Nothing says "welcome home" after a weekend away like a table littered with paraphernalia. Perhaps Chris and I need to qualify the phrase "make yourself at home" when we ask a friend to house sit.
If only Doug could talk.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Back Yard Movie Night
Have I mentioned that I love my backyard?
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| We have two big trees perfectly spaced for a movie screen. |
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| We celebrated my friend Rachella's birthday. |
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| Pre-movie festivities. |
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| Getting ready for the movie. |
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| Good food and drinks! |
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| Theater candy and cupcakes, microwave for popcorn. |
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| Ready to watch The Artist. |
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| Happy Birthday Rachella! |
Happy Birthday
This month I turned 31. After the impressive birthday celebration Chris planned last year, I expected this birthday to pass quietly and without commotion. That's why I was very surprised to come home from the mall on the eve of my birthday and find several friends waiting to celebrate. The theme of the evening was Alice in Wonderland, and it was fabulous surprise to find my backyard filled with lights, candles, balloons, and banners!
When it came time for cake and ice cream, I insisted that Chris put 31 candles on my birthday cake. The result was what appeared to be one large flaming cake and a lake of melted wax. Aging is hard on everyone, even birthday cakes.
As if a surprise celebration was not enough, Chris made reservations on my actual birthday for us to eat at the only restaurant in the Valley that serves beef wellington. Beef wellington is steak wrapped in puff pastry, something that Chris and I have wanted to try for a while. The beef wellington was good, but I discovered that a twice-baked potato wrapped in puff pastry is even better. This girl prefers vegetables over steak any day, even on her birthday and even when wrapped in puff pastry.
All said, I had an absolutely lovely birthday. Thank you to Chris and everyone else who made it a special day!
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Summer Travels
Only a few weeks into the summer and I have already spent a considerable number of hours on the road. Over Memorial Day weekend, Chris and I went to Corpus Christi with our friend Brian. We watched a movie in 3D at the Imax (it was a huge screen), toured the retired aircraft carrier U.S.S. Lexington (a very patriotic thing to do on Memorial Day), and spent a day at the Texas State aquarium (where I saw teeny, tiny baby jelly fish).
The first weekend of June Chris and I drove to South Padre Island with our friends Gabe and Rachella. The weather was hot, but the water felt so cool and was clear enough that even I went for a swim.
Last weekend, Chris and I drove to Fort Worth to visit the usual suspects. It was a long trip made bearable by (1) Chris driving while I finished a good book, (2) a quick and expensive stop at Ikea, and (3) two pit stops at Buc-ee's, the largest and cleanest convenience store/gas station I've ever been to.
The first weekend of June Chris and I drove to South Padre Island with our friends Gabe and Rachella. The weather was hot, but the water felt so cool and was clear enough that even I went for a swim.
Last weekend, Chris and I drove to Fort Worth to visit the usual suspects. It was a long trip made bearable by (1) Chris driving while I finished a good book, (2) a quick and expensive stop at Ikea, and (3) two pit stops at Buc-ee's, the largest and cleanest convenience store/gas station I've ever been to.
I love summer traveling, but I am looking forward to a couple of days at home this weekend.
Potatoes Four Ways
Yesterday I ate potatoes four ways: creamy potato soup, spicy french fries, perfect mashed potatoes, and a twice baked potato wrapped in puff pastry. It was a good day.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Mystery Fruit
One reason Chris and I purchased our house is because it came with mature shade trees. While we can remove dated finishes inside the house in a relatively short amount of time (theoretically), mature trees take decades of patient growing.
Like the front yard, our backyard has three large trees. Additionally, in the corner of the back yard sits a smaller, rounder tree with leaves of a different shade, shape, and size. The tree has an unattractive shape because one side is missing a considerable number of limbs.
Two weeks ago, Chris and I ate Sabbath lunch under the large shade tree nearest the smaller mis-shapen tree in the backyard. While we ate, we discussed the possibility of removing the mis-shapen tree to make room for a pool. The plans included sketches and rough measurements. That poor little tree, no doubt listening to our conversation, responded over the next two weeks by producing several tiny fruits. The couple who sold the house to Chris and I never mentioned anything about a fruit tree in the backyard, which makes me certain that the tree needed a few death threats for motivation.
I can't wait for the fruit to mature and reveal it's identity. Until then, the pool plans (i.e. daydreams) are on indefinite hold. I would have a hard time cutting down a good shade tree, much less a good fruit tree, to make room for a silly pool.
Like the front yard, our backyard has three large trees. Additionally, in the corner of the back yard sits a smaller, rounder tree with leaves of a different shade, shape, and size. The tree has an unattractive shape because one side is missing a considerable number of limbs.
Two weeks ago, Chris and I ate Sabbath lunch under the large shade tree nearest the smaller mis-shapen tree in the backyard. While we ate, we discussed the possibility of removing the mis-shapen tree to make room for a pool. The plans included sketches and rough measurements. That poor little tree, no doubt listening to our conversation, responded over the next two weeks by producing several tiny fruits. The couple who sold the house to Chris and I never mentioned anything about a fruit tree in the backyard, which makes me certain that the tree needed a few death threats for motivation.
I can't wait for the fruit to mature and reveal it's identity. Until then, the pool plans (i.e. daydreams) are on indefinite hold. I would have a hard time cutting down a good shade tree, much less a good fruit tree, to make room for a silly pool.
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