A wine glass and a paint brush...

Last night I took my friend Steph to one of my favorite places in Cincinnati, Cheers to Art. This was my 4th visit and it did not disappoint. Cheers to Art combines two great hobbies...wine "tasting" and painting. You go and truly feel like an artist because the owner, Jill, teaches you how to paint a selected painting with step by step instructions. I knew when I saw the nest painting on the calendar a month ago that I just had to do sign up to paint it. I already have it hanging in my living room! Here are a few pictures from our date night.

 

A night of sipping wine and attempting to be an artist with your best friend makes for a wonderful evening. We had a great time and plan to make this a tradition every few months. On top of wine and painting they also have an adorable gift shop where I bought myself a new scarf. So really I left with 2 new things: a painting and a scarf. Win and win.

Here are the other paintings I've done at Cheers to Art...
First visit...Valentine's day date night
Second visit...Armleder girl's night out
Third visit...Armleder girls night out revisited

If you live in the Cincinnati area you should definitely go check them out!
Happy weekend!!!

The time I got my Conceal Carry Permit...

This weekend I took a 10 hour class to get my Conceal Carry Permit. Yes this means I can legally conceal a weapon if I want to. Even typing that sounds crazy. I don't plan on actually carrying a gun, but my husband does and I wanted to know how to use a gun and not be afraid of it. I actually had a blast (literally) at this class. I took it with my sister in law Carly, her fiance, Drew's cousin and his wife and Drew's aunt so it was a party. Don't mess with our family!

Our instructors were 2 police officers and we learned all the laws, parts of a gun, how to load, stance, gun safety, etc. Then we actually shot at an outdoor range for a few hours. Honestly I felt very empowered after taking this class. Plus my husband is super proud of me and wants to tell all his friends that his wife can pack heat if she chooses to. Here's the note I came home to after school today with some new shooting glasses and hot pink ear protection. I just love him.

Gus-gus

Reason #527 why I love my husband:
While getting the mower out of the shed he discovers a little mouse. He comes inside and finds sunflower seeds to give to the mouse so they can be friends. Being the science loving man that he is he turns this into an experiment. "Babe, listen to this...I'm going to knock on the shed floor and then leave out the food. I'll do this for the next few days and then he will learn the signal and come out whenever I knock. Oh and his name is Gus-gus." Hahahah. I just can't get over how much I love this man.

And please tell me you know where he came up with the name Gus-gus...

                                                                                Source: disneybaby.com via Allison on Pinterest

Enter a giveaway for a free banner from my shop here! Happy one more day until it's FRIDAY!

If you like buffalo chicken you will like this!

A few weeks ago my friend Alison and I got together and swapped some of our favorite recipes. Last night I tried her Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas and my husband and I loved every bite. I really think you will love this. Make it and thank me later. Here is what you will need:

-1 can cream of chicken soup
-1 cup sour cream ranch dip (refridgerated)
-2/3 C. chopped green onion
-2/3 C. chopped celery (more if you really like celery!)
-3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
-3/4 C. buffalo wing sauce
-12 6inch tortillas
-3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Step 1: Boil chicken breasts. While they boil do all your veggie chopping!
Step 2: Immediately after boiling the chicken, dump it into your Kitchen Aide mixer if you have one. Shred the chicken using this amazing tip that will change your life (thank you Pinterest!)

All you have to do is add the warm chicken to your bowl, use your paddle tool and turn on the mixer to 4-6 power. Let the mixer do all the work. Shredded chicken is now way easier!

Step 3: In a Medium bowl mix soup, dip, 1/3 cup of green onions and 1/3 cup of celery.

Step 4: In a large bowl mix shredded chicken and buffalo wing sauce until coated

Step 5: Spoon 2 T. soup mix down the center of each tortilla. Set remaining mix aside.
Step 6: Add 1/4 cup chicken mix and 1/4 cup cheese on top of the soup mix in the tortilla.
Step 7: Fold tortillas and place seam down in a 9x13 baking dish (already greased)
Step 8: Add remaining mix, cheese, celery and green onions to the top of the tortillas.
Step 9: Cover dish tightly and bake 45 minutes.

Now head on over to Allyce's blog Chalk in the Rain for another chance to win a banner from my Etsy shop! You have until Sunday April 22nd!

