CATCHING UP: Dallas Sites I've Never Seen from June & October- adding to my list of 45!

  Dallas Sites I've Never Seen

I'm going through my camera and my phone to find pictures that I was going to blog about that added to my 45 but didn't.  Here I sit on a lovely and productive Saturday afternoon (because I've already gotten my 10,000 steps for today! #partyonthewrist #fitbitrocks).  In June, (yes, I know it's January - I already pleaded my case on that one) my sister, Donna, and I hit Dallas Farmer's market.  How have I lived in this area my whole life and never been down there?  There was a lot of construction going on, and I can't even imagine what it is going to look like when it is finished.  Oh, I'll be checking it out!  That is for sure.  Totally out of order - but #25 is DALLAS FARMER'S MARKET.  

I really should say that we ate our way through Farmer's Market.  I love samples of freshness.  We bought some fruit and veges but I didn't get a picture of those BUT..... Here is a picture of my favorite find of the day.  I had to search on the web for one because I couldn't get my picture that I took to download. #technologychallenged.

T-Rex Pickles

They had traditional dill but they also had other great concoctions on hand.  They were the nicest people.  They talked to us for a while just sharing their business with us.  We like friendly people.:) Find them on FaceBook at:  https://www.facebook.com/TRexPickles/

While we were in the neighborhood we stopped and walked around Pioneer Plaza.  In case you don't know the history behind the Plaza here it is in a nutshell (because I love Texas History #alwaysa4thgradeteacher) per Wikipedia --- so we know it's true (:  #26 Pioneer Plaza

The large sculpture commemorates nineteenth century cattle drives that took place along the Shawnee Trail, the earliest and easternmost route by which Texas longhorn cattle were taken to northern railheads. The trail passed through Austin, Waco, and Dallas until the Chisolm Trail siphoned off most of the traffic in 1867.^[4]The 49 bronze steers and 3 trail riders sculptures were created by artist Robert Summers of Glen Rose, Texas. Each steer is larger-than-life at six feet high; all together the sculpture is the largest bronze monument of its kind in the world. Set along an artificial ridge and past a man-made limestone cliff, native landscaping with a flowing stream and waterfall help create the dramatic effect.

Just "horsing" around--- get it?

Also at Pioneer Plaza was a little water family.

They were so cute! I know you just said "AWWWWW" when you saw them. :)

I think these are the only things I missed on my camera.  Now to look at my phone.....  Yes, I found an October 10, 2015 outing in Dallas.  This one will knock a few off of my list.

My sister and her family are so sweet to always include me in many of their family outings for dinner.  She likes helping me mark things off of my list as well.  They invited me to #27 HG Supply (located at 2008 Greenville Ave Dallas TX or find their web page www.hgsplyco.com).

This is a very trendy place.  I almost felt old with all the 20s and 30s that were there, but hey I embraced it!  While we waited for a table Sister and I went upstairs to the rooftop area.  It was AMAZING -- full but amazing!  I want to go back when the weather is nice and sit up there.  We didn't have a long wait at all.  Once we got to the table and ordered appetizers and drinks----SELFIE time!

OH MYLANTA!!!! I cannot begin to tell you how much I love my sister!  She is the most amazing woman I know.  She is always, always FOR me!  #sistersrock

We do let Gary play too- sometimes.

We ordered nachos for an appetizer and they were AH-MAZING!!! 

 Donna and I split something for dinner and it was so beautifully plated, we hated to dig in.  That moment passed quickly

My half of dinner! TOTALLY YUM!

After dinner we decided to walk around in the area.  I ran into some friends and Donna continues to say she can't take me anywhere that I don't find someone I know. :)

We walked down to the #28 Dallas thing I haven't seen before:  The Truckyard!

(photo taken by dallas.eater.com)

The guy at the door carded my nephew, his girlfriend, my niece and her boyfriend.  He didn't card Donna or Gary which totally offended my older sister.  I hung back and asked the guy to card me and then I loudly proclaimed, "Oh wait, Sister, I have to show him my ID!"  She was not very happy so I did confess that we set it up.  She felt better. 

We didn't stay long but I totally loved this place.  It was so low key and everyone just hanging out with friends.  There was even a bar up in a tree.  Yes, I said IN A TREE-- and adult treehouse!

