An Ode to the Food Coma

The Internet is sort of on the fritz in the Shanahan household today so I've waited to post anything "thankful" until 11:36 pm. In the end, I've decided this is for the best because I needed to gorge on Maureen's delicious comfort foods (this year's favorite is sage stuffing straight out of the turkey with a generous helping of gravy..yummm) and then drift off for a nap while Mike watched football.
It was great to take the whole day to soak it all up, watch family laugh and tell stories and generally reflect on all the love in my life. I am one very thankful very happy girl today.

As for tomorrow, I resolve to stepping it up as a blog owner. Happy Thanksgiving!

Twilight

Friday night held a lot of promise. The girls came over after work, Mike so graciously prepped our delicious meal, the thai chicken was rockin' (I promise I do eat other things)... and after a glass or two of wine we set forth to finally see Twilight. 

Most of you know I've been obsessed with Stephanie Meyer's series since last year- scary, I know. I was weary of the cast to begin with. I don't care what anyone says, Robert Patterson does not do my Edward justice! I wanted the movie it encapsulate all the wonderful nuances of the characters and the mystery of Forks... but it did not. It really didn't come close for me. 

Granted, part of my annoyance stemmed from wanting to take out the girls in front of us because of laughter at inappropriate moments and loud obnoxious giggles, but regardless very little could have saved the movie from being riddled with awkward moments. 

The evening was still a blast and I'm so glad my fellow Twilight victims, Victoria and Leslie, joined me for the fun. Cheers to both of you for ending my week on a great note!

Missing the Ranch...

Poor Duncan. He really misses Maureen and Denny so much when he is forced to leave the ranch and come home to Mom and Dad. The little guy gets so glum. Life is really rough when so many people love on you all day... it means you have so much more to long for. 

Spirit Fingers and More

    

All pics taken by the author. 

Dixieland Delight!

In the blink of an eye we ran off to Alabama and now we're home sweet home. I can't say I'm a fan of turbulence over Memphis or delays in Atlanta... but it was all worth it to catch up with Brad, Rob, Justin and Shannon, Aidan and Mary Helen, Keith and Angie (and little Sam- don't tell them I tried to steal him but he wouldn't fit in my bag. Shoot.) 

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner on Friday night and then things got a little messy- all in good fun of course- on Saturday at the game. After 3 hours of tailgating, Mike and I were lucky to accompany one of my father in law's colleagues in a Skybox at the stadium. Wowza. I sang my heart out to some Sweet Home Alabama and Dixieland Delight while we watched the Bama boys bring home another victory. 

By the time Sunday rolled around I barely knew right from left, and I have to pass along a big BIG thank you to the Browns for such wonderful hospitality. They put up with our Shanahan Shenanigans with such grace and open arms. We love you guys! 

Please pack your knives and go.

In honor of the new Top Chef starting tonight (woohoo!) I thought I would offer up a recipe. Actually, I can't take any credit for it, so a BIG thanks to Chrystal and Courtney for passing along this yummy tidbit to me. 

The best bean dip EVER.

1 can of frito bean dip

8 0z of sour cream

8 oz of cream cheese

1 packet of HOT taco seasoning

At least two cups of shredded mexican cheese

Mix sour cream, cream cheese, bean dip, some of the mexi cheese and seasoning in a baking dish.

Add a layer of mexican cheese on top.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until melted.

Per Chrystal: Beware once you make this once you will be asked to bring it to every party. :)

For all you peeps at ICW, you will try this tasty treat in the Dip Off! 

ps- Did you catch the nasty guy who cut his thumb and bled all over his apple? Tom has to eat that. Gross.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

Mr. Shanahan-

Today I loved being married to you because...

1. Your emails during the day made me smile. They always do.

2. You cooked an awesome thai chicken dinner.

3. You did the laundry... and then apologized with a sheepish grin no girl can resist when my jacket shrunk three sizes.

4. I think its great when you share your opinion about the characters on Gossip Girl. I think your assessment of Blair being kind of snatchy is right on, but I do still love her.

5. Even when I have bad breath or Duncan's nose stinks so bad (we won't ask), you still let us plant kisses on your cheek.

6. Your Zoolander ceremony face totally rocks.

xoxo-

Your wife

Hello? Hi Brittany, Martha calling- please stop stealing my ideas. Thanks.

My favorite project by far was building a memory tree for E and B. 

I also had fun picking out nautical decor since Erin is thinking of taking the wedding theme that direction.

