Marriage means sharing everything...including colds. At least this one is a very mild one.
Last weekend my throat was hurting and nose was running and later in the week I was sneezing up a storm. Its finally gone away for me - though K heard about it while I had it. As of yesterday afternoon, he has it.
Its weird to see how and when the same sicknesses hit us -- I just warned him about the sneezing that is to come, and there have been times we he's been able to list out what I'll get and how far into its course. Its reassuring and also annoying to know what ailments you're about to suffer through.
The worst sicknesses we catch seem to come from the kiddos in our lives (looking at you nephew and at you Gabriel - his first birthday party knocked 12+ adults out for a good day and a half with a stomach bug), *knock on wood* we haven't had one of those in a while.
Good thing we're already making soup today, that will help a sore throat!
We'll still have a great day and are ready to cheer on our Texans against Peyton!!!
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
best patio in Houston
Its starting to feel like fall and we could not be happier!
K and I had plans to meet for dinner after work, and when I saw how nice it was this morning I started thinking that we needed to go to eat somewhere with a patio. He agreed and we both put our thinking caps on....
Too funny, we both separately looked online for what places have the best patios and came up with the same answer: Backstreet Cafe
Neither of us had ever been there, but we will definitely be back! The patio is pretty wonderful - large with plenty of seating, and with it being walled in you don't realize you're right off a busy Houston street (Shepherd). Its large enough that the wall doesn't make it feel too closed-in. We were there early (good since we didn't have reservations) and didn't see it all lit up - they lit candles and lights were coming on in the fountain and trees as we were getting ready to go, but I'm sure its pretty at night.
The food was outstanding as well! We each had a seafood dish - his was pecan crusted trout and mine was a special of the day (grouper). The ingredients were all very fresh, and I was amazed that K ate (and liked) some butternut squash that came with his meal. I may dream about what I had, and saw several other things I want to try.
I'd read that they have an award-winning sommelier, so we had to take advantage and get a drink. The wine list was long, but instead we each got a specialty drink called "what the angels drink" - wine and moscato, lime juice, bitters and cointreau and watermelon ice cubes....it really might be what they serve in heaven, and strong WOW.
Neither of us wanted to leave.
K and I had plans to meet for dinner after work, and when I saw how nice it was this morning I started thinking that we needed to go to eat somewhere with a patio. He agreed and we both put our thinking caps on....
Too funny, we both separately looked online for what places have the best patios and came up with the same answer: Backstreet Cafe
Neither of us had ever been there, but we will definitely be back! The patio is pretty wonderful - large with plenty of seating, and with it being walled in you don't realize you're right off a busy Houston street (Shepherd). Its large enough that the wall doesn't make it feel too closed-in. We were there early (good since we didn't have reservations) and didn't see it all lit up - they lit candles and lights were coming on in the fountain and trees as we were getting ready to go, but I'm sure its pretty at night.
The food was outstanding as well! We each had a seafood dish - his was pecan crusted trout and mine was a special of the day (grouper). The ingredients were all very fresh, and I was amazed that K ate (and liked) some butternut squash that came with his meal. I may dream about what I had, and saw several other things I want to try.
I'd read that they have an award-winning sommelier, so we had to take advantage and get a drink. The wine list was long, but instead we each got a specialty drink called "what the angels drink" - wine and moscato, lime juice, bitters and cointreau and watermelon ice cubes....it really might be what they serve in heaven, and strong WOW.
Neither of us wanted to leave.
Monday, September 17, 2012
House projects
We had a VERY productive weekend for house projects.
We found a great wall hanging for the living room , a must since the big empty spot on the wall had been starting to bug me. We put it up in record time (for us) and got a great deal on it - thank you Garden Ridge lady who came up with a price out of her head since it had no price tag. It complements our other wall hangings really well, and K even found the sailboat on the mantel also at Garden Ridge. I never shop there but think I should start.
We also finally replaced our bathroom towels, bathmats, and soap dispensers (which were dying). It looks like an entirely new bathroom! We were overdue to replace the towels, I am pretty sure the ones we were using were the ones we'd registered for.
I like small projects that we can do in an afternoon.
