Alabama + Graffiti

Has it been a week for anyone else out there?  It certainly has been one in this household – and my hair girl even rescheduled my appointment from tonight to next week, because it’s just been a week.  I’ve had some struggles at work, and Sheff has had some struggles at school, and man, am I glad it’s Friday.

I downloaded a new photo editing app this week, because I’m a sucker for editing photos and also if a blogger/influencer I like/trust vouches for it (and they always have the most beautiful photos), then I’m in.  I have used Pic Tap Go for a few years, and while I love it, I was in the market for something new. So, enter Pink Papaya. It does cost $2.99 a month, but I feel like I’ll get the use out of it.  And any small thing that brings joy nowadays, I’m on board for.

I went into the office on Monday of this week  – you know, social interaction outside of the house.  But I decided to treat myself to a non-packed lunch, and went over to the Pizitz food hall.  I got a poke bowl from Ono Poke – and man those things are so good when you haven’t had them in forever.  I always get the spicy tuna crunch bowl (add avocado – always) over greens so the rice doesn’t fill me up.  Then headed over to Birmingham Candy company to pick up some sweets.  And y’all they had a lemon meringue fudge that was honestly the best fudge I’ve ever eaten.  But really – all of their stuff is delicious.

January 6th was Twelfth Night- which normally kicks off the start to Mardi Gras.  Mardi Gras is going to look way different than it has in years past, since all of the parades have been cancelled, but you can’t take the Mardi Gras out of this girl!  I stocked up on Mardi Gras things from Fleurty Girl :  a sequin coat that I’ve had my eye on for a few years, a new Mardi Gras headband, and a candle to help me remember that glorious smell of the parade route.  It’s infused with fried chicken and king cake – and it just reminds me of a Fat Tuesday morning waiting on Rex to roll.  We will definitely miss all the fun of the parades, but will celebrate in our own way the best we are able.

Looking forward to a low-key kind of weekend:  Packers play tomorrow night in the playoffs, so hoping for a giant win!  And we’ve got Sheff’s basketball game on Sunday – also hoping for a giant win so they can be 3-0!  Here’s to hoping you have a fantastic and restful weekend as well!  Cheers!

This year, we decided to sign Sheff up for basketball.  He really enjoyed gymnastics when we had him in that – but that came to an abrupt halt due to Covid.  Luckily the city we live in decided to go ahead with basketball this season, but in a smaller capacity.  There are only 24 kids enrolled this year, for a total of four teams with six kids.

On the third, he had his first game.  I was definitely way more nervous than he was – there are a few better kids on his team, some that are six year olds in kindergarten, so are a bit bigger, and some that have played before this season.  Unfortunately, they are really good, and they get the ball more often than not.  But Sheff’s big strength is defense – he sure does hustle for those rebounds.  He got three in his very first game, and one in the last game.

It was so fun to see how the game started to become clearer to the less experienced players during the games.  I will say that my anxiety spikes super high watching him play – and while he’s not the best player on the team, he is having a great time and is learning how to be a teammate.  I don’t know if he’ll want to continue to play next year, or if this is a one and done season.  We’ll let him decide that.

Right now – they’re 2-0, with four more games left to play.  And since there are only four teams, everyone makes it to the playoffs!!  We’re hoping for a championship run, but we’ll see!

Go Celtics!

(linking up with Steph and Jana)

The End of Her – Shari Lapena // I was on a Lapena kick toward the beginning of December- what can I say, I really love the way she writes.  She can get me invested in a book within twenty pages, and that’s what keeps me coming back.  I loved the strong mom Stephanie in this book – she was a badass.  But I also love an evil woman sometimes, and Erica served that up perfectly.  A good thriller/suspense type book if those are your jam!

One by One – Ruth Ware // It’s ok to read books about murder and stuff during Christmas, right?  This one took me a bit to get into – and some of the characters I got mixed up really easily.  But the book goes back and forth between a chalet hostess that is hosting a company “retreat,” with a company named Snoop – and another girl who is part of the Snoop clan.  It took me quite a bit to get into it, but about a quarter into it, I couldn’t put it down.  If you’re normally a fan of hers, you’ll like this one!

