Desert Dwelling

The Best 3 Years!

2012-02-14T06:26:00.000-08:00

Three years goes by really, really fast.

Its raining today in Phoenix. Rachael says its supposed to be a huge storm. I'm very thankful for our chilly blue skied wedding day.

It was pretty perfect.

And the best part is, I get to keep him!

Tonight my Valentine is making me sushi at home. We'll probably watch a movie on our new giant TV and be asleep by 9. 'Cause that's how we roll.

Baby, it's Cold Outside

2012-02-13T05:55:00.000-08:00

My weekend started with roses because, well, Evan is the best.

We broke in our new Bodum French Press. I know I said I wasn't drinking coffee,

and I'm not... regularly.

We have been on the lookout for a French Press for months now and we finally found ours at a garage sale, brand new for $3. I love garage sales.

And although I'm sure we should have scoured garage sales and craigslist for our Valen-Versary present to ourselves, after months and months (okay, maybe years) of debate we finally got ourselves a 47" flat screen TV.

We are going from somewhere around a 20" clunky box TV on which I couldn't see the football during passes or read subtitles, to a gigantic crisp picture.

Its a whole new world.

Perhaps on this new TV we watched Breaking Dawn part 1. Which as Evan said was "the movie that went nowhere and was about nothing."

You are correct Sir.

Some of us bundled up and faced the frigid winter air of Boerne to feed some deer.

And some of us just snuggled on the couch to keep warm.

Last Chance Charlie

2012-02-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

While in Phoenix, I had exactly 40 minutes to run in and face the Gangs of Last Chance before I had to return my rental car and catch my flight. (Last Chance, for those of you who don't know, is literally the last chance of Nordstrom- its the final clearance store for returned and overstock merchandise from Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack. Its crazy, claustrophobic and as-is final sale).

I ran in, put my head down, dodged the bouncers and the aggressive shoppers and found the perfect pair of jeans for only $19.97.

That place is a total zoo and I was reminded of why I didn't go there very often when I had the opportunity.

These are the pants. They are jeans with some crazy wash/coating so they almost look like leather. Kinda shiny and rad. They retail at Nordstrom for $240. So, yeah, that's a $220 savings.

You can't really tell how cool they are, I'm like 4 feet shorter than the model pictured above, and I'm headless, but you get the idea.

Since I was already there in the pit, I wished I had more time to dig through the piles! They were having a huge purse event but I didn't have enough time to find one that wasn't dirty and/or totally broken.

Some were literally ripped or missing handles and they still wanted like $399. No thank you.

I guess I'll just have to shop at TJ Maxx like everyone else!

Clear Blue Skies

2012-02-08T12:49:00.000-08:00

I made myself take a few day blog hiatus while Evan and I were in Phoenix this weekend. Yes Phoenix! It was so much fun, and the first time Evan has been back since the move.

We had a chance to catch up with some great friends, do some paper work that required our physical presence, go to our old church, watch the party buses drive to the PGA tournament (which was a total show), take some naps, eat at a fancy new Pizza place with Bill and Rachael, and visit the Farm.

When Evan and I came home after we hit the farm, Rachael asked where we had been. "The Farm" I said hesitantly. "What farm?" she asked. "You know, that one we got married at" I said, bracing for her response, which was, "Gross."

Haha. Awh, I miss her.

Our lights are still up, 3 years later and counting. Evan plugged them in to make sure they were still going strong.

It was so nice to feel at home for a few days. We made the last minute trip because I got a job on Monday, which was so fun to work again and with some of my favorite people to boot.

Also, it was nice to be reminded that even though Evan and I both love Phoenix, our lives there weren't perfect: its not as if living there was complete bliss and San Antonio is the pits. Neither extreme is true. And now both places have people in it that we love and will miss, wherever we go.

Really, I'm just glad that I get to be with Evan, no matter where we live (to which Rachael would say, "gross").

Dog Days

2012-01-31T06:32:00.000-08:00

With both of us being sick around here for almost two weeks (yes, Evan got it too) our poor Mr. Tebow has felt extremely neglected and antsy from a lack of attention and walks.

So Sunday afternoon, even though both Evan and I would have preferred to stay on the couch, we took Tebow to his first dog park in San Antonio. The last time Tebow went to the dog park was well over a year ago- and it was so traumatic for me that we haven't been back since.

Evan and I were nervously watching, making sure the other dogs played nice with our little angel. (Tebow was behind the tree in this photo- so embarrassed that mom was following him around with a camera in front of his friends that he kept hiding from me).

Tebow did pretty good! He kept trying to play with different packs but they typically ran away from him (it reminded me of my own childhood playground experience) but Tebow didn't seem to mind. He was just so happy to be off the leash and running around!

When he was ready to go home, he came up to us and started jumping for his leash.

He was so tired and happy that evening that I think the dog park will be added to our routine.

Couch Rest

2012-01-26T06:39:00.000-08:00

Good news! There is a light at the end of my tunnel for the sickness- I'm on day 7, and so glad for an end in sight. My Nurse/Mother-in-Law heard my hacking over the phone and kindly persuaded me to go to the Doctor.

Turns out I have bronchitis. Which means I now have some medicinal help!

And with a real diagnosis came some real sympathy from Evan. He brought me dinner, my favorite green machine and chick flicks last night. He's the best.

Here are some albums I love from last year that are great to listen to when I can't get off the couch.

Metals by Feist. I looooooove Feist. This album could be my favorite of hers. But I love them all...

Barton Hollow by The Civil Wars. Have you heard them? They are dreamy.

Mylo Xyloto by Coldplay. I mean, who doesn't like Coldplay?

Bon Iver by Bon Iver. So interesting and calming.

Did I miss any from 2011 that I should be listening to?

Learning Can be Fun!

2012-01-24T07:43:00.000-08:00

Day 5 of the sickness is upon me. I'm feeling rather uninspired and very ready for this unpleasantry to pass. But know that I am beyond grateful that it's just a little bug and not the dreaded flu. So there's that.

One of my goals, after finding out this moving to Texas thing was a reality, was to keep improving on my glamour skills rather than letting them atrophy. I haven't done such a great job at keeping that up, but I'm starting to.

I might get this head for styling practice (creepy, right?):

But then I thought, why get a head when I have an Emily near by? Emily is a good sport, but naturally she is wary about being my practice head. I may get creepy Sheila and borrow Emily on occasion.

Also good news, I have my head! I was getting the itch to chop my hair off to my favorite little bob, but if I actually practice something cool everyday, I could get better at styling and look... well, not stringy and tired. Though, doing my own hair is not quite the same as mastering someone else's updos and whatnot, but its a start.

And, since I do not want to pay for real styling school (though, I'd like to someday- they offer one at the makeup school I went to in nyc that I have my eye on) I am becoming a student of you tube.

Here are my two latest favorite blog tutorials (my sister Rachael shared them with me, and I'm so glad she did).

For hair: The Small Things Blog (she doesn't speed through the tutorials so you can actually see what she's doing.)

For Makeup: Makeup Geek (seriously, I have learned so much already. Like how to blend without getting muddy. Turns out I don't know everything! I sort of followed one of her tutorials for the picture above- I did it this weekend when I was really under the weather. So you know the makeup is good if I looked like a white sheet before I applied).

I mean, look at that body on my thin wispy hair. Learning can be fun!

Book Report and Family Photos

2012-01-23T06:45:00.000-08:00

The only good thing about being sick for the last 3 days, going on a dreadful day 4, is that I'm almost through with the 600 page beast of a book, Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson.

The only downfall is that just hearing about people yelling makes me grab my scratchy throat at the painful thought of speaking loudly, and Steve Jobs yelled an awful lot.

(I found out about Jobs' passing when I went to the Apple website because I was having serious computer problems. Oh the irony).

He was a visionary and an asshole. A Zen Buddhist and a master manipulator. And sometimes he sounded like a giant cry baby when he didn't get his way. But no matter how complex a personality, Steve Jobs changed the world.

Mostly, I've enjoyed reading about how the products I've known and loved came to be. I remember playing (and loving) pong on our Macintosh back in the day. I remember thinking that my sisters 1998 transparent aqua blue iMac was the coolest thing I'd ever seen, and I remember when my first ipod was a click wheel and quite heavy- and I destroyed it by taking it for jiggle jogs (it couldn't take the jostling).

If you love Apple, its definitely worth the read.

When I wasn't reading, Evan and I were enjoying our weekend by watching movies (4 in all... can you believe it? I hardly got off the couch) or taking really slow walks. Almost shuffles. It was nice to get some fresh air but I didn't feel well enough to go very fast. We got lapped by a few old ladies.

Oh! This weekend I finally printed some trip pictures.

I have zero pictures hanging on our walls, and I'd like to change that.

I saw these images this morning from LGN and I want to copy. As usual.

I love the colored photos as well as the B&W and the mismatching yet clean frames.

Seriously, go check out this bedroom. (That's where those three images above came from, duh!)

You know what else I'd like to hang up? This photo.

Its hanging in my grandparents hallway (I took a picture of the picture over Christmas when we broke in to deliver a TV from Santa). Grandpa is on the top left next to grandma, and my mom is in the precious little church dress on the bottom right.

Sunshiny Day

2012-01-20T06:24:00.000-08:00

In reality there is a dense fog advisory out my window. But I promised I'd come back with some sunshine after yesterdays vulgar slaughter talk.

Have you guys seen these Anthropologie pictures yet? I got them off their fb page.

Beautiful, right? Makes me want to paint something. Or go shopping.

Another sunshiny thing: butter y'all. Even though I can't spell her name correctly, I love me some Paula Deen.

Hearing her talk makes me smile but hearing her laugh cracks me up.

Would you like the recipe to the Lady's Cheesy Mac, the best mac 'n cheese of all time? I thought so. Our friend Alex visited the Lady & Sons restaurant back in 2009 and brought me back a pack of recipe post cards (which I haven't mailed to anyone) and I've been making the Lady's Cheesy Mac with the highest compliments -and cheers- ever since.

It looks this good even before goes into the oven.

Also wonderful, we made it to the River Walk before they took the Christmas lights down! We were even present for a random Christmas military boat parade last night. Santa does have some time off now, I suppose.

The lights were so pretty! I enjoyed the River Walk as the weather was just about perfect last night and not too sweaty.

Also good was Salt Grass and Evan's crazy drink.

He deserved it. My honey has been workin' hard.

And finally, for a nice change of attitude, "for the first time in my adult life..." I totally dug the President.

Mr. President can sing.

Have a cheerful sunshiny weekend, y'all.

Sea Anemone

2012-01-19T13:20:00.000-08:00

Sorry if I offended you with pictures of Bambi posthumously. Or would that be postdeermously?

Either way, I'm sorry. I don't particularly like it either, but then again, I have a feeling that deer had a better life (and death) than a lot of the poor cows that I eat. I am trying to switch to grass fed.

Poor little feedlot cows.

