A Day at the Fair Marks the End of Summer

Nothing screams the end of summer quite like the arrival of the Maryland State Fair to the Timonium Fairgrounds.

But where else can you experience horse racing, pig racing, concerts, rides, games, and fried Berger Cookies.  Yum!

You can see this ferris wheel from down the street.

 We had to try these fried Berger Cookies and oh my gosh, they were sooo good!

And no trip to the fair is complete without a funnel cake!

We had such a great time.

Oh yea, how could I forget the cows!

Hope everyone had a nice long weekend.  Was your weekend full of the beach or just a relaxing bar-b-q?

Freshman Year

It is that time of year again, school time.  Where did summer go?

 I wanted to talk about college, mostly freshman year.  It is the biggest event that takes place after high school.  It is a time that you are away from home, away from parents, away from what you have always known, and finally all on your own.  Ahhh!  To me, this was scary!  I went 8 hours away from home and didn't know anyone.  Talk about end of the world!  (It wasn't.  It was just different)

Freshman year can be full of new and fascinating things.  But you seem to stand out as a freshman.

People know you are a freshman when:

- You carry a map of campus with your class schedule everywhere you go.  Come on, please just use your phone, it's a smart phone remember?

- Orientation is your first opportunity to meet friends.

- You are stuck with the 8 am classes and you leave extra early in case you go to the room or worse the wrong building!

- Your roommate becomes your "Best" friend.  It is a little forced at times.

- You wear your high school sweatshirt around campus. No one cares you played a sport senior year.

- You wear your ID card on a lanyard.  Just stop.

- You have to ask for your door to be unlocked because, well you forgot your key. (Time to be responsible)

- You become "that" girl or guy at the party, come on handle yourself! It is not ok.

We have all been there.  I remember my freshman year like it was yesterday.  I didn't know anyone and I never even went to sleep away camp when I was little.  College was a shock for me.  At first I wanted to go home, but in the end everything worked out fine.  I met great friends that I still have to this day and now I miss my time spent at college.  I would even do freshman year again.  

So if you are new and starting as a freshman, don't be scared.  Remember everyone is in the same boat.  You are all looking for friends, wondering where to go, what to do on weekends, and just trying to make it through freshman year.

I wish you all luck in the new school year!  These are some of the best years of your life, cherish them.

Sorry for Missing

So Sorry for missing the last couple days (weeks).  Ahh! 



Life has been crazy!  I feel like there has been little to no time for my blog and I hate not keeping up with mine or reading/commenting on some of my favorites.

I was on vacation and then returned to the passing of my husband's grandfather to trying to buy a new house we were interested in.  I can't keep up!

After all the family events coming to an end and missing out on the house, my search continues and I am back to my normal routine.

Sometimes life gets in the middle of everything and it is hard to keep up.

We become so busy with our everyday lives and sometime it gets interrupted for more important things.

But with this post I am back!  Hope everyone is great and I can't wait to get caught up on some blog reading!



Weekend Recap: One Year

This weekend was full of family, friends, and great times.  This weekend was so special and busy, busy, busy.

Friday was so fun!  I left work and ran around with my mom.  We grabbed dinner and went to Target.  We walked in and I asked if we needed a cart, she responded No.  Now we are making this trip to Target a challenge.  We can only buy what we can hold. (Let me tell you we are pretty good at juggling items, pro level)

We collected some great things, we have too much fun at Target!

We made it to the check out with our hands full.  My favorite part is when the cashier asks, "Did you find everything you where looking for?"  I always think to myself, I wasn't looking for any of this stuff, I just found it.

We had such a great time!

On Saturday my mom, dad, hubs, and I all had lunch together and then the hubs and I met up with some friends at Mustang Alley's.

Mustang Alley's is so much fun, plus I kind of love Bowling.

We went downstairs to Heavy Seas for dinner.

We all enjoyed our dinners.  And then we took the water taxi over to Fed Hill! (I felt like a tourist, but it was fun)

We went to Fed Hill to meet up with friends that just got engaged. So exciting!

Sunday was our day.  Ir was our one year anniversary.  We went to a fantastic lunch together followed by dinner at his parents house.

Then we had our cake!

Our top tier of our cake has been taking up space in our freezer long enough so once we got home we cut it and had a bite!  I can't believe it has been a year!

