feeling crafty: fall wreath

So, I told yall in a previous post about my love for Pinterest. There are a lot of dreams when it comes to Pinterest finds. You see a house you love, you pin it. You see a place you want to travel to, you pin it. You see a yummy recipe, you pin it. But, when it comes down to it, have you made that beautiful looking pie, have you re-purposed the flea market coffee table, or bought the pretty ring you found? Well, maybe... but for most of us, its all just a collection of dreams.

Hold the phone, because I actually got crafty this weekend! I think crafty people are cool. I envy their patience to stain a piece of furniture, or paint a canvas. I found this wreath while searching through Pinterest and thought it was really pretty. This person made this wreath, gave all the direction on how to make it, and even included how thrifty it was to make it herself rather than purchase a pre-made one. So, I thought I would give it a try. Here is the wreath I found on this crafty person's blog:

Pretty right? Screams fall, and by far the cuter than the ones I've seen in stores. So, off I went to Michael's to get my materials. I spent entirely too much time in that place. But, I wanted to make sure I got everything I needed and that it would all match up. Once I got home, I tackled my craft project, and it was super fun, super easy, and super fast. It turned out really cute, and I was sorta proud of myself when I stood back to check out my work.

Here's the disappointing part of this post... I'm not going to post my final product just yet. I actually made 2 of these wreaths and one is a gift for someone and I don't want to spoil it. Plus, its not quite fall yet, and I can't put it out on my door. When its gets to be fall (which in Dallas, it could take until October) I will post a DIY fall wreath instruction blog. Then, you will see my fun wreath. Until then, you should try and make your own. This may be my new thing. Wreaths for ALL holidays, seasons, and whatever else I can think to make a wreath for.

Happy Monday!

what i'm loving wednesdays

I love Mexican food. I could probably eat it every day. There are some weeks, I stop to think about what I've eaten and realize, "dang, I've had Mexican food 3 days in a row." Just a couple of weeks ago, when I was in San Antonio, I literally had Mexican food for at least one of my meals every day. So, maybe I got a little tired of it then. But, its by far my favorite cuisine!

So, what I'm loving this week, and every week for that matter is: Blue Goose Cantina.

Bill and I started going to BG (Blue Goose) when we first moved here 3 years ago. Then several months ago, Bill and I, along with several other friends started meeting every Thursday for margaritas. We don't really even have to talk about meeting up there, its just sort of a given that we'll be there. Tomorrow is a special BG Thursday. Our friend Mayra, who moved here from California after training camp last year, is moving back home this weekend. So, tomorrow is her "going away" party, and her final BG. At least until she comes back to visit!

I'm also loving FALL CLOTHES right now! This 105 degree heat has got.to.go. I bought a few cute things for fall last week during tax free weekend and it got me very excited about sweaters, boots, and football. Some of my favorite looks are on my profile for Pinterest. You can find them here: http://pinterest.com/aldavis628/feeling-fallish/

Happy Wednesday!

tasty tuesday: 2 in 1

Its 2fer Tuesday! Since I missed last Tuesday, and had a couple of recipes I really wanted to share, I decided to give you 2 tasty recipes this week.

A couple of weeks ago, I was really craving one of my all time favorite salads from one of my favorite restaurants. In LR where Bill and I grew up there is a restaurant called The Faded Rose. Seriously the best food! They have a famous salad there called Rose's Creole Soaked Salad. I started searching the Internet for an imitation recipe and stumbled across a blog of a woman who shared the same sentiments about this tasty salad. So, I tried it out and boy was it pretty close to the same thing. I didn't take a picture of my salad, but found this one that looked pretty similar. It's all about the flavor though. This one, you have to try!

(my version of) Rose's Creole Soaked Salad

2 heads lettuce greens, preferably different kinds (romaine, Boston, iceberg or curly top)

2 large medium-ripe Creole tomatoes (beefsteak or Jersey)

1/2 cup chopped olives (I love olives, so I used more)

3-4 green onions, chopped

6 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 /2 teaspoon salt

1 /4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 /8 teaspoon granulated sugar

