Sunday dreamin'

It promises to be a crazy week here, so Hubby and I got the heck out of town on Sunday.  First stop:  Canyon of the Eagles for breakfast brunch.

We sat out on the deck, wondering how much rain we were going to get.  Hubby made friends with the waiter (because he's friendly to complete strangers), and we stuffed ourselves with puff pastries, scrambled eggs, migas, sauteed spicy onions and peppers, bacon and ham, and skillet potatoes.  So good and needless to say, we skipped lunch that day!  Then we headed out to Highlands for the afternoon, and left just before the storms.

As spring merges into summer here, with all of the hoopla so much change, it's nice to have these getaways to help us slow down a bit and relax.  Hopefully, I will be able to stick to my schedule of  last minute reminders this week and keep my wits about me.  Here comes graduation and all that it brings!  Happy last day of May...

Mealplan Monday #145

Busy graduation week here!

Monday - TBD but probably Hubby will grill for he and the boys
Tuesday - Crockpot Mediterranean Pork, Black-eyed pea salad
Wednesday - Freezer meal - Cowboy Casserole, salad
Thursday - Baked Mexican Tilapia, seasoned pinto beans
Friday - Graduation BBQ 
Saturday - Easy Chicken Enchiladas, guacamole salads, rice, leftover cupcakes
Sunday - Anyone's guess

5 thing Friday - burgers, photos, Bubbie, triquetra, weekends

One day last week I took myself and my free burger coupon to Mighty Fine.

I have to say it was better than I remember it being.  Austin has so many great places to get a burger!  I'm no burger aficionado, but I know what I like. 

I put together this collection of school photos for Bubbie in a mat and frame combo. Those school photo packages you get at school?  I had so many photos left over and yet finding each year's pic was tricky!  However, I didn't sob all the way through it, so yay me.

 Bubbie and his GF of 3 years at the final band concert of the year.  So bittersweet!

 They had cupcakes decorated with the senior's baby pics.  Adorable.

I don't know how Bubbie feels about all these "lasts" he's a part of.  He started his first job and got a checking account, so in addition to finishing out the school year and all of it's tests and deadlines and applications and activities, he's been busy.  Graduation announcements went out yesterday so I feel somewhat on the ball.

I pondered buying one more James Avery charm for my bracelet to call it done, but it was going to be pricey.  So I went on Etsy and found this triquetra medallion, which is exactly what I wanted, and JA soldered it on for free.  The triquetra is our symbol for Highlands.

Hubby and I enjoyed some wood fired pizza and cool weather on a breezy patio at Saddlehorn last weekend after visiting my mother in Brenham.  Hubby works hard sometimes to help my mom.  His reward is relaxing and sipping wine.  

As it should be.

Gina

What I should be doing...

It's one of those days when I have plenty to do, and yet I am finding it hard to get moving!

Not the least of which is make plans for graduation next week - NEXT WEEK.

I still have to figure out the logistics of the day, what we are going to eat and when, what to buy my new grad as a gift (I'm thinking a new laptop), and oh yeah, the announcements need to go out!  It's quiet at the house and I have a full coffee pot.  And I have everything I need to get going. Time to stop procrastinating...

Mealplan Monday #144

Tried and trues, plus a couple of newbies!

Monday- Sloppy Joes, fritos
Tuesday - Indian Spiced Meatballs with spinach, basmati rice
Wednesday - Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad with Ham
Thursday - Parmesan Chicken with roasted potatoes, carrots
Friday - Lime Shredded Pork, taco fixin's
Saturday and Sunday are TBA nowadays!

Gina

Cowboy Chicken

For Christmas,  I ordered The Girl a recipe box and hand wrote some family favorites to get her started on her own collection of recipes.  She returned the favor by sending me some, too!  For whatever reason, I had not made this one yet.  No idea why - couldn't be easier and it turned out really tasty, though I have no pic of the finished product.  I only know it was great because I packed it for my lunch the next day!

I prepped the sauce ingredients into a bowl and pulled it out of the fridge when I was ready to throw it into the crock.

Cowboy Chicken
1 pkg of boneless, skinless chicken thighs (trim the fat off)
1 T dijon mustard
2 c. fresh salsa - making your own is so easy*
1 can of corn, drained
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
Her directions:
"Literally just throw everything into crock pot for 5 hours on low, then shred chicken, replace for 30 minutes more. Serve either on rice or in corn tortillas with 2% Mexican shredded cheese.  This recipe included 2 T brown sugar and 1/2 c. sour cream.  I cut it out and its still real good."

I love that she's already making the recipe her own!  The only changes I made to her directions is to cook a bit longer on low - 6 hours - and I didn't ask Hubby to shred the chicken as they were going to eat it in bowls over rice.  I chopped the salsa ingredients (pico de gallo) and just added them in.  Same same.

When I leave the house on Tuesday afternoons, this is the scene:  crock pot going, directions posted, kitchen clean, iced tea steeping.  Save me some leftovers, peeps!

 

*For salsa pico de gallo I finely chop a couple of large tomatoes, a full bunch of chopped cilantro, and a diced small yellow or purple onion.  Toss with the juice of one small lime.  I like ours chunky, but you could also spin this a bit in a food processor.  I make this once a week in the summer and we eat it with tortilla chips, or on tacos or scrambled eggs, and at the end of the week, I use whatever is left in something I am cooking!

Gina

Nifty and thrifty.

Last week I hit a couple of thrift stores on my way into work.  It's been a while since I've gone, and I wanted to visit a new one close to the hospital.  I don't go looking for anything in particular, though lately I am drawn to clothes more than household goods.

