Food and Cheer

Here we go!  The next next two weekends are jam packed with Wedding festivites, and this weekend was no exception.  Jenna and Adam were celebrated with friends and family with a couples shower.  I love these kinds of showers because that means Jordan can come along, and I can remind him of how bad I want to get married ;) (I don't think he really knows what to do with me sometimes.)

Me and my Jennifer. LOVE her.  She just did Jenna and Adam's engagement pictures, and they turned out so good!!!

Cousins picture!!  Jenna, Ashley, Mel, Jenny, and Moi

Thankful for good friends out of this bride and fellow Maid of Honor.

Jarrett and Ash- Love these two and so glad they could make it!!

 Pretty girl!  The Maid and The Matron of Honor

The girls of the group..Our significant others were MIA, out on the patio, being 'men'.

 Friends from the past..and now in the future- never will it change!  We are all here for Jenna during this happy time!  Hopefully soon it will be a happy time for Suz and Ash!!

Present time!!  Poor Adam..the gifts were slim (like, NONE) for him..lots for Jbree, though :)  He made the best of it..I think there are pictures of him wearing a colander on his head.

Oh GEEZ- The richest banana pudding.  Shay and Sherry did such an amazing job with the BBQ, dessert and decor- everything was GREAT!!

The cutest (and most delicious!)  party favor

 The bride with her hostesses- Shay and Sherry (Shay's mamma)  These ladies have been apart of the Massey's family since Jordan was born!  Sherry and Jordan's mom, Bree have been friends for almost 30 years!

Next weekend is set for the bachlorette party- let's hope it goes down well- Susan and myself have worked awefully hard to keep it together and make it happen! 

Get Your Groupon

SOOOO, if you haven't heard of this yet, you are missing out!  Groupon dot com is a website that sends out daily emails with daily deals, good for only 24 hours in your specific area.  I get emails for deals in Dallas and the surrounding metroplex, but Groupon is in Austin, Denver, St. Louis..etc..etc..ETC! 

So, you are still asking, "What the heck is Groupon???"  Each day, Groupon features an unbeatable deal on the best stuff to do, see, eat, and buy in your selected city.  Everyday you will recieve an email with the DailyDeal, and simply log in to buy if you are interested in that deal.  Once you're charged, you'll receive an email with a link to sign in and print your Groupon. The Groupon has redemption instructions and a map right on it! 

Some excellent examples of some Groupons I've recently purchased..

*$125 One hour Swedish Massage at The Four Seasons Resort = $49
*$25 haircut/wash/style to Sports Clips = $10 (I bought 2!)
*$10 Freebirds Burritos = $5

I find it really hard not to purchase the DailyDeal..well, daily!  They are all super great, and worth it :)  The only catch is you must buy it that day..you can't decided two days later to buy that massage or food certificate.  24 hours is all ya get to make that decision.  Welcome 'Impluse Buy" to your vocabulary.

If you are interested, click HERE and sign up- You will totally thank me, so I will go ahead and say it:

You are Welcome. :)

Giada

I love Giada De Laurentiis.  She is an amazing chef, with an amazing life story..and quite honesty, I see myself a little in her.  Maybe thats why I'm somewhat partial to her on the Food Network..and she is beautiful, that always helps!  Last week I got an email saying she was coming back to Dallas for a signing of her new cookbook, Giada at Home.  This is probably my favorite of the 5 cookbooks she has written (all of which I own...)  I really like Giada's Family Suppers too, but after deciding that I was going to make/re-create every dish on every page, I think I like her new one best.

A couple years ago, I had the opportunity to go to the William Sonoma (my favorite store, EVER.) in Southlake for a book signing of Giada's Everyday Pasta.  I was somewhat star struck, as it was my first time meeting her.  I got up to her and no words came out of my mouth!  She could clearly tell I was tongue tied, jumbled, and nervous.  Finally, Giada grabbed my hand and said, "Amber, it is so nice to meet you!"  and the only words I could get past my heart beating in my throat was "I LOVE YOUR SHOW."  Way to go, Amber.  I'm sure that she hasn't heard that before.

Jordan went with me again to be my designated picture taker.  He is just amazing.  I couldn't ask for a better best friend.  (My best friend is taking me to the Micheal Buble concert this summer, too.)

 The line started to form here at Northpark today about 2:30pm.  Giada didn't sign until 6pm!  We got there a little before 5, and got a fairly good spot, if I do say so myself..

 All were waiting to see her!  She is so sweet and genuine, and just adorable!!

