Thursday, December 20, 2007

A little slice of Hollywood comes to Houston






Last night was a very significantly special evening....gorgeous John and I hosted a premiere party for our good friend and Steele Magnolia, Joanne King Herring at the River Oaks Country Club. Joanne is depicted by Academy Award winning actress, Julia Roberts in "Charlie Wilson's War" - This five time nominated Golden Globe tale, which is based on a true story about our East Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson, played by Tom Hanks and a CIA operative (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) worked together to orchestrate one of the largest covert operations in history.
The movie is directed by Mike Nichols.It may have been Charlie Wilson's War but it was Joanne's dream that freed a nation and brought an end to the Cold War! This film is a real as it gets .....a remarkable tale of our silent services at its finest.
It was old home week for me, friends from every segment of my eighteen years in Houston gathered to celebrate the life of this extraordinary woman. While Julia and Tom could not make the premiere there were many Houston heavy weights and lots of media (KHOU) on hand to make the night unforgettable. Among the crowd of 300 included Mayor Bill White and his wife Andrea presented Joanne with a proclamation declaring it "Joanne King Herring Day" and Secretary of State James Baker and his wife Susan were on hand to share tales of Joanne -- he had stories going back to their days in dance classes together in Junior High School! Former Secretary of State, Jack Rains with Kitty Allen; ever effervescent Carolyn Farb (below left) with the dashing Charles Ward, Chronicle society mistress, Shelby Hodge and Texas Monthly pageturner, Mimi Swartz, PaperCity Princess Ryland Peveto was there with her gorgeous husband Art aficionado, Scott. My peeps there to lend support were Leigh, Eva, Beau, Dr Doug, Daniel and Veronica, "Cupcake", Franco, Estela and David, Amanda, Shanae, Bo, Paula and Sam and most importantly my Momma, JoJo. Then again we all consider Powerhouse legal eagles, John Eddie Williams was flanked by his breathtaking wife, Sheridan, close "besties" too! Criminal powerhouse Dick DeGuerin was escorted by his wife Janie. For those whose heart stopped when they saw this black tie crowd dazzling in jewels....were rest assured to know heart transplant guru Dr Denton Cooley (below right) and his wife, Louise were among the crowd as well.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

LATE NIGHT YUMMY EMAIL....

This is very crafty! You just click on the type of cookie you like and it displays a recipe. Enjoy!! This is remarkable! Just click on the name of the cookie and bam the recipe is there. Good to keep handy....

