This is a Story of the Most Amazing Dining Experience.

James and I decided to go to Texas Land and Cattle for dinner on Friday night.   This place is close to our house, and is reasonably priced for a steak.  We have been going to our local Texas Land and Cattle for about 3 years.  In at least the past year, we have noticed a decline in the restaurant, and as such have been making a lot of steak at home.  We didn't want to cook so we decided to take our chance.

I will start from with the moment that we walked into the restaurant.  We were cheerfully greeted.  I was fighting a migraine, and so the slightest amount of politeness is appreciated.  (Don't you like it when people are nice to you anyway, but especially when you don't feel good?)  The nice woman who greeted us, we found out later, was the general manager.

Our server was Phil.  I think that Phil is THE BEST WAITER I HAVE EVER HAD.  He was so friendly and knew what he was doing.  When he brought our tea, he also brought a carafe.  (James and I should have humps like camels, but ours would be filled with iced tea.)  Every time he walked by our table Phil would top off our tea.  AWESOME! (This was just one of the awesome things he did. Over all A+.)

TXLC has recently changed their menu. There are more things to choose from.  At first I thought that this may not be a good move for their business.  If they can't get a steak right, why would they branch out?  My concerns were satisfied when our food arrived.  James had the rib eye.  It was...DELICIOUS.  I had the chicken fried steak (they call it country fried steak--maybe they want to make sure you know its beef and not chicken).  It was... GREAT!

James and I had an opportunity to let Barbara (the GM) know that the changes she has made were noticeable. This morning, James and I were still talking about what a great time we had.
I highly recommend visiting Barbara and Phil at the Texas Land and Cattle on MoPac at Bee Caves Road. (Click on the link for exact directions.)  I may have to start budgeting for a weekly visit.

Here is your lesson:  If someone does a great job, let them know, and let everyone know too.

Barbara & Phil--You are Pretty & Smart!  Keep up the good work.

PS:  I have sent the link to this blog post to Barbara, and to her corporate office.

Peacocks

Number 3 on my list of favorite animals is the Peacock. (Dogs & Cats tie for 1st & 2nd.)  The Pavas were here over Easter,  James and I were able to share Mayfield Park with them.

For all of you Austinites, you should really go.  James and I often find ourselves there after an early dinner on a nice evening.  We have seen them with chicks, and we have seen them getting ready to roost.

There are a lot of links out there to learn the origin of Mayfield Park, so I suggest you all Google it.

Here is a slide show and video of our time on Saturday.

Today is The Nephew's Birthday!

The Nephew turns 6 today.  

Happy Birthday to my Favorite Nephew!

Crafty

Many of you know that I am crafty.  I once held the title of "Craft Queen" at Camp Champions. I know the store layouts Hobby Lobby & Micheal's. (By the way there are several layouts for each chain, and I am familiar with many of them.)  I recently had to re-organize my craft corner.  Crafts take up a lot of room.  One day when I get to design my own home there will be a room just for crafts.  But, I digress.

At the beginning of last fall (as we were waiting for our severance checks) all of us were getting crafty at finding things to do, so we got crafty.  Chantel started to crochet.  I knew how at one time, so I decided to see if it was still in me.  It was, so I started to crochet too.  It seemed like we had dueling crochet needles.  I know that I saw Chantel crochet at least 15 scarves.  (I am lucky to have one of them!) 

A few weekends ago I went to an all girls party.  There were no boys allowed.  The plan:  Learn how to knit.

The muscle memory is way different, and I feel like a foal learning to get her legs under her.  In this case getting my hands around the needles.  I think I have it down. 

Chantel is on the Praireland Tour, and won't be in Austin for another two weeks!  When she gets back I plan on teaching her how to knit too! Let the countdown begin! .......Knit 2....Purl 2....Knit 2...Purl 2...

James is Good at Picking Out Chick Stuff!

So, It turns out that James is good, dare I say GREAT, at picking out chick stuff--As long as its for a computer/electronic device.  Here are the two new gadgets that James has gotten for my new computer.

