The Kummers: 2009

12.31.2009

Happy 2010

Happy New Year!

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!

Chorus.-For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

2009 was a great year full of wonderful moments--but my favorite--there's 2! Getting our precious puppy Winston (What was life like before him?!) and our trip to Europe. I am so grateful for the wonderful friends in our life and the memories they have all given me throughout 2009.

Instead of just making one New Years Resolution for 2010, I am going to make a list of 27 things I want to do in the new year since I'll be turning 27. Here it goes--

1. Plan a weekend at the lake with a few couples
2. Date night with Brett at The Grove in Discovery Green
3. Go to Bayou Bend with some girls in the spring
4. Walk/Jog in Memorial Park on a weekend with Brett and Winston
5. Pay off all credit card debt
6. Volunteer for something
7. Finish decorating the downstairs of the house (dang it--This one clashes with #5, but I'll find a way)
8. Weekend trip with Brett to Fredericksburg
9. Plan a girls trip somewhere
10. Make our bed every (or most) morning(s)
11. Continue to work out at least 3 times/week
12. Complete the Disciple 2 Bible Study
13. Learn to cook other meats than chicken and ground beef (preparing meats intimidates the heck out of me!)
14. Take a tennis class
15. Enroll Winston in "Caring Critters"--a therapy dog program at Texas Children's Hospital.
16. Read one book each month
17. Update the blog regularly
18. Take better care of my car (get regular car washes and keep it tidy)
19. Go to Vancouver in May
20. Try 3 new classes at the gym
21. {Significantly} help someone
22. Try one new restaurant in Houston each month
23. Attend church regularly
24. Enjoy the pool more this summer
25. Eat more antioxidants
26. Wear sunscreen every day on my face
27. Go to Pinot and Picasso with friends

And what am I doing to ring in the new year? Pizza, champagne, and a bubble bath. And I'm perfectly okay with that. Gosh, I'm old.

Happy New Year everyone!

12.24.2009

Merry Christmas from the Kummers!

Winston, Brett and I have a special hip hop routine to share with you all for Christmas!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

I just can't get enough of ElfYourself.com! It just never gets old-too funny!

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Christmas. We are off to San Antonio later today to celebrate with Brett's family.

Thinking of you all that can't be with us and of course I always remember my dear Aunt Bea every Christmas Eve. She made Christmas magical for me and it hasn't been the same without her and her Christmas Eve parties. Yet somehow I know she is still with us.

12.23.2009

Olive Garden's Pasta Fagioli Soup

I have to share this recipe for Olive Garden’s Pasta Fagioli Soup with you because it is just so easy and delicious! I always make a huge pot and eat off it for days, even freezing some for a rainy day. And I love that it’s meaty and hearty, so the man in your life will enjoy it too. Try it…you will love it!

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 cups each: diced carrots & celery
1 cup hot water
½ cup instant bouillon granules
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon black pepper
1-1/2 to 3 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley (optional)
1 teaspoon hot red pepper sauce
6 cups chunky pasta sauce
1 (15-16 oz.) can each: drained and rinsed red and white kidney beans
2 cups cooked pasta (macaroni or small shells)

Heat oil in stockpot over medium high heat. Add beef and sauté, stirring to break up, about 5 minutes or until beef loses its pink color. Add onion, carrots and celery; simmer 10 minutes. Place hot water in small bowl and add bouillon granules to dissolve.

Stir bouillon mixture, oregano, black pepper, parsley, pepper sauce and pasta sauce into stockpot. Simmer 10 minutes. Add 1 quart water or enough to reach desired consistency. Stir and simmer about 30 minutes. Stir in beans. Stir in pasta just before serving. Makes about 1 gallon.

Enjoy!

12.22.2009

I'm Back!

I am such a loser for not posting anything for the last 4 months! Especially when they have been as jam-packed with exciting stuff. I guess I just got behind and then kept putting it off because I knew I had so much to post. I will try to do a summary recap of the big events this fall.

