Many Thanks!

It was a great week while it lasted, but now it is back to the real world for the Martinsons! Last week we had visitors come visit us in Texas.  It was SO great to have family here to help fill the house up with warmth, love, and company! My mom and dad drove their camper here after a couple of other stops through the United States and they arrived on Saturday before Thanksgiving.  My youngest brother, Nate, and his girlfriend, Kim, arrived on Tuesday, and my oldest brother, Aaron, came in on Wednesday afternoon.  We attempted to show them around the big town of Denton, along with a couple other "iconic" places in the North Texas area, but mostly we just hung out at our house and caught up! 

It is a little blurry, but here is our first official Thanksgiving table setup!

A few of us went to the new Dallas Cowboy stadium for a tour. We had the opportunity to go out onto the field, go into the locker rooms, press conference rooms, and more.  (It did NOT have the star on the field because they were getting ready for a college game.)

My dad and my brother got into the spirit of Texas by purchasing some cowboy hats. :)

Of course, we had to go out for a steak dinner while we were in Fort Worth!  Here is a picture of Steve and Shari anxiously awaiting their yummy grub!

Thanks so much for those of you who came it visit! We really had a great time! I have to admit that I am a little lonely now that everyone has gone home and back to work.:)  You will have to come back and visit soon! Have a great week yall!

They call it Mellow...Yellow......

Well, not really. They actually call it Mellow Mushroom. Yes, my life is so exciting at the moment that I thought I would tell you all about my job. Actually, some of you have asked many questions about it, so I thought that I would tell you a little bit about since I have no pictures to show you for this week. :)

Mellow Mushroom is a pizza joint that was created awhile back by some college students in Atlanta, Georgia. It has since grown into many other individually owned stores--not one is exactly alike! They are different because the pizza is hand-tossed, made to order, and baked in a stone oven. I am telling you, their crust is like no other! It is made with molasses and spring water (other stuff too), but it is even vegan friendly!

Anyway, I usually bartend there, so I might be biased to it, but I do suggest that if you are in an area of the United States where you can find a Mellow, you definitely should check it out! Here is the link to their website....mmmm, now I am hungry!

http://www.mellowmushroom.com/denton#/home

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!!!

NASCAR--An interesting and fun experience.

This past Sunday was an exciting day for Andy and I; we got the opportunity to go to a NASCAR race at the Texas Motor Speedway.  I'm not sure if many of you know this, but NASCAR is a pretty big deal around these parts, so we left the jobsite at 9:30 in order to see everything and get there in time--mind you, the race didn't starte until 2:00 P.M.  In any case, traffic wasn't too terrible when we arrived, so we found a decent parking spot, found our official pit passes, and walked into the area. 

As much as I originally was not into this sort of thing, it really was a neat experience.  The pit, racetrack, cars and crew, the different people, sounds, and other entertainment were all just something to be experienced and taken in.  Here are a few pictures to help illustrate what we encountered during our time there.

Here we are with our "hot" pit passes.  We are standing on the actual race track! Very Cool!

With our "hot" passes we were able to go into the garages and watch the cars go through inspection.  This is Jeff Gordon's car...I think. :)

Again, near the garage, Dale Ernheart Jr.'s car.  Pretty sweet.

(Sorry about the sideways pic, I still cannot figure out why they do not upload the other way even after I've edited them.) Anyway, this is one of the "pit stop" stations right off of the track where the cars go during the race to get things fixed.

Andy and I inside the garage, watching the Target car get checked.

The view from our seats.  The stage on the bottom right was for the Trace Atkins concert before the race.

And the winner is.... Tony Stewart #14. (He was Andy's guy to watch apparently.)

They shoot off fireworks, and the car that won started ripping around in circles (you all know what those are called) to create smoke and stuff.

**One other random thing that they did before the race was had this guy use a jet pack to fly the flag another 200 feet or something to "finish its journey" after they had already taken the flag to the moon.  We actually got to witness this guy fly using a jet pack--COOLEST THING EVER!!!!

(Click on the link below.  It is hard to tell how cool it was because it is kind of blurry, but you get the idea.)

RocketMan- Texas

OAR---Best Concert Yet!

I forgot that I had taken these pictures at this concert we went to a couple of weeks ago.  The concert was on a Sunday night at the House of Blues in Dallas, and let me tell you, it was AWESOME! I had SO much fun for many reasons. First of all, it was kind of a small venue so it did not seem like a normal concert. Second, we participated in this "Pass the line" thing where you spend so much money in the restaraunt so then you get to line up inside of the venue instead of outside with everybody else.  This allowed us to be second row! I swear, we made eye contact a couple of times!!!! Third, they played some really great tunes, and I actually knew them all except for 2 new ones...which I am now obsessed with.  Anyway, here are a few pics. 

(Yep, that is how close we were. SWEET!)

