I've been wanting to do a post on our framed photos but I have to depend on my daughter whom doesn't understand about deadlines, business, etc. So I wait and so do you. But I promise soon I will post something.
I wanted to post about bike night at Westgate. I invited my son in law to come with me to go check out the bikes and to take some pictures. He did capture a bunch of good images but they are on my daughter's camera, mine is not good for night photos so I may or may not be able to post them here.
So I won't post about any of those two things. Tomorrow I may come up with something else to blog about.
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Recent Photo Favorites
Tempests and flooding and flu, oh my! Don’t let the current state of outbreak hysteria get you down. After all, like a motherly hug after a skinned knee, there’s always food. Oh, that sweet, sweet savior.
Here are a few untheme’d recent faves. Enjoy!
House-cured meats at Vinoteca Poscol
JJ’s sweet cornbread at Beaver’s
Why can’t this be contagious?
Custard-filled pastries at a food stall in SF
A blur of Irish Coffees at the Buena Vista
Torta con barbacoa at Taqueria del Sol
Here are a few untheme’d recent faves. Enjoy!
House-cured meats at Vinoteca Poscol
JJ’s sweet cornbread at Beaver’s
Why can’t this be contagious?
Custard-filled pastries at a food stall in SF
A blur of Irish Coffees at the Buena Vista
Torta con barbacoa at Taqueria del Sol
Just stay home, says Calderon
"...high-frequency Uranus raises your anxiety level today." My horoscope.
Just when I was spouting off that no cases of flu had been reported on the coast of Sonora, I hear from Lolita that three cases have turned up in Empalme and one in Guaymas. These are not confirmed swine flu, just people being tested for suspicious symptoms. But it's enough for the masks to start appearing on the streets of Guaymas.
But the masks are almost useless in protecting against infection, according to the chief medical officer of Scotland, Dr. Harry Burns. "You wear a face mask, it becomes damp during the course of the day and that allows the virus to spread across your face." Health care workers are being advised to don a fresh mask if dealing with a flu sufferer. But "the virus is so small they can go through the pores."
So, if we're thinking nonporous, can solid plastic masks be next? Are we going to resemble Darth Vadar in the heat of summer?President Felipe Calderon wants us to stay home from May 1 to May 5. The 176 professional soccer games scheduled for this weekend will be played (and televised) in empty stadiums. Supermarkets, buses, garbage collection and, of course, hospitals, will operate as usual.
The Capt, down in Barra de Navidad, says the hospitals there are already overcrowded with cases of dengue fever.
Late news flash: According to a CNN report, so far, four month into this year, 13,000 people have died of flu. NOT swine flu, but "regular" flu. Worldwide, the number is between 250,000 and 500,000. Sort of puts everything into perspective, doesn't it?
Wow! What a Show.
Before I read anybody's comments just let me say that last night was by far the best American Idol night in a long time. Five finalists, five outstanding performances. Wow!
Unfortunately I have never liked Kris so even though they said he set the standard so high I have already forgotten his performance. Allison still one of my favorites and will hate it if she is the one that gets the boot tonight. Matt should have shinned last night and yet he left me wondering why was he saved, Anoop would have done way better with the Standards.
I am not a Danny fan but must admit last night he kicked major butt. Wow! And double wow! I didn't know the song he sang but it sounded awesome. There is no way that can be topped... or so I thought. Adam closed the show by taking possession of the stage, and showing his many, many, many, many followers why he should win.
This kid has it made. Even if he doesn't get the title this year he will definitely get the best and probably most profitable record deals. Not to mention he has what it takes to fill up arenas. As I watched his performance last night I couldn't help but think of Freddy Mercury. Yeap, I think this kid is that great.
And now next week I believe it's going to be Big Band night... wow! Can't wait.
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Unfortunately I have never liked Kris so even though they said he set the standard so high I have already forgotten his performance. Allison still one of my favorites and will hate it if she is the one that gets the boot tonight. Matt should have shinned last night and yet he left me wondering why was he saved, Anoop would have done way better with the Standards.
I am not a Danny fan but must admit last night he kicked major butt. Wow! And double wow! I didn't know the song he sang but it sounded awesome. There is no way that can be topped... or so I thought. Adam closed the show by taking possession of the stage, and showing his many, many, many, many followers why he should win.
This kid has it made. Even if he doesn't get the title this year he will definitely get the best and probably most profitable record deals. Not to mention he has what it takes to fill up arenas. As I watched his performance last night I couldn't help but think of Freddy Mercury. Yeap, I think this kid is that great.
And now next week I believe it's going to be Big Band night... wow! Can't wait.
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Hunkering Down
M/S "Ryndam" won't be landing in Guaymas todayThere are no reports of flu here on the Sonoran coast, nobody's walking around in cubrebocas (masks), except in the supermarkets where the workers have been wearing them for years. But schools and daycare centers are already closed, and now it's been decided that the cruceros should bypass Guaymas, Mazatlan or any other Mexican ports. I wonder how the passengers feel about that. I remember sitting on our boat looking at the shore and longing to step on land and go exploring. Lines from the song "Wooden Ships" come to mind.
Gringo in Paradise accurately points out that this blow to tourism in Mexico, on top of the well-advertised drug war reports and the fallout from the US banking fiasco, will have a crushing effect on the economy and thus bring about an increase in crime. I wouldn't want to be working for a business that relies on tourism, such as a restaurant, or a dive shop or even a bar (though I suspect there may be an increase in cantina clientele pickling their sorrows). Or a working mother trying to find care for the niños.
It's my favorite time of year: warm enough to enjoy being outdoors, with refreshing breezes and cool nights. The madness of Semana Santa is over, there's plenty of room in the hotels, airline rates are reportedly reduced, and traffic across the borders is minimal.
I'm not losing any sleep over the risk of an epidemic, though I notice I'm washing my hands more often. In the States, stores are running out of liquid hand cleaner. In Mexico City, people are staying home and keeping busy wiping down their telephones, door handles, even their windows with disinfectants. If they can't cook, they go to restaurants that are still preparing food al llevar (to go).
In La Gloria, a major pig farming area near Mexico City, a little five-year-old boy named Edgar Hernandez has achieved notoriety for having been the first reported flu victim. Edgar's fine now, by the way, and enjoying more than fifteen minutes of fame, with visits from numerous scientists, fumigators who sprayed his house, doctors, even the governor himself.
Barbecue Inn
Hold onto your cholesterol as you step into the Barbecue Inn and warp through time all the way back to 1946. That’s how little this place has changed since the year it opened, and they’ve got the original menu on the wall to prove it.
So. What do you order at a place called the Barbecue Inn? Certainly not the barbecue. No joke. While the brisket and ribs are decent, you can find better in this meat-obsessed cow town. There are brighter sides to the menu. Salads are standard fare made with iceberg lettuce, but the dressings are made fresh from scratch in house. Honey mustard, Ranch, Blue Cheese, Thousand Island... Each one tastier (and creamier) than the last.
But homemade salad dressing does not longevity make. What keeps this underdog afloat? Simple: The Barbecue Inn has -- hands down -- the best fried shrimp in town. Fresh, jumbo shrimp nicely battered and deep fried, served with homemade tartar sauce. Fried chicken, too, is one for the record books, served piping hot alongside gloriously crispy French fries and a leaf of kale posing as a vegetable. And don’t forget the third element in the trinity: chicken fried steak. This one sits pretty under a blanket of cream gravy. Man, if only Elvis were alive to see this place.
Despite its shortcomings, the Barbecue Inn has been a family favorite for years. So much so that you can expect a line at peak weekday hours. Final verdict? Your heart wouldn’t survive a weekly visit here, but it’s certainly worthy of an annual pilgrimage.
Barbecue Inn - 116 W Crosstimbers (at Yale)
So. What do you order at a place called the Barbecue Inn? Certainly not the barbecue. No joke. While the brisket and ribs are decent, you can find better in this meat-obsessed cow town. There are brighter sides to the menu. Salads are standard fare made with iceberg lettuce, but the dressings are made fresh from scratch in house. Honey mustard, Ranch, Blue Cheese, Thousand Island... Each one tastier (and creamier) than the last.
