THE BIRTHDAY WRAP-UP

On day six of our "seven days of squeedunk" celebration, Hubby opened a package with a new puffy vest in it, and a note that said "Brrrrr. Better bundle up, there's a blizzard headed your way!" A DQ Blizzard, that is.

Then, on his final day, I was a little bit cruel. I told him it was BBQ and Tattoos day. I could tell he was fretting a bit all through lunch, but he told me later that if that was what I really wanted, he would have gone through with it. The actual goal was just to get him a new turquoise ear stud for his one pierced ear, and I'd been told this tattoo parlor sold them individually, instead of in the usual pairs. Unfortunately, they don't have anything for "traditionally pierced ears", just for larger holes, like expanders and stuff. Luckily, I had done my research in advance, and was carrying a nice set of turquoise studs in my purse. I stuck with the BBQ and Tattoo theme, however, because I just like the way it sounded, and it was kind of fun to see him sweat!

And, then it was on to this gal's birthday celebration!

I asked her if she preferred a big family celebration, or a mother-daughter thing -- like a good chick flick, or maybe high tea. She chose the mother-daughter thing. But, when she told me that where she really wanted to go was to Loro, I had to say "Sorry babe, we can not go there without your father. He's been dying to try it!" Fortunately, she was delighted to have him along.

Loro is the love child resulting from the collaboration between two of Austin's premier chef's -- the guy behind Franklin's Barbecue, and the one behind Uchi's. We went at 3:00 since our son had warned us that it can be a madhouse at normal dining times. Lucky for us, their happy hour starts at 2:00, and you can make quite the feast from the happy hour menu alone, and for a lot less money!

Start by walking up to that bar counter and placing your order, then sit down at one of their big communal tables, a cozy booth, or head out to the patio. We feasted on the following, though I may not get all their names straight.

Kettle Corn With Brisket Burnt Ends

Chicken Karaage With Aioli Dipping Sauce -- To Die For!

Pork Sausage

Brisket Sandwich

I think they liked it!

So much more to try...

FRIENDSGIVING: PART II

Wednesday afternoon, after we finished our tour of the Georgetown square, the guys headed off to check out Zodi'x Cigar Lounge , which was right near our hotel. It has a members-only room hidden behind a bookcase, but they let these out-of-towners in with the purchase of 25-dollars-worth of cigars, and gave them a free beer. Talk about happy boys! Meanwhile, Paula and I opted to check out the hike & bike trail behind our hotel.

Feeling self-righteous about all the steps we had got in that day, we then treated ourselves to afternoon tea, and a little sumthin' sweet to share, back at the hotel. Yummy!

One reason this adventure morphed from a day trip into an overnighter was that, not only would all the fun shops be closed on Thursday,  the main restaurant we wanted to try there would be too. If you live anywhere near the Texas Hill Country, you are probably familiar with Monument Cafe in Georgetown (the peach fried pies!), but did you know they've also opened a Mexican restaurant called El Monumento? So that's where we headed for dinner.

I had an amazing Torta Cubana (not Mexican, I know) but after seeing, and hearing, Paula's reaction to the Chile Relleno she'd read rave reviews about, I wished I'd said...

"I'll have what she's having!"

Back at the hotel we enjoyed spending some time around the patio fire pit, reminiscing about the many fun adventures we've had together in the last 40-some-odd years, before heading off to bed.

On Thanksgiving day we had reservations at Gumbo's, in a gorgeous old building on the town square.

 

There were several different main course options, but we all went with the beef tenderloin. Good choice!

Goat Cheese Salad and Melt-In-Your-Mouth Rolls

The Cajun Cornbread Dressing Was To Die For

We ended our Friendsgiving adventure at the movie theater, also right next to our hotel, seeing a really fun movie (one of our favorite things to do together) called Knives Out. Does it get any better?

Why yes, it does! Ordinarily I'm pretty sad when we part, knowing it could be months before we see each other in person again, although the daily texting really helps. This time, however, I had something special to look forward to --  Little Goobs coming over for a sleepover and a Mimi-Papa-Christmas Adventure. Yes, he did head straight for his "Explorer" outfit as soon as he heard me say that word, but this time I managed to convince him that it wasn't really necessary...

