Not the Empty Nest Menu #100

I amended this post after it published, so my apologies for that.

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I lost Mark on Friday.  This was the last view of Highlands he saw last weekend as we were leaving.  I stopped and took a photo as were headed out, for some reason.  It just looked so beautiful.  Of course I had no idea it was the last time we'd be there together.  He loved Highlands so much and I thought we had more time together, and that we would build a retirement life there.

He and my children are my world.  And now he is not here and right now I don't know how I will bear it.  So I don't know when I will post here again.

Gina

5 thing Friday - new hospital, Llano beer, calamari, Mason wineries, peaches

Last weekend, while heading north towards Burnet, I finally remembered to snap a pic or two as we passed the site for the new children's hospital being built in north Austin.  It will be a smaller version of the one I work at, and only a Level 3 for trauma.  

Its my goal to:

*learn a new modality at work (CT) and get registered asap

*get a job at this hospital so I can stay with my current employer

*move to Burnet, where my commute will only be 40 minutes 

On Saturday we visited a brewery we had been meaning to.  It was in a cool old building near the center of town.  The beer was kinda pricey for it being just "OK".

And the main reason we stopped there first was to also eat lunch as they had advertised.  First thing we were told was "hello, we're out of food".  So we got a recommendation for a nearby place to eat, finished our one beer, and left.

We probably won't take pains to return.

However, down the street we found an Italian place with fried calamari that was so, so good, and the best Philly Cheesesteak sammie we have ever had.  So, this place is on our short list of places to revisit in Llano!

Then, In nearby Mason, two different experiences with wine tastings.

The first one, with great wine in a lovely old building with beautiful patio, featured an overall awkward experience with the owner's wife, who could barely be coaxed into greeting or serving us nor ringing us up when we tried to close out.  

Won't be back.

BUT

The tasting we enjoyed at Murphy Creek Cellars was fun - happy, friendly people on both sides of the bar, and all of the wines we tasted were carefully curated for the tasting room and phenomenal.  Plus, Mason is such a cute little town!  Can't wait to go back to this one soon!

I haven't had Mexican breakfast in what feels like forever, but I insist on it this Saturday.  (I am dreaming of barbacoa...) Meanwhile, I am enjoying as many Texas peaches as I can and doing my best at eating healthy breakfast during the week.

Happy Weekend!

Gina

One word Wednesday #54

 
Stitching

Gina

Empty Nest Menu #99

 Summer skies and outdoor views in my chair...

I spy a canoe!

Monday - Easy Italian Chicken (store two servings for lunch one day)

Tuesday - Skillet Tilapia with mushrooms, Swiss chard or kale

Wednesday - Taco Salads with ground turkey (roasted corn, tomatoes, avocado, purple onion)

Thursday - BBQ Pork Chop, pintos, zucchini or yellow squash

Friday - Indian Spiced Chicken Cubes, rice with chick peas, honey-d carrots

Saturday - TBD {Thai lunch at Save the World}

Sunday - Ditto

Gina

5 thing Friday - chocolate, tumbler, Fall flowers, lunch, junk drawer

One day last week I had such a craving for chocolate - cookies, candy, or whatever.  We rarely have dessert now.

I NEEDED IT. 

In a bowl, I microwaved some semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips with a tablespoon of almond butter.  I crushed in low salt kettle chips (oh yes I did) and made clusters.  They were so good.

Will do this again, 10/10.

My favorite Tervis tumbler from a work friend finally bit the dust.  When water gets between the layers, it gets super funky.  The top was also chipped.  I rely on my water all day at work!  I will take another one from home, but I need to put my name on it like I did here with fabric paint.

Wal-Mart has fall flowers and picks!

I wonder how this fall/holiday season will look like for us?

Time to start thinking about it.

Lunch at my mother's house last Saturday involved rotisserie chicken, Stouffer's mac and cheese, and fresh tomatoes with creamy Italian dressing.  It was such a good lunch and we had a nice visit.

It has been a blessing to have my mother in my life as long as I have.

When I take a few minutes to tidy up my kitchen junk drawer, it always makes me feel so productive.  Now if we could just get a handle on the garage...

Gina

One word Wednesday #53

Study

Gina

Empty Nest Menu #98

Monday - Taco Chicken Bites, crockpot pintos, 1/2 bag spinach salad

Tuesday - Salmon Burgers, brussels sprouts

Wednesday - Red Beans and rice with pulled pork, green beans or zucchini

Thursday - (meatless) Truffle Alfredo Linguini, broccoli

Friday - Grilled Chicken with California Coleslaw

Saturday - free choice all day

Sunday - BBQ Shrimp, baby potatoes, the rest of the spinach salad

Gina

5 thing Friday - earring, vacation, family, Culver's, dinner

This third earring hole that I got years ago is bothering me.  I mean its all healed, and it will be fine for weeks, then start hurting randomly.  I change the earring, I change the backing, I even leave the earring out.  I think its all better, then I put an earring in again and  before long, it starts up hurting.

I bought an endless hoop for it off Etsy, wore it for a week, then accidentally combed it out of my ear.  The hole seems to want to stay - it hasn't closed up.  Should I keep it, or call it quits?  I see people my age with extra earrings all the time.  But this is a hassle.

I'm trying to convince Hubby that we need to take Darby to the coast.  I am in desperate need of a VACATION. Even just a day to sit on the beach.  ONE day.

Whenever we hang out with my sister and her hubby, we have a nice time.  I never think to get a decent pic, though.  We saw them for burgers on July 4th and spent lots of time visiting.  I know my hubby loves that as he really misses having extended family to spend holidays with.  Next year I would love to host a BBQ at Highlands.

An evening run to Culver's for a concrete is not on our list of healthy things to eat and I don't care.  We only do it about once every couple of weeks.  Ice cream is good for the psyche.

But so are brussels sprouts with carrots - add a tablespoon of bacon grease.  Yum, yum.

That same night I made enchiladas, which I was supposed to do on stovetop but ended up heating up the oven instead.  I invited The Girl and she declined.  Her loss, my gain the next day for lunch!

Gina

One word Wednesday #53

Stormy

Gina

Empty Nest Menu #97

My favorite summer activity: 

Sippin' and sittin'

Monday - Chicken and Dumplings, broccoli

Tuesday - Tilapia Mexicano (tomatoes, peppers, onions), pan roasted potatoes

Wednesday - Tomato Basil Gnocci (maybe dessert tonight)

Thursday - Pan Seared Salmon with cabbage and apple salad

Friday - Greek Salad bowls with grilled chicken

Saturday - TBD {visiting my mother in Brenham}

Sunday - Ditto {relaxing at Highlands}

Gina

Weekend plans

My weekend plans include:

{in no particular order}

 *celebrating a new person {Stella!} coming soon for a sweet former co-worker

*visiting my youngest in his college town and taking him to dinner

*getting some errands and chores done

*maybe relaxing at a brewery on Saturday afternoon while it rains

*mowing our grass and spreading some weed and feed before said rain

*working until 1 p.m. on Sunday and earning some overtime

*starting the next educational module at work, if it is slow

*grilling something delicious to eat on Sunday (weather permitting!) and seeing my peeps

*celebrating my freedom and good health!

What are your plans for the weekend?

Gina