Hello 2009!!
Thank you all for the sweet comments on my last post. It makes me so happy that you enjoy reading my blog as much as I enjoy writing it! I can’t wait to share the next year with you.
Our New Year’s Eve was relaxed and relatively uneventful at home. When I was in high school, my friends and I used to get together, but even then we always stayed at someone’s house. Now that I’m in a new state and enjoying the holiday with my family, I’m carrying on that tradition of staying home…with a little something to take the edge off, of course!
I woke up early and still feeling not-so-great. I grabbed a mug of Coffee Cocoa and peppermint biscotti to start, which really helped make me feel better. I can’t describe the “sickness” very well because I don’t think I’m actually ill – it’s more just an anxious feeling that is causing my stomach to roll. I get it every once in a while and, at the risk of sounding like a crazy person, I think it’s because of how I was feeling after the football game. I’m really nervous about going back to school because it’s essentially the beginning of the end! And so my body reacts and throws off my appetite.
Fortunately, eating something actually made me feel better this time (the day before it made me feel even worse) and I was soon ready for our annual New Year’s Eve golf round. Can you tell we have a lot of golf-centered traditions in this family? I grabbed a big bowl of Kashi Go Lean before we left – 2 cups.
The golf round was AWESOME and really boosted my spirits. I played better than I have all year – 2 birdies, woot woot! – and felt it was the proper way to end the year. When we finished, my appetite was back with a vengeance, and we decided to grab lunch at the clubhouse. They start by giving you a big bowl of homemade potato chips to share among the table, which taste amazing. I loved the bowl they came in, too – I even asked the server where they found it!
The soup of the day was roasted red pepper and corn, which I obviously couldn’t turn down because, well, just the name itself sounds delicious! It didn’t disappoint – it was thick and hearty with a whole bunch of corn kernels in every spoonful. I had 1.5 cups!
Then my mom and I decided to split the House Chopped salad, which comes with romaine lettuce, kalamata olives, radicchio, blue cheese, walnuts and onion rings (didn’t eat those) mixed with a White French dressing.
Once we got back home, I decided to go on a run because it was absolutely gorgeous outside. I have to enjoy the sun and warm temperatures while I still can! I did my usual 3-mile “mountain” course and thought a lot about what the next year is going to bring. I honestly can’t imagine what I’m going to be doing this time next year – which is part exhilarating and part terrifying!
After my run, I came back and snacked on some pomegranate seeds.
As well as two of these delicious DARK chocolate covered pretzels. Mmm!
Before we knew it, it was time for dinner. Papa Bender has a “Surf ‘n’ Turf” tradition on New Year’s Eve. The actual combination varies every year, but it always has to include crab legs. This year there was also some cocktail shrimp…
Along with the “turf” or rotisserie chicken…
And the star of the show…
He also boiled up some corn on the cob, which tasted excellent!
Here’s my plate, which included some cocktail and barbecue sauces.
With dinner, I had a glass of Silverado Cabernet Sauvignon.
This was delicious, but I held myself to one glass because I knew that my mom was making a batch of her margaritas later on, and I didn’t want to miss out 😉 So instead, I snagged a peanut butter cup for dessert. Gotta keep disposing of those Christmas treats somehow!
And below, we have my mom’s handiwork. I sipped on this throughout the night while watching Dick Clark’s Rockin’ NYE, talking to Bobby, and waking up my parents (who were sleeping on the couch) when midnight finally arrived here in Arizona.
And that, my friends, is how this girl ended her 2008. What a great year!
Random Question
If you were stranded on a desert island, what 2 things (not people) would you bring with you?
This question reminded me of Lost, which I can’t WAIT to watch when it comes back in a couple of weeks! If I had to pick two things (not people)…hmm…this is tough! I’m assuming I can’t bring a phone because there is no service, right? And if we’re on a desert island, there probably isn’t much to eat…can you tell I’m thinking about this WAY too hard?! Ok, off the top of my head, I’d pick sunscreen and a speedboat – so I could get the heck off of the island without getting burned too badly 😉
Hooray for a great round of golf, eating delectable meals and savoring luscious sweets, and for celebrating the new year with the family 🙂
Hope you feel better soon, though!! That’s no fun 🙁
**2 things I’d take with me on a desert island = Larabars and my yoga mat.
Happy New Year!
I love the bowl those potato chips came in too. I want one! AND with the chips too! Haha, too greedy, aren’t I? 😉
Two things I would bring with me? I’m thinking the stranded island is paradise. Abundance of tropical fruits, plants, and pretty sights!
I would bring a pot and a mug. Why? I would try to find some tea leaves, dry them, and make my own tea.
2 things I would bring: my music and towel to dry off after I go swimming 🙂
awesome blog btw! I go to school in chicago too! doesnt the weather just suck now? haha
Hey 🙂 Happy 2009! Your eats look so good! I love chocolate covered pretzels! I haven’t had one in forever! Glad you had a nice night 🙂 Those huge shrimpies look good too. I wish I was at your house for New Years 😉
A good looking boy and a laptop 🙂
happy 09 girly!
What a fun night! I like your corn cobbers =)
If I couldn’t bring people with me, I guess I’d bring pictures of them and a good book (I still have two chapters to go in Twilight and New Moon waiting to be opened)!
I’m excited that you like LOST! My hubs and I have been addicted since the beginning!
Happy New Year!
