Lindsey the Dogsitter

Im dogsitting for Lindsey and Matt Zolfo's dog while they are at the hospital giving birth to their baby boy Walker Matthew. We're just on pins and needles waiting to hear the good news

about the new baby. So Baxter and I sent Mama Linds a little note....

I've been enjoying the little guy. He's just been a great little house guest. He will sit around and watch me work and just lay in his bed. He greated the electrician at my house and didnt have an accident, and we went on a little walk around the house before it started to rain. Its pretty fun having a little buddy around here.

I think Baxter and I are going to catch Oprah on tivo and start making dinner....

Tyler's Ultimate

So far i've made 4 recipes from my cookbook... keeping to my 2 a week. I've made the Ultimate Coleslaw, Ultimate Ratatouille, Ultimate Salmon and smashed potatoes with peas, and the Ultimate Chicken Wings. I'll say so far its 3 for 4 homeruns, 1 out. The Coleslaw, Salmon, and Ratatouille were fabulous. I've posted the Ratatuille recipe bc i had to share it. The wings, were dull and boring... not good at all. Here's a few pics of my successess this past week!

Salt and Pepper Salmon with Smashed Potatoes and Peas- fab


The Ultimate Coleslaw


The Ultimate Ratatouille- i only knew the name bc of the disney movie... had no idea what it was until i read the recipe. Its just a veggie dish that you make in stages- eggplant, zuchinni, onion, tomato and some anchovies for kick!



Here's the recipe scanned.

Mom and Dad in Dallas

I love when mom and dad come visit. We have so much fun! They took another one of their famous Roadtrips... San Diego to Dallas to Austin to Houston in a three week span. I cant believe they drive that long, but am so glad they did it.

We had a ball... i taught mom and dad the art of eating like a texan...we broke out the smoker and made chicken and brisket. It was quite an event, starting with a trip to Bass Pro Shop. They've never been before, as a matter of fact, i've never been except one time prior to taking them. They couldn't believe it... its seriously an event. So we got our chips at Bass pro, fired up the smoker and cooked all day for 9 hours... it was SO good and a hit. I think they've already put one on the wishlist for a christmas present from the girls...

Here are a few pics- Mom and Ben


Me Celebrating a great homeade BBQ dinner and Mat and Lindsey got the wishbone


... we wished for a baby delivery that night, but didnt get it. ha!

Fall is here.

So instead of the Day after Labor Day putting away all my white and linen, I get down (Ben gets down) all my fall stuff from the attic. I LOVE fall. My house looks so cute this time of year. It means football season, chili on Sundays, fall leaves, my birthday!!, crisp, not cold air, and all sorts of apples are in season. I just Love it.
Here’s my table décor

Here’s my new entry room buffet/ table. We found it at Weirs on Labor day and got a great deal. Also, we hung our new red/ orange pottery barn curtains in the opening room window. I don’t know why its taken me 2 years to even think about putting up drapes, but they look so pretty and really open the room up

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Julie and Julia… I have not lost my inspiration.

So, I posted about a month ago about doing a Cook through a Cookbook. I gave myself until Labor Day to start/ choose my book. Well, I’ve chosen to cook through, “Tyler’s Ultimate” by Tyler Florence. Tyler Florence is a foodnetwork chef who is from South Carolina but lives in NY and San Fran. He’s a southern guy with very high level of training. His show is called Tyler’s Ultimate, and the concept is that he makes a traditional staple dish, such as meatloaf or spaghetti carbonara, and makes the “ultimate” version of it. He doesn’t cut corners, uses butter, and makes every thing looks seriously good. I couldn’t think of a better book to start out it.
I cant wait to start.
If you read my previous blog post, you’ll know that I’m very busy with work/ travel/ weekends have been packed. So, the past two weeks were a bad time for me to start. But, I’ve committed to myself that my first dish will be made by this weekend, when my parents come in town. I’ll try out the first dish on them. I’m deciding between the Ultimate Ratatioulle or the Ultimate Salmon. I’ll blog all about it… whether you like it or not!

Dallas, Nashville, San Antonio, Dallas, Altanta, Sioux Falls, Minneapolis, Dallas. Tired.

This has been my travel schedule inclusive of cities that I’ve been delayed in more than 2 hours… excuse me I mean 5 hours.
Work has been pretty busy the past month of so. Its fun traveling to cities I’ve never/ would never have gone to. I get to see the Airport, the nasty taxi cabs, the Hilton Garden Inns, and the Hospital Administration office. Talk about sight seeing.
I’ve been to Nashville probably 15 times in the past 2 years. I’ve never been downtown, I’ve never been to a honky tonk, and I’ve Never seen ANYONE famous. I am seriously ready to change this… I’d love to run into Brad Paisley or Carrie Underwood at the grocery store!!
Anyway, I post b/c I just spent 5 hours in Atlanta tonight on Delta. In a 5 hour span that was supposed to be 1.5 hrs, they changed gates on me 4 times… even terminals. It was so stressful / annoying to be toting around a suitcase and laptop bag on that tram. Very annoying.
The only upside to the delay is that I got to see the first half of the Cowboy game and the National Anthem.. my fave part.
Downside is I’ll get probably 4 hours of sleep then present a financial model at 9am and have different meetings until 2… and then do the travel thing all over again.
Im tired just thinking about it.

We’re Ready for Walker.

Saturday, I had the pleasure of co-hosting Lindsey Zolfo’s baby shower with my dallas girlfriends for her 3 week away baby boy, Walker Matthew. We cant wait to meet him.
The girls and I had so much fun planning the shower, and it really turned out to be so darling. We made a great team and put together a very classy, but comfortable party. We used our china plates and glasses and real forks… it was fun to use my china for the … first time!!
Here are a few Pics

Lindsey and Mrs Walker

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W cake for Walker

Lindsey and Lindsey

The Hostesses

The Spread