Happy 4th!

Happy Easter!

One of the high school kids on the island puts on our children's Easter party every year. I've never actually been (didn't have a reason to until this year), but I had always heard good things. I had, however, always tried to contribute in some way... donate plastic eggs, candy, or a cake for the cake walk. This year, I decided to do a cake. I saw this super cute and super easy recipe on a Facebook page that I follow (Texas Recipes... they also have a website). It came out pretty darn cute if I do say so myself!

Happy Easter!

Happy New Year!

I say the same thing every time around this time of year... "where has the year gone?" It's hard to believe that 2012 is over already. And what a year it's been! It was an amazing year for us, culminating in the most amazing way... with the birth of our daughter. Who could ask for more? We're all healthy and happy and that's it doesn't get any better than that.

As I reflect on this year, I think about a lot of things. Being pregnant (obviously), and the ups and downs that come with that. I remember like it was yesterday the day I took the pregnancy. I woke Jay up early in the morning and told him that the pregnancy test "thought" I was pregnant. To this day he has not let me live that down and probably never will. As he says, "either you're pregnant or you're not." Sometimes those at-home pregnancy tests are wrong! But not this time!

It was a great year at work. I have an incredible team that I work with, and that makes my job so much easier each and every day. It's not very often that people can say that they have great co-workers, a wonderful boss, and a truly good organization or company that they work for. But I do, and I'm really lucky. I'm looking forward to what 2013 has to offer.

I made the (crazy) decision to run for city council and lo-and-behold, I was elected. What a trip that has been so far. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be an elected official, and I definitely don't want to make a career out of it, but it's been pretty good so far. I love Clear Lake Shores and I want to help make this little slice of paradise a better place to live. Hopefully that's what I'm doing.

Do you make new year's resolutions? I find that they just set me up for failure, so I usually don't. I just look forward to what the upcoming year has to bring, and I know this year will be even better! Overall, I have no regrets from 2012. How could I?! I hope you all had a great 2012 as well. I wish you a prosperous and healthy 2013, and I hope all your wishes come true!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Merry ho ho!

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas. I have the best present of all this year and I couldn't ask for anything more. May your Christmas Day be blessed with love and family. I hope Santa was good to you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Merry ho ho!

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas. I have the best present of all this year and I couldn't ask for anything more. May your Christmas Day be blessed with love and family. I hope Santa was good to you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Everyone loves a parade!

The Clear Lake Shores 4th of July golf cart parade was another rousing success. Kudos to the civic club for putting on another fun event!

Here is our cart all dolled up:

Mom and dad participated, too!

Our friends Dave and Adelia won... can you see why?

Hope you had a great 4th!

Happy 4th of July!

Ahhh... July 4th. My most favoritist holiday (yes, I realize that is not proper grammar). How can you not love a day that basically gives you the freedom and independence to do what you do every day? What is better than that? In my opinion, nothing. I love Independence Day because so many have fought for our freedoms, thousands have lost their lives, and thousands more continue to fight for us every single day. So please, hug and thank a veteran or soldier today (and their families!). They are the reason we're here today.

And speaking of today, there's another reason today is so special. Three years ago today we moved back into our house after Hurricane Ike. We were bound and determined to make it happen, and we did. I still remember (like it was yesterday) that first shower back in our house. There is no better feeling. Just one more reason to love July 4th.

I hope you have a safe and happy holiday. We will be participating in the golf cart parade (pictures to follow), and then the island-wide picnic, and then it's WW V (aka Water Wars 5). That is where the battle line is drawn, it's east versus west, and it is on. If you're out in your golf cart between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., you're subject to getting wet from a water gun. And I'm not talking the little squirt gun kind. It's an all-out water war, and it is so much fun. Reason #468 that I love living in Clear Lake Shores. And then we'll close out the evening with fireworks. Unfortunately, I can't go out on the boat these days, but that's OK. We'll hang with all our neighbors at Chicken Lickin, and watch the crazies in the boats.

Happy July 4th!

Drag Races

Those of you that know me, know that I love the drag races. LOVE them. Jay and I have been going for about seven or eight years every Spring to the race track in Baytown on the Friday of the O'Reilly Spring Nationals. It's tons of fun. Those guys are crazy.

So imagine our excitement when we first heard about the Clear Lake Shores drag races. Jay thought that everyone got together on their golf carts and raced. That would be fun. Probably a little dangerous, but fun. Well, we were sorely mistaken.

It just so happens that the Clear Lake Shores drag races happen every Memorial Day weekend. And for every Memorial Day weekend that we've lived here, we've been out of town, so we've never been able to attend. Until this year. And this is like no other drag race I've ever seen. Take a look for yourself:

Sexy?

"She" is my favorite

Those heels make even my feet hurt!

I really don't know what to say about this

Right before the race

The one on the left is "Crystal Meth." He's one of the ones responsible for this debacle.

