Dad visits

Dad came up to visit us last Thursday. We went out for some tasty dinners at an italian place called Rocco's on Thursday & tried out the new steakhouse in Steiner Ranch on Friday. Both were very good. The steakhouse is 3 stories and has an amazing view of Lake Travis, but also serves up some really great food! We'll definitely go again. Dad & I also explored a Texas vineyard near Austin called Stonehouse Vineyard. They only have 6 acres of vines so they make only 2 wines at their winery, but they partner with a vineyard in Australia and have some pretty good bottles from there. The tasting was fun and the drive out to the vineyard through the hills was beautiful. Saturday we headed down to San Antonio for a Massey Reunion, but detoured through Lockhart so my dad could taste some of the wonderful BBQ we keep talking about. Then on to the reunion. It was great to see family on my dad's side that I hadn't visited with in a while, some in 10 or 20 years! The gathering was to celebrate my grandfather's sister Josilee turning 100.

The Massey cousins that were able to make it to the reunion: (from left) Charles & Jackie Lowery, my dad & his 3 sisters to his left, Kay, Becky & Sue, and Patricia Hopkins in front.
Jarrod & I with my Mimi
Josilee blowing out her candles with grandaughter Kimberly's help.

I wonder what you wish for at age 100?!?

Cooking School

Last Wednesday, I went to my 2nd cooking class at Faraday's Kitchen Store in Lakeway. Jarrod had given me two classes for my birthday & went with me to the first one a few weeks ago where we learned to make Cream of Mushroom Soup, Chicken Cacciatore with white corn polenta, & Poached Pears with Zabaglione (pronounced za-ba-yon) ;). Faraday's brings in chefs from area restaurants & such to lead the classes. It is really fun. There are about 15 seats around a horseshoe shaped bar that faces the kitchen where you sit and watch the chefs do their magic. The second class I went to this past Wednesday taught me how to make all different kinds of sauces like hollandaise, beurre blanc and caramel. I think my favorite was the beurre blanc sauce, although we did make a caramel using red wine which was quite interesting. We made about 9 or so different sauces and I'm sure my husband is hoping that I will put all I have learned from these classes to use!! LOL

Weekending in Dallas #2

Last weekend we were back in Dallas again for Stacey's wedding and also got to catch up with Hoy, the Dudleys & their new baby Aaron, and Jarrod went out to the Wetzig's on Sunday afternoon while I went to a baby shower for a friend from work & I got to visit with lots of my former co-workers who were onsite with me at Dr. Pepper when we lived in Dallas. Stacey's wedding was very quaint & beautiful, set at a little chapel in Lewisville with close friends and family. It was a special time and we wouldn't have missed it for the world!

Here is little Aaron Sayres Dudley

Weekending in Dallas #1

I met a couple of my dear college friends, Sherry & Emily , at Cuba Libre for dinner. It was great catching up and getting to see Sherry's precious Chloe. She was so good even though it was way past her bedtime too.

I stayed with my good friend Catherine for the weekend so got to catch up with her too and had lunch before the bridal shower I was helping host for Stacey.

Later Saturday evening we had dinner at a favorite spot in Dallas, Tupinambas, to kick off Stacey's Bachelorette party. Then we went to see an Improv act at Ad Libs. The show was surprisingly good. We had a great time and I definitely got a good ab workout laughing!

They pulled Stace up on stage, but didn't embarress her too bad. They sang to her and then she had to make sound effects in microphone for the next act they did. And, I must say, she did a great job with the sound effects -- that is...when she wasn't laughing hysterically.Before heading back to Austin on Sunday, I made a stop by Alicia & Collin's to see their new addition, Andrew Grant Sharp, who was born on January 3rd. He is so tiny and precious.