Girls' Weekend!

This past weekend, some of my girlfriends and I headed for the hill country for a relaxing getaway. With three bottles of wine in tow, I left straight from work on Friday for the little town of Sattler, TX. Here is the gorgeous view off of the porch of the river house, overlooking the Guadalupe River.

Friday night we just stayed up, got caught up on each other's lives and of course, had some wine :). We woke up and made a gourmet breakfast Saturday morning and laid around in our PJs until lunch time sipping coffee and enjoying each other's company. We finally decided it was probably time to get ready for the day after lunch. We headed out to go browse through some of the cute little shops in downtown New Braunfels and then went to Gruene for drinks and a snack at the Gristmill.

We went back to the river house, made some brownies, drank some more wine and then decided at around 8 that we probably shouldn't just eat brownies for dinner so we grabbed a burger at a local spot. It was a delightfully relaxing weekend and it's always such a treat to have quality time with these girls. We are all facing both challenging and exciting times in our lives, and it's such a blessing to come together even if just for a weekend to reminisce and catch up! Sometimes the best weekend is one with no plans, girlfriends, PJs and of course, some yummy vino!

2011: Year in Review

It’s hard to believe another great year is over! 2011 brought with it fun experiences and abundant blessings. We got to travel quite a bit, always a favorite of mine, to both familiar and new places! I started off the spring with an annual visit to Round Top. My mom and I hopped into Tyler’s old pick up and headed out first thing to meet up with Whit and her mom. We had a ton of success and came home with 2 new pieces for the house! I also enjoyed two great girls’ weekends in Austin and Galveston. Though when we get together, our conversations are different than they used to be, I have so enjoyed getting to see the different paths our lives have taken; new jobs, new loves, new places, and old familiar friendships. Life is so much richer with dear friends who know you better than you know yourself!

Here we are enjoying a delicious seafood dinner in Galveston.

Tyler and I also enjoyed a few weekend getaways including a weekend with Haley and Justin to Port A for Memorial Day. We had yummy pina coladas and got plenty of time in the sun. We did our annual Florida trip over the 4^th of July and had a blast being with the whole family, including our precious niece and nephew. It always feels like home being on the beach in Florida. And finally, Tyler and I went to Chicago over Labor Day to celebrate my birthday and visit some really good friends. We packed every minute and had so much fun exploring a new city, mostly on foot and then on a 4-mile bike ride (geez!) Chicago quickly became one of my favorite cities and I look forward to going back.

Haley and me soaking up the sun in Port A.

Jax Beach, Florida. Home away from home.

We rented some beach cruisers and went bar hopping.

Tyler and I with the Chicago skyline behind us.

I’m still really enjoying our cozy 50 year-old house and the process of slowly but surely making it feel more like home. Tyler and I joined a co-ed soccer team in the fall and love getting to do something competitive together. Our spring season starts again in a few weeks and we’re already looking forward to it. We still adore our home team, which has really grown this year with three little bundles of joy. Our home team is such a constant source of comfort, support, fellowship and fun, and I am forever grateful that we joined over 2 years ago. And finally, Tyler and I recently celebrated 2 wonderful years of marriage. I so enjoy getting to experience life-both the day to day and the really extraordinary with him!

Home team girls. Love them!

Us on NYE!

We have so much to be thankful for this year and always, and owe it all to Him. So, as 2011 has now passed us by, I wish you a fulfilling and adventurous 2012!

Christmas Cheer

Tis' my favorite season! After several days of decorating, the inside of the house is completely finished! I am really enjoying relaxing with some Christmas tunes and the smell of Christmas tree. Tyler and I learned how to make our own wreath this weekend and it is hanging inside of our back door.

Tyler came up with this idea to put the Christmas tree trimmings around the house.

Our real Christmas tree in the living room!

This is the tree in the front of our house, in the bay window.

Merry Christmas, friends!

