Our EPIC Anniversary Weekend!

We had such a great time this weekend.  I spent all Friday organizing the stuff and cleaning the house so everything would be just perfect.  I even gave our bedroom a little make-over with new sheets and bedspread- I LOVE it!  It was a fun surprise for Todd as well.  Thank you Target sales!  Anyhow, we got the kids loaded with everything we could anticipate they would need and headed to Scott & Katie's house for the kid's "sleep over" with some of their favorite people.  They were very excited, add Chick-fil-a for dinner, and we are set!

Todd wouldn't tell me what he had planned, so he asked me to dress up a bit, and then we hit the road.  We ended up in The Woodlands.  Todd has wanted to take one of the boats on a tour of The Woodlands, but we were afraid we didn't have enough time, so we headed over to Barnes N Nobles while we waited for our reservation at PF Chang's.  It was an appropriate start to our weekend since it was in the Barnes N Noble parking lot where Todd first told me he liked me. :)  We wondered around and picked up a little travel game that we thought we could play at some point over the weekend.  It is Phase 10 but with dice, and its a lot of fun.

We finally got seated on the patio, which it was a perfect night for, and the dining began!  We had a couple's special so we got 2 soups, an appetizer, 2 entrees, and 2 desserts.  It was so much fun.  Todd and I had never been there before and it was perfect!  We had the egg drop soup, chicken lettuce wraps, and then I had the Spicy Chicken and Todd had the Mongolian Beef.  We actually shared both of our dinners with each other and ended up liking what the other one had ordered better.  For dessert we had a mini Wall of China and mini Chocolate Mouse, and we didn't trade on this one.  Yum!  After that we made a stop at Target (very exciting) for some random things: Kool-aide (I needed it for the end of the year gifts and they were sold out at the one near us), Orange Juice, and I can't remember what else, but nothing of note.  We headed home and watched The Vow, which was a sweet romantic movie (but I just wanted the girl to remember already!) and then called it a night-- waaaaaay later than usual, but hey! no kids, we could sleep in if we wanted to!


Saturday was my planning.

Can you see my brochure?  And the little Travel Phase 10 can?

So I had made part of the breakfast (cut-up fruit, granola, muffins) on Friday and Todd finished it up with scrambled eggs and bacon.  A perfect breakfast in my book.  We took our time getting dressed since we had been up so late, but then headed out the door for our afternoon movie and lunch.  We went to see Dark Shadows with Johnny Depp.  It was entertaining, but doesn't make my top 10 movies of all time.  It's worth seeing, though, but it would be fine as a rental.  There will most likely be a sequel too.  We dined at the movies, splitting a small pizza that cost as much as a large at a normal restaurant. :)

Todd's gigantic drink only costs us $32403943

After that we headed to Kohls for a quick trip.  I bought Todd a watch for our anniversary and he wanted to get the links taken out so he could wear it.  Then we headed to the temple.  We have made this an annual trip, we always try to go to the temple on our anniversary since it is where we were married, it helps remind us of our special day.

Houston LDS Temple

We met up with our dear friends, the Gorguieros, and stayed for about an hour.  After that we headed to Peli Peli- and let me say "WOW".  We had an awesome experience there.  The food was perfection.  Just take a look!  Yum.  It might have been one if not the most expensive meal we have ever bought, but they run coupons all the time on Groupon, so we will go again no doubt!  We even got to meet the chef and have our picture taken with him.  We finished the evening off with some Menchies Frozen Yogurt and then picked up our girls, whom we were beginning to miss. :)

This is what I ordered- it was the Chef's special of the night- oh my I want some right now!

Todd's meal was the coolest by far- how cool is that thing?

Lots and LOTS of laughs with some of our favorite Houstonians. :)

It was an awesome 2 day and we had so much fun.  Last year we decided to be more practical, and bought a vacuum and didn't really celebrate at all!  So we thought we would make-up for it with 2 days packed of goodness.  I loved every minute of it!

Changing subjects...

On Sunday we found out that our beloved friends, Eric and Cindy Hansen, lost their precious little boy in his fight against cancer.  We knew the Hansens in Waco while Eric was attending Law School.  I worked closely with Cindy in Relief Society and consider her to be one of my dearest friends from Waco.  I looked through their blog this morning, thinking about the times we were in the same town and found a picture of me- I organized the food for her baby shower.  Go figure.  He was seriously one of the cutest babies of all time.  When they moved away from Waco Todd's parents bought their piano for Todd.  On Sunday Todd went and played "Angels Eyes" on that piano in honor of sweet Atti.  Cindy and Eric and incredible parents, no child could have been loved more.  We are very sad for their loss and have cheered on all of their adventures and triumphs along this painful journey.  We love them dearly.  We are grateful to know that Atticus is free of pain and happily in Jesus' loving arms.  Please continue to pray for our sweet friends.

