Happy Trails...

We love this walking trail!!! It was such an awesome day today. It felt more like spring than winter. It was in the 70's. This walking trail is near our house. We always see deer, cows, and birds. In the summer we will see the fireflies. We don't feel like we are really exercising when we are out there.

Hey Cupcake!

There is a really cool place in Austin, Texas that has awesome cupcakes. I know that last posting I talked about losing weight but I'm a sucker when it comes to cupcakes. I don't like the cupcakes but the cupcakes like me.....www.heycupcake.com

Walking off the treats!!!

We decided to start working on getting fit the day after Christmas. I tried to watch the treats and other goodies during this past holiday season but I still feel a bit overweight. We like to try new trails around the city. This one was at Williamson County park. Its a great place to bring kids. They have soccer fields, tennis courts, a track, and walking trails. There is also a little train for the kids that goes around the park. Very cute! I made my husband take a picture by the cactus. He looks thrilled, doesn't he? He's always a good sport.

AUSTIN TEXAS

I love going downtown at night because of all the lights. Austin is one of the beautiful cities in Texas. I've really enjoyed living here. The Colorado River runs through Austin and they have walking/running trails everywhere. It's really cool. It's also known for music. Not exactly like the music in New Orleans but they have a lot of big names come through town. It's like living in a small town but access to a lot of big city things. It's really different and I can see why a lot of people are moving here.

Wedding Anniversary

Sunday, December 21st was our 7th Wedding Anniversary. We went out to dinner and discussed everything we have been through in the past seven years. We've had a house fire, tropical storm, two hurricanes, graduate school, and a cross country move. We can sit back and laugh about it now...but it hasn't been easy. God says He will only give us what we can handle; I wish He didn't have so much faith in us, ha, ha...But with God on our side we can't fail. I can't wait to see what is in store for us in the next seven years ahead.

My adorable hubby!!!

This is my hubby, Richard. He is so adorable in his scrubs. I never get to see him very often wearing his scrubs anymore. Back in New Orleans he was a trauma nurse in the ER. He use to work at East Jefferson Hospital down town in New Orleans. But he went back to school and got his MBA. I'm very proud of him. It has been a long road but he has accomplished so many great things in our short years of marriage. He is working with a company who builds and manages surgical hospitals in Texas. He is now the Regional Director and he is doing an awesome job. He has even become involved with the healthcare lobbying for surgical hospitals in Texas. I look forward to seeing him succeed many more goals in life. I've got a great husband and marriage. Can't complain......

Christmas Mice!!!

I decided to make my annual Christmas mice this year. My husband took them to the office and they were a big hit. This year I decided to put them in pretty white boxes and make my own tags; "....nothing was stirring not even a mouse." It was hilarious; the Controller hates the thought of killing animals so she had to tear her chocolate mouse apart and eat it in separate pieces.

I found this photo of this Barbie, LOVE IT!!!

Isn't this the cutest Barbie. I love retro stuff and this Barbie is so great. I want one!!!

The Gingerbread Mansion

My husband and I took a mini vacation to Ferndale, California. That's in northern California. We stayed in a historic B&B called, The Gingerbread Mansion. It was so awesome! Breakfast was great and the rooms were filled with Victorian antiques. Look at the Gingerbread house they made after the Gingerbread Mansion!!! That's just crazy. They put a lot of hard work into that one.... And it looks fantastic.

Our Christmas Tree

I had so much fun decorating our tree this year. It looks beautiful at night with all the lights turned off. Our ornaments are carefully chosen and it really represents our life together. We have Eiffel Towers (our engagement in Paris), Italian Nutcrackers (our honeymoon in Rome), Fluer De Lis (our life in New Orleans), and David & Goliath (our journey of building our faith in God).

The Perfect Weekend Movie ~

My husband and I have been cleaning the garage and closets of all the unecessary clutter. We're trying to get everything out and donated before the end of the year. We are really over our heads. However, we are pretty lucky considering our Goodwill is next door to Half Price Books. I buy all my expensive decorating books there for 1/3 of the cost. I love it there! They also sell cd's and dvd's. Last weekend my husband found, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." We lost our first copy during the move from New Orleans. We have the case but no dvd. How does that happen? I was so excited when he pulled it out of the bag. I absolutely love that movie. Kevin Spacey and John Cusack are two of my favorite actors and Savannah is one of my favorite cities to visit. We cuddled up with popcorn and a blanket. It was one of my favorite weekends this year.

