{Roadtrippin' // Weatherford, TX // Texas Tuesday}

Weatherford is an adorable little town in Parker County, TX. After we ate at Herd's Burgers we headed over to Weatherford to tote around the town square. We found this adorable antique store called Miss B's Antiques and Collectables. They had the cutest stuff and the best prices.

{Roadtrippin' // Herd's Burgers // Texas Tuesday}

A couple of Saturday's ago we decided to make another day trip! I am really loving our Saturdays lately.  This time we drove to Jacksboro, TX to eat at our favorite hole-in-the-wall burger joint, Herd's Burgers. We found this place one October while camping at Mitchell Resort and now we eat there every time we camp in the area!  It's by far one of our favorite burgers. 

{Big Rocks Park in Glen Rose, TX}

On the way home from our Strawn trip (after going to Lake Mineral Wells State Park) we also stopped at Big Rocks Park in Glen Rose, TX.  We've been here many times before and it's always a good time. We weren't prepared to swim this time, we just wanted to see how much water was in the river. It wasn't much! Texas is getting a lot of rain lately so hopefully this will change.

{Mineral Wells State Park}

On our way home from Strawn, we stopped in Mineral Wells to check out Lake Mineral Wells State Park. We had heard lots of great things about it. Side note - Nate and I love to drive through state parks to check them out! We like to see if it's somewhere we'd enjoy camping one day. Anyhow, the state park was kind enough to let us do a drive-through. 

{Roadtrippin' // Strawn Texas // Mary's Cafe}

This past Saturday we decided to do something a little different after hockey! We made a day trip to Strawn, TX. We had been wanting to eat at Mary's for quite some time and decided to finally make that happen! Strawn holds family memories for me. My Grandmother lived there as well as our family farm (where we had family reunions at).

{Bristol & Bluebonnets // Round 2}

This past Sunday we made a trip out to Bristol to see the Bluebonnets and to grab some supper at the Bristol General Store! This has to be one of my favorite Sunday traditions of ours. The Bluebonnets are only here for a short season, so we try to make as many trips as we can. 

{WESTERN KOUNTRY KLUB // KIDS SLEEP OVER}

Our friend group dusted off our boots and went a' two-steppin'!! We went to the Western Kountry Klub in Grand Prairie. It's famous for the fact that some of the movie "Pure Country (with George Strait) was filmed there! It's a fun little dancehall! We had the best time!!

{Texas Tuesday // Bristol & Bluebonnets}

It's no secret around here that a drive out to the Bluebonnet fields (in the Jeep) fuels my soul! The drive from our house to Bristol is so pretty and it feels so good to be on some Texas backroads! We took a drive to see the Bluebonnets and pick up some food at the Bristol General Store. 

{Tuesday Talk // Our Love Story}

Linking up with some of my favorite bloggers for Tuesday Talk // Our Love Story!!

Part 1 // How we met and started dating

Part 2 // The high school and college days

Part 3 //  And then Nate gets really, really sick...

Part 4 // Our happily ever after

{Our Texas Bucketlist}

Nathan and I have had a Texas Bucketlist for as long as I can remember. We are constantly adding things to this list as you can imagine. Texas is huge and there are so many things to be seen, done, tried, etc. We've broken our list into categories...Some of these we have done and some we haven't. Those with a check-mark after it we have done. 

+ LAKES/STATE & NATIONAL PARKS
> Big Bend National Park
> Balmorhea State Park
> Garner State Park
> Caddo Lake ✔
> {Fireworks on} Possum Kingdom
> South Rim Grand Canyon National Park
> Inks Lake
> Colorado Bend State Park / Gorman Falls
> Guadalupe Mountains National Park
> Palo Duro Canyon State Park
> Pedernales Falls State Park
> Hippie Hollow Park in Austin, TX

+ RIVERS
> San Antonio River Walk ✔
> Frio
> Guadalupe ✔
> Medina
> Devil's River

+ RODEOS
> Houston Rodeo
> Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo ✔
> Mesquite Rodeo

+ RANCHES
> YO Ranch in Kerrville, TX
> King Ranch in Kingsville, TX
> LBJ Ranch in Stonewall, TX ✔
> Southfork Ranch in Parker, TX


