oh happy friday!

So happy it is Friday! And the biggest part of my job, interview season, is over! It went by really fast this year. We interviewed 356 medical students and will accept 50ish- whew. Good applicants this year!

Anyways- looking forward to this weekend! Tonight we are going to a Rockets game! First NBA game so will be a fun date. Last night we found a new favorite in Houston- Hideaway on Dunvale $12.00 lobsters! Love finding random places that we have never been. The options here are limitless. Really going to miss Houston.

Lots has happened since my last post. Was so great visiting Charles and Leslie in Centreville, VA! Great to see where they live. Little Christina, one of my nieces, shared her room with Travis and I. We felt like princesses :) We also did a lot of sight seeing in D.C., which was awesome. It had been 10 years since I had been there and I appreciated it a lot more than when I was younger. We had amazing food, including fried turkey- for the first time. Yum! And Leslie, my sister-in-law, made bacon stuffed french toast. wow. :) We basically ate and drank through the Christmas holiday....such a fun time to all go visit C&L!

After Christmas, Travis and I took an Amtrak train to NYC for our anniversary! We stayed in Herald Square Hotel and spent 3 days just enjoying our time in busy NYC. Match 65 was home to our favorite meal on our anniversary- parsley butter escargot, burger with foie gras- wow, and a lobster salad. We also went on a pizza tour, which was fun and delicious. Central Park to look around on a freezing 26 degree afternoon. Then we went to see Harry Connick in On A Clear Day You Can See Forever- he was amazing. We got to see Jake the Snake and see where he lives and meet his sweet pup- Smee. Just a fun 4th anniversary trip! (us at Rockefeller Center!)

NYE we spent in Tyler with the Heaton fam- and crew from Knoxville. It was a Swiss themed night complete with cheese and chocolate fondues. Was so fun to see the nieces and Benj again! Domino announced where our 2012 family vacation is going to be.... NANTUCKET!! We are going to Nantucket for the 4th! so so excited. What a dream vacation. In need of some cute clothes from Vineyard Vines! :) Going to get to go to Boston too and take the ferry over from Cape Cod. Just all exciting.

So glad the rents are back! They have officially moved into their house (in Spring, TX) 100%! Even though I am married and have my own home, it feels like home going to visit and stay with mom and Charles. They were gone for over 6 years, but it still feels like no time has gone by. All the furniture is the same and they have the pool table set up. Crystal and Zane came last weekend and we had a lot of fun- just good times!

Other happenings:

1. Work Biggest Loser Competition- bring it ;)

2. Charles' bday on the 11th! Celebrations to commence in Galveston!

3. World Championship BBQ cookoff- can't wait

4. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo- yaaay!

5. Girl's trip to Austin with Cara and Mallory. Ready for Lake Austin Spa!

6. Celebrations for Fi's bday and St. Patrick's day in A-town!

7. March for Dimes in April

8. Travis graduates 5/18/12!!!!

good things to come~

xo

L

16 Days Until Christmas!

Can't believe Xmas is in 16 days! Excited about an east coast Christmas! Visting my stepbro and his sweet family in Virigina- 20 minutes from Washington, D.C.. Can't wait to see their place...first time to visit and it's been 10 years since I have been in DC.

After Christmas Trav and I are taking a train straight to Penn Station! Can't wait to be in NYC for our 4th Wedding Anniversary! :) We have it all planned out- ice skating in Central Park, visting Rockefeller Center, Cafe Lalo-for all those You've Got Mail enthusiasts-you know why :), pizza tour in Little Italy, 9/11 Memorial, Empire State Building, French bistro, Live Blues/Jazz...ahh just can't WAIT!

Then to Tyler for NYE. Staying with my dad and NYE a little celebration at Domino's with the Hammacks & Knox Heatons . Can't wait to see the nieces and nephew :)

ok! My Favorite Things 2011:

1. Trombone Shorty- New CD: For True

2. Southern Living Magazine- always excellent!

3. Prada Candy Perfume- mmmm!

4. Greenberg Turkey- get one for Christmas!! Make the Turkey Ball: 1 C. turkey, 1 8oz package cream cheese, 3T. Mayo- food process all items together- form into ball, refrigerate 1 hour then roll in coarse ground pepper or pecans. yum!

5. Brookstone Pop-Up Speaker The best sound and only 19.99- amazing gift!

6. Susie's South Forty- buttery pecan toffee- great gift!

I still have shopping to do. Why are men hard to shop for?!

