photo NavTwit_zpsc1rktw78.png photo NavIG_zpsaip8p7oy.png photo NavPin_zpsuu9kgez7.png photo NavBL_zpscv6phppl.png


11.23.2009

A Thankful Heart

This Thanksgiving I had PLENTY to be thankful for. My life is continuously blessed, period. It was a fairly low key holiday for us, the majority of Jordan's family (The Massey side) made a trip to Missouri to see the 'out-of-staters', while the rest of us Massey's stayed here in the Lone Star State. I convinced my Dad and Sam to come for Thanksgiving dinner at Jordan's parent's home on Thursday, and to very much my surprise, he said 'ok.' (NOTE: My parents have recently split again, but I promise you, this is for the best, or at least I think so. I continue to pray for them everyday regardless.) Sam and Dad came Wednesday morning, Jordan was at the fire station, so it was just kids and Dad time. We went to Northpark and saw the new movie A Christmas Carol. It was in 3-D, and I haven't ever been to a 3-D movie, so I had a good time with it. Turkey Day was finally upon us, and we headed off to the Massey's to celebrate with Bree, Roy and J Bree (J's mom, dad, and sister)

Jordan and I

Me and Dad

Sam and his big sis..he is getting so big!
Jenna and Sam attempting to wrestle with Jordan..they lost.
Three Massey Women
After an evening of football wins (My 'Boys, and 'Horns pulled it out for me!) and fully bellies, Jordan and I called it a night with my Dad and Sam and headed back to the house. I had an early morning ahead..I was getting up for Black Friday! Never done that before, so it was interesting to see the madness before me. After a smushed finger and two stubbed toes, I made it home alive from Black Friday shopping, both arms full of goodies! 4 pairs of shoes, a Castle Lego, 8 piece luggage set, 4 sweaters, a pair of slipper boots..and a partridge in a pear treeeeeeee!

After shopping, Dad and Sam headed back to Austin City Limits and Jordan and I loaded up with Britt and headed down 2 1/2 hours to Belton to see the Fort/Wickliffe (J's mom's side) Granny and Woogie celebrated 50 years of marriage and to celebrate a large party was held on the lake in their honor. Lots of family and friends came to wish them congratulations, and it was a memorable event to remember.
Ashley and ME

Yep..this is my sister and she is GORGEOUS.
Three sister and their Mama
Bree, Veeca, and Jenny with Granny
Jenna, Jenny, and Amber
Here's to another 50 years..
Amber, sweet Ash, and JBree

Baby Blaine..Ashley's beautiful second daughter :)
Jordan is ready for babies! Can you tell?!

Mi padre-in-law
Woogie and his girls (Well, most of them, anyway!)
Jenna, Breann, George, and Amber
Mrs. Massey and Myself

Aunt Jenny and Uncle Bobby from Seattle
Hey..thats my hubby and he is oh-so-handsome!!
Ashley, Me..and Jenna's teeth..thank goodness for CROP. TeHeeee!
This was the 'smoke room'..all the men and their cigars..haha
Jordan and the man that gave him his looks..Roy Massey
My Love..I think he is feeling a bit woozey from his cigar!
All in all a great week and weekend! I woke up this morning so worn out..I think I need another couple days to recover. But..CHRISTMAS is here!!! I sit here in front of my oh-so-bright tree and mantle with a blazing fire in the fireplace..you know..it hit only 61 degrees today. Prefect reason to build a fire in Texas!!! ;) I'll be posting pictures soon of my preeeeeetttty house! Time to make some dinner..soup in bread bowls- YUM!

11.22.2009

Chili Cook-Off

Finally I'm able to post about this super fun event I participated in a couple weekends ago. The Texas Chefs Association hosted a Chili Cook Off during the Chile Pepperama Festival in Dallas. The Executive Chef at Presby, Chef Bill, invited myself and fellow intern, Stephen, to participate in it with him. Well, more like, against him :) Stephen has culinary experience, so it only seemed fit to have him be apart of my team. On the Friday before the cook-off, Stephen and I worked in the Presby kitchen to make our chili concoction. We were required to make 15 gallons of chili!!! The event was expected to host about 4,000-5,000 people, so we had to make sure there was enough for plenty of people to taste.

