{Weekend Recap}

My mom and my sisters came to Austin this past weekend for some shopping and girl time! It was such a fun weekend, I feel like I need another weekend to relax!

Friday night, in traditional Simonson woman style we ate Mexcian food. Lots of chips and salsa and margarita's! Then we headed over to the theater to see New Year's Eve.

We all enjoyed the movie but agreed that Valentine's Day was better. 

Saturday we hit the Round Rock outlet mall for some serious Christmas shopping and found some great deals! We even met Santa Claus! 

My girls left Sunday morning, but it was so great to spend some quality girl time with them!

Sunday evening MJ and I visited Hyde Park Baptist Church for their annual Christmas Musical. They had a full choir, orchestra and a beautiful chapel. Our friend Whitney was one of the narrators and it was so fun to watch her up on stage! :) 

I hope you had a great weekend too!

love,

sam

{High Five Friday!}

My most favorite day of the week is... Friday! This week I'm linking up with the From My Grey Desk blog and Pursuing Dreams blog for High Five Friday! It's so easy, just list your 5 favorite things from this past week! Here goes:

1. Finals are OVER! 

2. The New Girl. Have you seen this show? Hilarious!

3. My Private Jet. My new favorite color by OPI. of course. 

Pinned here.

Pinned here.

4. I'm feeling like I need a sparkly dress in my life. Here are some inspirations found on Pinterest. 

5. My mom and sisters are coming to Austin today! Just a weekend full of mexican food and shopping! 

What are your five favorite things from this week? 

love,
sam

{Beer and breakfast?}

Not always the smartest idea. However, I can tell you this recipe is delicious! The Newcastle's caramel malt brings a new dimension to this classic morning treat.  MJ found this recipe a couple weeks back. I was a little skeptical to say the least but if there is one thing he's good at it is making breakfast. So, he whipped up some of these pancakes this morning. 

Newcastle Brown Pancakes

finished product. i apologize for the mess on the table. 

What You'll Need:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 egg
• 1 cup Newcastle Brown Ale
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup brown sugar (if you don't have brown, white sugar works too)
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons soft or melted butter
• Dash of salt

Using a large mixing bowl, mix together flour, salt, brown sugar, cinnamon and baking soda.

Add in the Newcastle, egg and butter and stir enough to blend ingredients– without over mixing.

Heat your skillet and coat with butter or cooking oil, then simply cook like you would for any other pancakes.

Looking good...

Yum! 

This recipe makes plenty for two, but you can easily double the ingredients for four, or otherwise alter for serving size. Enjoy! 

mike + sam

{My First Birchbox!}

My November Birchbox came this week! I was so excited when I saw the pink box laying on the kitchen table because I was not expecting it for a couple more weeks. For those of you who don't know what Birchbox is, it is basically a gift box that comes to your door each month with 4-5 personalized beauty samples for only $10! I learned about Birchbox from Kate with The Small Things Blog. She also inspired me to chop off my hair! Anyways, here is what came inside my box this month:

1. Atelier Cologne - smells like, vanilla and amber and woodsy - very autumn! MJ approves! 
2. Borghese | Fango Active Mud Mask - can't wait to try this mask! 
3. LaRocca Skincare | Champagne & Shimmer Supreme Creme - put some on my hands. Left them really soft and slightly shimmery. Would look great on your chest or arms for a night out! 
4. Zoya | Nail Polish in Izzy - can't wait to try this color. I'm waiting for a Christmas or NYE party! 
5. Coasters from Two Paper Dolls - aren't they cute? They have all sorts of designs on their website. 

I can't wait for next month's Birchbox! 

sam

{approach problems with a light touch}

"Jesus Calling" Daily Devotional by ChristianBook.com

November 15^th

Approach problems with a light touch. When your mind moves toward a problem area, you tend to focus on that situation so intensely that you lose sight of Me. You pit yourself against the difficulty as if you had to conquer it immediately. Your mind gears up for battle, and your body becomes tense and anxious. Unless you achieve total victory, you feel defeated.

There is a better way. When a problem starts to overshadow your thoughts, bring this matter to Me. Talk with Me about it and look at it in the Light of My Presence. This puts some much-needed space between you and your concern, enabling you to see from My perspective. You will be surprised at the results. Sometimes you may even laugh at yourself for being so serious about something so insignificant.

You will always face trouble in this life. But more importantly, you will always have Me with you, helping you to handle whatever you encounter. Approach problems with a light touch by viewing them in My revealing Light.

PSALM 89:15; JOHN 16:33

Anxiety about problems or situations? Yep. 

Worried about events that haven't even happened yet? Yep, that's me again.

Lord, help me to bring my problems to you, to see situations in your Light. 

love,

sam

{We Conquered the Coast!}

Last Friday Michael and I took off work and headed down to Corpus Christi for the 2011 Conquer the Coast bike ride and a little get away. We ate some sea food, stuck our toes in the sand, saw some dolphins, and had a great time!

View from our hotel room of the marina

Mmm crab! 

Michael and his co-worker Patrick at the finish line

So proud of him! 70 miles! 

Dolphin show at the Texas State Aquarium. So fun! 

mike + sam

{Tasty Tuesday: Asian-style Tilapia Packets}

One of our most favorite and easiest things to make!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 12-15 minutes
Serves: 4

What You'll Need:

• 4 Tilapia fillets {1 to 1 1/2 pounds}
• 4 sheets heavy duty aluminum foil, 12x18 sheets
• 1 bag {10 oz} fresh spinach leaves
• 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 8 oz sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 cup Central Market Organics Soy Ginger Sauce {or other Asian dressing}

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 450 F
2. Divide fish into 4 portions. Place 1 portion in the center of each foil piece; season with salt and pepper. Place spinach, mushrooms, and onions {evenly divided} over each packet. Season again with salt and pepper. 
3. Bring up edges of foil; then drizzle 2-Tbsp sauce over each packet. 
4. Double fold tops and then ends of foil to seal. Place packets on baking sheet.
5. Bake 12-15 minutes. Open packets carefully {steam will escape}. Serve immediately with brown or white rice. 

Enjoy! We hope you make this part of YOUR tasty Tuesday!


mike + sam