Meet my Faves :: Kyle

Kyle is my new brother-in-law. We have a lot of fun together and let me tell you he has a mean right hook! He is a great kid and such a stud. Sorry ladies, he's taken. Here's a little bit about my favorite brother-in-law.

Full Name: Kyle Steven Myers

Location: What, now? A Chair

Occupation: I’M TOO YOUNG! (But not for the ladies) ;)

Alma Mater: (After 10 minutes of trying to find out what this meant)…I’m assuming this has nothing to do with the Latin translation for "nourishing mother". Basha High School?

Starbucks order: Coffee…

How we met: You were in my house one night; I think you were wearing a hat. Then you STOLE my brother. That’s all I remember.

If you could go to dinner with any three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?: Why would anyone want to go to dinner with three dead people? But I will humor you.

I would go to dinner with Tom Hanks because he is Tom Hanks, Batman because he is Batman, and Chris so he could drive me and pay.

Describe your perfect Sunday: An entire day with Courtney.

Not so simple pleasures

Today my wonderful husband bought me a new car. Did I mention he's wonderful? As much as I loved my old car, it was time to let go. We had some good times together but all good things must come to an end.

So now I'm sure you're just sitting there thinking, "Come on, come on! Tell me what it is!" Ok, ok. Keepin' it legit, I got a 2006 Saab 9-7x. Now for all you non-Saab enthusiasts let me break it down for you. I have wanted this car since it first came out. I even went and test drove it for fun with no intention of buying it, but now I really have one of my own! So next time you're with me make sure you say, "Hey Nicki! Sweet ride!" and maybe, just maybe, I'll let you ride in it.

Meet my Faves :: Kaitlyn

Full Name: Kaitlyn Marie Myers

Location: Chandler, Arizona

Occupation: Professionally Awesome

Alma Mater: Soon to be ASU...let's just get through senior year first.

Starbucks order: Grande iced black and white mocha with an extra shot

How we met: You married my brother! But if we're talking specifics...I walked in my house and Chris introduced you to me and I was weirded out because ONE...you were a girl...and I had never seen Chris with one of those before and TWO...you weren't wearing any makeup (she gave it up for lent) and I was scared he would be into one of those low-maintenance type of girls. Those are never any fun.

If you could go to dinner with any three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?:

These people would all have to be in a somewhat similar category as opposed to the whole "random people I like" catagory because let's face it...nobody likes an awkard dinner.

And the catagory is...sexy men:

#1. Ryan Reynolds because he's delicious...which would totally go with the whole dinner theme.

#2. Steve Bays because he totally pulls of the carrot top jew fro rocker grunge look.

#3. Hugh Jackman...but only as Wolverine...I want to eat dinner with a man with retractable claws.

Describe your perfect Sunday:

The perfect sunday would have to be Coldstone coffee ice cream loaded with chunks of peanut butter, topped off with...oh...wait...you meant SUNDAY not SUNDAE...I don't really DO homonyms.

My perfect SUNDAY would be sleeping in until 11 where it's not too early and not too late and then hanging out with my friends doing something fun but also relaxing...like watching TV or going to get coffee or something.

Tasty Thursdays :: Jersey Mike's

I have decided since last week's Where in the World segment turned out to be about food here in town that I should have a segment dedicated to that wonderful subject. So every Thursday you will find a new tasty place to visit or comment on if you have already had the pleasure. So....with no further ado......This week's Tasty Thursday takes us to my favorite sub shop, Jersey Mike's.

I was introduced to Jersey Mike's when I was in high school. There happened to be one located just caddy corner from our school. Unfortunately, this was the only location in town and they closed their doors way back when. Fortunately, they are back in Arizona with a vengeance. I now enjoy my Jersey Mike's at their location on Scottsdale Road & the 202 Red Mountain Freeway.

