The Crock-Pot is my New Best Friend

Last night, I wanted to do something special for Nic... just because. It was my one night off this week, and I wanted to cook him a meal. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, right? Well, I know a meal doesn’t really seem that meaningful to most people, but in our house, a home-cooked meal is a privilege. I don’t get many opportunities to cook because of my hectic schedule, and when I do, there’s only so many types of food I know how to cook. We typically rotate meals including, white chili, pasta dishes, burritos, frozen pizza and sandwiches. Well, last night I decided to retire the frozen pizza and cook my first “big girl” meal. This was a huge deal.

And the menu was... roast beef, sauteed green beans, mashed potatoes and sour-dough bread. Yes, I know, I kind of cheated a little bit because I used the crock-pot to cook the meat. But, I’m not a chef, and since I’ve never cooked anything other than chicken, I did not want to ruin the meal. Crock-pots are fail-proof, or so I’ve heard. haha. Plus, since I was fresh off of a twelve hour shift, I just knew I was going to fall asleep at some point, so the crock-pot worked out perfectly.

Well, after eight hours of slaving away in the kitchen, I am proud to announce our first “real” meal was... delicious! And best of all, the hubs was happy! :)

"Christmas, Christmas, Merry, Merry Christmas!!!"

Yes, I know, it’s already January and I’m just now getting around to my Christmas post. But between work and the holiday festivities and work and more work, this Christmas season has just flown by. But boy, was it a good one!

To be honest, I kind of had mixed feelings about Christmas this year for several reasons. You see, I’m all about tradition, and it just disturbs me when those traditions change. Between working during the holidays and trying to juggle celebrating with the Bishop and Mclaughlin family this year, I knew going into this holiday season that there would be lots of changes. Boy do things get complicated. But in the midst of all the chaos, it dawned on me... from here on out, Nic and I would start creating our own Christmas traditions. Well, let’s just say, when I realized this, it lit a winter-wonderland fire inside of me, and I was even more full with Christmas cheer. Nic said once that I was the anti-grinch... that made me smile.

Christmas 2010 (in bullet points)

• Let me preface this first bullet point by saying that the start of Christmas week I worked a lot. I was worn out to say the least, and I was planning on working through Christmas eve. This took quite a bit of mental preparation for this Christmas-spirited girl. And let’s just say I wasn’t looking forward to spending our first Christmas eve together working at the hospital.

• On Christmas eve, Nic made his way down to Chiefland to celebrate Christmas with all the Bishops. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend because I had to sleep to prepare for work that night. But I’m pretty sure Nic had a good time without me. :)

• Christmas eve night, I was put “on call” at work. Meaning I had to be prepared to go to work at any time. But I was excited because this gave me a little bit of time to spend with my hubby on Christmas eve, and we were able to make it to my Aunt’s house (in scrubs) for our annual events (which always includes oyster stew, yuck!).

• Nic and I made our way back to the house to spend our last few moments together before I went into work. With the fireplace burning, the Christmas lights sparkling we watched The Holiday (love that movie)... and then I got the call! Worked called to let me know I could have the night off. I was beyond excited! What a wonderful Christmas gift!

• Christmas morning I woke up at 4:30. Yes, I know that’s ridiculous, but that’s what I get for sleeping all day. I did however let Nic sleep in until 6:30 (aren’t I sweet). As soon as I could get him out of bed, we ran downstairs, lit the fireplace, turned the Christmas music on, and exchanged gifts. It was perfect. I loved watching his reaction to some of the gifts I got him, and he sure did good picking out the clothes he got me! :) After the presents were opened, we enjoyed hot chocolate and just spending time together. No TV, just us. I know it all sounds so simple, but our new Christmas tradition was everything I could have hoped for.

• And the morning was just beginning. Around 9:00, we headed over to my parent’s house still in our pajamas. I surely didn’t want to miss out on any of those old traditions. One of those being the matching pajamas (aren’t we cute?). We gathered around the tree, each taking a turn opening a present, because in our house we like to stretch Christmas out as long as possible... just the way I like it. It was so much fun.

