Two Things

I have two things to share today...

Number 1-  Look at the beautiful lettuce and herbs I picked from the garden today.  Somehow these have survived many freezing Winter nights and we were able to eat a fresh salad for dinner tonight.  It just rained, so I didn't even have to wash them!  That's one of the benefits of growing organic:)  I did shake them off in case they were harboring any little bugs.  I learned that lesson the hard way!

What you see is purple leaf lettuce, arugula, parsley, oregano, and some rosemary.  I made a salad with the lettuce and arugula along with some spinach I had in the fridge and topped it with chopped walnuts, goat cheese, and a lemon and garlic infused olive oil dressing I like to make.  The oregano and parsley complimented my spaghetti sauce and I chopped the rosemary and added it to a plate of olive oil and sea salt for the french bread.  Yes the bread was a splurge, but the meal was otherwise very healthy and the greens added such a wonderful surprise!  I am definitely going to remember how well lettuce and herbs do during the Winter when I am planting my Fall garden next year.

Number 2-  Turns out I'm much better at following New Year's Resolutions when I call them resolutions.  The New Year's Intentions thing isn't working out for me.  So...I am hereby restarting year on February 1st with my list of RESOLUTIONS for 2012.  Same list, different name.  Maybe this time they will stick!

Resolutions for 2012

Get back to writing

Manage my time better

Re-committ to Eating Right for My Blood Type

Take my yoga practice to a deeper level

Start playing my guitar again

Organize and simplify

Seek out creativity and adventure

Host an art and creative living retreat

Take care of the ones I love

Over & out,

Outside Lisa

New Year Intentions 2012

Resolutions Intentions for 2012

Get back to writing

Manage my time better

Re-committ to Eating Right for My Blood Type

Take my yoga practice to a deeper level

Start playing my guitar again

Organize and simplify

Seek out creativity and adventure

Host an art and creative living retreat

Take care of the ones I love

*** So glad to be back at the computer typing away on my little blog.  I haven't even looked at it since the end of July and was so surprised to see that last month it had a record number of page views!  I listed my intentions for this year and I am calling them intentions instead of resolutions because I truly INTEND to do them.  Last year my resolutions defined and and guided me until I hit the holidays and it all went awry!  I am excited to start a new year and filled with anticipation for what is to come.  I know God has wonderful things in store for all of us and I intend to do my part in making things happen in my life and the lives of those whom I love so dearly!  I made this list of intentions on the fly tonight, but have given most of them plenty of thought over the past few weeks.  I will elaborate on these this month and look forward to sharing a new year with you!

Best intentions,

Outside Lisa

Fredericksburg, Texas Show & Tell

"Scarlett" is a boutique I recently discovered in Fredericksburg, Texas and it's my new favorite place to shop for cute clothes (besides my sister-in-law's shop, but that's another post!).  I love the tag line on the sign...Beautiful. Strong. Timeless.  Could someone please arrange to have that carved into my tombstone???  The sales staff is amazing.  There's one gal there that helps me put together outfits and keeps bringing me things even if I don't ask her just because she thinks they might look good on me.  That's my kind of place 'cause let me tell you, I need all the help I can get in the outfit puttin' together department!  Excellent prices, too!  I highly recommend you check it out next time you're in Fred.  Just be sure to call me to make sure we're not going to be wearing the same thing if we happen to show up at the same party!  Why does this post make me talk in a Southern accent when I read it back?!!  Guess it's the name;)

One more thing...if you haven't gotten your peaches yet this Summer you're about to run out of time.  Sounds like we only have a couple more weeks left of this peach season.

My favorite spot for peaches in the Texas Hill Country is Marburger Orchard.  I have tried other places and the peaches are probably just as good, but I really like this little farm and the way they do things.

I have BIG plans for these little dandys!  Peach cobbler and peach preserves to name a couple.  You just can't beat Fredericksburg peaches.

