[Flashback] March 2013: Cowboys and Highways

Have you ever been to a Rodeo?  Well, if you're planning to visit Houston, make sure it's during the Houston Livestock show and Rodeo.  We were there this year and it was really fun!  Incidentally, "the 2013 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo attendance reaches an all new-time high with 2,506,238 visitors. This number exceeds the city of Houston population."  

I wanted to watch Bruno Mars but by the time we bought the tickets, it was almost gone.  We ended up sitting at the topmost level of Reliant - notice the aluminum siding behind us (3rd row, right most).  It was a nice concert - two children seated in front of us were grooving to his every song... they were a sight to watch as well.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo 2013

One of the long road trips that we did this year was when we attended our dear friends wedding at Hilton Head, South Carolina.  It took us a day and a half of easy driving where we ate a lot of good food.  On the way to NOLA (New Orleans, LA), we ate at Steamboat Bills in Lake Charles where we tried their shrimp etouffe pistolette.  WOW!  We arrived at 9 pm  where we had a late dinner at Deanie's Seafood.  We got to try their Barbecue Shrimp.  Delicious!

The next morning, we made a quick tour of The French Quarter and of course, we grabbed our Cafe du Monde beignets and cafe au lait.  The place is usually packed but we were fortunate that we were able to sit and enjoy.  Have you ever had a Po-Boy?  It is a traditional submarine sandwich that is served on a New Orleans style French bread.  Johnny's Po-Boys is one of the oldest and popular restaurants serving PoBoys. Oh boy, there was a long line when we got there and it took us 40 minutes to be served.  

It was a long and nice drive to Hilton Head.  The venue was beautiful and the wedding was lovely!  We were able to make a day trip to Savannah, Georgia.  We rode the Old Town Trolley which was cool because we were able to learn about the area and walk around.  We got to to try Leopold's Ice cream - it's a place with “Good Things to Eat. Good Things to Drink."

Wedding at Hilton Head, SC
Savannah, GA
Crazy Crab , Leopold's Ice Cream

See those Crazy Crabs?  Oh... yummy!  When you're there, try their "she crab soup" and those fried goodies that they call "hush puppies."
It was a wonderful vacation.  Good food.  Great company.
'Twas great to see loved ones and friends once again.

Cheers!
♥  michelle ♥

Steamboat Bill's
1004 North Lakeshore Drive
Lake Charles, LA 70601

Deanie’s Seafood 

1713 Lake Avenue

Metairie, LA 70005

Telephone:  (504)831-4141

Cafe Du Monde
800 Decatur Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
Telephone:  (504) 525-4544

Leopold's Ice Cream  
212 E. Broughton Street
Savannah, GA
Telephone:  (504) 525-4544

The Crazy Crab
104 William Hilton Parkway
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Telephone:  (843) 681-5021

[Flashback] February 2013: Firsts of Many

February 2013 brought many "Firsts" for us.  

♥  My dear husband was chosen to be one of the godfathers of this cute little baby.  ♥

♥  Tried out Joe's Crab Shack on Valentine's Day.   Yummy to the tummy.  ♥

♥  I won 1st Place in our Department's Chili Cook-off.  Yay!  ♥

♥  Well, I made a several cards for family and friends this month (which is also a first).  ♥

♥  I also tried making an Origami heart card for my husband for Valentine's day.  ♥

♥  My necklace was featured in Art Bead Scene's monthly Challenge tour.  ♥

ArtBeadScene

Hmmmm.... I'd like to join more challenges in 2014.  That would be another "First" for me.  LOL.

[Flashback] January 2013: Celebration and Travel!

Nine days from now, we will be welcoming Year 2014.  Oh boy... where did the time go?  

January is our wedding anniversary month and we celebrated our 4th this year.  Oh, what a joy to be married to my husband.  God has blessed our marriage with His grace and love.  We may not have a lot financially but we never grew hungry and even enjoyed the pleasure of travel and good food.  I totally love the professional stainless steel bowls that he gave me.

We've never been to San Antonio so we decided to visit and check out the featured restaurants for the weekend.  

Carmens de la Calle -  We were able to meet the owner, Carmen and watch Flamenco.  Very nice!  

Their sangria, paella and empanadas were delicious!

Mi Tierra - The place is open 24 hours and is always packed during peak hours.  We were lucky that there was no queue when we arrived.  When you enter the restaurant, be prepared to be transformed to a place filled with Christmas lights, shiny paper and trimmings.  As their website describes:  "MiTierra is a little loco and a lot of fun!"  Wooooo!  Their chicken tortilla soup is delicious and very traditional (not like those in TexMex restos).  Oh, when you do go there and try them out, check out their mural.

