Mack Truck May be Necessary

When you drop some subtle hints to your family that perhaps they could nominate you for the #CubsRingBearer contest and they snicker.... Well, one can only assume they either already have OR they think you are nuts.

Time will tell....

Kindness

I am going to make this post after thinking long and hard about it and how I want to word what I want to say. I am sorry if this gets a little preachy but I feel frustrated and want to express my feelings.

I believe because we live in this country, we have certain rights. We have the freedom to enjoy our beliefs and opinions without government persecution. We should also be able to share those beliefs and opinions without persecution from other citizens. I have seen and read some pretty harsh and unkind words in the last few months, especially. We don't have to like others' views or opinions but that doesn't mean they are "wrong" for their opinions.

I hope and pray we can all start acting kind to everyone and accept that we all feel certain ways about certain things-and that that's ok!

Please-be kind. Smile. Say hello to a stranger. Pass along some small kindness to someone. It doesn't take long; doesn't have to cost a thing and may just brighten someone's day.

And now a PSA

Just a reminder with February around the corner - it is National Heart Health Month. Please mark your calendars for Friday, February 3 for National Wear Red for Women Day.

New Years Eve

We took the kids to see Phantom of the Opera. I think they both really enjoyed it.

We stayed downtown for the night and just relaxed in our hotel room with a lot of junk food and pizza!

Wishing you all a wonderful 2017!

Christmas Eve

We were lucky enough to be given tickets to the Christmas Eve afternoon Bears vs. Redskins game. Well - lucky enough until the game started badly and just stayed that way (as was the rest of the season...). It was a cold day but the wind stayed calm until about the last quarter, then it got pretty cold, pretty fast.

There were carolers on the concourse and they were fantastic!

The entrance was the highlight of the game (sorry to say).

Thank you to my aunt & uncle for the tickets.

Happy Birthday!

This guy hits a milestone today!

Happy Birthday babe - I love you!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Back to my Wednesday post (who the hell thought this was a good way to spell Wednesday, by the way...)! I am working very hard this year to be and stay positive. So here is what I'm loving this week:


*My husband's sense of humor
*My kids constant laughing (mostly at my expense)
*Books
*Photography
*Spring training is just over a month away
*Catching up with old friends


What are you loving this week?

A moment please

I have not properly acknowledged the 2016 World Series Champs - THE CUBS!!!!!!!! here.

The whole World Series was an emotional roller coaster. The Indians came into it on fire and I was very nervous about what they could do. I hope those guys know that I commend them on an awesomely played Series! It was a helluva a ride for both sides.

After Game 7 ended, my Mr. put our W flag out and I bawled like a baby. We could hear the yells, cheers, screams and car horns ALL over town! It was so amazing!

MLB Network played their World Series film recap yesterday afternoon. That was the first time I had sat to watch a recap of it because I hadn't felt emotionally prepared. UGH! The emotions were still there - I cheered; cried and had stomach knotting while watching it. I'm not proud of my actions as I knew the outcome but OH MAN!!!! Kudos to MLB for putting together a fantastic recap.

November 2, 2016 will always hold a spot in my heart as THE ultimate baseball date.


November 4, 2016 will hold another spot - the PARTY for these awesome guys. My Mr., Young Mr. and myself took the train into Chicago (and watched the sun come up while riding) to celebrate with 5 million of our closest friends.

Camped out in our "spot" for the parade

Behind where we were standing

The city dyed the river blue (not my photo)

We ended up right by one of the confetti cannons so that just added to the festiveness of the day

PS: My Mr. was taking photos during the parade because I was busy screaming and yelling

Travis Wood holding the World Series trophy

 

It was an amazing day!

PS: A HUGE shout out to all the law enforcement that the city called upon that entire 10 day stretch for keeping things lawful and safe. You worked long, tiring hours and I know it wasn't always easy.


Getting OUT of the city is a story for another day - my husband became my super hero in that moment!

Hello 2017

I want to wish you all a very happy, healthy and blessed year to come. I hope your holiday season has been joyful.

As a general rule I don't make resolutions or goals-I don't stick to them if I do. BUT...

My blogging goal for this year is to post 3 times a week.

Travel Tuesday - These Shoes

These shoes!

They can tell some stories!

I have had them for over 10 years. They are my "outdoors" and "traveling" shoes. I love the support in them - especially when there is a lot of walking involved. (Yes, they are heavy and kind of a pain at airport security but...)

They have hiked several local state parks.

They have also:

seen The Strip in Las Vegas

visited all the parks at Disney World

seen the Grand Canyon (and kept my feet warm in the snow there)

hiked Diamond Head in Hawaii

walked the Walk of Fame in Hollywood

visited Presidential homes, libraries and burial sites

toured numerous sports stadiums

walked over Hoover Dam

seen the redwood trees in Muir Woods

walked around Disneyland

stood next to cannons on Civil War battlefield memorials

walked through catci and over rocks & boulders in Joshua Tree NP

discovered a lot of the history and stories of the Civil Rights movement

been caving in Kentucky

hiked in the Smoky Mountains

I don't know how many miles are on them but they are faithful and weathered. I love them and when their time is over, I am going to be sad.

