Celebrate Celebrate Celebrate

Me, Leonard, Ashley and Samara

We're always ready for fun around the office if it's possible. February 27th was declared rodeo day so everyone dressed accordingly.

Kia our receptionist, Me and Ashley

Wednesday night the 4th David and I went to Main Street Crossing in Tomball with our friends the Ragans to listen to a country billy group called "Two Tons of Steel"  They are awesome. Almost before they finish one song they transition into the next song. Their sound makes your toes start tapping and ready to dance. Check out the bass player Jake. He taught himself out to play.

Celebrated Pam's birthday on the 2nd,

 then Lilley's 5th birthday on the 4th 

and then mine on the 5th. 

Pamela came home so we could celebrate together. She got home on my birthday Thursday and we both had hair appointments. Pamela and I both have lots of hair and we give Brittany a work out coloring and cutting our hair. And as my hair gets longer it takes her even longer to color. But she does a great job. If you're in the Tomball area and you need a good color and/or cut call Trendsetters on 249 and ask for Brittany.

I love the people I work with. They made me feel very special. They decorated my cubical, boss provided breakfast food, another supplied OJ and fruit and another brought a cake. 
I felt like a princess. Crown and all LOL. This crown came from the rodeo a couple years back and has come in handy for birthdays. 


A picture was snapped of the inventory boss Leonard with the crown on for his birthday. 

Thank goodness he is good natured and ready for fun but then I may still get shot for posting his picture now


Since it was my birthday Thursday the 5th David said we could go out to eat at Gringos. Yum. We did have to wait for a table but not long. I hadn't even finished my first margarita when we got seated. Now their margaritas really are potent. I hesitated when he asked if I wanted another but I figured what the hell it's my birthday. We had the waiter of all waiters. He was prompt and funny. Very funny. His name was Cortney and he goes yes that is the name on his drivers license. He was talking to the people behind us about his momma when he started talking about his momma being really old.  Really old?
Now I'm looking at this young man thinking she can't be older than me. So damn I must be really really old. So I turned and asked him just how old his momma is and he says she's really old again. Again I asked what is he calling really old.... finally he goes 59. We all start laughing and he goes she older than you and that's when I inform him I'm really old like his momma. His come back was I had just turned 59 and she's been 59 a long time. LOL.  Silly Boy. After the 2 margaritas I was still able to walk to the car but I did have a buzz. I must be getting used to them because the first couple of times I had 2 I couldn't get off the curb of the side walk. It was too high. LOL

The waiter comped me and Pamela each an ice cream to go with our margarita's. Yum




Friday night we left Pamela with the dogs while David and I headed out to the La Torretta Resort and Spa on Lake Conroe for a weekend of wedding adventures. I might have felt bad about leaving her but she had plans with one group of friends on Friday and another group of friends on Saturday. And I do believe from the stories she had plenty of fun without us.
Any way Friday night for us was the Welcome Dinner with family and friends honoring the Avni and Matt the bride and groom. The meal was Mexican food with a couple of Indian dishes available and an open bar. Matt is the son of one of the Bell Gang members. The first Bell gang wedding for an offspring. I'm sure there will be more to come as time rolls on. There was one other Bell Gang member there on Friday night but more were to arrive tomorrow.
 In case you've forgotten the Bell Gang consists of David's friends who he grew up with and worked at Taco Bell.  
My husband wore a tire that night that 
only he could pull off.
 Several walked up and said "love your tie" and then they saw what was really on it.  They laughed, shook their head and said "Only you David could pull this off"

Breakfast was served at 7am Saturday morning of which I passed on. When my alarm went off I told David I didn't think I cared to go to breakfast. I was tired. But by 8:20 I was up and dressing for the wedding that was to begin around 9:15-9:30am. We made our way down to the lobby to find the grooms procession gathering. What I haven't shared with you is that this was a traditional Indian wedding (brides side) followed by a brief Christian ceremony and ring exchange for the grooms side.
At 9:30am the music and drums began and the grooms procession began. Hands in the air waving down the pathway to the alter by the lake. Made me think of the new cartoon movie where the little alien is going.. "my hands are in the air and waving like I don't care".  And Yep this wedding was outside. Weather 43 degrees,light breeze (just enough to bring the chill factor down) no sun and no rain.
 The groom, bride, and family were in traditional Indian dress. So they had plenty of skin showing for the ladies. The Hindu priest was very informative giving us westerners a break down of what was going on and directing the Groom, Bride and their family what to do as the ceremony progressed.





The Grooms parents Pam and Kevin all decked out.

