6.30.2009

this necklace

Dudley gave me a Jane Hollinger heart necklace for Christmas in 2006, and I have worn it everyday since then. I love it. I really love simple looking necklaces and right now there is a new love. This little gem...

I ran across it whilst perusing my usual blogs a month or so ago, and it's still been on the brain.

It came from here, Figs and Ginger. I love this because they use eco-friendly sterling, and each piece is made by hand. Their logo font also happens to be a font Leslie and I found awhile ago that we are loving. It's called Pendulum.

I love staple, everyday pieces of jewelry, and this would definitely be one of those for me. Dogeared is another brand that has simple items. What's your fancy? Different accessory for everyday or same staple pieces?

6.24.2009

we had a great time.

We have been on family vacation in Texas. We stayed in an awesome lake house on Lake McQueeney... you can see a few photos Leslie put up here.

I was the lucky one whose camera died on the trip to Little Rock trying to take a picture of a license plate spotted we thought was hilarious - it stated "Glebus." It was on both the front and back of this truck from New York. We kept seeing them, and I tried to take a picture in the car. It didn't work and caused my battery to die. Therefore, I have none of my own pictures. I will have to get the ones I took from Leslie and my mom's camera.

Dudley waterskiied for the first time (on his first try of course), and we also joined fellow Texan rednecks at the "world's best waterpark," Schlitterbahn. We definitely all pranced around in our swimsuits and shoes, and carried tubes from one ride to the next. Jokes were made throughout the day with a "schl" at the beginning of every word. Schlitterbug, Schlitter speakers, schlitter songs, you get the idea. The whole day was pretty entertaining, and I schlammed Leslie in a water schlide race.

Now looking forward to seeing our floors finished, and then starting to move, and then of course the 4th of July!

The Family Vacation tshirts were a hit, can't wait for the 4th of July ones to get here.

6.12.2009

fondue please

I wasn't ever a really big fan of fondue, but I am sitting at my desk and realizing that I am craving it. Last Christmas Eve Eve, Jesse and Nick invited us over to their house for fondue and a game of nerts. The fondue was SO good, and ever since then I remember at random times that I want to eat that again.

I should have registered for one of these.. oh well. Maybe I can get one once we move into our new house? This one looks pretty nice.

I also stumbled across this recipe today whilst reading blogs and it sounds awesome. Maybe I'll get lucky and my husband will be more adventurous!

White Wine Fondue

1 bottle of white wine (if its more than 2 people & you can spare 2 bottles for just 2 of you- its better because it evaporates fast)
1 (2 inch) cinnamon stick
1/4 tsp ground coriander
10 black peppercorns, crushed
4 whole cloves
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp celery salt
1/4 tsp garlic salt

Pour wine into a saucepan and season with cinnamon stick, coriander, pepper, cloves, sugar, salt, celery salt, and garlic salt. Let it sit for 1 hour (the longer it sits the better) then bring to a boil. Filter thru a fine sieve or strainer with cheese cloth (or just pour right into the fondue pot). Bring to a boil in fondue pot.

Best cooked with chicken, rabbit or veal.
Veggies: zucchini, summer squash, carrots, Bell peppers, Cauliflower
Cut up and boil some potatoes to then finish cooking in the fondue pot.

And we will of course need a dessert to go along with this... I love Nutella.

Nutella Fondue

2/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup Nutella (can be found in the peanut butter asile at the grocery store)
2 or 3 tbsp Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur)
1/2 cup very finey chopped hazelnuts or almonds
strawberries
poundcake
rasberries
banana
apple
etc.

In fondue put or saucepan bring heavy cream to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and add in Nutella in 3 to 4 additions, whisking until smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in Frangelico
and nuts- if you are not using a fondue pot transfer to a heavy bowl that will retain the heat. Dip away!!!

Doesn't that look so tasty! It's making me very hungry and ready for lunch!

6.10.2009

slight break, but 2 tshirts

So I was away from blogging world while I was in Dallas for our conference for work. It was a success! I know all my adoring fans are awaiting a new post... In the midst of being busy with work, house, etc., I somehow managed to design two tshirts (the #1 shirt with the help of Stacey because of her plethora of fonts and design, but I did tell her what I want). At Ole Miss I wanted to be the tshirt designer for my sorority, but never was. Maybe this will be my calling one day? I have a thing for a cool tshirt.

This year my grandparents, Norman and Martha, will be married for 60 years! It is so awesome, and I remember their 50th anniversary party we had for them 10 years ago. 60 years has gotten here so quick! My mom and aunt decided to make this a special event for them, so they planned this all family vacation. We are ALL going to a lake house on Lake McQueeney, which is right outside of San Antonio. It will be a great time, and I'll actually get to see the sun this summer, and get to go water skiing! I can't wait to teach T Dud. He's never been water skiing, so I'll be sure to document this. Should be awesome.

Anyway, mom came up with the idea (with her sister) to make tshirts for this vacation. At first I was like, WHAT??? Seriously?? Yes, she was. She wanted everyone's name on it, or the location, date, blah, cheesey things. This is what I came up with for tshirt #1 (Sorry I couldn't get better quality images, it would have been better on the iMac at home).

This is on the back:


This is the left front:


Not too cheesey I didn't think... We got them yesterday and it's pretty hilarious. Dudley said, "do we have to wear these all at the same time during the trip?" I said, "no darling, it's just for fun."






Next up, 4th of July. Like I said in a previous post, the Steve Guinn family has a thing for all the America holidays. Steve LOVES 4th of July. Period. So there was a tshirt contest for the parade in Pidgeon Estates this year, and this is what Leslie and I came up with... and... WE WON!!! I'll probably be wearing this often.

This is the back:


This is the front:



















We are pretty excited about it. T Dud and I (and Steve, Pam, Leslie, J, Laura, Ryan, Scott, etc.) have been busily working on Fiesta Drive. It has come a long long way, and next week will be a big week! We are getting our new lights installed, and our floors refinished! This is going to change the entire look of our house and we're going to love it! The kitchen is starting to look awesome actually. Can't wait to share how our fake bricks turned out.