Christmas Celebration

During the Christmas celebration for the boy and me, I actually took pics! Yay me! I worked Christmas at the hospital this year so we did our Christmas a few days before. 

One of my favorite things to do is to go out to eat. I. Love. Restaurants. For one of my gifts, I wanted to go to a nice dinner. Johnny planned a beautiful dinner at Spindletop. It is a revolving restaurant at the top of the Hyatt in downtown Houston. The movement takes a little to get used to but the views are wonderful. As a (necessary) plus, the restaurant was delish! The highlight of the meal was the steaks we each got for our entree. The sauce was yummy and the potato cake was wonderful as well! 

The restaurant has its own elevator that takes you straight to the top. I didn't take any pics at the restaurant... fail.

When we were finished, we headed back to my house to do presents. I only went 1/2 way with the tree decorations. There's always next year!

Along with the dinner, Johnny got me orange metal-framed Ray Bans that I can wear to the UT games, Hook 'em! He also got me some pilsner glasses... he really likes unique beer... see the connection?

Johnny sent me a link to a golf bag he was eyeing... in June. I kept it hidden in my emails until I could finally order it. It was a Texas Tech golf bag with a hidden cooler. When he opened it, he told me it was too pretty to use.

On to the stockings! I don't have a fireplace so my TV stand doubled as my mantle. I got the stockings, stocking hangers, and cranberry garland 1/2 off at Hobby Lobby in early December. The flameless candles are from CostCo! They have a timer on them so they automatically come on every night from 6PM-11PM. I love them!

Stocking goodies for him: winter boxers, pens, band-aids, flossers, and a sugar cane Coke
Stocking goodies for her: Spec's gift card, sunglasses holder for the car, sunglasses cleanser

Merry Christmas!

Tacky Christmas Sweater Party with an Appetizer

This year marked the 6th Annual Tacky Christmas Sweater Party hosted by my friend Karen. Now that we are all finished with college, working, and living on our own, it is fun to get to see everyone again! This year, I wanted to bring an appetizer for the group. I have made this dip a couple of times and it is always a hit! I use the term "made" loosely because it is super easy. I actually learned this recipe from a news segment when the Super Bowl was hosted in Houston. Random. Bad news: I'm using HEB specific stuff. (The news segment was sponsored by HEB, go figure.) However, I'm sure you can find equivalents of each ingredient. 

Ingredients:

1 small jar of Southwest Dip (at HEB, you can find it at the "Cooking Connections" counter)

1 tub fresh picked crab meat (this can be expensive, but it's worth it for nice crab)

1 tub pre-made pico de gallo (use mild or medium, whichever looks fresher)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and gently mix with a spoon. This is one of those dips that is hard to mess up. If you want more or less of an ingredient, feel free!

Put in a pretty bowl and serve with crunchy salty crackers (I like Wheat Thins)

On to the party! The pic below is of Charlotte, me (Emily), and Katherine. (I like to pretend that someone who doesn't actually know me is reading this so that is why I felt the need to put my name.) I died because Katherine's sweater is her mom's that she wore to the Nutcracker every year. It has the year embroidered on the back. 

My sweater is my mom's from the early 90's. She is really proud of it because it was "expensive." If you say so! Just kidding mommy- loves you. Her BFF, Lisa, has a picture of my mom actually wearing it. I'll work to get a copy!

Emily, Amy, and Cameran. Cam's dress was actually cute even though she insisted it was "tacky."

Evan, Emily, and hostess Karen.

This event is definitely one of my favorite of the seasons and I look forward to it year-round!

First "recipe"- Baked Asparagus

Disclaimer: this isn't really a recipe. But, if you are a new to cooking, you have to start somewhere. When I was unsure if I should even to put this up, my friend, Elizabeth, said, "Well I don't cook asparagus because I don't know how!" Soooo, here's to you girl. PS: I semi-copied the recipe format of Keeping Up With the Joneses. I love how she does step-by-step pics! It makes it so easy!

Baked Asparagus

Asparagus is a cheap, easily accessible veggie. You buy it in bunches in the produce section at any grocery. It will stay in your fridge for a few days so you can buy it early in the week for a mid-week meal. I buy 1 bunch (they will be rubber banded together) to feed 2 adults as a side. All it takes is some olive oil, salt & pepper. 

First step: rinse and pat dry.

Second: You need to break off the bottoms. Just bend the stalk near the end and it will snap in two wherever it needs. Continue with each stalk until all are done. If you're a higher level cook, you can keep these ends to make stock or soup but I don't think I'm quite there yet. 

Side note: I've seen Rachel Ray quickly prep asparagus by snapping one to find the right length and then using that as a measuring tool to cut the rest with a large knife. However, I think it's therapeutic to snap each one! 

Next, get a large plastic baggie and put all asparagus inside. Drizzle some olive oil on top. You don't need a lot, just enough to coat the asparagus- you'll see how to do this in the next step. Remember, you can always add more.

Then, zip the baggie closed and shake to coat the asparagus with the olive oil. Using the baggie method let's you use the least amount of olive oil to coat. (This also works well with salad dressing on lettuce!)

Put the asparagus in a small baking dish. You don't need to spray or grease the baking dish because the olive oil does that for you. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or so. If you're short on time, you can bake at 425 for 20 minutes. Both of these cooking methods leaves the asparagus crunchy, just how the boy and I like it.

I'll admit it, this was a cheater cook's meal. The asparagus takes 5 minutes to prep and I used a pre-made entree. CostCo had these fish filled portabella mushrooms topped with shrimp and cheese... Yum! Just bake and serve.

Once you are done baking the asparagus, top with salt and pepper and toss while still in the baking dish. This will make the seasoning even and, again, let you use less.


Finished meal!