+ SWIMMING HOLES
> Jacob's Well in Wimberley, TX 
> Devil's Water Hole west of Burnet, TX
> Krause Springs in Spicewood, TX
> Hamilton Pool in Dripping Springs, TX ✔
> Barton Springs in Austin, TX

+ BBQ PLACES & RESTAURANTS
> Coopers in Llano, TX ✔
> Big Texan ✔
> Food trucks in Austin ✔
>  George's in Waco, TX
> Mary's Cafe in Strawn TX ✔
> Perini Ranch in Buffalo Gap, TX  ✔
> Franklins BBQ in Austin
> Dixie Chicken in Bryan, TX
> Hard 8 BBQ in Stephenville, TX
> Smittys BBQ in Lockhart, TX
> Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood, TX
> The Rustic {Owned by Pat Green}  in Dallas, TX
> Catfish Plantation in Waxahachie {haunted} ✔

+ BEACHES
> Corpus Christ ✔
> Port Aransas ✔
> Mustang Island ✔
> Padre Island National Seashore
> Matagorda Bay
> Port Isabel {Lighthouse}
> Galveston ✔

+ FESTIVALS & FAIRS
> Nacogdoches Blueberry Festival
> State Fair of Texas ✔
> Strawberry Festival in Poteet TX
> Tyler Rose Festival in Tyler TX
> Bluebonnet Festival in Ennis TX ✔
> Weatherford Peach Festival in Weatherford, TX
> Polka Festival in Ennis, TX

+ TOWNS TO VISIT
> Luckenbach, TX ✔
> Jefferson {haunted} ✔
> Dublin, TX {Dr. Pepper}
> Gruene & Go to Gruene Hall ✔
> Shiner, TX
> Mason, TX ✔
> Ballinger, TX
> Archer City, TX
> Pecos, TX
> Rainbow, TX
> Hico, TX
> Bandera, TX
> Fredericksburg, TX ✔

+ THINGS TO DO & SEE
> Hike Enchanted Rock {Nate has, I've only made it up halfway} ✔
> Rattlesnake Round-up in Sweetwater, TX
> Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX ✔
> Dinosaur Valley in Glenrose, TX ✔
> The Alamo in San Antonio, TX ✔
> State Capitol in Austin, TX  ✔
> Fossil Rim in Glenrose, TX ✔
>  Ride the Texas State Railroad in Rusk, TX {Nate and I have, but want to take Mason} ✔
> Marfa Lights in Marfa TX
> John T Floores Country Store in Helotes, TX
> Shop at Canton, TX ✔
> Shop at Texas Antique Weekend in Warrenton & Round Top TX ✔
> Magnolia Market in Waco, TX ✔
> Junk Gypsy in Round Top, TX ✔
> Drink the crazy water in Mineral Wells, TX
> Shop the streets of Fredericksburg, TX ✔
> See Fredericksburg around Christmas-time 
> See the bats at Congress Bridge in Austin, TX
> Eat a Kolache in West, TX
> Natural Bridge Caverns
> Watch a TX college football game

Do you have a Texas bucketlist? Have you ever visited Texas? Where is somewhere in Texas you've always wanted to go?

{Texas Tuesday // The Magnolia // Waco Texas}

Happy Texas Tuesday friends!! 

What is Texas Tuesday? A chance for you to show off the awesomeness that is TEXAS!! You can blog about anything; restaurants, vacation spots, venues, concerts, your hometown, shops, fashion, sports, etc. The linkup is not limited to Texans, we just ask that the post is about Texas.

<div align="center">
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I haven't talked about our Valentine's Day on the blog yet...because I wanted to save it for Texas Tuesday. Saturday morning we woke up and Nate said, "Let's go to Waco after our gym classes today" and by go-to-Waco I knew that he meant THE MAGNOLIA!!! Fixer Upper is our absolute favorite show and we just adore Chip and JoAnna Gaines! 

Nate went to his 8:30 Body Shred class and I went to my 10:30 Zumba class and then rushed home to get ready! 






Waco is only about an hour and 10 minutes from our house. Not a bad drive at all. We went straight to The Magnolia Market and found that almost everyone in Texas had the same idea as us! There were people everywhere! It was so hard to look around at anything because you were shoulder to shoulder with people, but it was just cool to be there. I could have bought one of everything in there. The decor and everything was definitely what you see on the show {Fixer Upper}. I just love JoAnna's style and wish I could hire her to Fixer Upper us a house! ha. 






