My Favorite Memories From 2019
It’s as cliche as it comes, but I am shocked it’s the end of the year. 2019 is a year I will always remember. I feel like I experienced some amazing things, met some wonderful people and really discovered myself. Here is a month by month overview of some of my favorite moments from a year filled with early mornings, adventures, a move, challenges, loss and countless happy moments:
January:
In January I attended the North American International Auto Show and saw Hamilton for the first time!
During February I finally got to see Legally Blonde the Musical and went to a Galentine\’s party.
March:
I attended my first Red Wings game at Little Caesars Arena, went to Papa\’s woodcarving show and spent plenty of time in the snow with Jack during March.
April:
April was the game-changing month for me. Not only did I see Hamilton for the second time (it\’s really good), but I took my first solo road trip to not only a city I have never been to – but a state I have also never visited. I also fed a stingray and attended the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
May was a low key month, that was filled with bike rides, trips to nearby cities and seeing Waitress on Broadway for the first time.
June:
June was a month filled with first time experiences. I did barre on the field at Comerica Park, tried an aerial yoga class and attended the Grand Prix at Belle Isle.
July:
July was a busy month! I took another solo road trip, visited a butterfly house, did a Spartan workout, went to the Detroit Zoo a ton and went to Vinsetta Garage for burgers with Papa.
August:
August started off with a trip to the west side of the state to attend EMPOWER Summer Camp and of course, I celebrated Jack\’s 7th birthday.
September:
During September I gave rock climbing a try for the first time and fell in love. I also met up with my college roommate at the Detroit Zoo.
October:
October took me back to God\’s Country. I explored Marquette with friends, laughed so hard I cried, visited new places in the Upper Peninsula, ate moose pancakes and never wanted to come home. I also got over my fear of clowns and dressed as one of three blind mice.
November:
November brought on another first, I went with a friend and her family to America\’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Downtown Detroit. I also went on plenty of adventures with another friend who runs at the same sense of wander that I do.
December:
In December I got to try out my Kurgo dog backpack with Jack and go on hikes, took the best Christmas card pictures ever and visited the Zoo Lights at the Detroit Zoo.
2019: Christmas Card Reveal
Growing up I was taught to always send thank you cards out when you receive a gift, and always send Christmas cards to friends and family. Ever since Jack came into my life I have made an effort to put his cute little face on my Christmas cards, and this year\’s cards might be my favorite ones yet. I placed a Scottish plaid bowtie around Jack\’s neck and we headed to the train. The pictures were so much more than I could have ever hoped for. The snow was lightly falling and the wind was lightly blowing giving Jack a look that was reminiscent of Fabio himself. Choo choo peek at the pictures from our Christmas card photo shoot.
Coming to Detroit: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
Detroiters, get excited! JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is coming to the Detroit Opera House for a six night engagement from February 4-9, 2020 and tickets will go fast! This is one show that I have been dying to see. Following critically acclaimed, sold-out engagements in the UK, the reimagined 50th Anniversary tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is expected to be everything we have hoped for and more.
Tickets for the 2017 Olivier awarding-winning production from Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre start at $34 and are now on sale. Tickets can be purchased online at broadwayindetroit.com or ticketmaster.com and by phone at 800-982-2787. Tickets may also be purchased at the Detroit Opera House and Fisher Theatre box offices.
Featuring award-winning music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, the North American tour of this iconic musical will be helmed by acclaimed director Timothy Sheader and cutting-edge choreographer Drew McOnie. Rounding out the creative team is set and costume design by 2016 Tony Award nominee, Tom Scutt, lighting design by Lee Curran, and music supervision by Tom Deering.
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary series of events during the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ, as seen through the eyes of Judas. Reflecting the rock roots that defined a generation, the legendary score includes ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’, ‘Gethsemane’ and ‘Superstar’.
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is a proven musical phenomenon with a world-wide fan base. As demonstrated by NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert, this epic work attracted over 9.6 million viewers, earned the highest ratings in its time period, and received the highest critical ranking of any live musical event on network TV. Now, almost 10 years after the last major tour in the US, this award-winning Regent’s Park production will play over 50 markets throughout North America.
