Year: 2008

Fiesta. You make me tired.

I bet y’all thought when I said I’d be back later with a post that I meant later that same day.

And that is what I meant but then I filled up my day by sitting on the couch and staring into space.

But in my defense, I needed some sitting and staring time because this weekend was filled with muchas activities. It’s all part of my master plan to ensure that someday when Caroline writes her memoirs that I’ll get a shout out for making sure her life always included plenty of funnel cakes and face paint.

Fiesta, for those of y’all who know not of what I speak, is essentially a ten-day party held in San Antonio every year during April. I’m not sure of all the history and stuff because I don’t really care.

It just involves stuff like real-live fake royalty and a lot of parades.

I grew up in Beaumont and all we had was the Neches River Festival which is basically Fiesta’s poor cousin. On crack.

Oh I kid. The Neches River Festival is every bit as lovely as the Neches River itself.

Friday night we went to what used to be just a little neighborhood carnival with plenty o’ fun for the kids. You know, the type of place where you can drop $80.00 on bounce castles, a pony ride and some face paint, all the while eating carny food that will boost your cholesterol well into the 300’s.

Good times.

I’ll have the sausage stick with a Lipitor chaser.

However, over the years the little neighborhood carnival has developed the tendency to turn into a singles bar gone wrong after 8 p.m., so our strategy is to get there when the doors open at 5:30 and leave as the increasingly over-tan crowd in skimpy tank tops show up.

And that’s just the men.

But we still go every year because the carnival holds special meaning for P and me because it was at this same event eleven years ago that he watched me serve fountain drinks to the throngs of people and knew without a doubt that he was ready to propose to me within the week. So we attend every year for the nostalgia factor.

And the funnel cakes.

And the brisket tacos.

We promised Caroline she could get her face painted and with that accomplished we headed home before the meat market was in full swing.

Oh look! We also won a baby while we were there.

Not really, but that would have been cool. She belongs to our friends, W and E.

We spent the rest of the evening sitting on our back porch with some of our friends listening to the huge party our neighbors were having behind the walled fortress that used to be Tillie’s house.

No kidding. They built a wall. To ensure they don’t have to see the neighborhood.

I’m pretty sure it was our faded Little Tikes slide that pushed them over the edge.

Anyway, on Saturday morning Caroline was up before the sun in spite of being up way past her bedtime the night before.

In spite of a Saturday filled with meltdowns brought on by exhaustion, we still had to attend a birthday party for one of her classmates. The whole party was a Longhorn theme with instructions to wear your favorite game day apparel.

It is our job to spread light to a dark world.

Finally Sunday arrived and we spent the evening with some friends at another Fiesta event that involved the best homemade gorditas I have ever had, several bounce castles, and even more face painting.

Oh! And fireworks!

They were much better in person than in that showcase of my limited photography skills.

Caroline was in absolute awe of the fireworks until she decided it was more fun to roll down the hills on the golf course. And really, what’s better? Chinese manufactured pyrotechnics or the thrill of getting dizzy while getting grass stains all over a cute skirt that will never be the same again?

Then, mercifully, the weekend was over.

Yesterday morning, Caroline actually slept until 8:20 and woke up just in time for me to quickly get her dressed for school. I knew she was tired because she let me pick out her outfit and comb her hair without a fight.

But as I dropped her off at her classroom, I realized how tired I was from the weekend because I’d sent her to school with half a unicorn still on her face.

Viva fiesta.
Sometimes I quit staring at the computer long enough to cook a meal

It’s Fiesta time here in San Antonio which means that we’ve had a really busy weekend and I’ve eaten more than my share of fried foods on a stick.

In fact, we had a late night last night filled with fireworks, homemade tortillas, and Mariachi bands.

So, I’ll be back later with a real post but in the meantime who wants to know how to make Chicken Cakes?

You do. I promise you do.

Even if you don’t think you do.

Plus, I promised my dear neighbors that I’d post this recipe on the blog because they let me borrow an egg. Without that egg there would have been no chicken cakes last Tuesday night.

