Fall Family Fun!

Nothing says fall like boots, scarves, and cool air! Unfortunately, fall around here hasn't included ANY of these things. Seriously, where is the crisp fall air? I've got cute boots and scarves that are needing to make their appearance!

Even though the weather has missed the memo, we can still pretend like it's Fall and partake in some great Fall activities! 

I joined my family on a visit to a pumpkin patch. My sister-in-law had mentioned a corn maze, and since I've always wanted to do one, I was in! I have to say, I was quite impressed with the place!

They had a huge selection of pumpkins and gourds! They had them in all sizes and colors. They opened at 10am, and I was there at approximately 10:02am. By about 10:15am, there were TONS of people.

We took pictures of the kids on top of some of the pumpkins...because Fall. Nothing says "Happy Fall, Y'all" like a picture of some cute kids on pumpkins. 

Apparently with two little kids, this is pretty much reality! They are still the cutest kids, even when you try desperately to get them to look at the camera! 

They had a super old truck over by the corn maze, and both Campbell and Elliot migrated over to it. Since my dad knows basically everything he told me exactly how old the truck was. He showed me the 3 speed on the column. He showed me the button on the floorboard that turned the lights to low. He showed me the other button you had to push to turn it on. I don't remember how old he said the truck was, but clearly it's old. 

We took off into the corn maze, and let me tell you...it wasn't easy! Seriously, every direction we went was wrong. Maybe it was the three year old leading the way, or the 90 degree heat, but we were in there for what felt like hours! 

Time for a "dirt break!"

Eventually we saw a couple of workers in the maze and asked, "how do we get out of here?" We finally (thanks to them) made it out!

Before we headed out the kids wanted to ride the little toy tractors!

I thought all the dads helping their kiddos steer the tractors around the little circle was the cutest thing! Campbell did it too, but I didn't get a picture. Elliott loved it so much that he cried a little when Joey took him off! 

They even have hay rides at this pumpkin patch. They were all booked for private parties, so we didn't get to do that.

This place was such a family friendly place!

What else says "Happy Fall?" 

"Howdy Folks!"

The State Fair or Texas is the first sign of Fall to me. I don't know if there's been a year I haven't gone to the fair. What is my favorite thing about the fair??? Food. But isn't that everyone's favorite thing? I have my go-to foods at the fair. I will only get them from very specific places. My route around the fair is basically built around these foods! 

Fletcher's Corn Dog from the Fletcher's stand by Big Tex. I feel like they taste the best there!

Twisted Taters from the stand right by the petting zoo (another must)

Funnel cake from a stand over by the midway! Extra powered sugar please!

As we were walking around I told Matthew I wanted to change it up and get a fried oreo. He was shocked, but down with the idea. In the end...the funnel cake won. Why mess up a good thing!?

You have to go see this pig! I saw it get up and walk for the first time ever!

Several months back Matthew and I had an argument about whether this was a pig or a cow. I was SURE that it has ALWAYS been a cow. He told me it's ALWAYS been a pig. I called my dad and asked him. I was wrong. Matthew was right. What else is new!? 

💜💜💜

What do I suggest today???

1. Go check out this awesome pumpkin patch! It's Hall's Pumpkin Farm and Corn Maze in Grapevine! They are open until 8pm during the week, and until 10pm on Friday and Saturday. 
2. If you haven't already, go visit the State Fair! There's no way to have a bad day at the fair! It closes on Sunday, so you better go soon! 

I love the 90's!!!

If you observe teenagers and twenty-something individuals (Can I really almost be out of that category????) you're likely to notice one thing in particular...the 90's are back in style! Looking around, I really question the fashion choices that were made in the 90's! I remember pining for these bad boys...

If you didn't own a pair of these, did you really experience the 90's??? I remember wanting some so badly, but my mom wouldn't get them for me because my foot was growing pretty fast at this point. Luckily for me while these were popular, my foot was the same size as my mom's, so I was able to wear hers. She had an orange pair, and I really felt like I was something special when I was wearing them! 😀

As most 90's kids may remember the TV back then was hard to beat! Kids these days have no idea what they missed! Hands down the best lineup of the week was saved for last, and it was referred to TGIF! 

I mentioned this to my students one day and it really blew their minds! They couldn't wrap their minds around kids wanting to stay home ON A FRIDAY NIGHT! It pretty much horrified a bunch of preteens! 😂

Back in the summer I saw an article that said, starting at the end of September, Hulu was getting the entire TGIF lineup from the 90's! I couldn't believe it, but I was beyond excited for it! Then when school started, I completely forgot about it. Yesterday I logged into Hulu and noticed everything was there! I'm telling you...the BEST shows of the 90's are there!!!

Here are all the best ones!

