9/16 - A wonderful day

Well I have certainly been gone awhile from here. It is mainly due to work. However, yesterday was September 15th and that means my busiest time of the year (I'm a tax accountant in case you didn't know) is over. As I took Bruiser outside this morning I felt the seriously cooler air and just breathed a sigh of relief. It felt new and fresh like today.

So what's new since the last time I posted...well:

• Baylor football has started


• We found the most wonderful Sunday School class that we are very involved in


• We officially joined our church which felt like finally planting firm roots in our town


• We joined a gym which to say the least has tremendously helped with my sanity during work and the stress of this summer and...the biggest and best news of all...

• My wonderful husband got a job!!!

I am so proud of him.

So here's to a spectacular fall. The season is changing, out with one tough season in our life (not to mention in our country right now, still praying for those affected by the wildfires. My problems pale in comparison to losing everything), and in with a brand new one! Bring on the rain and cooler weather because we are ready for some renewing!

I needed this today

I just read one of Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond's latest blogs and felt like it was so timely and I needed to hear that today.

Here is the link to it:


http://thepioneerwoman.com/blog/2011/06/storms/

She lives in a ranch in the middle of no where Oklahoma and blogs about her life. This particular entry was about storms. Something we particularly need all over Texas right about now for some rain. She writes of how they are a necessary and most of the time good thing for ranchers to water their crops.

Then she uses them as a metaphor for having faith and that they remind her that God's provision over our lives is constant and unshakeable.


We are going through a "storm" of sorts in our life right now with Jonathan's recent job loss. But I am reminded that God's will is sovereign and that this storm will serve a greater purpose to strengthen us and "water" our marriage so to speak.


I have faith that God will provide for all our needs and will provide an opportunity for Jonathan that far exceeds our expectations.


Some scriptures come to mind:


For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to propsper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11




Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverence. Perseverence must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. - James 1:2-4

Houston Zoo

A few weekends ago we went to the Houston Zoo. Neither of us had been to this zoo in recent memory, so we thought it was time given that we live so close.

While the zoo isn't the nicest we've been to (and it looks like they are doing some work so that was encouraging), it was the perfect day to be outside, just beautiful weather, not too crowded, and we got there are opening so were done by lunchtime. Here are a few of the pictures I remembered to take in the midst of being in awe of these amazing animals!


A little overcast, but this is the park outside the zoo that is a shot down Montrose. I loved this view, and you can paddle boat out here or have a picnic. It was so nice!



Beautiful florals everywhere at the zoo. A Fleur-de-lis, of course a favorite of mine!

The Cheetah and I match.

Jonathan the Great. Oh this was just too funny when we realized the lion at the zoo is actually named Jonathan. There are posters all around about him. Perfect.

The sweet baby Giraffe. I guess this picture doesn't have perspective of how small he/she is compared to the adults, but I just loved the way he stood, so sweet!

This one smiled for the camera!

The Resting Longhorns.

More babies! The baby elephant was the most curious, active, and adorable creature!! We watched this baby and mama for awhile!

It was so much fun! And not very expsensive either. If you're in the area, you should definitely go! You can do it in half a day, we saw absolutely everything (though I didn't take pictures of it all because I was so busy seeing it all!)

Fun day!

Things I'm Loving Thursday

1. Tax - Ok so I don't LOVE taxes, but I do love when I file my return this time of year (yes I'm a tax accountant and wait til the last minute to do my own...strange isn't it?) and get a big ole refund. I filed ours online tonight and refund is on the way for direct deposit! Some might say it is better to be accurate in your withholding so you don't pay more than what you owe during the year (time value of money), but me, I don't like to chance it and with as many things as I have to think about, the possibility of paying taxes myself after doing them for other people/companies for a year is not in the least bit appealing.

Also it's April 15 tomorrow which marks and end of my "technical" busy season, but let's be honest these days it's always busy season, just not ridiculous.

I'm also loving about tax...a particular new part of my job. I'm getting into learning about and finding "green" incentives, tax credits etc. for companies and it's really fun! Again, strange I know.

2. My new earrings! Oh they're just so pretty. Dub surprised me and bought me these on our trip to Chicago last weekend. Just looking for every opportunity to wear them. They're massive though so it has to be special occasions.