Check out http://echansen.blogspot.com/ to read about their journey.

And lastly...

Let me just say how grateful I am for my many blessings.  2012 has been a very difficult year for many of my friends and family.  2011 was difficult for us and this year has been a time when I could really see the Lord in my life.  I am so grateful to have a wonderful husband who truly is my best friend.  We have so much fun together.  I am grateful for my & Todd's family whom I love and cherish.  I am grateful for the sweet little girls God has blessed me with the chance to raise.  Life is good. God is great, and I am so grateful.

xoxo

A Happy birthday letter

My high school drama coach's daughter (who is my sweet friend) contacted me a while back and asked me to write a letter to her Mom for her 60th birthday.  I had a lot of fun memories in high school, especially in Drama.  I thought I would "publish" my letter since I've mentioned to many of my high school friends.  There are several that I didn't mention that were right there along-side me, but this is what I wrote.  It's long- hope you liked it Mrs. Bailey!

xoxo

A Memoir by Lindsey Kennedy Blackhurst

A Tribute to Becky Bailey

High school is a strange and unusual world.  There are rules, like in every world, but the key is that once you have them mastered, they change! Most teenagers agree that  it’s important to keep up.  Tenth grade was my first year at a high school because our school district wisely put ninth graders in a building all by themselves.  Of all the creatures in the world of high school, ninth graders are by far the strangest.  That year in Grapevine High School, we would be getting a new principal.  This principal was bringing with him a new Drama teacher, and two of his three beautiful blonde daughters.

 I remember being very excited to take drama in 10^th grade.  I don’t remember what class it was exactly, but it was THEATRE and I wanted to be there.  I remember thinking that Mrs. Bailey was spunky—always full of energy and personality.  My first memory of her is when I was practicing a prose reading of The Wizard of Oz- where I learned to do all of the women’s voices.  She showed me a funnier way to move through the characters and a perfect way to introduce myself as the Wicked Witch, getting on all fours and looking for munchkins.  I can still do those voices- but only in the right moment and when I’m in the mood.

My mother had been a drama, speech, & debate teacher at a different high school, so the arts were always part of my childhood.  I remember being especially excited to try out for my first high school play- Juggar’s Rain.  And just like any good beginning, I played the part of…the tree.  No, I didn’t have any speaking parts, although I was understudy to Eryn (a Bailey daughter and friend).  I got to be a tree…and that’s being a little generous.  Really, I was a branch.  The idea was that there were a bunch of us as branches and we were all covered in leaves and such.  Juggar became part of the “tree” at the end.  So maybe it wasn’t the most glamorous way to start, but it was a memorable one.

Once I got my feet wet, Mrs. Bailey cast me in many other more-vocal parts! Leading roles!  I was Jessica in the Merchants of Venice, Ronette in Little Shop of Horrors, Sonnerie/Bells  in Red Noses, I played an autistic girl in one of our class plays, and I even directed a few plays under Mrs. Bailey’s watch my senior year.  There were two parts that I didn’t mention that have had great meaning in my life.  One was Beatriz in Mariner, and the other was Jane in Oklahoma!.

