For years I have realized that I am a paper clip snob. Only the jumbos will do for me. Those small-sized, insignificant paper clips simply don't do the job adequately. If I want to clip things together, I want a substantial coil of wire to hold my papers in place. It occurred to me while teaching school that I was requesting jumbo paper clips from the office when I was needing more paper clips. The small size is flimsy and annoying. Doesn't do its job.
I buy multiple boxes of jumbo paper clips at Sam's. Always like to have a steady supply!
A Southern lady can require a lot of ice for her iced tea and her Coca-Colas and her ice water. Not only am I a paper clip snob, but I am also an ice snob. I buy bags of ice from the grocery store or a close convenience store. Somehow the ice cubes in the ice maker in the freezer just don't measure up.
As if the ice weren't enough, I'm ALSO a straw snob. Restaurants that use dinky little straws just annoy me. I love those thick, substantial plastic straws from the likes of Sonic, Whataburger, McAlister's, and McDonald's. Chick-Fil-A used to have those sissy straws, but now they have nicer, thicker ones. Good straws rock.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Must have been in the bathroom . . .
So. When computer whiz genes were passed out, I must have been in the bathroom.
I never intended to start this blog. I was just trying to post a comment on Betty's Blog and VIOLA! I ended up on the page to start your own blog. Sounds intriguing, I thought. And here we are. Pink blog and all.
Once again, I was just trying to reply to the first comment posted on my blog (Thanks, Lizzie!) . . . . and I end up making MYSELF a member of my own group of followers. How uncool is that? It lists ME as one of my own members. Sounds like I'm a little self-absorbed.
Always a new wrinkle to keep things interesting . . .
Maybe I'll actually figure out how to attach photos and put a picture of myself on my profile. Stranger things have happened . . . .
I never intended to start this blog. I was just trying to post a comment on Betty's Blog and VIOLA! I ended up on the page to start your own blog. Sounds intriguing, I thought. And here we are. Pink blog and all.
Once again, I was just trying to reply to the first comment posted on my blog (Thanks, Lizzie!) . . . . and I end up making MYSELF a member of my own group of followers. How uncool is that? It lists ME as one of my own members. Sounds like I'm a little self-absorbed.
Always a new wrinkle to keep things interesting . . .
Maybe I'll actually figure out how to attach photos and put a picture of myself on my profile. Stranger things have happened . . . .
Monday, July 20, 2009
Fashion Police. Not.
So Saturday evening I was getting ready to leave the house since Mick and I were meeting Scott & Carla at Papacita's for supper. I'm standing in the bathroom curling my hair. I happen to have on a gigantic sundress (turquoise with hibiscus ---hibisci? hibiscuses?---on it and little tiny spaghetti straps) since I was wearing it like a housecoat. Kind of a giant moomoo with teensy straps. Obviously I was putting on makeup and fixing my hair in this big comfy dress before putting on the actual clothes I'm wearing out in public. Mickey comes in and says, "Are you wearing THAT?"
I'm thinking to myself, "Has he ever seen me in ANYTHING besides black pants or black capris in the last four years or so?" Hmmm. I'm also thinking that surely he knows I have more fashion sense than to wear what looks like a ginormous turquoise tent out in public. I wouldn't even walk to the mailbox in that since people could actually SEE me from their cars as they are driving down the road. My eyes are saying something like "I can't possibly believe you just asked me that question" and "are you kidding me?" and "after 31 years of marriage, don't you know me better than that?" as I exaggeratedly roll them in his direction.
The Fashion Police he ain't.
And just for the record, I wore black capris with a white tank top and black and white checked camp shirt along with black Clark sandals and sterling silver jewelry. My purse was pink. I looked just like I look every other time I ever go out in public. Like a middle-aged schoolteacher! :)
I'm thinking to myself, "Has he ever seen me in ANYTHING besides black pants or black capris in the last four years or so?" Hmmm. I'm also thinking that surely he knows I have more fashion sense than to wear what looks like a ginormous turquoise tent out in public. I wouldn't even walk to the mailbox in that since people could actually SEE me from their cars as they are driving down the road. My eyes are saying something like "I can't possibly believe you just asked me that question" and "are you kidding me?" and "after 31 years of marriage, don't you know me better than that?" as I exaggeratedly roll them in his direction.
