Since living here I have been invited to 3 events where the dress is 'Texas Casual'. Texas Casual, REALLY? What the heck is that? I'm a Texas girl and I don't even know.
WikiAnswers defines 'Texas Casual' as...
"Depends on the area of the state you are going to. The coast - breezy shirts with shorts and sandals. Hill Country - Polos or t-shirts with shorts and an umbrella (just in case) West Texas - Sunscreen! T-shirts, shorts, with a sweatshirt for nighttime East Texas - T shirt and jeans Panhandle - T shirt and jeans"
Where is Central Texas? They forgot to answer the question for Central Texas. Oh well, I ask around (friends always have good advice). I even went to 2 events dressed 'Trish Casual'. I fit in and I discovered 'Texas Casual' is anything from shorts, t-shirt and flip-flops to a dinner jacket, slacks & cowboy boots. I don't think most people know what 'Texas Casual' really is. There should be a better definition. When I'm invited to an event and there is a dress requirement I like to 'nail it'. I didn't feel I was 'nailing' Texas Casual, until last night.... I know, I need to work on making the hair bigger. ;)
For the past 63 years the Killeen Rodeo has been a huge hit here in Central Texas! Each year when it rolls around they have military appreciation night, where they provide a free dinner to military ID card holders and allow all military ID card holders into the rodeo for free! Our first stop was at the chow hall where we had and interesting meal, a sausage rolled in a tortilla....I'm wondering if that is 'Tex-Mex'?
Next we stopped by to see the horses from the 1st Cav Horse Detachment before they preformed.... Next a couple of the kids wanted to try their hand at bull ridding.... We thoroughly enjoyed the performance from the 1st Cav Horse Detachment! A great time was had by all (well, maybe not Boy 1), I mean who wouldn't have fun when bull rides, cows, horses and cotton candy are involved? Thanks Killeen Rodeo for a fun filled night!
I forgot I didn't show finished projects! So far this is my favorite room. I love all of the blues going on in here. It is such a bright, fun room ~ you can’t help but be happy when you are in this room! Check out the curtains...those are some of the custom made curtains from Korea. The dresser was mine when I was a little girl ~ we have repainted it many times. I really need to repaint it again and add different knobs, but it will work for now.
Ahhh, summer is in the air! While growing up I always LOVED the last couple of weeks of school! Although some things have changed in ways I never expected, other things have remained the same, one of which is the last week of school! How much fun is field day, school spirit week, end of year celebrations & graduations?!  mix and match day Boy 2 getting ready for crazy hair day....
I wish I had a better picture of Girl's hair. She did not brush it (and if you have ever seen her in the mornings you know she should NEVER go a day without brushing her hair). Boy 3 on stage! He's going to be a star! ;) Boy 3 graduates from preschool! Even though the kids have only been in school here for 8 weeks, the adjustment was better and easier than I could have asked for. I could not have hand picked better teachers & classroom settings for Boy 2 & Girl.
Ready for awards day.... Both Boy 2 & Girl made honor roll for the year!! OK, so this one makes me a little teary eye....
Boy 1 graduated middle school. I cannot believe my baby is going to high school. I'm considering holding him back. He can't grow up. It seems like only yesterday I was holding him in my arms. Now he holds me. This is crazy. But I do have to say he is turning into quite an amazing young man. He makes me so proud.  Please notice, I am wearing heels in this picture!!
I have a new crush and his name is Joe. Joe makes a mean & cheap, or should I say 'inexpensive' pizza. Inexpensive is a better word as Joe does not skimp on ingredients. I love all the cheesy goodness Joe brings to the table. Since finding Joe's we have ordered from him at least 5 times. (We found him a month ago...don't judge me.)This picture makes my mouth water. Give me a little grease, cheese & pepperoni & I'm in heaven! Plus when I can feed this family of 6 for under $20 I am one happy camper! You can eat in or take out Joe's Pizza, oh and he has WAY more than pizza, we've had his calzones ($5.50)... and stromboli (5.95).... His spinach rolls are a little slice of heaven, but I do have to say I won't be ordering his desserts again. Don't get me wrong, they aren't bad, I'm just way picky when it comes to cannolis and tiramisu.
So, if you are looking for good pizza in the Killeen/Ft. Hood area, Joe's is the place to go! He is located at 408 N Fort Hood Street in Killeen, Texas. 254-432-6070 Enjoy!
I know, I know, I report exciting news here in the Hood, but people I had to show you how people in Texas go bonkers over a case lot sale..... The line was down the street and around the corner! I was just stopping in for a few items....needless to say I ran to HEB instead. I love a sale, but it would have to be something more than food for me to wait in that line!
This is a crockpot recipe that will rock your world, just ask anyone that has dinner with us on Pork Green Chili night. I got this recipe from my MIL many, many years ago, even BEFORE I was married to Hubby and before I had MAD cooking skills! ;) If I could make this way back when I was just learning to cook, even my sister Kathie will be able to make it now. Here's what you need:
3-4 pounds fresh pork loin steaks (or any kind of pork really)
2 TBL vegetable oil
2 one pound cans stewed tomatoes
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
3-5 fresh roasted green chilies, skins off and diced
***If you cannot find fresh roasted green chilies, you can roast them yourself, or buy 2 cans (which I have been known to do on occasion) of diced green chilies
2-3 fresh jalapenos, diced (deseed if you don't want all the heat)
2-3 garlic gloves, minced
crushed red pepper to taste
Cut pork into bit size pieces, in frying pan heat 2 tbl oil, toss in pork, cook till almost done (just a few minutes). Put everything into the crockpot, cook on medium heat all day. (8 hours, give or take)
Now for the fun stuff....what I like to put the green chili on! Typically we make smothered burritos, but you can also do smothered tamales, smothered eggs for breakfast, or just dip flour tortillas in the green chili. Whatever you choose to do with it will be wonderful, I'm sure.
When making smothered burritos, I put refried beans on a flour tortilla, add some green chili, wrap it up  (Burrito, also shown with a tamale) Pour more green chili over the burrito... Add any toppings you would like...cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, black olives, the options are endless. Serve with chips on the side. OK, now my mouth is watering I need pork green chili now!!
So I'm a little behind....Boy 2's birthday party wasn't up to par for one of our parties, but hey, we had only been in the house for 8 days and who knew that you can't just go to the store and buy Mario stuff for a kids birthday? Well, now you do. You have to order it. Don't wait till the last minute to buy anything for a Mario party, plan this one in advance. I did order plates & napkins early on, but really thought it would be no problem to pop into the local party supply store for the rest of my goods. Anyway, the kids didn't seem to mind, there was cake, a bouncy house and a piñata, oh, and we had Super Mario on the WII. I've discovered you don't really need much more than that for 7 year olds. We did make up a few games too, but I'm having a hard time remembering the names I gave them. I think this one was "Don't break Yoshi's egg" or something like that…I don’t play video games, so I have no idea who Yoshi is and I don’t know why he has eggs. Getting ready for another game of some sort! ;-) I forgot how freaking HOT it gets in Texas in early May. We had to take several 'inside' breaks because the kids were so hot! The entrance to the bouncy house was burning their feet!
Taking a break from the heat for cake and icecream.  Awe...brothers!  Having a Super Mario play off... I wish we had been videoing this....after not too long after this picture was taken one of the kids was hitting the piñata with the (thankfully hollow & plastic) bat when he let go of it & it nailed me right in the chest! OUCH. Happy Birthday sweet boy!
This was our best move on not having ANYTHING broken, scratched or dented, and here are a couple of examples of why....  That is 2 plastic Polly Pockets articles of clothing. WOW, this is why I had 16 crates.
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