And our home would have been filled with much weeping and sorrow.

Thank you Jana and Bill for that egg. My family is indebted to you for saving us from a fate of Hamburger Helper.

Chicken Cakes with Remoulade Sauce

2 tablespoons butter
1/2 medium size red bell pepper, diced
4 green onion, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
3 cups chopped cooked chicken (I buy Tyson roasted chicken because I believe I’ve mentioned I cannot deal with raw chicken without a resulting need for extensive therapy)
1 cup soft bread crumbs (I use Progresso bread crumbs with Garlic and Onion)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons mayonnaise (you can use light or fat free)
1 tablespoon Creole mustard (or stoneground mustard if you can’t find Creole)
1 tsp. Creole seasoning (like Tony Chachere’s)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Remoulade Sauce (recipe follows)

Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add bell pepper, green onions and garlic. Saute 3-4 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Stir together bell pepper mixture, chicken and next five ingredients. Shape mixture into 6-8 patties depending on the size (you can also make mini-patties to serve as hors douerves)

Fry 4 patties at a time in 2 tablespoons hot oil in a large skillet over medium heat 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Repeat until all patties are cooked. Serve immediately with Remoulade Sauce.

And here’s where I’d show y’all the finished product, but I ate them too fast and forgot to take a picture.

Remoulade Sauce

1 cup mayonnaise
3 green onions, sliced
2 tablespoons Creole Mustard
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4-1/2 tsp. ground red pepper

Stir together until well-blended.

And if you have leftovers the next day, put some remoulade sauce and a chicken cake on some toasted bread.

You will be so glad you did.
I dream of P with feathers in his hair

P and I are sitting here spending our Saturday night watching one of the true cinematic classics, “The Electric Horseman”. He’s never seen it which frankly is a travesty and makes me wonder how we ended up together.

And I hate to say this but I think he may be mocking one of my favorite movies of all time.

Granted, it is slightly unbelievable that a man on a horse could outrun a band of police cars and several police motorcycles.

Without losing his cowboy hat.

But back in 1979 when I was a ten year old girl wearing some sweet cowboy boots from Weiners, something in this movie spoke to me deeply. I just knew I wanted to spend my life out on the range with wild horses.

Unless I decided to spend it trying to win cross-country races disguised as a nun in an ambulance with Dom Deluise as Captain Chaos and Burt Reynolds as J.J. McClure.

And if you were born after 1980 you have no idea what I’m talking about.

Tragic.

But, most importantly, watching “The Electric Horseman” and seeing Robert Redford’s lightly feathered hair has triggered a memory that P has never shared with me. In 5th and 6th grade he used to blow dry his hair using a brush attachment to achieve that winged-back look.

This piece of information has made my Saturday night complete.
Edition 25: Fashion Friday

If there was ever a day to read Fashion Friday then today is that day.

I have found a fashion item that has singlehandedly changed my life. And you might think I’m exaggerating, but I’m not.

Because I NEVER, NEVER, EVER exaggerate.

I wouldn’t exaggerate in a MILLION YEARS.

The other day I went into a local boutique called Adelante, which is one of my very favorite stores, and I was introduced to the garment I have been searching for lo these many years.

It’s called The Chickie.

What is a Chickie you may be asking? I’ll tell you.

A Chickie is your friend.

Gulley and I had spent the whole morning shopping and tried on several shirts like this one and this one. But each time we’d decide that it was too low cut and we’d have to wear a tank top under it to make it work.

This is unacceptable for two reasons.

1. South Texas is hot. Superfluous layers are of the devil when it’s 85 degrees outside and it’s only April.

2. Tank tops add an extra layer of bulk. NO THANK YOU, SIR.

The Chickie is just like wearing a sports bra over your regular bra. It turns any top that could potentially leave the girls hanging out there for the world to see, into a nice, modest top by providing cleavage coverage.

