An Apology and Amazing Antiques

How's that for an alliteration?


I'm back folks! So I've been super busy with life, work, work, and did I mention work? As Randy always says, "Excuses are like butts. Everyone has them, and they all stink." It's been a whole week since my last post. This is the longest I've been away, and I actually miss blogging. My sincerest apologies. If you would like to continue to see frequent posts on the blog shoot my husband an "Penny needs to quit her job and post all day on her blog" email. It's a long post because it's so overdue!

I am thrilled with my most recent antiquing experience. Don't you groan! Antiques are fun!

Let's begin by discussing one of the top 5 largest antique festivals in the world. (I totally made that statistic up, but it could be....it's a huge fair!) I'm only talking about the Round Top/Warrenton antique festival. Umm hello, it was even mentioned in the March edition of the Martha Stewart Magazine. (two points for me...antiques and Martha all in the same post)


Well my fabulous friend Leslie and I made the journey down to the junk haven on Saturday. I had one goal in mind.....



Locate this beautiful milk glass cake stand. I want one to showcase my food network lemon bars!



I love milk glass. It's just so classic. I have been eyeing several milk glass patterns in search for a beautiful cake stand to showcase these little lemon wonders. I am going to award myself with a third point in the coolness factor by saying I found this beauty at the Round Rock Antique Mall. It was NOT on sale! I was completely bummed and not about to fork over $58 bucks. Can you believe it? It must be really old!

So Leslie and I head off to locate my treasure, browse with the other folks, and enjoy an overpriced frozen lemonade.


We were running out of energy when all of a sudden in the china/crystal/expensive booth, I spotted it! I think these booths are the sole reason for the fanny pack. My purse almost got me in trouble a couple of times throughout the day. Anywho, I saw the coveted stand. Out of all the junk there, they had the one item I wanted. It was a sign. The price tag read $50 dollars. Ughhh booger, I want to save more than just 8 bucks.

P: "Leslie, I should barter, right?"
L: "Definitely" She's used to this statement coming from her hubby and not me:)
P: "Should I say $40?"
L: "The worst is they'll say no."

Okay, so palms sweating. I pick it up several times. I hold it up to the sunlight to give off that "I know what I'm looking for look. The I do this every time I examine milk glass image." I basically wanted to put them on notice that I was noticing their good.

P: "Would you take $40?" oh no, oh no, he'll say $45 or worse the cheapo will go down 2 bucks and say $48....oh no
Vendor: "SURE"

Wait why didn't he pause? Why didn't he ponder over that extremely low offer I made? Why did he jump all over that price? Rats, rats, rats! I should have said $30. Did I even get a good deal? My once thought "low" offer makes me a genuine sucker. At this point, it's too late to say, "umm did I say 40, I meant $30."

Well it's still a good deal from the Round Rock antique mall price right? We're talking about a savings of $18.00.

I was still on top of the world as I handed over my money. I can't believe I found the exact item I wanted. I could barely contain my excitement, so of course I call Randy to tell him how excited I am. Here's how this conversation went....

R: "Wait, what's a cake stand?"
P: I explain that I will be using it for my lemon bars.
R: "Do we even like lemon bars?"

"Do we like lemon bars?" Huh what a stupid question. Of course we do! Especially when they're on a pretty stand.

P: "I got a great deal. I only paid $40."
R. "What?!!?!!? Ya'll should leave right now. Forty dollars for a plate thing we'll never use."

Ummmm I think he forgot that we will be using it when I make the lemon bars.....Hello, sometimes he just doesn't listen.

P: "I saved almost twenty bucks because I bought it here instead of in Round Rock."
R: "Penny you wasted that and more on gas to drive down there."


Hmmm, hmmm, hmmmm

Practical people are such bubble busters! And they make terrible shopping partners which is why Randy stayed behind. Thank you Leslie for being proud of my haggling skills.

P: "Randy, it is an antique. It will increase in value over the years. It could be worth a $100 soon!"

I'm pretty sure this important fact earns me my 4th point in our little game.


Hooray for finding my treasure!

"To Infinity and Beyond"

Want to know what I'm most excited about today, Tuesday, March 23, 2010?











The Toy Story combo pack is now in stores! This has kept me smiling all day! I've got to get to the store to score these classics!


Best Pixar Movies EVER!!!!

My top quotes from the movies....

Mrs. Potato Head to Mr. Potato Head: "I'm packing your extra pair of shoes, and your angry eyes just in case."

