Living in Munchkinland

We spent the weekend in New Orleans. My parents have a condo on St. Charles Street there and we were lucky enough to get to stay there. A trip without our children had long been envisioned and planned around here. This was the weekend that my in-laws could keep them and I finally felt that the boys were old enough to be left. We chose New Orleans because we love it there, it isn't too far away, and it was in the budget. This was our third visit to New Orleans since Katrina and it is doing much better. The nightlife was happening and the shops were open and the restaurants were busy. Best of all, for us, the streetcars were running everywhere. Yay! Mom and Dad joined us for the weekend and we had a blast. It was so much fun. We went to Mid City Lanes Rockin' Bowl and bowled on the oldest lanes I've ever seen and danced to Zydeco music. We had drinks on the porch of the Columns Hotel. We ate brunch at the Bluebird Cafe, lunch of Muffalettas on the Mississippi, coffe...

This past weekend we were lucky enough to be invited to a private park on the Comal River by our awesome friends Chris and Stacey. We jumped at the chance and were ready to go on Saturday morning. The weather was beautiful and the sun was shining. We drove the twenty minutes or so it took to get there and were thrilled when we saw the park. It was an island- green and quiet and surrounded by about a foot and a half of clear, cool, sparkling water. There were foot bridges and canoes and picnic tables and barbecue grills. It was very child friendly and a perfect place for a picnic. We spread out blankets and the boys hopped in the water. Stacey's mother and father and aunt and uncle joined us as did our good friends Elizabeth, Zach and their children. We had a party! The men took the kids on a canoe ride and we had grilled sausages and all kinds of sides. The kids had a blast and we enjoyed the beautiful day with friends. It was really a perfect day. Thanks Stacey and Chri...

The ranch is a pretty wonderful place to live. The space, the freedom, the access to river and gardens and family is so amazing. It is an ideal living situation. Lately we have had some pretty magical moments and I thought I would share them with you. The other day, Davis was at school and so I took Sam out for a walk around our four acre yard. We went over to the side of the house to check the rose bushes. Sam wandered out toward the pear trees, bent down and held up a pear. "Apple!", he said and proceeded to take a large bite. I ran over there to yank it away from him, since I had looked the trees over a month or so prior and decided they were ornamental. But when I got there I saw he held a perfect, slightly soft pear. I smelled and then tasted. It was delicious. I grabbed the step ladder and a huge plastic paint bucket and filled it up! I can't wait to can them and make some awesome Christmas presents. Isn't that a nice unexpected gift from the land? ...

It's quiet around here. I've been busy in that "I'm getting lots done in a fast, but productive manner". The kids LOVE school. Sam begged me to go on Tuesday. Davis has been (knock on wood) agreeable and relatively easy the last three days. I've been getting together some details for a college reunion that I am throwing myself in L.A. I am so excited. The weather has been cool and breezy and perfect. We've been spending huge chunks of time outside. So no drama for you! But I thought I'd say hello. And I've been twittering and updating on facebook too so you can look for me there. I'll try to pop back tomorrow to give you a killer bean and ham soup recipe. XOXO, Amber

We had our own version of a Hurricane Party yesterday. It was a blast. Michael and I had hoped to host a campout this weekend, but when we realized we might be getting a hurricane, we canceled. When we canceled though, we invited everyone to still come down and have an indoor playdate with us. Friday came and I was busy checking weather and checking in with family in Houston. We became Hurricane Ike central around here. But Saturday dawned here with gentle wind and no rain insight. Our family was safe in Houston and we were ready to forget about the hurricane for a while. Time for a party! Several people decided to take us up on our open house playdate invitation and came on over. We had people from eleven in the morning until nine at night. It was a blast. We drank wine, cooked, ate chili, baked cookies, played outside, baked more cookies and in general had a wonderful time. It was a nice distraction from the terrible storm and memorable too. I hope you all had an equally g...

We've been watching this hurricane very closely all week. First it seemed to threaten our beloved Port Aransas and then later, our own home town! Then the forecast shifted towards our family in Galveston and Houston. Though we asked Grandma and Grandpa to join us on the ranch, they decided to stay and "ride it out" in Sugar Land. We'll be staying in close touch with them through the next couple of days. As of right now, everyone is fine. They have their windows boarded and all the necessities. Michael thought it would be a good idea to have this blog post up though and edit it with updates as we go so friends and family could check in on how the Sugar Land Walters are faring. We'll let you know. XXOO, Amber 12 Noon Just talked to them and they're doing great. Getting windy, but still fine. 2PM Everything's still okay. Light wind, still have power. Roy may or may not join them. Will decide in the hour. 4PM Still the same. Like waiting on labor....