It achieves a perfect balance of fashionable yet practical that makes my heart sing. And oh, the shirts that I will be able to wear now without having to feel like a stuffed baked potato wrapped in foil.

Go here and get one for yourself.

All I can say is HOORAY FOR MODERN TECHNOLOGY.

The DVR. The cell phone. The Chickie.

Now for the questions.

1. Liz asks: ” I am looking for ‘the perfect white tee’. Does it exist? I keep seeing paper thin tees that leave me wondering, should I wear a flesh-colored bra underneath, white tank, etc.?”

I spent years, YEARS, in search of a white t-shirt that I could actually wear by itself without the whole world knowing what kind of bra I had on. Two years ago, I found it. The elusive, perfect white t-shirt.

The Banana Republic short-sleeve timeless tee made of pima cotton with just a hint of stretch.

I cannot express how much I love these t-shirts. I buy two new ones in various colors every Spring.

And while they are a little more expensive than a Target t-shirt, they are worth it. I have a hot pink one that I’ve worn for the last four years. It’s barely faded and hasn’t shrunk at all even though I just throw it in the dryer.

If y’all have any other recommendations, share the t-shirt love in the comments.

2. Christy asks: “In my opinion Crocs are some of the ugliest shoes on the market. Admitedly since the company’s getting creative, they’re not quite so bad, but the colorful clog versions look like garden shoes. Do you consider it acceptable to wear them to the grocery store, or as was suggested to me, to NYC?

Yes. I would wear them to the grocery store.

No. I wouldn’t wear them in NYC.

But, honestly, I don’t own a pair. Not because they offend me, but because I am partial to my Reef flip-flops.

However, I think these are actually pretty cute. I wouldn’t kick them out of my closet.

3. Cynthia asks: “I have horrible legs (varicose veins -thanks to three lovely children) so I DO NOT wear shorts except for at the gym in August. Can you suggest some fun, cheap, and stylish capri pants AND what shoes to wear with them.”

Oh pregnancy. It is the gift that keeps on giving long after the fun and the morning sickness is over. Don’t be afraid to use those varicose veins to your advantage. Someday when those kids stay out too late, don’t be afraid to greet them at the door wearing shorts so that you can point to your veins and let them know that it’s all their fault. Guilt is a mother’s tool.

When I think cheap and stylish, I think Old Navy. They have these cute capri pants on sale for $20.00. And for an even more casual look to wear to the playground, they have these.

I actually just bought this pair from Gap. They are on sale for $23.99 (We all know that means TWENTY-FOUR DOLLARS Gap. You’re not fooling us.) I like them because they are very lightweight, plus I like my capris to hit between my calf and my ankle as opposed to just below the knee which I think is a tricky length.

And a word of caution, be careful with the denim capri. That look can go quickly south and fly towards the land of bad before you know what hit you. If you want a denim capri, look for something like this. A darker wash and the right length are key.

As for shoes, see Crocs and Reef flip-flops in question 2.

4. Ruth asks: “What is the deal with long flowy skirts? I have several and I love them. I think they’re flattering and feminine, but I sometimes question if they are seriously outdated. But I see that Sundance and Coldwater Creek are continuing to sell them, so does that mean I can keep wearing them? I’m a youngish, not-heavy, not-short, 50 year old mother of 5. Your thoughts?”

Ruth included the link to this skirt and this skirt.

So here are my thoughts, since you asked. No, I don’t think long, flowy skirts are currently the trendiest thing out there. However, I think by the time you’re in your mid-30’s there is a line between being trendy and being age appropriate. I mean mini-skirts worn with leggings are really trendy right now, but you know what the odds are that I’d wear an outfit like that?

About the same that I’ll get to sleep through the night tonight with a 90% chance of serious thunderstorms that are certain to wake Caroline up. Never gonna happen.

Fashion should be about what makes you feel pretty and comfortable. Trends come and go. The important thing is to find your own personal style and go with it. I think both of those skirts are very pretty and feminine. Look at this beautiful long skirt I found at Anthropologie. I think the long skirt is beautiful, even if it’s not trendy. Plus, who can argue with Anthropologie?

