A little lost

The Mr. and I are a little lost... our computer is with the awesomeness that is..... the Geek Squad.... getting some much needed repairs.  His family has been so generous.  We have been borrowing computers from them all week.    Our fingers are crossed that all our pictures have been saved.

I planned to post Part 2: Momma Love sometime this week but it is getting pushed back until next week.  There's something about momma love... especially when your sick or upset.    They have comfort running through their veins.  More on that coming soon.

Thank you for the sweet private message about my previous post.  My bloggy friends make me feel so loved!

Prayers going out to all the families devastated by the severe weather.

Part One

I thought I would split up our weekend into 2 parts.  We spent time with our dad's on Friday and Saturday and then we spent Sunday with the mommasitas! 
Part one:  Daddy time.  Part two: Momma Love (see next post)
On Friday we headed over to Pop and Bec's house!  We sat on the back patio, told/listened to stories, and enjoyed the company.   We were telling them we would be going on a  "Renaissance" adventure the next day with my dad and a familiar smirk appeared on their faces!  They disappeared for a minute and returned with a large bag!   Entire medieval outfits were inside!  Oh yes...lots of laughs were exchanged throughout the evening!  

The Mr. and his daddy

We put the bag in the car and plotted our "Easter Fool's" joke! The Mr. and I decided to wear the costumes to my dad's house the following day and put on a serious face!  When we got out of the car...they were greeted with this Lord and Lady!

                         -------------more pictures will be added soon!-----------------
We said "Whose ready for Scarborough Fair?"  Yes....more laughing!!   We obviously brought our real clothing and immediately changed after the prank was finished....that stuff was making us cook in the sun! 
We had a fabulous time-

eating giant turkey legs

posing

throwing coins into the wishing well

accomplishing the maze

and throwing axes....I know.... it's a real game!!!!!

The Mr. and I have amazing dads.  We feel our relationships with them have grown stronger since our marriage.  A quick tribute to my dad...... our updated story:  Growing up my dad worked so hard.  He traveled frequently and worked long hours.  I'm sure we would both admit that we had no real relationship.  (He has been my "step"dad since I was two.)Fast forward.... after I graduated from college and became a teacher...we suddenly had many more things in common.  We had daddy daughter dinner nights (DDN)  and chatted several times a week.  My mom and dad were so very involved in my "classroom life."  They would come up and read to the kiddos, bring me lunch, and attend holiday parties.  Three years ago I reconnected with my biological father.  We hadn't spoken in several years.  He was sick with cancer making a relationship was more important than any "unresolved past" issues we could have had.  He was living in Florida and we needed to get together and rebuild what was broken.  For my first reconnection meeting with my bio dad...who else but my step dad takes me to visit him.  I rebuilt a loving and forgiving relationship over several months with my bio dad. (with encouragement from my step dad)  Something beautiful evolved (on all sides)...  My bio dad is with his Heavenly Father and I feel I still have something very strong that didn't exist until a few years ago with him.  What happened between us was indescribable and loving.  We visit my father's resting spot as much as we can as a reminder that it can be too late...so saying I love you now is so important.  Lesson- there is sunlight around dark clouds.

The first day of our new relationship.

Visiting with each other as much as possible.

My supportive pops.

Enjoy your papa!        The next post will be.......Part Two- Momma time .   

It's gonna go like this

Is everyone ready for the busy weekend?!!  Easter is always something that sticks out in my mind when I think of being a little one.  Coloring eggs, hearing the true Easter story, wearing a frilly dress, The Basket, egg hunting, and the ridiculous amounts of chocolate that would be consumed. (we were always given free reign on Halloween and Easter to have chocolate tummy aches)  My favorite Easter treats:

We have these in a dish sitting on our kitchen...not a great idea.   We always scoop a handful when we walk by. 
Would you sacrifice going to this:

So you could eat this:

We are going to experience the oddness that is - Scarborough Fair.   We plan on having a wonderful and eventful time.  I'll keep you updated!
What I'm making for Easter:

corn casserole

sweet green bean casserole (a twist on the ole faithful)

roasted garlic cauliflower

ranch buffalo chicken dip

messy apple bun
My MIL and SIL will be bringing the rest!  If all of these actually turn out  how I hope....I will post the info.  Fingers-crossed.  

What is your favorite Easter recipe?!

