This is where I will post all of those people, places, and things that I discover throughout my days (and nights) that are..., well ..., really cool and worth mentioning!
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February 23, 2012
Now that I have been blogging for awhile...
the posts have developed quite a few tips for travel to some of my favorite cities.
In an effort to simplify 'city guides' if you will...
I will compile posts for some of the cities I find myself being pulled back to, over and over, like a magnet pulling my internal compass back to where it should be.
I will start with...
and that's just for starters.
Hopefully I will figure out how to link them all together to make it really easy for you...
Check back soon!
February 21, 2012
One of the blogs I frequent
when my self-esteem is feeling really strong
and can handle the over the top creative powers
this younger generation can produce...
put out a challenge I could not resist.
Not only could I practice my photoshop skills,
but also put myself in the running, albeit in the slow lane...
to win a shopping spree at Beso.
Since I am the MOG this fall,
my mind is spinning with ideas.
cupcake holder filled with
better than homemade cupcakes from Crave,
MacKenzie-Childs whimsical serving pieces,
too hip to be square beverage dispenser,
and retro french press.
This little project led to a major discovery...
Beso...
quite a convenient place to shop,
with all of my favorite shops in one place.
January 17, 2012
What a talented young girl with a beautiful song...
November 15, 2011
For my discoveries on...
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June 10, 2011
However, if you pack it in your carry-on luggage for a flight, you will be flagged and questioned. Of course, they are very impressed with the device once they see what it is. We have learned to pack it in our checked luggage!
Enjoy!
June 8, 2011
I have to admit, a tree garden has never occurred to me...
but I like the idea...
of the Lael Forest Garden...
with over 200 species of trees brought in from all over the world...
Far East, Europe, Scandinavia, North and South America, New Zealand, Australia.
I tried to bring a poinsettia plant across the border from Mexico into the U.S.A. and was told I could bring the plant itself but not the soil surrounding the roots.
No puede ser!
I handed the most beautiful poinsettia I had ever seen to the man and told him Merry Christmas!
So...I am thinking I would not have much luck starting a tree forest garden in Texas.
Nevertheless, I do hope to return for a stroll through the Lael Forest Garden and enjoy the vision of some true botanical enthusiasts.
June 1, 2011
Catering for Royers Round Top Cafe is a favorite job of our foodie daughter... so when we were planning her graduation party, the decision was an easy one.
Having catered many events with Royers she knew exactly which goodies she wanted to have them bring over.
Of course, no meal at Royers is complete without their famous pie...
So...forget about the Mo' Calories part and either drive on over to Royers in Round Top or dial 1 877-866-PIES for your next event.
(I have never called the number on the boxes to make sure Tara or Bud answer the phone...so click on Royers for the website!)
Eat Mo' Pie
May 11, 2011
The name of this restaurant taught me a new word that I will use to impress with my knowledge back in Aberdeen...
Hopdoddy...
Hops being used to make beer and doddy being a Scottish nickname for an Aberdeen Angus cow.
Although we did not partake in the hops part, I am still dreaming about the burger.
I had the classic cheeseburger with caramelized onions...
The others had the Magic Shroom, yummy and El Diablo, I was not brave enough to taste that one...
Now, let me just give a qualifying statement at this point...
Ren Man and I have a standing search for the best burger in the world...
At this point all of our favorites are in Texas...
What can I say?
Ren Man's #1 at this point is Christians Tailgate in Houston...
I would give you their link but right now they are very proud of being on the A-list of a magazine that will remain nameless on this blog!!!
My #1 before eating at Hopdoddy was a tie between Hubcap Grill and Lankford's Grocery...
Sorry, guys you now share the #2 spot on my list.
We all three split a large order of hand cut fries tossed with parsley, sea salt and hand ground pepper...
and tried it with the three dipping sauce choices...
do not miss the honey mustard with a touch of wasabi.
When we were finished stuffing ourselves, not wanting to leave anything behind...
we felt it was imperative to try their house made ice cream...
When I asked if they could combine two ice cream flavors for one shake for us all to share (high maintenance... I know, I know) ...
the "Employee of the Year" replied...
Well... of course we can do that... How many are sharing so I can split it up for you!
With customer service like that I hope you are feeling the smile on my face...
as they delivered our individual raspberry-chocolate shakes with whipped cream on top!
The good news is that we will be in Austin next week for graduation...
hopefully, Ren Man can enjoy his first Hopdoddy burger...
April 8, 2011
The Kitchin...
Tom Kitchin's restaurant...
sits unassumingly ...
on the waterfront of the Leith area in Edinburgh...
was he destined to be in the kitchen sharing his art with his customers...
I may not have all of the fancy 'food writer' descriptions necessary to give justice to our memorable evening spent here...
but, here is my account of one spectacular explosion of the taste buds...