Wireless Mouse: Logitech V220 Optical Mouse

It may be hard to tell, but it has butterflies & flowers on it (I love butterflies & flowers & James picked it out!).  It is also wireless, which is the whole point of getting a separate mouse.  I love a real mouse, as I am not as proficient with the touch pad.  I like that it is small enough to take with me & the wireless stick slides together with the mouse, so they don't lose each other. James did such a great job on this one!

Laptop Sleeve: BUILT Laptop Sleeve 16"

James picked out the sleeve although I picked out the fabric design.  I just got it in the mail as an early birthday present. Its made of neoprene, & unlike traditional sleeves this one zips on the small end.  I like this feature because I can slide the computer in and out of my backpack with out necessarily taking the sleeve out of the backpack.  There isn't a lot of bulk, and fits right around the computer.  I got the 16" size for my lap top that has a 15.4" screen.  Also the hour glass shape hugs the computer in place. Perfect fit! The sleeve is machine washable, and hangs to dry, so in case it gets dirty or something spilled on it the sleeve is not ruined.  The last great point about this sleeve is that you can put your computer into a large purse making ANY BAG A COMPUTER BAG!  How fabulous is that?!

James, Has anyone ever told you that you are Pretty & Smart?  You are!

The Secret of Kells

One of the movies on my list to review is The Secret of Kells.  I have been searching for where to rent or watch this film.  I heard on the radio this afternoon that the film has not been released in the US yet.  What?!?!? How can it be nominated?

So instead of me reviewing it, I will share what Bob Mondello of NPR had to say.  I want to see this one! 

My Photo Man

It rained, then it sleeted, then it snowed.  It snowed and snowed and snowed.  Yesterday, El Nino attacked Central Texas with a true winter storm.  James went down to Bull Creek with his 2nd love (the camera).  He really got some great shots and I thought that I would share them with you. 

It really took a lot of arm twisting to get these from him, so I hope you enjoy.

Talking to Carly

This weekend I went and purchased a new laptop.  I am so glad that I have a computer to call my own.  This is the computer that I bought: 

James has been holding our computer hostage for the whole time we have been living together.  A friend of me told me, "Love means not having to share your computer."  I agree. 

So I have known about Skype for awhile.  I have officially set up my account.  I was able to talk to my friend Emily and her haby Carly.  They live in Cinncinnati.  I miss them.  I was so glad to see them.  Here they are; mother and daughter.

Carly will be two in June, but I took this when I was with them shortly after Carly's birth. Our chat this afternoon made me feel like I was back in their living room again. I can't wait talk to Carly Girl & Emily soon!

Skype udate:  I got connected to Soni too!

Julie & Julia

Here is the first post on the road to the Oscars. 

I saw Julie & Julia via DVD.  I loved it!  This movie played a small part in why I started this blog.  If you don't know the basic idea here it is:

An office worker named Julie Powell needed to feel need in the world, and was inspired by Julia Child to write a blog about her adventure cooking of through Mastering the Art of French Cooking.  The movie chronicles the ups & downs of both women.  Julia Child as she persues her passion of writing a French cookbook for the American cook while living with her husband in Paris.  Julie Powell as she finds that she is able to make an inpact in the universe even though she is a lowly secretary working in a government agency manageing the September 11, 2001 tragedy for the victim's families. 

It was nice to see the history of Julia Child.  The movie showed that she had a great love affair with her husband. I learned that she was not perfect.  She struggled with jelousy of her sister when she conceives a child.  She struggled with pride over wanting to be not only the very best woman, but the very best student in the cooking school.  She struggled with not having enough be enough.  I was glad to see Julia Child was not perfect.  Julia Child was a real woman.  I really like Julia Child.

It was nice to see a woman like me in Julie Powell.  I often say that I work to live, not live to work.  It was nice to see that there was another woman that is searching for something more than just punching a clock. Julie Powell learned a lot about herself through blogging, and that also rings true for me.

I would recomend seeing this movie.

Meryl Streep who played Julia Child is nominated for Best Actress.