• We spent the rest of the day and night surrounded by family. ALL of our family. And eating LOTS of food. And watching Christmas movies. And showing off all of our new gadgets, toys and clothes. We even played a couple of games.

So, yes, although I may have had mixed feelings about Christmas in the beginning, this Christmas exceeded all of my expectations. It was a perfect “First Christmas” for us Bishops. I hope that all of you had a Merry Christmas this year too... and for many, many more years to come!!! Yes, I am already counting down the days until next year! :)

Oh Christmas Tree...

The search for the Bishop Family Christmas tree began December 1st... and I am so very proud to announce it also ended on December 1st. You see, I grew up in a home where the tree was the kick-off, my highlight, of the Christmas season. The four of us would go out desperately searching for the perfect McLaughlin Christmas tree. We would go from tree lot to tree lot analyzing, sometimes arguing, about which tree would look better in the house. Sometimes it would take more than just one outing to find the tree. But somehow we always managed to find the PERFECT, not-too-skinny, not-too-short McLaughlin Christmas tree. Some of my most treasured family memories revolve around our Christmas tree. So as you can probably assume, I was more than excited for us Bishops to start our own tree traditions. And may I just say, Nic got off pretty easy this year.

We started our hunt at Walmart (wouldn’t recommend), then went to Publix, and then Lowe’s, where we found “the one.” The perfectly green, fresh, not-too-tall for our town house, not too wimpy, symmetrical at all angles, Bishop Family Tree. My parent’s, also known as the Christmas Tree professionals, met us at the house to help set it up. And let me just say, it took less than an hour to get the tree in the tree-stand and to fluff it’s branches and move it into the house. I’m pretty sure that’s a world record... at least for my family.

And let the decorating begin... I took the lead on this one. I take great pride in the past McLaughlin trees that I helped my Dad decorate. Every year we would have a color scheme that we would run with. We even did things like go out in the back yard to collect pine cones to spray paint to match the scheme. Okay, okay, so Nic and I didn’t go that far this year, but I am so proud of our garnet and gold tree. And I am even more excited about the many more trees to come in our future!

So, December 1st will always be remembered in our household as the kick-off to our first Christmas as husband and wife. I'm overflowing with Christmas cheer, and I just cannot wait to create more “firsts” this Christmas Season with my husband!

We found it!

It's still standing!

It was a good day...

Today was one of those special days that I can honestly say was a good... GREAT day!! To start, my sister, Haley was in town so I was able to spend the entire day with her. You know, just hanging out... doing family stuff (which I love doing). We grabbed some lunch at a local seafood joint (an Oyster bar to be exact), and if any of you know me, you know that I hate seafood... so my lunch consisted of a salad and onion rings. Not my favorite to say the least, but the company was what meant the most to me.

Following lunch, we went on the hunt for the McLaughlin family Christmas tree (which is another blog in itself). You have to realize, I anxiously wait ALL year to go Christmas tree shopping. Saying that I LOVE Christmas is an understatement. So getting a jump-start on the Christmas season made me smile... and whistle Christmas tunes ALL day! I was one happy, family-loving, Christmas-spirited girl!

But to top it all off... my Seminoles made me proud!!! The Noles pulled out a win (31-7) over our rival, the Gators. And it's official... we're going to the ACC Championship game!! Our family was huddled around that TV cheering, war chanting, high-fiving all night long!

So, although most days seem good, today seemed a little extra good. Who wouldn't love a day filled with family, seafood (well, maybe not the seafood), holiday cheer, and the Noles?!?

With that, I'll leave you with one of the many highlights of this football season... the game-winning field goal at the FSU vs Clemson game... makes me smile every time.

Savannah, GA

Some pics from our awesome Savannah vacation...

We did not take a carriage ride. I just like horses.

We did, however, take a trolley ride.

Even my beard went on the trolley ride.

We take pictures of hospitals. Guess why.

Where Heather and I will live when we move to Savannah.

Our other house.

Saint John's Cathedral. Very beautiful.

I really wanted to tickle these ivories.

Street performers are the best.

Getting a caramel apple was Heather's only goal the entire trip.

After all that...that's all she ate.

Our favorite part was the River Front.

Just surveying Savannah. Being sexy. Like always.