I am a little slow posting pictures, but here is Justin with Karsyn and Landrie last week at Babe's.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Justin and "The Girls"
I am a little slow posting pictures, but here is Justin with Karsyn and Landrie last week at Babe's.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
My Restaurant Pet Peeves
I love salt. I am not one of those who automatically salts my food before tasting, but I don't have any problem adding it until it tastes just right. Sometimes I do go a little overboard. I could probably drop my blood pressure medicine if I lost the salt shaker, but I would rather just take a little pill and enjoy my food.
I have decided that some waitstaff in restaurants don't want you to use the salt. If you do, then that means at the end of the day, they have to refill it and they don't like to. They will pack it in so tight, that nothing will come out. At Blue Mesa, they use sea salt and it is so large, it won't fit through the holes of the shakers. My favorite shakers are the new "grinders" that a lot of restaurants are using. The salt is fresh and comes out easily and it has a cap on it so hopefully if parents let their children play with it, their slobber doesn't get on the inside. How many times have you tried to get salt out of a shaker only to discover it is damp and stuck? I hate to think about what made it damp.
When I drink tea at a restaurant, I add Equal until I get it just right. I hate it when I am not paying attention and the waiter fills it up and messes with my mix. It takes time to get it just right again. I had a really nice waiter at La Hacienda Ranch last week ask me if it was okay before he filled it up. That was a first.
Another pet peeve is if my Dr. Pepper is empty and I don't have anything to drink, please just bring me another one. You don't need to ask, just bring it anyway.
A bad smelling restaurant will make me want to run out of the door fast. A seafood restaurant that smells is scary. A old musty smell makes me worry about the condition of the kitchen. Very rarely will I ask to be moved when seated, but a seat close to the bathroom will make me bolt quickly. At La Hacienda Ranch, there are several tables close to the bathroom. They have a very strong deodorizer that they use, so when you are at those tables, you don't smell fajitas, you smell deodorizer.
Last but not least, is when I don't order alcohol with my meal and I am given the snub. We go to a lot of nice restaurants. When you refuse the wine list, you can see the look on the waiters face. "Why did I get these people at my table. There goes the good tip I was hoping for." I give good tips, even when you have an attitude and don't give me good service. I will make it worth your while.
I would love to be a restaurant consultant. Eating out as much as we do, I definitely have strong opinions about dining experiences and service.
I have decided that some waitstaff in restaurants don't want you to use the salt. If you do, then that means at the end of the day, they have to refill it and they don't like to. They will pack it in so tight, that nothing will come out. At Blue Mesa, they use sea salt and it is so large, it won't fit through the holes of the shakers. My favorite shakers are the new "grinders" that a lot of restaurants are using. The salt is fresh and comes out easily and it has a cap on it so hopefully if parents let their children play with it, their slobber doesn't get on the inside. How many times have you tried to get salt out of a shaker only to discover it is damp and stuck? I hate to think about what made it damp.
When I drink tea at a restaurant, I add Equal until I get it just right. I hate it when I am not paying attention and the waiter fills it up and messes with my mix. It takes time to get it just right again. I had a really nice waiter at La Hacienda Ranch last week ask me if it was okay before he filled it up. That was a first.
Another pet peeve is if my Dr. Pepper is empty and I don't have anything to drink, please just bring me another one. You don't need to ask, just bring it anyway.
A bad smelling restaurant will make me want to run out of the door fast. A seafood restaurant that smells is scary. A old musty smell makes me worry about the condition of the kitchen. Very rarely will I ask to be moved when seated, but a seat close to the bathroom will make me bolt quickly. At La Hacienda Ranch, there are several tables close to the bathroom. They have a very strong deodorizer that they use, so when you are at those tables, you don't smell fajitas, you smell deodorizer.
Last but not least, is when I don't order alcohol with my meal and I am given the snub. We go to a lot of nice restaurants. When you refuse the wine list, you can see the look on the waiters face. "Why did I get these people at my table. There goes the good tip I was hoping for." I give good tips, even when you have an attitude and don't give me good service. I will make it worth your while.