3. Little weekend adventures

We have done something fun the past couple of weekends (probably because it feels like spring) and have a few more things planned coming up. I really like having things to look forward to and doing at least one out of the house thing each weekend.

Recent adventures have been:

- The Houston Zoo

- Chicago

Upcoming adventures:

- A facial

- Good friends' Wedding!

- The Thompson's coming to visit (including visits to a new Tex Mex Restaurant El Real owned by a friend's dad)

- Disney World! Ok so that one will be a weekend plus 3 workdays, but still!!

Feeling Like Spring

It is so lovely outside right now and just really feeling like spring! I've got on a very bright coral outfit today in honor. I only wish I had more time to spend out in this loveliness. This week is one of those weeks at work when nothing you planned to get done can happen because so much unplanned business comes up that is urgent. Grrr...not a fan, but what can you do? I 'm so looking forward to our Chicago trip coming up soon! Hoping the weather holds out and that is beautiful for our weekend and walking around the city! I'm very much in the mood to do spring cleaning. I'm trying my best to keep up with just the daily chores, but I'd really like to dig in and deep clean. But when? I don't know how people with children or animals manage to even keep the daily chores done. We went to the Houston Zoo last weekend. It was so much fun! I took many pictures with my actual camera rather than my phone so soon I hope to get a chance to post those and do a blog on that. By no means the nicest zoo I've been to, but it was the perfect day and the Dub and I had sooo much fun together! Shopping...I'm also really in the mood to go spring clothes shopping. I haven't been to the stores in probably a month so I've got no idea what is out there right now! So unlike me, but just haven't had the time. Anyone have suggestions for what lines are great right now? Ok that's it, just a little rambling for today. :) Come on Friday!

Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday!

I woke up to Hubs playing this song today in a feeble attempt to wake me (he may or may not have been dancing as well. Laughing= good start to the day) :) :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD2LRROpph0

(sorry once again I don't know how to post a video, but go watch it if you haven't)

Ah it is Friday! This week just literally flew by. I was sick on Monday from allergies. I mean seriously, Houston....very bad for my allergies. I've gotten sick 4-5 times since moving down here and everytime I go to the Dr. and they say it's just really bad hay fever. Luckily I have my little cocktail of meds that I know to take now so I don't have to go in each time, but I'm really hoping that my body adjusts to this soon. I can now watch the weather reports and when the pollen increases I can pretty much guarantee you I will be sick. Ugh, ok no more complaining it's Friday!

So that was my Monday, then Tues/Wed got to go to Baylor for recruiting for work. It's just so wonderful anytime that I can be in Waco! I'm very proud of our Lady Bears right now as well, so was fun to feel some of that energy as the tournament was in Waco this week.

Then it was Thursday and playing catch up at work, and now it's Friday!

Tomorrow is Saturday, and Sunday comes after...wards. (just go watch above mentioned video if you still haven't)

On another note, I bought my second Groupon this week and am really excited about it! I was going to go to the Post Impressionist special art exhibit at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts anyway, but now Jonathan and I get to go for the price of one!

I've been a big fan of Monet and his watercolor paintings ever since a GT lesson segment in elementary school on famous artists. Then I got to see so many of his wonderful works at the Musee D'Orsay in Paris during college and to top it all off got to visit Monet's actual home in Giverny, France. Watergardens and all. It was amazing.

Things I'm Loving Thursday

1. St. Patrick's Day! I just love holidays! Even if I do have to be at work, St. Patrick's Day just makes the day a little more fun. I'm wearing green, and so were all the constructions workers I passed on my way to work. Don't know why but thought was kind of neat. Their job doesn't necessarily give them a reason to dress up, but they did and I'm sure it makes their day a little more fun like it does mine. Already thinking about what dessert I could make tonight that would be St. Patty's Day inspired...

Some St. Patrick's Day trivia: St. Patrick was not born in Ireland. He was actually born in Britain and captured as a slave at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland. He escaped sometime later and became a bishop and then returned to Ireland later and eventually became their patron saint.

2. More Tulips for Spring. This weather has just been wonderful and is only supposed to be getting better. I got more tulips and they make our home so cheerful and ready to welcome spring on Sunday!