Let's Go to the Movies

As you may have already known, or just heard there are 10 best picture nominations. I am not sure how I feel about this increase from 5, but I am looking forward to seeing the ones that I have not seen yet. Over the next month I am going to be viewing these 10 movies as well as 13 other films that had actors nominated or were nominated in other categories, and share my thoughts.

Here are the 2010 Best Picture Nominations:

Avatar
(James Cameron nominated for Best Director)

The Blind Side
 (Sandra Bullock nominated for Best Actress)

District 9

An Education
(Carey Mulligan nominated for Best Actress)

The Hurt Locker
(Jeremy Renner nominated for Best Actor, Kathryn Bigelow nominated for Best Director)

Inglourious Basterds
(Christoph Waltz nominated for Best Supporting Actor,
Quentin Tarantino nominated for Best Director)

Precious
(Gabourey Sidibe nominated for Best Actress, Mo’Nique nominated for Best Supporting Actress,
Lee Daniels nominated for Best Director)

A Serious Man

Up
(also nominated for Best Animated Feature Film)

Up in the Air
(George Clooney nominated for Best Actor, Vera Farmiga &
Anna Kendrick nominated for Best supporting actress, Jason Reitman nominated for Best Director)

I would like to review these other films:

Crazy Heart
(Jeff Bridges nominated for Best Actor, Maggie Gyllenhaall nominated for Best Supporting Actress)

A Single Man
(Colin Firth nominated for Best Actor)

Invictus
(Morgan Freeman Nominated for Best Actor, Matt Damon nominated for Best Supporting Actor)

The Messenger
(Woody Harrelson nominated for Best Supporting Actor)

The Last Station
(Christopher Plummer nominated for Best Supporting Actor,
Helen Mirren nominated for Best Actress)

The Lovely Bones
(Stanley Tucci nominated for Best Supporting Actor)

Julie & Julia
(Meryl Streep nominated for Best Actress)

Nine
(Penelope Cruz nominated for Best Supporting Actress)

Coraline

Fantastic Mr Fox

The Princess and the Frog

The Secret of Kells

Sherlock Holmes

Wish me luck!  I have a lot to do in the next 32 days!

D&C Lunch Bunch

Almost everyday I have plans for lunch. There are about 7 co-workers that are in my lunch bunch, and there are at least 3 of us that go everyday to eat together. Our group is very diverse. We have Dudes & Chicks. Some of us have kids & some of us don’t. Some of us are natives, and some of us are transplants.

As my time runs short I am taking time to snapshot the great times that I am having with these people that I have become friends with. I am sure that we will all remain friends, but we will never spend the amount of time that we have had since working together.

Yesterday there were 4 of us that went on out for our daily bit of fellowship. I happened to be the only chick there, and I was the only one without kids. My friends were telling me about what it is like being a dad, and what fun they have with their kids. I truly saw joy and bliss in their faces. It was really a great scene.

My wish is that James and I are able to share this kind of love for our children with the world one day.

Rumor disclaimer: I am not now expecting a kid. Just wanted to share this heart warming vision to the masses.

Hidden Comments on BOOZECATS

One of the blogs that I frequent is boozecats.com. As you know I really want a cat, and so these photo- shopped kitties are so funny! I discovered that if you hold your curser over the photo there are additional comments made. The comment does go along with the caption, and some of them will make you pee in your pants. Hope you enjoy, and don’t forget you’re pretty & smart.

I Love NPR!

I love NPR! Every morning I log in to my computer, and download Morning Edition, the previous day’s All Things Considered. I listen with interest and focus. I have learned, so much about this world that I live in.

This is what I learned about yesterday:

• There is a migrant worker/immigrant debate in Italy that has turned violent in the past week.
• 41.6% of people ages 12-54 are myopic (near sighted) as compared to 25% of the same age group in 1970’s.
• A study that was published in Nature Neuroscience may lead to another way of curing migraines (I suffer from migraines, so this is really interesting to me).
• Al-Qaida is contracting for terrorist attacks.
• The Cook County, Illinois County Prosecutor is looking into the methods that were used by students of the Innocence Project.

These random stories have helped me to know that the world is bigger than my home, work, family and friends.