A Special Thanksgiving Visit!

This afternoon, Ray and I enjoyed a special Thanksgiving visit. Our super sweet friends, the Brushwoods, came in town from Arizona for the Thanksgiving holiday. Ray and I met Kaylan and James as well as the Fants for brunch at Cafe Brazil. It was not only an absolutely delicious brunch option but a great catch up time with sweet friends.

What a great and special Thanksgiving treat it was to visit with such sweet friends and a perfect end to our Thanksgiving break. Wishing you and yours a blessed holiday filled with family, friendship, and above all... God's love:)

A Crafty Cool Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving

from the Zellners!

This Thanksgiving season, the husband and I traveled south to Sugar Land to visit our families for the holiday. We enjoyed lunch dates, Hobby Lobby trips, Christmas crafts, wine nights, puppy play dates, Thanksgiving cooking, my first attempt at deviled eggs (YUM), an Aggie game, black Friday craziness ... and tons of family photo sessions. It was definitely an amazing holiday. We truly are blessed. Enjoy some pictures from our trip!

Hobby Lobby Fun: Celebrating the season!

Craft Night with My Zellner Ladies

My husband and my sweet sister-in-laws
Lunch Date with my Mama at Larry's Mexican Food!

Morning Mimosas: Happy Thanksgiving!

Deviled Eggs prior to adding paprika

The boys!

Stephen, Sally, Nana, and Will

Rachel and Tyler with Wally

Becky's Miracle Puppy, Falkor at 3 weeks

Life's Perfect Imperfections!

As many of us, we like flowery speech, positive outcomes, success, and absolute perfection. I too find myself focusing on the positive blessings that God has provided while frustrated in times when I feel no answer has been given. A few Sundays ago, words were spoken that truly did open my eyes and a new realization was made. Even in times that God may seem silent, He is forever present. As the author of our stories, we are simply one piece to a larger puzzle... It is through those imperfect times that we are defined. It is about making mistakes and the growth that takes place from it. It is about setting an example of His word... by being humble, honest, open, and perfectly imperfect:)

I too am guilty of sugar coating things. I find myself focusing merely on the blessings given but wish that when I pray for patience, I understand that God will provide circumstances that teach me patience... To be open... and to feel comfortable about it. So here is to putting an end to sugar coating life... to opening your arms to life's imperfections and being humble, honest, and open... understanding it is ok to be human:)

1. I am afraid to fail.
2. I work too many hours.
3. I am afraid to pray in front of others as I may mess up or lose my words.
4. As a first year teacher, I do not want to fail my kids.
5. It scares me to think I cannot do everything by myself.
6. I do not like to be alone at night.
7. I eat for comfort.
8. I am not perfect.
9. I wish I had more energy when I get home for my husband and family... cook, clean, etc.
10. I can definitely be selfish.
11. I wish for things others may have.

These are some definite truths in my life that I do not like to focus on but do make me human. I think in life it is important to understand that no one is perfect, no relationship, no family, no person...that it may be our confidence, self control, lack of effort, time, energy, money, commitment, etc... but it is what we do with this knowledge that makes us who we are. I know that while I'm imperfect... God is perfect and has such an amazing story for me.... for all of us. As I was telling a friend today, for those that say they do not believe or have given up on Him, He will not give up on us.

Friendship Feast 2011 and a 27th Birthday Celebration!

Each year for the past five years, our college friends have gotten together to share in an amazing Thanksgiving feast.



This year we continued our Thanksgiving tradition at our good friends, the Dukes. We dinned on foods including pumpkin dip, deviled eggs, pumpkin spread, fruit salad, vegetable salad, rolls, au gratin potatoes, sweet potato casserole, macaroni, turkey, and stuffing and three different types of desserts including a surprise cookie cake for Kristin's 27th birthday from her husband, Michael. It was definitely a special night of thankful celebration and friendship.


That afternoon, Ray and I spent several hours in preparation for our Thanksgiving dinner. For months Ray has been perfecting his limoncello and officially bottled it up for consumption. We also signed up to bring fruit salad, homemade rolls, and a dessert. We did end up having a few minor mix ups with the rolls, but all went well as the 5 second rule still counts right?!? ha! Or maybe just having a second batch was key.

Upon our arrival, we enjoyed pumpkin dip and deviled eggs from the Fants. It has become tradition to take a ladies deviled egg picture. Kaylan you are here in spirit and many were eaten in your honor:)




As our friends continued to make their way to the Dukes, we enjoyed great conversation and catch up and delicious pre dinner snacks. Once all guests had arrived, it was time to make a wish...

...and say a prayer for all the blessings that God had given us.

The food was absolutely amazing as it is each and every year!


While we have had 5 years to perfect these fabulous dishes, it is been one of my favorite meals to look forward to throughout the year.


After our meal, it was time for a surprise celebration! Happy 27 years to an amazing friend! To a lady I absolutely adore and are so blessed to have in our lives...
Happy Birthday Kristin!



"Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you!..."

As each and every year, we truly do have so much to be thankful for.... for amazing friendships, traditions, delicious food, memories made and those to come... I love our fabulous Friendship Feasts!

Deviled Egg Picture Tradition!

Our ladies deviled egg picture began in 2008 during our annual Thanksgiving dinner with friends. From this point on has continued for several years to come. Enjoy our picture tradition.

Thanksgiving: November 2009

Brushwood Bye Bye Bash: July 2009

Thanksgiving: November 2010

Thanksgiving: November 2011

Two Years!

To my best friend, partner, husband, and soul mate... I love you beyond words. Here is to two amazing years of love and adventure. All my love!

2 Year Anniversary Weekend

5 Hours, 4 glasses, 3 wineries, 2 amazing years of marriage, and one super cute German town= an amazing anniversary weekend to Fredricksburg.

Our weekend was filled with delicious homemade desserts, wine tastings, German eats, breakfast kolaches, secret gardens, clear river ice cream and soda shop, candy bar, Pacific War Museum, and a walk downtown. Here is to celebrating two years of daily adventure and to all those still to come!

Bariloche Farm: Homemade peach and raspberry cobbler and homemade ice cream

We bought pumpkin butter and caramel amaretto pecan spread

We tasted three of the ten local wineries on Wine Road 290. We enjoyed wines from Grape Creek Vineyard, Becker Vineyards, and Torre Di Pietra Winery.

Age improves with wine:)

For dinner we ate at Friedhelms Bavarian Inn, a local German restaurant and inn. The food was absolutely delicious. For many weeks, both Ray and I had been fighting a terrible cold, my sinus infection, and other throat ailments. After dinner we definitely had to make a stop to the local Walmart for some good cough medicine and ended up turning in early. This was not exactly how I had envisioned the weekend but definitely the way it ended.

The next morning we definitely felt a lot better and picked up kolaches and cream cheese croissants at Hill Country Donuts and Kolaches. We took our breakfast to a local park and enjoyed our breakfast in Pioneer Garden. The wind was a bit cool in the shade, a local cat definitely way eyeing my breakfast, and a few insect friends did make this trip a bit shorter than expected.

After breakfast we decided to take a walk around Fredericksburg and enjoy some local sights and of course taste some delicious treats. We enjoyed ice cream sodas from Clear River's ice cream shop and sampled fudge from Lone Star Candy Bar. We then journeyed to the Pacific War Museum and later made our way to Pasta Bella for lunch.

We were stuffed. The intention was to stop by the Auslander for a beverage but decided we were both tired, stuffed, and ready to return home to relax:) It was definitely a fun weekend to celebrate two amazing years together! I am so thankful for the moments we've shared. Happy two years to my love!