Happy Thanksgiving!

I can't believe it is already the holiday season! I feel like I have been so busy it has crept up on me! We decided to have Thanksgiving at our new abode this year. I thought it would be a good change of pace for everyone. My grandmother passed away in May very unexpectedly and a few years ago so did my grandfather and uncle. Celebrating in a new environment I thought would be good for everyone. We've only been in our new house for just 2 months so we have been working on lots of preparations. My sister and her gang rolled into town late Tuesday eve and were a great help! 

My niece is so stinking adorable and a master chef in the making! She made a buttermilk pie from scratch!  She even carved pie decorations out of her homemade crust! 

Apparently I forgot to take pictures of the food...but I took plenty pictures of the pies because pie at Thanksgiving is what is most important...aside from family of course. We had a buttermilk pie my niece made, I made a pumpkin cheesecake, my sister made a rustic cherry tart and chocolate Bourbon pecan pie, and my aunt brought the most delicious chocolate pie from the Black Rooster Bakery. Yum.

My mom came over and helped with getting the table decor down.  I wanted a simple rustic theme this year. 

My brother in-law is super handy and made the place card holders out of sassafras. My sweet niece made the place cards!

Hosting Thanksgiving sure was a ton of fun and it was lovely to have my family in my new home. I feel like now they have all been here... and my in-laws have been here too...it feels more lived in and more our own, more like our home. I lived in my other house for 8 years. It was comfortable and familiar. Moving into another place full of uncertainly is quite a transition. But, I am thankful. I am thankful at how fortunate I am to have such great family and friends.

Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving! 

Lost Oak Winery

We celebrated Christmas today, Christmas in June anyway. For Christmas Mr. Lucas and I purchased a Groupon from my dad to go to the Lost Oak Winery for a tour of their facility and wine tasting. They did not expect to have such a huge turn out with their Groupon so they have been pretty booked. We just happened to have our your today and it was lots of fun. If you live in the Fort Worth area or ever come here to visit you must go! The winery itself is so pretty and the store front is very festive. You can rent space for a party or even a wedding. They were setting up for a wedding today. They have been awarded best pick for weddings by The Knot! Check out their calendar, they have lots of events! Yeah, there is a craft fair next weekend.

Joy lead us on our tour of the winery. She knows so much and has such a friendly personality. She told us that we could volunteer at the winery and would be able to help harvest the grapes and bottle the wine among much more! Jeff and I were pretty excited about that because we want to learn more. We would love to have a bed and breakfast winery some day. So, we figure what a great way to start learning how it all works.

She told us all about what grapes grow best in Texas but also said that Texas is still trying to figure it out. We have such crazy weather here and that can really make it difficult for the growers. You can even tell what grapes have been damaged by hail because the hail bruise them leaving black streaks on the grapes. All the grapes I saw were perfect. 

They have to also worry with wild pigs, deer, raccoon, and other pesky critters that want to harvest the grapes for themselves. They have to use electric fencing in order to keep them out. 

We ended our tour in the crushing room. Its where they crush the grapes up to be placed in the barrels where they will sit for several months before bottling. It was nice and cool in there on this hot June day. There, we were able to get a taste of the Blanc duBois. She asked us to to smell the wine and swish it around in our mouth to try to determine what fruit was in the grapes. Mr. Lucas immediately said green apples and he was correct! He should have won a bottle of wine. Meanwhile, my dad was cracking jokes and having a good time. It was pretty cute. 

After the tour we went back to the store front and listened to live music while we sipped on tastings of wine paired with cured meat, cheese, fruit, and nuts. We all got a list of the different wines they make there an picked our top 5 to taste.

After we finished the wine tasting we couldn't stop there and bought a bottle of Tres Uvas. This wine has made me appreciate white wine so much more. This was so much fun which was really needed for everyone.

In fact, we enjoyed ourselves so much we all became members of their wine club! Every other month for wine club members you go pick up 2 bottles of wine at discounted prices. On the pick-up day they have a party! Yep, that is my kind of wine club. We also get invites to special events, are the first to taste new wines, and receive free wine tasting and can bring up to 3 friends with us among so much more. This is going to be fun I think.

Cheers!  

Happenings

I have fallen off the radar once again. I seem to have been doing that a lot lately when it comes to my blogging! I was getting back in the routine of it and then something happened that I did not really see coming which resulted in my lack of blogging. My sweet little Millie got sick unexpectedly right before Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, she died, which was devastating. I wasn't quite ready to let her go. I am very grateful that I had her for the past 11 years. She was one of the best dogs I have ever owned. She was loyal, laid back, and so quirky! I miss her rolling all over the couch and knocking the couch pillows on the floor. She loved when we sang to her too. We had all kinds of songs made up for her and she would get really excited to hear them. She was my roach killer too! All I had to go was scream and point and she was on it. She thought she was a person really. She was more than a dog, she was a loyal companion and a part of the family. Here she is in her finest form, when I made her wear a life jacket in the lake. 

