George was Great, but Reba stole the SHOW!

George's entrance...Energy Solutions was FULL,
but there were a lot of great fans there.

My brother and sister-in-law called a couple of weeks ago and asked if Steve and I wanted to go to a concert. We figured why not? Well, it was a great concert and well worth the money.

Lee Ann Womack sang her songs beautifully. 

Then Reba. 'Nuff said. She rocked, belted out incredible tunes, and knows how to put on a show. Reba ran around the stage, performed great, then had to board her (luxury, I'm sure) "motorhome" to get to Las Vegas to host the ACM's tonight. Busy, busy, busy talented lady.



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One of my favorite duets Reba sang,
"Does he Love You?"
Lee Ann was great!



George was more laid back and traditional. He's classic, sings classic music (as GREAT as it is), and doesn't need (or perform) with all the bells and whistles. Nor does perform with skits, jokes, or much else. A simple man with few words...lots of great music.



Of course the Wyoming in me was very proud!



Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is on a Monday this year. Makes it a little difficult to celebrate, especially after having to work all day. So Steve and I decided to celebrate early. We had a spectacular day...sleeping in, great breakfast, good coffee, then watching a movie. He wanted to spend the day together so we even baked a cake together. 

The other reason we chose to celebrate early: going out is expensive, crowded, and not very intimate. It shocks me (but it shouldn't) how the stores use a holiday to rob people. Even Costco!!! Two dozen roses are typically $15.99 at Costco, this week they are $15.79 for 1 dozen. ROBBERY!

Steve was wonderful (as usual) getting me a beautiful card, roses (not from Costco), and gift cards to my favorite places! I bought him a TV...well, he picked it out so I know I got the right one (I don't buy electronics for an electrical engineer without prior approval).

 

After our relaxing day, we cooked dinner together: grilled ribeye steaks, lobster tails, pan seared scallops, and asparagus with prosciutto, garlic and pine nuts. Dinner was soooo good and we would have NEVER gotten this by going out.

  

Notice the perfect grill marks? Steve's trademark.

 

Yes...there are 2 cakes. We'll take one to
Shane for his birthday celebration tomorrow.



Our dessert was the cake we made together: Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Every bit of it from SCRATCH!!  Best cake I have had in a verrrrryyyyy lloooonnnnggg time!  Our drinks were Chocolate-Hazelnut Martini's in chocolate rimmed glasses:

Yes, I am still alive

Well...it's not like I haven't been busy, I really have...just not with creativity. I finally finished the top of the mystery quilt, but it's not quilted yet. Once the holidays finished, I took a little break with the quilts...sorry for those of you truly interested in creativity. Besides I had to get over the disappointment of the Bears missing out on the Super Bowl.

We invited very good friends for dinner, mainly so we can keep in touch. Appetizers included jalapeno cheddar venison summer sausage and various authentic Wisconsin cheese (Smoked Cheddar, Dill Havarti, Habenero Monterrey, and Buffalo Monterrey). DELICIOUS!!  Steve then grilled Parmesan garlic crusted venison and I made asparagus with pine nuts, garlic and prosciutto and potatoes au gratin. Dinner was really good (with the exception of too much lemon in the asparagus). For dessert...mini cheesecakes.  

So good to have good friends...

Da BEARS!!!!!

Christmas presents for Steve and I: CHICAGO BEARS TICKETS!!!!!! The day after Christmas, Steve and I got up early, bundled up in our winter parkas, took the train to Chicago (from Roscoe, Ill) and went to the Jets vs. Bears game at Soldier Stadium. The weather was sunny, cloudy, light snow, light rain, windy, and calm. (We had a great mix.) The game was SPECTACULAR!!!!!!! So much fun, and this Wyoming girl had no problems with the weather. I was well prepared!

Peppers got smoked out...it got in the way.

Steve had layers too.  I made the scarf for him.

Layers included: thermals, fleece sweatshirt, Olympic parka, and the Bears sweatshirt over that. Hand and toe warmers layered between each layer on my feet and hands. I did not get cold!

Coin toss.

Snow at the game

Jay Cutler TOUCHDOWN. Unfortunately, some Jets player got in the way of my picture.

View of Lake Michigan from our seats

The Metra Train

BEARS WIN 34-38!

