It's patio season!

There is nothing I love more than eating on a patio with friends or family. And since we've had such awesome weather lately, it was about time to hit up one of the best patios around, Joe T. Garcia's, with some of my best friends from as far back as kindergarten and all through high school.

Gayle and Amy. I've known Gayle and Amy since kindergarten and first grade, respectively. 

Amanda, who just recently moved with her husband Anson from NYC to Dallas. 

Arden and Courtney. I met Arden at Fish Camp at AHHS and we've been friends ever since. We both even had wispy bangs together. That's friendship. 

We celebrated Gayle's upcoming birthday with another round of margaritas and cookies. 

YUM. 

We missed Meg and Lindsey!

And then we got a little camera happy. 

We talked a lot about how not everyone stays friends with their high school friends. It's definitely special that we've stayed as close if not closer with each other since graduation and we still laugh and chat as if we see each other everyday. Our friendship is unique and I'm so fortunate to have such great friends.

Following an afternoon on the patio, Courtney and I found Rett and John, who spent the day golfing, and met up with more of our Fort Worth friends for dinner at Old Rips.

Ladies' end. 

Gentlemen's end. 

And that is what I like to call a successful Saturday in Fort Worth. Patios, good friends, margaritas and mexican food. Perfection. 

Throwdown

One night John and I stumbled upon Throwdown with Bobby Flay and we watched him as he challenged a dude from Georgia to see who made better shrimp and cheese grits.

The dude from Georgia won and John and I began drooling over talking about making some shrimp and cheese grits of our own.

Days later, I came home with the cast of ingredients and we began cooking Bobby Flay's shrimp and cheese grits.

First, you will need plenty of cheese. 

Saute some bacon and scallions. Bacon is good with anything. 

Add the skrimps. (For you, Gil.)

Cook some grits, mix with cheese add the shrimp. 

Delicious. And, another cooking success. Thanks Bobby Flay!

Weekend in Houston

John and I spent the weekend in Houston celebrating the marriage of our good friends from Baylor, Alex and Kathleen.

The reception was at the Hotel ZaZa--which is very swanky and in the Museum District of Houston. We opted to stay at the ZaZa not only because it's cool--but it was also convenient to stay in one spot. Below are the views from our room.

Houston skyline

Beautiful water fountains

ZaZa pool where I caught some rays and read my new book.



We loved getting to catch up with our friends, ate wonderful food (sushi bar included!) and danced the night away. Yes, John danced the night away.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Yesterday my Dad turned, "double nickels" and this time we celebrated the occasion with my Mom's side of the family at La Playa Maya in Fort Worth. The conversation was great, the food was delicious and we all enjoyed Megan's homemade Key Lime cupcakes! 

(We missed John--he had to work late!)

Uncle Clay and Mindy joined us too! 

Nana and Dandy. 

Cousins pic minus Amy. We missed you, Amy!

Happy Birthday, Dad! I love you very much!

Newman Family Birthdays

About once a quarter, excluding the holidays, the Newman clan (my Dad's family) gathers for some quality hang out time. It's something that I always look forward to attending, particularly because we've been doing this for as long as I can recall.

This past Saturday we met at my parents house, ate barbecue and celebrated birthdays from the first part of the year. When you have a group of almost 30, that's already a lot of birthdays. Most specifically, we celebrated my Dad, Uncle Andy and Blake's March birthdays. 

(The two on the left are brothers, right?!?!)

Everyone got to blow out a candle. 

My cousin, Gina, was even in town from Phoenix. It was really fun to get to spend some quality time with her as well. 

(Missed getting to see her husband, Brad, this time around!)

Megan and her bf, Randy, were in town too for spring break. They're such co-eds. 

**Disclaimer: I don't really know what the term co-eds even means. I just know my grandmother uses that term to refer to college students. I think.**

This is my cousin Ethan with his wife, Kasie. 

 And while Ron and Lori couldn't make it, their sweet little Eli did. Cutest kid ever. 

He even found a friend to play cars with him!

We had a lovely Saturday evening with the Newman family but missed Brad, Ron and Lori! Happy Birthday to Dad, Andy and Blake! 

Happy Birthday, Rosie!

Rosie celebrated her FIRST birthday earlier this week. To honor the occasion, I picked up a "pupcake" from the Lucky Dog Barkery.

I had to convince John not to eat it.  

For Me?!?!

Look at those hungry eyes. 

Going in for the kill. 

She devoured the fourth of the pupcake we gave to her.

Rosie has really been a delight for John and me since she entered our family last June. This is probably evident as many of our blog postings are about her. But she truly does make us laugh and we look forward to taking her on walks, to the dog park and even coming home to see her everyday.

Rosie is our forever dog and we love her very much. Happy Birthday, Rosie!