Another reason why I enjoyed this concert is because of the cover band.  Chris Cab is really talented.  It was neat to hear him because he covered many songs that you wouldn't expect him to.  I guess this is the one that he is most famous for, but I also enjoyed Foster the People's, Pumped Up Kicks and his own, Good Girls.  Look him up on Utube if you feel compelled. :)

Fondant Finale

Tonight was the last of our 3rd class, Fondant and Gumpaste. As usual, I was the last one to complete my cake because I have OCD about everything that I do to it.  I got frustrated again tonight because the teacher did not SHOW me how to fix it, but rather she attempted to fix it herself and then continued to make it worse.  Nothing makes me more mad that a teacher who doesn't allow you, the student, to learn. RAWR!

Anyhow, here is the final cake.  It is a simple white cake with raspberry buttercream filling.  I am bummed because the classes are over for now, but I need to keep practicing, so if anyone wants me to try something out, just let me know!

(PS...if anyone knows how to keep the photo flipped when you upload it, please let me know! It is driving me BoNkErS!!!)

Back in the saddle again...

Well, it has been awhile since I have written; however, there are a lot of things to  share.  We recently took a trip home for my cousin's wedding.  During our trip, we spent some time up North with the Martinson family and I even made a cake for a friend of a friend's groom's dinner. It was very stressful I must say, but fulfilling and exciting in the end. I definitely think that I would like to do this on the side, especially when we return to MN.....keep me in mind for your special occasions....in about two years:)) hehe

We took a second trip to Fort Worth with our first visitors, Brian and Kelly. It was a fun trip filled with a rodeo and birthday celebration! Thanks for coming you two!

 Andy and I love our nieces and nephews! Here we are with two of them: Ella and Mack!

This is a picture of the finished cake for the groom's dinner. I thought the saying she wanted written was very sweet and personal.  Congrats to both of them!

Here is a picture of the family--Andy and Kim included! (Please excuse my crazy face!)

In a Dog's Eyes

I've decided lately, since I spend so much time with Lucy, that dog's must be thinking some crazy things.  I mean, people talk to their dogs all the time, not to mention dress them up weird and take them places.  I personally don't dress up our dog, but we both like to take her places.  This weekend, we took Lucy two new places: fishing and boating.

Andy finally got a fishing license, so we walked the big 2 blocks to the pond by our house and watched him catch some fish.  Despite it being a runoff pond (meaning REALLY gross and dirty) there were a lot of fish to catch.  If you look real closely, you will see that Lucy was very attentive when Andy had a fish in his hand. 

(Sorry I cannot get the pictures to straighten out for me.:()



I'm on a boat!

This past weekend, Andy and I text drove a boat. It was very weird and exciting at the same time.  We arrived at the dealer and immediately went to the lake.  It was very windy, but the boat was very easy to drive and Ivan, our driver, was extremely nice, so it wasn't scary or anything! In the end, we decided to purchase it! I cannot believe it! Seriously, I do not feel like I am old enough to own a boat, especially without a job.  Still, I'm pretty excited about it, so much so, that we took it out already on Sunday afternoon. It was a beautiful, sunny, 90 degree day! At the end of our adventure, we looked at each other and decided that we made the right decision....Here's to many memories and fun times on the new cruiser with family and friends.

Strummin' My Ol' Guitar

One of my friends recently asked me if I could make a cake for someone, but before I committed to something so important, I thought that I should practice.  This past weekend, I created the cake.  I do have to say that it was difficult to do, especially the round parts! The inside should be delicious; it is a devil's food cake, filled with peanut butter buttercream, and topped with chocolate buttercream. YUM!! I cannot wait to taste it all together! Here are some pics.

Do you think she needs some attention?

So, I know that I already posted today, but while I was doing so, something fishy was happening in the house.  Usually, when I am in the "office" Lucy is sitting underneath me chewing on her toy or taking a nap, but this morning, she was kind of a roamer.  I have learned to let her run around in hopes that she is a big girl now and won't destroy anything. I guess this morning I was wrong...

This is what I saw in the office when I was just about finished at the computer this morning:

Hmmm, so you weren't just chewing on one of your gross toys from the box, eh?!?!?!?! Bad Puppy!! (This is one of Andy's slippers.)

A few minutes later when I walked into the bedroom, I found this...

Shock. And. Awe.......don't worry though, it was the same slipper. I might as well just give her the other one to tear apart now!



To be clear, Lucy has been really good since we arrived in Texas. I guess she just needed a little attention and exercise this morning?!?!?! Maybe we will have to run her over to the "Wiggly Field" later this afternoon. :)

It might not be Spring, but there are flowers...