• Seinfeld (It's been on Hulu, but worth a mention!)
• Sabrina the Teenage Witch (It's also been on Hulu, but worth the mention!)
• Family Matters (Or Urkel as I used to call it!)
• Boy Meets World (I’m happy I never wasted my time on the Girl Meets World spinoff!)
• Step by Step (I can still sing the intro song!)
• Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
• Golden Girls 
• Dinosaurs (I don't recall watching this!)

And last but not least....FULL HOUSE!!!

I have enjoyed Fuller House on Netflix, but there's nothing like an original! Plus, if I had kids I don't know that I'd let them watch Fuller House because of the more adult content. I just wish they would have kept it the family friendly way it used to be!

Seriously y'all....my little 90's heart is so happy!!!

Even though it's not a 90's show, I thought I'd also mention that I Love Lucy is also on Hulu (and Amazon), though it's not the entire series!

What do I suggest today???

1. Get yourself over to Hulu, and start watching!!! If you don't have a Hulu account, get one! You can get a trail for 30 days, but you're going to want to keep it, so just go ahead! Spend the extra $3 a month and get the package with no commericals...you can thank me later! 😀

Book Review

When I was a teenager and in my early 20s, I really disliked reading. I remember being in elementary school and really enjoying reading. In third grade, I read the entire Little House on the Prairie series! After I read the first one, I realized they were also worth TONS of AR points (you teachers know), and there was NO stopping me!

For some reason that love of reading diminished the older I got. I just fell away from it. Maybe it was because it wasn't pushed in middle school and high school. Maybe it was the schedule I had. Whatever it was I just didn't enjoy it. I kind of envied the kids that seemed to love it, because I just didn't.

After I graduated from college I was subbing in a reading class that was reading The Hunger Games. I read that book all day in the different classes, and even though they were right in the middle of it, I really enjoyed the piece of the book we read. By the end of the day I wanted to read the whole book, so I downloaded it on the Kindle app on my iPhone. I flew through that first book, and then the rest of the series. I have enjoyed reading ever since!

It is a little more difficult for me to read during the school year, but I try to have a book to read at all times! I've found it's nice to have something to pick up and read, just because! I don't typically have a specific type of book that I gravitate towards. It just has to hold my attention!

This is a list of books that I have read over the last couple of months, and I really enjoyed them all, except one. I hope that you find something in this list that you would enjoy reading just for fun!

A zookeeper's wife hides Jews from the Nazi's in their zoo in Poland. It is a great story, and one that deserves to be told. Coincidentally, this is the one book that I just couldn't get into. I managed to get about halfway through before I drove to Dallas and just saw the movie. 

The say "don't judge a book by it's cover," but how fun is this cover??? I was sold when I saw it. I thought it was SO fun! I had so many people ask me what this book was based on the cover. It is about exactly what you might think...crazy rich Asians! When I started it, I didn't realize it was one of three. So my next book was...

My third book followed suit, and was...

For some reason, I just really liked these books. There are SO many characters (thank goodness for the cheat sheet at the front), and all the twists and turns really kept my attention! Crazy Rich Asians will be made in to a movie, and I'm excited to see it when it does come out! 

A newlywed's husband disappears on their first anniversary and is presumed dead. Then he shows up years later when she is engaged to another man! What will happen??? I could not put this down. I felt like I just had to know what happened next!

The Woman in Cabin 10 was suspenseful, but not scary. It was quick to read because I just had to know what in the heck was going on. There were a few times when I was just shocked. Courtney had read it before I did, and I asked her several times what in the world was going on! Seriously this is one good read!

Behind Closed Doors is another suspenseful book! It isn't scary, but it is suspenseful. The beginning takes a little bit to get going, but once it does...hold on! I was up until 1am finishing this one night because I couldn't go to bed until I was finished. It's about a couple whose relationship seems picture perfect from the outside, but is hiding a dark secret!

I'm currently reading...

I've really enjoyed it so far!

I'm still trying to figure out what I'll follow this up with. It'll either be...

I've never read any of John Grisham's books, but Matthew suggested this to me!

or...

This sounds like it would be a fun read for all teachers, and parents! 

For all you readers, are you an e-reader fan, or do you prefer a book in your hands? I use to be strictly an e-reader/kindle app reader, and I have transitioned to a book in hand kind of girl! I love wondering around Barnes and Noble looking at books and deciding what I want to read. I love holding a book in my hand. I love being able to keep my books on a bookshelf that I can see. I love cracking the spine of a brand new book. I just love everything about it!

What do I suggest today???

1. Find yourself a book that interests you, and take time to read it just for fun! I think you'd surprise yourself as to how much you'd enjoy it.