Did I mention that the priest was also funny. He made sure the photographers took plenty of pictures and if he wanted a particular picture he'd pose Avni and Matt and would go "hey buddy take a picture". 





The flowers were beautiful. Large rose arrangements were at the end of every 2 or 3 rows of chairs and a path of rose petals on each side of the pathway that the bride would walk down. The bride was beautiful and the groom was handsome.

There were 3 Bell Gang members with their wives present at the wedding. Two other members misunderstood and didn't make the actual wedding but would show up for the reception that would begin at 7pm that night and one Bell Gang member was out of town. During the wedding one of the guys phone started talking. It was funny because he couldn't figure out how to shut it up. The whole time his wife was going just sit on it..You know how when your phone is in your pocket you never seem to hear it and that's what she was hoping for.  LOL  It was one of those moments where you had to be there to get the full effect..
After the wedding ceremony we waited for lunch to be served. A traditional Indian lunch from the region of India that Avni's family was from. No clue what we were actually eating but I tried a little of everything. Some of which I really liked and some not so much but it was an awesome experience.
  You know the saying it doesn't take a rocket scientist.... Well maybe not but the grooms grandparents were true Rocket Scientists. The both worked at NASA. They had some great stories. The picture is of the grandmother and one of the stories she told us was about the monkey they sent into space. How they would reward the monkey with banana's and fruit every time he performed the proper task. Only when the monkey came back to earth and they offered him a banana he threw it back at them. We figured the Monkey was saying "Aww Hell No you ain't sending me back up there!"  
We sat around the table talking, catching up and laughing for almost 2 hours after we finished eating then we went back to the room to take a nap. Well some of us did. Two of the gals, Kathy and Lisa went bird watching and saw a bald eagle. How cool is that!
That evening at the Wedding Celebration (reception) all but one of the Bell Gang members was present.  It was party time. Open bar and lots of dancing music. And of course when David and all his buddies get together there's always entertainment and lots of laughter.
We cleaned up nicely if I do say so myself.



Meet the Bell Gang
Kevin (grooms dad), Gary, David, Fred, Carter & Billy

And their wives
Denise (Gary)
Kathy (Fred)
Lisa    (Carter)
Pam (grooms mother) (Kevin)
Me     (David)
Cheryl  (Billy)

What a great group! We missed Tommy and MaryBeth but this group carried on.. lol

We got up Sunday and had breakfast with Carter and Lisa before checking out and heading home. My throat was starting to feel that tickle that makes you cough and thought Oh No this can't happen there's more to come and I can't get sick.

That evening David took Pamela and I to the Taste of Texas for our birthdays. Mouth watering good. Tender steaks, awesome salad bar and family time. We only make it to the Taste of Texas on our Birthday and Anniversary. David's wallet can't afford us going every time we turn around but that's okay because then it wouldn't be a special treat. We all went home with our tummies full and satisfied.
Oh and I almost forgot to mention who we saw at the hotel.....
I was sitting in the car while David checked us in on Friday and started noticing there was a lot of men and women in red. And the men all had white beards................................
OMG it's Santa Santas. Yes plural. Lots of them. It was the Lone Star Santa Convention. I've never seen so many Santa's in one place.
They were singing Rudolf and Jingle Bells in this picture.



Great ending to the week except for the tickle in my throat. Please don't let me be getting sick.

I have a trip planned.

Until next blog post....When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses. Joyce Brothers

All About the Daughter

Today 28 years ago a beautiful girl came into our life.

She changed everything and she brought joy to our life

Her first picture

Her first Easter with Daddy and Ernie

Being cute

At 9 months she went to the big Canton Flea Market 

Her first steps in January 1988

 Now she's all grown up but still the light of our life.

 

 Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Almost all Yummy!

Well this wasn't on my UFO list but should have been.... Catch up on reading the blogs I follow...
Too late now I'm actually caught up. YAY ! I was like almost 60 days behind. Now I am commenting on current posts. LOL  I'm up to date on reading not posting. One day.

How did you spend Valentines? Ours was quiet really but nice. We exchange cards and maybe go eat somewhere but nothing elaborate or fancy. For Valentines dinner this year we went out Friday night to our new favorite place...in Cat Springs called Crossroads Tavern for all you can eat catfish, hush puppies, coleslaw, french fries and tea. All that for $10. We met up with a co-worker of David's and his wife. We always enjoy their company and have fun. Larry and Silvia are the ones who were hoping we'd buy the 9.5 acres across the road from them but it didn't happen. We didn't get home until 10pm. .It's an hour drive there and hour back. Enjoyed my evening with my Valentine.
Next morning I got up and went to College Station for lunch with the daughter and some shopping.
Pamela picked out a new place to go to called Madden's in Historic downtown Bryan. It was so good.

