your eyes whispered how we met

Wednesday night: Bobby very casually asks if I want to go see his new office in the old courthouse tomorrow since it will be kind of quiet down there with not many people working. I say sure.

Thursday afternoon: We go to said courthouse, check out his new digs, and he asks if I want to see a really neat view of the city. I say sure. We then proceed to go through a door held open by a fire extinguisher...which kinda freaked me out since that meant the door obviously would lock if it got closed. Bobby says that it's fine, it's always there. Ok. We begin to climb stairs in what looks like attic space, complete with all kinds of furry and scaly friends and insulation everywhere. As we're climbing over pipes, I ask him if he is taking me somewhere to murder me since no one would find me in this space. We go up more stairs and across a little bridge like thing and then another set of stairs to this scene:

I stopped walking and said something along the lines of "oh my gosh" while also being acutely aware that my heart was beating harder than it ever had before. Bobby came back and walked me up the few remaining stairs and then got down on his sweet knee, said the sweetest words to me and asked me to marry him! I'm pretty sure I said "really???" about 7 times after I said yes and then about 70 more times throughout our time up on the observation deck. The little observation room/deck was so romantic and so neat! The view of Fort Worth was really amazing once I actually looked at it.

He did a great job!! I was totally clueless although I should have picked up on his ever-so-fast pace once we left his office and headed to "see the view." :) He'd set everything up earlier in the day and a maintenance fellow and a bailiff were the only folks who knew what was going on.

I kept thinking of that line from Legally Blond when Reese Witherspoon says "....and she's wearing the ring on her bony unpolished finger!" I had literally just taken my nail polish off the day before and hadn't redone them, so I did a hasty at-home job before dinner.

We went to dinner at Silver Fox to celebrate and then met up with friends afterwards. Even Margaret's sweet parents showed up to celebrate!

It's sinking in more today but yesterday was the most surreal thing I've ever experienced. I know I am beyond blessed and that this sweet man was hand-picked for me.

He told me "now we get to be a family." :)

I get to keep him!!

i could be british for this

I mean, really, could anything look more like comfort food?? This is the pic from the magazine...mine wasn't as pretty but it sure was tasty. Perfect comforting meal for the cold weather and stressful holiday times.

English Cottage Pie
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon butter, softened
Cooking spray
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1 (8-ounce) package cremini or button mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 pound extra-lean ground beef
2 tablespoons no-salt-added tomato paste
1 cup fat-free, lower-sodium beef broth
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups leftover mashed potatoes
3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded sharp white cheddar cheese, divided
Paprika (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Combine flour and butter; stir well. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion and carrot; sauté 5 minutes. Add mushrooms; sauté for 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove vegetables from skillet. Add beef to pan; cook 5 minutes or until browned, stirring to crumble. Stir in tomato paste, and cook 3 minutes. Stir in broth and pepper. Return vegetables to pan, and bring to a simmer. Stir in parsley, thyme, and salt. Add flour mixture, and cook for 1 minute or until thick, stirring constantly.

3. Spoon meat mixture into an 8-inch square glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray, spreading evenly. Combine the potatoes and half of cheese; spread the potato mixture evenly over meat mixture. Top with remaining cheese. Sprinkle with paprika, if desired. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until bubbly.

I didn't tweak this at all except to use dried thyme instead of fresh. I made some quick mashed potatoes with a few Yukon golds, milk, butter, S&P. Oh, and I bought pre-sliced mushrooms...why wouldn't you? :)

Recipe from Cooking Light

these are a few of my favorite things

I hope Santa has Internet capabilities way up there in the North Pole. If you see the jolly gent, please pass along my list...I've been very good this year! :)

How can you not want to bake with this cute yellow hand mixer?!

A Lululemon yoga mat!! It is specially designed to keep my hands from slipping when I get sweaty (which would come in extra handy if I ever get to do hot yoga again....fingers crossed).

Oh...my liking of all things owls (cute owls, not creepy ones or ones with eyes too big) might be blowing into a full on obsession. Yeah. I think it is. How cute are these note cards?? I would opt for my own name, of course, to be on the front. I think I'd also choose bejeweled and rosybrown as my two color choices from this cute website: http://www.ohlouisedesigns.com/pages/Item%20Pages/OwlsFolded.html .

How did the owl thing come to be, you ask? Do you see any similarities between the pillow and the furry:

(When she gets really crazy, her ears go back and her yellow eyes get HUGE and I am certain that one time she is going to sprout wings and start saying "whooo.")