Sitting in my chair now I can look over that the wall hanging instead of the empty spot and it makes me happy :) I can even see it better now. I'm back to my old glasses for a while. I was not happy with my new glasses and went back again to get them adjusted, it turns out the pupilary distance (try saying that 3 times fast) isn't right so they'll have to get new lenses made for me. Here's hoping this new set does the trick. I wish I could buy glasses online, but with my prescription and bifocals and all, I am so glad I have a brick and mortar store to go to with any issues, and I love that they are open on Saturdays!
Sunday was also great since we had a big Texans win!
We also finally replaced our bathroom towels, bathmats, and soap dispensers (which were dying). It looks like an entirely new bathroom! We were overdue to replace the towels, I am pretty sure the ones we were using were the ones we'd registered for.
I like small projects that we can do in an afternoon.
Sitting in my chair now I can look over that the wall hanging instead of the empty spot and it makes me happy :) I can even see it better now. I'm back to my old glasses for a while. I was not happy with my new glasses and went back again to get them adjusted, it turns out the pupilary distance (try saying that 3 times fast) isn't right so they'll have to get new lenses made for me. Here's hoping this new set does the trick. I wish I could buy glasses online, but with my prescription and bifocals and all, I am so glad I have a brick and mortar store to go to with any issues, and I love that they are open on Saturdays!
Sunday was also great since we had a big Texans win!
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Wonderful weekend
We had a great weekend!
Saturday was spent running errands and taking care of some overdue chores around the house.
Thank goodness for opticians! I'd been having problems with my new glasses - splitting to see double - and went to get them adjusted...I can already tell that I can see better and will be able to wear them without getting a headache. I cannot believe that my new glasses are J Lo brand. I bought them not because of that, but in fact despite that fact. Luckily as the lady at the store said, once you take the sticker off the lens it doesn't say JLo anywhere on it.
We finally put up the Texans flag that's been hanging out in our garage for longer than we should admit. K has had the flag for years and had displayed it at his house 2 houses ago....I don't think we ever put it up at our last house and had started the project but never finished it at this house. We bought the flag pole almost a year ago, and didn't get to it, than when we did the starters were getting hurt and K didn't want to jinx it. It took 2 trips to Ace hardware, and we ended up using glue and duct tape to finish the job (tools of champions), it looks great and is up in time for the new season!
Today (Sunday), K went to the Texans home opener and what a game it was! I didn't watch it, but I know he had a great time. It was White Out day so he wanted to wear head-to-toe white, including a white baseball hat. We cleaned it up on Saturday -- the key, drown it in Spray N Wash and put it in the dishwasher in a frame to keep its shape. It looks like a new brand new hat!
I spent Sunday with my parents and sister at my parents' house and we went to the bazaar at the church for a BBQ lunch. They could not have asked for better weather, the cool front came through and it was just gorgeous outside! While we were there we went to see the newly renovated church. It was closed for renovations all summer and just recently reopened. The new flooring and pews look really bright and beautiful , though I wonder why they put tile under the pews, easier to keep clean I guess. I wonder if it will be louder and I'm not sure why the new doors and the door to the cry room don't have doorknobs. I could not believe they didn't have bingo. The live auction was happening while we were there, how a person talks that fast I'll never know. We each bought one raffle ticket, I have my fingers crossed for the
Austin getaway.
Saturday was spent running errands and taking care of some overdue chores around the house.
Thank goodness for opticians! I'd been having problems with my new glasses - splitting to see double - and went to get them adjusted...I can already tell that I can see better and will be able to wear them without getting a headache. I cannot believe that my new glasses are J Lo brand. I bought them not because of that, but in fact despite that fact. Luckily as the lady at the store said, once you take the sticker off the lens it doesn't say JLo anywhere on it.
Today (Sunday), K went to the Texans home opener and what a game it was! I didn't watch it, but I know he had a great time. It was White Out day so he wanted to wear head-to-toe white, including a white baseball hat. We cleaned it up on Saturday -- the key, drown it in Spray N Wash and put it in the dishwasher in a frame to keep its shape. It looks like a new brand new hat!
