Surprise Food Truck Belated Birthday Fun

So this guy turned 30 back in April. Due to the craziness of schedules at our home and with friends, we had joked that a summer birthday was what we needed. Today we had the privilege to surprise and celebrate my main squeeze for some food truck fun at Klyde Warren Park. We want to thank our dear sweet friends for coming and celebrating this special afternoon in the park with us.

 

{Today was also baby girl's 8 month birthday. I may or may not have taken a few extra pictures. I cannot believe in 4 short months she'll be one. Where does the time go? I love this picture with daddy and baby.}

 

Here are a few pictures taken from this afternoon. We are so thankful for sweet summer moments, for surprises, for special visits, baby friends, delicious treats, and lots of birthday love.  Enjoy the picture post.

 

{Family Fun... oh how our lady loves balloons}

{Celebrating with the Ogles and baby girl Eva Mae}

{Our Brushwood bunch}

 

It was so special to see our Brushwood bunch. While they are here for only a short visit, it was so fun to catch up with them. We are truly blessed by friends that are like family.

 

To my birthday boy, I wish you an amazing 30 years. May your next 30 be just as blessed and filled with lots of adventure along the way.



Food Truck Fun and Dinner Date Night

 

With only a few weekends that stand between our little family of two and our new little lady on the way, the husband and I decided to check some things off of our "couples to do list" before baby. It  was also the weekend that followed my birthday which usually went hand in hand with a fun weekend of outdoor activities.

 

This weekend we found ourselves at Klyde Warren Park in Dallas for some Food Truck Fun. Ray and I both love everything that goes along with food trucks and cooking. I had heard such great things about this great park above the freeway with lots of food truck options. So we thought it was a beautiful (but hot) weekend to do so. With amazing parallel parking skills, Ray found primo parking and we quickly made our way to the rows of food trucks. We first did a tour of the park and all the family fun activities.

 



 An adorable playground 

After touring the park filled with families, delicious food, and outdoor fun, we made our way around the trucks and found several great options. This prego mama loved the homemade grilled cheese truck. And of course once I found out the offered cake balls, I was totally on board.

 

 

 

We also ordered food from the Vietnamese food truck called Nammi. It was a mint lemonade and a delicious sandwich of tofu with Vietnamese spices and topped with a vegetable slaw. I of course thought it was chicken, but after I was informed still thought it was super good. (I probably wouldn't have ordered it on my own, but love that my husband had me try it)

 

I will have to say our first food truck experience was a huge success. I made it over an hour in the heat and even have a bit of a sunburn to show for it. I was actually a bit sad when I knew it was time for us to call it an afternoon, but I cannot wait to go back when it's a bit cooler to try some of the other options. 

 

 

For dinner, we got all dressed up and enjoyed a date night out to Savory Bistro in Bartenville from a recommendation from a friend. It was so nice to have a fancy night out with this cutie.

 



 

I am truly so thankful for these moments, away from our work days and to do lists. I just want to enjoy these special moments with my best friend as I know our lives will change when we welcome our beautiful baby girl. 





Twenty-Nine!