Speaking of offensive, I heard a sermon on Hebrews the other day (Albert Mohler, The God Who Saves on iTunes U) that had an aside that I thought was the most tragical thing I had ever heard. He said, "think about all the animals that were sacrificed after Jesus had already been crucified (and risen) to be the ultimate sacrifice. Those animals suffered and died for nothing: the price was already paid."

Isn't that awful? What a waste.

I am totally guilty of feeling more sympathy for animals than I do for people, which is probably why that sickening thought stood out the most.

What? Too much? Did I just make my apology moot? I never know where that line is...

Anyway. We have a field of cactus by our apartment. A whole field. They look like sea urchins or something. Tebow and I like to go look at it together, but not get too close. He doesn't know where the line is either...

Evan made us go off the path at the park last week. I'm so glad he did! It turns out there are trails that we haven't found the end of yet- and it feels much better walking on dirt, you know?

There are parts of the park that look incredibly sad and stumpy after the fire. Some trees look like disfigured limbs of coal. Its rather eerie.

And so was this moon last week. Actually, it was pretty rad. I wanted to take a picture when it was even bigger and lower, but I was driving.

Okay, maybe tomorrow I'll try to say something fun and light and sunshiny so maybe there'll be a chance you'll come back again.

Warning: Don't open if you are fond of Bambi!

2012-01-17T09:13:00.000-08:00

Bambi's mama lived a happy life, foraging through the oaky hills of Comfort, Texas. She got to munch on sweet corn most mornings and bed down under some beautiful shade trees during the day. And now she has made the ultimate sacrifice, feeding two hungry homesteaders in the form of sausage, ground meat, stew meat, and filets.

We are thankful for her little deer life, and her 75 pound offering.

As for Evan, he had a lot of fun. He was back at his desk by 10am, not even needing a shower or a change of clothes. He loves him some adventure, and the great outdoors.

Evan's brother Tom tweaked the photo just a bit, to highlight Evans arsenal.

He's probably just jealous (but isn't that hilarious!?!?!)

But if you only knew how many things I want to say and don't...

2012-01-13T06:11:00.000-08:00

Evan is out trying to kill something and drag it back to the cave, and I mean that literally. I was up last night thinking about how it might be Bambi's last night with his mother. They are going about their evening, foraging through the woods not knowing that she will soon be in my chili.

Sometimes I wish my sense of smell wasn't so keen, I almost always think the meat has gone bad, which leads to a gagging fit and a waste of money. And yes I can smell your perfume from a mile away. Or your baby's diaper. Or the alcohol in your drink.

This week, I had the bright idea of switching from coffee to tea. Idiot. Most mornings I've felt like Bella when she must. drink. blood and guzzles it until she literally bursts. (That would be a Twilight reference. I'm not joining a cult). But I'm not actually guzzling any blood, er coffee. So I'm just left unsatisfied, with a headache.

I also cut out wine this week. Its been rather glum around here. I'm not sure how long this will last. My guess is not long, but neither is a New Years resolution, so maybe I'll go the distance.

Plus, think of all the money I'll save, cutting back on the $4 bottles of wine and brew it yourself coffee! Maybe in a year, I'll have enough money saved to buy one boot from the pair of boots I want... Whatever. I may only be wearing one boot, but my insides will be all squeaky clean.

Sometimes, I wish Tebow was more like Rusty. You know, nice to me. Tebow is sort of like a spoiled brat 2 year old, who barks at me and likes to eat poo and dead things.

My mom's friend painted this picture of the old boy.

Wasn't he handsome?

What about the Candlesticks and the Tapestries!?!

2012-01-12T07:06:00.000-08:00

This is the most exciting unexpected thing to show up in a box, I think perhaps ever.

Isn't it just gorgeous? Our friend Sean sent it to us from Afghanistan. I may have not-so-subtly asked him to be on the lookout for a beautiful colorful rug.

(Sean, and Evan)

He also sent a few soft and beautiful (muslim) head scarves that I will either use as regular scarves (that I now wear pretty much everyday, its my uniform: jeans, t-shirt, scarf) or maybe as a table cloth, as they are fairly big.

I haven't measured the rug yet but its in the 5'x7' range. But isn't the pattern perfect?!?!

For now, the goal is to get Tebow acquainted with the rug enough not to pee on it. So far he seems to be doing okay, although he does want to lick it. I think we have a better shot of preserving this rug than the exquisite zebra rug my uncle sent. I am still waiting for Tebow to turn into an angel before I display that beaut.

Sometimes I dream of living in a cocoon of Moroccan, Indian, Native American, Turkish, Mexican and now Afghani fabrics and tapestries... and furs. Wall to wall, like Boho chic on crack.

In other home decor news, we are doing some rearranging to better suit our needs.

I loved looking at this settee below the window where it was:

(These pictures are from right when we moved in, hence the boxes).

But, Evan really missed sitting in his reading chair, so the reading chair got the window and Ms. Settee found a new spot.

She looks pretty good in her new home. The fact is that our living space is so small that its pretty much wall to wall furniture up in here. We are signing another 7 month lease today though, so I've decided its high time to "make it work" (thank you, Tim Gunn).

Happy Birthday Evan!

2012-01-09T06:21:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Evan's Birthday. He turned the big 2-9.

You may notice the candles look a big strange. I have a huge pile of votives and not one birthday candle. Maybe I'll remember those next year for the big 3-0...

Confetti cake is his favorite.

We tried to celebrate on Saturday with a bike ride around Canyon lake. It was beautiful, but there was nowhere to ride, especially when everything was closed due to the winter season. I did get to see Rebecca Creek though. Rebecca has a street, an elementary school and a distillery!

And... we may or may not have been pulled over on our way to the Lake. But thankfully we had a good birthday warning instead of a birthday ticket. We crept slowly along the roads all the way home.

We did have a nice tri tip dinner on Saturday night, which was a success (with salad, mac 'n cheese, red potatoes and brussel sprouts) and Evan's buddy Vince joined in the festivities.

Evan was thoroughly embarrassed by all the gifts he got from me and my family, but that's just how we roll. Plus, we all love him.

Maybe I should write lists more often...

2012-01-03T07:03:00.000-08:00

I am still working through my list of resolutions for 2012. It only occurred to me about 30 seconds ago when I saw my resolution post from last January that I accomplished most everything on my list. That's pretty wild, right? The only things I/we didn't do were because we suddenly moved to Texas (like remodeling the bathroom, or getting chickens).

Here is my list from last year:
(I wrote them in past tense)

√ Didn't diet!
√ Hiked 2 to 4 times a week (Now I walk, so it sort of counts)
√ Paid off our gambling debts. (or school loans. Either way we did it!)
√ Painted our house with the perfect color!
   Did more with what we had (how do you measure that???)
√ Put flooring down. (it may have been carpet when we were moving out, but it still counts).
   Remodeled our master bath.
√ Traveled to Europe.
√ Made more friends.
√ Had friends- old and new- over for dinner.
√ Expanded recipe/cooking repertoire.
   Was a good wife. (I'll have to ask Evan if I get to check that one...)
√ Ate only real food. (Okay, maybe not only real food, but a good enough to count.)
   Got chickens.
√ Read a ton of books!

We still talk about getting chickens, and goats. I just don't know that the apartment management would approve. Anyway, we are working on our list this year and I'll share soon. I can already tell that its a huge amount of stuff, and I'll need to whittle it down a bit.

One thing that will definitely stay on my list is to start painting again. For Christmas, I painted my dad a quail (in watercolor) and had so much fun doing it. Plus, I think he's pretty cute.

I even liked him before he was finished. Such a noble little character.

(Please don't tell Mr. Quail that we ate him for dinner last week wrapped in bacon, and that he was delicious.)

And we're back

2012-01-02T14:28:00.000-08:00

It was difficult to leave California! Our time with family and friends went by way too fast, as it usually does.

Also, it was difficult to leave these views.

This one came out a little techno color... but it was still pretty in real life.

Evan and I also hit up the new and improved downtown Ventura. Its turned into quite a cute little strip.

They have an American Apparel and Urban, so Main Street was filled with hipsters accordingly.

We had our latte and croissant at Palermo, pictured below. It was quite delightful.

Other things of note:

I got to meet up with Erin. She's the best, and I miss her. And I didn't realize how brown my hair has become.

We got to go to Wood Ranch. I love Wood Ranch, and it tastes like home.

I now like family walks (where as in high school, they had to drag me kicking and screaming).

I got to meet this guy and a lot of his friends.

Mom still makes us line up for pictures in front of the tree in every familial combination she can figure. The girls!

After the longest day ever at LAX, we made back it to Texas and had a great weekend at home. After we met some friends for dinner at Z-Tejas (my favorite!) we spent New Years Eve on the couch, just the way I like it.

Tebow has resumed his regularly scheduled program, and requests that next time we leave for any reason, we take him with us. Also, he thinks its annoying that people ask him if he can do "the Tebow" and thinks its ridiculous that only recently has the general public figured out who his namesake is. Not to mention, he is quite tired of people telling him that he is overrated.

Because how could you not love Tebow? I mean, look at that face!

Top 10 Recipes of 2011, part 2

2011-12-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

These almost 3 years of marriage have taught me a lot of things, but one of the biggest changes in my life is my love and improvement of cooking. I've come a long way. I keep telling Evan, "if I've improved this much in three years, just think where I'll be in 3 more!" I'll spare you the details, but my first married month in the kitchen was very bleak indeed.

However, I should mention that I am still sometimes a clumsy novice in the kitchen (so, take everything I say with a grain of salt). Last night, we went over for burgers at Brittany's house (which was so much fun) and I nearly burned my face off by looking in a little too far into the oven when I opened it. Stupid. I'm just glad all my eyelashes are still intact.

Anyway. Read my first top five in part 1 here.

6. Marinara Sauce, Courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

I love having this marinara on hand. It makes a pretty big batch, so I usually freeze what we don't use. When I had access to a Trader Joe's, I would heat their Turkey Meat Balls up in this Marinara and serve it on whole wheat spaghetti. Its just about the easiest weekday meal ever, especially if you make this marinara ahead of time. Its also a great base for a whole host of other meals: lasagna, eggplant or chicken parmesan, manicotti, etc.

Plus, its so fresh, healthy and you know what goes in it: just vegetables. No chemicals, a la Ragu.

7. Chicken Saltimbocca, courtesy Giada De Larentiis

This recipe is also a Giada special. Giada is on a first name basis around here, or we just call her "Muffins." I love me some Giada. This meal is super easy, tasty, and I almost always have all the ingredients on hand (chicken, spinach, prosciutto, lemon juice...)

We first had this delightful meal at a Supper Club made by the ever creative Laura. It was so good that I remembered the dish a year later when I finally got the Giada cookbook myself.

*I pound the cutlets really thin to reduce cooking time and dryness, and I cook the chicken with a lid covering the skillet. I like it served with rice- which soaks up all the juices quite nicely. And sometimes, if we have any marinara left, I'll serve some on the side- sans the rice.

