Apples of Gold: Loving Your Children

Last night, we discussed Loving your Children.

Thursday Night Menu

Mexican Fiesta Dip & Chips

Southwest Caesar Salad with Frico Cup

King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Refried Beans

Tortillas

Lime Pie

A Closer Look at The Food We Eat

The documentary, Food Inc, has been sitting in my Netflix cue for months. But the last few weeks, everyone around me has been talking about it. So, when I was bogged down with allergies, I sat down on the sofa and watched it. Most of the info was just a repeat of what I've already heard from other outlets. Here is the trailer.



It did reignite my interest in home-grown local produce and products. Shopping locally is pricey and can add up fast (not saying anything new), but like the movie mentions, we vote with dollars and cents. I like the idea that when I spend my family's hard earned money - it goes back into my community. So, I've decided when its possible, I will shop farmers market. A lot of my friends think I shop organic everything. I don't, but I try to shop first locally, second organic, and lastly supermarket surprise. I've been doing this for a while and it works. The fall and winter months I do a lot of supermarket surprise produce shopping.

But in the last few years organic is popping up everywhere, I'm sure you've noticed this, it's hard to miss. So, this makes my life easier when I shop at Wal-Mart. Lord knows, I've done the whole shopping at Central Market for produce, meat, and bread and then shopping at Wal-Mart for everything else. It's exhausting. I raise my glass to Wal-Mart for offering more affordable organic options.

Cowtown Blend by Aduro Bean

A lot of my friends and family members drink coffee. We love it. We drink it everyday. We'd go crazy without it. Even if you are like my mother-in-law who only drinks decaf, you still have to have it. 

Well, this past weekend Cheyenne and I stopped by the farmers market and I bought this irresistible coffee made by  Aduro Bean. Look them up. Did I mention a bag is $10.50 a lb? Is it just me or 
does that sound expensive? To compare....the coffee I normally buy 
costs $5 dollars (12 oz) and I think its pretty good. I think its so 
good, I've been consistently drinking it for more than five years.

However, Aduro Bean is home grown Fort Worth, fair trade, and 
organic. I can't resist. Plus, my compost pile is going to love these 
coffee grounds. Drink it up. Gulp. Gulp.

If you come over, I'll brew you some, but after the first cup I'm 
going to have to charge you. No, I would never do that.

Par-Tay!

Saturday we celebrated Ben's birthday. Ben is one of our friends from church.

Have you ever played wiffle ball? Loads of fun. 

Trey, Ben, and Chad.

Short Cool Run

This everning Trey went fishing and Chey and I went on a short 3 mile run. It was nice and cool. We have to enjoy this weather, while it lasts because come May it's gonna get HOT.

Here's to Trying New Things: My First Garden

I've been saying it for years, "I'm going to plant a garden." Well, I finally did it. Yesterday, after church I got enough seed to feed a small village. Yes, I went a little crazy on the seed. No, I didn't plant everything. 

When I went to Lowe's, I met an older woman who was also purchasing seed. She's been gardening for years and I kept asking her questions. "So, what do you think about this vegetable and how does this grow in this region and what about strawberries?" She finally said gardening is fun, just plant it and see what happens. Easy for her to say, but she's right. This is where we planted the garden.

I had so much fun with Trey prepping the garden. The key word is prepping. Once it came time to lay the seed I got really frustrated. I have no idea what I'm doing. Here's to trying new things and here's to gardening...Oh and look my garden will be partially shaded in the evening. I meant to do that. ;)

Cheyenne also got into it. I think she likes gardening a little too much because at one point she was eating the dirt.

Last year, Trey built me a compost bin for my birthday and this year he helped me build a garden. Thanks Trey. Also note, his lovely cowtown half marathon finisher shirt.

After months of composting, I finally get to use it. Yay for organic gardening!

