the party.

Oh, hi there! Remember me? I went on vacation and never wanted to come back. But, I did. And I have many stories to tell. The first of which you may have already heard from Leeann or Kathrin. I had a little birthday and my family threw me a little party. 

But really...I turned 30 and my family and friends threw me an amazing fucking party and filled my heart so much.

The party was held at 98 Bottles in Little Italy, San Diego (California, United States of America). What a great venue full of great beer. So much great beer that I don't remember a lot of details from the party. 

A few things I do remember...

• My sister created a kick-ass little photobooth situation that we all died over.
• My dearest friend Emily & her fiance DROVE from SEATTLE to come to the party. They DROVE 18 hours. The thought still makes me cry.
• Justin's mom met my family and no one died or started a fire. Success.
• Justin made a speech that everyone thought was going to be a proposal (AGAIN), including my dad. And it was sweet and wonderful and hilarious and people caught incredible pictures of this moment that I will laugh over forever.

I am forever grateful to have had such an amazing party with such wonderful people. And thank YOU all for the birthday wishes and love you have sent my way. It's long past, but I still feel the love. SO MUCH FEELINGS.

That's all I can muster up for today. Stay tuned for vacation recaps and the time I thought I ruined our vacation. Such a treat.

Potluckery.

Within the next two weeks I have about 900 potluck events to attend and contribute to. Don't get me wrong, I love cooking and baking. And I'm really starting to get my groove back. However, when these events are back-to-back I don't want to be up all night preparing and then potentially creating a pintastrophe. So, I've chosen some of my favorite, reliable, and delicioso recipes to contribute to the world.

Paula Deen Gooey Butter Cookies

I know, her recipes are horrifyingly delicious. A stick of butter, a stick of cream cheese? Whelp. Sure. These cookies are too easy and always a delight. Just make sure you chill the dough before you bake. Be fucking patient, okay? Sometimes I get all crazy chocolate chips or whatever yums I can find. Add all the things and dazzle your guests.

Peppermint Patty Bars

I found these little bars of nom on pinterest last year. A tube of cookie dough and peppermint patties? Mouth says yes.

Jalapeno Popper Dip

I don't think I need to elaborate on this one.

And the great american classic,

Buffalo Chicken Dip

I linked to the original recipe for this, but if you use canned chicken you are an animal. Please, cook and shred your chicken breasts for the sake of all that is good and holy. Canned chicken should be illegal. The recipe couldn't be any easier: A brick of cream cheese, 3/4 a jar of frito ranch dip, a shitload of Frank's red hot sauce, and boom. Buffalo Chicken Dip. Also, the thought of using a photo that has used canned chicken in the recipe is testing my gag reflex, so you may google it yourself.

And there you have it. My go-to recipes. What are yours?

"I don't think nuns drink..." "It's the blood of Christ!"

Monday, WHY? I'm too tired to make strings of words, so please enjoy this mild selection of photos from our Annual Golota Halloween Party (in which I did not sleep in the front yard but two people did and one of them was dressed like Wilma, ALLEDGEDLY).

Mom & Her Girls (Me, Daisy Duck, Brittany the Chipette, & Sable)

It's funny because it's ironic.

Blessing our Chipette, Brittany. Justin invented
the two-finger blessing.

Bonding with my sister, I guess?

We are drunk ninjas.

 Kick ass this week, my friends.

Hipster Big Bird.

I'm a little peeved. Due to the fact that the biggest controversy to come out of this election season is a controversy I created years ago. Sexy Big Bird costume is so 2010, you guys.

This was also the year that I drank a half a bottle of tequila and passed out in the front yard. Of my parents' house. Dressed as Big Bird. I will give you a moment to absorb that.

You see, it was my sister's 30th birthday and her special day just happens to fall on Halloween. So we decided to have the first of what would become a traditional Halloween bash. At my parents' house. Where parties were forbidden in my day.

That up there? That's us dancing on my father's pool table. On a normal day he doesn't let me sit on the edge of it because it might get thrown off balance. But on Halloween, all the rules are thrown out the door. 

Also thrown out the door was my common sense that year. I was going through a phase where tequila shots were my thing. I repeat, I took multiple shots of tequila rather than drink like a normal person (except for those beers I can't seem to put down, ever). I carried around my own bottle all night. Because it was MY THING.

You already know where this is going. Let me explain what was going through my head when I made the decision to head out the front door and lie down in the cool grass. We had a DJ and it was incredibly loud. My dad was smoking a cigar in the house because according to my mother who was dressed as Anna Nicole Smith, it was his party too! We all had great rationale that night. So I was hot, it was loud, and it was smoky. Who wouldn't head outdoors to the cool, quiet, and plushy grass?

Hours later my parents were alerted to my presence in the front yard by my mom's dog (my savior and love of my life). Which meant that EVERY SINGLE PERSON at the party came out front to witness me sleeping (okay, and occasionally vomiting) in the grass. They tried to get me inside. I refused. I was comfortable. I was FINE YOU GUYS. Oh my god just get me a blanket and let me be!

Finally much to my mother's elation, my sister's in-laws dragged my ass inside and dropped me in the bathroom where I remained for about 10 hours. Until I figured out how to get upstairs, where I remained for the next day and a half surrounded by my own shame and everyone elses' amusement.

To answer your questions, tequila is no longer my thing. And yes, my family and friends are still not over this nor will they ever be. And yes, there are photos but I threatened bodily harm if they ever met the internet.

If one of the thousands of people dressing as Big Bird can top that, then they may have the glory. Otherwise, I'm pretty sure I won the Big Bird contest before it was cool.

The annual Chino Halloween Party is tomorrow. Wish me luck!