Off to Cheyenne - Days 1-3

Monday - Our adventure of planes, trains, and automobiles begins.  We start with a taxi to the DART station and then travel to Union Station where we transfer to the TRE.




Near the airport, we leave the train and bus to the remote parking where we get another bus to the terminal.  Now for a plane and guess what -- flight delays and de-icing.  I just sit and happily crochet away. Trent picks us up, not to Amanda's until after 7. She has pocket sandwiches and salad waiting for us. We all sit down to a late dinner. Chat until we are all too tired, off to bed.

Tuesday - rising early and getting kids off to the bus stop.  We have a gift for Caleb, but he is most definitely not in the mood for fun.  His cold is getting him down and although he does allow us to put it on his back and take a picture, he is obviously not happy about it all.  He and Grandpa claim the sofa while Mom gets ready for work and then we drop her off after getting our base passes.

A quick stop at the store with Caleb gets us a few things we need for dinner and a couple of craft supplies that will be necessary this week.  As we are walking into the store, Caleb says that "Grandpa is my buddy," causing me to smile and giggle.  How sweet.  Next stop is the donut shop where we actually get a bit of a smile.  He is pretty jacked and definitely wants a white one with sprinkles.

From there, we head back to the house and play for awhile.  Mister leaves to pick up the boys and take them to have their teeth cleaned by Mom.  What a treat!

Caleb and I played for awhile and watched Cars.  While the movie was playing, I crocheted a bit but Caleb could not resist helping.  He would take the yarn ball to the other end of the coffee table and then roll it back to me until I used it all up and then repeat the sequence.  He says "yip" for yes and I laugh each time I hear it.  I know that without a doubt Mister and I will be saying this for weeks to come at home.  I work with him to take some medicine for his cough and soon his eyes are drooping and the cough has stopped.

It is his nap time and I put together a small sewing area to use for the next few days while he sleeps.  I have brought a few things to work on and hope to use nap time to accomplish a few things.  (Check out the February Quilt Update posting to see what I do get finished.)



 After Caleb wakes, we snuggle and soon the boys are home from school and Ryan cuddles with Caleb.  He so doesn't feel good.  I worked on homemade chicken nuggets and mac and cheese muffins until Amanda and Trent get home from work.  The remainder of the evening is spent with them getting ready for their trip and Grandpa doing homework with the boys.  It has been a long day and we are ready for bed quite early.

Wednesday - Trent and Amanda leave and we get the boys off to school after playing with puzzles.

Both Mister and I watch as they head for the bus stop and the paths that they take tell a ton about their personalities.  While Raef takes the plowed road, Ryan simply goes cross country though the snow.  Too funny.

Caleb is still sick and so not creating much activity.  He watches lots of movies, plays with the marbles for a little while and a takes a very long nap.  Poor guy.

 Dinner is turkey tacos which are eagerly eaten and then homework is completed.  We have a spelling test to work on along with reading and math.  Once that is finished, Raef and I make heart-shaped sugar cookies for his Valentines Day party at school tomorrow.  I make the dough while he is doing his homework and then it is all up to him to roll and cut out the cookies to get them baked.

As he works, he is whistling the whole time.  I ask him if he has just learned how to whistle and he nods yes.  It is all new to him.  Mister and I smile and hope that he improves as he does the same thing over and over and over again.  Oh -- and off tune.  BUT --- he is learning and that is something as I know many adults who cannot whistle.

Soon, Grandpa can't take it anymore and has to help Raef with the cookies.  So does Caleb.  It rapidly becomes a group effort and Raef comments that he thought he was doing this with Gammy.  Hmmmm.

I take over again and Grandpa goes to help Ryan make a paper airplane and soon he is out in the kitchen showing it to me.  Busy, busy house.  Check out this grin --- boy are there some teeth ready to come out.

Our finished product.  We have to have 30 for class and the rest are for us -- not too many left after the class ones.  

BUT --- definitely enough for little boys to eat.  We end the night with fresh baked cookies.  What a great ending.  Mister took the last of the dough and just make one big odd shaped cookie.  Guess which one Caleb grabbed?

It's bed time and we are ALL ready.  See ya tomorrow.

Let's Bake -- Cranberry Scones

I awoke this morning and decided that I needed to do something nice for Mister to thank him for all the wonderful help he is to me.  So, Cranberry Scones it is.  As I was gathering supplies, I noticed my camera sitting on the table and thought perhaps y'all would like to come along with me.  By the way -- these scones are better than anything we have been able to find so far.  Give them a try.

Here we go:  Let's mix together 1 cup flour (don't look too closely at the label on the container -- Mister went all OCD when we got the containers and hasn't updated them even though the ingredients have emptied numerous times since then) ((they are my containers, and only the date is old - Mister)), 1/4 cup sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/8 teaspoon salt.

Cut in 1/4 cup cold butter.  Mister watches as I actually "cut" the butter into pieces, lol.  The he grabs the pastry blender to work it in.

