The Niner game and roasted brussel sprouts

I did it! I went for a run this morning. One down, one to go for the weekend. What a b-e-a-utiful day. I wish I could run at this time everyday. It's very nice when the sun is out. =) It was a slow run, only 2 miles at 27 minutes total. 

Went to a friend's house to watch the Niner game. We're going to the Super Bowl!!! Check out the intensity and focus of the boys: 

Here was my potluck item. Believe it or not, I am eating brussel sprouts. I thought this day would never come. But someone made this for us during Xmas and they were so delicious. They are first roasted and then tossed in a sweet chili vinegar mix. They were a hit at the party! (Sorry the picture quality is not that great. I took this when half of the batch was already eaten!) 

Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Serves 4-6

2 lbs brussel sprouts, halved

4 T olive oil

Juice and zest of one lemon

Kosher salt

6 basil leaves, torn (optional)

1/2 chili pepper, chopped (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.

2. On a baking sheet, toss sprouts with olive oil and 1 tsp. salt. Roast for 35-40 minutes. Outer leaves should be crispy.

3. While hot, place sprouts in a mixing bowl. Stir in 1/2 to 1/4 cup sweet chili vinegar (see below). 

Stir in lemon juice and zest. Add salt to taste. Garnish with basi leaves and chili pepper if desired. 

Sweet Chili Vinegar

1 c sugar

1 c white vinegar

1/2 t black pepper

1 1/2 t crushed dried red pepper

1/2 head garlic, minced

Mix ingredients in a sauce pan, and cook over low heat until sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. 

SF Giants Trophies and carne asada fries

Look who was excited to wait in line to see the SF Giants trophies... This little cutie patootie is C.A. She is way too adorable and smart for her age. She kept us entertained while we waited in line and she did very well being so patient.



The cutie and her mama even made it on our local paper's blog! Good stuff, ladies :)

Congrats to the SF Giants for winning two in three!!! It was so much fun watching the "G-MEN" win it again. I have to give credit to the hubs and my good friends for getting me into the game. We all went to a game this season and it was too much fun. Can't wait to go again.

After we took our pictures with the trophies (I'll have to post the pic later when they're available online), we went to our local spot, Rafa's, for some carne asada fries. YUM!

Hopefully you've had a chance to try this goodness. If not, hurry up and go now! And you have to order the horchata drink (milk with cinnamon and sugar). The combination is divine. As delicious as the fries were, I think they were a bit too salty/greasy for me. My tummy was not happy afterward, but luckily I felt better after a short nap and drinking plenty of water.

Christmas Recap Part 2

More highlights! Click HERE for Part 1.

• Visited family on Xmas eve (E-thang saying over and over as he opened gifts, "NO WAY!")
• Spent Xmas day with more family
• After Xmas day shopping (Note to self: Go to Target when it opens because all the good stuff is taken by 5 pm)
• Annual high school reunion holiday dinner
• Plus a visit to the hubs' Uncle
• Zumba with MIL while FIL and hubs golf
• Visit with hubby's Lola and see more family
• Cooking with the MIL while FIL and hubs watch the big Redskins game

Hosting a family gathering at our crib:

This is just the dessert side...

At another family gathering: Monopoly gives me anxiety...

Here are the fun gifts I put together for my dad and FIL:

Here's my white elephant gift at my reunion dinner:

I call this albino sushi! (I don't like seaweed. Boooo, I know): 

"NO WAY!!!"

We miss you always:

Big Bang bobble heads!!! Me (Penny) and the hubs (Leonard)! Thanks, Howwwwuuuhhhd!!!

Our outaanak is so sweet getting us gifts:

Christmas Recap Part 1

FYI, I do not have a smartphone and therefore the rate at which pictures can be added to my blog is less than ideal. I would apologize and promise to get a smartphone soon, but that would be silly!

Here are a few highlights of the last few days.

• I got a Garmin for Christmas! (which deserves its own separate post)
• In-law's flew into town last week; we have been spending a lot of time with them
• Three separate shindigs with the same group of people (my family, my in-laws, and my MIL's sister's family)... I'm sure everyone is partied-out
• Tons of food (and leftovers), sweets, and fun
• Everyone is healthy, safe, and happy. Couldn't ask for more this Christmas!

Sipping my yummy caramel latte from Panera Bread as we wait at the airport:

Finally! We got to enjoy the balsamic vinegar we purchased back when we went wine tasting during the summer. DELISH and I'm bummed the bottle is almost out...

Shindig #1: Parents sitting around the dining table while the young ones played Mario Party. Major laughter and competition going on.

The End of the World

We made it to December 21, 2012. Hooray!

What a better way to spend what would have been the end of the world than with our families. Tonight will be a small get together with our nearest and dearest.

Girl's Day!

Our Fab-5-Day-O-Fun in San Francisco!

Lovejoy's Tea Room

Burke Williams Day Spa

Westfield Galleria

Osha Thai Restaurant

Collage made by MBQ: