San Antonio

Blake and I found ourselves with a few free nights at any Marriott hotel

so we decided last minute to head to San Antonio for the weekend.

We started our trip with a brief stop in

Winters, Texas

on the way down.

Blake's grandfather lives in Winters on the family farm.

Blake has been wanting to snap a picture of the family brand

but we never seem to have our camera when we are down there.

But this time we did, so.......

His mom's maiden name

And I have been dying for this t-shirt....

the Blizzard is the school mascot, ha!

We drove into Austin

and spent the night with this cute thing.....

It was SO good to see Virginia, MC and Keith.

It's been awhile since we have last seen them

and it was SO good to catch up!

After lunch,

we drove to Gruene

to float the river,

relax

and eat at the Gristmill

Reckless Kelly (Blake's fav) was playing at Gruene Hall

but we didn't make it

We woke up Friday

and headed to Sea World

Saw some whales

the baby hadn't quite mastered all the tricks

but was so cute trying

and Shamu

I hate being wet with clothes on

so we did not sit in

the splash zone

White Beluga Whale

Dolphin

Sea Lion

Otter

(Blake's favorite)

enormous Walrus

After Sea World,

we headed back to the hotel to shower and rest for a bit.

At 5:30 we went to Mariachi mass

at San Fernando Cathedral

(the oldest cathedral in the state of Texas)

It was a hoot hearing Catholic hymns

played with a trumphet, guitar and maraccas

After mass,

we went down and walked along the River Walk.

I got some feather extensions

They're really cute!

Sunday morning we woke up

and headed to the Alamo

And the El Mercado

where we wandered around

ate some delicious food

and bought a few neat things

On the way out of town that afternoon

we stopped and had ice cream with Flo

It was great to see him as well.

Next stop,

on our list Luckenbach, Texas

And then on to Fredericksburg.

We got in late last night

and have had nothing on the books today except relaxing!

We ran some errands,

did some laundry

and are catching up on OC reruns.

We had a fabulous weekend!

It was a nice little vacation before Blake starts school Wednesday.

Hope everyone had an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend as well.

CMG

In a Nutshell

I can't seem to find a blog title that I like,

so I am going to continue to change it until I settle on one that will do.

This week's title is

"In a Nutshell"

Any and all suggestions welcome!

CMG

Abilene

We loaded up the Jeep

(pets included)

and headed to Abilene for the weekend.

They are the such good travel buddies!

We didn't have anything big on the agenda for the weekend;

just a quick trip before Blake starts school next week.

We got in Friday evening

and went to Casa Herrera for supper.

We don't eat out much at all anymore

and haven't had Mexican food in ages so it was delicious,

as usual,

but extra delicious this time!

After supper we went home

and Blake whipped ours rear-ends in Rummy Cube, jerk!

I'm still a little bitter if you can't tell.

I think he cheated =)

We got up early Saturday morning

and headed to the Country Club for breakfast before the guys played golf at 9.

I wasn't going to play,

as I was certain I would need a nap having gotten up so early,

but I decided to hang around for 9 holes.

I did my usual, tee off and pick up my ball.

I was having a few good hits

but nothing great until

hole #8.

I had the drive of my life.

I hit the ball 175 yards

and it landed on the green!!!!!!!

And I must add that I out drove all 5 men that were playing.....

Blake obviously forgot to wear sunscreen :/

After 9 holes,

I went back to the house and took RHETT for a walk around the neighborhood.

The guys finished up golf

and Blake, Mary Lou and I

went to a few antique shops in search of a bench for ML

but didn't have any luck.

We then headed down to the farm.

I like going to the country; it's so peaceful.

We were almost there when Blake spotted his uncle's truck

and smoke on the side of the road.

We pulled over to find Jim and a fire!!!

He had already called 911 so we were just waiting for them to arrive.

RHETT was not too sure about the trucks once they arrived,

poor guy.

It is SO scary how easily these fires start

and how quick they move!!!

Once the fire was out we went on to Papa's to visit with him for awhile.

He is giving away old quilts.

Blake and I managed to sneak away with 4

and our name on a few other things around the house!

Once we got back home,

we ate supper

and made homemade chocolate ice cream, yum!

Oh and I almost forgot,

Friday we went and picked up Blake's much anticipated boots.

He ordered these back 6-8 months ago.

They turned out just like he invisioned,

thank goodness =)

I've been told you can NEVER have too many boots...........

