Backroads and Barstools

winter in a texas vineyard

2012-01-28T16:26:00.000-06:00

Yesterday a friend and I visited Messina Hof Winery here in Bryan, TX. Obviously we're many months from grape harvesting time, but there's something ridiculously peaceful about walking through the vines during the middle of winter. And since our weather is currently about as mild as January weather can be, we took advantage of an opportunity to stroll around the lake, snap some photos, and enjoy multiple glasses of amazing wine (cheese too, of course). A fantastic Friday afternoon.

SB12

2012-01-27T11:19:00.001-06:00

Couldn't care less about the Super Bowl this year; but as usual, the folks at someecards gave me a good chuckle. Oh ... and I intend to make the First and Ten my gameday cocktail of choice.

First and Ten
Ingredients

2 ounces light rum

1 ounce pineapple juice

1 ounce orange juice

1 ounce grapefruit juice

1 ounce cranberry juice

0.5 ounce lemon juice

1.5 ounces dark rum

splash grenadine

0.5 ounce sweet and sour

4.75 ounces champagne or sparkling wine

1 slice orange

1 maraschino cherry

How to Prepare
Combine sweet and sour with all fruit juices in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until well combined. Pour light and dark rum over ice in a large highball glass and add combined ingredients. Fill the glass with champagne or sparkling wine and add a dash of grenadine for color. Garnish with fresh fruit and a cherry and serve.

"the brazos still runs muddy ..."

2012-01-08T16:19:00.009-06:00

"... like she's run all along ...."

It's a dreary, gray day--the perfect Sunday backdrop, as far as I'm concerned. Trying to beat the rainstorm that's about to roll in, I grabbed my camera and drove out to an old bridge that covers some railroad tracks on the Brazos County line. Nothing but the Brazos River, the occasional car passing on the road above, and the sound of birds in the trees. The scene may not have been considered beautiful in the classic sense of the word; but I thought it was glorious.

funky letterpress prints

2012-01-07T14:15:00.000-06:00

Really liking these rustic prints from HAMMERPRESS.

Wood Type Specimen, Turquoise

American Flag, White

No Whining

El Craneo

Genius. Nickel-plated display clips for hanging posters, art prints, and other cherished ephemera with style & ease (and only $10!).

uncorked glass company

2012-01-05T00:00:00.001-06:00

My favorite magazine, Garden & Gun, recently featured the Uncorked Glass Company in its December 2011/January 2012 issue. Always one to support local, Texas and/or southern businesses, I checked 'em out. I wasn't disappointed.

The Uncorked Glass Company handcrafts, unique, eco-friendly glassware from recycled wine bottles, donated from local restaurants and bars in Atlanta, GA. Our tumblers are handcrafted from 100% post-consumer materials in our effort to honor our “green” commitment.

They're beautiful, to boot. I love thick glasses, and these are perfect for any sort of table.

Uncorked offers their glasses in sets of four, with five color options and two sizes from which to choose.

The mixed set (4"/12oz. or 5"/16oz.) of 6 glasses comes with 2 amber, 2 green, and 2 gold glasses.

Wonderful.

artisanal cutting boards

2012-01-02T00:00:00.014-06:00

Love these Colorblocked Cutting Boards from Anthropologie.

I first spied 'em while scrolling through Anthropologie's online gallery of new January arrivals. Then, again, while I was flipping through my January 2012 issue of Food & Wine Magazine--in a blurb spotlighting national stores that are selling handmade products, created by artisans:

Anthropologie picked up a new line of rustic home items, like this two-tone sycamore cutting board, from Philadelphia designer Robert True Ogden.

I love everything about their shape, color, and simplicity.

Colorblocked Balloon Cutting Board:

A Baguette Board? Get out. I must have.

The Colorblocked Bread Board is pretty darn great as well:

twenty twelve

2012-01-01T00:00:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year!

from my Pinterest

lucky legumes

2011-12-31T08:37:00.015-06:00

Have you prepared your black eyed peas yet?

From grand gala gourmet dinners to small casual gatherings with friends and family, these flavorful legumes are traditionally, according to Southern folklore, the first food to be eaten on New Year's Day for luck and prosperity throughout the year ahead.

