Weekend Recap...

Friday night was slightly stressful. Marty and I were supposed to attend a fundraiser that my grandmother, the Director of a local Meals on Wheels organization had put together. My mom was also planning on taking part in the fundraiser and had taken off work early to be there to help set up.

There had been a chance for severe storms in the forecast so we left the office a little earlier than usual. I went home and turned on the TV only to discover that they had issued tornado warnings about 45 miles away where my mom and grandparents happened to be. So, I immediately called my mother who was completely unaware of the weather. She went to by a nearby church and my grandparents were worried about their vehicles so they went to their house.

All in all, there were about four tornadoes, grapefruit size hail and they shut down the main highway because the storm was moving along it and people were still driving through the storm. Luckily everyone was ok, but I got a call from one of my friends shortly after this asking if my parents were home because their was a fire just south of their house. It was a wild night!

I went outside and took a picture of the clouds. They were freaky looking!


Saturday Mom and I headed to Amarillo for a spa day with the girls. We met Randi, her mom, sister and future mother-in-law for lunch. Here's a picture of our group. Randi's soon to be mother-in-law had shirts made.

Then we headed to the spa. I had never had a facial before and it was glorious! We left town right after our pampering so we could make it back from one of my best friends mother's 50th birthday party. It was an action packed day!

Sunday was our last day to teach Sunday school for this term. The kids were so sweet! They were like, "you know you can teach back to back terms if you want to?" We had a senior luncheon after services and the food was YUMMY! I swear we have the best cooks around...I had a slice of Kentucky Derby Pie that was to die for. This isn't the original recipe, but I found this one online at http://www.americanfood.about.com/.

Kentucky Derby Chocolate Walnut Pie Recipe

This delicious Kentucky bourbon chocolate walnut pie is traditionally served at the annual Kentucky Derby Horse race. This pie recipe is similar to the Melrose Inn's famous "Derby Pie," which has been served at the race for over 50 years. Makes 1 Kentucky Bourbon Chocolate Walnut Pie
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
1/2 cup flour
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup melted butter
2 tablespoons Kentucky bourbon
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1 ready-made piecrust
Preparation:Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine flour and sugar in a mixing bowl. Add the eggs and butter; mix to combine. Stir in the bourbon, walnuts, chocolate chips, vanilla, and salt. Pour the mixture into the unbaked piecrust. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool before slicing.

Etsy Love...

So, I've been seeing the adorable headbands everywhere...blogs, magazines, etc. However, I had yet to find them in any of my latest shopping ventures. So, I did the only reasonable thing a girl in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE would do...I found them on Etsy.

Yes, Lindsey...I know you made your own and they were adorable...however, I am NOT that crafty. The first one I purchased is a feather headband that has pink and feathers with rhinestone accents. I love this one. The first time I wore it everyone thought I had put streaks in my blonde hair. Those of you who know me know that I'd never do something that drastic.

The second one I decided on is a navy blue and white curly feather flapper barette. Isn't it adorable? I was going to wear it Mother's Day, but the navy in my dress wasn't quite the same.

You can find them by going to Etsy's site and then select "Sellers" from the dropdown menu and type in JustLiv. She has some amazing pieces...

I am currently lusting after this one...

Happy Friday, everyone!


I am off to a lovely mother/daughter spa day tomorrow that I'm throwing for one of my friends who is getting married in three weeks! I'll post pictures next week!

Progress...

Well, I've been using "My Daily Plate" and consciously eating better for a week and four days now. I've lost three pounds, although yesterday when I figured this out I almost through a hissy fit. That means I still have 9 lbs to go and even though, I know it doesn't fall off over night, it feels like I gained it over night. I've only been walking moderately and not consistently at all. I think I'll start running come Monday morning.

Last night I was laying in bed watching TV and I almost got sucked in by this...Ab Circle Pro. You can view this lovely contraption by going here http://www.tryabcircle.com/. Granted the infomercial was SUPER cheesy, but I almost believed it!

I am one of those people that don't believe in going out and buying new equipment until I've fully committed to something. For example, my mom told me I probably needed new running shoes. Although, this is true until I've run consistently for a couple weeks buying new running shoes would be a waste of money. I also think that typically people buy workout equipment thinking, "I'll buy this and it will motivate me to workout." Wrong. If you aren't disciplined enough to work out before you probably aren't going to be motivated by having a new piece of equipment. I am however, going to buy Jillian's 30 Day Shred. I can handle 20 minutes a day and I've heard such great things.

Enough rambling...I'm still curious about the Ab Circle Pro. Has anyone bought one or used one? Was it worth it?

Mother's Day...

I know I am behind, but I couldn't NOT post my Mother's Day pictures.

I seriously, have some of the most A-MAZING women in my life. They are Godly, strong and independent and I hope I am half the woman that they are someday.

We started out the weekend by spending a couple of nights with my Grandad in Amarillo. He is retired and lives alone so we try and get up to see him as often as we can. For some reason I didn't get any pictures of the two of us...

Saturday morning Tyke & I had hair appointments. Yes, I know how ridiculous that sounds to some of you...I dropped him off at PetSmart and I headed to the salon. Mom met me as soon as I finished and we went shopping for some final touches for her newly remodeled kitchen.

