Friday's Favorite

A Slice of Home

Scott surprised me last week and took me on a date to a restaurant in the suburbs. Driving up, I knew that this wasn't just any restaurant as I saw the beautiful, glorious Texas flag hanging in the window. The owner of Austin BBQ lived in Austin to learn how to make Texas style BBQ and then brought it back to the Chicagoland area. BBQ is cool and all, but the best part of this place lays in two words: Blue Bell. Yes, they serve authentic Blue Bell ice cream. As some of you know, Blue Bell is sold in only 20 states and Illinois is not one of them. And as anyone knows who has tasted delicious Blue Bell ice cream all other brands pales in comparison- it is in a league of its own. So, obviously Blue Bell has been greatly missed in the life of the Venables, but at least we found a little slice of home semi-close by to us. 

Have yourself a Blue Bell Country Day.

Did I mention they also serve Dublin Dr.Pepper?

Friday's Favorite

Horchata.

Tonight I had my first encounter with horchata and I think I will be hooked. 

Friday's Favorite

Knockout.

Last night I was reminded of the greatness of the game of knock-out. Knock-out & wall ball were two staple games of my childhood. I must admit it felt good to win even though I was playing middle schoolers. 

Friday's Favorite

The feeling of accomplishment.

Yesterday I turned in my final reflection paper completing my first semester of grad school! Depending on if I find a teaching job this Fall, I will have three more semesters to go. I love the feeling of completion! Now time to enjoy a little break before summer school!

Friday's Favorite

Chicago Tulips in the Springtime

They are gorgeous and give me a little pep in my step on my way to work.

I am tempted to steal them and make a Spring bouquet for the apt, but I have refrained myself unlike these two tulip thieves. 

Friday's Favorite (on Sunday)

66 degrees.

Yes, 66.

Today is a wonderful day. I walked out of my apartment wearing capris and NO jacket, that's right no jacket. Thank you Lord! I believe He is starting to show me the light at the end of the bitterly cold, snowy, wintery tunnel.

Friday's Favorite

My husband is home! After a long month of only seeing each other a totally of nine days, we are finally together! AND he is not scheduled to travel anytime soon! Yay! :)

Friday's Favorite

No alarm clock Saturday!

There is something magical about going to bed knowing I can sleep as late as my little heart desires. 

Friday's Favorite: Da Bulls.

As soon as we decided to move to Chicago, Scott bought us a mini-season ticket package for The Bulls games. My favorite sport to watch is basketball and I loved going to Mavs games. It has also been really fun to experience "the Madhouse on Madison." 

The most exciting part of the game is when there is a possibility to receive a free Big Mac. Fans receive a Big Mac if the Bulls win scoring 100+ points. If the score is close, the arena is filled with chants, "Big Mac, Big Mac, Big Mac." Even the old lady who sits two rows in front of us (who usually does not yell, clap, or move) stands to her feet, cheering, and giving everyone in sight high fives. Chicagoans love their Big Macs.

Please let me introduce you to the, Swingin Seniors. The highlight of my Bulls game experiences. They perform choreographed dances to rap music. Number 24 is my all time favorite. I aspire to be on this team one day. 

My new favorite player, D-Rose. 

We always look forward to our next game. I feel like there is a strong sense of camaraderie between all the fans and the team. It has given me a sense of belonging to my new city. Let's Go Bulls!

Friday's Favorite

Honeymooning in the Bahamas.

Hands down best vacation ever. 

Scott & I daydream often of how we can get back to the paradise island one day!

Friday's Favorite

Redbox.

To whoever created this magical box of $1 rentals: Thank you.

This little gem was discovered my last year of college and I am hooked. I mean really, who can beat $1 rentals? Oh wait AND you can get a free code the first Monday of every month? Wow, genius.

On top of that Redbox is changing our society for the better. To me, Redbox is like that loving parent who is instilling the value of responsibility into your life.  You accidentally forget to turn your DVD back in and all the sudden BAM, your account has been charged $10. Dang. But thankfully, Redbox has compassion on our forgetful little minds and has a maximum charge on all items. I have learned that to get the most out of this deal, I must stay on top of my Redbox game. And that I do.

In conclusion,

Props to you Redbox, props to you.

Friday's Favorite

Along with many other bloggers, I am going to start writing about a favorite of the week. This could include a song, artist, season, activity, place, anything really. Today's favorite is Rooibos tea. (straight from South Africa) Scott and I traveled to Africa in June of 2008. He had already fallen completely in love with the country on a previous trip, and I feel right along behind him.

Absolutely precious. I really wished I could bring them home.

Being in Africa sparked our love for hot tea. We drank it multiple times a day. When leaving the country, we knew we had to stock up on this tea and sugar to bring home. We then purposefully saved it to help us bare our first Chicago winter.

Such a beautiful culture, so warm and hospitable.

Well, we have defintely busted that tea out now, and I am drinking it like it's going out of style. Scott makes it the best adding just the right amount of sugar and milk. I don't even want to think about what I am going to do when it's gone, I suppose it will be time for another trip to Africa and I'm ok with that. :)

Scott speaking at a school assembly.