a girl can only take so much!

I mean, REALLY!

What's a completely, inappropriately obsessed Twilight addict to do when so much yummy vampire goodness is released for our viewing pleasure?!

This week was a dream for Team Edward fans. The New Moon cast and crew are in Italy filming the Edward/Bella reunion and Volturi scenes, and tons of pictures of the filming were captured.

Christmas in May! No, wait. Much better.

one of the greatest things I've ever heard ...

... my three-year-old singing "This Little Light of Mine ... I'm Gonna Let It Shine ...." Pavarotti couldn't have done a better job.

Life is so, so good.

adult "drink box"

One of the niftiest things ever!
Black Iguana Frozen Ritas!

You buy a box of these pre-packaged drinks, available in both lime and strawberry, and then stick 'em in the freezer for a few hours. The result is a frozen pouch of Mexican goodness! Just stick the straw in the pouch, and presto! Frozen margarita, baby!

According to the website, they're currently only available in the greater Houston area

(Here's one of the best reasons for living in Houston. We've launched Black Iguana Frozen Ritas in the greater Houston area.)

Here's the "official" description, straight from the Black Iguana website ...

• Black Iguana Frozen Ritas are READY-TO-DRINK.

• We've just made your life much simpler. Put away that blender. No more crushed ice, limes, beverage glasses. And no more messy countertops!

• Black Iguana is premixed with 100% Blue Agave wine -- imported from Jalisco, Mexico

• Each Black Iguana Frozen Rita is individually packaged in a 187 ml pouch.

• Freeze until slushy or enjoy on-the-rocks.

• Drink straight from the pouch or pour into a beverage glass.

Why the hell didn't I think of this?

change of plans

I'm married to a good man. A very, very good man.

He puts up with my craziness. He's a fantastic father. He's excellent at the grill, but can also more than hold his own in the kitchen. He's a true guy -- he fixes things (or at least gives it a great effort ...), thrives when he's in the great outdoors, drives a truck (and not some pretty sports car), loves sports ... but smells good, and is about as supportive a husband as there is.

Our recent years with the Coast Guard have been tough. No, they've sucked. He was deployed way more than he was home, including during two hurricanes (one a major one) that we were forced to brave without him, he received orders to a duty station where we were unfortunately unable to join him as a family. We fought a fight against something we believed in, and then lost. As a result, we've been focusing on the eventual date when we could get as far away from the military as possible.

But life, true to form, enjoys games. And fate has a funny sense of humor. Yesterday we found out that Ty made the final cut to become a Chief Warrant Officer. So in June 2010, he'll accept his [monumental] promotion and sign up for another three years serving our great country.

And I'll be there with him, smiling and wondering where this journey will take us next, and grateful that he's by my side.

chasing venus

I've been drinking a Sauvignon Blanc that I adore -- Chasing Venus. It's a New Zeland Marlbourgh with a ton of personality.

The sommelier at my local H.E.B. pointed me in this direction. I'm a huge fan of Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blancs, and he told me that this was from the same region, and even better. I tried it, and totally agree.

Some comments on Venus from ArtisanVinyards.com:

Nose of grass and passionfruit. Great acidity that carries the fruit well. Tangy and fresh with a mouthful of tart pink grapefruit. A wonderful experience and a great value. -KS, tasted October '08

This wine just keeps getting better. It is as unmistakably New Zealand as ever, but with much more poise and balance than ever before. Apricots, grapefruit, cut grass, and juniper berries. Grapey and gulpy. -BH, April 2009

If you enjoy a really crisp, fruity white, give it a try. It runs about $13.00 a bottle ... a great summer wine.

sunshine, pigeons, water and smiles

A great Saturday.

Pictures from the Williams Tower Water Wall in Uptown Park, Houston.

My boy.

tornado warning

There's something about getting that message in your email that makes your heart race some ... if only just a little bit.

