Happy Birthday to Cousin Whitney!
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Cousin Whitney Turns the Big 3-0!
Today Cousin Whitney turns the Big 3-0. We've been friends since she was born 9 months after me. She's one of the sweetest people in the world. She couldn't be nicer. She's hands down my favorite travel partner. She knows what I'm thinking usually with just a look. She indulges my crazy ideas that have landed us in four different countries, on bikes huffing and puffing our way across the Golden Gate Bridge, drinking in Hells Kitchen in New York City, you name it. She knows just when to click the photos of me jumping everywhere we go. She's just plain fun and I'm sure glad to have her in my life!
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Family Reunion 2014
"You need to make time for your family no matter what happens in your life” ~Matthew Quick, Silver Linings Playbook
Over the next two weeks or so I'm going to do some major blog recapping of summer events. I'm not completely sure how I got so far behind, but I did. And when I look back at this baby in 10 years, I want to remember what's been going on. So hang in there with me.
In July we headed for the family reunion for the crazy folks on my dad's side of the family. We're a good story related to the quote I kicked this blog off with. When we were little, our family had get togethers all the time---Christmas in Tatum, summers at the lake, Easter, on and on. But then everyone sort of got busy and lived different places and had kids doing different things---band, soccer, FFA, sports, and it just got hard to see each other. When our cousin Ted died about 5 years ago and we went to the funeral, my dad and his cousins realized that if we didn't take action, we'd only be seeing each other at funerals from then on. Luckily, there was a family wedding coming up a few months later in Santa Fe. We all made it a point to go and it was seriously the most fun wedding I've ever been to. Since then, every summer, our family has gotten together. We rotate between the 5 cousins in my dad's generation who hosts each year, but we make it a point to get everyone together every summer for a happy occasion. It's easy to make excuses... it's hard to get schedules coordinated and people always have to drive and motels are expensive, but you really do have to intentionally make time for your family. Because really, that's what matters more than all the other busy crap we let take over our lives.
Anyway, back to the story of this reunion. We kicked things off on Friday with the wedding dress shopping extravaganza you previously read about (no, still no hints on which of the final two I picked!) Then we headed to Southern NM for the big event. My dad's cousins were hosting this year and said we could have the reunion in their "shop." So I was thinking we'd be in some greasy, dirty, hot, shop for the 12 hours of fun.
Yea, I was wrong.
Our cousins built the shop to end all shops. It was huge, air conditioned, you could have eaten off the floor, there was a huge bathroom, a kitchen, a living area, and then the enormous shop portion. They did it up right.
It was everything a family reunion should be. BBQ, cold drinks, laughing, old photos, a birthday cake for Aunt Edith's 90th, funny stories, a bouncy house, good memories, some darts, a little napping, some dancing....
I know everything thinks that they've got the best family, but I've just got to tell you, I wouldn't trade being part of this one!
Over the next two weeks or so I'm going to do some major blog recapping of summer events. I'm not completely sure how I got so far behind, but I did. And when I look back at this baby in 10 years, I want to remember what's been going on. So hang in there with me.
In July we headed for the family reunion for the crazy folks on my dad's side of the family. We're a good story related to the quote I kicked this blog off with. When we were little, our family had get togethers all the time---Christmas in Tatum, summers at the lake, Easter, on and on. But then everyone sort of got busy and lived different places and had kids doing different things---band, soccer, FFA, sports, and it just got hard to see each other. When our cousin Ted died about 5 years ago and we went to the funeral, my dad and his cousins realized that if we didn't take action, we'd only be seeing each other at funerals from then on. Luckily, there was a family wedding coming up a few months later in Santa Fe. We all made it a point to go and it was seriously the most fun wedding I've ever been to. Since then, every summer, our family has gotten together. We rotate between the 5 cousins in my dad's generation who hosts each year, but we make it a point to get everyone together every summer for a happy occasion. It's easy to make excuses... it's hard to get schedules coordinated and people always have to drive and motels are expensive, but you really do have to intentionally make time for your family. Because really, that's what matters more than all the other busy crap we let take over our lives.
Anyway, back to the story of this reunion. We kicked things off on Friday with the wedding dress shopping extravaganza you previously read about (no, still no hints on which of the final two I picked!) Then we headed to Southern NM for the big event. My dad's cousins were hosting this year and said we could have the reunion in their "shop." So I was thinking we'd be in some greasy, dirty, hot, shop for the 12 hours of fun.
Yea, I was wrong.
Our cousins built the shop to end all shops. It was huge, air conditioned, you could have eaten off the floor, there was a huge bathroom, a kitchen, a living area, and then the enormous shop portion. They did it up right.
It was everything a family reunion should be. BBQ, cold drinks, laughing, old photos, a birthday cake for Aunt Edith's 90th, funny stories, a bouncy house, good memories, some darts, a little napping, some dancing....