This is just a few days before she died. I knew there was something not right and something told me to take a picture of her while she slept.

The house just seemed so empty without a dog. We are animal people and especially love dogs. Even though we have the cats who bring us just as much joy...but in a cat way...we were still kind of lonely. So, we decided it was time to get another. We found a boxer breeder who had a litter that was delivered in October and would be ready December 17th. Several weeks ago we made a trip to meet our new little pup, she was the last one available out of the litter and she was perfect. We got to bring her home today. She is fitting right in! Meet Penelope, in her many forms of sleep! 

She is tons of fun but also requires tons of attention since she is just only 8 weeks old. She is adjusting well though and when she is all grown up, she will be a great dog too.

Cheers!

Spinning! (That's Meant To Be In The Tune Of Winning!)

I cannot believe it has been a year since I have spun yarn. Yes, a year. The same yarn I was spinning in Santa Fe last year is still on my spindle and is collecting dust. It's not that I'm not passionate about it anymore. Frankly, I'm not really certain what happened. Maybe there was just too much going on last year, my lovely little family did go through a lot. I love spinning. The sound of the wheel is comforting, the motion of spinning is calming, and the art of creating something is so very satisfying. Maybe I am just mourning not being in New Mexico! My poor little wheel has just been sitting, waiting for me to do something...anything. I have so much roving that still needs to be spun. I have so much wool that still needs to be carded (thank you so much Taos Sunflower!). I am excited about it. I am excited about spinning again, carding again, and even learning to dye wool...the proper way. I think sometimes it is easy to get in a slump. Not that you have lost passion...but just a plain ol' slump. However, I have come out of that slump and I plan to spin, card, dye, and learn as many new things about spinning and wool that I possibly can!

Cheers! 

VACATION!!!

Hi ya folks! I am going to visit my sister in Arkansas! They live in the Ozarks and don't have very good internet connection so, I will be posting about my visit as soon as I return! I can't wait. I even got to upgrade my plane ticket to first class, hey hey hey! Mr. Lucas is about to take me to the airport. I have never flown by myself. It will be an adventure!

Cheers! 

Fun Weekend With Friends

Typically, I like to just stay home and work on various projects around the house during the weekend. But, come on folks, there is only so much of that one can do! This weekend, was full of fun and friends. It is always healthy to get out and do things with those that you love the most. I feel very privileged to not only have a great family but great friends too. In the work that I do, I know that not everyone has that which makes me cherish it even more.

Every month during the late spring through early fall Fort Worth hosts an even called Friday on the Green. I started going with a good friend of mine a few years back. Now that Mr. Lucas is out of school and not working at the Bucks anymore, he was able to go this time! What is First Friday? Well, it consists of some great local bands that get together and put on a free concert. It it like a mini music festival that is family friendly. There are always 3 bands that play starting at 7p and ending about 10p.We have a few friends in a few of the local bands and tonight, The Apache 5 were playing. There are also food trucks too so all you need is a blanket...the food, wine/beer, and music are ready and available. 

Saturday, a few of us girls got together for sushi and fun! We went to Piranha's which is a local favorite. The sushi is melt in your mouth and the environment is so festive. So, Martini's and Sushi all around! 

Then, off to Pete's Piano Bar we went. I have never been before but it was tons of fun. We even got a table right up front! The entertainment was great...and talented! 

Cheers! 

Farmer's Market and Junk

I am a sucker for a good Farmer's Market and for Vintage junk. So, since my sis is in town we went to the Cowtown Farmer's Market and then on a whim decided to go Estate sale shopping. The Market has grown a lot over the past year. The vendors grow the best produce too. From goat cheese to tamales, this Market has it. 

We were pretty hungry this morning so we stopped at the Artisan Baking Company and picked up some of the best scones I have ever eaten and biscuits. Both melted in our mouths.

There were tons of blackberries too...we couldn't pass those up!

We tried to hit up a few Estate sales afterward, however, it was a complete bust. Our first stop should have been a sign. It was a bit disorganized. The house itself was really cool...in a 1970's way. I do like old houses, mine was built in the 50's. But, there was one room that was really needing the cast of Studio 54 or Boogie Nights to top things off. We left because frankly...it just got creepy.

A few more bad Estate Sales later, we decided to check out a few new shops. Bingo! We should have done this first! There is a cute new Vintage/Antique store that is only open on the weekends and I have been wanting to go check it out...so we did. Junker Val's, it is the cutest and Junker Val is so super sweet!! Her prices are pretty fair considering how people like to crank up the price on Antiques since it has become really trendy.

After Junker Val's we went to the Junketeria which is just down the street. 