Here's the info for my favorite orchard.  They also grow strawberries, blackberries, and various vegetables throughout the Spring and Summer.  Just make sure you show up there with cash or a check.  They do not take credit cards.  And no one will tell you this but me, because unfortunately I learned the hard way, don't leave your berries laying around the kitchen for long.  Do what you're going to do with them right away.  Like within the same day.  They go bad SO quickly.  The peaches, on the other hand, will last longer and will even need to sit out a bit to finish ripening.  You'll need to take all of that into consideration before you venture out there.

Well, that's my 10 cents!  Check out "Scarlett" and get your peaches QUICK!  And if you don't want to, well frankly my dear, I don't give a dang!

Outside Lisa

The Sweet Life!

     Each day I wake up with a whole new list of things to do and decisions to make and I never really know for sure how things might unfold.  All I know for sure is that attitude is everything.  You can make it or break it depending on the kind of attitude you choose to have before you put your feet on the floor.  Today I woke up with a terrible headache and it lasted all day long.  I told myself to shake it off, but it wouldn't shake.  I tried to pretend it was getting better, but it didn't.  I could have easily made my way back to bed to try to sleep it off, but I had better things to do.  Way more important things to do!  Like...

go to work to check on the guys who are trimming the gorgeous perennials,





wear the new bracelet I made with my two good girlfriends,







try Em's new apron on her...





and cook spaghetti together,
photograph Harrison with his babies,





watch the little ones run excitedly out the front door the greet their Daddy and older brothers and sister

...and enjoy the sweet life I am so blessed to have!




     My headache eventually went away, but not until I jumped into the swimming pool with my kids and held my breath under water for a bit.

Look at all I would have missed out on if I had gone back to bed.  I wouldn't miss this stuff for the world!!!  Here's to livin' each day to the fullest.

CANNON BALL!!!,
Outside Lisa

Half-Year Resolutions 2011

Can it really be June 20th?  The last three months just shot by for me.  Imagine me standing with my frazzled pigtails sticking straight back instead of down where they're supposed to be.  That's how I feel like I look right now.  If I listed all the tasks I completed in April, May, and so far in June you'd be amazed and bewildered. And me...I'd barf just thinking about it.  So I'll spare you (and me).  I was just thinking today that I need some of that New Year's Resolution kind of gumption to refuel my jets and get me through the rest of this year.  The kind of stuff that fills you up with energy and helps you make it through each day with a sense of purpose and hope.  (No, I don't mean Starbucks, but that is exactly where I went in my mind as I re-read this!) My idea here is that if I revisit the goals I made back in the new year, I can push a sort of reset/reload button and start again now.  Instead of Christmas in July, it's New Year's in June! So here we go.  Tonight I'm re-evaluating and reflecting.  Then maybe in a few days I'll try to restart by recommitting myself to the old ones and by making a few new ones.  You should do the same and let me know if you're as on or off track as me.  It'll be fun and very enlightening.

Resolution 1-  Support and Encourage
     This one started out rough, but at this point in the year, I'm feeling much better about it.  I've made some really good new and meaningful friendships, and strengthened some old ones, but I feel like I've suffered some losses, as well.  I guess you can't win 'em all.  That's easy to say, but hard as heck to swallow.

Resolution 2-  Eat Right For My Type
     I really rocked this one!  This is the most amazing healthy eating plan ever.  I have totally changed the way that I eat and I feel better than ever.  My joints don't ache, my skin is healthier, I rarely feel bloated or stuffed after meals, and to top it all off, I've lost 20 pounds!  So easy.  So simple.  Especially if you have the great iphone app that includes all of the food lists and recipes.  I HIGHLY recommend this book!  Go get it NOW.

Resolution 3-  Get Organized
  Not so much.  HELP!  I need to plan a function at my house to give myself a deadline.  Something.

Resolution 4-  Create
     I am in desperate need of some creating, but will probably have to wait until camp in September to get my fix.  Em and I talked about painting today, but we decided to swim instead.  At the end of the day when I put her in bed she suddenly started crying and said," We didn't paint!"  I felt exactly the same way.