Two Years Later

Today Tyler and I have been married 2 years! It is really hard to believe. We celebrated last weekend since we knew this weekend would be busy with company and hosting Thanksgiving at our house. For our 1 year anniversary we went to Portland, Maine and absolutely fell in love with the area. We also went to 4 separate breweries including Allagash. We brought this beer home in our suitcases and said we'd drink it for a special occasion. Two years seemed like an appropriate milestone! We went to a nice dinner at Ibiza in Midtown and then grabbed some after dinner drinks at a cozy bar near Rice Village. I am so glad we still date each other. It was a special evening!

I'm not really sure I had a ton of expectations about marriage going into it. One thing is for sure, it has been such a blessing. It amazes me how I continue to grow closer to and learn new things about Tyler all the time. I also feel that we encourage and challenge each other in our own interests, friendships and hobbies which allows us to be the best versions of ourselves. We have really enjoyed all the time we've been given just to spend with each other trying new things and even finding joy and comfort in the little, routine things like cooking a meal together. Our secrets to success so far? I'd have to say it's a toss up between communication about ALL things big and small, spending a lot of quality time, and consciously looking for and dreaming about new experiences together (next year, it's Europe!). I feel so lucky to experience life with Tyler and now to have 2 wonderful years of memories together!

Dining Room Updates

The dining room has come a long way from it not even having a central light source when we first moved in! The dining room was a very creamy neutral when we moved in. We had thick baseboards and crown moulding installed, and chose to paint it with a rich, bold blue. The images above and below show how the dining room has looked for the past month or so with the new buffet from round top! I knew this room needed some warmth and fabric.

Lo and behold, this is how the dining room looks now! My mom and I picked out a rug that brings in all of the colors in the room and ties in the rest of the rooms in the house. We also picked out these two precious accent chairs from Pier One to anchor the buffet on either side. I just love how inviting and rich the room looks with just these few changes!




I am definitely looking forward to entertaining over the holidays in my cozy dining room!

Happy Halloween!

Tyler and I kicked off the Halloween holiday by carving pumpkins with our home team. This is an annual tradition and we always have a blast! Tyler and I chose a very easy design this year after learning our lesson in years past and went with this quirky little owl.

Last year on Halloween we had such a great time sitting out in the driveway with the neighbors and all of our dogs, greeting the excited kids and their precious families. I couldn't believe how popular Halloween is in our neighborhood. Last year we ran out of candy at 8:30pm so this year I wanted to come prepared for the masses! When Halloween day rolled around, I was quite torn what to do! Tyler and I play in a coed soccer league in Houston and our games are every Monday night. I realized a lot of our teammates have kids and it would only be fair for us to show up for the game. Since I was totally bummed about missing Halloween in our neighborhood, I left a big pumpkin on our front porch with candy in it and a note on the door that said 'Sorry we aren't home. Please grab some candy and have a Happy Halloween!'

We showed up for our game, outnumbered and playing the #1 team in our division. We lost 4-0, but still had fun playing. We arrived back home and all the candy was gone, which I expected. What I didn't expect was that the pumpkin and sign were both missing and someone had smashed our carved pumpkin all over our front yard! Kids these days...

So, needless to say, this Halloween wasn't one for the books! I'm hoping to pass out candy again next year, and apparently will need to guard our front porch. Happy Halloween to all! I can't begin to describe how excited I am that the holidays are now upon us :).

Caramel Apples

I have always loved this tasty treat, especially when I'm in close proximity to a ski slope! I have never made them myself, though. Tyler and I love spending time together in the kitchen and I thought this fall would be the perfect time to try. Start to finish, these took 10 minutes to make, and were easy and fun!

We made this simple recipe:

Ingredients

• 6 apples
• 1 (14 ounce) package individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
• 2 tablespoons milk

Directions

1. Remove the stem from each apple and press a craft stick into the top. Butter a baking sheet.
2. Place caramels and milk in a microwave safe bowl, and microwave 2 minutes, stirring once. Allow to cool briefly.
3. Roll each apple quickly in caramel sauce until well coated. Place on prepared sheet to set.

We decided to add mini chocolate chips. Here are the ingredients:

After the caramel was melted for about 2 minutes, the apples were ready to coat!

