Taste No Evil Muffins

This morning we ventured to Taste No Evil Muffin Comp. Unfortunately, no one was there to open the trailer's window at 0900 when they were due to start serving. So we walked to our new found and now favorite Austin dive next door...Taco X-Press.

The muffin trailer was finally open after breakfast so we grabbed what few flavors they were offering to take home. Not bad for day old muffins...filled with chunky fruit and chocolate chips, but a tad dry. I bet they are best when baked fresh. We will have to try again another time.

Thankful!

I am thankful for...life, love, family, friends, health, and happiness. I am thankful for all of our family that drove to Austin to share this special time with us. I am thankful for my children baking pumpkin pies and taking them to the soup kitchen downtown. I am thankful for the boys running the Turkey Trot this morning. I am thankful for my husband juggling our 3 kids so I could run it too.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, my most favorite day of the year!

A pink day!

What's a true 2 year old without a few tears here and there...Ms. Pink we love you and would not trade the world for you! May there be many more candles and cupcakes the rest of your life.

La Boite Cafe

This Sunday morning led us to the newly opened La Boite Cafe...The concept: a green, environmentally sensitive cafe, focused on delivering excellence in coffee and a handful of artisan foods. Rather than staking claim to a trendy streamline trailer, they opted to a "greener" design and created the cafe out of a used shipping container.

Truly delicious...croissant aux amandes and brioche!

3 years later...

From king to pilgrim, my baby is growing up fast!

Pilgrim's Pride

We had a big morning today...first Big received the Eagle Eye nomination from his teacher. At the end of every month, each teacher picks a boy and a girl who has shown great merit. Great merit for a kinder is basically following directions, listening at all times, helping the teaching without being asked, etc. To think my son got this nomination his first full month at this school brought tears to my eyes...I am one proud mama! Each of these kids receive a zipper charm and a pencil.

Then the kinder classes put on the annual Thanksgiving Play. Big was a pilgrim along with 100+ kids that were also turkeys, governors, and Indians. After a few songs, the short play, and class photos, we all escaped to the classroom for muffins and juice.

Familiar faces & places

My best friend and her family came down to visit us and see our new abode. We enjoyed a quiet weekend while the kids played, football aired, and the sun shined. Since we have not been to a workshop in months, we decided to check out our neighborhood's Lowe's on Saturday. Quite different here...not many kids, no colors or markers to add to your finished project, and no baked goods once you are done. The kids had fun though and that is all that matters!

Sky High

After school we met up with our cousins to climb Mt. Bonnell, Austin's 2nd highest point. The 4 boys ran around exploring and I was lagging behind making sure Ms. Pink did not take a 775 ft tumble into Lake Austin. After enjoying the fresh air, a beautiful afternoon, the breathtaking Austin skyline, and hidden trails...we all made it back down in full numbers without any accidents!

Thanksgiving Eggs

With all this extra time on my hands (HA!) since I am no longer working, I have been searching for a place to volunteer. Our church founded a wonderful organization called Mobile Loaves & Fishes that delivers "miracles on wheels." Trucks set out daily to feed the homeless in Austin.

What is great about MLF, the kids can be actively involved too! I have signed my family up for the Egg Ministry. Once a month we are responsible for delivering 3 dozen hard-boiled eggs to the kitchen so they can be loaded on the trucks and distributed. These eggs can be decorated by the little ones. Of course we picked fall colors, used some crayons, and found stickers to finish them off. We will also color prayer cards and wash the food trucks throughout the year. When the kids get older, they can participate in making sandwiches and going on food runs eventually.

Home Slice Pizza

Don't laugh...yes, 2 eateries at once! Did you really think 3 crepes can fill up a family of 5? And when right across the street a 'hot' pizza stand that always has a long line is line-less, you would go too.

Home Slice Pizza is not an official trailer, but there is a walk-up window where you can only order pizza by the slice. Now I know why it is always crowded. This pizza is amazing!

Crepes Mille

Not letting a dreary Sunday stop us from exploring more of Austin trailers...Crepes Mille got our vote today from default. The other places we drove by were too crowded and with 3 hungry kids who wants to wait in line? Even though there was not a line, the food was delicious! Of course we chose from the "sweet" menu side: Lemon Sugar, Sticky Rice Mango and (the winner) Peanut Butter and Banana.

Quick Get-a-way

A BIG factor that led us to Austin was being this much closer to the farm. It makes even a day trip feasible for us.

This weekend we took off for a quick 2-nighter...wanting to burn the fence we tore down in the back yard and to catch up on mowing since this area finally has been blessed with rain. The kids were so excited to return and see all their school posters still hanging. We even managed to squeeze in some fishing, s'mores, and a beautiful sunset!