Country Mouse and City Mouse

I am now back to school after one glorious Spring Break. The first part of my break was spent in the Big Apple with my sister and best friend from KU, Jess. Adam was too sweet to encourage me to go on the girls trip. It was such a blast, but way too short. We walked the city, had some great cocktails, did some shopping, and had some wonderful food. And one night, Jessica's roommate even hosted a dinner party. It was so elegant and I was able to meet all sorts of fun people! This dinner party came to such a fun close when her neighbor came over and sang/played some old tunes for us. It was awesome. I can't wait to go back! I fall in love with New York each and everytime I visit. The city is so huge and diverse that I have a completely different experience each time. Love you Jess! Thanks for being the best hostess! (I just wish I took more pictures!!)

My sweet hubby picked me up from the airport and we began the second half of Spring Break with a Tex-Mex date;) Such a wonderful welcome back to Texas! The rest of my break was spent spring cleaning, organizing, and lunching or shopping with my mama. It was the perfect week off. We even finished the break by hosting a neighborhood crawfish boil at our house. It was so fun and so great to get to know all the neighbors even better. Life is good!

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!

Yep! Let the good times roll~ thats exactly how I'm feeling! Happy Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday to you. We did not get to go to Mardi Gras this year, but we have definitely been celebrating Mardi Gras all week long:)

HERE IS HOW WE CELEBRATED:

First, we hung our new Mardi Gras wreath. This is the one I pined over from etsy and am obsessed with. I will probably leave it up for a while!

Second, we ordered cream cheese King Cakes straight from the Big Easy from the famous Haydel's Bakery for each of Adam's clients. This made a huge impression- especially since so many oilfield businessmen are from Louisiana.

Then, last Friday we saw our favorite Zydeco band, Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band, play live in Houston at the Hideout outside the rodeo. Did we go to see the rodeo first? No. Did we pay admission to Reliant just to see Keith Frank at the Hideout? Yes. It was well worth it and we had such blast with our besties Hayley and Garman.

Check out our two favorite Keith Frank songs below. So fun! Just makes me want to be on the lake in the summertime...

Last but certainly not least, we wrapped up our own Mardi Gras season tonight! I cooked my mom's recipe for New Orleans Red Beans and Rice and it was delish!

Happy Mardi Gras y'all!

Selman Intermediate

Last I updated about my career move I was just beginning my journey toward becoming a teacher. Last I mentioned I was just starting a longterm sub job in Sealy for a 4th grade teacher on maternity leave. Well it has now turn into love! Ha! Early February I wrapped up that first assignment in 4th grade and the next day I started my second longterm assignment for another teacher on maternity leave. This time- 5th grade. I am in the middle of this assignment and I couldn't be happier at Selman Intermediate in Sealy,TX. Next week is Spring Break and the following week I will start my third longterm assignment for yet another teacher on maternity leave. This teacher will not be returning and I will finish out the school year here at Selman. I will be teaching 5th grade science and social studies. I am really hoping for a full-time position here at this wonderful school, but unfortunately as I am sure all of you had heard, our state has had some major cut backs in the area of education. So, please say a prayer or two for me! I would be so very happy to be a teacher here, so keep those toes and fingers crossed. I will continue to update you on this exciting journey. I am having the time of my life and loving every minute of this new found passion.

GO TIGERS!

Sangria Blanca

Last weekend myself, my mama, and a group of our girlfriends hosted a beautiful wedding shower for our bride-to-be Megan Carnes. Sorry for the poor quality in the photo above. All I had was my camera phone, but you get the idea. It was such a blast! My friend Christy made the most delicious white wine Sangria, so I just had to share it with you all. It would be perfect for any gathering. It was so refreshing and definitely not too sweet- which is something I am always cautious about with fruity Sangrias. Try it out:)

Ingredients:
1 bottle Pinot Grigio

1/4 cup super fine sugar
1 lime, thinly sliced
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1 Granny Smith, cored and thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups seedless green grapes, sliced in 1/2
1 cup apple juice
1/2 bunch fresh mint leaves
Pinch of salt
1 (12-ounce) can seltzer water

Ice cubes

Directions:
In a large pitcher combine the wine and sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the remaining ingredients, except the seltzer, and mix well. Put the pitcher in the refrigerator and let the sangria sit for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours. Just before serving, stir in the seltzer and ice cubes.

Speaking of Christy- her and her beau Jason recently became engaged! I couldn't be more excited! And to top it off I am going to be a bridesmaid. What an honor! They have set the date for a beautiful, outdoor Fall wedding in the country on October 8th, 2011. I am so thrilled for these love birds. We love you Christy and Jayce!

xoxo

Happy Birthday Adam!

