Frankie's comes to town!

John is always on the search for the next great Sports bar in Fort Worth- trust me, they have been hard to come by. So, when our friend Eric suggested the new Frankies (Dallas sports bar) that opened a location right outside Sundance Square- we decided to try the place out. And, wow- I only have great things to say about it!

Ben was a smart guy

The beer was super cold- (I forgot my thermometer- darn- will have to go back!). I loved that it came in this football- shaped mug.

Cute Mug

There were TONS of T.V.s. There was not a spot in the place where you couldn't see a game. They even had T.V.s in both the women's and men's bathroom mirrors.

Charging station- LOVE it! My cell phone is always needing a charge-and this is genius. This wall mount carries all the different chargers for every phone there is- and more than that- this could be a great place for a Meet. Cute.

Awesome!

So, cold beer, T.V.s, and well, that's all it takes to make this crew happy! Frankie's- you scored a touchdown with this one!

Smiles all around!

John's happy with Frankie's!

Hostess with the Mostest

A few days ago, John and I hosted our first Thanksgiving for 20 guests. I learned there are 5 things you need to have a successful Thanksgiving.

1.  A husband who smokes the turkey so I don't have to worry about ruining or drying it out.  #Biggest fear

John carving his 1st Turkey

2. A great sister (I mean sous-chef) who came Wednesday night to keep me calm and assist me in pie making, carrot peeling, and potato mashing

Sisters

3. A very, very helpful family who all volunteer to bring parts and pieces to create an amazing feast!

Turkey and Ham!

Feast!

4. An apron to complete the look! (That is part of being a great hostess after all- the outfit!)

Thanks Linds for my cute apron!

5. Plenty of Cold Beer.

Shiner? Yep, we are in Texas after all

 Yep, folks that's all it takes! Happy Thanksgiving!

Hottest Fall Trends- Buyer Beware!

This weekend my sister Terri came to stay with us. She and I went shopping Saturday afternoon for some of the latest new Fall trends. We found some super cute stuff at the Gap- including a cute scarf, a flannel shirt- super cute (and a little farm-like as well), and.....wait for it....

Terri found Green-Jean-Leggings!

If you know my sister at all- this is a bold buy for her- but she did it and I applaud her. They are really cute and totally hip- right off the runway!

So, of course, she needed to take a crash course with them on-so, we hit the town last night. (The things I do for her...)

Well, folks let me tell you- Green Jean Leggings...oh what the heck- Green Jeggings...that's better...were NOT made for beer! Beer was made for elastic pants, casual day on the couch, or being around someone who already loves you. (That's how I get away with it ;) ).

"This beer clashes with my jeggings!"

When accessorizing your jeggings- cocktail style-we can say from experience- Vodka is the way to go.

So, when you are buying those new fall trends and getting ready for a night on the town- remember your drink is more than just a drink- it's an accessory.

So typical

So, I have to admit- I think I am a fair weather Rangers fan. Don't get me wrong- I used to be a huge fan as a kid. I was part of the Dr. Pepper fan club, I loved Bobby Valentine and Oddibe Mcdowell. Those days have a special place in my childhood. But, as the years have passed- there has been a disconnect for me. The day Pudge left- it was all over. There were other things to think about, watch on TV- and as you know 4 years ago TCU football really took up all the room in my mind for sports.

However, I have been watching all of the post season games....and what has happened? I really, really like the team. I am learning all of the players names and picking out the ones I like.


Love Him!



I am cheering and even watching games by myself.

So, of course, with hopefully only one game left tonight I find myself wanting more....So typical!

Warm Hearts Trump Cold Beer

I have the privilege of knowing two of the most amazing people and have the blessing of being related to them.

If I live to be 92, I want to do it their way.

I absolutely believe in love. I am a total hopeless romantic- love the romantic comedies, love the idea of being swept off my feet, and believe in the idea that love can last a lifetime- whether that lifetime is 35 years, 60 years, 92 years, or more.

This past weekend John and I went to Florida to visit my grandparents. They were born 2 and a half weeks apart in October and we thought this would be a fun time for a visit. They are both celebrating 92 years- which in itself is quite an accomplishment. They still live on their own, my grandfather still drives, and they are full of stories and laughter. These are truly happy people!

