seriously....this is my life

Saturday at the Farmer's Market

Our little family took a trip to the Farmer's Market on Saturday morning.  The weather was perfect...in my opinion it's perfect when I get to wear a jean jacket!  This particular farmer's market offers only seasonal, locally grown or made products.  Everytime I go I discover something new. 

This time I bought green beans, zucchini, yellow squash, red potatoes, flowers, red onions, homemade cheese crackers, and beets.  I also took my camera to snap some photos...because that's just what I do!

they even have a food truck now where you can get breakfast...one day I'll do this...just so I can say I've eaten from a food truck!

one of these trips I will buy an orchid from here...but I had one once and killed it :( so I'll need some caring for Orchid lessons

There are several flower stands, but this is where I always get my flowers.  The farm where these are grown is in Weimer, TX (about 1.5 hours West of Houston).  They have a farmer's market there on Fridays and I am dying to go and take photos of the flower fields.  If anyone would want to take that field trip I can probably do it next month when Brian will be able to take Friday's off again. 

If I were getting married I would go here early on Saturday morning and buy my flower bouquets, seriously!

my boys

and yes, there's even a vendor who makes fresh lattes and coffee on the spot.  I got a delicious vanilla latte to enjoy!

This is only a small glimpse of everything offered.  You can bring knives to get sharpened (I'm totally doing that next time), buy fresh shrimp and seafood, grass fed beef, organic, free-range chicken and eggs, lavender, artisan bread, and premade food. It's truly one of my favorite things to do on a Saturday morning!

Karsten's Birthday--Children's Museum

After having a yummy breakfast we all got ready and headed out to the Houston Children's Museum.  I had heard great things about it, that it was great for kids of all ages, so that's where we began our birthday celebration.  Let's just say that I was so impressed by this museum that I bought a membership so that we can take Karsten as much as we want in the next year.  I can also take Karsten by myself and take another person for free, so if you want to meet at the Children's Museum let me know! 

Kate and Emma

I love all the colors

Mom and Dad having fun with the magic mirrors

Brian having fun with the magic mirrors

Kate pulling Emma up

We loved the Tot Spot...a perfect place for children under 3 to play. 

I appreciated the fact that they had mesh bags hanging around where you could put toys that your child has slobbered on so they could be cleaned! We filled a bag :)

Then we found our way outside which was another gem! 

The Moore Families---I LOVE this photo!!!

Braedon and Chris at the Flow Works station

Kiki, Papa K, Brian, Me, and Karsten (Karsten was getting tired by this time)

Leaving

Lunch at Maggianos---yum!

hello cutie

Braedon was being shy :)

Back home and time for a birthday walk

Brazos Bend State Park

The weather in Houston has been gorgeous, but we all know that it won't last forever.  Brian mentioned a few weeks ago that he wanted to go to Brazos Bend State Park and when I realized we didn't have any plans for Saturday, and the weather was going to be perfect, I suggested we pack up the Bug and spend the afternoon there. 

It was about a 40 minute drive from our house and cost $7 for each adult.  Kids under 12 are free.  Brazos Bend is basically a nature preserve...think Everglades but smaller.  I was a teeny bit hesitant because of the likely chance I may encounter a snake, but I put on my big girl pants and gave it a go.  Now, the thought of seeing snakes freaked me out...the likelihood of seeing Alligators didn't faze me.  I'm weird. 

We didn't have to walk far to see a couple Gators...they were just sunning themselves...about 15 feet from the walking path.  No biggie...except the sign says to stay at least 30 feet from them...clearly they don't know the park rules. 

These are the same gators, this photo was taken from the above boardwalk...actually these were the only gators we saw the entire time

Karsten was groovy the whole day...because he is Mr. Groovy

spider webs kind of fascinate me

We could have walked on an unpaved path around this lake, but we didn't bring the baby bjorn and it was a bit bumpy to take Karsten on a 1.4 mile walk.  So, we drove to a different section and went out on another paved path.  We saw lots of waterfowl and heard several bullfrogs

and because I have a remote for my camera we even got a family photo

and there's always time for a little jet pilot

If you live in the Houston area, I really recommend Brazos Bend State Park.  There is much more that we didn't see.  Many families had their bikes and rode the paths.  Oh, and bring bug spray and sunscreen!

meal plan monday + photos of Farmer's Market bounty

I didn't make a meal plan last week because I knew Brian would be working late nearly every night.  Although this kept me from needing to cook each night, I, in turn, ate horribly...and so did Brian.  The next 5 weeks will mean later work nights for him, but unless I want to buy new pants and feel just plain yuck I need to continue to cook...or at least prepare a well balanced dinner each night.  This also helps in having leftovers for lunch. 

