Happy Feet Summer 2012

I saw the world feet first this summer:

I pranced in my pink Docs every chance I could!

 Trekking through Bull Creek Park on a very hot day, I dunked my tennies into the water...aaahhhh

In our neighborhood parks I wore padded socks and walking shoes to climb rocks and dodge cacti....and keep up with the boys

At Zilker Botanical Garden  I rested them while waiting for Scout to take some awesome photos.

 And, at Port A I had them in the sand most of the time, whenever they weren't in my flip flops

or propped on a table.

"Heaven is under our feet, as well as over our heads"

Henry David Thoreau

Gina

Mealplan Monday #23 and my recipe files

After I did some cleaning and re-organizing in my kitchen this summer, I was able to put my recipe box on the counter close to where I cook.  I really love this box I got from The Container Store years ago.  It has a clear lid and a nifty clip at the top to hold a recipe card while you cook.

I made some new dividers for it using some bright card stock and laminated them to make them sturdier.  

Monday - Crockpot Italian Beef Sammies, chips, cantalope
Tuesday - Baked chicken, scalloped potatoes, broccoli
Wednesday - Skillet Pork Chops, cabbage and carrots, Oatmeal Bars for dessert
Thursday - Tater Tot Hotdish, Salad
Friday - Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken, rice
Saturday - Dad grill
Sunday - Leftovers from the freezer, salad, to Sonic for shakes?

It's the first week of Back to School for the boys and I want to fill their tummies after a long day of school, but I also don't want to be chained to the kitchen.

Gina

Tourist in our own town - Zilker park

On a recent summer's day, Scout and I headed out to play with his new camera at the botanical gardens at Zilker.  We were only there an hour or so, but you could spend two or three just walking around and looking at everything.  You could hear the distant roar of morning traffic, but it was cool and calm under all the trees.

 

 This is one of the most serene and beautiful places to go relax and enjoy the beauty of Austin. There are winding paths and gorgeous plant life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the city I live in, and I love finding new places and re-visiting favorite ones!

Gina

Mealplan Monday #22 and getting Bubbie's room back in order

It had to happen: The Girl needed to get back to school and the rest of us needed to get ready for Back to School.  We miss having her around, but the room was a disaster after packing her up.  A little organization was in order for Bubbie's room:

It was nice of him to have his sister as a roomie for the summer - and necessary.  But it's also nice for him to re-claim his space and get ready for 8th grade (!), even as he misses his Big Sis.

Monday - Freezer casserole, green beans
Tuesday - Chicken strips, fries, salad, one-bite brownies
Wednesday - OUT for dinner
Thursday - Chicken Taco Salads
Friday - no idea yet - pizza again? 
Saturday - Dad grills
Sunday - Another freezer meal to finish clearing it out!

 The addition of a new dish chair for Bubbie to relax in was also nice.

Desk ready, room clean, clothes and backpack purchased. - not much else to do but enjoy the last of our Summer.

Gina

Packing it in and back to Waco

This week I moved The Girl back to Waco and it was not without its challenges. 

And as it always happens, I begin one task and discover another to be done and get a little sidetracked.  I came across the bulletin board I had painted and stenciled the first year she went to college and decided to update it for her apartment.

 

 It came out nicely, I think. It was quick and easy to re-do the board and add it to the growing pile of stuff in the living room.

  I was praying this would all fit into my car - I had to make it work.

I made it to her new apartments in Waco at exactly the time we agreed on and it took us 30 minutes to unpack this and get it up three flights of stairs:

 

 By the time we were done, the two of us were red-faced and soaked in sweat!  She has all that she needs from home now, and the garage has gone back to it's pre-apartment storage state.  Not as empty as I would like, but there is space to move around in.

Summer is winding down so quickly now especially with The Girl gone.

Gina

Tourist in our own town - Mt. Bonnell

It might have been hot out, but we were determined to get out there and explore our city.  We had to work around summer school and all, so we got a late start.  Scout wanted to take a few shots with his camera so I took mine, too.  I don't remember these stairs being this difficult to climb last time...785 feet.  Yikes.

Found a patch of shade for our picnic lunch from Central Market.

 

A beautiful view of Lake Austin!

Wear your comfy tennies and always take a jug of water in Central Texas!

Mealplan Monday #21 with Super Seasoning blend

Last week I cleaned all of the counters off in the kitchen, scrubbed them, and re-arranged them according to what I absolutely needed to store there.  Gone is the wooden spice rack that I paid $1 for, and meant to paint, but never did.  Gone, too, are the cheapie spices I bought at Big Lots - sorta. 

 I combined what was left of them with some extra salt and made a spice jar with the lid from a Parmesan cheese container.

It smells pretty good! 

Monday - Sausage and Peppers crock, rice, corn
Tuesday - Calamity Anne's  Meatloaf, mashed sweet potatoes, green beans (all from freezer)
Wednesday - BBQ chicken (freezer), Tomato Basil Pasta Salad
Thursday - Mexican Pinto Bean Casserole, salad
Friday - Freezer Clean out!  Whatever is left, with maybe a loaf of hot bread
Saturday - Dad grills
Sunday - Shredded pork tacos (crockpot), toppings, Spanish rice

I think it will work quite nicely on the Lazy Susan that I keep on the island, and the spices will actually get used.

Gina

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