I don't get it.

Must be a west Texas thing.

Hope everyone has a good week!

CMG

Random

Blake and I cancelled our television effective last Sunday.

We were tired of never doing anything but watching tv shows in the evening

so we have been doing random things this week to fill up our evenings.

The first part of the week we hung out in our new swing,

which we LOVE!

But yesterday, we decided it was time to do something else.

So we headed over to the Rec Center to see about getting me a membership.

Blake's is included in his tuition

and I was able to get a student spouse membership for $24 a semester.....

can't beat that!

I NEVER in my lifetime thought that I would see

my name, picture and Texas Tech

on the same piece of paper.....

never say never people!!

My rec card:

They won't convert me that easy folks...

notice my t shirt choice for my picture...

Hotty Toddy!!

After we lifted a few weights and gave ourselves a tour of the Rec

we headed over the parking services to get a parking pass for the Rec.

Let me tell you,

that somethings never change....

I left this building in the worst mood and in need of a stiff drink!

The words parking and college in the same sentence make me want to play in traffic.

There is NOTHING pleasant about parking on a college campus.

So the gym membership was only $24

but it apparantly cost $115 to park at the gym!!!!!!!!

After this fiasco,

we are driving home about to turn onto our street

when Blake says

"there's RHETT"

WHAT!?!?!?!

Sure enough,

damn dog was on his way to the park.....

BUSTED.

He was grounded for 15 or so minutes

and he did NOT like that one bit.

We then went for a jog.

After that we headed to campus to fill up Blake's bike tires.

Blake will ride his bike to class (weather permitting)

so we don't have to go through parking again.....

I don't know that I can emotionally handle it =)

Blake rode his bike home after getting air

holding RHETT's leash

with RHETT running beside him.

It was the cutest thing I've ever seen.

I was driving slowly in front of them

and all I saw where RHETT's sweet ears just flapping away!!

Makes my heart happy, those 2

(and of couse george henry too)!

So nothing real exciting around here.

We are savoring every free moment

as Blake starts school 2 weeks from yesterday! =/

I can't believe it's already time........

Hope everyone is having a good week.

CMG

Special Treat

As if this week couldn't get any better,

Starbucks fraps were half price!!!!

If you haven't tried the new Mocha Coconut,

it's delicious

and the coconut reminds me of our honeymoon (ie the beach)!

Delicious!

CMG

Christmas in May

Blake and I spotted this jewel at the Rattlesnake Roundup this year.

We sat in it while visiting with Blake's old buddy from PineCove

and it's all we could talk about after we left.

So we did a little research,

tracked down Blake's friend who sells them

and ordered ourselves one.

We wanted to order it now instead of in December

so that we could enjoy it during these warmer months!

We have sat in it all day today!!

Plus it's a neighbor magnet.....

we've already met 3 neighbors while sitting in it!

Putting the EZ hang loveseat together:

It didn't come with a stand so Blake built one:

Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!

CMG

365 Days Ago

I married my best friend

In honor of our special day

we decided to do what makes us happy!

We woke up this morning, pretty darn early (but not on purpose).

We hung around and Blake worked on hanging our 2011 Christmas present to eachother

(yes I realize it is only May but we wanted to be able to enjoy it during the warmer months).

I'll post about this in another post.

RHETT and I watched Hope Floats, such a great movie!

And then we got started on our delicious supper.

Boiling maccaroni noodles:

Making Jalapeno Cheese Grits:

Shrimp Grillades:

Boiling Lobster Tail:

3 cheeses for the macaroni:

Pasta Sauce and Maccaroni:

My helper...wore himself out helping:

My other helper, hoping I drop something:

The dinner table all set:

Lobster Mac and Cheese:

Shrimp Grillades and Jalapeno Cheese Grits:

Chocolate Fondue

with pineapple, kiwi, rasberries, strawberries and rice krispie treats:

Happy Belly, Happy Plate, Happy Husband:

Our wedding cake a year later:

Just as beautiful and delicious as we remembered!!

After supper, we watched our wedding video....so much fun!!!

One year ago today was the BEST day of our lives thus far

and it was so fun to rewind the time and reminisce.

Yay for marriage!!

CMG

*Sidenote: because of the short notice on our move to West Texas, I did not bring any of our China and I was so disappointed today to realize that when I went to use it for tonight's supper. Oh well, there is always next year, or the next, or the next...........