The Fashion Police he ain't.
And just for the record, I wore black capris with a white tank top and black and white checked camp shirt along with black Clark sandals and sterling silver jewelry. My purse was pink. I looked just like I look every other time I ever go out in public. Like a middle-aged schoolteacher! :)
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Gruene Beans
While traveling with my girlfriends last week to Gruene, Texas, (pronounced like the color "green") I was entertained by noticing how many plays on the word "green" that the business owners and townfolk came up with. As we perused the menu at the historic Grist Mill restaurant, we saw Gruene beans offered as a side dish. They were quite delicious actually. Fresh green beans cooked with tomatoes and garlic. Yum-o, Rach! You could whip those babies up in less than thirty.
Besides the bean dish, there was a shop called Gruene with Envy and a hotel (or maybe it was a bed & breakfast) called the Gruene Apple Inn. That's just right up my alley. I could spend days trying to think of clever ways to use Gruene. I also managed to spend some Gruene while I was there, too, . . . . . . . . .
Besides the bean dish, there was a shop called Gruene with Envy and a hotel (or maybe it was a bed & breakfast) called the Gruene Apple Inn. That's just right up my alley. I could spend days trying to think of clever ways to use Gruene. I also managed to spend some Gruene while I was there, too, . . . . . . . . .
Friday, July 17, 2009
the bee's knees
So --------------- I read an article in a magazine this week that says middle-aged women typically have trouble with their knees. Been there, done that. Random pain that comes and goes in the left knee. For over a year now, it hurts for several days and then is okay for awhile. I try not to overdo when it is hurting. It causes a real kink in the well-planned exercise routine with the personal trainer when I show up at the gym and declare I can't do all the stuff he has mapped out for that day's workout. I try to look pitiful for better effect.
The miscellaneous pain is getting more intense. Couldn't ignore it --- so now I'm scarfing down anti-inflammatory drugs and doing the heat pack thing. Had x-rays and blood tests and everything. A visit to the doctor lets everyone know that at least I'm trying to find a cure for this intermittent agony. (I'm pretty sure I misspelled intermittent. That bugs me -- but not enough for me to go find a dictionary. Well, maybe I spelled it right after all. I went ahead and clicked on spell-check and it thinks I'm great with spelling.)
My husband is trying to be sympathetic and concerned. "Do you think the spider bite caused it?" he asks. (The spider bite happened in 1994.) "I don't really think so," I reply sweetly. "After all, the spider bit me on the OTHER KNEE!"
The miscellaneous pain is getting more intense. Couldn't ignore it --- so now I'm scarfing down anti-inflammatory drugs and doing the heat pack thing. Had x-rays and blood tests and everything. A visit to the doctor lets everyone know that at least I'm trying to find a cure for this intermittent agony. (I'm pretty sure I misspelled intermittent. That bugs me -- but not enough for me to go find a dictionary. Well, maybe I spelled it right after all. I went ahead and clicked on spell-check and it thinks I'm great with spelling.)
My husband is trying to be sympathetic and concerned. "Do you think the spider bite caused it?" he asks. (The spider bite happened in 1994.) "I don't really think so," I reply sweetly. "After all, the spider bit me on the OTHER KNEE!"
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Deja vu all over again
The Jeans had lunch in Fredericksburg on Wednesday at a much-recommended restaurant called The Peach Tree Tea Room. The food was delicious, and as soon as I began looking at the menu, I realized that I had purchased the cookbook from this tea room for Mama when Lizzie was a freshman at A&M. That fall after Liz had back surgery, I spent a lot of time in the Barnes & Noble right across from the A&M campus while waiting for her to get out of class. I had to drive Liz back and forth to class for a while. Everyone in the family got a book from me that Christmas that I picked out from Barnes & Noble. How neat to remember that connection. I'm hoping that I got that cookbook when Daddy let us have cookbooks last Christmas. One of the girls might have ended up with it.