After visiting Magnolia Market we tried to find Magnolia Farms..but had no luck! And we were all starving so we sought out for food. We tried going to George's {a Waco staple}, but both parking lots were completely full. We circled through twice, but figured if the parking lots were that bad that they had to be packed to the gills inside. So we trucked along and ended up at Buffalo Wild Wings. It was okay. 

After lunch we went to Cabelas and did a little shopping.

It was the best day!  

Have you ever been to Waco? George's Bar/Grill? The Magnolia Market? Do you watch Fixer Upper?

{Texas Tuesday // The Rodeo Goat}

Happy Tuesday friends!! Time for another Texas Tuesday!!

What is Texas Tuesday? A chance for you to show off the awesomeness that is TEXAS!! You can blog about anything; restaurants, vacation spots, venues, concerts, your hometown, shops, fashion, sports, etc. The linkup is not limited to Texans, we just ask that the post is about Texas.

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A couple weekends ago after the Rodeo we all trucked on over to The Rodeo Goat for supper. Nathan and I have been wanting to try this place for the longest time. We thought we were going to get to go last year after the rodeo, but everyone wanted the same Mexican food place we always go to. But, we finally go to go. And it was amazing. I mean, I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't been on a diet...but it was still delish. Everyone loved what they got.



The restaurant itself is pretty neat in the inside. It kind of has an industrial feel to it. Most of the tables are high tables with bar-stools and there is only a small section with lower tables. We had to wait over 45 minutes because we needed the lower tables to accommodate 20 people and a high chair. But, it was worth the wait.
 
Nathan and I both chose this one:

COWBOY MURRIN Applewood smoked bacon, tomato, jalepenos, fried onion, cheddar, pickle chutney, housemade bbq sauce {via their website}

 I opted for no tomatos and I also ate mine without the bun {darn diet}, but it was still heavenly. Nathan got his all the way and devoured it. We also got a thing of fries for us to 'share'. I ate one, ya know, just to try them. They were awesome and I could have ate the whole thing by myself.



Have you ever been there?
 

{Texas Tuesday - Osuba, Waxahachie TX}

Hey Y'all!

Happy Texas Tuesday!!

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<a href="http://www.masonsmama.com/" title="Next To Heaven"><img src="http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb89/chall1018/TexasTuesday-wborder_zps74a59233.jpg" alt="Next To Heaven" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

What is Texas Tuesday? A chance for you to show off the awesomeness that is TEXAS!! You can blog about anything; restaurants, vacation spots, venues, concerts, your hometown, shops, fashion, sports, etc. The linkup is not limited to Texans, we just ask that the post is about Texas. 

We don't make following any of the hosts a requirement, but we do ask that you include our button and at least post about a Texas related topic. Any links that are not related to the link up will be deleted. (button code is in grab box below the image above)

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Last Saturday Nathan and I got to go on a date with some of our friends. We were going to go to Toshios, a favorite of ours. But, due to an unexpected water leak in the building they had to close for the weekend. We were bummed, but it ended up being a good thing. We tried a new Japanese/Hibachi Restaurant called Osuba in town and absolutely loved it.


When you walk into Osuba the hostess will ask you if you want to sit on the normal dine in side, or the hibachi. We went for the hibachi. The restaurant was impressive; very nice. I wish I would have taken more pictures. While looking at the menu and waiting for our server we watched the other Hibachi tables...so cool! Nathan and I ended up sharing a meal. It had steak, teriyaki chicken and shrimp, fried rice, vegetables, onion soup and a salad. I am so glad that we shared because it was so much food! 

The chef put on the greatest show and was hilarious. We were laughing the entire time. And the food? Oh man was it delicious! I didn't try the shrimp, but it must have been good because Nate ate both of our portions. The chicken and the steak had such great flavors! We will definitely be going back!

Have you ever been to a Hibachi place? Surprisingly, this was my first time. But definitely not the last.




 

{Texas Tuesday // Texas Style Thanksgiving}

Hey Y'all!

Happy Texas Tuesday!!

