Scout turns 23!

In a dark moment I ask, "How can anyone bring a child into this world?" And the answer rings clear, "Because there is no other world, and because the child has no other way into it." ~Robert Brault

******

Don't we all wish they could be small again for just one day?  How is it that he is 23?  
Can't be possible.  But I am so thankful that he is here on earth with us!

Happiest of Birthdays, Scout!

Mealplan Monday #217

I'm happy that freezer clean-out week is over...leftovers are good and all, but...

Monday - Taco Chili (freezer meal), fritos scoops
Tuesday - Leftover Nashville Hot Chicken on garlic toast

Wednesday - Sausage with Red Beans and Rice, chopped salad - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SCOUT!

Thursday - Stovetop Easy Cheesy Chicken Bake, skillet kale
Friday - Southwestern Hashbrown Bake with salsa, sour cream, avocado
Saturday - yoyo
Sunday - Cheese Tortellini Bake, salad, garlic knots, birthday cake for Scout!

Gina

(un) Mealplan Monday #216

This week we are eating out of the freezer to save a little grocery money this spendy month!  There is plenty in there...

Monday - Ranch Pork Pot Pie
Tuesday - Sloppy Joes, coleslaw
Wednesday - BBQ Smothered Pork Chops, scalloped potatoes and carrots
Thursday - Chicken Enchiladas, corn
Friday - Lazy Daisy (HEB) Meatballs, rice, broccoli
Saturday - YOYO
Sunday - Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs, BBQ beans, chopped salad

Gina

5 thing Friday - jewelry, rain, chicken salads, bookcase, The Girl

Recently, Hubby and I had our 33rd wedding anniversary.

 He hid a familiar pink bag in the coffee cupboard where I would find this pretty inside.

Everyone in Central Texas is sick to death of the rain.  Lakes and rivers flooding, humidity and mold. Hooray for no drought, but this rain has been epic- two to four more inches today and tomorrow with 14 inches so far.  I really feel for the folks in Kingsland and Marble Falls.  And by next weekend, we will have to make sure the canoe is still tethered to its tree since I'm sure our neck of the lake will be back up.

I was pretty regular about making salads during the summer - they are easy to prepare and store, and dinner is ready when you get home.  Yesterday I made a version of The Girl's Greek Salads: romaine, cucumber, olives, grape tomatoes, feta, and some chicken I seasoned with lemon pepper before I plopped it into the crock pot.

I left my peeps the salads, some Greek dressing, and a note reminding them to make garlic toast.

 

 I aim for the kitchen to look like this when I leave the house - dishwasher chugging along, counters and floors cleaned.  Makes me wish I could stay home for the day, but I leave around 10:30.

 I added some Fall to the bookcase in the den - nothing fancy.

 I found this sign at Dollar Tree, and the little gourds with faux plants at Target.  I added a little DT moss around the base of the plants.

 The Girl's two recent foster kitties got adopted - hooray!  While she was recovering from the flu they were a source of snuggles.  Almost makes me want one. She will be here tomorrow with Teddy - she is heading into a busy time at work leading up to Thanksgiving so Teddy will walk us daily (weather permitting!) to get us ready for the Turkey Trot!

Gina

Its not just about the wine

Hubby and I enjoy going to a winery for more than just the drinks. As of this post I counted 27 wineries that we have visited, and a few distilleries and breweries, too!

 Save The World

We carry cards or a dice game everywhere we go.

Garrison Brothers

And sometimes we take our "of age" peeps

Who may or may not understand the finer points of wine,

but still like hanging out with us!

 Wedding Oak Winery

 A lot of the time, there is live music to enjoy.  

 

Bell Springs Winery

 

 

 

 Torr Na Lochs

It's nice to sit and listen to a musician as you sip your wine and enjoy a snack.

And some are very cozy on the inside.

Bent Oak Winery

 Driftwood Estates Winery

Other wineries have expansive views where you can park your folding chair and enjoy a snack on the lawn.

Wimberley Valley Winery

  Beautiful shady yards where you can find your own giant oak to sit under for an afternoon.

The holidays at wineries are also super festive!  Above are the trees at WVW, and at Perissos.

