Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

There's no denying that the South knows food. And they really know bar-b-que. As it turns out though, the nation's best bar-b-que can't be found in Mississippi or Tennessee. Believe it or not, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, located right here in Syracuse, attracts visitors from around the world thanks to its infamous pulled pork, chicken, ribs, and corn bread.

It all started back in 1983, when John Stage and his two partners set up a mobile concession stand near a massive motorcycle gathering in Albany, NY. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que quickly became the go-to food joint for motorcycle shows, fairs, and festivals in the area.

Eventually, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que called it quits to life on the road and settled into a permanent location in downtown Syracuse. Since then, the restaurant has expanded, adding locations in NY, NJ, CT, IL, and MD.

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que has been featured on Good Morning America, the Food Network, the Travel Channel, and perhaps more surprisingly, in Men’s Health and Eating Well magazines.

My recommendations? Go early (it's crowded), and arrive hungry. The food is so.good.

 

Sub-zero temperatures won't keep us down.

 

You know, eating crayons.

 

 

Getting Organized

Tyler and I took on a few projects to get organized this month. The whole 'New Year' thing had me in the spirit.

A shoe rack.

We have a mud room, which is fantastic, except that with no organization to speak of, it became a pile of bags and shoes that we tripped over regularly. If you know me, you know that this was making me crazy.

 



 

 

My jewelry.

I had a good handle on the earring and necklace situation already, but the bracelets and watches found their home in a container that I rarely bothered to dig through. Now, I actually wear them. This was so simple and took five minutes. I'm kicking myself that I didn't do it TEN years ago. Simply find screw-in hooks at any hardware store and wood dowel rods. I spray painted mine gold, because that's what was lying around our garage.

 

 

 A mirror.

This has nothing to do with organization, but we had a crappy, $10 mirror from Wal-Mart adorning our bedroom wall. I found this little tutorial on Pinterest, and made it a goal to just do it already. Sorry, I have no before or in-process picture, but the tutorial is spot on. Just follow that.

 

 

 

As we speak, Tyler is organizing our garage. Hallelujah. I'll spare you any pictures of the process - it's boring (which is why I'm warm inside, writing this instead of helping).

 

I hope everyone's year is off to a good, productive start. How about them resolutions.... eh, eh?

A New Year

New Years Eve this year started small, and ended big. It started with this conversation: "Let's have a few people over for New Years."

It culminated into this:

Me: "I went ahead and invited, you know, everyone."

Tyler: "A lot of people keep stopping by my office, asking about the party we're having?"

Me: "A Party? Done."

So our laid back night of hanging out happily turned into a party of sorts.  We ate a lot of food, drank a lot of champagne, played a few games, and counted down the end of one wonderful year and cheers-ed (and kissed) to the start of a new one.

There's something I love about the tradition of ringing in a new year with people you care about. Welcoming a new year with new friends in a new home only felt appropriate. Here's to fresh starts. To new friends. To Embracing exactly where you are and planning for where you'd like to get.

Happy New Year!

 

Please excuse the drool.

 

Again, the drool is totally distracting. Sorry Jackson, gray isn't your color (that smile, though).

 

 

Yep. Those are Jell-O shots.

 

 

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That Time We Let You Ride in the Car Unbuckled.GASP.

Just before Christmas, we loaded up the car with cookies and hot chocolate, and headed to Onondaga Lake, where the 'Lights on the Lake' light display was promised to delight.

Good thing we packed lots of cookies and hot chocolate, because that place was packed. Happily, the light display is enjoyed from the comfort of your warm, cozy car - you just drive through. It was sloooooow going though. We were bumper to bumper, slow rolling.

Naturally, I decided Jackson could best enjoy the three miles of impressive light displays on my lap. We had so much fun. Breaking rules, gasping at all the way-cool lights, and munching on goodies.

That's what it's all about, folks.

(Disclaimer: I was unable to capture any relatively decent photos of the lights themselves. Instead, enjoy our faces, below.)

Christmas

This year, we were on our own for Christmas. We had a quiet and relaxing Christmas - filled with playing, movie-watching, and cuddling.

Toddlers truly are magic - and through Jackson's eyes, we enjoy all the wonder, excitement, and pure joy this season brings.

Here's a recap of our Christmas traditions and festivities.

 

We made Irish cream.

 

 And sugar cookies.

 

 We got fancy and went to church,

 

 Then opened a Christmas Eve gift.

(Pajamas, the Polar Express movie, The Story of Christmas book, and mini cookies.)

 

 We watched the movie, ate the cookies, and read the book.

When Jackson went to bed, we got to work putting together his work bench.

 

 ..which he thoroughly enjoyed on Christmas morning.

 

 We opened stockings...

 

And gifts.

 

 Finally, we chowed down on a delicious Christmas dinner (and even busted open the Greek red acquired on our honeymoon).

 

Though we were not able to spend this Christmas with our families in Colorado, we made the most of building our own traditions, slow days, and cozy nights. From our hearts to yours, Merry Christmas!