The practice of eating black-eyed peas for luck is generally believed to date back to the Civil War. At first planted as food for livestock, and later a food staple for slaves in the South, the fields of black-eyed peas were ignored as Sherman's troops destroyed or stole other crops, thereby giving the humble, but nourishing, black-eyed pea an important role as a major food source for surviving Confederates. (credit)

I couldn't find a black eyed peas recipe that I really liked, so I combined several. The result was a ridiculously easy to make and super tasty concoction.

Come on, peas ... bring me some luck & prosperity!

NYE Black Eyed Peas with Jalapeños, Onions, & Salt Pork
(catchy name, huh?)

INGREDIENTS
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 jalapeño peppers, diced
12 oz. salt pork (I used Hormel), cut into 1/2-inch cubes (or whatever size works for you)
2 yellow onions, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb bag black eyed peas
salt
cilantro & lime for garnishing

PREPARATION
Cook a 1-lb bag of black eyed peas according to package instructions.

While the peas are cooking in a separate pot, heat oil in a medium skillet on high heat. Place the jalapeños, onion, and garlic in the skillet, stirring to coat with oil. Allow to cook, turning occasionally, until softened.

Stir in the pork and cook until lightly browned.

Add the cooked black eyed peas.

Season with salt, to taste (you may not need any, since the pork is so salty). Serve with fresh cilantro and a really good squeeze of lime juice (the more, the better).

:: nye preparations ::

2011-12-30T16:15:00.025-06:00

HA! That post title implies that I have super grand New Years Eve plans, doesn't it? I so don't.

I'm going to be home at midnight on December 31. In my house. Relaxing. I won't have a funky, Middle Eastern strain of flu (see NYE 2010). And I won't be frantically spending the day trying to find the perfect outfit for a party I don't want to attend (all, good things).

So today I opened a bottle of bubbly for the purpose of taking an early NYE "festivities" test drive (pretend, for a moment, that I don't sip sparkling wine frequently).

It was the right thing to do.

In the process, I pulled out my camera, as I regularly do ... and it struck me that, to some, I may come across as her--that nutty woman who photographs her cat, as if he's her child. Fuck. I swear I'm not that person. It was simply a poignant moment in which Jaxson (feline) appeared to be as interested in my wine as was I (my baby loves to dunk his paw into my glass).

So I snapped his photo.

I'm not that person.

It's going to be a good year. I can feel it.

glittery & sparkly

2011-12-27T10:34:00.018-06:00

I just can't get enough ....

I Love the Nightlife

Shake Your Groove Thing

Stairway to Heaven

Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?

Across the Universe

Happy Birthday

Ruby Red Slippers

Some Enchanted Evening

Today was a Fairytale

Razzle Dazzle

Lady Sings the Blues

Boom Boom Pow

Marquee Moon

Bad Romance

covered bridges on christmas eve

2011-12-25T13:39:00.009-06:00

Drove into the mountains of New Hampshire yesterday & spied some festive covered bridges.

Merry Christmas!

exeter christmas countryside, redux

2011-12-23T14:42:00.038-06:00

Just a few more images captured digitally while driving through Exeter, NH yesterday.

It really is a lovely (old) little town.

By the way ... tonight's forecast:

Freakin' cold, Tex. I didn't realize I was as delicate (aka pathetically whiny in cold temperatures) as I am.

Thank you, cave man, for your discovery of fire.

christmas images from exeter

2011-12-22T17:18:00.014-06:00

I'm in New Hampshire for Christmas, visiting my sister and her family. I can count on one hand the number of times I've been away from home (Texas) for Christmas, so this is a new experience for me; but I'm certainly looking forward to a week of soaking up the holiday.

The forecast calls for some potentially nasty weather over the next several days, so I wanted to get out today with my camera and snap some photos while I could!

I wasn't as shutterbug productive as I'd hoped to be (I blame the wine & mussels detour). But I did manage to capture some beauty in Exeter, NH. Most of these were taken at Phillips Church located on the campus of Phillips Exeter Academy. The wreath-adorned door, in particular, spoke to me.

Merry Christmas.

pulled from my current Christmas playlist

2011-12-16T09:00:00.009-06:00

On this cold & quiet December 16th, a few non-traditional tunes for Christmas ....