We had a great weekend, but it makes for a tired Monday. 

Hope you all are hanging in there this Monday.  Can't believe the 4th of July is right around the corner.

How was your weekend?

Taste of Three Cities

EVENTS

This past weekend I enjoyed waking through rows and rows of food trucks during the Taste of Three Cities here in Baltimore, Maryland.  

These colorful trucks represented Baltimore, DC, and Philly.

Right outside of the M&T Bank Stadium on a beautiful day we walked through crowds and ate some great food.

We walked in and decided to check everything out.  So we took a loop through all the trucks to get together our game plan.

Here are a couple places we stopped.

1. South Carolina Bar-B-Que from Maryland

This truck from Essex, MD won last year for the best BBQ, so we had to wait in line to taste something.  

Yum!  Pulled Pork anyone?  This sandwich was delicious.  I could go for more right now.  It had just the right amount of spice and flavor.  For our first stop, it was a great one! 

We then stopped for a little snack from 

2. The Cow and The Curd from Philly

It is NOT a mozzarella stick.

Fried cheese curds, how can you not have a taste?  They are served with a choice of dipping sides, included chipotle ranch.

3. Rito Loco from DC

This Rib Rito was so good.  Made from pulled baby back ribs and had such great flavor.

4. La Cakerie from Maryland

We had to end with some dessert and what better way then from a cupcake from one of my favorite spots.  (Bonus: Cupcake Wars winner, Jason, hopped in the window to serve some customers)

Such a great end to great food, Funfetti cupcake?  Yes, please!

It was a great day for great food.  We all had a great time and enjoyed everything that we tasted.  I would advise going with a group because it was fun to split food in order to try more food trucks.

I am glad we tried trucks from all places, Maryland, DC, and Philly.

Have you eaten from a great food truck?

Memorial Day Weekend Recap

Events

I hope everyone had a great long Memorial Day weekend and safe travels.  I can't believe May is almost over!  I can tell you that I enjoyed my weekend.

I didn't go away or travel over my weekend.  I stayed right here in Baltimore.

Friday was a very long work day (that happens when there is a day off involved).  I was invited to the baseball game, but missed it.

But that's ok, Friday turned into a low key stay in night.  

Saturday was parent-filled.  The morning was spent around the house and then my parents picked me up to run some errands and grab lunch.  I love spending time with my parents, especially when Hubs is working.  

Later that day the Hubs and I headed to HomeGoods and grabbed some dinner. 

Finds at HomeGoods:

How great are these mailboxes.  I think I need one!

I left it at the store, but I have been thinking about it.  I may have to go back and see if it is still there.

After we left we stopped at Sonic for half price Milkshakes.

They have some of the best Milkshakes.  

And during the summer they have half price shakes after 8 p.m.

Sunday was spent in downtown Baltimore.  We were invited to a Memorial Day grill out.  

Red, White, and Blue was encouraged, so of course I added to it with accessories.

Crab included in celebrating Memorial Day.

On Monday I enjoyed the wonderful weather in the morning.  It was so nice to sit out and spend some time with my mom and do a little light reading.

It felt so good to feel the sun!  I can't wait for more time like that this summer.

That night ended with grilling out at the in-laws.

All and all a wonderful weekend.

What did you all do this past weekend?

Did you travel or stay home?

Memorial Day 2014

 

 

And don't forget to pull out your white pants! 

 

 

The Preakness Stakes

EVENTS

This Saturday is the 139th running of the Preakness.  This event takes place right here in Baltimore, Maryland.

Pimlico Race Course is the home of the Preakness.  Every year the place is packed full of people hoping to see a winner, hopefully a triple crown.  This year  California Chrome will line up to try and win the second race of the triple crown.  If he wins the journey will continue and after the race, my favorite part takes place, the painting of the weather vane.  Right after the winner is declared a painter climbs up to the weather vane and begins to paint the winner silks and the color of the winning horse.  This will remain until the next year.  

They will also be covered with a blanket of Black-Eyed Susans, our state flower.

There hasn't been a triple crown winner in years, the last one was in 1978! 

My grandparents used to go every year to watch the race.  I have a collection of these glasses and it just so happens that I have one from the last year of the triple crown winner!