Earlier this month I ordered some new clothes on line, which I was in dire need of.  But at the thrift store I couldn't pass up this cool and comfy rayon top that I thought would look cute over shorts or with a skirt.  Just needs a press.

I also found this tiered skirt in a fun print.  Wrinkly and way too long for my 5'3" self, I lopped off the bottom flounce, gave it a quick hem stitch on the machine, and ironed it.  I found a vintage navy tee at Target to wear with it, too.  Skirts are one of my favorite things to wear.

 

The non-clothes items included this wicker wastebasket for The Lounge, and a cute wire basket to hold mail on the bookcase in the hall.

Mostly I am being mindful not to just buy something at a thrift shop just because it's cute or cheap - I want everything in here now to have a purpose, as Hubby and I will eventually need to think about downsizing.  But for less than $18 I have a couple additions to my wardrobe and two useful baskets.

Gina

Mealplan Monday #143

Monday - Rotisserie Chicken Salad on croissants, fruit salad
Tuesday - Cowboy Chicken (a recipe from The Girl - will share soon), Spanish rice
Wednesday - Beef Fajita salads, tortilla chips
Thursday - Calamity Ann's Meatloaf, small baked potatoes, peas
Friday - Friday Soup*

When my mother was living on working on her own in Saudi Arabia, she would cook all week long.  Then on Friday, she would dump the leftovers into a pot, add stock, maybe some noodles or rice, and call it soup.  My plan is to use up some bits and bobs in the freezer and do my own version!

5 thing Friday - Crepe Crazy, Jenga, Perissos, new clothes, stuff pile

A few weeks ago I spent the day in Dripping Springs and visited this cozy little restaurant:

 Their specialty is crepes!  I had the granny smith apple, brie, and walnuts crepe, drizzled with honey.  Oh my.

  I also shopped at a few cute places.  As much as I love the Burnet area, Dripping does have its charms.

Giant Jenga is a thing.  Hubby won.  And we both enjoyed a glass of merlot while picking up our quarterly wine shipment from Thirsty Mule.  

At Perissos we enjoyed gorgeous scenery, friendly staff, and great wine.  And picnic tables under giant oaks trees where you can sit and enjoy a lazy afternoon sipping wine. 

 

I did some on-line shopping at Land's End and Old Navy recently and part of it arrived last night.  I am really loving the bright as punch colors.  Can't wait to pair these with my huaraches.  I have another two tops, some casual capri's, and a nice dress on their way, too.  My wardrobe definitely needed a spark.

Hubby and I have taken to making lists when we go to Highlands.  That way we don't forget what we want to take up there when we're headed out.  It all goes right here in the front room where it cannot be forgotten. This weekend I am on call and Hubby will be busy with a scout function.  So Mother's Day is a bit up in the air as yet.  But I'm Ok with that as I will still be close to home and my peeps for two days

Happy Mother's Day!

Gina

Monday menus #19

Monday - Roast beef and muenster on ciabatta, chips
Tuesday - Cowboy Beans and corn muffins
Wednesday - Chicken/Avocado/Bacon Salads
Thursday - Taco Spaghetti, salad
Friday - Tuscan Turkey, masheds, green veggie
Weekends meals are up in the air this week...
Dessert is Vanilla Wacky Cake with Lemon Basil frosting

Gina

Coconut pies

I love coconut in pies and on donuts - the soft or macaroon type coconut.  Chewy and nutty.  Sooooo good!  So I decided to make a couple of pies last week - one to eat, one to freeze for later.  This recipe makes two pies and I have plenty of crusts!

 

 I don't remember where I got the recipe from.  I have had it for years.  It turns out pretty sweet, so you could always adjust the sugar, or just buy unsweetened coconut.

Coconut Pies
3 eggs, well beaten
3 c. sugar
1/2 c. flour
1 can evaporated mik
1 stick butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 t. vanilla
1/4 t. salt
8 oz. shredded coconut

I thawed out my crusts while I gathered up my ingredients.  Then I rolled them out and folded them, rolled them again and folded them - I did that a few times.  It made for flaky crust!

 My pie crusts are imperfectly perfect!

Mix all of the ingredients and divide between two crusts.  Bake in a preheated 350 oven for about 1 hour.

Pies cooling on the stovetop make the house smell so good!

And a slice of pie mid-morning with coffee in a peaceful kitchen is the best thing!
Happy Saturday!

Last Prom-er

I didn't even attend my senior prom.  And only two of my four have gone to prom.  Firstborn wasn't dating anyone, Scout refused to even consider going. But waaay back in 2010, The Girl went.

 

And she did look really lovely!

Hubby had about 15 minutes to take a few shots before her date arrived and whisked her away, and I missed it since I was at work!  I did however, get to take her shopping for the dress, which we both loved. 

Flash forward 7 years to her littlest brother going to prom.  I had literally ONE minute to take a pic before he and a friend headed off to pick up the girls. My hope is that when they took group shots and I can talk him into sending me some.  He had the perfect tux for him - navy blue, with a navy and black paisley tie and navy sateen vest.  Quite the looker, blurry photo notwithstanding!

Seems like every day there is a new milestone here - last this, last that.

But also many firsts to look forward to as well.

Gina

Monday menus #18

Monday - Ham and Swiss on croissants, chips, fruit salad
Tuesday - Beef Rio tacos, seasoned beans, homemade pico
Wednesday - Jerk Chicken Caesar Salad (a riff on this place)
Thursday - Cowboy Casserole, salad
Friday - Pot of beans with Easter hambone, corn muffins
Saturday - The boys and I on our own, Dad at a scout function
Sunday - TBD, Dad grills?
Dessert this week:  Coconut Pie

Gina