Mariner was our One Act play my junior year.  I didn’t realize it at the time I auditioned, but it would become a great honor to be in that play and one of my fondest high school memories.  As Beatriz I was the love interest of Christopher Columbus, played by the great David Wilson-Brown.  It was, in my opinion, the BEST female part in the whole play.  I got to be funny and heart-broken as Beatriz- and since it was a One-Act play, I also played the part of Crow Woman in the crazy-house scene.  That was awesome, Caaaahhh! Caaaah!  I remember Mrs. Bailey coaching David and me on a kissing scene.  I can still see David and me standing in front of Mrs. Bailey- barely touching, just barely friends!  She told us the key to kissing on stage was to fake it- that no REAL kissing would actually take place- but that our lips needed to be in the same vicinity and we needed to make the audience think that we were really going at it. We had a REALLY hard time keeping character.  David and I could just look at each other slightly off and it would send us both in stiches. Through Mrs. Bailey’s coaching (and patience), we worked out the scene to where eventually it became natural.  She even added a part where he would kinda throw me on the table.  It was a wonderful play.  David and I became very good friends and were paired together many more times.  On a funny note- our very last time to perform was for the understudies to get to act in front of an audience of their family.  By that time, we had traveled all over Texas with that set, the clothes had been worn and changed many times, and it was beginning to show.  When David- after his first costume change- walked into our scene, his pants came off.  I had no understudy, so there I was in front of an audience of eager parents, standing in front of my now-dear friend who, without even trying, could send me into a fit of laughter.  We TRIED to keep it together, but David could not keep those pants on.  Luckily I was able to exit the stage and try to recompose myself while David, who never left the stage the whole play, had to figure out how to hold his pants up.  Good times.  Happy memories.

The next memorable character was Jane in Oklahoma!.  Mrs. Bailey may or may not have known that EVERYONE had expected me to be the lead, Laurie, since it was my senior year and I had had many lead roles and could sing.  I had even taken voice lessons practicing the Oklahoma songs, trying to anticipate which song we would audition with.  At my audition, the pressure became intense, and I bombed it.  B-O-M-B-E-D.  I remember GW Phillips, who was a shoe-in for the male lead gripping me out for messing up my chance.  Even when I didn’t make call-backs several people assured me that it was going to be me.  When the cast was posted (and the beautiful and talented Allison Seibert (Rogers) was to play Laurie) I noticed my part was listed as Jane.  J I don’t know if Mrs. Bailey did this to soothe my ego or if there was an actual person named Jane on the script, but if you ask any Oklahoma!-expert, they won’t have any idea who “Jane” is.  Jane had no speaking parts, but I did get to sit in a swing for one of the musical numbers.  Mrs. Bailey- through Jane- taught me a very good lesson.  I had never had a non-leading role (except for the part of the Tree).  In every audition I went to, I walked away with a terrific part- except Oklahoma!, where I had thought I would be lead- and I had a non-speaking role.  I learned, through that role, what it was like to be part of the team.  I learned what happens behind the stage when the “important characters” are in front of the lights.  I received a much-needed dose of humility and walked away a better person.  I also had SO MUCH FUN.  And occasionally some of the major players would try to make Jane a more important part- to be funny.  Did you know, Mrs. Bailey that Caleb Stuart usually improvised a line about Jane in his dialogues somewhere?  Good friends.  Life lesson.

I know a lot of these stories were my memories from my experience in high school with Mrs. Bailey memories sprinkled throughout- but I think these stories convey the rare talent that is the mark of a great educator.   Mrs. Bailey pushed when I needed a push, she observed during self-discovery, and she nurtured when she could see my greater potential.  Several of my classmates, including David Wilson-Brown, Caleb Stuart, and Alison Rogers went on to pursue careers in acting.  Although that was not my path- the theatre and Mrs. Bailey taught me many life lessons that I hope to pass on to my children and the children that I work with.

Mrs. Bailey- thanks for your example, your love, and service to our school.  Thanks for making me feel special and for making theatre a place where everyone was welcome.  Thanks for the prayer circles, the warm-ups (Tibet! Tibet! Tibet!) the lessons in costume-making, the painting tips, your blocking, your critiques, your encouragement when we won and lost—but most of all, your friendship.  Happy Birthday Becky Bailey! 

We love you!

-Lindsey Kennedy Blackhurst, GHS Class of 1997

What ya cookin' good lookin'?

So a few of my friends and I were chatting last night- and we were waaaay off topic AGAIN from what we were supposed to be doing and they said that when I plan my 2-weeks of meals, that I should just e-mail it to them so that I can save them some work.


Can I just say- it must be nice to have a wife?  My darling husband gets home from a long day of work to a usually somewhat clean and picked up house AND dinner waiting.  Not to mention that he left that morning with breakfast in his belly also made by his adoring wife.  But I can't help it.  I love this guy.

Who else would do things like this: 

He does the ironing.  I love this guy.

Well, today is Thursday and I hope to go shopping for groceries for tomorrow- so, friends- here is my process.

STEP 1:
 I chose a printable menu and then print it twice.


Printable menu- I have a couple I like:

Lately, I've been using this one- http://eatathomecooks.com/printable-menu-planner
But I have also been known to use this one, which by the way- I designed! http://stampwithlinz.blogspot.com/2011/09/yummy-goodness-free-menu-planner.html
There are a couple of others I use when I feel like it, but these are my main 2.


