FLASHBACK FRIDAY: TASHA TUDOR AND LIVING AN AUTHENTIC LIFE

Welcome to the next episode in our year of reading dangerously, The Private World of Tasha Tudor, by Tasha Tudor and Richard Brown.

FLASHBACK

LITTLE BOY OBSESSIONS

The Last Time It Was Ever This Clean

Well, it seems our little Goober Bear is easing up on his musical instruments and train obsessions, to make room for his new obsession with cars and trucks. It started with Mimi's Little Blue Car, which he insists on riding in every time he sees us, then spread to trucks -- especially dump trucks and "bull-doz-ers."

Our BFF's made the 2 1/2 hour drive down here and then back again on Sunday, despite having a sick doggie back home, just so they could deliver yet another load of their own grandson's outgrown toys to our Little Goobs. Is it any wonder why we love them so?

I just wish you could have seen the look on his face when he first spotted this little blue truck on our front porch...

then reached out to touch it softly, whispering "Oh Wow."

It may take him a while to get used to driving with his feet, à la Flinstones!

When Paula informed me that there was a really cute children's series of books about a Little Blue Truck, by Alice Schertle and Jill McElmurry, and that they were based on the seasons, well, what was a Mimi to do? Three of them should be arriving in our mailbox tomorrow!

The portable race track was a pretty big hit as well!

I wonder what he will be obsessed with next?

A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

For someone who doesn't really drink, I seem to be spending an awful lot of time at Los Olivos wine bar here in Wimberley. This time, however, it was because we heard they were teaming up with their new-ish back door neighbors, Rancho Queso Cheese Shop, to do a Taste of Texas wine and cheese paring. A match made in heaven, no? I do love me some good cheese!

Favorite bite of the evening? That little mound of Pure Luck chevre in the lower right corner, which had been drizzled with a bit of sea salt & lime honey. Tasted like Key Lime pie! I bet son Austin and his wife Areej, the only coffee drinkers in the family, would love those triangles with the black specks on them -- Pachi Pachi Farm's Cafetero cheese. I liked it, and I almost never like anything with even a hint of coffee flavor in it!

The Rancho Queso Husband and Wife Team

 Part of the Father-Daughter Team, Right, Who Bought and Rebranded the Former Tastebuds Location, Transforming It Into Los Olivos Wine Bar, and Its Wine Manager, On Her Left

 Can't wait for the next one!