2. If you're absolutely not a reader, check out two of my favorite romantic comedies..."Sleepless in Seattle" or "You've Got Mail." Yes, I understand they both happen to have Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in them...that's not why I love them!!! I was just watching "You've Got Mail" yesterday, and wondered if my students would have any clue what that dial up sound is that we all know so well! My how times have changed!

Absolute Must Have!

On Saturday night I worked a youth Encounter at church! It was the annual GLOW Encounter, and the kids had tons of fun! We had over 100 kids show up!!

The basketballs and volleyballs all glowed. The volleyball nets had glow sticks around them, and the basketball goals had tape that glowed in the black light. The kids loved playing in the gym, and eating of course!

It was a good way to spend a Saturday night! 

Sunday after church we decided to head to a restaurant that is one of those hole-in-the-wall type places!! I have been going there since I was a kid!

My dad did the pest control there WAAAY back in the day and used to bring home their chips and hot sauce. #thosewerethedays I'm telling you...they are THE BEST CHIPS AND HOT SAUCE!

They also come with free "queso." I put the quotes because it's actually more of a nacho cheese than a queso. They have a seasoning on them that is similar to "Fuzzy Dust" at Fuzzy's...except this is actually good! I always dip in the hot sauce, then the "queso." I can basically eat myself into one of those food comas before my food ever comes out! 

Enough food talk...it's making me HUNGRY! 

I have a suggestion that I think most of us girls could get behind. I don't like to really talk about things like this, but I feel it's too awesome not to share! 

I have found panties that DON'T MOVE! Yes, girls. It's possible. I only wear underwear that cover my bottom...if you know what I mean. When you only wear full bottom underwear, you also have to find the some that won't show a panty line. LADIES....I'VE FOUND THEM! 

I used to wear strictly Victoria's Secret underwear. However I really started disliking basically everything in a Victoria's Secret, and one day standing in the middle of the store I had enough. I set everything I had in my hands down somewhere (I usually don't do such things), and walked out. 

As it happened, I was right next door to another "intimates" store, so I walked in there, and everything changed!

I walked out that day with two bras! Both are comfortable, and hide those back areas we all pay attention to. A few weeks later, I returned and bought a strapless bra. I've NEVER found a strapless bra that didn't end up around my belly button after an hour, but this one stays put!!!

I love all my bras from Soma, but the underwear I purchased put all the bras to shame! I seriously don't want to wear any other kind of underwear again! They have a style called "Vanishing Edge." There is a strip of rubber along the bottom, and I'm telling you THEY DO NOT MOVE! Not only do you not have a panty line, but you also don't have to worry about them moving...into uncomfortable places...if you catch my drift. 😶 

They have several different cuts in the Vanishing Edge. They have hipster, bikini, high leg brief, boyshort, and modern brief.

I suggested my mom purchase some of these very panties, and the next day she texted me singing their praises! Seriously! They're the best thing ever! 

What do I suggest today?

1. Go check out Campo Verde! It's in Arlington off Pioneer. They should be starting to decorate for Christmas soon, and that is a sight to see!!! It's definitely a nostalgic place for me! 
2. Go find some new underwear at Soma! They are buy 3 get 2 free! Obviously, I'd suggest the Vanishing Edge, but explore a bit and figure out what works best for you! 

 

Labor Day Weekend Part 1

Do you know what makes a three day weekend even better??? Not realizing it's a three day weekend until Friday morning! I mean I knew we were off Labor Day, but I just wasn't thinking that far in advance! 

To celebrate the three day weekend, Matthew and I headed to one of our favorite places! 

When the weather is nice we love Reata because they have a great rooftop patio!

We've always ordered the Bacon Wrapped Crab Stuffed Jalapenos for an appetizer! They are phenomenal, and served over cheese grits! This time, I guess we were feeling CRAZY because we ended up ordering their signature appetizer...Tenderloin Tamales with Pecan Mash.

(It's served with three...but I forgot to take a picture! #blogfail)

The tamales were.......okay. If I'd never had the stuffed jalapenos, I'd probably think better of them! Next time, I'll stick with the tried and true jalapenos! For dinner, we split Jalapeno Cilantro Crusted Texas Red Fish! Jalapeno + cilantro + fish = perfect for Sydney! It was fantastic! It was delicious, filling, and light. Exactly what I wanted! (I'd show you a picture, but it just wasn't...pretty!) 

Saturday morning we headed to Waxahachie for the Good News Fest our church was helping out at!

I was part of the Outreach team, and we basically spread out throughout the park to invite people to the event, pray with them, and share the Gospel! I worked with several awesome people, and we were quite successful! 

(Me, Whitney, Mona)

We had free food (who doesn't love food???), face painting, balloon animals, praise and worship music (that you could hear throughout the park), and even giveaways! Then we all headed into the auditorium (You can see it right behind us in the picture above) for service!

