Harper Comes to Town

We had such a great time this week with my family. My mom, dad, Aunt Linda, and sister Kelly all drove down to introduce Harper to her Grandma and Aunt Kathy & family. We had a gathering Monday night at our house and went down to Matt's in Lakewood on Tuesday night. Can't keep the fam away from that Bob Armstrong dip! And of course, the biggest reason everyone made the long trip was to meet COCO. You know it's true.

Coco, dad, Kelly, and Grandma take a break from eating my guacamole.

I've been working for the school district's bilingual department all summer and the ladies there are not shy about bringing in their homemade specialties. It's the greatest. They schooled me on making tortillas and guac. Last week they told me I'm now an honorary Mexican ... but I had to inform them that yo soy Cubano, actually. Either way, viva la raza. Here's the basic guacamole recipe.

2 or 3 avacados

top half of a tomato

top half on an onion (white, or my favorite, sweet yellow)

1 or 2 limes

salt & pepper to taste

Once you've skinned and gutted your avacados (hee hee), dice them as small as you can ... don't pulverize. This is the biggest trick. Dice up your tomato & onion. Throw everything in a bowl, mix but keep it chunky. Relieve the juice of one or two limes into the bowl (I like it limey ... I'm a big citrus fan, ask Carrie), top with salt and pepper. Double or triple as you see fit. As chef, keep tasting it to make sure it's palatable. That's it. No sour cream, no weird powders, and don't smash the avacados into baby poo paste. I also like to throw in cilantro, but all of mine burst into flames in this 105 degree weather.

Making your own tortillas is also very satisfying, easy, and light years ahead of anything you can buy at the store, unless you are at Original Ninfa's in Houston. I made one batch with bacon grease, and although it was good, the bacon was overpowering. Currently I'm going with 2 cups all purpose flour, 2 tablespoons of fat (half lard, half butter ... like me), no baking powder, and a teaspoon of salt dissolved in 3/4 cup of warm water. Mix, rest, then roll out thin and slap on a griddle. Eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Harper is such a great baby! Total opposite of El Coco de Bite Bite.

...

And finally, I'd like to take a moment to wish my beautiful wife a very

HAPPY FIRST ANNIVERSARY!

One year ago today I was a very nervous young (don't say anything) man ... I was worried that morning, waking up alone in a hotel room in Corpus Christi, that everything had been another winding, confusing dream. Fortunately, it wasn't. That evening I got to walk down an aisle and watch the most wonderful, kind, loving, gorgeous, hilarious, and thoughtful (we're working on patient) woman I'd ever met come around the corner, look into my eyes, hold my hand, and actually, willingly agree to be with me forever. 

Since then I've woken up many times confused, but not alone. I love you, and here's to at least another year. Everyone says the first year is the hardest, but we both agree it's been a breeze. Getting Coco to poop outside? Now that's hard. I think the winning formula has been to completely love and trust each other, be open and honest and communicate, and to understand and be flexible with each other's flaws rather than getting annoyed and angry. Every "fight" we've ever had pretty much lasts a few minutes, then ends in somebody making a mocking face and both of us laughing. If there's one thing I've learned from The Real Housewives, other than to never get a spray tan, it's

HAPPY WIFE, HAPPY LIFE

Holiday fun and Home Improvements

I know. I know. I have gotten behind again! You would think since it was summer I would have all the time in the world, but sadly my masters degree is taking up most of my time. However, I was getting in big trouble for not posting some of the recent things we have been up to, so this post is kind of a long one.

Recently when we were in Corpus for our friend Holly's wedding I finally got to pick up and bring home some new art pieces that I have been wanting and waiting to get for sooo long. Our walls in our home really needed something! So, one of the things that we brought home were these three paintings that were done by Deborah Males, a well known artist in Corpus. My mom had won one of the pieces and when I saw it a few months ago I knew I had to have more! My mom actually surprised me with more as an anniversary present for Chris and I, and we had them framed and matted so that they would somewhat look alike. I love them!    

  

Another fun piece I found was this mirror. I actually saw it at the same place where Chris and I registered for our China. I thought about it for months and finally broke down and bought it. I am really happy I did! Now all we need is a nice side table to go underneath it. I am working on it. 

Coco enjoying the mirror as well!

And here is a new rug we purchased for the office. Really Chris just wanted to show off his new camera and all the cool things it can do. I think this is a neat picture.  

And finally...Our newly landscaped backyard is done!!!!!!!!!! I waited and waited to post pics because we were not done with the staining of the porch, but it is finally finished. I didn't get to participate in Kelly's home tour of yards and garages last week, so better late than never.We have really enjoyed it this summer. The only problem we are encountering now is that our grass is dying. We had seeded in the spring, and it looked great,  but now it is becoming fried. We water almost every day.  Any suggestions on how to get grass to grow in this heat?      

This past Sunday we decided to have a neighborhood BBQ to celebrate the 4th. 

We just decided to do it on the 5th. So here are some pics of us setting up before the party.

One summer project I would still like to do is stain this porch as well. Still trying to decide on a color for it.

My 4th of July centerpiece that I was proud of. And yes they are real hydrangeas. I know they look fake from the picture.  

Coco, wearing her red, white, and blue! That only lasted long enough for us to get this shot of her. She is not fond of wearing outfits. Maybe she will come around!  

Enjoying the cool weather at the BBQ with some girls I teach with, a neighbor, and Coco.

More neighbors

And how can you have a 4th of July party without juggling! ha!  One of our neighbors,Logan,the one with the beard above, is actually a professional juggler. When Chris and I moved into the neighborhood on Halloween night Logan was out on his front lawn juggling fire-as he is doing here, and making balloon animals for the kids! I remember Chris and I looking at each other and saying, "wow, we have the coolest neighbors!" Ha!  Anyways, so when he said he wanted to come to our BBQ we asked if he wouldn't mind juggling for our guests. He was happy to do it and everyone loved it!   He first started juggling with our bocce balls, but he was having a little difficulty because they were blinking on and off. (We have the night game bocce ball set), so he had much better luck with the fire. 

We all had a super time and hope to do it again soon!

Last but not least, I wanted to wish my very special mother-in-law, Judy, a Happy Birthday today!  Judy is the BEST mother-in-law EVER! I am so lucky to have her in my life.  She is such a kind and thoughtful person, and she is always thinking of others.  I am always striving to be more like her! 

            

We love you so much Judy!!!!! Have a super day!

Love, Carrie and Chris