Quick Trip to Austin!

Eric had a business trip/guys weekend in Vegas over the weekend, so I headed to Austin to see my dear college friend, Caitlin. We had a great time checking out Austin and eating (duh!). We also went paddle boarding on a lake near downtown. Check out this amazing picture courtesy of Cait!

View from the hospital

Seeing Paula and Giada in person!

I have the best husband! I know it's only been a few months, but really? I hit the jackpot. Not only is he incredibly nice, forgiving and patient (he'll be sad if I don't say handsome too), he got me tickets to the Houston Metro Food Show!! Plus special tickets to attend a cooking lesson with Paula and Giada. Heaven!!!

We had a good time and came back with about 12 different BBQ sauces, mopping sauces, dry rubs, etc. time to learn to BBQ, Eric!

Tahoe in September

We were so lucky to be able to go to Tahoe for Eric's family friends, Fran & Renz, 50th wedding anniversary! Talk about an amazing milestone and such a great celebration. They had friends from every stage in their lives there as well as their kids and grand kids!

The weather was beautiful and we had a great time just getting away for a bit.

Cooking for Two

So, I'm still getting used to cooking for another person a big person who eats a ton!  When I lived alone, I would always halve recipes so that I didn't have a lot of leftovers (because they're gross).  I've started making whole recipes but it's still not enough.  Eric's always asking if there's more and usually there's only a little.  Then he doesn't have anything easy for lunch the next day (or his second breakfast, afternoon snack, pre-dinner meal, etc).

Here's another example... I made three chicken breasts thinking we'd each have one and then he could have the third the next day.  Right as we sat down he stabbed 2 pieces and there they went.  He wanted more but obviously I hadn't made any.  Ugh... here's to working out issues for the newly married...

Regardless, this was a delicious meal!!!  It's Barefoot Contessa's Tequila Lime Chicken.  I served this with a mango salsa and quinoa.  (Eric also recently discovered what quinoa was and has decided he's a fan... Go figure...).

Gram and Papa Come to Houston

Hey Ya'll!

We had a great celebratory weekend! Not only did Gram and Papa come visit, but we also celebrated me getting a job! Whoo hoo!! I'll be an RN at Memorial Hermann Children's Hospital at the Texas Medical Center.  Check it out here.

Gram and Pops got here Friday night and we went to Goode Seafood Co for dinner.  Gram loves pecan pie and they have a 'world famous' pecan pie, so I knew we needed to check it out.  Gram did try the pie and said it was very good, so I'd say that's the stamp of approval.

Saturday we woke up and headed straight for NASA.  It was such a great tour!  I can't wait for Maddie and JJ to visit because their kids activities are awesome.








After NASA we went to Galveston for lunch.  People had warned us that it wasn't a pretty beach and they were absolutely correct.  I didn't get a picture but the water is brown and the beaches are small.  Regardless, it was a quick drive and we enjoyed our lunch!

Sunday we had a delicious brunch at this super cool restaurant called Backstreet Cafe.  Their menu made us all salivate and we had such a hard time deciding what to get because it all sounded fantastic!  After brunch we checked out an art museum by our house which is known for its gardens.  It was really neat, but so hot outside that we didn't spend much time admiring the gardens.  Finally, Sunday night we went to a Brazilian steakhouse, Americas.

Basically, we spent the whole weekend eating and then recovering before the next meal.  True to Sharp form...

Texas in Pictures: Installment 2

Cheese! We explored Central Market over the weekend it is AMAZING!! It's the coolest grocery/cooking store I've ever been to.  The cheese section is as big as the bottom floor of our house! And the bread... oh, the bread.  They've got tons of choices and let you try whatever you want to!  Oh heaven!
p.s. a quarter wedge of one of these authentic parmesan wheels is almost $200!!
p.p.s. I did not buy one.  :(