Telluride Days 3 and 4

It has taken me awhile to get all of the Telluride pics posted...Things have been hectic with training for my job, Ag in the Classroom for Sutton at the San Angelo Stock Show, social events, and church commitments. This is the conclusion to our awesome Telluride trip and then on to other things...

On Sunday, the boys skied and the girls spaed. I can't speak for the boys, but I know Ash and I had a blast. We got massages, pedicures, had a great girly lunch in our robes overlooking the beautiful view of the snow covered mountains, enjoyed the slide and heated pool, and sat in the steam room. We came away relaxed and rested. On the walk back to the condo, we stopped in Mountain Village and enjoyed the excitement of an outdoor concert with great music. The boys joined us there. For dinner, we got a pizza, stayed in, and watched a movie.

On Monday, the boys decided to try snowboarding for the first time. Ashley and I rode the chondola up and down watching them try to make it down the Meadows for the first time. They got the hang of it and actually stuck with it all day.

We went into town shopping and enjoyed lunch at La Cocina again.


That evening, we had cocktails at Allred's and enjoyed the amazing view of the town of Telluride from the mountaintop.
We had a great dinner at the Excelsior Cafe on recommen-dation from a couple we met the first night on the gondola. Everyone was so nice and friendly in Telluride!
The boys had Cioppino, a fish stew, for the first time. The broth was incredible. I have seen this on the Food Network many times, but have never had the opportunity to experience it in real life. It was a treat!
View from our condo window on the last day-

We had a great trip home on Tuesday and I spent the day at home on Wednesday recovering by catching up with laundry and other things around the house. We had a great vacation and cannot wait to do it again next year!!

Valentine's Day in Telluride- Day 2

We woke up to snow on Valentine's Day which was our first full day in Telluride. It was so nice to hang out in our pj's on the couch, drinking coffee with some of our very best friends watching snow fall in the mountains. It does not get better than that! The lifts open at 9, so we bundled up and headed out to ski.

This was only my third time to ski and normally I stay in ski school, but we decided to start out on the Meadows (basically the bunny slope) and go from there. It takes a lot to get me on the slope because I have a major fear of height and a major fear of losing control. It got easier as the day went on, but I had one fall that totally shook my confidence for the rest of the day. Fortunately, Ashley was a great ski partner and helped me get back up. After that, I went back to the Meadows the rest of the day. Next time we go, I want to get a personal instructor so I can really get the hang of it and maybe get to the point that I am confident enough to really enjoy the experience. The boys are excellent skiers and they left us after a run on the Galloping Goose, a great long green, in order to conquer the blues and blacks.

We had lunch in town at a great little local spot called La Cocina. It was so good, we ate lunch there on Monday, as well.
We enjoyed a romantic Valentine's dinner on top of the mountain overlooking the city of Telluride at an amazing place called Allred's.
Ashley and I had the elk. I have never had elk before and I think it is my new favorite food.
The chocolate dessert we shared was also to die for! Chocolate chip cake with buttercream icing!
We had a nightcap in the bar at Allred's and enjoyed the piano music of local favorite, Bob Israel, who played all of our requests. He and Justin got to be big buddies.
Valentine's 2009 will be one we will never forget!

Telluride Day 1

We flew into Montrose and took a shuttle into Telluride. The first evening we just spent some time exploring the mountain riding the gondola to the market and seeing Mountain Village. We went with our dear friends, Ashley and Justin, who are Telluride veterans. They love great food and wine and knew all of the best restaurants to try. Telluride is known for top rated cuisine and we did not have one bad meal while we were there, in fact, every meal we ate was wonderful so I can't even decide which one was my favorite!

Here we are on the chondola- I have a major fear of heights so it took me awhile to get used to it!
The Whites on the chondola.



We enjoyed a fabulous dinner at the Bluepoint Grill the first night- truffle fries, awesome mac and cheese, pretzel crusted schnitzel, and pictured is the crab cake with crab bisque...So good!

Home sweet home

Well, we made it back home tonight from an awesome vacation in Telluride, Colorado. We took lots of pictures that I can't wait to share, but right now it is time for a warm bath and a good night's sleep in our own bed...Check back in the next day or so and I should have the trip posted then.

I hear they are making a comeback...

