Recipe of the Week ~ Bob Armstrong Dip with a side of Mommy Guilt

Buenos Dias Yall!

I'm practicing my Spanish as I pack. Is that enough of a tease to make you ask where I'm going?

Mr. O is sending me to Puerto Rico for FOUR days with my girlfriends and I leave first thing tomorrow morning. I plan to spend my time drinking slushy cocktails that make you giggle when ordering one from the cabana boy, reading countless books who've been waiting patiently in my kindle for months and of course spend a few blissful hours at their spa. Le Sigh. 

All in all I am excited beyond belief but I'd be lying if I wasn't a teensy weensy bit uneasy. This will the the first time I've left the boys for so long and only the second time I've ever left Baby Deux over night.

I know it will be a good experience for me as well as for Mr. O but I am hoping to skype while I'm away. I mean what if Baby Deux picks this weekend to start walking? Sigh... okay I don't like where this post is heading. So lets get back to food shall we? 

Anyone from Texas can probably make this dip without even going to the grocery store because we are hard wired to have all of the ingredients on hand in case there is a queso emergency. (Yes this can happen) However for those that don't here is my take on a Texas favorite! Trust me when I say you'll love it. I'm also including a link to the REAL Bob Armstrong Dip recipe from Matt's El Rancho in Austin. If you find yourself in Austin please go visit Matt's it's an Austin institution that shouldn't be missed. 

Bob Armstrong Dip 
(the easy peasy way)

serves- never enough

1 large package Velveeta, cubed and melted

1-2 cans Rotel  (I like to mix the mild with the cilantro version though you won't need both cans)

3/4 lbs ground beef

1 tsp each ground cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, salt & pepper

1/2 avocado, chopped

Melt the Velveeta in a large bowl in the microwave. It can cook unevenly so it's good to heat for a minute than stir and continue till all melted. Add rotel and stir. At this point you'll need to reheat for another minute of two. Meanwhile mix spices with ground beef and cook over medium high heat in a large skillet. Once browned and slightly crispy on the edges add to queso. Top with avocado pieces and serve immediately with tortilla chips. 

Enjoy your weekend folks and I'll see you next week!

Ole, 

Ouiser

Another Texas Tribute? Dude, Get Over It Already!

We returned home yesterday from our trip to Texas. Yes we were tired, dirty, cranky and hungry but we had a wonderful time and even managed to make some new friends!

I'm busy today unpacking, doing laundry and getting Little Mister and Baby Deux back on schedule but here are a few things I learned while away (and one of my all time favorite Texas tunes!)




Top Ten Things I Learned While in Texas....


10. While the Best Western may be newer, the Holiday Inn Express is THE hotel to book in Salado, Texas. (Bare in mind these are the only two hotels in town. That is unless you like B&Bs which DH and I do not. We like tvs in our room and we do not like having breakfast with strangers.)


9. It is impossible to go a full day without bumping into someone you know and didn't expect to see while in town.


8. While the rest of the world is buying smaller cars, you are required to drive a SUV in Texas.


7. "too cold to go swimming" for a Texan isn't the same thing for those of us living up north. 85 degree outside temp + 68 degree pool temp = perfect swimming temp for me!


6. Drive thru Starbucks are genius. 


5. Bluebell Homemade Vanilla is the best ice cream in the world. 


4. Despite Mamere's protests half a bluebonnet is still a bluebonnet and for us ex-pats they are a sight for sore eyes.


3. Only in Texas should one eat chopped beef sandwiches and smoked sausage. My mouth is still watering. 


2. At $6, the in-flight direct tv that Continental offers is a bargin to keep Little Mister entertained for nearly 2 hours


1. It is ALWAYS worth it to put on fresh sheets before you leave town. Crawling into a nice, fluffy & clean - crisp bed is heaven after a long day's journey!

Cheers, 
Ouiser

Texas Oh Texas

I *think* I've mentioned that I'm packing up DH, Little Mister and Baby Deux and heading to the promised land (aka Texas) for the foreseeable future ~ which, by the way means 6 days. 