I had southern fried portabello mushroom, garlic mashed potatoes, and asparagus with a pablano pepper sauce. That first bite took me back to Missouri when we'd hunt mushrooms and fry them up in the pan.  mmmmm

Pamela got a grilled chicken sandwich with fruit and cup of tortilla soup. Very tasty. It was just the right portions and it wasn't heavy like Mexican food or BJ's Brewhouse. We'll have to take David there next time he goes to visit.
Then we went shopping a little. I Upgraded to the Iphone 6

After shopping we drove out to see the progress on Pamela's house.
Wow they were just framing out the slab and one side was up but now the siding is up, all but one window was installed. It's starting to look like a house.

It's hard to believe my little girl is buying  house.
     

She called today to say they had put a 2nd coat of paint on the outside and have started putting the brick and stone up on the front.



David has been doing a lot of cooking/grilling lately and all I've had to do is supply the sides. 
So this week I decided to be brave and daring and try some new recipes.
My first recipe was Buffalo Chicken casserole. Success. I tappered with the original recipe by adding an extra cup of chicken and a whole cup of Franks Hot sauce and 1/2c  of ranch dressing. Here's the recipe adjusted recipe if you're interested.  
BUFFALO CHICKEN CASSEROLE 

Serves 6
Servings: about 1 cup each
Bake: 25 min.

What You'll Need
4 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
1 cup Franks Original RedHot Sauce
1/2 cup Ranch Salad Dressing
6 ounces egg noodles (or pasta of your choice), cooked and drained
1 3/4 cup Alfredo Sauce (make your own or use 14 oz jar of pre made)
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
6 slices of provolone cheese (for top)
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for top)
How to Make It
Heat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 11x8x2-inch baking dish.
Stir the chicken and Franks hot sauce in a large bowl. Stir in the pasta, Ranch dressing and 1/2 cup cheese. Spoon the chicken mixture into the baking dish. Stir in the Alfredo sauce.
Cover the top with the 6 slices of provolone chess and sprinkle with the cheddar cheese.
Bake for 25 minutes or until the chicken mixture is hot and bubbling and the cheese is melted. Serve with Franks HotSauce if you like it real spicy
Oh and we drizzled some bleu cheese dressing on it before eating.  mmmm

I had 2 1/2 big chicken breasts left and decided to try my hand at making jalapeno chicken salad. You see there's this tea room we love to go to that serves jalapeno chicken salad. It is so good. I didn't have a recipe so I had to wing it but it turned out really good. Success. Ingredients chopped celery, jalapenos, some cilantro, mayo, of course chicken, some jalapeno pickle juice we got at the Fickle Pickle in Bandera. Oh salt and pepper to taste.

Then there was the crock-pot Lasagna. That was a Bust. First I over cooked it. I should have put a time on it so it wouldn't cook so long in the crock-pot. It had absolutely no taste and was way over cooked which could be why it tasted like mush.. So no picture or recipe.  Don't share the failures. LOL
And my last recipe was a homemade chicken pot pie in a skillet. made this last night and forgot to take a picture. Big Yay it came out tasty. All the standard suspects pie crust, potatoes, chicken, carrots, peas and mushrooms along with the creamy rue. The recipe makes 2 pot pies. Eat one now and freeze the other one for later. I plan on increasing the rue a bit on the next batch. David and I agree'd that the sauce needed to be creamier.

I guess I'll have to try some more recipes for variety around here.

Today is my 4th anniversary of blogging. Hard to believe I'm still doing this. This is my diary of sorts of our life and all it's adventures with its ups and downs. 

But I better get off here so I can make some progress on a couple of quilts that need to bind.

So until next blog ...I am not a fast cook, I am not a slow cook, I am a half-fast cook.  say that 3 times fast. LOL

