The Blue Ribbon

Last weekend we all trekked over to the local civic stadium for the “Rodeo Art Show” that featured the best-of for the entire school district in which my younger sister, Emily, attends. On our way in, Emily was sure to inform us that “hers might not have even been picked” and that “she probably didn’t win, because there were some people that were really good” and that “this wasn’t really a big deal or anything.”

Well, what do you know – after searching high and low and navigating through the maze of other grades, we made it to the freshman circle – and our Emily took first. The blue ribbon! She really is one talented artist, which makes me incredibly proud and jealous!

PS – the whole point of “Rodeo Art” is to coincide with the big ol’ Rodeo that comes through Houston and the students are directed to take a picture that inspires them about the rodeo and anything related…think lots of horses, Texas landscape, etc… Well Emily thought a bit outside the box and managed to nab a picture of a piglet who was just wiped out after playing with his soccer ball. Too cute! The picture is titled “Tuckered Out.”

Now for the good stuff – the pictures:






Way to go, Emily! So proud of you - can't wait to put you to work for custom art for our kitchen.

Scenes from Christmas 2010

In keeping with tradition, I'm posting a slideshow with scenes of Christmas just past;) We had a wonderful holiday, I think the best one on record...


Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

I've been listening to this song on repeat and the lyrics really sum up the reason we're celebrating this weekend. We have so very much to be thankful for!

How Many Kings

Follow the star to a place unexpected
Would you believe after all we’ve projected
A child in a manger

Lowly and small, the weakest of all
Unlikeliness hero, wrapped in his mothers shawl
Just a child
Is this who we’ve waited for?

Cause how many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Bringing our gifts for the newborn savior
All that we have whether costly or meek
Because we believe
Gold for his honor and frankincense for his pleasure
And myrrh for the cross he’ll suffer
Do you believe, is this who we’ve waited for?
It’s who we’ve waited for

How many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Only one did that for me

Hope you all are having a most blessed holiday season! I look forward to checking back in after the fun....for now have a very Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving

So a little recap: Thanksgiving was at our place this year (I pretty much sequester holidays and hold them captive, so it's not like my family has much choice), but unlike last year, we had a whole year under our belt of living in the house and being settled. Which can I tell you - it just felt ohsoverynice! I took off Wednesday too, which meant FIVE whole days off of work in a row.

People. Newsflash --- THIS WAS AMAZING! I don't think I even really realized how tired I've been, but holy mashed potatoes, it was awesome! I haven't had that many days off in a row to just be at home in...ummm...never. Remind me to take vacations at home from now on, they are where it's at!

Long story short, all this time off resulted in my feeling brave enough to take on the turkey. I don't know why, but with how much I love to cook, I've just never felt like I could take on the bird. But this year was different, this year - I was empowered!

But then - SO MANY CHOICES. Do you deep-fry? We are in the South now, wouldn't that be appropriate? Do you brine? And with what brine? Do you glaze? I amassed more Thanksgiving-menu related magazines than I thought possible trying to exhaust all options. I went a bit overboard - at first I was going to butterfly it and stuff it with ricotta, fennel, and sausage. That was till I learned I needed to find an actual butcher from whom I could purchase such a turkey, your regular grocery deli will not butterfly your turkeys. Trust me. I tried. In the end leave it up to a blog to make my mind for me, and I took La Dolce Vita's advice and made her favorite recipe. And she was right - I will never make another turkey. It was the BEST.

I wish I had more pictures, but honestly, I was cooking the whole time, which really didn't allow for much picture taking! However, we managed a few:

Becky drove up late the night before to pitch in:

Recipes/Magazines on parade:

Some people opted for games instead of cooking:

Mom made pie...hahahaha. Becky and I were in tears after I took this picture...
Sorry, mom - couldn't resist!

The green beans were a hit - I'll include the link to the recipe below, so easy!

There she is - my pride and joy - about 1/3 of the way cooked:

We all gathered together to pray before dinner...ALL of us:

The Thanksgiving table...

I took a cue from good ol' Martha and walnuts served as our placecard holders:

Then we ate and we thanked and we ate and thanked some more. The End.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!!

For more on green beans go here:http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2010/11/green_beans_with_toasted_walnuts_and_dried_cherry_vinaigrette

Happy Birthday!

On the slim chance that Ty finds the time to meander online and sneak a peek at our blog, I wanted to wish him a VERY happy birthday!!!! Yup, today is his 29th birthday. The last of the 20's...though we're both in agreement on this one and can't wait to be in our 30's. Some people don't like growing older, we love it... Odd ducks, us two.

Anyhow, happy birthday to my husband! You are wonderful in too many ways to count here on this lil ol' blog of ours....thanks for being mine! I think 29 is going to be your best year yet!



P.S. You look good.

Fall's Fool

While temperatures outside waffle between Fall and an Indian Summer, inside I can play Mother Nature. So to keep my sanity when I see the weather approaching 90 degrees (umm, what? where did 70 go?), I know there's nothing like a little gourd action and a few spice-scented candles to fool me into thinking otherwise.

Our kitchen/breakfast area...


I have an editing problem, note in the picture above just the candles and arrangements, but no I felt the need for MORE white pumpkins. But really, can you fault me? I love those things!


Our living room...yes, the "J" is a touch ostentatious. But I love it and had stalked it on Horchow forever and then when it moved into the clearance section, well - that was just the end of the story.


Our bookshelves - nothing says Fall like the "Fall of the Roman Empire" series and some bronzed pumpkins.


And last, but not least...a sneak peek at the Thanksgiving tablescape...it's by no means done, but note how natural of a theme I have going! No gold, glitter, or sequin in sight! I know, I know...I surprise myself too;)


Well, that's it for us this year and Fall decorations. I'm saving the big guns for Christmas...and there will be reindeers, ornaments, poinsettias, and gold...yes, lots of gold;)

Rosé

Yesterday we spread out a blanket in the yard and I gathered all the magazines I've been wanting to spend time with...you know, not just peruse, but really read all the content, dog-ear for inspirational purposes, and maybe start planning my holiday tablescape. Yes, I treat my issues of House Beautiful, Elle Decor, Traditional Home, and Veranda like textbooks.

And though we have patio furniture it just seemed so appropriate to spread out a blanket and lay in the grass. So we did.

And we watched leaves fall with the light whispers of wind that moved through the trees. While fall is here technically, FALL is imminently approaching, and signals were everywhere of its pending arrival. Soon the leaves will no longer be overhead, but on the ground. Quieter moments such as this will be hustled and bustled as the Holiday season nears. And while I love the Holidays most of all, there is a quiet reverence found in moments so unexpected like yesterday afternoon. When the house has been cleaned from top to bottom, when the list of "to-do's" for the weekend have been completed and set aside, and when all that's left is simply to sit.

So sit we did. We sat and we sipped rosé, all under a rosé sky.

(Image from my blanket's view, courtesy of God)

And it was wonderful.