Girl's weekend

Drew decided to be Bear Grylls this weekend and take on the great outdoors with his friends. So while he was off catching fish and building shelters I was watching girly movies, eating way too many calories and playing dress up. Obviously I caught up on some much needed girl time. I truly am so blessed with the girlfriends I have. Here's a peek at my girly weekend.
Friday night:
My friend Alison came over and we watched a girly movie, made a cast iron skillet cookie and hung out in our pjs.

Saturday afternoon:
My friend Bekah and I went to see Titanic in 3D. They gave us these adorable boarding passes with our tickets, which we were both excited about. I loved every second of Leo and Kate's reunion on the big screen. 

Saturday night:
I went over to my friend Steph's house for a slumber party complete with pizza rolls, friendship bracelets, Justin Beiber's movie and wigs.

I love my girlfriends, but I'm super excited to give my outdoorsy husband a huge bear hug and not let go for 10 minutes. I missed him a little too much despite all my girly fun.

Saturday morning bliss

This morning I am starting Karen Kingsbury's new book Loving. You can read Kristen's review about it here.

                                                                                           Source: swan.mls.lib.il.us via Allison on Pinterest

Rain is pouring on the roof, I have a mug of hot chocolate on my coaster and my Pandora station set to the Civil Wars in the background. Soon a cat will be curled up in my lap and all will be right with the world...at least for the next few hours. Find the time to do something small that brings you happiness today.

                                                                        Source: thebeeskneesbaby.tumblr.com via Allison on Pinterest

Happy Saturday!

Wednesday favorites

I'm linking up with Jamie today to share what I'm loving this Wednesday!
I'm loving...Nutella dipping sticks?! Yes it is true they do exist. I found them in the check out aisle at Walmart and was ecstatic.

I'm loving...that Sawyer is back to being himself after his adventure with the great outdoors.

I'm loving...my husband's famous (to my family) chocolate pies

I'm loving...that today is my grandparent's 59th wedding anniversary. They are such a sweet couple. The picture is all the grandkids celebrating their 50th a few years ago. And to top off all that love my other set of grandparents are celebrating their 66th anniversary tomorrow! I am so blessed to be surrounded by such beautiful examples of love and devotion!

I'm loving...these Southwestern Stuffed Peppers from Real Simple magazine! We used ground turkey instead of ground beef and plain Greek Yogurt instead of sour cream making it a delicious and healthy meal! YUM!

I'm loving...the free stuff I won from Whimsy Lane. So much cuteness in one package!

I'm loving...my sweet husband even though he is leaving me to go camping for 3 whole days. I have loved watching him plan his trip...he's adorable.

Happy Wednesday!!!

An Egg-cellent weekend

Here's our Easter weekend in an egg shell...ok I'll stop with the egg references now.
Friday-I caught up on the new show SMASH and ate Chickfila in my PJs on the couch...Bliss.
Saturday-My sister and her husband were in town so we grilled out and played Uno attack and a new card game we like to call Pond scum. My sister and I also took on Martha Stewart's Meringues. They definitely did not turn out as cute as they appear on the cover of this month's Living magazine, but we tried and had fun so it was a success.

Sunday-We started off by taking a few family photos...

Then we met my family at church for a wonderful service where we watched my mom get baptized (yay Mom!) After church, we headed to my parents house to celebrate Easter with the rest of the family. My brother is the youngest "kid" on my Dad's side of the family and he's 18 so we weren't planning on having an Easter egg hunt this year...until my Aunt Pam showed up. She came with Easter eggs already filled with candy and prizes to be won and we had a blast running around the yard like we were 5.

We had amazing food and sat outside in the sun then napped while the Masters was on in the background. There's just something wonderful about napping while golf is on in the background.

This weekend was egg-actly what I needed. Okay really I'll stop now. I hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend!

Death has lost. Love has won.

Death has lost and love has won...I am so thankful that Jesus died for my sins, but I'm even more thankful that he rose again. I hope you are filled with hope today. He is alive! Happy Easter friends!

I'm off to stuff my face and hang out with my fabulous family on this gorgeous Easter Sunday. Enjoy!

Cincinnati Reds Opening Day Parade...and a winner!

