A NATURAL HIGH

We have a thing for the Bunkhouse Group, owners of some of our favorite hotels, motels and coffee shops.  Many are out of our price range, but a few are not -- especially when they offer you an end of summer bargain rate. Which is how we ended up meeting our BFFs at Austin Motel this weekend, for one of our 24 hour Lanford Adventures. When staying there in the past we've always been in one of these little rooms.

However this time, since we were getting such a good rate, we went for the larger poolside rooms, with their own covered parking spaces and a great view overlooking the pool area. Check-in time wasn't until 3:00, so we went to lunch first at Home Slice Pizza, and followed that up with some Amy's Ice Cream.

One thing we were a bit miffed about was that they were holding some kind of fundraiser event at the pool that afternoon, so we wouldn't have it all to ourselves. We started out just sitting on our private terrace overlook -- nice and shady and the perfect place for the boys to smoke their cigars.

But, the music was so good, and everyone was having so much fun, that, before we knew it, we were headed down the stairs to join them!

First we got to join in on some water aerobics led by a gorgeous redhead, and guess who was dancing around and having more fun than anyone? No, not me. Mr. Toad Sanford! I came in second. Then they cleared us all out of the pool so we could watch a water ballet performance by a local group of ladies.

I thought the announcer called them the So. Co. Hos, but surely that can't be right? Speaking of the announcer, turns out she is part of a group called Mama Sana -- a local nonprofit that provides midwifery services to help combat the fact that the US has such a high infant and maternal mortality rate, especially among working class women of color. We felt honored to participate. Funny, too, that the thing I was miffed about ended up being one of the best parts of our adventure! Just shows to go you, right?

After several hours of way too much fun and sun, we finally went inside to get cleaned up for dinner, then headed down S. Congress to try and choose between a plethora of wonderful options.

We were about to choose one of several good Italian spots when we decided to pop across the street to peek inside the new S. Congress Hotel, to see what options they had. Turns out their Central Standard Bar & Grill was participating in Austin Restaurant Week, and was offering a 3-course meal for $35. How could we resist?

We each started with our own platter of delicious wood-fired flat bread topped with all kinds of yumminess, then we had a choice between a roasted chicken entre or pork chops. I chose the chicken. YUM!

For dessert we had to choose between a whiskey cake with caramel and ice cream...

or this frozen lemon, cream cheese, and blueberry bar .

We wandered around S. Congress afterwards, trying to walk off some of those calories, then it was back to our poolside aerie.

The next morning I was up at the crack of dawn, headed for my favorite hangout, Jo's Coffee. I love just sitting there, watching the town come to life, with a constant stream of people stopping by to grab a cup of jo while they walk their dogs, do their jogging, or head off to work. When everyone else was finally awake, Hubby came to fetch me and we all went to have brunch at the new-to-us Joann's -- also owned by Bunkhouse I think -- which took over an old diner space right next to Austin Motel, and now connects to its lobby.

Alas, all good things must come to an end, but it's pretty amazing, just how much fun you can pack into a mere 24 hours -- especially when you're with the right people. In fact, there may even be a video floating around, of Miss Paula and I gettin' jiggy on our pool top overlook. Who could resist, when they crank up the volume on Play That Funky Music White Boy? Some might wonder if there was alcohol behind our dancing, but I promise, there was not. We were simply high on life, and gratitude!

CALVIN'S BIG ADVENTURE

We only have five weeks left until Goobster's little sister Rowan is due to make her arrival, so we decided it was time to have big brother over for another sleepover with Mimi and Papa. As soon as his mama goes into labor we will pick him up and bring him here to stay for a couple of days, and we want him to see it as just another big adventure, rather than feeling as if he's being ousted from his home to make room for someone new. We'd been making plans for weeks, but you know what they say about the best-laid plans...

One Step Closer To Looking More Like A Preschool Than A Living Room

First we set up the easel Papa surprised me with some months ago. Calvin's really getting into art at home now, so we thought he might be ready for this. He was very excited to see it, spent about five minutes drawing on it, then it was back to the trucks and trains.

One thing that was a huge success was letting him help me "cook" for the first time. We tried making the strawberry and blueberry Ladybug Pops recipe I found in my Giada's Feel Good Food cookbook, and he was one happy little guy!