My lunch at The Peach Tree was the sandwich sampler (chicken salad, tuna salad, and jalapeno pimiento cheese) and avocado soup. Delicious.
It is SUPER hot here. Wednesday was 106 degrees with a heat index of 113. Makes everyone feel a little nauseated. Sweaty, too.
Thursday found us in Gruene, Texas. We ate lunch at the famous Grist Mill. Open air but lots of ceiling fans. Really good waiter. I had a yummy turkey sandwich and lots and lots of iced tea. As we walked around the historic buildings filled with little shops everywhere, I hear this voice saying "Hello, Miss Rebecca!" There stood Terri and Jeff! I knew they were coming to Fredericksburg and surrounding areas this week, too, but was still surprised to see them! They had come to the Hill Country with their travel trailer, Jeff's truck, and the Harley. Both were in their Harley garb. They got to officially meet the Jean Girls and we, of course, had to take pix!
After ending the day at our next destination of San Marcos, we had supper at Cracker Barrel. My FAV!!! Of course I had to have some beans & greens --- along with the Thursday special turkey & dressing. I never miss a chance to have turnip greens!
My lunch at The Peach Tree was the sandwich sampler (chicken salad, tuna salad, and jalapeno pimiento cheese) and avocado soup. Delicious.
It is SUPER hot here. Wednesday was 106 degrees with a heat index of 113. Makes everyone feel a little nauseated. Sweaty, too.
Thursday found us in Gruene, Texas. We ate lunch at the famous Grist Mill. Open air but lots of ceiling fans. Really good waiter. I had a yummy turkey sandwich and lots and lots of iced tea. As we walked around the historic buildings filled with little shops everywhere, I hear this voice saying "Hello, Miss Rebecca!" There stood Terri and Jeff! I knew they were coming to Fredericksburg and surrounding areas this week, too, but was still surprised to see them! They had come to the Hill Country with their travel trailer, Jeff's truck, and the Harley. Both were in their Harley garb. They got to officially meet the Jean Girls and we, of course, had to take pix!
After ending the day at our next destination of San Marcos, we had supper at Cracker Barrel. My FAV!!! Of course I had to have some beans & greens --- along with the Thursday special turkey & dressing. I never miss a chance to have turnip greens!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Willie, Waylon, and the boys
Today we went to Luckenbach, Texas. Population 3. Basically one main building. A decrepid old frame building that used to be the post office. Looks about the same as it did in the '70's. I don't remember when or why, but I went to Luckenbach with Baylor friends in college or with Mickey when we were living in Austin. Now the place is pretty much a gift shop with Luckenbach souvenirs. There is a dance hall out there, too, now. And a string of porta-potties. It is apparently a big deal music and drinkin' place in the evenings. The Jean Girls had a great time talking to Virgil, the store guy. Quite a colorful character. Naturally we had photo ops with him. Then, lo and behold, when we walked into the Fredericksburg restaurant for supper (Andy's Seafood and Steak House), there sat Virgil with a blonde. He continued his friendly banter with us across the restaurant. Apparently meeting the Jeans was a real highlight of his Tuesday.
We also went down the road from Luckenbach to Boerne today. Love these central Texas towns. Beautiful really old stone and frame houses and buildings. Nice shops. Especially antiques. We had lunch at El Chaparral and enjoyed some great Mexican food. Since JH has daughter #1, son-in-law #1, and grandson #1 living very close to Boerne, they drove over and met us for lunch. Grandpa RH was even with them since he babysits grandson #1 sometimes. Got to see that whole branch of JH's family. She's the first among us to be a grandma.
After dinner, we checked out Fredericksburg's one and only movie theatre. There was quite a crowd there to see "The Proposal" with us. The whole bunch laughed and laughed. Great chick flick.
Tomorrow we spend the day in Fredericksburg. We haven't spent time in all those cute shops downtown yet. Shopping! Fun day coming up tomorrow.
We also went down the road from Luckenbach to Boerne today. Love these central Texas towns. Beautiful really old stone and frame houses and buildings. Nice shops. Especially antiques. We had lunch at El Chaparral and enjoyed some great Mexican food. Since JH has daughter #1, son-in-law #1, and grandson #1 living very close to Boerne, they drove over and met us for lunch. Grandpa RH was even with them since he babysits grandson #1 sometimes. Got to see that whole branch of JH's family. She's the first among us to be a grandma.
