and excites me. Every time I go in to eat, I can't wait to try something new! I leave feeling so healthy and with a full belly! So, as always after my meal I needed something sweet to finish off my lunch. Ali told me about these cookies that she loved and so I decided to try one. Oh my goodness....they are life changing! I can't wait to get more. As the package states they are, "wonderfully addictive!" They are vegan cookies with no eggs, no dairy, no trans fat, no honey, no hydrogenated oils, no preservatives, no refined sugars, no artificial ingredients or cholesterol and they are the most delicious thing ever (if you can believe that). They also have a line of cookies that are wheat-free. The cookies come in many flavors, and I tried peanut butter chocolate chip today. I highly recommend trying one. They are huge cookies and you really can eat half and save the other half for later. So go out and by yourself a cooooookie!

Alternative Baking Company, Inc.
http://www.alternativebaking.com/index5.cfm

Juice and Java
http://www.juiceandjava.com/

My top 11 New Year's Resolutions for 2011

I had such a fabulous year in 2010 and I am so excited for 2011. Looking back at 2010 I feel that I accomplished a lot. I finished my fifth year teaching and my first year teaching junior kindergarten at Saint Andrew's School. I ran my first 10K. I married my best friend in June. Overall it was a fantastic year! I am looking forward to 2011 and all the exciting things that it will bring. I've been thinking a lot about my resolutions for the next year and here is what I've come up with.....

1. Floss More- For some reason I have always been a bad "flosser." I know how good it is for your teeth, but I just can't get myself to do it on a regular basis. It doesn't make sense because I am a stickler for brushing my teeth, washing my face and moisturizing. I tend to floss a lot more before my dentist appointments. It's like I'm scared the Dentist will find out and I will get in trouble. The studies even say that flossing reaps many benefits besides eliminating gum disease, plaque and bad breath. They also say it reduces the risk of heart disease. So, my resolution is to make a point to floss more.

2. Learn to Sweat the Small Stuff- I have a HUGE problem with not letting the small things go. I tend to over analyze, worry, question and harp on the small things in life. I have a hard time making up my mind and making simple decisions. So, when I do decide on something I tend to second guess myself. I have to work on letting things go and moving on. I think it will help me live more stress-free!

3. Take Time to Realize How Lucky and Fortunate I am-  I feel like I don't take enough time to thank God for all that I have as well as the people around me. I have a loving family that I am lucky to be able to visit on a regular occasion. I have a wonderful husband that tells me how much he loves me everyday. I have a great job in a rocky economy and I'm lucky to get summers and holidays off. I have a roof over my head and car to get me from place to place. Most importantly I have my health! I want to take time everyday to reflect and be thankful for all I have.

4. Experiment in the Kitchen- This past year I have broken out the cook books and started cooking a lot more. This year I want to take more challenges in the kitchen. I want to pick a recipe that scares me and take a risk and try it out! I want to step out of my comfort zone, experiment with new spices and foods and gain more confidence.

5. Try New Things- Last year I ran in a 10K for the first time, this year I would love to do some other new things that I didn't think I could do. Maybe try a new sport or take up a new hobby! Hey, I've already kinda started with blogging. Let's see what else I can do!

6. Go on More Date Nights- My husband and I are always making date nights, but this year I want to strive for more. We don't have kids and I think we should fully take advantage of that....take more road trips and more crazy adventures together! I can't wait to start planning.

7. Indulge in Yoga & Meditation -  I have seen and heard the benefits from many, but yet I haven't explored the yoga and meditation route. I mean I sometimes I do yoga with my students and they love it. I would like to make it more of a routine for me to reflect on myself. I am looking forward to working on things from within. This is great website to start learning the basics : http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/meditation/

8. Live in the Present and Not in the Future; Enjoy Each Moment- I want to stop focusing on what will happen in the future and what I should plan for next. I want to start enjoying the day I am living. I find myself always looking toward what will happen next and I forget to stop and smell the roses. It's something that I know I can control and I just need to focus on what is happening at the moment.

9. Better Myself- I want to better myself in many ways. I want to better myself with my exercise, my health, my knowledge and my professional career. I want to make myself a better human being all around. I want to keep learning everyday by reading new articles about education and health and reaching my full potential. I know I can do this because I have a positive outlook and I surround myself with people who challenge me.

10. Explore Technology- I think I have already started doing this with my blog!!! My husband and I are looking into Apple TV which I will have to learn how to use if we do end up purchasing it and possibly an i-pad too. I know that technology is where the world is going and I would like to continue my knowledge while exploring technology.

11. Have fun- Life is very stressful at times and I just want to remember to have fun! Always have fun. I will continue to go through life with a smile on my face because that is how I want to approach everything that comes my way.

Happy New Year!

Barton G



On January 1, 2011 we headed off down to Miami to celebrate Mackenzie's Birthday! I was so excited to finally eat at Barton G. I had heard so much about the restaurant and couldn't wait to try it. We started off by going to the bar and ordering drinks. Mackenzie ordered a "pink elephant" which came with liquid nitrogen floating off the top and Popsicles of alcohol resting in the drink. We then got seated for our 9:15pm dinner reservations. We all got interesting appetizers that came with an amazing presentation. Dave and I ordered the popcorn shrimp which came with a very addicting sauce. John and Mackenzie got the lobster pop tarts that were delivered in a toaster oven. After our apps, we moved on to dinner entrees. The presentation was ridiculous! Dave ordered duck and it was literally served in a duck. John had his sea bass served with potted plants around it. I had my salmon served with a ring holder and onion rings hanging off it. Tom ordered shrimp in pasta and his meal was served on an Italian dinner plate. Everyone had the most interesting dishes and it was great conversation pieces.



My hubs

Mackenzie and Marisa



Popcorn Shrimp

Salmon



Duck



Italian pasta and shrimp

Lobster pop tarts



John's Sea bass

Visit Barton G at http://www.bartong.com/restaurant/



New Years 2011

We spent the New Year with good friends! We rang in the new year in masks and blew horns.We played many games and indulged in a few drinks. It was a fabulous night! We hope 2011 brings everyone lots of good health and happiness!

Ohhh KC how I have missed you

I cherish my visits back to Kansas City during the holidays. This year it seemed to go way too fast. I was only their for a week and I had so much I wanted to do. We got lucky with the weather and didn't have to battle any snow or ice. Although it would have been nice to have a white Christmas. I started out my visit by having a lovely Hanukkah dinner with my Mom, Colin, Justine, Dave and Mimi. We spent most of the night opening gifts and laughing about how many balls we wanted in our Matzo Ball Soup!!! The next day was a catch up day with the girls. We enjoyed a gift exchange while eating lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. I swear every time we get together it feels like no one has changed. I then spent the evening drinking cafe Garozzo's!! It was delicious http://www.garozzos.com/. The next day we took our nephew to Pump It Up!! We got a great workout http://www.pumpitupparty.com/ and then got ready for Christmas Eve where we went to Church had dinner at J. Gilbert's and headed to the Major's for drinks and laughs. We woke up early on Christmas to open presents and have the family over. We went out for drinks with old high school buddies that night. Sunday we headed out to the Chief's game where we tried not to freeze our booties off as we watched them qualify for the playoffs. Sunday night we had a big dinner at my Dad's house. Monday was spent relaxing and getting ready for Colin's Surprise Party. My Mom and Justine pulled it off perfectly and Colin was very shocked! Tuesday was my last day, I went to lunch with my Mom and spent time catching up with Betty (an old family friend). That night I went to dinner with Cara and spent that night saying my good-byes to family and friends. It was a great holiday trip!