Derek picked a special apple for me while we visited the house after work today.
Anyone know any good uses for crab apples? Cider or preserve recipes, perhaps? Otherwise, I think they may be pretty decorations inside a vase...
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
More about Fruit
Derek and I recently discovered that the property we are about to buy has a large Crab Apple tree. Thank you to his Grandmother for pointing this out to us! We drove by the tree 10+ times without even noticing the hundreds of dwarf size green apples hanging from the limbs.
Derek picked a special apple for me while we visited the house after work today.
Anyone know any good uses for crab apples? Cider or preserve recipes, perhaps? Otherwise, I think they may be pretty decorations inside a vase...
Derek picked a special apple for me while we visited the house after work today.
Anyone know any good uses for crab apples? Cider or preserve recipes, perhaps? Otherwise, I think they may be pretty decorations inside a vase...
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Parker County Peach Festival
The past two weeks have afforded me a much needed respite from grad school (although I'm sure it's not evident in the lack of blog posts)! My mom and I had planned an adventure weekend that was somewhat thwarted by the rain, however, we decided to visit the Parker County Peach Festival early Saturday morning. Neither of us where "wowed" by the festival, but truly enjoy our peach ice cream (that we ate at 10:00 in the morning)...
We were both excited to visit the produce stands, but after walking around for 30 minutes looking for the produce portion of the festival we realized the only items for sale were overpriced baskets of not-so-great peaches. We were a little disappointed.
On our way out of the festival, I saw a booth called Cowboy Tooth Pick Clips and decided we must make a final stop. (After 2 years of marriage to an avid toothpick fan, I've learned to carry toothpicks in my purse, car, etc.)
I spoke to the owner and was pleasantly surprised with his business idea and product. With each purchase, you are provided a cute written story about the business, which resulted in a cowboy sitting on his toothpick that had fallen in the seat from the car visor (a common problem in our household). I purchased the 'John Wayne' and 'Buck in the Bulls Eye' versions. Derek was thrilled when I greeted him with his $5 present.
All in all, it was a fun, but humid day spent in good company with my mom.
We were both excited to visit the produce stands, but after walking around for 30 minutes looking for the produce portion of the festival we realized the only items for sale were overpriced baskets of not-so-great peaches. We were a little disappointed.
On our way out of the festival, I saw a booth called Cowboy Tooth Pick Clips and decided we must make a final stop. (After 2 years of marriage to an avid toothpick fan, I've learned to carry toothpicks in my purse, car, etc.)
I spoke to the owner and was pleasantly surprised with his business idea and product. With each purchase, you are provided a cute written story about the business, which resulted in a cowboy sitting on his toothpick that had fallen in the seat from the car visor (a common problem in our household). I purchased the 'John Wayne' and 'Buck in the Bulls Eye' versions. Derek was thrilled when I greeted him with his $5 present.
All in all, it was a fun, but humid day spent in good company with my mom.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
June's a Month to Remember
June has been an extremely busy, yet exciting month. My current course at SMU requires a lot of time to read and complete case studies (which keeps me from writing), but June is also the month of our World Championship horse shows. This is plural because Scout is double registered with the Pinto Horse Association of America and the American Paint Horse Association.
On June 17, we drove to Tulsa, Oklahoma for the Pinto World Show. I'm pleased and excited to report that we came back to Texas as the Amateur Jr. Reining World Champions. Ever since I was a kid, I've dreamed of winning a world show belt buckle. I owe a huge thanks to trainer and coach Johnny Morton. To add to the success, Johnny finished 3rd in the Pro Reining (out of a very large class) and third in the Pro Working Cow Horse.
We are preparing to compete in Fort Worth at the World Championship Paint Horse Show on Wednesday and Thursday this week, and then take a long break!
In the midst of the hectic schedules, we bought a house last week. We are really excited about our upcoming move (about 15 minutes west of our current location in Fort Worth). Most exciting of all, when we are ready we'll have the land and facilities to keep Scout at home!
On June 17, we drove to Tulsa, Oklahoma for the Pinto World Show. I'm pleased and excited to report that we came back to Texas as the Amateur Jr. Reining World Champions. Ever since I was a kid, I've dreamed of winning a world show belt buckle. I owe a huge thanks to trainer and coach Johnny Morton. To add to the success, Johnny finished 3rd in the Pro Reining (out of a very large class) and third in the Pro Working Cow Horse.
We are preparing to compete in Fort Worth at the World Championship Paint Horse Show on Wednesday and Thursday this week, and then take a long break!
In the midst of the hectic schedules, we bought a house last week. We are really excited about our upcoming move (about 15 minutes west of our current location in Fort Worth). Most exciting of all, when we are ready we'll have the land and facilities to keep Scout at home!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Procrastination...
My second class at SMU is a Manufacturing Innovation Management course. It sounds interesting on paper, but in reality it is not. Mainly because both required texts are practically written in the King's English. A class mate described it well when he mentioned he thought Yoda served as a ghost writer...seriously.
In lieu of completing my 'suggested' reading assignments this term, I opted to read two books 'for fun' that I couldn't put down. I finished Pillars of the Earth in late April. I heard a lot of hype about the book (originally published over 20 years ago...but Oprah has her way with selling things..) Needless to say, Pillars was great and the characters truly come to life as you sink further into the story. This is particularly true of the villain, William Hamleigh. I still think about his ruthless ways when my mind wanders.
