The Pioneer Woman Cooks

I want to apologize for being a slacker blogger and not writing sooner. I could give you excuses but who wants to hear those? Anyhoo, on to the good stuff...

My PW partner in crime Allison and I met up at 50 Penn Place Full Circle Books to see The Pioneer Woman and more importantly buy her book and get it autographed. We got there about 5:00 PM, PW wasn't going to start signing books till about 6:30. We were right outside the door and not too far back considering. We chatted and bonded with fellow PW followers and when 6:30 came out the line was all the way to the other side of the large mall and curving along one of the back hallways. Thank goodness we got there early! The adorable girls of Marlboro man and Pioneer woman came out and greeted the crowd- took some pics and even signed some books (I got mine signed-they were so sweet)! It was great seeing the whole fam there even her sister Betsy her cute nephew were there!

While waiting in line I ran into my good friend Kym's mom Pam, who is a fellow blog friend had me grab a book to get signed for Kym...what a sweet mom!

Time passed and we finally made it up to the front of the line! She was so sweet and told Allison and I we looked familiar- we told her we were at the Rodeo- I didn't mentioned I stalked her in the bathroom, ha! She also said we were adorable and that she felt like she knew us in a past life- like we could have been her kids in a past life. HOW SWEET IS THAT??? I really loved that she took time to talk to everyone and sign a message on their book. It was very time consuming but so worth it in the end!

I'm excited to read her cookbook and try out these awesome recipes! Everything in there has step by step pictures and detailed instructions. Plus, nothing looks impossible to cook!

Go pick yourself up a copy or order one online- The Pioneer Woman Cooks!

Couch to 5k

Last night I started a new workout program called couch to 5k. I recently heard about it from one of my besties Morgan. This program trains you to be able to run a 5k in 9 weeks. I downloaded the application on my iphone and it tells you what to do on the treadmill while listening to music at the same time. The first week you do a brisk five minute warm up walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of twenty minutes. Then a five minute cool down walk. Your iphone/ipod cues you when to walk or jog and counts down how long you have left. Week 2 is a five minute warm up walk then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking then a five minute cool down. Week 3 is 5 minute warm up then do two repetitions of the following: jog 90 seconds walk 90 seconds jog 3 minutes walk 3 minutes then cool down for 5 minutes. As you can see the jogging gets longer throughout the weeks to build the stamina to jog for 30 minutes which is equivalent to a 5k. I'm pretty excited and will keep you updated on my progress. Fall has arrived in full force! I'm excited for pumpkins, leaves changing, hot drinks from Starbucks, and Halloween!

"When autumn comes it doesn't ask it just walks in where it left you last, you never know when it starts 'til there's fog inside the glass of your summer heart"- john mayer

Cell Phones

Sorry I've been a slacker blogger this week. Its been a crazy week at work then to come home and crash.

So today I forgot my cell phone...left it at home. Had to go the whole day without it and then went out for happy hour with no phone. Do you understand how hard it is not to have my cell phone on me. I felt like I lost a limb. I know that sounds horrible, but seriously I felt lost without it. What if someone called? What if someone texted me? I needed to make a few personal phone calls today and couldn't! The one day I actually have exciting news and need to use my cell phone...I can't. Sad day. Okay, so I'm being a little dramatic, but it's what I do- just ask my mom.

Win

This SmartCar was parked in our lot yesterday. Okay, we get it....you're a tiny car! Show off...

SmartCar: 1

Parkinglot: 0

New Baby

My parents got a new baby this past week- Meet Juno! She is 4 months old and only weighs about 2 pounds. We think she is a shih tzu mix. She is looking like a hot mess in this picture, but not to worry she got groomed yesterday. They have their hands full with four dogs now!

Hope you all have a wonderful labor day weekend! BOOMER SOONER! :)

Dreams Do Come True

Well, I guess it's about time to spill the beans. I met THE Pioneer Woman on Friday night. Allison and I walked into the State Fair Arena and like a beacon of light there she was. We decided to screw the general admission seats and sit in the reserves right behind her. Allison's husband came with us and poor soul had to put up with us oohing and goohing over her..."oh she's taking a picture" "look she's tweeting". We even got to see the punks aka her kids and Marlboro man in the flesh! I must admit he is a good lookin cowboy! I knew the pioneer and I could instantly be bff's when I glanced and saw her take a sip out of her budlight bottle. About halfway through the rodeo I saw her get up and head out of the stadium. I looked at Allison and said "I'm gonna go say hi and meet her" and that's exactly what I did. Do I have any shame? Nope. Followed her straight to the ballroom where she was standing in front of the door with her kids. I politely asked "Excuse me, are you the pioneer woman?" and in a calm sweet voice she answered back "why, yes" We chit chatted for a minuted then went into the bathroom to do our business. Then came out of the stalls and washed our hands next to each other. I told her how I've been trying to win a mixer...hint hint pick Linzy. ha! :) She told me it was nice meeting me and went on her merry way.

