Today I'm 28

I had a hard time deciding what to write about today.  It's hard to write about myself.  I'm much better at bragging on other people.  So, I decided to list 28 things I've learned this year.

1. Life is an adventure and you just never know what is around the next corner.
2. It's okay to verbalize your feelings, just do it with respect.
3. Sometimes, the only way to heal your heart is to bake chocolate chip cookies.
4. Set goals and work everyday to achieve those goals because the payoff is that much sweeter.
5. Sonic Happy Hour really does make me happy!
6. Indulge once in a while.
7. If I say I'm going to grow my hair out, I need to do it.  I always regret it once I cut it.
8. Always make time for a friend because they will always make time for you.
9. I have been hit with the travel bug and want to experience so many places.
10. When you feel overwhelmed drop everything and pray -- instant relief!
11. Sometimes you have to take the reins and steer the horse yourself (that is supposed to be a metaphor, but I'm not sure if it came out right...oy!)
12. After a long hard day, it is so nice to come home to a puppy who is dancing around with excitement as you enter the house.
13. It's okay to let loose sometimes ;)
14. Patience really is a virtue.
15. It's okay to make plans, but don't let those plans get in the way of other opportunities.
16. Next time it is freezing cold for multiple days in a row, don't wish for warmer weather because you just might get what you wished for...and more.
17. Finding bargains really is thrilling!
18. It is nice to take time for yourself and you shouldn't be ashamed to do so.
19. I'm a reality TV junkie and I'm okay with it.
20. Never miss an opportunity to say "I Love You" to those you love because life really is short.  
21. I like to carpool to work with Brandon - the extra company in the morning is kind of nice.
22. I will always pack too many clothes, no matter where I go.
23. Work hard no matter who is watching.
24. Trust your gut and your instinct.
25. Don't think about what you don't have, but focus on what you do have.
26. Pandora radio is a really great thing.
27. Get out of your comfort zone every once in a while -- I've done this cautiously :)
28. I like sushi now :)

I have been so blessed this year and I'm excited to see what God has in store for this next year!  Here is to a great 28 (ha ha ha...corny, I know!)!

The Other White Meat

Yes, I grew up in a beef family where the slogan was "Beef.  It's What's For Dinner," but we did eat "The Other White Meat" occasionally.  So, I can appreciate a good pork recipe when I find one.  And, I have definitely found one!

This past weekend we invited Brandon's sister and brother-in-law over to celebrate our joint birthdays a little early.  A month before at Bunco, our hostess made a delicious pulled pork dish that left me wanting more, so I took this opportunity to make the recipe myself.  And I think everyone liked it!  I also made the Asian cabbage salad mentioned here, cheesy potatoes, and we had ice cream cake to celebrate...YUM!

{Photo courtesy of BHG.com}

Pulled Pork with Root Beer SauceCourtesy of BHG.com

2-1/2- to 3-pound pork sirloin roast
1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 tablespoon cooking oil

2 medium onions, cut into thin wedges

1 cup root beer*

6 cloves garlic, minced

3 cups root beer (two 12-ounce cans or bottles)*

1 cup bottled chili sauce

Trim fat from meat. If necessary, cut roast to fit into a 3-1/2- to 5-quart crockery cooker. Sprinkle meat with the salt and pepper. In a large skillet brown meat on all sides in hot oil. Drain off fat. Transfer meat to cooker. Add onions, the 1 cup root beer, and garlic.
Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours.

Meanwhile, for sauce, in a medium saucepan combine the 3 cups of root beer and the chili sauce. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Boil gently, uncovered, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes or until mixture is reduced to 2 cups. Add root beer concentrate and bottled hot pepper sauce, if desired.

Transfer roast to a cutting board or serving platter. Using a slotted spoon, remove onions from cooking juices and place on serving platter. Discard juices. Using 2 forks, pull meat apart into shreds.  Top with sauce just before serving.

**My sauce did not thicken like the sauce I had before.  I'm not sure what I did wrong.  It still tasted good, it was just a little runny.

Enjoy!

Birthday Celebrations Part II

As I mentioned earlier, I had a great weekend celebrating my birthday.  Friday afternoon, we drove to KC.  We stayed at the W Aloft Hotel and it was fabulous!  The decor was very modern and I easily could have taken all of the furnishings home with me.  I just loved it!

Here are a couple pics of the lobby:

  

Aren't those colorful cubes and ottomans so fun?!?  

I thought these chairs and the lamp were very fun, too!  I could just picture one of those in our living room.

After we checked in, we headed up to our room and it was very modern and sleek as well.

I just adore this alarm clock.  I would love to know where they bought it because I think it would look lovely in our basement!  Same goes with this office chair.  I have been checking out a similar chair at C&B but they are REALLY expensive!

Here is the bathroom; minimal, but fun.  I like the sink that sits on top of the counter and the shower!  Oh the shower!  I asked Brandon if he could build me one of these someday if money is no object (or in my dreams)?!?!

After we got checked in and cleaned up we headed down to a nearby wine bar for a drink and an appetizer then we went to another restaurant called Zest for dinner.  We both had a yummy meal and were so stuffed we didn't even have dessert!  

Saturday morning, we got up and got around and headed to breakfast to fuel up for a bid day of shopping.  The restaurant was a fun little place that allowed you to choose the ingredients that went into your meal.  Brandon had biscuits and gravy (of course) and I had a DELICIOUS waffle!

In case you are wondering, that is a Belgian waffle topped with strawberries, bananas and chocolate chips!!  YUMMY!

We started off our shopping trip at Town Center and hit up all of my favorite stores.  By lunch time we had successfully accomplished quite a bit on my list.  After lunch, we hit up my absolute favorite store - Crate and Barrel!  I could have done a lot of damage there but I paced myself and I had Brandon there to keep me in check.  By this time it was getting late in the afternoon and we still had to stop at the mall.  Brandon was pretty successful there and I was able to hit up The Limited, another one of my favorite stores.  I should mention that Brandon was a wonderful shopping partner.  I've decided that men who accompany women on shopping trips should always have a Blackberry or some other device to keep them occupied. 

After we had exhausted ourselves from shopping, we headed to my sister's house for a birthday dinner celebration with both of my siblings and their families.  My niece picked out a tiara for me to wear and she also helped decorate!  

Good thing Todd doesn't ever read my blog because I think he would be a bit embarrassed :)

We spent the rest of the evening being entertained by the girls who were putting on different performances and dancing all around the house!

Sunday was another big and busy day.  A while back, Brandon built some toy shelves for Matt and Tara and as a payment for his effort, they got the four of us tickets to the Royals game.  Now, these weren't just any tickets, they were prime tickets -- in AIR CONDITIONING!  Matt has a friend that is a Lancer for the Royals and has access to tickets in the Diamond Club.  Basically, it is an enclosed area that opens up to the field lined with tables and chairs.  We had a waitress and clean bathrooms and AIR CONDITIONING!  Tara and I told the boys that they might have ruined us forever :)

We were sitting in the section where the person in the green shirt is standing.

We enjoyed getting to experience the new stadium and hanging out with Matt and Tara.  It also helps that the Royals won!

So, turning 27 wasn't so bad!  When I talked to my dad on my birthday he told me he couldn't believe how old I was getting, but I honestly don't feel old at all!  I think he was really trying to say he couldn't believe how old that made him ;)  Ha ha!!