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

The Rocking K Farm was born

BIG BIG NEWS.........We did it! All the stars finally aligned and we found the property we really liked. We neogiated the price which the buyer keep saying I'm not budging but finally we found a price we could all live with and we've been under contract since December 10th. Since that time we got our loan approved and have been waiting on the appraisal. Oh boy that was a bummer. The appraisal came back under the contracted price so back to neogiations we went. Again the buyer started off with well I'll just wait for a cash buyer, someone else or lease it back to the tree farmer. All we could think about was "Are we going to have to start over or do we look at our 2nd choice property"  Well at least the gas prices are now cheaper, like a whole $1plus cheaper and our 2nd choice property was across the street from 2 of David's co-workers which is a nice plus.
After 2 counter offers we got the price down and we were ready to close. . The closing for set for Thursday the 29th at 3pm. Aw not so fast buck-o. The day before closing we go a call that we needed a new survey. Really Really you couldn't have figure this out a little sooner. More money needed to get a new survey done. The old one was from 1978 so I guess it was due one. So closing had to be delayed.  They figured the Feb 9-11 would be the soonest the surveyor could have anything ready but to our surprise we got the survey on the 5th and closed Friday afternoon the 6th and the "Rocking K Farm" was established. YAY!! David has already designed us a sign. We had been thinking of names of which some I can't repeat but we thought this the best. Seeing how we like to sit on the patio now in the rocking chairs with an adult beverage staring out at the water fountain we hope to be doing that at the Rocking K Farm when we can. Our loan officer Jason from Lone Star Ag Credit and Laura from Texas Country title were awesome. One of the fastest closings I think we've ever done. These two made it easy and painless. Well almost painless until took that downpayment/closing cost check. LOL And of course I have to say Thanks to our long time realtor and friend Barbara Borchers.
Us and the Creditor now own 14.01 acres of  land with a barn, a well, 2 - 5000gal water storage tanks, electicity, completely fenced, a stocked pond and a nice entrance.
Did I mention that this property used to be a tree farm so there is literally irrigation about every 3 feet. So we shouldn't have any problems keeping new trees or a garden watered. LOL
This is an aerial view from when it was a tree farm. That was a lot of trees. In the picture it shows the pond to be a nice oval shape and small. Well now it's more the shape of an "h" with curve back. Need an aerial view of it today.

The entrance will get some changes like the removal of cactus.
While right now it looks good but I'm not so sure about cactus as they get bigger.

The bones of the entrance to the property are our style. Pamela and I found the pumpkin and and totally missed watermelon patch next to it. Easy access from the highway, nice properties all around, nice views, It's not hill country views but there are plenty of elevation changes and the views are nice. We'll only be 40 minutes from College Station and probably just as easy to get to my mom if not easier, it's centrally located for us to get to all the the things we like to do and go do and best of all it's ours. It's located in Gause, TX about 11 miles west of Hearn or 18 miles southeast of Cameron.
We want to get a small cabin or trailer to put on it so we can go up on weekends to hang out and do small improvements as time goes along until we can actually build our home we'll retire to. Can you tell I'm excited? And yes Sandy B. I'll be closer to you but you have to wait 2 years and 10 months unless you catch me on weekends. LOL Here's a few pictures.

 This picture was taken standing at the barn looking back down the lane to the entrance.

Most of the pictures were taken back in Novemeber and December

 This is the barn showing the two large water storage tanks. David would like to move them to the back of the back but we don't know if that's possible. We'll find out.

If you want/care  to see more pictures you can click Here.
We went up last weekend but I didn't take many new pictures. Will wait until spring when things are pretty and green because right now things are pretty brown.

Did take pictures of the catfish in the pond. 

We went down and fed them. HOLY COW can you see how big they are! 

From the moment we tossed in the food they came fast. You could see the wake before you saw them. Can you see it in the pictures?






David is living up to the name ....the Rocking K Farm. Taking a break and rocking in our rocking chairs he bought for the farm. No adult beverage in hand now. 



While at the property we got to meet our neighbor and her little girl to the east. They just moved into their newly built house in December. She was able to give us the low down on the neighborhood and give us numbers of contractors we'll be needing as time goes on. Her husband was at work but she and her little girl were really nice. Sounds like we'll have some nice neighbors when we're there full time. At least 3 of our neighbors are related to her.  I'm looking forward to being there full time but for now I must complete my time at work.


Okay I have a couple of tops at the quilters finally. I'm making some progress on my Project List. I have two ready for binding. Hope to get them done by the weekend and get them sent off to their new homes.
Oh Crap....Nooooo almost a big creative disaster. Well okay maybe not but it felt like to me. 
My design wall fell over. Yeah so you say, well it had all the Kaffe Fasset blocks laid out for Pamela's guest room in the order she chose.
Thank God for cell phone camera's. I had taken a couple of pictures of the layout but I was missing some areas so thankfully Pamela had taken a shot that gave me a clear view and I was able to reconstruct the layout. A permanent design wall mounted on the wall is one of my goals in the house we build in my new quilt room. With the pictures I was able to rebuild the quilt. Whew!


