Upping our Art Factor

Ever since visiting Trey and Melanie last fall and admiring all of the art they have accumulated from their trips and vacations over the past few years, Jason and I decided that we need to up our art factor. We have a few original pieces, but most of our stuff is just from Kirkland's or Marshall's, etc. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but it does seem to lack the individuality that Trey and Melanie's house abounds. So, over the past couple of months, we've tried to make a conscientious effort to be on the lookout for a few good pieces.  

We lucked out at Christmastime when Jason's aunt gifted each of her nephews with one of her original watercolors.  We picked a floral piece that goes especially well with our new quilt.  We moved the photography by Jason's mom and the custom silhouette by this guy to the other side of the room.

We've also added a few new pieces to our living room.  We picked up the bike clock on our Hill Country trip.  (Not original, but cute nonetheless.)  I found the wrought iron cross at a gas station of all places.  I also framed a picture of my paternal grandfather reading with his grandmother. 

We still have a ways to go, but it's been a fun process.  Houston has some talented artists.  We bought this sketch for Jason's brother after I met the artist a local art market.  Last night we went to Artopia; my favorite art of the night was actually by a few of the local street artists, which isn't exactly something you can purchase.  We're also thinking about buying one of the pictures we saw the other night at Bohemeo's. 

Hmm... maybe I'll just be inspired by my Artsy Fartsy Pinterest Board and make something myself.  :)

Fredericksburg, Tx

On Saturday Jason & I headed to the Hill Country for a nice, relaxing long weekend away.  

Radar's ready for the trip.

Deer Ridge Lodge, oh how we love thee.  This is the same cabin we stayed at
last year.

Saturday we just hung out at the cottage and enjoyed the wildlife.

Sunday morning we woke up and enjoyed the sunrise.

Isn't it pretty?  I don't think I've ever watched the sunrise in the city.

We went to Alamo Springs Cafe for lunch.  They had an awesome band playing. 
We were also able to catch most of the Texans game on the TV.
(Sorry for the bad picture - it was taken with my phone.)

After lunch, we explored the country for a bit.  We found this old schoolhouse on
the Lyndon B. Johnson ranch near Stonewall.

Then we visited a few of the wineries.  This one's Becker.  We also went to
Pedernales, Woodrose, & Messina Hof.

Overall, it was a wonderful weekend.  I wish we could visit every weekend.
(Minus the 4+ hour drive, of course.) 

Brays Bayou Flooding

Today's storm brough 4-6 inches of rain to Houston, with area tornadoes and hail, and plenty of flooding.  I snapped these pictures of Brays Bayou when I got home from work.  Water was completely over MacGregor Way, and unfortunately flooded a few cars and garages in the neighborhood.  I'm grateful we live about 1/3 mile from the bayou.

How to Build a Raised Garden Bed: City of Houston Edition

Jason and I have our own experience building raised garden beds as described here and here, but today I joined forces with City of Houston employees and other Urban Harvest volunteers to help build the City's newest City Garden.  Located at the Houston Permitting Center which houses the Green Building Resource Center, this garden will be planted, maintained, and harvested by City employees.  I believe this is the City's third City Garden, with the first two located at the Public Works Building and Tranquility Park downtown. 

We built five beds, one for each floor of the center.  The garden bed walls are made
out of repurposed bricks from the City's ReUse Warehouse. 

The hardest job of the day was removing the old mortar from the sides of the bricks
so they would line up straight.

 Once the walls were up, we raked the grass and weeds from each bed.

Then we laid down heavy duty gardening fabric to keep the weeds from coming back.

Surprisingly, we had the five beds up in about two hours.

Next Thursday, City employees will fill the beds with soil and fertilizer with planting to follow at a later date.  It was really fun to work with other volunteers to build the garden beds.  To learn more about Houston's community gardens or how you can get involved, click here.

Grilled Flounder

Jason and I don't cook at home enough.  We really enjoy cooking together, but most nights we rather just be lazy bums and order in or go out for a quick bite.  Last weekend, however, before we headed back to work from our nice long break, we decided to make a nice meal. 

Jason grilled some flounder (topped with fresh thyme from the garden.)  We also had a head of broccoli ready to be harvested from the garden, so I steamed it with some Whole Foods cauliflower.  Lastly, we made some skin-on mashed red potatoes.  I had never made mashed potatoes from scratch, but it was surprisingly simple and very good!

Doesn't the meal look nice on our new table settings?

Mmmm... looks good up close.

If only we cooked like this every night.

Christmas Presents

For the past couple of years, Jason and I have mostly just asked for gift cards for Christmas.  So boring, I know.  It's just that when you make money of your own, it's hard to figure out something that you want or need that you haven't already gotten for yourself.  Well, this year I was determined to actually pick things out.  I think it makes Christmas more exciting, both for the gift givers and recipients.  Plus, there's more presents to open, and that's always fun, right?

Jason, he stuck to the gift cards.  B-o-r-i-n-g.

I created a Pinterest page of little odds and ends that I found cute or that I wanted, so most of my gifts came from there.

My parents bought me new place settings - place mats, napkins, napkin rings, & cute glasses.  Jason just loves the pink floral napkins.  ;)

I also received this tea set.  I'm totally ready for mid-afternoon tea.

Oooo, and I'm ready for picnic.  Jason's parents got me this awesome wine cooler, and Jason's aunt and uncle got me a cheese board with knives.  And we can pack for the picnic in the wonderful Pottery Barn bag that Trey and Melanie gave me.  I can't wait until the free shows at Miller Outdoor Theater start up again in March.  We are uber-prepared.

So, not only are we ready for pretty meals, mid-afternoon teas, and picnics, but I also received 3 pajama pants, 2 pairs of house shoes, 2 pairs of earrings & a necklace, a gift card to Chili's, a gift card to Starbucks, the book "The Omnivore's Dilemma," and a Willow Tree angel.  And, the day after Christmas, Jason found me two pairs of sneakers on sale at Academy.  Score. 

Total slam dunk this year, huh?

I am grateful for all the gifts I got, but I am especially grateful for the time I got to spend with family.  It's nice that we live close enough and that our work schedules allow us to spend time together.

Oh, and don't expect an exciting New Years Eve post.  Jason and I were in bed by 9 pm.  The most exciting part of our night was waking up at midnight to all of the gunshots going off in the neighborhood.  That went on for about 45 minutes, with the dog barking for the first 25 minutes until he got used to it.  Fun times.

We did eat an awesome brunch with Sal and Nicole at Petrol Station yesterday.  It was delish and a great way to spend the first day of 2012.  :)

AHS Alumni Soccer Game

Another highlight of being back at home for an entire week was the 2nd annual Alice High School Alumni Soccer Game.  The old guys won 4-2.  

Alumni team after the game.

Jared and Jordan making a run.  Jordan had a hat trick (3 goals.)

Jason nearly taking out the goalie.  He had an awesome bicycle kick earlier in the game.

Los tres hermanos de Familia H.