Now you may be thinking; "Why is this sub joint any better than your typical Subway or Blimpie?" Well let me fill you in my friend....not only is Jersey Mike's my favorite sub shop, but it was named one of the best places to get a sandwich by the Food Network. 'Nough said. www.jerseymikes.com

Christmas Card Round-Up

So unfortunately this year we didn't get around to sending Christmas cards due to a crazy year, but I did look at some last night online and there are some very cute options for those who did have time to accomplish this task this year. Did you have time to send out cards? If so, did you use a generic card or custom card? I found these on the Pear Tree Greetings website, enjoy!

Meet My Faves :: Dani

Full Name: Danielle Christine Wold

Location: Chandler, AZ

Occupation: Program Planning and Control Analyst

Alma Mater: Arizona State University

Starbucks order: Green Tea Frappuccino (no whipped cream)

How we met: Nicki and I met at our friend Allison's bachelorette party and then really got to know one another at the wedding! We just clicked and have been good friends ever since. I just love Nicki's bubbly personality and warm spirit!!

If you could go to dinner with any three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?:

Grandma and Grandpa Wold- I miss my grandparents so much and would love to spend an evening catching up with them :)

Will Ferrell- He cracks me up and he is one of my favorite actors/comedians!! I would love to spend a night laughing with him.

Princess Diana- She was an amazing woman and I would love the chance to talk to her about her thoughts on the current world status.

Describe your perfect Sunday:

The morning would consist of cooking a big breakfast with my family! Then we would just enjoy the rest of the day with each other either laying by the pool, baking, shopping, or watching football/basketball.

Where in the World :: Yogurtini

This week's Where in the World is a little bit different in that it is right here at home! Chris and I ventured out to visit a new place in Tempe called Yogurtini. Yogurtini is a great new little place that serves frozen yogurt by the ounce. You start by choosing one or more of your favorite frozen yogurt flavors (Chris had vanilla and I had cheesecake). Then you top it off with all your favorite toppings. They offer everything from fresh fruit to sprinkles and some syrups too! It was so much fun and delicious. I highly recommend a trip down to the east val, Rural & University to be exact, for a delicious treat. The environment is great too.

Cardinals = NFC West Champs

Congrats to our home team! The first NFC West title since 1975 is a great accomplishment for the Cards and I wish them the best of luck in the post season! Make us proud!!! Clearly my little cousin knows what's goin' on.

Meet my Faves:: Katie

My next favorite person is my dearest friend at work. We definitely have way too much fun. Meet Katie!


Full Name: Katie (Catherine) Michelle Schissel


Location: I don’t get it? Like where am I located right now -- at my desk in my office. Or where do I live-- Desert Ridge.


Occupation: Event Coordinator for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix


Alma Mater: University of Arizona, GO CATS!


Starbucks order: Tall Carmel Macchiato every time!


How we met: At work--Nicki thought I was a snob, and I was totally oblivious and didn’t even know she worked there until we started hanging out with a mutual co-worker friend of ours. She has since moved away, and Nicki and I are pretty much inseparable.


If you could go to dinner with any three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?:


Leonardo da Vinci. He was a scientist, inventor, mathematician, and artist and in my opinion one of the most interesting and in some cases controversial people of all time.


My boyfriend, Bryan. I know I get to go to dinner with him all the time, but it’s true, spending time with him is one of my favorite things.


Eddie Vedder. I think his talent is undeniable--unique perspective, brilliant lyrics and distinctive voice. I mean, who wasn’t obsessed with Pearl Jam in the 90’s?


Describe your perfect Sunday: Wake up around 9 am. Go to breakfast with my boyfriend, Bryan. Order two eggs over easy with a side of ham and hash browns, large orange juice and coffee. Then head to 11 am mass. After mass run some errands together to get a head start on the week. Come home, take my dog, Tuck, for a walk. Then make dinner together using a scrumptious recipe I stole off of foodnetwork.com. Pop open a bottle of wine, flip on a movie or some random sitcom. And hit the sack by 10 pm. That’s it, nothing out of the ordinary. Just a casual, laid-back Sunday but just my speed.