!1-2-3 Cookies 7 Layer Cookies Allie Nelson's Famous Snickerdoodle Cookies Almond Crescent Shortbread Amish Sugar Cookies Andies Candies Cookies Angel Crisps Angenets Applesauce Cookies Apricot Fold-Overs Aunt Edy's Molasses Crinkles Auntie Linda's Ginger Gems Bakeless Dream Cookies Banana Drop Cookies Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World Biscotti Biscotti Blueberry Cookies Boiled Chocolate Oatm eal Drop Cookies Bronwnies Brown Sugar Shortbread Brownie Cookies Brownie Delight Brownies Buccaneer Snowballs Buried Cherry Cookies Butter Cookies Butter Nut Balls Butterballs Butterscotch Haystacks C.O.P. Cookies Candy Cane Cookies Candy Cookies Caramel Shortbread Cheesecake Brownies Cherry Buns Cherry Crowns Cherry Winks Chewies Chewy Noels Chinese Chews/Haystacks Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Chocolate Chip Cookies Chocolate Chip Meltaways Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Chocolate Christmas Trees Chocolate Cream Cheese Squares Chocolate Crinkles Chocolate Mint Snow-Top Cookies Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies (no bake) Chocolate Snowball Cookies Chocolate Streusel Bars Chocolate Sundae Cookies Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars Choco-Scotch Crunchies Choose A Cookie Dough Recipe Christmas Crackers Christmas Crunch Bars Christmas Ginger Snaps Christmas Macaroons Christmas Mice Cookies Christmas Shaped Cookies Church Window Cookies Coconut Cookies Congo Squares Cookie in a Jar Corn Flakes Cookies Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Cowboy Cookies (oatmeal) Cream Cheese Cookies with Apricot Filling Cr?me De Menthe Chocolate Squares <>Cr?me Wafers Crescent Cookies Crispy Crunchies Date Nut Balls Date-nut Pinwheel Cookies Diabetic Peanut Butter Cookies Disgustingly Rich Brownies Doodles Double chocolate chip cookies Double-Chocolate Crinkles Eatmore Cookies Eggnog Cookies Elizabeth's Sugar Cookies Elves Quick Fudge Brownies Emily Dickinson's Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Emily's Best Brownies Famous Oatmeal Cookies Firemen Cookies Fluffy Shortbread Cookies Forgotten Cookies Frosted Peanut Butter Brownies Fruit Cake Cookies Fruitcake Squares Fry Pan Cookies Gems Ginger Cookies Ginger Crinkles Gingerbread Baby Gingerbread Cookies with Butter Cream Icing Gingerbread Men Gingerbread Men Ginny's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Glory's Golden Graham Squares Glory's Sugar Cookies Gramma Chapman's chocolate coconut drops Grandma Elsie's Zimt (cinnamon) Cookies Grandma J's Butter Cookies Grandma Olson's Parkay Cookies Great Grandmothers Sugar Cookies Gum Drop Cookies Gumdrop Gems Haystack Cookies Ho-Ho Bars Ho liday Cereal Snaps Holiday Chocolate Butter Cookies Holiday Raisin Walnut Bars Holly Cookies Hungarian Cookies (Little Nut Rolls) Ice Box Cookies Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies Italian Cookies Jacob's Peppermint Snowballs Jam Bars Jessica's Famous Brownies Jessie's Chocolate Chip Cookies Jubilee Jumbles Juliet's Peanut Butter Blossoms Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies Kentucky Colonels Kiefle (cream cheese cookies with jam filling) Kifflings Kiss Cookies La cy Swedish Almond Wafers Lemon Angel Bar Cookies Lemon Bars Lemon Cake Cookies Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies Lemon Squares Linzer Tarts Log Cabin Cookies Luscious Lemon Squares M&M Cookies Magic Cookie Bars Melt in Your Mouth Cutout Sugar Cookies Melting Shortbread Meme's Cream Cheese Cookies Milk Chocolate Florentine Cookies Mincemeat Cookies Mincemeat Goodies Molasses Cookies Molasses Forest Cookies Molasses Sugar Cookies Mom Mom's Crescent Cookies Mom-Mom's Ginger Cookies Mom's Nutmeg Sugar Cookies Mom's Old Fashion "Puffy" Sugar Cookies Monster Cookies Moravian Christmas Cookies Nana's Famous Soft Southern Cookies Nitey Nite Cookies No Bake Chocolate Cookies No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No-Bake Cookies Norwegian Sugar Cookies Nut Balls Oatmeal Bars Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Nut Cookies Oatmeal Coconut Crisps Oatmeal Cookies Oatmeal Scotchies Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies Ooey Gooey Caramel Chocolate Dunk Ooey Gooey Squares Orange Slice Cookies Parking Lot Cookies Peanut Blossoms Peanut Butter Bars Peanut Butter Blossoms Peanut Butter Cereal Cookies Peanut Butter Chewies Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut butter fingers Peanut Butter Reindeer Peanut Butter Surprises Peanut Marshmallow Cookies Pecan Puff Cookies Peppermint Snowballs Peppernuts Persimmon Cookies Persimmon Cookies Petey's Yummy Spicy Almond Thins Pfeffernuesse Pffefferneuse Cookies Pinea pple Filled Cookies Pizzelles Potato Chip Cookies Potato Flake Cookies Praline Cookies Praline Strips Pterodactyl Nests Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Chip Cookies Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Pumpkin Cookies Queen Biscuits Quick Cookies Raised Sugar Cookies Raisin Filled Oatmeal Bars Raspberry Meringue Bars Really Peanutty Butter Cookies Reese`s Brownies Reese's Peanut Butter Bars Rich Lemon Bars Ricotta Cheese Cookies Royal Almond Christmas Bars Rudolph Cinnamon Cookies Russian Tea Cookies Russian Teacakes Samantha & Kelsey's Chocolate Chip Cookies Sand Art Brownies Santa Claus Cookie Pops Santa Claus Cookies Santa's Butterscotch Melts Santa's Shorts Santa's Special Squares Scotch Cakes Scotch Shortbread Scotcharoos Scotcheroos Seven Layer Cookies Short Bread Cookies Shortbread Skor Squares Snicker Doodle Cookies Snickerdoodles Snickerdoodles Snow Balls Sour Cream Apple Squares Sour Cream Christmas Cookies Special K Cookies Spice Cookies Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Spritz Cookies Stained Glass Window Cookies Stir & Drop Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Swedish Pepparkakor (Pepper Cake) Cookies Swedish Sugar Coo kies Sweet Marie's Swiss Treats Taralle (Italian Cookies) Tea Time Tassies Texas Brownies The Best Shortbread in The World Thumbprint Cookies Thumbprint Cookies Toffee Squares Traditional Christmas Sugar Cookies Traditional Gingerbread Men Cookies Triple-Chocolate Chip Cookies Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies Vanilla Waffer Balls Walnut Butter Cookies Walnut Crumb Bars White Chip Chocolate Cookies Wild Oatmeal Cookies Will's Famous Apple Jack Cookies Yummy Yummy Peanut Butter Blossoms

Monday, December 17, 2007

"Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler"


Today was Sinclair's little friends Joe and William's Christmas soiree....

