This and that

Tonight I am going to a girls movie night at a friends house--I made some healthy treats to take with--carrots, celery dip and oranges and kewi. I should have taken a picture before I wrapped them all up!


I had so many orange peels left over after prepping the snacks so I put them in some boiling water and added some cinnamon and the house smells GREAT! I remember my mom doing this stove top popourri around the holidays. Cinnamon sticks and orange slices (with the fruit) work the best, but I just used the peels tonight and it was really fragrant--give it a try!


Hobby Lobby has these cute craft light blubs for $1.47. I like to fill them with paper clips and give them to co-workers or students to say "thanks for your great IDEAS"! I got this for one of my students to thank her for all of her good ideas with the student group I advise.


Well, I'm off to girls movie night-hope we are watching something good!

Yum--Pumpkin Dump Cake

I got this receipe from a co-worker today--looks delish! I am going to have to try this it looks simple and yummy!

Pumpkin Dump Cake

1 29 ounce can pure pumpkin
1 12 ounce can evaporated milk
3 Eggs
1 Cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1 box yellow cake mix
1 cup chopped pecans
¾ cup melted margarine

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix first six ingredients until well blended, and pour batter into a 9-x 13 inch greased pan. Sprinkle cake mix on top, and then cover with pecans. Pour melted margarine over top. Bake 50 minutes.

Can be topped with whipped cream before serving.

Christmas goodies

Last night I wrapped up some Christmas presents for my sister Angie and her family since we are traveling to St. Louis over Thanksgiving to see them! We are also excited to see my mom, dad and Ryan's family too--it will be a GREAT time!


Here is a cute bag my sister got me for my birthday--perfect for presents!

Saturday night

Last night after the Cohenours took a nap to rest up after the game--we went to dinner at one of our favorite places--Blackstone.




We then made a stop by the mall for some Christmas shopping.


And of course, Ryan's favorite--Best Buy!

Game day

We have two visitors this weekend--Ryan's mom and dad (Larry & Linda)! They came up from IL this weekend to go to the Iowa game with Ryan and visit with us! We are always glad to see them!

This is a tell tale sign of game day--lots of people and lots of black and gold!!


Iowa vs. Northwestern--we are hoping for win #10 of the season today!


Ryan's mom made us gingerbread men--they were GREAT!


Ryan and his dad before the game this morning relaxing.


The Cohenours!!


Me & Linda--isn't her new hat cute!


Ryan and his mom!

EIU

Sunday Ryan and I traveled to EIU for a board meeting at the Christian Campus House. It was a long day, but well worth it--9 hours of driving in one day, we were so tired last night when we got home at 11:30 pm! We were glad we were able to have lunch with my dad and Vicki at Monical's (I forgot to take photos). Thanks Dad for meeting us!!

Here is a picture of the IL welcome center--look who was there to greet us--Honest Abe!


I love going back to EIU--there are beautiful buildings--here is Old Main!


This picture is for my sister (Brock & Ava)--Lawson & Andrews Hall--where she met her husband! Not the best picture--I took it as I quickly drove by. We were late for the meeting!


Here is a picture of Ryan at his first board meeting!


On the way home we ate at Cracker Barrel! Love that place!

Thankful

I've been sick for a week--but finally feeling better! The student group I advise hosts a dinner each month to recognize student leaders and staff members. This month I was thankful to be a part of receiving two of the awards with groups!

This is a picture of our Saturdays in Service team--a group of staff members who plan community service events for students to be engaged in. Our team also won the regional award!


The student coordinator of the group (Nichole) nominated me and my fellow advisor (Ryan) and me for advisor of the month. Ryan won for August and I won for September. She was too kind to think of us!


This was the menu--it was amazing!


The the desert! The students loved this! Me too!!