I facebooked, texted, tweeted that I had just met THE PIONEER WOMAN. The whole world of Linzy knew 5 seconds after it happened. God bless the iphone.

Not sure what happened the rest of the rodeo I was floating on cloud 9

PS Yes she really is that pretty in person. Girl has great hair!

Success

I went and had a fabulous weekend getaway to Dallas. Mom and I were totally impressed by North Park Mall. Absolutely fabulous stores and a million to choose from! After North park we headed over to Highland Park Village to finish up our shopping. It was nice getting away from the crowds at North Park and be able to really look at the clothes at Anthroplogie. Here's what I bought. Extremely happy with my purchases...and all three were on sale! Go Me! You don't have to shop at fabulous stores and break the bank. Eventually it will go on sale. If a store runs out of it try looking for it on Amazon or google. Why pay full price? This girl is on a budget!

Can you tell I like yellow?

Saddle Up!

I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty excited about the adventure that lies ahead tonight. The one and only Ree Drummond aka The Pioneer Woman will be at the 25th annual Cattleman's Association Range Round Up tonight and tomorrow night at the State Fair Arena. Her family Ranch will be participating in the Rodeo and I'm hoping to get a glance and her and Marlboro man! My friend and wing man Allison will be going with and I'm hoping we get the chance to meet her. Maybe I'll even meet a cowboy!

Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster or you can buy tickets at the event which starts at 7:30 PM August 28th and 29th! Portions of the proceeds benefit Children's Miracle Network.

Where are my cowboy boots when I need them??

The Mother ship

This weekend I'm taking a well deserved road trip to Dallas with my Mama. I will be heading back to the mother ship, also known as Anthropologie. Several years ago I visited two dear high school friends in Washington D.C. We decided to head to Georgetown and do a little shopping. They are boys so needless to say they went their way and I went mine. I stumbled upon a little store named Anthropologie. It was love at first sight. Okay, maybe lust at first sight. That was the day my fashion sense matured and I became a woman, ha! I bought a few things and since then every time I make a trip to a big city I make a stop in to the mother ship. NYC...check, Chicago...check, Kansas City...check, Dallas...check (make that a double check once this weekend comes around). I haven't been to Anthropologie with Mama so she is going to see me in rare form. Besides hitting up the shop we are seeing family and watching Mama Mia. Dad is going to meet up with us Sunday and get some pool time in with family friends then hit up McGeehee's Catfish on the way home.

Anthroplogie, Mama Mia, and Catfish- the parents know a way to a girls heart :)

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes

Just one peek at J. Crews shoe collection and I'm in trouble. Good thing they don't sell shoes here at their OKC location. Here are a few of my fav's off their website. It doesn't hurt to look right?

Charlie Ruffled Suede Platform Mary Jane's $228

Classic, simple, chic and you can never go wrong with a pair of Mary Jane's. Respect the Mary Jane. Heck I may even name my first born Mary Jane because it will be a proven fact she'll be fabulous

Montebello Printed Calf hair Driving Mocs $268

I Love these. I love, love, LOVE. I have two pair of Kenzie mocs and they are staples in my fall wardrobe

Molly Satin Platform Peep Toes $250

I have a pair extremely similar to these from target. They are black peep toes with a gray heel and bow...perfection. You can dress this up for a night out or throw them on to wear to work with great trousers.

Jemma Jeweled Suede Platform Slingbacks $325

I'm loving the gray. I have a pair of gray nine west wedges and they can be worn with just about anything. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that gray just may be the new black.

Till next time...

Linzy

My kind of camping

As most of you know I'm not the camping type. A million years ago when I was a kid my parents and I went camping at lake Murray- we did the whole tent, sleep outside, cook with fire type of thing. We were sound a sleep in our tents when the Oklahoma weather began a brewin and we had to relocate to the car in fear of getting swept up by a tornado...true story. So, that ended that and haven't been camping since.

However, check out these pictures - this is my kind of camping. I came across these at Belle Maison- its Les Ormes campground in France! I could totally do this kind of camping!