While on our trial run to Cameron where we were to close on the land we ran across this cute old truck. 

Had to take a picture of it.

Cute and vintage. LOL

Well that's it for now...

Until next blog....Just living is not enough, one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower – Hans Christian Anderson

Bah Hum Bug

I was all ready to give some big news and flop. One thing after another took my happy dance away. So bah hum bug. So I guess I'll have to wait on the news for another post. Dag-gum-it. 

When ever we move from our current home it's gonna be hard. This house is well laid out and some nice features. Like out big porch and patio. A year ago when we had get together with David's team from work we asked one of the guys if he'd cook the fried chicken he said sure but he'd like to come out early while it was day light so he could see to set up. He didn't believe 
David when he said light is not a problem in the garage or especially on the patio.
So to prove it we waited until about 9pm when it was good and dark and turned the Patio lights on and sent these pictures asking if this was enough light.

What'cha think?  LOL He got there 30 minutes before the gathering began to set up.





Okay so back on the 15th of January DirectTV people came out to upgrade all our receivers and even our dish. The guy was almost an hour late but was apologetic. He replaces all the receivers and the dish in about 3 hours and I thought had everything working okay. Then that night one of the TV's wouldn't shut off. Plus when he was packing up his truck I noticed all the receivers in each room so I run out saying "hey you forgot the old receivers" to which he replies "Oh no you keep them and Direct will contact you on how to return them. Oh okay fine. So that was the 15 and today is the 30th and guess what we haven't heard from DirectTV. mmmm Oh plus David found the old dish in the flower bed so something else they need to pick up. I just off the phone from DirectTV and we were being charged for those boxes still. Good Grief it's a good thing I called. So got the billing part out of the way so what about getting the receivers and dish back to DirectTV. I'm told they'll send me an envelope for all the cards and a box for only the DVR box. The other boxes and the dish are mine to do what I want with. Oh YAY.  Oh well whatever.

I think I mentioned in an earlier how we have 2 trailers but no tractor due to a mis-communication on an auction site that David was using. He was trying to buy a tractor so when we find property we want to retire to we'd be ready. Then He got to thinking if I get a tractor I need a trailer to transport it. So he started bidding on some trailers but was out bid, So no tractor or trailers. Well not exactly. What David didn't understand was that the bidders could withdraw their bids which they did and he won not 1 but 2 trailers but didn't win the tractor. LOL.
Neither trailer ended up being in the best shape so he's had to put some work into them.
They look like new now.

Well at Christmas I couldn't help myself. I mean the devil made me do it. I figured he needed a 3rd trailer.
...
LOL yep it's a toy. I couldn't resist.Okay. This one even came with a load of blue bonnet seeds.
With all this gloomy, rainy and cold days we have spent much time outside but this past weekend there was just enough just to sit out on the patio and soak up some sun. Even Lilly found herself a comfy spot on the patio to nap and soak up some Vitamin D.
This baby girl is such a joy and she's such a sweetie. She's all healed up from her Spayed and ready to run and play.

Unfortunately she has to wait another 3 weeks before Sophie comes back and they can run like crazy in the back yard. They are a blurr of fur when chasing each other.

Now for some quilting updates on my UFO list

2015 UFO's

last 2 handmade items from FB post. Finished 3 of 5
Jaxon's quilt - put on last sashing, at quilters, ready for binding
2 flannel baby quilts - one ready for binding, one heading to quilters
Sandy's memory quilt - photos ready, need pattern
Texas Flag quilt - red and white section ready, work on blue blocks
Antique Sue Bonnet Sue quilt needs backing, 
Pamela's quilts

• #1 in process for guest room, center section done, piecing border blocks
• #2 t-shirt quilt
• #3 black/white/teal
• #4 kit we bought in Missouri a few years ago

Aggie Quilts - One was done until I had to rip out the borders

• both tops complete now, headed to the quilters

Nickies Tshirt quilt

Mom's 

• flannel quilt - pieced, add applique
• fleece quilt

Ongoing projects

• postcards
• bookmarks
• mug rugs 
• read. Where o' where is my reading mojo? grrrr

Allan's quilt - fabric bought
Phi Mu auction quilt - fabric bought
valances

• den
• breakfast room
• dining room
• master bath

Hobo Quilt - picking up fabric

Bible Quilt - fabric bought, 1 block

Special Quilt for a grandma (JLK)

Open a pattern I bought and and make it

In 2014 I was able to cross off 9 completed UFO's and 2 tops that still need binding got crossed off. Let's see if I can do even better this year.

So until next blog....Time heals almost everything. Give time time.