It's absolutely black outside (even though the sun should be shining brightly). The lightning and thunder is shaking the windows, and the dogs are pacing.

Aidan is eating waffles and watching Ni-Hao, Kai-Lan ... totally oblivious to the menacing weather around him, which is as things should be. I'm enjoying a glass of wine and a chunk of parmigiano reggiano.

I love this weather, but I've always been a [bad] weather junkie. Life is a blessing.

"old school Republicans are scared shitless..."

Anyone who's followed my blog for a while knows that I love Meghan McCain. Her views are about as closely aligned to my own as just about any others that I've read or heard out in the "main stream" media.

Sometimes, it's tough for a white, protestant, socially liberal, fiscally conservative Republican girl to find much of a common ground with others ... well, Meghan is one of the few with whom I can identify. Time and again, I find myself saying, "AMEN!" to stuff of hers that I read.

Here's the latest slam dunk by my fellow "goes against the grain" Republican girl. Love her guts.

McCain, at one point, declared herself a proud member of the GOP. But her pot shots at the Republican Party and its flashier figures were not thinly veiled. Describing her public tiff with Ann Coulter as non-delicate, she went on to refer to the brash conservative talker as "overly partisan and divisive." Later in the speech she insisted that "most of our nation wants our nation to succeed" - a pretty clear dig at the now-infamous remarks of talk radio host Rush Limbaugh.

my faculty meeting ran late ...

... so I didn't get to join my dear friend, Missy, at the Tea Party in Downtown Houston. Dammit. And Dammit some more. I try not to get too political on my blog, but I obviously voice my feelings from time to time, because its important to me. Today is one of those days.

I support my President, and I respect the will of the people. It's called a democracy, and it's a beautiful thing. But I've been increasingly concerned with the trend of events recently, mainly and primarily events revolving around more and more big government.

I'm so, so proud of all the folks who DID make their voices heard today, despite the bashing from the "main stream" media. So, instead of making a long rambling post about why I felt so strongly and passionately about the Tea Parties today, I thought I'd post some of my favorite Tea Party quotes from my browsing around the 'net today ...

"Your fair share is NOT in my wallet."

"Spread my ambition, not my wealth."

...at the Greenville, S.C., Tea Party, "They will be selling the 'Obama burger' — you pay for one and they cut it in half and give the rest to the guy behind you for free!"

"Next time read the bill."

"Member of the the irrelevant, lunatic fringe!"

"Your only HOPE is that I'm paying your mortgage."

dude ... excellent

Suh-weet! One of my favorite former Idol contestants (who also happens to be a Fightin' Texas Aggie! Whoop!) has a record deal!

Jason Castro has signed with Atlantic Records.

I've missed dread-locked Jason and his laid-back, guitar-playing ways. When he made a brief appearance during one of Idol's audition shows earlier this season (as a show of support for his brother who was trying out), it hit me why he's so appealing -- despite his talent, he doesn't take himself too seriously, which is a rare thing in this day and age ... especially in the entertainment industry.

Plus, I just love his music. The folksy, Colbie Caillat/Jason Mraz-ish stuff that comes from Castro is soothing and makes me smile. I mean, come on -- who didn't love his rendition of Over the Rainbow?!

I'll be buying his CD (produced by Grammy-winner John Fields) when it comes out later this year. Can't wait!

snakes and snails

As one of three daughters in an all-female family (except for my poor Dad), I wasn't exactly "prepared" for the antics of boys ... specifically, for my son, who appears to be, without a doubt, 100% pure boy. Add that to the fact that my dear husband is currently deployed and living on an opposite coast -- I'm on "boy duty" without much guidance. Each day with my three-year-old is an adventure -- sort of "on the job training" that takes new twists and turns at the most unexpected times.

I'm finding that the inner workings of these things called boys are a total and complete mystery to me.

Boys are weird. They say weird things. They do weird things. They make weird noises.
And sometimes, I just dont get it.

growing pains

My baby bumped his head ... in a really solid way. It was a bloody mess -- literally.

