Great State Fair of Texas

We took advantage of Steve having a Friday off for BU's Fall Break and headed up to the State Fair. This is an annual tradition for us and we enjoy getting to experience all that the state fair has to offer including yummy food (fried of course!), fun animal shows, shopping, and the show at Music Hall. This year Karen and Anna went with us and we enjoyed showing Anna, who is from Germany, around the fair.

One of our favorite shows the bird show. It's always fun to see.

This year we were there for the rabbit judging. This little one is appropriately called a "lion head" rabbit.

Although we didn't try it the big winner in food was Fried Butter ( I don't think so!). There was always a long line to try some out. We did enjoy a corny dog and funnel cake.

Bill Geist, CBS reporter, was there and enjoying some of the same events we did.

We LOVED the fair show this year, Mary Poppins. Steve and I saw the original production in London and thought the US tour was even better!

Big Tex

Karen and Anna

And at the end of the day this is how we felt... full, happy and tired!

THE Concert

When Steve found out that U2 was going to be in Dallas he knew we had to go. We both thought this was THE BEST concert. I hadn't been to a really big concert like this besides NSYNC (I can't believe I'm admitting to that :). Cheryl and Rich came along and we had tons of fun. The concert was at the new Cowboys stadium which was very cool. Steve even found and wore his Joshua Tree Tour shirt from 1987. Here some pics...

some house pics

Steve and I waited a little while to hang pictures in the new house. We wanted to make sure they were in the right place but of course I always second guess them once they're on the wall-ugh! We have a ton more to hang but we got a good start. So here a few pictures to show you what we've done so far...
We had to rearrange the dining room due to a vent being blocked by the china cabinet (the things you find out when you get your ducts cleaned). I really liked it the other way but I'm sure I will get used to this arrangement. I'm thinking we are going to paint this room some shade of red but one thing at a time :)


Here's our den. The picture didn't turn out great but you get the idea. The bookcase is filled with some of our favorite pictures. On each side are black and white pictures from our travels to Italy and Paris. We were so pleased at how they turned out! Steve's favorite part of this picture is the new HD tv :)

It only took me 7 years to get my cross wall up! I got my first cross as a wedding gift and have done some collecting since then. We now try to purchase a cross as one of our souvenirs as we travel.

We still have lots of blank walls but the good thing is that we still have lots of pictures to hang. I enjoyed putting our fall decorations out for the beginning of October but I really looking forward to decorating for Christmas.

land of the living

It's been awhile so I thought I would update on what's going on with us. Steve and I both are fully recovered from having Swine Flu. It wasn't horrible but it lingered for awhile and we both missed most of a week of school. At least we've gotten it and we don't have to worry about it anymore. We both got the regular flu shots this week so hopefully we have done some preventative medicine. We continue to work on the house. It's been fun and this week we are finally hanging pictures so pics will be coming soon.

I feel like I'm back to the land of the living... why you may ask. Well, for the past 5 weeks my eyes have been swollen and still are. They haven't hurt and my vision hasn't been affected which are good things. Still, 5 weeks of swollen eyes is not fun. Now my actual eye balls are swollen and blistering (gross, I know). Some days are better than others. I've been avoiding some places/people since I look puffy but I decided I have to get over it and move on. I've been 6 doctor appts. and most seem to think it's allergies to something. We moved out of our house for a week and they didn't get completely better so although it may be something in our house it is others things as well. We now have clean air ducts at home which is a good thing I guess. I have started back on allergy shots which we're (me and my allergist) are hoping will work a little magic. I went back to church today after missing for several weeks, it was WONDERFUL!! I'm so blessed by our church and our friends at church.
So that's what's up with us. I hope everyone is having a great start to fall!!!

Just a few words Wednesday

Well, they got their own and now Steve and I both have it, lovely! Let's hope the fever goes away soon!!

Cooking with Julia

Last Saturday we saw Julie & Julia with Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. It's a fun movie and I think Meryl Streep did a great job! Well, we were inspired to try out Julia Child's French cooking. We choose Boeuf Bourguinon, a recipe featured in the movie and a dessert that didn't have to be cooked~ Chocolate Mousse (since we only have one oven). Although it took about 7 hours start to finish we had a BLAST trying something new. It evened turned out pretty good :) I did less cooking and more picture taking. So enjoy our night with Julia.

Here's Steve studying the cookbook. Gotta read the recipe very carefully!

Anna is an exchange student from Germany who is living with Karen this semester. We have had tons of fun introducing her to American traditions and fun. I'm sure she thinks we're crazy sometimes!

Essentia cooking for me, cookbook and Youtube with video instructions on preparation :)

Karen chopping, Steve browning the meat

Hard at work with little bitty onions

While we waited for it to cook Steve and Anna worked on some math homework

Tada, Boeuf Borganon~ Julia Child style.

Karen hard at work on the mouse, you had to mix it over hot then cold water. What a pain! But TOTALLY worth it, it was so yummy!

I was in charge of melting the chocolate.

And for dessert, Mousseline Au Chocolat

To continue on our great night we introduced Anna to The Sound of Music! She enjoyed it even with Karen and I singing along. It was a fun end to a day full of new experiences in the kitchen. Not sure how much we'll use Mastering the Art of French Cooking but who knows!

Better View

I thought I would give you a better view of the rocking chairs I mentioned in my last post. As I said before my sister had these waiting for us on the day we moved in. It certainly made my day since our closing did not go as plan and there was a lot of anxious moments waiting for Fannie Mae to get their act together. At last we came home and even though we couldn't get in yet we could enjoy part of the house. Our previous house didn't really have a porch so this is a great addition.