Don't ask, because I really am not sure myself

As you can see, there are no golf carts involved, except for those of us watching this spectacle unfold before our very eyes. I about peed my pants on several occasions laughing so hard at some of these "ladies," who, by the way, all have stage names. It was certainly a sight to see. I would say about 200 people showed up to watch. The "ladies" race around Sundial park (yes, in high heels), and then they get to do a sashay / prance / walk / dance in front of the judges. There's a crown, sash, and trophy for the winner. No, I'm not kidding. And speaking of the winner, here he... er, I mean she... is:

"Sunshine" took home this year's drag race trophy... yes, that's what that random leg sticking out on the left is. The trophy.

Yes, this may be a bit whacky and crazy and out there, but it's part of what makes living in Clear Lake Shores so damned fun. I can't wait to see what they do next year! Nice job, ladies!

Happy Memorial Day

While it's great that we all get the day off of work, please, please, PLEASE don't forget what today is about. It's not really about barbecues and hanging out at the pool. It's about our military members and their families, past and current, who have sacrificed so much for us to be able to barbecue and lounge by the pool.

So while you are celebrating, please thank a solider and their family. Because that's what today is really all about.

What an EGG-cellent weekend!

I don't know about you, but I had a really great weekend! It was rather EGG-cellent, if I do say so myself. Get it? Egg-cellent... as in it was Easter weekend, and Easter is all about the eggs. Ha! I crack myself up sometimes.

So Friday I was off work (yay!), and the weather was beautiful. It was beautiful all weekend, as a matter of fact, which made it all that much better. Jay helped a friend with the bilge pump on his boat, and he in turn treated us to lunch at Bakkus in Kemah. O.M.G. If you've never eaten there, YOU MUST! I've been there before, but it's been awhile, and Friday reminded me of why we should go more often. It was amazing. They have this fire feta cheese appetizer that is to.die.for. We sat outside (did I mention that the weather was beautiful all weekend?), and had a really great time. Thanks, Dave!!

Saturday we got up early and went to the Farmer's Market. One of our new friends on the island owns a flower business, so I ordered some stargazer lilies from her for Easter. Can I just say GORGEOUS!! Wow. They are amazing. And they smell SO GOOD! We had breakfast at our favorite weekend breakfast place, Skipper's, and spent the rest of the day riding around in the golf cart doing a little campaigning (yes, I'm running for City Council in Clear Lake Shores).

Easter Sunday we got up early and went to sunrise service at the park across the street. Yes, you heard correctly... Jay and I went to sunrise service. We've lived on this island for nearly seven years now, and never gone, so we figured it was about time. And we're glad we did. It was gorgeous to watch the sun come up over the channel and to be with our neighbors. After that,we headed to La Brisa for breakfast with Dave and Adelia, and then it was time to get ready for the deviled EGG-stravaganza. The Civic Club was hosting a crawfish boil and fish fry for Easter Sunday, and it kicked off with a deviled egg contest. There were prizes for best tasting and presentation. I was FLOORED! The amount of creative talent on this island is amazing! I took so many pictures that I didn't want to post them in a big long post, so I made a slideshow and posted it below. Check it out. Wow, wow, WOW! Needless to say, I did not win. But that's OK. Grandma's deviled egg recipe is still the best to me! The rest of the afternoon was so nice. About 200 people showed up to the party, and we had a great time, complete with a horseshoe contest that was one by the mayor's wife. No, it was not rigged... she's just that good! With all of the crap that has been going on recently in our little slice of paradise, it was nice that neighbors came together to be neighbors, and put the BS aside. One more reason I LOVE living in Clear Lake Shores, Texas!



Have a great week!

Our new (kinda sorta) chariot

Thanks to Jay's mom (thanks, Cheryl!) our "chariot" (a.k.a. golf cart) has a new look. We got new seats on it as our Christmas present from her. And boy, did it need it. The seats on it were original (from 1996), so you can imagine what kind of shape they were in. But now, it's like a new golf cart! And we absolutely love it. As a matter of fact, most everything on the golf cart is new... new wiring, new tires, new batteries, and now new seats... all within the last year! Now, all we need is a new paint job and we'll be set! But it's totally worth it... this is how we get around on most evenings, and pretty much every weekend (with the exception of the grocery store!). We always say that if we can't get there by golf cart, it's not worth going!

A special shout out to 5 Star Upholstery in League City for a job well done. We're very happy!

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2012! I don't know about you, but I'm kinda glad to see 2011 go. Especially the last half... not so great. But it's a new year, so that's supposed to mean a fresh start, right? I'm sure this is where I'm supposed to impart some sort of wisdom for the new year, or share my resolutions, but the honest truth is, I don't have any. Of either.

I've never been one to make new year's resolutions, because I know myself too well... I probably won't keep them. Instead, I try to reflect on the year past to see what I could have done better or different, and work on that for the upcoming year. I think I have a lot of things to work on! Especially at the office. So I made a a few notes, and will get back to it on Tuesday when I return to the office.

I do have a goal this year, and that is to run a 5K. I started last May on the Couch-to-5K program, and didn't quite make it. I am still working out three days a week, just not running like I was. So that, I suppose, could be considered a resolution, but I'm looking at it more as a goal. There is a 5K here in Kemah in late April that I'm shooting for. Wish me luck!

