The Clines: October 2016

Thursday, October 20, 2016

State Fair of Texas 2016

Last night we made our annual trip to the State Fair of Texas with David and Jen. We were supposed to go last weekend but it didn't work out and we honestly thought we wouldn't make it this year. But when my sister offered us 4 free tickets I sent a message to Jen and asked if they would be free to go after work this week. They said yes and Babi agreed to watch the boys so it was a date.

These boys make us laugh because they just follow us around and tell them what to eat. They have no plans.

Jen and I checked out this article and this article ahead of time so we had a list of things to try. Plus Jen added the Cookie Fries and Deep Fried Pulled Pork Funyun Dings. Now we had no intention of trying this all but we wanted a list of things to look for. We take turns buying stuff to try that most of us are interested in. And heads up-we made a pretty good dent in this list!

So the first thing we found were the Injectable Great Balls of BBQ. You can't really see it here but David was filled this little syringe with BBQ sauce to inject. These were yummy! Good flavor. Normally you can buy 2 or 3 but somehow the guy gave us 4 which was perfect!

Jen got the cookie fries and this container was about the size of a small order of Whataburger French fries. She chose the sprinkle ones though they also had chocolate chip. These were disappointing. Dry and boring.

Here my cousin Corey came over to say hi. He is working for his company at the State Fair so that was fun to see him.

And we had to get a group selfie #fundercline

Then we remembered David has longer arms!

Next up was the Deep Fried Pulled Pork Funyun Dings. Now Kyle and I were both initially out on this because it has pineapple in it. Though I like pineapple, I don't like warm pineapple #idonteatcookedfruitever But since Jen was on the fence about trying it I agreed to try it too. I took one bite and was in heaven. It is like they took all of the ingredients (pulled pork, funyuns, pepperjack cheese, bacon, and pineapple) and put it into a blender because the inside was like a casserole. It was sweet, spicy, and delicious! Kyle still refused to try it but we were all glad Jen added this to the list!

Then we stopped to say howdy to Big Tex

And a selfie while buying more tickets #somanytickets

Next up on my list was the Fried Chicken and Dumplings. Now to be honest I have never tried chicken and dumplings because I have never had the opportunity. But how can you go wrong with chicken, biscuits, and gravy fried into a ball. And it got the second highest review this year in the contest of things to try. Kyle figured it would be slimy in the middle, but he was wrong. These were DELICIOUS! It tasted like chicken and dressing fried and was yummy! It was served with these little biscuit bites or something too. We all liked this one.

Then we went across to Old Mill Inn and tried the Loaded Mashed Potato Eggrolls. They tasted exactly as you would expect and were yummy. That being said they weren't as good as some of the other things we had already tried. But so far everything was pretty good and we were doing great...well except the unimpressive Cookie Fries but even then they weren't disgusting.

We decided to do a little browsing and look who we found! Jen had to get a picture with the fam! (see previous family visits here and here

Then we stumbled across the Fried Pepperoni Pizza and though it initially didn't look that appetizing it was good too. Tasted like cheese pizza in batter with marinara and pepperonis on top. Not our favorite thing of the day but still good.

And someone didn't give me a heads up about the group selfie. I was concentrating on cutting our pizza.

And the group favorite for years- Fried Cookie Dough. Once again it was as good as we remembered and we all licked our fingers clean!

I saw this and just couldn't resist. Kyle was happy to be the photographer and let David take the 3rd spot.

Dr. Pepper Chocolate Chip Ice Cream- It was yummy but the chocolate chips overpowered the ice cream flavor. Good but not worth the money if you are limiting yourself on things to try.

We had some more tickets to spend before we left so we got the Fried Firecrackers which we loved in the past but were disappointing this time. I was actually full so didn't try them, but the 3 others all agreed they weren't very good.

This year we only had a couple of hours because we got there at 6 and they closed at 9 so we skipped the car show and most of the exhibit halls. And then David and I didn't ride any rides either. So basically we just ate our way through the fair. #FriedFoodFest

However while we were there we saw Mix and Match Mama with her whole family including Bachelor Sean, Catherine, and baby Samuel. I was hoping to see them because when I read her blog yesterday morning I saw the hint they were going to the fair also. So I was so excited to see them and really wanted to say hi to Shay and maybe get a picture. But she was with her family and I didn't want to interrupt their time. So instead I just took stalker like pictures and let them be :)

So everyone's favorites

David- Fried Chicken and Dumplings

Jen- Deep Fried Pulled Pork Funyun Dings

Kyle- Great Ball of BBQ

Me- I couldn't decide between David and Jen's pic, but I loved all 3 of those and would get them again. Only downside to Kyle's is the coleslaw I won't eat.

We had such a great time at the fair this year and I am so glad we didn't skip it. Thanks to Melisa for the free tickets so we could spend all of our money on food! And thanks to my mom for watching the boys so we didn't have to spend an arm and a leg on rides and games :)

If you want to see our previous visits you can click below-

skipped 2014 :(

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Fall decor

I got my fall décor out more than two weeks ago. I did my entry table and then just kind of stopped. Ignore the pyramid of frames on the floor below the table.