How fun is that?

You will find people sipping on a signature cocktail while waiting and watching the race.  This cocktail is called The Black- Eyed Susan.  

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz Vodka

1/2 oz St. Germain

2 oz Pineapple Juice

1/4 oz Lime Juice 

3/4 oz Orange Juice

Add a orange slice and sip

So lets wish California Chrome some luck this saturday and enjoy the race with a Black-Eyed Susan in hand.

Do you think California Chrome has what it takes?

Are you a horse racing fan like my family? 

Good Feelings Come With Good Weather

EVENTS

I consider Spring an event and an important one at that.  It means longer days and sunshine.  It has been pretty nice weather here in Baltimore (after the rain of course).  

Spirits are high during this time of year.  I find it interesting to see people are usually in a better mood when the weather is nice.  People lately seem to have good feelings all around.  What is it about the sun that makes us feel better?

Do you find yourself in a better mood on the sun filled days of spring and summer?

I know I do!

I think winter really took a toll on us and after all the snow; I couldn't wait to break out the bright colors.  The pants, the shoes, and my favorite, accessories have all been waiting to come out.

I can't tell you how exciting it was to pull out the blue pants, fun shoes, and my bright colored bracelets for today's outfit.

Oh sun and warm weather where have you been?

Are you excited to pull out the colors and have a change in wardrobe?

Are you tired of the winter clothes?

Do you feel better on nice days? More refreshed?

Hooray! First Day of Spring

EVENTS

I am so excited to say today is the first day of Spring!  Can you believe Spring still exists after the winter we have had?

With the weather hopefully changing, I plan on getting some things started.  

(It is so much easier when it stays light out)

So Spring takes us up until June 21st (the first day of summer).  That is plenty of time to do my Spring events.

-Spring Cleaning: Yes, time for me to organize and go through the winter clothes.   Good Will here I come.  I want to clean out the winter and make room for the Spring and Summer.

-Plan a Trip to South Carolina: I NEED this trip after all this snow.  I can't wait to get down there and see that blue sky and those beautiful Palmetto trees. And to be honest, I just need to get to the beach.

-New York, New York: Please! Now this may be something that will get pushed to the summer list, but here is to wishful thinking.  I can't wait to get back to New York.  I love walking around the city.

-Bake: I want to take one day to bake with my good friend.  I think cupcakes are on the list and maybe something new.

Last time we made chocolate chip cupcakes with buttercream icing, so good!

Hopefully Spring weather is upon us, I can't wait to do things on my list.  There really is something to that staying light out later.

I hope to get to my cleaning, trip planning, and baking soon!

What do you have planned for Spring?

Planning on doing some cleaning?

PS- Happy Birthday Hubs

Valentine's Day Spirit

EVENTS

This Friday is Valentine's Day and to celebrate I have added a couple little touches around the house.  You know, to get in the spirit. I am a fan of this special day, but I don't expect the normal Valentine's activities.

 I love Valentine's not in the way that some girls do, but I love the little cards for the kids to take to school, I love the candy, and I love it is on a Friday this year.

Now some people get carried away with such elaborate plans.  Dinner, presents, and flowers with chocolate, and of course decorations.

I personally believe dinner on the exact day is a little overrated.  Too many people in the restaurant and I feel like the restaurant's "Valentine's Specials" are not always the best.  I much rather make dinner plans for another night.

Presents.  Who doesn't like presents?  Some of my best memories are coming down for school in the morning and seeing the little items my parents gave me.  Favorite being the heart shaped chocolates on a lollipop stick.

I like to have flowers in the house.  I just feel like they just give off a great feeling, especially during these snowy, cold months.  And what girl doesn't like a little chocolate?

Now my favorite.  Decorations are the best! Valentine's is a little holiday when compared to Christmas, decorations aren't as big and exciting.  

But don't you worry!  I found some cute ones.

You have seen my straws in another post found here - Best of January.

But I have decorated the bar cart even more when I found these cute napkins.

Kate Spade his and hers glasses are just perfect for the holiday.  

And it wouldn't be Valentine's Day without candy hearts.

 I had to grab the Sweet Tart ones when I stopped into Target the other day.

Are you ready to celebrate Valentine's Day?  

Any exciting plans?