#tbt... 2012 Walk-for-Wishes Philadelphia

As most of you already know, I am a Chi Omega.  That means that as a Chi Omega, I "flourish".  It also means that as a Chi Omega, "I lead. I serve. I give."  This Sunday I will be working on all of these ideals that Chi Omegas hold near and dear to their hearts as I participate in the 2014 Walk-for-Wishes in Philadelphia.  This year the walk is being held at the Philadelphia Zoo... so not only do I get to walk to raise money to grant the wishes of terminally ill children in the Philadelphia area, I get to walk on the wild side with all the animals at the zoo while supporting this wonderful cause.  In honor of once again being able to participate in the Walk-for-Wishes, this week's #tbt post is going to be dedicated to the last time I was able to participate in the walk in 2012 when it was at the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia!

Philly Chi Omegas support the Make-A-Wish Foundation

If you are interested in making a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and helping me to meet my fundraising goal, you can donate here.  

Have you ever participating in a walk or run to raise money for a charity that is near and dear to your hearts?

Golden Vlog Series... Part 1... All About Blogging

So back in early September, my good friend Elizabeth over at Elizabeth Loves announced that she was going to be part of a group of bloggers sponsoring a monthly link up called "The Golden Vlog" series.  Of course when I watched her Vlog I knew I wanted to be a part of it an immediately told her I would be participating.  Fast Forward a month and I have still NOT completed the Vlog Part 1 and Part 2 is supposed to be on Thursday.  Whoops... bad blogger me. BUT never fear, I have decided that TODAY is the day that I will wow you all with my first EVER Vlog!  Be patient with me as I try to figure out all the kinks and what exactly it means to Vlog... and of course enjoy getting to meet the real me via video instead of just my written words!

Be sure to check out the lovely ladies hosting this monthly Vlog Series: Faith at Life w/ Mrs G & the Artist, Sarah from 12 Twenty Seven and Jessica at Seeking Individuality. And stay tuned for Part 2 of the Vlog series from me... probably sometime next week as 2 Vlogs in one week might be a little too much for me! 

Am I the only one who doesn't think I sound like myself when being recorded?

Delicious Dish Tuesday... Gram's Coffee Cake

When I was younger my Gram used to make the most delicious coffee cake whenever we were visiting.  I remember as a kid getting up early so that I could help her bake it.  I also remember that we always had to make more than one because everyone loved it so much.  This past weekend we had friends spend the night at our apartment, so on Sunday morning when I woke up I decided that it was time to bring back Gram's recipe because a) who doesn't love coffee cake on Sunday mornings? And b) I don't think I had ever made this for M in all the years we have been together, so it seemed like a perfect breakfast idea.

This is my Gram and me at my bridal shower in September 2013

So this week for Delicious Dish Tuesday, where I am linking up with Mary from Eat, Drink and Be Mary, Alesha at Full Time Mama, and Amanda at Coping with Frugality, I am going to share with you my Gram's Coffee Cake Recipe!

Gram's Coffee Cake

Ingredients:
Cake:
1 1/2 c. Bisquick
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 c. milk
2 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Topping:
1/2 c. brown sugar
3 1/2 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 c. Bisquick

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Grease and flour an 8" square or 9" round pan
3. Beat all cake ingredients in a large bowl on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly.

4. Beat on medium speed for 4 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
5. Pour into pan.
6. Mix together all of the topping ingredients with a fork, making sure to break up the butter.

7. Add topping.

8. Bake for 32 minutes or until golden brown. (Insert knife into the middle and if it comes out clean, it is done)
9. Cool.
10. Enjoy!

#tbt... Apple Picking and All Things Fall at Linvilla Orchards

Well it is FINALLY here... my FAVORITE season of all times... FALL!!!! Tuesday was the official start of the fall season, so I figured that today's #tbt post should be dedicated to one of my favorite Fall activities... visiting Linvilla Orchards for apple picking and pretty much all things fall!

Enjoying a hayride around the Orchard

Our loot

Do you ever go apple picking or participate in other fun fall activities?

12 Random Things You Should Know if We Are Going to be BFFs

I always love the posts where other bloggers share random facts about themselves... I feel like it really gives you a glimpse into the real person behind the blog. I did a post like this a while back which you can read here and had a lot of fun with it.  So today I am going to share with you another 12 really random things that you should really know about me if we are going to be BFFs.

1// I used to HATE the beach as a child, now I can't get enough of it. Like can't get enough of it to the point that I am THAT person who gets to the beach at 8am and doesn't leave until after 5pm.

2// My BFF AW and I took swimming lessons with a former marine as children and were pretty much petrified of her.  I actually think our parents may have been petrified of her as well as she had been known to make grown men cry.

3// I love all things pink and sparkly.

