Girls' Getaway Weekend!!

But before I tell about the weekend's adventures, I thought I would show you the whole wheat cranberry scones I made last Sunday.  Pretty yummy, huh!?  I love that my kitchen has a gas stove and oven.  I think things cook better!  This recipe is from Weight Watchers and is super easy to boot!!

Now, for the weekend!! 

My friend, L, and I decided to take a little girls' weekend roadtrip for the last weekend of the summer.  Our first stop Saturday morning was Starbucks!  The perfect way to begin a road trip: coffee and baked goods!

 

Now, I will add here that we happened to get in line behind two people who had never been to Starbucks before.  Let me just say for these two dears the choices and possibilities seemed to be a bit endless (I mean the variety of options still gets to me at times), so our quick stop turned into a longer stay, but I am happy to report that each new Starbucks customer tried a new treat and seemed to enjoy her final choice!  It was also really cute to see all the different people in the coffee shop this morning.  A father had stopped in with his little girl.  She had so much fun eyeing all of the goodies behind the glass of the bakery case.  At another table was a wedding planner helping a young couple plan their big day.  She was prepared with floral arrangement samples and everything.  What fun!  I'm glad I had the extra moment to truly get a sense of the life experiences that happen in a coffee shop. 

Okay back to our trip!

I indulged in a skinny vanilla iced latte and triple berry coffee cake.  Yummy!! 

L got iced tea and a yummy scone.

And we're off!! 

An hour and a half later we arrive at our destination!  Here is L in front of our fabulous hotel.

Here is our fun room.

And fabulous tv!! 

Here was the view...really nothing to do, but relax by the pool -- a perfect vacay!!

But first...some sustenance!!  This was an adorable '50s cafe in the hotel.

Then, it was off to the fabulous pool!  I brought so many fun magazines that had been piling up at home.  What a treat to just read and relax!

By early evening some storm clouds were brewing so we headed back inside to get ready for dinner. 

We ate at another fabulous restaurant in the hotel.  The chips, queso, and salsa were delish! 

The next morning we got to sleep in and enjoyed watching a fun new favorite show: My Fair Wedding with David Tutera!!  It is on WE and you should definitely watch if you haven't seen it before. :)

Before we left we made a stop by the luxurious day spa for pedicures.  Don't worry, they had a huge tv in the mani/pedi room and we got to watch more fun wedding shows!!  Such a fun girly treat!! :)

On our way home, we stopped at the Allen outlets.  It was so crowded and majorly hot, but we braved the elements in the name of fashion and enjoyed looking around. 

Our final two stops were this amazing taco place

(I ordered the actual "rusty taco" and it was fabulous!  It was made with pork and pineapple.)

and...

One word: Delish!

I ordered the red velvet on the left, which apparently the NYTimes has touted as one of the best, and continuing with the wedding theme of the day, L ordered the wedding cake cupcake, which is apparently their best seller.  I think we both chose winning flavors!!

Thanks, L, for a super fun girls' getaway!!

Hope you all have a fabulous week!!

Girls' Getaway Weekend!!

But before I tell about the weekend's adventures, I thought I would show you the whole wheat cranberry scones I made last Sunday.  Pretty yummy, huh!?  I love that my kitchen has a gas stove and oven.  I think things cook better!  This recipe is from Weight Watchers and is super easy to boot!!

Now, for the weekend!! 

My friend, L, and I decided to take a little girls' weekend roadtrip for the last weekend of the summer.  Our first stop Saturday morning was Starbucks!  The perfect way to begin a road trip: coffee and baked goods!

 

Now, I will add here that we happened to get in line behind two people who had never been to Starbucks before.  Let me just say for these two dears the choices and possibilities seemed to be a bit endless (I mean the variety of options still gets to me at times), so our quick stop turned into a longer stay, but I am happy to report that each new Starbucks customer tried a new treat and seemed to enjoy her final choice!  It was also really cute to see all the different people in the coffee shop this morning.  A father had stopped in with his little girl.  She had so much fun eyeing all of the goodies behind the glass of the bakery case.  At another table was a wedding planner helping a young couple plan their big day.  She was prepared with floral arrangement samples and everything.  What fun!  I'm glad I had the extra moment to truly get a sense of the life experiences that happen in a coffee shop. 

Okay back to our trip!

I indulged in a skinny vanilla iced latte and triple berry coffee cake.  Yummy!! 

L got iced tea and a yummy scone.

And we're off!! 

An hour and a half later we arrive at our destination!  Here is L in front of our fabulous hotel.

Here is our fun room.

And fabulous tv!! 

Here was the view...really nothing to do, but relax by the pool -- a perfect vacay!!

But first...some sustenance!!  This was an adorable '50s cafe in the hotel.

Then, it was off to the fabulous pool!  I brought so many fun magazines that had been piling up at home.  What a treat to just read and relax!

By early evening some storm clouds were brewing so we headed back inside to get ready for dinner. 

We ate at another fabulous restaurant in the hotel.  The chips, queso, and salsa were delish! 