I love fresh flowers and typically treat myself to an inexpensive bunch when I make a trip to the grocery store. I read somewhere once that people who keep fresh flowers in their house are usually happier and less depressed. I told Sutton this and he said to buy flowers whenever I wanted...I was kind of hoping he would get the hint, but since he didn't, I buy flowers for myself most weeks. I usually buy tulips or gerbera daisies, or whatever is on sale, but this past weekend I could not resist the bunches of pink and red carnations. They seemed so happy and festive and reminded me of the Sex and the City episode where they were talking about how carnations were old fashioned and "just filler flowers". Then, Berger shows up at Carrie's door with a big beautiful bunch of pink carnations and said, "I hear they are making a comeback." So sweet and romantic...of course, he broke up with her on a post- it note the next day, but it made me see this cheap flower in a whole new way. They are so pretty in a solid color bunch, they are cheap, and they last a while, so I think Berger might have been right. I had hoped to put a clip from the episode on here, but could not find it, so here is a picture of my bunch of pink carnations instead. Next time you are having a down day, try buying yourself some fresh flowers...It works!

This bothers me...

I usually try to stay positive here, but I have to say this makes me angry. What are your thoughts?

Evening commute

I worked in Abilene today. It was a beautiful day- A bit windy, but not bad, just sunny and warm. I drove into Ballinger, got gas and the wind had kicked up a bit, but still not bad. This was the scene outside of Ballinger- the calm before the storm....

Another 5 or so miles and here is what it looked like once I was outside of Rowena. Just in case you can't tell, that is dust. I dodged tumbleweeds the rest of the way home and struggled at times to keep my car on the road. The forecast is calling for gusts up to 35mph tonight and the wind is howling. I really hate wind and if it is this bad in February, I can't imagine what it is going to be like in March. I guess that is what we get for living in West Texas, but I would not live anywhere else for the world!

Tidbits from the week...

Not a lot going on this week, so I thought I would just put together a list of tidbits from the week and our life right now...

-We've both been sick with stomach stuff the past 2 weeks...Not fun! Still not 100%.
-Sutton was on tv this past week talking about Food Checkout Day for Farm Bureau. Click here for an article that talks more about the meaning of Food Checkout Day and it mentions Sutton as well. I heard he did great, but did not get to see him since it was a live interview. Who knew I was living with a television star!:)
-Been reading a lot lately (a lot for me- since I am in the car so much I would much rather just listen to an audiobook). I finished It's All Too Much and finally finished the Shack. The Shack is as good as they say and I am planning to listen to it on cd because I think I missed a few things. I am now reading a little book with a huge message called His Princess: Love Letters from Your King. I told you He is really working in my life and this book is just another example. It was a gift from a friend at the perfect time. He definitely works through others and it continues to amaze me.
-I have been a bit of a homebody lately...Not sure why, but hoping this is just a season that will pass soon.
-Still loving Facebook and reconnecting with old friends.
-Excited to see this movie.
-I have been going through a major decluttering phase lately. Sutton hauled a whole pickup load of stuff to Goodwill yesterday. I just feel the need to clean out and throw away. I have just been holding on to too much stuff for too long- too much actual material clutter and too much mental clutter! I am really ready to let it go!
-Prayer requests for my friend Danah's new nephew who was born yesterday. He was not due until May but due to complications they had to take him early. He is so tiny and is only 1 pound, 2 ounces and 11.5 inches long. Please pray for the baby, his mom, Shirley, his dad, Ruston, his aunt, Danah, and the rest of the family.
-Also please continue to pray for the pickup driver who was hurt during my wreck in December. His name is Garrett and he and his family continue to need your prayers. I received an update yesterday that he is still not home, and he continues to have a long recovery ahead of him.
-Lots of sick people right now. The walkins and doctors offices I call on are swamped. My sister called yesterday and said her husband is sick and tested positive for flu. Praying that Ingrid and Georgia don't get it too and that Jacob gets better soon.
-Very proud of my nieces, Emily June and Laurel, and my nephew, John Thomas, for all placing well at the Fort Worth Stock Show and for them all making the sale with their steers. This is the toughest show of them all and they did great!
-Looking forward to a vacation this next week to Telluride, Colorado. We leave on Friday. I hope to have lots of pics and fun to report when we return.

Have a nice weekend!

25 Things...

I did this list for a few Facebook tags I received last week and thought I would post it here. I loved doing this list and actually learned a few things about myself in the process...I think it will make a very good scrapbook page one of these days. I would like to think my kids might enjoy these tidbits about their mom at age 31. Here it goes-
1. I still can't believe Sutton chose me. I never thought I deserved someone so good. God really went above and beyond when he answered my prayers for a husband.

2. I love black licorice.

3. I am chronically late...I blame this on my dad. Growing up we lived a mile from church and we were always late. I continue this tradition on today and it drives Sutton crazy.