As of now, this is what I have:
1. Squash - I hear this grows well and its idiot proof. I will test this theory. I actually planted this outside of the garden bed. It's right under the window sill, where Cheyenne is standing in the picture above.
2. Onions - Nothing to say. Crossing my fingers.
3. Cilantro - I've had great success growing cilantro indoors.
4. Jalapenos - Not sure about this, but I hear they are easy to grow in Texas.
5. Strawberries - I'm pretty sure I botched it. I had no idea what I was doing with it, but wouldn't it be nice to have some fresh fruit from my very own garden.
6. Basil - I threw this seed in a large potting bowl.
7. Sage - Also planted this in a large potting bowl.
8. Tomatoes - two different types, vine and tomatillos.

Cheyenne @ Church

Sunday morning Trey and I helped out with Cheyenne's Sunday School class. I enjoyed watching her interact and play with the other kids. Out of the three videos I shot, this one is my favorite.

Cheyenne shows her silly side, when she goes down the bridge head first.

Building Blocks

Familia

Yesterday, was wonderful! Susan and Brian were in town. The last time we saw them was at the baby shower back when I was pregnant.

From Baby Showers

And I think the time before that, it was their wedding.

Trey and I really need to plan a Port Lavaca trip...it's been too long.

Jeremy and Jerrica also joined Brian and Susan, so Saturday night we had a full house because all the kids were here too. I made tostadas and everyone ate it up! Those kids were starving...haha! It was great and Jeremy introduced me to the best wine. I had to write it down, so I could remember. It's called moscato. It's a sweet white wine. You've gotta try it.

New Extended Trail

Distance: 10.2 miles
Duration: 01:39:55
Average Pace Per Mile: 09:47
Temperature: around 60 degrees
Notes: It's been raining off and on for the last two weeks and unlike last week's humid run, this morning it was cool and dry.

The trees are green! I'm so happy spring is here!

I took this picture of the trail on March 6th. Can you believe this is what it looked like a few weeks ago?!

The last time I took that photo, was the last time I ran the trail. So, this morning was my first time to run on the NEW extended trail. The city extended the pavement, which means I can run a shorter distance from my house to the trail. Before it would suck after a rain storm because I would have to run in the mud, but this morning I didn't have to mess with it...I just hopped on the pavement. Tax dollars well spent. Love it!

Apples of Gold: Loving Your Husband

Last night, at AOG, we made a delicious heart-shaped chocolate cake. As a parting gift, we received a white box and flash light . Inside the white box are four small chocolate treats.

When I got home, I walked in the door and showed Trey the cake and said, "Look what I made for you!" Trey loves sweets, especially cake.


The lesson we discussed was loving your husband. Last week I spent a lot of time reading the Song of Songs...Whoa! That's a steamy book! I had to keep telling myself, this is the BIBLE.

Here is the scripture that was attached to the flashlight.

Finish Line in Sight

After seeing Adam's race photos, the ones of him smiling in every single frame....I thought I'd do the same. Well, at least I tried. So, during last week's race, as I was about to cross the finish line, I saw the camera and continued to look forward (at the finish line) and grinned.

Instead of looking like an exhausted runner, I look like a happy runner.

If you want to see more race photos, here is the link

Lululemon Athletica Group Run

Isis invited me to the first Lululemon group run. We ran 3 miles (10 minute pace) on the beautiful Trinity Trail. I really appreciate Trey rushing home from work and relieving me from mommy duties to go running. He's such a wonderful supporting husband! And I had so much fun!  I should've gone running with a group a long time ago...

In case you didn't know, Lululemon is a yoga and athletic store. Yeah, I didn't know about them until 3 weeks ago. Next month, I'm hoping to sign up for some yoga classes. 

Bluebonnets in Full Bloom

She smiles just like Trey.

Every year, the bluebonnets bloom in our neighborhood. This year they seemed to be bigger and brighter.



These last two portraits are from last week. Trey and I tried taking pictures while she was wearing one of her Easter dresses. The sun was setting, just as I snapped these.

Cheyenne's First Braid

It's not the prettiest braid I've ever made, but it's Cheyenne's first. 