3. Burger week at my house. This week I decided to really simplify meals since I didn't know how much I would be working and have done a trio of different gourmet burgers/sandwiches.

The first was possibly the best and actually wasn't a technical "burger", but I'll call it one anyway. It was a Crabcake Burger. This is by far the easiest and best crabcake recipe I've ever made. I don't know if I'll ever make a different recipe for them as it was just wonderful! Sorry I didn't get a picture, they were too good and we ate them too fast!

Crabcake Burger Recipe from Eating Well.com http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/crab_cake_burgers.html

Then we made Bison Burgers with fresh sage, peppered turkey bacon, sage cheese, and barbeque sauce. Oh wow, this was amazing!

Lastly, we made Turkey Burgers last night!

Happy Thursday/St. Patrick's Day Everyone!

Bath & Body Works Product Loves

I went to Bath & Body Works this weekend as I needed to stock up on hand soaps. When we moved into our house, I tried the whole chrome soap dispensers for every room/kitchen/bathroom etc. that matched the waste basket, and tissue holder and toothbrush holder, and tried to save money and refill them with jugs of soap from the grocery store.

Well, that worked for awhile, until they all started turning colors/clogging/leaking and in general I just stopped liking using that jelly type of soap. I don't feel it lathers well etc. Anyway...there's a point to my rambling....

I was given one of their foam soaps by my sister-in-law, and I just fell in love with the way it cleans my hands! So at 4 for $15 I stocked up for every sink in my house this weekend and I don't even care that the colors may not match perfectly, and that the containers aren't chrome. I'm obsessed with the following soaps and scents:

Fresh Lime Basil for my kitchen

Japanese Cherry Blossom for my master bath

Twilight Woods for the powder bath.

Then, I had forgotten about what is possibly my favorite bath product/scent of all time until I noticed it on sale as well. I discovered it sometime back in high school when I got it as a gift and I have forgotten about it since.

It is the Stress Relieving line in the Aromatherapy collection in the Eucalyptus Spearmint fragrance.

In particular, the pillow mist is out of this world at relaxing you for bed.

Things I'm Loving Thursday

1. Lunch date with my momma!!

Since my mom is in town with my dad for a speech convention, I got to have a lunch date with my mom today while Daddy played golf. We went to Benjy's. They have a great lunch menu and the atmosphere is just fun!

2. Tulips. I am seeing Tulips everywhere and bought some for my house this week. They are just so gorgeous right now! I would love to go to the Netherlands/Norway someday and see the Tulips there. They are truly my favorite flower!

My Tulips!

3. Thoughts of trips and vacations. In May we are going to Disney World, in July we are going to Maui and Honolulu, and in November we are going back to Disney World for Thanksgiving with my family. Plus we have a few weekend getaways planned for the year for various weddings and trips with just the Dub and me. These thoughts of time away help get me through the more rigorous workdays. Can't wait until I'm seeing something like this again:

Things I'm Loving Thursday

1. It's almost Friday!

2. Trop 50 Orange Juice

This stuff taste's so great and I don't miss regular orange juice! Its only 1 points plus point per cup! I used to try and drink the weight watchers endorsed lower calorie orange juice but it was watery and too sweet. I love orange juice since I don't eat any fresh fruits I drink it a lot (I don't what's wrong with me I just can't except for blueberries pretty much). Its just so many more calories. This fits the bill! Its been hard to find but its worth looking for. Plus I love the commercial with Jane Krakowski.

3. It was trash day toady. I love trash day. Maybe it's because we cook so much, or maybe it's because we are just not good at green living, or are wasteful (I hope not), but whatever the case we always have so much trash each week and we only get trash pick up once a week. So I love Thursday mornings when my wonderful husband takes the trash out and our house is just a little bit cleaner.

4. Baylor. Somedays I miss it more than others and have such fond memories. This day/week is one of them. It's SING season, and though I don't think I'll get to go to SING this year, it just brings up some of my most favorite memories of that time in life!

Here's a link to my baby, School Days by Kappa Kappa Gamma 2007...the act that Catherine, Stephanie, Whitney and I were sing chairs for our Junior Year! I can't figure out how to actually put the video on here. Ahhhh memories!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1CqFJAtLs4

Then, here's sister-in-law/sister in Kappa, Carla and me dressed up for that act.