Looking back on my previous blog- can't believe that was done 5 months ago...

Our Heaton Family Vacay was excellent- St. George Island treated us well! My dad turned 53, shortly after a heart scare. He had a 99.1% blockage and the docs were able to save him with a stint before a major heart attack. That was scary-so glad they caught it in time!

Mallory's baby shower was beautiful and now baby Lilly Rissmiller is here. She was born 10/4 and she is just such a doll! Then we had Murat and Fiona's wedding festivities in October and the wedding was 11/6. My bestfriend is now married! Beautiful wedding! So fun :)

In November my parents moved back from Dubai!!! For good. So glad to have them back in the USA. Can't believe it had been six years since we have lived in the same state. They are living in Galveston, but bought a house in Houston and should close on it this week!

Also, on Tuesday the hubs heard back from his #1 choice in Tyler and the wheels are now in motion for him to have a position after graduation. So exciting!

It's been a wonderful, crazy, fun 2011 :)

Merry Christmas! (Remember the reason for the season!)

Today I Don't Feel Like Doing Anything...

Loving Bruno Mars and the Lazy Song! That's me today...

It's been several months since writing- I always tell myself I will write more, but life happens and I get caught up.

April was wonderful- Kurd and Steve got married! Beautiful wedding and got to see lots of family. May was AWESOME- went to San Diego for the first time...fell in love with California. I can't wait to go back to SD! It's a laid back city with dog lovers everywhere (my ideal place) and Coronado is a place I could definitely retire...just the best vacation! We stayed at Hotel Solamar and all the dogs that check in are listed on a board at the front door- VIP's (very important pooches) just loved this place! Fun boutique hotel in the middle of the Gaslamp Quarter!

Best: The smell of wildflowers on Coronado (like heaven!), watching Travis fly (pic below), listening to The Fooks at The Field and having Strongbow on tap, the seals on the banks in La Jolla, Hotel Solamar rooms and service, the microbreweries and the Gaslamp Quarter!

Best Restaurants:

1. The Field- Irish pub- we basically lived there-boxty, pint and great music!

2. Croce's- Jim Croce's wife opened this amazing restaurant in the Gaslamp Quarter. Best food and service and jazz band!

3. Filipi's Italian- Little Italy neighborhood- in the back of a meat market. You have to know about it and it's excellent!! best antipasto ever!

4. PrepKitchen in La Jolla- amazing brunch- best glass of fresh squeezed OJ I have ever had and the best Chilaquiles!

5. Coronado Brewing Company- great orange avenue beer and lobster mac and cheese

June was great! We went to Louisiana to visit my Mamaw and Papaw and we had a small family reunion! Great to see grents and sister, bil, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins!! good times! My mom arrived and we had a fun two months! Also had my work banquet and I received an award of appreciation from the residents- loved that!

July has been spectacular! Bday month! I turned 26 on 7/8 and had a big celebration at Armadillo Palace and then the Original Ninfa's on Navigation- BEST mexican food if you are ever in Houston. It's a must. -will have to post pics soon, but don't have them uploaded yet. My mom was here for my bday for the first time in 4-5 years and I had my sweet hubs and great friends to help celebrate. Then we went to Dallas to celebrate my sis' bday!

In 4 days we will be in Florida for the Heaton Family Vacation! St. George Island here we come!

Family competition this year is Top Chef Crock Pot Competition- makes it easier than our five courses we did last year and we can relax on the beach longer without being in the kitchen!

Bring it on competitors! Travis and I are 2010 Top Chefs and we are prepared to defend our title! ;)

Things I am excited about in months to come:

1. Prejeans Restaurant in Lafayette on the way to Florida!

2. Florida!

3. Mallory's baby shower in August

4. 9/23- first weigh in (personal weigh loss goals!)

5. SPI in October

6. Fiona and Murat's wedding in November

7. Christmas in Virginia and NYE in NYC!

Lindsey's Current Favorite Things:

1. OPI nail polish Texas Line- specifically Guy Meets Galveston and Austin-tatious Turquoise!

2. Brookstone Pop-up Mini Speaker- a must have if you use your ipod a lot. We got this as a gift and use it ALL the time to bring to the pool or beach- great volume and sound from such a tiny speaker

3. iPod Touch- LOVE it!

4. Channel Chance perfume- ahh- needs!

New Design!

