Austin Trip

We had so much fun exploring Austin!

We arrived Friday at lunchtime and headed start to 6Th Street to eat at DH favorite place, Old Pecan Street Cafe. Afterwards strolled around 6Th Street during the daylight since we had our son.

Then we headed over to the capital. It was so cool! I haven't been since I was a kid and this was our sons first trip.
We did stop in the Visitors Center to pick up some souvenirs. Then we headed to check into our hotel, the lovely Hampton Inn. DH took a nap and I took son to the pool to read my new book. Then we got ready for dinner at one of my favorite places, Brick Oven Pizza. We strolled around the Arboretum shops window shopping and then went to Central Market for dessert, yummy carrot cake. We were exhausted the first day!

Saturday we got an early start and head to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. I loved this place and it was my first visit there. Not much blooming right now since it was so hot but I'm sure during the Spring the place is beautiful.
After leaving the Wildflower Center, I wanted to stop at a store that I had found on-line, Homespun Cottage. It was very nicely decorated and I wanted everything in the shop. I did pick up some cute ladybug magnets because you can never have too many ladybugs. I visited with the shop owner and found out her daughter lives here in my city. I will definitely be back to shop some more.

We were starving and stopped by my sisters favorite place to eat, Hickory Street Cafe. Enjoyed a nice lunch. Then we headed straight for the Bob Bullock Museum. This place was incredible. It's a must see place when you are in Austin. Be sure and get the combination ticket and do it all. We saw the film in the Spirit theater and we had a giggle. We learned about all things Texas in the exhibits and then we saw the I-MAX film Extreme. Our son loved seeing all the extreme sports!

After exploring the museum we went to the shop Uncommon Objects, which I found out through Garden Antiques. This place was packed with all kinds of goodies. I had so much fun looking at everything but didn't buy a thing. There was stuff hanging from the ceilings, stacked on top of each other. You can literally spend all day in there. Thanks Theresa!

Then we went back to the hotel to recharge. And then went to one of the most fabulous places to be at sunset for dinner, The Oasis. This place is so nice to sit out on the deck eating dinner and watching the sunset over Lake Travis.



Sunday we headed to Georgetown to explore Inner Space Caverns. I didn't get to shop at any antique stores here. Maybe next time!

Inside the cave!

Mining for gems!


For lunch we drove up to Salado and ate at the Stagecoach Inn before heading home.

Thanks for reading this very long post!

Thrifty Finds

Found this cute Pyrex bowl at Salvation Army. It was a steal at only $0.79. I have been searching for Pyrex and its getting harder to find in the thrift stores. However, you can find tons of it at antique stores but pay an arm and a leg for it. My collection is growing.

What have you found lately out treasure hunting?

Menu Planning Monday

Not much going on this week. No baseball this week so we are going to catch up on our movies. Have you seen Mama Mia? It's on my list to see.

Our menu is simple due to husband working so frozen meals are on the list.
Monday~Pizza
Tuesday~Son sleeping over at cousins so I'll probably have a bowl of cereal.
Wednesday~Lean Cuisine
Thursday~We have a party to attend
Friday~Lean Cuisine

Hope your week is off to a great start!

July Pay It Forward Book Exchange Winner

Congratulations to Jubilee! You have won this months book. Please send me your e-mail so that I can contact you for your mailing information.

Thank you to everyone that entered. Check back next moth for a new book and another chance to win a great book to read.

Have a great day!

Friday Fun

1. I believe whatever doesn't kill you is a good thing.
2. If you're good at something then make the most of it.
3. Why so quiet?
4. Something is out there, it's bigger than all of us.
5. If my life were a sitcom, it would be titled Shopaholic.
6. Sitting on my back porch I see a porch that needs some attention.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to eating out in Austin tomorrow my plans include a museum and Sunday, I want to explore a cave.

Have a great weekend!

Summer Fun

At my sister's new neighborhood, they have a splash pad. It's a good size area with ankle deep water at one end with things that splash water and the other end is 5 feet deep with two slides. This place is perfect for taking the kids this summer and we have spent a great deal of time splashing around here. The littlest has fun in the splash area and the bigger ones have fun swimming in the deeper water. So grab your swimsuit and come join us! It's going to be another hot one today!

Menu Planning Monday

Short and sweet today. I have my niece and nephew today. The plan was to hit the Y for a kids movement class then hang around the house until my sons baseball game. But the instructor didn't show so we had to change plans. We ran some errands and watched some movies. Then we sweated to death at my sons baseball game.

Here is our plan for the week:
Monday~Out with niece and nephew
Tuesday~Pineapple Beef Teriyaki
Wednesday~Pizza
Thursday~Lasagna
Friday~Out of town

We are heading out of town this weekend to explore our state capital of Austin, TX and surrounding areas. I will try my best to share photos when we return next week.