WILW

Hello Wednesday - the halfway point in the week.


I hope your week is going well. It's been almost painfully cold here (and getting colder as the week progresses).  I hope you have found some things you are loving this week!


*Christmas music (it's been playing in my car for 4 weeks now)
*A warm house to come home to
*A break from Facebook - still on Twitter and Instagram for now (cubsfan3410)
*My husband and kids for making me laugh
*Christmas cards
*Starting to hear from photo clients and possible photo clients for next year
*Good books
*Yarn projects
*Starting a new journal project for 2017


What are YOU loving this week?

Weekend recap

I hope you all had a good weekend! It was cold all weekend with a few inches of snow.

Friday morning, I went for my annual cardiologist visit. They have a couple little things they want to watch now, nothing major but a couple things that got some of his attention. Friday night we went out for dinner and did a little shopping. We took our annual drive through Christmas light trip on the way home. It has grown tons in the past couple of years.

Saturday I did laundry and read some of my book. We set up our Christmas tree.

Sunday my sinuses were killing me most of the day. I caught up on Chicago PD and took a nap. Then the Mr. and the kids got their tickets for Rogue One for Thursday night - they are all excited.

How was your weekend?

TGIF!

I hope you have all had a good week. Mine wasn't too bad - just getting back into our routine after being off work.


It's supposed to snow quite a bit in the greater Chicagoland area this weekend...then the COLD (like a high of 5F) is supposed to move in next week. Apparently, Old Man Winter found us...


My plans for the weekend include: staying warm; reading; watching some movies; laundry (don't be jealous); probably wasting time on Pinterest; and getting some photography marketing stuff ready for 2017.


What are your plans for the weekend? I hope it's a great one!

WILW

It's a What I'm Loving Wednesday!!!!


*Had a great vacation with my husband and kids! (posts to come...)
*Even though my husband & kids are crazy and do insane stuff, they make me laugh (A LOT!)
*A warm house to shelter me
*Texts and emails from family & friends
*Deciding what to get my nephews and niece for Christmas
*Our clients at work - they are happy harvest is done and like (and have time) to chat this time of year
*My fellow bloggers - you are all fun and love keeping up with your lives
*Being contacted about photo shoots again
*Good books
*Binge watching The Good Place - hilarious show!


What are YOU loving this week?

Hello!

Hello my friends!

I have been incredibly negletful of my little space in the cyber world. 2016 is quickly slipping away from me. I want to let you know that I am gearing myself up to be more focused on this blog in 2017. I seem to have lost a lot of my appreciation of the little everyday things and am finding my way back to small happinesses.

I hope you are all well and blogging away! I will try to catch up on your blogs.

Please stay tuned and visit, I am getting back to this!

Book Review - Under the Tuscan Sun

5 out of 5 stars

ABOUT　UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN

20th Anniversary Edition with a New Afterword
　
Twenty years ago, Frances Mayes–widely published poet, gourmet cook, and travel writer–introduced readers to a wondrous new world when she bought and restored an abandoned villa called Bramasole in the spectacular Tuscan countryside. Under the Tuscan　 inspired generations to embark on their own journeys–whether that be flying to a foreign country in search of themselves, savoring one of the book’s dozens of delicious seasonal recipes, or simply being transported by Mayes’s signature evocative, sensory language. Now, with a new afterword from the Bard of Tuscany herself, the 20th anniversary edition of Under the Tuscan Sun brings us up-to-date with the book’s most beloved characters.

MY THOUGHTS:

I really enjoy this book. This is the third time I have read it and still thoroughly enjoy it. I love that I feel like I am in Tuscany with Ms. Mayes - she is so descriptive. I love the townspeople; the property; their adventures.

PLEASE read this book - it is wonderful!!!!

I received this book from Blogging for Books　for this review."

Book Blitz & Review-Mixing It Up

BOOK BLURB

Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, Manhattan upper-cruster Cecily Sinclair now uses that pricey utensil to dish up fancy French fare on her cooking show, Serving Romance. When there’s an executive shake-up at the network, she’s not worried. Not much anyway. Her show’s a hitafter all. Why would the new CEO want to mess with success?

The driving force behind several buzzed-about networks, Devlin Hayes is considered to be a wunderkind in the television industry. Although his plans to rebrand CuisineTV and make Serving Romance more Millennial-friendly don’t thrill Cecily, her charming, blue-eyed boss is a hard man to say “no” to and she really wants to keep her job—even if that means sharing screen time with a loathsome blast from her past.   

Mercurial Italian chef Dante Marchetti a.k.a. “Il Duce” was once Cecily’s boss, and she has the PTSD to prove it. Now the owner of one of the hottest restaurants in town, Dante’s egomania knows no bounds and his constant attempts to provoke and upstage Cecily make her want to conk him on the head with a sauté pan. She thinks they’re toxic together, but viewers love their chemistry and clamor for more. 

