Happy Holidays!

The past week was a blitz of Christmas activities and a quick trip to Portland, but somehow I only managed to take the following pictures. I can't tell you exactly what compels me to take a photograph, but it's apparently random....and little strange. Here you go....

While shopping for an HBU shirt in the HBU bookstore, I came across this lone donkey in an HBU shirt. What. the. heck?. HBU's mascot is a husky. Why on earth was there ONE little DONKEY decked out in an HBU shirt?! Absurdities like this make me very happy. I bought it.

On Saturday, December 18, I flew to Portland, Oregon. They've been having an unusually dry December and that Saturday was gorgeous with clear, blue skies. The first thing I saw when I stepped off the (tiny) plane was a clear view of Mount Hood. Beautiful! The rest of my days in Portland were gray and cloudy, but it never really rained. I kind of wish it had.

My first stop, after picking up my rental car, in Portland was IKEA. Then I went to Petsmart where I found this adorable pit bull luggage tag! Which I bought. For myself. I'm much better at Christmas shopping for myself than I am for others.

I spent 3 nights in Portland, 2 of those nights were with Erin! And Leonard! Since I moved from Portland Erin and her boyfriend, Chris, moved into a new apartment in North Portland and got a dog (Leonard). Their apartment was so nice, it was so gracious of them to let me stay with them, and I had so much fun!

After church on Sunday, I came out to my rental car and found that I was parked behind an SUV with a TEXAS license plate! This excited me. Who goes all the way to Oregon only to be excited about seeing a license plate from the state they live in?!

At my favorite thrift store, Village Merchants, I found this fur purse. Of course I did. I had been eyeing one at JC Penny in Houston that cost $40. This one cost $8! Gosh, I love that thrift store!

On my last morning in Portland I ate a pumpkin bagel with cinnamon cream cheese and Stumptown coffee, while observing cool Portland people, do cool Portland things on their Macs. 

I also went shopping on NW 23rd and found this hotdog necklace. No, I didn't buy it. I'm not spending $22 on a hotdog necklace. But I did buy 4 sequined scarves (to give as gifts), an Eiffel Tower key chain, and a new collar for Henry.

My flight back home was crazy and annoying. When we landed in Houston one guy asked the flight attendant, "where do we get our luggage?". She looked at him like he was an alien and responded, "At baggage claim". That's just one example of the lou-lous that were on that plane.

My flight got into Houston at 12:45 am on Wednesday, December 21. That night we celebrated Christmas with my mom's side of the family and I made this veggie lasagna. I adapted it from this recipe.

At Powell's Bookstore in Portland I bought Henry's sister, Cali, this natural, organic, cotton-filled toy that was made to look like a stick. Before I had a chance to pack it up and send it to Georgia, Henry found it, chewed on it, ripped the tag off, and got it muddy. Merry Christmas, Cali!

My Christmas present wrapping theme this year was lime green and silver.

I received a gift on my dad's side of the family in this cat bag. At first glance I thought it was a lion dressed like Santa. Later I realized it was just a regular cat with a Santa hat on, but I loved it nonetheless.

Greg (my cousin's husband) gave me said gift in said cat bag. Here he's modeling one of the sequined scarves I bought in Portland.

My cousin Denise's baby, James.

I made these cinnamon rolls for Christmas Eve brunch. I made these for the first time in 2008 I think and now they've kind of become a tradition. I use the Pioneer Woman's recipe and they're really not that difficult to make. And they are honestly the best cinnamon rolls I've ever eaten. I half the recipe.

Henry receiving his Christmas gift.

Henry's favorite part of Christmas was playing in all the wrapping paper and with all the boxes. It brought my heart such joy to see him so happy.

Here's a close up of the collar I got Henry in Portland. It made from recycled neck ties and he looks sooo handsome in it!

Henry, modeling a scarf I received from my brother and sister-in-law. Isn't he dashing?

This collection of pictures in no way truly represents my Christmas, but it is what it is. 

Merry Christmas!

Homemade S'Mores Party!

Look at that delicious chocolate and bright, white, fluffy marshmallow!