After dinner, we checked out Fredericksburg's one and only movie theatre. There was quite a crowd there to see "The Proposal" with us. The whole bunch laughed and laughed. Great chick flick.
Tomorrow we spend the day in Fredericksburg. We haven't spent time in all those cute shops downtown yet. Shopping! Fun day coming up tomorrow.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Fine Dining
The Traveling Jeans have safely made it to the Texas Hill Country. After arriving in Bastrop on Sunday evening, we had reservations for dinner at the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort & Spa in the fancy restaurant -- Stories Fine Dining Establishment. Exquisite! Very expensive, too, but worth it for a truly memorable experience.
Dinner began with a tiny fresh tuna appetizer and followed with wonderful green salad and amazing breads. We had European style butter topped with cayenne pepper & olive oil and also a delicious 1015 onion relish with the bread. I ordered iced tea and got a tiny pitcher of warm simple syrup to sweeten my tea. I had the duck which came with a fig conserve and asparagus and sweet potato hash. Wow. Who knew I like duck? The entree was white duck meat and included in the hash was dark duck meat. CT had the lobster with corn chutney, bacon, and avocado. FD and JH had the duck like I did. Dessert was a work of art. I had chocolate mousse with blood orange sorbet. JH had the same while FD had cabernet and dried cherry homemade ice cream. CT tried the mango torte with pomegranate sorbet. That was kind of like mango cobbler.
The Jeans never miss a meal --- but we usually don't dine in such fancy establishments. It makes a wonderful memory to do something special every now and then though. There were four chefs in the open kitchen that we could watch. You would have thought we were watching the Food Network live! One of the chefs came out to talk to us about our dinner. Yum just doesn't describe how good that meal was.
Somehow even though we stuffed ourselves last night, a new day dawned and we were hungry again! As we traveled from Bastrop to Fredericksburg, we stopped in the quaint town of Wimberley which is similar to Salado. Lots of little shops, art galleries, etc. We had some of the best sweet potato fries EVER at the Wimberley Cafe. They were served with chipotle ranch dipping sauce. We all shared an order --- but wished we had each just gotten our own basket of fries and not ordered anything else. OINK.
The week promises many more culinary experiences. After all, there is Cracker Barrel not too far away!
Dinner began with a tiny fresh tuna appetizer and followed with wonderful green salad and amazing breads. We had European style butter topped with cayenne pepper & olive oil and also a delicious 1015 onion relish with the bread. I ordered iced tea and got a tiny pitcher of warm simple syrup to sweeten my tea. I had the duck which came with a fig conserve and asparagus and sweet potato hash. Wow. Who knew I like duck? The entree was white duck meat and included in the hash was dark duck meat. CT had the lobster with corn chutney, bacon, and avocado. FD and JH had the duck like I did. Dessert was a work of art. I had chocolate mousse with blood orange sorbet. JH had the same while FD had cabernet and dried cherry homemade ice cream. CT tried the mango torte with pomegranate sorbet. That was kind of like mango cobbler.
The Jeans never miss a meal --- but we usually don't dine in such fancy establishments. It makes a wonderful memory to do something special every now and then though. There were four chefs in the open kitchen that we could watch. You would have thought we were watching the Food Network live! One of the chefs came out to talk to us about our dinner. Yum just doesn't describe how good that meal was.
Somehow even though we stuffed ourselves last night, a new day dawned and we were hungry again! As we traveled from Bastrop to Fredericksburg, we stopped in the quaint town of Wimberley which is similar to Salado. Lots of little shops, art galleries, etc. We had some of the best sweet potato fries EVER at the Wimberley Cafe. They were served with chipotle ranch dipping sauce. We all shared an order --- but wished we had each just gotten our own basket of fries and not ordered anything else. OINK.
The week promises many more culinary experiences. After all, there is Cracker Barrel not too far away!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Love that Irving!