I would love to be a restaurant consultant. Eating out as much as we do, I definitely have strong opinions about dining experiences and service.
Monday, July 9, 2007
2 New Ones and an Oldie Revisited
I survived July 4th/birthday week. This is almost like Christmas for me. For the past 20 years, I have had the July 4th party along with birthday celebrations for Justin and Janelle. I have always tried to make everyones birthday their special day.
Friday night, Pops and I wanted to eat some place different, so we tried a new place to us in Haltom City on Denton Highway called "The Wooden Nickel." When we pulled up, I wasn't sure I wanted to go there. It could use a little "fluffing" on the outside. When we went inside, the first thing Pops said to me was, "this place smells musty." He got the words out before I could. That is one of my famous phrases when going into an old restaurant. I am always concerned when the smell of "mustiness" out smells the food.
The food was actually pretty good. The inside was also pretty run down. If the food was served at a better location, I would probably go back. I had the catfish and Pops had the "smoked brisket."
Saturday night, for Janelle's birthday, we went to Babe's in Carrollton. It was sooooo good and soooo fattening. Everything was good, especially the corn. Babe's is in an old building, but I didn't smell any "mustiness" at all.
Last night, we decided to try Pappa's Burger. I must say, I was a little shocked by the prices. Now I don't mind dropping some $$$$ for good food, but $9.75 for a hamburger is a little steep. The ordering set up is kind of strange too. You walk in the door and order, get your bill and your drink and then find your own table. Your waiter comes to your table and then asks if you want additional food and then brings your food and your check. Not only are you paying big bucks for a burger, but you also pay $2.25 for a drink + tax and tip. That is $15+ for a hamburger.
The buns were really good, but I do not like thick meat. The hamburger pattie was barely seasoned and tasted like a just a big old blog of meat. The french fries were okay. I probably won't go back.
Friday night, Pops and I wanted to eat some place different, so we tried a new place to us in Haltom City on Denton Highway called "The Wooden Nickel." When we pulled up, I wasn't sure I wanted to go there. It could use a little "fluffing" on the outside. When we went inside, the first thing Pops said to me was, "this place smells musty." He got the words out before I could. That is one of my famous phrases when going into an old restaurant. I am always concerned when the smell of "mustiness" out smells the food.
The food was actually pretty good. The inside was also pretty run down. If the food was served at a better location, I would probably go back. I had the catfish and Pops had the "smoked brisket."
Saturday night, for Janelle's birthday, we went to Babe's in Carrollton. It was sooooo good and soooo fattening. Everything was good, especially the corn. Babe's is in an old building, but I didn't smell any "mustiness" at all.
Last night, we decided to try Pappa's Burger. I must say, I was a little shocked by the prices. Now I don't mind dropping some $$$$ for good food, but $9.75 for a hamburger is a little steep. The ordering set up is kind of strange too. You walk in the door and order, get your bill and your drink and then find your own table. Your waiter comes to your table and then asks if you want additional food and then brings your food and your check. Not only are you paying big bucks for a burger, but you also pay $2.25 for a drink + tax and tip. That is $15+ for a hamburger.
The buns were really good, but I do not like thick meat. The hamburger pattie was barely seasoned and tasted like a just a big old blog of meat. The french fries were okay. I probably won't go back.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Happy Birthday Janelle
My baby girl turned 20 today, 07/07/07. I can still remember the day she was born. She has turned in to a beautiful sweet girl and I am so proud of her. She will be starting her junior year at college in August. She works for a clothing store in Southlake in her spare time and she is always getting recognized for her accomplishments. Just this week, she was recognized for having the most credits in the district. Way to go Janelle.
It is hard to believe that I don't have any teenagers anymore. I have had one for the past 15 years. I guess that means I am getting old. I can't keep pretending that I am 40 when all my kids are in their 20's.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Time Travel Tuesday - Your Wedding Day
Annie at "My Life As Annie" is hosting Time Travel Tuesday. The prompt is to travel back in time and visit your wedding day.
