Mental Health Break/Get Some Stuff Done day

Life has been fairly dreary since the holidays and I am feeling blue around the edges.  So I am taking today off from work to focus on getting some things done around the house and then we are headed to Highlands for an extended weekend for Hubby's birthday. 

The storage unit we built ourselves is still standing, praise.

If you think Highlands is fancy, I can assure you it is not.

Things to get done today:

buy stamps

get a haircut

buy groceries and misc.

drop off items at Goodwill

get gas

pick up a lunch

pack weekend food and clothes

make a pie for Hubby's birthday

vacuum, sweep floors, run a load of towels

check the bathrooms

change the sheets

make a wreath for Highlands

finish filing the pile of stuff at home

do a little front yard work at home

throw everything into the truck

leave for the weekend!

drop off mother's watch to be repaired

go drink a beer at Save The World

eat dinner in Marble Falls

maybe buy the pavers to start the BBQ patio build

Let's get this weekend started.

Gina

Firstborn's birthday last weekend

I have moved away from sharing and talking about my peeps on this blog - they are mostly grown now and it feels weird to share what my adult "kids" are up to.  But we saw Firstborn and LA last weekend and it was fun to hang out with them and treat them to some beer and food trailer eats in Driftwood.

The menu was wurst and curly fries - a super healthy  way to celebrate your 31st birthday.

{that can't be right - he's 31??}

We also enjoyed some mead.  Oh, and did I mention there were a lot of fries?

Hubby stopped by a favorite cigar shop that morning and bought Firstborn a couple of stogies.

I think he had a good time hanging out with us.

I regret not getting a pic of LA!  {but you notice, there's no pics of me, either...} She brought along some tiny dominoes and we sat under gray skies, sipping beer and mead, playing games, and having a good time.

They remind us of us way back when - young and poor and in love and making it through this crazy world we are living in.  Staying grounded and thankful and not-so-socially distant with family.  I hope they keep moving in the right direction!

Gina

Empty Nest Menu #74

Dusting all of the shelves and putting Christmas away felt so good.  How is that, when I tend to look so forward to the holidays?

I don't know little owl, I don't know...

Monday - Mexican Chicken Tacos, Chopped Salad

Tuesday - Italian Crumb Baked Cod (didn't have this recently), fresh green beans

Wednesday - (Freezer) Apricot Chicken, rice, yellow squash

Thursday - Lime Shredded Pork, baked sweet potato

Friday - Easiest Italian Chicken Ever, garlic toast

Saturday - TBD

Sunday - TBD {Hubby's birthday}

Gina 

5 thing Friday - snow, pumpkin, wreath, thrive, Highlands

Remember that Sunday it snowed in Austin?

It cracks me up that people think it doesn't snow in Texas.  Its maybe rare for Central Texas, but when I was growing up in Lubbock, it was a regular winter thing.   Remember:  TEXAS IS BIG.

Since it was a Sunday, and we were fairly homebound, I broke out the two cans of pumpkin leftover from Thanksgiving and made some treats.  One loaf of pumpkin bread to eat, warm with butter, one for the freezer,

...and a pie for dessert.

I also made a "new" wreath for the front door, using my deconstructed Christmas wreath.  I will leave the wintery greenery up until at least mid-February.  It still fits the season and is so pretty.  Not to mention free since I had everything for it already.

My word of the year is thrive.

Its not enough for me to just survive.  "Survive" feels dismal.  Thrive feels forward-moving.  I ordered this brass and sterling tag from The Vintage Pearl, along with a cranberry pearl drop.  I try to remind myself everyday that I want to move forward in joy.  Sad is not ok.

Hubby and I were at Highlands last weekend for the first time in many weeks.  It was both unfamiliar yet felt like home all at the same time.  Weird.  We had a campfire, made a delish pasta dinner, putseyed around, napped in our lounge chairs, ate late breakfast and lunch, and just generally decompressed.

God willing, we will do it again this weekend!

Gina

Weekend re-cap: 12 Fires, Alex Anthony Vineyards, Highlands

The week had been a booger, not gonna lie.  Both of us felt stressed heading into the weekend and I had a tough time sleeping on Friday night.  I hate it when Fridays end that way! We started off Saturday with a few little chores around the house, then ate a  Chik-Fil-A lunch on the road.  We had plans to visit two new to us wineries in the Hill Country, then end the day at Highlands.  Time to get back into our spirit of exploration and maybe write an article or two for the wine blog.

Finding the first winery, 12 Fires, along a gravel side road between two larger wineries - a challenge, but well-rewarded.  These little out of the way places are always fun to find.  We aren't ones for big crowded wineries or breweries.

