February 7, 1957

Five days later, and we're celebrating another birthday in the Torres household! Can I get a big Happy Birthday for my mom, the one and only Leticia, Tish, Tisha, Letisha, Mom?!!!! If you have ever had the pleasure of meeting her, you would know she is full of personality and all around goodness!!

 Mom, you are better than the best and cooler than the coolest. I wouldn't be anything I am without you and Dad's unending love and support !!

Happy Birthday!!

I love you so much!!

Get ready for these gems!!

Sitting pretty!
You should know this chair/ancient artifact ;) is still in existence!...
and who wouldn't notice that awesome Flintstones lunchbox?! 

For real, who does she think she is?!
 Too cool for school, I'd say!!...And for that parade!! 

Senior '76!!
What a natural beauty!

Mom, you're awesome!

Snowed In!

  After a tough, bone dry year here in West Texas, we are finally getting the moisture we need! We were covered with a heavy blanket of 7.5"of snow!! Winter has been good to us so far.....we've been snowed upon three times in the past two months! 

Just chillin' .....really.

My Chalk Doodle!

Little red rocking chairs.....longing for summer nights!

Cheers to 2012!

      I rang in the New Year along with some other friends in the Land of Enchantment...Ruidoso, New Mexico that is! A wonderful little getaway is always fun and refreshing no matter the distance, and the landscape of Ruidoso with the fresh coat of snow was beautiful!

     I have no resolutions for the new year, mainly because they go right out the window after the first two weeks or so, but I do have some goals! I won't share them with you because they aren't too exciting in the first place and a bit personal, but I'll share with you a few little Instagram/iPhone snapshots of my first week of the year that is 2012.

Happy New Year to you all....let us all delve into 2012! :)

#28!

At Ski Apache, BRRR!



Old School Signage

Can you spy the deer?!...taken right outside the cabin!

December 7, 1992

It's time to send my not so little sister, Elle, a ton of birthday wishes! Today, we celebrate 19 years with this beautiful, comical, loving, fearless, hardworking, insanely talented, leader of the pack! Not long ago it seems she was impressing my friends with her incredibly smooth dance moves when she was 6...and boy, does she still have it!

Elle, you continue to make us proud, as you use your talents to conquer your world....

I love you and I hope you never tire of hearing my advice :)

Happy Birthday!

Irresistibly cute in curls!

Birthday #2 - Anticipating some of that cake!

So dainty in her favorite pj's....
waiting on Santa apparently ( where are  all the presents?!)

1997 - Casie's Quinceanera
Looking all important, hanging out with Mom and Dad.



Oh snap!...Elle and I ready for that summer sun!....
Mom, what's with the loneliest picture?!



Simply gorgeous.

Elle Renee!

December 1, 1981

I'd like to give my beautiful sister, Casie, tons of birthday love!...Funny, stylish, strong, hard working, smart, and so caring beyond belief!....Having some of the best memories since the carefree days of building cardboard houses and slip 'n' sliding in the backyard! 

I Love you Casie!!

Happy Birthday!

Mighty cute in that sailor suit!

Just chillin' on a wagon wheel....
 with a faux backdrop, a must in the 80's

All grown up & beautiful than ever!

Casie and I on Easter Sunday - 1988....
Matching sister outfits!...Don't hate.

Then there were three!
 Casie, Elle, and I  

Uh yeah, I told you she's beautiful!...
Hey guy in the background...move outta the way!

Weekend Adventure - Part Two: ACL 2011

Im excited to tell you, last weekend was my very first experience at the Austin City Limits Music Festival! The festival was celebrating it's 10th anniversary...I know, I know.....I can't believe I've been missing out for so long either! We only attended the Sunday line-up, which was amazing enough. We were able to catch, The Walkmen, Broken Social Scene, Fleet Foxes, and Arcade Fire!! :) Oh man, you better believe I was all smiles...bobbin' my head, clapping my hands, and singing along!

Hello ACL!! 

After a long, heat induced jaunt and eager as ever..... we arrived :)

Had to hold up the endless flow of people for a perfect photo op!!

All ready to catch our first show, The Walkmen! 

Check out the Austin skyline in the background!

Way cool signage near the stretch of awesome food vendors....Among our choices, were The Mighty Cone and Maine Root, and Amy's Ice Cream!

Broken Social Scene 

Just snapping photos awaiting Arcade Fire...this was taking place behind us!

.....And the crowd went wild!! 

Lead singer of Arcade Fire, Win Butler :)

Yep, this set made me tear up a little....amazing and nostalgic. "The Suburbs" being played with the video of kids riding their bikes :)

ACL, you did this body and soul real good!

Weekend Adventure - Part One: Chinati Hot Springs

Weekend getaways are among my top favorites! Over the past two weekends we've taken jaunts to two amazing destinations....first stop, Chinati Hot Springs, nestled in the Chinati Mountains in Presidio County! This beautiful spot is literally in the middle of nowhere and is perfect for relaxation.....I urge you to visit!

Oh snap!..When we came to this 30 mile bumpy ride of your life road let me tell you, we were one scared, sweating bullets, nervous crew! 1.) We thought we were lost due to lack of signs and the crazy terrain, where we had to literally drive 5-10 mph 2.) There was zero cell phone service...so, if we were lost we were doomed cause we were in the middle of the mountains... AKA nowhere!  3.) We only had a quarter tank of gas 4.) It started to get dark on us...perfect setting for a horror film if you ask me.

The one and only sign at the beginning of the trek... worn and faded, stating it is private property (slightly skeptical, in my opinion)

No other pics were taken on the dirt road journey or that day...pictures were not of importance when you think you are going to be stranded!!....for real!...

But, of course we finally made it and this was taken the following morning! This is the cute community kitchen..complete with everything you need to prepare a mean bbq!

 

Meet our stay..the sea foam door on the left, Numero Uno! Complete with an outdoor shower and tub....water supplied naturally warm from the hot spring!

Zac relaxing in the hot spring, which has natural healing minerals...the water was perfectly warm and fresh, and after you got out your skin felt soft! We were healed for sure :)

The spring-fed pool overlooking the mountains and lodges...it was so clean and refreshingly cold. Zac and his awesome sister, Ashley....most likely pondering whether or not to return to reality or stay here forever!

The view, walking down the path from the pool.

And finally, all smiles on our return home!...First of all, happy cause we knew we weren't lost this time..whew!  Secondly, healed and refreshed from the spring, ready to face the week! 

See you real soon Chinati!

Weekend Wedding

The wedding bells were ringing this weekend as J.Ryan and Meagan tied the knot! The wedding reception turned out exactly as I had planned...and I must say that the southern country bash was a hit with everyone!.... I couldn't have pulled it off without the help of my awesome parents, Zac, and his wonderful family. 

Each table had a burlap runner and mason jar filled with a sunflower and a variety of wildflowers. Along with each arrangement were a mix of vintage bottles and candles. 

The couples' seats were covered in burlap and finished off with hand painted signs for the Mr. and Mrs. 

To add softness to the venue we hung fabric panels finished of with bright yellow sunflowers... The railing was accented with clear glass globe lighting to add warmth and a soft glow. 

This little set up was for the guests to leave well wishes, and words of wisdom, for the newlyweds. The notes were pinned on the screen door for all to see! 

Hanging cluster of lampshades above the BBQ buffet!

Look familiar?!....I replaced the existing art with a personalized piece appropriate for the occasion! Love...The day was full of it! I also had the idea of adding more fabric to cover the shelves of the bar, to add softness and balance.