weekend catch up

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Things have been crazy town in the Stringer household these days... so I am finally catching up.  I realize that all my pics will be little gems found on the internets but until I find my camera charger, this will have to do!

Two weekends ago, we had some WM friends over for dinner and indulged in "fancy grilled cheese" sandwiches.  Loved it.  My fave: pepperjack, bacon, avocado.  The mister's fave: cheddar, bacon, jalapenos.  AND, have you seen America's Next Great Restaurant?  I'm kind of rooting for Meltworks - sure would love a restaurant solely dedicated to innovative grilled cheese sandwiches!

Mr. Stringer had a free hotel stay we had to use by the end of the month, so we stayed in the Big D last weekend for a night.  We had margs at Cyclone Anaya's (one was enough!), had pork chops at Smoke (amazing), enjoyed some latin croissant's at Zaguan for breakfast, and hit up the C&B outlet (was a bit disappointed).  On Saturday, I met up with my bff Steph and her sweet college friends for a fabulous lunch at Nieman's (chicken salad was legit).  We finally did some much-needed yardwork before a night of tivo catch-up and italian at Palio's (love this place since it's byob).

We finally bought some new furniture!  We are picking up these gorgeous shelves on Wednesday and I cannot wait to put them together!  Maybe I will finally find my camera charger and post an 'after' pic next week.  Here is my vision!  Can't wait for Mr. Stringer to take me shopping at Central Market for some vino!

In other news, my friend Melanie is home from Japan - I got to see her this weekend!  What a blessing.  Also, my bracket is shot.  I'm betting yours is too.  Oh well - there is always next year.  I also bought two new albums recently.  I big time reccomend both of these treasures (21 and Closer).


*I love the intro pic - we had national training a few weeks ago and I took a course on writing.  We happened to cover the power of a comma in our training... and this is a perfect example!  Poor grandpa!

whatever wednesday: march madness

So, I'm not a big sports fan... and definitely not a true basketball fan.  BUT, I do enjoy making a bracket every year just for fun.  Granted, I generally don't pick the winner {my theory is picking teams based on their name... I'm guaranteed to root for Gonzaga every year}, but it's a great excuse to get together with friends and hangout.  This year, I'm going with Duke... but you just never know. 

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Who are you rooting for this year?

monday musings: i heart the bachelor

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Did you kids happen to catch The Bachelor tonight?  Not quite what I was expecting... I mean, I was expecting him to pick Emily, but did not expect the awkwardness of the ATFR show.  Little Miss Emily sure didn't seem as perfect after the final rose... but I still have my hopes they might make it.  I'm too pooped to stay up late and watch the big Jimmy Kimmel reveal of our new Bachelorette, but rumor has it the coveted title will be filled by Ashley H.  Not sure how I feel about that, but I'm sure I will watch.  What are your thoughts on tonight's Bachelor?

Shifting gears...Japan update!  Continue to pray for my friends.  Pray that fears are calmed and rest can finally be found between all of the aftershocks.  Melanie was originally scheduled to come home at the end of the month... but maybe sooner if possible.  Please keep the people of Japan in your thoughts.  The images on CNN continue to amaze me and I can hardly imagine what is going through the minds of Japan's people.  We are all reminded that homes have been destroyed, possessions have been lost, and families have been devastated.  Even though we are oceans apart, we can all relate with the emotions of the human heart.  My heart aches for all who have been affected, but I'm hopeful for relief and restoration.  Stay tuned!   

so richly blessed: thank you facebook

It seems a bit too selfish to post about my weekend when our world has been shaken.  Thanks for keeping Melanie in your thoughts and prayers.  She is such a special friend to me {I've known her most of my life and we were college roommates} and I just love her family.  She's been in Japan with another sweet friend from ACU, Ally, for over a year teaching English in Sendai.  It's moments like these past few weeks {with the NZ quakes and Japan events} that I am truly grateful for technology and the ability to stay connected.  I know it sounds crazy, but sometimes facebook itself is a blessing.  We have been able to keep up with posts and emails from Mel or her family and find peace knowing our friends are safe in the midst of tragedy.  While my heart aches for those who have lost family and friends, I pray that they have not lost hope.  I know that my friends are there in Japan to bless those around them and be a source of courage during the unknown.  Currently, they are safe at the air force base and hopefully finally resting after the countless aftershocks following the earthquake.  Please continue to keep Melanie, Ally, their families, and the people of Japan in your thoughts and prayers.  