Sarah McLachlan - River

Casting Crowns - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (Live)

Sarah Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson - Winter Song

(live version of same song, with U.S. Coast Guard Band [for Ty])

Mumford & Sons - Winter Winds

Snow Patrol - You Are My Joy (Live) (a fantastic song that sounds tons better when not live)

Peggy Lee - Little Drummer Boy (music only)

Coldplay - Christmas Lights

KT Tunstall - 2000 Miles (Live) (try to ignore the shenanigans at the beginning of this clip & enjoy one of my favorite Christmas tunes ever)

Andrea Bocelli & Mary J. Blige - What Child is This (Live)

Ingrid Michaelson - Snowfall (Live) - (Again, lousy live; but it's the only version YouTube has [iTunes will do you right])

Diana Krall - White Christmas (music only)

bokeh christmas

2011-12-12T09:45:00.012-06:00

Gorgeous.

A simple how-to from Digital Photography School.

tangerine tango :: 2012 pantone color of the year

2011-12-11T14:35:00.005-06:00

As we await 2012's arrival, start making your style plans with Tangerine Tango.

"Tangerine Tango, a spirited reddish orange, is PANTONE's color of the year:

Pantone LLC, an X-Rite company (NASDAQ: XRIT), and the global authority on color and provider of professional color stands for the design industries, today announced PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango, a vivacious, enticing hue, as the color of the year for 2012.

'Sophisticated, but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,' said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. 'Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.'"

I really like the color when used in decorating--particularly paired with turquoise (or maybe purple and/or pink?). But I'm not sure I can be convinced to get on-board the Tangerine Tango bandwagon for clothes, make-up, etc. (orange isn't my thing).

Check out this ETSY tribute by auntsuesoldnewlovely for some fun examples of the hue in action.

More tangerine in action:

image credit: House of Turquoise

Orange Nazar Bracelet Cord

Brora Cashmere Wristwarmers

image credit: Arzelle's

Vince Silk Georgette Shift Dress

Image credit: Ashlee Raubach

the {boot} stockings were hung by the chimney with care ....

2011-12-09T16:41:00.004-06:00

Awesome.

From Rocketbuster Handmade & Custom Boots in El Paso, TX:

Rocketbuster Rockin' Stockins are made of 2 layers of heavy calf suede with leather inlay-overlay appliqued on top. Just like our boots, they are 100% handmade in the good ol' US of A. Each stocking measures approximately 17" tall x 13" wide, which is big enough to fit a bottle of wine or lots of good loot. Colors may vary slightly due to availability & dye lots of certain leathers and suedes. Stockings should be stored with tissue in between to assure a long life in any climate.

My favorites:

Christmas Tree

Angels

Corona

Elf

worst fashion trend ever

2011-12-07T19:38:00.015-06:00

Animal knit hats for women.

Are these real?

Who wears them? I've seen 'em online, in print, and on tv multiple times over the past few weeks (thankfully, not yet in person). They're ridiculous. Even one of my favorite clothier's, Sundance, has gotten on board with this asinine movement.

Tell me: Does an adult woman pull on a kitten hat, gaze into the mirror, and think, "Grrwowwl. Damn. I look good?"

If you're feeling the need to channel your inner beast, via a knit hat, why not opt for some fur-lined boots or an animal-printed clutch instead?

Kitten Ear Cap:

Wild & Whimsical Giraffe Hat (LOOK AT THAT THING!):

Creature Comfort Zebra Hat:

Stop. Just stop.

those christmas lights, light up the street

2011-11-20T20:27:00.010-06:00

The lights are officially glittering in Historic Downtown Bryan. I've been waiting for an opportunity to practice my shutterbugging in manual mode (specifically, at night); so I grabbed the ol' Canon this quiet Sunday evening and attempted to capture some of their sparkle.

the dixie chicken, post-game

2011-10-16T08:59:00.007-05:00

The Texas Aggies took care of business on the field yesterday; I took care of business off the field, enjoying post-game smiles with friends.

Some shots from Kyle Field, Northgate, the Dixie Chicken, and Terrazzo:

in fourteen hundred ninety-two ...