Big A was horsing around and fell head-first onto the edge of the brick fireplace last night. I've been waiting for that to happen, and up until last night, we'd managed to avoid it. But he's now officially earned his first good scar.

So Saturday night was spent in the ER (not a fun place to be in Houston on a weekend night ... ugliness abounds). After way too many hours sitting in the waiting room, and the growing realization that we were [rightfully so] at the very bottom of the triage list, we left the hospital and journeyed over to a local 24-hour urgent care clinic, which is where we should have gone to begin with (but I was initially worried about his noggin, as well as the laceration). It was awesome.

We walked right in, they cleaned up my little guy, gave him a popsicle and put him in the "Lion" room (with a way cool lion bed), put some cartoons on the flat-screen TV in his room, and sewed him up.

So, a few staples in the head later, we're all good. And like Ty always says, "Chicks dig scars." I'm getting a crash course in this whole motherhood thing now, I guess. Boys will be boys, and I'm proud of mine for being so brave.

Milestones

my boys

I just got to spend two weeks with my favorite boys -- my husband and my son. That might not seem like a big deal to most, but as anyone who may be reading this probably already knows, we currently live thousands of miles apart, due to military orders that have temporarily separated us.

I'm guilty of bitching way too much, so a perspective check is always appreciated, and usually long overdue on my part. My Spring Break might not have been glamorous or fancy. But to me, it was precious beyond words. Times that I've treasured:

- Aidan and Ty getting a haircut together.

- Ty taking Aidan to the doctor when he was sick with strep throat ... and then being uber-conscientious about making sure that he got his antibiotic twice a day (for ten days!).

- Going to a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese together as a family

- Aidan's first fish (woo hoo!)

- Ty changing a burned-out headlight in my car

- Making Saturday-morning waffles together.

- Chillaxin' at the Schwarz's house with the kids and "Aunt Belly."

- Hearing Aidan ask for Ty in the middle of the night ... hearing Ty say, "Daddy's coming."

- MY TWILIGHT DVD! (c'mon ... I couldn't leave that one out!)

I love you, Mr. Mailman!

A few days earlier than I'd expected, I just received quite the package (in more ways than one!) -- my Twilight DVD and calendar! Yippee!!!

So, now the big question is, how do I get rid of my hubby for a few hours when he's home on leave to see me?

I seriously need some "alone" time with Edward.... ;)

I still haven't even broken into the cellophane wrapping. I'm content right now just staring at it.

Sad, pathetic, adolescent, and ridiculous, I know. But so, so true.

Mike's Pomegranate Lemonade

YUMMY!

I'm not a big bottled, fru-fru drink/wine cooler kind of person, but sometimes after a day in the sun, when I've got that super thirst thing working, I get a craving for something other than beer or wine, but not super loaded with liquor. Know what I mean?

Enter Mike's Hard Lemonade Co., specifically, Mike's Pomegranate Lemonade. Really good! And at only 98 calories a pop (no fat), you don't have to feel too guilty about throwing back a few. Here's how Mike's website describes it:

Mike’s signature hard lemonade combines with juicy pomegranate, and subtle notes of berry, cherry, cranberry for a refreshing blend perfect for any social occasion.

I've been on a big pomegranate juice kick recently, so this was a fun find. It's a great summertime beverage ... oh, and the Cranberry Lemonade rocks too. I was pleasantly surprised! That's my official Spring Break discovery for 2009, I guess. ;)

Robert Pattinson "I Don't Know"

In honor of my favorite Vampire ... (and the Twilight DVD release this week).

Why am I so obsessed with Rob? He answers the question in this YouTube clip.

'fessing up

... ok. I'm going to admit it. There's no shame in it. A bunch of people are starting to do it. It's really convenient. And it doesn't mean that I still don't appreciate the really good stuff (do I sound defensive enough yet?)....

I've recently been drinking wine out of a box!!!