T-Rex (who's my favorite because he has little arms:) "I can't look. Could somebody please cover my eyes? "

I can't wait for Toy Story 3! Whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo!

Why do bad things always happen on Mondays?

so it was back to school today....52 more days to go!

I left my house in a huge rush, and I'm all adjusted in my car when I stick my key into the ignition. My car seriously moans. It will not crank. It kinda coughs and spits, then goes into the "Oh no someone is trying to steal this car" mode. The lights start flashing; the horn is beeping repeatedly; Mopac is in the house barking; Randy is flying down the stairs in his pjs. Oh wait, that last part didn't quite happen. Randy was still sleeping when I raced back up the stairs to state my case for needing a new car. We end up jumping my car with jumper cables from Rands' truck. Randy was my hero of the day. He took it in to the dealership, and I drove in style to school. Randy got his truck in October, and I have only driven it 1 time before today. Partly, because I am terrified something will go wrong when I'm behind the wheel. The other part is Randy will go ballistic if something goes wrong with that truck.

So I was "forced" to enjoy the luxury of a new vehicle. Now don't get me wrong I love my 4runner. She celebrated her 10th birthday this year. According to my dad, she is a young chick in her prime. The Bayers' drive vehicles until they die. Then my dad bubble-gums something, and it's good for another 20 years or so. My car is starting to show some signs of aging, but I do love her. I just really really love Randy's truck. The mirrors automatically fold in when you push a button (gasp,) I can control the volume of the radio on the steering wheel, and oh my fave part is the volume of the radio goes up and down depending on your speed. Randy would have a fit if he saw me braking and speeding down Hwy 183 to test out this function (j/k Randy is a proud blog reader. I DID NOT do this Rands.....no worries sweetie pie)

The best thing is he has Xm Radio!!!!!! I listened to "90's on 9." The 9 is for channel 9 for all the cars who do not have this luxury. Can I get some of the XM action in my car? I was jamming to Savage Garden, and I found it incredibly difficult to leave the vehicle once I arrived at school.

Later I called Randy to ask for a "hooptie report." She just needed a new battery, but being the sweetheart my Rands is, he went ahead and decided I needed a more safe and reliable car myself. When I called, he had the dealership locate a 2010 silver 4runner for me. But since I'm so selfless, I told him that one new car in the family is sufficient. Plus, I felt kinda jipped I couldn't pick out the color of my new car on my own, so we're going to pass on this for now. Maybe we'll do this on the weekend......

The Patient and Best Recipe Ever

Spring Break is well, almost gone:(

I have spent the majority of my time being Nurse Penny. Mopac lost her womanhood on Monday. That's right, after her Mimi scored her own very Westie, we told Mopac no more diapers twice a year. It's quite disgusting. She's adjusting well since I'm doing such a good job in the care taking department. She's moving much much slower since the snip, so the squirrels are enjoying a little bit of backyard freedom in her condition.

Since I can't sit still longer than 10 minutes, I have enjoyed trying some new recipes over the break. I subscribe to only the most happening magazines. Martha Stewart, Rachel Ray, and the Food Network magazines visit my mailbox once a month. Who needs beauty tips, relationship advice, and fashion? That stuff just makes you feel bad. If I want to feel guilty it needs to be over the fact of, "I should have used less butter in this or I need to go to the gym now." If I'm going to feel bad about something, I want it to at least taste good.

Wow this post is making me sound more and more suitable for "Over-eaters Anonymous."

So Martha printed this incredible, unbelievable, delectable, scrumptious quick bread recipe ever. You MUST try this. I never try to sell recipes this much, but this one is a keeper. I even branched out and splurged on the real vanilla bean pods.

Tip: These are located next to the bananas in the produce. Do not buy the ones in the spice aisle in that little bitty jar.

The vanilla pod scavenger hunt ensued for about 10 minutes with a HEB workers help. Man I hate asking for help at HEB. She triumphantly returned with this little bitty jar with 1 pod. She had a huge grin on her face as she reported she found it and the price was 8 dollars. EIGHT DOLLARS!!!! FOR ONE POD! Oh I was about to shame Martha and use imitation. But don't give up friends, politely smile and accept the jar of gold and place it on the shelf when she turns around. Next go find your banana section in the produce. I found a bag of 2 bean pods for 4 dollars. Expensive still? Yes, but so worth it.


Clementine Vanilla Bean Quick Bread

Ingredients

Makes one 5-by-9-inch loaf.