What about you? What are your goals / resolutions for 2012?

I hope you all had a safe and happy holiday season. Here's to a great 2012!

Merry Christmas!!!

So the last 48 hours have been a bit of a whirlwind, but we survived. After a little miscommunication (we thought we were supposed to do Christmas Day with Jay's family, but it turns out they had planned for Christmas Eve, the same day that we do Christmas with my parents... awesome), but we made it work, and I think everyone came out unscathed. The good thing is that today, we had absolutely, positively, nothing to do but enjoy the day together, just the two of us. Here are a few pics from yesterday. I hope you all had as great of a Christmas as we did!

Ella in her pretty Christmas dress in front of the tree

Uncle Jay stuck the bow on her forehead and she kept looking up at it. We got a good laugh out of this one!

Me and my adorable niece!

mmmmm.... stuffed pork loin

 My parents outside decorations... yes, that is an 18' tree

My mom thought the purple cauliflower would add nice color to Christmas dinner... and then she added the cheese...

Christmas dinner table

PRESENTS!!!

Some of my favorite recipes

We're not hosting Christmas this year. We haven't, actually, for quite a few years. We usually end up hosting Thanksgiving, and then doing Christmas Eve with my parents, Christmas morning just us, and Christmas Day with Jay's family. So it works out OK. But I still wanted to share a few of my favorite holiday recipes with you. I don't know why I only make these during the holidays... they could really be for any day of the year, but they're just a couple of my favorites.

Breakfast

Overnight Tex-Mex Egg Bake (courtesy of Betty Crocker)

I usually half this recipe since it's just Jay and I, but if you're feeding a crowd, this one is sure to be a pleaser!

12 oz bulk spicy pork sausage

5 cups frozen southern-style hash brown potatoes (from 32-oz bag)

1 can (4.5 ounces) Old El Paso® chopped green chiles, undrained

3 cups shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese (12 oz)

6 eggs

1 1/2 cups milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup Old El Paso® Thick 'n Chunky salsa (or your favorite salsa... I usually use homemade)

• 1 Spray 13x9-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. In 10-inch skillet, cook sausage over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink. Drain on paper towel.
• 2 Spread frozen potatoes in baking dish. Sprinkle with sausage, green chiles and 1 1/2 cups of the cheese. In medium bowl, beat eggs, milk and salt with fork or wire whisk until well blended. Pour over potato mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 cups cheese. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours but no longer than 12 hours.
• 3 Heat oven to 350°F. Bake uncovered 50 to 60 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes. Cut into squares. Serve with salsa.

Appetizer

Monterey Jack Salsa

4 oz. can chopped green chilies

4 oz. can chopped and drained black olives

1 large tomato (seeded and chopped)

 ¼ cup cilantro

½ cup Italian dressing

one bunch green onions, chopped

1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese

Combine all ingredients except the cheese. Add the cheese to the other ingredients before serving. You can also mix everything (except the cheese) and let it sit overnight in the fridge. The flavors really mesh and it's super yummy. Serve with tortilla chips.

Cookies

Mexican Wedding Cakes

I can't have a holiday party without these!

Preheat oven to 375°F

1 cup powdered sugar

2 cups butter

4 cups flour

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Cream butter and sugar.  Add nuts, vanilla and flour gradually.  Roll into finger size shapes.  Bake at 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes.  Dust baked cookies with more powdered sugar while warm.

Fudge

Five Minute Fudge Wreath

12 ounce package semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup butterscotch chips

14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk (save the can)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

8 ounce can walnuts, plus more for topping

½ cup raisins or dried currants (a couple of handfuls)

Candied red and green cherries to decorate top (like holly)

Softened butter to grease an 8-inch round cake pan

1. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan with softened butter.  Pour the chocolate and butterscotch chips, condensed milk and vanilla into a medium saucepan.  Put the pan on the stove and turn the heat to low.
2. Cover the empty condensed milk can with plastic wrap and put it in the center of the round cake pan.

3. Stir the chips and milk until they melt together, about 3 minutes.  Stir in nuts and raisins.  Scoop the fudge into the cake pan all around the plastic-covered can in the center to form a wreath or ring shape.  Let it be all bumpy on top.  Keep pushing the can back to the center if the fudge moves it away.  Cut the red cherries in half with scissors and the green cherries into quarters.  Use the green pieces to make leaves and the red to make holly berries.  Decorate the fudge with several groups of holly berry sprigs made from the cherries and garnish with walnuts between the sprigs.

4. Put the fudge in the fridge and chill until firm.  Remove the can from the center, then loosen the sides and bottom of the fudge with a spatula.  Cut the fudge into thin slices to serve.

Variations

White Chocolate Wreath with Pistachio and Cranberry

Substitute the chocolate chips with white chocolate chips, 1½ ounce bag plus 1 cup.

Substitute 1 to 1 ½ cups of shelled natural pistachio nuts for walnuts.

Substitute ½ cup dried sweetened cranberries for currants.

Enjoy! I hope you have a great Christmas or whatever holiday you are celebrating!