A day for us Houstonians {and Texans}

 

Yeehaw! Today is Go Texan Day here in the greatest state - and city - in the country!

{I'm a little biased}

 

For all you foreigners {everyone who isn't from the Lonestar state}, Go Texan Day comes once a year and kicks off the biggest livestock show and rodeo in the WORLD!

 

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo - also known as the greatest show on earth

Well, that might be the circus' slogan --- but the HLSR is better in my opinion!

 

 

{In Houston, that "h" is known as the Bowlegged H - he's country folk}

 

 

Today, the city of Houston and surrounding areas, celebrate the rodeo spirit by wearing our finest western wear complete with bling and boots!

 

 

A little history lesson for y'all:

In 1937, plans began for the first Rodeo Parade and the first Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for 1938. With a couple marching bands, some city and state officials and local police on horseback, Houston kicked off a tradition that stand the test of time.

 

65 years later, Houston will kick off the Rodeo Parade with approximately 115 different groups joining in the festivities, 15 trail rides, 20 floats, 15 commercial wagons and stagecoaches, and 10 to 15 university and high-school marching bands in addition to Show officials, other elected officials and dignitaries on horseback and in vehicles.

Now the actual, livestock show and rodeo events do not begin until Monday, but this weekend hoards of drunks will gather until white tents to dance, drink and cowboy up at the BBQ Cookoff.

Come Monday, though it's all business and the richest regular season rodeo in the country begins. With over 24,000 volunteers, the HLSR draws crowds upwards of 65,000 people every day to see the best cowboys in the business, along with many other things. {The superstar music acts help too!}

Recognize any of these folks!?

 

 

 

 

 Just to name a few...

 

Needless to say I am so excited to begin my yearly rodeo experience --- and it's an excuse to wear cowboy boots to work!

 

I don't think I could choose a favorite part, because I just love it so much and having grown up going every year, it's just in my blood I guess :)

 

Have y'all ever been to the HLSR? What is your favorite part!

- Lindsey Nicole

I'm the kinda girl who...

* eats dessert first

* secretly thinks there is a small person living inside her dog who understand the ridiculous topics of conversation she tries to have with him

* refuses to leave her hair the same color for more than 2.5 seconds

* thinks dogs are far superior to humans in a lot of ways

* loves a good font

* has loved her husband since she was 16 years old

* loves getting snail mail {real mail. not bills}

* is a movie quoter at heart

* believes the reason women love bags and shoes so much is because no matter how fat you feel those two things always look fantastic

* speaking of shoes, believes that a good pair of stilettos can cure the worst of the blues

* someday wants a wood paneled library with a moving ladder and overstuffed chairs Beauty and The Beast style

* has a soft spot for cake, salt and vinegar chips, sushi, diet coke and cereal

*loves her family, her friends, her job, her life - oh and her blog friends!

What kind of girl are you?

- Lindsey Nicole

To eat or not to eat...

Here is some food for thought: 

Where do you draw the line between only eating celery and ice or gorging yourself on 

pork rinds and cheetos? 

There has to be a middle ground! 

I just want to be healthy and still enjoy my life. I like to cook. I like to restaurants. I like to eat. 

Period. 

I don't like fad diets. I don't like frozen "healthy" meals. I don't like injections or drops. 

Some of that stuff may work for others, but I know me and I know it won't work for me personally. I have to find a way to make healthy choices the majority of the time, but still be able to have the things I love. {And I love french fries and cake and bread and diet coke} 

A pretty lady we all know once told me 80/20 - and the more I thought about it, the more I like it.

80% of the time eat clean. Make good choices. 

20% of the time be bad. Eat cake.

Again, this is what I think will work best for me. Realistically,  I know that my will power is pretty much non-existant. I have to have 20%.

Time to face the music. Admit that I won't ever be 105 pounds. Take my 80/20 and run with it. 

Two days in and I already feel better and am proud of myself. 

To tomorrow!

That time I stalked Clyde Drexler

Anyone who doesn't live under a rock has probably seen all the hoopla about the NBA All Star Games that went on this past weekend in my outstanding hometown of Houston, TX.

{Or you have at least heard about the celeb stalking sitings everyone has been tweeting the crap out of} 

Well, sadly, I couldn't partake in stalking Scott Disick over the weekend, but I did get a chance to go to the Jam Session on Thursday, which was a night jam packed with games, contests, celeb autograph signings, memorabilia from the legends and more! 

I have to admit that while standing at the entrance a rather tall, dark gentleman walked in and I knew he looked familiar, but I couldn't put a name to the face....recognize him?

Look how cute he is! And he was so nice! 

See Sergeant No Fun up there? 

She was all like "Clyde we don't have time" - and we were all like "Clyde just a quick picture please" - and she was all like "Absolutely not Clyde, we have to go" - and he was all like "Stop, it's one picture"

"CHEESE"

Take that you boring, no fun, volunteer lady

Personally, I think he is waaaaay cooler than Scott Disick Kardashian right?!

 - Lindsey Nicole

A date with pie - Valentine's Day recap!

Happy post-Valentine’s Day!