Fun night with the fam! Happy New Year tooo! Hm, i like your ideas for the desert island…Well if I got really survivorman style I’d say matches, and a big bucket for water 😀
Peppermint Biscotti + Cereal + Homemade Potato Chips + Desserts = Amazing way to ring in the new year!!!
That question is SO HARD to answer!!! I think I would take a huge container full of Muesli (oats and soymilk mixed together) and kale. Then I would hope that there was a pear tree there so I could eat fresh pears everyday 😉
what a great day!! happy 2009 🙂
i have no idea what i’d bring, my mind is still a little fuzzy from the lack of sleep last night!
hmmmmmmm my hubby and oatmeal haha… then again, no microwave so i guess i could cook it over a fire using ocean water? LOL…
happy new year 🙂
Low key New Year’s is always good. Looks like you had an awesome feast. I love those corn on the cob holders – so cute!
Happy 2009 🙂
I am terrible at those island questions. I can never make up my mind and need more than two things!
Anyway, I know you are nervous about ending college and your new life, but take it from me who always knew exactly what was coming next (law school, lawyer, etc.) – knowing where you’re going to be in a year doesn’t equal happiness! Take the time to think about what you really want and you’ll be great.
Sounds like a great New Year’s. Congrats on a great golf game – It sure was some perfect golfing/running weather yesterday!
Oh my gosh, can’t wait for the season premier of Lost either as it’s one of the only shows I watch regularly (that and The Office). If I was stranded on a desert island, I would want a knife and my glasses as I’m completely blind without them or contacts.
Happy New Year, Jenn! I wish you all good things in ’09! You are the QUEEN!! 🙂
Happy New Year!
Kelly Turner
http://www.everygymsnightmare.com
Chocolate and wine? That’s probably not the wisest of choices, but it’s what first came to mind. lol.
i think it’s so great that you and your family love to play golf together! my mom used to always beg me to golf with her and i never would, i’m terrible so i just get antsy and bored, haha.
that peppermint biscotti looks soooo good–i want some!
OH MY – I CAN’T WAIT FOR LOST EITHER! None of my friends watch it so I’m obsessed with it all by myself haha!
My two things: A boat and chapstick – if I can’t have the boat then I would want tons of hummus 😀
Love the festive glass!
My dearest darling! I just read your last four posts and I have missed a LOT! I totally understand the stomach stuff! I have a constant nervous stomach and it makes me feel sick. Ew! So sorryy you have that too. I love all the trail mix. 🙂 And the Bender traditions that just don’t stop! You are such a lovely lady and I LOVE your blog and everything about it. 😀 You’re doing awesome!
I’d bring lots of Orbit sweet mint gum (like, a pack a day) and Xanax!
Try not to fret about the future Jenn–I KNOW that you will find great success after graduation!
I stayed home with the fam for New Years too…that’s what the cool kids are doing 🙂 What a fancy margarita glass! Have you tried the Hungry Girl margarita recipe?
Wow, that island question deserves some pondering. I have no idea what I would bring! Probably something to keep me busy because I get bored pretty easily 😉
Heather ~ Thanks for giving me some perspective 🙂 It really helped!
Karla ~ Thank girl 🙂 You always know just what to say, hehe!
Erin ~ I’m sorry to hear that you can commiserate! But it’s comforting to know someone understands 🙂
K ~ Hurray for Lost!!! We can be obsessed together!
Happy New Year! I love all the eats! That shrimp looks so good!
A notebook and a pen.
If I could count those as one, then I’d bring a water purifier. 🙂
Is the stress just from the thought of graduating? I’m graduating this year, too, but I’m SUPER excited. Everything will work out. 🙂 No worries. Or, at least, I’m not worried about it. Maybe I should hahaha.
That peppermint biscotti looks phenomenal!
I love the corn on the cob holders–so cute!
*2 Things: Sunscreen (I’d be a lobster after an hour!) and a Sam’s size box of GoLean. Yes, I love it that much.
Haha I really do hope you feel better. After all, what’s four years of hard work for, if not to feel good about it? 🙂 Also…
OMG TWILIGHT WHYYYY is it SO GOOD?! I started reading it earlier this evening…and now it’s 4 AM…and I’m not planning on putting it down any time soon.
It doesn’t help that Robert Pattinson is just the most beautiful man EVER. Man, does he have siblings? Maybe one that conveniently goes to my school? I would just…pee my pants.
Darn you, Stephanie Meyer, for your manipulation of the 12 year-old girls in all of us! It’s horrible! Lol.
That surf & turf looks SO GOOD! What a great tradition.
Happy New Year!
The random question is tough. I’d probably bring along some kind of epically long book and a swiss army knife, or something.
Girl, you know how to eat! Happy New Year!
I just recently tried pom seeds.. they are so good!
That corn on the cob looks great, as do all of your eats!
Oh, and I wanted to let you know, I can’t seem to put Twilight down.. it’s great! Thanks for turning me on to the series!
As for your random question (love these, btw): This question is a toughie, but as a foodie, I think one of my items would have to be food, and I guess I would bring a fave dessert of mine, like a cookie. And my second item would have to be something that can make life on a desert island easier.. like TiVo? Haha, ;-p
Happy New Year, Jenn!
love the spread!!! seafood and turkey! yum yum yum!!!! and your pictures are (as always) gorgeous Jenn!!!