7 Things

Christine and some of her friends/followers have been posting " tidbits" about things they love.  Here is my list!
1 - I love the first cup of coffee in the morning.  (Starbucks Espresso Roast Whole Bean )

2 - I love my kitchen and all it's gadgets. ( All clad pans, Wustof knives...) Keep in mind that I did not start my marriage with these things.  Maybe that is why I didn't love cooking back in the day.
3 - I love my kids.

4 - I love the beach.  Emerald Isle to be specific.

5- And those 2 little dogs I am walking.
6 - I love living in Texas.

 

This picture was taken on one of our road trips.  This underground, spring fed river was where my hubby swam as a little kid.
7- And my favorite thing ever...

A whirlwind of a week.

Last Wednesday we flew to Montana for what was to be a long weekend/ ski vacation with Christine, her boyfriend, Patrick, and his brother Mike.  By the time we got there plans for Steve and I  were already in flux.  Steve had to leave early for some meetings in Orlando, and no sooner had I landed, my dad called to tell us my mom was in the hospital. ( She is doing well now.)
We were able to enjoy a fun day showing Patrick and Mike all around the ranch in the Polaris and then the guys even did a little target practice.  The next day Steve had to leave, but the rest of us went up to Bridger Bowl to do some skiing.  What a fun resort.  A bit of a throwback to years gone by.  There are even some 2 seater chair lifts.  About the time I was finished for the day, they all took off to find some good powder.  Powder is not my thing.  I am all about the groomed trails.  They got off on some side terrain and had to work to find their way back to base of the mountain.  But, I am pretty sure that was their best run of the day.
I hopped on a plane the next morning to go to Minnesota to check in on my mom and got the only flight out of Bozeman to Minneapolis that day as a big winter storm was moving in to MN.  And boy, did it.  Somewhere between 12 and 15 inches of snow in the area I was traveling through.  Thankfully I grew up in the midwest where we all learn to drive in the snow.  I got to Mankato a little slower than usual but made it.  I couldn't make it all the way to my parents because the snow plows had not cleared the county roads, but stayed in Mankato where my mom was hospitalized.
Mom was released the next day, so we trekked through the snow to get her back home and by then the plows had cleared one lane down the middle of the road they live on.  Here are a few pictures that capture the week.
I am back in Texas and it is raining!  Loving the rain vs. the snow.  Snow is much prettier I know, but I am ready for some spring!

Lefty's favorite things.

This is a far cry from Oprah's favorite things, but thought I'd let you know what I found for Lefty's B-Day.  He has just about everything he wants and has a habit of picking things up before I get a chance to buy them for him.  But, this year I think I did pretty well.

Lucchese Cowboy Boots.  Love them!
Grey Goose glasses made from grey goose bottles.  www.BottleHood.com
And last but not least, a Filson oil cloth jacket with a liner. (For all those early spring fly fishing trips to MT.)

And for V Day, just a good old pair of Gap jeans to go with the boots. 

A Birthday Celebration

Our Christmas Gift from Tine

Christine painted us this beautiful Dallas Star inspired art for Christmas.  I finally got it back from the frame shop and we are LOVING it.  Note how she tied it in to the grand piano via the black and white keys theme.  It has found it's home in our family room where we can enjoy it all the time.  Thanks Tine!

Cookie and Pepper don't know what to think about this.

Pepper brought a little of the white stuff into the house.  So glad we have wood floors! Thanks Z for encouraging the P dog to pose for me.

Now it's SNOW!

Last night the weathermen said we might get a dusting of snow.  Here is what we woke up to.

So here is what I am doing today.

I am drinking Starbuck's coffee out of my Anthropologie cup.  Later I will switch to hot chocolate!  Yum!

COLD!

When we moved to Texas, I was certain that I would never experience temperatures in the single digits again.  Boy was I wrong.  It has been cold here for days and we are tired of it.  Ice on the driveway, sidewalks, and most side streets.  All the schools are closed, but the kids can't even enjoy their days off doing anything resembling winter fun.  Even many of the Super Bowl activities have even been "messed" with.   The upside is that everything I am involved with has been canceled.  Don't get me wrong, I love the things I am involved with, but every once in awhile, it is nice to stay in my pajamas for a little longer, enjoy an extra cup of coffee, and read all my favorite blogs.  And I have had plenty of time to spend on the treadmill.  On Sunday it is going to be 55 degrees.  Yippee!