Fun with the family!! Always the best times when Aunt Pam visits! #christmas #chatterbox

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Christmas Extravaganza

Ok, seriously!! I have a new favorite hobby.. creating my own holidays!! Eventually I think this hobby will take out all others, it is extremely fun and I can convince Erik to do things he wouldn't normally do on a regular day but feels like he should because it a HOLIDAY!!! LOL

You should try it! Its the best.. just pick a weekend, create the holiday of your choice and then you need to do really fun activities with really yummy food and be hopped up on sugar and endorphins all weekend, Holiday success!!!

Started the weekend off REAL fancy!! Martinellis in our wedding flutes ;D Cheers!! to Christmas Extravaganza 2012!!

Then went to a super yummy restaurant/ bar on Myrtle: London Gastropub

Garlic fries are the BEST

The most wonderful mac n cheese and some greens for good measure ;)

Saturday morning began with a very important mission: Save my beloved snowlady!!! My snowlady is my all time fav Christmas decoration, I have loved her for many years! A couple years ago, I think I mistakenly threw away her cord in one of my freakish cleaning sprees :/ Last year I tried to brave Christmas without having snowlady lit up. And well, it was just too much to bear.... We HAD to go to Radio Shack to make things right!!! Christmas could not go on like this ;) Our hero at Radio Shack saved the day!! Erik seemed a little hesitant because the cord cost more than the snow lady.. but he knew what was best for everyone and we saved my snowlady :D

Funniest purchase of the day :D The woman at BevMo... said, you know we sell big bottles of this stuff, hahahha 

Then we got this beautiful guy!!! 

 Time to decorate.. its around this point that I wonder, Why are we doing this?! But we cranked up the Christmas tunes and got busy!!!

Erik continues to win Husband of the Year.. I am so blessed!!

Annnnddd.. Taaa Daaaa!!!! 

Stockings :D

 This is the first year we have an angel. She is extra special and came all the way from Africa. Women in Africa make these angels as a safe, efficient way to provide for themselves and their families. 

Some holiday cheer for my desk :D Giving away my biggest decorating secret.. Add a BOW on it, haha. It works for all occasions and circumstances!! LOVE me some BOWS!!

Sunday started out with an activity that was both painful and wonderful all at the same time :) 7 miles, baby!! Last week I started training for the Pasadena Rock n Roll Half marathon!! Until this point I have done all my running on the treadmill, so it felt INCREDIBLY good to run outside with the fresh air and scenery!!! The miles went by much faster!! 

Post run FEAST!!! OH YES!!

Miss Snowlady agrees Christmas Extravaganza 2012 was a huge success!!!

Praying you have a joyful week!!

Love

Kel

The game of LIFE with @ecaines #games #bestfriend #thankfulwife #chatterbox

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Officially done decorating at casa de Caines!!! With @ecaines #christmas #chatterbox #sparkly

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Christmas decorating has begun!!! #chatterbox #christmas #sparkly #candles

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Got our matching headbands on!!! Ready to Christmas shop :) #christmas #chatterbox #lovemymom

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Turkey Day Festivities!!!

Thanksgiving 2012 was one of my favorite of all time!!!

Let me tell you why.....

We had an excuse to wake up EARLY!!! I can never sleep in on holidays, I get too excited, hehhe But normally I am wandering around by myself because Erik has matured pass not being able to sleep, I know, I dont get it either?! LOL

So, we woke up bright and early for the Upland Turkey Trot!! Such an amazing, fun way to start day! It was a beautiful morning and felt great to be out in the crisp air getting some activity in :D We were at the race with my bro, Trav, and some of his friends.. they are my heros, Such SWEET costumes. They are also super speedy, so Erik and I jogged together and got to chat about life,  SO FUN!!

If you know Erik, then you know he LOVES the mornings ;) LOL

Us with our bro, Pilgrim Trav :D

PURE AWESOMENESS!!!

I scored some very sweet FREE running shorts at the race! Oh Yea!!

After the race we relaxed, well lets be honest, Erik relaxed and I was cooking and talking with my mom, it reminded me of old times :) 

Then we headed to Erik's parents!! Our bro, Ryan, and sister-in-law Kara, and Grandma Jean were also there!! I always have fun with them :D We talked, hung out, watched their puppies play and ate some VERY delicious food, yummmy! 

Then we went to the crazy house, my parents, LOL!! The volume goes up a few decibels :D I love my mom and I have no idea how she entertains for that many people, and always with such a great positive attitude!!

Thanksgiving would not be complete without Pin the Hat on the Turkey!! hahha My mom with cousin Seth and Ben

There was some upset because my mom was not spinning them nearly fast enough!!! SOFTY!!

 The next 2 days I worked, and the only way I made myself feel better was to eat spinach dip for breakfast!!

Sunday was a very special day!! We a had the privilege of hearing my brother, Pastor Trav, preach!! He is brilliant, relatable, and a seeker of truth. His sermon ROCKED!! 

You should check out his blog: Traversing Transcendence

The weekend ended with some quality time with my fav, Erik :D We had a very lovely date including drinks and appetizers at Yard House, never tired of this place!!! Always sounds yummy!! And then saw Wreck it Ralph, GREAT movie!!

Hoping you all had a wonderful Turkey Day!! 

Much Love 

Kel

Trader joes success :D #chatterbox #traderjoesmakesmehappy

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Never ever will I....