(Photo from D Magazine)

I also ran into a friend from the show I had just finished.  So random....  When the weather is lovely in Texas again (after March), I will go back.  If you haven't been to either of these places, I'm just sayin'  YOU SHOULD GO!

There is also a Trader Joe's on the corner and Donna wanted to stop and get some things that can only be found there!  Before we went inside there was a beautiful fall/pumpkin display.  You know I have lived in Texas all my life and have never taken a picture in the bluebonnets.  Well, I missed the season again so I figured a pumpkin patch would do. #29 - Picture surrounded by pumpkins and fall, y'all! I was taking many shots here and didn't realize I was entertaining the employees. :)  It's a good thing because they were technically closing up but they liked us so they let us come it.  

Happy Fall, Y'all!

I think this is all the backtracking I have to do.  Getting closer!!!  I have 16 more to go and I have a few that can be knocked off my list from this week.  I will blog about that tomorrow and let you know how my 31 days of no spending turned out!

#24 Dinner in a Box and I'm Not Talking about Take Out!

#24 Dinner in a Box and I'm Not Talking about Take Out!

I had seen a lot of ads for Hello Fresh and BlueApron.  I did some diving in to see what all the type was about.  Jamie Oliver works with HelloFresh and I am definitely a fan of his.  After the Food Revolution show, I loved what he was about.  That's what got me interested.  (Good marketing move - HelloFresh!)  In December (before I started the no spending month), I decided to try it.  I got more than 1/2 off of my first box as a new customer so I figured it couldn't hurt.  I wasn't sure how "fresh" it was going to be.  When my first box arrived, the first week of January, I was excited.  

I didn't take a picture when I opened it - I should have.  It was well insulated with boxes for each meal on top, then a cardboard divider, ice packs, and then the proteins for each meal still very cold.

I immediately unpacked it and put it away.  There is also a booklet with all the recipes for the meals included.  Everything is included in the box other than oil, butter, salt and pepper.  I thought maybe the recipes would be some crazy things I had never heard of but so far everything was very good.  I definitely hadn't cooked the recipes in this manner but that's why people order these, I think, to try something new and out of the ordinary.  The meals I have made so far haven't taken more than 40 minutes.  That's what I love the most.  Even the meals for 2 make plenty.  Cooking for 1 means GREAT leftovers to not cook every night!

 Look at these cute boxes?  It's amazing that everything you need is in each box.  The meats are separate in my meat tray.  What I did learn is that the ingredients are FRESH so they won't last forever so cooking soon than later ensures all items are in the best shape.

This was one of the meals -- Spicy Swedish Meatballs.  They were spicy at all which was good for me.  There was just Swedish spices included in the box.  

If you are interested - and I hope you are- you can use my referral code: 

 www.hellofresh.com/raf-helloshare/?c=9PVSUQ 

This will allow you to get $40 off your first box and will also give me credit too! :)  It's definitely worth trying.  Let me know how you like it.  Maybe #hellofresh should hire me to do an infomercial for them.  

21 more adventures to go before February is up.  I'm feeling confident I can do this.

********************UPDATE ON NO SPENDING MONTH****************************

Here I am at week 2 of no spending January.  First, because I did love the HelloFresh box, I just made that part of my grocery budget but limited myself to one box for the remainder of the month.  I still haven't frequented my beloved Starbucks.  It's amazing that anyone wants to be around me!  My boss has bought me sweet tea though.  She says Sonic Happy Hour at .99 is worth every cent! LOL  I ate out twice but didn't spend anything.  One night some friends went to Chili's and I had a gift card thanks to my sister, Janet.  The next event was before a meeting and a couple of friends wanted me to join them.  We shared appetizers that were 1/2 price and they treated me.  Even had I paid, it was an inexpensive dinner and a night in 2 weeks out.  It's not that my budget is feeling this great influx of extra money but I'm being completely more conscience of what I am spending and asking myself if I really NEED to spend money on ______________.   As I'm reading my daily emails from Living Well Spending Less, she is still encouraging organizing home.  I am continuing to purge.  I have 3 rooms left in my house.  Of course they are the 3 rooms I am least excited about doing.  I love my purged rooms so far.  I'm really looking at what I NEED.  There are a few things that I can't part with, but the list is shorter than it was.  That's the whole point, right.  Week 2 was tougher but I'm still going strong maybe not spending zero but certainly less!  Week 3 here I come!

