Tchotchke

It has been a year since we lost Tchotchke. She died June 30, 2008 of pancreatic cancer that took her away from us within 2 weeks. She was only 6 years old. She had a great life with us. She went to college with me and was a great companion for me and later Clark. She was so loyal and loving. She loved peanut butter and sleeping. She would do a tap dance when you were about to feed her because she was so excited. When she was a puppy she was stepped on and hobbled occasionally on three legs when it bothered her. She was always a fighter and had the growl to prove it.

I think unless you have a dog it can be hard to understand how much you love them. Clark used to say that Tchotchke was my soul mate. It's hard to talk to people about what happened because unless you go through it, you can't really put it into words. It was ironic that Larkin posted about the Rainbow Bridge yesterday. Our vet and friend Johnny sent us that in a note a couple of days after we put her down. It seems like a cheesy poem but it really helped put me at ease with the situation. I loved her so much and I miss her everyday. Here are some pictures of her life.

Her favorite spot... Sleeping as usual. Posing with her ball...
She LOVED this Christmas collar, no lie, she would duck her head for you to put it on her...
T with Clark and Piper
She loved laying out in the sun.
So glad she got to see our house, she would have loved the yard...
Last family pic.

The Tall City

This weekend we visited the booming metropolis of Midland, Texas to see Clark's parents. Tomorrow is Karen's Birthday so we decided to surprise her by dropping in on her dinner. We left FW around 4 and got to the restaurant around 8. She was shocked and totally caught off guard as Dean had told her that some of their friends were going to be meeting them there. We had a nice dinner and then headed home to chat for a while before turning in for the night.

Bailey ready to be out of the car.

Her signature smirk.

Piper lounging...

Entering the Tall City

Saturday, I went over to Wynne and Stephen's house to check out all they had done to it since first seeing it last summer. The house has really come together and all of their hard work and spray painting skills have paid off! It looks fantastic and they should both be proud! That night, we went with the Elder's and Dean to the Midland drive-in. (Karen had her 10 year :) high school reunion that night) There are these things called Chihuahua's at the Midland Drive-In. Basically, they are comprised of pimento cheese, cabbage and taco beef sandwiched between two tostada shells. I know they sound terrible but I promise they are fantastic. This was Wynne and Stephen's first Chihuahua and after much trepidation, we made believers out of them as well.

Wynne & I at the drive-in

2 generations of Chihuahua lovers

Not so sure about them...

First Bite...

Success!

Sunday we had brunch at Wall Street before heading back to town. For some reason, the drive there went so fast for me but dragged all the way back to FW. I was so glad when we finally made it. It was a great weekend and we were so thankful to be able to spend it with Clark's parents. Even when Karen wasn't prepared for us she was still the hostess with the mostess.
Happy Birthday!!

I heart Waco.

Last weekend, I was honored to be a guest at the Bouche nuptials. Scarlett's mom was getting married so we had a mini reunion in Waco to celebrate. Pam and Mike looked so happy and it was a pleasure to be there and share in their special day.

Scarlett & I

The Girls

There is just something about Waco. I know I went to Baylor for college and spent 4 (and a half) wonderful years in the city but I feel like I took it for granted. I get so anxious driving into town. Serious jitters; sort of like the first-day-of-school jitters. I have no idea why it happens; I think I just get giddy. I miss that my stresses consisted of a Packard Physics Test . I remember thinking that once I had a real job, it would all end because then I wouldn't have homework and I wouldn't have to study for tests anymore. After you left work for the day, you were done. Insert buzzer here. Boy, was I wrong. While, I am generally not a stressed out person, it boggles my mind to consider how naive my thinking was.

Waco has many things to offer; a flowing (sometimes not flowing) Brazos river, some fabulous restaurants (George's & Viteks anyone?) and extensive nightlife (see pics below from Wild West). While I did frequent Georges often during my stay in Waco, whenever I visit- it's a must. It's fun to go and see the new crowd of students partaking in a Baylor rite of passage. This weekend, after the wedding and reception, Alli, Julie and I headed by Georges to grab some food before meeting up with the rest of the group. This is what was ordered. Crazy Wings, Buffalo Chicken Tenders, Fries, Fried Pickles and Baylor Beggar's (2 rounds).

