Posted by Sara on Dec 4, 2008 in
Texas One recent gorgeous fall afternoon, Kenny and I kayaked Town Lake to Barton Creek. We pulled in close to the banks to look at ten turtles on a log.
“You renting that boat?” a stranger called out to us from the nearby fishing boat.
“Yep,” we called back.
“You married?” he asked.
“Yep,” we replied.
“Well, I have a little marriage advice for you,” he stated.
“What’s that?” we asked.
“Don’t get a canoe for two,” he advised.
Curious, we asked, “Why’s that?”
“You wanna have peace in your marriage? Here’s the secret: get two canoes. That’s what I’d do.”
Then he paused for emphasis.
“But, what do I know?” he continued. “I never had peace in my marriage.”
Tags: Barton Creek
Posted by Sara on Dec 3, 2008 in
Southern Life Money is on my mind. With the recent gloom-and-doom headlines, it’s hard to escape thoughts of money.
I find it ironic that “Going Green” is the current trend when people’s pockets are less green than they’ve ever been in my lifetime. Interestingly enough an economic downturn and the essence of going green work well together.
Since moving to Austin, I’ve been affected by the green movement. It’s hard to escape it here, so I’ve been learning about it. I’m not sure I’ll make a complete switch to organic foods and green cleaning products, because I’ll be limited by the amount of green in my wallet. However, I find myself embracing the heart of the movement: waste not, want not. Who knew our grandmas were green?
I could tell you how I recycle and compost and use re-usable grocery bags. I could shock my mother and mention that I’ve put the plastic butter containers to a second use when the butter is gone. However, I think many people are telling you these green tricks.
If you’ve trekked with me long, you know this: one thing is always on my mind. Food! I’ve been inspired by stories of old Southern and country cooks. Many dishes we take for granted in the South were birthed out of sheer survival in poor times past.
Want to “waste not, want not” in your kitchen? Well, come back ya hear? We’ll be chatting about this theme from time-to-time in weeks to come.
Tags: Economic Hard Times, Going Green
Posted by Sara on Dec 2, 2008 in
Restaurant Reviews,
Travel Oops. A lost Banff post. Here you go:
We heard about the Grizzly House from a local. It’s a funky fondue restaurant from the 60’s. We were promised the opportunity to cook elk and caribou on a hot rock.
Kenny was really excited about the chance to be a cave man and cook exotic raw meat on a hot rock, so we knew we would visit The Grizzly House. This place was so much fun!
Read more…
Tags: Banff, Canada, The Grizzly House
Posted by Sara on Dec 1, 2008 in
Restaurant Reviews,
Southern Cuisine 
One word. Yum!
Get it at Hoovers in Austin.
Don’t walk. Run!
Tags: Hoover's, Sweet Potato Cheesecake
Posted by Sara on Dec 1, 2008 in
Southern Life,
Texas I didn’t watch the ever-important University of Texas win against Texas A&M after all. Why? I don’t have satellite or cable TV, a minor detail in a game only showed on ESPN.
P.S. Here’s the weekend summary for the other football states I’ve called home – Alabama whomped Auburn and Oklahoma beat Oklahoma State.
P.S.S. Kenny’s wondering if I’m the same girl he married.
P.S.S.S. Apparently people do change after all.
Tags: University of Texas Football
Posted by Sara on Nov 29, 2008 in
Southern Life I’m a known holiday scrooge. I don’t like decorating the tree. Sometimes I don’t even put it up. I hate the rush at the mall and the mad dash to the post office. I’m usually late or down to the wire for the packages to arrive on time. My friend Shelby wrapped all my family’s gifts for me one year. Why? I’m not sure other than she’s awesome!
However, I do love one thing about this time of year (other than the point of it for those of us in the Christian faith). I love holiday TV shows. I don’t watch much TV the rest of the year. Why live vicariously through actors when I can live my own life? But my favorite December activity is sitting brianlessly on the couch in front of the tube for hours on end drinking hot cocoa and taking in the holiday specials.
Anyone with me?
If you like this too, I happened across this link for the 2008 holiday specials schedule. Enjoy!
P.S. Don’t call December 16th. I have a hot date for the 29th year in a row with Charlie Brown. I wonder what Christmas tree he’ll pick this year?
Tags: 2008 Holiday TV Guide, Charlie Brown Christmas Special
Posted by Sara on Nov 27, 2008 in
Southern Life I’ve never been big on football. I think it’s probably sacrilegious to grow up in Alabama and not pick a team. It’s just not neutral territory. Either the crimson tide is rolling or you’re bleeding orange and blue. No questions asked.
In high school, I think I only attended two of my school’s football games – one because I had to be there and another because a boy I sort of liked at the time said he was going. We weren’t very good. I don’t know that we even won a game the four years I was there.
My first college roommate adored football. Her walls were plastered with pictures of her favorite team, and she planned her life around their games. Our room looked a little funny since my side of the room consisted of floral prints and monogrammed sheets – we do love our initials in the South!
Read more…
Tags: University of Texas Football
Posted by Sara on Nov 25, 2008 in
Southern Life No. I’m not pregnant.
However, I solved an international mystery. I found the Bermuda Triangle. It lies in the coordinates between my stove, kitchen sink and kitchen trash bin.
I’m putting out a search warrant for the following items that disappeared just this week:
1. Three dehydrated orange slices.
2. Titus’ green sippee cup, thankfully only filled with water, not milk.
3. The three remaining slices of bread from a nearly-finished loaf. The plastic bag too.
4. The trash bin lid.
If this keeps up, we may have to add a fifth item.
5. My mind.
Can you relate?
Posted by Sara on Nov 22, 2008 in
Travel I count on the color yellow to bring sunshine, cotton candy and carefree days to my mind. Have you ever met a happier color?
Funny that’s the color of the autumn leaves in Canada. No time for red, brown or orange. Only yellow will do.
Read more…
Tags: Banff, Canada Autumn Colors
Posted by Sara on Nov 21, 2008 in
Travel In Banff National Park, a land filled with glaciers, lakes, rivers and streams, I never saw a single water fountain. Not. A. Single. One.
Moral of this story: take your own bottled water people.
We did, and we were glad.
Tags: Banff National Park