Julie & Julia

This weekend I went and watched Julie & Julia with my good friend Allison over at Allioppe. We loved it! It stars Meryl Streep as Julia Child - she and her husband move to France and in order to occupy her time she enrolls in cooks classes at Le Cordon Bleu. She loves to cook and loves to eat even more! After graduating cooking school she begins her journey on writing a cook book and even more time tying to get it published. Stanley Tucci plays her husband and you can't help but fall in love with the adorable and hilarious couple! Intertwined in this plot in the story of Julie played by Amy Adams, a lowly cubicle worker who wanted to find herself and did so by cooking her way through Julia Child's cookbook. Her story shows her quest to complete the task of cooking 524 recipes in 356 days while writing all about the journey in her blog. I don't want to give too much away, but encourage you all to go see it!

Tracy Porter dishes

Yesterday The Pioneer Woman aka Ree Drummond gave away 8 place settings of these dishes. Unfortunately I didn't win :( I will one day! I really want to win a mixer. She gives one out about 3 or 4 times a month. One day, One day.

Anyway back to the dishes. They are called "Vivre" by Tracy Porter. You can check out other fabulous dishes and other super cute items on her website.

Don't say I didn't warn you. Her stuff is seriously so stinking cute!

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend and don't do anything I wouldn't do :)

-Linzy

Late Night Addiction

So, I have a little bit of a tv addiction. I can not get enough of house hunters hosted by Suzanne Whang. Its at various times on HGTV and I usually catch the 12am episode right before bed every night. "House Hunters takes viewers behind the scenes as individuals, couples and families learn what to look for and decide whether or not a home is meant for them. Focusing on the emotional experience of finding and purchasing a new home, each episode shows the process as buyers search for a home." In Linzy terms: a potential buyer and real estate agent look at three different homes and then the potential buyer picks one. I'm not sure if it's the fact that I love guessing which house they are going to buy due to my competitive self or the fact that nothing else is one tv. Yes, I lay in bed and see if I can guess the correct house, don't judge me. I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty good at figuring out which house they are going to pick. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say I'm usually 75% right.  And why yes I am watching it at this very moment, again don't judge me. 

Oh and not even get me started on house hunters international that's a whole other addiction.

Dating

After a recent conversation on friday night with my good friend Mary Jo over at http://52infiftytwo.blogspot.com/ this quote from Sex and the City stuck with me this weekend. This whole dating thing is hard!

"I'm nice. I'm pretty, and smart! I'm a catch! I've been dating since I was fifteen! I'm exhausted! Where is he?!?"

I don't work well with mice

WANTED

Have you seen this mouse?!

Last seen: first cubicle from the door Wednesday July 29th

Reward if found and caught: Sonic Drink

The Oklahoma City Zoo

Early Sunday morning I headed to the Oklahoma City zoo with my parents and three close family friends. We got to the zoo right before it opened to avoid the crowd and the heat. Luckily a cool front came through and the high for the day was to only be 90, ha! We hoped on the tram and began seeing loads of animals. It was pleasant and cool for a June morning so the animals were all active and out where we could see them. We got off the tram and walked through the dinosaur exhibit. It was cool seeing fossils from millions of years ago and huge life size dinosaurs.

We then headed through the great escape seeing gorillas, orangutans, and chimpanzees. Next the temps began to rise as we headed through the Oklahoma Trails. I enjoyed seeing the bears. They looked like they had both just taken a dip in the water. We also passed by the lions, I don't think I have seen them this up close before. All three were chewing on bones.

We then headed to my favorite part of the zoo which is the island life! With Island life that means only one thing...flamingo's!!! After the flamingos our zoo trip was pretty much complete. We passed going to the Pachyderm building since the elephants are gone and also skipped going to the aquarium.

Overall the trip was great! We did it in about two hours and left right when it really started to heat up! If you live in or near OKC you should definitely check out the zoo!

Happy Father's day

I hope everyone had a wonderful father's day with their dad. I spent the day at my parents house lounging in the pool, getting frozen yogurt from orange tree, grilling hamburgers, and watching YES man. It was a great day with my dad (and mom) :) ! 

Happy monday tomorrow :)

52 in fifty two

What is 52 in fifty two? Well, let me tell you-

My good friend Mary Jo from college has come up with a genius plan to find a date and maybe just maybe a boyfriend. She will go on fifty two dates in fifty two weeks.
Here are the rules:

*The total of all dates over the the 52 week period of time (June 2009-June 2010) must be 52 or greater.
*Multiple dates with the same person are acceptable.
*Setting Mary Jo up on blind dates is acceptable and encouraged.
*Must be male, straight, and in between the ages of 21-40.