#23 of 45 What I Found in D Magazine

#23 of 45

What I Found in D Magazine

It was about a year ago when I was was reading a review in D Magazine of the Lake House showed up.  It was described as a "hip place" and great for happy hour.   It had been on my list of places to go.  Last year, during my birthday month, a group of my friends were going to go but then it snowed - or iced - you never know in Texas.  Anyway, the event never got rescheduled, so I was left still wanting to go.   A long time friend flew into town right before New Year's Eve.  After I picked him up from the airport, we headed over to the Lake House!  It was late on a Wednesday night so it wasn't what you  might say "hopping" but it was a great set up in side - very relaxing and laid back.  There were huge garage type doors on one wall that could open up to a patio.   I could totally see how fun it could be on a spring day.  The prices were great and the food and drinks lived up to the hype in the magazine.  It was well worth the visit.  I do want to go back during a happy hour time - maybe when the patio is bustling.  In Texas that could be next week or maybe June. :)   If you haven't been to the Lake House --- you should definitely plan on visiting!

Update on Week 1 of No Spending January

I cannot believe it's ONLY been 10 days.  I am seeing how much money I spend on a regular basis with very little to show for it.  My daily habits of sweet tea and 2-3 runs to Starbucks per week cost a lot of money.   It's been tough.  There have been times that I really just wanted something quick, but opted for the house and cooked.  I know all of that is better for me anyway.  While I have stopped myself from buying an individual tea each day, I did allow myself to buy a gallon of tea in my budget so I still could serve my vice.  I was on my way to school one day and my principal texted and asked if I would stop for a drink.  I told her I was going to get a gallon of tea and she said that was great.  I made the mistake of going through Chick-Fil-A instead of just stopping at the grocery store.  The first thing that I noticed for the first time is a gallon of tea is $4.50.  Now this wasn't ever a big deal to me before, but when you spend close to zero.... it seems like a lot.  Well, that wasn't all.  I decided I NEEDED some breakfast too and I caved.  I got chicken minis.  This was only $3.00 so if I was going to fall this week, at least it wasn't big.  I have felt guilty and needed to confess. :(  So what I have learned this week.  Chick Fil A tea is the best but it costs too much so I will go to the grocery store for my tea in the future.  Also, I realize I am not strong enough to go through a drive thru and not spend more than I had intended on spending.  I will carry these lessons over to next week.  With the emails from Living Well Spending Less this week's tasks have been about cleaning out and clearing out the clutter.  Yesterday I spent all day in my kitchen.  I cleaned out every cabinet and counter.  I also cleaned every inch of my stove.  I found a lot of things I wasn't using or had seen its better days and deposited each item correctly.  It definitely was a lot of work but my kitchen is sparkling clean.  I am going to continue purging room by room.  It really does make me feel lighter.

Look What I Can Make!!

Look What I Can Make!!

#22 of 45

I realize that my list of 45 doesn't have all these wild and crazy things.  Some are more adventurous than others.  I had to remind myself that my goal was to do or see 45 new things.  Honestly, cooking is my therapy (except when my neighbor has his Loretta Lynn music blaring so that I can hear it in my kitchen --- so messes up my quiet time).  Anyway, I am having fun and feeling a little stressed that I quite a few things left to do before February 5th rolls around.  I think I have probably up to #30 that I have to catch up on and then it's crunch time for the last ones!  YIKES!!  Please send me any ideas that you can think of around the Dallas area!  Enough of that.... on to the real story.

It was the first day back at school.  It was teacher inservice (although a few kiddos did try to come to school today).  My principal and I provided homemade breakfast items for the staff.  I bought some yogurt and decided to make some homemade granola.  This was inspired by my mom's cousin, Kathy Ragsdale, when I went to her house a few months ago and she had granola that she had made out.  This wasn't unusual for her because everything at her house is freshly baked.  I don't know why I assumed granola was something difficult to make.  It is so easy!  I opened up my "go to" recipe place - A.K.A. Pinterest and look for a variety of recipes to find one that I liked or a mixture of some to put together.  I found this one from www.twopeasandtheirpod.com.  I added some white chocolate chips after the granola cooled just for a little splash of something.  Here is what mine looked like:

It was a hit with my peeps at school.  Hey, I hope everyone loves granola because this is what you will be getting for Christmas next year! LOL!

