Thursday, October 17, 2013

Lesson Number Ten.

I haven't given you guys a lesson update in a while! Things are going great and I have had some very productive lessons since my last recap. This Wednesday I had my tenth lesson since I've been back riding. We jumped a lot more and really worked hard!
 
My trainer, Mandi took some pictures and videos for me so I can see my progress, what I'm doing right and wrong and compare to my first lesson with her in March.
I feel like we are coming along strong and Beau and I are really getting in tune with each other. I still have a lot of things to fix, like my elbows being out and releasing more with my hands in my two point (the position I'm in while going over a fence). I am however, very pleased with my leg position on the flat and over fences. I feel like my legs are really getting strong and back to where I was when I was riding all the time.
 
In addition to my lessons, I also ride four more times a month on my lease days. Those days I usually do a lot of flat work and then some jumping. As our flat work gets better, I'll start working on our jumping more during my lease days.
Our first competition is going to be at the end of January. It's just a small local show to get me back into the swing of competing and see where I am at. I am so excited to get back in the show ring!

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Sweet and Sour Meatballs.

While I was at work today, Nick called and wanted me to make a few finger foods for the Tigers game tonight. I opted for a couple of easy things... these cucumber bagels and some sweet and sour meatballs. These meatballs are yet another recipe I got from my wonderful mother-in-law and they are so delicious I just had to share them with you!
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
2 lb frozen meatballs
20 oz. can crushed pineapple
6 tbs brown sugar
10 tbs teriyaki sauce
2 tbs cider vinegar
4 tbs ketchup
 
Put brown sugar, teriyaki, vinegar, ketchup and juice from he crushed pineapple in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, then simmer 10 minutes. Place the meatballs and crushed pineapple in the crock pot and set to medium heat. Once the sauce is ready, pour over meatballs and let them cook for about an hour or until warmed through; stir occasionally.

The great thing about these meatballs is that once they're ready, you can leave them in the crock pot (on warm) and munch on them all night. I hope you enjoy them!

Now it's time for me to get ready to cheer on our boys in game 5 against the A's!
GO TIGERS!!

Friday, October 4, 2013

Easy Salsa.

I got this salsa recipe from my Mother in Law a few years ago and just love it! It is definitely a staple in our house when we have company or just want something to munch on while watching a football game.
 
What I love most about this salsa (besides how delicious it is) is that it's very simple and inexpensive to make. We usually eat it with multi-grain scoops.
Easy Salsa
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can Rol-Tel tomatoes
1 can fiesta corn
1 small bottle of Italian dressing
Tortilla chips
 
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and you're done! You can chill or serve it at room temperature. It's good either way!
I hope you all enjoy it as much as we do!


Thursday, October 3, 2013

TBT - Lions at Tampa

You guys may not have noticed but Nick and I are huge Detroit/Michigan sports fans! ;) I never watched a ton of sports when I was younger, except for the Dallas Cowboys (my Mom's favorite team). So I knew the basics of football, nothing about basketball and thought baseball and hockey were boring.

When I met Nick, he introduced me to all of these sports. First he threw in a movie about the 1989 and 1990 Pistons Championships with the Bad Boys and then we watched another one about the 2004 Championship team! Needless to say, I immediately fell in love with the Pistons and the way they played ball. 

The Pistons were my first introduction into what Detroit sports are about; the city and the pride of the people that live there. Detroit sports teams really bring the city together in a way that I had never experienced before! From that night, after learning about the Pistons, I was hooked and wanted to learn so much more about baseball, hockey and football.

Fast forward to today, I've watched and attended more sporting events than I can count and actually understand the rules and what is going on in the games. I am so happy that it was so natural for me to have a love of sports because it has become our "thing". Going to games and cheering on our teams is definitely a favorite pastime and I can't wait until we live in Michigan and finally get to go to Ford Field and The Joe! 

So, with all that said, I'd like to share my first Lions game with you! Nick and I were lucky enough to get tickets from a friend of my Mom, so we had great seats and access at the club level!
The game was in December 2010 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was chilly out but I had to wear my new Calvin Johnson jersey! Seeing an NFL game live was a lot of fun and I never thought I would have the opportunity to do it!
We enjoyed the game and the food/drinks inside the warm club level and the best part was that the Lions won by three points in overtime! I would definitely recommend going to an NFL game if you ever get the chance, it truly is a fun experience!

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

One Year Anniversary.

Nick and I celebrated our one year anniversary a week early by going down to Miami for a long weekend. Once I got out of work on Thursday, we got the rental car, packed our bags and were on our way! The drive was about 3.5 hours; we listened to music and took in the sites.
We made reservations at the Aloft Miami-Brickell that is located in downtown Miami.
From our balcony we had views of Marlins Park, city buildings and a little piece of the ocean.
Our first night was spent simply enjoying each others company, sipping on yummy drinks and talking into the wee hours of the morning. It was quite special to hang out and talk about the past and our hopeful future. We got up bright and early the next morning and drove to Ocean Drive for breakfast. As we walked by one place, we were offered free mimosa's...so we ate delicious omelets there(the Cardozo Hotel).
We walked over to the beach afterwards but did not have on proper attire (plus it was steaming hot and muggy!) so we lasted about 30 seconds and this is the only picture I got...
We've seen the ocean before so it really wasn't a big deal to spend time there. ;)
 
That night was game one of the Detroit Tigers last regular season series and of course we had tickets! We watched the Tiger's during batting practice and also were lucky enough to get Torii Hunter and Anibal Sanchez's signatures!
Saturday was pretty much spent a lot like Friday, except with maybe a little more lounging around in the morning! During Saturday nights game we got Matt Tuiasosopo's signature and he was so kind to take a picture with me! It was pretty cool! At this point we have gotten 23 different Tigers players signatures on baseballs and pictures with Prince Fielder, Tom Brookens (Coach) and Matt Tuiasosopo!
We headed home on Sunday morning to relax and recoup from a weekend of late nights and early mornings.
 
It was so great for Nick and I to get to spend quality time together celebrating our first year of marriage. This Sunday is our official anniversary and we plan on taking it easy, watching the Lions and digging into our wedding cake(hoping it's still just as delicious as it was on our wedding day!)
 
 Here's to a wonderful year of marriage and many more to come!