Hopefully everyone had a good night --- whether you spent it with a loved one or with your cat

*I really think it’s a useless holiday that annoys single people and attached alike, because let’s face it --- most men don’t “do” Valentine’s Day well. I.E. – the story of the $400 teddy bear gift I heard on the radio this morning….fail

 Anyways --- the husband and I usually just cook something yummy together (well this is the first year he did more than just eat while I cooked --- 2pts for him!)

This year’s menu was crawfish enchiladas {my fav} and a new dessert, thanks to Ms.PW herself via Ms. Darby over at Life with the Hawley’s!

 

{best enchiladas out there --- hands down --- seriously click here and make them}

 But let’s get back to this pie

 

Critics say “It will change your life”

{and by critics, I mean Darby}

 

Here we go

 

Crust:

25 oreos

4 tbsp melted butter

  

Filling:

1 cup of peanut butter

1 box of cream cheese

1 tub {that’s the technical term} of cool whip

1 ¼ cup of powdered sugar

 

Crush the oreos in a food processor {I used a blender because, I am, apparently the only person in ‘Merica that doesn’t own a food processor}

Drizzle the melted butter over the very fine cookie crumbs. Press into the bottom and up the sides of a pie plate. {I used the bottom of a measuring cup}

 

 

Bake at 350 degrees for 5-7 minutes to set the crust

 

While the crust cools, whip the peanut butter and the cream cheese in your mixer until combined. Add the powdered sugar and mix until combined. {sorry no pic of this part}

 

 *PW cracks me up because at this part she says “You can sift it if you want…but why? I hate sifting powdered sugar—I’m just gonna say it.” I agree PW, I agree!

 

Next dump the whole tub of cool whip in and mix on high until fluffy. Scrap sides and mix again. {It’s a heavy consistency --- not as light as whipped cream, but not as heavy as cream cheese --- understand?}

 

If your pie crust is cool, plop your filling into your pie plate and smooth to your preferred texture {mine is somewhere between OCD smooth and forget it, my hand hurts smooth}

 

Next, draw a cute little heart with your finger, because boys care so much about details, and refrigerate for at least an hour.  

 

Seriously --- having the whole pie for two people was a-ok with me after my first bite!

Diet starts Monday - I SWEAR!

 

- Lindsey Nicole

Happy Valentine's Day - HP Style

I love my husband. I love flowers. I love chocolate, etc. etc.

 

But....there is enough mushy gushy going around for everyone for the next year - so I thought I would share some of my fav Valentine's cards with y'all

 

Harry Potter style of course! {Not to be confused with Gangham Style}

 

… Meanwhile Chris Brown sends a special Valentine to Rihanna

Too far? My bad --- I laughed

 

Happy Valentine's Day to all the Muggles, Wizards and CB lovers/haters

- Lindsey Nicole

Simple healthy vinaigrette dressing recipe

While I was traipsing around the Big Apple, someone made a homemade balsamic that was to die for, so I decided to try it for myself and it turned out pretty yummy.

I found a basic recipe with ingredients I had in my kitchen already:

For my yeastfreers - you can replace the balsamic with apple cider vinegar, the dijon mustard with mustard powder and the sugar with stevia

3/4 cup olive oil

1/4 vinegar

1 tablespoon garlic

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

About 1 tablespoon of sugar {depends on how sweet you like yours}

 

But this is secret ingredient...I felt this recipe needed something extra so I added about a tablespoon {you can start with less and add to taste}

The pre-shake look

 I'm all shook up

 

Play around with different spices --- in this batch I added a little ginger, dill and thyme

GET CREATIVE!

 

And that's it --- super simple and super yummy on just about anything! 

Oh and I guess it's healthy too ;)

- Lindsey Nicole

I promise this is all the pictures...from this trip anyways

If this show comes to your city - GO SEE IT!! Incredible!

We went to this amazing little spanish restaurant with more wonderful food than we knew what to do with! {further contributing to the snow pig effect}

Exhibit A: Seafood Paella...mmm

 Here's our crew!

And the happy couple again!

The infamous Blue Note Jazz Club in Greenwich Village

Now I check seeing the only two of these in the world off my list!

This {Freedom Tower} sure was a site to see --- I couldn't believe how fast it is going up

 A time table of events of September 11th

 This beautiful church is barely a few blocks from the where the WTC buildings stood and was COMPLETELY undamaged during the attacks. It became a shelter and safe haven for rescue workers and many others...tears were definitely shed here

Reflection pools where the towers once stood

The Freedom Tower lit up at night

 {I secretly was hoping to encounter a 7ft curly headed man dressed in yellow tights and a green leotard in this building looking for his dad to give him some lingerie}

 Sadly, this was the closest I got to Lady Liberty :(

 Somehow the pics of me doing this disappeared...weird

 I am so sad these pics didn't come out well --- damn you iPhone

This food was hands down the best italian food I have EVER had. EVER. Osteria Romana is truly a piece of Rome smack dab in the middle of Westport, Connecticut. Fresh handmade ingredients and creative cooking techniques make this place top notch!!! 

Please, please, please if you are ever in Westport, stop in and see the Italian hotties taste the amazing food this place offers!

 HANDMADE NOODLES AND SAUCES FOLKS!

No words --- best desserts AND dessert wines I have ever had!

All in all it was an amazing trip with amazing people and I can't wait to visit them damn Yankees again!

- Lindsey Nicole