Sending love to my husband in celebration of twenty-nine years of excitement and adventure. In the Zellner household, you don't just get one special day... we celebrate the whole weekend. Our time has been filled with fun surprises and many days of complete relaxation. On Friday, I left school at 3:00, picked up some necessary essentials including Monster, a few boxes of candy, and quickly set up the tv for a night of pjs and a movie marathon. Ray had received an entire DVD collection of Game of Thrones from a friend. I was not exactly sure with the premis but knew Ray was interested and being that it was his birthday weekend was excited to oblige. Sadly, we quickly found out that it was BluRay so our plans changed. We had also wanted to begin watching The Walking Dead and quickly became enamoured with that series. We definitely got sucked in. Saturday morning, we had an early wake up time as the dogs were set to go outside and eat by 7:30. After a quick trip out and a food run, we were back in bed until almost 10. It was so nice to sleep in. Then we spent the morning relaxing in bed, watching more of our new series, and ate breakfast. Saturday afternoon I got a hair cut as Ray finished up the yard. Then it was an afternoon of shopping. As one of Ray's presents, we were in the market for an ipad. I know that will be a fun little gadget to play with and play together. Saturday night, my school hosted its Spring Fling. We made a fun little stop before dinner. That night I had a fun outing planned. After dinner, we made our way to Cheesecake Amore in McKinney. It was an amazing little cafe and wine bar off of Stacy in the middle of a subdivision/shopping center. I was unsure what time we would be done and sadly didn't have reservations. (Next time I'll make sure to do so as it was super hopping.) But we ended up with a great place at the bar. It was fun to see the inner workings. Ray ordered a red wine flight and both a piece of dessert cheesecake. Each year I try to find a new way to work in cake (as cake is not one of Ray's most exciting things.) But boy does he love cheesecake. He orded English Toffee cheesecake and I a Carmel Pecan slice. I wish I could have eaten the whole thing. It was the best cheesecake I have had to date. I can't wait to go back and explore more food options. I would absolutely recommend as a fun little date night out.

 

Sunday morning, we joined our ABF at the Heights. Ray made a delicious Miga breakfast. The recipe included eggs, one mild and one spicy breakfast sassauge, cheese, peppers and onions, nacho cheese soup, and tostada chips. The meal was finished with some sour cream and salsa. I love his love for cooking. To my handsome husband and this adorable bow tie (with bicycle inspired shirt) I wish you a wonderful 29 years and all those to come. You are an amazing husband, best friend, and soon to be daddy. I am so thankful God blessed me with you!

As part of a birthday celebration/11 year dativersary, we will be going out of two for a couple's weekend. I am very excited for a weekend away. More pictures to come!

5 Course Meal

  

For months, the husband and our good friend, Dustin, have discussed putting together a double date dinner with a delicious 5 course meal for the four of us.

 

This Friday, Paige and I were spoiled with an assortment of Spanish inspired delicacies. 

Our menu included...

Goat Cheese and Roasted Beet Stack with Creme Fraiche

  
Soup

Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Corn Relish

Grilled Pineapple with Maple Syrup

Salad
Golden Beet and Jicama Salad with a Lime-Chili Vinaigrette

Pallet Cleanser
Raspberry Champagne

 Pasta
Chicken and Chorizo Paella

 Tequila Infused Watermelon with Cotija Cheese and Mint

 Entree

Beef or Chicken Carpaccio with a Red Pepper Foam on a bed of Polenta

Dessert
Sopapillas with a Shot of Flan

 What a fun and delicious night with friends. Here is the aftermath... but all worth it.

The pups were able to help with the clean up as well. Thank you to two amazing chefs who sure know how to spoil these ladies. We will gladly be your taste testers any day.

Top Chef Inspired Gift

Your challenge starts now.
Ray and I both enjoy watching Top Chef. This season, Ray raves about the blue chef's coat and how he would love to have a legit coat. I love my husband's passion for cooking. He is super creative and makes some very delicious dishes. For Christmas, I decided that I would purchase a coat and create a fun quick fire challenge for him.

Before Christmas, I had sadly ordered his gift a bit late. I know... wife fail. oops. It was not only out of stock the first time I tried to order, but then sadly went on backorder until the first of the year. I did not know this and was actually nervous that it had come as we were out of town and may even have been taken. After checking the tracking, it was right on schedule... and actually arrived a day early.

His coat arrived about 2:45 and I quickly sprung into action. While at work, I set up the station and a picnic basket filled with 10 various items. His challenge was to select 4 items and use those including other items from the kitchen to create a delicious dinner for two as well as dessert.

His choices included tortillas, pretzels, lemon, bread crumbs, chili powder, honey, nutella, peanut butter, and bowtie pasta.

 With time to spare and 7 items selected, my Top Chef made this delicious creation.

 honey fried chicken wrap with honey dijon and lettuce

Our meal was delicious and my Top Chef would not be packing his knives to go anytime soon. I was glad I could be his sous chef (sorry for the previous mispelling lol) as we enjoyed a great Top Chef inspired gift!