The reason for this adventure (our first time flying with BOTH boys) is for the wedding of a great family friend. The wedding itself is being held in a cute little country town but we'll be making several stops along the way, as we always do when visiting Texas. 


Whenever we go "home" I like to jam pack every moment with things I love to do, see and eat! We're starting in Houston at my Darling In-laws' home and because they are cocktailing in Cabo this week we'll have the whole house and pool to our selves for our own playtime and cocktailing. Then off to College Station to see Mamere's new country home as we make our way to the wedding. 

Oh did I mention we are leaving the babies?! Yep. We'll be spending two days in the country with out the kids. I'm equal parts irrationally excited and freakishly terrified. I mean I know that we need a weekend away but ummm, I also really don't want to leave the kids. sigh.. mommy guilt never goes away.


And since we'll be with in an hour or two of Austin DH has suggested on numerous occasions that we might consider making a stop for brunch at our all time favorite Tex- Mex restaurant. Nothing is for sure but it would be nice to sneak in for a morning margarita and the best enchiladas in the world. 


So in honor of this trip I thought I'd share my list of "Places to Go."


**Super Important Disclaimer: This is by no means a list of "Best of Texas" places. Although that's a great idea for a post for another day. This is just my list of favs for this trip!!! (IF Mr. G is reading this he's surely shaking his head. He always said I had a hard time with declarative statements.)**


Houston~ Avalon Stationary
I've been ordering my personal stationary from here for as long as I can remember. They couldn't be cuter or sweeter! And they have a fabulous stock of stationary and homewares. I'll also be picking up a baby book for Baby Deux. We purchased Little Mister's baby book here and I just love it!

Luby's
To be fair there are hundreds of Luby's around the state but since we'll have the most time while in Houston this is on the top of my list. If you grew up in Texas you know and love this cafeteria chain. Hellooo buttery rolls, fried fish and green beens swimming in butter oh how I've missed you. 


Houston Zoo
This is new to me but I'm seriously excited to visit! We're meeting one of my best friends and her daughter for some animal fun and apparently the best sliders in town. Yummy!


Austin ~ The big Maybe

IF we get the chance to head over to Austin (yes, my home town) there are soooo many things I want to do. However, we'll likely only be able to stop at Maudie's. This is with out a doubt the Best Ever Tex-Mex restaurant. I'm begging you to try it if you ever find yourself in Austin. Hands Down~ Best Margaritas, Best chips & queso & Best enchiladas.


And although the Austin leg of our trip is iffy at best there is a minute possibility we'll stay over night. If that happens I have to throw out two of my other favorites!

Mansion at Judges Hill
This is my favorite hotel to stay at when we visit for so many reasons. First it's adorable, quaint, historic and the staff is so friendly! Secondly the location (at MLK & Guadalupe) can not be beat! I'm all twitchy waiting to hear if I should call to make the reservation. Oh and their room rate is VERY reasonable, which is an added bonus.


The Menagerie

You've heard me wax poetical about this most fabulous shop too many times to count. But I do try to pop in and say hello to owner Vickie whenever I can. And if I just happen to find something (or 20 somethings) that I can't live with out well that's okay too. 

And, although we're a little late for the peak of bluebonnet season, I'm hoping to see a few of these iconic State flowers along the way. 


So there you have it ~ my week's plan! As you can see the Ouiser brood and I will be busy for the next week so I'm not sure when/if I'll have time to update. But I'll have my laptop and camera with me so perhaps I'll do a followup post complete with pics next week. 


Cheers, 
Ouiser


PS Today, I'm making risotto balls for this month's Girls Supper. If they turn out perhaps I'll share the recipe tommorrow. 

Obligatory Twilight Eclipse Post

Yep, this is exactly what it looks like... A post about the newly released trailer for Eclipse.

If you don't know what Eclipse is or why I'm posting the trailer you should go ahead and outclick cause this is not the post (or the blog) for you.

