Saturday, November 24, 2012

MY HEART AND SOUL













Tuesday, November 20, 2012

The best way to a person's heart is through their tummy tum tum.


AND.SOMETIMES.IT.IS.A.HOMERUN.


If you know me at all, one single bit, you know these things about me. I AM:

BETTY
FAMILY
FOOD
WINE
FAMILY
WINE
BETTY
BETTY
FAMILY
MUSIC

So you get it. We are foodies. We are family. We are wine. AND WE ARE LOVE.

Today I walked into Poppy's house to multiple boxes and packaging and meat from not only the Salt Lick in Austin but LOBELS (hungarian butcher shop in Manhattan) AHEM.

Someone who gets how much food means to this family: tasting, smelling, enjoying, bonding, burning and tasting again, topped with a good bottle of wine.

Sent me the ultimate gift (other than his chickens): veal chops, habanero smoked turkey, salts, peppercorns, TRUFFLE BUTTER, LAWD IT JUST DOESN'T END.

Who I am to the core is everything listed above. Food brings us together, cooking brings us together, wine brings us together (more than we wish sometimes), and MAN.I.AM.THANKFUL.


Wednesday, November 14, 2012

CAPTAIN RICKY

Well, after one month at the new gig I have picked my favorite co-worker and he took the prize with flying colors. And trust me, everyone I work with is uber nice and lovely. But Ricky? Oh Ricky.

The first time I met him I thought his look seemed distant and glazed. Deer in the headlights came to mind. He's certainly young....20 maybe. Doubtful. Probably 18. I spoke to him and if he responded it was very quiet and muffled. Slow, I thought or very very shy. One month later? FIRECRACKER. For now, my office is in the back of the building where the shop is, so I get to see all of the guys come and go. This is also where Ricky works or rocks as I like to say.

Things I like about R Dogg:

Not sometimes, but EVERY SINGLE TIME he comes down the stairs, he slides on the rail. His hair is longish and it sort of catches in his fast flight. I have yet to see him walk down the steps unless his hands are full. He also stumbles at the end of the stairs sometimes when he lands which is super cute. We're not talking a step, people. He catches some serious air.

He works with the radio on full blast. No headphones and no shame. He cranks it up and I can hear him singing over all other noise in the shop through my office window.

He says funny stuff. For example, he just walked by my office and said, "Hey, watch out for carpal tunnel." I type a lot and he's dang right. THANKS RICKY!

He shocked the shit out of me. These are the people I like the most in this world. Peel an onion, there's lots of layers. Totally not conforming to what the world thinks, reminding people like me to never judge a book by its cover. Lessons. Simple lessons that happiness comes in so many capacities. Ricky is EXCITED and GRATEFUL to be in the shop singing and sawing and flitting about. My next lesson? Stair rail please.

Friday, November 9, 2012

BE HERE NOW



Alarm.
Coffee.
Yogurt.
Biscuit.
Eggs.
Apple juice.
Vitamin.
Feed those damn chickens who have yet to lay one single egg.
Shower.
Pack lunch.
Pick out two outfits.
Shoes.
Brush teeth.
Roll hair.
Different shoes.
Wave goodbye.
Drive.
Work.
Work.
Work.
Grocery store.
Work.
Work.
Work.
Drive.
Homework.
Feed those damn chickens who think it's funny to sneak in the house and jump on the refrigerator.
Cook dinner.
Bath.
Roll hair.
Books.
Tickle back.
Say prayer.
Night light.
Glass of water.
Dishes.
Bed.

Alarm...........

I cannot begin to explain how much kindergarten has changed our lives. We were somewhat regimented before, but this, along with my new job, has created a VERY STRICT ROUTINE. I live for the weekends these days when I am not constantly in a time crunch and bossing my little around 24/7. I will admit it's been stressful. I am a freebird and although we have flourished this certainly isn't who I am at the core. My friend Kader told me I could move to Africa and Betty could be a village child. I considered it. I have scaled back on traveling and eating out and even NO WINE DURING THE WEEK. WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?. And with all of it, a new perspective. The importance of the little things has never been more clear. As I type this, I am honestly giddy about a fire, posole and a big fat glass of wine. Thinking about staying up until 10:00 p.m. and sleeping until 8:30 a.m. is almost too much glory to bear. I.AM.A.WILD.WOMAN.

And then, there's this.......a tiny voice in the middle of the night that whispers, "Momma can I snuggle close to you? I had a bad dream." and she puts her little face right in my neck and I feel as if my heart is going to burst. And when I drop her off at school, she stops dead in her tracks and blows me kisses which I return. One of the teachers sees the exchange, looks at me with the biggest smile and puts her hand on her heart.

Whatever I have done, wherever I have gone, THIS IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. Happy Friday!!! Cheers to the ladies!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

TRICK OR GOLDFISH!

I cannot possibly imagine where she gets these crazy Halloween ideas from.........

Halloween on Barkley Street is a big deal and I mean BIG. Tons of pumpkins, dressing up, passing out ridiculous treats (mostly living breathing goldfish this year), scaring small children. You know. HALLOWEEN!

So along with the Avatar, we had a:


Scary monster mummy person.
 

Who compared to the Wolf last year was an EPIC FAIL in the scary department. 

And a:
You guessed it! Pissed off Japanese Minnow Farmer. 

We consumed these shots at a bar in College Station after my sister dunked her Aggie ring. Deathly but such a great great costume idea!!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM THE KOOKS ON BARKLEY STREET.

NO FAIRY PRINCESSES HERE THIS YEAR

Firstly, I HAVE GOT TO STOP LISTENING TO MUMFORD&SONS RADIO on Pandora. Songs I have not heard in FOREVER that literally take the air out of my lungs. GASP. TURN IT OFF!!SHEESH.

Moving on, speaking of GASP. Look at this little girl. Because what 5 year old doesn't want to be an Avatar for Halloween? Quite frankly, I wasn't real hopped up on the idea that she had even seen the movie. It's rated PG-13 so last year when she asked I said no way jose. But she pleaded again this year. I caved and started researching just what the heck an avatar looks like. Blue. Mainly blueish. Let me tell you, other than a constant wedgie (her legs grew 6 inches from the time I ordered to delivery), she was FRACKIN' precious.


And those eyes? Those piercing blue soulful eyes? GASP.......................