Valentine's in Photos

Big plans of throwing a Valentine's party to rival the Channukah party, turned into just making these dark chocolate brownie cupcakes with cream cheese icing. They were made from a Ghiradelli box, so can't really give you a recipe. Just a suggestion that these are the best box brownies ever.

Brownies packaged and ready to be delivered.

Got some sweet cards from my family.


Made some Valentine's cards for the girls and a birthday card for another friend.

Ben's card didn't get made until Sunday morning while packing for our mystery trip. I actually secretly knew all along what we were doing because it was my suggestion in the first place. We've done the romantic home-cooked meal and the fancy Valentine's dinner out, so this year I thought it'd be nice to get away, become one with nature and relax in a cabin in the Texas Hill Country. Ben acted like he wasn't feeling the idea and we didn't talk about it again. A couple days before the trip though, I caught him checking an email confirmation about a "reservation." Hmmm. I was only told to pack my Uggs (his are seen above with the essential tupperware of brownie cupcakes and Vanity Fair).

I got really into this wilderness thing and used my big camping backpack to hold all my rugged gear. *Notice the new shoes and running pants I mentioned in the previous post.* Nevermind that Ben picked me up wearing designer jeans and sandals, we were going to the wilderness!

Happy driver leading us West.

We stopped in Hondo, TX for some Barbeque at McBee's. This place so rocked, unlike this terrible place we found in Luling a couple weeks back when the place we wanted to visit was closed. Can't remember the name right now and assuming most of you guys aren't hanging out in Luling, Texas.
That cow did not stand a chance. It's a good thing my copy of Omnivore's Dilemma is still in the mail. I can definitely survive without meat every day and pretty much dislike Chicken, but gosh--steak, brisket and bacon have my heart.


We arrived at our lodgings around 3pm. I've stayed at a few places in Concan and Leakey, but I liked these property owners the best. The couple runs the office out of their home and told us a lot about the history of the cabins and the area. Also there were TWO bathrooms and a newly remodeled kitchen in our cottage--yeah we were really roughing it.

Some of our supplies.

After putting our stuff away in the living quarters we walked down to the Frio River, which was only about a five minute walk through the woods. The river was freezing, that's why they call it the "Frio," but we enjoyed playing with rocks, splashing around, hiking and talking.

Texas Hills!

Sun starting to go down and a cool front blowing in...brrr.

This is as far as we got on a puzzle before realizing we are not puzzle people and should go back to magazine reading.
Having no hair dryer gives me wilderness hair!

Our amazing, amazing steak dinner. The meat was so delectable! I ate every morsel and immediately zonked out while claiming I was just going to "rest my eyes." I am getting so old. It was only 10:00 and we hadn't had time to make our s'mores and gaze up at the stars!

Next thing I knew it was breakfast time. Ben forced me to try "Biscuits 'n' Gravy" since we were in the country. Not a fan. It's like someone hocked a loogey on your yummy biscuit.

I was determined to get this s'more thing happening so we made a fire to roast the marshmallows right before we left the camp grounds. We used my favorite chocolate.

This trip was really great and just what I needed. I encourage all of you to visit the area and get your nature on. Thanks to my loving Valentine!