8. Sausage Stuffed Bell Peppers, courtesy Emeril Lagasse

I first found this recipe not to use with bell peppers, but for when we had a glut of zucchini we didn't know what to do with. It works nicely with both. Now that we don't have a garden, I get the 6 pack of colored bell peppers from costco, and find that I have plenty of stuffing for 6 peppers despite the recipe calling for 4. The flavor is incredible- and its also pretty easy to execute. The bread crumb/ parmesan crust on top adds a wonderful crunch.

9. 10- hour Chicken, courtesy Gwyneth Paltrow

First of all, Gwyneth Paltrow's My Father's Daughter is just about the best cookbook ever. It deserves its own post, which I might just do. This chicken is wonderful- it tastes like rotisserie chicken, has great flavor (how can you beat thyme, lemon and garlic?), falls off the bone and is super easy. Its takes about 10 minutes of prep in the morning and then it cooks all day long. Its especially great for a work day- who wouldn't want to come home to a good smelling house and hot chicken? *I have found it turns out better when cooked on a roasting pan rather than in its own juices- but I suppose that is just personal preference.

1 organic whole chicken, 3-4 pounds, washed and dried

1 lemon, halved

Coarse salt

Freshly ground black pepper

½ bunch fresh thyme

Half a head of garlic peeled

Preheat the oven to 200°. Place the chicken in a rectangular roasting dish breast side down. Squeeze the lemon halves over the chicken in the pan. Generously sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper all over, front and back, inside and out. Tuck the thyme and the lemon halves and 3-4 cloves of garlic in the cavity. Place the remaining garlic cloves around the pan. Wrap the roasting dish tightly with aluminum foil and put in the oven for 9 ½ hours.

Take the chicken out of the oven and boost the heat to 400° on convection if possible. Unwrap the dish, flip the chicken over so it is lying on back, breast side up and sprinkle with more salt and pepper. Roast the chicken for 15-20 minutes or until it is nicely browned. Let the chicken cool slightly, then carve and serve with all of its lovely juices.

Serves 4

Active preparation time 10 minutes

Total preparation time about 10 hours

10. Canyon Ranch Grilled Chicken Enchiladas, courtesy Canyon Ranch, Tucson Arizona

These enchiladas are so good and so light! The enchilada sauce is just blended up roasted vegetables (I think you roast around 16 roma tomatoes, onion, garlic, etc). I make this a lot when we have left over chicken that I don't know what to do with (say from a roasted chicken like the 10-hour recipe above). I have followed this recipe entirely and grilled the chicken as instructed- which is really good, but typically I just add the spices to my left over chicken and follow the rest of the recipe.

As Julia Child would say, bon appétit!

Para Para, Paradise

2011-12-27T06:59:00.000-08:00

I forget how pretty it is around here.

But it is. Totally stunning.

Evan and I ran away to the beach on Christmas, after church. I just had to see real quick.

Everyone was the opposite of pleased with us, but it was totally worth it.

We have been getting outside a lot. Its around 75 degrees, and perfect. I've already gotten burnt, such a wuss. Which is why I wore this super ridiculous hat I found in the trunk of my mom's car, which she chose to document and then post on facebook.

Here I am hiding the hat when I know she's on the attack.

Silly floppy blue bonnet or not, it was a beautiful walk along the Lake of Shining Waters. I mean, Lake Casitas.

This is a new vineyard with a wine cellar- it is breath taking. I would like to move in, or at least take a tour.

Its sort of hard to believe I ever chose to move away from here, but then I think about the cost of living and job opportunities and I think, oh yeah. In any case, its nice to visit.

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

We are still enjoying ours around here.

Top 10 Recipes of 2011, part 1

2011-12-23T06:18:00.000-08:00

As I was eating my Green Pork Chili last night, trying to prevent myself from shouting HOW GOOD IT WAS (we had company...) I thought maybe it would be fun to share with you our top ten recipes of 2011. That way I can shout to you how unbelievably amazing this green pork chili is instead!!!!

I've linked the recipes when possible. That way, if you'd like to try them it'll be easier to print.

1. Green Pork Chili, courtesy Bobby Flay.

This green pork chili has been in the top ten at the Oates house for a few years now. It is a bit time consuming, but well worth the effort. The flavor is out of this world, especially if you like Tex Mex.

2. Turkey Pot Pie, courtesy Whole Foods.

I've talked about this pot pie before. Its a great recipe for using up the post-holiday bird. Plus, its delicious and super easy (now that I use ready made pie crusts instead of making my own). Its also great because you can prep the whole thing ahead of time and when you're ready, just pop it in the oven.

*When I don't have access to turkey I substitute with chicken. Also, I add peas towards the end of making the filling. And I use whole milk instead of heavy cream. And sometimes, when I don't have leeks, I use onions. So, basically, I change the whole thing.

3. Ground Beef Wellington, courtesy Jamie Oliver

This Wellington is so good, warm and comforting. The assembly is a little tricky/ messy, but well worth it. The puff pastry has this wonderful crunch when you bite into it- and the Rosemary in the beef is delightful. I make this one a lot, especially when we have company.

4. Winter Minestrone, courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

This Winter Minestone is so flavorful. While cooking, you add a rind from parmesan cheese, which seems to make the whole thing a cheese infused wonder. Its quite comforting, hardy and SO GOOD. My friend Emily made it last month and was able to freeze half for later, with success.

5. Black Bean Soup, Courtesy El Tovar Lodge, Grand Canyon Arizona

Currently, this black bean soup is Evan's favorite meal. I've mentioned this soup before indirectly (it was the family dinner that wasn't over Thanksgiving in Florida). So, I guess I should stress the importance of making this in a heavy dutch oven. Or maybe try the crock pot (the recipe tells you when you can transfer to a crock pot if desired). It is delicious. We have tried countless black bean soup recipes and this is by far the very best. The flavor is incredible. Sometimes we eat it as soup, sometimes we put it on rice, and sometimes we use it as a side dish. It can have a southwest flair or cuban flavor depending on what its paired with.

*I use 3 strips of bacon instead of just bacon fat to start. And I use a hand held immersion blender and only puree about half the soup. We like the texture better when there are whole beans left. (recipe follows)

El Tovar Black Bean Soup

3/4 pound black beans

2 tablespoons bacon fat or vegetable oil

1 onion – medium diced

1garlic cloves – minced

8 cups chicken stock

1 ham hocks – smoked

1/3 cup sherry

1/2 teaspoon chili powder
3/4 tbsp. cumin

1 tablespoon. Tabasco

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)

1/8 tsp ground black pepper

Garnish

Sour cream

1/3 cup scallions – bias cut

5 corn tortillas, cut to thin strips baked until crispy in a 325 degree oven
lime

Soak beans overnight in enough cold water to cover them by one inch; drain and rinse.

Heat the bacon fat in heavy 3-quart pot over medium-high heat; add the onions and sauté until translucent. Add the minced garlic and sauté an additional two minutes stirring constantly.

Add the chicken stock and bring to a simmer, then turn heat down. At this point you can transfer to a crockpot if you like. Add the ham hock and the beans; simmer until the beans are tender, about 3 hours.

Remove the ham hock, let cool and remove the fat and dice the meat in medium dice. Add the diced meat back into the soup.

Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for 20 minutes.

Puree the soup in a standard size blender two cups at a time. (If you wish, save 2 cups of beans before pureeing and stir back into the soup to give it more texture).

Garnish the individual bowls of soup with sour cream, tortilla and scallion.

Stay tuned for recipes 6 though 10!

I'm just a regular Susie freaking Homemaker around here.

So this is Christmas

2011-12-21T07:08:00.000-08:00

This is probably the fourth time I've tried to write a cohesive post in the last few days. My brain is all Christmas jumbled or something and so far nothing has made any sense. So I'm just going forget cohesiveness and make a list of all that's bouncing around. I'll worry about making sense next year.

Evan is working very hard at work right now. And really long hours. I am so proud of him, and wish he could clone himself so at least one of him could get some rest.

We don't have any Christmas decorations up. At all.

I have thought about getting a Menorah.

Our apartment complex usually looks really empty. I see cars but no people, and yet in every window I see a lit Christmas tree. How did all these people sneak trees inside without me seeing? Its a culture of inside people...

Tebow has somehow wormed his way into sleeping in our bed half the night. We are lined up like the three little bears. He sleeps between us, on his back or side, body tucked under the covers, head poking out. Just like us.

I had a staring contest with a buck the other night. The buck won.

The steady stream of Christmas cards in the mail has been so much fun! I have thoroughly enjoyed receiving them and seeing what everyone is up to (despite the facebook age where I kinda already know). It almost makes me wish we would have sent them out ourselves. Maybe next year...

My Christmas shopping is complete, thank goodness. Its very difficult for me to avoid the "one for you, one for me" syndrome.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series is really good. I am on the third and final book (making myself save the rest for the flight home for Christmas). I had no idea about the books, or that the movie was coming out (now playing). Debby's friend Allison in Yankeetown gave them to me over Thanksgiving. I'm so glad she did! They have been quite a thrill.

It has come to my realization that I'm officially an adult. I'm finally watching Friday Night Lights, and I relate to the grown ups in the story line and not the teens. Somehow, this totally shocks me.

Also, did anyone watch Early Edition back in the day? I was in love with Kyle Chandler. I thought he was so dreamy. Its nice to see him again.

I'm still trying to come up with my 30 before 30 list and/or New Years resolutions. Actually, I pretty much know what they are. I'm just avoiding writing them down... plus, it will probably be more like 10 before 30, lets be honest.

Usually I am so sad to see the year end. Normally I get very nostalgic and so sad to see it go. Not this year. On with the next!

Austin

2011-12-19T06:28:00.000-08:00

Saturday, Evan and I decided to hop in the car and take a day trip to Austin. Since our arrival in Texas I've been wanting to go to Austin, so I was thrilled to finally have the chance.

Mostly, we ate our way around the city.

We had this incredible burger at hopdoddy. It was well worth the hour wait to order.

Besides just eating, we visited a wonderful farmers market- that actually sold produce- I was wishing we brought a cooler. We drank really great coffee which has inspired us to look for a french press. We browsed a huge book store as well as some great vintage boutiques where I tried on some fun motorcycle jackets and mink furs. I nearly bought some cowboy boots (okay, maybe not nearly...). And we got to meet Emily's new niece which may have been my favorite part of the day. Obviously I love me some Emily, but I also love her whole family.

I couldn't get Evan to pose with me. Maybe next time...

Austin really felt like Seattle to me- which I love. In fact, I am hoping that if we ever have to relocate within Texas that it will be to Austin. You know how I love me some hippy liberals that like to recycle and eat organic! My people!

To end our fun day, and go on our annual Christmas date, we had the best sushi of our lives at Uchi, located in the cute house pictured above. We changed to our "formal attire" in the parking lot and were praying no one would see us.

This was the table we sat at, so just pretend we had professional photographers documenting our magical meal. And check out the wallpaper. It was gorgeous, and the ceiling was a light robins egg blue. It felt like being in a designer cocoon. Or maybe that was just the sake talking.