Want to go on a date with MJ or know someone who would want to go on a date with MJ?
email: fiftytwoinfiftytwo@gmail.com or check out her blog at 52infiftytwo.blogspot.com to follow the adventure!


Here's a little bit about her (got it off her blog) and the bio is courtesy of our good friend Allison oh, and check out her website at http://www.allioppe.com/! Its just getting started so check back for the kickoff!

First of all, this is Allison, MJ's online accomplice for this mission. Since it would seem egotistical for MJ to write a bio of herself, I will write one for her.


Mary Jo Hope was born July 18, 1984. Since then, she has accomplished quite a bit. She graduated from Oklahoma City University (where she met me) in 2006 and now works for a great downtown OKC non-profit organization. She is a sports enthusiast and an avid Kansas Jayhawks fan.
She also likes a good costume party.

She doesn't, however, like beer, coffee, or maple syrup.
(this is a apple cider)

She travels frequently and has almost visited all 50 states. If you need a date for a wedding in Alaska, she's your girl. And yes, that would count toward the 52.
That's about all I am going to reveal about Mary Jo Hope. If you want to know more, apply for a date.

Cozumel

I know I've been a slacker and haven't posted in like 9 years. okay, or like 3 weeks. One of those weeks I spent in Cozumel Mexico. We arrived on a Monday morning and instantly hit the pool and layed out. Got totally burned on my shoulders that day and suffered throughout the trip. Next day went into town and did some shopping. Had an awesome pine colada at Fat Tuesdays. Got in the car and headed down to a public beach and went on an awesome snorkel excursion with my dad. Saw a huge grouper, school of barracuda's, turtle, and a SHARK! Yep, a shark! It was a baby and at the bottom of the ocean...not scary. Then hopped back in the car and headed to the other side of the island. Had some super strong drinks and headed to dinner at a local favorite. The next few days were spent on the beach or at the pool relaxing. I couldn't have asked for a better trip and was bitter sweet to come home. Here are a few pics to enjoy.

Jon & Kate Plus 8

So did anyone watch Jon & Kate + 8 last night?! This used to be one of my favorite tv shows, now it just makes me sad! They sat next to each other on the couch and couldn't look at one another. Neither one seemed to want to work things out or sorry for what has happened. They admitted their wrong doings but they weren't sorry for them. It seems like divorce is the path they are choosing and it's so sad! However, it may be the best choice for their family.

On a better note I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend! I'm days away from Cozumel and could not be more excited!

A Little Bit Wicked

Looking for a cute summer read? Check out Kristin Chenoweth's Book A Little Bit Wicked! Did I mention she's halirous?!

Cozumel

See that empty beach chair...yea that one...I will be laying on that chair in 12 days.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day, Love you momma!

Absolutely made my day

My dear best friend just posted a blog about me and I can't help but share. We share a deep connection and it's as if she knew I needed this today.

Check out her blog: ...wake up, you're alive, we're on your side...

Dang the luck

Don't ya just hate when you are writing super neatly on a envelope and you flip it over to put the letter in and you realize you wrote upside down and you have to start all over again...ugh!

Rain Rain go away
Come again some other day...

Only 26 days till I'm in Cozumel!

Ya Killin Me

So every day on my drive to work I pass by rainbow bread or maybe its wonder bread?? What I do know is that they are making fresh, hot, delicous smelling bread every dang day. My mouth waters every. single. time. I eat breakfast at work, usually a slimfast shake or oatmeal. So, you bet I'm starving...and that dang bread smells so good! Mom, I know your reading this: when I come over for dinner next time please make fresh bread. Thanks.

Have a lovely weekend!

Walking

Early Sunday morning I joined my mom and 19,000 others downtown for the 9th annual Oklahoma City Memorial marathon/walk. We participated in the 5k walk that circled around downtown OKC. I can't tell you how inspiring it was to see 19,000 people in the streets of OKC. In front of us people. Behind us people. We ended the walk when the first half marathon participate ran through the finish line and by the time we reached home we watched the winner of the full marathon speed down the streets to the end of his journey.

In 5th grade a year after the bombing took place my elementary school art class painted tiles that would later be chosen for the children's area of the memorial. My tile is placed on the wall for all to see. It's an honor to have my tile in the exhibit.

Have a wonderful week and happy Monday!