* 10 clementines or tangerines
* 3/4 cup heavy cream
* 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
* 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
* 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan
* 1 1/4 cups sugar
* 2 vanilla beans, split and scraped, pod reserved for another use
* 2 large eggs


Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 5-by-9-inch loaf pan. Zest 4 clementines to yield 1 tablespoon zest. Juice 2 zested clementines and 6 remaining unzested clementines to yield 3/4 cup juice. Cut pith from 2 remaining zested clementines. Slice fruit along membranes to release segments into a bowl; discard membranes and any seeds.
2. Combine 1/4 cup clementine juice, the cream, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in another bowl.
3. Beat zest, butter, 1 cup sugar, and the vanilla seeds with a mixer on medium speed until combined, about 4 minutes. With machine running, add eggs, 1 at a time. Reduce speed to low, and beat flour mixture into butter mixture in 3 additions, alternating with cream mixture, beginning and ending with flour.
4. Fold clementine segments into mixture, and pour into pan. Gently smooth top using an offset spatula.
5. Place pan on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until a tester inserted into center comes out clean, 55 to 65 minutes. Meanwhile, bring remaining 1/2 cup clementine juice and cup sugar to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Reduce heat, and simmer for 3 minutes.
6. Remove bread from oven, poke top all over with a skewer, and brush with half the clementine syrup. Transfer pan to a wire rack; let cool for 15 minutes. Invert pan to remove bread. Let cool completely on wire rack, top side up.
7. Brush remaining clementine syrup onto sides and again on top of bread. (Bread can be stored, wrapped, at room temperature overnight or refrigerated for up to 5 days.)

Fish out of water!

Well I kicked off my spring break week with seeing the Eli Young Band at the Austin Rodeo. We had a great time screaming "When It Rains" and "Guinevere" with all the drunkies. Well I screamed the songs, Randy just swayed with the music. He's a swayer and not a dancer. Whoa, can we just say Randy and I stuck out like sore thumbs at this rodeo.


First and foremost attire!

Randy at least had some rodeo spirit. He wore his boots. I, on the other hand, do not own one western thing. Let's face it. I would look absolutely ridiculous in yee-haw wear. Some people can pull it off, but I cannot. I think it's that whole girly pink, lace, bows on shoes, motif I try.
















Aren't my pink ruffle ballerina slippers adorable? I got some weird looks, but my mom always told me when I was younger that if people stare at you, they could just be jealous. She had to tell me this because I had such low self-esteem since I was an incredibly chunky child. Oh how I love that lady! So I think the cowgirls were jealous of my ballerina slippers.


Secondly, Randy and I don't really do that whole "let's get plastered in public."

Now not judging, I have tons of friends who enjoy the bubbly, fizz, wine, spirits, and drinks. Heck, give me some Mexican food, and I'll sign up on the pina colada/daquiri list myself. Randy on the other hand, has never ever touched the stuff. He doesn't even know what beer tastes like. This is phenomenal due to the fact that he grew up in LaGrange.

So I snuck my watter bottle into the arena. The couple next to me, snuck in other things. More to that in a minute.

Randy was a first time rodeo go-er. Well, we did many things wrong. First and foremost, eat before you go. We spent 24 bucks on dinner, and we were still hungry. Not to mention, it was all junk.

Secondly, the arena is incredibly dusty and hot. Unless you are sitting at the bottom, you might be cooler. But bring eye drops because those bulls don't exactly keep the dirt on the ground.

Well we get there at 7pm. The EYB will be appearing at 9:30. Bull riding was the main event, and let me just tell you, people are nuts about bull riding. Randy and I clapped, but I don't think we had the zest it takes to properly cheer on bull riding. I certainly didn't join the woman next to me in screaming "Stay On!" "Stay On!" This little segment of the show was entertaining for about 15 minutes.

I don't think I would have gotten through the night if it wasn't for the very entertaining crowd we had surrounding us. This is the best part of the night.....

So "Stay On" screamer is out with her hubby. She was a very sweet lady, and as you all know I have no trouble chatting it up with strangers. This woman though was the definition of TMI. At one point, she leans over to me and says "Sweetheart, I apologize for being so wild tonight." I didn't know what to say, so I smiled, and said "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself." ??????

Then about ten minutes later, the lady leans over and says "I'm so sorry for being wild. We haven't been away on a night out from our toddler in a long time."

Okay, I get it. She's here to have a good time.

But no, she wanted to confirm this for a third time. Five minutes later after more screaming "Turn him loose" and more "Stay On" and an occasional "Yee-haw!" (I'm not kidding.) She leans over again to apologize for her behavior. Okay lady, how wild are you planning on getting? That's the third warning.