I actually asked the waitress "What do they put in here? Magic???" It was like nothing else I've ever tasted.

We decided that if we were to rate our favorite sushi places to date the list would go:

Uchi, Austin, Texas
Karma Sushi, Flagstaff, Arizona
Dragonfly Sushi, Gainesville, Florida
Everywhere else

It totally felt like we were on vacation- and we were there and back in about 13 hours. There will definitely be more day trips in our future! But no more eating. I am still SO FULL.

Cowboys and Indians

2011-12-13T06:24:00.000-08:00

Remember my fantasy about Evan's wardrobe?

Well, this image pretty much sums it up, my fantasy that is.

via

Except, would you like to know what I found Evan wearing when I returned to Texas from Arizona?

A western shirt, tucked into a giant Wrangler belt buckle.

The only reason he didn't get the cowboy boots was because he couldn't find any that fit.

Its a good thing that I love my urban cowboy.

Yeehaw.

Maybe I'll get my moccasins after all and we'll be regular Cowboys and Indians over here.

Like it or Not

2011-12-12T07:31:00.000-08:00

I'm skipping a long rant about how I would much rather be living in Phoenix than in San Antonio. But you already know that. So instead of once again whining about my woes, lets talk about what fun I had instead.

I got to see my favorite Eggs! (We call ourselves the Eggs and the Oats- together we make breakfast.)

Eric made the best wings I've ever tasted. I loved them, and usually I don't even like wings.

And Chew dog! He is the best, happiest dog of all time. I can't help but smile just by looking at him.

Rachael and I went and got our nails did. I got that gel polish- which is still intact a week later. Amazing. I keep looking down and thinking "those aren't my hands, those belong to a lady!"

Rachael also shared her spiritual gift of cookie making, much to the dismay of my waistline. Her cookies are better than Paradise Bakery. No joke.

I saw the lunar eclipse without even knowing it. (So dumb! I was up and everything!)

An 80 year old Black Swan made an appearance at Neiman Marcus. Too bad you can't see the front of her...

I giggle jogged on my favorite canal.

Possessed alien kitties played with me.

I got to work with my favorite photographer, Scott Baxter.

And I got to work magic on a nice lady named Susan.

Also, the inside of this house, our Phoenix house, looks so much different now. For instance, it has a floor! And better light fixtures! I got to meet our renters last week, they seem wonderful and the house looks immaculate and well cared for. I am thrilled that they seem to be enjoying it.

Now. Back to attempting to like the life I am currently living. The one in Texas.

Little Sculptures

2011-12-04T07:23:00.001-08:00

Its not very often that I lust after ridiculously expensive things, or feel sorry for myself that I can't/shouldn't buy luxury items, or that I look at my own belongings and suddenly realize how much it all looks like cheap crap.

This week was an exception.

Being in wardrobe can seriously skew your sense of reality- and sticker shock. I bought those hot Prada pumps below on the left and literally exclaimed out loud "they're only $720!!!" And I meant it.

These Gucci boots below, on the left, the hottest boots of all time. Hotter, I think than the Louboutin boots we got (red soles and all).

I think they were only $1,295.

But how dumb would I be to be wearing hot Gucci boots and stepping out of my 1995 Toyota???

I'm just trying to talk myself off the ledge.

In any case, it was super fun to get to look at, hold, purchase (as if they were for me) these little sculptures.

Watch for the Gucci boots, some hot Jimmy Choo's and some YSL pumps on the GoDaddy supper bowl ad this year. And of course our friends Danica Patrick, Jillian Michaels and a smoldering hot, very sweet Columbian super model.

Sometimes, my job is awesome.

I'm going going, back back, to Cali Cali

2011-12-04T06:54:00.001-08:00

What a crazy week. Seriously. I went from being a Woman of Leisure (that is my new self appointed title) to a sleep deprived work horse! But I must admit, its been a really fun change of pace.

Wednesday I got a whirlwind tour of Southern California.

When I see this picture, it looks like everything I remember about the landscape of California. Every turn I would say, this looks like California. Oh wait... I'm in California.

Which, of course is my homeland and all that, but my sense of direction is not my strongest attribute, so every turn was a new one. I was thankful for my GPS.

At one point when I was driving through Beverly Hills (and quoting Troop Beverly Hills the whole way) I passed a sign that said Rodeo Reality. Now living in Texas, I pronounced that ˈrōdēˌō, as in the event that has buckin' bulls. Then I was suddenly driving on Rodeo Drive. Oh.

This was a working tour. It wasn't supposed to be a tour at all actually, I was going to the Hollywood Hills for a fitting, I had a suitcase weighing 57 pounds full of leather and another full of Louboutins.

But then the location changed to Malibu and I had all day to wait. So I did that waiting at Pepperdine University.

It was beautiful. After all day of flying and driving, I took myself on a walk and helped myself to their classroom bathroom to freshen up. Thank you Pepperdine.

Finally, the fitting happened. This was the view out of the gal's living room window. Not a bad gig.

I made it through hurricane force winds to the airport and flew out before trees fell down and power went out. All in all, it was a good day.

I almost drove straight to this house, but then I realized that other people live there now.

I may or may not have driven past once or twice a day so far...

A Few More Things

2011-11-28T05:41:00.001-08:00

Evan, Debby and I went up to Boca to visit Meme and had lunch in her Cafe. It brought back a lot of memories of visiting my own grandma- but Meme's place had better food!

Meme let Evan steal her ride, just like old times (don't worry, he threw that thing in reverse and gave it right back). She also snuck him a few extra cookies. She loves her some Evy (and who wouldn't!?!?)

Evan misses working on our house so much (apparently) that he volunteered his services at every house he could. He painted trim at his brothers house, and did some patch painting at his parents house, as well as some exterior touch ups. And Evan and Dan decided that Thanksgiving morning, while Debby and I were trying to prepare our side dishes in that very kitchen, would be a good time to disconnect the dishwasher and turn off the power for some repairs. That too brought back a lot of memories.

Also, I learned that I am thankful for my dutch oven. I had the bright idea of making Evan's favorite black bean soup for the family. There was only a regular sauce pan available and I thought it'd be fine.

25 hours after starting the soup, we ate it with dinner the following evening. That night we ordered pizza. I was vacillating somewhere between deep shame over my failed family dinner and anger at my stupidity.

Going from balmy South Florida to the 30 degree mornings we've been having here in San Antonio was quite a shock to the system! I was glad our last morning walk on the beach in Florida was cold and windy and could prepare us somewhat for this chilly shock!

Me being such a little jet setter, I'm heading off again today. Phoenix, Los Angeles for a second and then Phoenix again. I am getting really really tired of airports, going through security, packing and coughing sweaty people on airplanes. But other than that, it will be fun to work and make some Christmas cash, not to mention getting to visit Phoenix for a bit. Leaving my boys to fend for themselves for 11 days... not so fun!

We Ate a lot, Were Thankful, and Came Home.

2011-11-25T05:02:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving in South Florida was a success. Our sister-in-law, Jennifer, put out a wonderful spread (as usual). Our main contribution was to deep fry the turkeys.

Our team color was red and orange, apparently.

And this pretty much sums everything up.

We had a great time! We were sad to leave but very thankful we had this weekend at home to recuperate- and sleep in our own bed(!) before life picks back up again.

Bright Lips, Big City

2011-11-23T11:52:00.001-08:00

I'm guest posting today over at my friend Rachel's blog, My life in Silver Trinkets, on holiday makeup.

Rachel does really cute creative house projects and makes delectable delights and I wish we would have hung out in college. But we can all enjoy her through her blog!

My friend Christina was nice enough to be my model. She makes a good one, right?

(Never mind the half eaten cake in the background...)

Beach Baby

2011-11-23T06:52:00.001-08:00

Can you even believe this?

We squeezed in a little beach walk between our familial scheduled program. Some of which included looking at a baby doing summersaults on sonogram! (Not our baby, ps). And its a girl! And she has a spine and toes! We are super excited to have a Floridian niece.

Maybe we'll have time to squeeze in another beach frolic...

My fingers are crossed.

North and South

2011-11-22T05:58:00.001-08:00

This image pretty much sums up North Florida. Cowboy had a cigarette in one hand and whisky in the other. Good times.

There was also this too.

It was a good show, but I'm not sure it was worth the 75 bug bites I received in the 5 minutes we were outside.

We left the sand gnats and drove towards the mosquitoes in the tropics.

And so, among the palm trees and waterways, we will be enjoying Thanksgiving week.

We are off to the beach! Hope you all are able to enjoy this Thanksgiving week!

As Always, Julia

2011-11-18T04:59:00.001-08:00

I just finished reading As Always, Julia: The Letters of Julia Child and Avis DeVoto, and it was so wonderful! It seems I can't stop talking about it.

Julia and Avis became pen pals after a fan letter Julia wrote about an article on knives (that Avis DeVoto's husband, Bernard DeVoto wrote) and Avis answered that fan letter. There letters continued for the next decade as these women became the most important of friends. Helping each other through loss and change, and not to mention, Avis being the catalyst in getting Mastering the Art of French Cooking published.

Avis DeVoto and Julia Child

It was a fascinating read. They talk a lot about the political climate of the day (around 1952 to 1960 are the bulk of the letters) speaking a lot about McCarthyism and then later talking "Ike" and Kennedy, and briefly mention the Bay of Pigs. They are both blue blooded democrats and as they bashed the republican party back and forth, I reminded myself both parties look much different now than they did in 1952. In any case, it was interesting.

And Julia- she is just about the most enthusiastic likable person ever. She followed her husband, Paul Child, as he moved about in foreign service. Paris, the South of France, Germany and Norway. They had to learn the language with each move, and Julia goes on with eagerness. Her take and stereotypes of each country she lived in was particularly interesting. Not to mention the climate of the roles of women in that time.

And the food! They talk in depth about recipes Julia is trying, Avis' attempts to perfect her veal or lemon chicken, and what was served at swanky parties they attended.

Julia and Paul's relationship was adorable and inspiring. Julia followed her man around the world with devotion, even when she would have rather gone home, and always supported him in his work and pursuits. Paul cheered on Julia's cook bookery (as she called it) for the years and years it took to write, and later when promoting the book, he followed her around the country.

A wonderful read (especially if you are smitten with food and nonfiction like I am)!

Now I really want a pen pal...

UnCorked

2011-11-17T06:29:00.001-08:00

Saturday night, we opened a bottle of wine we had been waiting months to open! It traveled all the way from Tuscany in our suit case- and then on a u-haul from Phoenix to San Antonio. I told Evan that I did not want to wrap and pack it again, so we better find a reason to drink it!

We were finally able to celebrate a big-to-us financial mile stone, so we uncorked that baby.

I wish I could tell you that we had this glorious bottle with Florentine steaks, but we instead drank it with a meat-lovers pizza from Costco.

Typical.

These were the actual vineyards the wine came from.

This was my very favorite place we visited in Italy. It was such gorgeous land. And the agriturismo was so quaint and somewhat off the beaten path.

This was the kitchen of our place.