But homemade salad dressing does not longevity make. What keeps this underdog afloat? Simple: The Barbecue Inn has -- hands down -- the best fried shrimp in town. Fresh, jumbo shrimp nicely battered and deep fried, served with homemade tartar sauce. Fried chicken, too, is one for the record books, served piping hot alongside gloriously crispy French fries and a leaf of kale posing as a vegetable. And don’t forget the third element in the trinity: chicken fried steak. This one sits pretty under a blanket of cream gravy. Man, if only Elvis were alive to see this place.
Despite its shortcomings, the Barbecue Inn has been a family favorite for years. So much so that you can expect a line at peak weekday hours. Final verdict? Your heart wouldn’t survive a weekly visit here, but it’s certainly worthy of an annual pilgrimage.
Barbecue Inn - 116 W Crosstimbers (at Yale)
Top Five
So here we are down to the top 5 American Idol hopefuls, too bad Anoop is gone, he should have been in the top 5 as he was always a favorite of mine. That little idea of saving someone didn't make much sense, specially since Matt has no realistic shot of going all the way. But oh well, que sera sera, the show must go on.Is it "Rat Pack Standards Night". If so it should be a good one. I have always enjoy the standards and it will be fun to see this young five put a spin on them. I think Danny should not have a problem tonight, and maybe even Kris will be fine, Matt can definitely shine tonight if he picks the right song and plays the piano. This is right up his alley. That leaves me with the two rockers, Allison and Adam. Now we all know Allison can sing and has a beautiful voice but what can she sing to make her shine, and Adam already has proven that he can bring it down and deliver a good ballad.
Tonight will be decisive for the remaining idols. Do they sing one or two songs tonight? Either way one or two songs it should be awesome. Oh, and yes my fingers will still be doing their best to keep Allison in the competition.
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What? No more hugs and kisses?
If the swine flu comes to Guaymas, I could be in trouble. Lately I've been spending a lot of time socializing with the locals. My Mexican friends are more inclined to plant besitos on my cheek and give me warm abrazos on arrival and departure, unlike the more distant, "protecting-my-space" gringos.Thursday and Friday nights I met with Lolita, Blanca, Lena, Julia and Padre Jorge to practice some songs in Spanish, and then on Saturday night we performed the songs at a fiesta celebrating Padre Jorge's birthday and the opening of a new elder daycare center in Miramar (a suburb of Guaymas). Lots of hugs and kisses all around, even from the Padre.
Meanwhile in Mexico City they're taking the flu very seriously: people are wearing masks in the streets, schools have been shut down and churches have been canceling mass. Then last night a category six earthquake struck close enough to be felt in the capital, and people were evacuating. What to do?
Stop the presses! It's getting hard to keep up with reports now. Schools and cinemas throughout Mexico are closed today. And the casualty count jumped from 100 to 149 as of midday today. That's how many people have died of flu-like symptoms, but only 20 had been confirmed swine flu victims, last I looked. Travelers coming home to Scotland, Canada and Spain have been quarantined with symptoms, and governments in Japan, China and Korea are planning to quarantine and examine anyone returning from the US or Mexico. The tourism industry, already reeling from the economic downturn, takes another one in the chops.
Reports say most of the victims have been younger people, whose stronger immune systems overwhelm their lungs with antibodies and suffocate them (to put it in very unscientific terms). Older people who have been through other flus and respiratory illnesses have less robust responses that don't overcompensate, and they are more likely to survive.
A mask telegraphs to the world that you're not available for kisses and probably wouldn't welcome hugs. Next we'll do away with handshakes, which originally were meant to convey that we weren't carrying a weapon (just germs). High fives will have to go, too. Maybe winks will be the new friendly greeting.
FYI: I've been advised the new, more health-conscious way to sneeze is not into your hand, since you're unlikely to always have immediate access to wipes, liquid cleaner or soap and water. Instead, use the inside of your elbow.
Little Tokyo Sushi
Last week I got my sushi groove on at Little Tokyo in Pearland. Among the 300+ rolls on the menu were the delicious Mango Roll (below, center) and a Cajun Roll made with spicy softshell crawfish. Mmmm, mmmm good. Each roll was massive and beautifully presented, and while I’m not a fan of adding bunches of oddball ingredients, this place has something for even the most finicky of Picky Patties. A tasty evening indeed.
I am still prowling for the best and most perfectestest sushi place in Houston, though. I can’t seem to wrap my heart (or my loyalty) around any of them. Thoughts?
Little Tokyo - 8201 W. Broadway (in Pearland)
I am still prowling for the best and most perfectestest sushi place in Houston, though. I can’t seem to wrap my heart (or my loyalty) around any of them. Thoughts?
Little Tokyo - 8201 W. Broadway (in Pearland)
On The Way Back To Phoenix
Monday we left California at an early hour, 45 minutes into our trip back to Phoenix we stopped at our favorite fast food restaurant Gus Jr's in Loma Linda. They have like a one hundred plus item menu but I only order one thing, a pastrami. Mi chica drove with me for all the way to Palm Spring with the top down. Since Michelle and Junior had never been, we took the detour and stopped at the Aerial Tram and then we cruised through Palm Springs. Unfortunately it gotta very hot so mi chica went into the van while Michelle rode with me.
A few minutes later, we stopped at a gas station to check the fluid levels and then Junior offered to drive the Mustang with Michelle while we rode in the air conditioned and way more comfortable van. I pretty much ordered them to put top up because it was very hot. Next stop Chiriaco Summit, ice cream and pictures there for a 35 minute pit stop.
Before long we were at Quartzite. We always stop at the Luv's Truck stop. We were hungry so we ate some Subway sandwiches there. After another 35 to 40 minutes we hit the road again. We were doing great, I was in front with Junior and Michelle in tow, I was not exceeding 75 miles per hour. Then the following happened in the next minutes:
There is a slow truck on the road.
A Scion shoe box is behind it
Then me
And behind me Junior and Michelle
Scion moves left to pass truck
I move left to pass truck
Junior moves left to pass truck
Scion passes truck and merges right
I pass truck and decide to get in front of slower moving Scion
Junior still behind me
Before I pass Scion I spot a highway patrol cruiser hiding in the median.
Half his car stick out and touches the tar in the highway.
Calmly I pass Scion and merge right still doing about 75 miles per hour
Junior the spots police cruiser, speeds up and squeezes between me and Scion
Cruiser starts moving and driving in left lane
One minute later cruiser positions himself directly behind Junior
Light show begins immediately as all cruiser lights are on
I pull to left and park on shoulder
Junior pulls to the left and doesn't stop until he is pretty close to me
Blah, blah, blah, for the next ten minutes (Feel like an eternity)
We stay put in the van knowing that cops don't appreciate intruders.
Cop comes over and invites me to the party.
Runs my licence too.
Proceeds to tell me junior is driving my car with a suspended licence.
What?????? Why officer I had no idea.
Officer totally polite throughout the whole thing. Sucker know he will ticket us no matter what.
Decides to be nice and won't impound my car for 30 days. Hmmm, that is good news indeed.
Tells Junior the only reason he stopped them was because he drove too close to us. (Yea right, two young kids in a hot Mustang = must pull you fools).
(Oh, it's my story so I can say my Mustang is a hot Mustang. lol)
Notifies him he must keep his driving licence until he gets things in order.
Tells me I must drive the rest of the way, Junior now a passenger in the van while Sylvia drives chaperoned by Junior. Remember mi chica can't drive because of the medication but can drive if she is chaperoned.
I pull top down, and enjoy the next hour and a half left in the trip.
Didn't I mentioned before that in our case the actual drive is part of the whole experience.
And all this wouldn't have happened if the officer wouldn't have had his cruiser parked in the median with his nose sticking out. The only reason we merged right so fast to get out of his way was for pure cortesy.
On other news, my sister and her husband invited us to have dinner with them at their house on Saturday. Tacos de Lengua was the menu, she knew it's one of my favorite meals so I kindda starved myself all day so I could pig out at night. Ummmmm, they did not disappoint. Then to wash it all down a dessert with caramelized bananas and ice cream. If you ask me that was a total winning combination. Thanks sis and Alfred for the invite. Both mi chica and I enjoyed it.
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The Car Show
It's Sunday and we have to be in the parking lot before 10:00 am or they will close the doors on us, it's a good thing I had the opportunity to wash the car on Saturday. On previous years I had to get up at 6:00 am to wash the car. Both my sons in law were coming with me, my daughter threw us a huge curve and sent the kids with my in law.
