November Things

Anticipations

L'Auberge Provencale - You guys! There is a four diamond French restaurant less than five miles from my home and in December, I'll get to have dinner there! My office Christmas party is at this glorious little Shenandoah Valley treasure and I am so looking forward to my four course dinner! I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures!

Enchant - Enchant is the largest Christmas light maze and outdoor market and this year it's set up at Nationals Park in DC! We have tickets to check this out during the second weekend of December and I cannot wait to see it in all it's glory! The picture below is from when it was in Seattle at Safeco Field - and I assure you, I'll have plenty of pictures all my own! There is a 100 foot tall Christmas tree, a skating rink, a holiday market, carol singers and so much more... I cannot wait to see it all!

DC Weekend - We are spending a weekend in DC to celebrate the Christmas season and we'll be staying at the The Willard for the weekend, which is a treat in and of itself - the hotel always has spectacular decorations and an amazing gingerbread house! We'll be going to check out Enchant at Nationals Park, seeing Fiddler on the Roof at the National Theatre and of course, going to see the lights, sights and sounds around downtown DC! I love "my" city at Christmas!

Christmas Parties & Outings - Of course, there are plenty of parties and get together(s) to enjoy and take in throughout the month of December! I have a ladies Bible study party, a dinner with one of my dearest friends and we are planning to make a trip to the Maryland Symphony as part of our celebrations! I absolutely love the month of December!

Christmas - I think I've probably said this over and over, but Christmas is absolutely my favorite holiday on the calendar and I love celebrating it so much! So of course, I'm always looking forward to Christmas with great anticipation!

Books I've Read

I know.. I know... I have got to start reading actual books and not just random stories on the internet, right?

Books on the Shelf

I do have two books sitting on my bedside table that I'm planning to start reading: The Unofficial Guide to Game of Thrones by Kim Renfro and The Gown: A Novel of the Royal Wedding by Jennifer Robson.

Can't Miss Movies

Last Christmas - This movie got terrible reviews but y'all, I really loved it. Perhaps my love of Emilia Clarke and all things London (especially at Christmas) won me over, but I truly enjoyed it. Kate is; to put it mildly, struggling with life and a chance meeting with Tom turns her life around... and honestly I can't say too much else because that would give the game away. This movie was touching, humorous and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Midway - This movie was not at the top of my list for this month but I am really glad I saw it. I love history and this movie; while named for the Battle of Midway, started with Pearl Harbor and outlined the Pacific campaign from there. I thought it was well done...even if some of the writing was a tad cheesy from time to time - but I thought all in all it was really enjoyable!

Ford V Ferrari - Yet another movie that wouldn't have been at the top of my list but Caitrona Balfe from Outlander was in the movie, so I made the trip - and I'm really glad I did. I know nothing about cars and racing but the movie was funny and extremely enjoyable. I think even if you're not a "car person" this movie is a good time - and if you are a "car person" then you'd probably really enjoy it.

Frozen II - Ooh boy, I loved this! I mean - that's probably not a shocking revelation but I always worry when a sequel is made that it will somehow lessen the original - but Disney got this one right! The same lovable characters, new adventures and really excellent new music... plus there is a really cute fire salamander, so there's that. If you're even a little bit of a Disney fan - of course this is for you. Even if you aren't a Disney fan, check it out!

Must See TV

Mr. Robot - The final season has made it through eight episodes of the thirteen that will make up the final season and man... what a wild ride it has been! The show is much less mind-bending in this fourth season than in previous seasons as the show winds up and tucks in the strands that the story has un-spooled throughout the previous three seasons. The entire cast continue to be incredibly strong... and Rami Malek continues to lead them in that regard. I can't wait to see how the final season winds the show up!

The Mandalorian - Oh my goodness... I know the show is literally named for the Mandalorian but once the reveal of Baby Yoda (is it even Yoda?!?) at the end of the first episode, that was all she wrote. The first live action scripted Star Wars universe show; The Mandalorian follows a bounty hunter from Mandalore as he secures a bounty that no one else has yet to secure... which is a Baby Yoda. I'm only three episodes in but at about 35 minutes each episode the show is perfectly timed, intriguing and everything you love about the Star Wars universe.

