Seriously?

While watching the Ravens game, I watched the scores of the other game come in as well.  I took particular interest in the St. Louis - Oakland game.  About half way through, Oakland was losing 38-0.  By the end of the game, they finally lost 52-0.  I assumed poor Oakland would at least put 3 points on the board, but unfortunately for them, they did not.  At the time, I thought for sure, that would be the most miserable way to lose.

That was of course, before the Ravens lost by 1 single solitary point in the last 45 seconds of the game.  WTH?!  Why is it that whenever it's an "easy" game, those guys completely throw it all away!?

Festival of Trees

For the past 25 years, Kennedy Krieger has held the Festival of Trees.  It's the biggest fundraiser of the year.  The premise is simple.  People, businesses, companies, etc. decorate Christmas trees.  Then all the trees are set up at Timonium fairgrounds and hundreds of people, who love Christmas come to look at them.  Then all the trees are sold and all the money made goes directly to Kennedy Krieger to continue their work with children battling seriously illnesses and other disabilities.  Basically it's a winter wonderland for all who love Christmas.  Oh, and it's pretty awesome!

Even though I've lived here all my life, I'd never been until last year.  But after that I got hooked.  One of these years, I'm so doing a tree or a wreath at the very least, if I can come up with an idea that's at least half as creative as some of the ones I saw tonight!

Friday Five

1. I love Black Friday Shopping!  I should have spent a whole lot more money on Christmas gifts for people other than myself but honestly, how can anyone resist the deals?  50-70% off at Talbots, Loft and Old Navy?! It was a very, very good day for my wardrobe.

2. Speaking of great deals - I'm now the proud owner of a sewing machine.  I've been wanting one for months now but they're super expensive.  And quite honestly, I'm not sure how to use said machine so I was a little leery of purchasing one for so much money.  But thanks to Target's great deals, I've got a beginner machine that will hopefully work on paper and some beginning quilting.  Can't wait to get started!  

3. With the purchase of the sewing machine, I feel it's that time again to sing Pinterest's praises.  Within about 10 minutes, I've already found all sorts of sites that will teach me to use my new toy as well as hundreds of new projects! It is by far the best website for crafters, bakers, sewers, etc.  The only issue I have is the more I explore, the more toys and contraptions I feel the need to purchase to complete even more projects.  It's a bit of a never-ending cycle.

4. If I was ever going to get a tattoo and let's face it, I will most likely never because I'm a big old ninny who's scared to death of all things needle, permanent and possibly-dangerous. But if I was, number 8 on this list would totally be it.  Though not in the same position, ouch!

5. I'm not sure if this week was Dog week on the internet but each day, there seemed to be some ridiculously too cute for words group of puppy photos on Buzz Feed.  While every single dog was super adorable, this group of first Thanksgiving puppies, I thought was appropriate on the day after Thanksgiving.  If BuzzFeed keeps this up, my resolve to not get a dog, may just take a hit!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving filled with family, friends and food!  I hope you're bellies are stuffed and your hearts are full, and you've enjoyed the holiday as much as I have!

Wishful Wednesday

Is it wrong that I've been dreaming of this for about the last week?  All I can think about is turkey and stuffing - the absolute 2 best things about Thanksgiving.  In less than 24 hours I'll be very happy, probably 10 pounds heavier and  super stuffed, but it'll have been all worth it.  Gotta love a great meal!  Bring on the turkey!

Cooking & Crafting - But No Photographing

I must be the worst blogger ever.  I've been into the cooking a!d crafting this week, but I haven't remembered to take a single photo.  However, it wasn't all bad.  Both the cooking and crafting were quite successful.

First thing was the craft project for Christmas Gift giving - a block puzzle.

 Of course mine was a bit different.  I'm making mine for a little one so I traded up to 2 inch blocks as opposed to 1 inch - better for little fingers.  Aside from being a major pain in the crafting butt, and aside from my serious spatial issues (apparently I have issues organizing blocks in my head), it's turning out super cute.  I now have 2 more sides of all the blocks yet to cover, then I need to seal it with Mod Podge.  Oh and BTW, Mod Podge is the absolute coolest product in the entire world.  I can't wait to use it on about 20 other projects.  I'm hoping the little one loves it as much as I do!  And I will most definitely have pics of it when it's through - it's already too awesome not to document.

Next up was the cheese streudel from Pillsbury I've been dying to make for the last 2 weeks. Easy peasy and super delicious.  I love that the super smart people that work at Pillsbury, have created loads of recipes to make with their products.  Crescent rolls - boring.  Crescent rolls filled with cream cheese, sugar cinnamon and chocolate chips - delicious!

Though I gotta admit, mine was nowhere near as pretty as this one.

In the News

~ In only in Maryland news this week, it was 74 degrees today. Last week it was 26 and on Wednesday they're expecting snow. Seriously?! This snow storm is now being called the "gizzard blizzard" which just makes me giggle.

~ Chuck Hagel, the Defense Secretary, stepped down today. The Scandal fan in me wanders whether he was having some scandalous issues like Cy last week. Do you think Olivia Pope handled the situation?

~ A few minutes ago the grand jury decision was made on the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, Missouri: No indictment. As one would assume, the Internet is not pleased. I'm not sure how the decision was made but I can't see how it was. I only hope that the violence that has plagued the city, won't start again.  And that the people of Ferguson can work past this ugly chapter.

~ The Ravens are currently winning in New Orleans. As much as I love me some Drew Brees, I just gotta root for the purple birds!

~ In other news- it's next to impossible to type using an iPad. How the heck do people think this is productive?

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Like I said, before I went into Hedwig and the Angry Inch, the only thing I knew about it was that it was based on a movie from the 80s and that the main character was a man dressed as a woman.  I knew nothing of the music, the plot or even the main actor (I knew it was Michael C. Hall and he played Dexter but since Dexter is super violent, I'd never seen him do anything.)  Right before entering the theatre, I asked my friend the plot and what she told me made me blush. I'd just blush again attempting to tell you so google it if you must know. 

But aside from all that, I have to admit, I loved it!  It's a little dirty in the best ways and it's super loud and just a bit crazy. I did lose the thread a bit.  The acoustics were awful, so I'm not entirely sure what most of the songs were about.  All was fine when he was talking, but when the band started, all bets were off.  But I got the general idea.  For all it's brashness, it had a lot of heart too, and by the end, you really felt for Hedwig.  That's all to do with Michael C. Hall.

As much as I'd hoped to see NPH in the role, Michael C. Hall was absolutely brilliant.  Don't get me wrong, he's a truly hideous woman, but the man has guts.  I don't know many men that would dance around for an hour in knee-high 3 inch heeled gold go-go boots, a denim mini dress, about 6 inches of makeup and a blonde wig, then strip it all off, and go 2 songs in black undies and nothing else.  He was committed and awesome in the part!  I'd kill for guts like that!

So I suppose, this just proves, I should totally say yes more.  What an awesome way to spend a Saturday!

I Love NY!

I must admit it was crazy cold and super crowded but I still love my NYC!  Every time I think I've scratched the itch, I travel up there again, and it's love at first sight - yet again.  There's just something about it that gets into your heart and won't let go.  Today's adventure included Bryant Park shopping (gotta love the winter shops!), Shake Shack (Where has this been all my life?!), 3 Drama bookstores and Hedwig & the Angry Inch (Michael C. Hall is a very ugly woman but is also gutsy as heck.  That man can sing and dance!)