Oh, I'm all about family and kids but this show is not designed with kids in mind. The cars parked out in the open parking lot, this particular Sunday was hella hot and the pavement makes it even hotter. Usually about 2000 cars give or take register and this Sunday was no exception. In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Fox Bodied Mustangs I thought they would keep us all together. Normally Fox Body Mustangs are sent way to the back of the parking lot. Well this year was no exception but for whatever reason this year the convertibles got prime spot and while all cars were parked inside the parking lanes us convertibles got a spot and a half, meaning we had plenty of space in between cars. Too awesome!
Anyway, back to the kids, I got to babysit the whole day. We walked up and down the rows and rows of cars at the mercy of the sun and a few hours later I knew they were suffering. My little Duck was in his stroller so he didn't even take one step but Noe walked as much as I did, he was tired and sunburned and finally Loyiel very against his will had to head back home to take them to safety.
Junior and I stayed to film some of the cars leaving the park. They changed the way we exited so to keep the cars from doing burnups, the wimps, what's a little burnout before leaving the show. The endless parade of cars which by the way are mostly Mustangs is usually enjoyed by bystanders that know about the show. They'll sit there giving the participants a thumbs up.
Once on the freeway it's Amazing how many Mustangs were on it. In California the speed limit seems to be a suggestion as most cars drive extremely fast. Just wait until Arnold decides to put cameras on the highway as they did here in Arizona.
We finally got home at around 4:00 and I was exhausted from the heat. As I walked in the house and sat on the couch, no let me rephrase that, and layed on the couch I was out for the next two hours.
I had every intention of visiting Wanda and my sister but by the time I woke up it was too late. So Wanda and Chely, there's always a next time.
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Oh, I'm all about family and kids but this show is not designed with kids in mind. The cars parked out in the open parking lot, this particular Sunday was hella hot and the pavement makes it even hotter. Usually about 2000 cars give or take register and this Sunday was no exception. In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Fox Bodied Mustangs I thought they would keep us all together. Normally Fox Body Mustangs are sent way to the back of the parking lot. Well this year was no exception but for whatever reason this year the convertibles got prime spot and while all cars were parked inside the parking lanes us convertibles got a spot and a half, meaning we had plenty of space in between cars. Too awesome!
Anyway, back to the kids, I got to babysit the whole day. We walked up and down the rows and rows of cars at the mercy of the sun and a few hours later I knew they were suffering. My little Duck was in his stroller so he didn't even take one step but Noe walked as much as I did, he was tired and sunburned and finally Loyiel very against his will had to head back home to take them to safety.
Junior and I stayed to film some of the cars leaving the park. They changed the way we exited so to keep the cars from doing burnups, the wimps, what's a little burnout before leaving the show. The endless parade of cars which by the way are mostly Mustangs is usually enjoyed by bystanders that know about the show. They'll sit there giving the participants a thumbs up.
Once on the freeway it's Amazing how many Mustangs were on it. In California the speed limit seems to be a suggestion as most cars drive extremely fast. Just wait until Arnold decides to put cameras on the highway as they did here in Arizona.
We finally got home at around 4:00 and I was exhausted from the heat. As I walked in the house and sat on the couch, no let me rephrase that, and layed on the couch I was out for the next two hours.
I had every intention of visiting Wanda and my sister but by the time I woke up it was too late. So Wanda and Chely, there's always a next time.
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Going to the Dark Side…or not
Warning: if you use a Mac, don't try to buy a cell phone that takes pictures. According to Telcel, there are no cell phones that can upload photos on a Mac.
Yesterday I went to the Telcel office in Guaymas yesterday to try to trade in the cute little pink LG phone the Capt and I bought three weeks ago, for a Nokia or other brand name that would work with my MacIntosh. We were told there's nothing that would work, and furthermore, I can't get a refund on the LG.
I can take all the photos I want, but I'll never be able to share them or look at them enlarged or print them out unless I use a PC. I don't have a PC.
I could blow big bucks on a MacIntosh iPhone and it would work in Mexico but I'd have to buy a contract instead of using phone cards, and I don't want to tie myself down to monthly payments. I'm not so compulsive that I need a phone I can use to check my email, surf the Net and blog. I found a website that says there's a software called FonLink 2.0 that's compatible with Sony-Ericksson phones and will upload files, music, photos and videos to a Mac. That would be fine, if I wanted to buy the software and yet another phone.
I'm getting closer to considering buying a PC, if only for cell-phone photos, Internet and Word (which I need for editing books since authors are sending me manuscripts written and formatted in Word). And those tiny Acer laptops, only slightly larger than a paperback, weigh less than three pounds, come with Windows XP instead of the universally-loathed Vista OS and are $350 at Costco. How liberating it would be to carry something that small and light next time I travel!
My son the webmaster long ago went to the Dark Side and now seldom uses his Mac. My first computer (in 1985) was an IBM, back when you actually had to learn DOS, but I always preferred the Mac OS and still feel a lot of resistance at the sight of a PC screen. After 25 years using computers, I feel grumpy at the prospect of having to learn a new system and a little sheepish about abandoning the Brotherhood of the Mac.
But maybe I'm just being mulish and I need to just get over it. Or maybe I'll just forget the whole thing and keep lugging my camera.
Any of you PC people want a cute little pink LG phone that takes photos?
Yesterday I went to the Telcel office in Guaymas yesterday to try to trade in the cute little pink LG phone the Capt and I bought three weeks ago, for a Nokia or other brand name that would work with my MacIntosh. We were told there's nothing that would work, and furthermore, I can't get a refund on the LG.
I can take all the photos I want, but I'll never be able to share them or look at them enlarged or print them out unless I use a PC. I don't have a PC.
I could blow big bucks on a MacIntosh iPhone and it would work in Mexico but I'd have to buy a contract instead of using phone cards, and I don't want to tie myself down to monthly payments. I'm not so compulsive that I need a phone I can use to check my email, surf the Net and blog. I found a website that says there's a software called FonLink 2.0 that's compatible with Sony-Ericksson phones and will upload files, music, photos and videos to a Mac. That would be fine, if I wanted to buy the software and yet another phone.
I'm getting closer to considering buying a PC, if only for cell-phone photos, Internet and Word (which I need for editing books since authors are sending me manuscripts written and formatted in Word). And those tiny Acer laptops, only slightly larger than a paperback, weigh less than three pounds, come with Windows XP instead of the universally-loathed Vista OS and are $350 at Costco. How liberating it would be to carry something that small and light next time I travel!
My son the webmaster long ago went to the Dark Side and now seldom uses his Mac. My first computer (in 1985) was an IBM, back when you actually had to learn DOS, but I always preferred the Mac OS and still feel a lot of resistance at the sight of a PC screen. After 25 years using computers, I feel grumpy at the prospect of having to learn a new system and a little sheepish about abandoning the Brotherhood of the Mac.
But maybe I'm just being mulish and I need to just get over it. Or maybe I'll just forget the whole thing and keep lugging my camera.
Any of you PC people want a cute little pink LG phone that takes photos?
Vinoteca Poscol
The venerable Marco Wiles (of Da Marco and Dolce Vita fame) expands his repertoire with newcomer Poscol, a casual wine bar serving small plates and pastas, cheeses, and house-cured salumi. The space that once held the Montrose Café is airy and fresh, welcoming, and decidedly unfussy. Hooray!
Not surprisingly, the menu features unique combinations, preparations, and Italian libations. Fried spaghetti, for example, offers an interesting texture and wonderful flavor, especially when topped with the tremendously awesome, semi-sweet, chunky delight of a tomato sauce served alongside.
The favorite of the night was the valpolicella risotto made with chicken, beef, and veal stocks. We scraped up every bite of this creamy goodness and considered ordering more. A close second was the beet and chickpea salad en papillote. The soft, fresh beets paired perfectly with the crispy chickpeas, and the warmed goat cheese was almost like a sauce. Skip the bruschette, but do try the distinctive Italian sandwiches -- like the one we tried with asparagus and egg.
I won’t claim to know a whole ton about Italian wines. OK, fine, I know next to nothing about them. But the selection is nice. Or if soda’s more your style, you’ve got your choice of RC Cola, Diet Rite, Squirt, and Big Red. For reals!
