Random

I know I haven't posted in a while, our lives have become a circle of eating, swimming or lounging poolside, and playing tennis. We are taking advantage of our summer, believe me. I promise to create a post or two about the progress we are making and some fun things we have been doing but I thought I'd throw this little gem in while I polish my other posts.

As I sit this morning waiting for Miles to make an appearance so we can head to the tennis courts, I perused my email. I found an email from Williams Sonoma (one of my favorite stores) introducing many of their new products. Let me show you some of my favorites....

Here is a banana slicer.....what the???? Yes, ladies and gentlemen for those days when you just can't muster the strength to cut your own banana or you are in dire need of PERFECTLY uniform banana slices and you just don't know how you can possibly get the job done....here you go....

Now, while I poked fun at the banana slicer, the next items are NO JOKE! I would take these items in a heart beat. First up, the Mini Cream Whipper

I mean how much better does it get....pour in the cream and out comes whipped cream. This I could use on everything...hot cocoa, desserts, fruit (sliced bananas for example), really the possibilities are endless!!

Now this final item is a luxury. I have a similar type mat in my kitchen currently, which I need to replace soon, and I have my eye on this one.

I enjoy cooking and do a fair amount of it. To be able to stand on a cushioned mat while cooking at the stove or at the sink while doing dishes is a treat. And these are so pretty I may have to consider buying a pair of them...errrr, as soon as I can find a Williams Sonoma coupon...at $49 each they aren't cheap, but they would be oh so nice.

Take a look at all the new items on their website or if you have a chance head to their store. You will not be disappointed, especially if you are a kitchen hound like me.

Ok off to play tennis now....wish me luck!

No words necessary

But if I was going to say something...I'd say, she's a fireball, and she loves anything her daddy loves.

Day Trip: Shiner, TX Edition

In an attempt to stay local, keep costs at a minimum, and explore a bit more of Texas we decided to take a little trip to Shiner, Texas. Now let's be clear...I do not drink beer....but we decided to take in some semi local history and some good family fun (uuuh.... yeah, taking your kids on a brewery tour can be educational). And if you don't know by now, if we are road tripping in Texas, we are on the never ending quest for the best BBQ place around. On a hot tip from our neighbor we decided to stop here for lunch....

It is located in Luling..and there's nothing fancy about it....and as I've learned that's where the best BBQ is...in the unfanciest of places. Let's ask the kids how it is...mmm yeah, they are all too busy eating to say "super yum!"

We finished our lunch and headed to our destination....here.....

and more specifically, the Spoetzel Brewery...

We arrived to find a nice little facility that appears to be the heart of Shiner, TX.

We had a chance to learn:

• about the Czech and German immigrants who settled here and started the brewery, choosing this location because of its proximity to the railroad and the artesian well.
• that during prohibition they sold near beer nonalcoholic beer and ice to stay in business
• that they are employee friendly with no forced retirement
• that the Bock in Shiner Bock comes from the time when bock beer was first brewed by monks in the Lenten season for their 4o day fast. It was darker ale, higher in nutrients, to help them sustain themselves during their fast.
• to learn a little about the chemistry behind brewing

Many people who do not drink come and visit the brewery just to see the process. They offer water, lemonade, and tea for those who do not wish to sample the beer. Here are the kids sampling the lemonade in front of one of the original copper pots. The tour itself was fun as we were able to see the entire bottling process from start to finish. No pics allowed inside the factory so, suffice it to say, it was VERY Laverne and Shirley!!!!

When our tour was done we headed back home, stopping for some ice cream along the way. It was a long day, since it was a couple hours each way, but it was nice to be with the kids, set aside the time for our family, and enjoy our day.

I fought the law....

and the law won!!

Yes, that's right. One day last month I was returning from the swimming pool with Brooke and was stopped by the long arm of the law for speeding. The only problem is, I don't believe I was speeding.

There are a lot of reasons I had lined up to defend myself, including that the officer approached my car and told me I was driving 56 miles per hour and then proceeded to ticket me for more than that but, ultimately the court decided it didn't matter (umm, yes, that's actually what the court said..."it doesn't matter that the officer changed his story between talking to you and issuing the ticket").

It's too bad because Brooke was with me and asked why the police officer changed his story. I really wanted to say "he was a big, fat, liar meanie" but I refrained and said he must have been "mistaken." Yeah in a big way!! My dad is a retired police officer and I respect the law, but unfortunately this was one of those times when you question, with so many discrepancies, why a regular old citizen isn't allowed to fairly state their case and have the court say...."ok, maybe our officer was mistaken."

It felt very stereotypical "good 'ol boys" to me. Kinda like Boss Hog in the Dukes of Hazzard always having it our for the Duke boys.

Photo credit: internet image

Hmm...lesson learned... drive under the speed limit in that area from now on. Oh never mind that, the guy behind me got a ticket for impeding traffic after he slowed down 8 miles under the speed limit to avoid hitting deer along the roadway.

Yeah, I guess I really never had a chance!!!

Old Glory

So this was "the something" the boys were up to just in time for July 4th. Charlie had spent weeks trying to track down a ginormous flag that could be displayed over the front entry of the house. He finally found one (you see it is the height of the top story of our house) and he and the boys set upon finding a way to display it. Lets just say that THE ladder has paid for itself.

Our family was very proud to display the stars and stripes so prominently in front of our home. Many thanks to those who protect our freedoms, not just on this Day of Independence, but every day of the year!

Hmmm...

These guys are up to something...do I really wanna know? Probably not!