2011-10-10T10:01:00.001-05:00

1 october 2011

2011-10-01T09:45:00.019-05:00

The greatest month of the year has arrived, as has--not coincidentally--the first cool front of the season. After battling the hottest and driest Texas summer on record (two days ago we broke yet another triple-digit record), I'm sitting on the couch, windows open, cup of coffee by my side, and waiting for the Texas Aggies to do their thing vs. the Arkansas Razorbacks. It's been the perfect Saturday morning for reflecting over the past week and mentally compiling a list of things that have made me smile.

Texas A&M University has officially joined the Southeastern Conference.

Me, with my precious nephew, Grant, at the SEC celebration on campus.

Grabbed this dress from one of my favorite local stores, Witt's End.

(brown boots were a must with the dress)

Pumpkins have arrived at the grocery store!

We made bourbon + ginger ale + red pear cocktails at last week's tailgate

It's going to be a great month ....

images from NH on 9.11.11

2011-09-11T16:58:00.021-05:00

Visiting my sister and her babies in New Hampshire for the week. Some shots from this thoughtful day ....

it's time ...

2011-09-02T09:50:00.009-05:00

... for Texas Aggie Football.

All photos by Thomas Campbell -- US PRESSWIRE

easy enchiladas & margaritas

2011-08-28T13:33:00.017-05:00

It's been the perfect lazy weekend. No work. No travel. No stress. Yesterday I wanted comfort food--Mexican comfort food. A quick convo with my sister yielded the perfect answer: Black Bean Spinach Enchiladas. It was like she crawled into my head and pinpointed my exact craving.

Before sharing the enchiladas recipe, first things first: Margaritas (who cooks without a cocktail/glass of something in hand?). One of my girls, Kayla, introduced me several weeks ago to the Skinny Girl margarita. A total and complete margarita snob, I was more than a little skeptical when she made the recommendation. But I went ahead and made a quick trip to the greatest liquor store on the planet and purchased a bottle. Wow--they don't suck. At all. I add mucho fresh lime to mine, but for a low-cal margarita, you won't be disappointed.

Back to the enchiladas.

Ingredients

10-12 small flour or corn tortillas (I used corn)

10 oz. package chopped spinach, thawed (you can use your microwave)

15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed

14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles and spices, drained

3/4 cup scallions, chopped

19 oz. can green chile enchilada sauce

8oz. sour cream

3 cups shredded pepper jack cheese (I couldn't find shredded pepper jack, so I used jalapeno jack instead. Worked fine)

Garlic powder and onion powder (I left out the onion powder. Your call)

Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400-degrees and get out a 9x13 inch Pyrex baking dish.

2. In a colander, squeeze out as much water from the spinach as you can by pressing the spinach with the back of a spoon. Place the spinach in a large bowl. Add the rinsed beans, drained tomatoes, most of the scallions, and a dash of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, to taste. Set aside.

3. Mix together the sour cream and green chile enchilada sauce. Spread about 1/3 of the sauce mixture into the 9x13 inch dish.

4. On a plate, place a tortilla and top with some of the spinach mixture and a small amount of pepper jack cheese. Roll into cigar shape and place into the baking dish, seam side down. Repeat until the dish is full.

5. Spread the rest of the sauce on top of the enchiladas and top with the remaining cheese and scallions. Bake for about 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Wait a few minutes and serve.

I served my enchiladas with lime cilantro rice (white rice with chopped cilantro and fresh lime juice). It was a perfect mate.

a drought of epic proportions

2011-08-21T08:53:00.013-05:00

Our beautifully green slice of Lone Star Heaven is brown.

Most are probably unaware of the water/heat wave conditions here in Texas. Today in College Station we are experiencing our 23rd consecutive day of 100+ degree temperatures (the 48th such day this summer); and with the 10-day forecast showing more daily triple digit temps, there's simply no end in sight. Everywhere you go, comments such as, "Dear God, please help" are overheard.

We can handle the heat--it goes with the territory. But the lack of water is catastrophic--less than 2.5 inches since October. Lawns are gone. Hundred-year-old Live Oaks are dead. Trees have dropped more leaves than they do in the throes of fall and winter. People are losing lifetimes of work and livelihoods. A friend described the situation perfectly:

It looks like Mars.

It's no longer the color of dead brown grass; here in Central Texas, it is a twisted, bizarre, reddish-orange hue that makes you sick to your stomach.