Wide open spaces and lots of big sky.  Yes, please.

One of the owners conducted our tasting outside under the oaks and our visit was very relaxing and informative.  I really love wineries that have loads of outside seating, especially on beautiful days like this.  But there was only one of him and many more customers...so we said our goodbyes and headed back up the road to Johnson City.

Where we found a very cute little tasting room just off the courthouse square, Alex Anthony Vineyards.  We had passed it several times in the past, waiting for them to open.  Turns out, they opened, in October, we just hadn't been out that way at the end of the year.

They had the friendliest owner and general manager!  And their tasting room reminds me of Esperanza's - cozy/casual and chic with art and candles and some of the best wine.  I'm sure we will be back again - they are on the way to and from Highlands.

None of the furniture matched and the sparkly chandies were very pretty.  I loved it.  We said our goodbyes there, too, and headed to Highlands where we sat around a firepit until well after dark, made some spicy eggplant ravioli with Alfredo sauce for dinner, and enjoyed more wine, of course.  The next day we slept in, ate a very late lunch, harvested some photos from Hubby's wildlife camera, and lounged around in our chairs.  It was a very relaxing end to a fun weekend.  Just what we needed!

Gina

Empty Nest Menu #73

January has not been without it's share of drama... 

I need for 2021 to settle down

Monday - Herb Crumb-topped Cod, stuffed mushrooms {Happy Birthday, Firstborn!}

Tuesday - Salmon, chopped salad {clean carpets today}

Wednesday - Bean and Spinach Soup, garlic toast

Thursday - Porcupine Meatballs, butternut squash {start filling out the FAFSA}

Friday - Brown Sugar Chicken, baked potato, peas {doc appt for me}

Saturday - Free Choice all day {lunch with Firstborn and LA}

Sunday - Cowboy Chicken over rice, zucchini {haircut day!}

Gina

5 thing Friday - recycled food, flip flops, Covid shot, friends, learning new things

Hubby likes to say that I recycle food.  I guess that's true...  I made a delightful pasta supper with leftover bits of ham, half a package of pasta I found in the pantry, the rest of a crab cheese ball, and the  pesto dip I fixed for NYE.

I browned the ham bits first, then tossed them in.  It was amazing.

With some Christmas monies from my mother, I bought myself a few things here and there, including these flip flops which I practically live in when the weather is warm.  I know its December - today might be cold, but tomorrow will be warm.  Welcome to crazy Central Texas weather!

My first Covid shot seemed like not really a big deal.  The whole set-up at our hospital was orderly and friendly.  My arm hurt for a couple of hours, but I took Motrin at home and didn't notice anything the next day.  HOWEVER, the second shot had a little less than a 24 hour latent effect with malaise, chills, and flushing/fever and a sore arm.  Not fun.  But its over.  Only time will tell if these vaccines work.

I took a pretty tote with Christmas goodies to my friend Carol a couple of  weekends ago.  We met at a winery and had a nice time sitting on their sunny patio and talking about everything.  One of my resolutions for the year will be to meet up with her more often.  I've been bad about making time to spend with friends.  That would be a good thing to do in 2021, pandemic be damned.

I volunteer myself for things at work that I feel like very few people care about.  Like this Kudos board.  Its meant as a way to leave a positive note to a co-worker.  {The one next to it has stars and everyone's name} If I didn't do it, no one would, and its cheery in the hallway.  But I am learning something new at work and won't really have time for such things - time to move forward.  

That's how January makes me feel - get moving!!

Gina

The differences in vibe

Over the holidays and even with the pandemic happening, Hubby and I have managed to get out and about, enjoying some of our favorite wineries and breweries.  All of these places have outside seating available and are following all of the necessary guidelines to keep people safe.  In my view, it isn't healthy to just one day suddenly stop doing all of the things you like to do on your off time.  Change, adapt and keep moving forward.  That's what we are striving to do. 

The differences in those two types of places is mostly the vibe.  You wouldn't catch us playing cards at a winery...

At breweries its a laid back atmosphere without any real "scenery" unless you count occasional live music with a small crowd - this one at Infamous was completely unexpected.  Its a good thing the winters are relatively mild here.

I did not get a pic of the tacquitos before we ate 'em...

Most places here in Central Texas have food trailers or some sort of food they sell to qualify under the governor's orders to operate as a restaurant vs a bar in order to stay open.  A lot of them get creative and offer you "free chips and salsa" then adjust the price of the beer on your ticket.  {Did they have to get crafty with pricing to stay in business? Yes.  But so did wineries.}

Getting out, even with your mask on and socially distancing, is a good thing.  And we've noticed that most of the people we see are in our same age range!