*This was the first time Johnny had to take pictures for me, he didn't say it, but I know he thought it was the silliest thing ever. Well, if you're reading this, joke's on you! 

Abbey and Jennifer Visit!

A few weekends ago, two of my college BFFs came into town to hang out. Abbey, Jennifer and I were in the same sorority in college (Think Theta! Just kidding.) We try to get together as often as possible. We've hit LA, Vegas, Dallas, Austin... Jennifer bailed on our Europe trip or else I could say that too. 

To get the weekend started, I had some baked brie and champagne ready for the girls. I love my Pampered Chef cheese board! 

That night we headed to Max's Wine Dive for dinner. Jennifer and I had the shrimp and grits while Abbey got the fried chicken salad. For dessert we had mac&cheese.

Abbey was really happy about our food. Later that night we went out with my sister for her birthday.

The next morning, we headed to Lankford Grocery for lunch. Johnny had been before but the rest of us had not. Let's discuss: they make a burger with macaroni and cheese on it. Yes, ON IT. It was amazing. This weekend, take your family and head to midtown for the Grim Burger. Warning: it is only open for lunch and it is closed on Sundays.

Saturday night, we went to a Tacky Christmas Sweater pub crawl for one of Johnny's friend's Jack. Jennifer didn't really understand the meaning of "tacky Christmas sweater" but that is a lesson for another day.

Hmmmmmm

Abbey had a LOT of fun. I am so excited for our next trip!

Brooke's Bday: Melting Pot

In my family, you get to choose your birthday dinner restaurant every year. (Unless you are my mom and me because we have to share one dinner- Thanks Dad!) My sister, Brooke, always chooses Melting Pot. I cannot say that I mind, it is delish! If you have never been, you must do the four-course Big Night Out meal: cheese fondue, salad, meat fondue, and finally chocolate fondue. My personal favorites are Wisconsin and Swiss Cheese, Coq au Vin for the meat, and the Flaming Turtle chocolate. It is such a fun experience! The wait staff prepares each fondue at your table, serves the accompanying dippers (veggies, bread, meat, dessert), and you get to have at it. It takes some skill to master the dipping, but I believe in you. The first pic shows the cheese course being made. I am drooling just thinking about it.

Birthday girl with her special dessert dippers!

Special birthday plate

The "flame" of the Flaming Turtle. Apparently the waitress has done this a time or two because she (correctly) told me my pic would turn out better with the flash off. I think it looks pretty sweet (Pun. Intended.)

The family+boy posing after dinner. This was Johnny's first time at Melting Pot and I hope he is now as obsessed as my family is.

Lights in the Heights

One of my favorite times of year is, of course, Christmas season. With all of the parties, family time, and shopping, it can get really busy! In my list of top 3 things to do during the holidays is attend Lights in the Heights. It is basically a big holiday street party held by my neighborhood association. A section of streets is blocked off so people can wander. I went last year and was totally unprepared! I left my house thinking I would just be cruising the neighborhood looking at some pretty decorated houses. Wow, I was wrong. It was a full-on Mardi Gras-type party. There are a TON of people, drinks, bands, and it turns out to be a great time!

This year, I knew I needed to make a bigger deal of LITH. Friday night we attended the First Annual Allen Christmas Party. Saturday, it was time for the street festival. I had people over beforehand for drinks and appetizers. I don't have any pics from my house before the party- I need to do a better job of taking pictures all around! Here we go... 

There were about 15 of us walking the streets of the festival. Evan got her sister to temporarily donate her sons' wagon so we'd have a drink carrier (aka genius!)

I think this next pic does a good job of showing a typical stop along the way. There was a group playing bagpipes and a crowd who stopped to enjoy the show.

Group shot with our favorite accessory: the wagon!

Trey and Annie dancing to one of the bands.

So excited Kathleen is back in town!

My mom has decided that she will bring her group of friends next year so it will be a huge turn out. If you're around the second Saturday in December, head on over!

Renaissance Festival

Every fall, The Texas Renaissance Festival is held just north of Houston, spanning a time period of eight weeks or so. It is a blast! There are certainly some characters there. This year, we headed up north to stay at Evan's family's lake house so we'd be near the Ren Fest. Evan organized a party bus for the group so we'd have easy transportation. Here are some pics of the party! Below is the girls on the party bus. The flower hair pieces worn by Evan and me are from last year. 

Heading to the Ren Fest!

Evan bought us all party cups for the trip!

Cassie with the Ren Fest photographer.

Travis with his so so so handsome wig.

A beautiful elephant from the elephant rides!

If you ever have the chance to go, I would say to do it! Be sure to bring a blindfold for the kids.

Things of the fall: NOLA

For my dad's 65th birthday, we wanted to celebrate with a trip! We headed to New Orleans for a weekend of food (mainly) and sightseeing! We stayed at the Royal Sonesta. My family has stayed there before and it is classic New Orleans. It is on Bourbon Street but the rooms stay quiet. It is a perfect location (we walked nearly everywhere) and great service. I highly recommend. 

We started the weekend off at Emeril's NOLA restaurant. I got the shrimp and grits, and you should do the same! 

The next AM, we took a cab to Commander's Palace. It is a historical building famous for their jazz brunches. Musicians walk around and play while you eat. My dad was convinced they made up some songs but we loved it anyway! This picture turned out to be our Christmas card pic. 

Next, we headed to high tea at Windsor Court. It was a traditional afternoon tea in a beautiful location.

After some napping and digesting, we ended the food-filled day at Pascal's Manale. They are known for their barbeque shrimp. They serve it with a bib... and you can see why!

Sunday morning, we met a friend of my dad's from high school and his wife at Cafe du Monde. He reconnected with his friend on Facebook! So funny. After some coffee, beignets, and souvenirs, it was time to hit the road.