It just continues baking under the daily 107 degree sun ... day after day.

As you go more towards the western part of our county, desertification is setting in, or so it appears.

You have to see it to believe it.

Tropical Storm/Hurricane Irene: The state of Texas would like to meet you.

A few more images from around town:

fall's color forecast

2011-08-17T09:58:00.005-05:00

August 17th.

Hot as hell.

Dry as it's ever been in Texas.

Still a couple of weeks from college football.

In a nutshell, these are some seriously shaggy dog days.

So I'm going to close my eyes and channel the greatest season of the year: Fall.

Pantone has released the Fall 2011 fashion trend colors, and I'm loving 'em.

"Designers take a painterly approach to fall 2011 by artfully combining bright colors with stable neutrals, reminiscent of how an artist would construct a stunning work of art," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. "Much like a painter's masterpiece, there is a certain romance to this season's palette."

first friday

2011-08-08T10:41:00.032-05:00

On the first Friday of every month,Historic Downtown Bryan, TX holds First Friday events. It's basically a mini-street festival, with the vendors in the district opening their doors to passers-by in a casual, beverage-ready manner. Live music abounds, artists do their thing, and folks meet up for food and fun. Despite the oppressive and blistering triple-digit temperatures we've been experiencing for months, two girlfriends and I braved the furnace and ventured out this past weekend for August First Friday. A few snapshots from the evening ....

Two of my girls, Kerri and Amanda:

keep these in mind

2011-08-04T09:25:00.008-05:00

Some posters I'm loving ... from PUBLIC SCHOOL, "a creative studio on the east side of Austin," where they "share studio space and ideas, as well as a fondness for the Mexican food on [their] side of town."

Think I need a couple for my office.

With red matting.

yep, it's july

2011-07-25T17:36:00.014-05:00

Over the past month I have not been inspired to blog about anything. At times I thought that I was "feelin' it" and sat down to the computer; but then ... nuthin'. I've tried not to read too much into it, beyond the fact that I just haven't had much to say. Now that I think about it, the sage words of one of my favorite professors/colleagues here at the university come to mind: "Sometimes Americans talk too much. We don't know when to just sit back and listen." Maybe that's what I've been doing ... listening?

HA! Whatever. I can try to paint myself as some introspectively hindered soul ... but the bottomline is much less esoteric: I've been hot, tired, and burnt out.

Until today!

There's nothing like a good ol' Yankee Candle email to pull me out of the summer doldrums! Today's Yankee Candle offering brought me dangerously close to fall--if for only a brief moment.

A few new fragrances for this fall ....

Nature's Paintbrush

A perfect autumn day captured in radiant, aromatic strokes of brisk air, spicy wood

s and warm musk.

Pumpkin Buttercream

Buttercream gets a spicy twist . . . a traditional recipe of pumpkin, vanilla, cinn

amon, and clove.

Over the River

A cool and calm stroll by the river . . . watery green notes with hints of sage, amber and oak.

southern cocktails

2011-06-16T09:52:00.010-05:00

Last week on my Georgia vacay, I purchased a fabulous book ... one that's more than worth sharing. It's called Southern Cocktails: Dixie Drinks, Party Potions, and Classic Libations. Not only are the recipes phenomenal, but the photographs, narratives, and overall presentation are lovely.

Up to my lips and down to my hips

The further it goes, the better it gits.

Here's peace at home and plenty abroad.

Love your wife and serve the Lord--Drink!

--Early antebellum South toast

(I'm currently looking for a great set of the silver/pewter julep cups [on the book cover] to have monogrammed for myself. There's something about the condensation on the outside of the cup that makes me drool ....)

marshall house :: savannah, ga

2011-06-13T15:41:00.032-05:00

Spent some time at the Marshall House Bed & Breakfast in historic Savannah. It was gorgeous, and I fully intend to book an extended stay at the locale during one of my many future Savannah, GA visits :).

(Sidenote: Not only is the B&B gorgeous, it's haunted!)

