I was so excited to take pictures for Josh, Kala, and Brayden (and baby #2 coming any day now!). Josh is my brother-in-law. It was so nice of them to be patient with me as I figure out all my camera settings still : ) I would love to do photography on the side someday when I improve my skills! Right now I am just trying to figure out more about light and shadows because that is my biggest challenge! I really enjoy it. Thanks for giving me the practice guys, it was so much fun!
Thanks again guys, it was so much fun! If anyone is interested in having me take pictures, just let me know. I would love to get more experience!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Shut up already!!
We went to the Twins game last night. They lost (big surprise) but we still had a good time. The food is so good there! I had a cheeseburger and Jason had a steak sandwich.
There was one unfortunate annoyance throughout the entire game. We had some great seats with a pretty good view but immediately after sitting down we noticed the guy behind us talking at a VERY loud volume. He was talking to what I assumed was his girlfriend because he was just blabbing non stop about baseball stats and facts about the game...and she was just eating it up. Totally kissing his ass. He was explaining how a batting average was calculated in excruciating detail and she would just respond with "oh, wow...oh so I see...so it's...(and repeat back everything he had just said)" and he would respond with this cocky ''yeah, yeah...(and then spout off some more facts)".
At first, I thought I was just PMSing or something and getting annoyed by something stupid...because that certainly has been known to happen. But after at least an inning of it, I turned to Jason just to see if he had any reaction to the latest comment he had made which was something along the lines of, ''most people here probably don't know about this play, especially young people like me, but it was a good play...everyone booing, they are just idiots". At that moment Jason and I locked eyes and e.s.p'd to each other the pure feeling of annoyance we were clearly sharing. Jason followed that up with a simple, ''really??". That's all that needed to be said.
This loud volumed talking lasted throughout the entire game. If I had some balls I would have turned to him and said, ''we get it, you are a baseball genuis...you don't need to prove it to everyone within a 1 mile radius, so kindly shut the f*ck up". I think the best part was when I turned around to pretend to look at something (but really just wanted to see what this fool looked like) he was wearing a wedding ring and so was what I thought was his girlfriend. I'm not sure if this should have shocked me as much as it did but the way she was fawning over everything he said without questioning anything made me feel like they were newly dating and she was just trying to stroke his ego. And when I whispered to Jason, ''they are married!" he confirmed my shock was justified...she was basically kissing his ass all night long whether they were talking about baseball or laundry which they also discussed in great detail.
And don't get me wrong, just because you're married doesn't mean I don't think you can talk to each other like that...Jason and I respect each other and have good conversations all the time. Encouraging each other is very important, I get it. I just think the girl needs to have equal strength and contribute something other than just submissive compliments over a 3+ hour conversation. (Ok, maybe I am PMSing and being judgmental...oh well, good thing this is my blog!)
Honestly, after a few innings it was kind of just funny (although I still kind of wanted to turn around and clock him in the face at random points) and we still enjoyed ourselves. I am not normally such a violent thinker, but trust me...you would have felt the exact same way.
The other entertaining bit of the evening was the ''fun fact'' board they put up as different players came up to bat. There was one particular question they had to answer. 'Who was your role model growing up?' Jason and I discussed how whenever we got asked that in school growing up we always put our parents as our role models. Who else are we supposed to write? Doesn't it make us assholes if we don't say our parents are our role models? Well the funny part came when literally every single player came up with the same answer:
And every player said that exact same thing. I don't know if that is entertaining to anyone but us, but it made us giggle. My other favorite fact was when Danny Valencia was asked what he collected growing up and he said ''pogs''. Oh pogs. And slammers (the metal ones were best). And pog making machines (yes I had one). I had totally forgotten about pogs. Good times.
Good memories were made last night...I now know a lot more about baseball stats and rules than I ever wanted to. I don't know what's worse, knowing these things or knowing that over 50 % of those facts were likely made up just to impress his wife. Nevertheless, it was great fun : )
Well, I am off to take some pictures of my brother-in-law, his girlfriend, and our nephew Brayden : ) (as well as the baby in her belly due any day now!) Stay tuned for pictures.
Mat Kearney song #3 to share. 'She Got the Honey'...makes me smile and wanna dance. Have a great day!
There was one unfortunate annoyance throughout the entire game. We had some great seats with a pretty good view but immediately after sitting down we noticed the guy behind us talking at a VERY loud volume. He was talking to what I assumed was his girlfriend because he was just blabbing non stop about baseball stats and facts about the game...and she was just eating it up. Totally kissing his ass. He was explaining how a batting average was calculated in excruciating detail and she would just respond with "oh, wow...oh so I see...so it's...(and repeat back everything he had just said)" and he would respond with this cocky ''yeah, yeah...(and then spout off some more facts)".
