Leaving on a Jet Plane...

We had a great weekend with the Huebel's celebrating birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the big upcoming relocations within the family. Pictures to come!

The time has come. WE MOVE TO ANCHORAGE ALASKA THIS WEEK!!! I can hardly believe the moving trucks are coming and it's time for us to actually be there. It's one of those things that all the talking and preparing for the main event, don't really make it real. It's the physical change... I can hear the stewardess on the airplane now, "You've just touched down in Anchorage Alaska. The high today is 27, the low is 5. Snow expected till March. Please come back again to visit us soon." 

Except we're moving there NOT visiting. Wait, we've never even been there before!

It's such an adrenaline rush. You should try it. 

Well, check back in with me next week...

Needless to say, blog posts may be spotty for the next couple weeks. Hang in there. I will have so much to write about from the far North!

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Happy Thanksgiving

SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!! HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GREAT THANKSGIVING DAY!!

Forget the turkey, we had braised beef short ribs over goat cheese polenta with lemon-pancetta brussel sprouts...

Bobby Flay's Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Spiced Apple Bourbon Caramel Sauce.

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Cluck Gobble Quack

Do you know what a Turducken is? Have you ever had one?

During Thanksgiving, I'm reminded of the first time I heard about a Turducken--- surprisingly, it was featured on a test in my Unit Operations: Transport Processes class. It went something like this...
If you put the refrigerated 40 deg F  Turducken in a a 350 degF oven, how long will it take for the chicken inside to reach 160 deg? The problem also listed several heat transfer coefficients.

Now the point of this story is not to reminisce about my chemical engineering days, nor is it to point out things I no longer remember how to do. Rather, it's to call attention to the fact that I thought a Turducken was a completely made up thing, created solely for the purpose of the problem. A mythical bird only meant to wreck havoc on some poor engineering students. When I was telling my parents about the test problem afterwards, mom told me that you could buy a Turducken at the store. Imagine that?? Crazy right?

I have yet to eat a Turducken.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

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Christmas in November

We've been having some good 'ole family time this week. Have you ever celebrated christmas during Thanksgiving? Now I can say we have... Yep. The tree has been decorated and there was even a gift exchange. And of course lots of over indulging in the food department.

A couple reflections:

*Ross got a Kindle for an early Christmas present. He should have gotten one a long time ago. It's pretty awesome.
*The Chase pup had to get some teeth pulled last month due to gingivitis and now Ross calls him Snaggle Tooth. You know what they say, what goes around comes around. We'll see what Ross's teeth look like when he's 90 years old!
* Moist turkey is delicious
* The best way to eat turkey is cold, in a sandwich. Bliss.
* Starting your morning with a latte is a smart thing, like taking a daily vitamin
* As farther proof that my Dad and I have a similar sweet tooth, we choose the EXACT same recipe to make on Thanksgiving-- while in different states. Yep, we just happen to both be watching the same food network show and it looked MANDATORY to both of us.  It must be genetic.
* I got some gloves for christmas... a RE-gift with a story.
On my first (and last) ski trip, I lost the sleeve of my jacket on the slopes. Perhaps because I was rolling down? After this traumatic experience, Dad bought be a pair of uber warm gloves at the ski lodge to make me feel better. While they didn't improve my skiing, my hands sure stayed warm. I'm sure I threw these very gloves into some dark recess of my room, long to be forgotten-- until now. They're gonna be great for Alaska.
* Roma got a new stocking. It's in the shape of a bone. Expect to see pictures next month.
* If you're looking for a christmas gift idea, look no farther. The new generation of digital picture frames is awesome. Get a frame with Wi-Fi and you can send pictures directly via email (the frame gets its own email address), wirelessly sent from your computer or smart phone. GREAT gift.

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Goodbye Office

It's my last day of work in Houston.
Weird.

The high in Houston is 82 deg F and in Anchorage it is 27 deg F.
Brrr.

Roma's bed has already been shipped, so she's been allowed to sleep in the bed.
Lucky puppy.

I wonder if I'm still going to love ice cream when it's really cold all the time?
Of course.

I'm tired of saying goodbye to people.
Blah.

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Goodbyes

I really don't like goodbyes. REALLY. DON'T. LIKE. But, they're inevitable when you're moving away. And they've started...