(This building is historic, and was built in 1902! It is gorgeous!)

We had a successful day at the Good News Fest. In all, we had thirteen salvations! I was part of five of them! Whitney and I lead a group of five teenage girls to the Lord! It was so awesome to watch God move all throughout the day! 

After the Good News Fest, we headed to Fort Worth for the TCU football game! When we walk across campus to the game, we always have to walk by the "lilly pads" because they are just so pretty!

I'm an honorary TCU fan because Matthew went to TCU, and is all about those Horned Frogs! My college was small, and I don't think I ever attended a full football game. (Our "stadium" was the local high school football stadium. #fancy) I was also working on the weekends, if I wasn't at home!

Let's Go Frogs! 

The sunset behind the scoreboard was so pretty! I saw several people take an almost identical picture! I love a good sunset, but with the American and Texas flags waving...beautiful! 

As we were leaving the game a sign caught my eye, and we ended up thinking we needed food. We ended up at a good ol' diner! 

Judging by the amount of purple in the restaurant...we weren't the only ones with this idea! We left a little before the game ended, and we definitely beat the rush. By the time we were leaving, they were on a wait!

One of the things they are known for is the German Pancake. I don't know how to explain what it is...but it's kind of like a thick crepe with melted butter, powdered sugar, and lemon juice! The German Pancake is HUGE! Fortunately they make an individual size called a Dutch Baby. I ordered one, plus a side of sausage. Matt tried it and couldn't determine if he hated it, or loved it. I don't really understand how that's possible...but I knew it meant more for me! 

I know...the picture doesn't look like much...you'll have to trust me! 

It was a perfect way to end a fun, long, busy day!

What do I suggest today???

1. Head to Reata when the weather is nice! Tomorrow night would perfect because the weather should be so pleasant! Don't make the mistake we did...just get the jalapenos! They have great steaks and fish for your entree!
2. Go to Ol South, and get yourself a Dutch Baby! I'd be curious what you think! I can't see how anyone would not enjoy it! 

  

#texasstrong

God Bless Texas! 

Watching the news coverage of the flooding and destruction along the gulf has been difficult. It is going to take days, weeks, months, and years to get back to "normal." What has been so impactful is watching the lengths people are going through to help strangers! I have seen people load up their boats (or even buy one) to help rescue people. People have loaded up trailers of supplies to deliver. A furniture store owner opened his showroom as a shelter. Some hospital workers haven't left for days.Teachers are coordinating across the internet to "adopt a classroom" to help fellow teachers. This is just a small sampling of the acts of generosity that are prevalent throughout the gulf region. (Because it's not just Houston that needs the help, despite what you are seeing on the news.) It doesn't matter the political leaning, the race, the gender, or the religious belief. What I've seen is people walking in love, helping other people. We hear so much about how divided this country is, but what I've seen is an incredible display of unity! Texans have truly shown the country what it means to be a Texan, and an American! God Bless Texas! 

Movie Theater Popcorn!

I love movie theater popcorn!!! No, I don't mean the kind that you microwave from the box at home. I mean the GOOD stuff from the actual movie theater.

One day as I was walking out of Best Buy I caught the unmistakable smell of popcorn from the theater and had an idea! You don't have to actually go see a movie to get the popcorn! You could just walk in, buy it, and walk out with it. Sure you'd look a little weird, but who cares?? You have a tub of delicious movie theater popcorn!!! So that's what I did. I walked in, bought a popcorn, put butter on it (duh!), and walked out. I also bought a Cherry Coke, because I love fountain Cherry Coke! Yes, it cost me like $15! I don't do this often, and have only done it a couple of times!

I've been ridiculously behind on my summer favorite...Big Brother! 

Who's with me here? I can't help but like it! I had three episodes that I was going to watch, and what goes better with a mini-marathon than movie theater popcorn??? (Spoiler alert...nothing!)

So I before I started my mini-marathon, I went to the theater to buy my popcorn and Cherry Coke. When I walked in I saw this sign:

I saw that a large popcorn was $3.00, and large drinks were $2.00! I was slightly confused, because it was SUCH a deal!!! I thought maybe it was part of their $5.00 discount Tuesday, so I asked the cashier if it had to do with that. She said it was actually a promotion that started last Friday and runs to this Friday (9/1). I bought a large popcorn and soda for just a little over $5.00! Heck yes!

What do I suggest today???

1. Go take advantage of this deal! I went to the Cinemark in Mansfield. I don't know if it's a Cinemark thing, or just a Cinemark Mansfield kind of thing! You could do what I do and just go get a snack, or be a normal person and go see a movie!