Here's the run down for this week:

Monday--Lemon Marinated Grilled Chicken, Green Salad with Sorrell (bought at Farmer's Market), carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, red cabbage with homemade Green Goddess dressing (recipe coming soon), Roasted New Potatoes

Tuesday--White Bean and Swiss Chard Soup, Roasted Tomato Bruschetta

Wednesday--BBQ Short Ribs in Slow Cooker, Mashed Potatoes, Cabbage Salad with Tri Colored Bell Peppers

Thursday--Mom's Homemade Mac and Cheese, Steamed Broccoli

Friday--Leftovers or Carryout

Saturday--(lunch) Chicken Salad on Croissants, Fresh Mozzarella Salad with Avacado, Roasted Corn, and Grape Tomatoes, Roasted Beets in Orange Vinaigrette, Orzo Salad  (dinner) Leftovers

Sunday--(lunch) Leftovers (dinner) Grilled Something

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On Saturday morning, Karsten and I went to the Bayou City Farmer's Market.  Seriously, there is no other way I would rather start my Saturday.  I LOVE farmer's markets.  I think it goes back to the days of going to Fournie Farms as a child.  My Mom went to one or another farmers market every week, sometimes twice a week and only used the grocery store to fill in where needed.  Pike Place Market in Seattle is my mecca...I couldn't get enough of it and have decided that the next time we visit Seattle I am renting a house or condo where I have a kitchen.  I nearly cried at the thought that I couldn't fully enjoy the bounty that this market had to offer. 

The beauty of the Bayou City Farmer's Market is that everything is grown locally and much of it is organic.  I'm currently reading a book (which I will blog about very soon) where the author spends a lot of time discussing how important it is to support our local businesses; as in local farmers, local artisans, mom and pop shops, local restaurants....not huge stores like Target (gasp...sigh...sniff).  No, it's not possible to shop entirely local, but it got me thinking about how I could support locally owned business. 

When going to the Farmer's Market I also try to pick up one thing I've never had before.  I think this is such a fantastic way to get kids interested in eating well.  Karsten will surely be a frequent visitor of farmer's markets. 

I hope to go back in a few weekends and write an entire post about what they offer...but for now this is what I bought on Saturday

2 bouquets of fresh flowers and herbs for $5 each...they are happily sitting in mason jars on my kitchen counter now.

Orange and Red Beets, Rainbow Swiss Chard, Cucumbers, Cabbage

Purple and Orange Baby Carrots, Fresh Peas

Carrots...fresh from the ground!

Beets---love, love, love them

Sorrel--so this is my try something new item--it reminds me a bit of arugula with a lemony hint.  I'll be using it in salad tonight.

My challenge to you...google about farmer's markets in your area...and then go to support your local businesses.

fill in the blank Friday---10th Anniversary Edition

1. How long have you been married?  Brian and I have been married 10 years TODAY!!!!!  10 YEARS, seriously I can hardly wrap my mind around that!!!  Definitely the BEST 10 years of my life.

2. How did you meet your spouse?  Brian and I met in the UBC Singles Sunday School class.  I had been a part of the class for about a year and he arrived the following summer.  I had been back home (and in Europe with my Mom) for about 6 weeks and when I returned I went to a friend's house and this new guy was there.  I remember he was laying on the floor in front of the television watching what I think was probably an Astro's game.  I remember being introduced to him and thinking he was really cute.  Then I got to know him and continued to think he was really cute, but he needed to stop talking all the time.  He was defintely a know it all kind and that irritated me...and then it endeared me...and now sometimes it both irritates and endears me! 

3. Who made the first move?  Brian...after about 3 DTR's (define the relationship talks that spanned 3 months).  It was February 26th, I think.

4. How long did you date before you were married?  We dated for 4 months, got engaged (July 10th)  and then were married 8 months later (march 9th).  I was 25 and he was 24.

5. When did you start looking at engagement rings?  Early May.  I knew just what I wanted so it was pretty easy.  And I still love my ring to this day....no regrets! 

6. Where were you married?  Nassau Bay Baptist Church

7.  Where did you Honeymoon?  Lake Tahoe (Brian's first time in the mountains.  We haven't stopped vacationing to the mountains since!)

8. What's been the biggest challenge the past 10 years?  When I began getting sick in 2004 and slowly declined until I was listed for a heart transplant in 2007, which I received in Oct 2007. Now I'm very healthy and living life to the fullest!!

9.  What's been the biggest blessing in the past 10 years?  Adopting Karsten.  We knew going into our relationship that adoption would be the path to parenthood for us.  Very early in our dating relationship I told Brian about my health history and that adoption would be our only option.  When he said something to the effect of "well I know you're the one for me, so if that's what's best for you, then that's what we'll do"  After that conversation I knew he was the one. 

