Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Have you ever been

to the Gaylord Texan? Or any Gaylord hotels before?

My first trip was last week for a work function - quick trip up and back. It's a nice place - huge! and I hear it has a great water park. Missed that, didn't even see the Lake it sits on, and spent a little time at the Glass Cactus which seems like it could be a pretty fun place!

And our entertainment for the night was an 80's cover band, karaoke-style, with British accents and Austin Power's get-ups! First song when we got there - Oh Mickey! I tell ya - a blast from the past and a good laugh!




Here's a few pictures from the inside:
Pretty mosaic on the floor of the center of the hotel and a replica of a mission: 

And what hotel's not complete without an Alamo IN IT?!  

Or a riverwalk? 
Or a working toy train?!

We did have a teambuilding event - a cooking competition in a not-so-safe-looking part of downtown Dallas (Dallas Market area) but it was fine and fun. Me in my cooking gear & the end result: grilled chicken with mushrooms OR chipotle sauce with rice pilaf and sauteed veggies.
I was glad to get back home and start the nice long weekend!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Fabulous (step)Mother's Day!

I have to say - I'm blessed to have THE MOST AMAZING woman in my life as my best friend, and she just so happens to be my Mom. I have several other besties, but my mom takes the cake. We laugh together, we argue, she drives me crazy, we love spending time together and we talk on the phone at least every other day (and yes, we only live a little over an hour and half apart!)! When I grow up, I wanna be just like her and have the same kind of friendship if I'm ever blessed with a daughter.

Right now I'm blessed with two (step)sons! They are great kids! The oldest just finished up his Freshman year in college and the youngest is about to finish elementary school. I'm not the best and I'm not the worst, but I do love these boys a whole heck of a lot!

We were able to have the boys this weekend plus one (our neighbors son and the Youngest are best buds)! I had a 7:30 a.m. Sunday appointment but when I got back, the Hubster and the Youngest brought me breakfast in bed (yes, I was still dressed in my Sunday appointment outfit!), snuggled under the covers. It was sweet. While I waited for breakfast I grabbed a new book off the shelf, I think it's called In Her Shoes by Kristen somebody (eeks!) and so far so good. I LOVE TO READ! And in the last 5 years the most reading I've done is on a plane bound for a business trip somewhere. (oh the life!) :) It was GREAT to read, at home, when I wanted, in comfy clothes. And once I get started on a book, I don't like to put it down. So I read in bed, on the patio, at the pool and even on the couch. MAGIC!

Oh - and don't let me forget to mention these beauties!!!

From my Mother-In-Law, given to me at our Mother's Day Lunch on Saturday afternoon. So pretty!

And this gorgeous bouquet given to me by the Hubster and the boys and Sophie-dog too! xoxo They are GORGEOUS!

And how awesome is my Hubster? He had two gorgeous colorful bouquets for both my mom and his mom. What a guy!

So, back to my story:
After breakfast in bed and a long session of r&r and after receiving a most beautiful card which everyone signed and wrote a little something in (I'll cherish it always), I decided it was time for a visit to the 'hood's pool. It was CHILLY after all the rain on Friday night (4 inches! Thank you God!) but I did get some nice rays as I read and the boys (all ages) swam and fished. Home for chili dogs for a very late lunch. It was such a beautiful day we piddled outside then it was time for the boys to leave for the weekend. :( Boo. But the Hubster wasn't finished there. He treated me to an AMAZING and I mean AMAZING meal! (pictures below)



These beauties are Dahlia's and Gladiolus in our yard. We have so many planted in all shades and I cannot wait to see them all bloom. I did stop and smell the roses (and these flowers) on Sunday.

I also worked on this special lil project below. I had it started (and complete) but hadn't hung it up because I was frustrated with the ribbon -- I used 3 rolls of it on this wreath and all but one were on there correctly. SO - Sunday I took it off the hanger in the closet and re-did it. And now, the finished product hung on our front door. I love it! And the feathers are extra-special - they were used in our wedding, just 2 years ago. :) <3 Awww! ;)

And now - dinner pictures. How yummy does this look? Bacon-wrapped shrimp and the most amazing EVER grilled salmon! Honey - you dun goooooood!  
 Homemade ceviche (which I tossed onto my salad) - It was zesty and good!
 And homemade Strawberry Limeade I had made a night or 2 before.
It was a WONDERFUL Mother's Day! Made me realize how blessed I am with all the love in my life.

I hope yours was equally as great. xx

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Weekly Update

Eeeks! I missed a week ... darn it. It's fair to say last week was BUSY!!!! And this week - more of the same!

It was SO NICE to have a relaxing weekend at home (i.e. Shiner) with the family. Everyone came in for the lil bro's confirmation on Saturday and an early Mother's Day on Sunday. We got to cuddle on lil Max, who is one-month old now. Run and chase and play with Brody - who is talking up a storm. But mostly, just relax and spend time with each other. . .

The B-I-L started a project on Friday, which the hubster came in and helped finish on Friday evening and Sunday.

Men at work! (notice the lil helper in there too!)

The finished project.....a few more stairs need to be added and in a few years when the kids are older, a top deck, but it's a GREAT start and very play-able. The slide, monkey bars and swings came from our house. The previous owners left it all, we took it down because most of the wood was rotted out, but these parts were salvageable. YAY for repurposing goods.......
It was a great Sunday spent with Mom. We all gave her a new bottle of perfume - Dolce and Gabana - The One Rose. I think she will like it, but has a few samples to make sure she LOVES it first! :) I had a Lolita wine glass purchased as well, with a bottle of Strawberry Hill for her. That stuff has stood the test of time - YUMM-O! We ordered in Pizza Hut (nothing fancy but EASY clean up and good tastin') for lunch and pretty much munched on it throughout the day..... Happy Mother's Day to the BEST Mom and MOST amazing woman I know! She's the best friend a girl could ask for....

Monday was just a "blah/ick/yuck" day all around. But we ended it with a GREAT play-off game against the Astros. Matt's team, the Met's ended up winning 7 to 6 in the 4th inning. The boys were exhausted, but so excited!!!

Go Mets Go!

VS.
This is me trying to get a picture of Sophie on the way to the game. I put blue and orange pig-tails in her hair. SO CUTE!!! :)
"What mom?"
"I'm ignoring you......." 
"Fine! But I'm going to stick my tongue out at you...."

" Whew! Cheering on the Mets is HARDWORK!" She was exhausted, as everyone was....but we survived! And came home with a W!
So what's in store for THIS week? Astros game (the real deal) today, Tuesday. Matt and Jr both come on Wednesday, Thursday is the next play-off game PLUS I'm hosting a Pampered Chef show at the house - annual Help WHIP Cancer campaign. (anyone need anything?!) Friday I have a dentist appointment then have every intention of just relaxing for awhile.....with the hubster!

Have a GREAT WEEK e'rbody!