Tourist in our town - the Texas Capitol, Upper Crust

Scout and I had three hours of free time to ourselves on Tuesday after dropping Bubbie off at band sectionals.

 We chose to head downtown and hang out at the capitol, admiring the beautiful, antique inside and the lush, green outside.  It's such a gorgeous building.  Made entirely of pink granite.  With so many giant trees - I just love it - and we can go there whenever we want. It wasn't crowded at all, and peaceful.  Just very hot outside!

Scout gets really jazzed about photographing nature.   

We stopped at another unique Austin spot, Upper Crust Bakery, for some fabulous cinnamon rolls and iced coffee.  Scout has been a coffee lover since forever.

A simple outing that was relaxing and fun.

Gina

Peaches and Cream French Toast

I made this easy prepare-in-advance breakfast for my returning scouts on Sunday morning - it was a hit.

Go here for the original recipe from Alice and the Mock Turtle.  I made just a couple minor changes to mine.  While you are there, check out her other recipes - they all look great and there are so many I want to try.

Peaches and Cream French Toast
1 stick unsalted butter
1 c. light brown sugar
ALL of the reserved pear juice from sliced peaches in pear juice
15 oz can sliced peaches
Leftover fruit you want to use up - we had strawberries and blueberries
1 skinny French baguette, cubed
8 oz cream cheese cut in small pieces*
12 eggs
1 1/2 c. half and half
1 t. maple flavor extract

Heat the butter, sugar, and reserved juice in saucepan til bubbly.  Pour into a 13x9x2 casserole dish.  Scatter peach slices and other fruit over the sauce, then top with cubes of cheese and French bread.  Blend eggs, half and half, and maple extract in blender, then pour over the top of the whole thing.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.  In the morning, uncover it, place in oven, turn to 350, and set timer for one hour.  Serve warm with a drizzle of honey or syrup.
*next time I will mix a little sugar in with the cream cheese and drop in smaller blobs.

This was a fruity version of one I make for Christmas and everyone seemed to enjoy it so I'm sure it will be made again.

Gina

Shared with:

Mealplan Monday #66 after too much take-out...

I'm actually glad to be back cooking for my peeps - eating out can get old fast.  Never thought I would say that.  I think it's mainly the expense and the driving to somewhere.  We sure did a lot of that the last two weeks.  And sometimes we had a bit o' fun:

Monday - Turkey Pesto Meatballs with pasta, broccoli
Tuesday - Butter Shrimp and Lemon, rolls, coleslaw
Wednesday - Chicken and Biscuits, carrots
Thursday - Bacon Avocado Grilled Cheesers, tomato soup
Friday - Taco Salads with Jalapeno Ranch dressing, Fritos
Saturday - Dad grills - We sure missed that!
Sunday - Pizza and Salad

 

Gina

Go 4th and relax - 2013

We did a whole lot of nothing on July 4th.  Missing hubby who is usually the ringleader for fireworks watchin' and hot dog grillin'. We simply spent the day relaxing.  And eating.  And refusing to smile for the camera.  Sleepin' in, then having scrambled eggs.

 The Girl spent a well-deserved day kicking back and reading.  I love that she still reads for leisure.  I have to photograph her through a window or else she'll see me.

Dinner was a total cheat - HEB pre-cooked ribs, some skillet potatoes with onion, some avocado and tomato with Ranch.

I'm glad we didn't brave driving out to see the fireworks.  It would have been a late night and I worked today. And it seems strange with just three of us, you know?

We got a Redbox movie, tore up some ribs, and got to bed around 10 p.m. after our exhausting food and relaxation-filled day.  And this weekend the Philmonters return!

Gina

WTH Summer Wednesday

I couldn't think of a more original title for this post.  

It's super hot.  We've only been to the pool once.  My fig tree is trying to die and we have only one day we can run our sprinklers here.  

I miss my Philmont campers.  I hope Hubby's heart and knee hold out.

We have no hot water since the pilot light on the water heater goes out every time it hits 100 outside. And it was over 100 degrees. every. single. day.  I'm not climbing up into my attic to re-light it.  Cold showers for all!

We've been eating out every meal except breakfast. It gets expensive and is not as fun as I thought.  Though lunch at Asia Cafe was good, as was dinner last week at BJ's Brewhouse.

 

Bubbie and I are so bored.  Tonight we are going to eat pizza at Alamo Drafthouse and watch the Lone Ranger. The Girl has a massive sinus infection that is not improving after a couple of weeks on various meds, including antibiotics.  I cannot get out of work to go with her to the ENT on Friday, so I hope the nurse will call me and update me.

This sweet old lady did that thing again where she plays one of her daughters against the other.  And I would love to discuss it with my other sister, except she will not answer her phone. 

I finally got my Chaco sandals with my $20 off coupon from The Girl.  They are just right for my "old lady" feet. These aren't meant for pretty - they're so I can wear something other than flip flops. I'm staying on top of chores, not much else.  And we have zero plans for tomorrow, other than to cut up a watermelon.  Hopefully we can get some fun in and watch some fireworks.

How's your week going?

Gina

Little project: Bubbie's desk

Seems like last week flew by and after reviewing my To Do list I discovered that I actually made progress. Bubbie, The Girl, and I aren't going to cook this week at all. Just going to continue enjoying our summer, and getting some little projects done, like last week's progress on the patio, and spiffing up his desk.

 Firstborn had outgrown this long ago but it's just the right size for Bubbie's room.  I paid around a little over $100 a few years ago for a solid wood bookcase headboard, nightstand, dresser, and desk. Not a bad deal for solid wood furniture.

 The desk just needed some touch up with satin finish black spray paint.

 I added a red placemat for the laptop to sit on.  There's a lot of black in this room, but it's well-lit. 

 Some stuff got moved around on the walls and I steam-cleaned the carpets.

 On to other projects!

Gina

Missing the boys

I did my darndest to stay busy this week while the boys were at camp.  

This is how Sunday at 4:45 a.m. looked - Philmonters bright and bushy-tailed on our way to the drop site. After dropping these two off on the other side of Austin, it was time to head home to get Bubbie up and at the park by 8 a.m. for his drop-off.  Here he is with his orange backpack looking ready to roll.  And then I headed in to work til 7:30 p.m.  Very anti-climatic.

So far, I've had no news since Monday from the the Philmont crew, but understand from a friend at Bear Creek that Bubbie is having a great time.  The biggest complaint?  The food.  Nothing like camp food to make you appreciate mom's cooking, right?

See you this afternoon, Bubbie.

Gina