A {Haunted} Valentine's Dinner

For Valentines Day this year, and since we would have family in town, I wanted to do something a bit different. Well, maybe different isn't the right word, just not Chili's Ü (which is our go-to place when we get together...not that I don't loooove me some Chili's...). Well, I looked around, and if we all could have afforded it, we would have ended up at Texas de Brazil (yum). But I knew we couldn't afford $40 a plate, so I remembered a place that I have been wanting to go to ever since I saw it on the Travel Channel. It's called The Catfish Plantation and it's HAUNTED. haha. Yup, we must be a morbid couple..since last year we went and saw My Bloody Valentine for our Vday treat....and now we drove everyone 40 minutes down to a haunted restaurant.

It's this quaint little house...located on a back road of a neighborhood that is eery itself. The house are all these old, beautiful Victorians....such a site. This house actually reminded me of our last house in Sikeston (built in 1905)...with high ceilings, dark wood and pretty stained glass here and there.

It's all in the gimmick...but they do their best to make you feel like there is a 'presence' there.

This is us waiting for a table....you can't see it but right behind the person taking a picture is this white door that leads into one of the many dining room...and every once in awhile it will just swing back and forth, like someone has come in or gone out. At first it's like 'oh crap' but then you realize that it swings like that every time another door is opened or someone walks into the waiting area. lol. Phew Ü.

As it turned out...this place had THE BEST CATFISH I have ever tasted. And I'm not a fish fan....I mostly think catfish tastes like dirt....but their recipe was just divine! There was a couple we met in the waiting area that said they drive for an hour just to eat the catfish at this place....and that the fact that it's haunted makes it just that much more fun. I couldn't agree more!

I would highly suggest this place if you are in the mood for a eclectic atmostphere and some yummy catfish at a great price (Uncle Josh got an unlimited catfish plate for $17ish). Maybe you'll get lucky and the male ghost that resides at the house will flirt with you by brushing your hair back or touching your knee Ü.

Today was quite nice...

...I took advantage of the nice breeze in the am and got the lawn mowed (so James wouldn't have to do it Saturday, we are going to pick up some new friendss! shhh....). The afternoon got a little toasty, but by dinner time it was perfect again! So we took advantage and BBQ'd and ate out on the patio.

We relaxed a bit.....

Drank some ORANGE....
Got nice and messy...

Watched the planes (more like SCREAMED like banshee's when planes went by...)

And just enjoyed each other's company. I wish every night could be this perfect.

My Earth Day Tree.....Sheryl. We planted it yesterday in honor of Earth Day...and yes, it's a PALM TREE (or, er...shrub)..but it still counts, especially since my backyard counts as a forest...I have a head start. Plus, it reminds me of Vegas....*sigh*.

Check, please.

We always seem to get THAT waiter...you know the one. The one that starts out decent, seems nice enough, gets your drink order, maybe takes your dinner order in a decent time frame...but then completely DISAPPEARS?!
This totally happens to us 7/10 times we eat out. And we eat out alot, many different restaurants on many different occasions (mostly b/c I hate to cook Ü). So, we see our share of waiters.

Yesterday, we went to Chili's for lunch....I had me a craving for Big Mouth Bites, yum. We get seated, the waiter makes his first appearance...we get our drinks in a timely manner...we get our chips & salsa quickly (very importante). Then he disappears. For at least 1/2 hour. We got lucky, the lady at the next table was getting a bit ticked and went and found a manager. She brought our food out in the next 2 minutes. Hmmm....

So...the question is....WHERE DO THEY GO? I've seen the movie "Waiting" and my imagination sure can go wild. If he isn't helping us, and he's not helping any of his other tables...where'd he go?
I know being a waiter has got to be challenging...its not a job I've ever done or ever plan on doing. But I'd really like to know...where did he go?
The girls got a little antsy, since it was a late lunch anyways....so we amused ourselves with a little music. Bella is a fan of Death Cab for Cutie, of all things...girl's got good taste ;). Aube just kept asking for Mamma Mia.

Well, now...didn't that weekend just fly by?

Wow...I can't believe it is already Monday night....Krista is flying safely back to Las Vegas at the moment :). My apologies for being MIA...but I was having a bit too much fun!

We picked Krista up at the airport Friday afternoon, thanks so much to her family for lending her to us for the weekend! We got to sit and gab for a bit while the girls napped...did a little camera comparison, she got a fabulous new camera for Christmas!
That night we went to eat at a place here in GP called "Little Mexico", I think I've raved about it on here before...but it didn't disappoint, other than giving us all the burps for the rest of the night. After dinner and getting the kiddos to bed, Krista and I headed up to the mall to see Twilight (her second time, my third! but first together!) and it was SOLD OUT. Yes, SOLD OUT. I couldn't believe it. So we raced back to another theater and got there just in the nick of time, thank goodness cause it was SO good, even the third time around! I totally ruined most of it for Krista, I'm afraid...hehe...by pointing out little tidbits here and there ;). Like how Edward's ears are pointy!

On Saturday, we met up with Ashley for a pedicure...a MUCH needed pedicure!! Krista and Ashley formed a friendship over the last year and were happy to finally meet each other in person!

Our beautiful toes! They totally matched our toes to our slippas! :)

After pedicures, we three headed over to PF Changs for some yummy lunch.

Our "myspace" pic....I promised not to post the blooper, but it was hilarious ;)...

After lunch, Krista and I headed home to veg for a bit...then went over to the Perfect Touch Spa for some more much needed pampering. We endulged in a mini-facial and a 60 minute massaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhge. Ü Seriously...it was SO NEEDED and reminded me how much I love to GET massage and how much I miss giving massage (sometimes). To say it was alot of fun is very much a understatement.

My girls took to Krista like we had never left Vegas! Ü They know a good heart when they see it!

Another movie we saw while she was here was Marley and Me....if you haven't seen it, you should...so good!! And quite the tear-jerker!! Afterwards, we picked up the fam and went to eat at Saltgrass for some yummy "Authentic" Texas steaks! We tried to figure out the reason for the name "Saltgrass" cause their ain't nuthin' salty about it!!
Can't you just kick Bella for being so cute????

Today we woke up and drove over to Ft Worth to catch the 11:30 cattle "run". The girls can now say "they rode Pecos Bill" or so the cowboy told us. They were very excited to ride the "horsie" ....hehe....and didn't think their ride was long enough!
Krista and her cowboy (Sorry, Trav!)

We've seen the cattle once before, but man...they are a site to see! It's short but sweet.....and those longhorns are just amazing!
It was a great visit...I know Krista is so excited to get home to her girls! A big thank you to her hubby for getting her out here to spend some time with me. I love that girl to death! Ü We've been friends for over 7 years now and I know we'll be friends for 50 more!!!

The Magic Time Machine

Last night, James' dad took us out to eat.
We debated and debated where to go....
So...James' boss suggested the Magic Time Machine in Addison.

It was so much fun!
Our waitress just happened to be Belle from Beauty & the Beast.
Bella was so excited to see a real live Princess!
She wasn't that excited to drink her GREEN Bubbly Potion.

Our booth was a Crayon Box...so there were little ledges all around.
Bella ate all her yummy food, then proceeded to sit on her ledge.
She actually let me take a picture!!
She loves that Papa...that's all I've heard all day today:
"Where's Papa?"

Even Miss Aube did ok. We didn't know you had
to request a highchair when making reservations,
so Aube had free reign in the booth....
making a nice mess that Im glad I didn't have to clean up!
MMM....corn.
We got to see Woody from Toy Story and Cap'n Jack from Pirates.
And eat yummy steak and bacon wrapped shrimp.
We can't wait to go back!