{BTHO lsu...Oh Wait - They BTHO Us!}

The weekend before Thanksgiving, my Aggie football friends & I took a road trip to Baton Rouge to watch the A&M/LSU game.  When we left Brenham Friday morning, the temps were in the 40's.  We drove thru torrential rain from Houston to the Louisiana border & when we arrived in Baton Rouge, it was humid & in the 70's.  Unfortunately the crazy, yucky weather stuck around all weekend...we are now 3 for 3 on rainy, cold football road trips! 


Confession: That really wasn't diet coke in those Sonic cups! =)

We arrived in Baton Rouge late Friday afternoon & made a quick stop at the campus to pick up a parking pass & to check out Mike the Tiger - LSU's mascot.  I am fairly certain that tiger lives better than I do! 

Friday night, we had reservations at Harrah's in New Orleans.  Midnight Yell was being held on Bourbon Street & we knew we couldn't pass that up.  We checked into the hotel and then headed out for supper & to try our luck in the casino.  I lost everything I put in the slot machine within minutes so that was the extent of my gambling.  I am saving for a new house, remember??

The weather was terrible in New Orleans as well so after checking out Bourbon Street, we headed to the bar where Midnight Yell was going to be held & just hung out there for the rest of the night.  It ended up working out REALLY well for us because we made friends with the guys from A&M in charge of the whole thing.  At 11:30, they cleared the balcony area where Midnight Yell was going to be held, but they let us stay.  Needless to say, we had the best seat in the house.  They estimated that there were over 5,000 Aggies there that night.  It was definitely one of the coolest experiences ever!

 

 

We had heard nightmare stories about the traffic on I-10 between New Orleans & Baton Rouge on game day so we got up early & headed that way.  There was a group of Blue Bell guys from our New Orleans & Baton Rouge branches that were tailgating & they had invited us to join them.  The closer we got to Baton Rouge, the colder it got & the more the rain began to fall.  Deja vu of Ole Miss & Arkansas.  Despite the crappy weather, we had a great time at the tailgate.  It was great to meet everyone & they had delicious food - jambalaya, boudin balls, beignets, etc.

Regarding the actual game, there is not much to say except that we sucked. Big time.  They came to play & we did not.  It's probably one of the worst {if not the worst} game I have watched the Aggies play in the past 2 seasons.  We couldn't do anything right.  Johnny was bad. Our offense was bad.  Our defense was bad.  Our coaching was bad.  And the weather was bad.  It rained off & on the entire game and it was miserably cold.  But, we were not 2%'ers...we stuck it out til the very end.  I kept hoping for a comeback, but that never happened.

 

 

Despite the weather & the outcome of the game, we had a great time.  Death Valley is quite the experience...those LSU fans get CRAZY!!  And they serve alligator & jambalaya at the concession stand!  We were a little scared to go after being warned by everyone about how horrible the LSU fans are, but overall - everyone we encountered was very nice.  I think it has a lot to do with how you act as an opposing fan.  We did get the whole "Tiger Bait" chant yelled at us a few times, but it was all in good fun.

I am sad to see the season end {although after back to back losses, it's probably a good thing it's over}.  Hopefully Johnny will stay one more year {although unlikely} & our defense will mature. Being an Aggie fan is like being on a roller coaster, but I can't wait til the kickoff of the 2014 season!

 

{October Recap}

I just realized that it has been a month since my last post.  Clearly I am not so good at this whole blogging thing.  October was a crazy busy month...lots of places to go & people to see so here's a recap {be prepared for a picture overload}.

 

The first weekend in October was the Washington County Relay For Life.  I was the team captain for the Blue Bell team & in the end, we raised $7900 for the American Cancer Society.  Relay changed things up this year: it was held in October instead of April & it was a 6 hour event instead of 12.  I personally loved the changes & hope they continue doing this in the future.  My team was awesome & participated in most of the games...and kicked butt!  I mean, how many people can say they are the Cheese Ball Throw Winners?!?  GREAT job Brenda & Lisa!!

 

The following weekend, I joined several other member's from St. Paul's Church & we {ok, mostly them...but I was there helping & that's what matters, right??} built wheelchair ramp #50 for the Texas Ramp Project.  It rained for a while & we got soaked, but it's definitely a rewarding experience to be able to do something like that for those less fortunate.   

On October 20th, several friends, family members, & I participated in the Graffiti Run in College Station.  Nothing like having to get up at 6am on a Sunday & freezing your butt off {temps were in the low 40's}, but it was So. Much. Fun.  I had colored powder in places I didn't know possible & my tennis shoes are now permanently pink...but we definitely want to do it again. But ladies - we have to definitely work on the cool socks and/or outfits for next year!