 And in the spring they do fun things like crawfish boils

Flat Creek Estates

 And most of them have very friendly owners who like to educate you about their vineyard, and let you roam the property.  I think the vines are fun to walk through. Some make their own food, like wood fired pizza - so good!

 Saddlehorn

 Torr Na Lochs

Or seasonal appetizer plates.

 Spicewood

 But most of them will also let you pack a snack to enjoy, as long as you aren't right up next to the tasting bar.

Driftwood Estates

And some of them even have food trailers nearby.  Pack your snacks and your card games, grab a couple of folding chairs, and hit the road exploring some wineries.  Texas is full of them and they are such fun, beautiful places to hang out on a weekend!

Gina

Mealplan Monday #215

Monday - Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops, baked potato, broccoli/cauliflower
Tuesday - Roast Beef and Mozzarella on Sourdough, sliced tomato, chips
Wednesday - Beefy Pasta, green beans
Thursday - Greek Chicken Salads
Friday - Honey Garlic Chicken (oven this time) rice, seasoned peas
Saturday - TBD (mom on call)
Sunday - Southern Corn Chowder, Honey Butter Dips

Gina

5 thing Friday - clock, McReynolds, placemats, dinner out, selfies

Hubby's sister had this antique clock that had belonged to his mother.  Once his brother in law passed, it was brought to him.  I winded it up and set it on a bookcase to see if keeps time.  Sadly, it gradually runs behind.  I might have to find another place for it to live until we can get someone to clean and re-set it.

It's kind of fussy and not really our style, but sentimental.

We finally opened the bottle of wine we bought at McReynold's - the one we jokingly refer to as the "winery we shut down" since we bought the last bottle.  

 Wal-Mart had these pretty placemats in store.

So I bought them for our Sunday dinners.  It was actually cheaper to purchase two packs of three of them on-line than it was to buy one or two in store.  That made no sense, but ok.

 

 Hubby and I ate at my favorite Austin restaurant on Friday night.  We sat at the bar, enjoying happy hour with smashed guacamole topped with cotija and toasted pumpkin seeds, then had a fabulous dinner.  Grilled Ruby Trout for me, Chorizo Pork Medallions for him.  The waiter brought us a chocolate mousse dessert on the house and we had great bottle of wine to go with.  All of it was a splurge and so good!

 The next day we helped one of our favorite breweries celebrate their fourth anniversary.

 

 Then we bopped around Pottery Ranch again. Aren't these pots pretty?

On Sunday we stopped by Bent Oak, as we are now member of their wine club.  The owner is a friendly guy - he saw us trying to take a selfie and said "here, let me do that!". 

Gina

Mealplan Monday #214

Monday - Korean Beef Tacos, Asian slaw
Tuesday - Honey Dijon Chicken Bites, baked potato, broccoli
Wednesday - Pot of Beans with pork chops
Thursday - Favorite Baked Spaghetti, salad
Friday - Chicken Enchiladas, peas with carrots
Saturday - YOYO
Sunday - Taco Soup with chips and cheese

Gina

Oct. 5th is a great day for...

A happy anniversary to us!

So young.  So dumb.  So thin. So tan.

So sure of ourselves then, yet maybe a little more so now.

So swiftly have the years sped by
      Since our hearts were young and gay,
      That it is hard to realize,
      Even though our hair is gray,
That it was fifty 33 years ago
      When we took that sacred vow
      To cherish and love each other;
      And we have from then till now!

Happiness and pain and sorrow
      Were our portions through the years
      That we two have lived together;
      But love helped to dry all tears.
And my heart gives me this message,
      Knowing all that I know now,
      If the clock could be turned backward,
      I'd still take that holy vow!

~Gertrude Buckingham

Gina

Mealplan Monday #213

Monday - Sausage links and beans with onion and pepper, Loaded Corn Muffins
Tuesday - Fish Tacos, Black Bean Pineapple Salsa
Wednesday - Ranch BBQ Chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans
Thursday - Pasta Skillet, corn, garlic toast
Friday - BBQ Pork Chops, mac and cheese, steamed carrots
Saturday - YOYO - Hubby and I will celebrate our anniversary with dinner at the Save The World anniversary party.
Sunday - Sloppy Joes, tater tots, relish tray

Happy October!

Gina