Kinda sweet picture of me trying make you think I didn't actually take this picture....all while getting some video instead. Sneaky, right? Thanks. Clearly I excel at trickery. But when it comes cooking/baking/creating anything edible, it's a very sad and different story. That doesn't mean a girl can't try! My awesome big sister who is pretty much good at everything was coming home for a visit so I wanted to welcome and impress her with some tasty homemade treats. I had to pick her up from the airport and head straight to Columbia for an early game, so what better choice than yummy blueberry muffns? Important side note: For the record, my favorite kitchen utensil is the multipurpose, always helpful spatula. I happen to have a little family of spatulas, including a pink pig spatula and the beauty pictured here. Black cat, Halloween themed spatula...covered in batter. Heaven. The good news is, these muffins turned out exactly how the recipe on the box intended. I'm sure everyone at the tailgate would have raved about them and showered me with gifts. Unfortunately for them, and fortunately for me, I forgot them on my kitchen counter. Lucky for us, the good people at Hardee's were there with piping hot egg biscuits and hash rounds. If you haven't tried Hardee's breakfast, you should. I've been enlightening people on this subject for years with great success. Converting McDonald's snobs is hard work, but I'm journalist and that's what we do. Always looking out. We made it to Mizzou just as the game was starting and had such a great time. That place is seriously special. This game was extra special because my entire family was there. All four kids, my mom and dad, and even some cute cousins were there. We're a Rau-dy bunch. :-) Someday I'll write about something other than the awesomeness of Mizzou. Maybe. I hope you'll keep reading until then. But for now, Happy Halloween and M-I-Z!
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How cool is that shot?! Too bad it started pouring about four minutes later. Not cool. And then Bama kinda killed us. REALLY not cool.
Let me backtrack for a minute and say that the weekend overall was SO much fun. My bf flew in from LA along with one of my best friends from college, Cate, who is now a tv producer in Sacramento. Her crazy, sports-loving (but not the Cardinals, so BOO) boyfriend drove down from Chicago too, so the hot-mess factor in my apartment was very high. Fall cheer for my apartment! We caravan-ed to Columbia Friday morning and made a stop at KOMU, where we all (minus my bf) used to work/embarrass ourselves on television in college. It was great to see the place again and shed a little real-world wisdom on the current students. Then it was off to the Quad to admire the Columns, and take a quick walk around the world's first and finest school of journalism, before we landed at the nearest bar for some snacks and refreshments. I hate that I don't have more pictures but it was a great time. I felt so spoiled to be surrounded by some of my best friends, both my brothers and my mom, and lots of great people from college. {Side note:} while I was busy mean-mugging a middle-aged man guarding an empty table for TWENTY for his daughter's birthday, as we scrambled for chairs, my mom walked by him on the way to the bar. He immediately called out her name and remembered her from college... 30 years ago!! Just a grown-up frat guy, who met her at a party way back when. Let me say it again...she always has and always will be way more fun than me. Also-- she didn't have a clue who he was. Classic. We even convinced one of our favorite professors to join in the fun. He still tells the best stories and asks the best questions. He is an incredible teacher, a patient sounding board and constant supporter. If you're a J-school student reading this--go to his office and say hello. You won't regret it. Impulse buy!! Anyway-- way too many toasted raviolis and Blue Moons later-- we celebrated a huge Cardinals win (take that, Redeker!!) and headed to the hotel to rest up for a full day of tailgating. Eek! Saturday was very wet, but without a doubt, still wonderful. We finished watching the game at my brother's house, with bowls of chili in hand, then decided it was time to eat again...duh! This time to Addison's for the delicious nachos. Although I think I was so full at that point we didn't even get anything else. I can't remember. All the food made me crazy and amnesic. But I do know I had fun sitting next to this handsome guy... Deciding we had to fit in one last completely unhealthy meal, we hit Waffle House in the morning before it was time for Cate to head back to the airport. We've only actually seen each other twice since college, and I think it's definitely time for that to change. Love you, Kitty. :-) And I still cannot believe we didn't get a picture together! Not okay. It rained most of the way back, until about 10 minutes from our destination, the beautiful Chandler Hill winery. It was perfect weather, until we got out of the car, when it started pouring. Awesome. But the rain cleared out again and we ended up having another fun afternoon with birthday girl Cody and her crew. Her shirt says it all. The bf had to leave early Monday morning, and of course this guy to the left waited until that night to show up ON MY BED. Absolutely terrifying and I almost didn't survive it. Luckily we were skyping as the little devil floated from the ceiling and sat down beside me, so he calmed me down and walked me through the capture operation. Close call, people. I credit the Mizzou glass for saving my life. Thanks to you too, BJ. :-) So that's it. Some much-needed smiles and no shortage of Mizzou cheer, no matter the conference or scoreboard. Thanks for reading... -em
What to do while watching the debate.........better start blogging! Unfortunately I am not one of the cool kids out there participating in a drinking game right now. My sixth day in a row of work tomorrow is threatening to kick my butt as it is, so I had to tell myself to sit down somewhere and have a popsicle. This week marks three months at the new job! So this is about to be my attempt at a recap. <-- this was one of the first few weeks at work and my first time ever in the chopper! SO cool. (I took the b & w pic from the air!) Quite possibly the best part of working in television news: no, not the chopper. More like the fact that sometimes bakery owners feel sorry for you and give you sugary treats...
Another really great part of being close to home has been all the family time. Here's a shot of my grandma and older brother doing what they always do-- Grandma using her iPad and Adam getting ready to eat. Okay, one of those things is not true. I'll let you decide which one. (HINT: Look at that hand! It's frozen in the fork-holding position!!) Also, a bonus for you faithful readers-- I think that's a legitimate mullet sitting at the bar. You're welcome. Onto one of my favorite topics of the last six months....weddings! But not mine. (Whew.) Thanks to my dear friend Cody, I've been spending way more time than I care to admit thinking about color palettes, alencon lace and reception venues. Fortunately I've loved every minute of it and I'm so excited for their special day in June. We haven't found "the dress" yet but there some great potentials out there, and the search has been so fun. Even more fun-- spending time with Cody's current and future family. I think the world of her fiance, and his family and friends are a fabulous bonus that I have totally taken advantage of. :-) Click HERE for a wonderful piece, written by her future stepmom-in-law, Ellen. More proof that their wedding will be as unique and fun as they are. It's been a crazy three months that I never could have imagined this time last year. I owe a HUGE thanks to all who've been so supportive. It's taken me some time to adjust to all the changes and I'm grateful for every ounce of patience and love from the people around me. Thanks for reading! - em
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