Snips'n'Snaps

Here are some random snapshots of our week to warm your cockles. Ruby had her first sleepover at her friend Matilda's house, (see above) and it was bittersweet for this mommy because I adore slumber parties but it also means that my darlin' Roo is growing up and doesn't need me to tuck her into bed any longer. Friday we are going to a salon to cut off her baby curls, Saturday we are taking her on her fist canoe adventure, and later that evening having 3 of her friends over for our first time hosting a birthday slumber party, yipes!
Wish us luck, camadres.

Uncle Kevan vs. the USA

Meet Uncle Kevan. Tall, bearded, bold, blonde. A jet pilot, rock drummer, lover of dogs and keeper of chickens. My mom's younger brother, he's spent the last few weeks adventuring through the states, starting in Great Falls, Montana and stopping by Austin for a few tacos and hugs from the Texas branch of the family tree.

I think we really did manage to have tacos 3 times in two days, but what is Austin if not North Mexico? He arrived bearing navajo jewelry for Ruby and sundry treats for us, regaling us with tales of Nascar and lawyers, baby Shayla and living in Ft. Lauderdale in the 80s.

He endured without complaint my spicy cooking, my baby wolverines howling and climbing him like a tree, and even agreed to accompany me to work to see some live bands, befriending the regulars and manfully staying up at least 5 hours past his bedtime.

We gave him the quick Acura tour of town, pausing at a junk store to rescue a vintage belt buckle and to wander South Congress with touristy smiles on our faces.

We unfortunately ran out of time for BBQ, natural swimming coves, book stores and Ginny's "Chicken Sh*t Bingo" but that just means he'll have to stay longer next year.

God bless ye and your epic road trip, Uncle! May your beard grow long and your boots never go out of style.

Chest 'Stache

16, a photo by Alison Narro :) on Flickr.

This is real. Real Texas.
I don't know this man's name, but I do wish I had been in attendance at The Misprint 6th annual Beard and Mustache Competition 2 nights ago. Instead, I was slinging irish car bombs to a bachelor party 30 feet away, listening to the cheering mobs as my bearded friends won prizes.

(p.s. he had a mustache shaved into his back hair, but I thought I'd spare those with weak constitutions)

Alive

Happy Monday!
love,
Ruby and Jesse

Sugar Gliding

I am so OVER sloths. I hereby declare sugar gliders the hottest animal of the season.

Look at those stripes. Those flower petal ears. Those limpid eyes.
AND THEY FLY.

I've always wanted one of these ever since I met a man in the video store as a child who had several pikachu looking things darting in and out of his coat sleeves. Unfortunately I think you have to be a bachelor who still lives with your mom the be a good sugar glider owner.

They are extremely attached to their caretakers and become ill if you leave them locked up. They love to nestle in velvet pouches that you tie to your clothing so they can be with you at all times, at the ready to steal grapes and freak out some grannies. And help you lose that job you hate.










*photo source: one. two.

MURAL MATCH

A new segment! I've been plotting to do this for awhile, since there are so many crazy murals in this town. What better way to photograph a mural than to dress in corresponding colors and dance around like a pack of fools in front of it?

Today it was a pure stroke of luck that we were showing my Uncle Kevan around town and happened upon this colorful piece with which Ruby's self-chosen, purply, highwater little number matched perfectly.

In the future I plan to find out about the actual artists, link to more of their work, and even dress up myself. We can't let children have all the fun you know.

Jobie never caved

Dear brave Jobie. Subjected to all manner of torture, she never cracked, never revealed the secrets entrusted to her by our family.

After 10 agonizing minutes of preheating, she finally did succomb to the fiery meltiness of death, a defiant smile still upon her lips.

Rest in Peace Jobie the Valiant, we hardly knew ye and will celebrate your memory by eating warm brownies.

Siblings

THIS is why you should have more than one child. Where would Ruby be without her Jungleman? And Jesse? Who would teach him how to defend himself and how to squeeze into small spaces. I would be lost without my siblings.

Forget "overpopulation". You can fit the entire human race in the state of Texas.
And that's a fact.

Pepper Party

Two recipes and a sweet smile for dessert.

I decided to make stuffed peppers for the first time for no better reason than they were on sale 3 for a dollar. I looked up a couple of recipes as a guide and then completely changed it. "Shayla is a very bright little girl but has trouble following instructions."
Whatever. My way is better.

I substituted turkey for ground beef, brown rice for white (don't do this, brown rice takes a decade to cook) and used SALSA in place of water. Turned out awesome.

Saute 1lb meat with olive oil until browned, I added fresh garlic and onion, salt, pepper, cumin, and Brother Bru Bru's.

Add two cups of rice and four cups green salsa to your meat mixture, cover and simmer until rice is tender.

Green salsa: blend 1large can green tomatoes (just a splash of the liquid) with 1 raw jalepeno and a handful of fresh cilantro.

Spoon your green meaty rice into bell pepper halves (that have been de-seeded and parboiled for 5 minutes to soften them) top them with slices of muenster and bake in a glass baking dish on 350 until cheese is toasted and bubbly.

Serve with beans and sour cream as little pockets of happiness. Makes 12 halves.





Jalapeno tilapia

Tilapia has a lovely mild and clean flavor that goes great with everything. I like fake asian.

Boil pad thai style flat rice noodles in salted water until tender, drain and rinse with cool water.

I make my own sauce by mixing soy sauce, fish sauce, sriracha hot chili sauce and yes, peanut butter!

Stir-fry whatever veggies you can find hiding in your crisper with coconut oil. (I used mushrooms, onions and carrots) When your veggies are almost done, add the sauce to the pan and then the tilapia filets. Pan sear the fish about 3 minutes on each side. I added the jalapenos (gutted) last, because I love 'em crunchy.

Drizzle your cooked noodles with fish sauce and sesame oil then top with sloppy delicious fish and stuff. Squeeze lemon juice over the lot and freckle with toasted sesame seeds.

Feed to starving husband and his piano student and make them late for lessons.