I just sat down to update the bloggy blog and I had to ask Curt what we did this weekend. He didn't answer, but it's coming back to me now.
Friday Lows:
See previous post. I had a deadline for a big work project on Friday and that was the central cause of my and Jackson's frustration with each other. PTL, it is d-o-n-e!
Friday Highs:
We met our friends Tony and Dana and their two-year-old grandson for dinner at Pappasito's. Tony and Dana were youth workers when Curt was on the youth staff at HFBC. They're a lot of fun and are very loving people. After a rough afternoon with Jackson, I was afraid that he would be awful at dinner. But he was great and he enjoyed getting to be around Matthew and his Mimsy and Pappaw. Um, has anyone ever tried the kids chicken tenders there? Holy cow, they are almost as good as the fajitas. The chicken is the same quality. Jackson will be getting those from now on. Yum!
Saturday Highs:
Fresh highlights with Becky at Visible Changes.
Lunch date with the Altics.
Went to Dana's antique store in the Heights.
Curtis let me take a nap.
Made a much needed trip to HEB and then cooked chicken with sherry sauce.
Saturday Lows:
Found out my parents' dog Sunny got really sick while they were out of town. I felt so bad for my mom since she was having to deal with it during her conference. Sunny's okay for now. Bless her sweet, old heart.
Sunday Highs:
Sunday school was awesome. Got to visit with Stephen and Star who were leading worship in the chapel, where our Sunday school class has been assigned to sit during the sanctuary renovations. Got to visit with the Weir/Tate clan. Learned all about the plagues God inflicted on the Egyptians. Pastor Gregg included some sound effects for us, like flies buzzing and boils popping. I am not even lying about that. Met fellow blogger Jen the Newlywed, who is super cute and sweet. Picked up some pants I had altered at Nordstrom. Got James Coney Island to go. Went to a dual confirmation/graduation party for our ministry director's beautiful daughters. Jackson really wanted to get into their cake and open their presents. We didn't get to stay long. Picked out some paint colors for our bedrooms, bathrooms, and my office. Played in the baby pool with Jackson.
Sunday Lows:
I spent an hour and a half baking a Texas sheet cake from scratch for the first time. It tasted like I had baked soil from my backyard and iced it with Beckham's poop. No lie. It might be better in the morning, but I'm not getting my hopes up. When my mom makes this cake it disappears within an hour. We have not touched this one since we carved out the initial two pieces. I know where I went wrong, but I don't want to admit it for fear of ridicule. I guess I will just say that due to the large volume of shoppers at HEB on Saturday, they were out of a certain necessary ingredient and I had to settle for the low fat version. (My mother just gasped and I will get a text from her any minute.)
Another Sunday High:
I am laying in my heavenly bed and I'm about to finish a really great book that I can't wait to tell you about. I didn't get my normal after church nap today, so I will sleep like a baby tonight. Can't wait. I hope your weekend was wonderful, even if you can't remember what you did. Have a great Monday, peeps.
I sure hope I remember what I did this weekend! ;) I graduated. Praise our sweet Jesus! Hopefully it will be a weekend to always remember!
ReplyDeleteSo fun you got to meet Jen! If I really thought about it, I could be a bit jealous that she has now gotten to meet all 3 of you! Oh, one day...hopefully Siesta Fiesta!
And as for the chicken fingers at Pappasitos...no, I have never gotten them, which is a bit unusaual for the mere fact that I am pretty much a chicken finger connoisseur. But then again, all I ever get there is fajitas...which I also happen to be a connisseur of also since those are the 2 things I ever get anywhere. Seriously, it's bad!
Have a great week, Amanda!
Lindsee
I'm so jealous that Jackson will behave at a restaurant! I always think "this will be the time that he's good" and then I'm sorely disappointed. We took Jak out with us last night, to a place that is far inferior to Pappasitos-the food was like something I could have warmed up in the microwave and the service was worse-and Jakson just wanted to jump off the table over and over. I'm seething with jealousy over your well behaved child and your meal. :)
ReplyDeleteAJ,
ReplyDeleteNice to see that someone else is up blogging after 11 PM ... As for your post. I still have those moments when I want to pull my hair out and my girls are 16 and 18... just for different reasons you know. Sometimes my hubby even gets to be the excuse for a wildly expressive moment where I might seriously need a private room. But, that is a book better left closed.
When you are feeling this way about the little man, go back and read your May 12th post. Seriously, it might undo you every time... but I'm just sayin'...
God bless you sweet sister. Great weekend all in all?
yard soil iced in dog poop? i swear i made that same cake just few weeks back...
ReplyDeleteHey, Amanda-- you had a mighty productive weekend. Don't worry about your cake. I have been there too. No ridicule here.
ReplyDeleteFrom your recent posts it sounds like Jackson has hit those twos, I know because I have a little boy who just turned three and I am pretty sure that he is why a little gray hair popped up on my head the other day. However, cherish and store up those sweet moments he has so you can remember them when he is testing you.
Love,
Steph
I made Texas sheet cake the night before Easter and left out the baking soda. It was like a weird huge piece of fudge. My 11 y/o (always hungry) son ate most of it because the rest of us didn't like it. All that work...
