Broken Bow Bonanza

This weekend was absolutely perfect.  There really isn't another word that could describe it.  A couple months ago, at Massey Supper Club in July we solidified a trip to Broken Bow for a weekend getaway with great friends.  After searching for cabins to stay in (and there are PLENTY to choose from up there) Jarrett's parents knew of a couple friend that rented their cabin out on weekends- so, after seeing pictures and confirming an excellent price- we booked!

Last Thursday our crew headed out of Texas and into Oklahoma.  The 3 hour drive wasn't so bad when you are gabbing the whole way about recipes, cookbooks, old stories, and weekday happenings.  We arrived about 8pm that night to a super cute cabin and a universe of stars, I mean wow!  First thing out of Ashley's mouth was 'Look at all the stars!!'  I guess suburbia doesn't include those sparkley things.  Boo..

We woke the next morning to a high temperature of about 82, and nothing but blue skies. 

The cabin with a huge wrap-around porch.  Jordan was in heaven. 

Diana and Ashley- this is probably the most make-up I wore all weekend- love it.

Our handsome hubbies!  Jarrett, Chris, Travis, and Jordan

I was surprised with cupcakes and singing for my 27th birthday that was earlier in the week. 

 I love my girls for remembering me :)

Good  Morning!  Enjoying the gorgeous weather on the porch.

 Travis and Jacqueline pulled their boat for some lake time on Friday

 How freakin' cute is Landon?!  This baby is amazing to say the least.  Never a cranky peep the entire time.  We all enjoyed his company :)

 Diana and Chis enjoying the sun!

Papa Tapella getting ready to jump in the frigid lake.  The boys were the only ones that ventured into the water for a swim.  I was happy and dry in the boat, thanks!

 I love this picture, almost as much as I love him!

Trav, J, and Chris

Look at that water and the sky?!  I just realized how awesome it looks!

 Sweet baby attempting to roll over for the first time on the boat! He is so silly :)

During our 4 days in Broken Bow, the boys spent a lot of time in front of the pond about 20 feet from our porch.  Due to the lack of rain, the pond was pretty dried up, but that didn't stop them from spending hours fishing with any bate they could find... lunchmeat, random bacon bits they found in a cabinet, and even ventured to a bate shop to pick up minnows.  These kids were serious.

Chris finally caught this HUGE catfish.  Well- that made for even more time in front of the pond (with little luck, I might add.)  I actually don't know where a fish like that could survive in that little water..

We spent a lot of time in the kitchen.  Jordan was a rockstar and grocery shopped for the whole trip- and we were definitely well-stocked! He also took charge and prepared most of all the meals, with a little help from the ladies.  He is used to cooking like that from working at the fire station and frequent hunting trips with 8+ people involved, so it was no big thing for him to pull it off. :) 

Daytime was spent enjoying college football, Rangers baseball, and all the commentary in between.

Did I mention we were hardly inside?  Perfect.

 Games and cigars- more time ouside..

 Jarrett making strides in the 'Bags Tourney'

Daytime and Evening was spent in the hot tub..

And being snuggle-bunnies.   PJs were the proper attire for the weekend

Me and J

 Ash and her J

 My Ashley and Me

 Watching the A&M game

 I love my sweet friends!

Group Photo Number 1

Our evening dinner on the patio..  can you say steak?  Tack on the term perfect, and you're right on.

Cheers to an amazing evening- Time for the Rangers game!

The trip home was eventful- after a brief detour due to a tire blow out on the boat trailer- 3 Ok'ies to help us out and some kind of comment about 'doctors and lawyers' and changing tires.. we made it home.  Although 4 days seemed like it came and went in a blink of an eye, we were glad to be back in our bed.  

Perfect weather, perfect company- can we go back?  Let's start planning, my peeps!

Go Red

This morning I had the pleasure of starting my day (bright and early) at TCU speaking to a rather large group of woman (and men) at the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Executive Breakfast.  Myself, along with three others on the Heart Health Panel of Experts (including Dr. Firouzbakht, MD FACPG OB/GYN, Kirk King, President of Texas Health Arlington Memorial, and Mrs. Donna Winburn, Survivor) provided our own health and nutritional expertise over a heart healthy breakfast. The morning started with this amazing video, portraying a perfect picture of what life is really like and how easy it is to take our health as non-important. Heart disease is the number one killer of women.. take life seriously :)

(Stepping off my soap-box now)

Thankful Thursday

Last week Ashley posted her Thankful Thursday post about the Dunaway home.  I thought that was a great post, and what a perfect time to introduce  (bits and pieces..) our new place?  I haven't had a chance to post anything at all about it just yet.  We are about a month in now and I haven't taken many pictures of what it alllllll looks like- my guest bathroom is so cute- but I have no proof (unless you would like to invite yourself over.. c'mon!)

Fort Worth has taken some getting used to- it is much different than the other side of the metroplex where we have become quite accustomed.. I think Jordan has a hard time with the fact that he is lost 88% of the time.  While it is a transition- we are enjoying CowTown and our lovely little home. 