For the rest of you twi-rob-cullen-vampire-sessed fans you already know that it aired on Friday's Oprah. And because Oprah is on in the morning in Chicago, more than a few "versions" hit the Internet about 10 seconds later. And by "versions" I mean people actually videotapping their television screens and then uploaded to Youtube. I actually watched one of these around 9:05 am and it was hilarious ~ bad audio and I think I could kinda see the person's living room reflected in the screen. 

With in moments of Summit releasing the official trailer the criticisms began. Bad makeup ~ worst wigs ~ and an engagement ring from hell are just a few things I heard. But there was some good as well... Helloooo Team Riley! Thanks for joining the party, you sir are a cutie pie. And of course I saw more than a few tweets about a certain vampire's umm "guns"? Who knew you were so buff Dr. Cullen?

So I've got two little gems *wink wink* for you today. The first is the official trailer courtesy of Summit Entertainment. 

Exciting right!? I can't wait to see it in the theaters. Fingers crossed it'll be playing in Door County, where I'll be on June 30th while vacationing with DH and his entire family. Thank the good Lord of all things Twilight, my adorable wish-I-was-that-cute-in-highschool niece and fellow twi-fan will be with me. Although I am pretty sure I'll be the one squealing like a teen-aged girl and she'll be playing it much cooler. 

And because I can't help being a little snarky, here is the engagement ring. Now, to be fair I didn't care for the ring as described by Stephenie Meyer in the book either but this is just plane ugly. And while I'm on the subject, I also take issue with the fact that it is more of a cocktail ring than engagement ring! But I'll be honest if Mr. Hottie Darcy-esque vampire ask me to marry him with a ring made out of twine I'd likely say ... Yes, please! How about here and now??

THE Ring....

Really? Reeeeaaalllly? It looks like something you'd find in a box of cracker jack!

I think this is a much better ring for the (ridiculously marriage phobic) little Mrs.

Note: This ring can be found at my all time favorite shop (and where DH's and my wedding rings came from) The Menagerie in Austin Texas. www.themenagerie.com 

Cheers & Jeers, 

Ouiser

Merry Christmas from the Family...

Well shucks, I TOTALLY meant to post this on Christmas Day and gosh darn it I forgot. At least my kids have all been fed, I swear I'm only this forgetful when it comes to the blog, I'm actually pretty with it in real life. Well sometimes at least.

Anyway, growing up in Texas you are pretty much issued your first Robert Earl Keen Jr. cd when you enter high school. That is if you didn't already have one. He along with a few other key singers (think Jerry Jeff, Willie & Waylon) will always remind me of high school, cheep beer, boon's strawberry hill and well a lot of other things I should probably skip discussing here since my dear mother and mother in law make up roughly 50% of my readers.

I hope you enjoy this little ditty and for goodness sake don't take any offense!




Belated Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

Cheers, 
Ouiser

Texas Is National Championship Bound!!!!

Holy - this is going to be the death of me- Batman!!!

I HATE games like this... I seriously stoped breathing for the last minute. Usually in a down-to-the-last-minute (in this case it was the last second) game I'm more than happy to put the fate of the world on our quarterback's shoulders (a la Vince Young) but a kicker? That's just too much for me to take.

Even though the kick wasn't pretty it got the job done ... we are heading to Pasadena to face the Crimson Tide for the National Championship and I can't think of a match up I'd rather see. Alabama has had such a tremendous year! 

Sadly, I won't actually be at the game unlike some of my friends... yeah that's right G-money I'm talking about you! Instead I'm sure I'll be sitting at home stuffing my face with chips and queso and yelling at the tv, but that's another post I'm sure no one wants to hear about.

I'll leave you with a few words from Mac Brown from just a few moments ago...  "we're the best come from behind team". So very true Mac, but must I always carry a bottle of tums with me to watch a game?

Now I'm off to sleep with a huge goofy grin on my face!

Cheers,
Ouiser

Football Friday ~ UT vs. Missouri

I honestly don't have too much to say about this week's game, other than to remind you about it in the first place. This week the Longhorns are away from home playing Missouri.

