a little ambitious

If you're looking for a Christmas cookie project that will take an entire afternoon and yield 9 whole cookies, I can recommend this one: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/12/decorated-christmas-cookies/

disaster averted

We put up our Christmas tree this weekend and Mariel (one of my yw) helped us decorate it. When we were finished putting all the decorations on we realized there was nothing to go on the top. Luckily she had her water colors and exacto knife with her (you don't always carry your's?), and she whipped up the perfect angel.

one more

One more Thanksgiving picture. Because occasionally I can be sentimental, and having these ladies (and K) come visit was really fantastic.

Thanksgiving Regatta

When the Saltzman's think of a funny idea, we make t-shirts. When the Campbell's think of a funny idea, we spend the entire Thanksgiving day building boats and then racing them on a nearby lake.

The other team's boat may have gone the tiniest bit faster, but our contestant had lots of room to stretch her legs and a comfortable lawn chair to sit on. At the end of the day, isn't that what you really look for in a cardboard boat?

Its how the English say it

(It makes the most sense if you read it in Nicki's accent)

word humor - its not for the faint of heart

For Halloween we went as Chilean miners (I'm a Chilean minor). Get it??

Most of the people at the party we went to did not get it. Nor did they think it was very funny. Mostly the combination of TJ's moustache and my pigtails elicited suggestions that TJ was a less than savory character. Oh well - we thought it was funny.

Guinea

Our friends work for the State Department and were assigned to Guinea. GUINEA. (That's Africa).

We wanted to make sure their farewell party was appropriately themed, so we had monkeys,

we had a trivia game,

and we had a safari.

In the absence of real blow dart guns, we had to make do with pvc pipes and marshmallows.

We'll miss the Hayes - but they're going to have some great stories!

mad construction paper skills

One evening I left TJ home watching football while I went to see Hairspray with friends (it seemed the kinder thing to do). When I came home the couch was covered in these:

To be fair, I did request some safari animals. TJ took my request and ran with it.

also

TJ really likes sports and building things and guns and spicey food and punching stuff and explosions and action movies and steaks. Stuff like that.

something tj's college roomates will appreciate

This weekend I was complaining that I didn't understand why my efforts at decorating in the bedroom just weren't looking right. TJ responded in a slightly exasperated voice,

"Of course it doesn't match, its a traditional French style picture frame above an Arts and Crafts dresser."

Silly me.

you know something's wrong when...

- TJ willingly goes to bed at 9:30pm

- Getting up later than 5am is now a luxury to be enjoyed only on the weekends

(say hello to your newest early morning seminary teachers!)

Another Day

Another trap.

Another possum.

Another undisclosed location.

latest update

conclusion - take two

Not so long ago, I wrote a post titled "conclusion". In the post I talked about how we had finally solved our pest problem and possums and racoons would longer be hassling us. Well....that didn't quite turn out to be true. But this weekend we caught a few and kindly relocated them. NOW, we really have solved our pest problem and possums and racoons will no longer be hassling.

Please???

(These last two are a good illustration of why 'freezing' is a terrible defense tactic. He had to shake the cage for a good while to get it to crawl out.)

White Linen Night

I've decided the problem with Houston summers is branding. The words that usually spring to mind are hot, sticky, humid. Silly me, I was just using the wrong adjectives.

Another Heights tradition. All the shops around the Heights stay open through the evening and showcase different artists and bands.

Derby Girls

We checked out the Houston Roller Derby. The team from Austin that the movie Whip It was based on was there - complete with the original Babe Ruthless. It was defintiely a cultural experience.


Of course we had to have honorary roller derby names. Please meet Margaret Hatcher, Anne Grenade and Jessica take-em Downs.

Little Shop of Horrors

Burgers and musicals in the park.


Let's give TJ another try at that.

here's to trying new things

We've been eating at the Pizzeria Bel-Sit for the last 18 years. During that time, Michelle has only ever ordered one dish.

Until last week.

She traded Pizza Fru Fru for Carbonara - I don't think its going to happen again.

Afternoons spent in tea rooms in Rye, lunch at country pubs, brazilian food at St. Catherine's Dock, crepes at sidewalk cafes in St. Christopher's Place, french pastries from Pauls, sundaes in Leicester Square...

....I did do things other than eat while I was home last week, honest!