Resolution 5-  Lose the Addiction
   I did great with this one for the first couple of months.  But then it got hot outside...REALLY hot, and I can't make a frappacino at home.  This is a problem.  I had the cappucino thing down to where I actually preferred the one I made at home over the one at Starbucks.  Now I'm back to the drive thru.  I'm surprised they even ask me what I want when they hear my pitiful addicted voice ordering.  "Can I please have a grande coffee frappucino with soy, no whipped?"  The only thing that throws them is every OTHER day when I ask for what I think is THE BEST summer drink ever...the amazing Mocha Coconut Frappucino!!!  It's like a pina colada with a tan.  One taste and I'm watching the sun set, sipping a virgin pina colada at the poolside bar at Holiday Inn Emerald Bay in Corpus Christi, Texas.  Richard Marx, "Right Here Waiting" girls.  Can you hear it?  Anyway...addicted again.

Resolution 6-  Make Yoga a Lifestyle
     Welcome to my newest addiction...YOGA.  I have never, and I mean never, liked exercising.  When I said I enjoyed running way back when, what I meant to say was I loved being outside.  The running part was only tolerated so I could be outside.  I started doing yoga regularly at the beginning of the year based on what the Eat Right for Your Type book told me I should do.  Well, I fell in love.  It has changed my body and it doesn't kill me to do it.  I am stronger and I can actually feel that core thing they always talk about.  I discovered I too have abs.  Really.  You can take it with you wherever you go and it's something you can do for the rest of your life.  Again...so easy, so simple.  Where have you been all my life?

There it is.  The good, the bad, and the ugly.  What do your resolutions look like at six months old?

My Boy is 6

My little boy is turning six today and these pictures from a year ago caught my eye and reminded me how important it is to stop and smell the roses.  He's growing so fast and I want to soak every moment with him in and savor every drop.

I try really hard to instill a love and appreciation for the beauty of God's creation in my kids. We really do have so much to be thankful for in our lives.  The simple pleasures of green grass underfoot, fresh cool creek water, the shelter and majesty of giant Cypress trees, the loyalty of a new pup, and the freedom to run are all things we live with and can easily take for granted.  But I want my children to pause when they see a beautiful sunset, take in the smell of the Mountain Laurel blossoms and the sweet musk of the Sycamore trees.  And I never want to lose the ability to view the world through their eyes.

Happy birthday my sweet sonshine!  You bring my life such joy.  I treasure every day with you and love you with every ounce of my soul.  Keep being you...God's perfect little you.

Love,
Mommie

Mother's Day 2011

Today was the cherry on top of the already great weekend I was having.  My husband and children orchestrated the perfect Mother's Day celebration for me, my mom, and Lezlie, my step-children's mom.  They prepared a breakfast feast that was out of this world.  The table was set with bright colored breakfast plates, there were flowers, cards, even chocolate covered strawberries made by Jackson!  All that was missing was our "glad to be finished with her first year of college" college girl, Dylan!  

I am so blessed to have such amazing kids and a husband that celebrates and appreciates not only me, but his mother, my mother, and my step-children's mother.  There are not many families like ours and some would even say we're crazy, but it sure feels good to sit down together with all of the pieces that make our family whole.  It takes a lot of love to raise five children and we're doing it together and supporting each other every step of the way.  I like that all of our kids can love each of their parents and grandparents openly and freely and even under the same roof on special occasions like today.  I sure felt blessed to be a mom and stepmom today!  

Mom- Thank you for being you and for loving me and my babies with your whole heart.  I can never thank you enough for all you do.

Lynda- I couldn't ask for a more loving and supportive mother-in-law/cheerleader.  I love you and enjoy having you in my life so much.  Thanks, also, for teaching Roger to respect and celebrate the institution of motherhood.

Lezlie- Thank you for allowing me to love and share your three angels.  Thank you, also, for loving my babies and my parents like they are your family.  You are a very special person.

This is the card Harrison made me.  I love the picture he drew of us together.  This really says it all!

So...

Hope your day was filled with sunshine and rainbows!