And just because sometimes Santa's in a really awesome giving mood, here's my most favorite thing with four wheels:

Merry Christmas!!

slow-cooker goodness

Here's a new favorite recipe. It's perfect for Sunday nights or when you're craving some warm comfort food.

Slow-Cooker Carne Guisada (serves 8-10)
•2 1/2 pounds beef chuck roast or bottom round, cut into 1-inch pieces
•coarse salt and ground pepper
•2 tablespoons vegetable oil
•1 medium white onion, diced medium
•1 medium green bell pepper, seeded and diced medium
•1 large jalapeno, seeded and diced small
•5 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
•1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
•3/4 teaspoon chili powder
•3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
•6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
•1 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
•1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
•2 bay leaves
•Flour tortillas, warmed, grated cheddar, and cilantro, for serving

•Season beef with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 2 teaspoons oil over high. In two batches, cook beef until browned on all sides, 5 minutes per batch (add 2 teaspoons more oil for second batch). Transfer to a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.
•In same skillet, cook 2 teaspoons oil, onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, and garlic over medium, stirring and scraping up browned bits with a wooden spoon, until vegetables are tender, 5 minutes. Add cumin, chili powder, oregano, and flour and cook 1 minute. Slowly pour broth into skillet, stirring until liquid is smooth. Simmer 2 minutes, then transfer mixture to slow cooker, along with tomatoes and bay leaves. Season to taste with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Cover and cook on high 6 hours. Serve in tortillas with cheese and cilantro.

(from Everyday Food, 11/2010)

My thoughts:
-I bought already cut up stew meat...the less I have to handle raw meat, the better.
-Everything tastes even better wrapped up in a Central Market flour tortilla. :)

battle of the banana breads

While I am far from a baker, I did try out two different banana bread recipes recently. One uses one of my obsessions: Greek yogurt. The other is fairly tradition...I assume, anyway, since I'm no baker.

Cho-nana Bread
¾ cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup whole-wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
2 Tbsp butter
½ cup natural applesauce (no sugar added)
¾ cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 large overripe bananas
½ cup Chobani Plain 0% Greek Yogurt
½ cup walnuts, toasted and chopped (optional)
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional) *I would use 1/3 cup*

Grease large loaf pan. Preheat oven to 350F. In a small bowl, stir together flours, baking soda, and salt.
Peel bananas. Cut each in half lengthwise and then cut each half into halves. Chop quartered bananas into 2-inch pieces. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar into a smooth paste. Add applesauce and vanilla, and mix until combined. Add eggs on at a time, and beat until incorporated.
Add flour mixture to wet ingredients, and mix well. Add chopped bananas, nuts and/or chocolate chips and Chobani.
Fold ingredients in, being careful not to break up banana chunks. Bake at 350F for 1 hour or until inserted knife comes out clean when removed from loaf.

Banana-Chocolate-Walnut Bread
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana
1/3 cup plain fat-free yogurt
5 tablespoons butter, melted
2 large eggs
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
6.75 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate minichips
1/3 cup chopped walnuts, toasted and divided
Cooking spray
2 tablespoons fat-free milk

Preheat oven to 350°.
Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until blended. Add sugars; beat until blended.
Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 5 ingredients (through allspice) in a small bowl; stir well with a whisk. Add flour mixture to banana mixture; beat just until blended.
Fold minichips and nuts into batter; pour batter into a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 55 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven; cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack. Remove bread from pan; cool completely on wire rack.

The winner (in my opinion, anyway): Cho-nana Bread! I liked the taste better, plus since I consider myself a bit of a health nut, I like the protein factor from the yogurt, plus the use of applesauce instead of oil. Happy baking!

words to ponder

Some really great lyrics about forgiveness that make you think. If you can find the video of TSwift performing this song on the VMA's, I highly recommend checking it out. And yes, in case you've been wondering if the hype was worth it, let me reassure you: her new CD is that good. :)

An Innocent
Guess you really did it this time
Left yourself in your war path
Lost your balance on a tightrope
Lost your mind trying to get it back
Wasn't it easier in your lunchbox days
Always a bigger bed to crawl into
Wasn't it beautiful when you believed in everything
And everybody believed in you

It's alright just wait and see, your string of lights are still bright to me
Oh, who you are is not where you've been
You're still an innocent
Still an innocent

Did some things you can't speak of
But at night you live it all again
You wouldn't be shattered on the floor now
If only you had seen what you know now then
Wasn't it easier in your firefly catching days
When everything out of reach someone bigger brought down to you
Wasn't it beautiful running wild till you fell asleep
Before the monsters caught up to you

It's alright just wait and see, your string of lights are still bright to me
Oh who you are is not where you've been
You're still an innocent
It's okay, life is a tough crowd
32 and still growing up now
Who you are is not what you did
You're still an innocent