Here is a picture from Ross's goodbye lunch with his work group. They were kind enough to invite me too!

They gave us some warm BP gear... some for Roma too!

Ross chose to get some good TexMex at Pappasito's one last time. After some awesome fajitas the Atlantis team did a little "Roast" on Ross. Their Alaska survival guide included this photo:

I basically love this photo. 

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Battle of the Sexes

Today I saw a guy use an extra corn tortilla as a napkin even though there were extra napkins within reach. Seriously?? It got me thinking about the differences between men and women. Specifically, an email I received a while back...

Disclaimer: The posting of this email does not necessarily reflect my views or opinions, it is merely to provide you with a chuckle...!

The Real Definition of Words When Used By Women  

1. Fine - I am right. This argument is over. You need to shut up.  
2. That's Okay - One of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. "That's okay" means she wants to think hard and long before deciding when and how you'll pay for your mistake.  
3. Nothing - The calm before the storm. This means "Something" and you better be on your toes. Note: Arguments that start with "Nothing" usually end with "Fine" (See #1).
4. Five Minutes - If getting dressed, this means half an hour. (Don't be mad about this. It's the same definition for you when it's your turn to do some chores around the house.)
5. Thanks - A woman is thanking you. Do not question this or faint. Just say, "You're welcome," and let it go.
6. Loud Sigh - Not actually a word but rather a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. It means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is standing here wasting her time arguing with you about "Nothing." (See #3)  
7. Go Ahead - This is a dare, not permission. (Don't Do It!)  
8. Don't worry about it, I got it - The second most dangerous statement a woman can make. It means that a woman has asked a man several times to do something and is now doing it herself. (This will result in you asking at a later date, "What's wrong?" For the woman's response, see #3.)

Differences Between Man and Women

Names

If Mary, Susan, Claire and Barbara go out for lunch, they will call each other Mary, Susan, Claire and Barbara.

If John, Brad, Tony and Daniel go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Bruno, Scrappy, Peanut-Head and Godzilla.

Eating Out

When the bill arrives, John, Brad, Tony and Daniel will each throw in $20, even though the total is only $34.25. None of them will have any smaller bills and none will admit they want change back.

When Mary, Susan, Claire and Barbara get their bill, out come the pocket calculators.

Money

A man will pay $10 for a $5 item he needs.

A woman will pay $5 for a $10 item that she doesn't need, because it's on sale.

Bathrooms

A man has five items in his bathroom: a toothbrush, razor, shaving cream, a bar of soap, and a towel from the Motel 6.

The average number of items in a woman's bathroom is 328. The average man would not be able to identify most of them.

Arguments

Women always have the last word in an argument. Anything a man adds after that is the beginning of a new argument.

Cats

Women love cats.

Men may say they love cats, but when women are not looking, men kick cats.

Future

A woman worries about the future -- until she gets a husband.

A man never worries about the future -- until he gets a wife.

Success

A successful man is one who makes more money than can be spent by his wife.

A successful woman is one who can find that a man.

Marriage

A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.

A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, and she does.

Dressing Up

A woman will dress up when she goes shopping, empties the garbage, answers the phone, waters the plants, gets the mail and reads a book.

A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.

Natural

Men wake up looking as good as when they went to bed.

Women will somehow deteriorate during the night.

Children

A woman knows all about her children. She knows about their best friends, romances, secret hopes and dreams, favorite foods, fears and dental appointments.

A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.

Thought for the Day

Married men should forget their mistakes. There is no need for two people to remember the same thing.

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Pig Tales

Roma is playing a game with me. I'm convinced...

I have a stuffed animal in one of the guest rooms upstairs. It's a pink pig. Roma seems to have an uncanny fascination with this pig. When we leave Roma home alone, she will go get that pig and take it to a new place around the house for her mommy to find. What's so funny is that Roma can devour a dog toy made for "extreme chewers" in a half hour, but she doesn't chew up the pig. Maybe it's too easy of a target?

Oh look, I get out of the shower and poof there's the pig. Just looking at me in the doorway!

The look of innocence.

I'm pretty sure my job in this game is to keep putting the pig back in the room upstairs. Check!

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The Ranch

Ross went out to our ranch last weekend and took my camera to get some wide angle landscape shots before we leave for Alaska.  He took the pictures and I did the photoshopping :) There's nothing like the Texas hill country...