Here we are in the cellar with Anna and Scott.

I wont speak for the rest of them, but I was looking rather... swollen. We had been eating a lot of carbs.

Since we were staying there at the agriturismo, we got a complimentary wine tasting and tour of the cellar.

The family that owned the place seemed to utterly despise us until Anna and I vehemently "shusshed" the other rude loud wine tasters (mostly Americans...) while the daughter was trying to speak. Finally we were "in!"

I think this was the night we tried to BBQ sausage and chicken, an event that took about 4 hours since the grill wouldn't get hot enough. Worth the wait!

A do-over in Italy would be great right about now. But I'm glad we had a chance to relive the experience with our beloved bottle on Saturday.

And the Livin' is Easy

2011-11-15T05:50:00.001-08:00

Apartment living isn't so bad. At first when I was traipsing around San Antonio going apartment hunting, I often retreated to my car and cried after the grand tour. Especially when they wanted $1,300 a month for a one bedroom. In Texas. Give me a break.

Although I would still prefer a house with a backyard so I wouldn't have to take Tebow out 30 times a day, I am starting to understand why people do apartment living. Its easy. We don't even have to take our trash out anymore, we just throw it in front of the garage 3 days a week and someone picks it up. Sometimes I don't even walk downstairs to put it out- I just toss it off the balcony, and just like magic it disappears.

Easy.

And when something in the apartment breaks, which is often, we just send a maintenance request and someone comes to fix it. Evan can sit back and sip a margarita while someone else crawls under the sink for a change.

However.

Evan is never the one here when maintenance comes. I am. And without fail, whenever they show up, I am in the shower.

Having strangers enter our home at will is the main crux in the apartment-living-for-life plan.

You see, when you put in a request you never know when they will show up. It could be a day, it could be a week.

Not to mention all the other reasons and times they enter without proper notice.

They have been testing the fire alarm at least once a week since the labor day fire. There is no warning, and it is SO unbelievably loud, it smokes me out like a fox. Tebow and I run out of the house- leaving the eggs on the stove, wearing a towel, doesn't matter. And someone has to come up to check that the awful noise is really coming out of the walls. I yell down to them in my towel that "Yes! ITS WORKING!!!" But up they come, clip board in hand. The alarm continues to go on and off for the next 45 minutes while they check each and every unit in my building.

My blood boils over this. Boils.

No alarms were blaring when there was an actual fire, of course. We had to wake up our neighbor. So perhaps they are trying to get it right for the next one. But still, once a week?

Anyway. The maintenance team has a protocol for entering apartments, whether they are fixing something you requested or they are entering with their own agenda. They knock. 30 seconds later they ring the doorbell. And 5 seconds after that, if there is no response, they use their own key and enter. How can one respond properly if one is in the shower???

Last week, just as I was getting out of the shower I heard the dreaded soft knock. I ran to the closet and attempted to pull jeans onto my sopping wet legs as fast as I could, which, by the way, is nearly impossible. The door bell rang. The race was on! I hurled on an over sized sweatshirt just as I heard the front door fly open.

Homeboy was here to change out fire sprinklers, which are located all over the apartment.

So here I sat making small talk to some random man with a ladder, wearing my twisted damp jeans, oversized Biola sweatshirt with dripping wet hair, dreaming about our future house- where no one can enter unless invited.

Chocolate Cake and Party Hats!

2011-11-14T05:49:00.001-08:00

Cooking brings me great joy, but baking on the other hand, does not. It mostly brings me frustration and anger, which is a shame considering this cute green mixer I get to use.

But for Evan, I will do (most) anything. So at his urgent request on Friday, I whipped up a two layer chocolate cake. You cannot tell that both layers got stuck to the cake pans and totally fell apart... all over the kitchen.

It must have been the two sticks of butter in the frosting that held it all together. And despite its appearance, it was delicious (recipe here).

It was this guys birthday. Remember hero Layne from our infamous fire?

Apparently I have become 'homeroom mom' for Evan's office. Haha. Oh well, at least I have a job that comes with a prestigious title.

And I did get to bring the party (and by party, I mean hats).

Also, I am a horrible mother. I didn't realize until Friday- when a friend was asking how old Tebow was- that it was Tebow's birthday, that very day.

So Friday night, Tebow and Layne had a joint Birthday dinner at our place.

Tebow celebrated in his own special way, we celebrated with white bean chicken chili.

He was excited to be turning 2!

So was Evan.

Tebow has been recovering from the festivities ever since.

Moon Boots and Moccasins

2011-11-11T05:43:00.001-08:00

Did you know that Moon Boots are back?

We didn't believe it either.

But you know what weird costume shoe I am into? Moccasins.

I used to live in my pair of moccasins back in '05, that is until I lost the left shoe.

They are so comfortable, and now cool, apparently. Maybe this time around I wont be made fun of.

Plus, coming from Arizona, I'm already supposed to have a pair, right? Every time I'm at one of those gas stations between Texas and California that have all the junk for sale- I always want to buy moccasins... and a Native American looking rug and blanket... and maybe some turquoise jewelry.

Except they way overcharge at those fine establishments. You can buy a smoker, a tribal rug and a slurpee. What more could a girl want?

Yesterday, Emily and I went in to Fossil so I could pet this bag that I want.

After giving the bag a hello squeeze, we tried on sun glasses. As my mom would say "you think you're all hot." Well, yeah. Thought I was all hot. And THEN, I broke out in a rash on both sides of my face, on the outside of my eyes where these fine glasses touched me.

Awesome.

Who thinks they're all hot now?

Well, this guy I guess.

How Great Thou Art

2011-11-10T05:17:00.000-08:00

Evan was laughing at me this morning as I was watching this, but I thought it was so good! And they got a standing ovation. Maybe there's hope for us yet.

What did you do with it? You went SHOPPING.

2011-11-09T07:31:00.000-08:00

... Troop Beverly Hills anyone???

One of my goals, as I've mentioned before, is to dress like a grown up.

Last week I cleared out my closet, and I have to say, mostly my clothes scream "middle schooler!"

My favorite store in the whole-wide-world is Anthropologie, but with a wad of Birthday cash in hand, I could not find one single thing to work. That isn't to say I didn't try, I practically moved the entire store into my dressing room. Their blouses this season are taking on some really wonky shapes. Most of them are too short right now for my taste, and most seem rather un-anthro like.

Like these two. The one on the left is SO short, the one on the right, you get armpit wings, which I know because I tried it on.

Plus, I get worked up into a tizzy because in order to achieve the look they have on the mannequin, it requires 3 to 4 pieces of clothing, the cheapest of which usually starts at $68 and then moves on up from there. So if you love the whole look, you would need to fork over around $400 to achieve it.

Which I don't. I usually buy one beautiful and interesting blouse, but right now they aren't that beautiful or interesting.

I also love J. Crew. They must have the best stylists on the planet, because their clothes never ever look so cool on me. Ever. But I still love them whole heartedly.

When I say I want grown up blouses, these are what I'm talking about (all from J. Crew):

I hardly ever go anywhere without a cardigan layer. But with a grown up blouse underneath, it takes it up a notch.

And this is just hot.

I like this color blocking.

Nice right? Maybe I will take all my birthday cash and buy one single shirt.

I thought about buying a purse with my birthday money. I fell in love with a bag I saw a lady carrying in Bible Study last week. It's Fossil, and it's gorgeous. Its also $208.

I don't think that is an outrageous price to spend on a nice leather bag, but... I want to get more for my money right now.

The goal today was to talk about fashion, not about how I'm a cheapskate. Sorry, I got sidetracked.

The thing is, my 5 years of working with wardrobe has taught me that its all the same crap, and its all made in China.

Clothing is not an investment, I'm sorry to say: the expensive beautiful stuff gets stained just as easily as the cheap stuff, not to mention the gorgeous dainty pieces usually wear out faster than their more durable counterparts.

Don't get me wrong, I love beautiful clothes, I adore all the little dainty and uniquely detailed pieces, and I'm willing to pay more for a good fit (which in my opinion is one of the biggest differences). I'm just not going to pretend to be making an investment anymore.

Perhaps I am just ranting to make myself feel better. We are two hairs away from being totally debt free, thank you Dave Ramsey, and I don't want to side track us by being the underemployed housewife that goes shopping!

So, the moral of the story is that I can't afford my own taste. But if you can, please do so so that I can live vicariously.

Wurstfest

2011-11-07T08:29:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we spent the afternoon at the New Braunfels Wurstfest. It was much, much better than the Oktoberfest we went to in Fredericksburg last month.

It was the best Wurstfest ever!

I was a bit embarrassed carrying the giant brat (pictured below) through the crowd. People kept almost backing into it or nearly getting their eye poked out by it. Of course Evan made me carry it. And it was much, much bigger before we devoured it.

It was an afternoon of health food, really. The bloomin' onion was amazing, but I drew the line at funnel cake. I shudder at the thought (I had a bad Ventura County Fair funnel cake experience in 1999).

We spent a lot of time in a haus that joined our two favorite things, vintage and beer.

It was the perfect union.

We went to the fest with new friends from church. Its so nice to have friends, especially funny smart ones that like good German beer.

And now for a week of salad only repentance.

My Moon, My Man

2011-11-03T07:25:00.000-07:00

Most of the time when I fantasize about being wildly rich, I think about throwing away all our clothes and starting over. Well, I guess I'd keep a section, but only the stuff I really love.

Believe it or not, I fantasize more about Evan's side of the closet than mine. Not that he would allow me to dress him anyway...

Evan's taste has come a long way in the five years I've known him. I am so proud! He hardly even needs me anymore, but it would still be fun to style him (if he'd let me, of course). The main issue is that neither of us want to spend the $25 to $40 on a t-shirt from J. Crew. Its a t-shirt for crying out loud.

I like my man in clothes that are soft and cuddly, just how I like babies. No one wants to hold a baby wearing a crunchy little outfit. I never understand that, being handed a soft little baby in a scratchy, starchy, crunchy dress.

I'm going to save my sanity and not link anything. Sorry. But find all the following at J. Crew and Gap, which are my dream stores for men. Neutral colors (which my mom would call boring: "I walked into the Gap and everything was gray and khaki so I walked right out"), soft fabric, and not too... stuffy.

I love a layered, untucked sort of schlep look.

And a smart zipped sweater.

Or this one- which can look more casual with a plaid under.

And this watch. I think it's so cool and understated.

Yes, please.

I like graphic t's if they aren't annoying.

This would look good with anything.

a nice layer.

This is the $25 t-shirt I was referring to.

Sharp. right?

Evan has a lot of these casual shirts (all of the below are Gap). I love them. They look really good rolled up too.

I realize I didn't address a professional wardrobe, but I don't prefer that look, and this is my fantasy after all.

Dear Evan,

Please don't kill me for talking about you and wardrobe in the same sentence. I think you look good everyday, even when you are wearing a 10 year old gator t-shirt and holy jeans. At least they are soft and worn in.

Also, I wear sweat pants nearly everyday, so who am I to talk?