I have lived in Cincinnati all my 26 years and had never attended any Opening day festivities...until yesterday!

Since I teach downtown we decided last year that we were going to try to get in this year's Opening day parade and we actually made it happen. They let us know our application was accepted just 8 short days before the parade so it has been a little chaotic around my school, but the end result was fantastic. Grades 5-8 walked in the parade while grades K-4 had early dismissal so they could watch the parade with their parents. This meant freedom for me to enjoy the parade as well!!! Drew took a half day off of work and our friends Bekah and Alex joined us as well. It was so fun seeing my kids so excited about the parade. I think it is hilarious and extremely cute how kids get so excited to see their teacher outside of school...I had literally seen them 30 minutes earlier, but seeing me outside of our classroom it was like I was a famous person or something. Here are some incredibly cute pictures of my adoring fans. Mr. Renner got in on the fun too.

We had the perfect place to stand to watch the parade and we picked up some Skyline cheese coneys to snack on while we waited for the big show to begin. What's a Cincinnati event without Skyline?

After the parade we found a spot to sit and have a drink that looked over Fountain Square. They played the game on the big screen and we enjoyed every second of this beautiful day.

We plan on making the Opening day parade a new tradition...maybe next year we will even go to the game! Does your city have an Opening day parade or do anything fun to kick start baseball season??? I for one am a big fan of baseball, specifically Reds baseball, but I'm not biased or anything.

I'm so sorry to all of you who were waiting anxiously by your computers to see if you won a banner from my new shop yesterday. Oh wait none of you did that? Good because I'm a day late and a dollar short posting this. Please forgive me if I caused you any stress. Haha. On to the winner...Congratulations Ashlee! Email me your banner choice and your address so I can send you your prize!

Wednesday favorites

Today I'm linking up with Michelle and Jamie to share my Wednesday favorites!
I'm loving...that tomorrow Drew and I both have a half day of work and we will be attending the Red's Opening Day Parade! I've never been to the Opening day parade before so I'm so excited!!

I'm loving...Easter everything. I love the decorations, the bunnies and chicks, the food, but most of all the reason for the holiday. Easter truly is my favorite because of the hope that it brings. Jesus died for us, but then He also rose again. So thankful for that. I love that I will be spending Easter with my wonderful family. Drew and I are in charge of dessert...any good Easter dessert ideas you want to share with me?
I'm loving...all the sweet comments you all left me about my new shop. I was nervous posting about it, but you're support is amazing. Thank you!

I'm loving...that my sister in law enjoys doing my make up and nails just for fun. She did my nails when we were all hanging out on Saturday night and I love them.

Speaking of nails...here are a few of my favorite pinterest pins for fun nail ideas:

                                                                                 Source: pinterest.net-pin.info via Allison on Pinterest

                                                                        Source: media-cache1.pinterest.com via Allison on Pinterest

                                                                                          Source: squidoo.com via Allison on Pinterest

                                                                                           Source: tumblr.com via Allison on Pinterest

Happy Wednesday!
Oh and speaking of favorites...I'm guest posting for one of my favorite bloggers today, Emily over at Hope Squared. She is in Thailand...I am only a little bit lot jealous. Go check out her fabulous blog!

Thai-tastic

The other night we met up with our friends Brian and Courtney for a dinner date. We tried out a new (to me) restaurant called Banana Leaf and it was wonderful! Courtney and I decided to go for a Pineapple chicken fried rice and it actually came served in half a pineapple. I'm a sucker for presentation so I was excited and I think it made my food taste twice as good!

At dinner I learned something new about my husband. Our waitress came over after we had finished our Edamame and asked my husband if he was an engineer. He said "um no...why?" And she said "Oh I just saw how you had organized your Edamame and thought you were." We all laughed when we compared my plate to his. Can you tell which one is my husbands above? He honestly had no idea he was lining up his food. Haha. I just love him and all his quirks.
After dinner we went back to Courtney and Brian's cute little house for some wine and oreo stuffed cookies. Classy right? If you haven't seen these on Pinterest they really are amazingly good.

                                                                                Source: veryculinary.com via Allison on Pinterest

I have blogging to thank for my new friend Courtney...see our first double date here.

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