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Reef

Ross and I enjoy cooking together, but we also enjoy watching cooking shows. Our favorite TV shows are Top Chef and the Next Iron Chef America. Right now Top Chef is on a hiatus and it's down to the wire on Iron Chef. It was fun watching Iron Chef this season because the head chef at one of our favorite Houston restaurants was competing. That's right folks, Brian Caswell from Reef! We frequented Reef BEFORE the TV show, but after he got eliminated it was even more of a reason for us to go back before the big move. Ross and I enjoyed date night over some awesome food...

Andouille stuffed scallops over a sweet potato puree. 

Ross's Redfish on the half-shell with fried mac'n'cheese cube

I was really hoping to see Chef Brian, but alas he wasn't on the line during our meal. However, mid-chew on my last scallop I spotted him in the main dining room--- only 3 tables away! See the orange hat?

This picture is a little grainy, but I was trying to play it cool...

*Swoon* 

I was definitely star struck. Food kinda has that effect on me. Ross reminded me I was there with him and I forgot all about Chef Brian. :)

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Chicken of the Sea

A couple years ago I had sushi for the first time. It definitely wasn't love at first sight, but it grew on me. Now, I can't seem to get enough of it... mainly, the Rainbow Roll. But there is one raw food I just can't seem to embrace, or even try for that matter.

Enter raw, goopey, stinky, slimely OYSTERS. Oh no no.

However, for Adam Huebel oysters are like cat nip. I don't like cats much, so let me try another analogy. Oysters are to Adam as the tennis ball is to Roma. :)

Digging for Gold.

Look at Adam's Face!

Yep, that's a half-gallon tub of raw oysters

Grilling the oysters didn't make them any more appealing.

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Lake Adventures

Hmmmm what's that in the water there?...

It looks like a little buck!

His compass must have been broken because he was looking kinda of confused...

The buck has been spotted.

"What's that? Why does he getta go swimming and I don't?"

I think you can probably guess what happened next.

Splash.

"ROOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAA, NOOOOO!!!!!"

Ross pretty much had to man-handle the pup back into the boat. It didn't take her long to forget that Daddy was very very mad at her.

She was back to her lookout spot. I feel so much safer on boat rides with Roma at the helm.

Beautiful.

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Delivery!

Guess what arrived in the mail today???..

Roma's new arctic gear from Chilly Dogs!!

Winter Fleece

A head muff for Miss Roma to stay warm.

Very exciting. The winter coat is purple. These pictures don't do the outfit justice, but I'm sure there will be plenty more pictures to come...

Here are some more pictures from the lakehouse visit:

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Message from Roma

We took our last trip to the family lakehouse for awhile. We truely love spending time there and are really going to miss living nearby. The weather the was gorgeous for us....

Roma loves boat rides.

That's a pretty cute yawn if I do say so myself. Speaking of yawns, I think it's about time for some sleep. Daylight savings always throws me off a little.

Goodnight!

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whipped you say? huh?

Whipped! Can you guess which kind?

whip  (hwp, wp)

v. whipped or whipt (hwpt, wpt), whip·ping, whips

v.tr.

1. To strike with repeated strokes, as with a strap or rod; lash.

2.

a. To punish or chastise by repeated striking with a strap or rod; flog.

b. To afflict, castigate, or reprove severely: "For nonconformity the world whips you with its displeasure" (Ralph Waldo Emerson).

3. To drive, force, or compel by flogging, lashing, or other means.

4. To strike or affect in a manner similar to whipping or lashing: Icy winds whipped my face.

5. To beat (cream or eggs, for example) into a froth or foam.

6. Informal To snatch, pull, or remove in a sudden manner: He whipped off his cap.

7. To sew with a loose overcast or overhand stitch.

8. To wrap or bind (a rope, for example) with twine to prevent unraveling or fraying.

9. Nautical To hoist by means of a rope passing through an overhead pulley.

10. Informal To defeat; outdo: Our team can whip your team. 

definition from Here

It's true, I'm feeling whipped! But it's not from beating eggs or cream into a froth (5), and it's not from wrapping anything (8).  It's number 10... OUTDONE. Let me use it in a sentence for you...

This week has left me feeling whipped and it's only Wed!

Do you know the feeling too?

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