Where has she been?

Running.  I've been running since September and the blister on the toe of my right foot can verify that for you.  Don't worry, I won't post a picture of it. 

More posts coming soon!  I promise!

The Co-Op.

We recently joined a local food co-op.  Every week we get an email with a list of different bags of food to choose from.  There's usually a meat bag, a produce bag, and a breakfast bag.  When you get the email you either opt in or opt out for that week.

A few weeks ago we got a bag of meat.  This week we got a bag of produce.  And a couple of nights ago we had our first fully organic meal from the co-op.

Umm... YUM YUM!!!  That there is grilled steak, mashed sweet potatoes, and steamed sweet peas.  

Love it when a meal comes together like that!  Now what the heck do you do with bok choy?!

The Visitors.

Over Labor Day weekend we had some visitors come to town.

This is Lance.  Lance is Cody's English Bulldog.  Cody is Shane's brother.  Bulldogs used to gross me out.  

 

Until I met Lance.  

Lance made himself right at home.

Right.  At.  Home.

Brownie wasn't really a fan, but he let Lance nap near him towards the end of the visit.  

Smoothie Goodness.

My favorite treat this summer... Smoothies.  I make them as my recovery drinks for after training.  It's an incredibly easy way to get your fruit servings for the day.

I just grab one cup of whatever flavor of yogurt, pour either a 1/2 c. of milk or 1/2 c. of orange juice in the blender.  Then I add a scoop of my chocolate protein mix and frozen fruit... whatever frozen fruit is on hand.  I like blue berries, or strawberries, or raspberries.  Blend it all together and pour in pretty glass. Or pour into two glasses, one for the boy and one for me.  Oooh!  And add a little honey if you want, so yum!

DESSERT. nuf said.

I had to work tonight.  It was a three-course work night.  And this was the last course... dessert.  I'm going to call it Chef Doyle's Dessert. 

Dessert is my favorite.  Especially when it involves chocolate mouse filled cones. 

And a peach torte on chocolate ganache with a fried orchid on top and strawberry paint.  Yes, I said "fried orchid."  As in the flower.  Yes I said "strawberry paint."  As in the yummy red stuff underneath all that goodness. 

And this was the aftermath.  I so wanted to finish that peach torte but I just couldn't.  Man I wanted to though.  While the first 2 courses were wonderful, this dessert was like fireworks!

Rain Celebration!

It rained!  It rained and we were so excited!  It rained Sunday morning and we were so excited!!

We were so excited that after we woke up and saw that it had rained Shane started cooking a yummy breakfast to eat outside on the deck.  It was glorious.  It was chilly.  And it was still sprinkling.

This is fried eggs, pulled pork, tomatoes and toast.  Oh yeah and mimosas!  That new smoker is starting to pay off.  Underneath the eggs is smoked pulled pork that was reheated in the skillet and crisped-up on the edges.  Does that make sense to you?  I don't know, but we use very technical culinary terms around our house.  :)

Dallas

Friday at about 10 in the morning, I made a split second decision.

I was driving to downtown Dallas to surprise a friend.  You see, my dearest friend Audra is in Dallas for a girls' weekend with her mom.  Audra and Rebecca have kept in touch since they met at our wedding and were planning on getting together for drinks  Friday night.  So I decided to show up on the fly.  Rebecca was in on the surprise, Audra had no clue.

This is Audra.  This is Audra after she regained her composure.  When I walked into the place, she looked at me, turned her head, then looked again.  Just stared at me.  Completely blank.  For about 10 whole seconds.  It was awesome.  Then she exploded with excitement.  

We later met for some of these.

And shared one of these.  

It was pretty much epic.  

Love you ladies!