At first, I thought I was just PMSing or something and getting annoyed by something stupid...because that certainly has been known to happen. But after at least an inning of it, I turned to Jason just to see if he had any reaction to the latest comment he had made which was something along the lines of, ''most people here probably don't know about this play, especially young people like me, but it was a good play...everyone booing, they are just idiots". At that moment Jason and I locked eyes and e.s.p'd to each other the pure feeling of annoyance we were clearly sharing. Jason followed that up with a simple, ''really??". That's all that needed to be said.
This loud volumed talking lasted throughout the entire game. If I had some balls I would have turned to him and said, ''we get it, you are a baseball genuis...you don't need to prove it to everyone within a 1 mile radius, so kindly shut the f*ck up". I think the best part was when I turned around to pretend to look at something (but really just wanted to see what this fool looked like) he was wearing a wedding ring and so was what I thought was his girlfriend. I'm not sure if this should have shocked me as much as it did but the way she was fawning over everything he said without questioning anything made me feel like they were newly dating and she was just trying to stroke his ego. And when I whispered to Jason, ''they are married!" he confirmed my shock was justified...she was basically kissing his ass all night long whether they were talking about baseball or laundry which they also discussed in great detail.
And don't get me wrong, just because you're married doesn't mean I don't think you can talk to each other like that...Jason and I respect each other and have good conversations all the time. Encouraging each other is very important, I get it. I just think the girl needs to have equal strength and contribute something other than just submissive compliments over a 3+ hour conversation. (Ok, maybe I am PMSing and being judgmental...oh well, good thing this is my blog!)
Honestly, after a few innings it was kind of just funny (although I still kind of wanted to turn around and clock him in the face at random points) and we still enjoyed ourselves. I am not normally such a violent thinker, but trust me...you would have felt the exact same way.
![]() |
| unfortunately our friends behind us were gone at the moment of this picture... |
The other entertaining bit of the evening was the ''fun fact'' board they put up as different players came up to bat. There was one particular question they had to answer. 'Who was your role model growing up?' Jason and I discussed how whenever we got asked that in school growing up we always put our parents as our role models. Who else are we supposed to write? Doesn't it make us assholes if we don't say our parents are our role models? Well the funny part came when literally every single player came up with the same answer:
And every player said that exact same thing. I don't know if that is entertaining to anyone but us, but it made us giggle. My other favorite fact was when Danny Valencia was asked what he collected growing up and he said ''pogs''. Oh pogs. And slammers (the metal ones were best). And pog making machines (yes I had one). I had totally forgotten about pogs. Good times.
Good memories were made last night...I now know a lot more about baseball stats and rules than I ever wanted to. I don't know what's worse, knowing these things or knowing that over 50 % of those facts were likely made up just to impress his wife. Nevertheless, it was great fun : )
Well, I am off to take some pictures of my brother-in-law, his girlfriend, and our nephew Brayden : ) (as well as the baby in her belly due any day now!) Stay tuned for pictures.
Mat Kearney song #3 to share. 'She Got the Honey'...makes me smile and wanna dance. Have a great day!
Friday, August 5, 2011
Long Day, Little Snippit
After one of the more exhausting shifts at work I have ever had, I am more than a little surprised to be saying that I feel lucky (I am actually more surprised that I am still conscious after the last 16 hours). No matter if everything goes the opposite way it's supposed to all day (like today) and you feel like you are making no progress in the right direction, it's amazing to walk away from a day knowing that you positively contributed to someone's life during one of the most difficult and vulnerable times for them. I just absolutely love my job. Even though sometimes I feel walked-on or unappreciated, I am pleased to say I generally am very happy. I know there aren't tons of jobs out there where you can get that satisfaction and I am so thankful that I have that opportunity. I have met so many amazing patients and families in my journey as a nurse so far.
I don't really know where my nursing degree will take me in the future. I have wild ideas and love to try new things but I always find it hard to consider leaving the job I have now. It's so great. Should I sacrifice a good thing just to see what other opportunities are out there? It's a tough call. Only time will tell. But for now I am appreciating where I am at and learning everything I can.
Even though today was exhausting with an overwhelming side of reward...I am so pumped to have the next two weeks off work. I have never taken this much vacation time all in a row (besides our wedding) but I sure am going to enjoy it!
I can't leave you without sharing my tuna noodle salad recipe, however. I was going to post it yesterday but I needed to get some sleep and I was just blabbing on and on!