Things I'm Loving Monday

Since I missed last Thursday posting on things I love due to being just plain busy busy, I can't resist doing a things I'm loving today in honor of Valentine's Day.

1. First and foremost, my husband. I just can't get enough of him this week and last week particularly. It seems that when things are most hectic for me he is the most calm and the presence that sets all right with the world as soon as I talk to him/see him you name it.

Don't get me wrong I can never get enough of him, but the past few days have just been even more.

I mean can how can I resist this face?

A pic from our Honeymoon in Maui, which just at the end of last week I got home late from work and he said he wanted to show me something. He proceeded to sit me down on the couch and turn on the tv and started playing all the videos we took on our honeymoon! We had not watched them yet and I'd almost forgotten. How special! We just talked and laughed and watched them for about an hour. Took me right back!

2. H-E-B.

I just love my HEB. I think I first heard about it from my grandma Dixie in San Angelo, TX, and then we got one when I lived in Livingston, but when we moved to DFW we no longer HEB there so I really discovered its greatness in Waco at Baylor. Ahh good ole ghetto HEB!

But more recently, I'm obsessed with HEB at Bunker Hill in Houston. I drive the 15 minutes just because I love this grocery! They almost always have what I need and its just a fun weekly trip to the grocery store. I go just about every weekend. And now that Jonathan is letting me do my lists on his ipad its even more fun!

3. Black Heels to Tractor Wheels

This is Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman's first book besides her cookbook of course which is an absolute must have!

This book is her love story of how she met her husband, Marlboro Man, their dating, engagement, and I think first year of marriage. She was a big city girl who fell in love with a cowboy. I'm about halfway through the book and it is so entertaining, and also reminds me so much of the place in life Jonathan and I are at in our marriage, and reminds me of those earliest memories dating. Such a special time that I treasure looking back on.

Oh and look at this limited edition Kitchen Aid mixer that Pioneer Woman was commissioned to design and gets to give away! She made it to match the cover of her book. As Rachel Zoe would say, "I die!!!". Ugh its so pretty!

Work Break

So I'm on a break at work (yes I'm at the office at nearly 10 pm on a Tuesday night). Ah tax season how I love thee. (sarcasm? I think so)

However, I'm now just waiting on Jonathan to get out of the Rockets game down the street so we can ride home together from the game where he has suite tickets tonight for work. Rough life I know.

So I thought I'd blog.

Let's see here's a catch up of random pictures and things I failed to blog about timely over the last few months.

1. We begin with Jonathan and my 1 year anniversary! November 7, 2010. Wow I can't believe its now getting close to a year and a half!

Our frozen cake was still soooo good!! I think even better than the first time.

We went to Carmelo's in Houston where we had dinner on our first dating anniversary.


2. We had Thanksgiving at the Lakehouse with the Theilig/Pavlic clan.

3. December 2010: We went to a WWE wrestling event called Tables, Ladders, and Chairs as part of Jonathan's anniversary gift from me. I hate to admit, but it really was pretty fun.

They literally have to climb ladders and grab the thing at the top to win the match, or "knock" someone out with a chair or throw them through a table to win. Hillarious! Even more hillarious was the crowd. I was sitting right behind this little girl no older than 8 who was not only wearing a mock championship belt but was yelling like CRAZY for her favorite wrestlers. Too funny, oh and the plethora of 25-45 year old grown men with belts around their growing midsections weren't boring either. Really great people watching.

Here's John Cena "You can't see me!"

4. December 2010: I got rid of the old faithful 4 runner and traded in for this new to me Lexus RX400h.

The new car! Its a hybrid and just happened to work out perfectly! We drove all the way up to Dallas to get it from the used Sewell dealership. What a wonderful experience and I am loving every second in my dream car!
5. February 2011: We had an ice storm and got a day and half off work!

These are the only pictures I snapped really, when we went up to our deck. Its hard to tell but this is what the roads were like all over Houston. Just sheets of ice. We had to walk very carefully up there because it was slick all the way to the door.

Here we had turned on the grill to de-ice it (left the cover off from cooking that week). It made some neat steam.