Several friends recommended The Help recently, and it just so happened to be the next book selected for my book club (which I skipped the last 2 times). So, what better time to start reading than now...?? I just finished last night, and loved the story. If you have read both books, am I venturing too far to say Hilly is the modern day female version of a William Hamleigh?
In lieu of completing my 'suggested' reading assignments this term, I opted to read two books 'for fun' that I couldn't put down. I finished Pillars of the Earth in late April. I heard a lot of hype about the book (originally published over 20 years ago...but Oprah has her way with selling things..) Needless to say, Pillars was great and the characters truly come to life as you sink further into the story. This is particularly true of the villain, William Hamleigh. I still think about his ruthless ways when my mind wanders.
Several friends recommended The Help recently, and it just so happened to be the next book selected for my book club (which I skipped the last 2 times). So, what better time to start reading than now...?? I just finished last night, and loved the story. If you have read both books, am I venturing too far to say Hilly is the modern day female version of a William Hamleigh?
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Fort Worth Oddities
This weekend was my last free weekend before summer school starts. On Friday night, we ventured downtown and enjoyed a meal at Taverna (so/so in my opinion) but had an excellent dessert at Simply Fondue (all the chocolaty goodness you can imagine...)
While walking around downtown we encountered a man with 3 pets:
1. A Dog
2. A Cat (riding the dog)
3. A Rat (riding the cat)
I've never seen anything like it before, and was thoroughly impressed.
1. How did he train the dog not to chase the cat?
2. How did he train the cat not to eat the rat?
3. How did he train the rat not to run?
Somewhat ironic, eh?
Food for thought for the day. :)
While walking around downtown we encountered a man with 3 pets:
1. A Dog
2. A Cat (riding the dog)
3. A Rat (riding the cat)
I've never seen anything like it before, and was thoroughly impressed.
1. How did he train the dog not to chase the cat?
2. How did he train the cat not to eat the rat?
3. How did he train the rat not to run?
Somewhat ironic, eh?
Food for thought for the day. :)
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Memory Lane: Central CA
I truly love photography and secretly wish I could be a nature photographer - ie. that it was a paid gig and I could travel the world photographing remote villages in distant countries...but alas, the airplane factory will have to do for now...
I like to photograph buildings and scenic views more than anything else. Several weeks ago my mom and I decided to visit the Southlake Arts Festival and were pleasantly surprised with the awesome artists in attendance. I've lived in Fort Worth for 10 years and have never been to Southlake, but definitely plan to attend this event again next year. I found 2 photographers that had such amazing work I found it hard to leave their booth.
At least once a week, I'll drive by something or see something that I wish I could just blink my eyes and capture forever. Today, it was the father and mother doves building a nest in a hanging basket on our balcony. The male dove handed the female a small twig and the light hit them just right that it would have been an incredible photograph. Unfortunately, I never seem to have my camera with me at the right time!
Some of my previous posts referenced a coffee table book I recently created. Here are some pictures I included from one of my past trips to California. These pictures are from the Carmel missions and Highway 101 on the central CA coast.
Lastly, happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Mom's out there. My husband and I are blessed with two of the best!
I like to photograph buildings and scenic views more than anything else. Several weeks ago my mom and I decided to visit the Southlake Arts Festival and were pleasantly surprised with the awesome artists in attendance. I've lived in Fort Worth for 10 years and have never been to Southlake, but definitely plan to attend this event again next year. I found 2 photographers that had such amazing work I found it hard to leave their booth.
At least once a week, I'll drive by something or see something that I wish I could just blink my eyes and capture forever. Today, it was the father and mother doves building a nest in a hanging basket on our balcony. The male dove handed the female a small twig and the light hit them just right that it would have been an incredible photograph. Unfortunately, I never seem to have my camera with me at the right time!
Some of my previous posts referenced a coffee table book I recently created. Here are some pictures I included from one of my past trips to California. These pictures are from the Carmel missions and Highway 101 on the central CA coast.
Lastly, happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Mom's out there. My husband and I are blessed with two of the best!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Good time in 2009
April came and went so quickly! During the month, I received a pleasant surprise in the form of 8 shiny new trophy belt buckles from 2009 equestrian accomplishments. I'm really proud of my horse and of our team work considering we don't have a full time trainer anymore.
Scout finished the 2009 year as #1 in the country in 2 events and highly ranked in 6 events for the state of Texas.
Due to graduate school and potentially moving this summer (in pursuit of a house) I've significantly decreased our show schedule. We will compete at the 2 summer world shows: Pinto Horse Association World Championships in Tulsa and the American Paint Horse World Championship in Fort Worth . I'm excited because Scout will compete in the pro division for Reining and Working Cow Horse for the 1st time with a great young trainer named Johnny Morton and I'll ride in the Amateur division.
Scout finished the 2009 year as #1 in the country in 2 events and highly ranked in 6 events for the state of Texas.
Due to graduate school and potentially moving this summer (in pursuit of a house) I've significantly decreased our show schedule. We will compete at the 2 summer world shows: Pinto Horse Association World Championships in Tulsa and the American Paint Horse World Championship in Fort Worth . I'm excited because Scout will compete in the pro division for Reining and Working Cow Horse for the 1st time with a great young trainer named Johnny Morton and I'll ride in the Amateur division.
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