Big wedding on Saturday...

Adam & Danielle are getting hitched this weekend!!!

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Project Front Yard- Step 2

A couple more flowers were purchased and planted, but there are winners and losers...

The GOOD news:

Buttons' N Bows Hydrangea

 Scarlet Bottlebrush

The BAD news:

Dark Pink Mophead Hydrangea

Doesn't this hydrangea look like it's crying? My poor plant isn't taking well to the clay soil. Sadness. Now it's time for some fresh mulch...

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Trout This

Ross made the grocery store run this week, so we are having some great stuff off the grill. Here's a recipe from Steve Raichlen's BBQ USA book: Grilled Trout with Poblano and Corn Relish. The trout had a really nice crust from the thin layer of corn meal that was rubbed on it before it hit the grill. The relish complemented it nicely...the crunch from the pine nuts, the grilled flavor from the corn, the spice from the poblano peppers, and the mexican flavors from the cilantro and the lime juice.  Have I mentioned that fish is my favorite "meat"?? :)  We also had Cook's Illustrated Red Pepper asparagus (similar recipe).

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Eyeballs: Step 1

Today was my ICL (implantable contact lens) Pre-Op. They did all kinds of measurements of my eyes: current prescription (-8.25 in each eye!!!!), pupil size, amount of cornea, eye contour map, health check, etc. They saved the dilation till the end.  It's hard wearing sunglasses when you have to wear glasses too. Yep, there's 3 layers...

I have my laser surgery on Monday (where the doctor actually makes the incision) and the lenses are put in the week after. I'm so excited and nervous at the same time! EEEEE. I keep reminding myself of the ultimate goal--- being able to see at all times of day, without contact lenses OR glasses!! I think I can, I think I can. Today the doctor told me that hopefully our kids would get Ross's vision rather than mine.  Yes, hopefully. Then they can be pilots, just like Ross and Adam. :)

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Bake Day!

Ross and I have been involved with the refugee outreach program at church. On Saturday, we had Play Day with the kids. They had the option of baking cupcakes (with yours truly) or a trip to the park.  Not surprisingly, all the boys chose to go to the park to play soccer, basketball, football, or play on the jungle gym. Meanwhile, the girls had a great time baking and decorating cupcakes!

Elizabeth, Delisa, Sofia, and Maya

Gotta read the directions first.

How to crack an egg 101.

Stacy and Peace.

The weather was perfect and we had a great time!

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Did you get your veggies today?

I can't stop thinking about the rig, the fire, the missing people, and all the things in between. I heard a rumor that the leak has stopped, but not going to believe it till the official word is out. Keep the missing crew in your prayers!

Top Chef is back on. My Wednesday nights are now complete again :) Here's what came out of our kitchen... Cooking Light's Grilled Chicken with Mint and Pine Nut Gremolata with Sugar Snap and Feta Salad.

Sugar Snap and Feta Salad

The salad recipe is definitely a keeper. Fresh, healthy, and simple. That's kinda my thing.... My culinary point of view :) Top Chef look out!

Sugar Snap and Feta Salad:
Put 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion in a bowl of ice water for 10 minutes, drain and pat dry. Cook 12 oz trimmed sugar snap peas in boiling water 2 minutes. Drain and plunge peas in ice water, drain and pat dry. Whisk together 1Tb olive oil, 1Tb lemon juice, 1tsp white wine vinegar, 1/4tsp kosher salt, 1/2tsp honey, 1/4tsp pepper. Add peas, onion, and 1/2c crumbled feta cheese. Toss well.

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Little Ross, Lots Roma

I have to take a moment to show these BP MS 150 pictures of Ross (taken by the official race photography company). Go Team Huebel!

We took Roma out for a little competition of her own. It's pretty competitive when you're chasing your own shadow :) HaHa.

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Project Front Yard- Step 1

While Ross rode his bike over the weekend, I started Project Front Yard. The nursery was a bit overwhelming, but I didn't come home empty handed...

Knock Out Rose

Petunia

Caladium

Cineraria

Longwood Gardens.

I feel like I did so much more work than I have to show for it. Ain't that the way it goes?? I took out 3 big bushes and that took a bit of elbow grease in and of itself! I bought two different types of potting soil, "Shrub and Tree" and "Flower Bed", to encourage these guys to go on living through the Texas heat. Step 2 of "Project Front Yard" will include fresh mulch, a big shrub to replace the Caladium (it's just not big enough and I don't like it there), more mid-height filler foliage, and some pruning. But, these are problems for another day.

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ChickPeas

I never fully appreciated chickpeas and now they're one of my favorite legumes. That's right, they're not a pea at all. Don't let the name foul you, it's a BEAN. That's why they're found with the other beans at the grocery store. Tricky, I know. These round little beans are full of fiber and oh so good for you. They're used a lot in Middle Eastern, Indian, and Mediterranean cooking. Falafel was one of my favorites when I visited Ross in Egypt. Ahh yes, here's the falafel picture in the van with the tour guide, on our way to the pyramids...

Anyway, I digress. Chickpeas are versatile and yummy. Throw 'em on a salad or mash 'em up and make hummus. You name it. Here is one of my favorite chickpea recipes...Ellie Krieger's ChickPea and Spinach Salad with Cumin Dressing and Yogurt sauce. It's super easy to make. We usually eat it as a side with grilled chicken.

Enjoy!

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MS 150-- check!

Roma and I drove to Austin to pick up Ross at the finish of the BP MS150. He rode 160+ miles this weekend and raised lots of money for MS research... GO ROSS HUEBEL!!!!  If only we could put Roma on a bike next year...

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Golf with Grandad

We met Grandad Huebel in Angleton to hit some balls at the driving range.

Grandad likes to give ross lots of golf advice... :)

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Authentic Mexican Cooking

How about some authentic Mexican cooking?? Here's a Rick Bayless recipe for Grilled steak with spicy Guajillo sauce.  Guajillo is a type of pepper, usually found dried, with a warm, smokey roasted flavor, a slightly different than an ancho pepper. We had Rick Bayless Browned Vemicelli with Roasted Tomatoes to go with the steak. In the recipe, you flash fry the pasta in olive oil, rather than the traditional method of boiling in water. It gave the pasta a little al dente bite, which was quite nice.

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Not my Garden

My coworker, Tom, has a huge, gorgeous, well-maintained backyard...

Roma would never need a refill of her dog bowl with this..

Mine is none of these things. The dog factor is such an unknown variable, I'm scared to landscape the backyard. Today, when we came home from work she had dug up a cable. I ran inside and checked the TV, then the internet, then the phone... all of which were working.  Whew. Crisis averted. Ross was outside mowing the grass when the Comcast truck came rolling down the street and pulled up in front of our neighbors house. He felt so bad he went over to let them know about Roma's "project", but they said that there wasn't a problem at their house. Close call. Anyone have any advice for a lonely pup to keep from digging?? :( Poor Roma. Ross thinks she needs a friend, but we just can't bring ourselves to get another dog. no no. one is PLENTY. Imagine a double dose of Roma... well actually.. no not a good idea. don't imagine that...

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