Awesome dinner

So tonight, in honor of Allie and Michael and their honeymoon in Hawaii, we had a tropical dinner. I guarantee that it was every bit as hot here as it is in Hawaii, so we got the full effect. I made the best marinade for the pork tenderloin that Dave made on the grill, so I have to share it. Truth be told, it isn't a Hawaiian marinade at all, more like a Cuban mojo. So here's the recipe:

1 head garlic, cloves peeled
juice of 3 oranges
juice of 3 limes
1 tablespoon oregano
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon pepper
1/2 cup olive oil

Either with a knife or in the food processor, make garlic, salt and pepper into a paste. Add lime and orange juice and oregano. Heat oil over medium low heat on the stove for about 5 minutes, then take it off the heat and whisk in garlic mixture. Cool, then pour over meat and marinade for 3-8 hours.

You could use this over pork, chicken, beef or fish. Just don't marinade the fish for more than an hour or you'll end up with ceviche : )

So good....

A relaxing weekend

We had a great weekend. Friday we had volleyball (we lost, but played pretty well!), and Cara and Scott came to hang out for the night. We went out to a fun bar, had breakfast together in the morning and they went back to Indy. We saw the Simpsons movie last night- very funny, and today we've just been cleaning and hanging out in the park.

I can't wait for college football to start. I'm so glad that ND is on national television since we keep moving all over. Have a great week, everyone!

Allie's Married!!!

We just had a great weekend in South Bend, where I was matron of honor in my best friend Allison's wedding. There were many fun parties to attend and lots of dresses for me and suits for Dave to be worn. The pics are of Allie and me from Thursday night's party in her grandmother's garden, and of course the other is of Al before the wedding. She was an absolutely beautiful bride.

So a summary of the weekend's festivities. Thursday, which was also Dave's birthday- HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE!!!- party at grandma's. Friday morning- bridesmaid's luncheon at the Summit Club. Friday day- manicures with the girls and ceremony rehearsal. Friday night- rehearsal dinner, at which I gave a speech with Whitney, Allie's sister and actually got laughs! Saturday morning- hair and makeup, pictures. Saturday day- wedding at the Nickle house. Saturday night- reception at Palais Royale. Sunday- Pip family reunion at my parents' house.

So after all of this we are a bit tired, and thinking of eating only salad and drinking only water from here on out. It was a great weekend, and now we sleep...

What a weekend!

Dave and I just had a great weekend in Nashville, TN with our good buddy Michael Carter. We stayed with his parents for one night, then went with them to their lake house for the rest of the weekend. It was a fantastic getaway, and we got to spend some quality time with Mike. And although we spent an entire day on a boat in some serious heat, we avoided sunburn by slathering ourselves with the highest SPF imaginable every 15 minutes!

We came back this morning since Dave's classes were cancelled, and now we're exhausted. All that lounging and sunning ourselves... tough life! The pic is our view from the lake house. It was beautiful.

Not much to say!

We've had a pretty boring week, so I haven't thought of anything to post... We've been hiding in the AC due to this week's oppressive heat. Many of you have called to see how Dad's doing, and I'm pleased to report that he's back at work and in good spirits, despite being stuck in a knee immobilizer and a sling to keep his collarbone steady. Unfortunately he did tear his ACL in the fall, but if Cara and Allie can heal from this, we know he can too.

On another note, I'm looking for some more work, so if anyone needs me to promote anything, that's what I do best! That's the only bad thing about being a PR person- very few people actually need you. That's why I think Dave, Dad, Cara and Scott made a good choice. We all need dental care!

I've been remiss in my posting of KY factoids lately-- but I'm back!
Located within the southeastern interior portion of North America, Kentucky has a climate described as humid subtropical (indicating that all monthly average temperatures are above freezing). Monthly average temperatures in Kentucky range from a high in the high 80's and low 90's, to a low in the high 30's to low 40's and averages 46 inches of precipitation a year.

Sorry to my South Bend peeps for that post- I know our weather will make you jealous this winter : ) Course it was 102 degrees here yesterday, so you take the good and the bad!

Interesting weekend

We had a great start to our weekend in Lafayette/Indy. We first went to Lafayette Friday night and had a nice evening with Pam, Keith and Sarah, who we don't get to see enough! Then Saturday came Grandma Harriett's 90th birthday party, and lots of family came in for the festivities. It was great to see everyone!

Then we were on to Indy, to celebrate Cara and Mom's birthdays. Cara got a Nintendo Wii from Mom and Dad (note pics of her and Scott playing), and she's thrilled. Dave and I have one too, so now we can have sibling rivalry despite the distance.

Unfortunately our weekend took a turn for the worse when Papa Pip had quite a spill (about 6 feet) from some scaffolding while working on the cabin Sunday evening. He won a trip in an ambulance, a few hours in the emergency room, a broken collarbone (3rd time's a charm!) and a currently undiagnosed knee injury that is worrying us the most. Please keep him in your thoughts- he's one of the most active guys we know, and we want to see him back on his feet ASAP before he goes stir-crazy.

Feel better soon, Dad!

Happy Birthday Mama!!!

Today is Mama Charlee's birthday, and she's having a good one so far. We're going to have a joint Cara/Mom celebration this weekend when we're all in Indy- should be a good time!

In leiu of a Kentucky fact today, I have a Mama's birthday fact. Mama Charlee shares her birthday with Martha Stewart, Martin Sheen, Tony Bennett and Tom Brady. I would have done this for Cara as well, but the only interesting person she shares with is Judge Lance Ito....

Have a happy, happy birthday Mom!!

Happy Birthday Cara!!!

Cara's having a great birthday so far. We just got off the phone, and she's already gotten flowers and other goodies from Scott, and we're looking forward to seeing her on Saturday evening to celebrate.

Have a good one, sis!

Take me out to the ballgame...

Dave and I joined our friends Omar and Erin and some of their buddies for a Louisville Bats ballgame last night, and we had a great time! It's hotter than Hades down here, but we tried to stay cool and cheer on the team. Unfortunately, the Bats lost in the 9th to the Charlotte Knights, but we were pleased to see that our Cubbies pulled off yet another terrific win last night. The new cell phone is key- I could track the major league scores while watching the game in front of me. Technology rocks!