Bri's Tuna Noodle Salad (Inspired by the Nanc's)
Ingredients:
I am so stinkin' tired...I wonder how late I can sleep in tomorrow?? (p.s. sleeping in maybe the biggest barrier between me and really wanting to have a baby...is that sad?)
Here's another fabulous Mat Kearney song...I am a shameless promoter, he should really pay me.
Goodnight!
I don't really know where my nursing degree will take me in the future. I have wild ideas and love to try new things but I always find it hard to consider leaving the job I have now. It's so great. Should I sacrifice a good thing just to see what other opportunities are out there? It's a tough call. Only time will tell. But for now I am appreciating where I am at and learning everything I can.
Even though today was exhausting with an overwhelming side of reward...I am so pumped to have the next two weeks off work. I have never taken this much vacation time all in a row (besides our wedding) but I sure am going to enjoy it!
I can't leave you without sharing my tuna noodle salad recipe, however. I was going to post it yesterday but I needed to get some sleep and I was just blabbing on and on!
Bri's Tuna Noodle Salad (Inspired by the Nanc's)
Ingredients:
- 1 Box elbow macaroni, cooked (I have not found a gluten free noodle that refrigerates and serves well cold...I will let you know if I find one!)
- 1/2 jar mayo (I used the olive oil based mayo)
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cans of chunk tuna, drained
- 1 block of sharp cheddar cheese, diced
- Combine all ingredients, stir in mayo well.
- Add more mayo for extra moisture
- Refrigerate
- Serve!
I am so stinkin' tired...I wonder how late I can sleep in tomorrow?? (p.s. sleeping in maybe the biggest barrier between me and really wanting to have a baby...is that sad?)
Here's another fabulous Mat Kearney song...I am a shameless promoter, he should really pay me.
Goodnight!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Triple Bonus
Three successful recipe outcomes in a row means I must be due for a nasty turnout sometime soon. Not trying to be negative, just realistic. Today I had a class which got done early so after going to bootcamp I got a ton of cooking and baking done! I wouldn't even call myself much of a cook normally, I like to try new things and love to take pictures when I'm done but now that I have a blog I have a place to actually put the pictures rather than hidden away in iPhoto files. Maybe that's where my motivation is coming from!
Anyways, tomorrow is my last day of work before a long stretch off and our much anticipated summer trip to Florida. Can't wait to see everyone and maybe my sister-in-law and I can even try some recipes while I'm there. She is THE organic mama...I will have a lot to live up to when I have babies someday. Can't wait!! (to see them, not have babies just yet...sorry Nikki...and mom...and Mama G)
Stay tuned til the end of this post where I will post a little current favorite music ''video"...A must hear!
I am always looking for new ways to make smoothies or protein shakes. I always try to include my unflavored protein powder and flax seeds into my shakes and generally aim to make them pretty healthy. Well today before bootcamp I concocted a rather delicious mix but it wasn't exactly ''healthy''.
The standard ingredients:
Today's magical addition (Kemp's Caribou Coffee Java Chunk Ice Cream):
Yeah baby:
It was really good, but I am not always much for sweets so I only drank a little of it. And thank goodness I didn't drink it all because I felt like puking all throughout bootcamp...duh Bri...don't do dairy before working out! Didn't you learn your lesson last time? Apparently not.
After making it through bootcamp I made some of my gluten free muffins from a mix I got at a gluten free store in Woodbury. It's really nice because you can make a half batch (which is necessary since there aren't any preservatives and they really don't last for more than 4 or 5 days) because the mix comes in a re-seal-able bag. I also add a scoop of the aforementioned protein powder. This helps keep me full longer! If you're looking for a good treat or muffin check it out, even if you aren't into gluten free stuff. It's still good. Even Jason gave his stamp of approval...what more recommendation do you need? ; )
And then there was dinner : )...the real success.
Bri-Loves-Whiskey Pork Tenderloin & Mashed Red Potatoes (adapted from online recipe and my mom's as well!)
Marinade:
2. Soak pork tenderloin in prepared marinade. Poke holes in meat with fork if desired to add additional flavor. Refrigerate for 1 or more hours.
3. After done refridgerating, take out of marinade and place in glass cookware. Wrap bacon slices around tenderloin, securing underneath the loin or with toothpicks. Pour some of marinade on top of tenderloin so it coats the bottom of baking dish.
4. Bake til no longer pink (45-60 mins) in oven at 350*.
5. Cut and enjoy!
Red mashed potato ingredients:
2. Drain and place in bowl with other ingredients.
3. Mash potatoes with masher or spoon, mix all ingredients together well, serve, and enjoy!
And as promised, a ''video" of one of my favorite new Mat Kearney songs...his new CD just came out yesterday...and it's just fabulous. Everyone should buy it!
