We're out of town....what are you do checking here?

I really have so much fun posting all these stupid photos while we are gone.

If you really are interested in seeing a real photo of where we are and what we are doing.....check our Facebook page.

In the meantime......you can imagine that this is us and what we are experiencing right now!

We'll see you next week!

Is everyone as crazy as us?

Seriously, we do not like cold weather. 

Why on earth are we going somewhere where the forecast is like this?

And another thing.....does it take everyone as long as it takes me to pack.  I seriously STRESS about packing major big time every time we go on a trip.  I lay every day of clothing out and go over and over and over in my head to make sure I have everything I need.  My wonderful husband always has to remind me that we're not travelling to some remote part of the world.  If we need something.....there's probably a store nearby where we can buy it.

 

I hate to forget something.

 

Oh and another thing.......we are going to have to get up at 2:30 tomorrow morning to catch our 5:00am flight.  What the heck were we thinking when we booked that early morning flight?  Oh yeah.....we were thinking what a cheap flight that was :-)

 

Watch for our photos of our exciting trip to Columbus, Ohio.

 

Oh by the way.....we're really kind of excited to go there and experience the weather.  It's something new and different and you know what thrill seekers we are!

 

Sampling new stuff again

Tried something new last night for dinner.  I took a pictorial tutorial along the way, just in case it was good and delicious and would want it again. 

Follow along as I make Mexican Sour Cream Rice:

First I had to boil a cup of rice in Chicken Broth.  I opted to use 1/2 of brown rice and a 1/2 cup white rice to make it a little healthier.  However, I've mixed the rice before and I never tell the difference between them.....so I think I'm just going to switch over to brown rice permanently.

 

Assemble all your ingredients: Monterrey Jack Cheese, Green Chiles, Cilantro, Sour Cream, Black Beans and Corn.  Also we threw in a couple of dashes of Emeril's.

 

Throw this creamy cluster of yumminess in a baking dish and throw some shredded cheese on top

Here's what it looked like piping hot from the oven

 

We served it up with some avocado slices on top and I whipped up a batch of jalapeno cornbread.

Our recommendations:  it was really good, although it would be even better if it was wrapped up in a tortilla or throw some chicken in it.  While we liked it and it tasted really good, we're not sure if it's something we'll want to make again.

Tale of the Travel Bags

A couple of years ago we had to replace our travel bag.  I wrote a big blog about it (you know how boring I can be sometimes).  Anyways, I loved that travel bag, but after carrying it around the last 2 years......it was starting to show some wear.  Here it is....you can probably see the tearing in it.

I can't tell you how important a travel bag is to us.  I don't carry a purse so it contains all the important stuff we need for our trip: Kindles, candy, medicine, Ipods, paper, pens, and all our other important travel documents.

Since we have a trip pending on our agenda....it was time for a new travel bag.  I headed out to Walmart yesterday and there was several options available.  I came home with this nice leather bag, but I really didn't feel much love for it.

Today, we went to The Container Store just to spend a little down time and walk up and down the aisles and all of a sudden the heavens opened and the angels started singing.  I found the PERFECT travel bag.

So now, I am returning the bag from Walmart.  The new bag is full of little pockets and compartments, durable and sturdy, and very cute.......love it!

Okay.....I know it's probably not that exciting to you......but it's really a big deal for us....so just play along OK?

Not feeling it today

After all the stuff that happened last night......I'm not feeling it today.

I don't want this post to turn into a rant about thugs, and how this city is being taken over by thugs, and how I just want to go and get them all.

Instead it should be about how thankful we are that no one was injured in the robbery last night.  Talk about what an awesome job our staff did keeping their heads cool and how great they handled things.

The money can always be replaced......but can our sense of security?

Something needs to be done about all this crime.

I love souvenirs

We like to pick up a thing or two when we're traveling to remind us of our wonderful adventure.

This time it wasn't my trip, but I still requested a souvenir.

My brother-in-law travelled to Russia recently and I asked him to bring me back something authentic from that region.

Here's what he brought me:

A teapot from Russia!

 

It separates into 3 parts:  the cup, the steeper, and a lid to keep your tea warm in the pot while you drink it.  Although I'm not a tea drinker, my husband is.  Last night he used it and it worked wonderfully.  I'm more into the cuteness of the whole thing.

Not only is it a wonderful souvenir from Russia, he just happened to be visiting Sochi, Russia and the teapot says Sochi on it along with Olympic rings.  I guess I got a souvenir teapot from the Olympics now.

Love the teapot........thank you Larry!

And the city we are going to is...........

I guess I'm ready to do the final reveal.  It's too hard to find exciting hints of this fabulous city.

Did you guess it?  Yes.....we are going to Columbus, Ohio.

We actually made plans 3 years ago to go to the National Pizza and Ice Cream Show, but at the last minute decided to go to New Orleans instead.....that was a good decision.

One of our reasons for not attending this one was because it's Ohio and it's in the middle of winter.  We really aren't cold weather people.  But after braving New York City and Washington, DC -- we've found that the weather kind of adds a little fun element to the trip.

But I think Columbus is going to be different.  We've decided not to rent a car because we don't want to have to drive in nasty snowy weather.  We found a hotel downtown right across the street from the convention center.  Even better, the hotel has free airport shuttle -- so they can come pick us up and drop us off at the airport.

There are plenty of bars and restaurants near the hotel -- so walking around a little will do us good.

We'll have two days of pizza, pizza, pizza, and ice cream!  Actually, with the "proposed" expansion of our first location, Paul had been thinking of adding an ice cream shop......so we can investigate the opportunities at the show.

One thing we are NOT messing with this pizza show is competing in the best pizza making.  That burden adds just a HUGE pain in the butt trying to package and transport your food.  This time....none of that.  Just planning on attending seminars and putting a little spark back into us about running our business and walking the show floors looking at all the new pizza products there are.

Plus getting to spend 4 days alone with no one but me and the husband.  Ahhhhh.......maybe this will turn out to be a really great trip after all.