4. I hate to drive...crazy since I drive about a thousand miles a week for work. I think the reason I hate to drive is that I am not very good at it. In 31 years, I have hit the side of my dad's barn, run into the back of a boat, run into the Sonic in Stamford, run into a cotton trailer, hit several deer, had several fender benders with other cars, and hit an 18 wheeler. One day I would love to have enough money that I could hire someone to drive me wherever I need to go...like Driving Miss Daisy.

5. I could eat pizza every single day.

6.One of my proudest accomplishments in life was winning homecoming queen my senior year. I honestly thought they miscounted the votes or read the results wrong.

7. I dream of going to Paris one day. My biggest goal at work is to be in the top 1% of my company so that I can win this trip. I have even started trying to learn French on CD so I can semi communicate when we get there...my own version of French with a very strong west Texas accent.

8. I cannot go to sleep unless all of the closet doors are closed. I can be about to drift off and I wake up and go into the bathroom and find that Sutton's closet door is ajar. I am just a little OCD...

9. I have always been a scrapbooker...I started my first scrapbook around first grade. I have always saved cards, letters, and other pieces of memorabilia. I think I learned this from my sweet Memaw who scrapbooked every year of her life. She passed away 10 years ago but I am so thankful she left this legacy behind.

10. I love thunderstorms.

11. I am a total contradiction...I love people but crave time alone. I love to travel but crave time at home. I really need balance in these two areas or it makes me kind of crazy.

12. I have a weakness for pretty paper and office supplies.

13. I love to entertain. I feel like I am fulfilling my purpose in life when I get to serve friends and family food that I prepared on pretty dishes. It is a dream of mine to have a little lunch place where people come for great food, great service, and a great atmosphere.

14. Sutton and I are looking forward to starting a family and we are putting our faith in God's plan fo us. I would be lying if I said that I don't struggle from time to time with wanting things in my own time, but I know He's in control.

15. I have an amazing voice when I am in my car alone and it is just me and the music. Unfortunately, no one else appreciates my talent....

16. I am a beer girl. I love sitting around a fire, on a tailgate, or anywhere as long as I am with good friends listening to great music and drinking cold beer. I wish I loved something classier like wine or mixed drinks (I have really tried), but beer just makes me happy. For my college buddies you will appreciate that I no longer drink Natty Light and now enjoy Michelob Ultra.

17. I love dishes! I have six full sets. I picked out my China before I picked out my husband...

18. I love the change of seasons and I decorate my house for each season. I also change my dishes and napkins with the season.

19. My sisters are my best friends. I did not appreciate them when I was growing up and now wish we had more time together. They are always my first call when life is going great and when things are not so great.

20. I have always wished I had red hair and freckles. Last year I finally colored my hair red and it was a huge mistake.

21. I love to make and eat soup.

22. I will always root for the underdog. I am sure this is why Rudy is one of my favorite movies and Ugly Betty is one of my favorite tv shows.

23. I started drinking coffee around first grade and never stopped. Mom tried to break me of the habit in junior high by telling me if I was that grown up I would have to drink it black. I have been drinking it black since then. It is one habit I don't think I can ever break.

24. I have a black thumb and I kill most everything I try to grow. This is unfortunate because I love plants and remember most of their names. I am also good at identifying manufacturers of scrapbook paper. These abilities are not highly marketable in the real world.

25. I love birthdays. This is the one day of the year that everyone should feel special. I love to make it a big deal for others and expect the same for myself.

Can you believe it?

It is hard to believe it is already February! Where did January go? It seems like it was just Christmas. On January 31st, we received three more holiday cards! It was so fun and unexpected to get them. Every year we keep the cards in a bowl on the counter in the kitchen for a month or two and try to pray for the families whenever we look through them again. Then I will crop them down and make a few pages for our Christmas album. I was going to do that on Saturday, but something made me wait, and I am so glad I did.

















Then, on Saturday night we were treated to our Christmas gift from our sweet neighbors. They showed up at our door singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" with homemade enchiladas, all of the fixings, and the movie, Fireproof. I think this is one of my favorite gifts we have ever received. The dinner was awesome and such a treat to have a date night at home, but the best part was the movie. Fireproof was really good and a must see for any couple. Have you seen it? If so, I would love to hear (or read) your thoughts about it. I think this movie has the potential to change marriages and to bring many people to the Lord. Kirk Cameron is the star of the movie. I used to have the biggest crush on him when I was in elementary school...He is just as cute as he was then and even better, he is now witnessing to many. In other news, I have been feeling the Lord really moving in my life lately, and I am hoping to share it here one of these days, but I am not quite ready yet. No, no baby news, but I am feeling a peace I have not felt in a very long time. I hope you had a happy Monday and that your February is off to a good start.