I spent Sunday with my parents and sister at my parents' house and we went to the bazaar at the church for a BBQ lunch. They could not have asked for better weather, the cool front came through and it was just gorgeous outside! While we were there we went to see the newly renovated church. It was closed for renovations all summer and just recently reopened. The new flooring and pews look really bright and beautiful , though I wonder why they put tile under the pews, easier to keep clean I guess. I wonder if it will be louder and I'm not sure why the new doors and the door to the cry room don't have doorknobs. I could not believe they didn't have bingo. The live auction was happening while we were there, how a person talks that fast I'll never know. We each bought one raffle ticket, I have my fingers crossed for the
Austin getaway.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Challenge accepted!
Its time to get serious about getting healthy! With 3 friends I'm doing a September challenge.
Here is what we are challenging ourselves to do:
1. 30 minutes of physical activity at least 5 times a week
2. Eat out only twice a week
3. Drink alcohol moderately twice a week
What I love already is that they found a way to do a group text message so we can keep each other motivated! especially important since we are pretty spread out - 3 of us are all over Houston and one (the organizer) is in Atlanta. Thank you Delena for getting us motivated! I'm posting about it here since the more vocal I am with it, the more likely I am to stick with it.
I may even get K on board!
I know that #2 will be the hardest for me....just today I had an unexpected lunch outing at work. I did make good food choices and so I consider that a win!
Here is what we are challenging ourselves to do:
1. 30 minutes of physical activity at least 5 times a week
2. Eat out only twice a week
3. Drink alcohol moderately twice a week
What I love already is that they found a way to do a group text message so we can keep each other motivated! especially important since we are pretty spread out - 3 of us are all over Houston and one (the organizer) is in Atlanta. Thank you Delena for getting us motivated! I'm posting about it here since the more vocal I am with it, the more likely I am to stick with it.
I may even get K on board!
I know that #2 will be the hardest for me....just today I had an unexpected lunch outing at work. I did make good food choices and so I consider that a win!
Monday, September 3, 2012
Labor Day
September already? It'll be a while before cooler weather comes to Houston, so we're not done with summer yet. It may not mark the end of summer for us, but I'm still loving a 3-day weekend.
We've had a great weekend. We had a 'day date' on Saturday. We finally made time to use our museum membership (won it at LAST summer's neighborhood casino night). I wanted to see the new paleo hall and when we got there we realized that the Titanic exhibit was there for only a few more days so we went to see that exhibit first. We were really impressed with the exhibit. Its hard to believe that so many of the artifacts that spend nearly 100 years on the ocean floor were so well preserved. Coincidentally we were there on the anniversary of the ship being found - Sept 1, 1985.
So much of what I think I know about the tragedy is based on the movie, so seeing the reality was very interesting, and my historian learned some things too. At the entrance, we were each given the information on a real person on board the Titanic and at the end were able to see if they survived or not - mine did, K's did not I had no idea that many people (including the man that K got) were on board because a coal strike prevented their original ships from sailing. His person had to take the Titanic to get to the US in time for his brother's wedding, only 18 years old. They had artifacts from K's person, and the one I was surprised at was a perfume manufacturer whose perfume samples STILL SMELL. They had an iceberg we could touch to get an idea how cold it was, and a piece of the hull that we could touch as well. A great exhibit.
We did see the paleo hall briefly -- if you go, go to the second floor so you can look out over the entire hall. We didn't stay long (we got hungry), but will be back soon to check it out. I was surprised with how the wording of the displays is written, its a whole different style - more engaging, includes references to movies - then the museum display information I grew up with. It will take some getting used to for me. I know it must be based on research and anything that gets more people to read about the dinosaurs is a win in my book!
I'd been debating whether or not to renew the membership and now I definitely will - the shorter line for members is reason enough! They also took really good care of us, and even walked us up to the exhibit (the second floor overlook idea came from the docent).
After leaving the museum we got some dinner and checked out a local wine bar. It is literally down the street from my old apartment and I'd never been there before. We wish we'd just eaten at the wine bar, we'll have to go back to sample the food. Sonoma Wine Bar
We had a relaxed day at home yesterday. We made fish, baked potato/sweet potato, and sauteed carrots (loosely following this recipe).
Today we are going over to a friends for a Labor Day BBQ. Enjoy the day!!
We've had a great weekend. We had a 'day date' on Saturday. We finally made time to use our museum membership (won it at LAST summer's neighborhood casino night). I wanted to see the new paleo hall and when we got there we realized that the Titanic exhibit was there for only a few more days so we went to see that exhibit first. We were really impressed with the exhibit. Its hard to believe that so many of the artifacts that spend nearly 100 years on the ocean floor were so well preserved. Coincidentally we were there on the anniversary of the ship being found - Sept 1, 1985.
