Sorry I didn’t get to post again while I was state-side. AND, I’m even more sad that I didn’t get a chance to meet any of you! My mom totally packed my schedule and I had literally something to do every single day we were there. It was an incredible trip and we had so much fun. Here are some pics I thought were worth sharing. I’ll break it into portions (much like the trip): 1.Roadtrip to Colorado. 2. Colorado. 3. Austin/South Padre Island. 4. Dallas.

And I introduce to you some of my faves from the roadtrip to Colorado:

I LOVE being surrounded by miles of nothing. Best feeling ever.

Me and my sis – both mid-laugh b/c we said “that’s what she said” at the same time.

We ate at The Big Texan – total tourist trap – the food was HORRIBLE!

My adorable nephews! Check out that smile.

Mr and Me not looking so attractive staring into the sun, but note the bullet holes in the sign! lol

Mr: “Why does it say colorful Colorado? Isn’t that just repetitive??”

All in all, it was an awesome road trip. (Even though we stayed over night in Dalhart in a hotel I could swear we would be murdered in….) Our whole family went including Mom and Dad, grandparents and my mom’s brother and family. I don’t know why, but I just love being surrounded by nothing but fields – and driving through the panhandle definitely delivered on that. It was also such a stark contrast on the second day of the drive, in a few hours we went from flat lands to hills to mountains – it was incredible and even a bit humbling. It was the first time for Mr to see so much of Texas / New Mexico / Colorado and I think he enjoyed the experience, although I can say for certain he did NOT like the Texas heat.

I have arrived in Dallas and I am so glad to be home! The first thing we did was eat Mexican food! This morning I got a pedi and an eyebrow wax (which was more than needed) and then Mr and I headed for Target! Oh Target, how I’ve missed you. I blew almost all the cash I had changed over on Dr. Pepper and things for school – I forgot how cheap they are! A pack of Crayola markers for a dollar – I could hardly believe it! I’ve been taking lots of pics of our everyday lives, but I can’t load them onto my parents computer, so I’ll post a picture diary soon.

Also, it’s hot. This morning it was 103* – a HUGE change from the rain and wind in Munich! I’m loving it so far, but we will see how long that lasts!!

Since Mr and I have both had some more time lately (he just turned in his Master’s thesis and doesn’t start his Doctorate until September), we’ve been trying to work on our apartment. We’ve lived here for over a year now, and while we don’t have things in boxes, it still isn’t quite home yet. We barely have anything on our walls, and it looks like a couple of young people living together, and not like a married couple’s home; if you know what I mean. I saw this idea on the Dainty Squid of putting panels of scrapbook paper on the walls around a bed and loved it.

Of course I knew ours wouldn’t look much like that, we have a metal tray thingy going across the wall (don’t ask, it was put in by the previous tenants) and  Robin’s egg blue paint on the wall across. Also, nothing I ever do looks as cool or funky as I intend it to. haha. So here is what we came up with.

I really love it, even though it’s not quite as cool! It just adds some nice (what’s the word?) zen to the room. I wake up now and feel more refreshed. I know a few pieces of paper on a wall shouldn’t make that much of a difference, but it really does – like we actually live here now.

This will probably be my last post before I head back to the US, so it might be a while before I post again (at least I’m giving warning this time!) Hopefully I’ll have a ton of great road trip pictures and new recipes.

Now that I have some time off, I’ve been rethinking the blog a teeny bit. I’m sick and tired of how complainy I sound, so that is done with. haha. I think I’d like to make it more family friendly so my familia and friends can read about things I’ve been up to. I also want to do more recipes and music/book reviews, because I really enjoy it. Because I am revamping the whole blog-ness of the blog, I’d really like to get some new layout options going. I LOVE my header, but I’m thinking it’s time for something new. Also, seeing as how I had Karen set everything up for me, I’m kinda clueless and it might take a while before I settle on something. So bear with me folks, it might be a bumpier ride!

TOMORROW!!!

Tomorrow is my last day of work before I get some summer holidays!! YAY! The last 2 weeks have been summer camp at school, and it has been the best two weeks of the entire school year! We have had so much fun laughing, making crafts and telling stories. Not only are my kiddos great, but my co-teacher has been incredible. It makes me really look forward to next year when I get a brand new teacher to work with, Mae!

But before I start thinking about school again, I get to think: VACATION!!! I’m going back to the good ole US of A for 3 whole weeks! Mr and I are going to Denver, Austin, South Padre Island and Dallas. It will be jammed pack full of fun and driving! I haven’t driven for almost 3 years, so I cannot wait for these road trips! I can’t wait to see my family and friends AND eat some Tex-Mex!! There are so many things to look forward to.