There! I said it!

Here's the story. About a week ago, my mom picked up a box of Hardy's, an Australian wine. I opened the refrigerator and, in true wine snob fashion, immediately jumped all over her. "What the heck is this box of wine doing in here?"

I have no idea why she bought it. Maybe it was on sale. Who knows. But damn! I love having a box of wine (spigot and all!) in the front of the fridge on the top shelf! We've been drinking on the chardonnay, so it's always nice to have it really cold. And talk about convenient! You just press the little bottle and, voila! Instant refreshment!

Just because I'm still feeling self-conscious about it and sort of feel the need to further defend my actions, I'm providing excerpts from a review of the Hardy's boxed wine. It's from The Boxed Wine Spot (who knew there was such a thing?!). Actually, after doing a little bit of research, several online sites tout the positives of wine in a box. I was really surprised!

Boxed wine cheap, but doesn't taste it

Hardys of southeastern Australia is a major producer of wines in the land down under.

One of the company's claims to fame is the production of really good wine packaged in three-liter boxes, the equivalent of four regular bottles of wine. These boxes are made of heavy cardboard with a plastic bag inside that is filled with wine and sealed. At the bottom of the bag is a pouring spigot.

The wine can be kept in the refrigerator or on a shelf without any deterioration problems from oxidation for an incredibly long six weeks. The boxes also are a great way to carry your wine to a party, barbecue or out to the lake.

How fun does that sound???

But wait! There's more!

- Hardys 2006 South Eastern Australia Chardonnay (three-liter box/$18.99). Here is a perfect example of a modern Australian chardonnay, and an example of what can be accomplished with grapes from a fine growing area. The aroma stresses green apples, pears, melons and spice, with oak and vanilla in the background. The green apple and the melon are the most prominent flavors, with an entire collection of tropical fruits lying just offshore. This chardonnay deserves your attention, especially at the price.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm still all about pulling the cork on a fine Cabernet or Pinot Grigio. But I'm so glad that I've discovered an alternative to Franzia.

Gentlemen's Quarterly

The April cover is out.

**swoon**

Love the title ... "ROBERT PATTINSON IS HERE: HIDE YOUR DAUGHTERS"

(how 'bout your wives?)

The pure genius that is Google

Happy Texas Independence Day

173 years ago on a cold, gray, and rainy day at the Town of Washington, 59 delegates read and approved the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico. The document was literally produced overnight; for at that same moment, the Alamo in San Antonio was being hammered by artillery from Santa Anna's Mexican army.

Four days later, defended by such Texas heroes as Davey Crockett, Jim Bowie, and William B. Travis, the Alamo fell ... but not before those men put up one helluva fight. The defenders held out for 13 days against Santa Anna's army. They drew a line in the sand and refused to surrender.

Today, that spirit of independence remains alive and well in the Lone Star State. Texans are often misunderstood and labeled as arrogant or boastful. But that's not it ... it's immense pride and heritage. People care about people here. People care about their homes and neighbors. People care about being Texans.

I love the wide open spaces. I love the smells. I love the sunsets. I love the fact that all in one state you can drive to the gorgeous beaches of South Padre Island, or experience the nightlife and music of Austin, or enjoy the mountains of Big Bend, or fish the Gulf Coast, or hunker down for a cold and windy blizzard in the panhandle. But most of all, I love the people.

Texans put God, country, and family first. Always. But football, cold beer, BBQ, tailgates, raft trips down the river, two-stepping at Gruene Hall, and bluebonnets in the spring are also religious experiences. We respect our soldiers, say 'Yes, Ma'am' and 'No, Sir', punish our law-breakers, fly our flags, and respect tradition.

A good Texas girl like me couldn't let today pass without reflecting on how blessed and lucky I am to be a part of this great state. Author John Steinbeck said it best ... "Texas is a state of mind. Texas is an obsession. Above all, Texas is a nation in every sense of the word."

God Bless Texas.