My momma's birthday

Yesterday we shimmied on down to New Braunfels after work to celebrate my mom's birthday! Although I was completely exhausted (somehow I am sick, AGAIN, that's like the 3rd time this year? Not fair, life), we had a great time with good food and good people. I love my momma and I am so glad she was born! She's the sweetest woman in the world and seriously, the best mom ever. EVER.

We ate at Huisache Grill, which has been one of our go-to spots for celebrations since my teen years. It's super cute and the food never disappoints. Afterwards we had some dessert at 2tarts, which is an incredibly cute (like so cute there was a group of old ladies knitting, even the guests were cute!) little bakery and coffee shop. I wish I had been a little more awake to appreciate it. At that point I was doing good just sitting up. The place was adorable and I wish it had existed in my high school years. I would have totally chilled there.

Excuse the not so great quality of photos. Like I said, I was a zombie. Also, although I am not pictured I swear I was there. And my outfit was really cute I promise! My face, not so much.

52 weeks of baking: 11 - coconut shortbread

What the heck is that lumpy thing? It's a clover, you jerk. St. Patty's Day week, y'all! Really though, I must preface this by saying that as cute as that cookie cutter was, it just did not translate well into shortbread.

I did my baked goodie early this week, because I have a feeling this may be one of those weeks where I can't seem to get anything done. I had most of the afternoon off and some coconut hanging out in my pantry, begging to be baked, so I consulted Deb and boom, made me some toasted coconut shortbread cookies.

Cute they may not be, but yummy they sure are! These little guys are delicious and I dare you to eat just one. I think if I made them again I'd make them a little thicker. And a symmetrical shape, such as a circle.

Also, here's what baking plus YouTube looks like:

Yup. Burnt my whole first round. WHOOPS. I was actually really ticked. These babies are yummy and I wasted half of them. Boooo. But they are super easy to make (did you see how few ingredients there are?) and in case you're wondering, the cookie dough is phenomenal. I ate way too much.

Mount Bonnell

Mount Bonnell is this big ol' limestone hill on Lake Austin. We had never been before but I had recently been told "YOU HAVE TO GO!" so since the weather was phenomenal Sunday, Brendon and I decided to give it a try. And boy, is the view nice! On one side you've got Lake Austin and the 360 bridge (aka my commute to work, every dang day) and on the other side you've got downtown. What a pretty little city we live in!

Ummm... those houses. Yes please.

The weather was so so so good. Can it be like that everyday? After climbing around in the hills of Lake Austin, we ventured down to our favorite haunt, South Congress. We got snow cones, candy, and did a little shopping. Oh and found a cat to hang with. Because you know.

This weekend was really wonderful. My bff Kristy came down from Dallas with her daughter Kennedy to hang for the weekend (I took zero pictures because I am laaaaame). Unfortunately it was rainy and gross while they were here, but we still had an awesome time! Sunday they left a little early because they both got a little sick (Austin is an allergen), so Brendon and I ended up with a little rare alone time to explore the city in the sun. Perfect day, perfect weekend. I could get used to the whole weekend off thing. I envy you with normal jobs!

52 weeks of baking: 10 - honey chocolate chip cookies

These were probably the weirdest cookies I've ever made. Look at the ingredients. No sugar, no butter, but shortening and honey instead. I was intrigued and had to try it, with the help of my four legged kitchen assistant.

Worst ingredient shot ever. Scratch that baking powder and add some vanilla. You girl was trippin'.

They are the lightest cookies ever. Such a strange texture without the gritty (in a good way) sugar. And although they are super weird, they're still pretty good! They're light and fluffy (and slightly bouncy?) and probably way better for you than traditional chocolate chip cookies. However, I'm still on the butter and sugar side. Nothing beats that combination and cooking with shortening just feels wrong. And if I'm making dessert I'm not worried about the calorie count.

But all that said and done, this little lady approved so booya:

Gleeked out

I am about 4 years late on this train, but whatever. I just started watching Glee (just finished the first season in an embarrassingly short amount of time, that's pharmacy school for you), and I love it. WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME I NEEDED TO WATCH THIS? It is so cute and fun and sweet and tear jerking. Not to mention the singing is phenomenal. The characters are all so great! And it doesn't hurt that they're all adorable and so talented. Especially a certain Finn who happens to remind me a whole lot of the tall dark haired boy I married. I'm in love and super thankful that all the episodes are online fo'free. Thanks Amazon.

Just had to just spill my recent obsession. I'm sad that I didn't start watching Glee with Brendon because regardless if it seems a little girly, that bs is funny and I think he'd like it. Plus, the singing and dancing is incredibly entertaining, regardless if it's girly. Maybe we can rewatch the first season together before I marathon off into the second... I wouldn't mind. :) And then there's three more seasons, hallelujah.