What’s not to like about this fun and fresh new place? Not much. I filled my belly with a nice amount of delicious vitals and a glass of prosecco, and was out the door in $25. Jackpot!
Vinoteca Poscol - 1609 Westheimer (at Mandell)
Not surprisingly, the menu features unique combinations, preparations, and Italian libations. Fried spaghetti, for example, offers an interesting texture and wonderful flavor, especially when topped with the tremendously awesome, semi-sweet, chunky delight of a tomato sauce served alongside.
The favorite of the night was the valpolicella risotto made with chicken, beef, and veal stocks. We scraped up every bite of this creamy goodness and considered ordering more. A close second was the beet and chickpea salad en papillote. The soft, fresh beets paired perfectly with the crispy chickpeas, and the warmed goat cheese was almost like a sauce. Skip the bruschette, but do try the distinctive Italian sandwiches -- like the one we tried with asparagus and egg.
I won’t claim to know a whole ton about Italian wines. OK, fine, I know next to nothing about them. But the selection is nice. Or if soda’s more your style, you’ve got your choice of RC Cola, Diet Rite, Squirt, and Big Red. For reals!
What’s not to like about this fun and fresh new place? Not much. I filled my belly with a nice amount of delicious vitals and a glass of prosecco, and was out the door in $25. Jackpot!
Vinoteca Poscol - 1609 Westheimer (at Mandell)
Saturday, Not Quite as Planned
Saturday we woke up early enough to get a good jump start at Knott's. We all left from different places but at around the same time. We got to Knott's after an uneventful drive save the big truck that took the curve to go into the 91 Fwy too fast and lost it. I can almost hear the drive going no, no, no, nooooooo... oh crap! Yeap, the truck's side was totally on the floor.
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My little duck in the front was like two full inches short from the line so he couldn't do any of the rides. Poor thing, he did a lot of crying.
We got to Knott's, parked and immediately proceeded to walk to the park. Since we had tickets we didn't have to stand in the already long lines. We went in fairly fast and started taking pictures. Once we got in there we went to the Roaring Rapids, I thought it would be better to get wet in the morning and not in the afternoon. Then we went to the bumper cars and while some of us rode in them the rest stayed buying food.
I had just asked mi chica if she was feeling good and she said she was. We were sitting there eating, I got up to take a picture and when I turned around mi chica told us she was getting dizzy. Well, if a matter of minutes her and I were driving back to my brother in law's house. We got there and she immediately went to bed where she rested for the following four hours and then woke up as if nothing happened.
I chose not to go back to Knott's but I did take a fast trip to the local Harley Davidson dealership for some drooling. Every time I go there I wish I could own a whole fleet of those bikes.
After watching two movies, "Grand Torino" and "Underworld 3" I still had enough outside day light to go out and wash the car to make it presentable for the next day. Not the way I had planned it but still a very relaxing and fun day for me.
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From Phoenix to West Covina
So, I took Friday off, the plan was to leave for California Friday morning but the car broke down and there went our plans. However as usual my father in law whom is getting kindda old is still one heck of a mechanic. The car broke down on Tuesday night, he went to check it out on Wednesday, decided the differential was totally busted, he then spent most of his Thursday looking for a used one. I had told him something but he didn't believe me then he tells me "You are right, there are no Mustangs at the junk yards". He disassembled it and had it ready, finally he found one and on Friday morning he installed it. He called and said the car was ready and by 4:00 pm we were picking it up at his house in Peoria. My son in law took it down to the car wash where he works and had it washed, a few minutes later we were on the road. The Mustang would take the trip to California after all.
We decided to drive slow as I needed to make sure the car would be working properly. Now, my sister in law was in front driving her Tahoe and she claimed she was doing 65 to 70 miles per hour, my speedometer was marking 50 mph. I kept wondering, why is she driving so slow? I say this every time I write about one of our trips but it's one hundred percent true, in our case the getting there is part of the excitement.
We always stop everywhere and are really never in a hurry. This time junior and Michelle had a screaming child so they decided to drive a little faster, we continued our slow pace although my sister in law did increase the speed by 5 miles or so.
Mi chica and the screaming child. She looks like she can't break a plate but was she was strapped on that car seat it was screaming fest.
We got to West Covina at about midnight, we were starving and just before we got to my brother in law's house we spotted a taco truck. We stopped and ate some really good tasting tacos, I was pleasantly surprised they tasted so good.
All in all, it was a nice quiet trip from Phoenix to West Covina, unfortunately both mi chica and I felt we wasted the day. Friday was to be used to go and visit friends and relatives but plans don't always go as you envision them. And they said they were waking me up at 7:00 to go to Knott's, good luck.
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Chez Panisse's Non-Glory
Houston Foodie just posted the list of the Global 50 Best Restaurants, which jogged a memory about my most recent meal at Chez Panisse. This, for you newbies, is Alice Waters’ formidable restaurant and café in Berkeley, just east of San Francisco, and receives nearly constant attention as the original home of the local food movement.
Chez Panisse offers almost no choice in the menu. Waters and her staff design one fixed-price menu for the week, and that’s what they serve. You may select the vegetarian or pescatarian options, but there are no substitutions otherwise. Waters bases her courses on seasonal foods, relying almost entirely on fresh, local ingredients, rather than on technique. This is a great idea. In theory.
When I lived in San Francisco, I dined at Chez Panisse thrice, each time enjoying my meal immensely. I visited again this past March and had the complete opposite reaction. My gripe? The menu seemed fine in writing, but turned out flat in taste. Check it.
Course One: Tempura fried squid, calamari, and oysters. Sounds like something I might order regularly, so what’s the problem? It’s that I don’t go to Chez Panisse for fried seafood. Really, I don’t. So while this dish was very much OK, there were no fireworks. Like, at all.
Course Two: Vegetable soup. I love soups -- especially brothy ones -- and I loooove vegetables, but this one lacked flavor. Even *I* can figure out what’s in season, steam it, and add it to a bowl of flavored water. Hmmm. Still waiting to be impressed...
Course Three: Pork loin. What can go wrong here?! It’s PORK LOIN for Pete’s sake. Truth be told, this was the best dish of the evening, yet lacked a punch. Telling me that the meat is grass-fed, local, and organic can’t hide that it’s also cold and gristly.
Course Four: Apple turnover. Meh. But sure was pretty :)
Previous Chez Panisse experiences notwithstanding, this one left me flat angry. I’m all for fresh, local, and seasonal -- but not for plain and boring. Again, I’m glad you grew the vegetables in your own garden, but that’s not a silver lining when they don’t taste good. Monica Pope is an Alice Waters disciple, and she manages to embody the same philosophy without leaving her patrons hungry. Perhaps the student has become the teacher.
And this, my friends, is why I was surprised to see Chez Panisse occupying the 59th spot on the list.
A little long-winded for me, no?
Chez Panisse offers almost no choice in the menu. Waters and her staff design one fixed-price menu for the week, and that’s what they serve. You may select the vegetarian or pescatarian options, but there are no substitutions otherwise. Waters bases her courses on seasonal foods, relying almost entirely on fresh, local ingredients, rather than on technique. This is a great idea. In theory.
When I lived in San Francisco, I dined at Chez Panisse thrice, each time enjoying my meal immensely. I visited again this past March and had the complete opposite reaction. My gripe? The menu seemed fine in writing, but turned out flat in taste. Check it.
Course One: Tempura fried squid, calamari, and oysters. Sounds like something I might order regularly, so what’s the problem? It’s that I don’t go to Chez Panisse for fried seafood. Really, I don’t. So while this dish was very much OK, there were no fireworks. Like, at all.
Course Two: Vegetable soup. I love soups -- especially brothy ones -- and I loooove vegetables, but this one lacked flavor. Even *I* can figure out what’s in season, steam it, and add it to a bowl of flavored water. Hmmm. Still waiting to be impressed...
Course Three: Pork loin. What can go wrong here?! It’s PORK LOIN for Pete’s sake. Truth be told, this was the best dish of the evening, yet lacked a punch. Telling me that the meat is grass-fed, local, and organic can’t hide that it’s also cold and gristly.