Happy 26th to my hubby! You deserve all the best and more. I couldn't be more blessed with a better husband. You put up with my antics and let me be me:) More than that, you are the toughest, yet most tender hearted man I have ever met. Here's to you my love!

My Wreath Frenzy

One of my favorite things of being a homeowner- wreaths! I love hanging wreaths for each holiday and/or season. I feel like its such a fun way to add some charm to your front door and express a little personality:) Last Christmas Hayley and I actually made wreaths and it made me so happy! I have my eye on a few wreaths I just might purchase on Etsy. First course of action- a Mardi Gras wreath of course. When I was a little girl I loved how my mom always hung a Mardi Gras wreath when we lived in Louisiana. My favorite part about this one I found- the creator named it "Throw me something mister!" Gotta love it!

Here is the wreath I have my eye on for Easter

I saw this one and feel like it shouts summer! Plus, I love that it reminds me of Kansas:)

Call me old fashion, but I just love these silly things. Its the little things I guess!

Sitting Shotgun

New name, new look, same blog! Thats right I have been busy changin' it up a bit. Sorry its been a while, but I have been in a transition. You can now find me at "Sitting Shotgun!" Yes we are still living our "Happily Ever After," but as we are approaching our two year wedding anny I decided to ditch the wedding themed blog and change it up a bit. I think this fits me well!

I hope everyone is having a glorious 2011. We definitely are! We have been busy and have lots of updates, so stay tuned...

A Roarin' New Years Eve!

As you may have gathered, we hosted a Prohibition Era/Roaring Twenties New Years party at our house. We had some great jazz playing, "bootleg" cocktails, and a beautiful Champagne cake from Mara at "Better than Buttercream." Not to mention, it was such a hoot seeing everyone's attire. It was an absolute blast! I took pictures during the first few minutes and never touched my camera again. Sorry there aren't many pictures! But, thanks to all our wonderful friends and family for joining us in ringin' in 2011. I think its going to be a good year!! Yay!

A Christmas Whirlwind

Why have I not updated in a while? Because we have been so busy in the month of December. Now that things are finally calming down, I have so much to share that I have no idea where to begin. Guilty! Okay...here goes my friends...try to stay with me;)

December 11th. Our annual girls White Elephant party, with the guys if course and such a great night!
Then..we had the Allis Chalmers Christmas Party on December 16th. Its especially fun on an occassion like this that Adam works for the same company as my dad:) The party was at the Magnolia Hotel downtown where my parents had a suite, so we were able to stay with them. Such a blast!


The very next morning I got an exciting phone call! Sealy ISD where I have been subbing called to offer me a longterm sub position. I am currently teaching 4th grade in Sealy for a teacher on maternity leave. It is ever so exhausting, but I'm loving every single minute of it! This is one important thing I really wanted to do before I apply for full-time teaching jobs. I have also discovered that I love this age of kids!

December 17th Adam and I loaded up the Tahoe and headed to New Braunfels for his sister Emily's wedding weekend! We arrived to the beautiful Gruene,TX around lunchtime where Adam dropped me off for the bridal luncheon. The wedding weekend officially began!


Here are pics of the rehearsal dinner..

The wedding partay.. The wedding day! The wedding was absolutely gorgeous and such a great time. We love you Emily and Rusty! (PS- I have no idea why many of my pics are sideways- my bad)








Then..We arrived back in Katy the day after Em's wedding to greet Nic and Jill from Atlanta. They were with us throughout Christmas and it was such a joy. We did so much, but most of all we enjoyed spending time with family.

Nic and Jill's first night, we celebrated Dad's bday at Lupe's!


Seeing The Christmas Carole and dinner downtown!


And a family dinner party at our house, topped of with a game of "Things!"


A laidback night with friends at the winery in Bellville always makes for a fun night! Maybe too much fun??

So, are you still there? I know its alot! Below are the pics of my most favorite day/night of the entore year, Noche Buena! This is Christmas Eve when we celebrate Christmas Cuban-style with black beans, roast pork or PIERNA, and all the fixins. Many close friends and family join us for this delicious feast after Christmas mass. In the last few years, Adam's mom and dad have joined us for this occassion which makes me more than happy. I just love when we can combine family traditions like this!


And finally, for Christmas day! We started out in East Bernard at Emily and Rusty's with Adams entire side of the family, and then we ended the day back at my parents house where Victor was finally able to join us in exchanging family pressies!

We wrapped up the season by visiting Victor at Prince of Peace where he gave a beatiful homily on The Feast of the Holy Family. It meant to much having our family all together on this day.
I hope you all had as wonderful of a Christmas as we did! We couldn't have been happier. Stay tuned for pictures of our "Roaring 20s New Years Eve" soon...