The Handmaid's Tale - I finally got around to watching the third season of The Handmaid's Tale and while I really enjoyed it... I found aspects of the season a bit off. June seems to be able to move through Gilead with a good bit of ease which is in conflict with her position as a Handmaid... even if the Commander she is with is an ally. All in all, this season was good but after the ending - I am wondering exactly where season four will go?

The Crown - I do love this show but I confess, often when I watch it I end up feeling incredibly sad for the members of the Royal family. I realize this is a dramatization but there is a ring of truth to all of it and their lives are not their own - it's certainly an odd existence. The acting is always absolutely flawless and the costumes are stunning... not to mention that opening credits are (for me) completely arresting. I do absolutely love this show! I'm only 2 episodes away from finishing the third season!

Tasty Treats

This month wasn't filled with too much feasting... surprising for the month where Thanksgiving falls, right? We did try out the new Winter menu at Regions 117 and I had some divine soup and a grain bowl that was fabulous. After the Nationals Word Series parade I had my favorite Farfalle dish at Cheesecake Factory and of course - some cheesecake! I had some to die for White Chicken Chili at Red Horse Tavern in Middletown...

While in Oklahoma, we had delicious Thanksgiving dinner and all I have to show is a picture of pie because I was under the weather most of the day... We had some pretty divine BBQ at a place called Rib Crib in Elk City, OK and we had some of the most amazing pizza and a divine Orange Cinnamon roll at The Pizza Hall in OK City. 

Tunes & Talks 

I have been listening to all the Christmas music this month, ha-ha! I'm sure that's not surprising! I especially enjoyed the Christmas album Warmer in the Winter by violinist Lindsey Stirling; y'all know I love a good instrumental album! I've also enjoyed listening to the soundtracks from The Crown and I pop in some Game of Thrones from time to time because y'all know I just still love it so much. And the Frozen II soundtrack has some real jams!

My co-worker turned me on the the podcast Dolly Parton's America and let me tell you that it's a delight! I have just devoured the first five episodes and they've been stellar! And I think I mentioned it last month, but if you haven't subscribed to the podcast Catlick by BT Harman - that one is also fascinating and amazing!

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That's all she wrote for the month of November, y'all! One more month to go in this crazy year that has been 2019!

The Weekend According to Watson

Well. I can’t say I did nothing this weekend but all my pictures are - quite frankly - of my dog. I did actually do things but I don't suppose that many of them warranted taking pictures? After getting off early and taking the time to watch the newest episode of The Mandalorian on Disney+, I joined my family for a quick dinner at Five Guys and then we went to see Ford V Ferrari at the movie theater located at our mall.

The movie was great but I definitely think that will be the last time we go to the theater at the mall - it was atrocious! The theater itself was dirty, one bathroom stunk so badly of mold that it was hard to breath and the other had multiple broken toilets and a trash bag over one of the sinks... and they played a solid twenty minutes of commercials before the previews even began. Nuts! The Alamo has ruined me where movies are concerned. Once we arrived home, I had some cookies and cracked up watching my pup beg for them - perching dangerously close to the edge of the chair in an effort to get a bite.

Saturday morning I woke up with a bit of a headache and hoped my coffee would solve that issue... alas, it really didn't do too much but that's okay. After some coffee, I got myself put together and we went out and about to get breakfast at IHOP and do some errand running at Michael's, Lowe's and Wal-Mart - where I carried around a fifteen pound bag of food while trying to find my family and the shopping cart. 

The rest of my Saturday was completely lazy - I'll confess it. I wrapped some presents and watched several episodes of The Crown. I do believe at one point I told my Mom that I felt like a bum, but she reminded me that sometimes the weekends are for being a bum - and she's right. 

Sunday was more of the same - I went to church and the family had Mexican food for lunch and then the afternoon was passed watching The Grinch, doing laundry ahead of our upcoming Thanksgiving travels, packing for our upcoming travels and watching some more of The Crown.

Around dinnertime - I downloaded the Panda Express app onto my phone and ordered us all some delicious Panda for dinner. After having dinner, I took a bubble bath and ended out the weekend doing what I'd essentially done all weekend long - being a bum! That's why you get tons of pictures of my pup for this edition - because I spent most of the weekend with the silly little guy! 

Five on Friday

One. A Cute Puppy Picture - I will start this post with something cute because who doesn't love seeing cute things? My dog is all about the cozy things and he pretty much immediately crawled between two pillows on the couch and snuggled himself under a blanket. What a mess!