And although it may seem like I'm obsessed with college football I'm not really, other than flipping through the week's games a little every Saturday. And since I don't really harbor any like or dislike of Missouri I haven't bothered to learn much about their team this year... okay, really any year.

Never the less I hope that Mack Brown and the team play better than they did last week. Don't get me wrong, I'm pleased as punch that we beat Oklahoma (and attempting to be a respectful daughter I didn't rub it in at all when I talked to Mamere) but it wasn't a pretty game.

So in short -- don't forget to tune in on Saturday for the game. Kick off is at 7pm in Columbia, MO and is being aired on ABC.

Texas Fight!

Cheers,
Ousier

Book Review ~ Dead Until Dark

I just finished Dead Until Dark, by Charlaine Harris upon the suggestion of a wonderful friend of mine who also fell for Edward Cullen and the Twilight series. Actually it was a bit more of a suggestion... my sweet friend actually mailed me the book, along with the next three. That's right readers I'm into another book series!

So far there are nine books in the Southern Vampire series and while I can already tell that this most certainly will be no Twilight, it is fast paced, exciting, mysterious and most importantly... a heady romance.

If you are a fan of the series TrueBlood on HBO you're already well aware of this book series because it is what the show is based upon. I sat down to watch a summary of season one on HBO OnDemand the other night and was not impressed at all. And I'm pretty sure it had to do with more than just the fact that Anna Paquin, who plays the main character, Sookie Stackhouse bugs me. I wish I had a good reason for my dislike of Ms. Paquin like I once saw her kick a dog or be mean to a little kid but I can't even think of a movie I've seen her in. I am sure she's a completely lovely person and as I read in my US Weekly she's recently engaged to her co-star. That's really sweet! I do love weddings! Somehow even that isn't helping me... I'm just irked by her demeanor. So, I've tried pretty hard not to imagine her as I'm reading. So far so good, although I'm hoping it gets easier as I get further along in the series.

To me the book series (at least so far) seems so much more fascinating and complex than the show does. Of course I can't think of a book I didn't like more than the movie it was eventually made into. Thinking.... thinking... still thinking, okay several minutes of pondering and I still can't come up with one. Any ideas? Would love to know if you came up with one.

So, as you can see I won't be watching the TrueBlood series but by all means check it out yourself. I believe HBO On Demand has season one and two but if not, surely the good people at Netflix offer both.

Do actual physical video stores even exist anymore? Our neighborhood Blockbuster closed earlier this year and the space was taken over to expand the next door Trader Joe's. Oh the wonderfulness of Trader Joe's. That really could be it's own post. I'm so sorry for those of you that don't have this specialty grocery market in your area. This is actually one of the very few things that Texas doesn't have. Although, if it does ever come to Texas, Houston specifically I know that it will be due to the persistence of my mother-in-law. She's been emailing with the company and even suggested a particular location. Until then we'll just have to send them home with wine and gingersnaps and they can bring us red beans and rice. Seems like a good trade to me, although I do wish they could bring up some Bluebell Homemade Vanilla ice cream. mmmmmm.

But I'm way way off topic again... shocker I know.

Dead Until Dark is the story of Sookie Stackhouse, a smart and sassy waitress who lives in small town northern Louisiana. She is blessed (or perhaps cursed) with a special gift that keeps her pretty well removed from most intimate relationships -- friendships included. That is until she meets Bill Compton, a sweet, strong and sexy vampire who is new in town. Yes, in this series vampires are newly accepted into society and although most people are still very suspicious of them (and rightly so in some cases) Bill is trying his best to fit in.

While trying to meander the difficult avenues of their unconventional relationship they encounter a number of problems from other characters along the way -- jealousy, lust, ignorance, distrust, vengeance, and more than a few dead bodies.

As I said before this is no Twilight but it's funny and entertaining-- over all a good read. And as my friend told me, "once you get through the first two books you'll be hooked." I just started the second this morning and if I can keep myself away from my fan fiction stories I should finish the book this week... we'll see!

Happy Reading

Cheers,

Ouiser

Friday Football Fever ~ Texas vs OU Weekend

If you are a Texas Football fan this is the most exciting weekend of the year... and the most unpredictable. I'm just about equal parts excited and nervous.

