TWENTY-SEVENTEEN

Happy New Year to you and yours!

To ring in the new year, Ryan and I settled for a relaxing night in. We invited a few friends over for dinner and spent the rest of the evening cuddled up on the couch, cheering on The Ohio State Buckeyes. We loved spending New Years in the comfort of our own home, and with our baby bulldog! Plus, who could complain about sweatpants and fuzzy socks?

With a new year comes new resolutions! In 2017, I plan to:

1. Wake up before 5:30 AM every weekday
2. Invest in myself and my wardrobe
3. Obtain my Group Fitness Instructor certification and teach a class
4. Devote one night each month to Ryan (aka "Date Night")
5. Clean, pick up, and put things away each night, before bed
6. Transform our house into a home
7. Publish at least one blog post every month, documenting the days leading up to our wedding

 *Photo courtesy of Chloe Luka Photography

Here's to 2017 ... cheers!

HELLO FOOTBALL SEASON!

Goodbye summer, hello fall football season - my favorite season of the year! For the next three to four months, our weekends will be spent sitting in front of the big screen, consuming mass amounts of food, all while cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes (and Denver Broncos)!

This past weekend, the Buckeyes played in their first game of the season. Even without their star quarterback, Braxton Miller, they managed a WIN! The back-up quarterback, JT Barrett (a red-shirt freshman), played a good game. Having thrown for 226 yards, two resulted in touchdowns! Also, the kicker, Sean Nuernberger (a true freshman), proved his worth, as 10 points were due in part to successful field goal kicks! The final score was 34 to 17 - making this the Buckeyes 25th consecutive regular-season victory!

And since a football game without food is like a pass without a catch: incomplete, I made one of my favorites to snack on during the game ..... Buffalo Chicken Dip! If I can make it, anyone can. The recipe is super easy and only requires 5 ingredients!

- 1 cup of shredded chicken, cooked

- 4 oz. of cream cheese, softened

- 1/4 cup of your favorite cheese, shredded

- 1/4 cup of Frank's RedHot Sauce

- 1/4 cup ranch dressing

Simply preheat your oven to 350 degrees, combine all ingredients in a small baking dish, bake until mixture is warm throughout (roughly 10 to 15 minutes), serve with celery or tortilla chips and enjoy :)

Go Bucks!

OH-IO

The countdown has officially begun ...

A month from today, The Ohio State University Football team will play in their first game of the season and I my boyfriend couldn't be more excited! Whether cheering at the game or in front of the television, I try to show my team spirit by wearing something festive. So, I've thrown together a few of my favorite tees! And the best part is they are all unisex sizes, so men and women alike can wear them :)

 Ohio Raglan // Black Jeggings // Ohio State Buckeyes // We Tailgate Hard // Brutus Ringer // Red Shorts // Let 'Em Hear You // Ohio // Hang on Sloopy // Black Leggings

I am slightly obsessed with the versatility of the Ohio Tee! From Cleveland to Cincinnati, it’s perfect for those days when you don’t have anything team specific to wear. Simply add a Jean Jacket (if it is chilly out), Black Jeggings, and a pair of Converse and you are good to go! Also, there is one tee in particular I think would look great on a certain someone ;) 

I would love to know some of your favorite OSU items!

Go Bucks!

COLUMBUS CLIPPERS vs NORFOLK TIDES

On Saturday, my boyfriend's parents invited us to a Columbus Clippers game. His dad recently retired from the Lima Fire Department and they were honoring retired policemen and firefighters. In keeping with the weather this summer, it rained most of the way there, and when we arrived at the stadium ... it poured! We sought shelter in the team shop, where I found a hat I really liked (and it was on sale)! My boyfriend was a sweetheart and bought it for me. When the rain let up, we went upstairs to the Hall of Fame to grab a bite to eat. I hadn't eaten much that day, so I was starving! When the waitress delivered our food, I was shocked. There was so much food; we weren't able to eat it all! Oh, and did I mention my drink came in a Souvenir Cup :)

The game officially started at 7:05 pm. We sat in Section 102, Row 11, Seats 1-4. Clippers scored in the bottom of the second when Audy Ciriaco hit a two-run shot. Then, in the sixth and eight innings, Francisco Lindor hit a homer! Clippers now trailed by two! Carlos Moncrief was able to make it home in the bottom of the ninth, but it wasn't enough. The Norfolk Tides won 6-5. Even though the Clippers lost, we had a great time! The fans were much more relaxed than those at Major League games. Our night ended with a beautiful fireworks display!

I hope to attend a Cleveland Indians and a Dayton Dragons game next summer :)

CINCINNATI REDS vs PITTSBURGH PIRATES

On Saturday, July 12th, my boyfriend, his buddy Jeff, and I traveled to Cincinnati to watch the Reds take on the Pirates. My first game of the season, eek!

Here are a few photos from my first Reds game :)

 

Since the game didn't start until later, we thought it would be wise to grab a late lunch/early dinner. We ended up at the Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery. For starters, the boys ordered Calamari & Pepper Rings, as I had never tried squid before. Surprisingly, it didn't taste half bad. But my favorite was the Root Beer; crafted in house. Yummm! Afterwards, we checked out the team shop and wandered along the banks of the Ohio River.

At 5:15 pm, the gates officially opened. We were 3 of 25,000 fans to receive a Billy Hamilton Bobblehead. We sat in Section 102, Row B, Seats 17-19, located in the left outfield. During batting practice, little kids lined the front in hopes of catching a fly ball. It was cute (at first). 

After the singing of the National Anthem and a flight by "Sam" the Bald Eagle, the game began. Reds trailed by four until the sixth inning when Chris Hiesy hit a two-run shot. Then, Todd Frazier (who made it to the final round of the MLB Home Run Derby) completed the comeback with a three-run shot! Just when it looked as if the Reds might win, Andrew McCutchen hit a solo homer in the ninth inning to tie the game. He connected again in the eleventh inning securing a 6-5 victory over the Reds.

Even though the Reds lost, I had a fun time! I just wish there was a bit more air movement sitting that low, as it was extremely humid that day. Oh, and I was bummed to find out Souvenir Cups are no longer sold at the Great American Ball Park :(