On our last night in Savannah, we wanted to enjoy a particularly memorable meal (actually, they were all memorable); and after some research, 45 Bistro (a restaurant worthy of the gods, located on the first floor of the the Marshall House) fit the bill. Additionally, it happens to house THE most fabulous bar I've ever visited (and I like to consider myself a bar connoisseur). From beginning to end, the entire experience was heavenly.

river street market :: savannah, ga

2011-06-11T14:53:00.010-05:00

Images from today's shopping excursion on River Street in Savannah ....

Stairs from Bay St. to River St.
Riverside entrance to the Market A Texas A&M windcatcher! :)

My favorite Savannah souvenir ... this guy had oodles of photos taken in Savannah, Tybee Island, Hilton Head, and other local areas ... each was a different letter. You pick your own letters to create a personalized art piece. I had one of my favorite words--SPIRIT--made and framed. So fun!

Finally, I had to snap a shot of our super obnoxious rental vehicle. I enjoy pissing off liberal hippie tree-huggers any chance I get (thankfully, Georgia [not unlike Texas] doesn't have too many :) ). What better way to do so than with a Hummer? Besides, we needed something big for all of our luggage. Ha.

tybee island :: day 3

2011-06-11T06:40:00.005-05:00

Drove a few miles outside of Savannah to visit Tybee Island, GA. What a lovely little beach town! I didn't want to leave ....

savannah, ga :: day 2

2011-06-10T06:58:00.009-05:00

Yesterday we saw some of: historic Savannah, haunted Savannah (that's a different blog post :) ), and a little of everything in between. The one word to which we keep returning when trying to describe this city is contradictory--but not in a bad way. It's such a mix of the old and the new.

savannah, ga :: day 1

2011-06-09T07:47:00.014-05:00

Visiting Savannah, GA with--my mom and sister--for some R&R. We only arrived yesterday, so still so much to see ... but here are a few shots from our initial stroll around town; but I intend to chronicle the weekend in photos!

my favorite color

2011-05-18T19:32:00.001-05:00

I graduated on Saturday.

It was one of the best days of my life--not because of graduation per se, but because of the time spent with my family. So many emotions involved, I'm still not able to articulate them. I doubt I'll ever forget much about the day. It didn't hurt that the weather was so perfect, you'd have thought it was ordered from a menu. I'll share photos from the festivities later.

But this post is about two gifts I received from my sister, brother-in-law, and sweet nephew and niece--four of my most favorite people on the planet. The fact that they flew down to Texas from New Hampshire for my graduation was worth more to me than anything that could be wrapped with a bow ...

... but I have a bucket list of jewelry items about which I dream. I blogged about two of them back on Valentine's Day of this year.

Guess what I received from them? Sweet, sweet Tiffany blue. Such treasures to me--for reasons that far eclipse their shiny perfection.

in this time of 'truthers,' 'birthers,' and 'deathers' ...

2011-05-08T09:08:00.006-05:00

... it's hard not to look at the word 'mother' and think, "This must be somebody with a crazy-ass theory about moths."

holiday snob

Tip of the hat to Ann Althouse

"justice will be done"

2011-05-02T00:33:00.002-05:00

aggie graduation wine

2011-05-01T17:16:00.012-05:00

(No, this isn't an Aggie joke. :) So if you're a hater, you're just gonna have to continue to hate and move along.)

For my maroon-blooded friends and family, I think you'll appreciate this. I was at H.E.B. yesterday (for the non-Texans, H.E.B. is a huge grocery chain here in the The Great State). I'm always looking for new wines to try, so I was a tad curious when I was summoned by an eager store employee, asking if I wished to buy some of the wine she was pushing.

"We've dubbed it, 'Aggie graduation wine' ... and people love it," she said.

Hmph. Yeah. Right. What do you take me for, lady ... an idiot? As cute (and over-the-top cheesy) as the idea was, I scoffed at the obvious marketing ploy.

(But I caved)

"What makes it 'Aggie graduation wine?' I asked?"

With a twinkle in her eye, the H.E.B. sommelier (ha!) responded, "It's festive. It'll make you smile. And it's maroon. Trust me. You'll love it."

I'm a sucker for anything and everything Texas A&M (the evil marketing people know this). And being that I'm receiving my second degree from Aggieland in a couple of weeks, can you blame me? So, looking around--making sure no one I knew saw me--I quickly grabbed two bottles of the Aggie wine and disappeared around the corner.