Love,
Your wife (who you adore, remember???)

Some things I left out.

2011-11-02T06:59:00.000-07:00

I have more pictures to share from our week with my mom and dad. Actually just mom. I had to skip a lot of photos of the IMM (international man of mystery).

Mom was ballsy enough to pose with the pink car right after the owner parked and sashayed her boot clad self to the Honky Tonk next door. I'm kind of jealous that I wasn't brave enough to pose too.

Here we are at the Lost Maple State park.

The next day, we took a walk on my preferred part of the River Walk- the part without all the shops and people. This part of the River is in the King William district, and its gorgeous. Too humid for my wilty self, but beautiful.

Here is me and half of Evan.

Me and Dad. See, he was there.

Here is our future Estate.

I'd take this one too.

Or heck, even this one.

After we enjoyed walking through our future neighborhood and its river path, we moved on to the part of the River Walk I enjoy less, the crowded sweaty part that everyone raves about. Lies, all lies.

Lets just hope word doesn't get out about the better part of the River Walk so it can stay peaceful and less sweaty.

Awe... young love. Evan really is the best. Even though I was probably complaining to him about how hot I was, how my jeans were sticking to my legs and how sweat was running down my back, I could have been telling him how much I like him. Because I do. He's my favorite.

The trees in this area and the shade they provide are the highlight for me. That part is pretty great.

We visited the Alamo, and finally Evan and I went inside the "shrine" as the Daughters of the Republic of Texas refer to it. That would be the most famous building, featured below.

My parents were impressed by the reverence that was requested and displayed inside the Shrine. Evan and I, however, were whispering that if we were in Paris there would be an employee standing by as a professional "Shussshhhhhher" to hush the crowd and perhaps clap when voices were raised above a low whisper. But, for America, perhaps it was as reverent as it gets.

And on account of the Tejas Rodeo we took my parents to (on my birthday, which I think is the greatest act of love on my part, haha) I think they might just like Texas enough to come visit again. I would say they liked it enough move here, but we all know that is a stretch.

The Rodeo opened with prayer. In which they prayed to God. And closed the prayer in Jesus name. To Californian ears, that right there takes an act of God. They can hardly even say the pledge in California anymore.

Then precision riders holding two American Flags and about 10 Texas flags did a really neat... synchronized ride (that's the only way I know how to describe it. Like a horse dance of sorts).

Anyway, such a display of patriotism and pride actually made me tear up, so I know my parents enjoyed it. Its nice to have that feeling of being proud to be an American. Maybe we'll just go to the Rodeo every weekend from now on and turn off the GOP debates and media coverage/circus.

Because, Gag.

Weekend at the Sea

2011-11-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, Evan, Emily and I headed to the Houston area to visit Evan's college friend and roommate, Rob.

We didn't see much of Houston, we only drove through it to get to Rob's cool waterside house-on-stilts and once there, we focused mainly on his hood and Galveston.

Turns out I never got a picture of Rob this weekend, but that's him on the right (our right, in stripes) when he was in Phoenix for our wedding.

Also, find Rob and Evan below doing what they did best in College.

Somewhere in our house we have a picture of Rob with blue/green hair. He dyed it while he and Evan were studying Spanish in Mexico. That's just how he rolls.

There were a few really neat parts of Galveston. The rest is to be avoided.

This was a cool old school soda fountain, milk shake, ice cream, candy store.

There were areas of historic store fronts that were really cool and a few sections of restored historic homes, but other than that, it seemed the town had been abandoned. Which is exactly what Rob said happened- I guess Galveston was a booming metropolis when a hurricane destroyed a lot of the city in the early 1900's. The city pretty much up and relocated to Houston.

The color of the water and the pier reminded me of Ventura.

We watched Florida lose to Georgia, made a delicious steak dinner with sweet potato fries from sweet potatoes that Rob dug out of the ground for us, and got a pumpkin to carve (which we never got around to).

This was our guest bed. Evan felt right at home.

It worked like camouflage! Where's Rebecca?

I woke up early enough to catch this sunrise, thank you Tebow.

We got to walk a nearby trail that leads to the beach. The dogs loved it.

Meet Rob's dog Pepper. She is a good girl. I called her Penny the whole time, but she didn't seem to notice. Tebow on the other hand screamed bloody murder for the fist few hours of our visit, but Pepper eventually won him over.

It was a fun trip had by all!

The Bat Cave

2011-10-31T05:59:00.000-07:00

Now that my parents are safely back and settled at home I can tell you that they came out for a visit last week (they are a bit leery of sharing travel plans with the interweb). My mom actually chose to visit us here in Texas over taking a trip to Maui. Now that is love folks.

We went on a lot of adventures together but I thought one in particular would be fitting to share on Halloween- we visited a bat cave! It was actually the Boerne Caverns but we did see two cute little bats. Emily who lives in Boerne arranged it and we gladly tagged along.

Creepy, right?

My dad demonstrated how your fingers seem to disappear in the water (I think due to the high mineral content).

Giant utters.

Baby utters.

This was the largest space in the whole cavern, though I know its hard to tell. I kept looking for the buried treasure to appear in this space, Disney style. Ordinarily a waterfall rushes down here but because of the drought, no water has been falling for some time.

Dad (cropped at the ear, he wants to remain the International Man of Mystery) and Mom.

It was such a crazy tour. We drove up through an RV park and the Cavern was directly beneath.

I hope you all have a happy and safe halloween. Tebow is the only one dressing up in this family, and we're all just fine with that.

Food Propaganda

2011-10-28T08:37:00.000-07:00

Eating can be a very confusing task these days, there are so many conflicting messages coming at us.

We watched a documentary this week that totally frosted my cookies- its basic message was that in order to turn off cancer cells, we must eat a vegan only diet (Forks over Knives, in case you are interested). Nothing against vegans, I'm just not up for it. I would consider Flexitarianism, and perhaps I should, but that's as far as would be willing to go. Plus, I have a sneaking suspicion that the Forks over Knives people didn't totally factor in processed food into the equation: any meat was bad meat (and any time they talked about evil animal protein they showed an image of a fast food restaurant).

Just before watching that documentary, I finished reading The Dukan Diet which is the polar opposite of Veganism; it is a pure protein diet, all lean meat and nothing else for the first phase of the four phase diet (then you add back some vegetables, and so on). This too outraged me, for reasons more than just the crazy notion that I would gnaw on chicken all day.

Is there any balance in the world?

As for me and my house, I am determined to find some. Despite all the food messages that bombard us daily, my chief goal in feeding my family is to provide us with real, traditional food, despite the fad of the day or the cultural fear of saturated fat.

For years now I have been curious about food and eating, and have read tons of books and watched hoards of documentaries and PBS specials the subject.

Anyway, all that to say that these are some of my favorite food resources, if you are interested in my food propaganda of choice.

If propaganda is going to constantly bombard us, why not pick and choose which ones we listen to?

Documentaries:

(I found all of the following on netflix)

Food Beware: The French Organic Revolution

Books:

(All of which I checked out at the library, of course, as you know my obsession).

Michael Pollan, In Defense of Food An Eater's Manifesto (or any Michael Pollan book for that matter- but this is the simplest and most straight forward read.)

Nina Planck, Real Food (I reference Real Food constantly)

Nina Planck, Real Food for Mother and Baby

Barbara Kingsolver, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

Sally Fallon, Nourishing Traditions

The Whole Foods Market Cookbook

Websites:

Weston Price

Family2Table

Nina Planck on Facebook (Nina has a website but she updates her fb page daily with tips and articles).

Real food mommy

You say its your Birthday

2011-10-24T05:43:00.000-07:00

My birthday weekend included the following:

As I was watching the bulls almost impale bystanders, I couldn't help but think of how I celebrated last years birthday: I worked, returned clothes at the mall and had a birthday dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. This year we went to the Lost Maple State Park, watched a "gun fight" in Bandera, ate Texas BBQ, and went to a Rodeo. Over the weekend we saw tons of long horns, bulls, bison and countless amounts of deer (they must breed like rabbits, they're everywhere).

Just a slight change in scenery from the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall.

Game Changer

2011-10-19T06:11:00.000-07:00

The iphone has been a total game changer for me. This is my first smart phone, after all.

Last week while working in Phoenix, I used that phone countless times. Its not as if I was asked to do anything more or different because I had the phone, its just that I could now do what was asked of me without panicking and/or calling Evan.

I can't tell you how many times I've called him while working in the past: "Can you get me the number of every Sports Authority in a 30 mile radius!?!?!" Or "what mall closest to me has a Lids (Lids is that ghetto hat store you probably don't go into that I frequent quite often)!?!?!?" "Does the Walgreens on 24th street have a drive thru, this is important!!!"

Anyway, on this particular job it was "Rebecca, look up this website now before we go to set!"

You got it.

And "Fold these pocket squares!"

No problem. How many points would you like?

We went with two. It stayed perfectly folded all day.

There is an Express at the Scottsdale Quarter that is not yet listed on the directory- the ones with the "you are here" maps. So I looked them up, clicked on the number (you click and the phone calls) and asked for directions as I was holding piles of clothes and didn't really want to walk aimlessly.

Life. Changing.

Not to mention when I ~~occasionally~~ always get lost here in San Antonio. It gives me a little blue beacon of hope with the navigation arrow, the ultimate "you are here" dot.

I can just follow the arrow home, without calling Evan or my sister in shear panic.

I am aware that I am so far behind the times that this is probably the equivalent of my grandma Myrt learning how to press play on the VCR- and have it work!!! Or like some other people I know that learned you can access the internet from computers other than your own- you mean, I can check my email from another computer, anywhere in the world!?!?!

Yes. And yes its amazing.

Twenty-Nine

2011-10-17T12:21:00.000-07:00

So, I'm not really sure how this happened so fast and without my permission, but I'm turning 29 this week. It seems all my excuses for not acting like a legitimate adult are quickly slipping away.

I thought I just turned 28 like a second ago...

I have been blocking out the upcoming milestone altogether and didn't even consider making a 29 before twenty-nine list or even think about what I would like for my birthday. Rachel made her 27 before twenty-seven list 5 months early, which makes me think that I should skip my 29 and go straight for 30, giving myself one year and one week to complete it.

Not that I am so good with goals or lists anyway. Last year around New Years I wrote a future letter to myself, and I notice now that my letter did not include moving to a new state, leaving my house, job, friends, or community. Every goal I set out in that letter had much to do with my life in Phoenix and isn't really transferrable to where I am now. I did not even slightly see myself in Texas, I saw myself in our backyard with chickens, and a nice hardwood floor inside.

So perhaps I should start by finding goals that can move with me.

There are goals I know I should have like get over my fear of group exercise, eat more fruit, learn Excel and be more outgoing and friendly to strangers.

But I don't want to do any of those.

My real goals are boring: I do not want to jump out of airplanes, bungee jump, run a marathon or swim with sharks. I already went to Europe this year (maybe I'll write it down and cross it off) and that was my only really exciting goal.