Lyrics that describe my life right now:

Hey, I’ve got nothing to do today but smile…..

(The Only Living Boy in New York by Simon & Garfunkel)

This is maybe one of the easiest bread recipes I’ve seen – it also tastes better than any zucchini bread I’ve ever had, which means it is very typical to come from my mom. Mom is a no-nonsense kind of cook. She worked a full time job while raising us and didn’t always have time to make a huge feast for dinner. But, every once in a while she would get some time to bake and make us some of her favorite breads (zucchini, strawberry, banana). I always remember waking up to the sweet smells coming from the kitchen and running in to get a warm slice.

Zucchini Bread

Mix together:

• 3 eggs
• 2 c. sugar
• 3 tsp. vanilla
• 1 c. oil (canola)
• 2 c. grated zucchini

Then Add:

• 3 c. flour
• 3 tsp. cinnamon
• dash salt
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder

Then Add:

• 1/2 c. chopped nuts
• 1/2 c. raisins
• 2 mashed bananas

Bake appx. 1 hour at 325* F. Makes 2 large loaves.

I’m getting ready for my big Sunday bake. Which means scouring the internet and my recipe box before the store closes so I can get any last minute ingredients (remember, stores here aren’t open on Sundays). I’ve decided to bake two recipes – one old and one new. The old recipe is my Mom’s Zucchini Bread. New is Buttermilk Chess Pie (found at allrecipes.com).

But before I share the recipes to those (hopefully) good tasting treats, I wanted to share a few sites that I’m in love with.

First, there is Homesick Texan who I basically want to be/be friends with. Talk about a great recipe site! Anytime I’m looking for some good home cooking, I check out her site and let Texas fill my soul.

Secondly, there is the Dainty Squid, another chica I want to follow around. Not only does she have great recipes, but her daily favorites give tons of crafty inspiration!

Last but not least, a site I found recently, My Baking Addicion. Talk about a treasure trove of recipes and great tips!

Know of any others?? Do you have a favorite recipe I should try? Let me know, I’m always hunting!!

Karen tagged me in this oh-so-cute meme, and I just had to take part! It is a handwriting challenge! Okay, not really challenge, but we get to read each other’s blogs so much and never actually see handwriting (which is a travesty in my opinion)!!

Here is how it works:

Write down the following, snap a picture (or scan the document), post it, and tag others.

1. Name/Blog Name
2. Right handed, left handed or both
3. Favorite letters to write
4. Least favorite letters to write
5. Write: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
6. Write in caps:
CRAB
HUMOR
KALEIDOSCOPE
PAJAMAS
GAZILLION
7. Favorite song lyrics
8. Tag 7 people
9. Any special note or drawing

You can also tell I’m a “heavy” writer – I tend to write so hard it leaves a lot of indentations. Not quite sure what that is supposed to mean though!!

I couldn’t really think of that many people who haven’t done this, so basically if you want to, do it!!

Sorry for the lack of posts the past week or so! I’ll have a bullet point update comin at you on the flip side.

There is something about the summer that makes me yearn for new music. Of course I stumbled upon some of my favorite bands during summer binges (Old 97′s, Rilo Kiley, Wir Sind Helden etc etc etc). This summer, I’m totally feeling some funky soul.

It all started off with that cover of I Am Trying To Break Your Heart that I posted a few days ago. While I’m in LOVE with that version, I can’t say much for the rest of JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound that I have found, but then again maybe I should give them more of a chance.

I cannot get enough of Mayer Hawthorne – I just found him through iTunes recommendations, and let me tell you – iTunes Genius is a GENIUS! Bc Hawthorne is seriously delivering the funk. And as a white girl who has been told many many times that I was born the wrong color I have a soft spot for a white dude rocking the soul circuit.

No Neo-Soul collection is complete without Raphael Saadiq. His album “The Way I See It” is incredible. My favorite song of his right now is Staying in Love.

And finally the most random diamond in the rough I have found so far – El Michels Affair. I’m not really that into DJs or music I can’t sing along to (haha) but he just has some of the (pardon the word) grooviest sounds I’ve heard in a while. A lot of the album has (what I consider) a Latin influence mixed in, making it the ultimate music to sit on the porch and drink a cold beer to.

Let me know if you know any other great soul and/or neo-soul sounds!