....

Fast forward to today. Guess what? The wine was fantastic. Crisp. Fruity. Multi-faceted. A sparkling, cold (something that doesn't suck on a warm Texas afternoon) Spumante that I'll definitely buy again. On top of it all, it was indeed Fightin' Texas Aggie maroon.

So without further ado, I bring you "my" Aggie graduation wine (Rocca dei Forti Brachetto) :).

Cheers & Happy May.

h.r.h prince william of wales, k.g. + miss catherine middleton

2011-04-29T03:52:00.009-05:00

"A toast before we go into battle. True love. In whatever shape or form it may come. May we all in our dotage be proud to say, 'I was adored once too.'" -- Gareth, Four Weddings and a Funeral

I said I wasn't going to wake up at 3:45a.m. to watch. And here I lay ... 3:59a.m. ... watching. Maybe it's the procession of "fly-trap"-looking hats (as Shepard Smith just dubbed them), worn by the women? Maybe it's because 50% of my blood is British? Truth be told: I'm a sucker for it all.

Think I'll go pour myself a glass of something bubbly ... since I'm up.

easter 2011, in photos

2011-04-24T21:38:00.010-05:00

Enjoyed a beautiful Sunday with family.

Perfect weather.

Perfect food.

Perfect day.

easter :: eternal love

2011-04-24T00:00:00.001-05:00

For I remember it is Easter morn,

And life and love and peace are all new born.

fleurty girl

2011-04-19T14:36:00.021-05:00

Last week in New Orleans I visited the most darling little shop, Fleurty Girl, owned by NOLA native, Lauren Thom. We just happened to be strolling through the French Quarter when Lauren's super comfy (and stylish) display of Feelgoodz flip flops (a company owned by her boyfriend) in the store's front entry caught our eyes. In addition to the saucy sandals, we weren't disappointed by the bounty that awaited us inside: everything from bling to art to tees to bags to shoes ... Fleurty Girl was a veritable cornucopia of all that I love :).

Not only did Lauren take the time to chat with us about her favorite city, she also told us about her grand opening (the shop on St. Peter's Street in the French Quarter [where we stopped] had just opened the prior week), as well as her other two locales in The Big Easy. Fleurty Girl was a fantastically wonderful surprise, nestled in the heart of the French Quarter. Next time you're in the city, definitely check out all of the lime green loveliness the shop has to offer!

back in black

2011-04-16T15:43:00.010-05:00

"Dut. Duh duh dut. Duh duh dut.

[Meow Mee-ow-ow]

Dut. Duh duh dut. Duh duh dut ...."

[that's a guitar riff]

Jaxson & Zoe--my furry roomies--made their annual springtime debut outside today. See, Jay and Zee aren't "outside kitties," so they get as much of a kick (perhaps more of one?) out of April's sounds, plants, scents, insects, and yes ... even the fussing mocking birds who very vocally warn 'em to keep their distance ... as do I.

Cause I'm back -- yes I'm back -- Well, I'm back ....

becker vineyards :: springtime

2011-04-16T10:05:00.011-05:00

I'm a sucker for Becker Vineyards wines--in my opinion, one of the Texas Hill Country's best vineyards and wineries (and that's saying something, since we certainly have our fair share of wineries in the Lone Star State).

I'm also a sucker for good marketing ... including pretty packaging and names like Springtime for a white wine. This light, crisp, and fruity wine reminds me of a Viognier, but not quite as aromatic. I'd describe it as just a plain, ol' white ... but nothing about Becker's wines is plain.

I don't know how available Becker Vineyards wines are outside of the immediate region; but if you can get your hands on any of their varietals, you won't be disappointed.

