There were lasers, probes, baskets and string involved but…..he lives!
I love my life so, so much.
Sometimes I just feel overwhelmed with the gratitude I feel that I get to eat delicious meals with wonderful friends that are full with laughs, love and music.
I am so thankful.
We picked up Rudy’s tonight and Morgan grilled fish, chicken sausages and veggies to go with it. Rudy’s was fabulous (turkey! turkey! beans! corn!) but Morgan’s grilled brussels sprouts, onions and bell pepper were fabulous.
It was goooooooood to eat some veggies, I’ll tell ya what.
With our meals, we sipped some delicious Cabernet…. and by we, I mean Morgan, Stephen and myself.
Almanzo got water. Promise.
Loving these, too!
Currently watching another three hours of Mad Men. I’m going to go into withdrawals back in California, that’s for sure.
Susan
September 9, 2010 at 6:00 pmFall Risk…I am so curious. The spread looks awesome. Veggies done right…
Jackie
September 9, 2010 at 6:02 pmIt looks a LOT like wine in Almanzo’s hand in that last picture of him….:)
Caitlin
September 9, 2010 at 6:05 pmI love your headband–it’s so bright and cheery! And yay for the boyfriend’s recovery.
Megan
September 9, 2010 at 6:14 pmWhat a wonderful feeling to have! So happy for you!
Shannon, Tropical Eats
September 9, 2010 at 6:15 pmyippee glad he is all better! sorry you have to go back 🙁
Jen (Running With Cake)
September 9, 2010 at 6:16 pmOooh, Avalon Cab from Napa! I’m headed to Napa in late October – looking forward to trying some! BTW, you guys are too cute! Glad he’s better, kidney stones are no fun for men or women.
Stephanie
September 9, 2010 at 6:16 pm2 Things: I just started watching Mad Men and I love it sooo much too! I can’t wait to finish up the first season on blu-ray this weekend. Also, my fiance had kidney stones twice and I know how terrible they are! He had his for so long so he had to get surgery to get them out also. So glad Almanzo is feeling better!
Maissa
September 9, 2010 at 6:17 pmYay! He’s better! The food looks awesome. All your Texas posts are making me think I might need to visit at some point. I’ve always avoided the state as a general rule (we San Francisco natives are a snobby crew 🙂 ), but it looks like Texas may actually be a lot of fun.
(I don’t mean to insult anyone from Texas, at all, the above is meant jokingly, except for the part about really wanting to schedule a Texas trip at some point soon now. The food looks awesome)
Estela @ Weekly Bite
September 9, 2010 at 6:18 pmSo glad you’re enjoying yourself and having a great time 🙂
LindseyAnn
September 9, 2010 at 6:20 pmI’m glad “Almanzo” is up and around and feeling better! 🙂
katherine
September 9, 2010 at 6:20 pmYYYum. Looks like an awesome celebration. Cant go wrong with vino and veggies!
allison
September 9, 2010 at 6:29 pmI’m so happy for you – what an amazing feeling 🙂 Glad the boy feels better 🙂
Paige @Running Around Normal
September 9, 2010 at 6:29 pmYay! Glad Almanzo is ok:) What a fun night!
katyrenee
September 9, 2010 at 6:30 pmLOVE Rudy’s and as a now California girl I miss it desperately. Topo Chico is sublime too! So glad he is better. Once I took my hubby (then friend) to the hospital for kidney stones, our relationship got way more serious. Hoping yours continues to grow!!
Gillian
September 9, 2010 at 6:30 pmWhat an incredible picnic feast! It’s already too cold here to eat outside!
Jillian @ Reshape Your Life
September 9, 2010 at 6:31 pmHe’s alive!!! That is so good to hear. And he looks like he’s back to normal! Keep taking good care of him!
The dinner looks amazing, love all the veggies!
Raewyn
September 9, 2010 at 6:34 pmGlad Almanzo’s feeling better – Rudy’s definitely makes everything better too! 😉 That is one scrumptious spread…now you’re making me homesick for Texas!
P.S. Yes, go to College Station! Wander the campus, eat at Jason’s Deli, and enjoy the college atmosphere!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
September 9, 2010 at 6:34 pmSo glad that he is okay! That is great news. Enjoy the rest of your time there – it looks magical!
theemptynutjar
September 9, 2010 at 6:36 pmGood to see all is well.
I like your pants and headband.
Hope you’re not swiped by the hurricane.
Maria @ a healthier Maria
September 9, 2010 at 6:36 pmSo glad to hear he’s doing well!
& love your happy post! Reminds me to think the same 🙂
Marci
September 9, 2010 at 6:36 pmRudy’s is the best bbq in Texas! Good old fashioned white bread, baked beans. You got the right stuff. What city are you in now?