STEP 2:
I begin with breakfast- isn't that how you are supposed to start the day?
I have a breakfast board on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/linzenoel/breakthefast/  I usually go there and then decide what kind of pattern I'd like to write down.  If I am going to make something- like muffins- then I'll make enough for both weeks.  Here is what I am planning for the next 2 weeks


Monday- Banana Bread, fruit, & milk
Mondays are always a little sleepy for me, so I try to do something easy.  I'm thinking I'll make something ahead of time, freeze it, and then pull it out the night before.  Let's try this recipe (scroll down a bit): http://8weekstoabetteryourecipes.blogspot.com/p/breakfast-smoothies.html  x 2.


Tuesday- Scrambled Eggs, Toasts/Biscuits, Fruit, BACON

These are Pioneer Woman's Buttermilk Biscuits- yum.  I like my blue bowl, makes it look fancy.

I have a picky eater. Just one.  So I decided a while back that I can't cater to just her, that I need to plan the meal for the other 4 of us and then make sure there is at least something she will eat OR cereal available.  She won't do eggs.  She won't even do normal toast- so it will probably need to be biscuits.  Here's a secret...don't judge!  Biscuits are very easy to make, and I've made them a million times...but sometimes, I like the frozen kind.  I don't like the Pilsbury kind much, but the frozen-pop-in-the-oven taste just as good as mine!  Don't judge! :)
I also cook my bacon in the microwave.  I love my bacon cooker.

Wednesday- Pancakes with Bananas (and nuts for those that will eat them)
I try to make enough for both weeks and freeze half.  It's a time saver!  I also like Banana Pancakes- that link is here: http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/04/21/recipe-whole-wheat-banana-pancakes-freeze-the-leftovers/

Thursday- Yogurt, Fruit, & homemade granola
I have 2 recipes I like for granola.  One of for a chewy kind & the other is crunchy.  My family prefers the crunchy, but I could eat the chewy ALL. DAY. LONG.

Chewy Granola- from my friend Nicole.

10 C. rolledoats

4 C. sliced almonds

1 1/4 c. pure maple syrup

1 1/4 c. oil (I used veggie oil)

1 1/4 tsp. Salt

4-5 tsp. vanilla

Optional (though I included most everything with what I gave you):

2 c. nuts

2 c. raisins

2 c. dried cherries

2 c. unsweetened coconut (I normally used sweetened...all I find at Wally)

1 20oz. drained crushed pineapple

(Or any other combination of dried fruit)

Mix all ingredients together. Spread thinly on cookie sheets. Bake 20-25 minutes at 325-350 or until lightly browned. Cool 10 minutes in pan, then transfer to tupperware bowl. Keep tightly covered. This recipe makes a large bowl full. Will keep about 2 months in cupboard because of the oil. 

The crunchy kind is found here: http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/04/04/recipe-granola-bars-cereal/

Friday- Cereal...because I feel like it.


Saturday- Todd fixes breakfast, so I have the morning to sleep in. Bwahahaa- that was funny, wasn't it? :)


Sunday- Baked Oatmeal
My little girls love oatmeal, and I think this is a fun way to do it and I've been wanting to try it. http://www.sugarfreemom.com/recipes/personal-sized-baked-oatmeal-with-individual-toppings-gluten-free-diabetic-friendly/

The following Sunday I want to do scones again: http://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/05/basic-baked-scones/


Step 3:
Lunch.  Since the girls are in school- we play it day-by-day.  I let them buy their lunch 2-3 times a week because they like to do that and the food is pretty good!  Todd takes left-overs and Lucy and I just eat whatever we feel like- BUT I do plan for Saturday.  Sunday, we just kinda do whatever- which is sandwiches most of the time.

Saturday lunch- needs to be something easy.  Our schedule is a little weird for the next 2 Saturdays, so I'm going to buy hotdogs.  And because I'm a ROCK STAR- I've started making my own buns.  They are so yummy.  You can find that link here: http://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/09/french-bread-hoagies-and-buns/ I love this site.  And while I'm at it, I might make 2 batches and save some for dinner.

Step 4:
This is a loooooooooooong post.
Very similar to breakfast planning.