The first class experience results not only from the culinary delights but also the professional and courteous staff we encountered every step of the way...
from the hostess...
to the servers...
to the sommelier...
to Tom Kitchin himself...
but I am getting ahead of myself.
It all began with...
our choice of the seven course...
Land & Sea Surprise Tasting Menu...
and by surprise, you have no idea what is coming out next...
exhilarating for a foodie...
At this point you need to have eaten something within the last 30 minutes or you WILL find yourself salivating or maybe even licking your lips...
Before our tasting menu courses even began we started off with...
Crudites with blue cheese and cream cheese dip...
I should have skipped this to save room for the goodies to follow...
Our appetizer, appetiser here in the UK...
was Duck consomme' served with cabbage, ginger and spring onions...
amazing...
but my favorite part about this course...
I completely forgot to take a picture before I devoured it and was mentioning my predicament to our precious server and he brought me one just for the photo op...
first class...
Our next course was the Shellfish Cocktail of West Coast shellfish...
Next came Razor clams from Arisaig, served with diced vegetables, a tad of chorizo and lemon confit served in the very cute razor clam shell...
Now for the...
1st Main Course...
This tasted much better than it sounds...
and not unexpected because Tom is very much into Nose to Tail...
Pig's Head boned and rolled...
served with seared hand-dived Orkney Scallop...
with a crispy ear, yes pig's ear, salad...
the salad minus the pigs ear was delicious...
2nd Main Course...
Seared fillet of wild sea bass from Scrabster served with artichoke barigoule or stew with olives and basil...
Outstanding...
and now for...
3rd Main Course...
Roasted Saddle of Roe Deer from the Borders...
served with quince, chestnuts, grapes and a pepper sauce...
the venison was incredibly tender and those ingredients all together was wild game heaven...
I was a little irritated with myself for not being able to eat it all...
But I knew dessert was on its way...
We had figured out that we could look at the tables next to us to get some idea of what was coming next and I had noticed the dessert that others had received...
The sommelier had suggested an excellent red malbec to compliment our venison so I was a bit disappointed that chocolate was not on the dessert plates I had seen...
I joked with our server about this...
he took our coffee order and didn't return for quite some time...
but when he did he had this plate in his hands...
Sorry, I could not stop and take a photo of this without taking a few bites first...
Mini chocolate souffle served with chocolate ice cream and a blood orange marmalade and...
an out of this world thin wafer made from ground cocoa beans sandwiched around more chocolate with blood oranges...
I am not kidding...
best dessert ever...
an exclamation point to an incredible meal...
and the fact that they whipped it up for us, or at least it appeared they had whipped it up just for us...
it really doesn't matter if its true or not...
the server then proceeded to invite Tom Kitchin over to our table...
These were placed in front of us...
I took mine home to enjoy when I could truly savor them...
I purchased Tom Kitchin's new book...
From Nature to Plate
the hostess wrapped it up for me to give to my foodie daughter...
I will share the recipe for the Duck Consomme' soon...
on Whiffs...
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April 4, 2011
Aah... just the memories of our time at Culloden House Hotel... make me want to hop a train and return...to a time when real keys opened doors...
But then...
The breeze blew across the fields...
And we realized we were getting close...
Highland cattle... with their long horns and long wavy coats ... sitting grandiosely in the fields completely oblivious to us ...
Meanwhile... I am waiting with camera in hand for them to stand up already!!!
So... I start waiving at them...
they guard the back door...
so we head to the front of the estate...
and find the ducks napping...
click here to see the transformation, to enjoy the estate year round and schedule your visit to Culloden House
Enjoy!
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Feb. 16, 2011
My first discovery in Aberdeen, Scotland...
The Scottish Tea Cake...
Just think s'more with only one graham cracker...
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In the beginning...January, 2011
For example...my first discovery...which I have known about for a year now...will be my first item to accomplish. I am going to discover how you all can taste this incredible, worth every calorie, concoction.
Of course, it is best when bought locally at Borough Market in London, however, I have not been able to have this delivered fresh to my doorstep in the U.S.A.
Although they are known for their fudge, my favorite is the fluffy nougat!
http://www.burntsugar.co.uk/
Once upon a time, as a last resort, I had a few boxes of bliss delivered to the hotel where my husband was staying while in London, and looked forward to his return more than ever only to be a little, just a little, disappointed at the slight difference in freshness.
Maybe... you need to experience the amazing sights and smells of Borough Market in order to savor the fluffy nougat in its freshest, fluffiest, form...
Maybe... you need to experience the amazing sights and smells of Borough Market in order to savor the fluffy nougat in its freshest, fluffiest, form...
I will get to the bottom of this!
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