Sarah
September 9, 2010 at 6:37 pmUm, one of those shots looks like a Save the Date. Just sayin’.
Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/
September 9, 2010 at 6:38 pmAlmanzo is looking pretty spunky for what he’s been through.
You are looking so healthy and happy lately. Where you are at in you life totally agrees with you. 🙂
stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com
September 9, 2010 at 6:38 pmThe dinner looks so good.
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
September 9, 2010 at 6:39 pmGlad to hear Almanzo is doing well. (And is well enough to steal a sip of wine!) Those mineral water bottles are so cool!
Caitlin
September 9, 2010 at 6:43 pmPlease tell me that is a “I Have Clean Hands” sticker from Mighty Fine.
maria @ Chasing the Now
September 9, 2010 at 6:46 pmGlad the boy is okay. All surgeries are scary, no matter how minor or serious, so I am really glad it went okay!
dragonfly180
September 9, 2010 at 6:47 pmglad to hear your guy is feeling better!
eatmovelove
September 9, 2010 at 6:50 pmOkay…so I’ve never watched Mad Men…! But can you not watch it in California? Is that why you’d miss it? …get it on DVD maybe? :)…now I want to get it out LOL – but I don’t get the channel…and can’t afford the DVD’s….hmm, will wait for a sale muahahhaha!
I LOVE what you said…” I love my life so, so much “…
God Jenna, I think that almost broke my heart a little.
Blessed. One day I will say that. For now grateful for what I have.
Life Sucks. Life is Beautiful.
Dorry
September 9, 2010 at 6:54 pmI’m so glad Texas has treated you well. 🙂
Brooke (Baking with Basil)
September 9, 2010 at 6:54 pmSo glad to hear he is back on his feet and doing better!! I often feel blessed that I recognize moments that I am blessed…if that makes sense. Sometimes we are so wrapped up in what’s going on, I want to cherish the moments that my mind slows down and I really take in all the blessings I have. Enjoy the rest of your trip!!
Caroline
September 9, 2010 at 6:59 pmI am glad that
1. Almanzo is doing well.
2. You have had such a blessed, wonderful time.
3. You had turkey from Rudy’s (is it not the best?!!).
Tiffany (Stuffed With Fluff)
September 9, 2010 at 6:59 pmI’m so glad that the BF is doing better!
Looks like you threw him a proper celebration =)
Mad Men is one of my favorite shows….you absolutely have to find a way to catch up when you get back to Nor Cal…i’ll even mail you the DVDs if I have to, hehe.
Scargosun
September 9, 2010 at 7:01 pmSo glad he is feeling better! Aren’t those the best kind of celebrations?
Camille
September 9, 2010 at 7:03 pmI’m so glad he’s doing well!
You do, indeed, have a beautiful life 🙂
Pure2raw twins
September 9, 2010 at 7:03 pmWhat a perfect way to celebrate…good food, great company, and amazing wine ; )
Michelle @ Turning Over a New Leaf
September 9, 2010 at 7:12 pmYou are indeed very blessed. 🙂 Glad you’re having such a great time!
And the picture of you two are wonderful. 🙂
Rebekah @Rebeltarian
September 9, 2010 at 7:16 pmGig em!
M
September 9, 2010 at 7:23 pmI love that picture of Adam with his arms wrapped around you.
It genuinely makes me smile to see a gal who has had to deal with some huge sadness not so long ago find love along the way. Wishing you much joy together now
and always!!
Kristin
September 9, 2010 at 7:34 pmI have an insane love affair with Mad Men. It really is an amazingly well made show.
You and Almanzo make such a cute couple, love that photo! 🙂
Heather (Heather's Dish)
September 9, 2010 at 7:41 pmhurray for almanzo getting through surgery! i love that you’re so open with your thanksgiving…definitely something we should all do more often!
Audrey
September 9, 2010 at 7:48 pmmad men is one of my favorite shows! i started watching season one on dvd and went through all of them in 2 weeks!! i got totally caught up so i could watch this season as it’s on tv. LOVE IT!
Lindsay
September 9, 2010 at 7:53 pmSo glad everything worked out…have a safe trip home!
alison
September 9, 2010 at 7:59 pmI’m glad Almanzo is on the mend. He looks really good for just having surgery.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your time in Texas.
Lisa (bakebikeblog)
September 9, 2010 at 8:02 pmLOVE LOVE LOVE the outdoor feast !
Hannah
September 9, 2010 at 8:03 pmAwesome post! You look beautiful, as do your nails. Do you get them done often? Are they acrylic?
Heather
September 9, 2010 at 8:17 pmGood times, glad to hear your boy is ok!