4// I am owl obsessed.

5// Monograms are my jam.

I love Monograms so much that my bridesmaids all got monogrammed pashminas as gifts

6// I am a complete and total book worm.  There is nothing better than sitting out on my patio with a glass of wine (or a beer or a cocktail or a cup of coffee) and a good book.

7// Speaking of being a book worm, I ALWAYS finish every book I start reading even if I don't like it at all.

8// I have OCD about things matching (my luggage, lingerie, towels, etc.)... like to the point that my duffle bag pattern matches my suitcase color so that all the travel things (jewelry holder, cosmetic bag, curling iron cover, etc.) can be used with both my duffle bag and suitcase.

9// My hubby proposed while we were eating leftovers, watching T.V. (the show Elementary to be exact), in our pjs and it couldn't have been more perfect.

10// I pierced my cartilage in college because my boyfriend (not M) accused me of being too uptight and not spontaneous. I never told my parents, but they noticed it at a reception at the President's house during Parent's Weekend when they were visiting me.  Let me just say that they were NOT happy with me.

11// I have a slight obsession with purses, shoes and jewelry.

12// I met my one BFF through a mutual friend, but we never really met in person until we had been friends for years.  Our entire friendship was based off of online conversations and then eventually texting.  Yet this girl is probably one of the best friends I could ever ask for... AND we were even in each others' weddings!

What are some random things I should know about YOU if we are going to be BFFs?

Delicious Dish Tuesday... Italian Pasta Salad

After taking a week off from recipe posting, I have decided that it is once again time to participate in another Delicious Dish Tuesday with Mary from Eat, Drink and Be Mary, Amanda at Coping with Frugality and Alesha at Full Time Mama.  Be sure to check these ladies out and see what fabulous recipes they have for us this week!

A few weeks ago we went to a BBQ at my parents house and I decided that I was going to try my hand at making an Italian Pasta Salad.  No BBQ is complete without some sort of pasta salad, and since M and I both don't eat mayo, I figured an Italian pasta salad would be a perfect addition to the BBQ menu!  So off to Wegmans I went in search of the perfect ingredients for my salad.  I think it turned out really well and it is definitely something we will be making for future BBQs!

Italian Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

1 Box Rotini

3 medium bell peppers (I used red, yellow and orange)

1 small red onion

1 small can sliced black olives

1 block Monterrey Jack cheese, cubed

1 block Mild Cheddar cheese, cubed

Grape tomatoes, halved

Sliced pepperoni, cut into quarters (we used a hot 'n spicy pepperoni)

Italian dressing
(*Note* You can use any kinds of veggies, pepperonis, cheeses, etc... I just played to my audience... more onions, less tomatoes, etc.)

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to directions on box.

2. While pasta is cooking prepare all your other ingredients... cut up the peppers, onion, tomatoes, pepperoni, cheese... and put them in a big bowl.

3. Add the pasta to the bowl and mix everything together well.

4. Add 3/4 of the bottle of salad dressing to the pasta and mix well.

5. Chill for approximately 2 hours before serving

6.  Add the remaining salad dressing to the pasta salad just before serving

7. Enjoy!

Weekending.... Oktoberfest!!!!

It is no secret that I like good beer, so it should be no surprise that one of my favorite weekends of the year is the Delaware Saengerbund Oktoberfest in Newark, Delaware.  Every year we go down to Newark to participate in what is one of the most fun weekends of the year.  Every year we enjoy some good German food, some even more amazing German beer and then a little dancing along the way.

The Delaware Saengerbund Oktoberfest brings people from near and far together for a great time.  This year was no exception as we were able to attend with a bunch of our friends, including one of my girls who was up from Washington D.C. for the weekend!! We enjoyed a bunch of Paulaner Oktoberfest (my FAVORITE Oktoberfest beer of ALL TIME)  and just overall had some great times together!

Some of my work friends at Oktoberfest... would not have survived as long as I have at my job without these ladies

Reunited and it feels so good!! Don't think all of us have been together since my wedding last year! 

Bartending buddies

O3

Hubby & I having fun at Oktoberfest

This weekend was not just all about Oktoberfest... I also had my Chi Omega Book club meeting on Saturday afternoon where we met at McKenzie's Brewhouse to discuss the book The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.  I had such a great time meeting up with some fabulous Chi Omega ladies and stay tuned for a book review coming soon!

Then on Sunday M and I attended the Chester County Restaurant Festival.  Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures while we were there, but we had a blast walking up and down the street sampling some of the various foods the restaurants of West Chester had to offer!  

Today I am linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston and Meghan at Champagnes and Suburbs for their "Weekending" link up!  Head on over and check out both their lovely blogs and see what everyone has been up to this past weekend!

What did you do this weekend?