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Beergaritas

A bit of a confession: I’ve spent the last week on the beach with my family celebrating an early Christmas. I scheduled the previous adventathon posts, packed a bag full of swimming suits and managed to come home with some serious tan lines. I also came home with puffy eyes after saying goodbye to the clan yesterday morning at the Cancun airport.

Internets, I hate goodbyes. I hate them so much I’m known for staying in relationships and jobs long past their expiration date because sweet Moses, goodbye is just so miserable. More than anything else, I absolutely detest telling people I love that “We’ll see each other again soon!” when I’m just trying not to let running mascara and snot collide. I have had enough embarrassing tearful goodbyes in airports to last a lifetime.  It also doesn’t help that my brother was mortified and kept saying, “What the hell is wrong with you?” Well, obviously a lot because in that moment I wanted to punch him for leaving. Ah, the bitter sweet love of family. If this image doesn’t say “Merry Christmas,” you aren’t a Donley.

I really, really want to keep this advent celebration chain going, but I don’t have it in me today. So, instead I’m going to share one of my favorite recipes and some vacation photos that make me want to book it back to the border.

I’d even take him.

And I’d certainly take him.

And we’d drink a lot more of these. And play more volleyball. And snorkel more and see thousands more fish and play on a warm beach, where our family is quite honestly at our best.

So, if you decide to buck the current cold weather trend near you and enjoy some Christmas cheer a la tropics, may I suggest a Beergarita?

{This recipe is completely stolen from an ex-boyfriend.}

Kelli’s Best Margaritas Ever

Ingredients:

1 Corona beer (or other Mexican beer)

1 can of frozen limeade

1 large bottle of tequila

1 large bottle of triple sec

Grand Marnier is optional

Directions:

In a blender, add the beer, and the can of frozen limeade. Add as much ice as desired. Take the limeade can and fill half way with tequila. Add to blender. Fill again half way with triple sec. Blend. Pour. Float a bit of Grand Marnier on top if you really plan on doing nothing else for the day. Also, you don’t really need the large bottles of booze, but I find them handy to have around. No one has ever turned down a pitcher of these margaritas.

~K

Want to hear a secret? I have a love of dinosaurs. I know. I know. This makes me even dorkier than the knitting/baking/gardening nerd you already knew.

But imagine my delight when I heard there would be time in the Windy City for the Field Museum, home of Sue and Lucy? WEEEE! (Official dork noise of happiness) I like being on a first name basis with fossils.

So, we rounded up the gang and headed out through Grant Park to visit the museums.  Everyone else was more interested in the Shedd, which I visited last time. Fish smish. I wanted ROAR. (And please, who would win in a battle of T-Rex vs. fish?)

Sue, the super dino. That’s who!

Although this photo is blurry, it cracks me up how it looks like there is a little man in green dancing on her head. She’d name him “Snack.”

There were elephants and lions too. I really got lost in the plant exhibit that showed the different families of vegetation around the world. My head hurt and I realized I was feverishly trying to remember everything I was learning. I crave opportunities like this.

I also bought a tiny blue dino t-shirt I’ll be rocking this weekend. Thanks Sue! You are swell! Also, thanks to Target who paid for all admissions that day. Weeee!

~K

I’ve been in Chicago for the last few days staying with these two. Jen and Kelsay were gracious enough to host several of us who traveled for another girlfriend’s wedding. Some 260-plus photos later, I have more than enough proof we had a lot of fun. So much so, in fact, that I’m still a little sick today — three days later. It has been a very long time since the 7 girls were in the same place. We most certainly made the most of the occasion. If you live in Illinois and wonder why it was hard to breathe this weekend, it could be from us sucking all the oxygen while talking and giggling.

But, oh, the fun we had. Amanda rocked her new hair and wardrobe.

We inhaled more food than imaginable, including some Italian meat sandwiches at the rehearsal and pizza (about five times).

And oh, did we pose.

And then we started all over again the next day for the wedding. And what a party wedding it was! It was just such a great time. I’ll remember this wedding for the sweetness in the ceremony, for Kacey making everyone blush by her gorgeous dress and happiness on her wedding day, and the laughter.

Min even rallied and made it to the ceremony about 20 minutes after having the flu. Trooper.

Jen and Keith came with the Arizona crew too. It was so nice to have so many people we love in one place.

Did I already mention how beautiful she looked? Stunning. It always makes me cry a little when my girlfriends get married.

And how gorgeous are her bridesmaids? Loved the dresses!

Now, all the gushy, sentimental stuff aside — here come some of the silly photos I probably shouldn’t post. But then again, I talked about hemorrhoids on Friday and got a call from my minister — so it won’t be the first time I embarrass myself around here.

Who wears a Cubs jacket to a wedding? Really? Not that I care, but the groom is a rabid White Sox fan, so it was the ultimate taboo. Plus, as you can tell, everyone else managed to find an adult jacket.

But we quickly forgot such fashion faux pas as we entered the reception and began our celebrations…

The good news? We were in good company.

And these are the tame shots. We’ll stop here, shall we?

Okay — two more:

Why are we giggling like this in the back of a car?

Because our new boyfriend just gave us free cinnamon twists with our order. Thank you Amanda and your flirting prowess at 1 am. I haven’t seen that in action since college.

To be honest, I don’t think I’d seen a Taco Bell drive-thru at 1 am since then either.

Congratulations Mrs. Tonelli! I am so glad we were all there to celebrate this wonderful weekend with you.

~K

I am traveling again this week, so imagine my delight when I came home to find this in my mailbox (filled with chocolates, no less):

Why yes, that is the cowgirl bag I admired several weeks ago on Julia’s blog. She made it for me, including that incredible handmade tag. It is loaded and in Chicago with me for the weekend. Love!

Thank you, Julia. What an incredibly thoughtful gift. I had my friend O take the photo yesterday morning after breakfast. I thought the cacti coordinated nicely; he thought I was crazy.

Speaking of Chicago, how about that President of ours?! Wow! Mr. President, Nobel Peace Prize Winner. Put that in your pipe, Darth Vader Karl Rove. (To be honest, I’m a little surprised by the announcement. Not that I don’t believe in our President, but wowza. That’s fast. I can only imagine the hemorrhoids currently boiling on the butt of Glenn Beck.)

I’m spending the weekend in the Midwest with some of my closest friends. We are attending a wedding tomorrow night that has been anticipated for, oh, 18 years or so. And I couldn’t be happier to be here, right now, with these wonderful friends enjoying this great time. Today, I’m off with the husband of one of my friends for an adventure. He’s a botanist and we need to collect seeds for future greenhouse work. A 3-mile hike, smart conversation, dogs and cool weather. Ahhh, this is one hell of a life I’ve been given.

Giddy up, cowgirl — away!

~K

And with the altitude, I was moving about as fast as this guy:

My heart was racing, my breath labored and my mind clear. I hope to make it to the top before the week’s over. Two hours in yesterday and I only got about 3/4 of the way there.

~K