My real goals are more along the lines of "always have the bathroom clean so you wont be embarrassed when you have unexpected guests" and "dress like an adult."

Can I put things on my list that I'm already doing? Or is that cheating? For instance, can I say "read a new book each week" when I'm currently doing that but would like to keep it up?

Also, I hear from people that are good at achieving goals that you are supposed to be able to break goals down to more manageable, tangible steps. And if one my of goals is to "be happy wherever I am" how exactly is that broken down or at all tangible?

This post went in a completely different direction from where I thought I was steering this ship. But I suppose now I have to think about what I'm doing with my life.

So I will work on my 30 before thirty, even though it might sound more like a to-do list. Do laundry, cook dinner, wash hair...

Phoenix

2011-10-15T07:24:00.000-07:00

There were plans to keep you all updated as I was in Phoenix working. But somehow those plans fell through. Shocking I know. Those 12 to 14 hour days really suck up free time!

Mostly, I got to do drive by's instead of actually visiting places I wanted to see.

I thought about hiking Squaw Peak, but that's about all I had time for- thinking about it.

It was gorgeous. Clear blue skies, hot orange mountains at sunset. And so very familiar.

Our house looked great, clean and happy. It did seem quite wrong that someone else's truck was in our driveway and that I couldn't go inside- and Tebow wasn't barking in the backyard.

I'm sure the neighbors thought the crazy blonde in the generic ford focus was up to no good. I drove by every chance I got- and drove about 2 mph through the whole neighborhood.

I cried a lot- during the first landing of the plane, looking at the gorgeous mountains ablaze, (which was embarrassing as I was in the middle seat and there was no where to hide) driving past our house, going to Trader Joe's, to getting back on the plane to leave. I was basically a soggy basket case.

I almost died trying to get stuff out of the storage unit. I gave up when I almost lost a toe.

Somehow I managed to squeeeeeeeze in Church on Wednesday night, which was great. Ps, if you want people to be excited to see you, move away and then come back to visit. Everyone will be happy.

Also, I got to go to Ra Sushi with my sister and some girlfriends from church, which was really fun. I stayed with sister and brother in law. It was nice to stay in my old bedroom and play hair in the morning, just like old times

All in all, it was totally bizarre. Everything was exactly the same but completely different. A lot of people at work didn't even know I had moved- its normal to see people sporadically. I still knew all the store clerks, they were standing at the same registers and still annoyed with my returns. I still knew my way around, short cuts and all. Which, can I just tell you how amazing that is to know where you're going??? I miss that.

Evan worked a lot while I was away but did manage to have some fun.

This is probably the best text I've ever received. It just about made my night.

Tebow did his usual (sleeping and barking).

This is how I left him.

And this is how I found him.

It was all I could do to get on that plane yesterday to come back. It is good to see my boys again! I missed them a whole lot.

B-IO-LA

2011-10-07T06:41:00.000-07:00

Biola University posted this little gem on Facebook yesterday. I was about to say exactly what that guy Kyle said, so I "liked" it instead.

Perhaps I shouldn't harp on my alma mater (ps, did you know "alma mater" means "nourishing mother" in Latin?) but as outrageously expensive as that place is, you can bet your Ramen eating ass people are dealing with debt. I just found it hilarious and somewhat condescending, and not in a good way.

I would like to keep ranting, mainly about how they can't really teach about being debt free because if they did so effectively, they wouldn't have many customers/students left (not that it would have persuaded me from not going...).

But I think you get my point, so I'll stop. Despite my annoyance on this particular matter, I really did receive a wonderful education from my nourishing mother. I would do it over again in a heart beat.

Also, have a great weekend! I meant to leave you on a good note. Sorry about that!

Oktoberfest

2011-10-05T06:20:00.000-07:00

Saturday, Anna, Emily, Evan and I headed to Fredericksburg, yet again, this time for Oktoberfest. I felt good about it being an activity that Evan could enjoy, seeing as he was chauffeuring 3 Chatty Cathy's around.

I figure also, it was good payback because I am always the only girl chumming around with a group of guys who only seem to talk about motorcycles, their girlfriends who have grandchildren, and a whole slew of other stuff that I could care less about.

Evan hunted and gathered 4 chairs for us and a table to sit at. I was so proud.

The food was delicious and they definitely had good German beer, but the actual event itself was totally over rated.

It was hot, sticky, way too crowded for the space it was in (we kept getting rubbed up against by the sweaty masses, not to mention getting stuck behind obese people in motor scooters with no room to pass) and it was expensive. They ran the joint like nazi Germany, you had to buy the tickets at a centralized booth, you couldn't pay cash for anything so never knew how many "tickets" you would need. Emily even got yelled at once for being in the wrong line "NO! You can't get fries in this line! Its the next unmarked line over!" Twenty bucks for our lunch and at $6 a pop for beer, we were done rather quickly.

Despite all my whining now, it didn't stop us from enjoying each others company. Though, we did decide that we could have pooled all our money wasted for entry and food- and gone to a really nice air conditioned lunch instead. Or Sea World.

I tried a few beers that were new to me, but I love that Spaten Optimator. Its 'one and done' though, look out.

Ps, have I mentioned that Presbyterians drink? That is probably the most exciting thing about our new church, there is no taboo around the subject. Maybe Evan can realize his dream of opening a brewery monastery after all! Can you imagine?

I feel like somehow, this is a pretty accurate portrait of us. We might not even be standing behind anything.

This man was LSU from head to toe. Lucky for him he was getting mobile updates, and they were winning. Must be nice...

We came home to watch the slaughtering of the Florida Gators. I feel so bad for John Brantley, poor guy finally finds his groove, just to injure his ankle (it looked like he broke his knee. It was awful). Now a high school quarter back is taking over. Well, he might as well be in high school; true freshman, baby face, going to be swallowed alive.

Can I just say that I hate Alabama? I really do. And I came to that conclusion all on my own, Evan is so proud. I want to gag every time I hear "roll tide". Cher immediately comes to mind, "I was surfing the crimson wave. I had to haul ass to the ladies."

Friday, Friday, Friday!

2011-10-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

This weekend was a fun one. A few hours after I stepped off the plane from Indianapolis, my friend Anna landed for a visit. Anna and I went to Biola together, she is also the Anna that Evan and I met up with in Italy this summer, along with her husband Scott.

We missed Scott, and therefore think they both need to come back real soon.

I love this picture of Anna and me, we look so excited about our matching sweatshirts. It was taken in Rome, not San Antonio, obviously.

We switched from only eating pasta and carbs together to straight up meat.

We also had the pleasure of spending time with Emily as well- it was like a little Biola reunion that I wish could happen every day!

Anna wanted to experience true Friday Night Lights, so after some Texas BBQ, we went to a local High School football game.

This is 21 seconds of half time show. I wish I could zoom in on the outfits for you.

It wasn't just any high school game we went to, it was homecoming. See the little princess in orange?

There was lots of high school canoodling (note the three couples below) and heckling of the band who were actually really good.

I felt mildly insecure all over again and so very thankful to be out of high school. I kept trying to get Evan to canoodle with me at the game, my 16 year old heart all a flutter. He wouldn't have any part in it.

Maybe it was my greasy hair...

Whatever the state of my hair, we remembered the Alamo together.

We also walked along the River Walk and resisted the urge to ride one of these cinderella carriages, but just barely.

It was a really fun Friday night. Stay tuned for Saturday...

Speed Racer

2011-10-03T07:27:00.000-07:00

Last week I mentioned I was headed for Indianapolis. I did not mention that I had to google which state that fine city is located in. Geography has never been my strong point; when I was in elementary school I thought that Mammoth (as in Mammoth Mountain) was a state. Perhaps I got it confused with Montana?

Anyway, I was super excited to explore Indianapolis, but sadly all I saw besides the Andretti shop (which was awesome) was an extremely ghetto Walmart, a closed Trader Joe's and torrential rain out my hotel window.

The night I arrived it was pitch black, pouring rain, there was construction blocking the freeway and my GPS couldn't find its way to my hotel.

I texted Evan and said "perhaps I'll just be a housewife after all."

But once I made it safe and sound and actually worked on the job I was there for, it was so nice to use some skills again. I kept singing that Beauty and the Beast song in my head all day...

Life it so unnerving

For a servent whos not seving...

10 years we've been rusting

Needing so much more than dusting
Needing exercise a chance to use our skills
Most days we just lay around the castle
Can't be fat and lazy you walked in and oopsiedaisy

The job was a photo shoot for Go Daddy with the Andretti's. Kim, the gal I've assisted for years in Phoenix shopped and styled the job (and found some incredibly sleek duds, they all looked amazing) and I was on set doing makeup and getting the gentlemen dressed.

It was three generations of Andretti's and it was rad just to see the empire together. They were all very nice and fun to work with, but Mario Andretti was my favorite. He was the most adorable man ever, charming and warm, and I wanted to put him in my pocket all day.

I've always had a thing for old men, which I realize sounds totally creepy but its also totally true.

Did you know the Andretti's have a winery? Its in Napa- I was hoping it'd be in Italy and I could go visit.

Just so you know, I've always been super skittish about posting about jobs on this bloggy, mostly because I don't want to over share and ruin some confidential information or get the reputation as a Loose Lipped Lucinda. Which is why I'm not posting more pictures or telling you gory details. I don't know why I should care about being respectful and quiet when I see other MUA's posting and tweeting and bragging from set. Which does sort of make me want to barf.

So, I am hoping I found a balance here in sharing my excitement about the job without over sharing details that are not really mine to share, or being braggadocios.

Perhaps its from my years working at the Sheriff's department when I wasn't allowed to say anything at all...

But it just feels dirty somehow.

Gary Indiana

2011-09-28T05:50:00.000-07:00

Guess where I'm going today!?!?!

I was really hoping to experience crisp fall weather in Indianapolis, preferably with Sunday's weather, sunny and a high of 61. But I will take a storm. That's crisp enough.

How can we be expected to teach children to learn how to read if they can't even fit inside the building?

2011-09-27T06:32:00.000-07:00

I finally found my way to the San Antonio Public Library, and it did not disappoint.

If you know me in real life, then you've heard me say it: I love the Library. Love. It.

via

Seriously, Libraries are the best public service ever. Besides public safety and road pavers, of course.

If only because it helps cut back on the clutter that would otherwise take up residence in my house, it is a blessing. But more than that, I read books, listen to music, and am exposed to things that I would not otherwise give a chance.

Almost every time I go to the library I think of that line in Good Will Hunting where Will tells the pretentious a-hole at the bar: "you dropped a hundred and fifty grand on an education you coulda' got for a dollar fifty in late charges at the Public Library."

Not because I regret my overpriced education or read anything smart or profound by any means (I almost checked out Kardashian Konfidential the other day, but out of embarrassment refrained) but because someone could, if they wanted.

Even if they wanted to learn to be a better parent, a better cook, how to garden, or start a new career; its all right there.