Here's a picture of Tyke and me that evening.

He was tuckered out. Getting groomed and going to Doggie Day Care are tough!

Sunday morning we grabbed Starbucks and headed for my parents. We met my parents and grandparents at church and I got to visit with Miss Michaela afterwards.

Michaela's dad was my high school coach. She's growing up on me, but we're still super close.

Speaking of church, we're still "technically" teaching Sunday school, but my cousin filled in for us since we had planned to be gone. I couldn't decide what kind of craft for the kids to do for their mothers, but I came up with these flowers and they decorated the pots and then wrote their favorites qualities about their mom's on the cards. And we have more than three kids in our class, I just didn't figure that 15 little plants would make as good of a picture.

Afterwards, we went back to Mom and Dad's to open gifts and relax. I just got Mom some pretty tulips because I am working on finishing her scrapbook from her 50th birthday party. I just have to add the cards and pictures from the party. And we got Grandmom some lovely solar lights for her garden.

Mom and I

Mom and Grandmom

Mom, Dad & Me

My hubs with two very lovely ladies!

My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys...Part I

Every year we have a week long cattle working. It's old school style. Sixteen to 20 cowboys gather and work around 500 head of cattle a day along with chuck wagon meals. There are quite a few big ranches left around here, but the cowboy way of life is not something a lot of people practice anymore. I absolutely LOVE it, though. It's how I grew up and what I know. There's just something sexy about a cowboy on horse back...especially if he knows what he's doing.

Although, these are just a portion of my pictures...I couldn't wait any longer. These are COMPLETELY unedited, raw shots I took Monday and Tuesday. (*Note: Please don't copy or reuse any of these photos without my permission.)

I got up at 4 a.m. so I could be at our ranch before sunrise. It was worth it. This is why I LOVE Texas!

It was overcast and rainy both days. My equipment was WET, but I was still able to get a few shots that I am REALLY proud of!

Here's one of my dad's best friends, Buddy or "Uncle Bud".

I don't know why, but I always love shots that make you think of cowboys without them actually being in the picture...


Brandin', Flankin', Cuttin', Givin' Shots, Ear Taggin'

One of these days my best pictures will be of my husband, but for some reason, he's never around when I am. This year he had to babysit some "dudes". There is a dude ranch about 45 minutes from our ranch and they called my dad to see if they could bring "dudes" and suprisingly he agreed. There were about 20-25 of them four from Delaware, a couple from the Chesapeake Bay area, Germany, London, Canada, etc.

I always have a "favorite calf" in each group. It's usually the smallest, most feeble looking one. I always trying and beg Dad to let me bring it home and bottle feed it...*LOL* In this shot it's the one right in the middle.

Levi doing a little roping.

Uncle Bud and my dad.

L.W. He was literally the first person Marty met when he moved up here. I don't think he could've met a nicer guy.

Trent flanking a calf.

Gathering some cattle.

L.W. and Marty

Anoter one of my favorite calves...

Boots & Spurs.

Jeremiah

Prayer Request...

So a couple posts ago I posted about my amazing grandmother and mother. They are both two HUGE influences in my life and such blessings.

Well, my grandmother, Jeane, had a small bump come up on the edge of her eye lid (where you'd normally line the inside of your eye with eye liner). She went to the doctor and they took a small biopsy and it came back yesterday that she does have cancer. Since it's in/on her eye lid they are going to have to remove part of it and take part of her upper eye lid to replace it and do some reconstructive surgery.

We asked how you could even get cancer in such a random spot and the doctor said not wearing sunglasses or wearing sunglasses that weren't UV protective. Isn't that scary? I mean, I've NEVER heard of anyone having cancer on their eye.

Anyways, here's a picture of I took of her Easter Sunday. She wanted a headshot for some board of directors thing she has coming up. Isn't she gorgeous?

She is a very strong, successful woman and I just ask that you would keep her in your prayers. She's never really had any health problems. She's been active and healthy her entire life and always the type of grandmother that didn't act her age. Her husband was diagnosed with non-aggressive pancreatic cancer in 2007 and so she's worries about him constantly.

I know ultimately, He is in control and we just have to trust that everything will be ok.

back to the 'ol grindstone...

Well, I'm back in the office today. My husband is still playing 'cowboy', but I had to come back to work. Yuck! And of course, it's a B-E-A-UTIFUL sun shiny day that would be perfect for picture taking...but I guess occasionally we have to act like grown-ups.

Yesterday was wet and miserable ALL DAY LONG! I don't think I got that many great shots due to the lack of natural light and moisture in the air. However, I just got finished looking through the digital pictures I took over the last couple of days and I think there are a few REALLY good ones. They're all completely amature, but there's something that makes my heart flutter when I look back and go, "that's a great shot". It may be just a hobby and I may not be professional, but I truly LOVE photography. I love capturing people I love doing what they love.

Anyways, it will be while before I get pictures posted, but I hope you are all enjoying this wonderful Wednesday afternoon!

Until then, anyone have any great craft/gift ideas that I could do with my Sunday school class for Mother's Day? I am drawing a complete blank...