Here is the finished product. These went into the fridge to chill before we ate them!

Yum!

Treasure Hunting

This weekend my mom and I set out early and met Whitney and her mom at Round Top! This was my fourth time to go. I was equipped with a bunch of measurements for the house and high hopes! Within just 30 minutes of looking around, my mom and I found this first piece. I have been looking for an interesting dresser for the front bedroom and found just that! Here's a photo of it all accessorized:

Under the same tent, we found this beauty! I have been holding out for just the right buffet for the dining room and was really quite stunned to find it. My mom and I had seen this piece last year but had no way to get it home so when we saw it again this year, I just knew I had to have it. This piece is so rich and beautiful and has so much storage, it's unreal! Here's a photo of it in our dining room:

And finally, here is my piece from Round Top in the spring fully decorated in our living room. This piece just makes me smile :)

We had a great girls' weekend and huge success! I am so excited about the character and warmth these pieces add to our home!

Quarter Century!

Yesterday I turned the big 2-5! It's really just hard to believe. It seems like just yesterday I was turning 21 and thought I was invincible (oh how quickly we learn.) This birthday has proven to be one celebration after another!

On Wednesday, a small group of my dear friends got together for a casual happy hour in the Montrose area. We caught up and talked about how old we are all getting. Yesterday, I worked in the morning from a local coffee shop, which is always a treat and my mom took me to lunch. We made sure to finish off with a birthday 'treat' and had an amazing sticky toffee cake. I'm still craving it. She gave me a precious book with encouraging words that she's been holding onto for a while. It was very meaningful and something I will treasure. One of my best friends stopped by our house on her way through town yesterday and we enjoyed a glass of wine together and caught up on our busy lives. There is nothing quite like spending time with an old friend, someone who knows you better than you know yourself it seems. Tyler cooked a delicious dinner including grilled salmon with citrus salsa and honey balsamic green beans. He also gave me a sweet gift--a historical book and walking tour of Houston! I'm sure over the years, I've mentioned wanting to do this at least a dozen times and I cannot wait to go on the tour together and learn about my city. We stayed up and watched the Modern Family premier and ate a yummy mouse dessert. There is just something so comforting and satisfying about a night at home. :)

Tonight we'll do dinner with my folks at one of my favorite restaurants, Benjy's and then my mom and I are going shopping tomorrow. I feel so overwhelmed and humbled by the love and support of my friends and family on this day and always. 25 does seem monumental for some reason, like I should accomplish something big this year. And, hopefully I will! I feel just a bit older but I don't think I mind it too much. I think the next few years will be filled with fun experiences, life changes and challenges and great memories!

Hunger Games

If you have spoken to me recently, you've heard that I have been reading/slightly obsessed with The Hunger Game series. I just finished up the final book over the weekend and already wish there was more to read! Like Twilight, this is another series you just get lost in. The books center around a post-apocalyptic civilization that has tried to rebel against the government in the past. Since this was a failed attempt, the districts are punished by having to send 2 children every year to fight gladiator style to the death. While this isn't my normal genre of interest, I could not put these books down. They read like a great adventure with a good love story to keep me glued. I highly recommend picking these up if you haven't already!

Trip to the Windy City!

Tyler and I were very excited about the opportunity to visit some of our best friends and discover a new city together! We arrived in Chicago on Thursday evening and didn't stop going once our feet hit the ground. On Friday morning, our vacation started like most of them seem to; with a little craziness. Tyler and I were on our own in the big city and headed out to a boat architecture tour an hour ahead of time (which we thought was more than enough). Sarah and Brandon did a great job explaining everything to us on our way out the door. As we boarded the bus, I saw my phone had 20% juice left, which was already unnerving. We missed the bus stop somehow and rode it to the end of the line. Then we had to ask around to find our way to the Navy Pier. As we approached the sign, I asked Tyler to take a picture of it. Then we realized the camera battery was back at the condo. Great. I was very upset not having our camera for the architecture tour, probably one of the most picturesque parts of our trip. We couldn't seem to find where to board and finally made it to the boat 1 minute shy of departure time. Phew! We got our hot coffee and took our seats and thoroughly enjoyed the cruise. Chicago has such interesting architecture and I enjoyed learning the history behind it all. Above is one of the only pictures I took on my iPhone right before it died.