I think she was just building me up and preparing me for witnessing the goods she snuck in.

She then takes out a bottle of Jack Daniel's from her purse. I'm thinking oh she's probably going to mix it with her soda. But she's not sporting the old coca cola, it's a keystone light. This has turned out to better than the concert. I am watching, (who am I kidding, staring) with incredible interest. I'm thinking, "okay, no soda, she's about to pass that to her hubby for a swig."

NOPE! She takes a big gulp herself.

At this point, I'm trying not to stare and not draw any attention as I'm frantically hitting Randy on the side of his leg for him to join the witnessing. I had so many questions for her.

1) Does your throat burn now?
2) How did you not just make a face after that?
3) What will you do when your toddler wakes up to go to the bathroom tonight?
4) Do you have a DD due to your fondness of JD?
5) Where did you park? ....so we're nowhere near you.

Randy and I also got incredible stares and bad looks when we got up and left during the bull riding. Yep, after 10 bulls, I was bored and craving beef. So we walked around the fair grounds. Well when we got back to our seat for the concert, the entertainment (the JD couple) left. I was shocked!

We should have just split the price of the tickets. They could have had their rodeo fun, and we could have had the swaying and screaming songs fun. The argument could easily be, "who wasted money on their tickets?"

Spring Break!

One more day!


Want to know the three best things about working in education? Here's a hint....the answers are all two words, and the second word is "Break"

1) Christmas Break
2) Spring Break
3) Summer Break

I can't wait for the countdown to begin. I actually want it to be the morning, so the day can be over.

We then have 53 school days for those who are counting. I'm not, but just in case you are.


Top ten things I'm looking forward to over spring break (in no particular order)
(I'm all about these lists)

1) Eli Young concert on Saturday night at the Austin Rodeo
2) Spending time with my mom and dad in Weimar
3) Shopping with Jana
4) lunch with Anna---mmmmm Mesa Rosa
5) Afternoon reading outside
6) girls night out for Cheesecake Factory and Phantom of the Opera
7) hair cut and highlighted (alleluia! I'm starting to look like a skunk)
8) Food.network.all.day.long
9) sleeping in!
10) not thinking about work for 9 days!

Have a great weekend people!

Oh Broadway How I Love You

Broadways are my thing.....well actually they're our things. When I say "our" I don't mean Randy. That was a good guess, NOT! Can you see Randy enjoying a play in song?

Been there, done that, made that mistake before. Randy and I went to see Chicago when we were dating. Big mistake... I look over at him during the play, and he was making airplane noises while he flapped his finger against his lips. "I can't understand anything they're singing. Why don't they just talk?" Men...... Don't get me started on boring baseball.

When I say "our" I mean my fabulous friend Jana. I love her so much! She is my sunshine on a rainy day. I love how we can have hours of conversation with such minimal effort. She also is the funniest person I know. Jana and I pretty much see every Broadway that comes to Austin. She's my favorite date for those Sunday matinees.

On Sunday we saw "A Fiddler on the Roof." It was okay. I now know what Mazzletop (sp?) means like in that Black-Eye Pea song, "Tonight is going to be a good night." Yah, I know I'm hip! But overall not my favorite Broadway. Most of the time if I don't rank the show in my top ten, I just like to identify Broadway songs. This one had "If I were a rich man, na, na, na, na." and "Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match."


So then I started thinking what are my top faves and what songs stick out from each one.


Here we go....My top ten Broadway plays with an occasional song lyric


10) Legally Blonde
9) Les Miserables
8) Into the Woods
7) Hairspray...."Good morning Baltimore"
6) Cabaret
5) Christmas Spectacular
4) Lion King.... do I even need to sing Hakunna Matada?
3) Damn Yankees...."Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets."
2) South Pacific...."I'm going to wash that man right out of my hair."
1) Wicked

After I did this list, I couldn't exactly place the following, but these are also winners in my book....

Of Mice and Men
Thoroughly Modern Millie
A View from the Bridge
1776


Not a big fan of Chicago (weird), the Glass Menagerie, Rent (although I do love that Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes song), Avenue Q (too dirty)

I am dying to see Beauty and the Beast, Mamma Mia, and Stomp.
Next up, Phantom of the Opera. Whoo whoo!

I wish I could live my life in song. How fun would that be? If all of sudden when we were having a conversation, I'd bust out in song? Maybe I should try this on Randy.