An Overdue Celebration

Last December, I told Ross I would take him out to dinner once he graduated from IUP with his Master's Degree to celebrate all of his hard work. Little did I know he would choose one of the most expensive restaurants in all of Pittsburgh... Monterey Bay on Mt. Washington! So I jokingly said, "We can't afford that! Why don't we go there once you get a job and we'll celebrate both!" So, 10 months later, he landed a job at NHS Human Services as an HR Generalist (even though it's only part time at the moment, it will turn into full time in a few months) so I finally took him up on my promise! I'm so happy for him and happy to have finally taken him out for a special celebration :) Even if it IS 10 months later!

This is before dinner, before the sun had completely set.

Ross striking a pose with the view of Pittsburgh.

Apparently I'm not nearly as "model-esque" as my hubby,
as this was the 5th photo taken before I got a decent shot! ha

We requested a table by the window so we had the breathtaking view of downtown Pittsburgh at night in all it's 'lit-up' glory :) It was beautiful. Dinner was great too! Ross took advantage of their specialty by ordering anything 'seafood' from the menu while I stuck with crab cakes for dinner (it was either that or a steak since I don't eat fish!). For dessert, we had a Neopolitan Cheesecake (or as I like to call it, "Napoleon" :) It was a great night out, and even though I really don't care to get all dressed up to go out....it was a nice change. But what can I say.... our 1-year Wedding Anniversary was celebrated with Pizza & a pitcher of Beer at one of our favorite pizza places, Sir Pizza :) Now THAT's my kind of celebration!! We are so "high-class"....

**HOUSE UPDATE**

In case anyone is curious, there always seems to be one more obstacle with the house, but it's all coming along. All utilities are turned on as of yesterday. The bank paid the water company the outstanding charges, so that's squared away. NOW we've found out that we need a plumber to come light the water heater and de-winterize the house (which we were all unaware that the house was winterized to begin with!!). Luckily for us I have a family of plumbers and have them coming out Thursday morning, before the home inspection at 3:00 :) Ross & I are anxious to hear how the inspection goes..... by this point I don't think that there's too much that can take us by surprise! Or I possibly just jinxed ourselves! Adios til next time....

Time to Bake

It's October, and Halloween is quickly approaching. Every year, by this time, I find myself dreaming of christmas cookies, but I also don't have the patience to wait 3 more months, so I jump ahead and make my favorite cookie of all...sugar cookies! What else is more delicious than a hardy helping of icing atop a theme-shaped cookie.....and with a face to make it all the better?! Yup....I go all out....pumpkin shaped cookies with a face (candy corn for the eyes, i admit, i stole the idea from Eat'n Park) and some icing for a spooky mouth (and I added some Ghost shaped cookies this year, but half of their arms broke off, and they were too hard to icing, so no more Ghosts!).

Sugar cookies have always been my favorite, so it's no wonder I put so much time and effort into making these cookies.  Although, come December, I will be too lazy to make them again so soon, so they will again forgo my xmas cookie tray!  I took a few pictures of my hard work, before I put them away in containers and the icing gets crushed and smeared (*tear*), b/c its the best way I know how to store them.  I also finished them just in time for Ross to have one before his drive back up to IUP for the week.  And don't worry, I put 2 in a baggy for him so he wouldn't miss out on any cookies in the 2 days he is gone.  HA! And lastly, Dakota was trying to get a lick every time I turned my back! If her nose was any longer, surely she could've reached one!  Anyways, I hope they make your mouth water....b/c if ANY of you lived closer, I would be able to share and spare a few.  BUT until then, enjoy the pics.  And don't worry, they taste just as good as they look :P

Farewell Camping Season

It is officially the end of mine & Ross' camping season.  But we went off with a *bang!* this weekend with a few of my close friends, and lucked out with beautiful autumn weather (at least for Saturday & Sunday....Friday was a bit rained out!).  I am already counting down the days until next season, as I have quickly realized how much I missed camping (since I went as a kid with my family) and how much I still love it.  A few highlights of this weekend were the amazing steak and potatoes we made for dinner on Saturday (we are quite the chefs when we have a fire to cook over, as this is our only version of owning a grill!); the late night snacks of pizza moutain pies, and ham & chs melts; Ang's delicious taco dip (ok, i admit it, we're food-aholics when we go camping); our annoying camping neighbors that felt it necessary to yell "BEER" and "PARTY" at all annoying hours of the night/early morning! And then mimicking Ang when she would yell it back. HA!; and lastly, our cozy and quaint 3-person (but really only big enough for 2-people-and-a-dog) tent that i've grown quite fond of this season after seeing that it can definitely hold its own!

 Once we got home, Ross & I washed & detailed every inch of my car after the abuse & neglect it has taken since we use my car for camping.  Now it is sparkling, and i can't even remember the last time it was so clean :) All of the camping stuff has been cleaned off and put away until next season.  So for now, Farewell camping, Hello! fall sports...specifically the Penguins!  There's is always something to look forward to in every *season :)

(*except Spring, haha)