Spice Things Up with a Game Night & California Pizza Kitchen Thai-Style Chicken Pizza!

This post is sponsored by Nestlé, which compensated me to partner with California Pizza Kitchen^® frozen pizza and share news about the “Adventures in Entertaining” campaign this summer.

As a person who likes to party and entertain, you can imagine how over the moon I am about the fact that I’m engaged (to the man of my dreams, no less), and get to plan THE party of a lifetime. Weddings are no easy feat. I realize this. However, thanks to Pinterest and all things bridal, I’ve gathered dozens of ideas, inspirations, and, of course, DIY projects that I’m bursting at the seams to do.

The summer is slowly winding down and Jonah is even back to school.  As things start to cool down and I start to dive into my world of all things wedding bells, my fiancé and I thought it would be fun to invite our closest group of friends over for a game night. With my birthday just around the corner, we thought it would be a perfect opportunity to celebrate (moi) and just have fun with some old school board games and delicious food. Can you say Park Avenue and pizza anyone???

To compliment a night of games and light-hearted competition (read: fire and spice. Hey, when I play, I play hard), I’m going to serve California Pizza Kitchen^® (CPK) Thai-Style Chicken pizza. I also plan to serve Asian Mojitos and keep dessert light with Coconut Ice Cream and fortune cookies.

Want to host a game night of your own? Check out my tips below:

1. Encourage guests to bring their favorite board games. Once guests arrive, you can even make a game out of choosing which one you'll play! 

2. On game night, there's always a winner! Award the winner(s) with take-home prizes…a gift card to purchase apps, or games for their phone, or even your favorite board game makes a great prize!

3. For fun tablescape decor, place your platters on old board games and stack boxes for food risers. You can glue Scrabble pieces on to note cards or write on playing cards to label food items.

4. "Infusing" your game night with Asian or spicy food? Serve small bites on wonton soup spoons, out of small Chinese food takeout boxes, or lettuce wraps! 

5. Serve spiced or Asian infused cocktails to keep game night spicy and serve with your CPK Thai-Style Chicken pizza!

6. Have an outdoor area? Keep it fun and colorful by filling a galvanized bucket with ice and loading it with your favorite beverages, wrapped with logos of iconic and lovable board games. You can really spice it up by having an area set up to play corn-hole. (Will be a nice break from buying property and "Going to Jail!")

Want more fabulous ideas for entertaining? Head to Pinterest and check out my CPK “Adventures inEntertaining” board! 

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: LOVE GOES 'ROUND

LOVE... THE SECOND TIME AROUND

When people think of love the second time around, they usually think that it applies to a middle aged man or woman, who after a disappointing first marriage (or maybe an unexpected death) finds someone with an equal amount of baggage, and they fall in love. It's unlikely that people would ever suspect that a man or woman in their 80's could experience (or would even want to experience) love again.... But it happens. And it happened to my Nana.

I've shared many of my favorite Nana stories and conversations here before. My most favorite was when she called me to tell me she couldn't find her Yahoo... (Stick with this post... you'll come to discover that she has definitely found it. And more). Oh yes, Nana is in love. Deeply in love. Though she was married to my Papa for 57 beautiful years, she is now experiencing love the second time around with a wonderful man named Burt, who was married for 62 years!

Recently, I had the chance to sit down with Nana and Burt, for Lifetime Moms, to talk about their relationship for... and other things. Happy Valentine's Day, everyone. Lots and lots of love....

OUT WITH THE OLD...

A couple years ago, a friend sent me the most massive astrology forecast I had ever seen. I had just separated so things were obviously a little tough and life was complicated. Looking and hoping for better luck, I turned to this 4 page horoscope outlining details of what would hopefully become a bright future. Show me the money.

Alas, no dice. It appeared that financially, romantically, and professionally, my life would basically SUCK until sometime in 2011.

Of course, it didn't suck. Always. Just sometimes. 2011 came with a lot of highs and lows. Many wins and losses. Constant pushes and pulls.

And while there's been many successes, small triumphs, and wonderful moments of luck and love, more than not: I'm happy to say goodbye 2011. I'm happy to start anew.

I won't list all my resolutions for 2012, but I will say, in general, this will be the year to BE KINDER. More kind to my family, my friends, my body, my mind. I'm very hard on myself. It's time to lighten up, worry less, be STILL more. Time to get off of your Facebook and on to my fantastic stories. It's time to stop stalking and start taking stock in what's in front of me. It is time to BREATHE.

Before I tip my Forty to the year that put hair on my chest and "didn't kill me, but definitely made me stronger," I'd like to look back on a few of my favorite stories and posts. Boy, did I accrue some kick ass stories. Some of which, sorry, will never see the light of day on this blog. (Gotta save something for my memoirs. Ha). Here are some of my favorites from 2011...

-Getting in a fight with a Grandma at a Park

-Losing our beloved fish (of 2 days) named Nemo

-Lying to my son. A lot.

-Making empty threats to my son. A lot.

-Realizing I don't speak "Boy."

-Fielding incessant questions.

-Getting rid of terrible jeans.

And now... the new!!! I look forward to sharing many more stories and memories in 2012.... Here's to a beautiful and bright, happy and healthy, simple and sacred New Year.

Cheers!!!

MANY THANKS....

... for family. The traditions new and old, the questions that my mom asks repeatedly (still), the goodbyes that take forever (even though we'll see each other tomorrow). It means I have family. It means I have support.

