Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Bopping around in Burnet

Hubby and I had a mini getaway last Saturday after a fairly full Thursday and Friday.
He wanted me to see the new sign for Highlands up close and personal!  We couldn't talk the two older kids into going, so we jumped in the truck and headed out alone.  We stopped at Whataburger and got lunch, then took it to Highlands to eat al fresco.
 Then we stopped off at our (new) favorite place to watch a sunset - Torr Na Lochs.
It was warm on the patio in full sun, but not terrible.  We watched the owner's Longhorns amble around the stone patio, looking for their evening meal. 
We sat until the sun went down.  Then I was the only one who applauded - such an Austin thing to do!
 Next week is the wine pick-up party there, so we will enjoy yet another sunset together, God willing.
On the way home, we stopped at the Christmas Trail of Lights in downtown Burnet.  We were the only ones there - what a change from Austin, where you get to enjoy the trail with 5000 of your closest friends!
They even had something like the Zilker Tree.  Only it was just the two of us and fairly peaceful, even with slight traffic along 29.
Blurry pics notwithstanding, it was a sweet little trail.
Hubby waited patiently for me to come take his hand so we could walk.  It was a sweet end to our little getaway. 


Gina

Monday, November 27, 2017

Mealplan Monday #170

Monday - Buttermilk Baked Chicken, rice,veggie
Tuesday - BBQ Pork Roast, potato salad
Wednesday - Pot of beans, corn muffins
Thursday - Johnny Marzetti Casserole (freezer), salad
Friday - Apple Pecan Chicken Salad on Texas Toast, chips
Saturday is YOYO, Sunday is One Pot Tortellini with Sausage, salad


Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Thanksgiving table, 2017

On Sunday, we had plans for a fun afternoon and evening.  So since I knew the week would be busy, I went ahead and set the table up for Thursday.  I added a leaf to the table, put the table pad on, ran the dampened tablecloth in the dryer to smooth it out, then set about putting it all together.
 I pinned an idea from someone's blog a while back, where they had laid doilies down the middle of the table to make a sort of runner.  I have many doilies!
Some of them are thrifted, but quite a few were made by my mother.  They are vintage and fussy looking. I added the plates and stemware form Dollar Tree, napkins from Hob Lob (80% off!), the silver, some gold chargers I have had forever, and a couple of battery operated candles in some Dollar Tree candle holders. Then I added some burlap ribbon out of my stash.
It was all of $14 to make a pretty table. and we will have the plates and goblets for our Christmas table, too.  I've gotten an amazing amount done this morning:  made two pies, three side dishes, cleaned my kitchen.  All that's left is actual cooking and enjoying our day tomorrow. But for now, I'm off to work!


Gina

Monday, November 20, 2017

Mealplan Monday #169


Monday
- Crunchy Beef Tacos with all the fixings

Tuesday - Garlicky Onion Pork Chops crockpot, mashed potatoes, chopped salad
Happy Birthday to Mom!
Wednesday - Pizza, salad (Thanksgiving dinner prep tonight)
Thursday - Happy Thanksgiving! 
Friday - Lunch will be BBQ in Elgin, dinner will be turkey soup while we watch a movie
Saturday - grill at Highlands
Sunday - Leftovers!


Gina

Friday, November 17, 2017

5 thing Friday - Fall colors, stew, goblets, front door, wreath

From one weekend to the next I noticed the changing colors up at Highlands.
It might not feel like cooler weather, but it sure looks it.  Central Texas can't decide between Summer and Fall, but the trees have made their vote!
We haven't been up there in two weeks, so I'm sure its even lovelier by now!
I didn't take a picture of my finished crock pot stew, but it was almost all gone by the time I got home from work.  Recycled dinner at its best - a tomato almost too ripe, a couple of carrots, some small potatoes about to sprout - all went into the crockpot with a seasoning packet, some extra chopped garlic, water, and some stew meat.  It was definitely a win.
On the advice of a sweet blogger I follow, I went back to Dollar Tree and nabbed another of those plates - the last one!  And while I was at it, I grabbed some of the wine goblets, too.  You cannot beat $1 apiece for wine goblets!  These are study and dishwasher safe.  And if one gets broken I will not care as much as if one of the crystal ones met a similar fate.  I'm glad I didn't order some like I had originally planned.
Eventually the front door will get painted, but that doesn't seem like it will happen soon.  And anyway, its almost time to say goodbye to pumpkins and such.  And in anticipation I bought a few items at Dollar Tree to spruce up a wreath for the front door.  Including this giant reindeer for $1.
Next weekend the house will be Christmas-festive by Sunday.


Gina

Monday, November 13, 2017

Mealplan Monday #168



Monday
- Dr. Martin's Mix, corn
Tuesday - Beef Stew Crockpot, garlic toast
Wednesday - Omelette, hash browns, fruit
Thursday - Pinto beans in crockpot, corn muffins
Friday - Garlic Roasted Chicken crockpot, mashed potatoes, veggie (we never had this a couple weeks ago)
Saturday we grill and and Sunday we'll press the Easy Button and do Chinese!



Gina

Monday, November 6, 2017

Mealplan Monday #167


Monday - Shredded Pork for tacos
Tuesday - BBQ Meatballs, mashed potatoes, veggie
Wednesday - Buttermilk Fried Chicken Salads (last week for salad meal!)
Thursday - Leftover Chili, Fritos, grated cheddar
Friday - Pizza Night
Saturday is TBD
and Sunday is Chicken Enchiladas, salad