Conversations with a Pro

I've decided to start my own new weekly series, to be called....(drum roll please) 'Conversations with a Pro.'

If you are related to, close friends or have been around the Pro, you have learned that he LOVES to be funny (I tend to think he 'tries' although he would disagree), at times he can be extremely animated, is very much a smart-aleck, has a fabulous memory--which to the rest of us means you don't stand a chance in disagreeing with him on anything that may or may not have happened because he will not back down, an extremely talented writer, could talk about sports all day... literally, an analyzer if there ever was one and very witty.

With that said, you can only imagine that we have some interesting conversations from time to time. I'm sure you know someone that makes you want to remember the funny thing they said or did? Or even wonder what lead to the previous conversation. Well I have several, one of which I live with. This makes life very entertaining to say the least!

Here it is friends, the debut of 'Conversations with a Pro!'

Setting: On our way to Ruidioso, the Pro-Driving, me-looking through my Rachael Ray magazine. The topic of conversation...well who knows what lead to it, but the fact that I'd like to cook more but he thinks too many things are 'gross'! (Side note--is there such thing as a picky eaters' support group? I'm totally googling that!)

The Pro: Don't act like you 'like' everything

Me: Babe! I think most things are good. You're the one that's not very adventurous.

The Pro: Yes, (1 second pause with hesitation) within my own realm.

Me: (Thinking to myself... 'Within your own realm?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!????????)

Me: Oh what? You'll take ketchup with that or not?

The Pro: (Silence)

Me: (Waiting for a response)

The Pro: Low blow.

Ya hear?

I just found myself saying this exact quote to my dog..."This is the only bone you get tonight, ya hear?"

Did I just say that? Really? Ummmmm yes I did!

Where did that come from?

I instantly connected the saying, 'ya hear' to my nearly 100 year old nanny. While there is nothing wrong with the saying or my nanny....I just felt that I instantly went back a few generations with my phrase.

Have you ever said something different or unusual for you and as soon as if leaves your mouth you have no clue where that came from?

Huh?! Adults say the darndest things!  

God gave me another one...

Today I asked someone at work how it was going? His response, "God gave me another one." (with a smile)

I instantly thought, no matter what is troubling or bothering me really isn't important. If an answer like that doesn't put it into perspective, I don't know what does.

Maybe we should all take a moment and be thankful for God giving us another day.

Crockpot Apple Crisp

If you're household is anything like ours, one of you likes to cook sweets and the other REALLY likes to eat sweets. Unfortunatly here, I fall under both of those categories. The Pro likes sweets, but one is enough and he's done. Me on the other hand, well I could probably eat the entire dish and once I have I realized....yes, I've just finished it all, basically on my own. Of course I don't know how to make anything in small portions...oh no, always WAY more than is needed. We are a family of two, and I make sweets like we have a family of ten! (Seems like it anyways)

Tonight I tried a new receipe that I knew even the Pro couldn't resist. Crossing my fingers he'll actually come back for seconds!

I found this receipe in a cool 'Crockpot' cookbook that we were given. Now who doesn't love cooking anything in a crockpot? Other than the cleanup, it's super easy with no fuss!

Trust me, you have got to try this receipe! Enjoy!

-2 Cans of Apple Pie filling (or any other flavor you like..I like blueberry & cherry would be really  good together)
-2 1/2 Cups of any granola cereal
-1 1/2 teaspoons Cinnamon
-1/3 cup sugar
-1/3 cup melted butter

All you do is place the pie filling at the bottom of your crockpot, pour cereal on top, sprinkle cinnamon and sugar and drizzle with butter. Cook on low for 3 hours and there you go! Spoon into a bowl and top with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!

Next time I make this I'll probably add more pie filling and less granola just to make it taste more like a crunchy fruit-filled cobbler, but for my first try it was pretty good.

I may or may not have already gone back for seconds!

Football season in Texas

Well friends, it has begun...it's football season! Mild and avid fans alike look forward to this day for months, longing for the weekends where there is always a game on TV, a stadium seat to fill, the sound of the drum line and the smell of tailgate food. While I will say we here at TP&TP enjoy all of the above, I will also add the correction.....we don't look forward to this date for months. While it is probably always in the back of his mind, the PRO loves ALL sports. And I do mean all! (OK..there are probably 2 sports that I can probably name that he doesn't follow) Needless to say when football season rolls around, it hasn't just 'started' for us. This is not the 'beginning' of a great sports season. This is probably the middle. For us, (more specifically, Me) there is not one break in between sports. We go from baseball (PHEW...this is one long season) , straight into NCAA Football, NFL season, NBA, Golf tournaments, throw in some tennis, maybe some hockey at the appropriate times and WA- LA... 365 days of sports. Phew. Can you see my exhaustion at times?

While I am at times on sports overload, I know how much the pro loves it. I think if he wanted to he could probably host his own sports show, and trust me he'd never run out of things to talk about. Sometimes it's interesting just listening to him discussing a game with his friends...they are just so intense!

Although there are times that I just need a break from all the sports, I will be the first to admit, there is just nothing like the start of football season in Texas. It's our culture, it's our pastime. There is just something about the atmosphere that you instantly fall in love with. I may not always pay attention to the game and I may have had enough after the hours of discussing the game we just watched, but I will say, I love the smell, the sounds and the happiness it brings to this household.

Here's to listening to the first sounds of the fight song, the bright stadium lights, the much over-used 'wave', the smell of nacho cheese in the stands, to the occasional dirt storms that come our way- but we don't budge and to the pride-filled alumnus. We love our school. We love this game. Welcome to football season in Texas!