For those that haven't been counting down the months weeks and days for this game, I'll explain. Every October Texas and Oklahoma meet in Dallas for the Red River Shootout. Yes, I know the image above says rivalry but that's only because they changed the name a few years ago. I guess "shootout" seemed too violent. Sorta like the DC Basketball team went from being the Bullets to the Wizards. Mmm, yes yes I feel much safer now don't you?

Back to Texas. This is the biggest rivalry game for both teams and over the many many years of the match up there is one thing I can say for certain, there is no way to predict the outcome. I've seen years were Oklahoma was the #1 team in the nation and Texas was .... how shall I put this... in a rebuilding phase and yet somehow managed to whoop the Sooners. And sadly I've seen the reverse as well.

As if the game wasn't a big enough draw it's always held during the State Fair of Texas... oh yeah are you thinking about Big Tex and the best corn dogs ever? No? Well you should be they are faaaanastic. One of these days I'm going to get my boys down to Texas for the game but until then we'll just have to watch from a far.

Although I was born in Texas and grew up in Austin, I feel compelled to mention that both my parents are from Oklahoma and Mamere attended OU (although for the record she also attended UT but I don't want to start an online tiff with my mother, that's just tacky). So we are as you might say, "a house divided". In fact the first year my mother was forced to miss the game (by her doctor's orders) was the year I was born as she was more than 9 months pregnant and was told she couldn't travel to Dallas. Thankfully I was so adorable that she forgot all about missing the game once I arrived. (yes, I'm an only child and suffer from all the misgivings that come along with that status.)

I can assure you that our house will be tuned in for the BIG game, the pre-show, post-show and anything else we can find to watch being so far away from Texas.

If you regularly follow my blog I'll be making my Southwestern Corn Dip for DH and I and will have our son decked out in his UT finest. I've mentioned these overalls before but I don't think I ever posted a picture. They were given to us by a good friend of mine from my early days in DC who has now returned to the promise land (that's Austin if you didn't already guess) with her husband and little boy. I love these overalls and we always get so many compliments when my son is out and about in them.

So if you are a fan I don't need to tell you to watch, but even if you aren't tune in at 11AM (Austin time) to watch some down home good 'ol college football!

Happy Football Friday!

Cheers,

Ouiser

New Tune Tuesday ~ Texas Country

Last night Mamere called to see if we needed anymore pecans which led me to today's post ... this may seem like an odd question and thus train of thought but she knows just how much I LOVE Texas pecans. Seriously there is a real difference! And the ones at Royalty Pecans , outside of Bryan, Texas are sensational. Just like my mother in law brings DH his favorite red beans and rice mix that we can only find in Texas, my mother brings me Texas pecans. Anyone that knows me at all knows how much I adore Texas... yes the whole state... the big hair, big egos, big hearts, big land and (aprops for today's post) big music!

I'm absolutely convinced that even if I hadn't grown up in Texas (and Austin to boot) I would have loved the state the first time I visited. There is something indescribably welcoming about being there and get this East Coasters-- people are genuinely and sincerely friendly. I know it's a hard concept to wrap your heads around. People (for the most part) don't honk at each other and actually say hello and ask how you are when confined in an elevator.

I'm not going to try to convince you that it's the most beautiful state (although I think it is) because we all have our own ideas of what "beauty" means (DH likes the deserts in the South West) but to me it simply doesn't get better then driving through the hill country in the early morning with the sun shinning brightly on the rolling hills and glistening green grass filled with bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes and delicate primroses.

There is a small farm about half way between Austin and Houston (a drive I've made no less than a thousand times I'm sure) with a small rolling hill that seems to end right at the edge of an old red barn. The barn is more than a bit worn, the paint is fading and I'm not even sure it's still in use, but every time I pass it I smile thinking about how long it's been there. To me that is beautiful.

