Indianapolis Sister Cities International Celebration

Yesterday evening was the Indianapolis Sister Cities International Celebration. It was the first time this event was held and I think it was a great success. The event was held outside at City Market (which is one of my favorite places in Indy). It featured samples of international food, ethnic booths and music, and a brief explanation by Mayor Ballard of the celebration and honoring of representatives from Indianapolis' Sister Cities.
Here is a picture of a few of my coworkers along with Mayor Ballard.

There were probably 10-12 ethnic booths and each booth featured a few international dishes. There was a lot of good food. However, two places stole my heart. The first already had it, but I wanted to highlight it anyways because it's SO good!

India Palace is one of my favorite Indian restaurants in Indianapolis. Usually the only time I go there is for lunch for their buffet. I am not typically a fan of buffet's, but Indian food is the best kind of buffet you can get!

They didn't disappoint either and served two of my favorite dishes along with rice.

 Chicken Makhani

Mattar Paneer



The next place I wanted to highlight is somewhere new to me...and now I am dying to go eat there!

The Red Lion Grog House served homemade macaroni and cheese and shepherd's pie. It was delicious. This is on my top priority of places to eat in the near future.

It was a good time and I'm already looking forward to next year!



















Uncle Coy

Not only is Coy an amazing husband but he is a fantastic uncle. From the minute he first met my family I have loved watching him interact with my nieces and nephews. He also brought a niece of his own into our family and we have a total of 3 nephews and 4 nieces! He is so playful and makes time to spend with the kids. He has even been convinced (on a few occassions) to change diapers.

A few weeks ago we watched our (almost) 3 year old nephew and his baby sister. We hadn't gotten to keep the baby yet, so it was a big deal! Although it was only for a few hours it was so fun! Seeing Coy with the two kids as he read to them was just a reminder of what a special guy I got my hands on.

So this post is a tribute to Uncle Coy, one of the best uncle's I know!

Vegas!

Last week I went to a work conference in Las Vegas. It was my first time there, so although it was for work I tried to make the most of it. My first day there I tweeted about being there, which was great, because I received a tweet back from one of my oldest college friends saying that he and his wife were flying in later that night. Although I spent the first night in my room, ordering room service, and going to be at 9 (because of the early morning flight and three hour time difference), I made up for it on my second night there. This night was only made better by my unexpected meeting with my college friends! A lot of packed into a few hours but it was awesome time! I lost money on numerous slot machines (one of which took place at 8:30 at my first morning there because it was too early to check into my room), ate amazing Thai food at Lotus of Siam, did all of the tourist activities (errupting Volcano at the Mirage, Bellagio fountains - my favorite, etc), and walked a million miles from casino to casino. It was so much fun and I am so glad that I had friends there to experience it with me!
Although it was a great time I was ready to get back home to my hubs. The next time I go to Vegas it will have to be together...because in the end, nothing is ever as fun without him! And because he is the best thing ever, I came home to find that he had cleaned the house, did the laundry, changed the sheets on the bed and washed them, mowed the yard, and fixed our broken back door. Just one of the million reasons I love him.

 Being such a tourist in from of Caesar's Palace.

 I could have sat and watched this all night!

 One of my favorite casino's! Although I felt totally underdressed!

 My first morning play at the Hard Rock. I started with $2 and made money! I later made over $6 but didn't cash out to show proof of that. I later lost all of this money plus more! This is the only

proof I have that I actually made money while in Vegas!

 Best part of my trip was getting to spend time with them!

Labor Day Weekend

This past weekend Coy and I headed to Chicago with my parents. We went for two days...and we packed a ton of things in during that time!
Saturday we spent on Michigan and State Street...shopping, walking, taking pictures. We ended the night with an amazing pizza from Giordano's (which I would highly recommend)!
Sunday we spent some time in Wrigleyville, went to the Lincoln Park Zoo, and headed back downtown to eat before we left!
I love Chicago, it is one of my favorite cities. It is just enough big city without the huge city feel. I love the buildings, the lake, the shopping, and the food. This was Coy's first time to Chicago (crazy, I know). I'm glad that he now shares my love for the city. It was a quick trip but such a good time!
Here are some pictures from the weekend...enjoy!

 Although Coy wasn't too impressed, I love the Bean.

 I love crossing the bridges across the river. It is also one of the best

spots for pictures.

 My sweetie parents!

 Lincoln Park Zoo! I was like a small child in heaven...I loved every

second of it!

 This guy was my favorite animal of the day. Gorillas amaze me.

 Hubs and I at the zoo.

 I could've watched these animals all day!

 Hubs and I (again) at the zoo.

Waffle Cookies

This weekend I tried a new cookie recipe that I got from someone else's blog, who got it from Pintrest! I loved the idea of these cookies. I loved the dough. However, they were a little difficult to get used to because the recipe uses cookie dough but it is cooked on a waffle maker, making it difficult to figure out what you are eating when you put it in your mouth! Needless to say, if you are looking for something different and creative, give this a try!

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats (try not to use instant)
• ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips

Cookie Dough Directions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the butter and brown sugar until smooth.
2. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Continue to whisk.
3. Add in flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir well.
4. Lastly, add in oats and chocolate chips and mix.

Cooking Directions

1. Heat waffle iron.

2. Coat griddle with cooking spray.

3. In small tablespoon portions, scoop the dough onto each waffle square. (I would recommend the small Pampered Chef cookie scoop)

 

4. Close iron and cook until set for about 90 seconds. (The first batch took about 90 seconds, but as the griddle got hotter they needed less and less time!)

5. Using a pair of tongs, carefully remove the waffle cookie from the iron and transfer onto a wire rack to cool.

6. Repeat and let cool.