Monday, April 26, 2010

Spring Explorations

Happy Monday all!

Or is it happy monday to me? haha, sometimes I think this blogging thing is a great exploration into writing to myself. and my mom. She reads it. Sometimes. haha...oh well. If nothing else, I am documenting our big life adventure that is life in the South. Someday I'll compile them all in a book and leave them for the generations.

I need to do a better job of posting. We have been doing a lot this spring and enjoying some incredible weather! Not kidding, its been beautiful for the past 6 weeks. Sunny and in the 70s. The past two weekends have included some awesome travel around our new state.

Word on the street suggested that Texan wildflowers are the thing to see once spring hits so my friend Jenny and I jumped in her Mini and headed to Brenham Texas- 2 hours from Galveston. Between Houston and Austin, Brenham is a cute little town with a fabulous downtown full of antique shops and cute little restaraunts. We found some country roads and headed all around to see fields and fields of wild flowers. I am kind of obsessed with wildflowers - I think they are just gorgeous and so unimanicured and wild :-) Makes me think of the Jars of Clay song, "Love Song for a Savior" too. Awesome song.

We also checked out a few wineries which was fun. Pleasant Valley winery was my favorite by far - I picked up a super bottle of white that I uncorked last night. A delicious addition to my guitar, sandaled feet and wicker porch chair.

Anyway, there were blues and oranges and yellows all over the green HILLS. yes. there are hills in Texas. I was doubtful, but I found some. It was so nice to get away from palm trees for a bit and into the shade of some "real trees." Tall, leaves (not fronds), "oaky". you know what I'm talking about.

This past weekend we got to go camping too with folks from our new church. This was pretty cool - we have always wanted to go camping with our church back home but it was often hard to get people together. Well, Galveston Bible church goers LOVE CAMPING! hello - have we met our church mecca??!! a church full of Crunchy granola liberals who love Jesus??!! LOL. ok, I won't go that far :-). They are a wonderful group of folk who continue to keep Andy and I in the wonderful political tension space that is the moderate independent voting class. (go Obama ;-). GBC is similar to our home church back in Baltimore in this regard and we are thankful for that.

So, good stuff all around. I am thankful for a great trip back home over Easter and ask for prayers on the job front. Its a little slow these days and i am anxious to change the world. Patience is a virtue that I am developing whether I like it or not.

Peace and hugs friends.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Beef. Its whats for Dinner

Good day bloggers.

Theres been alot going on the past few weeks. Its nice to see that our calendar is getting somewhat full with fun new things to do and see. I am really looking forward to these next couple of months. We've got a camping trip scheduled, my first triathlon is coming up, and we will also hopefully take a jaunt somewhere fun for our anniversary. Good stuff all around.

Andy suggested I start off my next blog with some of the details of our recent jaunt into the world of Barbecue. As many of you know, Andy is particularly fond of all things meat. Thus, Texas is just the right place for him to be. He often says that if nothing else, he will leave here with a PhD in barbecue. (We also hope that he leaves with another degree while we're at it...I think we'll be successful there too. ha! )

Steaks, Chickens, and pork abound here on Winnie Street as Andy gets acquainted with his recent birthday gift. A charcoal/gas griller combo - we found a great deal on this thing and are having a blast. Not only is it tasty, but its super fun to cook together. I really love to cook and so have always enjoyed putting stuff together for us. Now Andy is getting into the game and is looking up all kinds of recipes. Heres some pics to get your taste buds watering










YUMMO!!