You can get this recipe for Brown Butter Maple Granola at:

http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/brown-butter-maple-granola/

Day Trippin' with the Sister 

to add to my 45 things!

I told you I would get out of order (date wise).  This goes back to November 7, 2015.  My sister, Donna, decided to spend the day and take a road trip to The Magnolia.  For those that may not know this place, it's Chip and Joanna's (from HGTV) store.  I'm not gonna lie - I had no idea.  I am not a huge HGTV watcher - not that I don't don't like it if I stumble upon it, but most of my TV watching these days comes from my DVR.  Ok - I am digressing--- back to the road trip.  We left early on a misty, muggy morning (thus the lack of big hair).  We headed down I-35.  We couldn't resist my regular stop in West.  Although I couldn't believe that she had never stopped.  That was just crazy to me!

My friend, Mindy always tells me to stop here and not the "other side" of the highway!

We continue on our "day trippin' with the sisters". We made it to the new location at the Silos.  #19 of 45!We were there pretty early so there was a small crowd but we were able to walk right in.

 The store had a lot of great things at a variety of prices.  At this time there wasn't anything that I felt like I couldn't live without but I loved looking around.  My sister couldn't live without the candle below.  It really did smell great!

We walked around the garden area and it was early so the food trucks weren't open in the courtyard area yet.  Literally they had just opened the week-end prior so pictures I see now look quite different around the area of the shop itself.  By the time we left there was a line forming, a charter bus was letting folks off, and we were glad we got in and out when we did.  It was getting crazy!  

While we were checking out, we saw this map of some of Joanna's favorite places in Waco.  We were ready for brunch so we decided on the Homestead Cafe.  We knew nothing about it.  It was off the beaten path and we were ready for a Mimosa with brunch!  (If you have been there, don't laugh at us here!)

(well, I thought I rotated it)

So we head out to the Homestead Cafe - #20 of 45 new things!

We drive in and see a cheese factory with a sign that says you can WATCH cheese being made.  I was pretty excited about that.  There was a general store and then a little market.  We keep driving and see more signs that indicate this is a very conservative, Christian environment - and I say that to say this is the moment we realized that we wouldn't be seeing Mimosas on the brunch menu.  It's all good though.  

Brunch was really good.  Donna got the most amazing omelet ever.  Everything was so fresh.  I got the biscuits and gravy.  It was a little town in itself on this farm.  There was a gift shop and places that you could watch everything being made.  It was really interesting.  It was stepping back in time a little bit.  

It was starting to rain on us but we didn't care - we had to have a record of our visit!

This is the map of the farm area.  The nicest woman was in the gift shop and told us all about it.

We went back to the entrance but they had already made the cheese for the day, but they told us the process and we tasted some various types.  We hit the general store and the market.  Once we left there, we headed back home by way of Arlington to hit the Christmas store which is #21 of 45!!

OH MY-LANTA!  I have NEVER seen so much Christmas decor in one place.  It's almost hard to walk around.  There were themes all around (reminds me of an Annelle line from Steel Magnolias here). We got a few things and then we just had to get out.  Too many people, a lot of stuff, and not enough space.  It's definitely worth going.  Of course we were cracking ourselves up the entire time and everyone was looking at us like we were crazy, but hey, we are used to that.

We headed home and once again stopped in West!  It was a good snack and restroom break kind of place!  We were tired when we got home but it was just one of the best days.  It really doesn't matter what we do-- when we are together, fun WILL be had!  My sister rocks!!!  The only thing that would have made it complete is if our OTHER sister (she will get that inside joke), Janet, could have gone with us.  The life of a military wife!

UPDATE on 31 DAYS of NO SPENDING!  WHAT????? ---Okay so it's day 3 (Sunday).  I'm not even going to lie - today was hard passing up Starbucks on my way to church this morning, but I did it.  I was dying a little bit and even more so when I realized it was JUST day 3.  I can do this.... I can do this!  Day 3 assignment was to plan your meals.  This is something I have been doing for a long time so this was easy, breezy.  I do the bulk of my cooking on Sunday afternoons (after my nap, of course) so that things will be easy to make when I get home from work - starving!  Usually it will take about 20 minutes to finish up a planned meal.  This is doable for me and makes me resist the drive-thru windows so much easier.  Ruth S. even lists some easy recipes with basic staple items that most kitchens already have.  I will be checking those out next week since I already planned this week's meals even prior to the challenge - go me!  Tomorrow starts the journey back to work and being around friends will be the hardest not to go grab something with them!  Keep me in your thoughts.  I got this!!