-our computer has kaboomed....so we are "borrowing" one.  Hopefully we will be able to upload real pictures soon!!!

Sand between your toes

The Mr. and I love going on vacation!  Although I have many vices....one of the hardest is saying "no" to a trip....any type of trip.  I would rather skip on the "extra" stuff (hair, nails, brand name clothes) and use the mullah for a great getaway. (at least that is how I justify it to myself.  just let me continue to think this.)  We packed our bags too many times last year and got a little homesick.  But it made for an interesting year of marriage.  Here is a list of the places we went last year.
Florida-2 times
Europe- Spain, Italy, and France
New Jersey
Las Vegas
Shreveport
Oklahoma City- 2 times
Multiple weekends at the lake house in Texoma
California
Granted 4 of these trips were weddings..... yes...in my brain that means going on extra trips was needed for quality couple time ...right?!
We have several places we want to "hit up" in the next few years!  Doing a New England Tour is one of my fantasy favorites!  (Just think...fresh lobster rolls)

Maybe two of the main reasons for wanting to go there is the fall leaves and food...and more food.  Is it wrong to plan a vaca around your food cravings?  I say "no way"!
Planning a trip can be so overwhelming.  I find the planning part to be the sprinkles to my cupcakes!  The earlier the better!  I plan trips several months in advance.   I am aware that this can be annoying...I am working on it.....:)  Thank you for our travel friends that understand the multiple emails/phone calls with trip options.  It all comes from a place of "good"... I want each day to have something amazing planned. 
Along with being the weird cat people...we are also the weird couple obsessed with cruises.  Picking excursions for each day of your trip is so easy and fun to research!  Our cruising tips:  1. Never skip on the rooms.  Pay for the balcony suite...it's worth every penny.  2. Expect a weight gain.  What are loose fitting summer dresses and Spanx made for?  Eating five or more times a day is the norm on these trips.  Get over it!!!!!!   3.  Pick the excursions that come with meals and drinks.  Why pay for lunch if you don't have to!  4.  Feel like you are important and just be served!  Maybe we secretly feel like Royalty when we are away.  We know that bubble will pop as soon as we arrive home.  5.  Wear motion sickness bracelets.  You're not the "nerd" with the bracelet anymore when everyone is green and woozy...you're the hero!  6.  Try to pick cruises that are longer than 5 days.  I don't know if this is an actual qualified tip...but we feel like you get more for your budget.  Again, this could be me just justifying a 2 week vacation in my brain! Denial can be bliss!

With all this said.... we have planned our 1 year anniversary trip.  (because it's yet another excuse to plan and become obsessive.)  Don't get me wrong...the most important reason is to spend every waking minute with my hubby.  He is the most fun human being I have ever been with.  How can someone always be happy?   I would love to bottle up his positive energy.  People like him are amazing to me....it pokes my jealous bone.
We will be traveling to...drum roll....   Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Curacao, and Aruba.  Can't you feel the sand between your toes?!!   We have the excursions perfectly planned and now we can just countdown the days!  How neat is it that our "trip fam" (friends we met on our honeymoon) is also going with us!?!   So,  I leave you with this.........  (island music playing in the background)

this and that

Just few unrelated and random thoughts!
I felt so loved at work this week.  My little lovies found many ways to show their appreciation.  Here are my bragging pictures:

gorgeous flowers

a new cookbook

a new cookie jar and lunch bag

spoil yourself treats

tasty treats

I am thankful for so many things in my life....the happiness that they add to my day is unmeasurable.  :)

The next unrelated topic:

Our living room has been momentarily turned into a kitty pallet.  Our little Ollie boo just got back home after being violated to the highest degree.  He is just the sweetest baby ever.

  I can be a little emotional...I guess...  and it sounds so silly but....I have busted out several (that is an understatement) tears in the past 48 hours.  I had a nervous crying session about taking him to the vet, cried when I left for work and The Mr. took him to his appointment, cried when I called to ask the nurses to give him kisses through out the entire day, cried when I had the thought he might wake up last night and think we left him at the vet and we aren't going to go back and get him (I don't need to hear that this is irrational....I get it:) cried when we drove to pick him up, and for the finale- yes, you guessed it....boo-hooed like a baby when we snuggled him this morning at his pick-up time.  Since our family only consist of furry four legged kitties...they are our babies...and we are so attached.  Thank you to our accepting loving friends who listened to me get weepy last night...you just love me for the crazy cat lady that I am on the inside!!!!