Mommy (BFF) Eva did not disappoint....face painting, moon walks, four wheelers and best of all create your own gingerbread houses! There were some true Wallace Neff/John Lautner/Pei masterpieces among the group!

This years party was centered around the brunch -- the perfect time of the day. Just early enough to start imbibing on mimosas. True to her husband Beau's New Orleans roots she had all the rajun Cajun favorites on hand ....especially the love of mine, griades and grits!!! From the second I smelled them all I could think about were the Jazz brunches in the Big Easy, where I would spend every Sunday eating these Louisiana delicacies!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

1109 days and counting....one day at a time


Last night was a very special occasion in all our lives. My gorgeous bonus daughter Hailey and my beautiful best friend Ryland both celebrated three years of sobriety. Their "sober birthday" is a few days apart so we morphed them together.

I always laugh when I hear the saying "what does not kill you makes you stronger" --- well, (I promise) Mike Tyson would run in fear from either of these girls if he came up against them in a dark alley!! They are STRONG!!! I am selfishly blessed to have them both in my life to lean on.

Last night we gathered together our families ---Ryland's better half Scott and her parents Jack and Judy, Lucky (whom Sinclair's crush on just gets stronger) Daniel, Veronica and Uncle Jack. We all sang their praises and reiterated what we all already knew.....how amazing they were and how fortunate we are to have them both in our lives.
JoJo and CoCo whipped up a "Too die for" crabmeat dip, chicken fried steak, cream gravy, greens, corn and a birthday cake. Nothing low fat here...then again calories were not the topic of discussion.
Jack Allen, Ryland and Scott's (handsome resident art consultant) gorgeous little boy is two weeks older than Sinclair. The two of them together are pretty hilarious. Last night they performed, played "Vaccum" and kissed. I just kept reflecting how far we had all grown as a family and it only keeps getting better.

Friday, December 7, 2007

Happy Birthday Harris!


This morning was our little friend Harris C's 2nd birthday....all of his friends came to the Houston Country Club for a Dinosaur Bash!

Harris' GORGEOUS mommy, (Stephanie) and hilarious Daddy, (Ernie) made sure everyone had a fantastic time. This little two year old loves dinosaurs, his big sister Ellie and his cowboy boots!! He is ALL boy!! We all missed his cousin "Hawk" who spent the weekend in La Jolla with his Mommy (Estela) and Daddy (David) at the famed San Diego zoo!


Sinclair totally has a thing for slides....but I was not thinking today and had her wear a little Christmas romper that showcased her really long legs. Which means bare baby flesh does not slide so well. The painful sacrifices we make for beauty! We winged it by riding the bouncy horse and the dinosaur.


another painful sacrifice for beauty.....baby molars!

Baby John (little cotton top cherub) was the first one on the horse, which caught Sinclair's eye. Baby John was beyond precious...every time Daddy, John Mark would make the horse wiggle he would shriek with giggles. That moment is when I realized THIS was the most fun age. I wish I could freeze them all at this age.

Sinclair has a fondness for sweet little Thomson....I know this because she was very patient in sharing rides on the (popular) horse. Trust me, If she did not know you, she would not hesitate in baby speak to tell you where to "catch Metro" for a ride....anyplace BUT her horse! I think she maybe a lawyer one day....since has the "possession is 9/10th's the law" rule down to an art.

Typical of the very charming boy-coy little Princess dance. Thomson dismounted the horse to let Sinclair take a turn and she followed him back to the slide. It was not about the horse as much as it was being where "Prince Charming" Thomson was. You think the little ones actually know they are flirting at this age?

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Children, Gingerbread and the Holidays....What's NOT to Love??