This past September my friend Ashley I took a weekend trip to Austin. While we were in Austin we had s'mores for dessert at this little coffee/wine/dessert place on 6th Street (we're so wild). To toast the marshmallows they had this little mini fire at our table. It was really funny because when the server put the fire on our table he instructed us not to light our marshmallows on fire and wave them around the restaurant. I guess they'd had problems with that...


As were we eating our s'mores, and commenting on how good they were, we came up with the bright idea of making our own homemade s'mores, with homemade marshmallows and homemade graham crackers. Back then it was only a dream, but last night we made it a reality!

The marshmallow recipe was actually really easy to follow. They were made in 13 x 9 inch pan, which made one GIANT marshmallow that had to be cut into smaller cubes. Which was fun! I was surprised at how easily the giant marshmallow came out of the pan and how easy it was to cut it into cubes. Just make sure you have plenty of powdered sugar on hand. It makes things less sticky. 

Once a marshmallow cube was cut, I dipped all six of its sides in powdered sugar so that they wouldn't all stuck together in the bag. 

 Here are all the marshmallows, happy in their Ziploc-bag home. Ready to be eaten. Homemade marshmallows are so soft. Seriously. It's a wonderful sensory experience. They're like little, heavenly pillows. I want to jump in a giant pile of homemade marshmallows. 

On my way to the s'more-eating event, I saw this beautifully decorated tree. Huge, old oak trees are one of my favorite things about Houston... 

Ashley made the graham crackers...

Paula bought the chocolate and melted it in her fondue set...

The finished product. We didn't toast the marshmallows (which I still kind of want to try), but the chocolate was melted from the fondue pot and everything was very delicious and rich. 

Paula enjoying a marshmallow while Samuel enjoyed an intense game of Monopoly ;)

Ashley enjoying a s'more...

The recipe...

Springy, Fluffy Marshmallows 

From Smitten Kitchen

3 1/2 envelopes unflavored gelatin

1 cup cold water, divided

2 cups sugar 

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 egg whites 

1 tablespoon vanilla 

Oil (I used Crisco) bottom and sides of a 13 x 9 inch rectangular metal (I used glass) baking pan and dust bottom and sides with some powdered sugar.

In the bowl of a standing electric mixer or in a large bowl sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water, and let stand to soften.

In a 3-quart heavy saucepan cook sugar, corn syrup, second 1/2 cup of cold water, and salt over low heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, until sugar is dissolved. Increase heat to moderate and boil mixture, without stirring, until a candy or digital thermometer registers 240 degrees, about 12 minutes. Remove pan from heat and pour sugar mixture over gelatin mixture, stirring until gelatin is dissolved.

With standing or a hand-held electric mixer beat mixture on high speed until white, thick, and nearly tripled in volume, about six minutes if using standing mixer or about 10 minutes if using hand-held mixer. 

In separate medium bowl with cleaned beaters beat egg whites until they just hold stiff peaks. Beat whites and vanilla into sugar mixture until just combined. Pour mixture into baking pan and don’t fret if you don’t get it all out. Sift 1/4 cup powdered sugar evenly over top. Chill marshmallow, uncovered, until firm, at least three hours, and up to one day.

Run a thin knife around edges of pan and invert pan onto a large cutting board. Lifting up one corner of inverted pan, with fingers loosen marshmallow and ease onto cutting board. With a large knife trim edges of marshmallow and cut marshmallow into roughly one-inch cubes.Sift remaining confectioners’ sugar back into your now-empty baking pan, and roll the marshmallows through it, on all six sides, before shaking off the excess and packing them away.

Marshmallows keep in an airtight container at cool room temperature 1 week.

Butterscotch Haystack Bars

For several years now I have made Butterscotch Haystacks every year at Christmas time. Normally, butterscotch haystacks are comprised of Chinese noodles, salted peanuts, peanut butter, and butterscotch chips.

Butterscotch Haystacks from Christmas 2009

A couple of weeks ago I saw a recipe for salted nut bars, which sounded good, but as I looked at the recipe I ingeniously realized that those ingredients could easily be altered to create Butterscotch Haystack Bars!!! I couldn't wait to make them!