The table runner was made by my Granny. I can't remember where I got the wooden turkey but I absolutely love it. I added pumpkins to my lantern. And my adorable pumpkin patch blocks!

Below the table are the boys trick-or-treat buckets and an orange bucket for our candy. Inside are some goodies for the boys' Halloween parties.

My entry table last year

In the shadow box I added the boys' footprint Frankensteins. The plan is to change out the art each month with stuff the boys' made. However I am not loving the frame. I originally chose the shadow box because sometimes their art has stuff glued on it, but it is actually a pain in the butt to keep the art in place inside the box. I am trying to find a simple gold frame for the table now. I don't want it to be brown like the wall frames and I just don't love the bright white. I also don't want it to be a gaudy old fashioned gold frame.

I wanted to add so fall in places other than the entry and living room, but also didn't want to spend any money. So I used some leftover pumpkins and scattered them in the corner.

Here you can see the Frankenstein art, but I also had a lot more cute Halloween art the kids have done. I save anything that is handprints or footprints. So I decided to put the art in the frames on the bookshelf in my living room. They still don't have actual pictures in them...have I told you I am horrible at printing pictures?

So on the shelf I added the frames with the kids' art. Three twig/wreath type pumpkins that have LED lights. I got these each on clearance last year at Kohls for just a couple of bucks. Similar ones here and here.

The pumpkins on the ground are the same ones I made for each boy to take to the pumpkin patch for pictures. Still love those things!

A closer look. I stacked some loose pumpkins. And then my 'W-I-C-K-E-D' pumpkins that I got at a craft show two years ago. I looked but didn't see anything similar online.

Other cute pumpkin décor I found online. If I had more shelves and surfaces I would do some shopping!

Let the stuffing begin!! HERE

Gobble til you wobble HERE

Happy Fall Y'all (I am from Texas and like anything with Y'all in it!)- HERE

Ceramic pumpkins HERE

I have seen Thankful and Grateful everywhere and I love that saying! Sign here

Striped burlap pumpkins- Orange and tan

Beaded pumpkins in orange, gold and bronze

And man these wood ones are adorable- chevron, polka dots, and quatrefoil

Kirklands is always such a great spot for home décor.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Casen's First Day of Speech School

You can read all about Casen's new speech program and our journey to this point HERE

Monday evening Casen and I went to Walmart to get his school supplies. When we were checking out he saw this guy and said 'He big!' So I told him to go over there and I would take his picture. :)

Here we are with his supplies. He needed a spiral and I showed him yellow, green, blue, and purple. I thought he would choose yellow because we hear 'that yellow like bumblebee (the Transformer)' at least twice a day. But look out yellow because purple was the choice he made #hornedfroginthemaking #heneedsscholarships #orloanslikehismomma

I showed him plain folders but he saw a stack of ones with designs. I showed him cars, Texas Rangers (there were like 4 different designs...and I wanted them all), and he chose....dog dogs :) And he was adamant he needed two folders not just one. They are a little girlie, but he is 3 and loves dogs. The heart wants what the heart wants.

Oh and he got a fishing pole for the cabin since Cooper already has one and M&Ms for his treat.

The next morning I needed to get pictures but we had to do them indoor because it was still dark outside. And I considered doing them the night before but it was dark when we got home too.

See why I wanted him to get the Texas Rangers folders...This is actually a backpack Cooper got a couple of years ago for his birthday but it is in great shape and will work for this year.

I loved this picture but the moving target made it a little blurry.

That's better

I told Cooper to hug Casen in hopes to look similar to this picture but no luck.

Baby brother thinks he is so big

And then a picture with the furry brother

Kyle was already gone to work so I had Cooper take our picture. This is the best we got.

Or I guess if you like this better! Ha!

A quick snap before I left him at day-care. I explained his bus would pick him up in a little while (around 8:15). I also called daycare at 8 to remind them of the new routine.

So how was his first day?

M- Casen, did you have a good day at school?

C- Yeah

M- Did you like it?

C- Yeah

M- Did you ride the bus?

C- Yeah, it scared me

M- Aww, I'm sorry. Were there other friends on the bus?

C- Yeah....one friend

M- Was it a boy or girl

C- Girl. And me a boy.

M- Yes, you are a boy.

So that is all I got from him. I checked his backpack and found this stamp artwork. I was hoping there was a note from the teacher but nope. I am sure he did well and I am not worried about the bus. But I was curious if he was shy, excited, got along with the other kids, participated well, his behavior, etc.

I know his class has two pet lizards. I should have asked him about those guys.

This morning I had to explain that he didn't have speech school today so he didn't need to take his backpack and he seemed fine with that. Now we just watch him learn and get ready to hear all he has to say.