I know everything thinks that they've got the best family, but I've just got to tell you, I wouldn't trade being part of this one!
Friday, August 29, 2014
Good Job Fate
“I think of how life takes unexpected twists and turns, sometimes through sheer happenstance, sometimes through calculated decisions. In the end, it can all be called fate, but to me, it is more a matter of faith.” ~Emily Griffin
Two years ago tonight, I was in Oklahoma City where I was trying to set two of my friends up with each other.
Tomorrow, those two friends will get married. But not to each other. As fate would have it, they are both getting married to other people on the same day. One wedding in Oklahoma and another in Texas. Two couples and two happily ever afters.
But fate didn't stop there. Although my matchmaking attempts failed miserably in Bricktown two years ago tonight, I happened to meet a cute boy who asked me to dance and held my hand.
And well, you know how the story ends. With a white dress, a couple of rings, and engagement pictures featuring cows.
Good job fate. Good job, indeed.
Two years ago tonight, I was in Oklahoma City where I was trying to set two of my friends up with each other.
Tomorrow, those two friends will get married. But not to each other. As fate would have it, they are both getting married to other people on the same day. One wedding in Oklahoma and another in Texas. Two couples and two happily ever afters.
But fate didn't stop there. Although my matchmaking attempts failed miserably in Bricktown two years ago tonight, I happened to meet a cute boy who asked me to dance and held my hand.
And well, you know how the story ends. With a white dress, a couple of rings, and engagement pictures featuring cows.
Good job fate. Good job, indeed.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Cooking with Kimberly Lesson 3: Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
Two New Mexico girls live together in a house. You know that green chile is a a staple in our diet. A few weeks ago, New Roomie made a delicious green chile enchilada dish that I thoroughly enjoyed (even though we got into a super hot batch of chile and almost burned our mouths off). It is particularly intriguing because I'd never had enchiladas with beans in them and it was a nice twist!
Make this dish ASAP. You'll thank us (mostly her) later. Now, on to Cooking with Kimberly.
1 can refried beans
2 large chicken breasts
water, salt
1 clove garlic
2 T butter
16 oz can tomato
8 oz can tomato sauce
Chopped green chile (She usually uses 4-6)
Corn tortillas
Shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
Pre-heat oven to 350. Simmer chicken in boiling water until tender. Sprinkle with salt and cut into strips. In sauce-pan, cook butter, tomatoes, tomato sauce, chile, and spices. Bring to a boil, then simmer. Spread beans on tortillas. Dip the tortillas in the sauce. Add chicken and cheese, roll and place seam down in a baking dish. Pour remaining sauce over and sprinkle with cheese. Cover and bake for 40 minutes.
.jpeg)
Make this dish ASAP. You'll thank us (mostly her) later. Now, on to Cooking with Kimberly.
Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
1 can refried beans
2 large chicken breasts
water, salt
1 clove garlic
2 T butter
16 oz can tomato
8 oz can tomato sauce
Chopped green chile (She usually uses 4-6)
Corn tortillas
Shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
Pre-heat oven to 350. Simmer chicken in boiling water until tender. Sprinkle with salt and cut into strips. In sauce-pan, cook butter, tomatoes, tomato sauce, chile, and spices. Bring to a boil, then simmer. Spread beans on tortillas. Dip the tortillas in the sauce. Add chicken and cheese, roll and place seam down in a baking dish. Pour remaining sauce over and sprinkle with cheese. Cover and bake for 40 minutes.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Watch a Game at Fenway....Check Mark!
This baby had been on my bucket list from the beginning. Now, I'll admit, I'm not a huge baseball fan. Y'all know I'm more of a football girl. But there is just something so iconic, so American, so fun about Fenway, I've always wanted to go.
So when a work conference took me to Boston earlier this summer and the Red Sox were playing at home, I knew I had to seize the opportunity. So I recruited one of my friends who was also attending the conference and off we went to see what all the hype was about.
It was a great atmosphere, beautiful sunny evening, great hot dogs, cold beer, and baseball. Glad I was able to mark this baby off the list!
Oh, yea, and then I found the opposite of a fun park like Fenway. This is a "passive park" that allows no ball playing and closes at dusk. Talk about a place that is no fun, sir!
So when a work conference took me to Boston earlier this summer and the Red Sox were playing at home, I knew I had to seize the opportunity. So I recruited one of my friends who was also attending the conference and off we went to see what all the hype was about.
It was a great atmosphere, beautiful sunny evening, great hot dogs, cold beer, and baseball. Glad I was able to mark this baby off the list!
 |
| The Green Monster |
 |
| First Pitch |
Oh, yea, and then I found the opposite of a fun park like Fenway. This is a "passive park" that allows no ball playing and closes at dusk. Talk about a place that is no fun, sir!
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Happy Birthday and Wedding Week to Blonde Oklahoma Girl!