Currently, while cooking, cleaning or walking circles around the apt, I am rotating between 3 books on cd (seriously, a lifesaver without cable) Made by Hand (which makes me miss our backyard garden in Phoenix), Change your Brain Change your Body (it sounds like its narrated by a robot and I'm still waiting for the point) and Home by Julie Andrews.

Julie Andrews herself is narrating- I love the sound of her voice. It is so comforting and beautiful, fluid. So far (I'm only on chapter 4) Julie is painting a picture of an extremely difficult childhood but she still manages to sound like gentle Maria or Mary Poppins while talking about WWII bombs exploding outside her window or her grandfather dying of syphilis. Syphilis is such an ugly word for such pretty voice.

Perhaps tomorrow I will tell you the point of why I even started this post, which had nothing to do with Julie Andrews, Will Hunting or syphilis.

This Weekend

2011-09-26T10:34:00.000-07:00

Evan got me an iphone as an early birthday present.

He's the best.

I feel like I finally joined the rest of the world. Plus, I wont have to call him in a panic to check my email or have him look something up on google maps for me when I'm lost and stranded. Which is often.

I'm still figuring things out. I've already sent a few incomplete and embarrassing texts. I've butt dialed. I've hung up on someone. And I think I injured my ear from holding the phone too close.

And I don't quite get this instagram thing. I don't want to share the photos, I just want them to look cool like this, and download with the rest of the photos I take. Luckily, I have time to practice.

Saturday after the Gators won, we went to the Tejas rodeo in Bulverde again. I had a lot of fun playing with the video camera on my iphone. Now I just have to figure out how to edit (I have a 2 minute video of an angry bucking bull chasing a horse. No one wants to see it for a full 2 minutes... but 30 seconds would be lovely, seeing as no one was hurt).

Memory Lane and Style Icons

2011-09-23T06:18:00.000-07:00

My goal, as of late, is to dress like a grownup. I go through these spurts of inspiration, wanting to look pulled together, like I'm not twelve.

But then I slip back into my uniform: jeans, a Gap v-neck T, and flip flops.

I would love to tell you this is a much different look than the one I had while attending Balboa Middle School, but I'm afraid I'd be lying. My hair here in Texas is as frizzy as it was back then- and I've been throwing it up in a pony/knot like I did back in 1996 (except this time, no scrunchie, thank God).

So, the only real difference now is that I'm not wearing my dad's old Levi jeans (for real) rolled down at the waist twice so they would fit. It was hot, that bulging belt shape around my waist.

I'm also no longer wearing the same pair of Air Walks every single day and wishing I was a skater. Or riding my bike to school with a trumpet strapped to the back (on a book rack secured with bungee cords, my oversized backpack resting on top, my frizzy hair flying out the back of my helmet).

And I guess no one calls me a rabbit toothed lesbian anymore, at least not to my face.

Middle School sure was a blast.

Anyway. Where was I? Oh yes, I have been trying to gather pieces that are both comfortable and more put together looking.

I bought this Missoni blouse at Target (notice I said blouse and not shirt, such a grown up move).

When I tried it on for Evan, however, he decided I skipped "grown up" and went straight to "old lady."

I will be taking it back, unless of course I can sell it on ebay for hundreds of dollars like other people are doing.

I've never thought of myself as having a style icon, but I have to say if I were to pick one, it'd be Kourtney Kardashian.

Especially post baby. Probably because she looks more comfortable now- more flats, less stuffy/dressy outfits. Plus I love her. She is my favorite Kardashian.

I would love to dress like this every single day.

I absolutely love this outfit.

She even does business more fun and casual.

Isn't this dress the cutest? It reminds me of this dress that I want.

Anyway, I was thinking about rushing out to Sears to peruse the Kardashian Line so that I could look just like my friend Kourtney and wear her clothes (what... too stalkerish?) but after reading Ashten's review of the KK line, I think I will stick to Nordstrom Rack and TJ Maxx.

I am ballin' on a budget after all. (And who wants to over pay at Sears?)

The Peach Pit

2011-09-22T06:47:00.000-07:00

This week, I had the pleasure of tagging along with Emily and her friend Laurie, who was in town visiting, to Fredericksburg, Texas.

Fredericksburg is northwest of San Antonio (by an hour-ish drive), and was settled in 1846 by German families. There are a lot of historic German style houses that have been turned into B&B's or shops. Its quite adorable. They also have the oldest Brew Pub in Texas (serving German beers, naturally). Evan may want to come next time...

We had lunch at this adorable Tea House. The food was really great, and so was their peach iced tea.

Butter and honey and salsa, oh my!

We got this incredible fudge- that is still in my freezer. Fudge, I'm sure, is the grossest looking but best tasting dessert around.

My favorite shop- out of all the vintage clothing and anthro inspired shops- was this natural food store, Peach Basket.

Emily and Laurie politely waited outside while I poured over every shelf. It felt like home- I love all that weird stuff, even the weird smells (its like a mix between oat bran, vitamins and essential oils).

They even carried my celtic sea salt, which is legit sea salt, unprocessed, a bit moist (you know how I love that word) and gray.

Plus, I picked up these beauties, eggs from real free range chickens. They are so pretty, all the blue tones. And, they were $2.50 instead of $8 like they would be at Whole Foods.

Design*Sponge has a wonderful City Guide on Fredericksburg, if you ever happen to need it. But if we know each other (or even if we don't) and you come here, call me. I'll go with you. It will be fun.

Barking up the Wrong Tree

2011-09-21T06:17:00.000-07:00

It was all too much for us the other night. The barking wouldn't stop. Tebow was wild and crazed, barking like the Taliban itself was out our front window.

Tebow, I'm sure, just wants us to know he's doing his job. We got a dog for protection, he assumes, so he wants to show he's earning his keep. He will bark to the death, with passion and fervor. He will not be dissuaded.

When we are not home, with no one to impress, he sleeps. All day. Without a peep from his vicious barking throat. The thought makes me crazy, all that silence with no one here to enjoy it.

So anyway. I was on edge already. It was a long day, my nerves felt raw from all the barking. I was drinking a glass of water near the refrigerator, Evan was scooping oreo ice cream. He swings open the freezer door to put the carton away. The door smacks my glass mid sip, cuts my lip and chips my front tooth.

My crowning glory. My one good feature. I. Lost. It.

Currently, and since the moment of impact, my tongue is running along my tooth, back and forth. Apparently I'm trying to file it down myself, until I bleed. Evan tried to console me by showing me how uneven his front teeth are.

Not comforting.

I was holding the chip from the tooth on my finger, pretty much hysterical while Evan shook his head and called me a drama queen. Tebow wouldn't stop barking like OUR LIVES DEPENDED ON IT.

I had had it. I was either going to jump off a cliff or get a shock collar (for Tebow, not myself, though perhaps shock therapy is in my future). Being a fan of being alive, I chose the latter.

It was a quiet evening in our house last night. Beautiful silence.

Watching Tebow react from the "static correction collar" was pretty much the most painful thing ever, but I must say, totally worth it. My hope is he will reduce his barking whether wearing the collar or not. So far he has learned "no barking while wearing the collar of death, but when its off, fair game."

As for my tooth, you can only see the chip if you're looking. And I am looking so I'm still totally horrified. The tooth that took the blow is just a tad longer than the one it sits next to, so I bet a dentist can blend it in like it never even happened. I will need to find one of those, and soon.

Remember when he was too young to bark?

Yeah, me too.

It has been a month since we loaded up our U-haul and made the two day drive here to San Antonio. I assumed, wrongly, that this change would steadily become easier for me.

Truly, its not as if everything was perfect in my life in Phoenix; there wasn't complete satisfaction and fulfillment in every area. There were definitely things I wished were different. But I felt like I was at least on a path, I had a plan, something to do everyday.

Sometimes when I get homesick, I walk the rooms in our house.

I start at the front door, I feel the cold travertine under my feet, I take a few steps to where it drops off to bare concrete, its even colder. Tebow is leaping towards me with his decaying rope toy in mouth.

Walking to the kitchen I can smell the marinara I have stewing in my le creuset; I give it a stir, have a taste, add more salt. I walk to the back door to let Tebow out, I feel the loose tiles beneath me crack as I walk. The lock clicks and then thuds into place, the door squeaks open, Tebow flies out.

Slamming it shut, I take myself room by room through the rest of the house. Pausing in each, looking at how the sunlight changes the colors of the walls, some for the better, some turning an awful puke gold.

I see my half finished painting projects, folded laundry ready to be put away, my makeup scattered on the vanity table, Evan's dresser, well lit from the huge sliding glass door it stands next to, but hidden by a pile of clothes, hats, tobacco. Things aren't perfect, but we're home.

I'm sure this isn't healthy. Perhaps I should just walk this city, this apartment, this current reality.

Our renters moved in last week. I have been imagining how they're arranging their furniture. Which room is their son in? The room that has the bigger window but no closet door? Or the room with the ceiling fan? Does their dachshund smell our dachshund? Does their golden retriever like pacing our giant dirt lot? Do they use the laundry room as a dumping ground like we did, or do they actually use it for the purpose of laundry? Have they hung up their pictures, made it home? Do they park in the garage, like our paint choices, put their dishes in the same cupboard we did?

This should be a business. I should not care where they hang their pictures. But I do.

Its time, I know, to start living here. To start being present in my own current life. Sometimes it just feels like I'm going to be swallowed up by unhappiness. Which is when I take my billion milligrams of fish oil, go to yet another Bible study and remember this quote:

"Stop and listen to your life. Be still and wait. In the meantime, be the best person you can be. Be the best employee, be the best daughter, be the best sister, be the best wife. It will come. Be patient. Do things that nourish your inner being."

Ps, thanks for your support, even when I'm not cheerful charlie. Perhaps next I will work on projecting happiness and perfection like my gal Jackie. I'll just fake it til I make it.

Tebow Roots in Style

2011-09-19T08:37:00.000-07:00

Saturday, we had the pleasure of watching Florida beat Tennessee. It was a fun game, and we won 33-23. However, if Florida doesn't get it together and avoid receiving 5 million penalties, I'll kill them myself.

I think I may be going blind and can't focus my camera. Evan's face isn't shaky, I am.

Tebow wasn't so sure about wearing his gator gear, but we sure thought he was cute.

It really only lasted about 5 minutes before he revolted. You can see his displeasure.

This man ruled the game.

I'm so glad he could move on from those pesky little threatening texts he sent to a girlfriend last year.

Yesterday, we sucked it up and went back to the church we liked from last week, despite our "big difference." Through talking to some people this past week, we found there are a lot of people who have this same "big difference"and attend anyway.

So perhaps its not that big of a deal after all.

I hope we can be done looking now. Being new totally blows.

We jumped right in, all day long: we did church, we did lunch, we did a small group, and we did a pizza/movie night- one right after the next. They were all nice, all smart, and all normal people. (One girl is literally a rocket scientist. How awesome is that? And she loves Anne of Green Gables. Obviously she has good taste.)

It was like 10 solid hours of communicating with strangers, and as a textbook introvert, I'm cooked. My plan today is to hunker down and have quiet time all day long.