First, Brett turned the big 3-0! I spent all summer planning him his backyard birthday party fiesta, and loved every minute of the planning and execution! We had a taco truck come park-it in our driveway and that was how I fed all 50 people. It was a success! Here is a collage of all the details from the party.

Colors: Red and White
Theme: Brett's 30! Let's Fiesta!

Next comes our trip to Europe. I started planning this in the middle of the planning of Brett's party--so it was one busy month! We had both never been to Europe and I guess had kept putting it off because the thought of planning it and picking out where to go was too overwhelming. Well, we finally decided to just go for it, and using Rick Steve's Italy and France books and Trip Advisor, we put together the perfect trip in under a month!

We spent 3 days in Paris, 1 day in Venice, 2 days in the Cinque Terra region (Vernazza), 3 days in Rome, and 1 day in London on our way out. It was a lot of traveling, but I wouldn't have done it any other way. I loved seeing so much on one trip! We can relax when we get home, right!?

When people ask me what was my favorite place, I honestly just can't choose. So I'll give the pros and cons to all the places we visited:

PARIS-

LOVED: all the little french cafes lining the streets and sitting at them for hours listening to the street music. the little cobblestone streets. seeing Versailles (the Gardens were my favorite). I loved all the cavalier king charles we saw. Loved Luxembourg Gardens. Loved all the flower markets. Beautiful architecture. My favorite meal of the trip was at Le Coup Chou--(If you are ever in Paris you MUST go here!) Loved the fall leaves everywhere and crisp cool weather!

HATED: all the cigarette smoke, figuring out the metro system in another language, hence the reason we got stuck in the Versailles train station for 2 hours. Also hated all the men in skinny jeans that we saw, ha! Also didn't love the Latin Quarter (over-rated!)

VENICE-

LOVED: Venice at nighttime! (Most romantic night of our trip). Loved the dueling orchestras on St. Mark's Square, the gondola ride under the moonlight, the little wine bars.

HATED: Venice at daytime! Massive swarms of fanny pack-wearing tourists off of cruise ships. Flooding of St. Mark's Square, muggy weather. Touristy vibe.

CINQUE TERRE-

LOVED: Vernazza, the quaintness, the views (incredible), the pesto (the best!), the more laid back part of our trip, loved our private terrace that overlooked the sea. Loved the relaxation. Loved the friends we made!

HATED: Parts of the hike (although I'm glad we did it--it was very strenous and dangerous at times!) Thats about all I disliked about Cinque Terre. I can't wait to go again!

ROME-

LOVED: walking around at nighttime, the Vatican Museum, the history, street music, the location of our hotel (right across from Colosseum), loved how close everything was (you could walk everywhere), seeing all the amazing history of Christianity (The stairs Jesus walked on, the chains that were on St. Peter, etc.), Loved Trastavere.

HATED: body odor all around, crowds, chaos crossing the streets, grafitti everywhere, dirtyness, and tourist traps.

LONDON-

LOVED: location of our hotel (across the street from Buckingham Palace), the pubs, fish and chips, and St. Paul's Cathedral (where Princess Diana got married) was my favorite church of the whole entire trip (and we saw A LOT!) because it was so neutral inside, and of course I loved seeing English speaking people again!

HATED: Not much, I really liked London! Need to go back again since we were only there 1 day.

All in all, the Europe trip was an amazing memory that I will foreer cherish. I got 4 items on my bucket list crossed off--#1) Kiss my husband under the eiffel tower #2) Take a Gondola ride in Venice #3) See Buckingham Palace, and #4) Attend mass at St. Peter's in Rome. Can't wait til our next European adventure! I'm thinking Greece, Scotland, Czech Republic and Germany!

The weekend after we returned from Europe, I had a business trip in Washington DC. I always look forward to these trips, even though they are work-related. The other 2 liaisons and I have become great friends and we work hard/play hard at these conferences, always trying to squeeze in a little sightseeing on our off hours. If you find yourself in DC, or more specifically, Georgetown, any time soon, you have to eat at a restaurant called Filomena--It is delicious and has a great atmosphere! All of us TCH booth staffers ate there our last night and it was delightful!

