It was a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas this year! In honor of the Blues Stanley Cup victory, we went Blues this holiday season as we decked our house in the Blue note and Gloria to celebrate a very special Bluesmas! “Angels We Have Heard on High” proclaimed Gloria throughout our house as I repurposed old hymnal music into decorative art. Louie rode in the sleigh this year and played Gloria all the way!
PNC Park had long been on our ballpark bucket list, and we were thrilled to finally check it off alongside our friends Sindhuja and Myles – who, fittingly, also met at a Cardinals game, fell in love, and tied the knot.😍 From the moment we arrived, PNC more than lived up to the hype. Set along the North Shore of Pittsburgh with a backdrop of the Roberto Clemente Bridge, Allegheny River, and downtown skyline, it easily claims the title of the most scenic ballpark we’ve visited. But it’s not just about the view – PNC blends modern amenities with classic charm like no other park. The nods to Forbes Field, the cozy two-deck layout, and city-wide black and yellow color scheme give it a timeless feel, while thoughtful additions like the Riverwalk concourse, interactive lounges, and family-friendly STEM Zone make the experience both comfortable and fun. Concessions impressed, with options like Manny’s BBQ, Crabfries, craft brews, and even a Cuban Pretzel Dog that still haunts our dreams (in the best way). Even with a lackluster on-field performance, the crowd culture, creative theme nights, and views from every angle made this visit unforgettable.
The premiere of the final season of Game of Thrones just so happened to fall on Scott’s Name Day—clearly, the gods were watching. Naturally, that called for an epic GoT-themed birthday bash, complete with a DIY Iron Throne fit for a true ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. Guests arrived ready to claim their place #ForTheThrone, but in the end, it seems Drogon swooped in and stole the spotlight. (Typical dragon.)
We had pretty low expectations for Oakland Coliseum knowing it was a shared stadium between the A’s and Raiders, and that both teams would be vacating in the near future. For a baseball team, the stadium design is pathetic with narrow concourses and the view of the Oakland Hills blocked by football suites. The Golden State Warriors’ Oracle Arena and Championship Plaza are next door, but nothing else is within walking distance. The concession offerings were decent, but not unique so many fans bring their own food or tailgate. Recent addition of adult and kid friendly amenities definitely improve the experience for all fans. The fans were very friendly and enthusiastic (although the stadium was pretty empty despite it being a special discounted day). Overall this stadium is near the bottom of our rankings due to the poor design for baseball. We have high hopes for the new stadium in Jack London Square.
Oracle Park continues to top our list of favorite ballparks, so when we were back in town, we jumped at the chance to visit the newly rebranded stadium. Set right in downtown San Francisco with stunning views of the bay, its location alone is hard to beat. Giants fans brought incredible energy, and it was easy to get swept up in the chants as they cheered their team to decisive victories during both of our visits. The park itself is packed with unique amenities for all ages—slides, a real cable car, and even a thriving garden—and the concessions are equally impressive, featuring fresh seafood and California wines. One of the most memorable sights comes after the final pitch, when a flock of seagulls swoops in to claim the empty stadium. Our experiences at Oracle Park have been nothing short of unforgettable, and it’s a place we can’t wait to revisit.
We love Tolkien and his amazing LOTR and Hobbit books. I created this wall decal with my Cricut Maker for our kitchen. This quote by Thorin from the Hobbit is one of our favorites and encompasses many things we value. We love wine and music so added these into the design next to the words food and song. The subtle One Ring inscription behind the phrase in gold vinyl turned out awesome, and the word “Gold” sits perfectly inside. Yay for making our kitchen a Merrier place!
Here’s the Photoshop PSD in case you want to create your own.
I made these matching tanktops as the 10-year anniversary gift for Scott to wear on our trip to Tahiti, Bora Bora, & Moorea. The traditional 10-year anniversary gift is tin or aluminum so I decided to add metallic silver into the design. We love the Smashing Pumpkins heart SP logo because we both have the same first and last initials. Scott loves palm trees so I formed them into a heart with our initials in the middle – we are one love. Swimming with sharks and sting rays is a popular activity in Bora Bora so I put these friendly guys in the water. Of course the shirts were Tahiti blue (mens tank , womens racerback).
Our brother-in-law Jeff is a huge Mariners fan (since he’s from the area), so we have visited this stadium multiple times (as both Safeco Field and T-Mobile Park). We’ve adopted Seattle as our AL team and love catching a game when we visit the family. The beautiful Space Needle skyline view, retractable roof “umbrella,” phenomenal culinary selection, and integration of Mariners legends into their many amenities make this one of our favorite parks to frequent.
Scott visited Camden Yards as a kid and had fond memories of Oriole Park – this was our first trip together, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. From the crab-loaded concessions to the retro brick design anchored by the iconic B&O warehouse along Eutaw Street, the park blends charm, history, and hometown flavor. The location near the Inner Harbor, easy navigation, friendly fan culture, and unique touches like the “Country Boy” singalong made it a ballpark experience to remember.