Erinn
September 9, 2010 at 8:17 pmMad Men is the greatest show! Hope you enjoy the rest of your time in TX 🙂
Angharad
September 9, 2010 at 8:23 pmLove that he is a fall risk – that is kind of hysterical (and I mean that in an “aww bless” kind of way, not that I’m actually laughing at him!).
Rudy’s is the first BBQ I ever had in my life. True story. Glad to see he’s on the mend – you look so very happy together 🙂
Sana
September 9, 2010 at 8:36 pmYou live a fabulous life. Thanks for living and sharing :)!
Alyson @ Nourished Fitness
September 9, 2010 at 8:37 pmI watched the first two season of Mad Men while snowed in over Christmas break in Seattle a couple years ago (use to be free on amc.com). Now it’s one of the only shows I buy each week on iTunes (I’m too cheap/broke to get cable these days). So glad you’re loving Texas!
Krystina
September 9, 2010 at 8:57 pmThat picture of you and Almanzo is so cute!
Annie@stronghealthyfit
September 9, 2010 at 9:01 pmLove Mad Men. Glad you’re havin fun 🙂
Cindy Nichols
September 9, 2010 at 9:08 pmEnjoy your blog….Those veggies look divine!!
How were they prepared? Would love to have that recipe!
Aloha, Cindy
Amanda
September 9, 2010 at 9:09 pmAww I love that picture of you two! I’m glad he’s getting better….. and that they ID’d him as a fall risk. lol Don’t let him wander too far from his walker….
Suzanne de Cornelia
September 9, 2010 at 9:56 pmAww, that pix of you and Almanzo is just SOOOOOO adorable. I wish, wish, WISH that I still had my husband (#1 in every sense of the meaning) who died young. Not a day passes despite many, MANY ‘glamorous’ times that he is not on my mind as unsurpassable. Almanzo impresses me as that same type of ‘real deal’. They, like you Jenna, are rare. I speak from much experience.
Amber K
September 9, 2010 at 10:04 pmI’m so glad to see that he is okay! 🙂
Paula
September 9, 2010 at 10:27 pmGlad you two survived! I’ve heard firsthand from a co-worker who has gone through labor and a bout with kidney stones. She said kidney stones were hands-down worse on the pain-o-meter. Yikes! 🙁
Amy @ForDGRedial
September 10, 2010 at 12:00 amI love the picture of you and Almanzo – you look so relaxed and content together. Beautiful! x
Emmanuelle
September 10, 2010 at 1:43 amGlad Almanzo’s getting better!
Christie - Honoring Health
September 10, 2010 at 4:19 amGlad to hear he is doing well.
LOVE that picture of the two of you. You guys were meant to be.
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen
September 10, 2010 at 4:27 amI just did the happy dance around my room at the thought of eating Rudy’s smoked turkey. Unfortunately I don’t think I’ve ever had it in such a lovely location, dining al fresco and the like. 🙂
Maura
September 10, 2010 at 4:39 amLove those photos! That one of you & Almanzo is definitely a keeper!
Lauren at KeepItSweet
September 10, 2010 at 4:59 amI watched a few episodes of Mad Men but couldn’t really get into it.
Kristin (Cook, Bake and Nibble)
September 10, 2010 at 5:03 amSo glad Almanzo is better. Delicious dinner, too!
xo
Kris
Mariah
September 10, 2010 at 5:16 amToo Cute! Glad to hear everything went well!
Mrs.CJ
September 10, 2010 at 5:23 amSo glad all is well! You and Almanzo are too cute! 🙂
Jenny
September 10, 2010 at 5:27 amI need to move!:)
grocery goddess jen
September 10, 2010 at 5:40 amYou just look and sound so damn happy! I’m so excited for you.
Lizzie
September 10, 2010 at 5:41 amI was reading something about gratitude in my book on the train this morning. Can’t remember it off hand, but you pretty much personify the gist of it! 🙂
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin
September 10, 2010 at 6:04 amI’m so glad he’s doing ok after the surgery. You two are adorable together in that picture. 🙂
Coley
September 10, 2010 at 6:17 amYou have a very blessed life, and it’s great that you appreciate it and are thankful for it! You are great at living each day to the fullest!
RhodeyGirl
September 10, 2010 at 6:33 amI can’t believe he just had surgery and he looks like that- quick recovery man!!!!
Seglare
September 10, 2010 at 6:34 amGlad to hear he is getting better. 🙂
The last one is such a beautiful picture of the two of you!
R @ Learning As I Chop
September 10, 2010 at 6:44 amGlad he’s doing better!
Angie
September 10, 2010 at 7:08 amHi! I am new to your blog so I had to read a few posts back to understand all that is going on and I am glad everything is well. Looking forward to reading more in the future.
Natalia @asideofsimple
September 10, 2010 at 7:39 amYou’re so sincere. It’s really a refresher to see, so happy for you =) When do you (if ever? haha) plan to head back to California?
