Magic Time Machine and Packing

This weekend we started packing up our beautiful house in Richardson. We had help, though. My brother returned with us to help out, and our friends Andrew and Bill came by and helped pack for a couple hours. We got a lot done! I would say we're around 70% done now - and the rest should be easier before our move-out date of the 30th.

After our two friends had to leave, we cleaned up after a hard day's work and went to the Magic Time Machine restaurant in Addison, TX. I'd been there before, years ago, for an orchestra trip. It's a fun place where the waiters and waitresses dress up in various characters. From Red Riding Hood to Wednesday Adams, Spiderman to Captain Jack, the fun is to be had pretty much right when you step through the door. 

My husband and I both got yummy Magic Bubbling Potion, a tasty concoction of orange juice, pineapple juice, Sierra Mist, and a splash of Malibu Rum. It really did bubble! The food was excellent there, and our waitress, Harley Quinn, was really friendly and funny. 

She was really nice, and provided great service! I would imagine it's one of few restaurants where the workers have as much fun as those who eat the food! 

I couldn't resist having my brother take a picture with Harley Quinn. 

Hopefully the rest of our packing and the move will go smoothly. Soon we'll be in Houston!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I know I've been rather quiet and dull as of late. Things have been pretty hectic in the Duplan house. My husband has been on the job hunt and graduate school has been keeping me busy. 

However, I have some events coming up that I will get to illustrate for! I'm looking forward to them - it will give me a chance to promote myself and work on expanding on my live sketching techniques. 

This holiday week was spent in Houston with my husband's sister - he had some wonderful interviews in Downtown Houston before the Thanksgiving holiday. My sister-in-law has a pair of beautiful little girls - and it was such a joy spending time with them! 

Kat just loves watching shows with her favorite Uncle. 

Monday we had a great day with my friend Meghann - we went to the mall, then went and saw Mockingjay Part 1! It was a great movie - definitely a must-see! Tuesday I spent the day with my family (who also are in Houston) and went Thrift shopping with my mama. It was a great time! Wednesday we went and saw Mockingjay again with my dad after eating lunch at Chuy's with my dad, brother, and sister-in-law and her husband. 

Thanksgiving we spent with my husband's family - it was a wonderful spread with wonderful people! My new extended family are so kind and generous - I love them all so much!

Friday was a relaxing afternoon with Don's parents and sister and her family - and her little one, Sam, got to open her early Birthday presents. Don and I got her a fun Olaf plushie! 

Saturday before we returned to Dallas, my family and I went to the Texas Renaissance Festival! It's a family gathering I always look forward to. This weekend was the last weekend of the season - and it was a great way to start the Christmas season. 

I'm hoping to update a little more regularly - forgive me again for my absence! 

See you again soon!

The Fort Worth Stockyards

This past Wednesday my husband and I went to the Fort Worth Stockyards. It's a great place full of old-time charm. Older buildings, lots of antique shops, and it's chock-full of Texas and Western themed novelty shops. 

Plenty of funny sayings, cows, horses, and the Texas flag was everywhere! It was a lot of fun seeing all these interesting things. I had gone once before with my best friend, Meghann, but this was the first time going with my husband, Don. 

I managed to capture him in the store, and plopped a cowboy hat on him, too! 

One of the more interesting things that happened was a Cattle Drive! There were guys dressed up in their duds, horses decked out, and longhorns walking the streets! They do this every day at 11am and at 4pm. People were lined up on the sidewalks to watch!

Another part of the attraction was the Stockyards Station. A Railway ran through the middle of it, and there were plenty of other shops and restaurants. All of them containing barbeque, hamburgers, tex-mex, and all sorts of novelties as well!

My favorite shop that we happened to stop by was The Spice & Tea Exchange. There were all manners of salts, spices, blends, and plenty of amazing smelling teas. 

We got a packet of dried rose petals, which my husband plans to use to make his own Mead. 

All along the sidewalks was a Trail of Fame, which had the names of various cowboys, pioneers, lawmen and women, and more! 

The trip was well-worth the drive from Dallas, and we had such a fantastic time! 

We'll definitely be going again.