I'm known as "the lady who brings her own bags" at our local HEB. I think it's sad that because so few people bring their own bags, I'm memorable for it. Come on San Marcos! Think green. Bring your own bags. Bag Ladies are cool. I love my bags! Everyone should run out and get some. I use them for everything. They're washable, light, easy to carry, and pretty. Check them out! Envirosax . I have the retro kitchen pouch you see above.

If you asked me the main theme of this blog and of the theme of my life over the last few years, the question above would be the answer. I am trying to figure out who the hell I am now that I've had children. In a nutshell, here's how my self awareness has gone down. Teenage years: Who the hell am I going to be? College years: Well that was wrong, maybe I'll try this identity/profession/relationship! Post college years: This is who I am! I like me! I like my life! Post marriage: Should I have a baby? Immediate post baby: Can't think about that stuff, must stay awake to provide loving, safe, nourishing home for baby. Only purpose in life is baby. Post baby period or Now: Who the hell am I? Having children has changed me. I want to be home with them. I want to be a stay at home mom. But I have to be more than that. I have to remember who I was before children. What were my passions, my joys? What work did I take pride in? How can I reconcile those things wit...

This is a salad that I served at a gathering recently. Everyone wanted to know the recipe so I borrowed the cookbook from my mom and typed it out. The cookbook is called License to Grill and I absolutely adore it. There are so many great recipes inside. This particular recipe is a staple in our family and is usually a crowd pleaser. I think it would also be good with quinoa, but I haven't tried it that way. If you do, let me know. Hope you enjoy! Bridget’s Couscous Salad for a Crowd serves 8-10 3 ½ cups “instant” couscous (about 2 boxes) 4 ½ cups boiling water About 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 cup slivered blanched almonds, toasted in a 400 degree oven until lightly browned, about 5 minutes, then roughly chopped 1 cup dried apricots, thinly sliced 1 cup golden raisins ¼ cup grated orange zest (orange part only; about 1 large orange) ¼ cup roughly chopped fresh mint 2 tablespoons ground cumin 6 tablesppons extra virgin olive oil 6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 ½ lemon...

I'm getting that itch to move again. Want to plan something, go somewhere, get out, DO something. Why does this happen to me? Why can't I just be content and happy? Why do I always need to have a new adventure in store? I'll be fine and then all of a sudden I find myself searching for travel, crunching our budget, coming up with fun parties to throw, hopefully scouring the mail for invitations. A phone call was made today to my old boss. I think I better start working again. Or maybe I'll get a sitter and go out tonight. Anyone want a Friday night drink??? XXOO, amber

My kids are addicted to cereal bars. I try to buy organic, but all in all they just aren't that great for them. I've looked at muffin recipes, but they don't really need more carb options. I need more ways to get protein in them. And then I found these. These are Protein bars that taste and look like a cake or a cereal bar and my kids LOVE them. I love them too and I am so excited to share this recipe with you. Let me know if you make them! XXOO, Amber Protein Bars Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2005 Show: Good Eats Episode: Power Trip 4 ounces soy protein powder, approximately 1 cup 2 1/4 ounces oat bran, approximately 1/2 cup 2 3/4 ounces whole-wheat flour, approximately 1/2 cup 3/4-ounce wheat germ, approximately 1/4 cup 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 3 ounces raisins, approximately 1/2 cup 2 1/2 ounces dried cherries, approximately 1/2 cup 3 ounces dried blueberries, approximately 1/2 cup 2 1/2 ounces dried apricots, approximately 1/2 cup 1 (12.3-ounce) package soft ...

We've spent the last week or so having so much fun with our friends in our new home town of San Marcos. I'm glad that summer is ending and everyone is back in town and ready to play again. Last Monday we hit the Wine Cellar Bistro for Michael's birthday. We had a blast and really enjoyed the food as well. Wednesday night we had some local friends over in order to celebrate the return of our friends Zach and Elizabeth from Costa Rica. We had a great time and the kids did too! Who knew we'd be able to host a dinner party on a week night, but we did! Then Friday night we went our to the Tap Room which is a bar on the square. We had a triple date and drank great beer and had a truly delicious hamburger. I just wish the non smoking law had passed already here in San Marcos! Sunday we had several friends over for a swim date and bbq and had so much fun. Monday I had a new San Marcos friend over in the morning for a playdate with Davis. Her son goes to Montessori with D...