CHRISTMAS DAY 2024

On Christmas Day we went over to Adam and Gabby's around 4pm. I must say we had a wonderful time. We talked for awhile and James showed us what Santa brought him.  

We had some snacks and then we opened presents. I should have taken a picture of the two IKEA bags filled with presents that we brought over. 

We also face timed with Amber and Dylan.. So hard not having them here with us. 

  

James is into cars and Aunt Amber & Uncle Dylan 

got him this Porsche hat.....

Santa Adam and James

Santa James

Papa and James playing the Jenga game.

We also played Bunko which was fun.

Adam made Chicken Parmesan for dinner.

It was the best we have ever had!

Absolutely delicious. 

Also, he makes the most delicious

Chocolate Chip cookie I have ever tasted.

Seriously!!!!

In the morning before we went over to their house Mark and I opened some gifts that we bought for each other and gifts that Amber & Dylan sent us, along with some other family members.  

I do have to remember to take a picture of one of the gifts that Adam and Gabby got for me. It is so beautiful. 

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS....

I had no plans to post about my birthday today but I was just sitting at the kitchen table with Mark, both of us on our computers having coffee. I had been thinking about some of my favorite food items. Just a few things I'd like to eat that I don't normally have very often. 

Mark wanted to take me out to dinner today but I'm tired after yesterdays bowling, Target run and babysitting last night. I just want to catch up on my TV shows from the last two nights. Besides Skye has a haircut today and I'm worried about her surgery tomorrow. 

I told Mark to go shooting today. He didn't get to go last week because of his stent procedure. He doesn't plan on going next week because it will be just a few days before Amber and Dylan arrive and he has things he wants to do around the house. 

He usually goes on Thursday so I said go today since we both have appointments on Monday with the cardiologist and there is a restaurant that we enjoy that we plan on having lunch at afterwards.
Panda Inn

These are a few of my favorite things......
(not in any particular order)

Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

Onion Dip and Chips

Cheesecake
Risotto 

I'd also like to go to a Casino, Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios, get a puppy, spend time at the beach and then of course there is James!

Definitely one of my favorite things.....

 Isn't this sweet??

I know as the day goes on I will have some other favorite things flowing into my head but for now this is it. I do believe we are going to try DoorDash tonight and I'll be getting a piece of Cheesecake! By the way I'm 68 years young today. 

MONTANA - YOU HAVE TO EAT!

We had a great visit with Amber and Dylan in Great Falls Montana. I will show more pictures later. These are some of the foods we enjoyed. I made Easy Provolone Chicken which is very easy and a favorite of ours. I also made Meat Loaf one day. This recipe is from Fanny Farmers cook book which I've been making for many years. 

Planned on making Italian Meatballs too but never got around to it. Just like when I go to Florida to visit my dad I get all the spices together so I don't have to buy them when I get there. As it turns out I now have two sets now of spices ready for meatballs since I didn't get around to them in Florida either. 

We had pizza the first night we were there. Sorry I didn't get a picture of it. Actually we ended up having it 3 times!!! It's called Howard's Pizza and it is very good thin crust pizza. 

We also went out one night for a very nice dinner at Jaker's. It's one of Amber and Dylan's favorite places. Since we were not there for Amber's birthday in May and won't be there for Dylan's birthday in September we celebrated both birthday's. 

Now there is a hamburger joint which is awesome. Actually it is just a block away from their house. It's called the Roadhouse Diner. Actually the woman who owns the place has played on Guy's Grocery Games. They are delicious burgers! 

I don't have a picture of the Crown Burger's in Salt Lake City Utah but they are delicious! My blog friend Holli mentioned it once in one of her posts so we tried them out. We will definitely go there again. 

On the way home we stopped at Hruska's Kolaches in Provo, Utah. This place has been seen on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. The people are from Texas and we have had similar Kolaches in Houston, Texas. 

As much as I love Cheese Kolaches, and these were spectacular, they are known for their breakfast rolls filled with awesomeness. It was a fun stop and will definitely go there again. 

On the way home we always time it so that we can stop and pick up pizza at Aurelio's in Las Vegas. This is a favorite chain of ours from Chicago. We buy one to eat in the car and also take one home with us. 

I am not a fan of posting pictures of myself everywhere but I liked the way this one came out. We are on Amber and Dylan's front porch. More to come about our day trips in another post. 

Not the healthiest trip, that's for sure. I did much better in Florida. Anyway I didn't gain any weight and I'm back to my normal diet now!!

*Wait, I forgot to tell you about the sandwich which Amber and Dylan make. It is made with sour dough bread, pepperoni and mozzarella cheese. They make it on their George Foreman grill. Absolutely delicious!! 

ENJOY THE FOOD

 

I'm working on all the details to our daily adventures when we traveled to visit with Adam and Tristen. In the meantime enjoy the food...........

Our dinner Tuesday night in Springfield, OH at the Marriott Courtyard. It was amazing. Crab Cake appetizer, Beet Salad, Filet Mignon, and the dessert was the chef special that night.....Buckeye Peanut Butter Ice Cream! Also a great bottle of  Coppola Cabernet Sauvignon Director's Cut 2012.

Wednesday we ended up having lunch at a Cracker Barrel which I had never eaten at before. I didn't take any photos. I was very impressed with the gift shop. I did by some Teaberry Gum and Butter Rum LifeSavers, along with a few little gifts. 

We stopped at a Grocery store to pick up some wine that afternoon, wanted to get a few bottles to take to Adam and Tristen's the next day. Since we had a nice lunch we decided to stay in the night, have a bottle of wine, veggies, fruit, cheese and sausage. 

The White Castle was on Tuesday driving to Springfield, OH. On Thursday night we had a great dinner with Adam and Tristen at Casbah but I didn't take any pictures! We had some appetizers, I had a delicious pork chop and of course we had dessert with coffee. 

The breakfast was with Adam on Friday Morning. I had the omelette but I did taste the crepe hotcakes that Pamela's is know for. 

When we went to The Strip District I picked up some fresh made Biscotti and we also got some popcorn at The Pittsburgh Popcorn Company. It was so delicious. One was cheddar and maybe caramel mix. I didn't try that one. I had some rice krispies treat popcorn. 

Dinner on Friday night at Avenue B. I had roasted organic chicken with risotto, wilted greens and squash. Two amazing appetizers and dessert was croissant bread pudding and flavored home made ice creams. 

On Saturday we had this for lunch. They are famous for their sandwiches which have coleslaw and fries on them. Primanti Bros. is a Pittsburgh Tradition! We picked it up and took it to Adam & Tristen's. 

That evening we went to Eleven Contemporary Kitchen for my birthday celebration and it was amazing. I had a baby kale caesar salad. I had roasted chicken again with risotto. Everyone enjoyed their meals. We ordered three desserts to try and they were so good. One was pear crostata, banana cream pie and candy bar. 

Thankfully with all the walking I did during our visit with Adam and Tristen I actually lost a few pounds. Guess I need to travel more often........