As Cecily battles to maintain the integrity of her show, she finds herself scheming and manipulating right along with Dante and Devlin. Is she fighting a lost cause? Does she really belong on TV, or would her culinary talent be better served elsewhere? And could one of the men who makes Cecily’s blood boil ignite a passion in her for something other than food?

MY THOUGHTS

I thought this was a delicious, fun read. Cecily is a determined lady who stands up for what she believes is right. Enter Devlin and Dante to stir things up personally and professionally. I loved the twists in the storyline. Hurry and get your copy!

5 stars from me

RELEASE WEEK GIVEAWAY

Purchase a copy of Mixing It Up between October 19th, 2016 and October 25th, 2016 and you could win this fantastic prize pack inspired by the book’s heroine and her love of French food!

This prize pack includes: 

Garnier-Thiebaut Oh, La La, Chéri French-themed 4-piece Kitchen Linens Set 

(Apron, kitchen towel, pot holder, and oven mitt.)

Kate Spade Deco Dot Recipe Box with 8 tabbed dividers and 40 recipe cards 

The French Women Don’t Get Fat Cookbook by Mireille Guiliano

To enter this giveaway, simply e-mail the author at traciebanister@gmail.com with your proof of purchase. Entries will be accepted until midnight on October 26th, 2016 when a winner will be selected via random drawing. This is an international giveaway, so anyone who buys Mixing It Up within the allotted time frame is eligible to win. Good luck!

AUTHOR BIO

An avid reader and writer, Tracie Banister has been scribbling stories since she was a child, most of them featuring feisty heroines with complicated love lives like her favorite fictional protagonist Scarlett O'Hara. Her work was first seen on the stage of her elementary school, where her 4th grade class performed an original holiday play she penned. (Like all good divas-in-the-making, she also starred in and tried to direct the production.)

Tracie’s dreams of authorial success were put on the backburner when she reached adulthood and discovered that she needed a "real" job in order to pay her bills. Her career as personal assistant to a local entrepreneur lasted for 12 years. When it ended, she decided to follow her bliss and dedicate herself to writing full-time. Mixing It Up is her fourth Chick Lit release, and in it Tracie finally got to live out her fantasy of being a Cordon Bleu-trained chef. 

CONNECT WITH TRACIE

Author Newsletter – The Banister Buzz http://eepurl.com/by0VAv

Blog http://traciebanister.blogspot.com/

Twitter https://twitter.com/traciebanister

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/tracie.banister

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/traciebanister/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5448518.Tracie_Banister

TGIF!

It has been a long week (for a short week)! I am looking forward to a Saturday of not much planned (other than Halloween costume searching for Little Miss). I work on Sunday afternoon... (nuff said)

**Friday Randomness**

The leaves are falling from the trees pretty fast...


I am on the "hunt" for a pair of tall boots - still can't find any that I like (so many buckles...) or that fit right or in my price range


I have a book I need to finish this weekend for an upcoming blog post (stay tuned...)


I love hearing (via email/text/whatever) from family and friends


I am frustrated that I have no photo shoots or anything scheduled for the rest of the year. I have been editing some photos to sell as prints


I am sad one of my work friends is leaving where we work


The Cubs start the NLDS with the Dodgers tomorrow night


There have been a lot of fun blog posts this week. Keep them coming!




Have a great weekend all!

Thursday Thirteen - Blogs!

Happy Thursday! Here are some link ups to some wonderful blogs. Please go check them out and leave them a comment! I am linking up today over at Thursday 13 and Stuff & Things




Adventures of a Semper Fi Family


Murphy's Law


Val's Outside Voice


Anchors Aweigh


Marathons & Dog Tags


Insert Classy Here


Life According to Steph


This Italian Family


Cordially, Kaycee


Style in a Small Town


Life with the Tucker-Wolek Clan


Simply Hannah Sneed


Looking to the Stars

WILW - The Playoffs

Linking up with Rachel and friends for another week. Please join us!!!!


Yes, MLB playoffs! I know there are die hard "other team" fans that stop by and visit here. (AND GOOD!!!) My Cubbies beat the Giants last night. I am over the moon excited!

 (I am not a fan of this picture, but here I am...)

Bring on the Dodgers or Nationals...

Dear SF Giants,

You played hard and you made the Cubs work. I admire and commend that.

I know losses are hard, especially in the post season. Hold your heads high though, gentlemen - you played well and you beat a lot of teams to get there.

Cheers to a great 2016 season!

Dear Blue Jays & Indians,

A sweep from both of you?! SERIOUSLY!!!! That is crazy! May your AL Championship series be a good one (I can't wait to watch)

Dear Rangers & Red Sox,

I know it was tough to play against them. As I wrote to the Giants - hold your heads high! You both had great seasons!!!

Now on to Saturday night!

#FlytheW