Then, a few weekends later one of my dearest friends Natalie got married! I have to say that Natalie was one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen. It was one of those weddings where everything was just fairytale perfect! She looked like a little doll. Isn't she perfection?

Then, before I knew it, Christmastime was here! We had our annual Christmas party for old friends and new! It truly is one of my favorite parts of the holiday season to make our home look festive and to spread the cheer and festivity of the season with others. Even Santa Claus made an appearance in the wee hours. Here is a collage of some of the decorations around our house for the party.

Well that about sums up the last 4 months. Now that I am all caught up, I will be more diligent in updating the blog. :) Happy Holidays to all!

8.18.2009

HGTV Dream Bedroom

I'm not normally a huge fan of HGTV's decorating style, but when I came across their 2009 Dream House's Master Bedroom, I fell in love.

I love the vibrant green walls with the all-white bedding and furniture, which really pops. The paint color is Sherman Williams-Inland-SW 6452, and most all of the furnishings and accessories are from Ethan Allen.

8.16.2009

Lindsay Sikes Photography

My talented sister is starting up a photography business. She just invested in an amazing new camera and this weekend, while my family was visiting her in Dallas, she took some great photos of me and my lil' Winston. (I know, I know, I'm obsessed with my canine/sort-of human child). I'm sure I will post more about my sister's photography in the future, but check out these great photos.

Also, visit my sister's blog at lindsaysikesphotography.blogspot.com. If you live in the Dallas area, give her a call and she'll give you a great rate.

Speaking of Mr. Winston, he was a monster this weekend. When we're at home, he is a perfect little angel. He knows how to behave around new people, for sure. However, I think we failed to teach him how to act around other dogs. We had three dogs this weekend(my parent's dog- Riley, my sister's dog-McKenzie, and our dog-Winston) and Winston barked excessively ALL weekend! He never quit. Anyone have any tips about what to do about this little problem? Do we ignore him? Punish him? Get the newspaper out? (I can't bear to do that). I think my ears are still ringing and I hope he is invited back to Dallas, because right now I'm thinking he is not welcome. He's a really lousy houseguest. I guess I'll be enrolling him in a puppy kindergarten this week.

7.25.2009

Kim's Baby Shower

Ahh...don't you just love throwing a shower? I do! One of my closest childhood friends, Kim, is expecting her first child in September so we all got together to throw her a baby shower today. It really turned out to be a beautiful event and it was so great to see Kim and her growing baby bump. I love this girl and can't wait to meet Baby Crew Dale Carson! Below is a collage I put together of all the details.

Theme: Celebrate

Colors: Soft blues and green

And here is a picture that I snapped of the beautiful mom-to-be and me...

And here is Winston in his custom "Welcome Baby Crew" outfit that Mom made him. He modeled it like a supermodel.

7.17.2009

Rooms that Inspire

I have such an obsession with beautiful things. Whenever I stumble across a photo of a room that I absolutely drool over, I always right click-save to my desktop. Throughout the years I have acquired quite the large file. Here are a few of my favorites. Aren't they beautiful...

7.14.2009

Girls Night Out

I love a good girls night out! This weekend Elizabeth came in town from Dallas, so us high school friends got together to catch up! We ate at Soma Sushi and then went out on Washington. I love these girls!

Kyle's Karpentry Kraft

Yep, that is the name I made up for my brother-in-law's business that I think he should start. Kyle came in town this weekend and stayed with us. He made us 2 fabulous lawn chairs for the backyard!

Painting on the stain...

The final product....now I just need to find some cute cushions.

Sunday Funday

This past weekend some friends came over for a "Sunday Funday." We had a blast swimming and grilling out! Here are some pictures of the festivities...

Me, Tessie, and Lindsey (Tessie is having a baby in September! so exciting!)