The result? Delicious! Do I like them as much as I like butterscotch haystacks? Yes, but in a different way. The classic butterscotch haystack is very crunchy due to the noodles. These bars are definitely softer, but there is still a crunch from the noodles and peanuts. I would say these almost borderline on fudge....I'm not exactly sure what technically qualifies a sweet as being "fudge", but these must be close.

I am absolutely in love with the salty sweet combo in these bars and that they're so easy and quick to make! If you love butterscotch haystacks, I would encourage you to give these a try.

Butterscotch Haystack Bars
adapted from Bake or Brake
1 1/2 cups Chinese noodles
1 1/2 cups salted peanuts (no skins)
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup peanut butter chips
3 Tablespoons butter
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups miniature marshmallows

In an ungreased casserole pan (use 11x7, 9x13, or mine was 10x10) evenly spread the noodles and 3/4 cup of the peanuts.

The noodles.  

The peanuts. 

In a medium saucepan melt the butter, peanut butter chips, and butterscotch chips over low heat. Add the sweetened condensed milk and the mini marshmallows and stir until the marshmallows are completely melted and the mixture is smooth.

Pour the mixture into the pan, over the noodles and peanut, spread evenly and sprinkle the other 3/4 cup peanuts.

Refrigerate to let the bars set up. Then cut  and serve either cold or at room temperature. I prefer them at room temp for sure.

Look! Fall leaves in Houston! I know it's December....but still! Fall leaves!

When it's Cold in Houston...

Cold weather in Houston seems unnatural. Awkward almost. Like Niles Crane in a football uniform or something. When I'm cold in Houston I feel like Houston is trying to be something it's not. Heat, humidity, steam, and sun - that is Houston's natural state.

This image came up when I googled "snow in Houston". Ha.

Since I moved to my new apartment at the beginning of October, I have been more acutely experiencing the weather in Houston. For most of the fall it was still warm and humid. Therefore, my apartment was warm and humid. I have a small window AC unit, but I think it doesn't work properly, needs the filter changed, or window AC units just suck in general. This is my first experience with a window unit, but I will say it doesn't seem to keep me cool unless I'm standing directly in front of it without any clothes on. Not that I do that.

In the past week or so Houston has gotten cold. And I don't mean just cold for Houston (we get chilly in the 60's). I mean actual cold. Cold as in 30's and 40's. That's cold, right? And while my apartment has a crappy little AC, it has no heating element whatsoever. Unless you count the oven, which sometimes I do.

My first night in my apartment since it's turned cold, it dawned on me rather quickly, that wearing a sweatshirt and piling a couple of extra blankets on my bed was not going to suffice. I made a quick trip to Target and purchased a small space heater and an electric blanket. God bless the person who invented electric blankets. When it's cold in your home, there is nothing better than getting in a toasty, electric blanket-heated bed! It's heavenly and makes the cold actually kind of fun. The only problem is, now I don't want to get out of bed in the morning. Warm electric blanket versus frigidly cold apartment? The only thing that helps is knowing that I can drink coffee with this creamer (I only drink it at Christmas time):

For some reason last night's cold was especially bad. At one point I could see my breath. In my home. Cold. My toes felt numb. The water from the faucet was so cold it hurt while I was brushing my teeth. My computer was too cold to touch (stupid aluminum). My facial moisturizer felt like it had been in the refrigerator. All my clothes feel like they've been in the fridge. My towel doesn't dry after my shower.

My solutions? Coffee. Wine. Cooking stuff in the oven because it heats the whole kitchen. The famous electric blanket. The space heater (which is really only effective if it's pointed directly at you and at close range). Hot baths. Hot showers. Sweatshirts. Long socks. Boots. Scarves. My coat I bought for Chicago. I haven't worn gloves in my house, but that might be next. House slippers. Layers. Flannel pajama pants.

This probably sounds crazy to people who are accustomed to cold weather, but in Houston it's really pretty novel. I'm actually excited that I get to wear my flannel pajamas and that they actually keep me warm instead of having to peel them off in the middle of the night because I'm too hot. That's what I keep telling myself: to enjoy wearing scarves, sweatshirts, and a coat because it's so rare in this part of the state.

