This past week has been pretty routine. Josh worked a tone last week…so much so that I saw him when I woke him up before I left for work in the morning, and he came home after I’d already gone to bed. He’s been busy with a huge projet at work, and I can only hope that they are making good progress on it so that he’ll be free soon.

We went to Katy last weekend to spend time with Josh’s family. They just moved into their new gorgeous house and we hadn’t seen it with actual stuff in it. They also got a new puppy, Emma. She’s just about the sweetest dog I’ve ever met. I’m glad that Twist has someone to play with, and they certainly seem to get along well.  Meeting her last weekend really made me want a dog, I’m hoping that Josh is making use of the Puppy Purchasing Pamphlet I created for him a few weeks ago. So far there’s no puppy, so I’m not getting my hopes up.

We got to go to a Texans game, which was a good time. The Texans won easily, which was unfortunate because I guess we were there to support the Bengals. I’m usually there to support the snacks.

In keeping with the theme of this blog post there’s nothing much really going on this week either. Josh and I got to eat our first meal together in over a week, which was nice. Hopefully we can do something fun this weekend, but I think Saturday night will be spent cheering on the Longhorns against Texas Tech. I was hoping for a quiet dinner someplace nice…but football will work too. Friday is Halloween, and Josh was sweet enough to get me an entire bucket of candy. Of course, that’s not really in keeping with my low-carb, no sugar diet, but I do my best. I don’t have to eat it all at one time…now do I?

Next week I’m heading up to Boston to see the newly bethrothed Ashley Addington. I can’t wait! It will be cold, but I know we’ll be so busy doing fun stuff that I will hardly notice that I am freezing my fanny off! I am positive that I’ve lost all the cold weather endurance I gained while living in Kansas. I’ll update after I get back about my adventures there, and I’ll post some pictures on the kathrynocity.com flickr account so you can laugh at how bad I am at taking pictures. Fun!

This past weekend was a mini-family reunion in Kerrville. My family got together with UD and his new GFF Cindy for a weekend of good old-fashioned family bonding. Josh and I arrived late Thursday night, and had to make about 9 trips back and forth with stuff from the car to the room. You see, my mom doesn’t know what packing light means. In fact, she things that where ever you go, you have to bring snacks, and not just a snack…but tons of snacks.

After we unpacked, we headed to the bar for some refreshment. We stayed at the YO Ranch Resort, which is a pretty nice hotel. It’s full of stuffed animals (not the snuggly kind, the taxidermy kind) so it all seems very rustic. My parents didn’t arrive with UD and Cindy until well after midnight, so we met them in the morning after everyone had a chance to get a few hours sleep.

We had a really nice grown-ups only day. We went to the James Avery factory first to lust after all the beautiful silver jewelry then had lunch in Fredericksberg at a really great German restaurant. We then headed out to tour some wineries. None of the wines we tried were really all that spectacular, but that didn’t prevent us from trying as many as we could.

Apparently the grapes that grow in the hill country are all very sweet, and most of the wines they make are very sweet blends. The first winery we went to was extremely overpriced, but the second one was more reasonable, and Josh and I took home a souvenier bottle.

After the wineries we went to the LBJ Ranch for a tour. I’d been there before, and in fact had done my 7th grade Texas history project on the ranch. Complete with slides taken by my dad. They weren’t running the tram that day, so we got to experience much of it from the car. Usually that would have been nice, but my mom and I were cramped into the backseat of the car and had to climb over everyone to get in and out. It was a fun afternoon, and it was such a nice day to be outside.

For dinner we went to the restaurant in the hotel, and I had a most unique culinary experience. I’ve written about how I’m on a low-carb diet for quite some time, so I felt it okay to splurge a little big on the reunion. For dinner I ordered grilled chicken, veggies and a baked potato. The baked potato comes out, and it’s covered in puff pastry! Yes, that’s right, someone actually found a way to make a baked potato even more carb-licious. Of course, this was probably the best baked potato I’d ever had, so I’m not complaining.

By Saturday morning, Sarah and Jared and the boys had arrived. We spent the day shopping in Fredericksberg, and eating lunch. Lunch wasn’t as good as the day before, but it’s hard to find a happy place the entire family will enjoy. The town was nice, and we relaxed in a little park until it was time to go.

For dinner that night we headed to PO PO Family Restaurant. They are famous for the fried chicken, and it certainly was delicious. I’d eat there again anytime. I was glad that we weren’t the only family there with loud children. We hung out in my parent’s suite after dinner and enjoyed some wine while the kids got progressively more and more delierous with exhaustion. The little one is really pretty funny.

Sunday morning, we headed to Cracker Barrel (yum) for some breakfast. We said goodbye to the Roberts Clan, and the grownups headed off to San Antonio. It was a really scenic drive into town, and it was a really lovely day. We toured the Alamo, went on the river tour and had lunch at the famous (at least to us) La Fogata.

La Fogata, in my opinion, is the best mexican food restaurant of all time. I compare all other restaurants to La Fogata. I have very vivid memories of going their with my parents when we lived there. The margaritas always put them in a good mood. Unfortunately I was never old enough to partake, so this past Sunday was my first La Fogata margarita experience. It did not disappoint. They certainly do have a mood altering quality.

Josh drove home (obvsioulsy) while I muttered to myself and made Josh listen to be babble on about all my plans for us for the future. Luckily it’s not a long drive. We brought the suitcases in the house, Josh tucked me in with a blanket and the remote and left to go to work. It was a nice end to a perfect weekend.

I had a really great time with the family, and I can’t wait to get to know Cindy better. Maybe next time we can all go on a cruise together…or Vegas!

I’m sharing a recipe for my new favorite food. I make it at least once a week. I have to thank Aunt Pam for the inspiration for this recipe!

1 package Broccoli Slaw (Rainbow Salad works too)
1 Package Chicken Flavored Ramen Noodles
3 Scallions - finely chopped
Generous Sprinkling of Sunflower Seeds (or your favorite nut)
Crumbled Bacon
2-3 teaspoons Sugar (I use Splenda)
2-3 Tablespoons White Vinegar
2-3 Tablespoons Oil (any kind will work)

Take the seasoning packet from the Ramen Noodles, and whisk together with Sugar, Vinegar and Oil. Stir in chopped scallions and broccoli. If seving immediately, crumble up the Ramen Noodles and fold noodles, Bacon and Sunflower Seeds into the salad. When I make this for lunch, I usually bring the crunchy things separate, so they maintain their delicious crunch.

It’s also great mixed with some leftover chicken, or add some lunchmeat for some extra protein.

Enjoy!