10/25: Friday faves
Hi friends! Let’s all do the Friday dance!
Or the piƱata dance?
I’m just now getting a chance to get to the computer, since Livi and I had to rush on base early this morning. I had to get some blood work done, and since kids are no longer allowed in the base clinic (so weird), she got to hang out at the squadron with her daddy.
I’m so excited about this upcoming weekend! We have a family wedding, which is guaranteed to be legendary, and it’s my LAST training run before my half marathon. Just typing that raises my heart rate just a little. Fingers crossed the ol’ knee will hang in there and I’ll have a great race next weekend.
Here are some faves from the week:
-The Pilot’s surprise birthday party!
(It’s been a while since the duck face has been seen on here. I guess I thought it was time for a return? I don’t understand, either.)
I booked him a massage after work, and told him maybe we could go out and grab dinner when he got home. When he returned, about 30 family and friends were here waiting for him, eating and drinking sangria. He was definitely surprised š
The spread:
Appetizers
Potato salad (made from Costco by pouring said potato salad into a bowl and sprinkling smoked paprika on top)
Pulled pork ordered from Hog Pit,
a salad with greens, goat cheese, cranberries and pumpkin seeds,
mashed sweet potatoes
(that tasted even better since my little sous chef helped me!)
and the BEST, easiest sangria.
I have another recipe that’s a little more labor-intensive, but this is another gem from my chef uncle. I chopped all the fruit, poured tequila over it, and sprinkled sugar on top. It sat in the fridge overnight, and the next day I added red wine and chilled in the fridge. It was incredible. And watch out for that fruitā¦ yee haw!
Oh, and my uncle also helped me pick out the cake. We went for the strangest one that Costco had in their selection.
(The Pilot was just promoted so it was kind of a birthday/”congrats on making Major” party)
And of course, there was a piƱata shaped like a can of Tecate and a game of “cork on a fork.” <– I wouldn’t even begin to describe the hilarity that ensued.
It was Luna’s first family party! She had a blast playing with her fur cousins and then snoozing on the couch <3
We had an amazing time with everyone, and I definitely soaked up every second since we got our assignment a couple of days ago. I’ll probably post about it next week, as we’re still deciding what we’re going to do, but lots of changes are on the horizon!
Some more faves:
-Livi’s new kitty cat shoes. Whenever I want to make a “fast trip” into Target, the little girls’ section sucks me in. I just can’t help it.
-Paint! I started painting the piano and CAN’T WAIT until it’s finished.
-Dinner brought home by a man in a flight suit š We’re trying to minimize restaurant meals, but when I was staring in the fridge and trying to figure out what to cook the other night, it was very nice to hear “I’ll grab dinner on the way home.”
–10 health myths that won’t die
–This fantastic tap piece to “Cups”
–Unspoken rules of indoor cycling
-And huge thanks to my friends at What To Expect for including my new mom must-haves in a love-it list! Check it out here, if you’d like š
What are you up to this weekend??
Have a very happy Friday!
xo
Gina
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Is there a recipe for the sangria with tequila in it?
i posted it!
Sorry, I don’t see the recipe.
chop the fruit (i used apples, oranges and lemon), pour tequila on top, sprinkle it with sugar and set in the fridge overnight.
the night day, add your red wine and chill in the fridge
there aren’t specific ingredient amounts.. my uncle just said “don’t be shy with the sugar or tequila”
Thanks!! I’m going to try it this weekend!! And happy belated pilot!
I am just watching the World Series this weekend (GO SOX!!) and relaxing on my couch! Perfect weekend!
Just a side note, when are we going to find out about your assignment?! I am dying to know!
we found out already š
oh, when am i going to post it! haha. next week. we need to figure everything out for sure and tell our families what’s going on
Oh ok. I wish you all the best in whatever you decide. COngrats to the pilot on making Major!
I know I’m being nosy….but what is there to figure out? When you get an assignment, doesn’t that mean you move? Maybe you mean you and Liv will stay while Tom travels back and forth? I have limited knowledge of military families (a friend is in the Air Force and had to move to Korea for three years while his family stayed behind). I hope everything works out for your family! You guys seem like such a great couple and Liv is the cutest!
the baby section of Target sucks me in, and I don’t even have children š (the baby bathrobes KILLLL me)
Can’t wait to make the sangria recipe for a cookout. It’s been SO.COLD. in the midwest, hopefully tequila + drunk fruit helps me pull through š
Ground control to Major Tom? I’m sure this has already been done, but I couldn’t help it š
Also, that goat cheese and cranberry salad looks AMAZING!
Oh I’m excited to hear about your new assignment! The birthday you threw your hubby is just so thoughtful! Everything looks amazing. Have a great weekend! š
glad the party went well!
ack! i have an assortment of animal-themed marc by marc jacobs flats like Livi’s! i bet she looks cuter:(
great salad idea! and sangria idea too. it’s nice to see something summery now that the internet has been overcome with pumpkin! š
Tell us more about Cork on a Fork! What is it?!
I was wonder this too. I’ve never heard of cork on a fork. All the party food looks so tasty.
Livi’s shoes are super adorable. Both of those salads look so tasty and wonderful – love colorful salads.
Happy birthday and congrats to “Major Tom” (queue the song!)
