Christmas day 2013



Michelle and Ava cuddling with Asher



Asher and Jimmy with some interesting activity



Mark and Tamara with Ava and Asher

Mark Granaran and Sam

Sam and Jimmy



Baby Asher

Christmas 2013 has not been a 'normal' Christmas for our family.  Change is good but sometimes when things don't feel like 'Christmas', it's hard to get into the spirit.  It's been a challenging couple of weeks for us and there have been some great ups and some low downs.  We have decided to count our blessings and feel happy with the time we have spent together with family

Christmas Boutique, 12/8

Every year we host a 'boutique' or a pre-Christmas gathering at our home for friends to gather and socialize and spread some cheer!  Here's some pics from before everyone got in.  We have a smaller place this year and we were worried it would be packed and it was but no complaints.  We were blessed to have great family and friends over to warm our home.

Banana Bread and Halloween decorations

When you have over-ripe bananas, you have to make banana bread, that's a rule!  These 2 beauties filled our home with yumminess the other day!  I have been asked for the recipe so I am going to post it here.  Halloween was a week ago and we have yet to get our decorations put away- see some of them below.  They are getting closer to the garage though! 

Here's the banana bread recipe:

 

Preheat oven to 350

 

In a mixer add: 

• 3 ripe bananas
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup of sugar
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

Mix well until fully combined

 

In a separate bowl mix together:

 

• 1 and 1/2 cup of flour
• 1 and 1/2 TSP of baking powder
• 1/4 TSP of ground cinnamon
• 1/4 TSP of baking soda
• 1/8 TSP of salt

Whisk ingredients together and combine into the mixer with the wet ingredients until just combined

 

If you want to add nuts or chocolate chips, please do, about 1/2 cup of either

 

Happy Baking Y'all!

 

No more dog room

When we moved, we gave up the downstairs office, which was the dog room.  We have had to create a space for the dogs.  Since the new yard does not have grass yet, and there has been some rain, we have had MUD!  I locked the dogs outside yesterday, placed their dog beds, gave a pan of water in hopes to have some time to clean the mud and dirt from the guest bathroom (where the doggie door is).  Rosie decided the water was something for her to play with!  So we have been creative with where we have the dogs hang out.  When we are home, they have free reign with the exception of our bedroom and the office.  As soon as it gets cool enough, they will be spending most of their time OUTSIDE!

Functionality

Here's some more progress pics.  Functionality has been restored and we are able to use our new kitchen.  Still need doors on the cupboards and hardware but it's nice to cook meals at home finally!  Loving the new microwave and stove!

Progress

Here's some pics of the progress.  Still have a lot of painting to do and these are pics that I had taken along the journey.  The last pic is the colors I am using.  The darker grey and the blueish green are what is being used.  Still need a pendant cover as I have returned what is pictured. 

This guy

This is Carlos.  He has been such a huge help with the remodel and the move and so many other things.  He really is like family.  No matter what it is, he is always there for us.  I am sure it has something to do with how much we have helped him over the years but as the saying goes, "friends are the family you give yourself"!

Out with the OLD!

Jimmy and I have had a busy month.  On 7/26, we were asked, "How soon can you be out?".  That lead us to cancel our vacation and stay in town to remodel our rental home so that we could move in faster than we anticipated.  Here are the BEFORE PICS.  I don't have the greatest after pics since it's not truly done, I guess they are in progress pics in the post that follows.  As you can see, we had our work cut out for us.  Still have painting to do but it's much improved!  So far, we have done lighting, painting, new appliances, new countertops/sink.  We still have more painting, replacing the doors, new hardware for the cabinets. 

Flagstaff with Family

Jimmy and I decided to cruise up to Flagstaff last Sunday for our anniversary!  As always, it was just perfect!  Got to see Mark and Tamara and enjoy good food, great views and relax!

Livin on the edge!

Her

We got to spend some great time with the family up in Prescott from July 5-7.  We went to the rodeo, drove up to a beautiful lookout point, went to Whiskey row and more!  Here's some pics from the lookout spot!

Baked Beauties!

Now that I am back home, I am cooking!  I made banana bread 2 ways here, 1 with nuts, 1 with chocolate chips!

Here's the yummiest peanut butter and chocolate cupcakes you will ever have.  There's a surprise in the middle!

Baby Asher

On Father's day we got to meet this little guy!  April and Richard invited us to the dedication at thier church.  So thankful for a growing family!

San Diego Beach Day

Jimmy came to bring me home from San Diego!  We had a day together to play and of course we were on the beach.  6 weeks of being apart was not easy but it definitely put things into perspective.  We just celebrated 6 years of wedded bliss.  There is no one else I would rather be at the beach with!

"Some people....

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same”

 

It was nice to see these two when they came to San Diego for a quick visit as they took a road trip up the coast.  Rossana and I have been through a lot together.  Even though she's in Houston, we still manage to keep in touch!

Time alone

I was able to spend an evening along in OB.  Got a pedicure, got some chinese food to-go.  Room Service was getting old and I needed a change of pace!

This is an awesome spot for Sushi and Tapas.  The Joint is a great little spot for beer and some good eats. 

Ocean Beach

I have liked OB for some time now.  For the past 5 weeks, living in San Diego has been interesting.  I have been able to do and see some things that I probably never would have seen and done, not having this experience.  Pictured above is the beach from OB. 

My assistant and I went to the South Beach Grill.  Here's a pic of our food.  Taking time to enjoy the scenery and eat good food is important!

Mother's Day!

Finally having some fun and getting out!  Had a visit from some of my fave peeps!  Anne, Carly and Jamison spent the weekend in San Diego with me!  We went to sea world, spent some time at the pool and just had a blast!  The only way it woulda been better was if the hubby was able to join us!!!