#18 OF 45 - JANUARY IS MY NO SPENDING MONTH

WHAT?????

Just typing those words makes my stomach hurt a little!  There have been many times I have had no money to spend, but I have never embarked to spend no money ON PURPOSE.  I am following "Living Well and Spending Less" format.  She sent out the challenge in October and I kept the emails and decided to let January be THAT month.  It's in paperback or Kindle format from her blog.

http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/31-days/livingwellspendingzero/

On Day 1 - there is a commitment agreement that you sign and a worksheet for ground rules.  Of course there are necessities that one would need but it's up to you and/or your family to decide those things.  I've had to come to the realization that my Starbucks cannot be listed as a necessity even though I would want to argue that point.  So I have done this.  CHECK---

On Day 2 - The assignment was to clean out your pantry and take inventory and to throw out any items that had gone beyond the expiration dates (my friend Leah Gulledge would be so proud).  Wipe down the shelves so everything is fresh and ready to be put back in a neat, orderly manner.  Although my close friends have equated me with the dude from Sleeping with the Enemy.  I'm just extra OCD about the pantry:  cans on one shelf, boxes on another, all labels facing out, etc.....  it drives me crazy if it's not just like this.  My best friend, Shelley, and some of our other friends loved to rearrange my pantry when I was asleep or not home to drive me crazy!  I don't have quite as roomy of a pantry but it neat.  Here is the efforts of my project today.

Okay - back on topic.....  the point is that you are able to take inventory of what you have so you can start thinking of your meals to prepare for the month.  The idea is to use whatever you have in the pantry and freezer this month.  The things that won't keep for a month (milk, fruits, veges - etc) can be put on the list of "ok to buy" items.  The point is to not stock up before embarking on this plan but to USE WHAT YOU HAVE.  I did have to buy a few things for this week but it was MUCH less than a normal week's worth of groceries - even for a single girl.  Day 2 check, check!  

I will keep my progress updated this month in hope's that this keeps me feeling accountable.

Christmas Tidings to add to my 45.... 

I am so behind on blogging.  Life has been hectic to say the least.  I will have some on my entries out of time order because I haven't been able to get some of my photos downloaded from my camera.  I only have 34 more days to meet my goal.  We'll see how well I do.

#15 of 45 - So I have to admit that I have never seen Elf.  (Insert Gasp - I know)  My friends cannot believe it because they are annual followers of the movie.  When the girls and I went to New York and stopped at Ray's Pizza I didn't even get that reference at the time and they couldn't believe I had never watched it.  So this year I decided that I would watch it.  It was on multiple times almost daily so I didn't have an excuse.  I watched, I laughed, I blogged! :)

#16 of 45 - One of my greatest friends absolutely LOVES the movie ELF so when Elf, the Musical was coming to Dallas of course we had to go.  We gathered a group together (minus Crystal who had her wisdom teeth pulled a few days before and didn't think she was up to it)right after Julie had to pick me up because I had a blow out--good times.  We were up in the balcony but it was still a good view and we all enjoyed it and got us started in the Christmas Spirit.

left to right: Jessica, Julie, Stacey, Donna, Ashely-- Julie's mom came too but she was taking the photo.

#17 of 45- Before we heading to the musical (and after Julie picked me up from a blown out tire) Donna picked THE PORCH as our early lunch meeting point.  I, obviously, had never been there.  They were really busy so that's always a good sign when eating at a new place.  Since it was Saturday they had a great brunch menu.  The other girls opted for lunch items but those pancakes looked so good as they were delivering them to the table near us, I couldn't resist.  They were so good but HUGE.  Everyone liked their food and definitely a place I will go back to.

                         

Then, when it was all over, I had to deal with my tire.  Thanks to my running friend, Angelee, for letting me borrow her husband for his tire changing ability.  I then went to Wal-Mart and they didn't have my tire in stock so they had to order it. :(  $100 later..... I'm back keeping the roads hot because those who know me know that I rarely slow down.