I'm off to bed, only one day of work left for a while...woop woop!! Night y'all!!
Anyways, tomorrow is my last day of work before a long stretch off and our much anticipated summer trip to Florida. Can't wait to see everyone and maybe my sister-in-law and I can even try some recipes while I'm there. She is THE organic mama...I will have a lot to live up to when I have babies someday. Can't wait!! (to see them, not have babies just yet...sorry Nikki...and mom...and Mama G)
Stay tuned til the end of this post where I will post a little current favorite music ''video"...A must hear!
I am always looking for new ways to make smoothies or protein shakes. I always try to include my unflavored protein powder and flax seeds into my shakes and generally aim to make them pretty healthy. Well today before bootcamp I concocted a rather delicious mix but it wasn't exactly ''healthy''.
The standard ingredients:
Today's magical addition (Kemp's Caribou Coffee Java Chunk Ice Cream):
Yeah baby:
![]() |
| mmmmmmmmm |
It was really good, but I am not always much for sweets so I only drank a little of it. And thank goodness I didn't drink it all because I felt like puking all throughout bootcamp...duh Bri...don't do dairy before working out! Didn't you learn your lesson last time? Apparently not.
After making it through bootcamp I made some of my gluten free muffins from a mix I got at a gluten free store in Woodbury. It's really nice because you can make a half batch (which is necessary since there aren't any preservatives and they really don't last for more than 4 or 5 days) because the mix comes in a re-seal-able bag. I also add a scoop of the aforementioned protein powder. This helps keep me full longer! If you're looking for a good treat or muffin check it out, even if you aren't into gluten free stuff. It's still good. Even Jason gave his stamp of approval...what more recommendation do you need? ; )
And then there was dinner : )...the real success.
Bri-Loves-Whiskey Pork Tenderloin & Mashed Red Potatoes (adapted from online recipe and my mom's as well!)
Marinade:
- 1/4 cup of whiskey or bourbon of choice (I used Jameson)
- 1/4 cup dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (gluten free if desired)
- 1/4 cup oil (I used olive oil)
- 1/4 cup brown sugard
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp hot sauce (or omit if desired)
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp dry mustard powder
- 1-2 pork tenderloins
- 4-5 slices of bacon
2. Soak pork tenderloin in prepared marinade. Poke holes in meat with fork if desired to add additional flavor. Refrigerate for 1 or more hours.
3. After done refridgerating, take out of marinade and place in glass cookware. Wrap bacon slices around tenderloin, securing underneath the loin or with toothpicks. Pour some of marinade on top of tenderloin so it coats the bottom of baking dish.
| he's so supportive... |
4. Bake til no longer pink (45-60 mins) in oven at 350*.
5. Cut and enjoy!
Red mashed potato ingredients:
- 10 red potatoes
- 1 clove of garlic
- 1 tbsp butter
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup of milk
2. Drain and place in bowl with other ingredients.
3. Mash potatoes with masher or spoon, mix all ingredients together well, serve, and enjoy!
![]() |
| Jason pretending to be a bad-ass while also keeping it classy and drinking wine from a mug : ) |
And as promised, a ''video" of one of my favorite new Mat Kearney songs...his new CD just came out yesterday...and it's just fabulous. Everyone should buy it!
I'm off to bed, only one day of work left for a while...woop woop!! Night y'all!!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
A quickie
A lot of times when I work long days, Jason and I end up eating an unhealthy dinner out of pure laziness. Tonight I vowed to change that. So I made a fast, easy summer salad. It was delish! : )
And since I had a long day, I'm keeping it short and sweet. All the ingredients can be picked up on your way home from work and quickly assembled!
Bri's Poppyseed Salad
Ingredients:
And since I had a long day, I'm keeping it short and sweet. All the ingredients can be picked up on your way home from work and quickly assembled!
Bri's Poppyseed Salad
Ingredients:
- One rotisserie chicken (store bought if you don't own a rotisserie or have time to use one which I certainly don't) shred up chicken into small pieces...you probably wont need all the chicken but it makes for great leftovers!
- 1 bag/head of lettuce of your choice
- 8 large strawberries, sliced
- 1/2 red onion, chopped
- Honey roasted pecans (or other sweetened nuts)
- Poppyseed dressing (I like the Panera fat free poppyseed dressing which you can find at Target or Brianna's (yes, Brianna's...the brand...)poppyseed dressing which is pretty fattening but fabulous)
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