Time turns flames to embers
You'll have new Septembers
Every one of us has messed up too
Minds change like the weather
I hope you remember
Today is never too late to
Be brand new

It's alright just wait and see, your string of lights are still bright to me
Oh, who you are is not where you've been
You're still an innocent
It's okay, life is a tough crowd
32 and still growing up now
Who you are is not what you did
You're still an innocent
You're still an innocent

Lost your balance on the tight rope
It's never too late to get it back

you are the best thing that's ever been mine

human-ness

So, my mind and my heart have recently been focused on how unkindly and unfairly some groups of people are treated.
1. I read The Help and although it's fiction, it's historical fiction and you can bet those stories really occurred between some white women and their "help." The segregation laws were very much real.
2.I recently watched an Oprah episode where she returned to a small town 20 years later after doing an episode about a young gay man with AIDS and the city's reaction to him jumping into a public pool. It was shocking to me to hear a man say "they should all be shipped to their own island so they can whittle down their own kind." Seriously?! What was almost more appalling was that views in that town hadn't changed much in 20 years.
3.I have heard bits and pieces of the debate over the Muslim center being built near Ground Zero...I listen until I get frustrated, which isn't too long.

I'm thankful to live in a time where people can drink out of whatever water fountain they want, people with AIDS (or cancer or even a prosthetic leg) can swim in a public pool without being ridiculed on national TV.

I'm sad and baffled that some people forget or don't want to remember that when we all lay down at night to go to bed, that we're someone's daughter, sister, father, uncle, or friend. We're human beings and we're way more alike than we are different. We all eat food, we all like to be comfortable, we all want to belong, to be valued, and to count.

Someone posted the Washington Post article below on Facebook and I think I read it about 4 times while simultaneously clapping. It made me think back to my graduate classes, and one in particular: Diversity. I loved this class. I loved how it pushed everyone's boundaries. I loved how it made me think and rethink and rethink again. I loved how it opened my eyes to other people's lives and struggles. I loved that it made me want to do better. The article inspired me to look back at my own "journal" entries from that class. We had readings each night and several guest speakers throughout the course of the class. Our assignment each night was to write a journal entry (for a grade) about the day's class discussions and readings. I have put one of my journal entries below the WP article.

Here's the Washington Post article:
Dear Muslims, let's all agree to reject hatred
By Kathleen Parker
Sunday, September 12, 2010

Dear Muslim World,

I am writing you today as an American citizen who is deeply embarrassed by current events in my country.

First, let me say that I am not representing anyone. I can't claim to speak for anyone but myself, though I am certain that many others feel as I do.

I want to address the current controversy over the proposed Islamic center and mosque near Ground Zero and the so-called "pastor" in Florida who had been threatening to burn a Koran.

I'll begin with the easier of the two: Please ignore Pastor Terry Jones. I wish we had. He may live in the United States. He may have a building with a cross on it and call it a church. And he may know 50 or so people who care what he says, but he's nobody. His threat to burn a Koran was a desperate attempt to get attention and nothing more.

Anyone can call himself a pastor, but there's a reason Jones leads such a tiny congregation. We have a long tradition in this country of letting people speak their thoughts in public, but we don't take many of them very seriously. We laugh at characters like Jones but figure it's better to let fools reveal themselves in the light of day than to let them fester in the dark.

I know this is hard to understand. We have trouble with it sometimes, too. Freedom is a messy affair, and sometimes people get their feelings hurt but we think the trade-off is worth the aggravation.

What we hope you understand is that most Americans were appalled by Jones's proposal, too. Many of us would like for him to crawl back under his rock and stay there, never to be heard from again. Alas, our laws do not forbid stupidity. A few decades ago, Jones would be standing on a fruit crate on a street corner, where children would point at him and be scolded by their parents: "It's not nice to make fun of crazy people." Today, thanks to the miracle of mass communication, he can command a broad, if undeserved, audience.

What our laws do not require, of course, is that we give him our attention, and that's where we have failed each other and ourselves. As a member of the news media, I am sorry that we handed him a megaphone, and I apologize. Please be patient. In a few days, he will be forgotten.

Of more pressing concern, and less easily resolved, is the controversy in this country about the proposed Islamic cultural center in Manhattan. I understand the sensitivity, as I'm sure many of you do. When we were attacked by terrorists nine years ago, our hearts were broken. They still are.