The next morning we got to sleep in and enjoyed watching a fun new favorite show: My Fair Wedding with David Tutera!!  It is on WE and you should definitely watch if you haven't seen it before. :)

Before we left we made a stop by the luxurious day spa for pedicures.  Don't worry, they had a huge tv in the mani/pedi room and we got to watch more fun wedding shows!!  Such a fun girly treat!! :)

On our way home, we stopped at the Allen outlets.  It was so crowded and majorly hot, but we braved the elements in the name of fashion and enjoyed looking around. 

Our final two stops were this amazing taco place

(I ordered the actual "rusty taco" and it was fabulous!  It was made with pork and pineapple.)

and...

One word: Delish!

I ordered the red velvet on the left, which apparently the NYTimes has touted as one of the best, and continuing with the wedding theme of the day, L ordered the wedding cake cupcake, which is apparently their best seller.  I think we both chose winning flavors!!

Thanks, L, for a super fun girls' getaway!!

Hope you all have a fabulous week!!

Weekend Update

This weekend was absolutely fabulous!  It was so relaxing that part of my brain is having trouble remembering what I did. :)  I do remember indulging in a massage, having lunch with a precious friend, and taking a little road trip wtih some sweet friends to visit TCU to see their chapter of my sorority perform their recruitment skit.  So fun!  After the performance we ate dinner at PF Changs in Sundance Square.  I had such a fabulous time and definitely think that a laughter-filled dinner and car ride home is a wonderful way to end the weekend! 

I also did a little baking before church on Sunday morning.  Church was another memorable and precious experience of its own and I am so grateful for those moments.  However, the only pictures I have to offer are from my baking. :)

Here is the blueberry sour cream coffee cake I made on Sunday.  It was pretty yummy if I do say so myself!  You will notice it is perhaps a little uneven in the pyrex because I forgot a cup of flour after I had already poured the batter in the pan.  Oops!  I had to mix it in in the pyrex. :) 

Oh well, it's the taste that counts, right?

Hope you are having a wonderful week!

Weekend Update

This weekend was absolutely fabulous!  It was so relaxing that part of my brain is having trouble remembering what I did. :)  I do remember indulging in a massage, having lunch with a precious friend, and taking a little road trip wtih some sweet friends to visit TCU to see their chapter of my sorority perform their recruitment skit.  So fun!  After the performance we ate dinner at PF Changs in Sundance Square.  I had such a fabulous time and definitely think that a laughter-filled dinner and car ride home is a wonderful way to end the weekend! 

I also did a little baking before church on Sunday morning.  Church was another memorable and precious experience of its own and I am so grateful for those moments.  However, the only pictures I have to offer are from my baking. :)

Here is the blueberry sour cream coffee cake I made on Sunday.  It was pretty yummy if I do say so myself!  You will notice it is perhaps a little uneven in the pyrex because I forgot a cup of flour after I had already poured the batter in the pan.  Oops!  I had to mix it in in the pyrex. :) 

Oh well, it's the taste that counts, right?

Hope you are having a wonderful week!

Family Road Trip

Last week, my sweet cousin N and her darling children A & R picked me up and off we went to the town I grew up in and where my parents and our grandmother live. We had the best time!!

Here is sweet A at our grandmother's house.  The tea set to the left is one that her mother and I spent hours of fun with as we hosted tea party after tea party.  It was always an extra special treat if we got to put real water in our tea cups! :)

 Ok, now I have to just have a moment and share that I just realized you can post captions by the pictures!! Woo hoo! :)

What a precious smile!

Miss A was so precious and took this photo of her mama and me. 

Next stop: Dairy Museum!

Miss A in front of her favorite exhibit in the museum

Let me just say that this skeleton on the bicycle was a major hit for the kids.  When you pushed the white button to right, the skeleton started pedaling the bike and telling you all about how to keep your bones healthy and strong.  So fun!

Mr. R loved it, too! 

 Don't forget the ice cream! 

Any stop at the Dairy Museum would not be complete without a stop at the cute soda fountain inside.  After all, it was an awfully hot day! :)

Mmmm...looks like R likes his strawberry. :)

Miss A seems to be enjoying hers, too!

I tried it for myself and it was definitely the perfect treat!   Yummy!!

And the perfect ending to any trip to the Dairy Museum is a fabulous photo by the very large cows in front of the museum.  Both holstein and jersey cows are represented here and yes, these cows proudly stand very close to my high school alma mater!!

Now it was back to our grandmother's house for an impromptu talent show. 

It was so fun to watch a new generation revel in the delights of performing before an encouraging audience as N & I had so many times before! :)

Miss A performing an exquisite "Mary Had  a Little Lamb". 

Here is Mr. R in the process of stacking his blocks. 
The big finish for his number was getting to knock over his carefully built tower!

We had such fun reliving childhood memories, visiting family (so good to see you, AD & K!!), eating at yummy restaurants and just getting to be together.  It was also a treat when we journeyed to my parents' house and enjoyed watching A and R play with some of my brother and my favorite childhood toys.  My sweet friend L brought her precious baby C over, too.  What fun!  Thank you to our fabulous hostesses and host.  It is always so wonderful to spend time with you!

Thanks so much for a fabulous trip, N!!  I can't wait to see you all again soon! :)