Two. Weekend Plans - I'm going to the movies again tonight...ha-ha! This is the third Friday in a row that I've gone to the movies... as my sister said "what a life!" I'm going to see Ford V. Ferrari tonight, which wouldn't normally be my thing but Caitrona Balfe from Outlander is in the movie - so I'm intrigued.

I'm not sure what I'll be getting up to for the rest of the weekend but I'll probably watch a few episodes of the third season of The Crown and I'll be packing for our trip to Oklahoma for Thanksgiving. 

Three. A Laugh or Two - I don't know if you are one of the people who've seen The Mandalorian on Disney+ but it's introduced a little creature that looks like Baby Yoda and it may be the cutest thing I've ever seen. The memes about it are priceless but the one below was just perfect! 

I sent the below meme to my friends this week - I don't know if I always think I'm a hot mess but I'd like to think that when I am, I'm more of a fun hot mess than just a mess...

I'm not sure if you're aware of Nathan Pyle's Strange Planet comics but it's a great follow on Instagram (@nathanwpylestrangeplanet) - and the comic below made me cackle because I am definitely the alien ordering salad and wondering who I even am... 

Four. Plain Chicken's White Chicken Chili - I wish I had a picture of my completed chili; I changed one or two things about the recipe but all in all it turned out so yummy and fabulous!

• 2 Tbsp. Butter
• 2 Tbsp. All-Purpose Flour
• 3 Cups Chicken Broth
• 1 Cup Half & Half
• 2 Cans White Meat Chicken; drained
• 1 (11 ounce) Can of Creamed Corn
• 2 (15 ounce) Cans of Pinto Beans
• 2 (4 ounce) Cans of Green Chilies; undrained
• 2 Tbsp. Dried Minced Onion Flakes
• 2 Tsp. Cumin
• 2 Packages Real Bacon Pieces
• 1 Packet Dry Ranch Dressing Mix
• 2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1. In your pan, melt butter and stir in flour. Cook for two minutes and gradually whisk in chicken broth and half & half. Bring to a boil and cook for two minutes, until thickened.
2. Add remaining ingredients and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

So easy - and so very delicious! 

Five. The Decade - I do wonder if anyone else has seen the tweet that asks what a person has accomplished in the past decade. Did you even realize that there are just about six weeks left of this decade?!? I know that I've lived through decades before but somehow I seem more aware of this one and so I compiled my own little list of things I've done...

• Graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Anthropology 
• Got my first "adult" job.
• Purchased my first home.
• Traveled internationally for the first time to Canada.
• Overcame depression and lived on my own for three+ years with no mental health issues.
• Flew multiple places on my own - which is an accomplishment since I hate flying.
• Sold my first home.
• Packed up my life and moved over 900 miles from Mississippi to Virginia.
• Traveled internationally for the second time to London.
• Got my second "adult" job - and boy is this one better than the first.
• Traveled internationally for the third time to Italy. 
• Became a licensed Realtor in the state of Virginia.
• Watched the Washington Nationals win the World Series

All in all - I'd say that's not bad for the past decade. Looking forward to what the next decade has in store.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Watson Wednesday

This little old man pup - I do love him so.

Oh.

As in - "oh" the weekend is over. *sigh* I don't know if its the time of year or what but I swear, the weekends are absolutely flying! And I say that even though we got to leave work at 3:00 on Friday and I went shopping at Loft to kick off the weekend! It's incredibly detrimental that there is a Loft right down the sidewalk from my office - but I managed to just make it out with three sweaters in some of the brightest colors in the store!

I do find it funny that my family used to make fun of me for always wearing black - and now I'm far more colorful. Proof that people can change, I suppose? Regardless of whatever my wildly bright Winter wardrobe means, the rest of the evening was spent perusing Lowe's, seeing the movie Midway and then doing some reading before crawling into bed.

Saturday was all about shopping and decorating - I did get some lovely finds at Kirkland's (both for myself and for Christmas gifts) and then braved an absolutely ravaged Wal-Mart to pick up some supplies for the week ahead before heading home to help my parents with their decorations since all of mine are already up! I also wore my World Series hoodie for the first time - which was maybe a little more thrilling than it should have been, ha-ha!

I also managed to get several more presents wrapped and under my tree and after the visit to Wal-Mart, I'm pretty thrilled to think that I just need one more thing to be completely done with all my Christmas shopping. *praise hands* I definitely don't want to be fighting the crowds to grab that one last item... 