Course Four: Apple turnover. Meh. But sure was pretty :)
Previous Chez Panisse experiences notwithstanding, this one left me flat angry. I’m all for fresh, local, and seasonal -- but not for plain and boring. Again, I’m glad you grew the vegetables in your own garden, but that’s not a silver lining when they don’t taste good. Monica Pope is an Alice Waters disciple, and she manages to embody the same philosophy without leaving her patrons hungry. Perhaps the student has become the teacher.
And this, my friends, is why I was surprised to see Chez Panisse occupying the 59th spot on the list.
A little long-winded for me, no?
Newly-Frugal Guy to the Rescue
Cartoonist Mark Fiore's sardonic look at efforts to sabotage Obama's economic stimulus package by simultaneously cutting social services for the "unemployed, old, sick and vulnerable"(published today on Slate.com online magazine).
The Other Shoe Drops
Having heard a few days ago that a friend of ours, Ray on Pavane, fell asleep and ran aground at Cabo Corrientes, I was anxiously waiting for news about another friend, Fred, whose boat had gone missing in the same vicinity, around the same time.
Fred, who had been sailing south from Puerto Vallarta, turned up Saturday night, boatless, in the marina in Barra de Navidad with a harrowing tale to tell. Coming around Cabo Corrientes, he lost the wooden mast when a chain plate broke (that's the hardware that holds the rigging to the deck). He drifted offshore with no motor, no sails, for three days in rough seas before the locals came out in their pangas to tow him into the little Ipala Bay. He caught a bus, arrived home in Barra and began making arrangements to have Mi Sueño towed back to the marina tomorrow. His plan now (written in sand at low tide) is to fix the motor and put Mi Sueño up for auction on eBay.
Mi Sueño (my dream), which perhaps should be renamed Mi Pecadillo (my nightmare) drifted motorless and mastless off Ipala Bay for three days before her captain, Fred, was rescued by pangueros
The Capt, reminded that our boat has a chain plate that needs replacing, has set about getting that done. A failed chain plate caused our first boat, Pollo del Mar, to dismast in a sudden gale in Richmond Bay near San Rafael in 1993. Been there, done that.
In other news, the writing workshop I organized with the help of my friend Julie from Vancouver, brought in seven enthusiastic participants (I expected maybe three or four). Two men, five women. One of the women already has a book in progress, while another one is still working out her concept. The rest of us are noodling around with ideas, but everyone perked up when Julie showed off her book, "A Seven Year Journey Around the World," and talked about the advantages of self-publishing and her program, InspireABook.
Because San Carlos is a way station, most of these people will vanish in the coming months, migrating back to the States. But I'm thinking about how I can make the group a hybrid, allowing each of us to continue sharing our work online, and meet f2f at my house when they're in town.
In fact, if it's online I could open it up to others as well. There are some logistics to work out, but I think it can be done. I'm not a writing teacher, only an editor, but then, I'm not charging for it, either. The payoff, for me, will be the extra nudge to get something written.
Fred, who had been sailing south from Puerto Vallarta, turned up Saturday night, boatless, in the marina in Barra de Navidad with a harrowing tale to tell. Coming around Cabo Corrientes, he lost the wooden mast when a chain plate broke (that's the hardware that holds the rigging to the deck). He drifted offshore with no motor, no sails, for three days in rough seas before the locals came out in their pangas to tow him into the little Ipala Bay. He caught a bus, arrived home in Barra and began making arrangements to have Mi Sueño towed back to the marina tomorrow. His plan now (written in sand at low tide) is to fix the motor and put Mi Sueño up for auction on eBay.
Mi Sueño (my dream), which perhaps should be renamed Mi Pecadillo (my nightmare) drifted motorless and mastless off Ipala Bay for three days before her captain, Fred, was rescued by pangueros
The Capt, reminded that our boat has a chain plate that needs replacing, has set about getting that done. A failed chain plate caused our first boat, Pollo del Mar, to dismast in a sudden gale in Richmond Bay near San Rafael in 1993. Been there, done that.
In other news, the writing workshop I organized with the help of my friend Julie from Vancouver, brought in seven enthusiastic participants (I expected maybe three or four). Two men, five women. One of the women already has a book in progress, while another one is still working out her concept. The rest of us are noodling around with ideas, but everyone perked up when Julie showed off her book, "A Seven Year Journey Around the World," and talked about the advantages of self-publishing and her program, InspireABook.
Because San Carlos is a way station, most of these people will vanish in the coming months, migrating back to the States. But I'm thinking about how I can make the group a hybrid, allowing each of us to continue sharing our work online, and meet f2f at my house when they're in town.
In fact, if it's online I could open it up to others as well. There are some logistics to work out, but I think it can be done. I'm not a writing teacher, only an editor, but then, I'm not charging for it, either. The payoff, for me, will be the extra nudge to get something written.
Kicking the purse habit
I gave up sugar, dairy, cookies, ice cream, late night dining. Thirty years ago I gave up cigarettes. Now it's purses.
When we first moved to Mexico, I was much more fearful of crime than I am now. In the States I have been mugged, swindled, burgled (from my car, house and boat) and terrorized by a home-invasion robbery complete with guns. Here in San Carlos, after three years, I've yet to be victimized. I'm not the sort of person who wants to live in a gated community, never drives at night, regards all Mexicans as potential thieves.
But that doesn't mean I'm oblivious. The local online forum, Viva San Carlos, reports that Saturday night a gringa was mugged outside a popular local bar by a young Mexican. He knocked her down and took her purse, which was found nearby yesterday morning, minus the credit cards and cash. No weapons were displayed and she wasn't hurt, just furious. She had stepped outside to wait for her husband to pay their bill, and was only alone for about three minutes. The message was that people need to be more careful at night, women especially, and that purses should probably be left at home. The latter, I took most seriously.
I carry a brown leather backpack, which I usually sling over one shoulder rather than wearing it on my back. It holds my wallet, keys, driver's license, sunglasses, ATM card, lip balm, hairbrush, cell phone, a small notebook, pens, passport, FM-3 and my camera. I have other bags, but whenever I switch I usually leave something out that turns out to be crucial, so I've toted the same one now for over a year.
I could tuck a few bills, some ID, and a housekey in a little purse that hangs from my neck on a cord, and leave the camera at home. As long as the evenings are cool I could wear a favorite shirt of mine that has a half-dozen hidden pockets. But so many times I've gone without the camera, only to see a once-in-a-lifetime shot. Besides, a camera can be a good deterrent when it's aimed at thieves and extorting policemen (who are also accosting travelers in Hermosillo). Cell phone cameras are also handy for that purpose.
(Recently I bought a cell phone with a camera, but neither the Capt nor I can get it to upload photos to my Mac. And the girl at the TelCel kiosk says it can't be exchanged for another brand. But maybe I should carry it around anyway, for brandishing purposes.)
The concept of not carrying a purse seems liberating, yet when I do go out purseless I feel somewhat…um…naked. It's interesting how much of my identity is tied up in that leather bag.
I've never understood how men can get around without one, even if they don't need a hairbrush and lip balm. The Capt has even forsaken his wallet, settling for a Ziplock sandwich bag…"It's waterproof!" he pointed out.
Ziplock bags seem like the last resort, but I've never bought into the idea of purses as high fashion. The idea of blowing big bucks for a Prada or a Gucci sounds silly to me.
To me, this orange Versace bag doesn't scream "High Fashion!" It screams "Steal me!"
The purse issue is on my mind because I'll be out alone a bit more in the evening, on the streets of Guaymas, coming home from choir and English school. As a child, I was constantly fed the notion that, being female, I'm a potential victim, although I was never taught how to defend myself.
Recently an acquaintance mentioned to me that a judo class might be starting here in San Carlos, and I said I'd be interested. Imagine the surprise of some young ladrón , if I were to deliver a couple of well-aimed judo chops!
When we first moved to Mexico, I was much more fearful of crime than I am now. In the States I have been mugged, swindled, burgled (from my car, house and boat) and terrorized by a home-invasion robbery complete with guns. Here in San Carlos, after three years, I've yet to be victimized. I'm not the sort of person who wants to live in a gated community, never drives at night, regards all Mexicans as potential thieves.
