July 31, 2009

Ruben and I joined a group of friends at Padraic and Mark’s home to celebrate Mark’s birthday.  That night, we also celebrated David’s birthday (He’s James’ BF). We had a great time that evening relaxing with friends and enjoying lots of laughs. Oh, Mark, who happens to be from Australia, introduced me to Vegemite. It’s……ahh….different. Every time I hear the word, Vegemite, I think of the 80s band, Men At Work.

Wednesday night, Ruben and I joined a group of friends at Jess and Kevin’s home for a surprise birthday party.  Chris, a fellow 1969 baby hit the big 4-Oh.  His hubby, Brian, did a wondeful job of getting everyone together, and I’m surprised we were able to keep this secret celebration from Chris for so long.  He had no idea until he walked into the trap.

BTW: Chris is a big Disney fan..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS

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Thanks again for letting me share part of my world with you.

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Let the Grilling Begin

This year, Ruben and I spent most of the Memorial Day weekend doing a whole lot of nothing.  Saturday evening, I fired up the grill, and invited Glenn to join us.  He brought Milo along to have some playtime with his brother, Tucker.

Tucker and Milo

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Houston Outlet Mall on 290

What Recession?

Sunday afternoon, Ruben, his sister (Elsa) and I decided to take advantage of the memorial day sales by making a little road trip to the Houston Outlet Mall on 290.  Judging from the long lines at these stores, you’d doubt we’re in a recession.

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Chris and Brian

BBQ with Friends

Memorial Day Monday, Ruben and I joined a bunch of friends at Chris and Brian’s place for a potluck BBQ.  We enjoyed a lot of laughs with this witty bunch.  I swear a comedian could take notes at one of these gatherings.  Great company, good food and beautiful weather brought this three-day weekend to a pleasant end….ugh I wasn’t in the mood to go back to work on Tuesday.  LOL

People always gather in the kitchen

Perfect Memorial Day Weather

Kyle, The Meat Man

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Thanks again for letting me share part of my world with you.

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Picking up the Crawfish

April 25, 2009

Saturday morning, Esteban, Glenn, Ruben and I headed to a local supplier to pickup the crawfish for my annual birthday boil.

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Wine and Roses Fest

Eating at the Rose and Wine Fest

We'll have a Barrel of Fun

Our Tour Guide

Wine and Roses

The next thing we did was head to Messina Hof Winery & Resort to attend their Wine and Roses Festival.  We ate some overpriced food, sampled the wine, and enjoyed a tour of the winery.

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stereo image of Ruben at the Wine and Roses Fest

stereo image of the vineyard

stereo images of Esteban at the Wine and Roses Fest

stereo image of grape stompers at the Wine and Roses Fest

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While we were at the fest, I took some stereo photos

Cooking the Corn and Taters

Cooking Crawfish

Seeing Double

Seeing Double

When Ruben and Glenn met the breeder in Corsicana, they left with two dogs.  Ruben brought Tucker home and Glenn got Milo.  I knew Glenn wouldn’t be able to resist getting a doggie of his own.  Anyway, Milo and Tucker played in the backyard while I cooked the crawfish and Glenn cooked burgers for those who weren’t in the mood for crawfish or just wanted something more than just mudbugs.

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Tom and Me

Awesome Gift!

The Rails of Texas

Crew photo autographed by Fred W. Haise, Jr.

Gifts!!!

A birthday wouldn’t’ be complete without gifts!  GRIN.  In addition to some really cool iTunes gift cards I got a couple of unique gifts to hang on the wall.  Ruben gave me an autographed print of a stylized Texas map chronicling the history of the railways that connected every part of the Lone Star State, including the railway line (MKT) my great-great-grandfather worked on.

The other cool print was a personally autographed photo of the Apollo XIII crew.  Brian recently met Astronaut, Fred Haise and asked him to sign this photograph for me.  BTW:  When the crew of Apollo XIII were in the middle of their heroic journey back to earth, I was celebrating my first birthday.

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Ready to Eat

Come and Get It

Ahhh, my QT

Mike and me peeling the rest of the crawfish

Crawfish

Everyone enjoyed the mudbugs.  I tried to make “just enough” this year, but once again I cooked too much.  Mike was kind enough to help me peel the remaining crawfish.

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Cake #3

Cake #3

Before the evening ended, we had chocolate!

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