I helped my parents get their trees (yes - there is more than one tree) upstairs and in place and in the process, I also did some sort of something to my left knee that left me screeching in the floor. I don't know exactly what happened but it sort of... snap, crackle, popped and then pain shot through the back of my knee. So - that was fun. 

Sunday morning after church and lunch, I spent the rest of the day - quite honestly - being a bum. I helped my parents with some of the decorating and ended up farther up a ladder than I wanted to be... but then again, the 9 foot tree in the living room is no joke. I also ended up with a heat pack on my knee a couple times to help with the twinging... blegh...

We had pizza for dinner and I am getting pretty close to being completely done with the third season of the Handmaid's Tale.... honestly, I just cannot believe how fast this weekend went. And this weekend didn't even have a work-related wine tasting to be involved in! *sigh*

*An additional "oh" - when I hopped onto my blog this morning I noticed all the alterations had disappeared - and after further investigation, it appears The Cutest Blog on the Block is no longer a thing. So I had to adjust accordingly.*

Five on Friday

One. Christmas Decorations 2019 - I know. I know! It's not even the week of Thanksgiving and you're seeing it correctly, my little home is already completed decorated for Christmas. I think it's well known at this point that I love all things Christmas and we will be spending the week of Thanksgiving in Oklahoma, so I just went ahead and threw the Christmas out all over the place!

I also have to confess - I'm almost completely done with my Christmas shopping and that thrills me to no end! I can just wrap it all up, sit back and enjoy the holiday parties, Christmas movies and more!

Two. Senior Moment - I have to confess... I had a "senior" moment at the office the other day and I wanted to just die, ha-ha! I have been wearing blue light blocking glasses since I sit in front of a desk all day (and y'all know I peer at a cell phone when I'm not at the office - it's true...). I pop them up on my head when I walk away from my computer to do anything... and at one point when I came to sit back down, I was searching for them everywhere...

Where were they? They were sitting on top of my head, of course! I wanted to die but all I could do was start giggling and slide them down onto my face! I guess I'm thirty-five going on ninety-five! And side note: these are the glasses that I have - and they work great!

Three. First Snow - Please ignore my beat up Uggs that clash terribly with my fabulous leopard print wide leg pants and instead take in the snow sprinkled on the ground! It flurried on and off all day on Tuesday and Wednesday morning there was a light dusting all over the ground - so I snapped a photo of it! 

I feel like there will be plenty more to come in the next few months - and I'll eventually get tired of it, but there is still something magical about the white flakes fluttering down from the sky!

Four. Stunning Skies - Another thing that (I think) Winter has going for it are some really stellar sunsets! The skies on the drive home this week have been absolutely fabulous but Wednesday nights skies were something to behold - truly! 

The pictures aren't great and don't even begin to do it justice but the colors were amazing. I'm sure there's no coincidence that the most colorful endings come at the end of the coldest days...

Five. Weekend Plans - It's finally Friday y'all! I hope this weekend lasts a little bit longer than the last one, ha-ha! I'm hoping to pop into Loft this afternoon after work and see if they have a little Fox(y) sweater that I've been eyeing for a couple weeks... maybe it's on sale? I'm heading to the Alamo again for a Friday night movie and this week I'm seeing Midway - and I have to confess that I don't know a lot about the battle of Midway, but I guess I'll learn a little something?

I'll also be helping my parents decorate the house for Christmas - remember, we are spending the week of Thanksgiving in Oklahoma and so, we want to get all that taken care of! I'm not sure what else I'll do but the final season of The Man in the High Castle and the third season of The Crown premiere this weekend too! 

Who knows what all I'll get up to?

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That's all she wrote for this week y'all - I hope you have a good weekend! I plan to enjoy mine and I hope you enjoy yours too!

Watson Wednesday

I told him he looked very distinguished sitting like this, ha-ha!

Well - That Weekend Passed Much Too Quickly

Are we really sure the weekend happened? I know it did but I feel like I blinked and the weekend was over! It passed much too fast for me! I was able to leave work early on Friday but it was all for naught because I spent the hours from 3:00 - 5:00 in the eye doctor's office and ended up getting home later on Friday than I normally do! *sigh* I changed into much warmer clothes, chilled with my dog a little bit and then went to see Last Christmas at the Alamo - and I really loved it!