... for my health. The extra stuff around the middle, the puffy eyes in the morning (and at night), the muscle cramps and aches after a hard workout (or bad night of sleep). It means I have health. It means my body works.

... for my home. The loud and unfriendly neighbors, the (always dirty looking) tile that I would not have chosen, the clutter that waxes and wanes, ebbs and flows (depending on how hard a 4 year old cyclone hits). It means I have a home. It means I have a haven.

... for my friends. For my friends, for my sweet, sweet friends. Your words of encouragement, your words of wisdom, your words through decades and disasters. It means everything. It means I have a team.

... for my child. The many questions I cannot answer, the whining and temper tantrums I cannot quell, the energy I cannot handle at certain times. It means I have a child. It means I have given life.

... for my dreams. The many disappointments, the many visions of life and love (past and present), the twinkle in the stars I manage to believe shine for me even when it feels like the world is telling me otherwise. It means I'm a dreamer. It means I have hope.

Today I am grateful for all this and more. Happy Thanksgiving.

A LOT OF LOVE

From the back seat....

J: Mommy, how much do you love me?

Me: Soooooooo, much.

J: How much? (Opening his hands). This much?

Me: Oh, way more.

J: How much more?

Me: To the moon and back, around the world 98 million times, to the bottom of the ocean floor and up, then around the world again. That much.

J: I love you that much too.

Me: I'm so glad.

J: NO. Mommy. NO. I love you... (Opening his arms). To the roof, to the neighbors, to Disneyland, all the way to the beach, and down Coldwater Canyon, and around the world 47 hundred 3, 5, zero, times. I love you that much.

Me: Wow, that's a lot.

J: Yeah. It's a lot... And do you know what else?

Me: What's that?

J: It's really far to the moon.

Me: I know.

J: What's a moon rock?

Me: That's a good question.

J: Do you know. What. I. Want. To. Be. Um, mommy, mommy, mommy. Do. You. Know. What. I. Want. To. Be-

Me: Yes?

J: Do. You. Know. What?!

Me: What darling?

J: I want to be an ASTRONAUT on Halloween.

Me: An astronaut. Okay! Very cool.

J: Can you get that for me, Mommy?

Me: I'll see what I can do.

J: Mommy, what will you be?

Me: A pretty mommy.

J: No, mommy. Something else. How about a princess?

Me: I like princesses--

J: A princess with a tutu. And a wand.

Me: That would be fun.

J: Yeah. And you can come trick o treating with me. Okay?

Me: Thanks baby. I'd love that.

The car ahead of me sits at a light.

Me: (Under my breath) Come on, dude.

J: Mommy! No! That's a not nice word.

Me: What did I say?

J:. You. Cannot. Say. Dude.

Me: You're right. It doesn't sound very nice. I was frustrated.

J: But Mommy. I'm very disappointed.

Me: You're... You're disappointed?

J: Yes. When we get to Daddy's, you are going to have a time out.

Me: (Holding in my laughter) Oh, my goodness.

J: No IFTS, ands, or butts, mommy. That's the rule.

Me: Oh... You are in charge?

J: Yes, I am in charge. I am the boss. You cannot say not nice words.

Me: You're right, Jonah. I need to think about my language.

J: Never, never, again, Mommy.

Me: Never.... You're pretty angry at me. Huh?

J: I will still love you though.

Me: How much?

J: That much. (Uses his fingers).

Me: That's a lot less than before.

J: I'm still very disappointed.

XO

THE MARRIED BACHELORETTE

I am ashamed to admit it, but I am hooked on this season's "Bachelorette" (ABC). I usually cringe watching dating shows especially since I've worked behind the scenes on some of them. But tonight, I found myself utterly enthralled and almost on the verge of tears....

Okay, quick recap: Deanna (the bachelorette) is down to 4 guys. Her favorite of the 4 is Graham, the hottest hottie of the bunch. Despite his gorgeousness, Deanna's been skeptical about him; he's been "holding back" and has had a hard time opening up. He's that guy that we all have loved before- the guy where the chemistry is undeniable and you fall in love instantly but he's "too cool" for school and you can't even tell if he even likes you back, BUT he gives you glimpses every now and again, so you hold on and stay in it. (He's Mr. Big before Paris). ANYWAY, Deanna has been dissed at the altar before so she doesn't want to take a chance that in the end Graham won't love her back and/or propose. SO tonight, she DIDN'T give him a rose. WELL, she does the requisite "it's not you, it's me, bye-bye" walk out to the limo with him and starts crying... tells him that HE was the ONLY one of the four guys that she was falling in love with but that she just can't take a chance. Graham is visibly upset. She tells him that their relationship ends here, it's over. He starts to cry and then stands up and hands her a card and tells her she can read it someday IF she wants. He gets in the limo, she starts to read the card (hysterically crying) and says in her interview that she is second guessing her decision now....

Out of all the "reality" moments I have ever seen on TV AND witnessed in person, this was by far the most truthful. (Okay, I'm being over dramatic, but honestly, IT WAS GOOD). Infatuation, disappointment, miscommunication... That's part of what makes relationships and romance REAL... and I was left wanting more.

THEN, the show cut to commercial and the VO says: "If you want to nominate yourself or someone you know for The Bachelor call..."

"Nominate me," I joke (kind of).

In another scene, a bachelor says, "I never have sweaty palms. She makes my palms sweat."
"Did I make your palms sweat?" I ask.
"Yeah."
"When?"
"Yesterday," he says dryly, "yesterday."

Now THAT is REAL romance....