Nevertheless, we don't hold all Muslims responsible for what happened any more than all Christians should be held responsible for what Pastor Jones has been saying. Muslims also died when the World Trade Center towers collapsed. To say that an Islamic center can't be built near Ground Zero is to say that all Muslims are to blame. I don't think that most Americans believe this, even though a majority now say that they would prefer the center be built elsewhere.

This can't be explained rationally because this is purely an emotional response. Obviously, Muslims have the same right to worship when and where they please, just as any other group in America. The same rules of tolerance that allow a Florida pastor to preach his message also allow Muslims to preach theirs.

We may never be able to agree on some things. That is life. But let us all agree to some terms. Let's agree not to tolerate hatred -- toward Muslims, Jews, Christians, atheists or any others. Let's agree not to use inflammatory language. Let's agree to call out and condemn those who would incite riot, whether it's an imam who orders the death of a cartoonist or the preacher who wants to burn another man's holy book.

Let's agree that sometimes we will disagree but that none of this makes any sense if worshiping the creator means we must destroy each other in the process. Anyone who believes in God can't also believe that his divine plan included his creation's mutual destruction.

Peace be upon us all. Or as we say around here, God bless.

Sincerely,

An American

My journal entry
6.23.08

Well I am just eating up the information I’m learning about other religions, particularly the Muslim faith that I read about tonight. I knew a few bits of trivia about it, but feel so much more informed having read two different pieces about the faith. I did not know that Islam believed any parts of Christianity, let alone that the two religions share quite a bit of history. I can’t help but wonder how many Christians are aware of this…
In reading and reflecting, I thought a lot about the current state of politics and prejudices against Muslims. I find it sad, and honestly a bit ignorant, that people can hold an entire group of people accountable for something done by a handful of individuals who happened to be members of their faith…or claimed to be. There is no arguing that since 9/11 Muslim people have been the targets of profiling by officials and also citizens. The last time I was at the airport, I watched as an older couple, who I presumed to be Muslim, remove their shoes and had their bags searched. I remember feeling sorry for them…they were suffering the consequences of people’s actions they had never met.
I realize I’m coming at this journal entry with more of a racial/cultural discussion than a religious one. But as I read about the history and practice of Islam, no where did I read that followers were expected to fly planes into buildings, carry out suicide bombings, or plot to kill mass amounts of people-usually Americans. I don’t-but I do-understand why an entire religious culture is essentially punished for the crimes and malevolence of a small number of people. Is it just easier to place blame that way? Is it easier to make sense of tragedy when you can blame someone or a group of people that is still alive; that way you can fight the enemy? And is America really all that more protected by having all, although racial profiling “doesn’t exist”, Muslim-looking people go through intense scrutiny? Does anyone think to ask what religion they are affiliated with? I think a lot of religious assumptions are made, and are made based on looks. I am positive that there are white Americans who practice Islam, but are they made to go through extra security measures at airports? Who’s to say they are any less likely than the next Muslim to cause mass harm and panic to a group of people?
With all the disappointment behind those questions, there is hope after reading the article about Reza Aslan. As the author says, he is one of the “great hopes for Muslims to take back the faith…” This article brings about the question; can one person really change the world? Well, most likely, the answer is no. But, he can bring some awareness, advocacy, and education to people who are willing to listen. And he can encourage others like him to follow in his footsteps.
Do I think the Muslim faith will ever be fairly judged again? Not in my lifetime. But I can hope that when people allow their eyes to be opened a little bit, and their minds challenged even just slightly, that the followers of Islam may get a little bit more of a fair chance to practice their faith and be members of the human race.

must read

Read this book:
It just might change your life. Or at least make you think a little more about life and people and kindness and relationships and what you didn't learn in history classes. It will run you through the gamut of emotions, all for the better.

Best of luck putting it down once you start.

(more) lyrics i like

...I need more than a truth to believe
I need a truth that lives, moves, and breathes
To sweep me off my feet

Its gotta be
More like falling in love
Than something to believe in
More like losing my heart
Than giving my allegiance...

(Just a snippit of the song "More Like Falling In Love" by Jason Gray)

just in case you've been wondering

This house: Was even cuter and better in person. I know, I know...how is that even possible??? A-the living room set up was better and cozier than the pictures were able to show. B-the kitchen was way bigger (and has a huge pantry) than in the picture. C-the owners had lit a little candle on the porch for ambiance...cute! D-I got to go inside and dream.

must.make.now.

Thanks to the wonderful world of blog stalking, I can keep up with the lives of complete strangers as well as old friends from middle school. This recipe come from latter (here's her blog: http://immeasurablymoore.blogspot.com).

Now, let me tell you, for a girl who really doesn't like to eat things that come from a can, and for a girl who likes creamy white foods almost less, this recipe ROCKS! Definitely a good Sunday night, eat off of it all week keeper. Thanks, Sarah!