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival, selling out two consecutive engagements in 2016 and 2017. The production will open for a limited engagement on West End, this summer at the Barbican.
The North American tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is produced by Stephen Gabriel and Work Light Productions. The original production was produced by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
For additional information about this production, please visit ustour.JesusChristSuperstar.com.
Facebook & Instagram: @JesusChristSuperstar | Twitter: @JCSTheMusical
Performance times for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR appearing February 4 – 9, 2020 at the Detroit Opera House, located at 1526 Broadway St., in Detroit are:
Tuesday – Saturday evening performances at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday evening performance at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
Special open captioned and audio described performance on Friday, February 7 at 8:00 p.m.
Tickets for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR start at $34 (includes facility fee) and are now on sale. Tickets can be purchased online at broadwayindetroit.com or ticketmaster.com, and by phone at 800-982-2787. Tickets may also be purchased at the Detroit Opera House and Fisher Theatre box offices. A limited number of premium seats will be available through Ticketmaster and at the Fisher Theatre box office. For group sales (12 or more) please call 313-871-1132 or email groups@broadwayindetroit.com. Tickets for the open captioned and audio described performance may be purchased in person at the Fisher Theatre box office or by phone at 313-872-1000, ext. 0. Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to change without notice.
Broadway In Detroit uses Ticketmaster as its sole, authorized ticketing agent. Individual tickets purchased from a ticket broker or “third party” ticket reseller involves risk and may not be authentic, sold at box office prices, or with correct performance and venue information. Broadway In Detroit box offices cannot reprint or replace lost or stolen tickets sold through a third party or ticket reseller. Broadway In Detroit is also unable to contact third party purchasers with pertinent updates or changes regarding performances.
How To: Make a Simple Cheese Board
Holiday entertaining season is in full swing, and there’s nothing better than serving up the perfect charcuterie and cheese board for your guests to enjoy. Cheese boards are great because they don’t require any cooking or baking and you can make them in advance.
Did you know… Kroger has quite the selection of wines and cheeses like Murray’s? With a wide selection of cheeses, you can easily get creative with your own board this holiday season. Recently, I attended an event hosted by Kroger on how to create the perfect cheese board as well as what wines pair with what cheeses. Baltimore, one of Kroger’s wine stewards told us about different types of red and white wines, including the regions that they typically come from. As many of you know, I do not drink at all. However, I thought Baltimore offered some great knowledge that I wanted to share with you.
“Legs” in a wine glass
The “legs” in a wine glass are the tears that stream down the side of the wine glass after it has been swirled. The way that the legs fall typically has to do with the level of alcohol in the wine. The thicker and slower the legs fall the higher the alcohol level is.
Wine and cheese pairings
While certain cheeses and wines pair nicely together, there are actually no strict rules when it comes to wine pairings. Baltimore insists that the best rule of thumb is to drink what you like. If you want something sweeter go for Rieslings and Moscatos. If you like something on the dry side try a Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio.
Cheese Monger Tips & Tricks
- Murray’s recommends a serving size of one ounce per cheese, per person.
- Leave the cheese out at room temperature one hour prior to serving.
- When in doubt think: Something Old. Something New. Something Stinky. Something Blue.
Cheese Pairing Principles
Complimentary: aged gouda paired with fig spread
Contract: blue cheese paired with honey
Terroir: Manchego paired with a Spanish Roja
How to assemble a cheese board
- Make sure to color block
- Think “mild to wild”
- Make it inviting
- Get creative
- Put suggested pairings next to each other
- Put jams, jellies, and spreads in small jars and replenish as needed
What to include on a cheese board?
- A variety of cheeses
- Nuts
- Crackers
- Grapes
- Grape Tomatoes
- Jams, jellies or spreads
- Pretzels
- Assorted fruit
- And more
Pro Tip: Tightly wrap leftover cheese in wax paper or foil and throw them in the vegetable drawer to ensure freshness.
Get creative this holiday season and spread some cheesy holiday cheer!
Best Gift for the Holidays: Grand Rapids Popcorn
Fashion meets Food 