Next - place 3 tablespoons milk in a small prep bowl and one egg beaten in another bowl.

In a small bowl, combine milk and 2 tablespoons beaten egg

Add to dry ingredients just until moistened.  Yep, Mister has now become the baker and his hands are shown.  I am a director and photographer.  So much for doing something nice for him.  Yuck, Yuck.  (That is supposed to be laughter.) ((if you want something done right... - Mister))

Stir in 1/4 cup dried cranberries.

Turn onto a floured surface

Knead gently 6-8 times and pat into a 6" circle.

Cut into four wedges, separate, and place on a baking sheet.  I use a stone but if you use something else, please coat it with cooking spray.

Brush with remaining beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar.

Bake at 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.  Serve warm.  Do these not look fabulous?

And here is our breakfast:  scone, tea, juice and fresh fruit.  Yum.

Snow Day!

It's a snow day in Dallas!  Woohoo.  Since I started coming here in 2007, it has snowed almost every year.  I LOVE it although it seems to get colder each time.  Is my blood getting thin?  Here are a few shots from our viewpoint. We got another inch or so after these pics, so it wasn't that much, but for Dallas it is a change.

I never even saw Mister go outside to take these shots.  I think I was huddled up inside busily setting up my mini studio.  For more info on that, check the February Quilt Update when it posts at the end of the month.

Peticolas and Politics

It is date night and Peticolas Brewing is hosting a rare mid-week tasting so we decide to run down and check it out.  When we arrive, we discover that Mike Peticolas (brewmaster in left pic) has made this a fundraiser for Don Huffines (in the brown jacket), whom Mike supports.

Anyone who wants to help craft breweries in Texas is okay in my book as well.  We have a great night -- are able to talk politics with several of the staff and a few moments with Don as well.  I guess he'll get my vote, lol. Mike's beer is some of the best in Dallas, and he's a great guy to spend time with. I had to get a quick pic with him

And Jared is 9 -- What???

My grandchildren are getting older and I just don't think I like it.  It means that my children's ages are reaching ones that definitely make me feel old.  I have to work at remembering that I am only 55 and still have a whole lot of life in this body -- it's true, but my body reminds me daily that it's not the same as it was.  Enough -- this is supposed to be a post of joy.

The day starts with a trip to Temple for Jared's birthday party.  I absolutely love that we are close enough to spend these types of wonderful moments together.  Plus, I am really excited to give Jared his gift.

As we arrive, Jared is at a basketball game so we simply stop there first.  It is such fun to watch him play and I cannot believe how much he has changed in the past year.  We remember that it was a year ago that we drove down for his baptism and attended a basketball game that day as well.  Again -- where the heck is the time going?

Jared is number 10 and try as we might, neither Mister or I are able to capture a really good shot of him playing.

When we arrive, the score is 16-4 -- With the comeback of the other team, it is up in the air until the very last second and yet they hold them off and win.

After the game, we drop everyone off at the house and make a quick run to the store for all the party supplies.  A large bouquet of balloons also makes it's way home with us and as we bring it into the house, it only takes Jen's new kitty, Grace, feels that they have been brought just for her to play with.  At all times, she must have a string to grab and haul around the house.  I absolutely love it.

After we arrive back at the house, we quickly unload the perishables and climb back into the car for another basketball game.  This time it is Jacob's turn.  This has to be the lowest scoring game I have seen in a very long time, but it is certainly exciting to watch.  Jacob does a great job and I am impressed at how important he is to his team.  Unfortunately his team does not win, but it is a very good game to watch.

After the game, Jen suggests that we go to get a late lunch at a place that Mister has been wanting to check out for quite awhile.  It is called Carmen's and is a little family run Mexican place in Belton.  Louis is oh so skeptical, but agrees to go along.  It is a fun little place and is a one person show.  When you arrive, you can help yourself to the chips and drinks and then order at the window.  Everything is very laid back and rustic.  I love it.  We order plates that certainly fill everyone up and enjoy the time to just visit for awhile.

Since my plate is almost empty in this picture, I must like my meal.

It is time to get back to the house and set up for Jared's party.  He has a few friends coming over for a Wii party and then they are all going to the movies after dinner.  We put together a nice table and then I call Jared over to give him his gift before the other kids arrive.  He takes the seat of honor and reads his card with all seriousness.  Then, I give him the bag and he pulls out his quilt.  I absolutely love this smile.  It truly makes my day.

Mister and I have made Jared a quilt -- check previous posts for all the details -- and it is a hit.  Yay!

Now to get the dinner ready.  Jared has requested waffles with all types of toppings and within moments Jen is ready to go.  Good thing as the house is starting to fill up.

Mister pitches in and starts getting drinks for everyone as they dig in with their sugar fest.

Happy birthday Jared.  We are not going to the movies and they are going to do cake and ice cream after that so we head back north to Dallas.  It has been a fun day and I am so glad we got to be a part of it.