 I was a little more cool and collected this time..even though I couldn't feel my face.  Tehe..

"If you ever want to write a cookbook with a dietitian or something..I'm your girl!"
Had to get my nutrition plug in, you know.

 She is so cute!

After the book signing before dinner at Cheesecake..so happy :)

Fun Fun in Austin

Why must it take me forever and a day to post a measly little blog post..with pictures and commentary.  You would think it would be easy- but ok, nooooo.  Sorry this is a tad late in posting- about a week and a half late.  Anyway, last weekend Jordan and I went to Austin for the weekend.  I was invited by The Crossings Resort in Austin for culinary and nutrition classes hosted by the resort for it's guests.  It was a great learning experience- there were 14 people in my class, the chef and food was amazing (catered in by Whole Foods Market), and the time we spent with my family was great! 

View from the patio on the resort campus..such a beautiful weekend.  I couldn't have ask for better weather.  Made me wish I knew how to golf.  Maybe that will be my next hobby..

 Me and my handsome man at my parents before dinner.

 Daddio and myself at Spaghetti Warehouse, downtown Austin

Lunch time after my class.  PATIO weather is the best!

 Jordan and I at dinner with mi madre.  He happened to be driving my bonkers at the moment, being silly (and annoying..) I think I hid it well- oh the things I do for a picture.

 We were at Cantina Laredo, and for some reason they serve their salsa in a bowl with about two chips worth of salsa.  So...we asked for a 'big' bowl.  Our waiter obviously thought he is humerous.  But, I was laughing so hard, hence the somewhat blurry photo. The stares we got from the poor 'chip guy' who didn't speak a lick of English.  He didn't know what to do, but giggle.

 Mamma and meeeee!

I've been dying to go back to Austin since we came home.  I don't know if it is because of the beautiful weather, the wonderful time we had with my family, and the amazing opportunity I got at the resort..I dunno- but I'm craving Austin.

gooOOOOO STARZ!

Our sweet mini Supper Club friends are from Abilene and have never been to a STARZ game before. So, for this month's supper I found some cheap (but really great!) seats and we spent our Sunday evening on the ice!

Kind of high up- but perfect view of the entire rink! I actually liked these seats better than those closer to the floor. We usually sit where I can only see about half of the ice, and therefore, get pretty distracted from the game...

Two peas-Shannon and Amber

GREAT friends for life

Thats my hubs- wow- I forget how handsome he is.

The Anthony's

Perfect way to end our fun weekend!!!

This Wifey Is Oh So Sneaky

Jordan's birthday was this month on March 3rd- and bless his heart we was out of town doing some part time work with his Dad :( I was sad to learn that he wasn't even going to be home for his annual chocolate birthday cake a la Amber. So- a little over a month ago I started planning ;) I planned for all of our oh-so-wonderful friends at Station 6 to get together for a surprise birthday for Jordan. Once Jordan finally got back into town, I told him he and I were going to go out for a celebration, just he and I, for his birthday. I planned dinner in Dallas for two and a 'movie' after, when really I planned dinner for 20, and plenty of fun after! We arrived at 7pm, and walked into the room with a huge table with faces covered by menus- and SURPRISE!

He was soooo shocked! "...So, we aren't going to a movie!?" No SILLY!

All of us at Iron Cactus in The West End. I cannot believe these boys kept it quite for so long!

Chasity and I- LOVE her- REALLY!

These ladies make me proud to be a Station 6 wifey.

(LtoR) TOP: Lisa, Chasity, Julie, Allison

BOTTOM: Doty, Christi, ME!, Katie

My husband and I- It was the first day of Spring..and SNOWING in Texas. Yes, snowing.

West End Pub- this is where we spent the remainder of the evening- live music was awesome, a blues-y, country, rock band. LOVED it.

Jordan, Chuck, and new Driver, Sha

Me and my Boo

We are one big Happy Family! Lisa, her hubby, Greg, and Heath

Christi and Myself- VERY giggly at this point :)

Captain Christi, Lt. Doty, Driver Amber

Allison and Chasity make me laugh so hard- great memories from this evening!

The last part of the evening we went to Gilley's Dallas- in a snow storm, and it was FREEZING!
Our house when we arrived home that evening-or rather- morning!

Mr. and Mrs. Massey- very sleepy sleepy heads!

I thought for sure he knew- but he swears he didn't- either way, the look on his face was priceless, and it was so fun planning it! It was a great, and long over due get together. Pretty sure I'm ready to be back at the Clayton's pool for Station 6 Party #2!