Friday Fun

1. If I could be a fly on the wall I would probably get smooshed.
2. Jealousy is more dangerous than hate.
3. When i see a shooting star my wish would be that my family is happy, healthy and safe.
4. I'd rather be early than late.
5. Certain songs when I hear them make me wanna dance.
6. If time were in a bottle I'd want to put a cork in it, because it goes by so fast.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching movies with my son tomorrow my plans include shopping and Sunday, I want to have a victory on the baseball diamond for my sons team!

Recipe~Toss Tacos

I grew up eating this meal. My parents fixed it often especially when us kids had friends over for dinner since it made a lot or could easily be doubled. I make this for Bunco quite often and the girls like it. It's quick and easy! I made this last night and didn't take any pictures to show you. Sorry!

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion
1 package of taco seasoning mix
1 jar (8 oz.) mild taco sauce
1 can pinto beans
1 can stewed crushed tomatoes
cheese
lettuce
tomato
several variety of Doritos chip

Brown beef and onion and then drain. Add seasoning, taco sauce, beans and tomatoes. Simmer until warm. Serve over crushed chips and garnish with cheese, letuce and tomatoes.

Enjoy!

Menu Planning Monday

Where did the weekend go? We were busy with a 50th anniversary party for my aunt and uncle up in The Woodlands on Saturday and Sunday we had baseball, which we lost.

Today was a fun day. We met my sister and her kids at the movies to see The American Girl Kit movie. I didn't think that the boys would like it but they did. It had a mystery to solve and they were getting into it. It was a cute movie. If you have girls at your house I would recommend. And then we had a baseball game, which we won!

We have three baseball games this week(M, T and Th) so cooking will be limited. Here is our plan:

Monday~Spaghetti
Tuesday~Steaks on the grill and bake potatoes
Wednesday~Toss Tacos
Thursday~Out since we have an early game
Friday~Peach Glazed Chicken and Rice

We are running errands tomorrow while Connie is here cleaning. I hope to find all my supplies at the big W store to complete all my projects I want to finish this week. I can't wait to show you the finish products.

I hope your week is off to a great start!

July Pay It Forward Book Exchange

My book for this month is Summer in the Land of Skin by Jody Gehrman. Everyone has a summer that changes them forever. Synopsis from Barnes and Noble:

X marks the spot for Bellingham, Washington on Anna Medina's self-discovery map.
Twenty-five-year-old Anna — restless, famished and emotionally numb — is following the long-cold trail of her father, a celebrated luthier, whose death has always haunted her. She has tracked his former business partner to a sailboat on Bellingham Bay, determined to pry from the old man the secrets of their guitar-making trade, and maybe a few answers about her father.
Anna catches an echo of her musical father in Arlan, guitar player for a local band. Soon she's living on his sofa, hanging out with his girlfriend — having friends for the first time, even. And if Anna's new friends do drugs, read her journal and leave open a few to many bedroom doors, who's to say they aren't real friends? And if Anna has feelings for Arlan, whose to say where her loyalty lies?

During a single summer's worth of days, gin-soaked and colored with longing, Anna rediscovers her senses, shut down since her father's death, and finds that the only way to get free of her past is to embrace it.

Jody Gehrman teaches writing at Mendocino College in northern California. She has a weakness for fine guitars and the people who play them. Summer in the Land of Skin is her debut novel.


Here are the rules to enter. Yes, there are some rules!

If you win this book you must host a giveaway on your blog. If you don't have a blog then you will give the book to a local shelter, library, etc.

You do not need a blog to participate. If you don't have one just please leave your e-mail so that in the event you should win I can get a hold of you.

You need to leave a comment to this post by Saturday, July 26 by midnight. I will randomly draw a name on Sunday, July 27 and post the winner here. Also, I will contact the winner by e-mail or blog.

Please click over to Overwhelmed with Joy to see the many other book exchanges happening this month.

Thanks for playing and Good Luck!

Menu Planning Monday

I'm back!! I have been having fun with my nieces and blogging has fallen way down my to do list while they were here. We had so much fun keeping busy at the pool, water park,rock band and movies. We had a nice Fourth of July at my parents where we set off fireworks along with everyone else in their neighborhood. Then we headed to Wimberley, TX to shop til we dropped at the Lion's Market Days. And then spent some time in San Marcos, TX.

Now we are getting ready for summer baseball. This will be the first summer that my son will play during the summer and he is so excited. He is playing with his friends and his team is the Owls. He told me that was the best since he just finished a baseball camp at Rice University and their mascot is the Owls. We traveled to three different sports stores today picking up gear for his first game tomorrow!

Here is our plan for the week:
Monday~Hot Dogs with chili
Tuesday~Tuna Tetrazzini
Wednesday~T-Bones on the grill with bake potatoes
Thursday~Out with in-laws for our anniversary to Vargo's
Friday~Our anniversary~16 years! Hoping to be taken out to The Taste of Texas!

Have a great week and try to stay cool!

Happy Independence Day!

Have a fun and safe day with family and friends!