Changing of the Seasons

When I first moved to Dallas, I certainly didn't expect fall colors.  I mean, after all, this is a city right?  Well, I was so wrong.  The colors in the fall here are astounding and this is just in my own yard alone.  Take a look.

We are resplendent in greens, oranges, and reds.  Standing on the porch or looking out the windows brings a smile to my face each and every day right now.

We have an oak tree in the backyard that is providing most of the color seen here.  It is also dropping acorns at an astronomical rate.  I so wish I could come up with something to do with the dang things.  It seems like such a waste, but everything I read involves a great amount of work and lots of boiling.  Would love to be able to just crack them open and roast them.


Cooler weather also brings a certain vitality to the plants in the yard.  They are perking up after surviving the intense heat of summer and are adding to the wonderful flavors produced in the kitchen by Mister.  Yummy.

Yes, it is the end of November and so time to get the house ready for the holidays.  This part does seem odd to me, as it doesn't seem like winter outside and seeing snow is rare, but one can always hope, right?

Up To Billings

Another quick trip up to Montana always provides me with treasure time with my grands and my own children.  Being so far away all the time makes me look forward to these trips with a smile on my face from the minute they are booked.  I am so thankful for my ability to fly stand-by due to the amazing endurance of my son in working two jobs.  It is such a blessing to me.

Miss Zyra and Miss Elena hanging at Matt's house.  We were able to read books, play, eat, play, and giggle for hours.  Well, at least until the computer comes out and then it is all eyes on the screen.  Seriously --- not a single eye is wandering.

It was time to go to Rhiana's for the second night of my stay.  Bundling up Elena, we were on our way.

I had a great visit with Rhiana and stayed up way too late.

The next morning, we had snow and I had time with Elena.  What a little joy.

A new outfit from Grandpa and Gammy.  She loves it.  Can't you tell?

These trips always end way too soon, but it won't be long before I go back again.

Cheesemakers -- Seriously? or Seriously Cheesemakers

I declared an all about me day!!! Shouldn't we all do that now and then?  I had already gotten tickets for the Trace Adkins concert a month ago for that evening and so was trying to figure out what to do for the day.  Of course, let's make cheese.  Isn't that the first thing that comes to YOUR mind?  Well, fortunately for us, the Mozzarella Company is located here in Dallas and amazingly enough they had a class for that day and had  two openings left.  I snatched those up and off we went.

We were not even in the building yet (which is located down in Deep Ellum) when  Paula Lambert came walking down the sidewalk towards us.  She is terrific!!!  Everyone there made us feel so welcome and actually seemed excited for us to be there.  Paula, herself, taught the class and was busy cracking jokes and taking pictures all during the event.  The place is incredible and the cheese is dang tasty as well.

We started out the class by donning aprons and ever so attractive hair nets and washing hands.  Then we were ready to get started and did so by getting the milk steaming for a ricotta.  A quick tour of the factory while the milk heated (pretty amazing -- 1,000 lbs of cheese a day!) and then to juice a big pile of lemons.  We then added the juice to the hot milk and voila --- ricotta cheese.  It was so simple and so very delicious.


Here we are scooping out the ricotta cheese from the whey and placing it in strainers to set up.  Then we moved onto working with mozzarella.  Since the curd takes 8 hours to make, we started with the mozzarella curd and chopped it up and put it in a bowl to which we then added hot water and stirred until the cheese was stringy and ready to be shaped.  First up, balls!





Mister was a natural at these -- mine were not near so nice.  Second, Queso Oaxaca -- a long strip of mozzarella rolled up like a ball of yarn.  Last was a olive roll in which the cheese was rolled out like dough and covered with an olive spread and then rolled up like cinnamon rolls.  All very yummy.

For some reason, I was unable to keep my mouth shut during photos.  Oh well, that won't surprise anyone.

The class ended with a wine and cheese party and some social time getting to know Paula, Mitchell (the manager) and classmates.  All in all a good time.

Fall at the Arboretum

It is a gorgeous fall day and I am in the mood to take some pictures and get some exercise at the same time.  Obviously, a day at the Dallas Arboretum is what is needed.  At this time of the year, the arboretum is filled with mums and pumpkins.  The colors are "my colors" and so I feel right at home here.

As we wander through the paths, the color is everywhere and it is actually putting me in the right frame of mind for Thanksgiving.

Everywhere we look -- mums of all colors and sizes.  I never even dreamed that this flower came in so many colors.  So much for thinking I knew plants and flowers.  The test gardens are truly resplendent in color and make one just stop and stare in amazement while drinking in the beauty of it all.

As we continue through the park, the many nooks and crannies provide one great photo op after another and soon Mister is shooting up a storm.

We never tire of the view of White Rock Lake no matter where we are at around it.  This little peek through the foliage is lovely as is the view from the reflecting pool below.  It makes it look as though the water is continuous instead of about 1/2 mile away.  Cool way to fool the eyes.

Another great day in Dallas.  So glad to be here and loving life.

View From the Porch

Married one month today -- amazing how time flies.  As I sat on the front porch enjoying this beautiful fall day, I couldn't help but notice the way the purple fountain grass was picking up the light.  Ah fall -- my favorite season no matter where I live.

Friends Over

We had several friends who were unable to make the wedding and with that thought in mind, Mister and I decided to have a "friends who missed" reception at the house -- minus gifts of course.  We made several types of soup, baked fresh bread for our guests and topped it all off with fancy panna cottas.  Such fun and it was so great to spend time with Bert and David, Gigi and Richard, and Lisa and Eric.  Life is good.

It's Halloween - Off To Temple

Halloween!  I love this holiday, don't you?  We don't have many children come to our door in Dallas so we decide to go down to Temple and share the day with Jen and the grands.  As usual, the costumes are great and everyone is excited.  Mister decides to walk with everyone while out treating and I opt to stay and hand out candy.  I am pretty sure I got the harder job --- After opening the door at least 20 times in 10 minutes, I set up a chair on the porch and have a steady stream of kids for at least an hour.  Oh my.  I am starting to worry about running out of candy.

As it starts to get dark, we light the candles in the pumpkins and turn on all the decorative lights -- the house looks so cool.  I especially love the way Jen has turned the upstairs windows into "eyes" and made the whole front of the house look like a face.  So creative and cool.

Once everyone returns -- let the dividing of the spoils begin.  This is such a time honored tradition in our family.  Dang -- we still have a 2 hour drive home.  Time to get going.  Thanks fam -- we had so much fun.