Happy Fourth of July! The first thing I heard this morning (before 6:00 a.m.) was "Happy Fourth of July!" from the tall thing on the other side of the bed. Mick is such a light sleeper that he knows when I wake up. He woke up early because he is moving the tractor from the red house all the way to church to mow . . . and then on to his mother's to mow behind her house. Tractor-moving is a bit of an undertaking since tractors go slow on busy highways between here and there. Getting an early start is a real must.
Folks who know me realize that I like all sorts of music and I would be hard-pressed to pick only one favorite song. However, if I HAD to pick, "God Bless America" would be my very favorite song of all time. That Irving Berlin really wrote a good one. That's saying a lot for me to pick that song as a fav over Christmas music! Last year Mick and Lizzie sang a patriotic medley in church (arranged by the church pianist, of course!) that included "God Bless America". Everyone made a big fuss over how wonderful they were. I agree. That Lizzie can really sing. (And just in case you didn't know, Mickey used to make up songs and sing them to me when we were dating. That should have been my clue that he is a regular goofball some days. We are such a fun family! ha.)
I'm off to pack my suitcase. Tomorrow it is Hill Country or Bust with the Traveling Jeans.
God bless America! :)
Folks who know me realize that I like all sorts of music and I would be hard-pressed to pick only one favorite song. However, if I HAD to pick, "God Bless America" would be my very favorite song of all time. That Irving Berlin really wrote a good one. That's saying a lot for me to pick that song as a fav over Christmas music! Last year Mick and Lizzie sang a patriotic medley in church (arranged by the church pianist, of course!) that included "God Bless America". Everyone made a big fuss over how wonderful they were. I agree. That Lizzie can really sing. (And just in case you didn't know, Mickey used to make up songs and sing them to me when we were dating. That should have been my clue that he is a regular goofball some days. We are such a fun family! ha.)
I'm off to pack my suitcase. Tomorrow it is Hill Country or Bust with the Traveling Jeans.
God bless America! :)
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Toes and Toe Pix
I have totally stepped out of the box and tried a brand new shade of toenail polish. I'm usually a Fire Engine Red or Hot Pink toenail polish girl to go with my every season black wardrobe with the red or hot pink accessories. However, in the spirit of summer fun, my toes are currently sporting a perky shade of Electric Coral. Sort of orangish, pinkish, neonish cheerfulness. Happy feet. These toes will knock your socks off.
Since I will be embarking on my annual summer Jean Girl trip on Sunday with my three tried and true friends and traveling companions, a pedicure was a necessity. (The explanation and history of the Jeans as well as compelling stories of why naked toes are unacceptable is sure to be a hot topic for a future blog, but it will be a cliffhanger for now . . .)
My toes are so bright, I've gotta wear shades. :)
Since I will be embarking on my annual summer Jean Girl trip on Sunday with my three tried and true friends and traveling companions, a pedicure was a necessity. (The explanation and history of the Jeans as well as compelling stories of why naked toes are unacceptable is sure to be a hot topic for a future blog, but it will be a cliffhanger for now . . .)
My toes are so bright, I've gotta wear shades. :)
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Orientation Day
Whoa! Big surprise! Welcome to my new blog!
I'm loving reading Elizabeth's blog while she is in Ireland. Emily also kept us posted on her travels in Dublin and London this summer on her new blog. I've been thinking how fun it would be to have my own blog --- except I really don't think my life is that interesting for an audience to want to follow. However, somehow in trying to comment on Lizzie's blog, I was just trying to log in and I managed to get to the page where I create my own blog --- and here I am.
This is just like the first day of school. Clean slate. I'll probably be like Doogie Howser . . . just keeping a little running diary on the computer.
I'm loving reading Elizabeth's blog while she is in Ireland. Emily also kept us posted on her travels in Dublin and London this summer on her new blog. I've been thinking how fun it would be to have my own blog --- except I really don't think my life is that interesting for an audience to want to follow. However, somehow in trying to comment on Lizzie's blog, I was just trying to log in and I managed to get to the page where I create my own blog --- and here I am.
This is just like the first day of school. Clean slate. I'll probably be like Doogie Howser . . . just keeping a little running diary on the computer.
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