 



I also had the honor of being on the 2013 Camp For All Gala committee.  My sister-in-law was one of the event chairs so she suckered my friend Carol & I into decorating for the event {just kidding Amanda! I really did enjoy it}.  The theme was Celebrating the 80's & despite all the hard work and a lot of stress - we had a blast!  And yes, we broke out the crimping iron...check out that hair!! =)  They raised LOTS of money for a truly remarkable organization. I was able to tour the facility for the first time a few months ago & they really do amazing things there. 

  

 Aggie football was still high on my priority list during October.  Unfortunately, it was a month of ups & downs {which seems to be the norm for us Aggie fans}.  We pulled out a very close win in Oxford against Ole Miss, but weren't as lucky the following weekend with our 41-45 loss to Auburn.  I was about to start going thru withdrawals when a friend offered my cousin & I tickets to the Vanderbilt game on the 26th.  It was a beautiful day for football & thankfully it wasn't near as stressful of a game as the previous few.

And - last, but certainly not least - the most exciting thing that happened in October is that I FINALLY signed the contract on my new house!!  I am still not sure when construction will begin {hopefully in the next month or two}, but this was a huge step.  I cannot wait to go pick out all the fun stuff like paint, brick, tile, etc. & I definitely can't wait to actually start building.  It is hard to believe that it has already been 5 months since I sold my house & moved back in with my parents. It really & truly has not been bad, but I am so ready to be back to town!  I am definitely a "city" girl.

We are heading into my most favorite time of the year...I absolutely LOVE the holidays {except gift buying - I hate that part because I suck at it}. I am sad that I am not going to have a house to decorate or to host a Christmas party at...you can bet my tree would be going up this weekend if I did! ;) November also brings our road trip to LSU & December brings my trip to NYC.  Lots of fun & exciting things coming up so be sure to check back soon!! I am going to try & do better at posting...promise!!  Happy Halloween & trick-or-treating!!

{On The Road Again...}

Everyone knows by now that I LOVE Aggie football.  There is nothing quite like game day in Aggieland.  But, our move to the SEC means some pretty awesome road trips.  Fortunately, I am friends with a group of ladies who love Aggie football as much as I do so as soon as the 2013 schedule came out, the planning began.  Last year, we visited Ole Miss {which we loved}.  On the agenda for this year: Arkansas & LSU. 
 

This past weekend, we traveled to Fayetteville to watch the Aggies BTHO arkansas & it did not disappoint.  We left Friday morning {with enough stuff to last us a month...even though we were only going to be gone 3 days}. 

10 hours & lots of potty stops later - we arrived in Fayetteville. We checked into our hotel & then headed to campus to check out the football stadium & assess the parking situation for game day. Fayetteville has an area along Dickson Street which is much like Northgate in College Station - lots of bars & restaurants - so we headed there.  After supper and drinks at Grub's Bar & Grill and a stop at a bar called Lit, we headed to Springdale for Midnight Yell.

Saturday was game day!!  Unfortunately, there was a 70% of rain predicted for that afternoon/evening.  Major disappointment because I was REALLY hoping for some "real" fall weather while we were there.  No such luck.  After spending a few hours downtown Fayetteville, we headed to the stadium to tailgate.   





Right on cue, at about 2:30, the rain began.  And, it rained. A LOT. So for 2 hours, we hung out in the Student Center. Not quite the afternoon of tailgating we had planned.  Finally at around 4:30, it slowed enough for us to head to the Blue Bell tailgate for about an hour....RC Slocum even stopped by for a while!  Kickoff was at 6:00 so we headed into the stadium around 5:30. Nice stadium & awesome seats! 

 

Fortunately, we had a break from the rain during the first half of the game.  The Aggies scored on their opening drive & it looked like it might be a runaway.  Until Arkansas answered by scoring on their first drive.  In true Aggie fashion - we lived on the edge of our seat & really didn't know if we would pull it out til the 4th quarter.  Unfortunately, the rain returned in the second half so the last 2 quarters were pretty miserable.  Thankfully we pulled out the win so it made it all worth it!

 

 

 

It was an awesome trip!  I am so very fortunate to be able to do things like this.  The older I get, the more & more I realize just how short life is & how I need to enjoy it each & every day.  And that is what I am doing.  Thanks again ladies for another memorable road trip & I cannot wait til LSU...52 days & counting!!

 





 

 





{BTHO arkansas}

In less than 24 hours, we will be on the road to Arkansas!  Despite the fact that there is a 60% chance of rain during game time on Saturday - I can't wait.  I am so looking forward to spending the weekend in Arkansas with 4 fabulous ladies - shopping, tailgating, & watching some Aggie football!

 

Check back on Monday for a recap & pictures!
 

 

{SUYL: Blogger Connect}

Once again, I am linking up with Kelly's Korner for another "Show Us Your Life" series.  Today's topic is a blogger connect for "Single Bloggers Over 30"...that's me!

