Thursday, August 16, 2012

Back on the Grind

Headed back to school today! I hate to say it, but I'm kind of excited. I don't know what it has been about this summer, but any chance I got to sit at home I was bored out of my mind. However, I couldn't find the motivation to get stuff ready for school either. I'm a little sad that there will be some faces missing this year, but I'm also excited for all the new people we have too. It is going to be a good year! 


I couldn't resist sharing this picture with you. My niece Morgan is 16 months and can already work an iPad. She knows which apps to pick. If she messes up, she knows to hit the home button to go back to the home page. She can slide through the different screens to find the apps. While she may not know what they all do or what they are, she knows how to get them to make noises. Its amazing to me the types of technology that kids are growing up with these days. I thought desk tops, having phones hooked up to your car, portable CD players and a VCR in your car was the coolest thing ever. Kids these days have so much more right at their hands. It makes me think how much teaching is going to change. If at 16 months, Morgan can do all of these things, what kind of technology and teaching will I have to do when she is in the 7th grade. It isn't just Morgan either. Kids all around are learning how to use cell phones and iPads before they can even talk.  Times are changing!





Wednesday, August 15, 2012

What's Cookin' Good Lookin' v.4

I unfortunately really have no source for this meal. I have just heard about them and kind of made them up as I go. It was pretty delicious for how healthy it was though!

I started out with Spaghetti Squash. I have never tried this. I wasn't even sure if I even liked squash that much. After cutting it in half, I put it in the oven for about 30 minutes. When it came out, I shredded it with a fork, and to my surprise it really looked just liked spaghetti. I added some butter and it was done. I'm not sure if I cooked it too long, not enough, or that's how it was supposed to taste. It was very crispy. I mixed it with the other things I made and couldn't tell a difference though. Have any of you ever made spaghetti squash before? How is it supposed to taste?

Next for the meal was mashed cauliflower. This is one of my favorites that I rarely get to eat because Dustin hates it. You make it just like mashed potatoes. Boil some cauliflower, mash it up, add some butter, salt, and pepper, and enjoy!

The asparagus I cooked on the skillet in a small amount of boiling water. I added small amounts garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon pepper. This too, was delicious. I pretty much snacked on it for the rest of the week. 

Enjoy!


 Dustin helping me cut the squash. I was too weak to do it myself.
 Boiling the cauliflower
 My favorite!
 What was left of the squash
 It really does look like spaghetti!
Yum!!!

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Horseback Riding in Aspen

While in Aspen with the Stangers we went horseback riding. It was quite the experience to say the least.

I haven't ridden a horse since probably my last Indian Princess camp out when dear ol' Shadow ran me into a cactus. (circa 1993?) I have been terrified. When we showed up Mrs. Stanger and I told the guide how scared we were. The next thing we know this horse tied up to the gate starts to go crazy. I mean, insane. He didn't like to be tied up and decided to throw a fit. I was ready to call it quits until the guide said he’d put me on the horse that they take to kids stuff.

We all headed out through this neighborhood to head up the mountain. The guide's horse was being trained and had never been on concrete before. When we got to the streets in the neighborhood he freaked out. He was running up against our other horses and trying to get the guide off of him. This would have been the second time I was ready to head back. After calming down his horse, we headed up the mountain. I was really enjoying the ride. I was shocked seeing as how normally the mention of horses sent me into a panic. 

Halfway up the mountain the guide's horse once again got spooked by a black hose and started to run off the trail. At first all our other horses were about to take off, but we kept them under control. I'm so mad I forgot my camera because being up on those mountains was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen.

On the way back down, my horse, Trigger, was probably the slowest horse I had ever seen. We were barely moving. There were times I couldn't see or hear the rest of the group. Everyone kept telling me to kick the horse. Well, sweet Trigger had two speeds. Running or barely moving. There was nothing in between. While I was overcoming a fear, running wasn't something I was ready for yet. So, I settled for slow as molases and prayed I didn't get lost. At one point I came around a corner, to see the guide's horse running around the mountain... without the guide. He had bent down to pick up a piece of trash, and once again spooked the horse. When the horse took off down the mountain, the guide jumped fell off. After rolling for a bit, he got up and had to go find his horse, who had stepped on his reigns and broken them.

Once again we started our ride up. Think this almost over? Not quite yet. Kendall’s horse was short and stout and almost looked like a pony. I guess her horse had no withers. The saddle wouldn’t stay on and kept moving up. I had to yell to the guide once because Kendall’s saddle was pretty much in the air. The guide came and fixed it. When the mountain got really steep, I came around the corner with my super slow horse and saw Kendall’s butt in the air and her head hanging over the horses shoulder. She was hanging onto his neck for dear life. The saddle had completely come off this time. The guide once again came to help and this time realized who ever had saddled the horse and put a blanket that required a horse with withers. He removed the blanket, explained again this had never happened before, and we got started again. Twice more we had to stop for Kendall’s horse to be re-saddled. I think she offered to walk about a million times.