So much of what I think I know about the tragedy is based on the movie, so seeing the reality was very interesting, and my historian learned some things too. At the entrance, we were each given the information on a real person on board the Titanic and at the end were able to see if they survived or not - mine did, K's did not I had no idea that many people (including the man that K got) were on board because a coal strike prevented their original ships from sailing. His person had to take the Titanic to get to the US in time for his brother's wedding, only 18 years old. They had artifacts from K's person, and the one I was surprised at was a perfume manufacturer whose perfume samples STILL SMELL. They had an iceberg we could touch to get an idea how cold it was, and a piece of the hull that we could touch as well. A great exhibit.
We did see the paleo hall briefly -- if you go, go to the second floor so you can look out over the entire hall. We didn't stay long (we got hungry), but will be back soon to check it out. I was surprised with how the wording of the displays is written, its a whole different style - more engaging, includes references to movies - then the museum display information I grew up with. It will take some getting used to for me. I know it must be based on research and anything that gets more people to read about the dinosaurs is a win in my book!
I'd been debating whether or not to renew the membership and now I definitely will - the shorter line for members is reason enough! They also took really good care of us, and even walked us up to the exhibit (the second floor overlook idea came from the docent).
After leaving the museum we got some dinner and checked out a local wine bar. It is literally down the street from my old apartment and I'd never been there before. We wish we'd just eaten at the wine bar, we'll have to go back to sample the food. Sonoma Wine Bar
We had a relaxed day at home yesterday. We made fish, baked potato/sweet potato, and sauteed carrots (loosely following this recipe).
Today we are going over to a friends for a Labor Day BBQ. Enjoy the day!!
Saturday, September 1, 2012
New Orleans restaurants
I found this in my drafts from the trip in June. I know the local area is dealing with Hurricane Isaac aftermath now. The city overcame so much after Katrina and we were happy to go back and support them. With the record K and I have of going there, we may be outlawed from going there. We went in May 2005 and 3 months later - they were hit by Hurricane Katrina. We haven't been back and they've had no other hurricanes, and and now we go in June 2012 and they get hit (on the anniversary of Katrina) by Isaac. Before we went and while we were there we even talked about it, thinking it can't happen twice....but oh it can.
I've also realized that when I leave Houston is when hurricanes come here, it happened with Rita and with Ike. I'll be staying put for the remainder of Hurricane season....
On to the original topic for this post. New Orleans food. There are so many good places to go, here are just a few of the ones we enjoyed:
Pascals -- they invented BBQ shrimp., the best place to go to have them. K had been here once before and wanted me to taste it. The BBQ shrimp ar not what you picture, more like 'buttered shrimp. They are messy and worth it. They put a bib on you and go to town. The shrimp are HUGE, so you don't have to peel too many, good thing since they are served whole - heads and tails and everything in between. You peel them, dredge them in the sauce and eat them. After you finish the shrimp, dip their delicious bread in the sauce. K had a special - soft-shell crab and smaller BBQd shrimp (his were already peeled). Another good choice.
Chartres House Café - our first dinner in the city, we each had delicious fish dishes. K had a cashew crusted redfish that he said was delicious. Interestingly, he said that you can't get this type of fish in Texas, so when he saw it on the menu he had to get it. I had a stuffed catfish, delicious, and i loved the veggies. we had the place to ourselves, it was nice and cool...great after wandering in the heat.
Louisiana Pizza Kitchen - we had quite a swap, I had pizza and beer (a local one) and K had pasta and wine, we'd usually get the reverse. I had a veggie pizza (craving veggies) and it was all very fresh. A great neighborhood place right across from the French market. As many Italian places as we saw in that area it must've been the Italian section, which was interesting being near the FRENCH market.
Nola -
Emeril's restaurant -- it was delicious. I did not write down the
details of what we ate, but it was all delicious and I am pretty sure I
had a decadent dessert there...
We did have one terrible meal. We'd been exploring and were just hot and ready to sit. I'd have to look up the name of the place - it had a bird in the name....steer clear of it.
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