This is my kitchen.. look at my space.  Just look at it.  I don't know what to do with all of it.. (if you saw my little hole of a kitchen at our previous home- you understand my excitement.)  My cooking is much quicker and effective. 

I love this corner.. (i.e. candy apple red KitchenAid, one of a bazillion William Sonoma cookbooks (I collect these cookbooks in particular) and my gorgeous WS platter.. matching the bowls I was graced with for my birthday last year..)

Just admiring my things.. they are material, yes- but it reminds me to be thankful for being able to afford pretty things such as the things found in this corner of my kitchen. 

I've already shared my tablescape.. but you didn't get the full view of my 'CUISINE' art and the great big fork and spoon :)  They are another favorite of mine. 

And.. lastly, for now.. this furniture piece was a heck of a bargain- and is just gorgeous!  This is our dining room..kinda.  The whole place is 'loft-like' and actual breakdown of rooms is pretty much non-existent. 

I love my piggy (left).. and my cookbook :)

While this isn't everything- I will be sharing random bits here and there. 

I am thankful to be able to have a home, with nice things that make me comfortable.  I come across so many that aren't able to provide well for themselves and forget all the blessings God has graced Jordan and me with.   Yea,  I like my bowls, love my piggy, and cherish my cookbooks- it is nothing compared to the ultimate gift He has provided- grace. 

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

Happy Happy Day to you :)  For this addition of Thankful Thursday I would like to make note of 3 of my favorite couples- the Cabrera's, the Tapella's, and the Dunaway's!  These people are particularly fresh on my mind because this Friday is Supper Club at the Cabrera's- and I am oh-so-excited!  I always get excited to see our sweet friends, but when the food is positively delightful (that was a Bree Van De Camp thing to say..) shared with many laughs-until-you-cry's, it is almost depressing to say goodnight (hence our many drives home past midnight.)

These pictures are a minimal justification of the many times we have shared.  To my precious friends- your constant smiles and contageous laughs puts me in the best mood everytime.  I love,love, love our talks and laughs and fun times.  I cannot get enough!  Here's to many more years of our friendship.

Next week.. Broken Bow Bonanzaaa.  Let the countdown begin!

Sweatshirts and Slipper Boots

Who cares if it hit ninety degrees today.  It is positively sweater season inside my home!  Okay- maybe not quiet slipperboot worthy just yet- but I AM however sportin' the hoodie sweatshirt!

Jordan will for sure be digging out the Autumn M&M's.  If you don't mind Jordan germs all over your candy- feel free to take a sample :)

 I LOVE my pumpkins!!  These boys make their presence known a top my dinner table through Thankgiving

Here's to the (early) advancement into to holidays! 

This Weather

Makes me WANT my dark skinny jeans, tall multi color socks.. my lonely knee high boots..
and this sweater. 

bad.

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for a multitude of things (as usual).  Last night in preparation for getting my crock*pot meal ready for this morning's assembly, I was flipping through one of many..many cookbooks that line my shelves and bookcases (who am I kidding, drawers and cabinets too.)  You see, I love to cook.  To feed that love, cookbooks (and the internet) are a necessity.  I feed my love for cooking quite often, and in turn continue to build by cookbook collection (Jordan ALWAYS knows how to spark my fancy with one as a gift.)  Beautifully covered cookbooks not only are a gorgeous home decor accessory to me.  I read my cookbooks cover to cover over the course of the first few days they are in my possesion.  Yes.. I read and re-read each and every recipe.  I suppose this is why most of my meals turn out a success.  How many times have you gotten halfway through a recipe and realized you were supposed to be adding in an ingredient you don't have.. or its 7pm already and you throw the casserole in the oven only to realize you still have 35-40 minutes of baking time.  Grr.. thats the worse.  This has happened to me on more than one occasion- but not so much, because I do read the recipes all the way through BEFORE starting the cooking process.  I have learned so much from each book to apply to other recipes, as well as develop my own spin- creating something new and different.  Jordan often jokes when he talks about my cooking.. "We have been married 6 years and I can count on one hand the amount of meals I've eaten twice."  Which is even more amusing because I am such a creature of habit.  I have my favorites- BBQ meatloaf.. slow cooker pulled pork.. fish tacos.. but I dont think I make a 'favorite' recipe the same everytime I revert back to the faithful original.  So- today I am thankful for my cookbook collection.  Each book is valuable to me in it's own way- even if their covers aren't so colorful or elaborate, they still have a place in my library.  The tips, tricks, and ideas that have spun from my collection has allowed me to be a successful chef (that's right.. I'm a chef.  You don't have to culinary trained to be one- not in my book, at least.  Just ask Rachael Ray- I think she has done well for herself since her days as a parlor girl, scooping ice cream floats for a living.).  As I continue to expand my collection my foodie brain can only get richer- providing not only benefit for feeding my own personal love for cooking, but for those that get to enjoy my culinary creations.  Just ask Jordan... he'll agree.