Friday, August 26, 2016

COME HELL OR HIGH WATER

Last Saturday, at the end of a week full of rain -- when they were predicting even more and our phones were beeping with flash flood alerts --  my hubby dragged me into the car and we drove over to Austin. Why? Because he had tickets to a show, and wasn't about to miss it! I may have been a bit of a drama queen about it, declaring that our dinner had better be a good one, since it was probably going to be our last meal. So, just who was it that was worth braving the torrents for? This woman here.


The one in the Zoot Suit, comedienne Paula Poundstone. He has long been a fan of her witty responses on the NPR show Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!, and wanted to see if she was that quick on the draw in person. She is!

Fortunately for my hubby, the predicted rains and floods did not materialize, and the show was a hoot 'n a holler. Best of all was the venue, One World Theater out on Bee Cave Road, overlooking the hills of Austin.





Just the first few rows were folding chairs -- the place to be if you enjoy being singled out and made part of the show. Hubby wouldn't have minded, but I was quite happy to be in the more comfy tiered seating further back, since I am the polar opposite of one who is glib-tongued.

So, I guess you could say, "All's well that ends well", and I'm kinda glad he dragged me out in the deluge. But don't tell Hubby I said so!

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

WHAT KEEPS THEM COMING BACK


I often find myself wondering what it takes for a business to stay afloat in a small town like Wimberley -- especially a restaurant. You wouldn't believe how quickly they go in and out! Some are out of business before we even make it over there to try them. Others, like the infamous Agave just down the road from us, which they worked on for years, never even got around to opening their doors!

All I know is that, whatever the magic formula is, the people at Hays City Store have it down to an art!


If you are located in the center of town, and cater to the tourist crowd, you really don't have to be all that good. The tourists go to whatever is most convenient. Hays City, however, is four or five miles out from town. They are most definitely a community cafe -- one which relies on return customers -- and there lies their gift. They have worked very hard at figuring out just what their community wants and needs. If something isn't working, they eliminate it and figure out a better use for their time and space.

A lot of locals appreciate the full bar. They like being able to get a decent craft beer, glass of wine, or a frozen margarita to go with their dinner. Many come for the above par burgers at lunch time, or the wonderful breakfasts with flaky biscuits, fluffy pancakes and even Migas, a Tex-Mex specialty, all served only on Sundays. (They started out serving breakfast more often but when the community didn't respond well on the other days, they took notice and adjusted their plans.) Others go for the down home Texas specialties like chicken fried steak, chili cheese dogs, and frito pie. Me? Well, I come for the specials, like the Sunday night Cajun shrimp boils they host all summer long, or the daily chef's specials that are always a surprise and almost always a delight!

Things like this...

The Chicken and Mexican Street Corn, which actually made me swoon!
and this...

Shrimp & Grits, with both yellow corn grits and blue corn grits, both locally sourced.

and this...

The Carne Guisada appetizer, served with freshly made tortillas, which you could easily make a meal off of!
I guess what I like most of all is that when we go there, they treat us like family. As well they should, since we see them waaaay more than we do most of our relatives!



So, I just want to say "Thanks Hays City, for being just what this community needed."

Long may you live!

Monday, August 22, 2016

A LANDMARK OCCASION

Guess where Little Goober got to go last week?


On his first trip to Mima's -- the infamous local taco joint, which you may have heard me mention once or twice...per week.


While there, we ran into longtime Mima's manager Sharee, who recently took a really big step towards achieving her lifelong dream of becoming a Warrior Goddess.

Goober Approves!
She just graduated from the Hays County Fire Academy! You're a Rock Star Sharee!