LSU vs Miss St

Every year the ENO crew gets together for a LSU game.  I was never able to go because I was working, until this year.   Jon and I planned on going as soon as we knew the date.  I was really looking forward to it.  I had never watched a game from inside the stadium! (I was in Baton Rouge quite a few times in college for games, but never made it in to the stadium for the game) Then Jon got hurt, and we had no idea how we were going to tailgate and make it to the game with him on crutches.  Then he got a wheelchair and decided to call the ticket office to see if they could accommodate.  We ended up being able to sit in the handicapped/wheelchair section with an awesome view!
The morning of the game we got up with the sun (or maybe before) and got ready and headed to the campus.  Fortunately we were following Nathan, Kelli, and Terry's lead because Jon and I were rookie tailgaters.  We found our spot and got things set up.  A little before lunch the rest of the crew made it out.  Terry and Nathan whipped up some wonderful jambalaya in a cast iron pot that is at least a century old!  It was probably some of the best jambalaya I've ever eaten!  We took a walk to pick up our tickets from will call and to see Mike the tiger in his cage.  We went back to our tailgating spot and hung out until game time.  Of course we then made our way to the stadium to watch the tigers defeat the bulldogs.  It was a really great time and I'm so glad we were able to go this year!

Terry & Nathan aka The Cooks

Kelli & me

tailgating with the hubby

view from our seats

LSU vs Miss St game

Four Seasons

We have four seasons we recognize around our house...winter, spring, summer, and football.  We are definitely in football season now.  Our LSU flag is flying and our new LSU wreath (from my sweet friend, Adrianne) is on the door.  Jon is constantly "researching" so that he can make the right decisions and play the right players each week in his fantasy football teams. (Yes, I said teams...he has three!)  I am a fan of college football over NFL, but I sit and watch most all of the games with him.   I think one of my favorite things of football season is the get togethers.  You all know I love to entertain and have people over.  I also enjoy getting together with our friends at their houses too!  We've been hanging out with some friends on Sundays for Saints games (although Jon is a Cowboys fan).   We went to our friends, Billy & Jennifer's, this past weekend to watch the LSU vs Idaho game.  I was in the mood to bake and decided to make something to bring over to their house.  After browsing Pinterest, I came up with a tiger striped cake!  The picture was super cute and the instructions seemed easy enough, plus I had all the ingredients on hand.  I made the cake mix, halved it, and dyed each half.

Then I alternated each color cake mix in the pan.

I baked the cakes according to the directions.  I iced the cakes with a chocolate marshmallow icing.

Then I decorated the top for the tigers.  I definitely need to take a cake decorating class, or at least, start practicing a lot more.  I have a ways to go on the look of the cake.  I also learned a valuable lesson.  I iced the cake on the cake carrier since I knew we were taking it somewhere.  Well, it didn't like the ride very much, because by the time we were at their house the top layer had slid halfway off the bottom layer.  From now on I will be putting toothpicks in to hold the two layers together.  Needless to say, cutting the cake was a disaster, but it still tasted delicious!!

GEAUX TIGERS!

November is upon us

I thought this past weekend of work was never going to end! We did dress up for Halloween on Sunday at work.  The theme of our unit was rockstars, and my co-workers looked more "rockstarish" than I did.  I did have some pretty sweet horns that the MIL bought for me! But thank goodness the weekend of work did end!!

On Monday our sweet babies got their "fur did" and I must say they are precious!
That night I decided to make a new chili recipe from Annie's Eats and we invited Jon's parents over to join us for dinner.  I definitely have to recommend this recipe! My husband was somewhat skeptical about the meal because it does have ground turkey, but he loved it anyway!  After dinner we sat around the house waiting for trick-or-treaters that never showed, but that's okay because we enjoyed the candy ourselves while watching Monday night football.  On Tuesday morning I finally went to my long awaited neurologist appointment.  It went well, I suppose.  I like the doctor, I feel she listened and really put into consideration what I have been going through.  She started me on Topamax and wants me to change my eating habits (cutting out as much MSG as possible).  The Topamax will also be a trial and error drug, like all the ones before.  I have to slowly increase my dose in hopes that it helps my headaches but does not cause the unwanted side effects.  If this doesn't work then we will have to try yet another drug. In a way I hope that this is the drug that works because I am tired of playing the trial and error game, but on the other hand if it does work I will have to stop taking it once Jon and I decide to start a family.   Oh the joys of these dang headaches! Why can't they just go away on their own?!  (I guess they are just stubborn like me!)
Wednesday and Thursday will consist of working, but we will have the weekend off!!  Saturday morning we are taking our family (Jon, myself, and the pups) Christmas card pics.  And of course Saturday night we will be cheering on the LSU Tigers for the biggest game of the season against Alabama!  Geaux Tigers!!

I hope everyone has/had a wonderful week and weekend!

What's been up? or down?

I have definitely been MIA from blog posting...sorry.  I have been in a writing funk I believe.  I'm trying to get back in to the swing of things, so here goes...

Lately Jon and I have been up to the same ol' thing I suppose.  This past weekend we had quite a bit going on.  On Friday I went to my friend Meagan's house for her Stella and Dot party.  She just recently became an independent stylist/sales person for the company and had a "kickoff" party to show off the beautiful jewelry.   You should go to the website and check it out!  They have some super cute stuff that would be perfect for Christmas presents!
On Saturday, Jon and I had friends over to cheer on LSU as they beat Auburn.  By half-time the guys were pretty bored because LSU was whooping some butt, so they went out and started playing bean bag toss.  We all ended up joining in and having a tournament! It was so much fun!  (I forgot to take pictures)  I did make some yummy treats for everyone to snack on, including these delicious cake balls.

After the football game we attempted to watch the third game of the World Series but couldn't stay awake long enough to see the end (which was ok with us because we would have wanted to see the Rangers win).  

Sunday we were lazy and watched football until we went to a Halloween party for our friend's daughter. I made some pretty cute mummy cake pops for the party (You'll get to see those in a different post).   That night we continued to be lazy and ordered take out and hung around the house.  

It was a fun weekend that included time spent with great friends!

September is here...where is fall?

I can't believe September is already upon us.  I wish it would have brought 70 degree weather with it! I must say that it has not been over 100 the past couple of days and that's a wonderful thing.  I am so looking forward to fall...the cool crisp weather, decorating my house, and most of all football season!  LSU opens up the season on Saturday at the Cowboys Stadium against Oregon.  I will be working, but you better believe I'll be sporting my new LSU jersey and the game will be on in one of the rooms at work!  I hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend!  Enjoy your time off (if you are a fortunate one that actually gets Labor Day as a holiday) and be safe!

GEAUX TIGERS!

Hosting Bunco

I love throwing parties!  In fact, if I could pay the bills by doing it I would!  I'm excited about hosting bunco in August...really, one week away.  (Can you believe there is only one more week until August?! Where did this year go?)  After lots of different programs and frustration I have finally created a collage of my inspiration for my month's bunco.  (Thanks Mary for the final working program!)

Although bunco is not necessarily a party, I am still a theme freak, so of course I had to come up with a theme for August bunco.  Since football season is just around the corner I chose tailgating for the theme.  I have encouraged all the girls to sport their favorite team's attire.  I'm assuming there will be lots of LSU and Saints shirts and jerseys worn.   On the menu is...sliders, mini hot dogs, waffle fries & loaded baked potato dip, jalapeno popper dip, veggies, fruit, cake balls, soft drinks, and of course some adult beverages.  I hope it all turns out delicious! I'm excited!  It's so much fun to get together with all the girls and hang out and relax...and winning a prize is pretty nice too!