if you're out of shape and you know it clap your hands

Clap, ow. I went to my first Pure Barre class tonight, and that class made me very aware of how out of shape I am. I got a 30-day unlimited package from PL for Valentine's Day. (I'm trying not to over think why my husband got me this gift) Long long ago I attended many a ballet class and loved it. Pure Barre struck my interest because, well, they have a ballet bar, and I've heard they provide quite a workout. About half way through the class I started thinking about paying PL so I wouldn't have to go back.  Then I snapped out of it and continued to concentrate on holding my shoulders back, tucking my butt, not letting my legs bow, and doing whatever muscle burning exercise was being demonstrated. One hour later and I am still alive. Tomorrow may be another story...

sunday night tradition

Every Sunday PL and I try to make a fun, well thought out dinner to enjoy. Sunday nights are our way to unwind before our typically chaotic weeks at work. Dinner during the week is less of a production and more of a struggle - what can we make that's quick and that we both feel like eating? The answer is usually "let's order take out". Sad story, but true. 

Back to Sunday, this tradition usually takes up the better part of our day, but is quality time spent together. PL is definitely the chef in this house and takes on the cooking. I on the other hand am a pro at drinking a glass of wine and watching him cook and then eating his food creations. Occasionally I will throw together a dessert. This past weekend I decided to lend a helping hand in the kitchen and made chocolate mousse. I love chocolate, hence my need to tone things up for the warmer weather mentioned previously. 

Chocolate Mousse

Ingredients you'll need:

8 ounces chocolate (I used 60% cacao)

3/4 stick butter

3 large eggs

1 tablespoon liquor (I used brandy)

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/8 teaspoon salt

Warning: this requires lots o' bowls. Get 'em out of your cabinets and follow along..

Place a shallow pot of water on the stove and bring the water to a simmer. Place a large bowl over the pot and put the chocolate and butter (cut into pieces) into the bowl. Stir until smooth. Once smooth, remove the bowl from the heat.

Separate your three eggs into two bowls, one for yolks and one for whites.  Beat the egg yolks with a mixer until thick (approximately 3-4 minutes). 

  

Whisk the yolks into the melted chocolate mixture and add in your liquor of choice. Put that bowl aside.

Take out another bowl and use an electric mixer to beat the cream until stiff peaks form.

Mix the egg whites with salt until soft peaks form.

Fold the beaten egg whites and whipped cream into the chocolate mixture until well incorporated. 

Place your finished product into whatever type of serving dish you'd like (I used ramekins), cover and place in the refrigerator until ready for serving. What you end up with is a chocolately, smooth, decadent dessert that pairs very well with a glass of red wine. 

yesterday you said tomorrow

It's that time, time to get my self back in shape for less clothing weather. In Austin the temperatures are already in the seventies. I think we may have skipped winter altogether and that's fine by me. My body on the other hand could use a little more time. Hmm maybe some shopping motivation will help...

     

ugh, time to bring on the work outs. 

something in the water

Everyone I know is popping up pregnant these days.  Are we just at "that age" or is there something in the water?  I'm excited for all of my friends and family that have shared the good news, but it kind of makes me wonder what our lives with babies will look like.  Weekend nights will surely be different - dinner at home and making sure to get kids to bed before the bewitching hour.  Topics will change - what new sounds did your baby make today, who does baby look like, do they prefer peas or carrots?  Will we all still make the effort to get together as often as we do now?  My hope is that our friendships will stay strong and withstand the craziness of a newly growing family.  Maybe my focus is on all these little unknowns that most probably don't even have forefront in their minds because they have the excitement building of welcoming a new little person into their lives.  Maybe I should drink some water.

change it up

We've been in our house for almost six years...yikes. During that time we've made small changes, but most none would notice. This weekend I had the grand idea of changing things up a bit around the house. Furniture has been moved, pictures have been hung, pictures have traded places on the walls, and I really like all of the changes! For someone that is afraid to throw paint on the wall because I can't commit to a color - all of the moves are a big deal :)

Our office has been my "baby" of home projects. A few months back while blog-browsing I came across a subtle striped wall (perfect for color phobic Meg). My biggest fear about tackling the painted stripes was that our walls are textured. All fears were put to rest when I tried out Frog Tape, that stuff is AMAZING! The wall turned out just how I wanted it to, and then the furniture buying started. What I underestimated was how much storage space I really needed in the office. So, yesterday, I started walking around the house and came across a bookshelf (from my college days) that was being under-utilized and moved it in.

Office Stripes

New properly utilized bookshelf

Next project was the picture wall in the dining area. We had a small assortment of frames that were starting to bore me. I bought a new set of frames and filled them with sentimental images, that part of the project was done. Then I sat down with a tape measure, calculator, paper, computer, pens, pencils, and my husband said "um, I think you are making this too complicated". I tried to change the subject fast and figure out a way to get him out of the house so I could concentrate on my "complicated" project. Before he got out of the door he mentioned maybe placing a painting we had on another wall in place of the boring photo frame assortment I had previously. We tried it out, I liked it, I'm supposed to be the design idea person, ugh.

Old painting in new space - and a peek into the office with the new bookshelf placement

But, don't worry, I didn't forget those great frames I purchased and filled with pictures from our wedding and menus from anniversaries past. We placed them on the wall space where the painting above used to be. I wish I could tell you what room that painting was in, but I don't know what to call it, it's more an open space. This open space has been the topic of many discussions with friends about what should be put in it. Some suggestions: pool table, foosball table, shuffleboard, hot tub. Needless to say since we don't own a bachelor pad, the space has remained open. Until today! We pushed back our couch in our living area to inhabit both spaces. I love it! And hung up our frames...

I'm thinking of placing an assortment of white vases to jazz this buffet up a bit

Finally we marched upstairs to the master bedroom and did lots of furniture moving. (I'm laughing as I type this, mind of a 15 year old) It looks so much better now, and I'm wondering why we waited six years to make such a simple change. Will get pictures up as soon as I pick up the mess of laundry. I'm glad this has been such a productive weekend, and that I get to share my weekend of changes with my BFF next weekend when she comes to Texas (can't wait B)!

aus-stl

This past weekend we made a quick trip to St. Louis to visit my sister and family. It was a much needed getaway and a good time was had by all. We can't wait for our next visit to visit our new niece or nephew! Apologies for the poor iPhone photo taking, still can't seem to locate our camera battery charger, need to remedy that this weekend.

Max, the dog nephew

Dinner at Charlie Gitto's

Max x 2

Practicing obsessive photo taking for when the little one arrives

W's at Annie Gunn's

This may need to replace one of our photos on the wall

Growing belly... 

Glad to be back home in Austin (in warmer weather), but missing the good company terribly!  Thanks for a great weekend M & J!

these boots

I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my birthday present from PL.  Now, my birthday was in November, but we made a quick lil exchange. That exchange ended up being long, drawn out, and back ordered. The never ending story does not matter because the end is in sight, they arrive tomorrow, check 'em out:

Ohhh ahhh! Love! Right?! If you do not agree, I would rather not know. In honor of my boots, I will close with a framed quote* a dear VA friend sent for Christmas:

 *Please don't get the wrong impression, I'm more the friend that will call 911 versus kick someone's a$%. I'm sheltered.