So Many Exciting Things!

There are so many things for me to write about (most of which aren't of any interest to anyone but me, oh well!).

First, after much deliberation I got my haircut! And I LOVE it. It is so much easier to style in this Houston humidity (why didn't I do this when we moved here?) So without much wait here is my new hair:

Not a great picture... but you get the idea :)

Next, Marc and I were planning on going to the ranch this weekend but he had another stupid test  (on a Friday evening!) so we ended up not going. I was kinda bummed. It would have been so good to see family and relax all weekend, so Marc made it up to me by taking me to the Aquarium. I have to say I am SO happy we live in a place that has exciting things to do on the weekends and I love aquariums (reminds me of the one in Boston, on our honeymoon :)

We even got to eat at the Aquarium Restaurant, which was freaking amazing ) and I remembered to take pictures!!

The view from our table at the restaurant.

A gianormous eel. Seriously it was HUGE.

Marc kept trying to make this guy talk... he refused.

I loved this little guy! He was polka-dotted!

Two white tigers at an aquarium? Why not?

They were so pretty though, and really active (unlike all the animals at the Abilene zoo!)

So not only does the aquarium have a restaurant and white tigers, it also has a ferris wheel, carousel and train ride! It was so much fun!

 

Our view from the top of the Ferris wheel!

At the top!

Pretty!!

Needless to say, we had SO much fun! AND on top of that I found a coupon online that was buy one get one free day passes for the aquarium and rides... so we did all of it for only $16 (minus dinner of course... that was not very cheap, but delicious!).

Sunday, we had our normal day of relaxing and football watching (even though the Broncos and Cowboys didn't play, we still watched EVERY.SINGLE.GAME). We also we grocery shopping at Central Market, which is my favorite but not that close so I don't get to do it often. I love the choices of organic meat and fruits and vegetables (okay, I'm not one of "those" people... but I do think it all taste better and would much prefer to eat and cook with organic products.) Oh and Central Market has awesome sushi for a good price (and you wonder why I like it so much!)

So for dinner I made my favorite meal, and what I think might be Marc's new favorite too. I tried to take pictures so I could do my first recipe blog (and for the record I actually used NO organic food in this because I bought everything prior to shopping at Central Market)! We will see how this goes...

Cheesy Stuffed Pork Chops

You will need:   

• Boneless Pork chops at least 1" thick 
• 6 slices of Bacon
• 1 box of Stove-Top Stuffing
• 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
• Seasoning for Pork (I used Season Salt and Garlic salt)

First pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees.

Next cut bacon slices in half and fry.

Then, season pork chops evenly on both sides and fry in bacon grease until the middle is no longer pink (*disclaimer* I actually did not do that... the middle was still pink and to me thats okay because you cook them for long enough later in the oven for them to be done anyways. We didn't get sick, so you can use your own judgement call on that.)

 

While the pork chops are frying, make the box of stove-top stuffing as directed. Then add the bacon (crumpled) and 1 cup of cheddar cheese.

When the pork chops are done frying, cut slits in the middle and stuff with stove-top mixture. Then close the slits with toothpicks (I didn't have any, so I broke the ends off some wood skewers!) Cover the porkchops with remaining stuffing mixture and 1 cup of cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. YUMMM. (I didn't take an after picture... oh well! just know its amazing!)

I also made homemade mashed potatoes, but I didn't take any pictures. Boo. And they are remarkably easy to make so no recipe just : cut your potato of choice into cubes and cover with water in a large pan. Bring to a boil and cook for 8 minutes. Drain the potatoes and mash (add milk, butter and other seasonings to taste... i use about 1/2 cup of milk, 1/4 cup of butter, and garlic salt, salt and pepper. Delicious, but not healthy.)

It was a great meal. I have decided to start making meals the night before (Marc is in school 9-4 most days and I work 12-8 so we have quick meals all the time and are tired of wasting money and eating boring things). Also, I love to cook and this means I will get to more than once a week now! Marc thinks I'm crazy because I cannot wait for the day we get to have people over for Thanksgiving. I love cooking and baking and I love Thanksgiving, so it seems perfect. Maybe I will make a few dishes this Thanksgiving, depending on where we end up celebrating!

Other than that everything is normal. Marc is studying, and I am reading, cooking and making jewelry. I am back to loving my job. I had a few weeks there where I wasn't sure it is what I wanted to be doing... but I have to say I think it might be just where I need to be. Plus, I get to plan the Christmas play the kids put on... HOW FREAKING CUTE! yay! However, I do need some ideas. I am in the market for a narrated Christian program so the kids don't have to memorize speaking parts (any ideas on where to buy one would be greatly appreciated!).

Oh and its not getting over 80 degrees here all week! I love this time of year!