Crazy Time of the Year!!!

Hello hectic season. I don't know how you feel about the holiday season but it's always a hectic time for me. Just as we get our feet under us from Thanksgiving...BAM! Christmas rolls in. This Thanksgiving left me exhausted. After cooking, cleaning, and entertaining...Then pulling out the Christmas decorations!!! Well, I am going to take a minute out to catch my breath. It's so important to take that time out. I'm learning as I grow more mature that running myself into the ground accomplishes absolutely nothing. It's better to take a day here and there and really pamper yourself. The next day you'll have energy to go after those goals. So, pick up some lavish bubble bath, a scented body scrub, and lavender lotion. Or stop by and get yourself a pedicure and get back out there to do what we can to make these holidays enjoyable for our family.

Mmmmm.....NOLA pralines!!!

Papa Noel travels all the way from the Bayou to drop pralines in our stockings on Christmas morning. My favorite pralines are the coconut. They are fantastic but I can only eat a half at a time. They are so sweet but it's always a treat for our family to look forward to each Holiday. I get them shipped over from "Aunt Sally's" in the French Quarter. They are always a big hit!!!

HAUEX, HAUEX, HAUEX Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

I love Christmas in the South. We still spend Christmas over in New Orleans. There is no where in the world like Christmas in New Orleans. We do things a bit different than everyone else. We don't have Santa Claus; instead we have Papa Noel. Papa Noel rides in pirogue pulled by alligators bringing Christmas gifts to all boys and girls living on the Bayou. Papa Noel leaves an assortment of pralines and Cajun crunch in our stockings. We also get together and read "A Cajun Night Before Christmas." On Christmas Eve everyone gets together and build beautiful bond fires on the Bayou so Papa Noel can find his way through the swamp lands of southern Louisiana. We fill our bellies with French Creole Cuisine while dancing to Zydeco/Jazz Christmas music. Yes, I love Christmas in the Bayou.

Thanksgiving

Wow, I can't believe we are doing this again. It seems like we just completed the holidays but I suppose that was a year ago. Time keeps slipping by faster and faster. This year I have decided to decorate my table totally different. I just purchased a beautiful table linen over the weekend. It is off white, satin, and has a beautiful ornate pattern to it. But I also want to include some pumpkin orange, browns, and gold. I've been searching on the web for the perfect setting and came across these.....

What I want for Christmas

I found this great site that has wonderful aprons. This is the perfect entertaining apron. I think I am going to hint to my hubby I want one for Christmas.

Opera House in Paris

Hats, Hats, Hats....

I love hats. I collect them. I think that they can dress up anything you are wearing. You can have jeans and a t-shirt on but once you put a jazzy hat on; it's an outfit. Isn't this a great hat?

On the streets in Paris

This reminds me of when my husband & I first flew into Paris. We were on West Coast time and we woke up starving around 4:30 a.m.. We grabbed our jackets and hit the early morning streets. It was amazing to walk around Paris when the streets were vacant. It was an awesome experience and we found a place that served hot croissants. It is one of my favorite memories.

VESPA!!!

In Austin you see so many people riding around of Vespa's. I would love to get one. I want a pink one soooo bad. Pink Vespa with a basket.

Fresh Flowers

I don't know about you but I always have to have fresh flowers in my home. It makes me feel cheerful even during the cold winter months. They also make others feel better too. I think this season I'm going to give colorful plants and bouquet of fresh flowers as gifts. You can get a pretty big bouquet at Sams Club or Costco less than $10.00.

Wouldn't You Love to Have this Car?

I came across this picture and loved this car. This is a typical fufu retro car; ultimate girly written across it. I love the color pink so this would be right up my alley.

Robert Randolph

We also saw Robert Randolph a few weeks prior to seeing the New World Son. He was so awesome. The way he plays the steel guitar. He plays better than B.B. King. I was so blown away by Robert Randolph. If he is ever in your area I highly recommend going to his concert. He is wonderful!!! www.robertrandolph.com

New World Son

My husband and I went to see a fabulous band called, "New World Son." We really enjoyed the concert. It was held a local church and it was fantastic. We had originally saw them at the Frank Erwin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. This was a small venue of about 50 people. We got to meet them afterwards and they were the nicest guys. They are from Canada but they play New Orleans style music. My husband really got along with the guitarist, Josh. My husband plays the guitar, Blues & Jazz. Here is their website; www.newworldson.com they are an amazing Christian band.