ReplyDeleteIt somehow warms my heart to know that you had a cooking disaster.
ReplyDeleteNot that I've ever had one.
Noooooooo, m'am. Not me.
What are you reading?
ReplyDeleteAnd how in the world did you get all that stuff done?????
Lovingly,
Yolanda
I can't even imagine what you tried to substitute in the cake to make it taste like soil and poo...I might just have to find the recipe (I'm pretty sure I've seen it somewhere) and try to figure it out. You did an awful lot of stuff this weekend to not remember what you did!! I think that's one of the pitfalls of having an active (what is his age called? preschooler? toddler? 2 year old? active child?)!!
ReplyDeleteMy baby turned 13 yesterday. Her friends had a surprise party for her. It sounded really nice, and I wish I had been invited (and so does my 15 year old). The same friend who said she was going to be diet pills in my daughter's drink without her knowledge is the one who threw the party. Girls are strange...
I am happy for you that your big project is done!
ReplyDeleteGoing out to eat is always fun and I decided on Panera's Friday because it was a tad cool and I was craving some broccoli cheddar soup. We grilled out the rest of the weekend.
Since my brother works in Houston he has told me about Pappasito's and I am jealous. :o)
You have reminded me I need to get my hair colored and I need some fresh highlights. I have been recovering from a bad haircut and I haven't wanted to step into a salon lately. Praise God my hair grows fast.
I am sorry to hear about Sunny. I hope she is feeling better! We had an awesome church service Sunday. We are breaking ground for our 4th sanctuary and another children's wing and nursery. God is Good!
I have a feeling I know what ingredient you are talking about with the cake, is it buttermilk? I made that recipe after you shared it and oh my word, it is good!! I may need to make it....this week! It's even good to eat for breakfast.
Have a great Monday. :o)
Can't wait to hear about the book.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading a really old book this week and it just said that either we are more interested in what others can do for us, OR we are more concerned with what we have to give to them. Hey, I think you gave a low-fat love cake!
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear about the book - I'm ready for something new to read myself. I'm amazed at how much you did this weekend, especially after a challenging Friday afternoon! Glad to hear there were many highs along with the lows. Hope you slept well!
It was a wonderful weekend here in the convent. Perfect spring weather, an evening campfire, visit from a godly friend who will be ordained soon, walks and talks with my sisters here.... all around lovely - God is so good.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Peace,
Sister Lynn
You had me at "Pappasito's". I've only been to Houston three times in my life and I will never forget the first time I ate there. When I returned home to ATL I tried and tried and tried to find Tex-Mex that good. Thankfully, a few years ago, Pappa's made it to the ATL! But, I will admit, it's still not the same as Houston. I was back in Houston in the fall to visit your mom's Bible Study and, although we were only there for 24 hours, we managed to eat there twice. I'll be back in July for a wedding and can't wait to get my fill of the best Tex-Mex on the planet! (And to see my cousin marry a great guy, of course.) :-)
ReplyDeleteMy weekend WAS wonderful - due in large part to your mom. :) I am so sorry Sunny got sick. Boy, those dogs have really caused her concern lately huh? I hope they can hang in there.... and Amanda? You always post about these great places to eat in Texas that we do NOT have in Idaho! I am just yearning to try some of them!
ReplyDeleteMy weekend was a blur. Corey left for a business trip Friday afternoon. Past that, I remember nothing.
ReplyDeleteBut he was able to get an earlier flight yesterday, so we were able to enjoy most of our Sunday with him. And we got to grill last night! Barbecue chicken, fresh corn on the cob, twice baked potatoes.
We just needed some Texas sheet cake to round it out.
Maybe.
Had NO idea about the chicken strips at Pappasitos! That is so great to know.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about Sunny! That makes me sad.
I need to know what book you are finishing up. I know it will be one I'll want to read. I still have your Christ the Lord Out of Egypt. I need to mail it to you.
Kids seem to think that when Mom REALLY needs to get something done that it's time to try REALLY hard to sidetrack Mom...
ReplyDeleteThe food sounds really good, I'm starving now!
Ok, I'm not making fun but that must be some SERIOUSLY bad cake! You'll have to let us know which ingredient to not substitute!
Have a great Monday too!
I love the idea of dividing up the weekend into highs and lows.
ReplyDeleteMine was pretty much high, low, high, low, high, low, low, low, low, high, low, high, low, low, low... Ugh.
Sorry about your cake!!
My kids love to help in the kitchen and that means that I always make some sort of ingredient error.
ReplyDeleteGobs of vanilla ice cream on even a soil tasting cake makes everything better!
I loved your weekend recap - love all the great details.
ReplyDeleteOh - I would love some texas sheet cake right now. But yes - never use fat free in anything good! :-)
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI hope Sunny is doing better? My dog is old too 15 years. So...he can't jump on my bed like he use to and when he walks up the stairs to my apartment after we walk he swags up. I know part of his spine has arthritis. I'm sure he is in pain. oh well...