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
4-5 chicken breasts
1 can RoTel
2 cans cream soup (I use 1 mushroom & 1 chicken)
3 Cups grated cheese
1 tsp. ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder
salt & pepper
8 oz. sour cream
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1 Serrano pepper, seeded, de-veined and chopped (optional)
1/2 onion, chopped
12+ flour tortillas

1. Cook thawed chicken breasts in the crockpot with RoTel & seasonings on low for 4-6 hours. (or until cooked through & very tender.) Drain excess liquid and using 2 forks, shred chicken.
2. While chicken cooks, saute peppers & onion.
3. Mix shredded chicken with remaining ingredients, reserving 1 cup cheese.
4. Spoon mixture into tortillas, roll them up and place seam side down into a greased 9x13 pan. Spread remaining mixture over tortillas and top with cheese.
5. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

*Because Bobby's more adventurous than me, he wanted to add some of the RoTel "juice and tomatoes" from the Crock Pot to the shredded chicken/cream/cheese mixture. I stepped aside from my OCD, recipe-following self and let him. It was a good adventure.
*I used 4 chicken breasts and had plenty-our enchiladas were huge!

very superstitious

Yesterday was Friday the 13th. Never before have I believed in bad luck on this day or been the least bit superstitious...however, after yesterday I might be a bit swayed. Like they say about deaths, my bad luck came in threes.

1. My blow dryer died about 5 seconds after turning it on yesterday morning. It just so happened that I'd gotten my hair cut the day before, by a brand new person, and I had a lot of new layers that needed to be fiddled with and styled. Scratch that plan; my hair spent the day in a ponytail with bobbypins. Luckily it was a super casual day at work.

2. Once I got to work with my semi-wet, semi-dry hair, I realized I'd left my phone at home. Obviously I knew I'd survive just fine without it, but I couldn't help but feel a bit off until I got home. On the upside, I was way productive because I had no phone to play with.

3. We stopped by Target on the way to dinner so that I could replace my deceased blow dryer. While in the checkout line I realized my wallet was not in my purse and was instead at my house. Luckily my sugar daddy was there to pick up the tab.

I ended this less than stellar day with a highly tasty frozen margarita, which helped everything.

welcome mat

Yeah...I want to put one of those on this front porch reaaaaal bad. Like I look at this house everyday online bad. Like I tried to figure out how I could possibly live in it immediately bad. Like I drove by tonight(twice) and called Bobby to remind him how much I love it bad. Like we talked again 20 minutes later so I could reiterate my affection for it (and reiterate the cute neighborhood sightings I saw on my stalking trip: a group of little boys playing football outside, families at the park, men mowing their lawns) bad. Like I'm about as hyper as after I have a Mountain Dew bad. Like I told him I'm driving him by it tomorrow night so he can see for himself bad (that'd be 3 drive-bys in 24 hours...if you're counting). Like I'm counting on getting to see the inside on Wednesday night bad. Like my obsession with Adam Lambert bad.

How cute/darling/perfect/charming/lovely/warm/friendly/inviting is this house: Hello beautiful shade of purple, I'm in love with you and your chair railing. Oh and built-in white bar, I love you just as much.

Hello front living room where I would spend so much of my time watching jealous people drive by.

eye-opening

But when we can manage to get a picture with his eyes open, boy is he good looking.

(Add a spiffy white dinner jacket and my little Great Gatsby knocks my socks off.)

my favorite go-to

More Vegetable Than Egg Frittata (serves 4)

2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 onion, sliced
4 C mixed vegetables (I've used sliced Swiss chard, cut-up asparagus, diced zucchini, and/or cut-up green beans)
*1 tsp salt
1/4 C fresh basil leaves (optional)
3 eggs
1/2 C freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

1. Put 1 tablespoon of the oil in 12" nonstick skillet over medium heat. When hot, add onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add vegetables and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Raise heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes. Adjust heat as necessary so vegetables brown a little without scorching.
2. Turn heat to low when vegetables are nearly done and add basil, if using. Cook, stirring occasionally, until pan is almost dry, up to 5 minutes longer for wetter ingredients such as mushrooms.
3. Beat eggs and cheese (if using) in bowl while vegetables cook. Season with remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pan. Pour in eggs, using a spoon if necessary to distribute them evenly. cook, undisturbed, until eggs are barely set, about 10 minutes. Run under the broiler for a minute or two to brown very slightly.
4. Cut into wedges and serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.

