Landscaper's Challenge Part 3

Just call him, the concrete man! Work continued this past weekend on the backyard. We decided to take out the old green concrete paito. In order to "stay green" and try to keep from having to take all the old concrete to the dump Ryan came up with a great idea to salvage the old patio. He cut the old paito into stones and made a planter which will soon hold my butterfly garden.

Chase taking a cat nap on the DG.

Here is a picture of my new raised planter bed. Can't wait to get everything planted!

For more pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/jones0225/PatioRemoval#

Haley Laine Butler

Here is the new family: Gyce, Ashley and Haley Butler!

Me (a.k.a Aunt Cha~Cha) and new born Haley. I must say she was so tiny she felt light as a feather. Those of you who know I have a tendency to pass out when it comes to anything medical especially hospitals would have been proud this time around because I was able to keep it together. That wasn't the case for Uncle CoCo, Ashley's brother. It was a little sketchy when he first arrived but then he got his bearings and started feeling better. It was a little strange to be on the other side of almost fainting. : )

Auntie (a.k.a Nana) holding baby Haley.

Grandessa and her first great grandbaby Haley. Isn't she precious!

Click on this link to check out other pictures:

http://picasaweb.google.com/jones0225/HaleyLaineButler#

Cardinals come back in bottom of the 3rd to beat the cubs last night at AHLL Field 3, 9-8!

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Down 8-1 in the second inning the bottom 5 hitters in the Cardinal lineup managed to find their way around the bases to score 5 runs and prevent what was looking like a slaughter from becoming a reality.

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After walking the bases loaded, Jackson Ramsey struck out the next three hitters to end the cubs 3rd at bat and allowing no runs.
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It was rally cap time and the cubs scored the third run on a single to left field by Brandt Basso.

Baseball is all about overcoming challenges and never giving up, and the Cardinals oppitimized that spirit last night.

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The Cardinals short stop Colin was awarded the gameball after going 2-2 with an inside the park homerun and an amazing catch in the second inning. His parents were extremely proud, and what made it even better was that Colin's dad returned from serving 8 months in Iraq 30 minutes before the first inning. The first time Colin had seen his dad in 8 months was right before his first at bat, and as fate would have it right before his first inside the park homerun of the season. It was a moment to be cherished!

Cardinals Win!

The Alamo Heights Little League Cardinals came to play Wednesday night. They defeated the Diamondbacks 12-3 in 4 innings of play.

With one out and the bases loaded in the first inning Colin (pitcher) caught the runner trying to take home after a passed ball and then struck out the batter to end the inning while allowing only one run. The same situation was duplicated in the 3rd inning by the Cardinals second pitcher, Trey, who walked the bases loaded and managed to get out of the inning on a diving tag by catcher Austin at the plate. It was miraculous - their coach was overwhelmed with pride!

In the fourth inning the 10, 11, and 12th batters in the line-up reached base on well hit ground balls and ended the game by run-rule. No need to go to the top of the line-up with this team!

More pics:

http://picasaweb.google.com/jones0225/AHLLCardinals#

Go Cards!

Landa Public Library

I am always looking for new and exciting things in San Antonio. It seemed when we lived in Houston we were constantly surronded by fun events and things to do. Here in San Antonio, you just have to work a little harder to find these things...

My recent find is the Landa Public Library located in Monte Vista. Check out the website:

http://www.landagardens.com/index.htm

The library has a great selection and is surronded by beautiful gardens. Also, click on the events tab. At the end of March they are having a "movie under the stars" night.

Baby Butler

My cousin Ashley should be having her first baby in the next few days. I can't wait!!! Once Baby Butler has arrived I will be posting pics. She is having the baby at Trinity Mother Francis in Tyler so I've got to get home and pack my bag, just in case....

Progress

Our backyard project is really coming together. The fence is finished, now all we have left is grass and landscaping. Check out additional pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/jones0225/Fence?feat=directlink

The bottle of wine in the pictures (Goldeneye) is what we used to celebrate last night. We bought the wine on our trip last year to Napa. Our wine fridge is getting low so looks like we need to plan another trip soon...

Go SPURS Go!

We had the opportunity to go to the Spurs game Friday night, courtesy of Lake Flato.

Cheesy Mexican Calzones

Found this recipe in Southern Living. It is great and easy! I plan to post recipes as I come across tasty and easy ones. Let me know if you try it out,


Prep: 10 min., Cook: 10 min., Bake: 26 min. Also tested with frozen vegetables, but we found better flavor and saved money by using a fresh bell pepper and onion.

1 pound ground beef
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 medium onion, halved and sliced
1 large yellow or red bell pepper, sliced
1 (15-oz.) container low-fat ricotta cheese
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons salt-free Southwest chipotle seasoning
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 (13.8-oz.) cans refrigerated pizza crust dough
1/2 cup pizza sauce*
1 (8-oz.) package shredded Mexican four-cheese blend


1. Preheat oven to 425°. Sauté first 4 ingredients in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat 10 minutes or until meat crumbles and is no longer pink and vegetables are lightly browned. Remove from skillet, and drain well.

2. Stir together ricotta cheese, eggs, and seasoning.

3. Unroll 1 can of dough on a lightly greased baking sheet. Stretch dough into a 10- x 13-inch rectangle. Spoon 1/4 cup pizza sauce, 1 cup ricotta mixture, and half of ground beef mixture on half of rectangle, leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle with 1 cup cheese. Moisten edges with water; fold dough over, pressing and crimping edges to seal. Cut 3 (1-inch) slits on top of dough to allow steam to escape. Repeat procedure with remaining dough, pizza sauce, ricotta mixture, ground beef mixture, and cheese.

4. Bake at 425° for 24 to 26 minutes or until golden. Serve with additional warm pizza sauce, if desired.

*Marinara sauce may be substituted.
Note: For testing purposes only, we used Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle Seasoning Blend.
Yield: Makes 6 servings

Backyard Update

Backyard work continues. We have all the posts up and I am about 60% done with staining. I will post more pictures tomorrow.

This weekend Ryan's little league team The Cardinals had their first scrimmage. Will post pics later...