I have always wanted to create my own header and finally did it- this blog is a work in progress. I love all the HTML coding! Galveston was fun last weekend! We had a great group of friends who wanted to have a good time! Then we had a Mardi Gras party Tuesday and some friends came over for turkey muffalettas, Cajun dip, shrimp etouffee, bread pudding with a bourbon sauce and hurricanes... mmm....Love Fat Tuesday - I am in fact 50% Cajun! :) Yesterday I really enjoyed the Lent service at church. I am giving up meat this year. Definitely going to be a test! So- I am looking forward to tonight! Trav has been studying a lot this week and now his tests are over- bring Spring break ON- & we are having a date. It's beautiful outside so maybe a park or a patio. can't wait! Happy thirsty Thurs! xo LH

Chez matilde- play the field!

First- do yourself and favor and go see August: Ostage County if you have the opportunity- amazing play that won a Tony award and Pulitzer Prize and now is off broadway. We had a fun date night last night!

It was a good week! We went to the World Championship BBQ last Friday- the lady I babysit for had extra gate passes and a tent invitation. We got in the tents this year and didn't feel like outsiders! :) BBQ is really low on the list of my favorite foods, but this stuff...wow...great! We rode the ferris wheel and enjoyed walking around the carnival- seriously wonder how carnies get to be carnies.... :)


Trav got sick on Saturday so the rest of the weekend we stayed in and had Lost marathons! We are in the 4th season- such a great show and watching them one after the other, instead of weeks in between, really helps with all the story lines.



So this weekend we are headed out to Galveston!!! Hello Mardi Gras- I can't wait to be there and have fun! Some friends who go to dental school with Trav are coming- also having a casino night @ the house Saturday- going to teach everyone Craps then hit up the casinos in Lake Charles next month with everyone! Beach bonfire is happening too- ahh can't wait to be down there in that salty air!

Have a great weekend!

xo

LH



PS- check out this room- this will definitely be in the house we build one day. Travis wants a library and I want a music room- this is perfection!

spring is almost here!

There are 4 weeks left in Winter, but Houston already feels like spring! I am ready to pull out all of my colorful clothes and spend more time outdoors!





Things I am excited about:

1. Going to Knoxville, TN to visit Relick, Sara, nieces & nephew!
2. Katie's wedding showers and then the wedding!
3. San Diego in May- first trip to CA!!!
4. South Padre Island! Like a G4 like a G4...
5. Mom coming home this summer!
6. Murat and Fiona's wedding 11/6!
7. Training for the Seawall 10K in Galveston- 11/19!

Fun buys:

1. Bang Cologne- Marc Jacobs-yum!
2. William's Sonoma- olive oil and vinegar stackables- yum!
3. Gel nail polish manicure-it lasted forever and then after it seemed like it made my nails sronger!
4. Any jewlery from www.stelladot.com - especially the bold turquoise earrings and coral necklaces <3

Have a happy humpday!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

There is nothing like standing in a lot of Christmas trees trying to find the one to take home to make you really feel like Christmas is here! The smell of pine- you should have seen my face this Saturday. Just the BEST day!

We went to Droubi's in Houston for lunch and I had what may have been the best Lebanese food of life. Kibeh in a yogurt sauce with lamb rice-woah. Owner "I have not seen you in 3-4 months I have been in Lebanon" love the mom and pop restaurants! Took home some spinach pies. Thanks to Charles being in my life I now say I am part Lebanese ;)

Then Trav and I found the most perfect tree and took it home to decorate. We also decorated the house- aka 5 hours... We watched It's A wonderful Life while stringing popcorn and cranberries. As soon as we left the house for a minute Raleigh ate the bottom row of popcorn from the garland, despite the popcorn being sprayed by hairspray- what a bigness!

We finished decorating around 11 :) And were hungry so we went to Red Lion Pub. Anyone ever eaten Keema before? It's ground lamb chili- put that on top of cheese fries and YUM! Then we shared Chicken Tiki Masala- best in Houston- this place has been featured on Diners Drive-In's and Dives- add some pints of Strongbow and it felt like we were in London.

After dinner we just HAD to have a clapper for our tree in our room so that we could lay in bed and turn it off without getting up- LAZY! So...we went to Walgreens and was greeted by a man who was sitting on the sidewalk and he told us this sob-crazy story about how he knooows Joel Olsteen's cell phone number by heart, Joel Olsteen gave us a police escort, my daughter is at Texas Children's and we owe $47.23- the guy almost cried. We thought could this all be true??? We have been taken for a ride so many times before. It was a funny random night :)

Christmas countdown...only 19 days!