But what I was most moved by this weekend is the love they share with each other. Next month, they will be celebrating 70 years of marriage, and this fall, 75 years of "dating". Almost every memory in their 92 years, has included each other. And to think, I feel like John and I have shared a lot- and we are just beginning!They hold hands, they make fun of each other, and they laugh...a lot.

This past weekend, there was laughter, there was tears, but most of all there was love. And, that really is the greatest of ALL things.

" You can tell a good pub the way it fits around your shoulders"

The Golden Bee!

Where all the magic happens!

 Wow! This is one of the most fun, special bars/pubs I have ever been to. The bar is actually a restored English Pub of the 19th Century. It came to American in the early 1800's from London and was in business in the London Terrace section of New York City. It was dismantled to make way for an apartment complex and stored in a warehouse where it was discovered by W and J Sloane and company, a decorating firm commissioned by the Broadmoor in the late 1950's. It opened its doors to patrons of the Boradmoor in 1961.

The history is a very cool part of this place- but the atmosphere is what makes it so special. You have to get the "Bee" early if you want to partake in the fun. We as a family of 8- needed to get there super early so that we would have a seat. There is no standing room in this bar- if you don't have a seat- you wait in line until someone leaves. And trust me- you don't want to leave.

Us before the music!

John and his 1/2 Yard

 We arrived at 6:00 PM and slowly got drinks and dinner. The cuisine was English with pot pies and sandwiches. Not my favorite- but I found a cup of soup and salad to enjoy. I say slowly- because the fun didn't really begin until 8:30. That is when rag-time and sing-along piano is performed.

The piano

I really didn't know what to expect- and then it happened. A song list! Yay!

Love this song book- brought it home!

So, the pianist began and we all sang along together in the whole bar. We stayed there until 11:00 PM, requesting songs, belting out the ones we love, still singing the ones we didn't. I have never had more fun with so many people I didn't know. It was a total blast!

Linds and Kyle singing

John and I singing

 Forget the food, forget the beer- if the food was cold, and the beer was hot- this would still be one of my most favorite places and memories. Luckily- the beer was pretty cold. Problem was- I was having too much fun to take the temperature. Now, that is a sign of a great night!

"You can tell a good pub by the way it fits around your shoulders". That's how an Englishman explained the very special atmosphere that tells you instantly you've come to the right place...a blend of warmth and friendliness, of dark wood colors and sparkling glass, of foaming tankards and good talks. The Golden Bee at the Broadmoor was for sure this place.

A Weekend in the Springs

The family all together again!

This past weekend my entire family met in Colorado Springs. We traveled from Phoenix, Fort Worth, and Nashville for a special weekend to take a trip down memory lane, watch some TCU football, and celebrate my sister's birthday- on September 11th.

 Honestly, I don't know which day was more fun. Friday was a total blast. If you like to gamble, and are on a budget, Cripple Creek is the place for you. I LOVE this place. 

A picture of the Blackjack Table

Vegas- You got nothing on Cripple Creek.

It's nestled about an hour away from Colorado Springs and boy, oh boy- this was fun. The town was a little sleepy, but right when you got into one of the 10 casinos-the fun began! There were $3.00 Blackjack tables- did you see that $3.00. What a bargain! We had a blast there- but started to all lose some money. So, we headed over and "opened" the Craps table. This is my mom's favorite game and boy was this table HOT. We played as a family for over 2 hours (all 8 of us) and we all won $$$$$! It was a $1.00 Craps table- so not millions- but it was a ton of fun and hey, money is money.

That afternoon we headed to the Broadmoor. This was such a special treat and a special place. This hotel not only has gorgeous views, amazing restaurants, but is honestly- a lap of luxury. I could go back again and again. That evening we hit my most favorite place ever, The Golden Bee. More on that another time.

My parents at the Broadmoor

Saturday, we headed to the Air Force/TCU game where we enjoyed football, sun, mountains, and an amazing tribute to 9-11.

We wrapped the weekend up with church, a tour of where we lived and grew up for the spouses, and an awesome Birthday Brunch for my little sister's 26th Birthday.

What a fabulous weekend.  Happy Birthday Terri!