I try to theme each day to help me organize and think.  That doesn't always mean we have Mexican on Mondays every week, but it does mean we get Mexican at least once a week! :)

I use my Pinterest page a lot while planning: http://pinterest.com/linzenoel/on-my-grocery-list/

Monday: MEXICAN & A Treat
This needs to be a simple meal and one that can be cleaned up fast so we can have Family Home Evening and a treat at the end of the night.
Week 1- Tacos, this is a family favorite.  Everyone eats it.  I also make my own Taco Seasoning, I use this recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/taco-seasoning-i/
Week 2- Fajitas.  I have a favorite marinade, but I only know it comes in a yellow container in the Mexican isle.  That's very helpful, I know.  Fajitas are best on a grill, but I have done them in a crock pot AND in the oven.  Pick your poison.

Treats: Check out my Pinterest page for that: http://pinterest.com/linzenoel/the-sweet-stuff/  There's a ton on there, pick one and make it.  I usually let one of the girls decide.

Tuesday: MEATLESS
Week 1 & 2- Pasta- I have some great marinara recipes.  There's one right here: http://blackhurstfamily.blogspot.com/2007/08/marinara-sauce-recipe.html  This recipes makes a ton, so we're good for a whole month on sauce probably- and its cheap.  I can also use this as Pizza sauce- see Thursday!  I'll mix up the pastas to make it interesting.  We always have a salad and a bread- most of the time they are Rhodes Rolls or something fresh from the store. :)  If we're really lucky then I make breadsticks- found here: http://blackhurstfamily.blogspot.com/2008/01/because-i-am-elayna-enrichment.html

Oh my goodness these are soooo good!

If I don't want the marinara, then I go for the Alfredo sauce found in my trusty Better Home & Gardens Cook book.

Wednesday: CROCK POT
My hubbie volunteers after work on this day, so I don't get to see him much on Wednesdays- so I try to plan something in the crock pot...AND I often use paper plates.  It's all about survival on Wednesdays.  I have a cookbook that I looooooove for the crock pot. But I want to try something else this week.

Week 1- Fauxtisserie Chicken: http://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/05/rotisserie-chicken/  Although I admit, cooking a whole chicken is kinda creepy. It makes me feel like I'm cooking a small child.  Gross.  I know, but you asked- didn't you?  No?  Oh well, its MY blog!

Week 2- Pulled Pork sandwiches using the extra buns I made for the hotdog buns.  This is also a fun site that I use a lot: http://recipestop.blogspot.com/2010/01/crockpot-pulled-pork.html made by a few of my best cook friends.  This recipe is super easy and super yummilicious.  It's a word.

Thursday: ITALIAN
Week 1- Pepperoni Monkey Bread- because this stuff is AMAZING. You'll thank me later.  http://www.thesweetslife.com/2011/10/pepperoni-pizza-monkey-bread.html
Week 2-Stromboli http://www.squidoo.com/homemade-calzone because it makes you look like you are a REALLY good cook.  Just don't tell anyone you used the stuff that came from a can, they DON'T need to know!

Friday: Take-out/Left-overs
TGIF- baby!


Saturday: FROM THE FREEZER
Hey- I mentioned this is my day "off" right?  Todd likes to be super helpful on Saturdays, and I let him! This is kinda our WHATEVER day.  The day we get to eat corn dogs (or corny dogs as I call them), frozen pizzas, frozen taquitos, frozen chimichangas.  Don't judge!  WE LIKE IT!  At least for 1 day we don't mind. Otherwise we stay pretty fresh and healthy.


Sunday: HOME-Cooking
Week 1- Man-pleasing Chicken (this is a new one): http://www.wittyinthecity.com/2011/08/man-pleasing-chicken/
...with salad, cooked broccoli- probably, rolls/bread.  I hope this is woman & little girl pleasing chicken too!

Week 2-Dr. Pepper Roast Beef: http://www.ziplist.com/recipes/372956-Dr_Pepper_Slow_Cooker_Roast_Beef_Recipe
Trust me. You won't got back to that Onion Soup packet.

With Potatoes (My own version is slightly different):  http://www.seasaltwithfood.com/2009/05/hasselback-potatoes.html

And salad!  Because salad takes like 2 seconds and is healthy!  Sometimes I make my own dressing, but now I'm just bragging.

Now I need to check my pantry & fridge for what all I need!  And...now that I've written this EPIC LONG POST, I'm kinda hungry!

My cart is always pretty full...

Bon Appetite!
xoxo