Okay, sorry for the schmaltzy moment, I'm obviously a Texas ex-pat living away from my "home" so why don't I get back to the point of this post... Texas Country Music. I'm sure a quick visit to Google would illustrate that thousands of books, blogs and websites are dedicated to the subject so let me be clear--this is no synopsis of Texas Country Music, I am just going to post a couple of my all time favorite songs about the great state. If you know them, I hope you'll sing along and if you don't I hope you'll discover a couple of new favorites.

I am starting with "Texas Fight" to get any Texans "in the mood"... the rest is all fabulous, wonderful good Texas Country. Oh and I apologize that "What I like about Texas" is cut ridiculously short not to mention I really much prefer the Jerry Jeff Walker version but alas the website I was downloading this from didn't offer it. Of course Gary P. Nunn is no slouch, so it's nice to have him represented. That being said I couldn't post this without at least one Jerry Jeff song, it just wouldn't seem right as his music is intrinsically intertwined with so many of my favorite memories growing up in Texas.

I hope you enjoy! I know I have while making this little selection.

Cheers,
Ouiser

Friday Football Fever

Happy Friday Everyone!

It's a bit humid and rainy here today which is perfect as I'm completely absorbed with the book I'm reading, Something Dangerous. As you may recall from an earlier post this is the second book in a fiction family saga trilogy. Like the first book, No Angel it's filled with conflicting characters, intense romance and sadly some very poor behavior. I'm about half way through so I'm sure you can expect a full review early next week.

On to college football!

This weekend the Texas Longhorns are again at home and taking on the UTEP Miners tomorrow at 2:30 pm (Austin time). For those unfamiliar with this team, they are the University of Texas at El Paso. Now I'm certainly not one to take ANY game for granted but I'm guessing the odds are fairly good that we win this one. Of course last week's game against the also unranked Tx Tech Red Raiders was (while a great game) a terribly uneasy nail biter until literally the last 2 minutes. Something I'd prefer not to go through tomorrow.

Instead I'm hoping to casually check the scores as I'm fairly confident that the game is not televised here. Plus DH and I are taking our little one to the National's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves. It'll be our last game of the season as a family since I'm getting progressively more pregnant (6 weeks to go). It'll be our little one's third game and we are always so impressed (and never biased) with how well he handles himself! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the predicted rain holds off so that we can enjoy at least a few innings.

In my brief search for a fun UT football image to go along with this post I've discovered some very disturbing images. It's amazing what some "fans" will purchase in support of their preferred team. While I do admit to dressing my son up in UT jumpers and even an adorable burnt orange set of overalls I just can't fathom spending money on some of these things. Eek gad!

Do you own any thing outrageously tacky that you just love? Send me a picture, I'd love to see it and hear all about your sports team lovin'!

In the mean time here are few of my personal favs... oh and yes if you are wondering about the above picture it is in fact a stuffed longhorn pacifier, something every baby needs.

Cheers,

Ouiser

~ Friday Football Fever ~

Photo Note: Yes this is exactly what our little one will be wearing tomorrow, he's nothing if not an avid sports fan and supporter!

Just a quick mini-post to remind you Texas Longhorn fans of this weekend's BIG game against Texas Tech's Red Raiders. Thank goodness tomorrow's game is at home surrounded by more than 100,000 screaming fans. Not a bad way to get pumped up for a game, huh? Boy do I wish I could whisk the family off to Austin for the game. One of these days I'll get my boys down there...

I find it painful even now to bring up the debacle that was last season's Big 12 Championship but because we lost to Tech (our only loss I might add) it created a bizarre situation involving Oklahoma, Tech and Texas. It is a painful reminder of how desperately the BCS needs to be revamped to include a playoff system instead of the antiquated popularity contest amongst coaches, reporters and computers. But I will get off my soap box and return to my excitement and anticipation for tomorrow's match up.

Kick off is at 7pm (Austin time) and will be aired on ABC. If you find your self, like me oh so far way in Washington DC, ABC is airing the game locally. Thank goodness! Just in time for the family to have dinner out, perhaps our favorite Mexican spot, Rio Grande Cafe then home to tuck in the little one and back to the sofa in time for kick off!

Cheers,

Ousier