They DO look like ladybugs!

Of course, he loves building everything from train tracks and trucks to ferris wheels with Papa and his little pal Will.

Things that didn't go quite according to plan? Getting him to sleep alone on the sofa bed in the living room, and his very first "Back to School" shopping adventure with Mimi and Papa. He was not the least bit interested in looking at clothes. He grabbed the first t-shirt he saw with a truck on it, Papa grabbed a Pink Floyd tee for him (just out of principle, he said) and I grabbed a pair of soft black skinny jeans, and then we were off to the book department. Now this kid loves his books, but did he want to shop for one? No way! He did spot a Dora the Explorer video that he was interested in, having just been introduced to the TV show, so we grabbed that. The entire adventure lasted about fifteen minutes. Perhaps it was my fault for choosing a store that also has a toy department. I will know better next time.

On the plus side, for his Mama and Dada at least, what he missed in the way of sleep at our house, he's more than made up for since he's been home. Mimi and Papa are still trying to make up for it as well!

 

COUSINS, THEY'RE TWO OF A KIND

It seems that daughter Alexis and niece Megan are more alike than we knew. Which is odd, since they haven't even lived in the same state since Lex was about a year old, which means they haven't spent all that much time together. They are both sassy, spunky, a bit quirky, and super creative. And, they both love  mid-century modern design. Lex and I were both drooling with envy when we saw exterior photos of an adorable mid-century house that Megan and her partner Dave were trying to buy. Their offer wasn't the highest, but Meg happens to be a very good writer, and when she sent a heartfelt letter to the previous owner, that sealed the deal.

So here you go Lex, pictures of the interior! As you can see, it was as if Megan had been accumulating furnishings for this particular house her entire life!

The curio cabinet is a new addition. Megan took up taxidermy as a hobby a while back, and needed a place to display her work, and keep it safe from their two new kitties!

As with most of the houses I've seen in Ohio, this one sits on the side of a hill, and has a lower level that opens up to a huge backyard and the nature reserve just beyond it. When heading downstairs to the rumpus room, as we used to call them back in the 50s, you will first be greeted by about 50 more kitties.

You'd be amazed at the variations you will see, when 50 different people paint the very same paint-by-number project!

Know what's really amazing? Unbeknownst to each other, Lex and Meg even drive the same car, in the very same color! One thing I know for certain. Their grandmother Theda, who was quite the spunky creative gal herself, would be mighty proud of them both!

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!

LONG TIME NO SEE!

Gee! Guess it's been a while since I posted, huh? Perhaps I should have warned you that we were headed up north to visit Hubby's family in Ohio. However, before we left, he had a little surprise for me. First we drove over to San Antonio and checked into Hotel Valencia -- the same one we stayed in when I won that amazing mega-prize-trip to San Antonio a few years back. They've remodeled since then, and it's even better now! Once we were checked in and spiffed up, we walked a few doors down to a little cafe, midway between our hotel and the infamous Majestic Theater, where John had made dinner reservations. I thought the name sounded familiar, but it wasn't until I headed to the ladies room and saw a framed sketch that I realized this was the same Bella Cafe with the cute little awning that used to be down on the Riverwalk. We tried to go there several times with our best buddies Paula and Tim, but they were always either closed or full. Now they are catering to the theater crowd, and offer a wonderful prix fixe menu on show nights.

From there it was just another block or so down to our ultimate destination, where one of my very favorite bands from our college days happened to be playing. But, even if that band hadn't been playing, it would have been worth the trip just to see the inside of this amazing theater -- a relic of bygone days. One thing we love most about San Antonio is that they seem to lean more towards preserving and protecting their lovely architecture, while Austin has a tendency to raze and replace!

When is the last time you rode in an elevator with an elevator operator in it?

To tell you the truth, when John told me who we were going to see, I was a bit shocked. I didn't even know they were still alive, much less touring!

So, imagine my surprise when the performance was actually so good that it got an audience full of people my age and older (and quite a few young ones too) up out of their seats, singing along and waving their iphone lighters in the air!

Best of all, once the concert was over, we only had a five minute walk back to our hotel, where we got a good night's sleep, a delicious breakfast, then had a very short drive to the airport and our flight out to Ohio!

Does it get any better?