1 teaspoon finely minced garlic

1 tablespoon finely minced fresh parsley

1 /2 teaspoon dried basil

Wash and dry lettuce. Wash tomatoes, pare ends and cut into chunks. Place in a large bowl. *Seriously use a large bowl! Add olives and green onions. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, wine vinegar, lemon juice and seasonings; whisk with a wire whisk or fork or combine in an electric blender. Pour over salad and toss to mix thoroughly. It's OK to bruise the chunks of tomato a bit; their juice is an important part of the dressing. Just don't mash them. Cover salad bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. *The salad has to soak, hence the name "soaked salad. Don't skip this part! Serve in individual salad or dessert bowls and spoon about 2 tablespoons of the liquid from the bottom of the salad bowl over each portion.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

In one of my recent posts, I told yall how I was obsessed with Pinterest. Well, I found this recipe on there, and it was amazing! I wouldn't typically make a dish like this, due mostly to the fact that my hubby doesn't like seafood. I happen to love seafood, so a compromise was made. That's what marriage is all about right?

Roasted Tomatoes w/Shrimp & Feta

This dish was amazing! I was truly surprised. This was super easy to make, and super delicious. You could taste the lemon and fresh herbs. The feta made a creamy sauce. While the shrimp and tomatoes cooked, I whipped up some angel hair pasta to toss with it. It made the meal so perfect. Add some crust bread to soak up all the juices and you're good to go.

So, there ya go. You could make both of these recipes on the same night and you've got yourself a full meal. I think both of them would be ideal for last minute company.

Happy Tuesday!

bootcamp

So, I've been a little MIA this week. I told yall when football started, things get crazy. I also started a new adventure this week... bootcamp. That's right, bootcamp fitness.


Another perk that comes with working for the Cowboys is, that I can go for free as long as I attend 10 out of the 20 classes offered. Jay Johnson is an ex-military guy that formed his own bootcamp workouts. He is also the official trainer for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. They offer classes in the morning and after work. The workout is outside, so I've been going in the morning when its not 5 million degrees outside.

Being sore is the biggest understatement of the year when it comes to how I felt after my 1st workout. It was brutal! This workout is non-stop, hardcore, pedal to the metal workout for an entire hour. I'm really excited to see the results in 4 weeks. I just might go in for another month!

This is Jay. Doesn't he look like he could whip you into shape?


I'll be back to my normal blogging (cross your fingers) next week!

football is back

Hey ya'll! As you know Cowboys had their 1st pre-season game this week. Boy, was it good to be watching football again! I was so ready. The game was Thursday night, and one of my co-workers was not using his tickets, so I invited my dad and step-mom to join us. We got to the stadium with food on our minds. Our seats are on the club level at Cowboys Stadium, and they always have "special" food in addition to the normal concessions. This week they were serving up BBQ brisket! Who can pass on brisket nachos, right? This was the only picture I took at the game...

Brisket nachos, bbq sauce, cheese, jalapenos. It doesn't get much better than that!

The Cowboys won, and it was actually an exciting pre-season game.

On Friday night I went out with the girls. We had dinner and margs at Gloria's then headed over to Blackfinn to do some dancing. It was a fun girls night out! Saturday I ran some errands and we had my dad and step-mom over for dinner. After dinner we had our "planning committee" meeting for the annual Pig and Gig tailgate for the Arkansas vs. Texas A&M game. Sunday, we cleaned up the house and Bill wasn't feeling well, so we just hung out watching tv. It was a good relaxing weekend.

I haven't given yall an update on my child, aka, my dog in a long time. So here she is in one of her favorite spots. Lying on the floor behind the couch. She usually puts her head underneath the couch like she is hiding. She's a mess, but I love her!

what i'm loving wednesdays

I'm obsessed. Basically, addicted to one thing in particular lately...


Have you ever wanted a website where you can save everything into one place. This is it. You see a recipe you like, pin it. You see an outfit you like, pin it. You see ideas to improve your home, pin it. Pin anything you like. I'm not even going to explain it anymore because its so super simple to figure out. I promise you won't be disappointed if you sign up!

So, I'm also loving one other thing this week. Blue Moon.

What's better on a hot summer day?

Happy Wednesday!

tasty tuesday: strawberry pie

Ok yall, lets get serious... you can ask my mom what my absolute favorite dessert is and she will, without hesitation, say strawberry pie. I've never been a big cake fan. I've always preferred fruit desserts more than anything. Peach cobbler, cherry crisp, apple pie, and of course, strawberry pie. This is no ordinary strawberry pie. It's my Gram's (mom's mom) recipe, and I'm about to let you in on the best thing you've ever eaten. Best part about it? It's super easy to make! Let's get started!