Oh, fruit soaked in tequila?! Must try that recipe!!!
And, I love the cuteness of your sous chef with that little pony tail!!!
Nothing better than a man in uniform (especially a flight suit!!) – exactly what my husband wears every day!!
That sangria sounds about perfect right now š And what a cool surprise you gave Tom! Excited to hear about your new life changes next week!
Ground Control to Major Tom…lalalala. Sorry…that song immediately popped into my head when I read this. (I’m sure he’s already tired of that one). But huge congrats on The Pilot’s promotion! Looks like a super fun party and I’m making that Sangria as soon as I can! Yum!
Good luck with the transition and assignment!
What a thoughtful birthday celebration for him! I need to step my game up lol!
This weekend we’re headed to the river and I’ll also be doing my last long run before next weekend’s race- yikes! Good luck with the knee!
Sounds like an amazing birthday! Low-key but full of fun, friends, food, and sangria! My favorite kind of celebration š
Looks like you guys had an awesome celebration!
Which color chalk paint did you get for your piano? I love using Annie sloan paints, but from my experience with the soft wax, especially for pieces as large as a piano, I’ve had much better luck with a polycrylic top coat in lieu of the wax– much easier to use and you won’t get the fingerprints or nicks/small scratches you will from using wax, particularly if the piece is in a high traffic area… Just what I’ve found in my experience, anyway! Hope you have fun! Painting is always such an enjoyable experience I think!
good to know, thank you! so you’ve painted a pain before??? i’m thinking of trying that top coat instead. bummer that i bought the wax already -i special ordered it, so no returns- but can save it for something else
pain = piano
but really, the same thing š
Congrats on orders and promotion! How long is it taking to pin on in the airforce? In the USMC now its about 2 years from major selection to pinning…ugh! My hubs barely missed the board this year, but will be selected next year, and I’m hoping the pinning time frame speeds up! We just did a cross country move to Cali in a training squadron, and it is fabulous….no more 12 hr days, like in the squadron….I asked if he could stay an instructor pilot for the rest of this career, and he said, “I wish…” š
it took a year and a half! i was like, “isn’t there retroactive pay for this?” haha
hope the time frame speeds up for you!
the training squadron here was more intense than we anticipated.. his hours have been similar to ops pace, but thank goodness for no deployments (for now). i guess it’s different everywhere!
hope you have a great weekend <3
Congrats on San Diego! I’m in love with SD, my little one’s autism therapy here is fantastic, Dr. Bob Sears is a PCM and takes Tricare! He is private pay for everybody else….plus the food, from reading your blog, I discovered The Cottage, and Cups….and I’m so addicted! We live at Camp Pendleton, so we arent in La Jolla that often, but we try to make it down there once a month or so!
STOPPPPPP. i am so excited right now- have the worst time finding a PCM, since i don’t usually go to the doc and that just made my night!
so happy you like the cottage and cups, too š
I like the “yeehaw!” in describing the tequila infused fruit. š I can’t imagine how difficult getting a new assignment every year would be. Hang in there! And love Liv’s shoes.
Looks like a fantastic surprise party! All of the food looks delicious — as does that sangria! Yum!
I cannot get over how cute Luna is — makes me itch for another puppy š
Have a great weekend!
I love her kitty shoes š
“I’ll grab dinner on the way home”…. you’ve got a real gem there š That’s always my line! haha
What awesome birthday celebrations! I’m so glad your family was able to celebrate with the Pilot!
Hello,
I’m really wanting to start my own blog. I was wondering what site you used to start it up or if you have a recommendation. Also, do you have any tips at making your blog successful. I love your blog and I’m also a mom. A lot of your posts are really relatable for me! Thanks for your time š
Angela
Happy Birthday Major Pilot!
I need that sangria in my life. And the kitty shoes.
I always love seeing the foods you serve at your gatherings, & I definitely know some people who’d enjoy a sangria made with tequila! Thanks for the food inspiration š
Looks like such a fun birthday celebration!! š
Glad, the party went well!
Thanks for the Sangria recipe!! I can’t wait to try it out. Is there a certain red wine you would suggest? Thanks so much Gina! š
So, I guess The Pilot has really made the grade. (Happy birthday, and thank you for your service!)
I like that you went with a silly cake instead of the typical cake with the rank on it that everyone does around here! So much fun.
Wow! What an awesome birthday gift for the pilot. Congratulations!
that salad looks yum- I love pumpkin seeds!
Congrats to T!!! That’s huge! (I just started working with the military so now I understand a little more about what that means š )
U had bloodwork. Are you feeling ok?
Awe happy birthday again to the pilot!! š What fun, I haven’t even been to a surprise party in years, that looks like a BLAST!!! (Oh btw that cake is so awesome.)
I really enjoy your Friday faves!! They make me pause and take a minute to smile at my own Friday faves. š
The salad looks amazing (the one with goat cheese and pumpkin seeds). We all know costco potato salad is pretty good as well š
And I bet that fruit was potent!
Jay
Yum! I LOVE Sangria and that recipe sounds a lot better then the one I do which is VERY labor intensive! A big happy birthday and congrats to your love, change is good and I am excited to hear the news! Lots of love C
What a wonderful celebration! Happy birthday Pilot! And congrats as well! š I can not wait to see your piano project, Gina!