My favorite season

I love fall. It is my favorite time of year. The colors, the smells, the cool mornings and crisp evenings, and football. As an added bonus - its perfect convertible weather.

Another thing I look forward to... apples. I have always liked apples, liked not loved, until I found one specific variety. What is it you ask? HONEYCRISP! These are the sweetest, juiciest apples ever. I discovered them last year when I was trying out different varieties (since there seem to be a million different kinds) and this one is by far the best. It's a little early in the season yet - they are available, but not as sweet as they will be in Oct/Nov. To me they are the epitome of fall. The red/green color and the crispness. It's all good!

Now I'm off to enjoy the evening and my apple. Hope you're having a good weekend.

more later...

State of the art security

Our house is protected against the dangerous Mediterranean Gecko! It's a good thing we have an attack cat as head of our security.

Surprisingly, the gecko couldn't have cared less and moved nary a muscle. After a couple of swats, our little soldier got bored and headed off for more important ventures...giving her ball a few tosses, a snack and a nap.

We can now rest easy knowing all is well in the TexasEspresso household. Oh to be a spoiled kitty...

Road Trip

Welcome to North Texas!

Stef and I decided we were sick of being in the house so we headed out to explore. It's been awhile since we've just wandered aimlessly but the day was gorgeous with a nice cool breeze, so we rolled down the windows and hit the road. We were going to take my convertible but I just had the top replaced and I forgot I couldn't put the top down for a week. This worked too though. We are going to try to take more weekend trips and see the state. As much as we can anyway - since we have limited time and a HUGE state to cover.

As you can see my part of Texas is very flat and honestly not the prettiest part of the state. However, I think there is something beautiful about the wide open space and vast sky. On our way out, we happened upon a small craft fair going on in a nearby town. Here are some of the "crafts"



I totally should've bought the longhorn stool or the armadillo because they are just cool. hehe But good taste ruled and I didnt get a thing. After we wandered around the fair we decided to head out to the legendary town made famous by the movie "Paris, Texas" (which I have not seen) and the Eiffel Tower, Texas style. Unfortunately, we couldn't find it so the photo is off the city website. But who wouldn't want to see that?

All in all it was a nice relaxing day. My only complaint would be not stopping at any historical markers. "Somebody " pretty much gave me whiplash as I tried to see what the plaques were. One sign seemed to point to a regular fence covered in shrubs. This just piqued my curiousity - what could the markers be? Most of them are plaques attached to a pole - no monuments, shrines, nothing - just the plaques. WHAT ARE THEY??? sigh - sadly I can't tell you. I cannot read at 70+ mph. CURSES! Next time I drive! Oh and the State Fair of Texas is starting! WOOHOOO - my Italian has never been so this year we WILL go. WE MUST!

On an interesting yet random side note, a transvestite bagged my groceries today at Whole Foods...huh :)

More later...

Happiness!

YAY... my Italian is finally home! It has sure been a quiet house without him. I am happy and content :) Even the Sophie-cat is happy to see him. She has wasted no time in spreading her "love" (thats code for hair) all over him and the things he brought. We had to be quick to unpack the suitcases and put them away because climbing in or sitting on top of suitcases is one of her favorite things.

Speaking of things - not only is it great to have him home just because I missed him but he also brings home lots of good stuff! Presents (2 cute purses, a new wallet, nice perfume,etc) and food. Man I wish I had thought to take a picture of the food he brought home - it covered our whole kitchen island. Looks like he and his mom had a great time at the grocery store (and spent a small fortune.lol) The loot consists of - coffee, honey from the monestary near his home, bueno bars, tronky bars (sadly no happy hippos this time), pizza in a box (! - I'm sure its better than our chef boyarde), a nice mix to make some neopolitan cake, some mulino bianco cookies and fette biscottate and last but not least.... drum roll please.... POCKET COFFEE! WOOHOOO

Do you know the greatness that is Pocket Coffee? I dont even like coffee that much and I love these things. I took a few to work and one of my coworkers went nuts over them. She hopped right onto the internet to find some to buy. Sadly they dont sell them here and ordering them can be expensive. ahhh they are so good. One of the many Italian inventions that makes them great.hehe

More later...


****Update****
I LOVE my new blog template! it is so freaking cute -dont you think? hehe I think I will stick with this one for awhile

Killer spinach, bad blogging and more

I have really been the worst about blogging this week! How can you be so busy yet accomplish nothing? It seems every night some new errand popped up and took up the whole evening. By the time I got home I was too tired to blog. Man working full time sure saps ya. hehehe

On top of feeling boring, now I find out I can't eat bagged spinach! There is an E. Coli break out in something like 10 states coming from pre-washed bagged spinach. so sad. Spinach salad is the staple of my dieting! I even had a bag in the fridge that thankfully I hadn't opened yet. even though Texas doesn't seem to be one of the e.coli states - you never know.