Snuggle time with Daddy

Her hair is so light compared to mine, but she still has baby curls...she got that from me.


Well, today has been both good and bad. Bad, because my allergies have been acting up. Good, because I spent most of the afternoon on the sofa. Oh, it was also good because I got a lot of hugs today. Cheyenne likes to run up to me and wrap her little arms around my legs. She'll squeeze my legs for a few seconds and then giggle. It's really sweet.

13th Annual Ft. Worth Zoo Run 10K

Distance: 6.2 miles
Duration: 54:52
Average Pace Per Mile: 08:50

Age Group Place: 22 out of 119 Female Runners

Overall Place: 233 out of 793 Overall Runners 
Temperature: around 60 degrees 

Before the race, I met up with Isis and Lee, AKA The Running Couple. I also met their friend Kristy.

About the race, it was hilly and humid! I was drenched. I don't know how people run in humid weather. I was wet Wet WET! And as soon as I crossed the finish line it started raining. By that time, I didn't care anymore. It was still fun and I'd do it again. I'm taking a break from racing for a while and I'm going to focus on endurance and building my mileage up. I also want to incorporate speed training into my workout schedule, maybe once a week. 

Apples of Gold: Sowing Seeds of Kindness

Last night's AOG topic was on kindness. It got me thinking about my attitude and behavior towards others. I feel more aware and challenged to be more kind.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12

As a parting gift, we received this basket, a metal plate (this is the day the Lord has made),  flower seeds, and a keepsake book.

Here is the keepsake book.

I love all the embellished details. Beautiful. I can't believe someone took the time to make this...I really appreciate it.

Food Demonstration: Old Fashioned Apple Crisps
This was the first cooking/baking demonstration we've had and it was more interactive than I expected. We gathered around the island, sliced apples, and tossed them with the dry ingredients. Our host, Faye, gave us helpful tips and showed us a few kitchen gadgets. Nutmeg grater was one of them. I'm glad we made this desert because I never would've made this on my own. If you want some, stop by my house, I have plenty to go round.

Back to Work

Since returning back to work, I've been dealing with a lot of housekeeping. Filling out travel expense forms, emails, and prioritizing future projects. It's been busy, but I thought I'd post a few photos I took at the NABShow expo floor. All of these images were taken at the Sony booth, my favorite!

I sat through a Sony presentation by Brooke Rudnick. I've reference her videos before, the ones published through Sony, but I had no idea she was speaking at NAB. It was a nice surprise. If you are an event videographer and editor I would suggest looking her up. Her work is amazing and inspiring. She spoke about the Sony XDCAM EX. If I had my own production company I would invest in this camera. At the moment, I don't have the time or desire for that, but maybe one day.

It was all about 3D and LED screens and Lights.

More 3D

Workflow

@RunnersWorld I'm Easily Flattered & Amused

If you're familiar with Twitter you'll understand this, but for those who don't have a Twitter account, I'll explain.

A few days ago, I posted this and included @runnersworld, so they would see that I had mentioned them:





Then Runner's World reposted this and responded to my tweet. By retweeting (RT) this means that all 30,000+ of their followers saw this.




I just thought that was cool. Yes, I'm easily flattered and amused.

Soak it in

This morning, I went for one more run, before catching my flight. I ran a little longer than the other day and I saw more and stopped more. Every time I'd find my rhythm, I'd stop to take a photo. Last year, I saw most of Las Vegas walking at night and this year I saw Vegas running during sunrise. I recommend both.

I almost ran the entire strip, maybe next year I'll have time to run the entire stretch.

I took all these photos with my cell phone...not bad.

See that bridge? There were all these cross walks and I ran up so many stairs crossing from one side of the street to the next. Stair work out!

The Mirage!

Paris!

Mommy Missed You Too!

Cheyenne last year while I was out of town....

Cheyenne this year, with that same photo...

Cold Pizza and Playing Outside

Here are some photos Trey sent me and I thought I'd share them with you.

She knows what's in that box.