Happy spring! I'm off to do some planting (to be followed by a glass of Springtime).

nola restaurant

2011-04-14T10:33:00.040-05:00

On Monday I had the sincere palatable pleasure of dining at Emeril's NOLA restaurant in New Orleans (with pre-dinner cocktails at Arnaud's). At first I was a little dubious, thinking it would be overly commercialized ... but I was wrong. Food, drinks, and atmosphere were all amazing. I'd return in a heartbeat. Dinner at NOLA was the perfect way to cap a long weekend in The Big Easy.

laissez les bon temps rouler

2011-04-12T16:17:00.009-05:00

More views of New Orleans, through the camera lens.

faces of the big easy

2011-04-11T10:45:00.008-05:00

Still in New Orleans. There's much I could say to describe this city of endless ... er ... personality. Suffice it to say, New Orleans is a perpetual photo op. Below is a sample of the character I've experienced over the past several days.

a night in the french quarter

2011-04-09T09:45:00.009-05:00

Music. Debauchery. Style. Filth. Amazing food. Freaks. History. Booze. Panhandlers. Humidity. Laughter.

Just a typical night in New Orleans.

2010-2011 ncaa national champions

2011-04-06T00:53:00.011-05:00

Texas A&M 76

Notre Dame 70

Gig'em

agave nectar

2011-04-05T00:01:00.002-05:00

Have you ever tried agave nectar? It's a natural sweetener (introduced to me by a dear friend) that I'm loving. You know when you pull the center out of a honeysuckle flower and suck on that tiny little droplet of sweetness? That's exactly of what the taste of agave nectar reminds me. I don't think it's supposed to be any healthier than other sweeteners per se, but it's fun to try something different. And I really like the floral taste.

Lately I've been stirring it into oatmeal in the a.m., with tasty results. I've also tried drizzling a little over fresh fruit and squeezed some into hot tea. Delish. If you haven't tried it yet, grab some from your grocery store (my guys stock it next to the honeys/jams/etc.).

diet coke bling

2011-04-03T18:34:00.003-05:00

My favorite soft drink just became oh so sexy.

Karl Lagerfeld's latest Diet Coke bottles revealed

Unfortunately--from all I've seen/read--they'll only be available on the other side of the pond.

the pearl girls

2011-04-03T09:45:00.001-05:00

Every woman should own--and wear--pearls. Often. They're perfect. Classic, casual, formal, fun, jeans, dresses ... pearls fit the bill, regardless of the outfit and/or the event.

Some of my favorite pieces of jewelry are made of pearls--each one, interestingly enough, happens to be an item that carries the most sentimental value for me. So when I came across The Pearl Girls' wonderfully southern little shop (located in Georgia), I knew I was in trouble. In particular, this piece--the Black Tie Necklace--caught my eye.

multigrain bread + pepper hummus + spinach

2011-04-02T13:46:00.005-05:00

My new fave snack. Easy as 1-2-3:

(1) Multigrain bread. I love whole grain marathon bread, lightly toasted; but that's your call.

(2) Red pepper hummus (4-pepper is the shiznit).

(3) Top with baby spinach.

I'd say "wine is optional;" but really ... should wine ever be optional?

knock knock

2011-03-27T09:32:00.013-05:00

I've spent the past several days driving along the New Hampshire & Maine coast. So much to see, so little time. But something has caught my eye: the abundance of charming doors.

I love doors.

Different colors. Different textures. Different sizes. Different shapes. Doors that face unusual directions. Love 'em.

Here are a few in particular that I captured on film.

at the park with aidan

2011-03-26T14:46:00.011-05:00

More New England vacay shots ....

This morning we [briefly! brrrr] visited a park in Portsmouth, NH. My sweet nephew Aidan has been as patient as a five-year-old can be--actually more so--while we've dragged him all over New Hampshire and Maine over the past three days. So today was his day. We asked him what he wanted to do, and "the park" was his answer.

Did I mention it was freezing? Literally.

So here are some images of Aidan ... running, climbing, sliding, rocking, and generally completely oblivious to the frigid temperatures and brutal wind.

Me, stalking Aidan with my camera:

st. peter's episcopal church by the sea ~ maine

2011-03-25T18:12:00.006-05:00

Drove along a scenic road in Cape Neddick, Maine today and stopped to snap some photos of this inspiring church.

snow in march

2011-03-24T19:52:00.009-05:00

Two days ago I left behind 80+ degree temperatures in Texas, and arrived in snowy New Hampshire. At the risk of stating the obvious, it's wild how different the spring is in opposite ends of the country. In the Lone Star State, we're welcoming wildflowers. In New England, they're welcoming the big melt. Nuts.

Yesterday we drove up the New Hampshire coast and into Maine. It was cold and windy, but typically scenic.