This is what happens when Chip has to work late...

Dirty Gin Martini.
Dinner.
The English Home.

Why am I reading home design magazines? Well, I got something new, and I am trying to make it feel like mine. Y'all know how that is! I'm getting inspiration from some of my favorite sources. Unfortunately, my absolute favorite source is not around anymore. Cottage Living - my inspiration during my first few years of home ownership - is no longer in print. Sad, isn't it?

My dinner, however, is not sad. It is wonderful. Its a play on a dish from Deborah Madison's Vegetarian Suppers. Whole Wheat Penne with Masses of Broccoli, Green Olives, and Pine Nuts. No kidding - that's the name of the recipe. I added some sauteed kale and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese. Yum! Next time, I think I'll add a chopped tomato, too.

Stay tuned for my new home project...

Cotton Bowl 2010

I don't know how I let an entire month go by without posting the rest of our Cotton Bowl photos. That's not good!

We stayed at the Stoneleigh hotel in Uptown Dallas, and I loved this hotel! The location was great - within walking distance to some good restaurants and bars.

We arrived Friday afternoon - New Year's Day - and we were starving, so we walked over to Nick & Sam's Grill for a late lunch. They were one of the only spots open because it was New Year's Day. The great thing about Nick & Sam's Grill is that they had all-you-can-drink mimosas. Yes, please!

The hotel was very clean and stylish, and our room was quite large. I thought the color scheme was great, too.

When we got back from lunch, I was thrilled to find a chilled bottle of Veuve Clicquot Rose in the room! I know every girl loves Clicquot, but I really love it. Before we left for lunch, Chip secretly requested that the hotel place a bottle in the room. We relaxed, watched some New Year's Day bowl games, and sipped our champagne.

We were both craving some Tex-Mex that night, so we walked over to a spot called Mattito's and had a delicious meal, then had beers at the Gingerman.

The next day was the big game! You all know that story already... Rebs won!!

Cowboy Stadium is massive.

The jumbotron is massive, too. I almost needed a wide angle lens to capture the whole thing.

2010 So Far...

I've gotten a good haircut, have been to yoga at least once (always a good sign for the month), and have started going to Zumba at my gym. I bought a car last week! I've cooked healthy meals for me and my husband, and we finally cleaned up the leaves covering the back lawn. I think most of my perennials lived through the seriously cold cold snap where ice was on the ground for a solid week. That almost never happens in central Mississippi. But now we are back to our normal January weather. It was in the 7os today, and I couldn't be happier about it. 2010 is really rolling by already!

I've started planning my garden, and in just a few short weeks I'll be sowing my first seeds of the year... beets, kale, lettuce, spinach, sugar snap peas, and Swiss chard. I also purchased transplants of broccoli, fennel, and leeks from The Tasteful Garden.

Tomorrow is Friday, and I have to write out bills in the morning before work and go to the insurance place to sign papers on my lunch break. But then it will be Friday night, and I am so ready for the weekend - even if it does rain.

Caroline Herring on NPR

One of my favorite musicians, Caroline Herring, was on NPR's All Things Considered on Saturday. Please listen to the interview, and visit CarolineHerring.com to purchase one of her albums.

Hotty Toddy

Hey Bullies, here's what real bowl tickets look like. Hotty Toddy and Go Rebels!!




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Mmmm Beer

We're having pints at the Ginger Man in Dallas.



There's lots of delicious beer here, and it is hard to make a decision when I order. I ordered a Franconia Winter Wheat. Chip had the Big Sky Moose Drool. Mmmm beer...


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