Lastly, as a parting favor we tried to send off each guest with a little piece of Catalina (the future wedding locale) by means of Wrigley gum since the Wrigley family used to own most of the island.

Mr. Shanahan and his midget peeps.

I couldn't resist also posting this picture because it cracked me up. We both agree he looked huge sitting next to every body. Hilarious.

Happy Housewarming and Engagement for Erin and Bryce!

  

One of my favorite couples gave me permission to go crazy with DIY projects in celebration of their pending nuptials and new pad... and I am happy to say the party was wonderful! I think it was a true testament to how much friends appreciate these two lovebirds because nearly every guest invited showed up... some even from afar. I love you both... Congrats!!

  

Do we have to wash your mouth out with soap?

Well, the Tide pulled through for the big win but I seriously feared Mr. Shanahan was going to throw his back out from all the violent fist-pumping coupled with a few moments of gut wrenching cries. It was intense- very intense.

Thankfully, M took it upon himself to educate us with some fascinating game-time vocabulary and my favorite gem was learning about Yats. Although Mike did not necessarily use this term in an endearing manner, who would have guessed that an entire populaton of folks are considered "yats" because of their dialect, possibly as a result of using the phrase "Where y'at?".

I also really enjoyed the creepy Enterprise car rental commercial that played several times throughout the game. I don't know what marketing "genius" came up with the idea, but they somehow made renting cars feel dirty by illustrating the experience with a couple heading off on a romantic getaway with lots of lingerie. Sex does NOT always sell.

Roll Tide!

I think we all know where this is going.

Tomorrow the Tide play LSU, and being that they are the #1 team in the nation (can I get woot woot?!) this means that Mr. Shanahan is pretty nervous for them. Obviously my allegiance still lies with my Colorado Buffaloes, but I have really developed a soft spot for Bama--- so as long as they are not playing each other in a bowl game, I like to rally myself. Oh! And we are just one week away from our annual trip out to Alabama to visit our favorite friends in the South.

And so this post is for you M, Roll Tide Roll!

(I can't wait to share all sorts of details about Erin and Bryce's soiree tomorrow night. I tried to get all Martha Stewart up in here, so there's one special project in particular that I'm dying to show her. Yay!)

Bitter... Bitter Party of One?

Being that its casual Friday, I woke up this morning and put on my Madonna/Obama "Express Yourself" tee shirt from the concert on Tuesday. Then I open up my Google Reader and I find out that she CHEATED us because both Britney and Justin appeared in her LA show last night. On behalf of all San Diegans, I am mad. We didn't even have an opening act. Why are we the red-headed stepchild of Southern California???

Another tragedy: My comments are not working. I am not a Blogger genius so I don't know how to fix them.

And lastly... I just have to make a plea to all my beloved readers (yes, both of you): please take a stand and join me in my battle to ban jean jackets/full jean ensembles on men. I don't know if it started with Katie Holmes and the rolled jean pant or what, but it must. stop. now.

Now that I've gotten all of that out of my system, Happy Friday! I'm off to Red Robin for some french fries and ranch. Yum.

duncan's sweet tooth

It's only fitting that my second post be about the little monster I love so much... Duncaccino. This morning I get a call from Mr. Shanahan at 8:35 am which means only one of two things:

1. I left my straightening iron on.

2. Something happened with the dog.

Sure enough, Duncan took it upon himself to jump up on the dining room table and sniff out one of only two special starfish I purchased as decor for Erin and Bryce's engagement party this weekend. Why were they special? Because they were the LAST starfish at Michaels and you know, the whole party is only themed around them.

Ugh.

So he pulled the starfish out of its carefully wrapped paper packaging and then proceeded to eat two of his legs. (*side note: I find it fishy- pun intended- that Duncan only seems to get into these small fiascos when Mr. Shanahan is "in the shower" and I have left for work. Case in point: When did my shoes get tossed across the room, left to drown in dog drool? When M Shan was in the shower. When did he did scour my purse for vitamins? Shower time.)

Thankfully our dead decor did not poison the Monster with preservatives. It was made of sugar.

Da dada Da! My first post.

Oh boy. I felt like I had so much to write and now I am at a loss for words.

Either way I'm very excited to start updating because I'm in love with my Google Reader and my friend Shannon inspired me with her fabulous blog.

So here's to a new beginning... Cheers!

(Please don't mind the creepy face or the drunk vein in my forehead. I mean, it was the first night of our honeymoon and these are supposedly the best martinis in Bali for gosh sakes.)