White Illinois Christmas

Steve and I traveled to Illinois for Christmas. We spent 5 days in Northern Illinois with Scott and Christy. We had a great time and way too much good food. The flight to Chicago was fine, landed on time, made it to our connecting flight, got seated, and waited. Then we waited some more. And some more... The de-icer truck was sitting on the tarmack right next to our plane and apparently he decided to take a break rather than de-ice our plane. Over 30 minutes later, we move to get in line for take-off. Well, there wasn't really a line, planes were going in any direction they wished. No wonder 2 planes clipped wings in St. Louis...they were worse than interstate drivers!

Plows lined up and ready at Chicago O'Hare.

We landed in Madison, Wisconsin and were off to Roscoe, Illinois. The roads were slick and snowpacked. We met a young soldier at the airport, dressed in his fatigues, trying to get to Janesville, WI (a city on our way to Roscoe). The problem, he was 24 years old so no one would rent a car to him. He just wanted to get home to see his family for Christmas. Well, Steve said, we'll take you...and with that Enterprise (yes, I'm calling them out) decided they could and would rent him a car. He made it home for Christmas.

Illinois had gotten lots of snow prior to our arrival and more during our travels there, so we had a great white Chirstmas. Scott and Christy were terrific hosts. Scott prepared a turkey for Christmas day and we each had a stocking to "unwrap." The day was spent visiting, eating, and napping!

During our trip, I also was able to tour Southern Wisconsin. We got CHEESE...cheeses ou cannot get anywhere in Utah. Tasty, tasty. We also went to an International Award Winning Microbrewery: New Glarus Brewery. INCREDIBLE brews; the apple ale was DELICIOUS!!! So glad we stopped...I just wish Utah would allow specialties like that to be shipped into the state!

The trip home was uneventful...well with the exception of the Madison Airport being completely over saturated with RED and WHITE.  There were thousands of fans going to the Rose Bowl and they all seemed to be leaving last night! There were extra bars and snack stations set up in the terminal for all the "extra" travelers!  Pretty entertaining to see a "real" college town get behind their team!

Santa's Herd

I continue to create and bake. Christmas is a busy time of year...

The two bags from the last post--well they were for my boss, Mary and our incredible administrative assistant, Teresa. I know they loved the bags. I sure like it when the recipients of my creations like them! Mary received the green and yellow one and Teresa the floral blue/peach colored one. I added sparkles after I had taken the pictures. So cute!

I made bookmarks for all of my co-workers. Not exactly a "fun" gift, unless you're a reader, but they are very cute. I'll post some pictures later (when I finally take some). I do believe my co-workers did like the effort. Just wait until tomorrow...they'll have another treat!

  

The treat...Santa's herd....his reindeer, or from one of the newest Christmas cartoons (The Flight Before Christmas)...his "Flying Forces." Teresa showed me the idea at work...I had all the necessary supplies...so why not? The cupcakes will be a good treat for another Monday.



Creative Weekend

Work has been ultra crazy for last month. And, unfortunately, it's not going to settle down for a little while longer. I work with an amazing team, so I know it will all work out. BUT, I needed a break. I had a good Thanksgiving break (I know, just last week), but I needed more. Well, I had the good fortune of having Friday off. A three day weekend! Not only did I get the normal weekend work complete, but I was also able to make 2 bags and a scarf!! Merry Christmas to someone! ;)

For as long as I can remember, my mother has crocheted. I have an afghan she made Steve and I. She's made afghans for others and baby stuff and other projects. Recently, she started learning to knit and doing a spectacular job! While she was here last weekend, she gave me some pointers on crocheting and I tried a hat. No pictures becuase it is plain, boring, too big (because apparently I can't count), and not very good. Steve won't wear it...probably not a good project to start with. Then I found some super soft yarn on sale and a pattern on the internet: 2 days later, a scarf. Now I have a red "Utah Utes" scarf to wear with my sweatshirts. (Maybe I'll try a hat again in the same color and count better.)

Yes, it is supposed to be twirly.

The two bags I made over the weekend are for Christmas presents. Cutting it a little close, I know, but that's what happens when things get ultra crazy at work. I've had the material for these 2 bags for at least 6 months...happy to get them done. Hope the recipients are happy to receive them!

 

After all the "work" this weekend, I am ready for the week of work. As I said, I know it will all work out...Glad I have a constructive outlet and was able to relieve some stress over the weekend!