Pops and I met when we were 15. All I wanted to do was get married and have babies. I got engaged when I was 20, and married at 21. My Dad told us that if we would get married at home, he would give us the money that he would spend on the wedding. We used it as a down payment for our first house.
All we wanted to do was get married and be together. We didn't want a honeymoon. We just wanted to be in our house. It was supposed to be finished around the first of November. We chose November 24th as our wedding date to allow for any delays. Unfortunately, the house was not finished because it was in the middle of deer hunting season.
We had a nice wedding and reception at home with a few close friends and family members. We went to dinner at "The Keg", which was our favorite special occasion place at the time. We decided to spend the night at "The Green Oaks Inn". We got up the next morning and went Christmas shopping all day. We had to go back to my parents house and stay there for a week. It was kind of crazy because my sister and her husband and my grandmother were also living there. One big happy family.
One of the funniest memories I have about my wedding day is that my mother-in-law asked Pops that morning if he wanted her to buy him some pajamas and a robe. He has not owned a pair of pajamas since he was in elementary school.
It has been almost 29 years and we are having a blast!
Pops and I met when we were 15. All I wanted to do was get married and have babies. I got engaged when I was 20, and married at 21. My Dad told us that if we would get married at home, he would give us the money that he would spend on the wedding. We used it as a down payment for our first house.
All we wanted to do was get married and be together. We didn't want a honeymoon. We just wanted to be in our house. It was supposed to be finished around the first of November. We chose November 24th as our wedding date to allow for any delays. Unfortunately, the house was not finished because it was in the middle of deer hunting season.
We had a nice wedding and reception at home with a few close friends and family members. We went to dinner at "The Keg", which was our favorite special occasion place at the time. We decided to spend the night at "The Green Oaks Inn". We got up the next morning and went Christmas shopping all day. We had to go back to my parents house and stay there for a week. It was kind of crazy because my sister and her husband and my grandmother were also living there. One big happy family.
One of the funniest memories I have about my wedding day is that my mother-in-law asked Pops that morning if he wanted her to buy him some pajamas and a robe. He has not owned a pair of pajamas since he was in elementary school.
It has been almost 29 years and we are having a blast!
Happy Birthday Justin
My only son turned 25 yesterday. He is so much fun and I am so proud to be his Momma. From about 16 to 23 he lived a rough life. He lived on the edge and life was a constant party. Partying can be a great thing, but not the way he partied. He finally decided at about 23 1/2 that this was not the lifestyle God had intended him to live and he made some major changes. I still think it is funny that even though he was not living like I wanted him to, he called every single day, at least once.
He used to promise me he would quit partying when he graduated from college, but he continued a while longer. I am proud of the person he has become. He has a great job, has started a landscaping business on the side and just bought his dream truck. All he needs is a good woman. I have been his woman for the past 25 years and I am ready to hand that job off to someone else, and he is too.
We had a fun party last night with Marc and Tiffany and their family. After the party, Marc, Steven and Justin went to the tattoo parlor against my wishes. Thank you Marc for talking him out of it AGAIN.
Justin has never had a birthday cake, because he doesn't like cake. We have had lots of pies and ice cream desserts. Sandra, an interior decorator that shares office space with Justin is always bringing him food and she brought him a Strawberry Cake that he loved, so he wanted me to make it for his birthday. It was so good. Here is the recipe:
Strawberry Cake
1 Duncan Hines Strawberry Supreme Cake Mix
2 10 oz. packages of frozen strawberries, thawed
1 small package of instant vanilla pudding
1 C. milk
1 8 oz. Cool Whip
Make cake according to the directions in a 9 x 13 pan. Bake and cool. Poke several large holes in the cake with a wooden spoon handle. Puree strawberries with juice in a food processor. Evenly spread on cake. Mix pudding with milk and fold in Cool Whip. Spread on cake. Refrigerate at least 4 hours.