Where in the World :: New York

New York is a place that I have been many times, but the reason it is my destination for this week's "Where in the World" is because I have yet to visit there during the holiday season. I truly believe that there is nothing like Christmas in New York City and I would love to experience the magic. From the snow filled streets to the tree in Rockefeller Center, to the storefront window displays and the horse-drawn buggies, I can't think of a more wonderful experience during the holidays.

April & Mark ::

Congratulations to my dear friend April and her new husband Mark. We had the privilege of sharing in their big day this weekend and it was fabulous. The wedding ceremony was held at a beautiful venue, Calamigos Ranch, in Malibu, California. It was outdoors with hundreds of lights hanging in the trees and lots of love and laughter. The reception that followed was intimate and cozy. I'm so happy for the both of them and wish them the best of luck. You guys make a great couple! Oh and this was my favorite picture of their engagement shoot so I thought I would share it with you all.

Meet my Faves:: Chris

So I'm going to start a new segment on my blog that will give you an insight into my favorite people. To start this off, I couldn't think of a more perfect person than my very own husband Chris!





Full Name: Christopher Michael Myers



Location: Phoenix, Arizona



Occupation: Business Valuation Associate



Alma Mater: Arizona State University



Starbucks order: Small cappuccino with an extra shot



How we met: The truth is that my beautiful bride was trolling Facebook and added me as a friend. Thinking she was someone else, I awkwardly attempted to strike up a conversation. After completely ignoring me for over a month she finally agreed to a date. I fell head over heels for her within a week and four months later we were engaged.



If you could go to dinner with any three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?:

Ronald Reagan – My political hero.

Ernest Hemingway – My favorite author and an all-around fascinating individual.

Thomas Edison – Edison was a fascinating inventor & businessman. I admire his tenacity and passion for inventing.



Describe your perfect Sunday: My perfect Sunday would consist of sleeping in with my wife, going to breakfast at U.S. Egg, relaxing by the pool, and going to mass with my family.

Thanksgiving Treat

Happy thanksgiving everyone! I hope you are reading this with a tummy full of turkey goodnes and a million slices of pumpkin pie. I thought it would be fun to share some Thanksgiving trivia with you today. Enjoy the randomness!

The first Thanksgiving celebration lasted three days.


Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October in Canada.


Benjamin Franklin wanted the national bird to be a turkey.


More than 40 million green bean casseroles are served on Thanksgiving.


Turkeys can drown if they look up when it's raining!

Where in the World :: Tahiti

So my first Where in the World segment is taking us to Tahiti.

If the aqua blue clear water isn't enough to make you want to go there, how cute are the huts? I could definitely see myself spending a week or two lounging around my hut and taking a dip in that beautiful water. The temperature in Tahiti is about 79 degrees Fahrenheit year round!

Although it's beautiful, the downside to Tahiti is the extremely long flight. Not sure I could make it, but I can always dream. Nana! (goodbye in Tahitian)

And we're back!

I know we've been missing in action, but we're back and ready to blog! Married life is wonderful and I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who made our day so special. You are all truly wonderful and we're so lucky to have you.

Speaking of thankful, it's almost my favorite time of year....Thanksgiving!!! I thought since it is the most food centered holiday of the year I would post a delicious thanksgiving recipe for everyone to enjoy! Thank you Liene for this delicious treat!

Cranberry Orange Mousse

1 ½ cups fresh cranberries

6 tbsp granulated sugar

¼ cup waterzest of 1 medium orange

1 tbsp Grand Marnier

3 oz white chocolate, finely chopped

1 cup whipping cream

In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring often, until the mixture thickens and becomes a jam-like, about 8-10 minutes total. Strain the mixture through a fine strainer into a medium bowl, pressing hard onto the solids. Add the orange zest and liqueur, stir. Cool to room temperature.

Place the chocolate in a small heatproof bowl. Bring 1 inch of water to a simmer in a wide skillet. Turn the burner off (if your stove is electric, remove the skillet from the burner) and wait for 30 seconds, then set the bowl of chocolate in the hot water. Stir constantly until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove the bowl of chocolate from the hot water. Let the chocolate cool to about 85 F (a small dab on your upper lip should feel slightly cool, not cold). If the chocolate mixture is too cold, the mousse may turn out grainy; if necessary, set the bowl in the pan of warm water for a few seconds before the next step.