Things I'm Loving Thursday

1. Being done with a very very busy work day. PTL!

2. Enjoying a happy hour with coworkers who I am enjoying getting to know even better.

3. Burberry purfumes. In this frigid inflow of cold weather in Houston I'm loving the warm fragrances from Burberry!

4. Spending time with good friends Stephanie and David this weekend! Going to Stella Sola a restaurant owned by a good friend of our's father.

Stuffed Chicken Cordon Bleu - Weight Watchers Style 7 Pts +

This recipe was so good! It is from the new weight watchers points plus program and in orange are my notes/modifications.


Ingredients:

1 medium onion(s), finely chopped
1 cup(s) cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced (I chopped mine to be like the onion)
6 oz spinach
1 oz soft-type goat cheese, reduced-fat (2 tablespoons)
5 Tbsp dried bread crumbs, plain variety
2 large egg white(s), lightly beaten
4 tsp water
20 oz uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, 4 (5-ounce) (I did 2 5 oz ones for me, one for dinner and one lunch for the next day, and then one 8-10 oz. (normal sized the way they come) for Jonathan.
2 oz low-fat Swiss cheese, (1-ounce) slices, each cut in half
4 slice(s) turkey ham, thin



Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spray a nonstick baking pan with nonstick spray. To make the filling, spray a nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and set over medium-high heat. Add the onion and mushrooms; cook, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the spinach and cook, 3–4 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the goat cheese and 1 tablespoon of the bread crumbs; set aside. (Add in some salt as well here, maybe a quarter teaspoon or so, just a pinch and taste, it needed a little something)



Whisk egg whites with the water in a small bowl. Place the remaining 1⁄4 cup bread crumbs in another small bowl.



Cut a pocket into the side of each chicken breast about 2 1⁄2-inches long. Place one-quarter of filling inside each slit. Lightly press pocket closed. Wrap 1 half slice of cheese, then one slice of ham around each chicken breast, making sure the ham covers the cheese; secure with a toothpick. Dip the chicken, one piece at a time, into the egg white mixture, then into the bread crumbs. Transfer to the baking pan. Lightly spray the chicken with nonstick spray. Bake until the chicken is cooked through, about 25 minutes. Remove the toothpicks before serving.
Yields 1 chicken breast per serving. (The swiss cheese and ham I had did not go all the way around the chicken. I just placed it to try and cover a lot of the opening)

Enjoy!

Weekend Recap

We finally had a weekend to catch up on things at home. And for the most part we did (even if its not perfect). It meant sacrificing a few out of town events, but it was desperately needed. I mean we still had Christmas up for goodness sakes!

We got Christmas put away. Here are a few pictures of what Christmas in our home looked like this year. My color scheme was deep red, dark apple green (maybe that's not the name of it?), and turquoise.

I made a couple of wreaths to match our tree, like this one here hanging from the china cabinet.

Kitchen tree. Turquoise tinsel to match the overall turquoise theme of our home (note the light beautiful turquoise glass subway tiles in our kitchen. Probably my favorite part of our condo). Complete with little glass ice cream cones and cupcakes in shades of antique pastels, and some fun Disney ornaments!

Jonathan's tree! Sports, Sports, and cars!



We cleaned and cleaned the downstairs, mainly the kitchen. You see we cook nearly every night and usually its not just something simple, so I've just become used to the fact that our kitchen will take constant cleaning, but sometimes like this weekend will need some extra attention.



I went grocery shopping on Saturday night. It turned out to be a wonderful time to go, its basically empty!



We went to church and enjoyed the wonderful 11:11 band and a sermon about the name of God. This week, El Elyon, which means God most high. A good reminder that who are we to go about life our own way when God is the most sovereign? Here you can find past sermons, and this week's should be up soon. Dave Riggle preaches in our service for this series.

We saw the King's Speech. A wonderful movie! Surprisingly funny too.



We cooked. I tried out a weight watchers recipe for chicken and dumplings in an effort to satisfy my Cracker Barrell craving. It was ok, but I learned that so far, chicken and dumplings just isn't meant to be healthy. Maybe I'll find another recipe. Normally the WW ones are amazing, this was just eh.



We watched Miss America, where I sadly realized I am now too old to compete. (sigh)



We read. Well I read just a little, Jonathan is an avid reader these days with his ipad.