Lulu's Bakery and Cafe - Lulu's takes the quote:  "Everything is BIG in Texas" to heart.  Golly!  Their "Texas sized portions of great tasting home cooking at reasonable prices" philosophy is just that.  HUGE!  They were featured by Adam Richman of Man vs. Food for their Country Fried Steak and 3 1/2 lb cinnamon roll.

They speak highly of their country fried steak which my husband really loved - he got the "Deputy Special" which was more than enough for both of us.  Our visit wouldn't be complete without trying the cinnamon roll - it was really huge but surprisingly soft, moist and not too sweet.  We had to take it home where it lasted a couple of days before we could reach the "nugget" or the yummy, center of the roll.     

San Antonio Texas, Carmen's, MiTierra, Lulu's Cafe

 The Riverwalk was beautiful!  The weather was sunny and cool, perfect to take the river cruise!

That Sunday, we went to church at Oak HIlls Church after which we had a hectic social schedule:  we met with my Uncle and his family for dinner at the original location of Rudy's in Leon Springs.  Well, I don't know if our minds were conditioned, but it tasted better than the other branches (my folks said it's this particular locations' roasters makes the difference).  After dinner, we met with my sister-in-laws beautiful niece.  I made her a polymer clay heart monogram and card.

Rudy's, the Alamo

Fun times and wonderful memories!  It was a nice way to start the New Year!

Cheers!

♥  michelle  ♥

MiTierra

Market Square, San Antonio

Lulu's Bakery and Cafe

918 N. Main, San Antonio, Texas

Rudy's BBQ

24152 W. IH 10, San Antonio, TX 78257
Phone: 210-698-2141 

[Food] Christmas Tree Butter Sugar Cookies

My husband told me today that I should not overdo myself with cooking and baking.  Well, that remark stems from my obsession for making cookies this Christmas season. LOL.  There are many online  bakers across the internet but it is SweetAmbs that has inspired me the most - her works are so neat and perfectly made!

I made this batch of butter sugar cookies for our church luncheon - the cookie was soft and delicious and I am pleased to report that my icing looks better now.  I used Wilton gel color in leaf green and red.

See those photos on the the bottom left and center of the collage?  Oh yes... my husband made them for me.  He recycled our packaging boxes and stuffed it with shredded paper.  He did a good job in  making it,  and with correct / accurate measurements (just as an Engineer should).  LOL.

The cookies were sealed and wrapped in a Treat Bag, and hung on the tree using double sided-tape.  Oh, they turned out nice - very bright and colorful!  

The star was printed from a Word document - print, cut and glue two stars together, leaving one open (so you can insert it at the top of the tree).

He was able to make 2 trees (one is smaller) and they were used to decorate the dessert table.

Are you busy cooking or baking this holiday season?  Here's my 2 cents worth:  Don't forget to rest, lest you pour more flour than called for.  Have fun in what you're doing - that would make it taste better and sweeter.

Have a wonderful and blessed week, my friend!

♥  michelle  ♥

[Christmas] HPCG 2013 Party

The Christmas season is filled with parties left and right and I am loving it!  The HPCG had our Christmas party this past Sunday hosted by the gracious Ms. SP.  I brought home made Chicken Enchiladas.  We had fun exchanging and stealing gifts - there were a couple "hot items" that were a hit!

I gave these:  LP's Magic Gloss, a set of bezels and a mother-of-pearl pendant/brooch.

I initially picked up a set of Lumierre inks but it was "stolen" from me.  LOL.  I ended up picking a book:  "How to Make Polymer Clay Beads" by Linda Peterson.  It's just what I need.

Until next year!  Now I'm off to more parties!

♥  michelle  ♥

[Christmas] It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

It's the 1st day of my favorite season of all!

Polymer Clay Christmas Manger
Ornament

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, 

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, 

Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, 

Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

[Celebration] Happy Thanksgiving!

This week, America is celebrating Thanksgiving.  This is my 4th year to celebrate Thanksgiving in the US, the 2nd in TX.  

I remember my First Thanksgiving in 2010 in Chicago.  

On my Second Thanksgiving, I made chocolate dipped cookies.  

Our first thanksgiving in TX was spent with our dear friends who helped us transition during our move.  I baked "Canonigo" for the first time that day.  

I made several "firsts" on this years thanksgiving season.  This was the handmade card that I sent my in-laws.  It was my first time to use Ranger alcohol inks to make the background, then stamped a maple leaf using Staz-on ink.

Thanksgiving Card and Fall Sugar Cookie inspired by SweetAmbs

I also made sugar cookies for the first time using a leaf cookie cutter and painted it using SweetAmbs' tutorial.  I super love her videos and the neatness of her work.  

SweetAmbs Fall Leaves

Well, it was also my first time to go to a liquor store to buy a small bottle of vodka, for arts' sake.  LOL. Oh boy, it didn't taste good at all.

Everyday is a day to Give Thanks.

What are you thankful for?  Do share it with me.

Happy Thanksgiving, America!

♥  michelle  ♥