That time we trespassed...

When we were in Amarillo for Thanksgiving, after the food had settled and the football game was over, we decided to walk off some of that food and go exploring around the area.

Here's the group at our first stop.  Trent, Lue Anne, Larry, Travis, Amy, Whitney and Cody.

This place used to be a part of the Craft Center in the 60's and was once some apartments.  This vacant building is igloo looking with a semi-circle shape and  standing in its emptiness, you can totally imagine hippies hanging out.  Lue Anne told us that she actually had one of them rented in the 70's!  Crazy.  She never lived in it because her friend wanted to live closer to town.

We walked about a mile to the source of our curiosity.  Amy is a realtor, and the garage door entry was open, so it wasn't breaking and entering or trespassing.  It was house hunting.  And this sign didn't apply to us.

I have never seen a house like this.  Weird, funky, creepy, cool.  Can't you just imagine a 70's movie filmed here?  

The view.  This picture does not do it justice.

Time for a swim...

To the right of the pool, there are 3-4 rooms with their own door that leads to the courtyard.  Perfect set-up for a bed and breakfast, if you ask me.

And don't even get me started on this tub.  I want it.  The bathroom looked like it could be on the movie Tombstone.

And this?  I adore.  It's the entry to the courtyard from the street.  Fancy.

We didn't stay long.  Just enough to see everything.  I didn't go upstairs, though.  I was scared I'd fall through the floor.

I kind of want to name it.

Gobble, Gobble.

It seems like I've fallen off the face of the blog.  We've been in full on family mode since our departure from Nashville and have been loving every minute of it.  (In addition to limited access to some wireless internet).

This year was our year with the Monk side for turkey day.  My in-laws recently moved into a new house and it was our first time to see it.  Amazing.  I'll try to do a better job of taking pics for another post, but let me just tell you:  we love it.  (And there's tons of beds and room for some grandkids).


The first morning we were in town, Trent surprised me with a quiche.  Hashbrown crust, of course.  It was yummy.  

We went over to Travis and Amy's house for dinner one night.  They have two Great Danes.  Now, this picture makes Achilles look like a normal size dog.  However, if you notice the counter behind him, you'll see that he is THE SAME HEIGHT.  He's harmless and so is his sister, Dottie (Dot Pot).

And since we're on the topic of dogs, here is Sam.  He's rarely still.  And usually only listens to his dad.  But he sure is precious...

Trent's parents bought some new stools and he put them together.  I'm glad I did not have that job.  They took 45 minutes to an hour each!  There were 6.  But they sure are pretty =)

During chair assembly, Mamasan and I were on pepper duty.  It's not a Monk holiday without them.  Jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese wrapped with bacon.  *Pause for mouth water*

I was the bacon wrapper.  Because of course I was.  

Thanksgiving Day!!!!!

Everyone was bringing something and since it's not Thanksgiving without sweet potatoes, I decided to make some.  Which I have never done.  Ever.  So, I consulted the social media.  I had lots of feedback (hallelujah) and I settled on a recipe.  It smelled, tasted, and looked delicious.  However, the consistency was a cross between baby food and baby poop.  Needless to say, the leftovers are probably still in Trent's parents' fridge.  (Meaning:  hidden and forgotten).  Trent decided to make dressing.  FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER.  And it was delicious.  Because of course it was.  Next time, I'll just stick to the cream cheese smothered in spicy jelly.

Trent's mamas (Lue Anne and Ginny) and Mama Pat

The men, taking in the canyon view.  Larry, Tim, Papa Tuck, Trent

Post-turkey workout.  I captured my ensemble, because it reminded me of getting bundled up for coaching golf.  (Except I didn't coach in yoga pants.  Ewwww).  The running route we took is painful challenging.  Lots of hills.  The largest one, in fact, I have named.  I go back and forth between "Hill of Death" and "Suicide Hill."  

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Tim and Ginny had a House Warming of sorts.  We all gathered, ate more, talked about the new house and its crazy history.  And played 10,000.  It's a dice game that is a Monk tradition.  So fun and so easy!!!  If you want the rules, let me know!

What did you do for Thanksgiving?

And stay tuned for my tale of trespassing!  Fun times.

Happy Election Day

This has nothing to do with today's election.  It has everything to do with our weekend on the road.  

However, please go VOTE!  It's our right, privilege, and honor as Americans.

*end of politics* 

We went to Illinois and Missouri and I decided to bring a new addition to the road.  And I quite enjoyed having it.  (I'm talking about the eye mask, not the pillow...if you were wondering).

Our first stop was Belleville, IL which is just outside of St. Louis, MO.  This LEGO display of Busch Stadium was in the hotel lobby.  Over 2800 legos used! 

If you follow me on instagram/fb/twitter, you saw my post of the LEGO Nativity that was also in the lobby.  IT. WAS. AMAZING.  Approximately 1 million legos used in 9 months of production.  Each piece was shipped to this location in their  own crate from Seattle.

Here's a closer look at Jesus, Mary and Joseph:

Now, listen.  I love contemporary church design as much as the next girl.  Bring on the smoke machine.  BUT, traditional churches remind me of my childhood and I love them.  St. Matthew UMC in Belleville is BEAUTIFUL, so I had to get a shot after soundcheck:

I think he was being silly at this particular moment.  Telling the legendary loop machine story.