Happy Birthday Justin
He used to promise me he would quit partying when he graduated from college, but he continued a while longer. I am proud of the person he has become. He has a great job, has started a landscaping business on the side and just bought his dream truck. All he needs is a good woman. I have been his woman for the past 25 years and I am ready to hand that job off to someone else, and he is too.
We had a fun party last night with Marc and Tiffany and their family. After the party, Marc, Steven and Justin went to the tattoo parlor against my wishes. Thank you Marc for talking him out of it AGAIN.
Justin has never had a birthday cake, because he doesn't like cake. We have had lots of pies and ice cream desserts. Sandra, an interior decorator that shares office space with Justin is always bringing him food and she brought him a Strawberry Cake that he loved, so he wanted me to make it for his birthday. It was so good. Here is the recipe:
Strawberry Cake
1 Duncan Hines Strawberry Supreme Cake Mix
2 10 oz. packages of frozen strawberries, thawed
1 small package of instant vanilla pudding
1 C. milk
1 8 oz. Cool Whip
Make cake according to the directions in a 9 x 13 pan. Bake and cool. Poke several large holes in the cake with a wooden spoon handle. Puree strawberries with juice in a food processor. Evenly spread on cake. Mix pudding with milk and fold in Cool Whip. Spread on cake. Refrigerate at least 4 hours.
Happy Birthday Justin
Fun Summer
It is hard to believe that 5 days ago, I was relaxing on the beach in La Jolla. It only takes about 24 hours to come back home and get back to the real world and forget how fun and relaxing your time away was. The only negative about my traveling is that while I am laying on the beach, Pops is working. We need to add on a couple of days so he can relax too.
We are going to Vegas soon, so he will get to do his favorite thing, which is lay out by the Bellagio pool and read. This trip will be extra fun because we are going with Jim and Kathy and Tom and Donna. I can't wait.
The rest of the summer, it looks like we will be going to San Francisco again, San Diego two more times, Philadelphia and Vancouver. Although Pops has to work, he does love having a dinner companion at night and someone to sleep with. :)
I am hoping the weather will calm down. I don't know how many more stressful flights I can take. When we were at the airport at DFW on Tuesday, we were watching the planes stack up and NOT take off. After an hour, they had still not moved and we counted 30, but we could not see the whole runway, plus there are several runways. I got a little nervous. They still loaded us up and took us out to wait. I took 2 pills before I got on and then took 2 more after the pilot said there were 40 ahead of us and not moving. I was so relaxed and sleepy that I didn't even care. The AC was on full force and I slept a bunch. I even slept in the car on the way to the hotel. I was quite happy!!!!
On our way home, we were delayed by 1 1/2 hours, but we were waiting in the airport, so that wasn't as bad. I hope the rain will stop after this week and we will be smooth sailing the rest of the summer.
We are going to Vegas soon, so he will get to do his favorite thing, which is lay out by the Bellagio pool and read. This trip will be extra fun because we are going with Jim and Kathy and Tom and Donna. I can't wait.
The rest of the summer, it looks like we will be going to San Francisco again, San Diego two more times, Philadelphia and Vancouver. Although Pops has to work, he does love having a dinner companion at night and someone to sleep with. :)
I am hoping the weather will calm down. I don't know how many more stressful flights I can take. When we were at the airport at DFW on Tuesday, we were watching the planes stack up and NOT take off. After an hour, they had still not moved and we counted 30, but we could not see the whole runway, plus there are several runways. I got a little nervous. They still loaded us up and took us out to wait. I took 2 pills before I got on and then took 2 more after the pilot said there were 40 ahead of us and not moving. I was so relaxed and sleepy that I didn't even care. The AC was on full force and I slept a bunch. I even slept in the car on the way to the hotel. I was quite happy!!!!
On our way home, we were delayed by 1 1/2 hours, but we were waiting in the airport, so that wasn't as bad. I hope the rain will stop after this week and we will be smooth sailing the rest of the summer.
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