It's a big week for this little lady....
Today she turns the BIG 3-0 and on Saturday she ties the knot. Phew! I'm tired just thinking about it.
In a lot of ways, she and I are nothing alike. She's all girl. She loves make up and pink and big hair. She was in a sorority, wears leopard print clothing, and watches all the angry women on Bravo. She selects March Madness brackets by team color and mascot, for crying out loud.
But you know, we've been through it all together. Good times, the worst times, great trips, fun football games, wild nights, broken hearts, new jobs, finding our future husbands.....I couldn't have imagined doing any of that without her by my side.
Today she turns the BIG 3-0 and on Saturday she ties the knot. Phew! I'm tired just thinking about it.
In a lot of ways, she and I are nothing alike. She's all girl. She loves make up and pink and big hair. She was in a sorority, wears leopard print clothing, and watches all the angry women on Bravo. She selects March Madness brackets by team color and mascot, for crying out loud.
But you know, we've been through it all together. Good times, the worst times, great trips, fun football games, wild nights, broken hearts, new jobs, finding our future husbands.....I couldn't have imagined doing any of that without her by my side.
So excited to stand up with her this weekend when she says I do and eat a cupcake in her honor today!
Monday, August 25, 2014
Engagement Photos
Um.....our wedding date is exactly two months from today. That's 60 days people. Woo hoo!!
Anyway, I digress. A couple of weeks ago, my sweet friend, Ag Teacher, was kind enough to volunteer to take some engagement photos for me and The Boy from Texas.
I'm not going to lie....things did not start off well. Lest you think from this blog that wedding planning (or life, actually) is all rainbows and cupcakes over here.....not the case. The Boy from Texas and I had a pretty good argument the morning of the engagement pictures. The cleaners messed up his pants. He threw them on the floor. I got offended and pouty. We tried to take a few photos at the lake (actually some turned out pretty well) and then gave up. We ate breakfast and then decided to do Take 2 at my parents ranch. I cried most of the way there. Then we both agreed to suck it up and try to enjoy the experience.
Well, I think it worked. Because I'm seriously IN LOVE with these pictures. I mean, honestly. They just couldn't have been better. So grateful for Ag Teacher and her patience and her photography skills!
Now....important part....we want to know your favorite photo! We're going to use some of these at our wedding and we're going to get one or two made into canvases to hang in our house. So, please vote now!
Vote for your favorite now!
Anyway, I digress. A couple of weeks ago, my sweet friend, Ag Teacher, was kind enough to volunteer to take some engagement photos for me and The Boy from Texas.
I'm not going to lie....things did not start off well. Lest you think from this blog that wedding planning (or life, actually) is all rainbows and cupcakes over here.....not the case. The Boy from Texas and I had a pretty good argument the morning of the engagement pictures. The cleaners messed up his pants. He threw them on the floor. I got offended and pouty. We tried to take a few photos at the lake (actually some turned out pretty well) and then gave up. We ate breakfast and then decided to do Take 2 at my parents ranch. I cried most of the way there. Then we both agreed to suck it up and try to enjoy the experience.
Well, I think it worked. Because I'm seriously IN LOVE with these pictures. I mean, honestly. They just couldn't have been better. So grateful for Ag Teacher and her patience and her photography skills!
Now....important part....we want to know your favorite photo! We're going to use some of these at our wedding and we're going to get one or two made into canvases to hang in our house. So, please vote now!
Photo 1
 |
| Gonna be hard to convince me this is not my favorite |
Photo 2
 |
| I really like this one, even better than the actual kissing one. |
Photo 3
 |
| At first I wasn't sure, but it's grown on me. |
Photo 4
 |
| I love this one because he is smiling. :) |
Photo 5
 |
| Sigh. Anyone remember this letter to Mr. Right? Photo proof it came true! And it was worth the wait! |
Photo 6
 |
| It's possible we were not saying nice things to each other here... |
Photo 7
 |
| I really like this one as well with the log fence. |
Photo 8
 |
| Love the angle of this one and my cute shoes. |
Photo 9
 |
| Another potential fav of mine. I seriously love everything about it. |
Photo 10
 |
| It's been years since we've had a milo field looking like that for pictures.... Talk about good timing! |
Photo 11
 |
| I love that boy. I love the horse. This picture makes my heart happy. |
Photo 12
 |
| This is one of the photographer's favorites! |
Photo 13
 |
| I am in love. Lou (the horse) is a photo bomber. He appears to think, "I don't know what you two are doing, but I'm posing here!" |
Photo 14
 |
| I've never been a huge fan of kissy pictures, but this one in the milo with his big hat I enjoy. |
Photo 15
 |
| I like this one with the water in it. A creek? No. Irrigation water. :) |
Photo 16
 |
| Walking off into the sunset, herding the cows, holding hands. What's not to love? |
Vote for your favorite now!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)