It has been another busy day today. Being a good aunt I went to my 9yr old nephew's last indoor soccer game. He scored 2 goals! I know nothing about soccer and really the games bore me, but I love to see him out there running around and having a good time. Of course his favorite position is goalie - but I think its cuz that position doesnt run all the time! lol And my parents came down for the weekend so there's lots of visiting to do. My big plans were to start painting the guest bedroom but now... well we'll see. It's supposed to rain all day tomorrow - is it bad to paint in the rain? I would just HATE to have another excuse not to start painting..HA.

On a good note, I got an estimate on replacing my convertible top and front seat. It was way lower than i had anticipated so YAY. I can even afford it and am in desperate need because I can't see out the back window anymore. Not a safe way to drive :)

That's all for now... more later.

I was very boring this weekend. I've been a bit sick this week so I tried not to overdo it. In fact I hardly moved from the sofa all day today. I did cook though! I haven't done much of that this week. Mostly panini on the george foreman, salads or yogurt and fruit.

I did venture out yesterday for the all important manicure, so I decided to stop at Whole Foods to pick up a few things. S. and I don't eat much meat on a regular basis - we're not vegetarian or anything but we're just not that good at cooking it! lol I decided I needed some more protein this weekend andmI was in the mood for pork chops, mushrooms and roasted potatoes. So I combed the net to find a recipe to try. (as a side note, I am OBSESSED with recipes. I have a ton, most of which i never try) I wouldn't call myself a good cook but I can usually make something edible with a good recipe. This is what i came up with -


Herbed porkchop with mushroom sauce! YUM I found this recipe on Cooking Light and while it looks very fattening, it really isnt! I don't know how to embed a link yet so I'll either edit this once I do or post the recipe. Just so you know that was a salad plate! I'm not eating a huge portion of potatoes - it was really only 2 very small yukon golds! It was a tasty way to end a lazy sunday.

Tomorrow starts another busy week. Dieting continues with renewed vigor thanks to Sara (American Girl in Italy - again, I don't know how to embed a link) and my first full week of work. Hopefully my cold will hit the road and my pool water will warm up :)

More later..

Another day another dollar

I am a planner - meetings, special events, fundraisers, that kind of thing. So far all of my experience has been in non-profit but for the next 5 months or so I will be planning trainings on the corporate side. =)

Yesterday was my first day and it went well! Unfortunately, the only draw back was I didn't have my computer and phone yet (or log in info to work on another computer) so it wasn't too productive. But I like the people I will be working with and today I should be fully equipped. Man, are we totally dependent on the internet or what??? I remember in college, the internet and personal computers were so remote.lol Today I had to resort to hotel reference books, telephone calls and personal contact. *gasp* hehe

I was a bit worried about traffic since the office is quite a jaunt but it wasn't so bad. Of course, I went in a little later than normal so we'll see how today goes. Had lunch at Blue Mesa - which was YUMMY. mmmmm avacado enchiladas.... so good.

Aside from the whole missing family/friends thing - that's the one HUGE thing I'm know I'm gonna miss when we move to Italy. Good Mexican/Latin American/southwestern food! I am trying to collect recipes and perfect dishes now so I can recreate them over there. Everyone should enjoy a Fiesta now and then. There are probably some restaurants in Italy that serve this food but I'm not convinced of their "goodness". Just my small contribution to our Italian friends and family =)

Now, I'm off to get ready. More later...

A lil ray of sunshine on a dreary gray day

I had big plans this weekend to be lazy and get back some of my faded tan. I had sunscreen and book all ready to go! WOOHOOO Labor Day FUN! However, after months of drought, north texas finally got some rain. Happy about that - but I wasnt happy to wake up to this:



Can you see the gray gloom that is today? It probably doesnt translate well on screen but believe me it is gray gray and gray. Not a peek of sun for the last 3 days.

*sigh* I have been looking at the pool with longing all day. oh well, who needs sun damaged skin anyway.

Since my big plans were obviously toast - I decided It was a perfect day to hit the movies. So a couple of friends and I went to see "Little Miss Sunshine." It was great!! So funny and sweet. Lots of the f-word but such an uplifting movie. It was perfect on this yucky day.

Tomorrow is the first day of my new job, so lets keep our fingers crossed it all goes well (and that its not raining during rush hour).

More later.

And now a word from our sponsor...

Sophie has a message for our Italian...


Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing

ok so maybe she was just begging for milk....