But that doesn't mean I'm oblivious. The local online forum, Viva San Carlos, reports that Saturday night a gringa was mugged outside a popular local bar by a young Mexican. He knocked her down and took her purse, which was found nearby yesterday morning, minus the credit cards and cash. No weapons were displayed and she wasn't hurt, just furious. She had stepped outside to wait for her husband to pay their bill, and was only alone for about three minutes. The message was that people need to be more careful at night, women especially, and that purses should probably be left at home. The latter, I took most seriously.
I carry a brown leather backpack, which I usually sling over one shoulder rather than wearing it on my back. It holds my wallet, keys, driver's license, sunglasses, ATM card, lip balm, hairbrush, cell phone, a small notebook, pens, passport, FM-3 and my camera. I have other bags, but whenever I switch I usually leave something out that turns out to be crucial, so I've toted the same one now for over a year.
I could tuck a few bills, some ID, and a housekey in a little purse that hangs from my neck on a cord, and leave the camera at home. As long as the evenings are cool I could wear a favorite shirt of mine that has a half-dozen hidden pockets. But so many times I've gone without the camera, only to see a once-in-a-lifetime shot. Besides, a camera can be a good deterrent when it's aimed at thieves and extorting policemen (who are also accosting travelers in Hermosillo). Cell phone cameras are also handy for that purpose.
(Recently I bought a cell phone with a camera, but neither the Capt nor I can get it to upload photos to my Mac. And the girl at the TelCel kiosk says it can't be exchanged for another brand. But maybe I should carry it around anyway, for brandishing purposes.)
The concept of not carrying a purse seems liberating, yet when I do go out purseless I feel somewhat…um…naked. It's interesting how much of my identity is tied up in that leather bag.
I've never understood how men can get around without one, even if they don't need a hairbrush and lip balm. The Capt has even forsaken his wallet, settling for a Ziplock sandwich bag…"It's waterproof!" he pointed out.
Ziplock bags seem like the last resort, but I've never bought into the idea of purses as high fashion. The idea of blowing big bucks for a Prada or a Gucci sounds silly to me.
To me, this orange Versace bag doesn't scream "High Fashion!" It screams "Steal me!"
The purse issue is on my mind because I'll be out alone a bit more in the evening, on the streets of Guaymas, coming home from choir and English school. As a child, I was constantly fed the notion that, being female, I'm a potential victim, although I was never taught how to defend myself.
Recently an acquaintance mentioned to me that a judo class might be starting here in San Carlos, and I said I'd be interested. Imagine the surprise of some young ladrón , if I were to deliver a couple of well-aimed judo chops!
A mini-meetup
We may have missed out on the big annual Mexico bloggers' meet-up in Mérida, but we had our own mini meetup at La Barca restaurant in Guaymas last night when our intrepid friend Steve arrived with his brother Darrel and Mr. Jiggs, Brenda and Roy. Steve is on his way to Melaque, where he's starting his new life. Heady stuff!
Steve's stoked, even after two days of driving, and we were glad to have a chance to hear about their adventures on the road. These past few days are the longest the brothers have been together since they've been adults, so it's a long-overdue never-to-be-forgotten experience for the two of them. I was thrilled to be a small part of it.
Buen viaje, Steve, Darrel and Jiggs!
(clockwise) Roy and Steve, me and Brenda. Darrel was our photographer. Thanks, Darrel!
Steve's stoked, even after two days of driving, and we were glad to have a chance to hear about their adventures on the road. These past few days are the longest the brothers have been together since they've been adults, so it's a long-overdue never-to-be-forgotten experience for the two of them. I was thrilled to be a small part of it.
Buen viaje, Steve, Darrel and Jiggs!
(clockwise) Roy and Steve, me and Brenda. Darrel was our photographer. Thanks, Darrel!
Raindrop Chocolates
Raindrop Chocolates is such a happy place. Indeed, your spirits rise just walking into the well-lit store. But nothing compares to the elation you feel upon biting into one of the decadent desserts.
Truffles are bite-sized bits of heaven in flavors like salted caramel, malt, sweet curry, lavender, chipotle tequila, and a variety of fruits. But don’t overlook the gelato, dense and creamy in flavors like fig, coconut, dark chocolate blood orange, almond, and tiramisu. And everything -- truffles, gelatos, cakes, and other chocolate-covered treats -- is handmade in house from the finest ingredients. It is true, unadulterated, concrete bliss.
But wanna know something sad? Raindrop Chocolates is closing on April 26. You’ll want to stop in beforehand.
Raindrop Chocolates - 810 Waugh (near W. Dallas)
Truffles are bite-sized bits of heaven in flavors like salted caramel, malt, sweet curry, lavender, chipotle tequila, and a variety of fruits. But don’t overlook the gelato, dense and creamy in flavors like fig, coconut, dark chocolate blood orange, almond, and tiramisu. And everything -- truffles, gelatos, cakes, and other chocolate-covered treats -- is handmade in house from the finest ingredients. It is true, unadulterated, concrete bliss.
But wanna know something sad? Raindrop Chocolates is closing on April 26. You’ll want to stop in beforehand.
Raindrop Chocolates - 810 Waugh (near W. Dallas)
There but for the grace...
The morning ham network reports that our friend Ray lost his boat Pavane when he was attempting to round Cabo Corrientes single-handed this week. Ray's OK, but his boat was totaled and is now breaking up on the rocks. With his many years' experience sailing alone on the Mexican coast he was a mentor to us.
Our British friend Fred on Mi Sueno was in the same area, with a disabled diesel, and is now two days late getting home. The Capt is waiting in Barra de Navidad, Fred's destination port, hoping to hear from him. And next week it's the Capt's turn to sail around that notorious cape, also singlehanded. I'm hoping he'll buddy-boat with another friend, Herb on Synchrony.
I've been around Corrientes at least six times, and though it wasn't a cakewalk, it wasn't all that bad. But there have been some gales coming through that area in the past week and it's a scary place to be when the winds are on the nose: no place to tuck in and wait it out. It has a reputation as the roughest stretch along the Mexican mainland coast.
Semana Santa by the numbers
People in San Carlos during Semana Santa, 2009: 362,000.
Accidents: 23.
In custody: 157.
Red Cross services: 118.
Rescate of San Carlos ambulance services: 162.
As far as we know, nobody died.
Accidents: 23.
In custody: 157.
Red Cross services: 118.
Rescate of San Carlos ambulance services: 162.
As far as we know, nobody died.
La Cantadora
I love the Mexican musicians' tradition of wearing giant sobreros onstage. They make it look easy, but having worn one myself (briefly!), I can attest that the shade they offer doesn't make up for the distraction of that weight and visual limitation when they're performing.
Placido Domingo sings rancheros with a sombrero-wearing mariachi band, including a lady mariachi
Sombreros were originally a guy thing, but I've noticed on the Mexican version of MTV that songstresses are wearing them too, now and then, just as the women in mariachi bands wear a long-skirted silver-studded version of the classic mariachi outfit.
My mother collected a whole album of photos of me at all ages, and this was one I must have sent her when I was in my twenties, decades before I ever conceived of singing in Spanish.
Placido Domingo sings rancheros with a sombrero-wearing mariachi band, including a lady mariachi
Sombreros were originally a guy thing, but I've noticed on the Mexican version of MTV that songstresses are wearing them too, now and then, just as the women in mariachi bands wear a long-skirted silver-studded version of the classic mariachi outfit.
My mother collected a whole album of photos of me at all ages, and this was one I must have sent her when I was in my twenties, decades before I ever conceived of singing in Spanish.
Adventuring Out: Crawfish!
It’s back! After a long hiatus which included Spring Break and a week-long visit to several colleges around the South, Foodventure Nights are on the docket once again. We’ve already dabbled in Indian, Vietnamese, and Greek, so last night we wrangled 15 students down to Floyd’s Cajun for crawfish, gumbo, and etouffee.
Floyd’s features a Happy Hour special of 5 pounds of crawfish for $3.95/pound, and despite early hesitations, most students found the courage to share some mudbugs with their buddies. Our math teacher and resident crawfish expert offered a step-by-step tutorial on how to twist-n-peel the little guys, and then let the kiddos have at it.
The scene was hilariously fun. Students loved the eclectic process and strange new spices, and were -- of course -- shocked by the minute amount of meat that accompanies such gruesome work.
After the crawfish samplers, we moved on to massive plates of Cajun classics. Creamy jambalaya with Andouille sausage was a definite hit, as was the seafood gumbo and anything fried. We ate to our limits, and nearly everyone went home with a doggy bag.