We will get to the title in a moment, lets start from the beginning :D Cuz heavens forbid I tell a short story, I gotta make it extra long and drawn out and do one thousand tangents before I get to my actual point :) Its my chatterbox trademark to describe things/ events in the longest way possible.. that is why I have very patient friends/ family... those that need concise answers usually fade away pretty quickly, LOL... Oook, now, where were we again?!

This weekend started with one purpose: REST, and I did just that Friday and Saturday night!! 

My nights looked like this.... more tea plus the most delicious chocolate heaven EVER!

Plus can't forget cheesy Christmas movies, ABC Family is my JAM people!! hahaha

I had signed up for a continuing education class for Saturday, and decided I still wanted to go, I was not gonna pass up FREE CEUs for a little sniffle :)

Proof of my very first CEUs.. lookin pretty official these days ;)

Then Sunday is where I kinda lost sight of the whole rest thing ;D I ran out of cheesy Christmas movies and our apartment looked like a madhouse, dishes, clothes, and a ton of random crap was all over the place... Despite my Nyquil's best efforts, I woke up bright and early Sunday morning ready to GO!!!

Started with this.....

Then once Erik woke up I had the most delicious brunch in the WORLD... check out this amazingness, yummmmy!!

Then I think being out in the fresh air after being cooped up on the couch got me a little over excited, you are shocked, I know!! I am usually so calm, LOL

I had the urge to go to Target, I made up some lame list of "essentials" so Erik would know how ESSENTIAL it was that I go.... Heres where the title of the post comes in, Never ever will I, go to Target without an accountability partner :D I made it out ok, but it was pure painful... To ease the pain I took pictures of everything I NEEDED...

Erik was mortified that I was the "creepy lady taking pictures at Target", ummm he gave me a phone with a camera on it!!! What did he think I was gonna use it for??!!! Totally acceptable, trust me, I know you would have done the same thing!!

Seeing all this kicked my holiday excitement into overdrive!!! There was no other solution than to crank up the Christmas music and get to baking!!

Another great one from my favorite cooking blog: 

Banana Oatmeal Bread

You can not eat bananas in this state.. I was forced to bake!!

Mash em up! Yum!

Adding the chocolate was ALL my idea, cuz Im a pro like that ;) 

 Ready for the oven....

 Masterpiece!! Make it, you will love it :D

And my weekend ended in the most relaxing of ways..... My all time favorite pampering!!! Ahhhhh

So there you have it my mostly resting with a little fun mixed in weekend!! Hoping you all are enjoying the beginning of this holiday season as much as I am, and you are surround by those you love!!

I am so looking forward to getting to spend time with family on Thursday!!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Lots of LOVE, 

 Kelly

Less Chatter, More Rest

I like to do it all, I don't like to "take it easy", I don't want to miss anything fun or exciting... I have always been this way... I grew up hearing my Dad say, "calm down", "relax", "get some rest" as I ran around in circles like a crazy person :D 

Since being married, I have gotten better at balancing fun and relaxation, for the simple reason that Erik relaxes me and has taught me the joy and peace of "chillaxin" LOL Buuuuut... sometimes I go back to running around in circles, convinced I don't need rest and I really can do it all, because I CAN , right?!?! I get all high strung, I get my game face on, and I get REAL stubborn when Erik dares to mention that my schedule looks a little over loaded ;)

And then, this happens.....

I am FORCED to rest, thank you Lord. And thank you to my husband who graciously took care of my stubborn self ;)

Granted we are officially in flu/cold season and I work in a hospital... but this wouldn't have been quite the take down if I had been getting sleep :)

It was a good reminder, one I am truly thankful for. I LOVE this holiday season, but admittedly it can bring out the crazy in me!! Heaven forbid I miss a baking party, a shopping extravaganza, a walk to see lights, or ANYTHING that is fun!!! But I think if I pace myself, and maybe don't do EVERYTHING I will be  able to truly enjoy the special moments! 

So here's my hope for us all during this special holiday season, rest, relax, enjoy each moment, don't rush through events like a check-off list. May we all take quiet time this week to reflect on what we are thankful for.

Tissues, sniffles, and hugs

Kel 

Monrovia gettin ready for the most wonderful time of the year!! Yea :) #chatterbox #christmas

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Amazing coffee and even better conversation :) with @randreas #coffee #chatterbox

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How funky is your chicken?!

Hey hey Friends and Fam :D

Happy Tuesday.. which is almost like Wednesday.. which means we are already almost half way through the week.. which means its almost Friday, right?! LOL

Today I bring you a recipe. Its a great one that can be adapted depending on how much time you have.

I have made this several times sticking exactly to the recipe, and it is AMAZING!! The chicken comes out sooo flavorful and moist.. YUM!

Here is the original recipe:

Panko Crusted Stuffed Chicken

Then to make it a little easier I have adapted it a few times... This time cooked it without breadcrumbs and didnt use toothpicks. The stuffing came out a little bit, but not much at all. Still was totally delicious.

Stuffed chicken breast go in the pan with olive oil for a few minutes

Flip em and then into the oven

 After 20 mins in the oven... yumminess!!

This morning I made some for our lunch. Yes, I cook in the mornings. I am a weird freak that can not function after 7pm. So I do most of my cooking in the mornings...  I think I learned this habit from my mom :D

I made it even easier this time just cut up spinach and basil mixed with ricotta and Italian seasoning.. and that was it. Start to finish 30 mins.. not bad!!

And I discovered a KEY to this recipe for me!!! I am not used to putting my pan in the oven so literally EVERY TIME I have made this I severely burn my hand on the handle of the pan... so I came up with this trick.. kinda silly but it worked :D 

Have a great, great day!!

With Love 

Kelly