Whip the cream in a medium bowl until soft peaks form. Fold about a third of the whipped cream into the cranberry mixture. Then fold in the melted chocolate. Fold in the rest of the whipped cream. Spoon or pipe into the serving glasses or bowls. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Cover with plastic wrap without touching the surface if refrigerating longer.

Serves 8.

Yum!

My love for Monsoon Season::

The time has come again for the most wonderful season of the year (and no, it's not Christmas), monsoon season. Typically people think of Arizona as only having summer and winter seasons, but monsoon season is one all it's own. Tonight Phoenix experienced it's first monsoon of the season and it was fabulous. Monsoons truly are nature's art at it's best. From the lighting that fills the sky to the rolling boom of thunder to the misty rain, this is the most relaxing and enjoyable part of the year. That being said, I'm going to leave you with some monsoon images as I sit back and enjoy the symphony of lightning and thunder.

Good food, good friend, good night

If you've never been to Postino in Phoenix you don't know what you're missin! This amazing little wine cafe is part of the Le Grande Orange family of restaurants and is absolutely worth the trip to the Biltmore area. It is nestled in a quaint neighborhood at 40th St. & Campbell and has daily wine specials with glasses starting at $5.00. Not being a drinker, this special doesn't really appeal to me as much as the unique bruschetta and their wonderful paninis. Tonight however was not just about the wonderful flavors and atmosphere of Postino, but more about the amazing friend I was able to have dinner with. Brooke you are an amazing friend and I love you! We definitely need more dinner dates! And let's make it Postino every time!

A Tribute to Erin: Miss Arizona 2008

So, this weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Miss Arizona Pageant for the umpteenth time only to have the greatest night ever! One of my dear friends from my childhood, miss Erin Nurss, was crowned the 2008 Miss Arizona! I couldn't be happier for her and I know she is going to rock Las Vegas in the Miss America Pageant. I wish I could explain how much this girl deserves this crown, but words just can't do it. Erin is the most beautiful woman I know inside and out. She has worked extremely hard to get where she is today and I can't wait to see what she does with this year. Erin, this is a tribute to you! You are going to be the best Miss Arizona ever!!!!

Kung Fu Panda Awesomeness

Awesomeness is the most appropriate word for this movie. It was chock full of awesomeness! Another wonderful product of Dreamworks, kudos to you guys. If you know me, you know that I have the personality of a small child, which might explain why I was running in circles until it came to theatres. Well, after all that running I was TIRED, but not too tired to see Kung Fu Panda! While Dreamworks has put out some of my favorite movies (Shrek 1, 2, & 3), this movie has officially topped the list of all time favorite animated movies. While you might expect this movie to be mostly silly with a lot of Kung Fu, it has a suprising amount of other emotional elements. It is truly a movie that anyone could enjoy. And my new favorite saying (not quoted anywhere in the movie) Paaaaaaaanda, pandaaaa!!!!!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Well I'm 21 again for the 4th time. For those of you still trying to count, I'm 24 today. that means I'm almost a quarter of a century old. Hmm....yeah. Well, it's going to be a great year full of celebrations and love. I can't wait... maybe 24 won't be so bad after all. But, that begs the question, What happens when you turn 25?

The Most Fabulous Shoes Ever!

It is very depressing when you find the most perfect shoes and they cost more than your husband's wedding ring! So we sit and wait and hope they go on sale (a big sale).

Honeymoon

Maui! I'm super excited, we booked our honeymoon last week and our hotel is beautiful. I can't wait. We're staying at the Westin Maui in Ka'anapali, I've never been to Hawaii so if you have any good advice on what to do, let me know. Thanks! Below are some pictures from our hotel.

Late in the game

So I guess you could say that I'm creating this blog a little late in the game, but I figure that I can just rename it after the wedding and continue writing a blog for the adventures of the Myers family. Well, it's official, my first blog. Let the fun begin!