The entire evening was a fantastic success, but I find myself with one lingering question: What kind of teacher encourages her students to suck the head? Please, YES Prep, don’t fire me.
Floyd’s features a Happy Hour special of 5 pounds of crawfish for $3.95/pound, and despite early hesitations, most students found the courage to share some mudbugs with their buddies. Our math teacher and resident crawfish expert offered a step-by-step tutorial on how to twist-n-peel the little guys, and then let the kiddos have at it.
The scene was hilariously fun. Students loved the eclectic process and strange new spices, and were -- of course -- shocked by the minute amount of meat that accompanies such gruesome work.
After the crawfish samplers, we moved on to massive plates of Cajun classics. Creamy jambalaya with Andouille sausage was a definite hit, as was the seafood gumbo and anything fried. We ate to our limits, and nearly everyone went home with a doggy bag.
The entire evening was a fantastic success, but I find myself with one lingering question: What kind of teacher encourages her students to suck the head? Please, YES Prep, don’t fire me.
A Little From Here and There
A quick note, Wanda's operation is tomorrow, if you read this and feel like spreading some cheer say a prayer for her and maybe even give her a heart warming comment on her blog.CLICK HERE! TO SAY HI TO WANDA
OK here's the skinny on things. It's Wednesday and I am still not a hundred percent, although I still say I'm getting better. I'm telling ya, that affair between the toilet paper and my nose continues to grow more intimate. Not my idea of a romance though, I would just be as happy if we parted ways right this instant.
The Fabulous Fords Forever car show is this weekend, but now my Mustang decided not to be so fabulous and decided to break down yesterday. Ugly grinding sound tells me it may not make the trip. This changes things as we were planning on leaving Friday morning. The good thing is that I am grateful it happened here as I was leaving my sister's house and not out in the middle of nowhere or in California.
Mi chica and I contemplated on renting a car for the weekend and still let the kids use our van but nowadays renting is not cheap. You figure with this economy we would have found some deals but nope, it didn't happen. My father in law will still try to check my car and try to determine what's wrong with it. He's been known to fix it very quickly on previous occasions so that one tiny little hope is still alive. Otherwise I will have to lose my entry fee for the car show.
Anyway, one way or another, we are all looking forward to our California Trip. Final tally came to about 30 of us going to Cali for the weekend. Should be fun, should be wild, should be a one of a kind trip, but then again all of our trips are.
And in other news, American Idol is way too equal this year. The heavy favorites continue to move forward even when they are out sang by the lesser favorites. I watched the show last night and came to the conclusion that what I said last week about Lil not being all that was reaffirmed this week. I just don't get the hype, in the meantime Allison Iraheta consistently out sings her week after week, why isn't she getting the fan base is beyond me. I just don't get it.
Danny, a super favorite from the beginning has left me wondering if he really is as good as they have promoted him to be. Truth is I was bored with his performance as was I bored with Kris'. The song Kris sang may have won an Oscar but it was still very slow and boring for this competition.
Matt, blows my mind one week and disappoints the next, I wouldn't be shocked if he leaves tonight, but people have set Anoop as their target. Again, why don't people like him, he has shown he can sing. I for one want to see him again next week. I do.
And what can I say about Adam, this guy has been the most unpredictable contestant ever. I seems that every week millions of us are just waiting to see what he is going to come up with, other than during Country Week which I hated his rendition of Rings of Fire, I have liked everything else he has come up with. Watching this guy is like watching a concert already, yes I think he is that good.
I know to many I am way off, but I would really, really love an all Rock finale with Allison and Adam being the last two standing. Danny lovers before you start hating me just remember Taylor Hicks. It really isn't cool to be the winner when you know in fact you were not.
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Mid-Range Lovin': Where Do You Go for $25?
Congratulations to our fair city, now basking in the national spotlight for our kickin’ food scene! It’s truly fantastic to see others heap praise on Bryan Caswell (who was just named to Food & Wine’s list of best new chefs), on Feast (which received a stellar write-up in the New York Times), and on Textile, VOICE, REEF, and Feast for their spots on Travel + Leisure’s list of the 50 Best New Restaurants.
Indeed we get much recognition for our awesome-n-expensive... and plenty of accolades for our awesome-n-cheap. But where, prey tell, are the awesome in-betweeners? Are they lost in the shuffle -- or do they not exist at all?
What I’m looking for is a simple, nice night out with friends for about $25. I could do well for $15 or $50, but that elusive mid-range is where we fall short, methinks. I *love* Backstreet Café, Shade, and Café Rabelais, but always end up spending well more than intended. Am I looking for value in all the wrong places?
Here are five faves...
Dolce Vita – No surprise here. Dolce Vita cranks out amazing apps and some of the best pizza around. And while they only take reservations for parties of 6+, the cozy bar offers decent people watching, as well as a nice selection of reasonably priced wines. The prosciutto pizza is a long-standing favorite, as are the amazing green beans (fagiolini).
Seco’s – This place is a bit of a paradox. It’s an upscale Mexican joint with crazy-fresh ingredients, yet the price is beyond reasonable. Truly it’s the restaurant trifecta: great food, great space, great service. Spinach enchiladas are epic, and the fish dishes are outstanding as well. Actually, I dare you to find something you don’t like.
Shandy’s – This tiny café on Memorial at Westcott serves terrific sandwiches, soups, burgers, and salads with absolutely zero pretense. Menu items are homemade with fresh ingredients and served up by Shandy, herself. When you go, be sure to note the amazingness of her arms. Also, fyi, there’s a small wine list, and I’d like to re-nominate Shandy’s BLT as the best in the city.
Oporto – I both love and hate the small plates concept, but they work well at this semi-swanky wine bar. One-and-a-half or two tapas and a glass of wine does the trick here, all for about $25. The Oportobella (a marinated portobello baked with a spinach and artichoke gratin) is fantastic, as are the piquillo peppers. Oh small plates, why must you taunt me so?
Tiny Boxwood’s -- Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Thompson + Hansen’s beautiful café achieves an enviable mix of comfort and style. Beautiful simplicity reigns when it comes to both food and setting, but not price (why does simplicity always cost so much?). Anyway, I luuurve the Pizza Bianca, and the turkey/avocado club on sourdough ranks high, too.
Your turn! What are your favorite mid-range spots?
Indeed we get much recognition for our awesome-n-expensive... and plenty of accolades for our awesome-n-cheap. But where, prey tell, are the awesome in-betweeners? Are they lost in the shuffle -- or do they not exist at all?
What I’m looking for is a simple, nice night out with friends for about $25. I could do well for $15 or $50, but that elusive mid-range is where we fall short, methinks. I *love* Backstreet Café, Shade, and Café Rabelais, but always end up spending well more than intended. Am I looking for value in all the wrong places?
Here are five faves...
Dolce Vita – No surprise here. Dolce Vita cranks out amazing apps and some of the best pizza around. And while they only take reservations for parties of 6+, the cozy bar offers decent people watching, as well as a nice selection of reasonably priced wines. The prosciutto pizza is a long-standing favorite, as are the amazing green beans (fagiolini).
Seco’s – This place is a bit of a paradox. It’s an upscale Mexican joint with crazy-fresh ingredients, yet the price is beyond reasonable. Truly it’s the restaurant trifecta: great food, great space, great service. Spinach enchiladas are epic, and the fish dishes are outstanding as well. Actually, I dare you to find something you don’t like.
Shandy’s – This tiny café on Memorial at Westcott serves terrific sandwiches, soups, burgers, and salads with absolutely zero pretense. Menu items are homemade with fresh ingredients and served up by Shandy, herself. When you go, be sure to note the amazingness of her arms. Also, fyi, there’s a small wine list, and I’d like to re-nominate Shandy’s BLT as the best in the city.
Oporto – I both love and hate the small plates concept, but they work well at this semi-swanky wine bar. One-and-a-half or two tapas and a glass of wine does the trick here, all for about $25. The Oportobella (a marinated portobello baked with a spinach and artichoke gratin) is fantastic, as are the piquillo peppers. Oh small plates, why must you taunt me so?
