Texas Scrumptiousness...

During my writing sabbatical in my home state, I have come across a wealth of Texas Goodness. My state has grown by leaps and bounds in the artisan, handcrafted, organic, from-the-earth-type delicious products. I have become sufficiently addicted to most of these products, and am already working out ways to either have them shipped or smuggled into California.

You'll notice that most of them are alcoholic, please don't judge me.

Here are some of my favorites:

Treaty Oak Rum:
the Graham-Barnes distillery started making this rum about three years ago in Austin...and well...just taste it. I've been converted to such a degree that I basically won't drink rum unless its theirs (similar to my fondness for Hendricks Gin...unless its a Hendricks martini, its just not worth it). Tito's Vodka:
Tito has been around awhile now, but they haven't swayed me to not drink any other vodkas -- they are damn good, nonetheless (especially for the price. It tastes comparable to any of the high end labels and no where near the cost).
PS love this picture because of the floating peach shaped bats...Go Austin!Wrights of Texas salsa:
First found this in Central Market in Houston, the owners were giving out samples. I'm not a very spicy person (at least in terms of the amount of heat I can put in my mouth) but the medium Green Salsa is amazeballs. Not too hot, not bland, no preservatives, gluten free, with cucumbers. Warning: it has to be refrigerated, and lasts about 2 weeks (but mine usually only lasts 3 days...then the jar is empty). St. Arnolds
Houston based, and recently settled into some new digs, this brewery out does most. I've visited a few in my day, and have taken to skipping the "tour", I mean I know how to make beer (in theory), so I care more about the atmosphere. It's similar to Brooklyn Brewery in NY, but you get more for your buck...$7 = 4 chips (1 chip for 1 beer). Nice range of brews too, personally I like the Lawnmower. Southern Star:
Based in Conroe, Texas -- these guys met at a dog park and are only a couple years old -- I have great admiration for all of these companies who start small and have superior products that can't help but succeed. Right now they are only available in cans (which has its own comfortableness to it) and is affordable, but I see them going pretty far.

Fell in Love with Texas...again...

Last week I fell in love with my state all over again.

My friend, Torie from NYC, came to visit, which gave me the opportunity to do things I never take the time for.We started in Houston/The Woodlands -- saw Aerosmith at the Pavilion, then did brunch at BRC, visited St. Arnold's Brewery, checked out the Menil, and bogarted a friend's pool for the evening.
Then we hit the road...Washington on the Brazos showed us how Dr. Anson's farm ran in the 1800s, and the birth of Texas.

Finally we reached Austin...eating at Sandra Bullock's Bistro -- Bess, swimming in Lake Travis, attempting to watch the bats, lots of tacos (Torchy's, Guero's, Trudy's, and TacoDeli), saw My Generation being filmed, BBQ at Stubb's, drinks at the Driskall, ice cream at Amy's, and coffee at Jo's, and of course SCHLITTERBAHN!!




I had forgotten how great Austin was...how the people (no matter what they are doing) are happy, friendly, and vivacious. We stayed at the Hotel San Jose, soaked up the sun at the pool, watched movies either about or filmed in Austin, walked around downtown, caught up with old friends, shopped, and ate...and ate...and ate some more.



A.M.A.O -- Laguna Gloria (the site of my future wedding...)

Things for the walls...

Lately, I have been fairly obsessed with posters, art, silk screens, etc... I am preparing for when I finally have an apartment/house and walls to decorate (and trying not to think about how much its going to cost to get all these pieces framed).

Here are some favorite discoveries:

From Poster Cabaret (Austin based gallery, mostly concert posters, but some original pieces as well. Very affordable, most are in a series of 200 or less, signed, screen prints) --
From Lacey Waterman/PaperLace:
Still trying to figure out where these are from (saw them in a restaurant):I've also mentioned the Keep Calm Gallery before...they are fairly incredible, especially for the cost.

And, of course, NYC MoMA -- Jasper Johns is one of my favorites:-)