And since several of y’all have asked about skirts, I searched for a few summer skirt options. This one from Boden. Here’s one at Target.

This one is a peasant-type skirt at Target. This one from Walmart is really cute. And here’s another simple one from Walmart.

Gap has some darling ruffled skirts right now that come in a bunch of bright, summer colors. Oh, and I have to show this one from Boden because, well, I adore it.

That’s all I’ve got for today.

Oh, except that I bought Caroline a pair of Jellies at Target today.

Jellies.

Next week we’re going to find her some twist-a-beads.

Y’all have a great Friday!
I’m sure they are due to all my deep thoughts

A few mornings ago I woke up and Caroline was right in my face staring at me intently.

She reached out her little baby fat hands and rubbed my forehead gently in the sweetest gesture.

Then she got a little bit of a frown on her face and said, “Mama, how come I can see your brains on your forehead?”

Umm, yeah.

Those aren’t brains.

They are wrinkles.

Thank you. Thank you very much.
McLetDown

Thank y’all so much for yesterday. It was so interesting to read everyone’s questions and thoughts. Although it will take me a good two weeks for my mind to process all that information.

I promise that Sophie, Shannon and I will figure out a way to share some of the information from the She Speaks Conference on our blogs. In the meantime, you may want to check out Blogging Basics 101.

Anyway, Gulley usually volunteers at her son Jackson’s school every Wednesday. But last Wednesday she skipped out on the opportunity to watch kindergardeners eat paste in favor of getting her hair cut and highlighted. Clearly she is a woman with her priorities in order.

No woman can be expected to cut out shapes, teach future generations to read, and eat cafeteria food when she’s worried about her roots. I mean this is America.

So, Gulley asked Jackson’s teacher if she could volunteer on Thursday instead and asked me if I would mind keeping Will. And I told her I wouldn’t mind at all because she watched Caroline for me most of the day on Tuesday and because Will seriously cracks me up.

He just turned three in February and hanging out with him is kind of what I imagine it would be like to spend time with Simon Cowell. You know he’s a little belligerent and out of control but yet manages to be charming and endearing all at the same time.

Plus they both have hair that defies the laws of follicular science.

Gulley dropped Will off on Thursday morning and, since I am really a modern day Mary Poppins, I had our morning all planned out. These plans involved cleaning our back porch with scrub brushes and soap.

The kids can’t get enough of it.

Tell Toys R’ Us to figure out a way to package that kind of fun.

Finally, after a morning of hard labor I decided to reward them with a trip to McDonalds for lunch. And, because it was such a gorgeous, sunny day, I purposely drove further away to the dying breed known as a McDonalds with an outdoor playground.

We went in, ordered our food and then started to head outside, when we saw this.

Oh cruel hand of fate. Why do you torture me so?

I told the kids to eat their lunch and promised that after they were done I would go ask the manager if they would consider opening the playground since the weather was no longer inclement.

So they pretended to eat half a nugget for the next ten minutes and then started asking about the playground. I felt like I was being interrogated. My palms got all sweaty as I tried to prepare them for the very real possibility that the outdoor playground wasn’t going to happen.

“Okay, I’ll go ask but y’all need to know that they may not open it. They may say no. Okay?”

Will quit eating his ketchup out of the paper cup long enough to look me dead in the eye and say, “If they say no, I’m gonna bust their tails.”

And don’t think he wouldn’t.

Unfortunately the answer was no. It appears that two prior days of inclement weather rendered the playground in need of a good scrubbing.

They should totally use child labor like I did with my porch. The kids can reach cracks and crevices that an adult will never see.

There was great disappointment but we left with some cool Happy Meal toys so all was not lost. And I knew Will had a good time with me because when Gulley came to pick him up he hugged me and said, “See you later, Babe.”

Which is exactly what the Banks children called Mary Poppins.