Monday, November 30, 2009

Gardens and Crepes

Among the many fun things we did while Paula was here, my favorite was the day I almost declined to join P & A since I was feeling like I needed to tackle some studying. On Saturday, we went to the Zilker Botanical Garden and just strolled through the rolling landscape.

Zilker Botanical Gardens

The sections were diverse and included things like a little Swedish pioneer village, a spectacular rose garden, a lush prehistoric garden, a butterfly trail, a bamboo trail, and my favorite, the Japanese garden.


Zilker Botanical Gardens

The huge koi were putting on quite a show, jumping and splashing to the delight of squealing children (some were scared and one boy told his parents that someone had painted the fish).

Zilker Botanical Gardens

This is a detailed shot of a huge, iron gate at the end of the garden. I thought it was so cool.

After working up an appetite at the Botanical garden, we headed to Flip Happy Crepes. Out of a kitschy, old-school camper, gourmet crepes are made. It was the perfect fall day to sit outside while a shower of leaves came down on us every time there was a breeze (I'm still finding leaves in my purse).

Flip Happy Crepes

Paula had the lemon crepe with blueberry sauce.

Flip Happy Crepes

Austin had the cinnamon sugar crepe with toasted coconut and cream cheese frosting.

Flip Happy Crepes

I, as always, chose the savory option, a three cheese (gruyere, goat cheese, white cheddar) crepe with caramelized onions and spinach.

It was a fantastic day; we love having visitors so we have more of reason to explore Aus-town.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Thanksgiving in Pictures

I love flowers so it was a good excuse to find a festive bouquet. I liked this one because it had bright green hydrangeas to contrast the fall colors.

Thanksgiving 2009

While not as brilliant as up north, there are still fall colors to be had in TX.

Thanksgiving 2009

The spread:

Thanksgiving 2009

Green beans with hazelnut-lemon butter:

Thanksgiving 2009

It's not T-day without the can-o-cran:

Thanksgiving 2009

Eating and eating and eating:

Thanksgiving 2009

Dessert: Pumpkin Cheesecake (caramel sauce not pictured but was tasty!).

Thanksgiving 2009

And finally, we are cleared to decorate for X-mas.

Thanksgiving 2009

Friday, November 20, 2009

Vanilla and Pear Crumble Pie

The blog has been a little slow lately because how do you follow up after the mountains and ocean and wineries and wedding? We got back on a Wednesday night and were back to work the next day so nothing terribly exciting has been happening here lately.

Today I made a pie and got a few requests to post the info so here it is. I guess it's as good a reason to post again as any. I am addicted to several food blogs and when I saw this recipe at Bitchin Camero, I knew I had to try it. First of all, I love all things pear, second, I happened to have a vanilla bean just waiting for a purpose, third, I'm married to a Lundeby which is the Norwegian name for "he who loves pie."

Vanilla and Pear Crumble Pie

I followed the recipe exactly except for substituting hazelnuts for pecans; I'm just not that into pecans. Austin and I both really enjoyed it; it is a definite make-again recipe.

Vanilla and Pear Crumble Pie

Friday, November 13, 2009

Nick and Carrie's Excellent Adventure!

Wedding Day

What do you do when the bride and groom are from different parts of the country, not to mention the fam? Destination wedding at a wonderful location! Nick and Carrie chose the gorgeous wine country area just outside of Santa Barbara, where the film "Sideways" was shot, and was that ever a great idea! Austin and I hopped the connecting flight from LAX to Santa Barbara and gawked the whole way as our little plane flew up the CA coast over azure Pacific waters with hazy mountains gracing the coast. It was amazing. It was just the perfect choice for an intimate wedding with immediate family and the closest of friends.

First and foremost, it was a wonderful time for us to hang with the fam and meet new people. Austin and I particularly enjoyed this while we were out at the local wineries tasting and mingling. The scenery and amazing wine and good company couldn't be beat.

As for the wedding day- being whisked away in limos to several different wineries for the ceremony, luncheon, and cupcake reception was a wonderful way to do a wedding! The food, wine and dessert(!) were all out of this world- the bride and groom did a great job! Just viewing the scenery out the limo windows was wonderful and then hanging out at wineries- wow!

All in all, a big thank you to Nick and Carrie for making this all happen and to the family and friends of the couple for making it a beautiful, memorable experience.

Coolest Garden Place Ever

One minor side trip I didn't expect to be so fun was to to the Rolling Hills Garden Center in Buellton.

Rolling Hills Garden Center

They had many little critters made of recycled metals- click above to see more- like pigs with wings, donkeys, goats, and roosters. I told Austin I wanted to make a lawn farm! I was just mesmerized all around the area, with the amazing sculptures and planters clustered together in themes, the mountains rising in the distance. It was just stunning and I wished they had a little coffee shop so I could sip a little tea while taking it all in!

Rolling Hills Garden Center

It was a whimsical visit and it made me wish for a larger landscaping budget. Ahhhh... someday....

Monday, November 9, 2009

Wine Tasting

Yesterday we toured three different wineries near Buellton. The rolling landscapes, yellow leaves on the vines, and autumn sun were just stunning not to mention how fun it was to taste many different wines. I'm uploading some photos if you can stand to see the many variations on the landscape around here. Just click on the photo of Austin tasting to see the set (captions coming eventually). Cheers!

CA Wine Trip

Sunday, November 8, 2009

First morning in Cali




Sent from my iPhone

First morning in cali




Sent from my iPhoneStaying in the windmill hotel from the
movie Sideways. Off to wineries for tastings now!

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Driving to hotel




Sent from my iPhone

We're off!




Sent from my iPhone
Test 2

California, Here We Come!

But first, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!

We're at the airport and going to board in about a half an hour. Stinky is at home and on catcam and also being cared for by our house sitter, my friend, Beth. We're really looking forward to meeting up with Austin's parents and the sibs today! Nick and Carrie's wedding is going to be amazing, cannot wait for the adventure to begin.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

By Request- Stinky Cuteness

Here is Stinky in various stages of cuddly cuteness and the last photo is of him trying to figure out this trick-or-treat thing.

Cuddle Cat

Cuddle Cat

Cuddle Cat