10. With what or whom do you credit 10 years of a solid marriage?  Our faith is the foundation of our marriage, unconditional love, and we are really good friends.

Taken right after we started dating

Engagement photo

2003---vacation in Kauai

2005

2006

2007

a month after my transplant

2008

2009

2010

2011---our family grew

We're officially parents

meet me in St. Louie, Louie....

Karsten and I are catching a Southwest flight to St. Louis this morning to spend almost a week with my parents, grandparents, brother, and friends.  My parent's can hardly wait to get their hands on Mr. Groovy :)  I can hardly wait to hand him over and have a few moments to myself!!!  Brian will stay here and try to catch up on work...poor guy says he's so behind.  

I hoped to have blog posts prepared to pop up this week, but alas....that didn't happen.  I do hope to blog while in Illinois.  You can bet that although I might not blog I will be purchasing some World Champion    St. Louis Cardinals wear while I'm there!!! Until my next blog post....enjoy Autumn and that extra hour of sleep you got last night!!!

 

ten on tuesday--Colorado edition

 1. I love the bokeh in this photo....and the baby too

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3.

4.

5.  gorgeous...that's Pikes Peak in the background

6.

7. I think this may be my fave...look at his feet! 

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9.

10.

Winner of the Cookbook + Paying it Forward

The winner of the soup cookbook is Michele Pasbrig----Michele shoot me an email at angelamoore3902@gmail.com and send me your address.  Yay for you...I love this cookbook and know you will too!!!!

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Onto something that's been brewing in my mind for awhile...

While in Colorado last weekend one of my college friends took family photos of the three of us.  This was such a special treat for several reasons, but the #1 reason was that I got to be in the photos...our little family of 3 was captured.  So often I am the one behind the lens (which I certainly enjoy) but when I look back at photos of events, trips, everyday life I often wish I handed the camera over to someone else more often. 

So after some prayer I've decided to take free family photos for friends/family living in Houston.  I will be doing this on November 19th in my neighborhood.  I will have more details here on the blog tomorrow.

I DO NOT want any money...I just want to pay it forward.  I have a wonderful camera, but I am by no means professional...someday, maybe....but I have a lot to learn about photography before I would consider charging people for something I enjoy doing.  Plus, by not charging I don't feel as pressured to get the perfect shot(s)!!!!

Here are a couple favorite shots taken by Carrie Jewett at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.  Carrie....thank you again for making the time to do this for my family!!!   I will treasure these photos for a lifetime!!!  I will share MANY more from the rest of this photo shoot and our Colorado trip in the coming days...

 

The Pumpkin Patch

We could not pass up the opportunity to take Karsten to the "pumpkin patch" this year.  You can also rest assured that we'll go every year from now on!  I don't know of any legitimate pumpkin patches around our area.  You know, the ones where you walk out into a large field and pluck your perfect pumpkin off the vine and then carry lug it back to the car.  That's what I grew up with and we will take Karsten to experience that when he's older, but for now the CLUMC pumpkin patch worked for us.  They had their annual Pumpkin Festival on Saturday so we took the opportunity for some family time. 

Karsten was very unsure about the animals...he actually started crying.  I think the whole experience was a bit overwhelming and a bit overstimulating for him. 

this rabbit reminded me so much of our April Bunny who I grew up with

 

and we did bring one, rather large, pumpkin home...I still need to buy some white ones and fairytale pumpkins. 

quick update

I'm at Panera using their wifi.  We are moved into our beautiful home and absolutely love it.  There are so many little things/upgrades that we have that I'm discovering every day.  Mom arrived Thursday and we've been unpacking boxes one at a time.  The kitchen is mostly settled and we'll move on to the living room today.  There is still so much work to do, but it's enjoyable work. 

We picked up Oliver and Zoe on Friday evening from our wonderful petsitter.  I was very concerned about them, especially Oliver.  He never really settled into the petsitter's house and even after 2 months would hide in the closet.  Zoe, of course, was more adventerous.  We got them in their pet carriers and off we went towards the new house.  We figured Zoe would hide for a few hours and Oliver would hide for a few days.  We took them into our bedroom and opened their carriers.  Zoe darted under the bed, Oliver headed into the closet (where he always hides).  Within 5 minutes Zoe was out and exploring and within an hour, Oliver was out in the living room.  They knew they were home, a different home, but home...with their parents...with the same furniture...with the baby (who they aren't afraid of at all).  Karsten is fascinated by both of them and watches what they do.  I still cannot believe how quickly they adjusted, especially Oliver who is scared of everything.

That's all for now, but I will have internet by Tuesday so check back then.  I have lots of blogging ahead of me!