The vibe at a winery is different somehow.  Could be because the ones that have vineyards are out in farming country.  There are many wide open spaces and the sights and sounds are so calming. At 7 Creeks there is an abundance of big trees and big sky...

People are still there, spread out a little more, and time seems to sloooow down.  At both wineries and breweries we know that we are helping small business stay afloat and they are helping us preserve our sanity!

And a lot of times, there's still live music to listen to.

We love them both and not just because they sell wine or beer.  They offer a calm in the storm of the world right now and a break from the weekly grind.

What places have you visited regularly since the pandemic started?

Gina

Shared with:

Let's Add Sprinkles, Keep in Touch

Slightly Less Empty Nest Menu #72

 Last week it was my goal to empty out most of the leftovers from the freezer.  I succeeded. Now I need to go through all of those empty containers, recycling the ones that are worn out or have absorbed odors (yuck), and organizing them under the cabinet.  The freezer got a wipe down and a new box of baking soda.  Then I went shopping.

Bubbie will be with us another week, then its back to Empty Nest as usual...

Monday - Parmesan Chicken Thighs, fresh green beans

Tuesday - Tuna Bowls {Albacore tuna, chick peas, spinach, tomato, green onion, Feta}

Wednesday - Crock Pot Beans with Christmas ham hock, corn muffins

Thursday - Tacos al Pastor Salad (instead of in tacos) with romaine, black beans, cheese, avocado

Friday - Buttermilk Herb Chicken Breasts, cornbread dressing, brussels sprouts

Saturday - Free choice all day

Sunday - Alamo Bowls with shrimp {rice, red and green bell peppers, onions}

Dessert this week will be Christmas cookies from the freezer!

Gina

Cowboy Casserole

I'm not sure where I found this recipe but it is pure comfort food casserole delight.  You couldn't call it healthy by any stretch of the imagination.  But I love it and the leftovers heat up just fine.

Cowboy Casserole

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 can corn, drained (I use frozen)

1 can cream of mushroom soup

2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 c. milk

4 T sour cream

1 bag tater tots (mine was not a full bag.  oh well.)

Defrost the tots.  Cook the onion 1 minute in the skillet.  Add ground beef.  Cook until no longer pink, then drain fat off.  Add garlic and take it off the heat.  In a small bowl combine milk, soup, and sour cream and whisk until smooth.  Add to hamburger mixture and stir.  Add corn and 1 cup of the shredded cheese.  Grease a 13x9 dish and layer tots, hamburger mixture, tots, then cheese.  {you could stop here, cover it with wrap, place in fridge, and leave instructions for the person who is cooking dinner, in this case, Hubby} Bake 25 to 30 minutes at 350.

More tots means that more of the top would be covered but I was not about to let that stop me from making this.  Serve with a salad and enjoy every bite! 

And don't let NY resolutions stop you from enjoying a good dinner... 

Gina 

Shared with:

Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helen's

Mini holiday re-cap, 2020

I took pitifully few pics at Christmastime.  

My heart wasn't really into it.  I did the best I could with all the things:  shopping, wrapping, decorating, cooking, spending time with my friends and family, working.  But I am over these "blue" holidays.  

On Christmas Eve we gathered for fun around the firepit, some winter sangria, and a delish meal.  With us were Firstborn and LA, The Girl, Bubbie.  

I set the gifts out that morning.  There were many more by the time we had all gathered together!  And next year we will have a bigger tree for this space!

I set the table in a very simple way.  Everything tasted wonderful and there were zero leftovers of that overnight mac and cheese from Ina Garten.  It was to die for!  Next time I make it (Easter?) I will post about it.  We had Spiral sliced ham, Arkansas green beans, rolls, and loads of Christmas cookies, too.

We sat out by the firepit - don't let the sunshine fool you - it was quite chilly!

The Girl bundled up with Teddy to stay warm.

We enjoyed some dark beer and socializing.

Hubby was deep in convo here with The Girl.

We opened Secret Santa gifts after dinner and had a great time!

The next morning we gathered again, to open our main gifts and eat brunch before I headed off to work.   

Bubbie's friend, Delilah, joined us for a while.  We had a good time just hanging out together.  I had a crockpot going with Hamburger Soup and the house smelled so good...it was hard to leave but my shift went by fast.

The next day we ordered pizza and celebrated Bubbie turning 22.  He and Delilah and Hubby watched a movie and I putseyed around.  It was a quiet end to two days of full-on family time. New Year's Day I worked again, and most of us were in bed early on NYE.  We were over 2020.  And now we are in January and Christmas seems far away!

Gina