Anniversary Adventure Weekend

This past Saturday I was scheduled to have a book signing at a lovely little place in Eagle Lake, Texas called the Vineyard II.

Since hubby's and my anniversary was Friday, we decided to make it an anniversary weekend. However, anniversary weekend quickly turned into adventure weekend.

Friday morning, the day we were to leave, we not only awoke to rain, my sister-in-law sent us news that one of the roads we take to the ranch was closed due to flooding and we'd have to find a different route. Okay, no impossible, just a little inconvenience.

During the four-hour trip, we had rain off and on, but nothing too bad. And we were thrilled when we checked the TxDot website later and saw that the road that had been closed was now open. Woo-hoo!

Our excitement was short-lived, though when the storms descended on areas that had been spared the previous day. By the time we arrived at the ranch, the skies had opened. Lighting and thunder flashed and boomed all around us.

We had parked in the barn and, shortly after I shot this video, we made a mad dash for camp house.

From the porch, we watched our island slowly disappear.

Roughly 4 inches of rain in 2 hours. That coupled with all the rain south central Texas has had in recent weeks and the water rose quickly.

When the rain finally stopped, we went out to explore.

Remember that island?

Our little pond was coming out of it's banks. Where this video starts is the actual pond, but the water was flowing over the spillway so hard you can't tell where one leaves off and the other begins.

By the time we were ready to go meet family for dinner, our front gate looked more like a lake.

When the water is higher than the boots, you either leave the gate open or ditch the boots all together and roll up your britches.

By the time we returned from dinner, the Colorado River was coming out of its banks.

And when we got back to the camp, the area just inside the gate that is normal all sand, now looked more like high tide.

Yes, there's a road under there.

Thank goodness were in a very tall, 4-wheel drive pickup or we would have never made it.

The heavy rains do bring out the best in nature.

And the worst. (a closer look)

But without fail, God always does something really cool after the storm.

By the next day, the sun was shining and the waters had receded ever so slightly as we made our way to Eagle Lake.

I had cheese and crackers and patriotic M&Ms for those who joined us.

As well as a door prize.

And the ladies group from the Lutheran Church made things extra fun.

I hope they had as good a time as I did.

On our way home Sunday, we stopped in tiny Ellinger, Texas for kolaches just as their Memorial Day Parade was coming to an end.

There were antique cars, beauty queens and cowboys on horseback.

And, of course, veterans riding in the back of a military vehicle.

(I was a second or two too late for my best shot.)

Overall, it was fun weekend. Relaxing yet challenging, fun and memorable.

Definitely one for the record books.

So how was your Memorial Day Weekend?

Sriracha Dipping Sauce and a Book Release

I'm sore.

I spent the weekend painting. The guest room Saturday, the master bedroom Sunday. The master is the one that kicked my butt. Tall ceilings meant lots of reaching, stretching and going up and down the ladder. Of course, it was all worth it. The rooms looks great and it's another item ticked off of our to-do list as we prep the house to go on the market after the first of the year.

Sorry, no pix, though. You know me, so eager to get started that pictures never even cross my mind.

All that work (yes, it was a lone endeavor) meant no cooking, though. Instead, I made hubby take me out one night and order pizza the next. The perfect trade off, right?

So today I thought I share one of my new favorite pantry staples

.

Sriracha sauce (pronounced sir-ah-cha). Nowadays, you can find this at most grocery stores on the Asian food aisle.

Now, I'm not a fan of super spicy foods. However, sometimes things need a little kick. And there's just something about the flavor of this Korean hot sauce that does the trick.

One of my favorite things to make with it is a dipping sauce that is perfect with chicken fingers, SWEET POTATO FRIES (love those) or anything else you might want to dip.

First, I start with some regular old mayonnaise and ketchup. About half and half.

Now add a little sriracha. And by a little, I mean a little. You can always add more later.

Whisk that all together and taste.

Hmm... Needs a little more sriracha.

Whisk again.

Taste again.

Perfect.

Another ingredient I add on occasion is Worcestershire sauce. It simply adds another dimension of flavor.

Like I said, I absolutely love this with sweet potato fries. Shoot, I love sweet potato fries just about any way, but the little bit of heat with the sweetness of the fries makes them even better.

Oh, and it's also tasty spread on burgers.

In other news, guess what is now on Walmart shelves?

I love this story. And I love that it's out right before Memorial Day because Kaleb, the hero in this book, is a wounded warrior who knows the true meaning of Memorial Day and pays tribute to it in the story.

I hope you'll consider picking up a copy.

Mindy Obenhaus lives in Texas with her husband and kids. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com.

Spring Break Recap and a Cover Reveal

Last week was spring break and what an amazing week it was. After lots of rain the week before,

our weather was more like summer than spring and the wildflowers were popping like firecrackers.

I do love me some Bluebonnets.

 

Our youngest daughter joined us for the week.

Along with her husband and dogs.

But it wasn't all fun and games. There was still work to be done.

Like building new tree stands.

And fertility testing the bulls.

Trust me, you don't want to know.

All that work left some pooped pooches.

We also took some time out to visit the old city cemetery.

Where we found the marker for my boys' great-great-great-great grandfather.

Died June 21, 1865 is what the marker reads.

And get a load of the size of this oak tree.

I just love the character of these old Live Oaks.

But, alas, all good things must come to an end.

Until we find more good things.

Like this:

The cover for my June release!

I'm so excited, I can hardly stand it. My first cover with people!

Here's a bit about the story:

The Soldier's Second Chance 
After returning home wounded from an IED attack, former soldier Kaleb Palmer is hailed as a hero. But survivor's guilt makes him feel like a fraud. He hopes setting up a business in Ouray, Colorado, will give him a purpose and help him forget. But his new office manager has her own plans. Grace McAllen brings light and hope wherever she goes, and she's getting Kaleb to open up. As she helps him make Mountain View Jeep Tours a success, Kaleb realizes a happy ending is in reach, if he can convince Grace to stay in town—and his life—forever.

Happy Tuesday, y'all.