Tuesday, July 30, 2013

pickled progress...

I have really been wanting Pluckers fried pickles and Mr. T, great husband that he is, got all the supplies to make his version of my favorites at home this weekend!
Ingredients included: 
smashed corn flakes, buttermilk with eggs and Louisiana hot sauce, flour, pickles, and canola oil
{While the oil was getting hot, T dunked the pickles in the milk, then the flour, and finally the corn flakes. His fingers were also well coated for frying!} 
{Our first batch cooked quickly and turned dark brown in what seemed like an instant - maybe the peanut oil would have been worth the $21 they were selling it for - but with more of a watchful eye, the second set was juuuust right! A little ranch for dipping and I felt like I was sitting on Bluebonnet in Baton Rouge enjoying my favorite fried pickles!}

Other cooking adventures of the weekend:
Beer Bread that we used for grilled cheeses
Black Bean and Cheese Dip with chorizo tacos
Oven Roasted Tomatoes at family dinner

Of course nothing tops Mom's work in the kitchen. For family dinner this Sunday we had teriyaki grilled chicken, zucchini boats, homemade guacamole dip, oven roasted tomatoes, roasted red potatoes with onion, and a fruit pizza for dessert!
{Hudson tried on his dad's glasses- doesn't he kind of look like the Jerry Maguire kid here?}

-post title inspired by this blog-which is now siddathornton-

Friday, July 26, 2013

sliding into my 30s...

I can't believe it, but I guess it must be true. I'm 30! The big three-zero. It might have been an excellent form of denial or just a really good idea, but Jennifer and I celebrated our big day by playing lawn games, grilling, and slip-n-sliding with friends and family! It was a really good day. If this is what 30 looks like- I think I'll just stay put, thank you.
{dork alert:: I got super excited when I did well in croquet. 30 going on 13?}
{cutie-patooties!}
{Chessi made this amazing homemade cheesecake with gingersnap crust. I could have eaten the entire thing! And how gorgeous is her display?}
{Justin, Katie, and I took out the Hobie kayak. Unfortunately, it was right as the water got choppy! It was quite the work out for Katie and I to pedal the kayak with the two of us; I don't know how Justin did it all by himself with a sail!}
I like that I am continuing to try something new on my birthday. Last year I went on a hot air balloon ride and did the Shreveport-Bossier Film Trail!
 
What would you say is the best thing about your 30s? And if you haven't yet met 30, what are you looking forward to about it?



Wednesday, July 3, 2013

strolling around the Caldwell Zoo...

Russell organized a friend's outing that was also kid friendly - we spent a day at the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Tx! As we have so many little ones in our group, this was a perfect adventure and I was very proud of the turn out. I'm not sure if I took more pictures of babies or animals, but here's a look into our day at the zoo!
There is just something about the wonderment in someone's eyes when they see or learn something new. Probably my favorite part of the day was seeing all my friends teach their child (or children) about the animals we were there to see.
{Brown Bear is Parker's favorite book and Shelley was so excited to show him a real brown bear!}
{new friends or old friends, we all had fun!}
{It was a hot day, but there was a lot of shading for the visitors and the tenants.}
 {Ever heard of a Bongo? Hey, look! I just taught you something!}
{This venomous cottonmouth snake just stared at me...as if he were thinking "If only that glass weren't there little lady, I'd bite your FACE!}
 {Uncle Precious!}
{When it just got too hot I opted for a cherry snow cone! I went from sweating to goosebumps in seconds.}
{Leslie? We're coming to find you...}
{Did you know I used to collect elephants? That is until Mimi heard about it and all i got for Christmas and birthdays were elephant things!}
{I was most excited to see the giraffes. They are such funny looking creatures, no? With weird horns and hairy tails. Must be nice to have a built in fly swatter!}

It is such a short trip from Shreveport, I recommend it for all families as a nice day trip. Happy 4th of July! I hope you have a wonderful holiday :)
 

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