i am so over it
I am so over summer. Like really FN@%&K$## over it! We are easily 10 degrees above normal every single day. It is dry, hot and dusty and I don’t even think I remember what rain looks like. Hitting 104 day after day for weeks on end is not my idea of fun. Here are the highlights of this summer misery:
- My electric bill is off the hook insane and we don’t even keep our house as cool as we would like!
- I start sweating immediately upon going outside
- I take at least 2 showers a day ad sweat through them both.
- Jumping in the pool is more like jumping into warm bath water. Fun.
- Garden? What garden?
- I am scared my chickens are going to die from heat stroke
- Grilling out has become a chore versus a summer past time.
- Exercising outdoors is exhausting for at least a few hours after the activity is finished.
- Keith has been playing Rock, Paper, Scissors with me to see who has to mow the yard except now when I lose I can’t just smile, bat my eyes and get out of it.
- It hasn’t rained in MONTHS! My water bill is also frighteningly high.
- I haven’t actually wanted cooked food but living on smoothies and cereal isn’t going to cut it
- I have forgotten that grass is actually green in color
- Look at our 7 day forecast…this is insane and makes me completely miserable (and NO we did not get any rain from that 20% chance last Saturday)
Is the weather bad where you are??
On another note, did anyone watch The Bachelorette season finale last night? Thoughts? I was very excited she picked JP but did feel sorry for Ben. Being dumped on national television is never one of your finer moments.
best. day. ever.
On Saturday we had the best day! As you know, Keith’s god-daughter, Courtney, is staying with us for a week and this past Saturday we showed her the gem of Austin called Zilker Park. We started the day by hiking around the Botanical Gardens. It was gorgeous and impressive that everything was still so green with the serious drought we are stuck in.
Keith and Courtney
Me and Keith
Next we headed over to Town Lake to go canoeing. We had a 3-man canoe and we made Keith sit in the back to be the steering wheel and let’s face it…he did most of the work. But I think he can handle it. 😉
Town Lake runs right through downtown so you can see the skyline as you paddle. Hello Austin!
And what would any adventure be without some self portraits? Right??
And we finished out the day at Barton Springs. It is a natural spring pool that has a year round temperature of 68 degrees. Even with a high of 104 that water was COLD! But Courtney was a trooper and braved the temperatures to cool off!
Like I said, best. weekend. ever. Did you do anything fun this weekend? Do share!
photo friday
Where will I be today? Hamilton Pool. The Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve consists of 232 acres of protected natural habitat featuring a jade green pool into which a 50-foot waterfall flows. Formed long ago by the collapse of a large grotto (cave) into Hamilton Creek, the pool is surrounded by huge slabs of limestone that rest by the water’s edge; large stalagtites grow from the ceiling high above. Welcome to Austin, Courtney!
welcome to austin
We have company! Keith’s god-daughter, Courtney, is staying with us for a week! She is from Arizona and we are glad to have her!!! Having someone stay with you really makes you realize how boring you are. ha! Seriously! I am trying to branch out and show her what Austin is all about.
I feel like I fall into a trap of not exploring Austin. I have lived here my entire life and therefore don’t take advantage of all the touristy things to do here. So I am hoping that this will be a fun week for me and even teach me a few more things about my fabulous city!!
In honor of Courtney’s arrival I made some “tex-mex” for her to enjoy!! Welcome to Austin, Courtney!
Turkey Enchilada Casserole
1 lb lean ground turkey or extra lean ground beef (I used lean ground turkey)
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 (15 oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (16 oz) jar salsa
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
1 (14.5 oz) can Mexican-style tomatoes
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 (6 inch) corn tortillas (I only used 10)
2 cups shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese, divided
In a large saucepan coated with nonstick cooking spray, cook the turkey (or beef), green pepper, onion, and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink.
Stir in the beans, salsa, tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, onion powder, garlic powder, and cumin. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
Spread 1 cup meat sauce into a 13×9 inch baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Top with six tortillas, covering the sauce. Spread half of the remaining meat sauce onto tortillas; sprinkle with 1 cup cheese. Layer with remaining tortillas and meat sauce.
Cover and bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until bubbly and cheese is melted.
What Kelly Said 