Zellner Country Cafe: January 2013

Our Zellner Cafe went a little country this month. This afternoon we gathered some of our favorite couples and kiddos for some good old country cooking.Our menu had some of our homemade favorites including roasted chicken breast, macaroni and cheese, green beans (canned but did add minced garlic and bacon... everything's better with bacon right), corn bread muffins, and my family's recipe for peach crisp.

And the company wasn't too bad either:) Our Duke and Fant friends joined us this afternoon. I will say that I sure do love their little boys. From backwards clothing, trucks, sharing lollypops, stairwells, and this game chair... Jacob and Brson had a blast.

 

Lunch was served around noon. The food was delicious. After saying grace, we enjoyed some fun catch up time with friends. Plus, the boys gave us some good entertainment.

 Michael, Bryson, Kristin, (and Emily and Madelynn)

 Adam, Stephanie, and Jacob

 Zellner Cafe hosts

Our January Zellner Country Cafe was a good time to catch up with good friends, to watch the kiddos grow, to eat, and relax. I will say it is also the one time a month that we deep clean our house. It is also one of my favorite traditions that I am truly grateful for. I cannot believe that we have spent 6 years in Dallas and am so thankful to have good friends that we call family. It is a place that I truly love calling home!

Gabby Malcuit Photography

Over the Christmas break, my Zellner family had family photographs taken with a friend from high school. Gabby has her own photography business and does a fantastic job. That afternoon was misty, gray, and on the verge of raining; however due to limited time and being only days before Christmas, our pictures were set rain or shine. I love this proof that she sent. It turned out beautiful! I can't wait for the rest to come! More family photos to come:)

First Weekend of 2013

Saturday

... woke at 8AM
... met up with a friend at Starbucks
... enjoyed a grande caramel apple spice
... got a hair cut at Rene Salon in McKinney
... first hair cut in over 5 months... no I did not get it colored as it does appear to look dark brown and red.
... traveled to Richardson for an oil change
... hung out at Collin Creek Mall with Ray
... enjoyed a dollar movie date (yes another one;) in Plano
... watched End of Watch and wanted to cry like a baby
... made waffles for dinner


Sunday home
Facebook status update: Ready for a great church service, an errand or two, a little cleaning, and a lazy Sunday before my return to school tomorrow. Happy Sunday!

...  picked up kolaches and donuts for our ABF breakfast
... enjoyed a fabulous service at the Heights
... picked up groceries for next week (this will be our attempt at meal planning)
... cleaned the kitchen
... ate pulled pork BBQ taco leftovers (YUM!)
... enjoyed a little pinterest searching
... updated the blog while the husband is training. Yes I am sitting/lounging in bed writing while he is working out. Love this:) His marathon takes place at the end of February in Fort Worth. This year will complete his final portion of his star for Cowtown! I am a proud wifey:)
... will enjoy a skype date with the mama at our usual time
... and will probably go to bed early to prepare for the morning

... tomorrow I have my doctor's appointment and test scheduled. This will determine if I have a polyp or obstruction as previously determined. If I am clear and none are found then Ray and I will be able to move forward. We are so excited about our next step as it moves us closer and closer to expanding our little family :)


Anyway... I hope you have enjoyed a wonderful weekend. To my teacher friends, I wish you a great Christmas/New Years break. May you have an easy return to school tomorrow and may your days ahead be filled with lots of excitement, adventure, and some relaxing time in between. :)

Two Thumbs Up for the Cottonbowl at Kelly's!

Friday night, we met up with the Goodings to watch Texas A&M take on OU in the Cottonbowl at Kelly's. The restaurant is an Aggie owned and operated Bar and Grill at the shops at Fairview in Allen. The food was absolutely delicious and it was a great night to join with our fellow Aggies and cheer on our team!

(Denise and Chase)
 

(Denise and I)

During halftime with a small Aggie lead of 14-13, we made our way back to the Zellner casa to finish the game. It was definitely a great viewing party, amazing game, and a fabulous win with a final Aggie score of 41-13. I give our night with our fellow Ags a very happy two thumbs up. Thanks and Gig 'em!

Nontraditional Goals 2013!

Each year, I am great at putting together goals that I would like to accomplish. I at least try my best. This year, I came up with some nontraditional goals that I would like to set for myself.

... Be surprised at least once a day
... Schedule a friend date every other week
... Send a card once a month
... Contact all members of our family at least once a week
... Eat fruit and veggetables each day
... Do not drink caffeinated drinks
... Set up a night out with the husband every week
... Get up early and start the day together
... Read scripture everyday (whether it is a verse or diving head in)
... Set aside quiet time everyday
... Don't put things off until tomorrow
... Be spontaneous
... Give gifts of time to others
... Be grateful for what I have and not what I am lacking
... Learn patience

Wishing you a wonderful New Year and luck on your goals for the year ahead!

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!

ONE & TWO

January ONE
... slept in
... bundled up from a cold, wintery day
... made cinnamon streusel muffins for breakfast
... wore boots and my mother's handmade scarf I received for Christmas
... checked the tracking on my husband's Christmas present. I know. How sad am I? The gift was out of stock and then backordered; however, yes. I absolutely waited until the last minute to purchase his gift. Wifey fail for sure;)
... checked out dollar movie times
... used a gift certificate to see Taken 2... I was not exactly impressed. But I can't be upset at a free movie
... didn't drink a soda all day...I am not sure but may or may not be attempting to give up caffeine this month or this year
... enjoyed playing dress up with the new make up my sister-in-laws bought me for Christmas
... made a few New Years calls to family
... grocery store trip to pick up a few essentials
... uploaded NYE pictures from my new camera
... attempted a Skype date with my mama, but sadly her internet was down. We chatted by phone instead
... fell asleep at 8:30PM

January TWO
... slept in
... early afternoon doctor's appointment. Ray and I were moved to a fertility doctor (who we really like) toward the end of last year.
... drove the old Pontiac. Forgot my car does not have AC or HEAT... boo! But hey she still runs. That's good enough for me:)
... ate muffin leftovers for breakfast
... scheduled a dentist appointment and hair appointment during the break
... blogged
... texted with the hubby and best friend
... cuddled with the pups
... need to study for my ESL test that is quickly approaching as I need to have it completed by the end of the month... oops
... relaxed and was lazy most of the early afternoon
... enjoyed a great January ONE and TWO... now I'm looking forward to day THREE, FOUR, FIVE and so forth. Happy days ahead!