Saturday, April 21, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
Sunday, April 15, 2007
My Own Episode of 24
Had about 24 hours in Austin. So naturally, I did a culinary sprint with the aid of my intrepid brother and his family. Here's the rough chronology:
8:03 Schlotzsky's/Cinnabon. Sad to say the Bread Alone on South Lamar closed in favor of Cinnabon. But I also know that those cinnamon treats are a huge hit with the neices, so what's the heck?
8:17 Jo's Coffee, South Congress. Hot coffee. With cinnabons in hand, it was hard, but I resisted the kolaches.
8:59 Las Manitas. Mmmm migas and more coffee. Delightful. Noticed a picture of Ann Richards sitting alone at the counter, oddly enough signed by Meg Ryan. Save Las Mas!
9:47 Austin Farmer's Market. Spent most of the time chatting with chocolate czar Tom Pederson, of the famous Cocoa Puro Kakawa Whole Bean Chocolates. Ate some of a new product, his bits of roasted cocoa bean, aptly called nibs. Nutty goodness.
11:00 Taqueria Arandas. Mostly drank tea, pretended to understand the waitresses' Spanish, and nibbled on chips and tasty salsa.
2:00 Fran's Hamburgers. (OK, three hours is a long time to go without eating, so I snacked on a Cinnabon in the meantime.) Hickory burger and a Dr. Pepper. We narrowly dodged ordering onion rings at the last second. Saw something never seen in all my years at Frans: a salad. Never fear, it came as a side to a chicken fried steak.
I nearly died waiting for dinner, but we finally made it out.
9:45 Fino. RIP the Granite Cafe, welcome tapas place Fino. It was quite tasty and full of the 78703 crowd (even at close to 11 the place was hoppin'). Very enjoyable evening, and the perfect quantity of food after the excesses of the day. The mocha flan was a treat, as was the smoked paprika dipping sauce for the calamari. The star of the night, though, was a lamb cheek ravioli with a brothy sauce. Zoinks.
Not a bad day all in all. I think I set some records somewhere along the way. Of course, all of that food did not stop me from picking up a couple of Round Rock Donuts in the airport on the way out of town the next morning (don't tell my kids!).
8:03 Schlotzsky's/Cinnabon. Sad to say the Bread Alone on South Lamar closed in favor of Cinnabon. But I also know that those cinnamon treats are a huge hit with the neices, so what's the heck?
8:17 Jo's Coffee, South Congress. Hot coffee. With cinnabons in hand, it was hard, but I resisted the kolaches.
8:59 Las Manitas. Mmmm migas and more coffee. Delightful. Noticed a picture of Ann Richards sitting alone at the counter, oddly enough signed by Meg Ryan. Save Las Mas!
9:47 Austin Farmer's Market. Spent most of the time chatting with chocolate czar Tom Pederson, of the famous Cocoa Puro Kakawa Whole Bean Chocolates. Ate some of a new product, his bits of roasted cocoa bean, aptly called nibs. Nutty goodness.
11:00 Taqueria Arandas. Mostly drank tea, pretended to understand the waitresses' Spanish, and nibbled on chips and tasty salsa.
2:00 Fran's Hamburgers. (OK, three hours is a long time to go without eating, so I snacked on a Cinnabon in the meantime.) Hickory burger and a Dr. Pepper. We narrowly dodged ordering onion rings at the last second. Saw something never seen in all my years at Frans: a salad. Never fear, it came as a side to a chicken fried steak.
I nearly died waiting for dinner, but we finally made it out.
9:45 Fino. RIP the Granite Cafe, welcome tapas place Fino. It was quite tasty and full of the 78703 crowd (even at close to 11 the place was hoppin'). Very enjoyable evening, and the perfect quantity of food after the excesses of the day. The mocha flan was a treat, as was the smoked paprika dipping sauce for the calamari. The star of the night, though, was a lamb cheek ravioli with a brothy sauce. Zoinks.
Not a bad day all in all. I think I set some records somewhere along the way. Of course, all of that food did not stop me from picking up a couple of Round Rock Donuts in the airport on the way out of town the next morning (don't tell my kids!).
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Eeek!
Today when I went upstairs in the Roosevelt Street house to see the attic room, I was greeted by a pair of terrified mourning doves. They were flying into windows in an attempt to get out, and it looked like things were going to turn sour quickly.
After an urgent call to the good folks at the Arlington Animal Welfare League (who picked up on the first ring on Easter), we opened all the windows and Dee was able to urge the birds out to freedom.
Now we know what it sounds like when doves cry: me screaming like a frightened child as I dive for cover.
After an urgent call to the good folks at the Arlington Animal Welfare League (who picked up on the first ring on Easter), we opened all the windows and Dee was able to urge the birds out to freedom.
Now we know what it sounds like when doves cry: me screaming like a frightened child as I dive for cover.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Monday, April 2, 2007
Opening Day
Welcome to opening day. Go Nats!
Still not sure if I will make the game. (Work keeps getting in the way.)
President Bush is not throwing out the first pitch this year. The excuse? He's "in meetings." Surely he is not influenced by last year, when the Veep was greeted with what The Washington Post very politely called "some boos." As the Prez joked recently at the Correspondent's Dinner, those were the good old days for the administration. (The whole joke: "A year ago my approval rating was in the 30s, my nominee for the Supreme Court had just withdrawn, and my vice president had shot someone . . . Ah, those were the good ol' days." Click here for the whole routine -- W was very funny.)
But given the team our new owners have assembled, the politicians may not be the only ones facing boos this year.
By July 4, when the Nats host the Cubs (we have tickets - come on up!), I expect the eternally beleaguered Chicago team to be close to first, while the new! and exciting! owners of the Nats should have us close to last place.
Viva Los Expos!
Still not sure if I will make the game. (Work keeps getting in the way.)
President Bush is not throwing out the first pitch this year. The excuse? He's "in meetings." Surely he is not influenced by last year, when the Veep was greeted with what The Washington Post very politely called "some boos." As the Prez joked recently at the Correspondent's Dinner, those were the good old days for the administration. (The whole joke: "A year ago my approval rating was in the 30s, my nominee for the Supreme Court had just withdrawn, and my vice president had shot someone . . . Ah, those were the good ol' days." Click here for the whole routine -- W was very funny.)
But given the team our new owners have assembled, the politicians may not be the only ones facing boos this year.
By July 4, when the Nats host the Cubs (we have tickets - come on up!), I expect the eternally beleaguered Chicago team to be close to first, while the new! and exciting! owners of the Nats should have us close to last place.
Viva Los Expos!
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Cherry Blossom Trek
Living the cliche, we trekked down to the tidal basin for the blooming of the National Cherry Trees.
A cool feature this year, valet parking for bicycles only. (we drove, sadly).
But we did get some classic photos.
A cool feature this year, valet parking for bicycles only. (we drove, sadly).
But we did get some classic photos.
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