Sweet Girl

So, it's now 3:38 AM and I've been awake since 1:45.  I've watched some shows, read everyone else's blog, saw that there was no one else on fb chat, and I'm listening to the morning trains roll in now.  It's time to update my own blog with some little pictures of our weekly commute to Austin.  We get down there at least once a week which we LOVE.  It's only an hour and it goes by quick especially when Charlotte knows we're going to see Papa and Gamaw :)  AND she's developing the cutest little singing voice (and I mean that in the way that only a mother can love).  For instance, her latest favorite is Jingle Bells, except that her version sounds like "E-O beolls" .

Here's to safe travel and a lot of time on I-35.

Here's What We're Having for Dinner this Week...

If you're like me, you want someone else to just tell you what to cook and what to buy at the grocery store.  Here's my attempt to help you in the dinner arena and just in case you aren't sure what to make, try some of these suggestions.  I have to give major credit to Real Simple magazine and their recipe department.  3  of our meals this week are coming directly from an 2009 issue!  I try to do at least one vegetarian meal a week.  Now I will pair these meals with either a salad or a vegetable of some sort.   

 Sauteed Chicken and Peppers with Coconut Rice.  Yes Please.  And there's black beans too!

We're also enjoying one of Pioneer Woman's version of chicken spaghetti...mostly available for Chris' lunches. 

I try to plan for at least 4 dinners and one that will really go the distance for lunch (since my husband really is fine with eating the same thing over and over).  Let me know if you need a grocery list!  By the way, these are all tried and true delicious.  Let me know too if this is interesting/helpful to you and I'll try to keep posting this kind of stuff!

Christmas 2010

Happy 2011 Everyone!  I didn't want too much time to go by before I posted some of our favorite pictures and videos from this past month. 

Charlotte was playing with a finger puppet of baby Jesus in the pictures below and it was just too cute.

We had a great time in Colorado seeing family and friends and enjoying the cooler weather. In the picture below, Charlotte was trying on Grandma Terry's high heels and prancing around like she owned the place.

 This is her "cheese!" face for pictures...

 This (thankfully) is not her cheese-face rather just pure, unadulerated sweetness.

 She LOVES to color these days and we are learning the difference between paper and everything.  Then there's different kinds of paper!

 Just before opening Christmas presents for the second time in her life--sniff, sniff.  They grow up so fast!

 This was Christmas, Texas-style.  The santa hat from great Grandma was the big hit.  She wore it the entire day! 

 Look at those eyes!!

 The Texas Christmas crowd.

 The magic of Christmas at work...

Shaking her Christmas groove thing.

Merry Christmas!

My friend had this on her blog and I loved it.  After watching it, Charlotte put a plastic duck down her shirt!

5 Year Anniversary

95 years after the fact, you can expect it to show up on my blog...or maybe not.  Apologies to the 2.5 people still following this blog (not that any of you are half a person....errr, nevermind.)  Anywho in an effort to keep blogger from kicking me off for inactivity, I thought I'd better post.  And actually I'm cheating, this is from a post I drafted but never finished...but you didn't need to know that nor do you care :)

Way back in October Chris and I celebrated our 5th anniversary by going to San Antonio for the weekend.  I was dying to show Chris this part of Texas--"it's like being in another country!" I kept telling him.  Not sure if he agreed to that sentiment but he did like it all the same.  He was especially impressed with the Riverwalk, surprisingly so, in fact.  Hmmm, not sure what he was expecting now.  Anyway, we stayed at this great B&B near downtown and were able to walk everywhere except for Mission San Jose. 

The first day we saw the Alamo, Riverwalk, ate at Mi Tierra, and strolled through the mercado.  Later, we went for sushi and more walking around downtown.

the picture below is both wonderful and creepy all at the same time...

We went through the cute town of Boerne on the way back.  Loved it.  Then as we neared Austin, close to Dripping Springs, we were suddenly in the longest line of cars in the middle of nowhere. 

Then we saw these...and lots of them.  And they ALL were going fast as we sat in the car and twiddled our thumbs.  Not moving.  Great race planning at work here.

Oh yeah, and we also enjoyed a bottle of wine from our wedding.  Actually we both agreed it had gone bad and ate the chocolates and bottled water in our room instead. 

Side note, I didn't get a picture but wished I had--nearby our B&B there was this outdoor bar with lots of room, colorful tables and chairs, lights strung overhead, live music, and a playground.  Yes, a playground.  It was the ultimate place for a playdate.  Kids were dashing around in the play area (sectioned off with a low wire fence), adults were enjoying fellowship and a beverage, dogs were sleeping under tables, the lights were festive, and everyone was being serenaded by the sweet voice on stage.  I wish more people would combine these wonderful things together in one place.  Fun for the WHOLE family :) Feel free to start a new business in my area.  I promise to be there.

The end.   

Family Time

Family time.  We get a lot of it.  Of course, I always want more, but we are really, REALLY blessed when it comes to Chris' schedule.  I complain when he's not home by 5, but seriously, we have it so good in this department.  Around here there are a lot of folks are in residency or med school or deployed and they sure as heck don't have 2 weeks vacation at Christmas and 2 months off in the summer!  Thank you Chris for choosing such a family-friendly profession. 

Anyway, we are still enjoying life in Texas and will soon enjoy some extended family time with Chris' folks and grandma who are coming for a week!  Looking forward to having our parents get together.  I think it's only happened twice in 6 years! 

Here's some shots of us playing at the park--we do this A LOT!  Another of Charlotte's pasttimes--playing with cardboard.  

And lastly, I got some business cards from Moo and I love them!  There are like 48 different designs and they are mini-sized.  Love them.



Pumpkin Muffins

My friend Mary Stuart told me about this recipe that I just remembered AND it's perfect for the season!  It's super easy (2 ingredients) and super delicious!  Literally, combine a can of pumpkin and spice cake mix, pour into greased muffin tins and bake for 20-25 min. in a 350-degree oven.  Apparently, they're only 2 weight watchers points too!  I've heard that it's good with chocolate cake mix as well. 

Enjoy!

New Day, Different Hat

One thing's for sure, this girl LOVES hats.  I mean obsessed, no question about it.  So, I'm thinking Halloween will be a big hit!  Not sure what we'll be yet, but it'll have to include a hat.  Here are some pictures of us out on the patio enjoying the amazing weather we've had!  I'm pretty sure I was telling her to smell the flowers not the watering can, but hey!? 

This wig is now included in the hat category...by the way anything can be a hat--dishtowels, pillows, blankets, t-shirts (esp. as they are being pulled overhead!), etc. 

Breakfast hat.  It was just too cute!

Side note, I'm gearing up for a few craft shows this holiday shopping season!  I'm excited to share a table with my new etsy friend, Stacie.  She is a great photographer and does a fun smattering of onesies, tile, canvases, and wire crosses.