ACCIDENTAL FRENCH TOURISTS IN OHIO

Just got back from Middletown, Ohio -- setting for the Hillbilly Elegy book and where Ron Howard is now shooting the film version. We were there to visit Hubby's big bro and his family, and on our first day there, the guys did what they always do. They got up early and headed out in search of the manliest, greasiest breakfast they could find, and we wives didn't dare interfere. It's a tradition! Sister-in-law Priscilla is not a morning person, so by the time she was up and moving, the guys were back and ready to head out for a day in Cincinnati. First stop? Findlay Market, reminiscent of the wonderful covered markets you might find in Paris and Provence.

Mike and Prisi were leaning towards grabbing some yummy sausages or salads and going outside to eat, but Hubby and I wheedled a bit and convinced them to try the cute cafe we'd spotted across the street, so we could sit in air conditioned comfort. Turned out to be our best decision of the day!

Apparently Jean Robert has other larger, fancier restaurants around town, but this little cafe specializes in delicious French omelettes, salads and sandwiches made on wonderful French bread -- just what you might crave after a morning shopping at the market!

Then we were off to the Taft Museum of Art, where they just happened to be hosting an exhibit called L'Affichomania -- The Passion for French Posters!

Our last stop before heading off to meet the kids for dinner was at my favorite little gift shop/bakery from our last visit there, French Rendez-Vous. Priscilla had called ahead to reserve some fresh-out-of-the-oven chocolate and almond croissants for our breakfast the next day, and we bought a couple of yummy macarons to munch on while we wandered the rooms filled with French antiques and tablecloths from Provence.

The most amazing thing about the day? We did not even plan this French-themed day. It just happened!

LUCKY GYPSY MASH-UP: THE TOWN OF ROUND TOP

 
As I mentioned before, when Alexis first brought up the possibility of a getaway in Round Top, I poo-pooed the idea, telling her that, other than the ginormous flea market twice a year, there wasn't much to see or do. And, if it hadn't been for Lucky Star's choosing that as the location for their next pop-up, I might never have discovered just how wrong I was. A lot can change in fifteen years! 

The Lucky Star event didn't actually start until 1:00 on Saturday, but since Lex had been promised a full weekend getaway, we showed up late Friday afternoon, and got to go to dinner with all the Lucky Star instructors at Royer's Cafe -- still the best, but no longer the only place in town for a good meal and pie.

I highly recommend their Texas Trash pie!

We were told that hot biscuits would be delivered to our rooms at Wander Inn the next morning around 9 or 9:30. Although that sounded wonderful, there were a few hitches. One is, I'm used to eating breakfast by 6. Another is that Alexis has gestational diabetes and has to be careful about carbs. Last but not least, we both need a bit of protein with our breakfast, or it just doesn't stick! So we headed into town the next morning, in search of bacon and eggs. I knew better than to expect anything to be open at 6, so we headed into town around 8 or 8:30 and soon came to a spot surrounded by cars. It turned out to be Espressions Coffee and Art. Their little breakfast buffet seems to be quite popular with all the local movers and shakers, for they were all gathered at one of the big communal tables and you could tell they were there just about every day, catching up on the local gossip before heading off to open their shops. Reminded me of our little cafe here in Wimberley! Every time the front door opened, one of the locals would holler "Good morning! Come on in and have a seat!" So we did.

Then we headed off to explore all the shops, galleries, and gorgeous gardens that were scattered about the downtown area.

By the time we'd finished our explorations it was time for lunch, so we headed back to a place we'd spotted earlier, right next to our coffee shop, called Feed & Firewater, where we had two of the best salads ever!

Then it was time to head back to Wander Inn, meet up with our roomie LaNell, and head off to our afternoon's adventures!

THE KATZ BROTHERS DO IT AGAIN

There is a young duo in the town of San Marcos, the Katz brothers, that seems to be taking the town by storm. First they opened a little kolache shop called Dos Gatos. Then they opened a second one. Next they turned a vintage filling station into Zelicks Ice House. After that came Pie Society, a pizza place with a speakeasy hidden in back! And now, there is North Street -- a beer bar/curry house/coffee shop. So, of course, The Tiny Dinner Club had to give it a try, right?

Pretty much everything we tried was moan-worthy.

Chicken Tikka Masala Tacos

Chicken Curry Plates

Curry Queso

The only complaints came from our Irish/British friends, who said their chicken curry wasn't spicy enough. Of course, they grew up in the U.K., where curry is their national dish. But this is Texas, and I expect they're keeping it on the mild side since San Marcos is primarily a college town, and half it's population has probably never even tasted a curry dish. So, on the whole, we gave it 16 thumbs up.

Try it. You'll like it!