Superbowl Sunday 2013

Every year Superbowl Sunday rolls around, and every year Sal and I make the decision to stay in, together - whether or not the Packers are playing (which is Sal's favorite team). This year we decided to pick up snacks from Target and hang out downstairs with my dad. We spent the whole afternoon cooking, and then when the game started we laid everything out on the table and dug in, literally. Aside from the usual wings and the crackers, cheese, and pepperoni platter, I also made a Buffalo Chicken Dip, that we had at my friends house a few months ago - Sal LOVED it, so I decided to make it for him myself. I posted the recipe on my cooking/baking blog, just click on the link! While it may not be the healthiest dip out there (it's made with cream cheese, ranch dressing, and cheese, among other things), ingredients can be swapped to make it healthier. I know my boyfriend though, and he would not have been happy if I was cooking healthy things on HIS Sunday. I swear it's like a holiday for this boy. 

Everything's okay in moderation remember? So I decided to try some of my extremely spicy dip with chips, as well as a few crackers, cheese, and pepperoni slices. However, instead of eating a ton of wings with mozzarella sticks, I picked on cucumber slices with balsamic vinegar while watching the game and then made myself a quick salad to go along with my wings. It's all about making healthier choices! 

Sal usually creates a football pool and gets people from work and his mom's work to join in on the fun! The winner with the numbers from the end of each quarter win a certain amount of money, and guess who was the first to win!? That's right, this girl right here! Of course, I paid Sal the money that he had put in for me, and then I kept the rest and put it right in our savings vase. We keep a vase in my room of  change that we have leftover in our wallets and pockets, as well as any money we win (lottery/pools). So far it has helped pay for our trip to DR over the summer of 2012 and our trip to Niagara Falls last month; you could say it's definitely come in handy. This time we're saving for something a little bigger!

 

We all know that the power went out in the dome, so instead of sitting around, I got up and made the Tone It Up Chocolate Cake, something that I've made before and loved. I promise you it's not only healthy, but delicious as well. I ended the night with a piece of cake, some vanilla greek yogurt and strawberries on top. While Sal isn't a fan of the cake, my dad did try it... he just needed a big tall glass of milk to go with it! Sal even ended up winning some money, so while we didn't care who was playing, having entered in football pools made the game more interesting, and definitely easier to watch! 

Sal's Holiday Party

I know what you're thinking... holiday party? in January? Yup, I thought the same thing too, but I guess the room is cheaper to book after the actual holidays, and it wouldn't interfere with any of the actual holiday parties with family and friends.

About a week before the party, Sal and I were searching for a dress for me to wear. We were unsuccessful, so I just decided to wear the same dress I wore to the wedding, though I think the curly hair at the wedding was better, than my straight hair that night. The peacock feather also fell off, so I was off to a great start of the night. Everyone arrived little by little, and before I knew it we were sitting down enjoying cocktails and beers, and the first course - salad. The food was buffet-style, but I have to admit it was delicious, though I only had 1 plate full, unlike Sal who went back for seconds, and maybe even thirds.

We danced when good songs came on, and sat down and chatted when the more slower, older songs came on, or songs we had never even heard of. Needless to say, the DJ wasn't exactly the best, okay he might've been one of the worst DJ's I had ever heard. It was alright though, because we made the night fun.

Though most of the guys were on their phones checking the scores of the football games that were on, because it was playoffs, I talked with one of my friends, that I had met through Sal and his coworkers, that I absolutely adore. Unfortunately she's moving to Georgia with her family, because her hubby has been called for work down there. Some good news though - We found out another friend of ours was pregnant! I couldn't be more happy for her and her husband!

Sal was up for an award, but unfortunately didn't receive one - not this year, but there's always next year! He did win surround sound, one of the raffle prizes though! So we didn't leave empty handed.

We certainly made it a night to remember - leaving to go to Cheeseburger in Paradise, after the DJ played his last song at the party. The party might've been over, but we still had tons of energy!

The night grew colder and darker, and we eventually said our goodbye's. It was more fun than I had expected and I'm glad we went.