Afterwards we quickly headed to Starbucks to charge my phone. Seriously, what did we do before gps on our phones? We sipped lattes and watched the hustle and bustle on the Magnificent Mile. We shopped for a bit and hit up the Marshall Fields (now Macy's). The store was just wonderful! Next, we grabbed our first deep dish pizza. I was surprised to find out it would take 35-40 minutes to cook it, but it was well worth the wait.

Then we headed over to Millennium Park and checked out the bean!

We went to the Chicago Museum of Art which was absolutely incredible! Then we got ready for a delicious dinner at Gilt Bar. The food there was just amazing. Our appetizer was roasted bone marrow which I've never tried, but it was really tasty! The entrees and desserts were equally delicious and then we went downstairs to the very swanky speakeasy. We enjoyed cocktails in a cozy corner and then called it a night!

On Saturday, we met up with my dear friend Jen, grabbed some classic Chicago dogs at Portillos and went to a Cubs Game at Wrigley Field. The field was really amazing and we were surprised how small and quaint it was. There was an hour + rain delay in the middle of the seventh inning but we hung out and relaxed in the stands. The game finally resumed and we decided to leave when the Cubs were winning in the 9th with 2 outs. It turns out the Cubs lost because of a grand slam! What were the chances. Either way, it was a ton of fun!

Saturday evening we went to a cute little area called South Port and just relaxed, ate bar food and caught up!

On Sunday morning we went to Ann Sathers and had the most amazing cinnamon rolls (as a side!) Then we rented these precious cruisers and were off to the see the sites! We biked all up and down the lakeshore and ended up doing a 12 mile bike ride! Here is a picture of Jen and I on our matching bikes.

We stopped off for a few photo opps along the way and admired the gorgeous lake and skyline. We were all worn out afterwards. We grabbed some Italian food to go and sat outside at the Chicago Jazz Festival. It was nice to relax and enjoy the chilly weather.

In the evening we went to the Aggie bar and watched the game with a ton of other Aggies! We listened to some live music and headed back for the night. Finally, on Monday, Sarah and I grabbed some pumpkin spice lattes and went to see Jen's apartment. It was so cute and charming, which wasn't surprising. We ate lunch before our flight at the top of the Hancock building, the 3rd tallest building in the city.

We really packed it in every single day, and were pretty much on the go from 8am to midnight. It was such a blast to experience Chicago and spend great quality time with some great friends! I just loved everything about Chicago. The city is beautiful and the locals seem to really love the time to enjoy it. I can't wait to go back and am so thankful for our wonderful friends who hosted us and showed us an unforgettable time!

Baby Shower

This weekend I hosted my first shower in my home! The shower was in honor of two dear friends and their little boys due in September, Knox and Jacob. We immediately decided on a Western theme for these two boys as we know they will grow up to love all things outdoors. My decor isn't exactly Western but the more I searched, the more treasures I discovered that would easily go with the theme.

Tyler and I have a ton of leftover mason jars from our wedding that were perfect for the shower! We added some name tags with raffia and drank sweet tea and lemonade out of them. We also used them as small vases for white daisies throughout the house.

Of course, what's a Western theme without a cow dog? Meet Snoop the cow dog.

Here is a photo of the delicious spread and table setting! I found the crate in the corner of one of my bedrooms and it was just screaming to be used as part of the centerpiece. We served delicious BBQ, fruit salad, corn dip, jalapeno poppers and dessert.

And finally, here's what made the shower the most special. It's hard to believe we have known each other over 2 years (and some longer)! We have gone from being engaged, being newlyweds, and now there are 2 (soon to be 4) little bundles of joy. It's such a blessing to share life with these girls, the good times and the bad. It was so special to have everyone all together. The past, present and future of our home team were well represented. I'm blessed with such amazing friends!