We have just wrapped up our second weekend in Austin! We have been buying more and more furniture and (after the umpteenth visit to Ikea) our place is feeling more and more like home. Our first big purchase was a natural, “green” mattress made with bamboo fabric. It is super comfortable and we are especially appreciative after spending our first night here sleeping on the concrete floor (not even the worlds sweetest, softest blanket could soften the blow). Another big purchase that we are happy to have is our bright, big new tv (Rich is playing Mario Kart and it looks awesome!! I can’t wait to take a turn at it!!) and a big ol’ comfy couch (with a chaise which makes it extra comfy for Rich).

I have been to Super Target almost every day stocking up on groceries and rummaging through the home organization department. The only thing left to do is organize my organizers. Yes, this probably sounds silly and I think Rich thinks I might be crazy, but I feel that my freshly emptied and refilled totes and bins are in need of a new storage system. The good news is that I feel like we are close to having a neatly organized, fully functional household. I just wish that my hangers all matched…This will probably require another trip to Target. I should have just stuck to my guns and, instead of buying the cheap plastic ones (because after all, they are just hangers), gone for the more slightly more expensive and slimmer Joy Mangano huggable hangers which I have ended up buying a package or two of anyways. Now, although it seems that daily excursions to Target and Ikea has become my new full-time job (which I am sure that my Masters in School Counseling is being applied somehow…retail therapy perhaps?), it should be noted that this week Prixie and I did go off the beaten path (a.k.a. I-35 to Ikea and back and every Target exit in between) and ventured out to a shopping mall where I treated myself to a few lil Sephora goodies necessities such as Ojon dry shampoo which I have always wanted to try! And Whole Foods – the flagship store – is just down the street! It is the size of a Weggies but all one big Nature’s Market! Paradise if you ask me. Overpriced if you ask Rich. Luckily, I do the grocery shopping around here.

One of my favorite local stores is Monkey See Monkey Do in the SoCo area – they have lots of Fred-ware! Rich bought me the Evidence knife and Pac Man Potholder. On my wish list is the Calf & Half. We went there today in search of the Fred M-Cups (measuring cups disguised as matryoshkas) but they were no where to be found so I guess that those are on my wish list too. We also went to the Big Top candy shoppe next door and split a piece of chocolate covered bacon – yummy?? Here is what we thought: the goodness of chocolate + the goodness of bacon = a chewier version of a chocolate covered pretzel. Also in SoCo is a diner which is quickly becoming a favorite tradition – the South Congress Café. Rich loves the migas and I like the quiche eggs benedict. This will definitely be a place we go to brunch when we have visitors.

I have been cooking quite a bit since we got here. I made mac n’ cheese (Rich’s favorite), chicken tostadas (Stephie gave me the recipe and they made lots of yummy leftovers), a new pasta with roasted veggies dish recipe that I got at the kitchen outlet store where I bought a set of Pyrex (thumbs up) and a pasta with peas and prosciutto (not a total miss but I don’t think it quite hit the spot). The other night, we got take out from Mama Fu’s and that really hit the spot. And the good news (or, maybe trouble) is that it is located just around the corner! Last night, we went out to dinner – to a brewery that we always drive by on Barton Springs called Uncle Bill’s. Rich got a hamburger and I got brisket (yes, the former vegetarian is pleased to announce that she enjoys the brisket nowadays). And then Rich took me to Amy’s for ice cream!! It looks adorable with neon cows and the delish ice cream matched the atmosphere.

The 100 degree temperatures were a pleasant shock to my coolly conditioned Buffalo skin (and I feel confident that I will be tan for Thanksgiving sans booth-generated UVB bulbs). Last week, we enjoyed the pool, checked out Barton Springs and went for a walk around Lady Bird Lake. The last couple of days have been a bit rainy and cooled of the air a bit. Oh, that reminds me – I bought a plant for the patio! His name is Palmer (can anyone guess what type of plant he is??) His instructions said that he required lots and lots of sunlight (which is guaranteed sitting out on the patio) and should not be watered until the soil is completely dry (which is perfect because I tend to forget to do these things) – and then as soon as I put him out there, it starts raining cats and dogs – in Texas! Anywho, Palmer has a nice home on the patio in between our “His & Hers” Adirondack chairs for as long as he likes.

Last weekend was the kick-off UT football game. The city was a sea of burnt orange – seriously, from hats to dresses to shoes to bags – everything here is available in burnt orange, including Magic 8 Balls?? Rich and I will be better prepared for the next one with our Hook’em/Longhorn tees. But that fashion statement will have to wait – tomorrow is “Let’s go Buffalo” tee shirt day!