Midnight Library – Matt Haig // I saw this book on the last SUYB (but can’t remember who!), and absolutely loved the premise, so I picked it up, and WHOA.  I think this is definitely one of my most favorites I read in 2020.  A girl gets stuck in a kind of purgatory in a library where the bookshelves are filled with every path her life could have taken had she made a single different choice.  So interesting, and I absolutely loved the ending.

You Are Not Alone – Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen // I loved the last book I read by these authors, so when I saw this one was available, I jumped straight on it.  It was such a good mystery/suspense story – and included a twist in the end that I never even saw coming.

the family next door – Sally Hepworth // This is the second book of hers that I read, and man can she just get you into a story.  Another book on never knowing what is going on behind closed doors of a perfectly manicured suburban neighborhood.  This one also came with a really good twist at the end!

When No One is Watching – Alyssa Cole // MAN, Nadine did not steer me wrong with this book!  She told me it started out really slow, and to just stick with it, because it’s worth it, and in the end, totally right.  A thriller based on gentrification in Brooklyn – and what some people would do to make a neighborhood just how they want it.  So so good.

Holy shit- did we really make it to Friday?  Does anyone else feel like a year’s worth of shit was piled into one week?  Oy – but alas, here we are, and we have survived another week.  And y’all, I had two days off this week.  Long story – but I was supposed to have off this whole week, and already had plans for both of those days, and it still felt like a whole year.  I am still rocking my Mimosa-saurus mug from my lovely bestie, Nadine,  and my bomb ass Asian food notebook to take whatever random notes pop into my head during the day.  It’s the small things, really, that are helping me get through.

Monday was my birthday – I turned 37.  I am on a very evident slide into 40 – it’s cool.  It’s fine.  I did get a wonderful surprise from Sheffield on Monday – he had told his PE teacher that it was my birthday, and Sheff told him my favorite color was pink – and so he brought me a pink balloon.  It definitely made my day.

Sheff had a virtual show-and-tell on Wednesday.  Most of his e-schooling is all done on computer programs, so very rarely does he get to see his classmates or his teacher.  That smile that you see on his face did not leave it the whole time.  Luckily, I think that they are going to continue doing these for as long as we’ve got the e-learning going.

The amount of joy I got from this tiny little moment far outweighed any junk that was floating around in my mind.  He’s 5 1/2 years old, and any time that he gets in a snooze on mama – well, hot damn, I’ll take it.  Just look at those long lashes and messy hair.

We can all agree that the shit-show that went down on Wednesday was insane – Just when we thought the world literally couldn’t get any crazier – well, people went and proved us wrong.  My friend, Rachel, posted this on her Instagram, and I thought it was the best.

I hope you guys got through the week as best you know how – looking forward to a lazy weekend with my butt on the couch, and Sheff’s basketball game on Sunday.  Hope you have a good one!

Nadine would probably be one of the first people to be like, WTF Laura?  A Brussel Sprouts recipe?!?  So yes, I normally loathe Brussels sprouts, but hear me out.  You add bacon, maple syrup and a splash of bourbon – ya girl is in.  These are delicious and oh so easy – my mom and I made them for Thanksgiving, and I made them solo for Christmas dinner.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• 1 1/2 pound brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved.
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 4 ( or 5 or 6) strips of bacon, diced.
• 2 oz bourbon
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• Additional salt and pepper for taste.

WHAT YOU DO:

• Fill a large pot with enough water to fully submerge the sprouts and place over high heat.  Bring to boil and add tbsp of salt.
• While the water is coming to a boil, trim the ends of the brussels.  Trim the ends, and peel the tough outer layer of leaves.  Slice them in half lengthwise.  Put the brussels in the boiling water and blanch 4-5 minutes until tender.  Strain, then run under cold water to stop them for cooking.  Set aside to air dry.
• Heat a skillet over high heat- add the bacon and cook until crispy ~ 7-8 minutes.  Add the brussels to the pan.  Sear over high heat until the sprouts are crisp.
• Add the bourbon to the pan  – continue cooking until the bourbon has evaporated.  Add the maple syrup and cook until slightly thickened.  Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve immediately.

Y’all these were so good- and just as good heated up as leftovers.  I guess you can call me a fan of Brussel sprouts now – but only if there’s bacon.