Totally unrelated topic:

What I'm reading now. 



Next topic:

This is one of The Mr.'s projects today!   Add these beautiful baby palms to the backyard!

Make it a home!

Warning: This blog post could be completely boring to some of you...lots of before/after pictures! 
The Mr. and his friend carried in our new tables and I just couldn't contain my smile.  As soon as the tables were in..... I got the "decorating bug" and walked around the house....pointing, moving, and making request to my hubby.  Here is a picture of our living room right when we moved into our house  The curtains were from the previous home owners.  Look at my couch....it was the first big purchase I ever made out of college.

This is when we got our new grown-up couch!

Our finished living room.  The new coffee table.

 I changed up the wall decorations.  We like this much better!

This is a picture of our entry table before:

Our new table.....the wood is gorgeous!

I have to say "thank you" to everyone who sent me ideas for our guest room!   We are almost finished! 

There is always more to work on....but we are so happy with our vision becoming real!

Texi-mexi casserole

This recipe makes me smile:)  I have always loved tex-mex style meals...easy and filling!  While I anxiously waited for The Mr. to pick-up the new furniture pieces...I decided to pass the time in the kitchen.  (fyi-the furniture came and it is beautiful, more on that later!)  I'm not good with measuring when I cook....so these aren't exact amounts.

Texi-Mexi Casserole

1lb. ground beef

1 small onion

1 packet of taco seasoning

Mexican-style cheese

small can of mexi-corn

small can of pinto beans or black beans

1 small can of tomato sauce

optional-rotel (I didn't add any this time.)

1 box of corn muffin mix 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Saute onions.  Brown meat in pan.  Drain and stir in taco seasoning & 3/4 cup water.  Cook on low for 5 minutes.  I heated up the mexi-corn and beans in a separate pot and then added it to the meat/onions.  I added tomato sauce to make it a little more saucy since the corn bread soaks up most of the moisture.  In a separate bowl, mix the corn muffin mix according to the package.  Put the ingredients in a baking dish.  Cover with cheese.  Take the corn muffin mixture and pour on top of the cheese. Cook for 20 minutes!  Enjoy!

The picture is kind of fuzzy.  The battery is so low that the second I turn the camera on it turns back off.....but with a quick "click" I got this picture.  You get the idea....nom nom!!

a windy weekend

The weekend has been so beautiful despite the wind that whipped my stringy hair into a knotted beehive!  I'll take the tangled-look for all the warm sunshine! 
We started out the weekend by the pool!  The Mr. was trying to get the chemical combo right for the summer and I was....well.....soaking up some vitamin D and reading a book!  Later that night I convinced The Mr. to watch Black Swan.  Definitely a dark thriller.....we liked it!
On Saturday we went to a soccer game to cheer on some kiddos from my class!  We enjoyed supporting (screaming like obsessive fans) my hard-working lovies!!  Then we went to meet up with our sweet friends for a relaxing evening of food and laughs!  We basically had a buffet of munchies to fill our tummy's with......and we absolutely met the challenge!  (jalapeno artichoke puff pastries, taco seasoned bean dip, mini chimi's, sausage queso, king ranch casserole.....just to name a few yummies that made my tummy grow!)  These girls can cook!!!  It's never a dull moment when this crew is together!

We feel so blessed to have these amazing people around us.  They are so supportive and loving!  

We woke up late this morning but decided to head out to brunch at a local cafe bakery!  It reminds us of the little bistro's in Europe we sat in during our honeymoon.   My never-full-stomach wanted to have crab cakes, french toast, and a club sandwich.   I finally decided on a club.   I could have seriously eaten all three!  We stopped by this great little furniture store on the way home and found 2 pieces that "fit" our house!  We were sold!  I looove custom over sized furniture...but the price tags that go with it doesn't make my pockets feel well.....but this store was having a great sale and we were able make purchases where we would otherwise say "NO WAY"!  I will post before/after pictures this week....I can barely wait to get them tomorrow!!  So, we spent the rest of our day hanging pictures/taking down pictures/moving decorations around to make room for the new furniture.   

I leave you with this picture..............sleep well and have a purrrrr-fect week!