Weekend Adventures

Who doesn't love a weekend? I haven't met a person in my life that doesn't love the weekend. It's a time for rest, time to get things done around the house, tie up the loose ends from the week, and time to spend some QT with the people you love the most. Weekends are very precious to me, because it is the only time I am able to see Matt. This SA-ATX relationship is weighing on my heart, and Matt knows it. It becomes very apparent on Sunday afternoons when its time for him to leave, and I get misty-eyed. Pathetic, yes. Oh well.

So back to our weekend. What a lovely weekend in Austin it was! We started out by going to "That Takes the Cake" in North Austin, where amateur bakers from across the state and country enter their baking masterpieces into the competition. The talent exhibited at this event was incredible. Most of you know that I hate cake, its a consistency thing, but I love the artwork that goes into making these edible confections. Here are just a few that we saw, all made by amateurs....

 

Matt's favorite, his fave super heroes from when he was a kid. 

 

My favorite! Not that I would ever order a cake, but artistically, this looks incredible.  

The rest of our weekend was spent hiking the amazing trails that Austin has to offer. On Saturday, we ventured a new trail on the greenbelt, but I forgot my camera, so no pictures of this beautiful part of the city. But, on Sunday, after church, we wen to Hamilton Pool. I've heard for year that it is a gorgeous place, but its always been a bit too far to go just for an afternoon hike. Now that I live closer to this amazing spot, Matt decided it was high time that we go. OH.MY.GOODNESS. I am so glad we went!! It was absolutely beautiful. I love living in this part of Texas, among the hills, trees, and rivers. We are so lucky to call the hill country home. As much as I say I want to move back to the Houston area one day, I am beginning to change my mind on adventures like these. 

 

At the start of the hike, Matt standing in Hamilton Pool. The water temp was 56degrees, so I was NOT getting my tooties wet!

 Love this view. How amazing that this is a natural pool. Can't wait to spend my summer here!

 Matt trying to squeeze through this tight spot. Goodness, my claustrophobia set in just a bit at this point!

 At the end of a gorgeous hike, the Pedernales River. How amazingly beautiful. I was in awe.

And this time, I did venture out into the water, because by that time, I was burning hot from the 1.5M rocky/hilly hike. Just wish there would have been another pool once we got back to the car, because DANG we were worn out!! What a wonderful weekend :)

Falling into an Routine...

I hate routine. It bores me. But, I know that routines suite most people. Routine offers a predictable lifestyle that most people crave, it offers stability and it provides comfort. 

Routine does not fit my lifestyle at the moment. Between work changing on a daily basis, weekends all around our "Texas Triangle" (Austin, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio), parties, babies and everything family and friend related, my life is anything but routine. AND I LOVE IT!!! 

My weight loss journey has fallen into a routine....a routine I am not happy about. Last week I was so excited because I lost 5.6lbs in ONE WEEK! I was over the moon. But let's not forget, the week before I gained .2lbs and the week before that, I gained .4lbs. But in week three, I lost 4.4lbs in ONE WEEK! Well guess where this routine lead me during week six....I gained .4lbs. Really? !?! I gained this week? UGH such a beating, but it happens. My routine is this... big weight loss one week, two weeks of a slight gain. 

I am on a mission....a mission to break this routine, and continue on my path of weight loss. Time to through this routine into the wind. 

WWW5 (Weight Watchers Week 5)

I was a bit timid going to my meeting this week. Matt had made a very special valentine's meal for us on Saturday (loaded with calories I'm sure), but I had been very diligent to watch my points during the week. My activity levels are picking up, and this past weekend we went for a 1.5hr hike.

Cue in Tuesday night.... if you recall, the past two weeks, I have gained .4lbs and then .2lbs. I was nervous that I was going to gain again, but I had this strong since of "skinny" yesterday. HAHA Call me crazy, but some days I feel thinner than other days. I'm not a thin person to begin with, but there is something about feeling "thin" ... I don't know, can't explain it. Just go with it.

While I was in line to get weighed in, I was racking my brain of everything and anything I had eaten in the past week, and what activity I had done. Then doom set in. I felt like it was going to be another awful week, even though I had many good days, but I felt the bad out did the good.

I stepped on the scale, did a double take, and a smile took over my face! My WW leader came up, jumped up and down with me, and gave me a HIGH FIVE.... because my friends, I lost 5.6 lbs in ONE WEEK.

Grand Total to date: 11.6 lbs GONE from my life, never to be seen again.

I can see new, smaller clothes in my future. Who wants to go shopping?