*I use my favorite Parmesan cheese from Central Market, which is already pretty salty (and SO good!!!!). I thought a teaspoon of salt made it waaaay too salty the first time I made it, so now I only use 1/4-1/2 teaspoon total.

If you're getting cheese (or really anything else delicious at Central Market), I would recommend grabbing a yummy loaf of bread there too. A slice of good bread, a salad, and a slice of frittata: delicious!!

I don't do bugs

If this sweet animal brings one more of these inside

she will be looking for a new home.

P.S.-The bug is a picture I found online; I did not take the time to snap a picture of any of them in the midst of trying to keep the cat away while I shoveled the giant things back outside.

God love him

I feel bad asking people to take a quick picture of Bobby and me...most of our friends who've been asked will take several and give up. Why, you ask? Well, this wonderfully handsome guy turns into a wrinkled, mentally challenged man who looks three sheets to the wind even though he's stone-cold sober (he has a sweet sunburn to boot in the most recent ones). Bless him.

(Mere tried giving him lessons...obviously those haven't paid off)

And thank goodness for professionals who use Photoshop.

yummy breakfast

Oh, baby, are these muffins g-o-o-d. And easy, which makes them taste even better. You can put everything together while the oven preheats!

healthy morning muffins (makes 12)
•Nonstick cooking spray
•1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
•1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
•1/2 teaspoon baking soda
•1/2 teaspoon baking powder
•1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
•1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
•1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
•1/2 cup raisins
•3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
•1 large egg
•1/3 cup skim milk
•4 medium carrots, shredded
•1 medium ripe banana, mashed

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt until there are no lumps. Stir in oats and raisins. Add oil, egg, milk, carrots, and banana and stir until blended.

Fill each muffin cup with 1/4 cup batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean, 23 to 25 minutes. Serve muffins warm or at room temperature. (To store, keep in an airtight container, up to 3 days.)

good listening

It's not really too difficult for me to become obsessed with a single CD. If I get one I really like, then I listen to it over and over again until I worry that I'll actually make myself tired of the songs. Enter darling Dave Barnes: Margaret and I saw him play a few years ago and not only was he flipping hilarious on stage...like really, really funny and charming, but his CD was muy bueno. He recently released the CD above and it has been on play constantly on my iTunes player and in my car. It might be the sweetest little CD I've heard. Ok, it is. He is so in love with his wife and has written the sweetest lyrics about her and their relationship and their future. Still not convinced? Read theses lyrics and then tell me that you don't agree and don't also want to hang out with him because he's probably really just that cool:

I’ve been a walking heartache
I’ve made a mess of me
The person that I’ve been lately
Ain’t who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me
Watch as the storm goes through
And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

There’s more here than what were seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You’ll always be love’s great martyr
Ill be the flattered fool
and I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I pray we never undo

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you, gave me you.
Gave me you.

Told you. :)

fireworks x2

It goes without saying: I. Love. Fireworks. So much so, in fact, that I've been known to sneak into the Cats' stadium at the end of the games to watch the fireworks show. Luckily this July 4th weekend, I did not have to do so. I got my fill on both the 3rd and 4th. Score.

July 3rd

We went with Bobby's parents and friends to the Concert in the Gardens. It was so nice out and we got to listen to the FW symphony play some sweet patriotic music...followed by even sweeter fireworks that lasted for forever. They had the best fireworks finale I've ever seen!!

You can't tell from this picture, but the conductor had on a serious American flag shirt.

I promise I really was having fun, it just wasn't captured in this picture.

July 4th

Grant, Bobby's bff (they might even have some sort of weird friendship bracelet to prove it), invited us to play out at his parents' house with lots of other folks. Um, it was GORGEOUS!!! I wish I had thought to take a picture of their actual house, but you'll just have to enjoy the amazing view they have.

We swam in the pool, ate lots of good food and sampled a ridiculous amount of desserts, played with lots of cute dogs, and watched multiple fireworks shows. We could see at least 6 or 7 from around the city and then of course, because it's Texas and we were in the semi-country, fireworks were set off about 10 feet from the house. Before most of this, Grant took us a death ride via Mule to show up the property and the stocked pond. He and CB caught a few cute bass, Ashley and I managed to spill our margaritas within about 3 minutes of the start of the death ride, Bobby acted like there was nothing abnormal about going 40 mph on a Mule, and I saw more grasshoppers than I ever have in my life. Fun times!

Much better picture-taking experience than the day before (just wait for that post, it will be worth it...promise).

This picture is only showing about half of the cute doggies that got to play and take part in the holiday festivities. I am in love with that big, white, sweet polar bear named Gabe. I want to steal him. Reaaaaal bad.

