Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Who's Kid Is That Anyway?

So HannahKate has started another blog.  I think she has two, or three, but she keeps forgetting the passwords so she can never update them.  This one is called Confessions of a Decidophobic.  A decidophobic is a person who has a fear of making decisions.  I thought she made that word up, but I Googled it and found that it really exists.  I guess I should know that, because I believe I might suffer from it myself.
Anyway, she's embarked on a mission to write 30 Letters in 30 Days.  Its a pretty impressive challenge, so I wish her the very best.  I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to do it also.  It seems like a fun idea, but I don't know if I can come up with enough material for 30 days.  There might not even be 30 people that I know/like well enough to write a letter to.  We'll see.  I've given myself a deadline of October 31 to make up my mind.  (It's becoming more and more obvious where HanK gets her "decidophobia", isn't it?)
While I'm still mulling over my options, you should check out Hannah's blog.  She's a pretty neat kid young lady.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Storm Clouds

A fierce storm blew through Hometown yesterday evening just before dark. The clouds looked as if they were on fire.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Good Taste

I'm not really sure where or when my obsession for taking pictures of food began, but it is now a tradition, or a habit...or maybe a vice.

Since we've been trying to eat healthier, I was a little concerned when I met Joel in New York City a few weeks ago.  I know its the "City That Never Sleeps", but it is also the "City That Always Eats."  So as much as I hate to admit it, we planned our days around breakfast, lunch and dinner.  The good thing about this however, is that I was able to be very deliberate with my culinary choices without too much fear of the consequences being reflected on the scales when I returned home.

Anyway, here is just a "taste" of how much we enjoyed NYC.
 First, was breakfast at Bubby's.  

I had Eggs Florentine.  The waitress told us Bubby's has the best hollandaise sauce in the City.  I believe her.

 Later that day, we tried out A Salt & Battery--a little place in Greenwich Village.  There were only two parties inside, but that left no room; so we ate outside and enjoyed the beautiful fall day along with some "color" commentary by a local shop owner.

We both had the polluck, or haddock, I can't remember which...but I do remember that it was absolutely delicious.

On Monday evening, we got caught out in a rain storm.  We took shelter at a "Famous Famiglia" pizza place and had a little late-night snack--pizza and garlic knots.

For once, I was able to take Joel somewhere he'd never been--PopBurger.  Paige, Elizabeth and I discovered this place up by Central Park on our last trip.  I love the presentation of the two tiny burgers in a box.  They advertise "luscious mouth watering buns" and "firm fries."




On Tuesday evening, I wanted Italian food.  We explored a couple different options, but ended up at an old favorite place--Carmine's.  Neither of us really thought about the fact that Carmine's is not a place for a party of two.  Because the portions are so large, you actually need three, four, or maybe more, friends to dine with.

We had Caesar salad, stuffed mushrooms and chicken scallopini.  Even though we ate until we were completely stuffed, there was still had enough food left over to feed a few homeless people on the subway.

And do you want to know the most exciting part?  Even after all these awesome restaurants and rich food, when I stepped on the scale the day after getting home, I only brought back an extra .4 (as in, less than half) of a pound!  Oh, the damage could have been so much worse!  All that planning paid off...and 10 hours of walking each day probably helped a little, too.  No wonder New York has so many restaurants...between never sleeping and walking everywhere, you need to eat a lot to sustain yourself!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

The Writing on the Wall

As we were wandering around New York City recently, we came across an art exhibit in a renovated old school.  The event was called ReForm School and was billed as "an art-based education event...designed to push forward new thinking about fixing America's schools."  It was really artsy and definitely forward thinking, but it was also a fun way to spend a few hours in the City.  You can read more about it here... if you're interested in that kind of thing.
Since I have two very smart girls who are also very pretty, I had to take this picture.  I'm not sure if this was supposed to be considered art or part of the exhibit, but it was written on the wall of the Girls' restroom... definitely better than what you would normally find written on a bathroom wall.  I took the picture with my iPhone CameraBag app and the Silver filter...if you're interested in that kind of thing.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Crazy Tacos

Earlier this week, our family went to a new Mexican food restaurant here in Hometown.  Honestly, the last thing Hometown needs is another Mexican food restaurant...or barbecue place.  But, we have recently acquired both.  Woo hoo.

Anyway, I'm always the last one to order because I can never make up my mind.   Hallie was sitting next to me and asked for the "Fajita Taco Loco" literally, "Crazy Fajita Taco".  Everyone else had ordered, and I was forced to make a split second decision...so I just got the same thing, even though I had no idea what it was.  That's dos Fajita Taco Locos.

In a few minutes, the waitress began bringing out our food.  She set a small plate with a taco on it in between Hallie and I, but then she said, "That's not your taco!  You have the big taco."  On her second trip to our table, she presented us with our "big tacos".  Oh my word, she wasn't kidding...

  
I put my fork on the plate to give some perspective on the gianormity of it.  
So I submit that instead of being called "Taco Loco", a more appropriate name would be "Taco Grande" or  "Taco Gigante".  Unless of course, the reason it is a "Taco Loco" refers to the fact that it is crazy big.
  
Anyway, Hallie and I enjoyed our gigantic crazy tacos; but I'm afraid the rest of the family was less than impressed with their meals.  So it appears that our regular Mexican food establishment will not have to worry about losing our patronage...even though their tacos are neither loco nor grande.  

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Weekly Pic--Macy's Empire

Had the chance to go to NYC for a few days this week with BigJoel.  We had so much fun!  I've been trying to master the "art" of great photos with my iPhone.  Joel always takes the coolest pics with his, but mine never seem to come out like I want them to.   However, this was one of my favorite shots of the trip--Macy's Department Store in the foreground and the Empire State Building in the back.  For any camera nerds who might be interested (ahem, you know who you are...), I used the Hipstamatic app with the Jimmy lens and Blanko film.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Driver's Ed

HannahKate begins her Driver's Education class tonight.  Where in the world has the time gone?
Hopefully, they'll teach her to keep both hands on the wheel...

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Weekly Pic--Chasing Waterfalls

Dallas World Aquarium
September 2010

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

A Letter to HannahKate

Dear HannahKate,
I just want you to know how proud I am of you and your accomplishments.
I want you to know that your hard work and cheerful disposition do not go unnoticed.
I want you to know that your fierce loyalty to your friends is appreciated.
I want you to know that I pray you'll keep refusing to allow other people to dictate your self-worth.
I want you to know that the firm stand you take is a testimony of your faith.
And I want you to know that sometimes, even when you do everything right, life's just not fair.  But your family will always love you and be proud of you.

Like Grammy said~remember who you are and whose name you bear.

And like Bart says~
You're beautiful...
You were made for so much more than all of this.
You're beautiful...
You are treasured.  You are sacred.  You are His.
And like the Bible says~
After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun. So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose?  Romans 8:30-31 (MSG)
Remember who you are and Whose name you bear.

I love you,
Mom

Monday, October 4, 2010

Whoopsie-Daisy...

...now that's an odd expression. I have no idea what it means, but I needed a catchy title for this picture I took of a Gerber daisy. Whoopsie-daisy...it's also fun to say.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Plenty of Moxie

Our dog, Moxie. She's a strange one...

Saturday, October 2, 2010

This Is Why I Love Fall

Just me and Hal tonight, but we had our dinner outside on the deck. Beautiful weather!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Friday Night Lights

Be careful what you ask for, Troy.