Tiny Boxwood’s -- Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Thompson + Hansen’s beautiful café achieves an enviable mix of comfort and style. Beautiful simplicity reigns when it comes to both food and setting, but not price (why does simplicity always cost so much?). Anyway, I luuurve the Pizza Bianca, and the turkey/avocado club on sourdough ranks high, too.
Your turn! What are your favorite mid-range spots?
Back on Track
I've broken out of my cocoon, and though my wings are still a bit soggy, I'm beginning to fly… a little.
We had a very enjoyable, sometimes hilarious Spanish conversation class at Lolita's house yesterday, and afterward I agreed to join her church choir again for El Día de San Fernando, coming up next month. I'll go to her house on Wednesdays, have a private singing session with her, and then the choir will trickle in and we'll practice. I've missed the people I sang with at Christmas, and the immersion experience (out of the ten members, only Lolita and the tenor speak any English) will be good for me.
I also talked myself into finally starting a weekly writers' group, with a little help from my friend Julie. We'll be meeting on Monday afternoons, so I'm going to have to come up with writing of some sort every week… and no, the blog isn't adequate for that, although there's a lot of material here. I'm not a writing teacher, but what I have to offer is the loan of quite a few writers' books, some editing help and some encouragement.
There's also an ongoing English class in Guaymas, two sessions a day, and I've volunteered to help with at least one session Thursday afternoons. The format is fairly relaxed, so we just go in and have conversations with students of all ages. I'm drawn to this sort of class because I want to work with motivated students looking to improve their job prospects, instead of spoiled ninõs who only show up because their parents pay for private school, who have no real interest in learning English.
Then there's a yoga class I'd be silly not to participate in, since they're all friends, I desperately need the exercise, and it's free. What's not to like? I won't be able to do the standing and balancing poses right away, but I can at least get into the mat work.
Meanwhile, I'm hoping to hear from cruising friends who'll be passing through San Carlos to put their boats in dry storage before heading back to the States, and I've invited quite a few of them for dinner.
These past two weeks of solitude and inactivity have taught me some things about myself. That I need other people. That when I've isolated myself too long, it's difficult to re-engage with the world; even driving and talking on the phone become challenging. That even brief time spent with friends elevates my whole day. That being by myself for too long makes me weird.
I'm Almost Recovered
Oh man this was not good at all, I don't even know if I had the flu or not but I had something that put me down since Thursday night. My nose and the toilet paper and in a sort of relationship that they never thought would develop. I felt better yesterday and we were able have our Easter Dinner at my son's house.
This morning I woke up and got up to turn the shower on but I immediately asked mi chica whom by the way is also sick to turn it off. I really needed one more day to recuperate. For the most part I am feeling a lot better but now I have a body ache. Could be from too much bed time but I just think my body has taken a toll between the constant nose blowing and this pain in the butt of a cough that I too developed along the way.
Now it is very important to be well by Thursday night because we need to be 100% next week for our California trip. We've been waiting for it for too long to be all sick.
The plan still is to leave for Los Angeles on Friday early morning so we can get there at an early time that will allow us to rest, after that it will be a hectic weekend.
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This morning I woke up and got up to turn the shower on but I immediately asked mi chica whom by the way is also sick to turn it off. I really needed one more day to recuperate. For the most part I am feeling a lot better but now I have a body ache. Could be from too much bed time but I just think my body has taken a toll between the constant nose blowing and this pain in the butt of a cough that I too developed along the way.
Now it is very important to be well by Thursday night because we need to be 100% next week for our California trip. We've been waiting for it for too long to be all sick.
A dear friend of mine that some of you may already know is going to have an operation next Thursday. Wanda of "Brushstrokes from the Heart" will need many prayers and good wishes not only from those of us that know her and love her but from anybody else that may want to send prayers her way. A soothing comment from a stranger sometimes moves mountains, please keep her in mind during this week.
Wanda's strength in her faith is one of the biggest things she has going for her as she gets ready to do what is needed to do for her to conquer this. Please join me in keeping her in our minds and prayers.
The plan still is to leave for Los Angeles on Friday early morning so we can get there at an early time that will allow us to rest, after that it will be a hectic weekend.
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Dinner at Catalan
Year upon year Catalan lives up to its reputation as one of the best restaurants in the city. And not surprisingly. The good people at the upscale bistro have not only captured a winning formula, they also make it look easy. Servers, chefs, and sommelier slide gracefully around the low-lit room, maintaining their equanimity despite a packed house and crowded kitchen. Truly this is beautiful food in a beautiful space. But it’s also exceedingly loud. You’d be wise to ask for a table around the perimeter.
At Catalan it’s all about technique. As far as appetizers go, you won’t want to miss the roasted pork belly topped with a pure cane syrup; this dish will have your mouth singing in sugary seconds. The fresh and crispy crabmeat croquettes are certainly worth a try. Even the “redneck” mac and cheese, in its creamy splendor, could find a spot on the best dressed list.
While the entrees aren’t always perfectly executed, they don’t ever miss by much. The crabmeat crusted grouper ruled the table, beautifully prepared in that melt-in-your-mouth kind of way, although the adjoining Israeli couscous offered too many flavors at once. The local triggerfish (which gets top billing by the chef, himself) arrived lukewarm and lacking the expected fireworks.
There’s even a section of the menu for all you “Houston radicals.” It’s called the Chef’s Playground, so named because it contains a handful of the chef’s most rambunctious and inspired dishes, like barbecued head-on shrimp and housemade corned beef. P.S. you can add foie gras to anything; it says so right on the menu.
Not like I need to tell you, but don’t skip dessert. The peanut butter bread pudding is a perfect end to a near perfect evening.
Catalan - 5555 Washington (at TC Jester)
At Catalan it’s all about technique. As far as appetizers go, you won’t want to miss the roasted pork belly topped with a pure cane syrup; this dish will have your mouth singing in sugary seconds. The fresh and crispy crabmeat croquettes are certainly worth a try. Even the “redneck” mac and cheese, in its creamy splendor, could find a spot on the best dressed list.
While the entrees aren’t always perfectly executed, they don’t ever miss by much. The crabmeat crusted grouper ruled the table, beautifully prepared in that melt-in-your-mouth kind of way, although the adjoining Israeli couscous offered too many flavors at once. The local triggerfish (which gets top billing by the chef, himself) arrived lukewarm and lacking the expected fireworks.
There’s even a section of the menu for all you “Houston radicals.” It’s called the Chef’s Playground, so named because it contains a handful of the chef’s most rambunctious and inspired dishes, like barbecued head-on shrimp and housemade corned beef. P.S. you can add foie gras to anything; it says so right on the menu.
Not like I need to tell you, but don’t skip dessert. The peanut butter bread pudding is a perfect end to a near perfect evening.
Catalan - 5555 Washington (at TC Jester)
Feliz Pasqua...and Happy Easter, too
Forget the dyed eggs, the candy and the new spring outfits. I can't think of a better way to celebrate Easter than to listen to Handel's "Messiah." Not just the "Hallelujah Chorus" which is the part most familiar to all of us, but also the "Amen" which brings tears to my eyes with its gorgeous and complex interweaving of voices. When I first joined the local choir in Mendocino, CA, the "Messiah" was the first piece we worked on, and singing it was one of the high points of my life. Handel wrote "Messiah" in 24 days, for the Easter season, and the first performance was to benefit hospitals for the mentally ill.
This YouTube version of the "Amen" takes you on a journey through the galaxy.
This YouTube version of the "Amen" takes you on a journey through the galaxy.
Oh No I'm Sick
Now here's a rare thing for me to blog about but I am sick. I woke up yesterday and I told I had a severe case of allergies, I went to work and stuck it out all day but as I got to my mom's house for dinner I was feeling miserable. I only stayed with her for a short while and headed home. By the time mi chica got there I was hot, so needless to say I stayed home on Friday and did absolutely nothing but stay in bed.I am just getting up, mi chica came home and cooked some very delicious fish for me and I'm already feeling a little better. Luckily I have Saturday and Sunday to get well.
I am hoping I'll be fine on Sunday because the plan is to go to my son's house for Easter. I will be so nice to have my whole family there. I know my seven grand kids always look forward to the Easter Egg Hunt and to the treats they get in their baskets. Should be a nice time. Maybe on Sunday I'll post some pictures as I am sure they will all look grand in their new outfits mi chica bought for them.
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