Wedding BBQ

After we purchased our new car, we took it on a spin to Lockhart, Texas, to eat some BBQ.  We've known since we got engaged that we wanted to have BBQ at our wedding and that we wanted to choose a place in Lockhart.  Finally, after many delays, we made it to Lockhart to make the big decision. 

There are 3 famous and 1 less famous BBQ places in Lockhart.  After calling them on Friday, we learned that only two of them actually cater so that made our choice even easier.  We went to Black's and Chisholm Trail and picked up enough brisket, sausage and sides for Carl and myself as well as some friends who live in Lockhart.  We went over to their place to eat and get their feedback. 

And boy was it good. And gluttonous. 

Growing up in Virginia, BBQ only meant pulled pork. When I moved to Texas I learned it means any meat that has been cooked in a pit.  At first, I didn't like it because I felt like, on principal, it wasn't BBQ. But I've gotten over that and as my tastes have evolved so has my love for BBQ.  We decided not to try ribs because while I want the wedding to be casual, I think eating meat off a bone takes it to a totally new level.

After much debate, we've decided on Black's!  I think I'm still full from yesterday and we still need to decide on pies (although Royer's is the clear winner to me so far) and which Freebird's burrito bar.  Tough decisions.

Subaru Take 2

I bought my Subaru Forester almost 3 years ago.  It was after much debate that I decided to go with the Forester instead of the Outback. I wasn't sure I felt like a 'wagon' person like the Outback is.  Most importantly the new Outback model that was just coming out in 2009 I loved but couldn't afford at the time. So I went with the Forester and while it served a great purpose and I never worried about it being dirty I never really loved it.  I also felt like it was cursed from the beginning.  It was broken into, got multiple flat tires, rear-ended twice, cracked windshield and regular check engine light occurrences.

Looking back, I thought for sure I bought it during a Mercury Retrograde (a time when the world is a bit haywire and you shouldn't enter into any contracts or agreements) but I didn't.  A few weeks ago when I got stranded in a parking lot because the car wouldn't shift gears I decided enough was enough. I was ready to move on and get the Outback this time. 

So after selling my car to Carmax (thanks, Carl!) and reviewing my finances and options online I bought one yesterday!  I'll admit that it was nice not to have a car payment for a few weeks but I missed having my own car. I'm sure Carl wished I'd gone longer to save more money but I think we're both pleased with the new car.  So welcome home 2011 Subaru Outback!

Cookie Tasting!

This past weekend my mom was in town. While she was certainly here to spend time with her two adorable granddaughters, she also wanted to help me with some wedding activities. Jess decided to host a cookie and white wine tasting at her house on Saturday afternoon. She went to 6 different bakeries in town and got cookie samples and I brought over some white wine.

We tasted the cookies blindly, and then rated them and drank some wine and rated those as well. The cookies were all tasty but I think we walked away with a winner. Then, again, when Carl tried them the next night he had a different opinion so we may need to start all over (tough job).

The wine tasting was fun, too, although we only got chardonnays, since that's what my mom drinks. I should have done my research ahead of time, though and realized that chardonnay doesn't go with BBQ. So more wine tasting needs to occur as well.

Jess was so sweet to host this for my mom and me and, as always, I'm grateful to have such great friends.

This coming weekend Carl and I are going bbq tasting to decide who will cater are wedding. Wish us luck!

Easter Camping

This year for Easter, Carl and I camped on his land with Jess and Ken. Thinking back to last Easter I think we camped then, too. But just the two of us.

This time, Jess, Ken and their two dogs - Annie and Moses - joined us. We got out there on Saturday afternoon to perfect, sunny weather. We walked around a bit and showed them the work Carl had done on the land to prep it for the wedding and then hiked to the swimming hole where the dogs and the humans enjoyed a lazy afternoon. It was really a pretty great day. We grilled out that night, sat by the camp fire and drank adult beverages and ate cookies. The next morning we did more of the same - sitting and eating and talking. I am so glad that I got to spend the weekend with some of my favorite people and four legged creatures.

The rest of Easter was spent doing things around the house - tending to Buster's mangy hair and the chickens, who are now 4 weeks old.

I took today off of work to get caught up on some wedding related things. Sadly I spent most of the day just getting caught up on life - laundry, chores, errands - but it was much needed and I'm feeling pretty accomplished today.

I've also been meaning to give an update that my follow up yeast test after my detox came back with no signs of yeast! I am very proud of myself that I got rid of it all simply by changing my diet. It's amazing what you can do when you just adjust what you're putting in your system. It was a good reminder to me that you don't always have to rely on western medicine. There is certainly a time and a place for it but I'm glad I took the more natural route and now know what to do if it happens again.

Play Dates

A few weeks ago, during SXSW, Devon, Kelsey and I left work a few hours early on a Friday and walked over to the Fader Fort to enjoy some live music. For the most part, SXSW is a pain in the butt for those who live in Austin. It's gotten bigger and bigger every year and while that's good for Austin and the economy it's mostly annoying for those of us who live here - traffic is bad, there are cyclists riding around without helmets and it's just loud and noisy. Yep, I sound like I'm 85 years old.

But each year, Devon's cousin offers us tickets to the shows at The Fader Fort and this year, due to Devon's connections, we got to bypass the line and walk right into the shows. Genius. And we could walk there from work. This is how I like to do SXSW - no lines, no parking issues. Thank you, Devon (and her cousin)!

The next day, I got together with Jen for a different kind of play date. One that involved 4 little girls - Lucie and Audrey and Jen's girls, Larkin and Layne. We took them to a park and then out to lunch (Mandola's - the only place we ever seem to take them together). We've been getting the girls together for the past couple of years and while they mostly play next to each other, we love it. It gives Jen and I time to catch up and time to watch the little girls in our lives play. It's really a win-win situation. I hope one day that Anne (Lady Baby Gardiner) will join our play dates as well.

Buster and The Chicks

Does that sound like the newest band? Nope. Just our animal family......

On Sunday, once Carl had mowed the lawn so that the chicks wouldn't get lost in it, we let Peggy, Patricia, Petunia, Barley and Gertie roam around and check things out. They clearly liked to stay near their home (box) and with each other. But this gave Buster a chance to check them out as well. He mostly seemed confused - sniffing them then jumping back in confusion. Luckily he never tried to eat them or bark at them so all in all I'd say it was a success!

The chicks are now 3 weeks old and their coop is ready for them. Just 3 more weeks and they can move into their new luxury home.