I'm also looking at the overall situation of lacking central heat/AC in my apartment as an opportunity to experience life more fully. We live in a modern society where we can make it feel like winter inside when it's really 112 degrees outside. But for most people, throughout history, they've had to experience the elements. If it was cold or hot outside, they were cold or hot inside. So, I try and glamorize and romanticize it that way. Like I'm a character in a book set in the 1700's or something.

It's also more natural, creative, and cheap. I like the idea of acting appropriately for the season. Dressing warm in the winter, eating and drinking hearty, warm things seems appropriate. Dressing lightly in the summer and eating fresh fruits and drinking cold drinks also seems appropriate. Not having central heat/AC saves a lot on my electric bill as well.

I have no idea how long I will live in this apartment, but for now I'm really enjoying it....cold and all. Plus, this is Houston, it could be back in 70's by this weekend. I love this city.

Monchichi

I am about to tell you a story, a story of redemption!

When I was a very young child I had a Monchichi book that I LOVED for my parents to read to me. I also had a stuffed Monchichi that sucked its thumb. At some point my mom donated my stuffed Monchichi to charity because she thought I didn't like it anymore. I was devastated and twenty-something years later I still long for my Monchichi.

Tonight my family celebrated Christmas with my dad's side of the family and my cousin's husband, Doug, and I were reminiscing about childhood toys and how they are becoming retro-cool. We mentioned Strawberry Shortcake, Rainbow Brite, GI Joe, and then Doug brought up Monchichi. I got really excited and told Doug my Monchichi story and about how much I loved and missed him. Then Doug told me something that really excited me: he said that he had recently seen stuffed Monchichis for sale at Target. Immediately I called my mom over and told her that we needed to go to Target and get a Monchichi. She didn't seem that impressed, but said ok that we could go look for them.

A few minutes later, in the middle of the family Christmas, my mom came up, obviously hiding something behind her back and said that she had an early Christmas surprise for me.... It was a miniature stuffed Monchichi!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was so excited! He has on a little blue bandana and he's really cute. It was SO weird that Doug and I just happened to start talking about Monchichi and then my mom already had one for me!

I know it's ridiculous to be so excited about a kid's toy, but it just has so many fond memories for me and I've seriously wanted that doll back for over 20 years. The Monchichi in my life has been redeemed!

Merry Christmas!

Tonight my brother I am were reminiscing about cartoons we loved as children. We were trying to remember the lyrics to the Alvin and the Chipmunks theme song. We got home tonight, I found this:

And this:

The Chipmunks were my favorite! Merry Christmas!!!

Things You Don't See Everyday

I work at an elementary school that is located in inner-city Houston - as in the skyscrapers of downtown Houston are in walking distance. It is a very urban area of town. Not a place that you would expect to encounter livestock.

So, I was really shocked one morning this past week when I turned down Trulley Street in Houston's Third Ward and saw a horse. Yes, a horse. I think I did a triple take and of course I had to take a picture. Evidently someone in the area keeps horses and it looks like this one escaped. He had a big gash on his back leg, so I'm guessing he either hurt himself in the escape or he was abused. As I was gawking at the horse, I saw an HPD officer driving down the street. I'm assuming he got the horse some help because it wasn't there after school. So weird.

For Labor Day weekend I flew to Atlanta to drive back to Houston with one of my friends who had been visiting family for the past couple of weeks. On our drive back we decided to spend Sunday night in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (originally we wanted to stay in New Orleans, but that's another story).

This morning we ate breakfast at Another Broken Egg Cafe - which was delicious! They were understaffed and somehow they lost our order, we had to wait forever, but then they ended up giving us our breakfast for free! We were so excited and hadn't even minded waiting at all. I love it when businesses have great customer service - it's so important and it makes me want to be a loyal customer. If I lived in the Baton Rouge area I would for sure be a loyal patron of Another Broken Egg. They were also nice to my friend's dog and let the dog sit with us in their outside dining. If you live in or pass through Baton Rouge, you should check out Another Broken Egg, they also serve lunch. Their website says they have other locations as well (none in Houston though).

The funny thing was, my friend ordered the pancake - on the menu it said "1 large pancake" and they weren't kidding! This is the biggest pancake I've ever seen. I never thought I'd see bigger pancakes than the ones they serve at the Buffalo Grille, here in Houston, but this one wins for sure. My friend could only manage to eat about a fourth of it. I was so tickled by it!