This weekend Sinclair and I went to the Children's Museum's annual Gingerbread Bash

Top Chef's from all over the city created one of a kind gingerbread houses to be auctioned off. I managed to snag two ....one from Bryan Caswell of the Reef (naturally, we are particulary fond of this one) and Chef Fredric Perrier who is married to my dear friend from school, Michelle. Bryan created his Gingerbread house to look like a Surfside Beach fishing camp!! Too precious!!!
Unfortunately, like most Gulf Coast properties one has to worry about natural disasters. "Hurricane Oliver" destroyed the roof and did irreplacable damage! Our puppy chewed off 80 percent of the roof but it looks like an authentic Gulf Coast fishing camp now!

Sinclair dressed in her little red riding hood twinset and cape....greeted the Gingerbread men and the penguin like they were old long lost friends! She even taught the Penguin some new "Happy Feet" moves.


We saw our gorgeous friend, Nicole .....A.K.A. "Charlie's Mommy"

Houston Television personality, Lara Bell and her little girl Dylan made the "meet and greet" rounds with our hostess Ashely Werhley of Compass Bank who underwrote the event!

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Sending sweet kisses across the pond.....


Tonight Daddy called from London and we got to try out the new webcam!! Technology is pretty awesome one must admit. I promise to learn how to perfect all this relatively soon....as my friends recall Forbes did put me on the cover as "Queen of the Internet" during my heyday for a reason!

In the meantime, it was so wonderful to see Daddy sending us kisses live from London and blowing smooches back at him! Sinclair cannot quite figure out why Daddy is living in Mommy's "puuuter" but she laughs and kisses the screen!

Monday, December 3, 2007

When Daddy is away the mice will play....

Tonight was "Phase Six" of the Christmas decor at Chez Chaos!

Kirskey, Richard and Alan (who came in all the way from Newport Beach) worked all their magic to make our tree glorious! The house was full of lush fresh cut greenery and pine! I love that lush aroma!


Actually, it went down something like this...

Richard (with Johnnie Walker Blue in one hand and a canape in other perched on chaise pointing from afar) in his critiquing voice says.... "Kirsksey, you missed a spot....Alan, what are you going to do with those balls?"

Kirksey: "We all have our special roles -- Richard is the visionary and we orchestrate his dream" (love that KG he calls them as he sees them)

Alan: "Can I get a refill on my scotch?" (come on, like don't we all get more creative with a slight buzz and piped in with Dean Martin crooning "Baby, It's Cold Outside"?)

I am sure after doing so many fabulous homes in the 'hood they needed a cocktail or two! Rumor has it they have been working on the Fertitta's 30,000 sq foot "shanty" for over a week! I just love the way they always make me feel like I am their ONLY client --- and at the end of the day isn't that all that matters?


Sinclair could not wait for them to finish so she could touch every dangling sparkle that Uncle Kirksey tried to get her to NOT touch! I think her first full sentence will be "Sugar, don't put that in your mouth"

Finally, Uncle Richard took pity on her and got her up very close so she could see all the detail and watch the lights twinkle. She was so excited about all the decor .....she was just giddy with spirit. Then again, a half a can of Dr. Pepper she got her hands on did not hurt her "giddy factor" either.

I am not so sure I didn't catch Uncle Richard trying to teach her the "Hook'em Horns" sign...He is sneaky that way!

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Deck the Halls.....Miss Texas Style!


You always know when it is a big holiday at our house....the "Flower Fairies" come do a decorating jig! They have been working on decor and lights for days and will start again in the morning early. These boys are tireless. Kirksey is scheduled to come work his magic on the tree on Monday morning. This is when it will all come together and he makes it all look like a Neiman's catalog photo layout!

Sinclair is a little excited to have more than the normal population of ten in our house. Sinclair was very overwhelmed at seeing all the lights and the nutcrackers coming out....she really has her eye on the garland on the banister. Of course she is too young to understand what exactly is happening -- but with the buildup of the next twenty six days I am sure she will rate Jesus' birthday next to hers among the most significant social events of her little life thus far.



Tonight, John's VP of Law, stopped by -- Bo is a former Miss Texas and she came by with the current Miss Texas Crystle Stewart -- there is no doubt in my mind (or in the mind of my friend, Leigh) that Crystle will be the next Miss USA. This girl is so gorgeous she takes your breath away. She will compete for the title of the Trump owned pageant in the Spring. We will be there to root her on! Crystle read Sinclair a bedtime story and my little Princess soaked in every second of being read to by pageant royalty. I made Crystle promise me that when she won her title as Miss USA and then Miss Universe that Sinclair could take her for "Show and Tell" .....hmmmmmmmmmmmm, maybe I will even make it a Miss Universe theme for Sinclair's next birthday. I'm on a roll now....my brain will be working overtime!