Amara@GirlinaWhirl
September 10, 2010 at 8:05 amHey Jenna, I just made chocolate chip cookies yesterday –the first time in years I’ve attempted it, and they came out FABULOUS!!! Thanks so much for the no over-mixing tip! I’ve heard people tell me to chill the dough, tell me the recipe’s bad, but the no over-mixing thing was the key .Thank you thank you thank you!!!
Jen
September 10, 2010 at 8:17 amIs that an Aggie Ring I see on Almanzo’s hand? If so, he’s definitely a keeper!! I am class of ’04 🙂
Megan (Braise The Roof)
September 10, 2010 at 8:28 amMad Men is very addictive! Good luck with the withdrawal symptoms 🙂
Bonnie
September 10, 2010 at 9:03 amI am glad you are enjoying Texas. As a born and raised girl from College Station and Aggie graduate HAVE FUN IN C.S. You must go to The Chicken and at least have a beer and some Tijuana Fries. Ill be at the Aggie game, HAVE FUN WITH YOUR FIRST AGGIE FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE!!
Cristin
September 10, 2010 at 9:10 amSo glad he is doing better!
I’m going to Austin next week-maybe our trips will overlap?!
Amanda
September 10, 2010 at 9:46 amJenna, you are so pretty and you look so happy! I am loving your headband!!
Sarah (OC2Seattle)
September 10, 2010 at 10:06 amLooks like a great time and wonderful food. Good to hear Almonzo is doing better 😉
sarah k. @ the pajama chef
September 10, 2010 at 11:08 amyou guys are so cute! 🙂 great pics!
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
September 10, 2010 at 11:11 amSo glad that he’s out and on the mend!!!
The pictures of you are fabulous!
My husband out of no where about 2 years ago was admitted to the hospital with a really gnarly infection and it’s a stretch to say he almost died, but he was really, really, really sick and spent 5 days in intensive care. It put life in perspective. I had a 6 month old baby at the time.
Hug your hubby, thank God you have life and each other, & have a super weekend!
🙂
Jessica@tastyandtrim
September 10, 2010 at 11:28 amThe food looks great! You and Almanzo are freakin’ adorable together!
Stacey
September 10, 2010 at 11:41 amWe love your life too, lol 😀 I’ve never seen Mad Men, but it’s on my Netflix list right after we finish watcing Season 6 of LOST! Have a great day!
Shannon, Tropical Eats
September 10, 2010 at 11:48 amglad he is better! Mad Men is very addicting. Peggy Olson FTW
BakeMe
September 10, 2010 at 12:37 pmAbsolutely adore YOU and ALMANZO 🙂
Caitlin @ Right Foot Forward
September 10, 2010 at 12:52 pmGlad to hear he’s doing well! You look so happy in those pictures 🙂
Haley
September 10, 2010 at 1:09 pmJust thought I’d write you a quick comment to let you know that I am making your chicken n biscuits AND your chocolate chip cookies tonight!
When I went to get the recipes on your site, I realized I’ve already made 5 or 6 of the main dishes. Your recipes always turn out wonderfully. So, thank you and I hope to see more in the future when you return safely to Cali!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
September 10, 2010 at 1:26 pmThe spread of food = amazing! So much deliciousness. 😀
And you look positively over-the-top happy, girl! I’m so happy for you. 😀
Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary
September 10, 2010 at 1:40 pmGlad Alamanzo is feeling better! YAY!! 😀
kate
September 10, 2010 at 2:26 pmYou guys look so happy! Im glad your trip is picking up.
Rachael
September 10, 2010 at 3:06 pmYay to health – hope y’all can enjoy the rest of your trip……the food you pictured makes it look like you’re off to a good second start!
MoniMeals
September 10, 2010 at 3:08 pmGreat Pics! Great life indeed, glad Almanzo is back in action. 🙂
kirsten
September 10, 2010 at 5:05 pmglad almanzo is feeling better!! you two are really cute 😀
Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum
September 10, 2010 at 6:23 pmI totally had the same thing for dinner – grilled sausages and veggies! Yum!
amanda
September 10, 2010 at 7:10 pmOMG I LOVE RUDY’S!!!!!! Last time I was in Austin, back in June, I picked up two bottles of Rudy’s BBQ with me and also eat there like twice. I actually used some of the sauce tonight for dipping my kale chips in. Delicious!
Lacey @ Lake Life
September 16, 2010 at 7:24 pmJenna I LOVE seeing posts from you as I scroll down my Google reader. Your posts are so real and really make you think. Sometimes it takes someone else’s gratitude to make you appreciate the great things in your own life.
So happy that Almanzo made it through surgery and hopefully he’ll never have to deal with the pain of kidney stones again! 🙂