  

Us with Matt Vollmar.  He leads worship at St. Matthews and was our contact for the show.  He also is the lead singer for The Great Romance.

We drove through St. Louis on the way to our next stop (Desloge, MO) just so I could take a picture of the arch.

Allow me to explain this picture...

On the road, we stay in hotels, guest housing, we've stayed in an RV before, and sometimes our own tent. But we've never encountered digs quite like the ones at Desloge FBC.  They have an apartment at the church!  In the building.  We were literally about 20 yards from where the show was!  It had everything we needed.  Just like a hotel.  Except they stocked it with yummy snacks!  Such a great idea.  More churches should do this, we decided.  Not just to house musicians, of course.  They use it for hosting missionaries, evangelists, and guests of other churches. 

The view of the venue before the show.  They have a walking track, too!  And a workout room.  (And awesome retro chairs that I seriously would like to have one day).

I liked the shadow.

After the show, posing for pictures.

We don't always have merch volunteers, but we did this time and they were awesome!  Meet Bekah and Miracle...our Merch Mavens!

And this is random, but this is the book we're reading.  When I say "we" it's because I'm Trent's book on tape.  We are loving this story!

Happy Election Day!  GO VOTE!!

I'm SURE She'll Tweet Me Back

This was our first year to be around Nashville during Halloween.  And once I knew that, I started thinking about costumes.  

My excitement was partly due to the fact that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE dressing up and partly because I hadn't been able to dress up since 2009 (but who's keeping track) when I was a crazy lady with sweat pants, a wig, and a leotard Sally O'Malley: 

Before the actual day, some friends asked if we wanted to help with a Trunk or Treat at a local church.  We said yes and got to monitor the bean bag toss.

We had a great time!  Although, Trent's back was sore the next day from picking up bean bags all night long and I was told I was mean by a kid (not in costume) because I politely told him to toss underhand the next time he came to play.  My inner PE teacher came out.  He was throwing too hard, torturing the poor pumpkin and getting dangerously close to my man's baby making parts.   

The first step to our costumes was to paint Trent's nails black.  I had too much fun.  And he actually asked, "Do they make stuff to take this stuff off?"  Bless his heart.   

Our plan for this Halloween was not having a plan.  So we got dressed up at 5:30 and hit the town.  We drove downtown and saw NO costumes.  We drove by another place.  Same thing.  I was like, "Do people in this town not dress up?"  Then I thought, "Maybe they're all dressed up as hipsters and it's not cool to dress up..." 

Then we realized that it was still pretty early and so we went to Sonic to get a snack and then we realized how old we are.  Out before 8:00 and eating in our car at Sonic.  Sweet mercy.

We finally settled on a place and walked in and people loved our attempt at the Osbournes.  We even spoke in their accents and people asked for pictures of us.  HA!  (I tweeted Sharon our picture.  I'm still waiting for her to reply.  I'm sure she will).  

Finally, people started showing up in their crazy outfits and costumes and all was well.  And this?  Is about the most amazing thing ever...

Bob Ross and his canvas.

(And, to be clear, I have no idea who these people are).

It was a fun night.  It's the only day of the year where you can see a Ninja Turtle, Dorothy, and a Confederate Soldier dance and not think twice about it.  And that's why I love Halloween.  We've already started talking about future costumes.  

And, since we don't have kids, here's the closest thing I got.  The niece and nephews.  Aren't they precious?

How was your Halloween?

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things...

I'm seriously digging some things lately.  I felt the need to share.

You can thank me later.  Or not.  I won't get my feelings hurt.

Music

Marc Scibilia 

We went to see Sixpence None the Richer and this guy opened and let me tell you something.  He. Was. Amazing.  He gave his EP away FOR FREE and we have not gotten tired of it yet!  I highly suggest you take a listen.  So go on over to iTunes and dig it.  You won't be sorry!

Charlie Peacock

We actually saw him at the same venue as Marc Scibilia.  It was a CD release show for his newest project, "No Man's Land."  Just google his name and read in awe of how many artists he's connected with.  Seriously.  And Mr. Civil Wars himself was at the show.  (He didn't come say hi to us, though.  I can't imagine why.  Oh yeah...he doesn't know us).  We love this record and your life will be improved greatly if you get it. 

Food

I cannot stop the kale chips.  I can't.  I crave them.  I call them "God's potato chips."  Only they're not potatoes, they're kale.  But, because you are human and have a brain intelligent, you probably gathered that.  Trent and I are going to force feed them to family over the holidays!  Try this recipe.  (I like to add some garlic powder).

And we cannot stop the DIY taco salad shells.

We use corn tortillas and a muffin tin. I'm sure you've seen them on pinterest.  But, if you haven't, go here to figure out how to make little bowls of heaven.  We like to stuff them with rice, black beans, chicken, green onion, tomato, lettuce, sour cream, sriracha and sometimes eggs (for breakfast).  And even taco soup.  Can I get an AMEN for cheap/healthy(ish) meals??


TV
I'm not even going to gather links and pictures for this section.  I'm just going to list what we LOVE.

Parenthood, Up All Night, Modern Family, Parks and Rec, Once Upon a Time, Nashville, and The Mindy Project is cute and has some potential.

That's all for now.  What are you into lately?