=)
Allison
I just bypass the "from scratch" altogether and get the Betty Crocker SuperMoist boxed cakes. (Your mom will probably gasp that I suggested that!) They're delicious and everyone raves how yummy they are! And as for sitting quietly while everyone enjoys the meal? That was just a joke right? We were visiting some friends this weekend for their daughter's graduation recognition at their church. During one of the prayers my 4 yr old son said, "Mommy, is it done yet? Mommy, you said just five more minutes!!!" (And I should have written all of that in bold because that's the decibel level he spoke in!) You're doing a great job and it's awesome you have encouraging friends and family around to tell you so!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Amy in OK
P.S. In case you're looking for something to do this week, now that you're Big Project is done, I've tagged you over at my place. But no pressure. My blog is based on grace.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to meet you :)
ReplyDeleteAnd the popping boils sound made my week. Perhaps my month. I was totally snickering!
Have a great week!
Life is a trampoline. Too bad it doesn't take my weight off!
ReplyDeleteSunday afternoon naps are what get me through the week. Ahhhhhhhh!
ReplyDeletePlease post the recipe for Texas Sheetcake. I'm your neighbor in Louisiana and I've never had it! Would LOVE to try it! Thanks.
ReplyDeletePlease post the recipe for Texas Sheetcake. I'm your neighbor in Louisiana and I've never had it! Would LOVE to try it! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWow. The only reason why I remember my weekend is because it was my daughters 1st birthday. Otherwise I wouldn't remember it.
ReplyDeleteGot a little smile about your Texas Sheet Cake disaster :) I have plenty of cooking/baking mishaps to share if you ever want to hear them :)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear about your book... I love a good book :)
Poor Sunny! Poor Beth! I'm glad she's ok (Sunny) for now.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of really good books. Have you read "The Shack" by William P. Young? If not, it is a MUST READ. Have an awesomely blessed week kiddo!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love your style. I haven't commented in a very long time, but let me just say EVERY time I read your blog I am refreshed just at your funny wit. Love it. I, too am a very quick-witted person and I tend to write funny, too sometimes, but you do it all the time and I just love reading your words. You are gifted with writing and allowing us to "hear" you speak about daily life. Keep it coming!!! ; )
ReplyDeleteI made a chocolate sheet cake a couple weeks ago and it was NAS-TAY.
ReplyDeleteBut the VANILLA sheet cake recipe I have is incredible. I just posted it recently. If you want it, it is under a "recipes" tag on my sidebar.
Glad your "highs" outweighed your "lows" for the weekend!
ReplyDeleteI just brought home my baby boy on Saturday (he was born on Tuesday)!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so sorry about your sheet cake. That depresses me and I didn't even make it. Altough I am the queen of leaving ingredients out. I always seem to forget the eggs which are very important. We will have to try the chicken fingers at Pappasitos (maybe this weekend).
ReplyDeleteI can seldom remember what I did today, much less over the weekend. It's all just a blur. Usually, my husband doesn't remember either, and we have to ask the kids. I don't know what we'll do when they all grow up. LOL
ReplyDeleteJames Coney Island...still haven't been there. Must go soon.
ReplyDeleteJealous of your pappasito's. Missed Mexican food while in NYC.
So glad you're done with your deadline!
Speaking of books, a while back on one of your blogs you mentioned one called The Prisoner In The Third Cell. I bought it based on your rec. and it was wonderful. I very much needed to hear the questions asked at the end of the book. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHey! I saw a comment one time where someone said something about your blog and I wondered where one might find your blog and then I just happened to stumble upon someone else's blog who mentioned "Amanda's blog" and I could click on it! I know, terribly run on...but I found you! Which is really awesome because I swear we don't get to hear enough about what's going on with you and Curt and Jackson on the regular LPM blog (now I know why, you're busy with this blog too!)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, boy I'm rambling, I'm so glad to find you...except that I feel like maybe this is like a personal blog where I'm trying to join in on your little group and your all going to be like, WHO? Either way, I'm just glad to have a link to check in on you from time to time when I haven't heard from you on the LPM blog in a while.
I'm so very sad to hear about the Chapmans. What an awful tragedy. As a mother, I can not even begin to imagine the pain...the pain of losing one and watching another hurt and grieve and wish things had been different. Brings me to tears. Brings me to Jesus...what a Savior!
With a hope laid up in heaven,
Lisa
Miss you, friend. You are greatly loved!!
ReplyDeleteholly
Hey Amanda! Just wanted you to know that you inspired me to not only make the sopapilla cheesecake but also to take it to a neighbor. My neighbor was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident exactly a year ago so I brought it to him today and it was such a sweet ministry opportunity with him and his sister. Please pray that Tim will walk again to the glory of God! And thanks for the inspiration! :) The cake was definitely not low fat but it is oh so yummy! :) Hope yall are enjoying your weekend!
ReplyDeleteI love hearing how life is going there for ya'll! We sure do miss ya'll, but are praising the Lord for your new home and exciting journey. Thank you for your sweet words about my mom. It is quite humbling - this life we lead. Praise the Lord, He is in control.
ReplyDelete