Of course - it just put me in the Christmas spirit and so when I came home I had to watch The Great British Baking Show: Festive Edition as I sat by the fire and plotted when to decorate for Christmas, ha-ha! I also received my November shipment from Atlas Coffee Club and this month the coffee is from Myanmar and it's divine! 

I slept until almost 8:00 on Saturday morning and then got up and had that delicious coffee all the way from Myanmar that has notes of Cherry Cola, Grape and Brownie! I don't know if I tasted all those things but it was certainly a good cup of coffee. I sort of poked around for a large portion of the morning, just walking the dog and having breakfast... around 11:15 I had to get ready for a client event that my office was holding... and at 12:15 I met up with my co-workers to make our way to Fleetwood Farm Winery!

We spent about four hours mingling with clients, sipping some wine and sampling some really yummy food and I snapped the two pictures above as we were leaving. Fleetwood Farm Winery is a really lovely spot and the wine is pretty divine as well! My co-workers (who are also my friends) and I made our way back toward home but stopped in Middleburg to have dinner together at Red Horse Tavern - where I had some of the most delicious White Chicken Chili! *sigh* I spent the rest of the evening taking a bubble bath and just relaxing - I was worn out from socializing! 

Sunday morning I woke up with a headache that managed to hang on for almost the entire day. Blah. I had coffee and breakfast and then spent the day doing all manner of things: three loads of laundry, emptying the dishwasher, rearranging clothes in drawers, a quick Wal-Mart run, walked the dog multiple times, had lunch and oh yea - I might have decorated for Christmas! Just kidding - no might about it, I definitely did!

When my headache finally abated around 5:00, I started the third season of The Handmaid's Tale and wrapped presents as I watched. I made dinner, took a bubble bath and then watched the newest episode of Mr. Robot before getting in bed and tossing and turning. *sigh* And then Monday arrived and I couldn't believe the weekend was already over. Yikes! 

Five on Friday

One. Treat Yo Self - It's Friday and once I conquer my eye appointment this afternoon, I'm going home for just a bit and then having a little bit of a treat yo self kind of Friday night! I'm going to the Alamo to see Last Christmas and yes - I'm going all on my own. I have been waiting for this movie to come out ever since I saw the first trailer and so, I shall head to the Alamo and get myself some cookies and thoroughly enjoy the Christmas cheer + romantic comedy and have a delightful time!

Two. Wine Tasting - It would seem that last year's client event at a nearby winery was a big hit and so the company I work for is doing the tasting again this year... and it's tomorrow! So I'll spend a good chunk of my Saturday afternoon at Fleetwood Farm Winery mingling with clients and sipping some wine. I'm not so great at mingling but I am good at sipping wine, ha-ha!

Three. A little giggle - I have found plenty to laugh about this week (and I've needed it - it's been a week)... but this one really did make me smile and I thought I'd share it here as my "Friday Funny". I am fighting the urge to start putting up Christmas decorations... but between listening to Christmas music at work and going to see a Christmas movie tonight, I may lose the battle this weekend! :)

Four. Cajun Potato Soup - A quick little recipe to share with you, especially if you like spicy things! Earlier this week I made Plain Chicken's Cajun Potato Soup with a couple tweaks and it was pretty tasty but man - it has some heat! So, if you like things with a little kick then this one is for you!

• 1 link andouille smoked sausage; sliced
• 1 30-32 ounce bag of frozen hash browns (I used O'Brien style)
• 3 14.5 ounce cans chicken broth
• 1 10.75 ounce can cream of chicken soup
• 2 Tbsp. minced onion flakes
• 3 Tbsp. Cajun seasoning
• 1 Tsp. pepper
• 1/2 Tsp. salt
• 1 8 ounce package cream cheese

Combine all ingredients but the cream cheese in a crock pot and cook on low for 8-10 hours. About thirty minutes before serving, add in the cream cheese and stir until melted and thoroughly combined. 

Again - this soup has a KICK! I ate leftovers last night and I added a bit of milk to take away some of the heat. I also added in a little bacon but honestly - it's perfectly delicious in it's original form! Enjoy!

Five. I'm Drawing a Blank - However, I do have a really cute dog and he did this thing last night where he looked extremely cute while sleeping. So I'll share that picture for number five and be done with it!

Happy weekend y'all!