An Early Valentines Weekend

We had just got back into town after an amazing weekend visiting the in-laws and eating out and shopping and I was expecting an unexciting week ahead back home.

But then the doorbell rang. A huge vase of roses was left by ProFlowers with a sweet note attached. I was super confused. I asked Braden if he meant to have these flowers sent before we left and he said, Well since I can have them delivered on any day I want, that doesn't make sense, does it?

After watching me be stupid for about 30 minutes, he finally told me he was taking me on an early Valentines Day trip somewhere. I don't like secrets unless I'm in on it and I was having a meltdown because he wouldn't tell me where we were going. A cute meltdown, though.

He hinted that we were staying at the MGM Grand because they were having a big event that weekend. He hopped in the shower and I searched on their website and couldn't find it. And then it hit me! I was staring right at it but my brain wouldn't believe it: he was taking us to the Lady Gaga concert!! I screamed like a crazy person and jumped in the shower, clothes and all, to hug the crap out of him and jump up and down.

Our room at the MGM Grand, so luxurious! Not pictured, HUGE flat screen tv and mini bar.

They were general admission tickets and we were in the front row!

Ending the crazy and fun-filled week with some good old Korean food at MyungGa in SLC.

Jazz vs Heat

Went to a Heat game with some friends (Jazz won, yay for us, boo for friends).

Christmas Break in ATL

Christmas was bittersweet this year. Our Jamaica trip did not end up working out (and we lost a lot of money on that.. so sad!) but Christmas break in Atlanta is always memorable. We rented a car this year and we got to have a bit more freedom. There was SO much shopping, eating out, and other random things..

Taking the bros to Five Guys for the first time. Verdict? Best burger ever. That's right!

Joseph snuggling up with Wesley after a long night of Walking Dead marathons! Which were promptly followed by Waffle House trips at 3 in the morning.

Hahaha, this is my favorite photo ever. It makes me laugh so much.. We took a trip to the zoo since we are all obsessed with animals. Clearly, my brothers were born to be meerkats. 

Going into the "Asia" section at the Atlanta Zoo. Obligatory Asian poses!

The whole family at our favorite Chinese restaurant. Still can't remember what it's called but it's SO delicious! Jasmine tea, lots and lots of good food, good company... what a great night!

Making homemade pizza! It was really fun going to the grocery store and picking out what we wanted for our pizzas and then assembling them.

Can't believe Christmas is already over :( I can't wait to go home again in the summer!

Thanksgiving weekend

This weekend was insane. We took the nephews to the Nickelcade and Taco Amigo, which we all had a blast! I can definitely see this becoming a tradition. We LOVE being aunts and uncles!

Ran a 5k on the buttcrack of dawn Thanksgiving morning. I pulled something in my abdomen halfway through so I had to walk the rest (boooo.. but at least I beat the kid in a back brace! barely.) Braden did amazing at just over 30 minutes. Neat fact: Braden's wearing my number from last year!

Shopped our hearts out at the Riverwoods. So pretty when it's all lit up for Christmas.

Went to City Creek, my favorite mall as it's sooo pretty with its outdoor/indoor construction.

Wandered around Temple Square in SLC with hot chocolates. We listened to an amazing man play piano for half an hour in the JS Building. He didn't even play off of sheet music!

I had to elbow so many elderly couples and small children out of the way to get this photo. Haha kidding, but seriously, it was so insanely crowded.

Finished the night off with some Pat's BBQ in SLC. Reportedly the best BBQ in Utah by Guy Fieri. Having lived off of real Texas BBQ for two summers straight (and raised in Georgia), it was kind of a letdown. The sides were amazing however, and we might go back for that (red beans and rice, cornbread, glory hallelujah!)

Making Butter in the Blender

Blender Butter:

makes one stick of butter

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 tsp salt (to start)
• ice water

1. Pour the heavy cream and salt into your blender and "liquefy" for 3-5 minutes (sometimes it takes longer than that). You know you're almost there when it turns into whipped cream (more on that later). 1/4 tsp of salt keeps your butter light and almost a little sweet. If you prefer your butter salty, add 1/2 tsp of salt instead. 
2. Keep going until the butter separates from the buttermilk. Carefully drain the buttermilk out and keep in a separate container for pancakes! or cornbread! or biscuits! yum! 
3. Then you're going to pour the ice water (no ice!) into your blender and hit "liquefy" again to rinse your butter. Drain carefully. Do this about 3-4 more times until the water runs almost clear.
4. Take out your butter and pat carefully on a strainer to squeeze out the excess water and press it together.
5. Plop onto a sheet of saran wrap and wrap it up into a log and stick it in the fridge to form!

I prefer to keep it out so it's soft but always keep it in the fridge when you're not using it. There are no preservatives so this butter will not keep for very long. Good thing it's gone in less than a week at our house!

Ridiculously easy and sooo delicious! Made jalapeno cornbread and had this slathered all over it! Also amazing on crusty bread (quickly run cold water from the sink over your french bread and stick it in the oven  at 350 for a couple minutes. Crusty on the outside, fluffy on the inside!)