{mel squared circa 2007}

The events in NZ & Japan these past few weeks have brought out my frustrations in American media.  Maybe it's because these events are personal.  Maybe it's because I have some vested interest in them.  Maybe it's because I know someone who has been personally affected.  Either way, it makes all of this hullabaloo of Charlie Sheen and the NFL lockout seem straight up ridiculous.  Either way, it makes me think about what I do with my time and reminds me to be more thankful for the family and friends I am blessed to have in my life {to be continued in another post}.  Thanks for hearing me out!        

friday fun: march 11

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What can I say... besides TGIF?!  So ready for the weekend and being able to put one more week behind me.  

1) Tonight is a chill night w/ friends and the mister.  Just what I need.

2) We are attending my niece's 3rd birthday party tomorrow.  Looking forward to catching up with family!

3) If the weather is good, we will be hitting up Fireside Pies patio w/ my bff Steph.  There's nothing quite like a big pitcher of prickly pear margaritas, great pizza, and good company. 

4) I'm dreading the time change {although I am grateful for an extra hour of sunlight, I do despise losing an hour of precious slee}.

5) Can you believe all of the crazy events happening around the world right now?  Please keep my dear friend Melanie in your thoughts and prayers.  She is teaching English in Sendai, Japan and experienced the big earthquakes.  There was one on Wednesday she blogged about here but that was before the biggest quake and tsunami yesterday {this AM - US time}.  I'll keep you posted as I hear more...but keep her and her family in your thoughts!

monday musings: i heart weekends

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Ahh, this weekend was fabulous.  I love weekends with the mister.  He finally had one weekend free from work and we ventured out of town for a short get-away on Friday night.  We hit up FW and dined at Brownstone {i heart Top Chef Casey}.  The food was so good, Mr. Stringer said it just might be his second favorite meal EVER {after MESA}.  We indulged in grandmother's bisquit pan, pork shoulder, chicken stuffed chicken w/ pepperjack cheese grits, and the most amazing polenta {bacon-cheddar-chive}.  We highly recommend hitting up this restaurant if you can!

On Saturday, we ventured to the Kimbell Art Museum and the Amon Carter Museum.  Both were decent museums {considering they were free} but I wouldn't make a special trip to visit.  Following our cultural experiences, we finally checked out the big hype known as Joe T. Garcia's.  It was a little chilly and windy, so we missed out on the awesome patio, but overall the food was decent and the margaritas hit the spot.  

The rest of the weekend was pretty quiet with pizza and a movie {Invictus} followed by countless episodes on Netflix streaming of my newest additiction {Greek}.    

I hope you kids had a fabulous weekend....counting down the days until the next Friday!   

friday fun: march 4

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Happy Friday friends!

1) I took yesterday and today off from work to just catch a breath.  It's been much needed and simply fantastic to lounge around the house and run errands.

2) During my day off yesterday I finally chopped my hair... and fell in love with Moroccan Oil.  This stuff is amazing - makes your hair super soft and smells great.

3) Mr. Stringer and I are venturing to Ft. Worth tonight for a short get-away.  I'm stoked about getting in some good patio/margarita time!

4) Bought my tix for Brooke Fraser - she's coming back to the Big D in June and I am so excited! 

5) It's Mardi Gras weekend... and I wish the fam could have headed down to NOLA this year.  Thankfully, I have the craziest cousin in the world who keeps us posted on the festivities!  HAPPY MG weekend, friends!

tuesday tunes: top 3 for march 1

Can't believe it's already March!  So ready for spring - and these songs just make me want to dance!

1) Somebody to Love {the Biebs}: I'm not afraid to admit his songs are catchy.  I also love me some Usher.
2) Dog Days are Over {Florence and the Machine}: Love. This. Song.
3) Rolling in the Deep {Adele}: This song alone makes me want to see the new movie 'I Am Number Four'.  I keep seeing the trailer and this song plays in the background... love it!  Also want to see the movie because I heart Dianna Agron.  She's just gorgeous.  And she has a pretty awesome blog.