Grant probably made the firework salesman's year. I'm not sure I've ever seen so many different kinds of fireworks close up. Which is why I learned just how much I like being far away from the actual explosion. Below: I could not get my sparkler to burn out fast enough or get far enough away from those two clowns with their Roman candles.

What a great, great, great weekend with fun people!!

feels like summer

Sitting under that little cabana/hut, last one on the right. For about 7 hours each day. For 6 days. Soaking up the sun, listening to the amazing 90's radio station, laughing with some of my very favorites, enjoying some great beach reads, and drinking my body weight in frozen, fruity concoctions.

sounds like summer

GIANT waves crashing along the shore...

smells like summer

Oh how I do love my little herbs that have weathered many storms. Too bad you can't really see the darling garden markers (look for the utensils) all that well...wish I had a cooler camera. Thyme, shhhh...don't tell the others that you're my favorite.

Also, smells like lunch. In a restaurant (Lili's-yummy!). On a weekday. With my sweet boy.

looks like summer

This is about our pace right now here on North Bailey Avenue...

tastes like summer

Raw Corn and Zucchini Salad

Cut tips of 3 ears corn, husks and silks removed; stand corn in a wide, shallow bowl. With a sharp knife, slice downward to release kernels (you should have about 2 cups); discard cobs. Transfer kernels to a medium bowl. Add 2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced, 2 TB fresh lime juice, 2 TB extra-virgin olive oil, and 2 TB coarsely chopped cilantro. Season with coarse salt and ground pepper and toss well to combine.

Yummy, easy, and refreshing!!

new favorite

Oh, have I found a refreshing little ditty. You are going to want some.

Towards the end of a rather irritating trip to Central Market yesterday, I stumbled across a sale display. Typically, I am an impulse buy's worst enemy. I just never give into it or really even think about. I stick to my list. My list is planned. I like plans. Meet my well-worth-it impulse buy: I was immediately intrigued because there is a delicious prickly pear margarita I am in love with on the Riverwalk in SA. If you know me, you know that I stick to three main liquids: one comes from cows, one falls from the sky and goes through all sorts of processes to make it to my faucets, and one is made from grape juice soaked in barrels. This new ever-so-refreshing and pretty drink might throw a wrench is my regular routine....but it sure will taste good being sipped by the pool this summer.

love in the bond

I got to catch up with so many of my favorites this weekend, courtesy of AXO! It was the 20th anniversary/celebration of when the chapter started at TCU. Friday night was a bid day recreation at an alum's house in Park Hill....I must say, it was much better the 5th time around: margarita machine. We definitely didn't get to enjoy one of those babies at bid day in college. After mucho margaritas and some good Mexican food, we headed downtown to see The Klocks, who played at Suzanna's and Jay's wedding just a mere year ago. I was quickly reminded of why I avoid downtown: Affliction shirts, hired girls dancing in nearly nothing, and lots of strobe lights. The Klocks were awesome at the wedding, but this night they were apparently catering to the downtown crowd who likes to hear "Baby Got Back" and the like. We didn't stay long.

Saturday night was the recreation of our formal, Red Carnation. In actuality though, we really did sort of crash the active's formal. Because it was cash bar, and because this cash bar was at Colonial Country Club, we opted to have a preparty at my place...we were trying our best to recreate college! The party was fun...that might have been in part to the flasks that were or were not snuck in...

I was most excited to see some of my favorite people whom I either hadn't seen in nearly a year and also the ones I had seen a few weeks ago. Either way, we always catch right back up and it's as though no time has passed at all. We had such a good time laughing, dancing, and retelling stories.

Can we go back to college but take out the class part??? I want all my favorites to live within walking distance of each other!!

(Too bad half of my favorites weren't around during picture time.)

little love

This is my Thursday morning little love. I know, today is not Thursday. And he wasn't actually even in my office in the picture. And he wasn't actually even having a very great day, which is why he was in someone else's office. He's tired. Of a lot of things.

But every Thursday morning we go to my office and take animal quizzes, we draw, he shows me how fast he can do animal puzzles, we talk about why he's mad and how to handle it, we laugh together.

And on everyday that isn't Thursday, he asks "are you coming to get me today?"

I don't think he knows how much I look forward to Thursdays.

short soap box

I thought about writing this last night when I was a bit more riled up, but alas, Idol drags on forever on Wednesdays and because I have to get up so stinkin' early, I have to go to bed so stinkin' early. Now that I've had a day to ponder my thoughts, they're still ever-present, but perhaps I have cooled down a bit.

So unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Sandra Bullock's husband has not been faithful and has possibly partaken in multiple affairs while married to her. Yesterday, Mr. Jesse James decided to check into rehab to "work on personal issues." Last I checked, making the choice to step out of your relationship, in secrecy, and get naked with others, is not an issue of addiction, nor is it an issue often necessitating rehab services. Some therapy, a good and honest look at your present relationship, and a swift kick in the pants, yes.

I have a very real concern that thanks to some of these stellar individuals (Mr. Woods and Mr. James in particular), that rehab might become the new "it" thing to do when you mess up big time and get caught. Don't want to have to say "Yes, I made a major, major, major mistake, I made a bad choice(s)....?" Don't worry, you can check yourself into an ultra fancy rehab facility and place the blame on your addictions...that way you don't have to actually take any responsibility for your actions.

This being said, I realize that some addictions are real and really do require treatment. I really do. But do I think either of the above gentlemen (or any of their potential followers) truly have an addiction? Absolutely not. I think they made conscious decision after conscious decision to put themselves in particular situations for reasons far from being addicted.

Maybe I wouldn't be so mad/disappointed/concerned/riled up if I didn't spend my days in a building with 700+ young kids. 700+ kids who are instructed daily about the importance of responsibility. And integrity. And respect. And honesty. 700+ kids who watch and hear the news, who are hearing and learning about adults who don't care to value some of these basic concepts.

I realize no one is perfect.

I'll step down from my soap box now...

english muffins

I tried out a new recipe and had success. I like being able to make my own comparable versions of packaged and processed food from the grocery store. Here's the recipe for my newest endeavor:

English Muffins (makes about 15)
1/2 C warm water
1 TB honey
2 T active dry yeast (from one 1/4 oz. envelope)
1 T unsalted butter
2 C all-purpose flour
3/4 C whole-wheat flour
1/4 C rolled oats
1/4 C wheat germ
1 T coarse salt
2 T whole flaxseed
1 1/2 T caraway seeds (optional)
1/2 C low-fat buttermilk
cooking spray

Combine warm water, honey, yeast, and butter in a bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes, until foamy.
Combine flours, oats, wheat germ, salt, flaxseed, and caraway seeds in a large bowl. Add yeast mixture and buttermilk and mix with your hands until flours are almost fully incorporated. Turn out mixture onto a clean surface and knead until smooth, about 3 minutes.

Lightly coat a mixing bowl with cooking spray and place dough in bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until almost doubled in size, about an hour.

Turn out dough onto a lightly floured work surface, knead for about 1 1/2 minutes, and roll out to 1/2 inch thickness. Using a 3-inch round cutter, cut out rounds. Roll and cut scraps once. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and dust with cornmeal. Place rounds on sheet and cover with plastic wrap for about 20 minutes until puffy.

Heat a griddle or large skillet over low heat. Working batches, place rounds about 1/2 inch apart. Cook until golden brown and dry on both sides, about 7 minutes per side. Let cool for 30 minutes.

You can store in them in the fridge for about a week or put them in the freezer for no longer than a month.

My thoughts:
*I used ground flaxseed instead of whole because that what I have.
*I ended up turning the heat up to medium-low because they were taking forever.

monday morning sermon

Ted Kitchens said that a sermon isn't really doing it's job unless you think about it on the Monday morning after. Let me tell you...I thought about it all day yesterday, this morning, this afternoon, and while on the elliptical machine.
The sermon he gave yesterday was one of the best I can ever remember hearing. It was so real, so applicable to any and every situation in life, and so simple...in theory. Faith.
Click the link below; you can fast forward through the little one-man show at the beginning if you want (I'm not a fan of the skits/what-have-you)...also, you're going to need about 25 minutes to listen [you don't have to watch :)].
I share this with you because I think it is something everyone should have a chance to hear:

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for your viewing pleasure

To clear up any confusion as to why Suzanna, Emily, and I look as though we're 2 years younger and why my hair is short, here's an actual picture from this past Saturday night in Dallas (the other was literally from 2 years ago at creepy transvestite-who-is-also-a-Cher-impersonator karaoke). I didn't post it yesterday out of concern that you might not be able to figure out who the middle character was. Wait. Of course you would have figured that out, we all know Emily. In the midst of our random and fun evening out (it was actually our month-late Christmas exchange), we stopped by a cougar-themed 30th birthday party. Please do not ever throw me a cougar-themed anything. Needless to say, after a few beverages and looking at lots of people in leopard print, things appeared funny to us that might not be funny to the average viewer. Cases in point:

-Emily demonstrating an array of dance moves while wearing a lion mask (remember: cougar theme. Cougar theme is bad.)
-Jay wearing said lion mask pretending to eat brisket and a container of ice cream.

feels like home