San Antonio, Texas

This past weekend, to celebrate the beginning of Spring Break, my roommate and I took a trip to San Antonio. Incidentally, everyone kept asking us if we were on Spring Break...which I thought was interesting because we both happen to work for a school district, so our answer was yes, but otherwise we're both well past college age. It seemed like people assumed we were still in college. I guess when you're 26 and people think you're still in college, that's not really a bad thing, is it?

We left Friday morning, and after running a few errands for my job, our first stop was West, Texas (as Gourmet magazine put it: not West Texas, but West COMMA Texas). West is known for their kolaches and it's true, they are so good!

We drove on Interstate 35 so we got to go through Austin and when we weren't far from San Antonio we stopped in Gruene near New Braunfels. I've always loved Gruene. When you're driving there it really looks like you're in the middle of doing-nothing, Texas and then suddenly it's like you're in a little village in the South East or something. It's hilly with lots of trees and a river, so pretty. Of course we went to the Gristmill where we shared chicken fried steak and the best mashed potatoes ever. Then we visited the general store and it was back on the road.

The end of last week and the weekend were kind of rainy and cold all over Texas. The rain made our drive to San Antonio longer than it should of been and not really as fun. We got there in the evening, checked into our hotel, and went to walk along the riverwalk.

I hate cold weather. And everytime I've been to San Antonio (which is many times) it's been hot. And I mean HOT. Like sweat pouring down your back, 95+ degree weather kind of hot. So, to be cold in San Antonio was really very weird to me. It actually kind of reminded me of our trip to San Francisco in December. Friday night was the coldest, rainiest night of the weekend.

We ate dinner at Casa Rio, the place with all the colorful umbrellas that you see in pictures of San Antonio. That was fun, even though we didn't get to sit outside. We also got gigantic chocolate covered strawberries - which has always been a tradition for me in San Antonio. Ever since I can remember going to San Antonio, I can remember always getting a chocolate covered strawberry. My earliest memory of this happened when I was 4: I could only eat half of my strawberry, so I gave it to my mom, to put in her purse for safe keeping. A day or 2 later, when we were back home in Houston, I asked my mom where my chocolated covered strawberry was. Being the honest person that my mother is, she told me that she ate it! As a little child, I was dumbfounded, I had trusted my mother with a prized possession and she had eaten it! And I could only get another one in San Antonio! It was my first lesson in betrayal. I'm just kidding! But it did make an impression on me...obviously, because I still remember it. Let this be a lesson to parents: you can't pull a fast one on your kids, what you do when they're 4, they'll remember when they're 26.

Saturday morning we went to a cute coffee shop called Sip. Then we went shopping at the Market, where I got a purse...that I'm rewarding myself with when I lose 10 lbs....or when I get really sick of carrying the purse I'm carrying now...whichever comes first :) We walked around the Alamo and went in the gift shop, which I think is always the most crowded spot in San Antonio. 

For lunch we ate at Chris Madrid's - a hamburger place that was so crazy and crowded! They are known for their "tostada burger", which is a hamburger with cheese, refried beans, tortilla chips, and salsa on it. It was very good. I want to try to recreate it (in a somewhat healthier version).

Saturday night we went to Mi Tierra in the market for dinner. We got there kind of late and they told us the wait was going to be 2 hours! It ended up being much shorter than that, but we still didn't eat dinner until 11:30! Mi Tierra is open around the clock though. When we were kids, this fascinated my brother - at random times he would say, "is that restaurant open now?"

Sunday we slept in and had breakfast, which turned into lunch, at The Magnolia Pancake Haus, where there was also a 1-2 hour wait! San Antonio needs to build some more restaurants. :)

When we got home last night, we made a quick trip to Target because we didn't have any groceries. Then we stopped at Chipotle to grab some dinner and when we got back in the car, AJ's car wouldn't start. We had dinner and a car full of groceries. Thank God (and my dad) I have AAA. They had the problem fixed and we were on our way home in less than 30 minutes. I sound like I'm making a commerical for AAA...

I'm so glad this week is Spring Break! I'm still working at my other job, but I'm off from the school job and it's nice to have a whole week to relax and do fun stuff!