After hitting up the Waco staple, we met the rest of the girls (and Ran, bless his heart) at Scarlett's Mom's house to continue celebrating. It was a scorching day with highs reaching above 100 but that didn't stop us from having a good time. We played flip cup, did a little Cuban Shuffle and caught up with each other. Well into the evening, we headed to Cricket's to kick off the night but after a few minutes decided to take the party to Wild West...Has anyone been to a Graham Central Station or Midnight Rodeo type of place? If so, this was it. Immediately our group was out of place which I think was part of the appeal. We hit the dance floor and made some questionable new friends. See pics below:

Alli, Whitney & I
Scarlett & Jo Ann making new friends
Scarlett & Julie

Whitney & Ran

The Girls & Ran

I had a wonderful time and can't wait to do it all over again at Baylor Homecoming this year!

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

I got this recipe from my friend Sarah last night. It looks too good to be true. Let me know if you have seen this before. While I have all of the ingredients in my pantry, I made a pan of rice crispy treats last night so I think I should hold off on the mug cake...

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE


4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (Microwave Safe)

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well..Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT!

Bargain of the Day!!

What a steal. At Central Market right now they are selling a dozen mix and match roses for $7! And wait, there's more...

You get a free vase to go along with them! It's actually really pretty too. I was very pleased.

So any gents reading this blog (cough cough, Richard) Go out and buy your girlfriend/wife some roses!

Best of Fort Worth

What a weekend!
Friday night we went to the Best of FW party to celebrate the winners of the magazine this year. There were food vendors from all the best restaurants around the area. The best thing I tasted was this Jalapeno/Bacon Mac n' Cheese from Del Frisco's. It was truly life changing.

They had a great band and lots of fun performances. They also had a photographer taking pictures of us on the green screen and then they turned us into the magazine cover models. We took some hilarious pictures. We had a great group there and it was a perfect night in FW.

Trying out our "sexy" pose. I failed miserably.

The Girls

Richard, Clark & I
Charlie, Larkin and I

Clark and I

Saturday we ended up being pretty lazy. Around 5 pm, we went over to Kristin's Birthday Party. We hung out there for a while and then went with the group to The Original for some dinner. It was a big group and I think everyone was in good spirits. After dinner, we went to Conlon's for Karaoke. I know, something new and different. Claire and I had some touching duets and Clark won out for audience participation. There is just something about karaoke that brings people together. Such a fun night.

Claire & I

Claire & Kristin

The girls

Caroline, Lisa & I

There's no fish in that fishbowl?

Happy Birthday Bornitz! Last night, we went to Yucatan Taco Stand to celebrate with Fort Worth Magazine's Most Eligible Bachelor (seriously, look it up towards the bottom). We enjoyed munching on nachos and fish tacos and watching Bornitz attempt to drink his fishbowl. Terrible idea btw.

It is always nice to get together to do something during the week. It makes the week go by so much faster when you have something to look forward to break up the monotony of a 5 day work week. Here are some pics from the evening.

He had help btw; it was more of a group effort and no, he did not finish it.

Lobell dressing like the birthday boy and subsequently matching the beverage.
Haddy, Linds & I

Beastro

This weekend was a lot of fun! Friday night we went to Beastro at the Fort Worth Zoo. Basically, it's an event where a bunch of local restaurants come and serve up some of their specialties. I think I ate my weight in sushi & corndogs and felt pretty miserable afterwards but it was worth it. Better Than Ezra played and we got to walk around and check out some of the animals too. I love the zoo!

Lisa, Caroline & I

Very impressed...

The girls

Linds & I

Clark & I

I took a long nap and was pretty lazy on Saturday. We had a block party on Saturday evening and I was making my moms pasta salad. Its pretty labor intensive and was not looking forward to putting it together. After my nap, I went downstairs and Clark had prepared everything and it was all ready to go in the fridge! I have the best husband. The party was fun and it was nice to meet some of our neighbors.

Afterwards, some friends came over and we hung out for a while before heading out to Conlon's for karaoke. I sang Lean on Me and managed to butcher it. I felt like it was a safe bet but I found a way to make it terrible. It was very fun though.

Ryan & Bornitz (FW's Most Eligible Bachelor!)

The boys

Haddy & Ed

Haddy & I (yes, I am clothed)

Joe T's for brunch on Sunday was a perfect ending to my weekend and I am really looking forward to this week. Going to dinner with some friends on Tuesday and then going to see Wicked with my mom on Thursday night. I am so excited. Clark and I saw it in NY in Feb and I fell in love (Clark, not so much). We have another busy weekend ahead but it should be fun! Hope everyone has a great week!