Gram's Strawberry Pie:

-1 Pillsbury Pie Crust (you could make you're own, but that little dough boy does a pretty darn good job)

-1 8oz. package cream cheese, softened

-1 1/2 quarts strawberries

-3/4 cup of sugar

-3 tbs. all-purpose flour

-1 tbs. cornstarch

-1 pint Cool Whip

Bake your pie crust according to package directions. Let cool completely before filling.

While the crust is cooking; wash, drain, and hull strawberries. Set aside. (To be honest, I never hull the strawberries)

Spread softened cream cheese on cooled pie crust. (The cream cheese has to be room temp. I always forget this part!) Layer half of the strawberries on top of the cream cheese.

Mash the other half of the strawberries. In a saucepan, over medium heat, cook sugar, flour, cornstarch, and mashed strawberries, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 5 to 7 minutes. (Mine always takes a little longer than this. Don't get impatient, the sauce pretty much has to come to a boil to thicken. If you don't let it get thick, your pie will be runny) Remove from heat and cool slightly before pouring on top of strawberries in the shell. Chill in refrigerator for about 3 hours or until firm.

Top with Cool Whip before serving. Enjoy!

I'm telling you, you won't be disappointed. Its the perfect summer dessert!

coat of many colors

Ya'll know the story...

Joseph tended his father’s flocks with his half brothers. Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. One day he gave Joseph a special gift -- a beautiful robe.” AKA “made him a coat of many colors.” In that time, everyone had a coat. These coats or cloaks were used to keep warm, carry belongings and even to serve as security for a loan. Most coats were plain and about knee length. However, the coat Jacob gave his son was colorful, ankle length, and probably more like what royalty wore.

Several weeks ago I get a message from Bill's cousin on facebook. She wanted to let me know that her daughter, Maggie, who was a flower girl in our wedding made me a Jacob's coat of many colors during Vacation Bible School. She brought it home and proclaimed that this was for Allison, because she is the most fashionable person in our family. How sweet is that!? I told her that it completely made my day, and was honored to be named "most fashionable." So, Bill's Aunt and Uncle came to visit a couple weeks ago, and brought the coat of many colors to me. Are you ready to see this? It is by far the most fashionable thing I own...

Love it! I will treasure my coat of many colors forever and ever. Thank you Maggie, I love you!

i'm back!

Hey peeps, I'm back from San Antonio. My stay was extended a little longer than I assumed. I was supposed to come back on Monday, and we ended up staying until Friday! Boy was it a busy, hard-working, long, hot week. The first 2 days we were there, we were busy bees getting everything set up for camp to start on Thursday. I was in charge of one of our merchandise trucks that sat right outside of the Alamodome. This was not a cool job, it was flat out H-O-T-T! If brought a whole new level to sweating it out. The kids that worked on my truck were the best. We made working in the hot SA heat fun, and they surprised me at how much they enjoyed the job. By the time I left on Friday, I felt like I was saying goodbye to my own kids.

This is a picture of the truck I was on most of the time I was there.

The first night we were there, we went to a place called Mi tierra. They are open 24 hours, so it made it a good spot, since most nights we didn't get home and cleaned up until after 10pm. This is officially my new favorite spot in SA. I also learned the its Jerry Jones' favorite spot as well. We ended up eating here twice during out trip.

We did get to enjoy one day off during camp. It was definitely much needed! So, Monday night we decided to go out and have some fun. We explored the Riverwalk and had fun hanging out knowing we didn't have to be up early the next day.

My truck decided to name themselves "Trailer Trash." So, here are my trailer trash peeps! Look how cute they are!

I really never had time to watch much of practice, it was constantly go, go, go. However, on Friday we had a special lunch for all the training camp employees. It was pot luck, and we had some amazing brisket, baracho beans, rice, and desserts. So, everyone got to eat at watch the morning walk-thru before the doors opened.

While this wasn't my first training camp to work, it was my first time to work in the San Antonio part of training camp. It is always a lot of work, and you don't realize how tired you are until you finally get a chance to sit down. But, while its hot and hard-work, it's a lot of fun. And, it sure is good to be talking about football again! Can't believe our first pre-season game is this coming Thursday!

So, that was my training camp experience. I'm super glad to be home and sleep in my own bed, hang out with my hubby, cuddle with my dog, and catch up on my DVRed shows, all while sitting in the AC!!! This week will surely be busy, catching up on email and work I've missed while gone, but I'll try and get back into my blogging routine.

Have a happy weekend!