Each time we stopped the guide’s horse broke his reigns again and had to be retied.  Mean while, Mrs. Stanger had been put on a horse that was super tall, even though she was the shortest of us all. Her horse was super hungry and every time we stopped he would head off the trail for something to eat. He would bend his head down so much, and her arms were so short, that she nearly fell over each time. She looked like a pro pulling on those reigns though. The funniest part was Mr. Stanger had gotten on the horse that freaked out about being tied to the gate, and never had a problem with him the whole time

Even though this sounds like a total mess, it was so much fun. We laughed about the horse trip for the rest of our time in Aspen. I overcame a fear that I have had for a long time and would totally do it again.



Sunday, August 12, 2012

Colorado Bliss

I had told all of you that Kendall and I were headed to Aspen a few weeks ago. This was seriously one of the best trips I had been on. I have been so bored sitting at home this summer that this was really what I needed. Throughout middle school and high school, I was frequently a guest on the Stanger family trips. Each summer we used to head out to Austin with their good friends and my junior year we went to Florida. The Stangers were my second family growing up and I couldn't wait to hangout with them. After high school, and especially marriage, trips like these just don't happen anymore. You don't get to see your friends' parents like you did growing up. I just felt so grateful that the Stangers still would take me on a trip and the chance to just hangout with them again. 

We left Monday and spent two days driving out to Aspen. I think I could drive through the mountains all day. They are so beautiful. We were supposed to go rafting Wednesday, but with the rain the night before they said they waters were too dangerous. We spent the day laying out by the pool and going out for a great dinner at BB's Kitchen. Thursday we headed to white water raft and zip line. I had never been rafting before and was terrified. It was a blast though. I thought I would be scared the whole time, but I couldn't get enough of it. Our guide was so much fun too! The zip line was what I couldn't wait for! Kendall and I used to zip line all the time at Pine Cove, the summer camp we used to go to. We zip lined over the Colorado River. Friday we went horse back riding which will be another post on it's own. That night we ate at Justice Snow. If you ever get a chance to go to Aspen, eat here. It was some of the best food I've ever had. They even had a drink called Tequila Mockingbird. Saturday we walked around town at the Aspen Arts Festival. Sunday we did our whole drive back in one day. We didn't get back until about 1:45am. 

I had such a great time! Kendall and I haven't spent time together like this since high school and I enjoyed every second that I could with her. With our crazy schedules sometimes we go months without seeing each other now. We never got sick of each other and I laughed so much on this trip. We spent one night out on the patio and got to talk so much about everything in our lives. Getting to hangout with her parents was also a blast. It is always fun to get to know parents you grew up with again when you are an adult. (ew, I hate saying that I'm an adult still.) 

Thank you so much Stanger family! I had a blast!











Thursday, August 9, 2012

The Segreti Wedding

About a month ago, I told you about how much fun Katie's Bachelorette party was. Dustin had celebrated with Alex for his bachelor party in Tahoe back in April. Well, the two finally got hitched! This was such a special wedding to the two of us. Alex is one of Dustin's fraternity brothers, and since I was a complete groupie that made him one of my friends too. Katie and I were in the College of Education together and spent many a nights finishing on projects at the last minute.

One night at our favorite bar Chimy's in Fort Worth (the original is right off of campus at Tech) Dustin and I called Alex to come out. We both decided we needed a good laugh, and Alex is the best at doing that. He was already out in Fort Worth and was going to meet up with us later. Katie lived down the street and I always called her any time we were out that way. When they both ended up with us later that night, I told Dustin I had this genius idea to try to set the two of them up. I introduced them both, but with the ridiculously packed bar I didn't see sparks really flying. When Alex asked me for about the fourth time what Katie's name was again, I just decided to give up on the whole idea. Well, one thing led to another and a few years later here we are celebrating their wedding!

It was so much fun. We started the weekend with rehearsal at the church. Since I was in the House Party, I got to be part of this little sneak peak. It was fun to see everyone. Since I had met all of Katie's friends, and Dustin and I know most of Alex's, we were sure this was going to be a blast. After watching a sweet slide show and having an amazing dinner, Katie and Alex went their separate ways to celebrate their last nights before getting married. I went with Dustin which meant going with Alex. We went to one of the places on West 7th Street in Fort Worth and had so much fun. We don't get to see our Houston friends very often so it was fun to catch up.