 

Howdy!  My name is Casey & I am new to this whole blogging thing.  I have wanted to start a blog for a long time, but never knew what I would write about since I am not married & don't have kiddos to post cute photos of.  A little over a month ago, I decided what the heck & started a blog...even if no one ever reads it. But, I would love for you to follow me.  Hello...I ONLY have 3 followers...how sad is that?!?! =)  The title of my blog: Faith, Football & Fairy Tales came to me one day & instantly I knew it was PERFECT!  No, my life isn't a fairy tale, but I do believe in them...I just haven't found my "happily ever after" yet.

 

I was born & raised in the great state of Texas.  I live in a small town that still has parades thru downtown several times a year & where practically every one in the town goes to the high school football game on Friday night.  And I LOVE it!  I recently sold my first home & am about to begin construction on my new house in the next few months.  For now, I am living back at home with my parents...which is always interesting when you are 34!

As much as I love living in a small town, I still love to travel to the big cities {especially ones in the north in the winter}.  I often question why I live in Texas because I HATE the heat.  And lets face it, it's hot about 10 months out of the year here.  I have traveled to Chicago, Washington DC, & New York City to name a few.  NYC is by far my favorite place to travel.  I am headed there again this December for the 7th time...there is nothing more magical than New York City at Christmastime.   

 I am a graduate of Texas A&M University, Class of 2001. Whoop!  I LOVE football, especially Aggie football.  I am really enjoying our recent move to the SEC {the BIG game is this weekend...BTHO bama!!}.  These football road trips are WAY more fun than Austin, Waco & Lubbock.  I have a group of lady friends who love Aggie football as much as I do so we hope to travel to as many SEC schools as possible over the next few years.  Last year, we went to the A&M/Ole Miss game {tailgating in the Grove was an awesome experience} & to the Cotton Bowl.  This year, we are headed to the A&M/Arkansas game at the end of the month & to the A&M/LSU game in November.  We are thinking Alabama & Auburn in 2014.  I. CANNOT. Wait.

I have been blessed with an amazing family.  I am the "middle child" & only girl; I have an older brother & a younger brother.  I have a nephew & niece who I adore and love spending time with.  Sleepovers at Aunt Casey's are always fun.  I may or may not allow my niece to eat chocolate in bed, at midnight, while watching Disney Junior. =)  I have equally amazing friends.  I am still friends with my 2 best friends from elementary school...we have been friends for 25+ years!!  How cool is that?!?

 

Thanks for stopping by & Gig'em!

{SUYL: Tailgating Recipes - Meatballs}

I decided to do another linkup today, but this one is over at Kelly's Korner!  Today's topic is Tailgating Recipes & I thought I would share one that I love.  I have made these tons of times & they are a huge hit wherever I take them.

Mom's Best Bite-Sized Meatballs
(Recipe found on kraftrecipes.com)

{Source}

2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 6oz. pkg. Stove Top Chicken Stuffing Mix
1 cup water
2 eggs
1 16oz. bottle Kraft Original Barbecue Sauce
1 16oz. can whole berry cranberry sauce {*note: I normally use 3/4 can of whole berry cranberry sauce & 3/4 can of jellied cranberry sauce}

 

 

Heat oven to 400F.  Line a 15x10x1-inch pan with foil & spray with cooking spray. 

Mix meat, stuffing mix, water, & eggs until blended.  Shape into 50 {1 1/2"} meatballs & place on pan.  Bake 16 minutes or until done {I normally turn them once during the baking process so they don't burn}.  Meanwhile, bring barbecue sauce and cranberry sauce to boil in a large saucepan on medium heat, stirring occasionally.  Add meatballs to sauce & stir to evenly coat.

Every time that I have made these, I have made the meatballs the night before & they still turn out great. Once they have been fully cooked & then cooled, I put them in the fridge over night. When I am ready to serve them the next day, I just heat the barbecue sauce & cranberry sauce in the microwave and then the meatballs. Everything goes in the crockpot on low/warm about an hour before I am ready to serve them!

 

Super easy & very good!

Enjoy & Gig'em! =)

 

 

{Weekend Recap}

Unfortunately it's back to work after a 3 day weekend...but a GREAT 3 day weekend it was!

Saturday kicked off the start of Aggie football & fortunately, I got to be there to see it!  My brother, nephew, & I headed to College Station Saturday morning to watch the Aggies BTHO rice.  It was HOT...noon games in August are never a good idea.  There was more Johnny Football {which I HATE that term by the way} controversy...again.  I'll just leave it at that.  I just hope that Johnny & the entire Aggie football team get it together soon or it's going to be a long season.  Here are a few pics from the game:

Sunday night, Abby, Carol, Kelly, & I headed to the Fayette County Fair to see Steve Wariner.  He was awesome!  He sounded as good as he did 15+ years ago & hasn't aged at all.  "Some Fools Never Learn" will always be one of my favorites.  The Washington County Fair needs to take note...Steve Wariner is good "old school" music...The Gatlin Brothers, not so much!!