{only a day late...blogger had it out for me yesterday. I had 21ish drafts and half of them are gone. gone. ugh!!! and I couldn't get anything to publish all day}

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What is Texas Tuesday? A chance for you to show off the awesomeness that is TEXAS!! You can blog about anything; restaurants, vacation spots, venues, concerts, your hometown, shops, fashion, sports, etc. The linkup is not limited to Texans, we just ask that the post is about Texas. 

We don't make following any of the hosts a requirement, but we do ask that you include our button and at least post about a Texas related topic. Any links that are not related to the link up will be deleted. (button code is in grab box below the image above)

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Things I am Thankful for...TEXAS style...


Texas sunsets and sunrises
Texas Country/Red Dirt Music
Texmex
My Texan born and raised sweet little boy
Texas Sweet Tea {yes, there is a difference}
Texas Coasts
Austin, Fort Worth, Luckenbach, Fredericksburg, Abilene, Waxahachie {and many other places}
San Marcos Outlets
Gruene Hall
 Texas is a conceal/carry state
Texas Bluebonnetts Canton First Monday
Texas Longhorns {the animal, not the team}
The Guadalupe and Summer nights
Fort Worth Rodeo and Stockshow
Texan Hospitality
Texas Rangers Cowboy boots are acceptable attire...everywhere you go! Texas State Fair
 
This list could go on forever! Seriously....    

{Texas Tuesday - Cooper's - Llano, TX}

Hey Y'all!

Happy Texas Tuesday!!

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<a href="http://www.masonsmama.com/" title="Next To Heaven"><img src="http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb89/chall1018/TexasTuesday-wborder_zps74a59233.jpg" alt="Next To Heaven" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

What is Texas Tuesday? A chance for you to show off the awesomeness that is TEXAS!! You can blog about anything; restaurants, vacation spots, venues, concerts, your hometown, shops, fashion, sports, etc. The linkup is not limited to Texans, we just ask that the post is about Texas. 

We don't make following any of the hosts a requirement, but we do ask that you include our button and at least post about a Texas related topic. Any links that are not related to the link up will be deleted. (button code is in grab box below the image above)

--------------------------------

Cooper's BBQ in Llano has been on our bucketlist for a really long time now. We got to cross that one off in March...but never did we think we'd be there a mere 2 months later. And I have to say, it was better the 2nd go 'round {Nate even agreed}. This time we got to introduce the goodness that is Cooper's to Nate's parents. They were not disappointed. 

I think the fact that this location is in the Hill Country makes it even that more grand! Your experience starts outside with the old' time bbq pits. Here you pick out your meat and they slap it on a tray for you. Then you carry it in and they cut your meat and package it up for you. Inside they have all kinds of homemade sides. Nate got a jalepeno & bacon macaroni and cheese. He said it was amazing. I skipped on the sides because they have all you can eat beans and bread in the dining area. Their beans are my favorite! Nathan had sliced brisket and I had the sausage. It was amazing!

If you're ever in the Hill Country you have to try Cooper's!





source

{Texas Tuesday - Perini Ranch in Abilene, TX}

A few weekends ago when we went to Welcome Trent home from deployment we had lunch at Perini Ranch the next day. Goodness, I can't even begin to describe how amazing it was!! 

Most of us opted for the buffet while a couple others ordered off the menu! We waited for our table out in the back, so we got a good view of the buffet. The buffet? Amazing!! They serve chuck wagon style food. It's to die for. Seriously!

The buffet line

 Everything was served from cast iron skillets and the gentlemen working the buffet were the kindest! They helped us Mamas that had a kid in tote without even hesitating! I had ham, chicken fried steak, green beans, mashed potatos, a corn relish {that was out of this world} and homemade bread. We also got a dessert with our meal...strawberry shortcake! YUM! I wish I would have taken pictures of the food, but I didn't waste any time devouring my plate!

The restaurant is very cabin/lodgy feeling. They had a fire place going when we got there. It's so cozy!

If you're ever in the Abilene/Buffalo Gap area, it's a must! Even worth a road trip!

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What is Texas Tuesday? A chance for you to show off the awesomeness that is TEXAS!! You can blog about anything; restaurants, vacation spots, venues, concerts, your hometown, shops, fashion, sports, etc. The linkup is not limited to Texans, we just ask that the post is about Texas. 

We don't make following any of the hosts a requirement, but we do ask that you include our button and at least post about a Texas related topic. Any links that are not related to the link up will be deleted. (button code is in grab box below the image above)
 
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