Saturday night was filled with getting ready, picking up some Bundtinis, and celebrating the new Mr. and Mrs. Segreti. Their reception was held at the Fort Worth club and it was beautiful. I'm so excited for my two friends. We seriously danced the whole night and took pictures in the photo booths. I think photo booths are the greatest inventions at weddings.  Katie and Alex make the most adorable couple and I couldn't be happier for them. Congrats you two! 


 Their last picture together before getting hitched!
 The only two groupies left from 2004







 Doing the Stanky Leg


 College of Ed Friends!
 Making our own photo booth in the photo booth



Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Fabulous Anniversary!

Dustin and I had a great anniversary! It was so fun to reminisce on the past year. We started out the night with eating cake. This wasn't the topper of our cake though. Delicious Cakes will make you a free anniversary cake. To be honest, I wondered if I could just do this every year. They didn't ask my name to check their records or ask when our anniversary was or anything. Just my name to pick it up and what flavors I wanted. We decided to do what we had for Dustin's Groom's cake. We didn't try that one at the wedding because I couldn't figure out how to cut it.

We ate dinner at Simply Fondue. It was absolutely amazing. I hadn't been there since high school. Dustin wasn't so sure about cooking his own food. It was so good though. We stuffed ourselves full. I didn't eat again until like 2 the next day. 







Sunday, August 5, 2012

Wedding Date Night


My friend Margaret called me a few weeks ago saying that her boyfriend couldn't go to a wedding with her at the last minute. Since she had already RSVP'd and planned on making the trip to Dallas anyways, she asked if I would mind just going with her. I was totally up for a night with one of my best girlfriends, and I love weddings! We had so much fun! I had met Matt, the groom, a few times in college so it wasn't like I was a complete stranger, and there were a few other familiar faces.. The bride and groom had met on match.com so their favors were match books and some super fun sunglasses. Thanks for letting me be your date Marge!

 Matt has a little obsession with Star Wars. Here is his grooms cake
 Just Married Star Wars Spaceship (Is that what you call these?)
 See, Star Wars obsession. Even had a little wedding set up with the figurines.
 Our places. Just call me M. Stephens' Guest

 We are pretty cool in our stunna shades
 Margaret with the bride and groom


Friday, August 3, 2012

What's Cookin' Good Lookin' v.3

I haven't tried too many new recipes lately, but at least I didn't go months between updating this series. Baby steps...

Before I get started let me tell you how much I hate when you can't go back to where you found something on Pinterest. It seriously drives me crazy. I'm not quite sure were this little gem of a pot roast came from. There was no website and the whole recipe was just on the little description part. Thanks to whoever came up with it! Wish I could give you some legit credit!


 This is seriously the most delicious pot roast. It is one of Dustin's favorite meals that I make. I've made this so many times that I don't even look at the recipe any more. I always grab a 2-4 lb chuck pot roast. If you want to go ahead and make your sides add some carrots and potatoes to the bottom of the crock pot. I didn't make potatoes this time around, but they are seriously delish! Put the roast on top. Add a packet of McCormick's brown gravy, a packet of dry ranch dressing, and a packet of Italian seasoning on top. I sprinkle some down to the bottom too. Add in some water. The recipe called for about 1/4 cup. I put in enough to wear it touches about halfway up the roast. We have cooked it for 9 hours every time we have made it. It is probably some of the best meat I've ever had. So easy too! You'll be happy you tried this one, I promise!

 The cucumber sandwich recipe came from here. The piece of toast I can not find the pin for anywhere. It probably got lost on my classroom board or somewhere in the vast amount of pins that I have. Anyone else ever feel the need to organize their pin boards? Ridiculous, right?

The cucumber sandwich was awesome! Take a cucumber and hollow it out a bit. Add whatever sandwich stuff you want. I think on the original she put mayo, but I HATE mayo. (I introduce you to, the pickiest eater alive, me) I just put turkey and some cheese. Add a lot of whatever meat you use. Ever had a sandwich with too much bread? If you aren't careful, you'll get this with too much cucumber. Both times I dipped mine in whatever salad dressing I had in my fridge. It is pretty hard to eat it as a full sandwich with both halves together. It came to be extremely messy. So I ate them as half sandwiches. Still delish!
I have been trying to eat as healthy as possible this summer. It hasn't been going so super great. On Tuesday I started a new diet that I can't wait to share with you when it's over. On to the food...

The toast was absolutely amazing. A piece of whole wheat toast, cream cheese, mashed avocado, sliced cucumber, and pepper. I could seriously eat these all day!

As healthy as this lunch was, I think I was just excited to try to eat new recipes. Both of them were super filling. My eyes were definitely bigger than my stomach because I ate half of this.