So, last night was the first night of our 2nd course of cake decorating- Flowers and Cake Design to be exact! It was supposed to start last week, but that is another story. :) Because of the many shenanigans that occurred during the first course, we may end up switching to a different store with a different instructor. Anyway, last night we had the opportunity to create some flowers using gum paste.  I have to say that this was really fun! (Even though I ALWAYS feel rushed and I can never take my time to create them how I want to...I'm kind of a perfectionist in a sense!)  We made two kinds of flowers: Cartoon-like Daisies and Pansies.  Personally, I hate the Pansies, they look weird and are kind of weird to make. 
Here is a picture of the first ones we made:

Wilton Course 1 Graduate

So, last night was the final session of the Course 1 cake decorating course.  We learned how to make roses and it was kind of difficult, especially when your frosting was really warm and melty! Anyway, we were supposed to make a "final cake" with all of the techniques that we learned through this first course. I didn't use too many because I missed one class, and also because we only had 45 minutes to create it.  I HATE being rushed.  I did not like my cake last night because I had to complete it very quickly and I just quickly slapped some stuff on. I do have to say that the cake is DELICIOUS!! It is double layered with strawberry buttercream in the middle.....mmmmmm strawberry buttercream....!!!

Bugs, Insects, and Other Creatures...

Well, another week has gone by and there is still no movement on the job front. I know something is bound to happen soon. I mean, this CANNOT go on forever! Anyway, just because I don't have any prospects there, it doesn't mean that I don't see movement in the yard from time to time.  Yes, Lucy runs around in the backyard quite often during the day, but there are also a lot of bugs here. I mean, yes, there are bugs in MN, but seriously, this is like a whole other ballgame down here!! There are biting ants, fast little geckos, gigantic spiders (which I have to say that I am lucky because I haven't seen one that is too scary yet...knock on wood), and cicadas (At least I think that is what they are.) These were seen all over the place in the beginning of summer and now they are dwindling.  They are seriously gross. I have no other word to describe them.  It isn't bad enough that they make LOUD noises all the time, but they also shed their outer shell ALL over the yard....usually it is attached to something like the fence, trees, or a piece of furniture.  Anyway, they are gross. To give you a good idea of what you might find hanging under the tree while you are mowing the lawn, here is a picture of Andy with them after he and his friend decided to take them off of the fence and get creative.

Minnesota Bound

So, we are no longer MN bound, but rather back in Texas; however, we did make the trip back last week and I can confidently say that it was totally worth it! Although Andy had to work a lot during the week, it was nice to see some of our family, friends, and the beautiful scenery!

First of all, I cannot even begin to tell you how great it was to experience temperatures that are bearable!! The first day we came, we were immediately on the boat, but I was covered up like it was winter! HaHa! It was also just SO beautiful to see the green grass, trees, and clean lakes! I love it!! At the end of the week we went on a boat cruise to celebrate our friends, Lyndsay and Chris', engagement. It was a beautiful evening on Lake Minnetonka, and it reminded us how much we miss the lakes already.  Here is a picture. (I missed the sunset!)

Like I said, Andy worked all week, while I got to "play".  I am very greatful that he let me come with and see my family and friends! I didn't take as many pictures as I wanted to, but here are a few to capture the week.

My mom and I at the MN state fair! It was so much fun!

Chelsea, Blair, Bry, and I at Stella's new rooftop! Great time to catch up girls!



Let Them Eat Cake!

So, since I don't have a job, I have decided to take up one of the things I have been wanting to do forever---cake decorating. My neighbor and I are taking the first Wilton cake decorating class, and although we have only really had 2 classes so far, we like to play a little more when we can.  Here are some of the cakes that I have made so far. 

Work in Progress

Well, this not nearly the beginning of our adventure here in Texas, but it's close enough.  It has been about two and a half months since we made the treck 16 hours from Minnesota to Denton, Texas.  Man, I can remember that week like it was yesterday... Considering how sad I was to leave my friends and family, I was actually really excited to start a new adventure with my husband, Andy, and our dog, Lucy. 


Since we arrived it has been two things: HOT and DRY.  Now, I know what you are thinking, "It's Texas.  It's supposed to be hot and dry."  Well, let me tell you something, this is not the "normal" hot and dry for Texas. Believe me, I asked the natives. :) Seriously though, even though it is not always humid, it NEVER cools down.  It's not like Minnesota where it is scorching hot during the day and cool so you can wear a sweatshirt at night; it is ALWAYS hot---even at 10 P.M. or 5 A.M. It is ALWAYS hot and dry.  :)


It is so hot, Lucy pretty much has no hair left, seriously.  After about 2 weeks, I could see her pink belly.  She even has some dark skin under her leg hair.  I swear, she still sheds bundles of hair a day.  We have wooden floors and I cannot go two days without sweeping. It is quite disgusting....and I am a dog person. :) Besides all of the shedding, Lucy is enjoying her new house.  She loves to take naps on the cool, carpetless floors, and she often stays outside to eat bugs, bark at the neighbor dogs, and get into other shenanegans for hours at a time.  (Sometimes I even forget when I let her out because she has been out there for so long!! She is a silly dog, but we love her!)

After our LONG drive to Texas, I think Lucy was a little confused, so she immediately too refuge in the only familiar place she could find, her kennel.

Lucy likes to hang with me in the "office" while I look for jobs.  As you can see, she is constantly wanting attention.