Texas BBQ trail

During our trip to central Texas we decided to visit a few of the iconic Texas Barbecue places on the "Texas BBQ Trail." Our trail began on our way south. Passing through Waco, we stopped at Rudy's. Although, the Rudy's in Austin is alot better. The remainder of our trail went through Luling where we visited Luling City Market. Luling City Market is one of the oldest and most legendary Barbecue restaurants in the nation. The meat is purchased in a separate room from the seating area. The town and restaurant itself were very charismatic. However the meat was a little dry. We tried the classics: ribs, brisket, sausage. We attributed the meat's dryness to the fact that we were visiting at an off-hour in the afternoon and the meet had probably been prime during the lunch rush. The character of the place was Luling City Market's biggest appeal. Our next stop was Lockhart; a town known for Texas barbecue. We arrived at Smitty's market with our bellies still full from Luling. The town of Lockhart had the same appeal that can be found in many of the small central Texas towns on the BBQ trail. Smitty's Market was very similar to Luling City Market in the food and the separation of the dining room from the meat cookers. Smoke filled the entryway and upon negotiating the dark, black corridor leading to the kitchen we noticed the walls were all iron. Lots of character and lots of meat were found on our BBQ trail.









The orbs in the pictures are a result of the thick smoke in the air.

Part Two:
The remainder of our trip we floated down the Guadalupe river, visited the Alamo and walk around the historic Market Square in San Antonio.

BIG Tex

This past weekend Ryan and I went to the Texas State Fair, it was a blast. We tried lots of fair food, took a ride on the Texas size ferris wheel, and looked at all the new cars coming out. We tried to sign up to be judges for the chili contest, but they were already full, dang it! Every year they have a fried food contest so this year the winner went to Chicken fried bacon. It cost 10 tickets for a basket! I did not want a WHOLE basket I just wanted to sample it, after one piece it was enough to get the idea. It tasted like fried food. We also tried a fried smore, that too tasted like a ball of fried food. The other runner ups were: a fried Jelly Belly, fried banana split, fried grilled cheese sandwich, fried chocolate truffle, and the list goes on. Ryan got to meet Big Tex himself (he is a huge animated character that tells you what is going on at the fair that day in a really cheesy Texan voice.) We missed out on the pig race which I really wanted to see. Instead we saw some dogs do some silly tricks. All in all it was a fun day filled of entertainment.

Mason Scott Isaccson

Congratulations!! to Janelle and Kent!! Yesterday at 3:10 baby Mason Scott Isaccson was born (Excellent choice on the name, if I do say so myself.) He is 7.20 pounds and 20 inches long, with a full head of hair. Janelle, Kent and Mason are all doing great. Grandpa and Grandma Meador arrived just minutes before the pushing started and 2 1/2 hours later Mason was born, Good timing! We are all so happy to have the first boy join the family for two generations! He will be our pride and joy. I love you guys so much! Isn't he precious....
These pictures are from a camera phone so not too clear, but he still looks handsome!

Celebrating Diversity

Over the weekend, Ryan and I were driving around downtown and noticed a sudden influx of people. I absolutely love going to festivities, so I am thinking in my mind "how did we miss out," we never hear about the events taking place. So I am begging Ryan to find a parking spot so we can join the fun. We are in a long trail of other cars trying to find a place to park. I look up and the SUV we have been following has a big rainbow sticker across their back window, I think to my self, "hmmh, those people must be gay." We drive up and down a few more streets and I notice every couple of houses have rainbow flags, rainbow balloons, rainbow this and rainbow that. We soon realize that this event that we are missing out on is a gay rights parade. Well, that didn't stop us from attending. It was pretty fun. Here are some photos....



Good times

labor day weekend

Ryan and I have been so busy these last couple of weeks, so I apologize to the neglected emails, phone calls, and our absence on our blog. This last weekend my parents came in town for labor day. It was great to have them here and to get some one on one time with them. Friday my mom and I had a girls day shopping (dad was very thankful we got the shopping done before he flew in). Saturday afternoon we spent out on the lake with my dad's twin brother and his family. I was so proud of my mom, she got up on the surf board for her first time and did really well. I hope I can do that at 51! Sunday we took a drive to Canton Texas to meet up with my sister who happen to be in town too. Canton is a TEXAS SIZE swap meet in a nut shell. It was a sight to see. Monday we took it easy with a relaxing pedicure, and a movie.

Thanks mom and dad for a great weekend.

Roadside homemade peach ice cream

Mom's new boyfriend

cupcakes

There has been a lot of hype in recent years with cupcakes: they are mini cakes, personalized; an individual cake for someone to enjoy all to themselves, whats there not to like? I have heard of sprinkles cupcakes a few years back and was curious to know what was so special. Since I was living in Utah at the time there was no way for me to try one fresh from the bakery, so I settled for the sprinkles cake mix sold at Williams and Sonoma. I made them, tasted them and didn't see the big deal. I realize I should not leave it up to my cooking to determine the true taste of these cupcakes. A few years later, and a move to Dallas; Ryan brought me home some sprinkles cupcakes. I was excited to give them another chance. The first one I tried was a white cake with chocolate icing. It was horrible. The cake was so dense with no flavor. I moved on to the chocolate cake with a marshmallow filling. The cake improved, it was fluffy, the flavor was OK. I tried a few other variations of chocolate and that was enough for my verdict. Sprinkles cupcakes are just another cupcake. Which is something that died in the 1980s with children's birthdays.

you've had a birthday...

Last Thursday was my birthday, and it was a great day! I love birthdays so much, I never want them to end. I was so sad to go to bed that night because I knew my Birthday was over but, Ryan made it a day to remember. Ryan worked from home in the afternoon, and I slipped out for a manicure/ pedicure. My favorite activity. When I got back we were ready to play. Ryan surprised me with a new camera! I got a new Canon Rebel xsi. I was so excited. I have always loved photos and recently have been wanting to take up photography as a hobby. I am going to enroll in some photography classes at the local college for fun. With my new camera in hand I was ready to start shooting. We spent the rest of the afternoon at the Dallas Aquarium. I probably would save your 40 dollars

and find something else to do. It just doesn't come close to the Denver or Monterey Bay aquarium. For dinner we went to the stock yards to a restaurant called Lonesome Dove a western bistro. It was fantastic! If you ever watch Iron Chef, in may 2007 he beat iron chef Morimoto in a head to head challenge with "chili" as the ingredient. Chef Tim Love has been a nominee for the James Beard award, a very prestigious food award. Anyway, the food was delicious! To start we choose three appetizers to sample, Blue Corn Lobster “Hushpuppies” with Watercress Butter, Braised Wild Boar Ribs with Lonesome Dove BBQ Sauce and House Pickles, Rare Kangaroo Loin Nachos with Boursin Cheese, Avocado-Corn Salad, and Huckleberry-Habanero Demi. No, I didn't type that wrong, I ate kangaroo. I was a little freaked out because I knew what I was eating, but the flavor was actually really good. Second course we both enjoyed a salad, and for the main course I got a Roasted Garlic Stuffed Beef Tenderloin with Western Plaid Hash, Grilled Asparagus, and Syrah Demi-Glace. To finish it all off we shared a piece of chocolate cake. If all that wasn't enough, we had to stop by Maggie Moos for some chocolate better batter ice cream. Hip Hurray for Birthdays!!!

I had fun taking pictures around downtown ft worth with my new camera, here are a few of my favorites. (I really liked the colors)