Rituals of the Travel Weary

June 12, 2013 in Filed Under: Travel, Travel Bug, Work

I travel a bunch for work. Well, I travel less than I did before I had Sadie, but it’s still a part of my job, and some months crazier than others. (This month is a brutal month.)  So far since the end of May, I’ve been to Toronto, San Francisco and Minneapolis and in the next few weeks, I’ll be heading to San Francisco again, and then Chicago in July. Phew!

When I am away from home for work, I’ve noticed that I fall into the same routines and rituals each time, regardless of what city I’m in.

1. Indulge in a bath.

bathtoes

Actual Instagram shot of my feet (creepy?)

I don’t have time for them at home, plus our tub doesn’t seem to… keep all the water inside (it slowly drains out). Filling a giant tub with hot water and some suds, and cracking open a great book on my Kindle is one of my top travel rituals when staying at a hotel for work.

2. Order room service. Honestly sometimes after a long travel day, or after working an event all day, I just don’t feel like going out for food. I LOVE room service. And I pretty much always get carded for whatever drink I order, since I’m usually in PJ pants and my college hoodie. Haha!

3. Buy a People Magazine for the flight. This is my travel KEY. I love People, but don’t splurge on it normally. For traveling though, it helps pass the time. And I love the Puzzler!

4. Find all the great drinks either at the hotel, or nearby. For example – this Garden of Eden Gimlet seen below:

FireShot Screen Capture #006 - 'laceybean_ on Instagram' - instagram_com_p_aKIYemglou

Available only at bin480 in San Francisco

This is quite possibly my most favorite drink EVER. It’s made with Charbay Green Tea Vodka, basil and fresh lime juice. I’m dying to recreate it at home! I order it every time I am in San Francisco.

5. Bring my travel pillow. You know one of those donut looking ones you can buy at the airport? Yeah – it took me about 3 months of straight traveling almost every week or so to finally cave in and buy one. Totally worth it on long flights!

6. And last, but certainly not least, watch any and all Law and Order: SVU marathons.

I just HAVE to watch when it’s on!

Do you have any rituals when traveling?

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Pioneer Woman’s Twice-Baked Potatoes – 20SB Recipe Index!

June 11, 2013 in Filed Under: 20SB, Cooking, Recipe Goodness, Yummm

The other night I made Twice-Baked Potatoes, a la The Pioneer Woman. And while there was nothing at all healthy about these bad boys, Dave and I shoved them in our mouths at light speed. Butter and cheese and sour cream and potatoes, OH MY!

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I’m also sharing this recipe as part of the 20SB Recipe Index!

Ingredients
- 8 baking potatoes, washed
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 sticks salted butter
- 1 cup bacon crumbles
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup Cheddar or Jack cheese (or a mix of both), plus more for topping
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt (I didn’t have, so I used creole seasoning)
- 3 green onions, sliced
- Freshly ground black pepper

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Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Place the potatoes on a baking sheet. Rub them with the canola oil and bake for 45 minutes, making sure they’re sufficiently cooked through. (The skin should feel a little crispy.)

3. Slice the butter into pats. Place in a large mixing bowl and add the bacon bits and sour cream. Remove the potatoes from the oven. Lower the heat to 300 degrees F.

4. With a sharp knife, cut each potato in half lengthwise. Scrape out the insides into the mixing bowl, being careful not to tear the shell. Leave a small rim of potato intact for support. Lay the hollowed out potato shells on a baking sheet.

5. Smash the potatoes into the butter, bacon and sour cream. Add the cheese, milk, seasoned salt, green onions and black pepper to taste and mix together well. (IMPORTANT: If you plan to freeze the twice-baked potatoes, do NOT add the green onions.)

6. Fill the potato shells with the filling. I like to fill the shells so they look abundant and heaping. Top each potato with a little more grated cheese and pop ‘em in the oven until the potato is warmed through, 15 to 20 minutes.

Try not to die of happiness as you’re cramming these into your facehole. And maybe counteract all the delicious, fatty calories with a salad or something!

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How I’m slowly becoming a gamer, thanks to the Wii U

June 3, 2013 in Filed Under: Brand About Town, NintendoEnthused, Wii U

I've had a relationship with Nintendo through Brand About Town for about 3 1/2 years now, ever since a Wii and Wii Fit showed up at my apartment, much to Dave's and my excitement. I think out of all the systems, I've spent the most time on the Nintendo … Click here to read the full post →

TLC Book Tours: Immortal Bird

May 23, 2013 in Filed Under: Books, Reviews

Ever since I became a parent, anything I hear about tragedies affecting children hits me harder than it ever did before. Not to say that these things didn't upset me prior to having Sadie, but it's as if the feelings of helplessness I experience have been … Click here to read the full post →

Sadie’s “Little Miss Sunshine” 1st Birthday Party!

May 22, 2013 in Filed Under: Baby Bean, Birthday, Parenting is hard yo, Pictures of My Life, Sadie Faye

I'm not a huge party planner, which is hysterical since I plan events for a living. I can plan those corporate functions to a T, but when it comes to planning a social event, I get lost in all the little details and ultimately wind up doing half of what I … Click here to read the full post →

Oral Surgery Problems

May 20, 2013 in Filed Under: blah, First World Problems

This gif is pretty close to accurate right about now. I had my two remaining wisdom teeth removed on Friday. The other two I had removed about four years ago, in the midst of a crazy work schedule with a ton of traveling, and an immense amount of pain. AND … Click here to read the full post →

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