Cupid strikes again

This weekend started out like every other weekend. We have a little tradition in our relationship where I cook Friday night dinner and we sit, enjoy dinner, and catch up on our week together. It is very special to me, since Matt and I only see each other on the weekends. I love to cook for him, and on Friday, I tried a new recipe for WW Vegetable Lasagna! It was delish, and it didn't feel like I was eating "diet" food at all. If you want the recipe, just email me.

On Saturday, we met up with Kim and Brad for a hike in the Austin Greenbelt. If you've never been to Austin's greenbelt, then you are missing out on true beauty within this amazing city. This protected "belt" of land is sprawling throughout the midsection of the city, and has many different trails, with various difficulty levels, and lengths. Matt and I try to do different paths, so we can try them all. Well on Saturday, we had no clue that this trail was going to be so difficult.... well, not difficult, just plain hard. Kim and Brad (our fitness gurus) were champs, but Matt and I are a bit more out of shape, and we had to work for it!! It was so much fun to hike with BK! Kim and I were dying laughing the entire time, while Matt and Brad probably laughed at us behind our backs. It was a very fun time!!

Matt leading the path (you can barely see him in the distance)!

HA! Kim and I "holding" up the rock urban assault wall 

The boys find the perfect rocks on one of the breaks. 

So here goes, I am about to be full on mushy, ridiculously in love, crazy about my man...I'm about to be that girl. Matt has always been wonderful to me, truly treating me like I am a princess, making sure that I always feel so very special. We have some of the best date nights, at some of the best restaurants around Austin and San Antonio. Matt's love for fine dining has translated into amazing dining experiences for the both of us. As you can tell, we both share a love for food. I show him my love by home cooked meals, fancy breakfast, or some new sweet treats that I like to invent. 

This Valentine's, Matt wanted to try something very different. Instead of a reservation at the hottest restaurant in town, Matt wanted to turn my home into the place to be. He wanted to COOK me dinner. We have been dating for two and half years, and he has not once cooked for me. I say this with love, because Matt would much rather go out, than cook...he loves going out that much. But the fact that he wanted to cook for me, not only made me feel so unbelievable special, but it also made me a bit nervous. Could he cook? What in the world would he cook? Would he burn my house down? Reminder to check insurance on the house before Matt cooks... HAHA!! All jokes aside, I was excited, albeit nervous, too. I have a control issue, and he was going to be using MY kitchen to create the meal. 

Well, the day had come, and Matt gave me the menu......drum roll please......

Cesar Salad with a homemade Parmesan Crisp

Porterhouse Steak (Ribeye for Matt, Filet Mignon for me) with a Bleu Cheese Crab topping

Fresh Maine Lobster

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Green Beans with shitake mushrooms and caramelized onions

NOW I was excited  (and HUNGRY). After our hike, we ventured to Whole Foods for the main ingredients. What fun, because we both love Whole Foods. It was hard to stick to our plan, because we wanted everything. Once we got home, Matt got to work in the kitchen, and I took my spot on the couch, as I was instructed to not enter the kitchen, unless asked a specific question. After I realized that Matt wasn't about to ask me any questions, I decided to get a little dolled up for the evening, while he cooked.

With very little guidance, Matt presented our first course. WHAT A SURPRISE, the salad was delicious!!! The Parmesan crisps turned out amazing, and the dressing was a hit. 

After our opening course, Matt had to get back in the kitchen to start our entree. Below is a picture of him cooking the steaks, checking the tempretures, to make sure he is cooking it exactly how I like it, medium rare. So sweet!!

Chef Buckmaster :)

And below, the final product!! What an amazing meal, cooked with love from my sweet valentine. As you can see below, we had quite the spread!! 

Matt's plate

My Plate!

I am so thankful for my love, and so happy that I get to spend another year with this man that God brought into my life. Happy Valentine's Day!! 

Week Four

A new week starts on Sunday, a new work week starts on Monday, but my new weight watchers week starts on Tuesdays, after my 6pm meeting. I look forward to my meetings, listening to the teaching for that week, and weighing in. Yes, I am one of those people that looks forward to hitting the scale while on this program. Each week I find that I am leaving a little bit more of me in the past. It is a great feeling. Eating right, trying to stay active, and becoming a healthier me.

Well this week was different. I gained .4 lbs. While its not a whole pound, and the sweet lady at the table tried to justify that it might just be my clothes, I couldn't help but feel sad. I thought back to my previous week, senior serve, taking care of Matt twice for back injections, poor eating choices. But then I went inside my meeting and was motivated all over again. Hey, it's just one week, and I can get back on track in no time.

So here I am, back on track.Thank you for holding me accountable :)