This place is awesome. There are so many things which again are really fairly priced. The man that runs it is really nice too and terribly creative with his layout and how he has decorated. 

Next time, I am going back with more cash because there are some diamonds in the rough in this place.

After a long day of shopping, I needed a pick me up. So, since I had a plethora of blackberries from the Market, I made cobbler! 

The recipe is super easy and so delicious. Courtesy of the Pioneer Woman.

Cheers! 

Sweet Gifts

I know I have not been consistent in my blogging lately but, I have been working on a rather large project! Once I am done, I will reveal!  I have been missing blogging and actually had a moment to sit down and get caught up. Me blogging during the weekday? What gives? Well, I woke up this morning the sound of running water between my kitchen and bathroom wall and a very large puddle of water taking over my bathroom floor. Fortunately, I got to it before it made its way to the hardwood floor in the hall. So, I called my friendly local plumber who we have become rather close to over the years (hence friend flushing her keys down my toilet a few years back). Now, here I wait for them to rescue me which means a little blogging time!

My sister, BIL, and niece recently visited for the holidays. We had a great time. They are very thoughtful in their gift giving and handmade practically everything this year! I am not certain where they find the time!  

During their visit I discovered how great Violet is at embroidery. She is quick and consistent! My sister made this adorable pot holder and Violet did the embroidery. She is just 7 years old! 

My sister has some great antique stores where she lives so she picked out a few vintage planters for me.

They also made Lemoncello from scratch...as you can tell it is yummy!

This raspberry chipotle sauce is wonderful! I put some on cream cheese and served it with crackers, it has a nice kick! I may use the rest as a marinade for chicken one night. 

Even though things were different this holiday after the passing of my Grandfather and Uncle, it was still a very nice and quiet holiday season. I was able to have a few days off and relax with my family. 

On one of my days off us girls went to the Benbrook Antique Mall. It is a great place to find sweet things! I could have stayed in there for hours. But, we were on a time limit so that kept us in line. 

I found these cute fairy lamps and also a candy dish to put some of my jewelry in.

I also came across this adorable planter! 

When it warms up a bit I am going to put a succulent in it and stick it on my front porch. 

Well, the plumber just called and he is on his way. This should be interesting! 

Cheers! 

Redemption Cheesecake

Remember last year? I had never made a cheesecake before and learned so much. Trial and error, right?  This year was my redemption year. My mom even gave me the Junior's Cheesecakes Cookbook for Christmas last year to help perfect my cheesecake making. 

I had a game plan this time. I had all my ingredients ready to go by Sunday. I got off work early on Wednesday and got to baking. I remember last year I did not have enough time to let the cheesecake cool and refrigerate because I got up Thanksgiving morning to make it. This year the day before would be plenty of time!  I was throwing my ingredients together and rocking and rolling jamming to some good tunes having so much fun! 

Junior's has a spongecake crust that  you make first. I was a bit worried about this because I have never heard of it before. But, it came out perfectly!

After the crust cooled I prepared everything else and had it baking in the oven by 8:30pm. Man, I am good, that is what I was thinking. This was going to be my redemption cheesecake! It looked really good too and the batter tasted very yummy! 

Ziggy was even very intrigued with the goings on in the kitchen.

 While said redemption cheesecake was baking in the oven my sister, brother-in-law, and niece were on the road traveling to visit us for a few days. My sister called and I told her all about how great things were going with my redemption cheesecake. I read through the ingredients of the cheesecake with her and then I came to...heavy cream. I know I bought heavy cream at the store on Sunday and it was chilling nicely in my refrigerator, but...I forgot to put it in the cheesecake!! OMG!

So, needless to say I had to start all over again! My sweet husband went to the store at 10:30pm to pick up 4 more blocks of cream cheese. I dumped the first delinquent cheesecake and started baking the second one. It went a little quicker since I had just put one together a few hours before. As I tried to remain positive, I rocked and rolled through this one too, but this time I made sure not to forget the heavy cream! Around about 3:00am Thanksgiving morning the cheesecake was cooled and ready stick in the fridge to refrigerate overnight. Thank goodness! 

Fortunately the cheesecake was very yummy! Unfortunately, I still have to perfect the huge crater that is  the size of the Grand Canyon from appearing in the middle of my cheesecake next time. But, given the odds I was up against, a measly crater the size of the Grand Canyon was not that big of a deal I suppose! 

Despite the late evening we woke up early to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade. My niece Violet loved it! She is such a good helper and helped me cook breakfast. She is quite the little chef! We had eggs, sausage, and english muffins.We were trying to keep things healthy since we knew what we would be in for later.

We finally arrived to my family gathering for Thanksgiving in the late afternoon and had a great spread!

My sister made many a pie.....

The tables were decorated sweetly too, just as they always are!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Cheers!