On to Spring.....

I can't believe March starts tomorrow!! The past few weeks have consisted of Eric getting home on Valentine's (nice timing, ha), my sister's birthday, seeing my favorite cowboy, George Strait (along with fiesty Reba) in concert and also seeing my Cowboys win against Kansas yesterday!

February has been a great month this year, except I'm ready for the cold to go :) I always associate February with the last winter month, I just made that up myself, but its just the mindset I have :)

Here is a little recap of the last half of the month. Here's to a happy March!

Valentine's Day @ The Chalkboard

Lauren's 29th Birthday



Reba!

Reba

Reba

George!

George

George :)

George

My friend Stephanie & I at the OSU/KU Game

Students go crazy after the win!

Final Score: 85-77

Why my macaron obsession?

*My new favorite blog: http://thevelvetmacaron.blogspot.com/

I had planned to attempt to make these a couple weeks ago. Well, I came down with a cold and things just didn't pan out. You know...the business of life sometimes happens.

You may wonder what is up with my macaron obsession.

I came across the existance of these delectable treats while planning our honeymoon. I kept seeing them mentioned on travel forums on where to get the best ones in Paris. The whole time I'm wondering "gross, why the upset over those nasty coconut weird cookies" (I'm not a fan of coconut).
Then I saw this:



The first picture is a macaroon. The second a macaron. Major difference!

I immediately added a stop to the famous Laduree in Paris to our must-sees! So the the time finally comes, we are in Paris and on our way for a treat. This place is the epitomy of loveliness, at least in my opinion :) A whole giant counter full of the prettiest pasteries & then trays & trays made a rainbow of macarons. They were just as pretty in person.

Eric and I got a few different flavors and I got busted for taking pictures in the place. We then left and proceeded to eat them in front of the Arc de Triomphe. And I was instantly hooked & couldn't believe I had never seen these anywhere in the US. Apparently they are creeping up in Boston, VA, NYC and CA and are in line to take over the new cupcake phenomenon according to this NPR article. I am obessesed with cupcakes also btw :)

Anyway, so I came across the blog above today, and this girl lives in Tulsa & has a love affair with macarons as well. I think I might have to make friends :) She mastered making them after failing a few times, and is creating a new flavor for every week of the year. I so admire her!

Since Eric and I have given up sugar for lent (no, we aren't Catholic but felt we needed to put out a little more effort in taking care of the bodies God gave us, and less sugar can't hurt!) I won't be making any macarons before Easter. Maybe attempt some for Easter & see how bad they turn out, ha :)

Our crazy, perfect dog

Just a quick post on our "sweet" doggie, Capone

He has been a mess & made some messes the past few weeks, not sure why. I think he needs a sister to play with, but Eric hasn't given the approval for that yet. I think he's lonely!

Things he has ingested in the past month in addition to bathroom trash:

AND THE WINNER IS:

LOVELY!!! Thanks to my favorite vet friend Amy for confirming none of these were toxic! :) We are super careful about what we leave out, but he has found crazy ways to get to this stuff! So I am going to have to say to myself: "What might Capone get into today?" and deal with it.

Nothing like coming home to mouse guts on the floor.

Goal: *Attempt* to make macarons

I am finally going to try this weekend to make macarons.

I doubt they will be edible, but I'm going to give it a shot!

Reading this article motivated me. And this one.

I will post pics of the experience, good or bad, ha!

Blog Award :)

I received this from my sweet friend Amy who is not only a very long time friend, but also my go-to vet when my dog eats yet another foreign object :)

In order to accept it, I must first list 10 things that make me very happy and nominate apprx 10 of my favorite bloggers for the award also!

1. My relationship with God & His love, guidance, and grace He gives me each day.
2. My dear family, they are the best
3. My husband Eric who in my mind was literally an answer to prayer at just the right time.
4. Our sweet dog Capone who continually makes me smile. I know he's going to talk one of these days!
5. My flower beds in full bloom
6. Baking!
7. Paris
8. A good song on the fiddle
9. Clothes & shoes
10. Reality tv, as sad as that is. But it requires no thought & is entertaining :)

I nominate these great reads which always make my day a little more enjoyable!!

1. Confessions of an Okie
2. The Spriggs & Our Little Sprout
3. A Nerd & a Free Spirit
4. Natalie & Ty's Baby Blog
5. Erin Conrad Photography
6. Stuff and Things
7. Babies, Dogs & Husbands. Oh My!
8. Natalie's Sentiments
9. Kelly's Korner

Happy February!

I really like this month. Its probably my favorite winter-y month.

~For some reason it starts to feel like spring might be on the way, although since Punxatawney Phil saw his shadow on Feb. 2 we now have 6 more weeks of winter. Boo. Thanks a lot Phil! I think we've had enough since Dec. 24, 2009. On another note, I do love the movie Groundhog Day & find it quite hilarious!

~My one aunt's birthday is on February 12.

~Valentine's is such a fun holiday & I've always liked it. I couldn't wait for the Valentine Party in grade school & to decorate my sack to hang on the chalkboard ledge. Or to pick out my cards & sign them all. Not to mention the candy & fun desserts.

Speaking of desserts....

Our Sunday School group is having a Valentine's Party this year on the 12th, so of course I signed up to bring guess what? Dessert of course. I plan to bring this:
And maybe these:
All of the above courtesy of Bakerella.


~Then there is my baby sister's birthday on the 17th. I think she has a great birthday because she can ask for stuff that she didn't get for Christmas :)

~I am going to see my favorite cowboy GEORGE STRAIT on February 20th. CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!! Love him. Unfortunately our seats aren't so good, so I'm trying to win tickets from a local radio station this week. And not having any good luck with that what-so-ever. Oh well. At least I'm going!

~Its leap year month. Its fun when there is a February 29th. I don't know why, just is! And there is no February 29th this year, I just thought I'd mention it :)

So here's to a happy February! And hoping Eric makes it home for part of it :)