Monday, May 23, 2011

The Weekend

I keep putting off writing about my weekend at the Pioneer Woman's Lodge because I'm having a hard time putting it into words (sign #1 that I'm not a very good blogger). Not because it was extravagant or mind blowing, but because it was so relaxing and homey.

The lodge is gorgeous. Ree's pictures on her blog are way better than mine! It's spacious, simple, rustic and very welcoming. The best part is the view. I know I'm a Kansas girl at heart when I see a view like this and find it more beautiful than mountains or oceans.




Ree made us dinner on Friday night. She and Marlboro Man (Ladd) and their kids brought the food up to the lodge and ate with us. We had beef tenderloin, garlic mashed potatoes, burgundy mushrooms (recipe in her cookbook), caesar salad, bread and for dessert Knock You Naked Brownies.

(Ree and her daughters in the kitchen)
(Ladd slicing the tenderloin)
(The cute couple)
(The mushrooms were AMAZING. But to show you how much butter is in them, here's what they looked like several hours later once they had come to room temperature!)


On Saturday we were spoiled rotten with massages, manicures and pedicures. We didn't even have to go anywhere, two women came out to the lodge and set up shop. We literally lounged around all day taking turns doing these things. Between treatments we would just sit and talk.



We were with such a fun group of people! I talked so much and laughed so hard my cheeks were aching on Sunday evening.
(Me and my sister Kellie)
(Clay and April - they took care of us all weekend)
(Ann and Heide)

(open your eyes, April!)

I've been asked many times this week "so what's she like?". Well, here's the deal. She's completely normal. No diva attitude, no scene stealing personality, and no third eye. She's just like she seems on her blog. She's kind and funny, very easy to talk to, laid back and incredibly generous. You get the feeling that she really is just a wife and a mom who does this whole blog/book thing on the side. Honestly it feels funny to write about her here, but I know you're going to ask {grin}.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Sneak Peak

It was a wonderful weekend! But you're going to have to wait on stories and pictures until I have safely re-entered life around here. Check out Ree's blog today for pictures of the skeet shooting we did. Yup, I shot guns with Ree.

(Ellen, Lou, Heidi, Ree, April, Me, Kellie, Ann)

Monday, May 9, 2011

So here's the BIG news....

So, you know the woman that wrote this cookbook (that I use over and over again)...

The one who makes amazing recipes like this one (and has taught me so much about cooking)...

apple dumplings pic Pictures, Images and Photos

The one who lives on a cattle ranch and takes amazing pictures like this one?



Well, I'm going to go hang out with her this weekend. That's right, 3 days at The Pioneer Woman's lodge. Can you believe it? I know, either can I. It feels a bit like a dream. I'm going with 7 other really neat people. Honestly as excited as I am about meeting her and seeing for my very own eyes all the things I've read about for years now, I'm also just as excited about a relaxing weekend in a beautiful place with fun people. Oh and really good food!


Yup, this is the kitchen I'll be hanging out in. I think I'll ask Ree if she wouldn't mind if I just took that sink home with me. She seems like such a nice person. I'm sure she'll say yes. And see that little bit of orange in the bottom corner there? I'm sure when she sees what a fun person I am she'll want to throw that little le creuset piece in with the sink.

pioneer woman Pictures, Images and Photos

I'll come back with lots of pictures and stories! Of course they'll be lame pictures compared to hers and boring stories compared to hers {grin}.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Easter

We had a wonderful Easter celebration. A celebration of our resurrected Christ. He is risen. He is risen indeed!
After worship in our church we went out to Grandma Janet and Papa Skips house.




One of the most exciting things we got to do (besides celebrate a risen Savior, of course :)) was meet our newest niece/cousin Piper! Tyler's "little" sister Marie and her husband Brian had their first baby just 2 days before Christmas. Brian is in the Navy and they are stationed in Kingsville, Tx. Because it's so stinkin' far away we hadn't been able to meet Piper yet. But we loved on her plenty over Easter weekend.




Margo loves to hang out at the sliding glass doors and watch the big kids outside. It's cute and makes for funny pictures.



Hope you had a wonderful Easter!

May Birthdays

Brennan and Charlotte were born exactly 4 years and 1 day apart. And that one extra day almost didn't happen. But thankfully my doctor agreed it was okay for me to be pregnant a few more hours. So the first weekend in May is always a crazy one around here. We make a big deal out of our kids on their birthdays but we don't make a big deal out of the parties. Does that make sense? It's just how we do things. I'm thankful that both Brennan and Charlotte are still okay doing a joint birthday party. We try to make their actual day special for each of them. But as long as I can get a way with a joint party, I will!

So we went to the park and invited our family and friends from our small group at church. These are the people we share life with, so whether of not they have kids the same ages as our kids, it just seems right to share our joys with them. These are the people who we want to be the most influential in our kids lives!

Enjoy the pictures:


(all the kids)
(Brennan 8 years old)
(Charlotte 4 years old)
(totally into the whole "make a funny face" picture thing)
(Aunt Lisa seems to be holding court here. I wonder what story she was telling?)

(Margo enjoying cake)
(Char on her actual day)
(The gift Brennan wanted the most? Shoes.)
(When you think food coloring is from the devil {grin} you have to get creative with cake decorating)

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Wacky

Things have been a little wacky around here lately. This picture pretty much sums it up.

Stay tuned for lots of updates. We had a wonderful Easter with family and celebrated 2 birthdays in a weeks time. Brennan turned 8 and Charlotte turned 4. I also have a really big announcement to make :)