It seems daughter Lex and hubby Nate are having a great time 'splorin' their new neighborhood. Not too surprising, considering how my kids were raised. Every time we got transferred to a new place, which was fairly often, we'd spend the first month or two doing a bit of unpacking each day, balanced with a bit of exploring -- going on fun "adventures" to find the library, the book shops, the best parks and playgrounds, the fun shops and restaurants, etc. Needless to say, it tickled me no end when Lex posted that they've been seeking out a new restaurant to try in the area once a week, and were proud to announce that Cuban food was freakin' awesome! She also discovered a great little nursery that she knew Hubby and I would love, and arranged a meet up with us on Saturday so we could explore it together. Has anyone in the area been to
It's About Thyme on Manchaca, in S. Austin? If not,
why not?
I fell in love the minute I stepped foot on the property. In fact, it was like stepping back in time to the day I first visited
Buchanan's Native Plants in the Houston Heights area (the place where I ended up working as Visual Merchandiser for the next six years), before they quadrupled in size.
Know anybody who loves trains? Check this out!
In addition to tons of great plants, they also had greenhouses full of tropicals and succulents and African Gray parrots, who talk to you!
Not to mention lily ponds...
an outdoor classroom...
and tons of Talavera pottery, just like at Buchanan's!
Best of all, we got to cap the outing off with lunch at a wonderful little Mexican cafe called
Casa Arandinas, which they had discovered on one of their adventures. I knew it was gonna be good when I realized we were just about the only anglos in there, and I wasn't wrong. They even serve several of the dishes I fell in love with on our trip to San Miguel. Will definitely have to go back to try the
Molcajete!
A great garden shop, good Mexican food, and quality time with your kids. Does it get any better?
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5 comments:
Great find. I am sure you will be a frequent visitor. xox
I will -- just as soon as it cools down a little!
Next time ("thyme") you're in the area, follow Manchaca down to where it T's onto FM 1626. Turn right at the light and then turn left (across traffic, but be careful, or drive further west on 1626 to hang a U) into the parking lot of Mi Ranchito. Walk inside and you're in a bordertown cafe; a homemade salsa bar and great homemade Mex!
When the kids told me they had been searching for a good Mexican restaurant in the area, I told them they should just drive down to the actual town of Manchaca. They've got them on every corner in town! In fact, that's pretty much the only kind of restaurants they have. Great place to grab a breakfast or lunch taco when we're heading into Austin from Wimberley!
Oh, and the name Mi Ranchito does sound familiar. I'm pretty sure we've been there at some point.
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