The day of the event..we decided to go with the 'Western' theme. Team Jack & Jill and their "Fire Roasted Red Chili"

This Cow carried around a sign that said 'Eat More Chicken'..perfect for all the BEEF being served..there were 20 teams with 15 gallons of chili each..thats a lot of beef!

Team Presby: Antron, Chef Bill, and Jon
There chili was "I Can't Believe This is Hospital Food" chili..it only seemed fit :)
Jack and Jill- Our shirts were so cute! Everyone got a kick out of them.
The Line of the day..
"....No, you may not have a side of 'Jill' with your chili.."
Lots of people came out to support, including a couple other interns- this is a sign that Ashlyn made and wore around the festival! :) Look at all of our "People's Choice" tokens!!!
Lots of people!
CHEESE!
Serving it up
All of us- we had such a GREAT time harrassing each other (but team Jack & Jill definitly had more tokens than Team Presby!)
It was such a LOOONNNNGGGG day (started at 7am and we walked to our car in the rain around 6pm!). Stephen and I walked around to taste some of the chilis. We walked up to taste the "7 Pepper Chili" and they said "Hey! Jack and Jill, we have heard SO much about your chili and how it tastes A LOT like ours!!"
In the end, a professional team won.. a traditional chili that tasted pretty darn good.
....$1,000 Prize went to..... "The 7 Pepper Chili".
Bummer. Still, even though we didn't win, it was a fantastic time competing in my first (and hopefully not last!) cooking competition.

11.20.2009

Third Times A Charm

I never pass up the opportunity to participate in Days of Taste! I volunteered this time last year, and again in May 2009, and I LOVE IT! These kids are such vessels for learning, and I really enjoy teaching them...teaching them for two and a half hours and then giving them back to their ever patient teachers!!! :) I got Jessica to volunteer with me, and she had a blast, too!

The gorgeous display in the Farmer's Market

Jess and her team getting their washed produce and ready to make the salad

My kiddos and I- these boys were so sweet! My only little girl wanted nothing more but to hold my hand..awe!
The controlled chaos.
Chopping and Stirring
My fellow partner in crime
Already ready for next year..but the only difference is..I'll be a REGISTERED DIETITIAN!
sWeEtNeSs.

11.19.2009

Deeku's Big Day

Finally the day has come! Stephanie's wedding has been a long awaited, exciting, drama filled event. It didn't seem like it was EVER going to get here..but when the time finally arrived- it was a whirlwind. I'm speaking from a person on the outside, I can imagine how it was for Deeks!

So, on a side note- I call Stephanie 'Deeku' and 'Deeku' Stephanie..they are the same girl :) Steph is Indian (a Christian) and in that culture a name is given outside of your 'normal' name. Sooo, to Stephanie's family, and her closest friends, she is Deeku. Just thought I would clarify.


A going away party. Rikin, her future hubby, is a GI Fellow at a hospital in Chicago. (Another best friend is leaving me!) They will be back, she says!

Us, together again! :)
The girls at the party. I'm so glad this picture is semi distant..My makeup was all smudged and cried off by this point- after gifts, and speeches from the sisters and momma- whew, it was an emotional night.
THE WEDDING! November 14th, 2009: Westin Hotel, Dallas
Jasmine, 'Jammu'- Steph's youngest sister
Irene, 'Galu'- Steph's older sister
Sister's Reading of the Bible
Me and my hubby :) I always get all sappy when we go to weddings..reminds me of our day and solidifies the best decision I ever made.
Miss them! Mary Katherine, Me, Ashley (new RD!), Rachel, and Shelley (She came back from SFA internship, so good to see her!!!)
Shells Bells, MKat, and Me
add Racheeeee
True Indian food- pretty darn delicious!! oh, and a lone pasta station for the white folk. I didn't get any pasta ;)
Dessert- a VERY sweet rice and carrot pudding. There was beautiful cake, too!
The newly married couple- Patel's and Massey's
All of us with the Bride. Love her.
Deeku is now in Chicago being a married woman to her doctor husband. I am so jealous of Rikin because he gets to have Deeks all to himself! I miss her- but, already have my plane ticket in the works to make a trip to Chicago! :) Move over Rikin!

Pin It button on image hover